this morning, tom and i went to a funeral, for a friend's mom, at our local catholic church. scott's brother is a priest serving in the military in baghdad iraq and he officiated the service. it was the most touching, beautiful funeral service, i think i've ever experienced. very heartfelt and spiritual, with just enough humor to keep everyone at ease. i grew up in the missouri synod lutheran church, so i know the sense of awe that exists in a large, liturgical church, and i must say that i miss that. i adore my church...but, whenever i visit a catholic, lutheran or other liturgical service, i realize that a part of me, misses the sense of awe, respect, and reverence that is a part of a more traditional church. i was moved to tears more than once...and it had a lot to do with feeling the presence of God, as well as the sadness that comes with loss. whenever i go to a funeral, i think of my own mortality, and sometimes, i think about what i would want at my service. i know i want *my* boys to carry me, jared, josh, ryan, kirby and my grandsons. that is important to me. i tell tom that every time we go to a funeral. today, he said he wants that too. i know i want the songs, "amazing grace" and "lift high the cross". i want uplifting, encouraging Bible verses read, and i want a message of Jesus' love and grace given. okay, now it's in writing, and the world knows! if i die soon, you guys all know what i want! anyway, while we were at the funeral, i couldn't help but think about what a great chaplain scott's brother must be. he had such a great sense of humor and seems so very kind. i'm sure he gives a lot of comfort to the military personnel who he serves. that was encouraging. another sort of unrelated thing that i thought was this: we all worship in different ways and have slightly different doctrines, and yet if we worship the same Savior, why can't we all respect each other's faith? an ecumenical body, united in the same purpose. as long as the bottom line is the same? Jesus is our Savior. period.
i guess my mind is really focused on life and death, because not only did scott and kathy lose scott's mom, but my bud donna lost her mom very unexpectedly yesterday too. i know one of the biggest cliche's in the world is, "life is short", but it's so true...and none of us knows the time or hour of our death. i want to be ready. i don't want to have any regrets. i want to spend time with the ones i love, and not hold back on living my life...doing what i love, and hopefully being a blessing to others. i don't want to be so driven, that i miss out on real life, killing myself to "make" it.
so, i mentioned that i would share my favorite products from the show today. since it is late, i will wait and post that another day when i can give it some proper thought. however, i will share some pretty faces that i promised. i love these girls.
this is kim. kim and i have so much in common. i think the main thing being our values. she is a gem.
tracy has taught me more about this industry than anyone else. she is so proper and businesslike...but at the same time, so fun to be around. love tracy!
i am so sad that i didn't do any headshots of jenn. she looks so good! oh well, her facebook profile pic that she took herself is awesome!
wendy. gorgeous, intelligent and on the same page politically with me :)
kelly is so funny...she says that every time we work a show, i try to talk her into headshots! you can see why, right?
iliana is so sharp...she always has the best clothes and accessories.
amy & kl...two of my favorite peeps. love these girls. so glad i got to see them and hang out a bit. i wish i had taken more photos. i always say that at the shows.
update on photography workshop: i'm doing a beginning photography workshop on saturday march 7 at the loft. i have a few openings left, so if you're interested, let me know! there is a lot interest, so i anticipate that it will fill up :)
one more thing photography related. i would like to find an adventurous young couple who ice skate. you don't have to be good...just willing. and not wimpy about cold temps. cute snow gear would be beneficial too. i would also like to find newborn twins to photograph. i am actually dying to do a shoot of multiple newborns....so if you know of anyone that might fit the bill, pass the word.
wow. i've covered the gamut today. i hope you have a great day and weekend. God bless!
I can't even bear to think of you dying on me. seriously, i would be devastated. love you!
i know a 9 and 7 year old you could photograph LOL!!!!
t
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | January 30, 2009 at 12:21 PM
hi becky,
what wonderful photos from cha-w. it was great to see you, and hope you had a safe trip back home, into your beautiful photography studio! i would love to see it someday and have you photograph my dear family.
kl is one of my faves, too:) it was nice meeting some of her team.
blessings,
erin
Posted by: erin yamabe | January 30, 2009 at 12:28 PM
we're lutheran missouri synod, too. :) and in the midst of calling a new pastor. right now we're calling #4 - definitely a process!
have a great weekend, my friend.
Posted by: melanie | January 30, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Thank you for sharing your stories as always. I was raised lutheran missouri synod as well. ;) A friend of mine is pregnant with triplets so I will pass along your information to her. Have a super weekend!
Posted by: Meg | January 30, 2009 at 12:51 PM
i am totally interested in the class! oh wait...i live in a another stinkin' STATE! and i dont have an SLR camera.... never mind!
Seriously, some day i am flying there for a class!!!!
Miss ya,
Emma
Posted by: emma | January 30, 2009 at 01:38 PM
losing anyone
or watching those we love lose someone
is always so hard for me too
i always cry
at every service
even if i don't know the deceased very well
all of that sadness a grief overwhelms me
just the thought of losing everything
and i would be so sad to see you go
and jen looked smokin hot!
xoxoxo
ps : dude
nice cleavage you got on me
ha ha ha!!
Posted by: kerry lynn | January 30, 2009 at 02:26 PM
awesome photos!!!!! it was SO very nice to see you again!
amazing grace but the grace like rain version would rock for my funeral. sigh...
Posted by: amy | January 31, 2009 at 08:48 PM
PS... wait! it just registered!!! THE great BN took my photo... holy crap!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: amy | January 31, 2009 at 08:49 PM
Last weekend, we attended a funeral for a man from our former little country church we had attended years ago. I experienced that same quiet reverent spirit, and know what you mean. we have attended a modern charismatic for years now and are happy, but there is something to be said for that quiet time for reflecting.
Posted by: laura shelton | February 01, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Hi Becky. I found your blog through 2 peas. I have a couple of young girls who figure skate. They are 5 and 7. If you can't find a young couple, they might work for you.
Posted by: Melissa Miller | February 02, 2009 at 03:28 AM