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Yearly Archives: 2011 Have you ever felt called to something that you didn’t feel equipped for? I am certainly have, in fact I feel that way today. The past six months have been a crazy roller coaster of why, what if and why me. Uncertainty is my constant companion. I feel like a kid on a high school…  We had a wonderful little Christmas at our house. I can’t believe this was our second Christmas together! I miss being with my family, but I sure do love spending such a special day with my husband! I’m enjoying our few quiet Christmas mornings before our family gets bigger…and noisier. :) The rest of our… 
Simply lovely! 
You had a great Christmas too! 
Aww! I love all the cheerfulness of your Christmas, and cute hat! Merry Christmas to you both! =D 
You are so gorgeous…can’t even get over it! You two are one of the sweetest and cutest couples ever. Glad you had such a wonderful Christmas…and I love those boots! 
Looks like you a great Christmas celebration! I’d love it if Christmas was on a Sunday every year, too! Although I’ve grown up going to church on Christmas every year, anyways. :) 
I’ve always done the Christmas eve thing, but I liked it on Sunday this year!
Thank you so much Erin! :)
Thank you so much Natalie! :) 
Oh I LOVE your new blog! :) Excited to keep up with you here :) and you guys know how to do Christmas! The photos of your sweet Christmas morning are beautiful :) Looks like you guys got some fun gifts! And i love that you said that you’d be fine with Christmas being on Sunday every year, me too!! I loved being able to enjoy our church service…it really kept the spirit of Christ in our hearts that day :) 
me too! I like that we get church to remind us the reason for the holiday in the first place!! haha and are you just blogging over here now? I wonder if there’s a way that makes it so i don’t have to login every time i comment 
LOOKS just right! Cozy and sweet and relaxing…i like what you captured here in these pictures! We skye’d with my husband’s parents too, well, actually it was “face time” LOL  Before I started my photography business I worked in an office with Lisa. She is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. You can’t help but to like her as soon as you are introduced, or so it was with me. She is an honest and true friend with a caring heart….
gorgeous shots, then again, you could make a paper bag look amazing…xo
Thank you so much Gina! 
Jennifer! Your work is as beautiful and lovely as you. Thank you for your sweet words about my mom. I also think she is one amazing woman! 
The pictures of Lisa are really great. We are life-long friends and the photos are like looking at her in person – she is a wonderful person and I cherish our friendship.  Happy Christmas Eve Eve! I hope you all are having a wonderful time with your friends and family! I’ve been at home for the past few days enjoying being with my family. My hubby just has Christmas day off, so I spend a few days with my family before hand. This year we had a… 
Absolutely stunning pictures!! Im highly impressed!
Thank you!
merry christmas sweetheart! I hope it’s a merry (looks like it has been)one and i hope that for the rest of your week!
Merry Christmas!!! These are lovely photos. :) 
Merry Christmas, Jen! Love your pictures.. your family looks so sweet!
Thank you Jess! Merry Christmas to you too!
Thank you sweet Bethany! Merry Christmas to you too! 
I love your new blog & your pictures, Mrs. Blair!! They’re beautiful!!! 
Your fam is lovely and looks like so much fun! This is my first Christmas away from my family, but luckily I have my husband and baby girl to keep me company and start our own traditions. Merry Christmas!
I love the idea of starting our own traditions too! :)  I have a confession – I am dissatisfied with how I celebrate Christmas. I’ve had an unsettled feeling for a while now. It increased with every ornament hung and present bought. Something just doesn’t feel right about celebrating the Savior’s humble birth by giving ourselves loads of stuff. He was born in the lowest… 
That’s a great way to think about Christmas/I think it’s great you want your children to learn it’s about giving. 
“Christians shouldn’t be concerned with balance, but with faithfulness.” My theology prof blew me away with these words a few months ago. He can’t stand the use of the word “balance” by the American church, especially since the disciples hardly lived a balanced life! I’ve been thinking about Christmas, too, especially since my husband and I were lavished with expensive gifts on our wedding day. How do we live faithfully to Christ within our cultural traditions? The gifts and decorations are an unspoken expectation within our families and churches. These things certainly aren’t harmful in and of themselves, but they can definitely become distracting and lead to selfish extravagance. Do our holiday celebrations distract from our constant worship to Christ, or do they reveal even more of His glory?
Wow Faith! You blew me away! Thank you! I totally agree with your statements, especially the first quote! I love it! Those questions you put forth are exactly what I have been asking myself! 
I enjoyed your thoughts on this; we are planning to go Santa-Free as well! The only objections we’ve heard are in regards to our son spoiling it for other children. So we move forward teaching him of Jesus’ birth, sharing special gifts, donating like crazy, and we will believe in the spirit of Saint Nick. As for offending people or possibly “spoiling it”? Well, I’d simplify to my toddler like this: ‘we don’t like when people say there is no God so we wouldn’t want to be rude and tell our friends there is no Santa, now would we?” That’s about as balanced as we are so far :) 
Coming from a religious home, my family always makes sure to act out the nativity and read from the bible on Christmas Eve. This way, in midst of the presents and treats and fun, we take a moment to pause and think about the true meaning of this season. 
My family has always been Santa people. I sign my gifts as “From Santa” (my dad won’t have it any other way). But I also have come to realize that my family probably recognizes Santa in a different way than most people. Yeah, we read the Night Before Christmas every year before we went to sleep on Christmas Eve. Yes, Santa would make personal calls to our home because my mom didn’t want to deal with the line at the mall. But I feel as though my parents saw him as a symbol of giving and kindness. My dad cries when we watches Miracle on 34th Street. He says “Santa isn’t Jesus… but this movie makes me think of him because isn’t that how we treat Jesus all the time? He always gives to us and loves us, but we choose to turn our backs on him.” OK- that’s not an exact quote. But a few years ago when he was watching the old black and white movie a few years ago he said something along those lines with tears in his eyes. So that’s how I see gift giving and Santa Claus. It’s the spirit of giving oneself for others to bring joy into their lives simply because we care.
You are remarkable Jen! I agree. My husband and I have been doing a 12 days of christmas for their family and we decided instead of giving them gifts of cookies and movies that a nativity would be much more meaningful. It’s so important to remember the meaning of christmas. but I still think you can enjoy the things that come with the season like christmas lights and decorations :) thanks for giving me a reminder. You can never have too many!! 
I have been thinking about this lately too and what I will tell my children when I have them :) It’s hard to decide b/c I can remember how exciting it was to hear santa(my neighbor in a santa suit) on the roof Christmas eve, but I totally agree with you on this one :) I have felt this conviction lately too and what Christmas is really about and what the gift of giving truly is. I love what you wrote! 
this is such a beautiful post girl! i feel like i have really been focusing on this a lot more this time around. i think (because of all the hoopla) it is really easy to get distracted. thank you for the reminder. this is definitely a new and fascinating approach to not tell your kids about santa. i actually think its a brilliant idea! i’m not sure if i will join in on this, but i will definitely consider it!!
I really love this post. I feel the same exact way. I have been extremely dissatisfied with the way that I celebrate Christmas… I feel like all I ever do is talk about how I’m not happy with all the materialism ..but I’m really not doing much to stop it. Thank you for the reminder to really put these thoughts into action! So blessed by you girl. 
Growing up my parents didn’t do the whole Santa routine and I never felt like I was missing out on anything. Looking back at it now, I’m actually quite grateful that they didn’t encourage it.
I really love your thoughts here Emily! I think that it is neat that you guys see giving and Santa that way. Most people don’t!
Jennifer! This is so so insightful and introspective, I loved reading it. It is something that I over the years have struggled with and tossed back and forth too. I totally agree with you about Santa; if I had been a christian when I had my daughter 17 years ago, I never would have taught her about Santa. I mean now I teach her and she knows what Christmas really is of course, but I think it’s a good wise godly idea to not convince them there is a Santa. 
I struggle with that too. My family does the whole gift thing and sometimes I wish we wouldn’t. But it’s hard not to get someone a gift when you know they are getting you something. Last year my husband and I tried to say no gifts, but it kind of backfired. We didn’t have gifts for people, but most everyone gave us a gift. It was awkward! 
i totally agree and love your heart about this – and youve written it out just beautifully. We also desire to teach our little ones that JESUS is why we celebrate during this “season”. And in the midst of working out how we will teach THEM that…God has shown up and convicted us to change our OWN minds as adults as well – that the bustle and gifts and business is NOT it. its NEVER it. in December or in April, or whatever month it may be.I so desire to pass on the understanding that Jesus’s LOVE is why we celebrate and why we can be thankful. thanks for sharing! blessings to you! 
love this post and the heart behind it! yes, we are planning to go santa-free. Christmas is always very simple at our home. One gift per person and lots of love!
I love that! I hope to keep things simple in our home too. :)
I totally agree!
I love your thoughts! I definitely don’t want to feel guilty and not do those things, but to be in the world but not of it! Faith definitely nailed it!
Same here! I grew up without Santa too! 
amen! 
This was our first Christmas spent together as a married couple, and even though we don’t have kids yet, it made me think about what traditions we want to pass on to ours someday. I definitely agree with you. I’m hoping to make our Christmases smaller and smaller each year, and re-focus on the more important parts of the season. |
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JEN! you are so great! god certainly has given you a talent with photography! look at those pictures! Amazing :) thanks for being such a great example of faith to me!
Boy do I understand what you’re going through. Maybe not in the exact same way because the Lord has a different path for each of us, but that feeling of “Ok God I did what you asked even though I don’t feel good enough…now what??”
I read this talk a few months ago and I thought about it when you mentioned how your emotions are masking pride. It’s pretty intense and when I read it I had to make sure I wasn’t getting even harder on myself, but I thought you might like to read it:
http://lds.org/ensign/1989/05/beware-of-pride?lang=eng&query=faces+pride
I love you and I know God loves us for keeping up with what we’ve committed to. Go get ‘em!
Beautifully said..
Your work is stunning!
I loved this post Mrs. Blair!! You are a excellent writer!!
I, too, am a very uncertainly person. Especially when it comes to challenging things. This post is beautiful, and it’s message it so true.
Love the pictures!
What an inspiring post! Such a beautiful message! And I’m so happy you’re sharing your talent of photography with the world. You are so talented have so much to share!
We don’t see the amazing ways God works until we are completely dependent on Him. I can tell you are growing SO MUCH as a photographer. Your work is stunning! Keep trusting!
Wow what an inspirational post. I feel somewhat like you right now. I feel like I have a greater purpose and I know there is something I am meant to do, but I’m still figuring that out. I feel it’s through my blog and my writings and my love of romance, but I haven’t gotten there yet. I never thought I would be the person afraid to do what their heart desires and I definitely never though I’d be the person who settles for something that doesn’t suit me.
Thank you for sharing this. Your work is always stunning and I believe you have a beautiful gift!
I totally understand what you’re saying. My situation is different, but I have come to realize that “I can’t” either! I was struggling with some stuff this summer & finally got to the point that I had an angry conversation with God, telling Him that I just wasn’t strong enough to do this! It was one of those moments when He finally had me where He wanted me~> realizing that I really can’t do it in my own strength & that when I am weak HE is strong! Anyways, I’m glad you’re allowing Him to use your talents for His glory! {& thank you for your comment on my blog!}
“I once heard someone say that God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.”
Favorite line of the whole post. It is so true. We are not born with the abilities to do the things we set out to do in this world. God gives us these gifts and abilities….all according to His will and purpose for our lives.
You are a beautiful photographer! :)
I fell in love with your photography! You,re so talented!
Thank you Alexis!
Thank you Brandy!
Thank you!
I am so thankful for you Courtney! Thank you!
Thank you Natalie! I really appreciate that!
Thank you Vera!
I love this blog post Jen! God has trully blessed your photography business and I know he will continue to do so :)
I loved this post. I can relate so much! Self-consciousness is something I must get rid of too.
There are definitely ways to minister with photography. I know someone who felt called to work with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, it’s heartbreaking for sure, but she is wonderful at what she does. Also, photography is a much better “mommy” career than any 9-5 office job ;)
I also feel the same, thanks for the inspiring post! you are beautiful!
I love your new blog and look! You are a very talented photographer the pics are just lovely. And your makeup always looks Fabulous..just saying :) god bless
I love your new blog! Glad to see you are following through with God’s calling. Your photography is beautiful! You are an inspiration. Maybe someday I will have enough faith to follow through with my calling ;)
I was just curious, which resources you used to learn your DSLR? I know practice is best, but if you have any tips or books you liked best, I would love to hear.
Thank you sweetie for these words. I needed to be reminded of them today. GOD CAN DO ANYTHING! Why don’t we just join Him in the adventure instead of fighting Him?!
Much love sister in Christ!
I love the new look of your blog Jennifer! Your photography is inspiring and takes me to other places :) Happy 2012 New Years and I hope it far surpasses any year previous. God Bless!
Jeanine :))
Thank you so much Jeanie! I hope for great things in 2012!
first of all, i LOVE your outfit in these pictures! secondly, i’ve only seen a bit of your work, but i think it’s amazing how quickly you’ve progressed. that to me is clear evidence this is something God wants you to do! good luck, i will continue to follow and hope one day you can shoot some photos for me!
yeah, you two are totally adorable.
wow wow…. I am speechless…. such an AMAZING INSPIRING post! I cant wait to go to sleep and wake up tomorrow and begin an amazing journey with God…. it starts again each day.
Beautiful photo’s!!!!!!!
Check out mines:
http://nmephotoblog.blogspot.com/
Jennifer,
I am in the exact same position! God has called me to be a photographer. This is my first step. His ultimate goal for me is in mission work, but this is scary! I have no camera, no experience, and I know to trust in Him and He will provide. I won’t open my own photography business. Mine will be different.. I pray you are so blessed!!!
Whitney