Christmas Break 2014

Christmas break was a time of relaxation and family time. We got to kick back in Palm Desert with our grandparents playing board games and laying by the pool while we prepared for the crazy day that is called Christmas. 

Christmas has always been such a special day for me ever since I can remember. It is a day where my whole family could come together and spend it celebrating our Savior, dunking our warm biscuits in our homemade chocolate gravy, seeing my cousins squeal with delight as they open their presents, and catching the secret smiles passed between parents as they watch us with joyful hearts.

 This Christmas I got a new lens and was busy snapping photos of anything and everything. I pray the Lord will continue to expand that passion of mine and use it for Him in my life. 

Now Christmas has come to a close and we are off to start a new year. So here's to a new year full of adventures, full of joy, full of hope, and full of life. My prayer is that I enjoy every moment that comes by, because every day is a new day. Plus there are only 355 more days until Christmas;) 

How "Becoming" Shaped Me

         As I stood on the shiny black stage with arms raised high and a voice that was overshadowed by the passion in front of me, I couldn't help the silent tears that trickled down my face as I listened to the unity of voices of hundreds of girls and moms who sang at the top of their lungs because they were just now getting to experience the freedom that this culture has hidden so well. All the hours spent decorating, painting, planning, glittering, and praying was worth it. To see how a generation of girls who have been poisoned with the pressure of being something they could never achieve, present at a conference where the subjects of beauty, boys, media, and who they are becoming, was addressed in a way that was honest and real, was freeing.

Being able to use my skills as a photographer intern and worship leader for the conference for three years now, was even more of an eye opener for me because it changed my perspective. By being apart of something that challenges teenage girls to fight against the lies that are being poured out upon them in today’s society in a practical yet compassionate way, has molded me into becoming a woman who strives for being more than what this world wants me to be. I will not cave into being a size 2, perfect model when I can become a woman of integrity, character, ambition, and intelligence.

My fulfillment in life no longer comes from being the best, or only caring about myself, but understanding the ultimate fulfillment that comes from continually striving to put the needs of others before mine. When I get to experience firsthand the change in a young girl’s heart because she realizes she is beautiful just the way she is, or when a mother and daughter reconnect on a level that only comes from being made aware of the joy they can have by being honest with each other, my heart begins to grow.

I begin to long for opportunities to serve and outlets where my passions are beneficial for others. Even as I labor under the hot sun in Mexico for a week every summer, every day, I am reminded of the impact one small act of service can do for a person or family. The joy that comes from being able to see a mother sob over her brand new house that only took us eight hours to construct, because she no longer has to worry about protecting her children, is what I want my life to be about.

No longer will I be okay with the artificial standard our society has set on our culture. It is time for 

me to achieve, not just get by, to be confident, not focused on my self image, to serve, and not to be 

served, because I have seen the results of what happens when people ignore the social norm of this 

world, and I want in. So, I will continue to love on the unloved orphan, give food to the broken and 

weary, minister and reshape the hearts of  insecure young girls, construct shelters with all the love of 

a home being poured out through every nail hammered in, and to begin to write on the pages of my 

story, my journey, and someday, my legacy.

Surf Sesh

Over thanksgiving break I got to tag along on an early morning surf session and take pictures!

It was a beautiful morning as I drank my salted caramel hot chocolate, cranked up that christmas music, and took pictures of some of the coolest guys I know.

Sand in my toes and the feeling of fresh air blowing in my hair was a perfect way to start off my break.

His Love is Enough

*Meet my friend Brooke. She has one of the biggest hearts I know and her passion for missions is contagious. I recently found out she has a blog so of course I had to share some of her inspiring words on my own! If you're a girl who has ever doubted the beauty that you possess (aka every girl) this post is for you. Enjoy! 


"I’m not beautiful”  A reoccurring thought in almost every adolescent girl’s mind.

How can a generation that is constantly being told that they are not accepted, that they are not adequate, and that they are not sufficient, ever believe that they are beautiful?

How can young people who are under constant attack by the enemy ever truly believe that they are loved, when the media’s twisted definition of love is being hurled at them from every direction?

The love that the world displays is not love at all. It is far from love. 

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 We’ve all heard this verse more times than we can be count, but have you ever truly looked at it? Have you ever thought about what it truly means to love with patience and with kindness?

 Love displays selflessness. 

 This is something that is so absent from the world’s version of love. The world presents love as being beneficial to the giver and not the receiver. But the love that the Lord shows to us is a beautiful example of what it means to love out of selfless ambition. 

 It’s so easy to feel unloved by the world. It’s so easy to feel like we are not beautiful. But this couldn’t be farther from the truth. 

 God’s love for us surpasses the love that any member of the world could ever show to us. It is so much greater and so much vaster than that of the world. 

 But the greatest thing about His love and the thing that separates God’s love from the love of the world is that we don’t have to work to earn this love. It is given to us freely as a gift. All that we have to do is open our hearts to receive it. 

 So stop worrying about what the world’s vision of you is and start reveling in the love the Lord has for you. Because His love is more than sufficient.

Ps. Make sure you go check out her website!

God is so good guys. And sometimes I forget that.

Sometimes I think I'm entitled to living a life full of clothes and money and no problems.

And then there are days like today where the Lord is so real, so close, and so precious to me.

He saved me; a wretched, broken, insecure, 17 year old.

He chose me and loves me with a love that binds all joy and peace and grace into one.

And he didn't have to do that at all you guys. He CHOSE us with a boldness and a passion that we can't even fathom because He wanted to make sure that not a day went by that we wouldn't feel his love.

When I sit on the floor sobbing about my problems that seem to drown me in self doubt and anxiety, he calls me out saying,

"Not today Amanda. Today you are my child, my gift, my joy;

today I will walk with you through this and the next day

and the next day after that until eternity.

Until you precious child realize your worth in my eyes.

Until you sing to the world of your wholeness in me.

And until you never let go of my forever love.