Goodbye to Billy

I have been dreading this day since I started my job. I knew that eventually the people that I grew close with would pass away. Yesterday it happened and to be honest it just sucks. My sweet Billy is gone. He was so special to me and I don't think it is dramatic saying a piece of my heart is gone. Let me tell you a little bit about this wonderful man. He was the perfect gentleman, always saying ladies first and holding doors open regardless the person .He had a smile that I loved to see where it was so big you couldn't see his eyes. He was a bit of a flirt but really he just had a big heart. I would always talk to him about animals because he loved the farm. I will never forget when we brought a mini horse in and he got SO excited and it made his day. A special thing that me and Bill shared was dancing :) I found out that he loved it and so whenever I got a chance we would slow dance. It was a funny sight considering he only came up to about my neck but it was so fun. He would close his eyes saying how it brought him back to the good days and he would sing what he knew. and when it was over he gave me the biggest hug! I will never forget this summer when the sun was setting and everyone else was getting ready for bed and Billy and I would sit on the porch rocking on the swing talking about his life and just being silly. Oh I will cherish those little moments forever. I only knew him 9 months but it felt like forever. He brought so much joy to my day and I hope I was able to show him love in the last year of his life. I am so thankful for knowing him and the wonderful time we spent together. My heart hurts knowing he isn't there for a laugh or smile :( I caught myself today because I was about to step into his room to give him a hug when I realized he wasn't there anymore. He was special to everyone I work with. We all would smile talking about Billy because we knew just how great he was. I just thought I'd share a few words about a man that I loved so much and who meant so much to me. If you are reading this please pray for his family and my coworkers who felt like he was family. He has taught me to take more pictures, cherish every moment I get with my residents, and to love because you never know how many days are left. <3

These were from our photoshoot. He was so happy this day and wanting me to keep taking pictures :)

 This is a face we commonly made to each other :)

 I love this picture!! I said show me your grumpy face but he couldn't do it without smiling . 

  A kiss for me :)

A glimpse into my heart..

Last night I was feeling kind of bummed ( that isn't unusual for me ) and I decided to look at pictures I took a while ago of my residents and it made me cry. But it was in a good way and it was tears of love and how blessed I am to know these people. These people mean so much to me and I cannot put into words the relationship I have with them. It is just so special. To you these are just pictures of random people. But to me these are pictures of pieces of my heart. I spend my days laughing with them, crying with them, and I live to show them love. I am so thankful to God for giving me this job because it feels so right to be loving His people that the world often forgets.




These technically aren't that great but I don't even care :)

Married 60 + years? Love it :)

Is picking favorites allowed? Because she is mine :) 

Who we are

This is who we are and these are the faces you will commonly see us make :)


Noah

and I:)

NONOBOBO :)

Meet my brother Noah :) He's my best friend and I love this dude so much! He is the funniest dorkiest oddest person you will ever meet. and he is so cute! Most people hear me talk about Noah and they think that he is young because I talk about him like he is 5 but he really is 15 haha oh well. I was able to get Noah out for a photoshoot and if you look in the corner of his mouth you can see what I bribed him with . Seriously Noah? Wipe your mouth! These are totally for fun and some of them are out of focus from me laughing so hard but I always have a good time with him.

Love!

 Haha!

And of course we had to get some with both of us :)

Friends forever :)

Improvement

Today's post is a then and now picture. Kendel suggested it and I took a look back on my early pictures and after a lot of hard work I am improving ! I still have so much more work to do but I have completely fallen in love and can't wait to see where I will be in another 9 months :)

Taken in January or February 2010 on auto ( I knew absolutely nothing at this point)

Taken in October of 2010 full manual

Praise God I am getting better!

I fell in love today...

..... with a darkroom!!! haha had you there for a sec probably :) But I am in my first photography class at ECC and its the first time I have ever used film. Quite an adjustment for me from digital! But in the class I'm one of the slowest ones in the class because pretty much everyone has taken photo in high school so they have some experience. But not me ! This morning in class I was almost in tears because I had no idea what I was doing! but some of the girls in my class were so kind to help me out! after I started actually getting stuff to show up I was freaking out haha I am so weird but I was just so excited that it was working! after a few hours I was having so much fun! Now I see why so many people have a love for darkrooms and film. I didn't want to leave! but luckily I have it for many more months :) but I am so excited! So I just wanted to share my new love interest today haha I want to start taking the film camera on shoots and get some!! Here is my fav that I developed. Not a big deal but I lovee it cuz I struggled so much!

In Christ Alone

Today I was driving and this song came up on my Ipod. Haven't listened to it in forever but the lyrics really touched me today! I love it and this song is so full of truth! Meditate on this with me today as Christ is everything!

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sins curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a lifes first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

I will stand, I will stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground, all other ground
Is sinking sand, is sinking sand
So I stand

So great!!