4*16*11

4*16*11

4*7*11

Today is brought to you by the colors black and white.

Thanks to Queens Club.

3*20*11

Welcome to Montana.

3*19*11

I met the Pioneer Woman.

She is fantastic.

3*19*11

I hope this will hold you over... at least for a little while.

Somebody sat in mud...

3*9*11

I have friends. They are cute.

3*7*11

The Classic Crime

They were in town. I took a few pictures.

3*6*11

Let me share with you a story. Today I decided to head up to the Red Caboose for a little coffee fix. Lately I've been trying to keep my eyes peeled for interesting characters. I was in luck. As I pulled in I practically ran over this older woman who was bending over picking up trash. Okay, not really, but I was in a car and she was picking up garbage.

As I exited my car she told me sternly, "Don't litter!" She then proceeded to beacon me to help her. I couldn't tell if she was asking for help in the moment or just in general. Apparently she picks up trash every day for four miles. I offered to buy her a coffee or yogurt but she was not interested. All she wanted from me was to not litter.

I went inside a bit discontent because I neither had an interesting conversation with her, nor did I get a chance to take her picture.

I then mustered up the guts to go out again and ask to grab a quick shot of her.

When I asked she replied with, "I don't care, just don't litter."

She was interesting... and now I have a picture of her.

3*5*11

First, I apologize for the horribly blurry picture. Second, let me share with you a story.

Abby and I were in Missoula this weekend. We were getting ready to head on to a high way when we saw a homeless man whose sign said, "Need a miracle". Well, I needed a person to photograph and he looked like he would make a great candidate. Unfortunately, we were in a car headed down an turn only lane. I took a picture of sunglasses instead.

Abby managed to turn the car around and we headed to the gas station across the street from our miracle needy friend. As we grabbed a parking spot he was already headed over... but not to us. Instead he was getting a citation for begging on the street. I guess that's not legal. Unfortunately I didn't get to take his picture, but I did get this one blurry shot of the poor guy. He needed a miracle and he got a ticket.

Bummer.

3*3*11

Today I did something I don't typically do and you are about to read the story about it.

Earlier this afternoon I was journaling about my desire to take pictures of strangers. I took some time to think about how the things that we do in this life don't really matter unless people are involved in it. What good is our work if we aren't sowing into people? What do our talents benefit if loving people isn't the goal?

Here's the problem; I'm not the type of person who goes up and starts conversations with people. I'm the kind of person who likes to watch other people do that. I'm the kind of person that is confortable encouraging people to do that. I'm the kind of person that enjoys doing it if someone else is going to do the talking. I'm not the kind of person that does this sort of thing.

So I was driving to the church when I saw Liala on the street with a cardboard sign. I knew that she was the person for me to photograph today. I knew it.

I was scared.

I pulled into the Starbucks that she was standing next to. Why? Because I knew a friend of mine was working. I went in and asked Rachel to encourage me to go talk to this lady. She did that and she prayed for me. Then I was on my way.

I nervously approached her and asked her if I could take her picture in exchange for me buying her lunch or a coffee. She agreed and I snapped a shot or two.

I grabbed a couple drinks and we sat outside for maybe half an hour. I learned about her life, the things she's gone through and past mistakes. I told her a little bit about myself and the things that I do, and as much as I brightened her day (as she told me multiple times) I feel like I was encouraged through her. We spent most of our time talking about churches and what it looks like to be a Christian. She was telling me that she stands on the street corner often and that she's noticed that it's the Christians who come up to her and just want to know her. They don't just want to give her money, but they want to know her; they want to bless her; they want to show her what loving Christ really looks like.

It was nice. It was fun. Hopefully I'll see her again.

Anyway, that's all for now. Pray for me as I continue to try to talk to strangers.

3*1*11

Sometimes Carrie and I go on the roof for picture time.

She took the picture of me, I took the shot of her.

Visit her blog if you want to be awesome.

3*1*11

Carrie ate breakfast that looked like this. It was just as fun to eat as it was to take pictures of. I base that on assumption, but it looks scrumptious.

2*27*11

These are scones. They were great. Scones are like biscuits, but sweeter... and better.

2*26*11

A few things for today: Chairs, smudgy computer screens and Abby.

2*22*11

Do you ever have "just one of those days?" Today I had one of those days. The kind of day where I just want to sit around and mope. I don't really know why I had one of those days, but today has definitely been one of the rougher ones I've experienced lately.

This post isn't about me and my sadness. This post is about something bigger. This post is about something greater.

Like I said, lately I haven't exactly been the happiest person, but God works in fantastic and mysterious ways. Last night I received a text from an old friend. It was the most pleasant surprise. She had just texted me to see how I was, just to check in. The Lord has good timing.

Today, after a long day of everything, I left on my lunch (at 3) to get some business taken care of. You know, the usual get your birth certificate, take your picture for your passport and get your long overdue drivers license. Well, all of that was going to happen until I realized the mail had not come, to my dismay.

Depression sets in... that feeling of being useless. That feeling of not accomplishing anything.

That's when I received a text asking if I was at work. Negative, I was driving and not planning on being happy about it.

Then another text, "Okay! I love you! :)"

Have you ever wondered if God was speaking into your life? He was, but he wasn't finished.

Eventually I got back to the church only to find some of the sweetest girls I know sitting in my office. They had made me rocks... yes.... rocks. They made me rocks to show me their love.

God was using them to show me how loved I am.

So to Kelsey and Andrea, thanks for showing me God's love today through the craftiness of rocks. And Ashley, thanks for sitting in my office and drawing pictures. You all are blessings.

2*17*11

Just a little treat for my friends.

2*5*11

2*1*11

1*30*11

BONUS!

1*30*11

1*29*11

1*22*11

Hello Bigfork

Not to Missoula, not to Whitefish. Off to Bigfork.

1*21*11

Missoula Bound

I'm all about Missoula and fun friends!