Funny Face ~ From Tex To Amy Jo

I was the apple of my Grandaddy's eye.  Ask anyone.  They'll agree.
In my world, Grandaddy hung the moon.

I vividly remember Grandaddy's love for music.  Country music.   Lefty Frizzell, Eddy Arnold, Porter Wagoner, Patsy Cline.  Classic, y'all.  (I know he has rolled over more than once for what is called 'country' music these days.)

When I was growing up, there was a Fort Worth radio station called KXOL.  Grandaddy was friends with the djs (you know, back when they were called djs) and he would call the radio station and have songs dedicated to me (back when djs did that sort of thing).  "From Tex to Amy Jo".  In that moment, I thought nobody else in the whole world was as special as me. 

This was his song to me.  It's silly, I know.  But I love it.  And it's MY song.  And when I miss Grandaddy, I play it.  Over and over and over.

The 'Why'

I have been passionate about photography my entire life.  My first camera (I think) was a disc film camera.  In fact, somewhere around here, I have an undeveloped disc.  Wouldn't it be interesting to see what's on there?

My passion for preserving memories comes from my Granny.  Throughout her entire life, she was a 'picture-taker'.  I loved this about her because her life and my life with her is well-documented.  During difficult times in my life, I have been comforted by perusing through the lovingly-taken photos of a much simpler life.

I am the 'picture-taker' in our family.  And I love it.  My kids can never say "Why aren't there more pictures of us?" 

I document the important stuff.  And stuff some people may deem 'not as important'.  But isn't it?  Isn't that simple photo of a child's toothless smile, a funny face or the Blizzards we had for supper important?

My memory is not good sometimes.  There are many periods of time throughout my life that I just cannot remember.  But I have photos to remind me.  Or that I can use to make up my own stories.  Either way, they serve their purpose.

And so I hope that, if others cannot remember, they will have my photographs to remind them of a happy time.  Even if they laugh at me for taking too many photos, isn't my job done?

Earlier this year, I officially started my photography business, Amy Hobbs Photography.  I spend time preparing before photographing my clients .  Taking into account each person I'll photograph and how I can capture their personality.  My goal is to express my creativity through my photography and to share my gift.

  That's the 'why'.



This moment is why.





And they are why.





And she is why.




And capturing Gabriel so proud he is turning 3 is why.



Thanks And Giving

November always brings campaigns to help the less fortunate.  (side rant ~ I feel the focus is usually on 'financially' less fortunate.  But we should not limit our help to monetary.  There are lots of hurting people and it has nothing to do with money.)  And while I believe these campaigns to be a wonderful thing, it makes me curious as to why we don't really pay attention to people's needs ALL YEAR LONG.  I am guilty myself, and I am not proud of it.

The current influx of nudges to help worked.  I had been thinking of ways I could bless someone else.  The list is infinite and a little overwhelming for my perfectionist-procrastination brain.  sigh. 

Yesterday, while visiting the local superstore, God presented me with 2 opportunities.  'In my face, don't miss these' opportunities.  It was divine.  And scary.

I had to step out of my comfort zone to seize these opportunities.  (Remind me to tell you the story of being rejected while trying to give.  Now THAT was a learning experience!)  I stepped out in faith.  "How much faith does it take to help someone?" you may be asking.  Sometimes...a lot.  I had to make sure my heart was in the right place.   The WHY.  I had to make sure I was gentle and not demeaning.  The HOW.  I had to overcome my fear of totally screwing up.  The WHAT IFs. 

What happened was nothing less than spectacular.  And by this, I don't mean there were fireworks, a parade, and a 'look what I did' celebration.  My help was well received and there were very special moments between 6 people which left everyone blessed.  See, that's an amazing facet of sharing God's love.  In giving, I was blessed.   And the impact of this experience will resonate for a very long time for each of us.

Thanks and Giving.  I challenge you to both.  Year round.

Be thankful for what you have.  Share it with others.

A Journey: What James Taught Me

Our small group met tonight and boy was I in need of it.

James 1:1-4
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings,
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


What I learned: 
God allows trials.  They strengthen my faith.  If life was always smooth sailing, would I ever 'need' God or call upon Him?    Job 2:10  ...Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?

Joy is different than happiness.  Joy is 'calm delight'.  Happiness comes from outside sources~from happenings.  It is possible to not feel happiness and still feel joy.  I do not feel happy about the trial, but I will rest in the joy of the Lord.
During trials, God is perfecting my character.  Who am I DURING the trial?  I am to stand in the trial, confident that He has already worked it out. 
God ALWAYS answers prayers.  Sometimes the answer is no.  Sometimes the answer is yes.  Sometimes the answer is yes, but not yet.  I am to pray.  Then wait.
Satan is 'fishing' while I'm in the trial to see what I will bite on.  There's a lure.  And always a hook.

The notes in my bible say:  "Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth.

Ever feel like God is talking directly to you?  I did tonight.  And I am thankful.

A Journey ~ Feels Like Today

It feels like today...

5 Years Later...

I just now found a note card given to me by the dear lady who led me back to Christ.  It is no accident that I carried it around in the cover of my Bible for 5 years, not having looked at it in probably 3 years, and found it today.

It is dated September, 2005 and reads:

Amy,
Always remember:
"There is nothing - no circumstance, no trouble, no testing...that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ, right through to me.  If it has come that far, it has come with great purpose, that I cannot understand at the moment; but I refuse to become panicky, as I lift my eyes to Him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart.  So...no sorrow will ever disturb me, no trial will ever alarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is."
Love in Him,
Kelly

(she could not remember the author of the quote)

And so, with this gentle God-sent reminder in the form of a 5-year-old-note card, I am lifting my eyes asking God to not allow me to miss the lesson or the blessing.

Roots