23.

Today is my 23rd birthday. Here are 23 photos from the 23 years God has blessed me with, from birth to present day. :)

The first born to loving parents. Hey look, I already have a roll of film in my hands! Hehe.

I was little. miss. attitude.

My brother and I dressed up all the time. This one on the right is actually on halloween...I think.

More dress up. :)

Me and my sis...pals from the beginning. 

I've always had a love for animals. Hehe. I had a hamster that I really thought was my baby. I even gave him a for real funeral when he died. We sang "It is well" and read his eulogy. 

Art class...what fun memories. 

Highschool. Oh me oh my! Can you tell that I skipped some of my horrific middleschool memories? ha!

Gracie and I were best friends since 2nd grade. We did so many dumb things, but it was all awesome. I love those memories.

I met Ashley in college. We are true kindred spirits and will be friends for the rest of our lives. LOVE that girl. She is a gift. We've been through so much together!

The last year of college I fell in love withe the most amazing man in the world. The memories seem like a fairytale.

Ok, this last "photo" is more like 4 photos, but I didn't want to leave out the last year or so of my life. It's been too wonderful! :)

I am so thankful for the 23 years I have lived thus far. I look back on these photos and think of how greatly blessed I have been. A week from today I will be on my way to Africa. I can't think of a better birthday present than to be able to share the love of Christ with the people of Ethiopia. My cup is full and overflowing. Sure, I've had bad times but I choose to remember all of the blessings God has given me. Scars, joys, tears and laughter...I am so thankful for it all. Here's to another year!

Experimenting...

Hello guys! I've been busy working with my new camera to say the least! I have been so thankful that things are picking up! I have a few more shoots this weekend and I'm incredibly excited! It's only been a few weeks, but I feel like I've been doing this forever. I absolutely LOVE it! I want to learn everything! I've been testing out trials of photoshop and lightroom is next. (If you guys have some preferences or tips please let me know!) I have been trying everything. I love that I can take some not-so-attractive places (aka our back yard...if you can even call it that) and take a decent photo.

It's been such a blessing that I've been able to start this up with minimal expense. Sure, I don't have the best website, blog or equipment. In this field it's very easy to compare and want better. While I do want to strive for excellence, I want to stay content and true to myself. I have to start out small and that is ok. I am limited in design work and had to do my own website. That's ok. I have to wait for more lenses because I'm broke. That's ok. I've really been learning about contentment lately...and that God provides in many ways. I got a $60 refund check from the Doctor's Office the other day! Crazy!

Anyway, that's about all the updates from me.

PS: I just finished a 50's inspired portrait and have some photos up on my photography blog and facebook page! Let me know what you think!

Exciting News!!!!

Well, for starters I bought the camera I've been wanting for FOREVER!!! I love it, I really do. I am about to start a new venture in photography. I have always loved the creative process behind photography. I started using my Dad's old manual film camera when I was a kid and continued to play around with my trusty ole' point-and-shoot just to be creative. Now, the timing is finally right to pursue this passion more seriously.

I now reveal to you..........(drum roll please)...........

Jennifer Blair Photography!!!!

Go ahead and check out my new website and facebook page! This is really a dream come true. Even so, I know it will take a while to get rolling, so there are more job opportunities that I'm praying about. Still, who knows where this could go? To be honest, I have a lot of fear and feelings of inadequacy. (I mean, there are a TON of great photographers out there for goodness sake!) Still, I know this is the direction I am supposed to go. I know this is going to be tool to bring glory to Christ. I pray He uses it for His Name or takes it away. How will photography accomplish that? Well I'm not sure, but I know this is what He called me to and that He can do anything. He doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. So here I am on the brink of a new journey. I'm excited to see where it will lead. I'm learning to trust His voice and depend on Him for each day's purpose. I'm so grateful that He has put a new tool in my hand to use for Him! I really pray that it NEVER becomes about me and what I can do, but about Him and about what He can do through a nobody who is willing to be used.

Can you tell how much I love this little guy? :) I feel like a kid on Christmas morning these days!

Well, if any of you guys live in the south-eastern states and need a photog...you know where to find one!

A few things I've learned...

Hey guys! I'm back for a little bit. I'm borrowing my hubby's computer for a second today. It really has been nice to get away from distractions and make the time to read and pray. Being unemployed has been quite an adventure thus far. It has been very evident that this is God's will for my life right now. I've been learning a lot...and some of it hasn't been pretty.

I have come to realize that I need people and that I hate waiting. I don't like to admit that I hunger to be around people. I like to be independent and make myself think that I'm strong. Guess what? I'm not. After a week of waiting and praying I broke down. It was a quiet Sunday afternoon and I just couldn't take any more quietness, so I drove to Publix. (That is where I normally go when I'm angry. I shop for groceries and think. Yeah, I'm weird! Ha!) While there I had it out with God. I told him that I was so frustrated that I couldn't hold it together. I was angry that I had no answers after a week of waiting. I felt like I'd been left in the dark. He promised that if I took this step of faith, He would open the door. No door was in sight.

On the way home I stopped by a park to cry so Jonathan wouldn't see me. I hate to cry in front of people. Tears fell and washed away all my resolve. I didn't and couldn't understand. At the end of myself, I knew this was part of God's purpose. I needed to learn to trust Him in a deeper way. I had to let my fears go. After I came home, Jonathan let me cry on his shoulder. I told him that I was afraid that He would be disappointed in me and that I didn't want to be a burden to him. He reminded me that I'm not alone. He would take care of me no matter what and that I'd never disappoint Him as long as I am following God. Can I just say that I am so thankful for my husband? God was so good to give him to me.

Well, since then things have been better. I am learning to trust God for everything, for everyday. I am so amazed that I still have money in my bank account. I am astounded that I almost have enough funds for my mission trip. I am in awe of the peace that passes all understanding. In all of this God is teaching me to trust His voice. Sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy. He has asked me to do things that don't make any sense! Still, I am trusting in His promises. He has promised to use me if I will give everything to Him without restraint. So I put all my faith in Him, even when it doesn't make sense.

And now, I am finally getting a glimpse of an open door. Jim Elliot once wrote,"the will of God is always a bigger thing than we bargain for." This has been more than I bargained for, but it is good. Being unemployed in the will of God is better than the best dream job I could even imagine. I'd rather hear His voice than the voice of any other. He is better and I am satisfied. He is has put so much joy in my heart. My cup overflows.

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor.

No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You!"

(Psalm 84:11-12)

Wedding Place Cards & Life Update

Hello dear friends! I want to go ahead and appologize for my lack of presence in this lovely blog world. Life has been so busy that my computer time is extremely limited these days. I wish I could visit all of your blogs and email back a little better, but that may just have to wait until things slow down...which may be after the summer is over! Ha!

Anyway, I wanted to share one of my latest projects with you all. My old boss/ friend asked me to make place cards for her bridesmaid's luncheon. I became so excited as soon as the words "shabby chic" left her lips. Shabby chic is most definitely my forte! Here's a few photos of my creations! All of them are different and I love it!

I'm very pleased with how they all turned out! I don't think I can even pick a favorite. So what is yours? It was a fun little project! Although I must say, I am enjoying the preparation for someone else's wedding instead of mine for a change! It felt like I was always doing craft projects for our wedding!

PS: I am trying out an all white look and a new header. What do you guys think, white or color? Also, if you know a way to expand the blog width I'd love to know!


Have a wonderful Friday!

Loving & Missing

I am loving...

Summer weddings. This past weekend started the wedding craziness. TONS of our friends are getting married this summer and it is exciting to be a part. Jonathan was a groomsman in this one, and I got to tag along. There is something so sacred about the ordinance of marriage. The vows get me every time! (Oh and just in case you are wondering why my hubby's hair looks funny, it's because his sunglasses are on top of his head.)

There is always a tickle picture.

Coffee. Oh my, I have been trying to wean myself off of caffeine...but I'm still drinking one cup every day. Oh well. I just really love it. Each morning it is so comforting just to sip on that warm liquid while my eyes try to ward of sleepiness.

My TOMS. They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. I do not regret buying them in the least. Oh and has anyone seen the crocheted TOMS? Can you say most adorable shoes EVER?

Worship music. We have been playing a LOT of music lately. There is nothing like meshing with a group of musicians who love the Lord. I've also found some new worship music lately, such as Chris Mcclarney, Jesus Culture and Elevation Worship. They've got some great stuff!

That my brother and his girlfriend will soon be home! Matt is my closest sibling in age and we have always been close. He has been traveling with Life Action Ministries for the past two years and his girlfriend joined the group last year. However, they will be coming home this July! I am so excited. I have only seen them twice since our wedding, so I am so glad that our visits will be more frequent now!

I am missing...

This girl. I haven't seen my best friend since February! It has been far too long! Fortunately, she is several hours closer now and not too far away from where my family lives. I hope we can see each other soon!

My family. My brothers and sisters are growing up so quickly, especially the little ones. I really hate that we can't see each other more often. They are so dear to me and I miss our times together.

The mission field. I dream about being in Ethiopia several nights a week. I miss being overseas, ministering to those who have needs. I know there are needs here in the States too, but there is just something different about being on the field in other countries. It is easier to focus on things that matter when there are less distractions from our materialistic culture. This time around, I think I'm going to make a video journal every night that I'm in Ethiopia. I don't want to forget anything!

That's all for now. What are you loving or missing these days?

Airing our clean laundry...

So remember when I posted pictures of our spare "everything" room here? Well, it turns out that is serves yet another purpose:

It is now a room for airing our clean, but wet laundry! Yay!

Yes, I just posted this. And yes, these are phone pics.

You wanna know why?

It's because last night the dryer at the laundromat ATE my quarters. Seriously, it ate them.

Apparently it feigned working when I first put my precious quarters in. I was a sucker and believed that it wanted to dry our laundry. So then I went home for 45 minutes...only to return to wet clothes and a flashing light telling me that it wanted more quarters. Of course I refused to comply to it's demands and went home with a basket of wet laundry.

I was very disappointed. At least someone didn't use bleach before me this time. That has happened before and my nice green towels came out with splotches of white.

And so my laundry saga continues. Living in an apartment complex always provides excitement (or you could call it frustration) in my life. Still, as I was carrying my basket of wet laundry in disappointment I remembered that I am blessed. I don't have to do laundry in a bucket of soapy water and air dry my clothes every time. It helped (a little) to realize that.

Oh well, this is just a peice of real life folks...and now you've seem our laundry. I know that is exciting. Ha!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Hello June!

Well, June sure got here quickly didn't it?

Man, I am glad that summer is here but it's going to be a busy one! It's as if the Mr. Temperature knows that I've been forgetting that it is already summer. I think he has taken it upon himself to remind me by inflicting our area with scorching heat. Seriously, it was 105 degrees in our area the other day. Yikes.

Regardless of how often I forget, this month sure is jam packed with events. We have 10 wedding invitations on our fridge (most of them on the same weekends) and we are going to 2 or 3 of them. Jonathan is a groomsman this weekend and I will be singing in another 2 weeks later. Between having a few gigs and trying to get in some friend and family time, this month is going to go by very quickly...I mean I feel like I just blinked my eyes and there went a whole week already! And that is just June! Let's not even mention July yet.

Despite June's rapid progression, I hope to capture some moments in peaceful places...such as where these photos where taken. I'm an ardent believer that summers should be spent outside as much as possible, even if it is hotter than blue blazes outside. I sure to wish I could have played in places like these when I was a kid. Can't you see some magical adventures taking place here?

Since I'm not a kid anymore, I just have to settle for reading, daydreaming, taking photos or playing the guitar...I may or may not frolic in fields, dance and sing when no one is looking ...but you will never know.

Sometimes you just have to get away from being so busy for a while. I don't do it enough. We'll see how much carefree frolicking happens this month. I hope it's more than I am expecting at the moment!

So what are you lovelies doing this summer? Do you have a busy month ahead of you too?