Always Faithful, Always True; Moren Family; Dallas/Fort Worth Family Photography

Always Faithful Always True.

Today I woke and feeling of inadequacy was rising high within me. 

The feelings of fear of facing the day ahead. 

Would people accept me?  Would I be rejected once more?

My qualifications versus the world's high standards seemed no match. 

Defeated before I even began.  Sitting in apprehension. 

But as I opened the Word of truth before me, my mind quietly stilled. 

Peace settled within my heart as I read Psalm 35:6

"Your steadfast love, oh Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds."

Yes, the Lord is faithful and true.  His love to the heavens, 

His faithfulness to the clouds. 

The Lord has not left me, He is here, and I am there.  

With Him I am enough, 

With Him I am my truest self, my freest self, my treasured, valued and enough self. 

In Christ, covered by the blood of the Lamb, my inadequacies are not more, my defeat no more. 

For the Lord is faithful.  The Lord conquers all.  The Lord is enough.  And He is in me, and I am in Him. 

And for today, that is enough.  

Always Faithful, Always True, Forevermore I rest in You. 

Inspiring Words to Live By 

I chose to write this poem with images from this gorgeous family, because well, the word Faithfulness describes them so perfectly.  I have known Lindsey from my middle school days.  And even through the time and distance, she remains an incredibly faithful friend.  Always there, always true, and always genuine in every way.  When I found out I was going to get to capture their sweet family within my time in Texas I was overjoyed!!  Because not only does Lindsey have a heart of gold, but her family is one for the books!  

And. as I have watched Lindsey and Grant grow within parenting it has been the most beautiful thing!! Growing in patience and love, adoration and joy.  Of course days are hard and long, but the peace and joy that about are that much sweeter.  The faithfulness they display with their children is unmatched.  Showing up in the best ways to be the best they can, in all the ways they can.  No parents are perfect to be sure, but Lindsey and Grant are incredibly intentional of the time they do have with their girls, and it is encouraging!!  Faithful and true.  Words they too are inspiring so many to live by. .

Letter to the Moren Family

You guys, words cannot even express my gratitude to you all.  You have been our rock, an amazing support system to us throughout the years.  We can go 6 months without chatting and catch up on the phone for an hour and a half, like we hadn't chatted since yesterday.  We truly admire you and feel incredibly blessed to have kept in good relation with you guys.  And parenting, I know it can be crazy hard, but my goodness are you doing a great job!  Your girls are the sweetest things alive and they breathe you both in contagiously.  We love you guys!! 

Lindsey- My dear Lindsey, oh the words I could write.  I have seen you grow into the most beautiful mama.  It has relaxed you in so many ways, as you soak in the treasures and gifts before you.  You take them in for all that they are and you affirm and uplift them.  Both those girls adore you to pieces!  And how Grant STILL lights up when you look at him.  Oh the love between you two!  You are such a treasure Linds!  Always a constant listening ear to come to, a sounding board for encouragement.  Words cannot even express my gratitude to you, or how blessed I am by our friendship. 

Hannah- Full of beauty and light.  You lead well dear girl, taking your sisters hand gently and guiding the way.  You are tender and kind, bringing out the best in others.  You will love and lead well sweet girl.  Continue beating to your own beautiful drum. 

Abigail- What a burst of energy and joy!  You keep your family on their toes for sure, but they wouldn't have it any other way!  Full of excitement and exploration.  You will take on the world and never look back!  Your stoic looks, the way you melt into your daddy's arms, the way you smile at mom, you are something special little one.  Never forget that! 

Grant- Tender and Kind.  Hannah gets a lot of her personality from you.  You are doing such a great job of tenderly loving all your girls.  The way you wrap them in your arms, comforted and held.  You are the safe place for your family to rest, constant and dependable.  You are such a light for Lindsey and a faithful source of love for your family.  Tender and Kind. 

Thank you Thank you Dear Friends!! 

And let's remember our truest form of Faithful and True this weekend. 

~Laura 

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Beauty Rising

Beauty Rising 

As the sun shines through the trees, beauty is rising, 

As the warmth of a person beside you sets in, beauty is rising, 

As your heart recovers from hardship through kind words and affirmations, beauty is rising, 

As your mind rests in the quite of the night, beauty is rising, 

As joy abounds through laughter and good community, beauty is rising, 

As the wind sweeps across your face, renewing and strengthening you once more, beauty is rising, 

As the sounds of gentle waters flowing beside you relax and restore, beauty is rising, 

As we let go of expectations, demands and conformities, beauty is rising, 

As we run from fear towards grace, beauty is rising, 

As we step into the full nature of who we are created to be, beauty is rising, 

Beauty is rising here. 

Finding beauty in Home 

A few weeks ago I got to travel to see family, and while I was there I got to photograph my beautiful sister and her family.  And as we hiked through the woods, climbed trees and logs, and chatted about life, I kept being brought in my mind to the beauty of home.  And home for me is not a specific location, but rather being with those who are important to you, your family, your home.  It is always the most beautiful thing getting to catch up with my sweet sister.  And now, as we grow older and wiser in life, and jobs and parenthood it is so good to simply have a person to relate it all in.  The joy of relationships with people we love, in places of beauty.  A treasure worth more than I could pay. 

Abiding in our spaces 

So, may we abide where we are at, being fully present, fully aware, fully atune to our surroundings and the seasons where we are planted.  May we be seasoned with grace, and ready to take on what is set before us.  May we remain focused at our task at hand, and remember all the beauty that resides there, exactly where we are planted.  

Letter to Bekah and Family 

You guys, the best word I have to describe you is loyal.  All three of you are so quick to meet the needs of others at any cost.  You take care of your own and take delight in each other.  You love others well and have fun in the process.  You are always there, consistent and true. 

Bekah- What a joy to watch you grow into the woman you are today.  Leaving behind scars and wounds, but stepping into a season of confidence and joy, soaking in all that is before you.  You are so so so loyal to your tribe, and I so love you for it.  You take amazing care of Autumn and show up to meet the needs of your family.  You always remember people.  You remember birthdays and events and are the best at coordinating things.  You are not afraid to go after what you want, and I so respect you for this, and hope I have learned just a touch of this from you.  I love you so much and am so grateful to have you as my sister! Autumn and Cole adore you to no end and know why they do.  You are simply the best.  

Autumn- Sweet sweet autumn.  You are a little mama if I have ever seen one.  Caretaking to the largest degree and making sure those around you have everything that they need.  I love your adventure spirit and you ability to charge full force after things in front of you, just like your mama.  You are going to be a go-getter in life for sure!  I have no doubt about it! We just love you to pieces little one! 

Cole- Loyal and kind, always seeing what ways to serve and step in to help.  You are truly a gift to our family and we are so glad Bekah found you, or vice versa. ;) You truly are the biggest giver, with such a hard work ethic.  You love and encourage Bekah so well and have been a breathe of fresh air for us all.  You have come alongside Autumn lovingly and full of fun and joy, everything that she needs.  She adores you, and looks up to you in so many ways.  Colie, we are just so glad you are around.  We love you! 

~Warmly, 

Laura 

*All proceeds from my November sessions will be going directly towards our adoption fund!  And, I would love to do some in-home sessions as well this winter season if anyone would be interested! 

3 Generations strong with Affirmation and Growth; NW Indiana Family Photographer

Smelling the sweet aroma of compassion 

I met Melissa through a Rising Tide Group that I am a part of here in Indiana.  Melissa makes AMAZING desserts and treats and runs a successful business hosting workshops and spreading her joy everywhere she goes.  When she asked if I could take some photos of her with her mother and grandmother for her mother's birthday I was quite thrilled.  For you see, Melissa is one of the most compassionate, servant-hearted and talented woman I have ever met.  And truthfully, she follows directly in suite with her beautiful mother.  Their hearts beat for those around them and they serve however and whenever they can.  They are simply full of generosity and compassion, so it came at no surprise to me when Melissa mentioned that she has never heard an unkind word come out of her grandmother's mouth.  And upon meeting Sue as well, I believe it to be true.  Melissa, Sherry, Sue.  A beautiful tribe just as full of life as ever.   Three generations strong with affirmation and growth.  

Baking with Joy 

Something incredible about all three of these women?  They all love to bake together and are incredible gifted in it.  Many of Melissa's recipes come from her grandmother here, and her mother continues to help as well.  Three beautiful women, with beautiful hearts, with a giftedness in baking and serving.  Let me just say these are my women.   These are ladies that I adore being around.  But SO much more than the wonderful joys through taste they are able to give, there is such much richer they provide through relationship. 

One thing I firmly believe in, is spending time around the table in relationship with others.  There is something about this gift of quality time, intentional relationship and commonality on some level that stirs up relational growth and stability.  These women get that.  They understand the value within each other because they have taken time to cultivate a relationship that sees each other for who they truly are, the beautiful gift they are to the world.  And I just so wish, myself included that more of us could do this.  That more of us could take time intentionally around the table to talk with and invest in the ones we love.  To fully soak in the presence and gift of life in the room with us, and never let the moments slip by.  Each moment bears weight. May we make as many of them as we can count.  And may we also realize that on the times we aren't able to, there is always another opportunity.  For may we not be covered in guilt, but propelled through hope.  

Letter to Melissa, Sherry and Sue 

You three.  Three generations of compassion and love.  I don't know that I have met three woman as strong, loving and caring as the three of you together.  There is a bond that richly connects you through food, and yet also through the joy of life.  You each love and serve each other so well. You are bold and determined, yet attentive to others and open to listening to new ideas that may come.  I know these memories together, all three together are fading, but may you rejoice in the wonderful way in which it has been spent.   May you continue to radiate through each other for your remaining years and shed light and hope to others around you through your story.  You have an amazing gift of togetherness and I know you completely understand, see and treasure this value.  May you each take hold of all that you are, embrace it dearly and run fiercely ahead, for others need to see all that you have within you. 

Melissa- goodness my friend, you truly are a rich soul.  You make amazing desserts and entertain to a T, but you have much deeper value still.  You are an encourager, a quiet leader, a gentle beacon of light.  You are loyal and trustworthy.  You follow through on your words and check in on people simply because you honestly care.  You go the extra mile with every opportunity to serve and love on others.  You are a true gift and I am so blessed to know you! 

Sherry- I see every piece of where Melissa gets all of her amazing traits from you.  You are strong and yet so compassionate in your leading. You radiate hope everywhere you go.  Sherry you are the true definition of home.  Welcoming anyone with open arms, having them as long as they would like and serving them with every ounce of yourself.  You are a safe place, a trustworthy friend.  You are the best encourager of Melissa and I know she adores you with every ounce of her being.  You are one blessed mama, and people around you are so incredibly blessed by you. 

Sue- Although this was our first time meeting, I can see every bit of the joy Melissa so perfectly described radiating from within you.  You have a heart of gold and a mouth of love.  You so desperately long for and desire to build everyone up and rejoice in the process.  If a person ever were to extend full grace I think you would not be far behind.  You are leaving an amazing legacy behind you, with two generations following your lead.  You are wise.  You are strong.  You are beloved.  

Remembering Affirmation 

In closing, may we remember the importance of affirmation.  May we remember that these moments together are truly a gift, something to be treasured and leaned into instead of brushed aside.  May we feel the weight of the tender moments before us and rejoice in the opportunity at hand.  An opportunity for rich fullness of love and true relations.  It is never too late to start.   Each and every morning is a new opportunity for life, and for life to its fullest.  Let's jump in shall we?

~Laura 

I would love to document your own story of the heart!  Let's create something wildly beautiful together!