Have you ever been in a situation that you knew would change your life? You can experience it with another person and they may not be impacted, but for you, you know you will never be the same. That happened to me this morning and is the basis for the scripture I chose for this week.
I was at the school volunteering in my 1st grader's class. An announcement came on to lock down the school. We quickly locked the doors, closed the blinds, got the children on the floor against the wall with their heads down and arms over their heads. This was NOT a drill. Even as I type these words I feel the emotion of that moment again. I looked at my precious, beautiful, and innocent child and wondered what the next moments would bring. I knew in my head that this was probably nothing, but the nagging thought is still there that it was for some reason. Word came that the McKinney Police Department ordered the lockdown for safety for something that was going on near the school.
As we sat there for about 15 minutes in silence, my thoughts were all over the place. I prayed fervently for safety. I also discovered something about myself that I had wondered about for years. We always say we will lay down our lives for our children. I had always wondered what I would do if put in that situation. Would the instinct to save my children prevail or self preservation? I always assumed I would save my children, but what if I didn't. (I know, I know...it seems stupid but it has been a tormenting thought for years). Well...now I know. As I sat there wondering, waiting, and praying, I was also planning how I could angle my body to cover the most children if a gunmen came into the classroom. There was no hesitation. My only thought was how to shield the most kids.
I also struggled with the separation from my older son hunkered down in another classroom. I could only pray for him that he was not fearful and that God would protect him.
As it turned out, the threat was some kids shooting off air soft guns near the school (they were not kids from our school). Everyone was safe and class went back to normal. I did not go back to normal, however. I am profoundly changed. I am deeply aware of the thin thread of life. I knew it before, but am reminded again that we are not guaranteed another breath. I know that God protects me and my family, but I also know that His protection may not take the form that I want it to. I am thankful that this was "nothing", and I am thankful for the reminder that each day and each breath is a gift from God. I want to grab my boys and hold on tight and never let go, but I know that is not possible (nor would they let me do it - there is too much to do to hug mom!) In my heart; however, I will hold them tight. I will remember that editing photos because a client wants their pictures can wait an hour or two until they go to bed. I will remember that while the socks in the living room annoy me, at least I have the ones that took off those socks alive and well in the next room. I will remember that the muddy footprints tracked across my wood floor are signs of life - two little lives that I love and adore and could never live without.
Most of all, I will remember that I have a God in heaven who watches over me and takes care of me. He is faithful to me even when I am not faithful to Him. And He enables me to do what He calls me to do, even when I am afraid and have no strength.
So...the weekly word is Phillipians 4:19. The broken down fence almost completely consumed by the nature around it reminds me that while it is weak and seems to be failing, it is still holding up and serving it's purpose. Blessings this week!
Thank you to Myssy Thompson and Julie Kuehn for both sending in this scripture. Please don't forget to share this with your friends. The person whose scripture with my picture gets the most comments will get an 8x10 of their weekly word from me.
Aimee
Thank you to Jessica Butler for sending me this week's Word!
I just loved it with this picture...
Would you like to see YOUR favorite verse featured in a "Word of the week" entry? Email it to awoolverton@tx.rr.com.com and check back weekly to see if your verse is combined with an AimeeLouise photo!
When you see your verse, tell all your friends so that they can comment on it. Each month, the fan’s entry that receives the most comments on my blog/facebook posting will receive an 8×10 print of their photo/verse!
Hit the "share" button on my blogpost and share this with your friends. Help me to spread the Word!
I had a great time with Blake last night doing his senior photos. He brought multiple changes of clothes and was ready for anything. This is one of my favorites from last night - I love how the sun is lighting up the photo. I have lots to share from several photo sessions over the last week or so...I just need to catch up first.
So, here is a sneak peak from Blake's session. I can't wait to share more....
Thank you to Angela Ingalls for emailing in this week’s verse!
Would you like to see YOUR favorite verse featured in the Weekly Word? Please e-mail it to awoolverton@tx.rr.com and check back weekly to see if your verse is combined with an AimeeLouise Photography photo! Each month, the fan whose entry receives the most comments on their Word posting (either on Facebook or my blog combined), will receive a mounted 8×10 print of their photo/verse!
Be sure to forward the posting to your friends and ask them to comment on your favorite posts!
I did pictures for this family last fall. I have still not blogged all of those sessions and this was one of them. They wanted pictures for their Christmas card in their backyard (great backyard, by the way). Little did we know at the time that these would be the last pictures with their adorable dog. They called me this week to order more pictures so they could remember her. This is why I stress so much to my friends and family and clients that it is important to get pictures every year. You never know what will happen. Losing a beloved pet is devestating and I am so glad we captured these beautiful moments between girl and dog!
So "M" family....thank you for letting me share in your moments of a lifetime. You have a beautiful family!
I have decided to start a "Weekly Word" posting for inspiration. This week's verse is my personal favorite.
Would you like to see YOUR favorite verse featured in a "Word of the week" entry? Email it to awoolverton@tx.rr.com.com and check back weekly to see if your verse is combined with an AimeeLouise photo!
When you see your verse, then tell all your friends so that they can comment on it. Each month, the fan’s entry that receives the most comments on my blog/facebook posting will receive an 8×10 print of their photo/verse!
Hit the "share" button on my blogpost and share this with your friends. Help me to spread the Word!
I am still catching up on my spring break sessions. I have to give this family the award for the most patience ever! I did a session last fall for part of this family, and grandma wanted all of the grandkids together for pictures while they were in town for the break. We squeezed them in the night before I left for Italy, but I have not been able to process their pictures until today. I am so thankful for their patience. I know if it were me waiting on my pictures, I would be DYING to see them NOW!
I have posted a few of my favorites below. I decided to play with some different vintage finishes to see which I liked best with the rustic backgrounds. I ended up liking them all, so I included a sample of each below. We had a great time and the kids held up really well! So...FINALLY, here are a few of my favorites of the "P" family pictures. The rest will be ready in the next couple of days....
I grew up in Austin, went to the University of Texas, and only left my beloved city for a job with NASA many years ago. I miss so many things about Austin beginning with my childhood home, the fabulous friends I grew up with, and more than anything, the fields and fields of bluebonnets every spring. Dallas may have some patches, but there is nothing like driving down the highways and through neighborhoods and seeing bluebonnets everywhere you look.
I went to Austin this weekend to re-connect with some high school friends, and as we were driving down I-35, I nearly sent my husband into cardiac arrest. I glanced across the highway at the hill that was near the home I grew up in and it was filled with the gorgeous blue flowers. It was just like I remembered from my childhood. I started squealing unintelligibly and I am sure he thought I had gone mad. Needless to say, we made a stop there before we left for home so I could capture a few pictures of my kids in the flowers. It was an extremely emotional experience for me as my mind kept filling with the thoughts of my dad driving by the hill with me every day when I was a kid and his "oohs and ahhs" as we drove past. Daddy always loved beautiful scenery. He's been gone for many years now and the memories were sad but comforting at the same time.
So...here are some of my favorites from the day. I think I might have a couple of photographers in the making as well. My older son captured the picture that I am in. I didn't really do much to the picture. He focused it, centered it, and snapped the shot all on his own. Not bad for a nine year old. So...here is to Austin and bluebonnet heaven!
I included the last photo lest we forget that today is Easter. Christ is risen...He is risen indeed! Be blessed today!
