Words of Wisdom {& of Inspiration}

  There have been a few things on my heart recently that I just got encouragement, confirmation and inspiration on today!!!

  Most of you may know that I'm single.  And I'm praying for Mr. Right, have been praying fervently for him for several years.  Throughout these years, a few young men have come my way and I thought that maybe just maybe  they would be him.  They seemed to match the basics that I know I want (the things that I won't compromise on) and they also had things about them that I liked which I may have not have thought of before.  However, in each case, something happened to end these fledgling acquaintances. 

  As a side note, I have NEVER wanted to date anyone seriously unless it was the man God had for me.  Strange, maybe but I've seen too much heartache, bitterness and regret to want to go that route.  Anyway, After the most recent disapointment, one of my best friends pointed out to me that God was keeping me from getting into a relationship with anyone but my future husband.  That realization slowly sunk in and made me very thankful.  I don't think that I've ever prayed specefically that I would date only my husband, however, He's a God of HUGE and IMPOSSIBLE things so He certainly knows my heart and deepest desires.  Isn't that a blessing?  Ok, off that side note.

  I KNOW that God is preparing and bringing a godly man into my life.  He has assured me of that time and again.  However, sometimes I get nervous and lonely and out of sorts and I ask Him, "Where is he God?  Why isn't he here yet?  Can't you hurry up?!"  (Be honest!  You've thought it too!!)  And sometimes, I even slightly wonder why God allowed things to happen with those other Mr's who didn't turn out to be Mr. Right.  Well,  this morning, I was reading thru my blogroll and came upon this amazing post  that totally stopped me in my tracks. 

  God has had a hand in each and every young man that I have become acquainted with.  No matter for how long, no matter how high the degree of interest was, no matter that it didn't work out.  The point wasn't the acquaintance but the lessons God would teach me thru them.  And, boy, has he taught me some things (Praise His name!).

  One thing is to never settle for someone who meets all your requirements and seems just perfect and not be 150% sure (both you and he should be sure) that he is what God wants for you. 

  I especially loved the quote (which sums up what I've learned) "...even if something “seems good” that doesn’t mean it is what God has for you."

  That was my encouragement for the day!!  God's got my future and my future husband in hand and He's working it out for what's best for both him and I!

  ~~~~

  Next, for my confirmation! 

  For over a year I have been sending in applications to different volunteer organizations and no one has EVER responded.  I felt like God was closing the door and that He didn’t want me to do that. So I stopped persuing it. 

  In April, a door opened for me to be able to provide photography at a home for sex trafficked girls and in August, I will be meeting with the founder to talk about offering photography classes to those girls.  If that's not a volunteer opportunity, I'm not sure what is! All I can say is, “Wow!”  God works in crazy ways but most importantly, He works in HIS timing.  Not mine. 

  Not only that but last week I get a call and voicemail from a volunteer organization in my hometown that I applied for right at a year ago!  They asked if I was interested in helping and to contact them if I was. 

    Silly me, I began analyzing (not a good thing to do but I do it a lot).  1- I kinda didn’t want to volunteer anymore, 2- I would be working (hopefully) with the Girls Home, 3- I’m too busy to volunteer….

  Yea. 

  This morning I was in the midst of reading my blogroll and another blog post grabbed my attention.  You can find it HERE.

  The post really wasn’t about volunteering in the way that I will be (underprivileged youth, abuse etc) but one of the last statements got ahold of me.  “If you have even a slight stirring of compassion for the younger generation, do something about it immediately. Eternity is on the line. We don’t have to have our “act” together before we can be used. Thankfully, students want our presence more than our preaching anyway. The majority of the time, ministry is about showing up; God promises to give us the words at the moment they’re needed.”

  True story.

  Isn’t God amazing?  He is all up in the little things (like these two things I’ve mentioned above) as well as the big things in each of our lives. 

   So my mind has been made up and my decision to volunteer confirmed

  I would appreciate prayers as I am a tad nervous about this as I’ve never volunteered before. 

  ~~~~~~~~~~~

And lastly, some inspiration for fellow photographers out there. 

 I’m doing my first “styled session” tonight and I saw an article (once again while reading my blogroll) all about setting up one, beginning to finish.  Thought it might be useful to someone.  I know that I’m gonna keep it as reference. 

  It’s HERE.

  Tell me about some things in your life that God has encouraged you in or confirmed your heart and mind of. 

  Or, tell me about a styled session you have an idea for or have shot.  I’d love to hear.

Sara <3

He Was a White Knight {That Changed My Life}

    The title is a bit strange, isn't it?  No, it's not reffering to my "prince charming" (whom I do not have yet, by the way) and no, I'm not going crazy.  It's referring to the bunny I owned for a little over 3 months who changed my ideas about animals and helped me to have a more compassionate, caring heart to animals as well as people.

    I met this special bunny on a warm, April morning when he was with his brothers and sisters at the fair.  His parents were being shown by my best friends parents and he and his siblings were being given away.  Mrs. C, my best friend's mom, asked me if I wanted to hold a bunny.  Of course, I did as I do like little, furry creatures in general, especially if they're babies. 

  When she put this little bunny into my arms, he immediately nestled up to the crook in my neck and just sat, watching all that went on.  Below is our first photo together.

  I had not had a pet in several years and when Mrs. C, and my friend kept urging me that I should take him home, I was dubious at first, then began to be won over.  I called my parents and asked if it would be ok.  Thankfully, they said yes!!

  I carried this little, nameless bunny around with me all day, and as my friend and I were walking into Tractor Supply, I said, "I should name him Lucky."  She said, "Why?!"  I thought a minute and replied, "Because he's lucky to have all of his feet!!"  His name was born.  And later, more names were added.  His full name ended up being: Thumper Lucky Benjamin Button Binky Vogt!!!  What a huge name for so slight a bunny.  Of course, I called him Lucky.

  I brought him home and arranged all the items he needed for comfort, cleanliness and sustenance.  My father, who is not an animal person, somehow grew very fond of this tiny, white ball of energy and talked, laughed and played with him almost every day.

  Lucky was happy.  He got treats, was able to roam freely about the house when I got home and showed his appreciation for this by running around our entire house several times before throwing himself down on the floor and panting.

  My love for this little fellow grew as I watched him and realized that he had such a personality.  And it didn’t matter how I felt when I came home. I could be angry, sad, or elated, no matter, he loved me or comforted me whatever my mood. 

  When he was about four months old, he began exhibiting signs of maturity (like all boy bunnies do).  I knew that I was not going to be able to get a female companion for him and I hated seeing him so frustrated so I decided to have him neutered.

  I scheduled his appointment for Wednesday, July 20, 2011 and because of my work schedule, had to take him to the Vet on the 19th.  During the ride there, I talked to him about how he had to be brave, and that I would come back for him the next day.  I remember that we passed a road that was called "Rabbit Meadow" and I mentioned it to him. 

  When I reached the Vet, I gave him to one of the workers along with the words, "I love you and I'll be back tomorrow!"

   On Wednesday morning, about 11 AM, I got a call from the Vet.  Only, it was not the one that I wanted.  The Vet kindly told me that Lucky had had complications when they were doing his post exam and had passed away. 

  The shock and grief I felt were terrible.  I bawled my eyes out and called my mother to go with me to get him.  I knew that I could not do this alone.  

  When we were on the way back, I told my mother, "I promised him that I would come to get him today, and I have."

  My father and I buried him that night in our backyard with a few of his favorite toys as well as a note from me. 

  How could such a small creature have given me so much?  Have taught me so much? I still ask myself that today, one year since his passing.  I don’t know.  All I know is that the Lord gave him to me at the right time and the Lord took him away from me when his time was complete.  Whatever work the Lord sent him to do in my life, he had finished it. 

 The next day, I knew that I could not face my grief without another bunny to help ease it.  On the 21^st, I found out about a rabbitry in Zebulon with baby bunnies.  I proceeded to purchase a beautiful, 2 month old Mini Rex doe and name her Cinnamon.

  Cinnamon has helped heal me.  I talk to her of her brother and when she binkys for joy, I see him in her. 

  I still think of Lucky a lot.  He holds a very special spot in my heart but I know that he had the best life he could have possibly had and that he had all the love in the world from myself, my parents and all his "aunts" (my friends).  He was doted over. 

  I love you, Lucky, you will always and forever be my "little baby boy".

  Sara

PS.  Please read this poem but be prepared to cry!

PS2.  Please visit Baskets for Bunnies to learn how you can help bunnies without families.

It's Wednesday

  So very glad that it's the middle of the week.  This particular day has seemed quiet long and unenchanting.

  Here are a rundown of things I have my hand in right now....Very excited about them all...

  1. Loosely planning an Ivory Princess themed little girls styled shoot.

2.  Just put out a call on Facebook for families who would like to model to help me update my portfolio (if you're in the Eastern NC area and would be interested, email me at svogtphotographer@yahoo.com !)

3. Have an "old fashioned" styled session coming up next week.  I'm super excited about that and will be talking to the girl who is going to be my model tonight to get more details =)

4. Finishing up my website redesign and getting ready to get with my "panel" of people to decide what images should be displayed.

5. Planning a small party for my mom's 60th birthday in a few weeks

  I am pretty busy! But I like it that way.  It keeps the cooties out of your brain when you have something good to focus on!!!

  What are you doing right now?  Any exciting plans? Or maybe not so exciting but important to you?  I would love to hear about them....

Sara <3

Things Are Looking Up

While my last post, Go Big or Go Home was a little on the discouraging side (did anyone else sense that, or was it just me?) I thought that I would share how just a few days have helped me to feel better about my talent of photography and also the images that I have created in years past. 

Over the weekend, I met with two photographers near me, Jessica and Lindsay.  Jessica helped me out with some areas I'm struggling with technically and I got to talk "shop" with both her and Lindsay.  You don't know how nice that was.  Most of my friends are not photographers so when I try to talk to them about photography they're like, "that's great but...we don't get it" or something like that.

It was also nice to be able to take my time and be able to think about how to get a good shot before I released the shutter.  If I had been photographing a session, I wouldn't have felt that I had the luxury of that time. 

Also, Lindsay said something that stopped me in my tracks.  As I was talking about wanting the VSCO film presets I said that I wanted to wait until I got better before purchasing them and she said quietly, "I think that you're underestimating yourself and your work...".  That small statement got me to thinking about a post I had read by Danielle La Porte, which you can FIND HERE.  It states EXACTLY what I have been doing to myself this past month or so.

These images that I have created in past years are nothing to be ashamed of. They show where I have been and reveal where I am going.  They show a learning process.  Most importantly, they show progress!! 

Since I don't see things in grey but in black and white (or literal/analytical), when I made the decision to revamp my portfolio, my mind immediately wrote off almost all the images that I've created over the past years as "not relavent/not good enough/trash".  And I've been beating myself up about them and wallowing in the fact that they weren't "any good" and "how on earth did I let myself think that was a good picture?"  I had failed to realize that the more you can see your past, realize it's a part of you and then move on towards where you want to be, the more your past becomes a foundation, a springboard, to what you've dreamed of and longed for. 

Spending time with those two fellow photographers helped me to realize what I've mentioned above and also gave me a dose of faith that I do have, within me, the power and ability to get better while not discrediting the work that I've done up to now. 

If you're feeling discouraged, write me.  We can chat.  Maybe you can help me, maybe I can help you....We'll see where it leads....

Sara

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/SaraVogtPhotography

I Heart Faces July "Enjoying Life" Photo Contest Submission

I am into submitting photos to contests these past few weeks.  What is up with that?! =)

I don't know, but here is another photo....