Part two of Helen and Paul’s engagement session was at a beautiful park in LA. To see part one, click here.

Helen and Paul…thank you so much for letting me capture your love and for being able to spend the day with you guys. I had an amazing time!

xoxo

I’m excited to share this engagement session! The first part of the session, Helen asked if we can do some bridal portraits. We met at the Disney Concert Hall…it was my first time really exploring the concert hall, and it was so beautiful! Helen and Paul are so in love…and it was so evident the whole time I was with them. I also loved when they made each other laugh. They were absolutely adorable together…and I can’t wait until their wedding next month!

ps. part two of their engagement session will be up on Friday! :)

I went on the Raddest Photo Trip Ever led by Bobby Earle this past December. I have always wanted to go to Thailand and Cambodia, just never had someone to go with. So I jumped the gun and went. Not something I would normally do alone but I did it, and I cannot explain how amazing it was! Our first day, we flew into Phuket and stayed a few days on the island at the Karon Living Room.

Our first day we got hit by a monsoon! Yes!!! You heard that right…a monsoon! We were at the beach for maybe about 30 minutes or so, and then the monsoon hit us. And what did some of us do? Well the girls and I looked at each other…and ran into the ocean! The boys joined and we had the time of our lives! You can see some of the photos from that on Bobby’s blog here. After that, we went to watch a cobra show. To say I was scared is an understatement! Watching someone kissing a cobra was insane! After the cobra show, we decided to go to a shooting range! I did pretty good I think, for my second time shooting! ;)

Forgot to mention….because of the monsoon…my digital camera broke! So all I had was my film camera and my point and shoot. These were taken on my point and shoot :)

                                                            Our second day we went to Freedom Beach and we took a long tail boat to get there. We went and played                                                                                                                            volleyball for hours, with a few of the locals that were on the beach and watched the sunset on our way back.                                                       (These photos were taken all on film)

- I started my week having a rough day. Everything was going wrong. I just kept praying for peace. A song that kept coming to mind was “take heart”

- blessed to have people who lift me up in prayer.

- At my small group last week we were sharing our story about Jesus in our lives. I really don’t have much of a story. I grew up in a Christian home. Went to church and a Christian school until I graduated high school. I always believed In Jesus. I remember in third grade that I wanted to accept Him in my life. Fast forward to a few months after graduating high school…my family and I got in a horrible car accident, to where I almost died. I’ve had a few near death experiences in my life and I knew for a fact God kept me on this earth for a reason. After a few trials after my accident…and Jesus testing my faith..I realized more than ever that I can’t live without Him in my life. So I got baptized. Since then, Jesus has been constantly working on me and stretching me and loving me and showering me with His mercy and grace.

Song by Scott Cunningham- sufficient for me 

- had a beautiful engagement session in LA…I can’t wait to share the images next week….and i cant wait for their wedding next month!

- went on a road trip with my mom to Portland

- realized that road trips are the best for knitting! I got so much done! I just taught myself to knit about 2 months ago…and I’m making a big blanket for James! :)

- it’s so good to be back in Portland and with my sister Nicky, I have missed her.

I’ve been contemplating for a very long time about just writing down some of my thoughts, verses and songs that God is putting on my heart on certain days, and things going on in my life. And I finally decided that I need to do this…for me! I want to be able to look back on my blog and be able to read how life has changed, or be reminded of things that happened in my life, etc. I want to be reminded of the little things that I’m grateful for during my days. I want to remember little things about my nephew growing up and getting excited for his first steps, words, etc. I want to remember even the difficult times, because from those times in life is where I learn to grow and become a better and stronger person. My plan is just to jot down little things that happen throughout my week, so here it goes!

*all my photos were taken on my blackberry and processed through instagram*

So I’m going to start off from 2 weeks ago to start off the month:

- two weeks ago, my house was filled with people over the weekend. it made my heart so happy. my cousin ben came over along with some friends, ruth and her sisters, sebi and dave. i always found so much joy in having guests over!

- sunday the 29th, church this morning was such a blessing and so good, then I come home am waiting to pull in the garage at our apt. complex and literally 45 ferarris pass in front of me. then i walked in the house and saw a boat on the water only to see a big whale swimming in the ocean. safe to say that its an amazing morning! (to hear a podcast here is the link, and click on the title named ‘dont just sit there’

- went to lunch with my sister and nephew at one of my favorite places, Le Pain Quotidien.

- i had a lovely breakfast with my dear friend Gina, and finally had the chance to meet the man in her life… Naz!

- my small group and I went to an elderly facility and had game night. i didn’t quite know what to expect. but it was such a wonderful night. i played scrabble, and had the sweetest lady on my team. and it was such a blessing to be able to spend a few hours and just show some love and have that quality time together.

- i got my valentines day card from james. have i mentioned how blessed i am to have him in my life?

-“So fear the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone.” – Joshua 24:14

-” But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.” – 1 Samuel 12:24

- I’ve felt somewhat overwhelmed and stressed, and the morning of the 5th, I read 1 Samuel 17. The story of David and Goliath. God put a huge peace over my heavy heart after reading that. I’m praying that I have a faithful heart like David.

- just bought this beauty in practically mint condition! The sweet old man who sold it to me said it was his dads and in his attic for 40 years in its original box! i can’t wait to play with it!

- i started  a diet! i’ve had a day or two..or more…when i ate a few things that i shouldn’t have. and the first few days was so hard. i was constantly craving…well everything! lol i can’t wait to lose all the weight that i need to! as of today I am 11 pounds down! im not seeing much of difference yet, lol but i am feeling so much better!

- i’ve been dying to buy a pair of nude heels, and finally bought some from one of my favorite shoe stores a few days ago. i love aldo. here is a link to what i got! :)

- i talked to my sweet friend Julie, and am excited to possibly visit her this summer and also shoot a wedding with her!

- i just got asked to second shoot two weddings with my friend Ashely, which means i finally get to see Boston for the first time..and i couldn’t be more excited!

- skype dates with james, is one of my favorite things to do right now.

- i made this yummy and easy dessert! if you love cheesecake and strawberries…you will love this! you can find the recipe on my other blog here:

- i booked my ticket for my sisters wedding in May!

- thankful for the wonderful church i attend…God knew where He wanted me.

-my pastor also started a new series on Sunday nights, called The Naked Truth..and we are exploring what the Bible has to say about relationships between sex, love, and God. You can listen to them here!

- talked about spiritual gifts last week in my small group. been praying and seeking out what the Lord has given me. I feel God has given me the gift of: encouragement, hospitality, prophesy through dreams, serving, and intercession/prayer.

- i first of heard of invisible children years ago, when my sisters started high school. they just released a video that is worth watching. my heart breaks for what is happening. please watch the video. and if you want to help, please join the thousands and thousands of people who will be joining in on spreading the word on April 20th.

- my sister lidia and nephew came over for a few days, and i loved my time with them. we went to one of my favorite parks for kids here in laguna, and got to see isaac take about 8 steps all alone! he was holding on to my shirt, let go and walked to a toy! it was such a happy and proud moment for me!

- the two songs that really touched my heart over and over again this week was by: Hillsong – From the Inside Out and also by Brian Johnson-Love Came Down. If you listen to them, I hope that they touch your heart as much as it did mine.