Right Now I'm...

Listening: Don't get mad... or do. I don't care. I've been listening to CHRISTMAS music when I get ready in the morning! It won't last long, as I generally don't go full-on Christmas till mid November, but this little preview has been delightful! 

Watching: YAY for the return of ALL the Fall shows! PLUS a few newbies, too! The one I'm most looking forward to is probably Chicago PD... or Chicago Fire. Or maybe it's TGIT (Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder). Or Once Upon a Time. Or...

Reading: The only book I've made sure to read lately has been the Bible I mentioned last month. Michelle & I are still reading it and LOVING it!

Working on: Branding. Establishing a photography business on the side. I absolutely love taking pictures, but I'm still a little hesitant as to whether or not I truly have the talent. So maybe I'm also working on a little self-confidence, as well.

Wishing: For Autumn to show her true colors! Both literal colors and the chilly weather!

Needing: A new pair of jeans that I can really, truly say were worth the money.  And none of that skinny nonsense either. I have one pair of those and that is more than enough.

Rejoicing: I start my new job in TWO DAYS!  Yikes! And YAY!

Reflecting on: Life. In general.  And also on how genius it is to have peppermint coffee AND peppermint creamer. How's that for deep thoughts?!

Picturing: This lovely moment from a year ago this coming weekend....how I wish Slappy and I could hop in the car and go see Helen for her birthday this year...

38/52 - Bridge

Thanks to this Senior shoot yesterday, I got these gems on the Bentensport bridge. Hope Alisa likes them as much as I do!

37/52 - Pumpkin

Today we visited Papa's pumpkin patch out back...

And, of course, a few freebies...

While I Was Busy Making Lemonade...

We've all heard the old adage "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Six months ago, as some of you may know, I began looking for a new job.  There wasn't anything particularly wrong with working at the bank; I just knew I didn't want to look back in ten years and see that I was still there, doing the same ol' thing that was neither fulfilling nor rewarding.  So I put out dozens of resumes and had several interviews over the summer. But by the time vacation rolled around in August, nothing had panned out, and I was feeling quite discouraged. So while we were in Colorado, spending hours and hours in the car, I made the decision to stop looking for awhile. I decided to "make lemonade" and be happy at the bank. At least until next spring.

Shortly after we returned from vacation, a new job opportunity came up, and I interviewed for the job.  I even went so far as to initially accept the job, which I then turned down the next day. I simply had Z-E-R-O peace about taking it. I couldn't figure out why God was suddenly saying no, but I went with my gut (the lack of peace) and said "no."

That afternoon, my friend Michelle approached me about reading the Bible.  There was my answer. God wanted me to stay where I was because I needed a Bible reading buddy, and so did she.

So there I was, busy making lemonade, enjoying my life, when literally out of nowhere, God dropped a new job in my lap. My soon-to-be boss approached ME about working for her.  I wasn't even looking anymore, and THERE IT WAS! She (my soon-to-be boss) and I grabbed lunch a few days after she initially approached me, and by the end of our chat, she offered me a job at her State Farm location in Mt. Pleasant! Needless to say, I am ecstatic about this new opportunity! I begin October 1, and neither of us (my soon-to-be boss & me) can wait!

I know its going to be a LOT of work (I need to obtain four different licenses before I can really do what she wants me to do; I'll probably be working on those at LEAST through the end of this year), but I am confident this is where God wants me.  It also doesn't hurt that the benefits are incredible and the pay is significantly higher!

Sometimes God says "no" to what we want. Sometimes He says "wait."

And sometimes, while you're busy making lemonade, God says "YES!"

36/52 - Flag

One of my favorite parts of the Tri-State Rodeo...

35/52 - From Above

These are a few of the shots from the senior photo shoot I did this summer for my sister & my cousin. It was MASSIVELY hot in that church, but it was fun to climb up in the balcony and snap these! They weren't my favorite in terms of quality, but I do want to try this again, maybe with some better lighting.