2020 started off full of hope and anticipation. For many people, including myself, it felt like this year was going to be “our” year. I felt excited about what the future held. 

Then stuff happened… Suddenly I found myself listening more and more to the news and all that was going on with this now very well known Covid-19 stuff. At first, I refused to believe it was as serious as they said. I was convinced that it was blown way out of proportion. This couldn’t be happening to us, right? When churches and schools closed, this all started to feel too real. The overwhelming feeling of uncertainty was getting to be almost too much. The next “stage” in the process was acceptance. I accepted that it was exactly as serious as they said, (and have to accept multiple times a day) and that staying home as much as possible, and therefore helping to stop the spread of this, was the best way to love others. We don’t want a repeat of the 1918 pandemic. 

I will tell you though, this “new normal” is hard! I’m realizing how many things I’ve always taken for granted. I’ve taken for granted that I can go to Wal-mart any time and expect to buy what I need. I’ve taken for granted how much I enjoy the presence of people when out and about. So many “small” things I’ve taken for granted, but am now realizing are such gifts! 

God specializes in making beauty out of ashes, and I’m excited to see how He’ll work all of this for good. I’ve already seen beauty come from this. While our brain craves certainty, this can also be a great season of growth. 

With everything going on, there’s that unexpected gift of time. Since everyone is asked to stay home, my photo sessions have taken a back burner. At first I was so sad about this. I miss people! I miss photographing people! Now to just stay home…yeah… I couldn’t even get myself to face the computer. Now that I finally had time to catch up on sharing all the blogs that I’ve fallen so behind on, I didn’t feel like working on them. Every time I sit down to try and concentrate on writing, my mind just wanders to all the feelings of uncertainty, and who loves those feelings?

Today I received an email from Lisa from The Milky Way Photography, and I found it encouraging. While I have little control over what’s going on, I can control my attitude and mindset around this pendemic.
I can control my reaction.
I can control how I interpret situations. 
I can control where I’m spending and investing my time. 
How much “news” I let in (Or how many conspiracy theories I listen to. I’ve decided on none anymore.)
I can control the exercise I’m getting.
I can still smile. I can control my face! 

While this is scary and uncertain, I want to encourage you to stand strong. Fill your mind with LIFE! We don’t need to hear or read every bit of news. We don’t need to lose hope. We have a God who is so much stronger than all of this. If we lean on Him, He can give us peace that passes all understanding. Phil. 4:6-7
I pray that God will bless and protect you.

Now to end this journey through my scattered brain, I’d love to leave you with one of my favorite winter anniversary sessions. 🙂 

Neta and Jonathan are so much fun to work with. It was extremely cold this day, and we had to work fast to keep from freezing solid! The session may have lasted 15 minutes, but we got some of my favorite anniversary photos during that time.

Congratulations on one year of marriage you two!! May God continue to bless your marriage and bless others through you.