{Exciting News - Brainerd Lakes Area Photographer}

I am so VERY excited to announce that this blog is no longer my home! 

Last month I teamed with Eric and Hannah Novak of Typeset Design to create a new logo and blogsite. Now my blog and website are combined into one, which will make things easier on everyone.  

I am absolutely in love, and I think you should head on over to www.kelleyjoimaging.com to see what I'm talking about! This also means that this blog will no longer be updated, so if you want to see more you'll have to head over there :) 

{Fall | Personal}

I think I post pictures from ski gull almost every year... but it's such a beautiful spot! Photography has been crazy busy this fall, but I took a break from editing and enjoyed the evening last week. This is why I live in MN :)

{Seek First | Personal}

I'm finishing up the craziness of this summer, and during this all I tend to forget what is most important in life thus getting overwhelmed and tired. God was reminding me of that this morning, and then in my devotional He drove the point home again. 

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added onto you." {Matthew 6:33} 

"You will not find My Peace by engaging in excessive planning: attempting to control what will happen in the future... I did not design the human mind to figure out the future. That is beyond your capability. I crafted your mind for continual communication with Me. " {Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young}

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." {Psalm 37:7}

{image taken last spring on our family trip to southern Missouri} 

{Crazy Happenings | Personal}

Since my blog has been solid photo shoots for the last months, I figured I'd take the time to do a personal one. This summer has been crazy! God has been blessing my business, so I've been staying busy with sessions. I'm still teaching swimming lessons, which I still enjoy... and I'm finding time to do a decent amount of fun stuff too!

This weekend was kind of typical of the summer. In less than 36 hours I ran my PR for a 5k, speared suckers with the bros and a sis, floated the river, swam a 1/2 mile for a triathlon relay team, said goodbye to my sister who is moving to college, and played the last softball game of the season. Nope, I couldn't move very fast the next day... and I was eating everything I could get my hands on. Wait, I might still be eating that much. haha

Anyway, here are a couple of pictures! :) Cuz a post isn't quite as much fun as without pictures!

Happy Friday! Have a fabulous holiday weekend!

{Sometimes at shoots.... | Staples, MN Senior Portrait Photography}

Sometimes when I'm out on a shoot... I take pictures of other things...

Like the road.....

  {doesn't this make you want to go on adventures down it?}

Like my gorgeous assistant.... 

Like the light that made for an awesome senior session.....

Happy Friday. ya'll! Enjoy your weekend! I know I will be enjoying mine... Shooting a wedding, and attending my family's reunion :)

{Before the Storm - Lake Superior | Personal}

Lake Superior the day before the spring storm that brought lots of snow and 50mph winds. http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/263938/   Unfortunately the waves weren't quite that big yet when we were there yesterday, but they were still gorgeous!

{Hope | Personal}

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget none of His benefits;

Who pardons all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases;

Who redeems your life from the pit,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

Who satisfies your years with good things, 

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

{Psalm 103: 2-5}

{This picture gives me hope... it reminds me that spring WILL come eventually... even if the snowbanks that are still a couple feet high make me feel like it won't ;) }

{24 Hour Prayer | Personal}

Last week Junction122 hosted a 24 hour prayer, focused on the young adults in five communities: Brainerd, Bemidji, Duluth, St. Cloud and Fargo/Moorhead. I didn't take many pictures, because of course I was praying ;) but here are a few I snapped with my phone, along with something I wrote up to give people ideas to pray. Keep praying!

The five communities we are lifting up make up over 14 percent of the entire Minnesota population. Just those five cities could make a huge impact in our state, it only takes a little salt to season and a small light to break the darkness.

"You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt looses its flavor how shall it be seasoned? You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." {Matthew 5:13,14}


Prayer suggestions:

For salvation and a softening of hearts among the unbelievers in the community and surrounding towns; for boldness and fearlessness among the believers to reach and care for the unbelievers.

For a forsaking of flesh, the temptations and pulls of this world and the focus on self, and an increasing desire for the things of God; for an overwhelming hunger and thirst for righteousness, that they would refuse to be conformed to this world. "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth; fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness... you have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge." {Colossians 3:1-2,5,9-10} {Romans 12:2}

For a true maturity and desire for more of what God would have for us. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have ocme to need milk and not solid food.. solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." {Hebrews 5:12,14}

Against complacency, lukewarmness and inaction. That the young adults wouldn't sit on the sidelines and complain, but that they would become people of prayer and action and realize that we need the entire body to accomplish what God is calling us to do. That they wouldn't just settle, but that they would constantly be striving towards righteousness. "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spew you out of My mouth." {Revelation 3:15-16} {1 Corinthians 12:12}

That they would ome to know and rest in their identity as children of God, and grasp the fullness of what that means. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba Father'. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." {Romans 8:14-16} {Isaiah 61} {John 15:15}

For a great desire and hunger for the truth, and no acceptance of the lies of philosophies of man. Especially for the college campuses, where young people are surrounded by different philosophies and ideas that encourage them to find their "own truth". That the Christians would be unsatisfied with lies and develop a conviction of the truth of God's word. That they would walk boldy and live out the things that they believe with conviction of heart and mind. "Beware les anyone cheat you through philosphy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." {Colossians 2:8} {Ephesians 4:14}

For a deeper desire to know the ways of God, and for the knowledge of God. That they wouldn't just stop at the knowledge of salvation, but that they would keep seeking and asking for wisdom and an understanding of God's character, ways and laws. "Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?" {2 Chronicles 1:10}

For a bigger perspective and understanding of our role as followers of Christ. That they would begin to grasp the depth and greatness of His plan for this earth and their inheritance as believers. That He would put in them a warrior spirit, and open their eyes to the battle and the supernatural. "Thus says the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held - to subdue nations before him, and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel." {Isaiah 45:1-3}

{Wonder | Personal}

The little girl crawled out of bed and pulled herself up to the window sill, peeking out into the early morning light. A smile crept across her face as she saw what she was hoping to see, it had snowed for the first time this winter.

One stair at a time, one foot and then the other, she crept down the stairs. The house was quiet as her little sister and brother were still sleeping. She came into the dining room, and the picture out the sliding glass door made her stop. The beautiful light reflected off the white snow, and the swamp in her back yard had been transformed into a gorgeous place. Her eyes got big and her smile even bigger. She shivered a little.

She skipped over to the sliding glass door, and crouched down over the heating vent. The warm air filled the skirt of her red and white checked nightie, and her body began to warm as she took in the beauty of the scene, her eyes and heart filled with wonderment. It wasn't the first time that she'd seen snow, but it always made her feel this way.

__________________

My alarm went off on a Sunday morning, and I rolled over and punched the dismiss button. I closed my eyes again, until I began to feel the light start to seep through the windows. We were supposed to have gotten almost a foot of snow the day before, but it had never came. But as the light brightened up the room, I could tell that we'd gotten snow over night.

I pulled back the covers and the cold air hit me. It made me shiver and I hurriedly grabbed a fleece out of the closet, as I stared out the window. I had a photo session scheduled for this afternoon, and inside I sighed a little.

Snow on the farm meant work. It meant plowing and shoveling, and clearing out cars. It meant putting down sand and getting stuck in the driveway, and having to stay home for days. It meant splitting and hauling wood, and keeping the fire going.

I went downstairs to sit in front of the woodstove, curled up beneath a blanket. And as I sat there, watching the fire flicker, and glancing out the window as the morning got brighter, I realized I'd lost my wonderment and appreciation of the beauty.

The beauty was still there, but my eyes weren't seeing it. The mystery of where the snow came from, or how soft the flakes were, hadn't been solved, but it just didn't cross my mind.

I made myself forget the thoughts of the cold, and the work, and all the things it might mean I'd miss, and let myself see it through the eyes of the little girl.

The little girl in the red and white checkered nightie, that didn't have a care in the world. She didn't care that the snow meant work, or rough driving conditions, or the cold temperatures. She just saw the beauty of the soft snow falling from heaven. She wondered about the God who had blessed this earth with something so amazing and beautiful. She enjoyed the feeling of her body going from cold to warm, and the sight of the green pine trees covered in white.

Faith like a child, means living like one. Appreciating life like one. Forgetting all the worries and work of life, and enjoying each beautiful morning. It means having an attitude that looks at everything like a personal gift from God. Because it is.

{Thanksgiving | Personal}

"Your responsibility is to be receptive to this {unconditional love}. {thankfulness} and {trust} are your primary receptors. Thank Me for everything; trust Me in all times."

"Thank Me throughout this day for {My Presence} and {My Peace}... the best way to receive these glorious gifts is to thank Me for them. It is impossible to spend too much time {thanking} and {praising} Me. I created you first and foremost to glorify Me." - Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young

"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name." - Hebrews 13:15

Thanking Him for the greatest gift He's given us... the opportunity to come into His presence, and to be able to feel His unconditional love despite what we have done. 

________________________

Image from communion during Junction122's Thanksgiving Dinner

{I am the Lord | Personal}

{the lake at Lum Park, Brainerd, MN}

"I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house.

 "I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them."

{Isaiah 42:6-9}

{Preparation | Personal}

"Beginning your day alone with Me is essential preparation for success. A great athlete takes time to prepare himself mentally for the feat ahead of him before he moves a muscle. If you are not adequately equipped for the journey, you will grow weary and lose heart. Relax with Me while I ready you for action." {Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young}

I read this in my devotional two days after I ran my first half marathon, and I had to laugh. I completely experienced this in the physical sense... I was NOT mentally prepared for this race, and I tried to rely just on pure muscle strength to get me through it, which ended up not working (who knew? haha).

But the same is so true in our relationship with our Father, and the rest of our life. So often we try to "muscle through it", without preparing for the day or task or battle ahead of us first. The week before my race I failed to get enough sleep and eat the right foods, and that was my first problem. When we're faced with something tough in life, our first step should be resting with the Lord, but usually our choice of a first step is to get out there and RUN.

Back when I played softball in highschool, I remember my dad telling me over and over and over again that softball (and baseball), is so much more mental than physical skill. And I would see it... when my attitude was strong going into the batters box, and I KNEW I could hit this girl, my batting average soared.

When we spend time resting in God's Presence, and gaining confidence in our relationship with Him and the power and strength that comes from Him, THEN we are prepared for our second step, which is the training, or the running.

I know from experience that my most miserable runs come when I haven't mentally prepared for them. I remember running a 7 mile run and having a great time, I felt so good after it... and then two days later I ran just 3 and it was horrible. I struggled through it, had a hard time staying on pace, and from the first quarter mile all I could think about was being done. I was obviously physically able to run 3 miles, but mentally I wasn't.

I don't want my life to be like that 3-miler, when it could so easily be different. And it can change from day to day if we aren't focused on the Lord.

Focus on the Lord! Let everything else become blurry as you prepare for the tasks that God has ahead of you. Don't give up.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entagles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." {Hebrews 12:1}

"For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." {1 Timothy 4:8}

{Transformed | Personal}

"To do for yourself the best that you have it in you to do -- to grit your teeth and clench your fists in order to survive the world at its harshest and worst -- is, by that very act, to be unable to let something be done for you and in you that is more wonderful still. The trouble with steeling yourself against the harshness of reality is that the same steel that secures your life against being destroyed secures your life also against being opened up and transformed." - The Sacred Journey, Frederick Buechner

{Read this a few times... it's so powerful. I have such a hard time letting anyone, even God, do anything for me. But that's missing out on so much that could transform your life and make it even better. Let God do His work. }

{Happy Monday | Personal}

Happy Monday everyone!

Life has been so crazy lately, like one of my friends said, "geeze, feels like I have to get on your waiting list." haha!

Busy with photography, working on this lovely session right now... aren't they just so adorable!? This is my third year photographing their family, and I just love spending time with them. I pulled up to their house last week, and all three kids race out to my car before I even step out... "guess what!? we got baby cows!" "I'm four now! and she's three!" "Lets go look at the horses!" "do you like my cat? Our other cat ran away!" "We had popcorn for a snack!" Pretty much stealing my heart.

This Saturday I'm looking forward to Jon and Carol's wedding. It's an intimate little gathering in Isle, MN that is totally and uniquely THEM, and I am SO excited that I get to be a part of it. Can't wait!

I'm training for a 10 mile race, that is in LESS THAN TWO WEEKS! >_< It's my first race over a 5k distance, and I'm both nervous and super excited.

On Wednesday some friends and I are going up to Park Rapids for the Impact World Tour. Check out the website if you're interested in going! http://www.impactworldtour.com/Groups/1000087595/Impact_World_Tour/locations/United_States/Hubbard_County/Hubbard_County.aspx

I also started a new job.. I'm now managing for the swim school that I work for (www.splashschoolusa.com), which I think will be a great fit for me. I'm really excited to get to be a bigger part in the school. But it means I am back to three jobs...Apparently I can never last very long with just two. haha!

And one last thing....I read this in Jesus Calling this morning, and it was so good for me today:

"Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all day long." {Psalm 89:15-16}

Remember to rejoice in His name, ALL DAY LONG!

{Weakness | Personal}

I've been fighting shin splints these past few weeks, ever since I did five hours of biking, ran a 5k, swam with 325 children triathletes, swam a 1/2 mile race, and played ultimate frisbee all in one weekend. Smartest idea ever, right? I'm supposed to be training for a 10 mile race in less than four weeks, and I can barely limp through two miles.

I sat  down this morning to read my bible and I was complaining to God about it. This is the second year I've signed up for the 10 mile.. the first year I came down with mono, and wasn't able to run. So it's been on my list to conquer for a while. I was really looking forward to it this year.

After finishing my griping I opened Jesus Calling and the first thing I read hit me over the head. I had to stop and re-read it... wondering if I was just seeing things, or if that's what it really said.

"Accept each day exactly as it comes to you. By that, I mean not only the circumstances of your day, but also the condition of your body." {Jesus Calling, September 8th entry}

It went on to say more:

"Even if you wrongly choose the first alternative (giving up vs. relying on Me), I will not reject you. You can turn to Me at any point, and I will help you crawl out of the mire of discouragement. I will infuse My strength into you moment by moment, giving you all that you need for this day." 

 Because in our weakness {both mental, spiritual and physical}, He is strong. When we are weak, then we can acknowledge that everything we accomplish is from Him.

Remember to rest today in His strength and His power. Forget about your own weakness, your own pain and inadequacy, and focus on Him.

"For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. " {2 Corinthians 13:4}

{Church Is... | Personal}

{photo taken around June Lake, CA}

I've been thinking a lot lately about what church really is supposed to be. Lets face it, most of us are dissatisfied with what the church in America has become, it just doesn't seem like it's functioning the way God intended it to.

We've decided that church is not a building, or a time, or a meeting or a potluck, and rightly so... but if it's not what is it? Then we look at the book of Acts and decided that it must be community, living in unity as a body and fellowshipping together, which sounds good, but how does it work? What if we're not living in unity, what if we're not getting a long, what if things just become actions?

Church is never just a meeting. The church isn't a Sunday service, it isn't a community group, or people having fun together {although the church can do these things, it isn't these things}. Is the church simply a collection of people whose biggest, highest and only goal is love Jesus with all their mind, soul and strength? Whose passion is Jesus first, and which is then followed by a passion for people?

"The church" {or the body of Christ} cannon be a formula and it can't always look a certain way. We as humans have a tendency that as soon as we put a structure to something it becomes a formula. Structure isn't in itself bad, but the formula is... because it removes the relationship with God.

So the beginning of the Church is Jesus. Then come the broken people who need a relationship with their Savior. As their relationship grows, Jesus becomes their passion, their Father, their Life, and they naturally want to share that with others.

THIS is the church.

The church should be about relationships. But very FIRST, before any thing else, is a relationship with Jesus. It should be number one, and nothing should happen until it is strong and is truly number one. THEN come the other relationships.

Church is not a building, or a social gathering, or a discussion group. The church is not an outreach, the chuch is not a mission, it is not a recharge station, it is not caring about people, the church is JESUS IN US.

"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." {Revelation 2:2-4}

All those things, everything I just mentioned... will eventually come. But it's not what the church IS. The church is about Jesus, and only Jesus. And Jesus can never be a formula, Jesus can never be the "next step" toward a goal, and Jesus will never be a building.

Jesus in us equals the church.


"The Church" must simply be a collection of people who have Jesus living in them. A collection of people whose first love and passion is Jesus. Whose LIFE is Jesus. 


If we want to change the church as we know it, if we want to fulfill what God really wanted and desired when He called us the Body of Christ, we need to start with ourselves. We need to cultivate the church in us, not our relationships with other people, not our live, not our humbleness, not our unity. We need to cultivate our relationship with our Father, no matter what it takes.

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." {1 Corinthians 12:27}

{Persistence | Personal}

"When you walk through a day in trusting dependence on Me, My aching heart is soothed. Gently bring your attention back to Me whenever it wanders away. I look for persistence - rather than perfection - in your walk with Me. " {Jesus Calling, Sarah Young}

*Photo taken on Lake Superior at Tettegouche State Park

{The Dog | At the ball park}

I ran across this little guy at the ball park a few weeks ago... and he made me smile :) Happy Saturday everyone!

{She's coming to visit | Personal}

All I can think about right now is this lovely lady.... 

IS COMING TO VISIT!!

Katherine and I meet two years ago at photojournalism class in Atlanta.. we were roomies :) The only picture we have of the two of us that week {ok, we look tired... but we had just finished 70 hours of class in five days. Yes.} And she also takes extremely lovely photos: {http://www.katherinealison.com}

I got to visit her last year in California... and we did lots of amazing stuff, including shooting a wedding, hanging in San Diego and Coranado, camping and rock climbing in Yosemite and lots of other adventures. And now she's coming to MN! :D

Tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow.

Which means I'm scrambling to catch up on last minute things which included lots of photo work, things for the newspaper, CPR recert {ugh}, filling out a camp application {I'm guarding for a week this summer! Yay!}, and wayy too many other things.

So... so long for the next week, during which we will be shooting another wedding, canoeing on Pillager Lake, exploring the country and camping up the North Shore {among other things}. :)

Until then!