Chosen; Northwest Indiana Lifestyle Family Photographer

Chosen and Loved

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last."  John 15:16 

Lately I have been so reminded of how I have been chosen, we each have.  And as I reflect in the beauty and peace of this truth, I am reminded that deep down, we each so deeply long to be seen, to be heard, to not be forgotten in this world.  We long to be loved and accepted and CHOSEN. 

Chosen for goodness, 

Chosen for grace, 

Chosen for purpose,

Chosen for calling, 

Chosen for mission, 

Chosen for love, 

Chosen for acceptance, 

Chosen for success, 

Chosen for victory, 

Chosen for value, 

Chosen for identity. 

You, me, together we are by grace CHOSEN.  

And there is no place I would rather be. 

Rest Secure

As we are chosen we are also held within the beautiful arms of Christ.  With Him, we are enough.  No need for crazy fame or perfect lives, for we are enough just as we are.  And even through our mistakes and failures (Which believe me, I seem to run to), He still chooses us time and time again.  We can rest secure that He is there and He sees the rejection around us, He hears the lonely cries we desperately weep through in the darkest hours of the night, He knows the despair and failure that runs through our veins.  And yet, He still chooses us.  We are still enough.  We still have value and purpose.  Because the fact of the matter is that as we surrender ourselves to Him, it is not really us working anymore, but rather Him through us. He is alone our source of strength and wisdom and satisfaction.  And that for me is incredibly freeing.  I may fail in my own strength, or my own plans, but the Lord has a purpose.  And in that I can rest secure. 

Truth over Feelings 

So, looking practically into accepting that we are chosen in our lives each day, I try to remember the truths over my feelings.  Feelings can be so misleading  and can simply distract from the call at hand.  Not to say they are not also good for leaning into intuition and seeking fellowship with others, but they can also lead into paths of deep deep destruction of our minds and thus our actions.  So, here are some practical ways to continue to accept the that you are Chosen for such a time as this: 

1. Repeat truths each morning in front of a mirror.  

This may seem a little silly, but guys there is something about speaking truth, OUT LOUD to yourself, in front of a mirror.  I am able to accept it better and hold onto it better throughout the day.  (When I actually do it.  Speaking to myself as well! ) 

2. Surround yourself with good people. 

Good, genuine friends are so key.  Friends that aren't afraid to go into the hard places with you as well as call out the lies you may be telling yourself and speak truth over you,  Let's be honest that there are seasons where the darkness is so dark that we simply are blinded to the truth of the light and need others around us to lift us into the light.  And that is ok.  Keep good people around you and don't be afraid to approach them for help! (And friends, maybe you are like me and genuine friends are hard to come by, because you don't speak easily to people or put yourself out there enough.  But let me say this.  Pray.  Pray that God will bring that person to you and I believe He will answer!  Pray and be available for an answer.) 

3. Write down the times that God has shown up in your life/ He has chosen you! 

When I am feeling incredibly rejected or unwanted, I try to go back to the times when the Lord has shown up in my life. It reminds me of His faithfulness, His goodness, His truth and how He holds firm to His promises. 

4. Advocate for Yourself! 

Be on your knees before the Lord and ask Him to remind you of how you are chosen and what you are chosen for.  Do not give up on yourself or the plans that the Lord has for you.  For He is good, and although our ways are not His ways, He is so so good.  Remember that He wants the best for us and advocate for yourself! 

5. Cling to the Hope of Christ Always.  

Even if you don't feel chosen, remember that Christ was chosen.  He was chosen to come and rescue the world.  He had an incredibly hard task, the hardest asked of any human, and yet His reward was the most beautiful of all; redemption for mankind.  Just because the road is full of rejection and hurt of the world, cling to the hope of Christ. He just may have something far greater than you could ever imagine in store for you.  You are CHOSEN. 

Adoption Project

Because of this idea: Chosen, my heart is drawn ever so closely to orphans around the world.  My heart bleeds for them, as I feel every child deserves to be Chosen.  Every child deserves a fighting chance to have the best life possible.  I feel I am chosen to advocate these rich stories of hope and bring awareness to others so that it might spur forth change in the lives of others.  There are so many beautiful ways to help orphans around the world.  Maybe it is adoption, or maybe it is supporting an organization that aids in orphan care and family reconciliation.  Maybe it is  aiding in education around the world.  And maybe your call is far beyond orphan care.  But even so, would you partner with me to pray for these children around the world?  Pray that hope might come, that each child in need might be Chosen, taken care of and given a fighting chance at life.  

And even within your own space, how can you bring hope to those who feel forgotten, abandoned, or don't feel chosen?  What is your part?  

What is your Part?

Would you like to help be a part of reducing poverty around the world while also getting gorgeous images of you and your family?  Would you like to come alongside me and celebrate the beginning of a new school year and education here, by also stepping in and helping a child in need receive education as well?  Let's celebrate education together!!  If this is you, keep a look out on my social media handles as I will be announcing all the details coming VERY soon!!! I cannot wait for you to be a part!! 

Let's each do our one thing, our small part to change the world! 

Places to follow along: 

Thank you so much for following along as I combine family and couples photography with humanitarian efforts around the world!! I am so grateful for this space and for each and every one of you!! So rooting for you friends!! Let me know how I can encourage you on your journey! 

~Laura 

Wrapped in Love: Lieske Family Session: NW Indiana Lifestyle Photography

Fierce Love and Loyalty

To be wrapped in love of the fiercest form, 

More than snuggles and kisses and care and provision, 

But also wrapped within the greatest protection, 

To be led and guided, shown and uplifted. 

The journey in this life can be hard, 

Leaving us breathless, exhausted, and tired, 

But love carries on despite all odds. 

Love wraps around our deepest wounds, 

our largest insecurities. 

Love somehow always wins.  

Love overpowers and overwhelms, 

It retreats for nothing and lays down everything when needed. 

Love somehow always wins.  

Let love win for you today. 

Making Space for Family  

Rachel was telling me of how her favorite memories are those of them simply enjoying time together at home.  Life does not have to be busy and full of all the "have to" moments in life to be of eternal value and rich satisfaction.  And I so love that this family gets this and understands the true important things.  For satisfaction, growth and relationship truly bud from simple time spent together.  Nothing fancy, but far greater than anything this world can buy.  

Anyone who has mothered knows that it is an incredibly hard task, but Rachel is one who loves her children so well.  Beyond care and provision and snuggles and kisses, but so much farther into true love.  She makes space for her children.  She listens and invests into them.  It is so evident in the way she interacts with her son Lukas that love abides within their home and he knows that his momma is his.  She also loves her husband Ben well.  Only with the kindest words to say, building him up and encouraging him every step of the way.  To say these children, this family is wrapped in love is truly only the begining to the incredible journey and adventure they are embarking on as together.  I cannot wait to see what continues to bloom of their beautiful story. 

Enjoying this life

So I might ask you, how are you enjoying your life?  Are you wrapping love around those closest to you?  Are you wrapping yourself in love?  How are you making space for those dearest to you in your life?  I was once told that if someone wants to know what we deeply care about, they will look at our calendars.  And I so believe this to be true!! Make space for yourself my friends!  Make space for those dearest to you! 

Fierce Love

In closing, remember to fight for yourself and the things you love, or else other items will win.  Make family a priority, soak them on, love them well, do your best to never take them for granted.  For the richest piece of life is relationship.  So, may we let go of the perfect vision we have for our life, and instead step into a fierce love of the current people we have in our lives and love them in the fiercest of love. 

Summer Session Openings

I do still have a few more summer session openings on my calendar.  If you are interested in documenting your family's story and having some amazing visual poetry to display on your walls, I would love to connect and create something wildly beautiful for you and your family. 

Warmly, 

Laura 

Living Simply, Accepting your call and Running towards it with Full Purpose: Northwest Indiana Lifestyle Family Photographer

Living Simply 

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To live the simple life, 

Not void of pain, hardship and mess, 

But rather with space to take in, 

To process. 

With air to breathe and time to notice the little things in life. 

To live the simple life is to accept a few things for yourself, 

And to allow many others to pass you by. 

To make priorities, to hold to values and to set specific purpose before you. 

To live the simple life is not made without sacrifice, 

Yet it holds the beauty and joy of the world in its hands. 

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Do you ever feel that you feel pulled in all different directions?  The weight of the world pressing in and too many obligations before you?  Are you trying to be all things to all people?  I know I certainly used to live this way, always saying yes to everything and never no.  However, when we live like this we become stressed out, exhausted and void of purpose, for we have too many reaching for our attention.  So, I would suggest you slow down, set some priorities and make sure you are setting things in motion to keep your priorities a priority.  In doing so, you will see the world in a rich new light, filled with joy and beauty once more. In living simply, accepting our call, and running towards it with full purpose we are able to accomplish far more than trying to do it all.  And in doing so, most likely you will see more success, have more time for yourself and your family, and be more joyful in the process. 

Accepting your Call 

Just as we cannot be everything to all people, we also cannot be called to everything.  Each person's calling is specific, unique. And the thing about calling I believe is though we may have one central theme in life we feel called to, the details of our calling may change in time as seasons change.  

How are you doing in making quiet time for yourself?  Time to process, time to discover what your calling is and if it has changed?  This is something I am consistently working on for myself as well.  

Run Towards your Calling with Clear Purpose

So, you know your calling, you have sacrificed some things to simplify your life.  Now it is time to run full force towards that which you are being called to do.  Maybe it is motherhood, loving your children well and giving all you have each day to them?  Maybe it is your own small entrepreneurial business you are running to bless others in your own way.  Maybe it is encouraging your neighbors or being a beacon of hope to a family member.  Whatever your season and whatever your call, make sure you run towards it with all that you have. 

Do not look to the right or to the left, do not compare your success to the success of another, because how can success truly be measured?  Maybe you will impact thousands of lives, or even millions though your calling, maybe you will impact one.  Would one life be enough for you and your sacrifice?  Would one changed life be a measure of success for you?  

On my good days, when I am free of comparison or judgement upon myself, than yes, one life is truly enough, for who knows how many other lives our one person can affect.  The world can be changed one story at a time, one mission and calling at a time, with each small step of obedience at a time. 

My Specific Calling 

So for me, what does this look like? Within my business I am called to advocate rich stories of hope, making extraordinary of the seemingly ordinary.  

For me, it brings me an extreme sense of joy to take a story, a piece of someone's life, stand behind a camera, and document it in an extraordinary way.  This brings full joy and satisfaction to me, for this is where my talents and my obedience collide.  For me, this is where life comes alive as I see a transformation from something quite possibly seen as mundane or ordinary, to something intriguing, interesting, and of rich value.  Something that leaves you entranced in its beauty and awe.  For beauty rests all around us if we simply have eyes to see. 

So, I will continue to run after my calling.  To document my own family, to document other families and couples in ways to tell their incredible stories and bring hope and joy to generations to come.  And also, to bring tangible reminders of the beauty residing within your story. 

For every life matters. 

Every story is Important. 

There is nothing too insignificant that could not be of value.  There is no calling too small, or to big.  Find your calling and go after it.  I can promise you won't regret it.  Yes, sacrifices must be made, but the joy to be won far outweighs anything placed on the alter I can be sure of. 

What is Your Calling?

So, what is your calling?  

How can you live more simply?  

What things do you need to sacrifice to live a life full of purpose?  

Can you accept your calling joyfully, even if it isn't quite what you had imagined or envisioned for your life?

How can you focus on your call with a clear purpose? 

What are some steps to weed out any shame, comparison, count or guilt you may be feeling towards your calling?

The sacrifice is worth the reward.  Don't wait your whole life to fully live.  

Live Simply, Accept your Call, and Run After it with Clear Purpose.  I'm rooting for you!

~Laura