||I Miss The TL||

One of the hardest things for me in this past season was living in the Tenderloin in San Francisco, a community with desperation and brokenness written all over it, yet not be a part of a ministry to help bring forth change. But the coolest part about being mission minded is you can be anywhere in any circumstance and God is going to use you.

One day a couple of weeks before I came back to Carpinteria, I was walking down the street in the TL (Tenderloin). I made eye contact with a homeless man and right before he passed me he gently grabbed my wrist and we both stopped. He looked right at me, not in a threatening way and usually in a situation like this I would be very cautious, but in this case I felt a sense of peace wash over me. He asked in the most genuine whisper "are you scared of me?" My heart broke for him and I responded "No!" He then continued "will you buy me a hamburger at jack in the box?" I said "of course!" In that short period of time of waiting in line and ordering food I got to ask him if he knew Jesus and pray over him.

As I’ve been reflecting on my time in the City over the past two years I’ve noticed how God has used me in unconventional ways. He’s so good like that, to answer prayers even though He knows we might not recognize it until weeks, months or years later. And sometimes it may be hard to recognize because were so focused on our expectations being met, that we totally disregard what God knows is going to be more beneficial for His Kingdom.

Some seasons God gives us a family of people to serve and do life with. And in others He sets aside a period of one on one time with Him, to rest and learn. It doesn’t mean we have to put anything on hold because once your mission minded He will use you, it’s why we were created. It’s about choosing to walk in that mindset and letting Him lead.

I miss the TL

Happy Sunday!

-DG

||I Know Your There||

There's this song that's been replaying in my head for the past week. It's called “Closer Than You Know” by Hillsong United. At the bridge there’s a line that says "God I hear You, I know Your there". Those words just keep chasing each other around in my head.

I feel like this week and a half of rest, before I go to Africa for a month has been day by day, moment by moment. Each conversation adding confusion and clarity to my life all at the same time.

Lately I've been so consumed by anxiety of the future it overwhelms me. I'm done with art school, and when I visualize my life I see Tanzania for a month and then nothing. Not a road or a specific job.

Life used to seem so secure and now not so much.

I know that some of the desires of my heart include serving Jesus in San Francisco, singing, art, wedding photography and talking to people. I love a lot of things and I wish the spectrum wasn’t so broad so that I could hone in on one specific focus.

I know that I hear God and when He gives me glimpses or words for my future it scares me because in my finite human mind it doesn’t make sense. I can’t piece it together as easily as I’d want to but oddly enough I have peace about it.

I’m looking forward to the day when I get to reflect on this time and see what God’s purpose was because right now I just don’t know.

I’m glad someone knows and I’m thankful for hope and security in Jesus.

So this is what's actually going through my head when I post these photos.

“God I hear You, I know Your there”

-DG  

||To Tatha||

I MISS YOU! Wow, most days I tell Tatha (what I call my twin sister Tabitha) "I miss you" but to be honest I'm fine and only halfheartedly mean it. But today it's a longing. Usually when these days come they hit hard. I remember last time I just called her and started sobbing, it came over me so quickly I didn't know what to do accept cry with her. She listened intently and cried too.

Just now I was editing and one of the girls in the photos reminded me of my sis. Then that took me down memory lane through mine and Tatha's childhood. Gosh family is such a gift and a small glimpse of the love of God. I wouldn't change living in separate cities because I believe the growth was necessary for both her and I. But that won't change the fact that we were created to be in community with the ones we love. And that some days are hard and that's okay.

Here's to missing the ones we love and treasuring the moments we have with them!

-DG

||When Expecting||

One afternoon I was at my good friend Kate's house and we were just chatting about I can't remember what. I then looked at her and said "Kate! When are we going to do your maternity photos?" She grabs her iPhone and says "Oh yea I've thought about it already, so there's this goat farm about an hour out..."

For any of you who know Kate Hepting this is so classic but every time I think back to that moment I can't help but laugh because I love how that was her initial thought for a maternity photo-shoot setting. But gosh am I happy it was, because we had a grand time detouring every so often on the way to grab some shots in some misty woods, the beach and with beautiful horses! And of course the goats were nothing short of adorable. 

Can't wait to meet this baby!

-DG