She was outside playing.  Dressing her baby gorilla in diapers and pajamas.  Her clothes mismatched and rumpled.  She had crusty stuff on her face and tangled hair.  

And she completely stole my heart.

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Her little doe eyes and slightly dry lips…not quite "the pout" but almost.  She wanted candy.  

I gave her some.

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Using my camera to capture what my heart feels.  That is what I do.  It refreshes my soul, makes me smile and sometimes cry.  Gets my heart pumping and my mind thinking.  Brings out my creativity and inspires growth.  When a photo touches me I look at life more lovingly.  When a moment captured on film enters my soul and spirit, I look at life differently. I'm more thankful and grateful, more joyful and careful about my daily actions and interactions.    Seeing beauty around me is easier and more obvious.  Beauty in stillness, in quiet moments, in joy, in solitude, in happiness, in sadness, in pain (yes it is there too), in birth, in newness, in restoration, in communion, in celebration, in worship, in anticipation, in love.

Today I want to look at life through that lens.

 And rejoice.  

 

P.S.  My giveaway is still running!  Ends on the 26th!  Please see here for details.