Over the weekend, I got to hang out with my dear friend Shawna of Shawna Sherrell Photography. I rented a new flash and wanted someone to test it out with me! Let me just say….I LOVE Off Camera Flash! I can’t wait to buy the gear I need to offer this to my clients!
I got some super fun shots of her daughter…
This one is my FAV!
Shawna also captured some really fun and sweet moments between her daughter and I!
And this is my second fav!
Over the last few weeks, a lot has changed…mostly that we are out of debt and I feel a freedom like I’ve never had before. I won’t say that I’ve been lazy, because I don’t think I have been. I think there is something to enjoying the fruit of your labor. I spent many years working two jobs, many days working 15-20 hours, many sleepless nights, much worrying. It was the busiest March and April I’ve EVER had…two jobs or not. So I don’t exactly feel bad about taking “off” as much as I have. I have spent some of the time thinking about my business…what can I do differently? How should I adjust my prices to be more profitable? How can I present myself in person and on the web so that I bring in THE perfect clients for us? All in all, it’s like a new era in my life. Not only in my business but also in my health.
Bret started his own personal training business in January of this year. There have been aspects that have been a little bit of a struggle…mostly the fact that I have to actually get off my butt and workout as well as not chow down on junk food….or at least workout enough to burn off said junk food.
I said I would share tips here and there. Well, today I’m sharing a tip and some big goals!
I want to run more. Running has always been a struggle for me. Mostly getting into a routine and increasing my mileage. I’ve done 2 Susan G. Komen 5k’s….but those almost don’t count because there are so many people…it’s just different. I’ve also done a mud run…also, doesn’t really count. I’ve never really been “trained” when I did said 5k’s. I don’t have a burning desire to do a race…though, I have a small bucket list, “maybe-I’ll-do-this-someday” feeling towards running a marathon. Mostly just to say that I’ve done it. Bottom line, I just want to increase my mileage…whether I do a race or not. SO! I’m attempting the 10% increase per week rule. If I stick with this, I’ll be up to marathon mileage by the end of the year. But seriously folks, if I can run 5 miles or even a 10k, I think I’ll be pretty happy. I’m going to run 3 times a week, starting with 1 mile. I did that this week AND I’m very happy with my times each run. That’s goal #1.
I also want to do body weight/free weight workouts. I’m starting with 10 minutes a day 3 times a week and increasing 1 minute a week. I’ll mostly be doing workouts from Pinterest and some routines Bret is using with his clients….which, HOLY COW is he tough on his clients! I did HALF of a workout and was sore for 3 days! Yikes! That’s goal #2.
So there you go. I’m putting my goals out there. Keep me in check if you want. I want you to also notice that I’m only working out 10-13 minutes per day. YOU can work out, even if you start small. No excuses.
As I was reading through my bible this morning, I came across this verse:
“Keep your life free from love of money,
and be content with what you have,
for he has said,
‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’
So we can confidently say,
‘The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?'”
Hebrews 13:5-6
This stuck out to me today because of the last year and a half and all that has happened to us. I’ve shared a few times about our financial situation, how it’s been tough and how we’ve grown through it. I would definitely admit to you that we had a love of money at the beginning of our marriage and my full-time photography journey. Not the “normal” love….but the trust in money….that if we have JUST the right amount, we’ll be ok. If we sold enough stuff, if we got one more wedding, if we didn’t go out to eat one more time. But God has a way of looking to our deepest core and saying, um, no, that’s not the issue here. Our biggest issue was that we didn’t trust that God would take care of us. Now, I’m not saying sit on your butt and wait for God to pour buckets of money out…that’s not how it works. You have to work for things. What I’m saying is that our trust and hope were in US to take care of things.
Thankfully, God didn’t leave us in that state. He broke us down to our knees, again and again…giving us JUST enough money to pay the bills, sometimes down to the penny…until we let go of the reigns and could honestly say “not our will but yours.” It has been such an amazing change that could only come from a loving God. Trust me, you would NOT believe the arguments (i.e. shouting matches) we would have about money and work. Whew! Glad those days are gone! A few months back, when we were having car troubles, I remember a specific conversation with Bret where I said, dang, I think I need to take the car in, we cannot afford that right now! Also, mind you, we were SOOOO close to paying off our debt. And in one breath, we let it go and said, BUT God is in control. Fast forward another week and we had taken in my car twice and Bret’s truck once.
I remember being so discouraged. We had just about tripled what we owed. I didn’t really have too many leads (at the time) for weddings. Bret hadn’t booked any clients either. But we still trusted.
Then something happened, almost overnight. We started booking a lot of clients. I have booked 3 weddings and Bret has booked 3 clients since then! We started being able to chip away at the loan and credit card debt, and then, it was gone. We are now at the point where we can put money in SAVINGS! I can’t remember the last time I was able to do that! We are able to budget money for hanging out with our friends and going out to dinner.
I truly believe it’s because we have taken hold of the second verse, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
So take heart, dear reader, there is hope. It isn’t an easy journey, trust me. But what good thing has ever come easy?
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As you know, Bret started a new business. I found myself thinking when I wanted a soda or something, oh, maybe I shouldn’t drink that since Bret is in business for personal training. Just a few quick thoughts here and there.
Then, at the show, a lady asked if my job was modeling. It’s funny, this wasn’t a “struggle with pride” question. It was more a funny question! I don’t see myself as model material. I’m decently happy with myself, but not “THAT level.” I said no, that I was a photographer. She asked me if I’d be interested in modeling for her….I said I was pretty busy with my business and that my husband just started his own business and it’s just been crazy. When she found out he was a personal trainer, she said something along the lines of “so THAT’S why you look so good!” (I’m going to interject here…yes I’m interrupting myself…the ONLY reason I looked SO good was the stunning, EXCLUSIVE to their store, bridal gown from K&B Bridals and the AMAZING hair and makeup by Amie Decker Beauty. It was NOT me! Think of me as an ugly old lump of clay made into a pretty pot by others!) It hit me at this point that, wow, I REALLY need to be mindful of my appearance now. It is a reflection of my husband’s business.
I’ll try and share little tips later about how I make small choices that make big differences over the next few months. Keep an eye on my Pinterest board for quicker updates!
For now, here’s a picture of my husband hiking in the woods barefoot.
So, I have spent more time in DC the past 5 days than I have in my whole life combined!
Today I met up with a small group of Christian Wedding Vendors for lunch and sharing. It is SO refreshing to talk with vendors who understand how you think about business and how it relates to your relationship with God. Amazing women! I met up with Susie of Photography by Susie at her home and we traveled around the city together all day. It was great to have someone to travel around with!
We all met up at Ted’s Bulletin in DC. Let me just say this was THE coolest restaurant I have ever been to! First, here’s the MENU!
While we were waiting for food, we were all having different conversations and I ended up catching up with and sharing all the awesome things God has been doing in my life and business with the lovely lady in front of me, Sarah Danaher of Ampersand Photography! She was actually the one who got me in touch with this awesome community of Christian wedding vendors! I am deeply indebted to her for that.
Anyways, while we were talking she thought of a verse and pulled out THE most used bible I have seen in a while! I’m talking cover falling off, underlined and highlighted and notes written everywhere. It was truly a beautiful thing…so much so that I had to take a picture!
Also in attendance were Heather Behlendorf of Heather Bee Photography, Allison Harper of Alison Harper & Co and Meghan Hale of Meghan Hale Photography. What a WONDERFUL group of ladies!
What? The food? You want to see that too? That was almost as good as the company….
And what’s this? A homemade Pop Tart?? Yes please!
365daysofmarriage 