Marriage.
I'm getting married in 21 days and I don't think it's hit me yet. This man that I have the privilege of marrying is possibly the most wonderful person I have ever met.
We have grown so much together. We left high school knowing we were getting married, already receiving counsel and guidance from married adults we both looked up to. Those of you who are engaged or married know that something changes whenever you get engaged. It's like a switch turns on or something. We struggled so often with what life path to take. When a person gets to college they want to experience life and find out where they want to go and what they want to do. Well, we kind of already chose our path before we had the chance to "find ourselves." That's okay, though. It has brought us so much closer than we ever could have expected. Chris and I have been accountability partners without even realizing it. We got to college knowing what our ultimate goals were and often reminded each other of those goals. We have kept each other on the path to the life we ultimately want.
Chris and I struggled with doubt many times. Do we really want to get married? Do we really want to be together forever? What if we just took a break and experience life first? No. Not an option. We are committed and always have been. (Thank Jesus!) I am so grateful for Chris. He is such a good friend and a great reminder of God's love for me.
I wish I could tell you all that God has done in our lives. We are growing. That's as simple as I can state it. We are growing...together. Lately I have become simply overwhelmed by all that God has done in our lives and in our hearts and minds. He has healed us from so many things. He has changed our minds and our hearts about certain issues in marriage. It is a bit too personal to write about on the internet, but it is truly amazing! God is so good!
God is making Chris more and more of a leader is a wonderful thing to watch. He is taking charge and he doesn't even realize it. It's so cool!
We are growing up! This is such a beautiful process!
I will tell you this, I am really looking forward to the day I can finally be his wife! I am so honored to know that one day I will be his spouse. ....Hmm...Mrs. Strasburger. Mrs. Stephanie Strasburger. haha! So excited!
7.16.2011
Free as a Bird
So, I borrowed this AMAZING book called Waking the Dead from an awesome man from church. (of course I borrowed it about a year ago, I'm so bad!) This chapter was concerning counseling. We have so many wounds that came from the people close to us, whether family or friends. John Eldredge talks about how God brings back memories for a reason. "Go with him there. He has something to say to you." Our God heals and counsels.
It blows my mind every time I am (once again) reminded of how much God loves me. I am not perfect, FAR from it, but to know that God loves me...I mean, truly loves me, is a big deal. These emotions that arise within us at times: fear, sadness, anger, regret, are all opportunites or rather, invitations to go with him "into the deep waters of the heart." I have never thought about that before. These emotions are an invitation by God, to learn about my own heart and what God has to say about it.
My heart is good. Your heart is good. God made our hearts to be good. Wow. What have you learned about your own heart? I've learned over the years, that my heart is a waste of time. I've learned that its passions are "pathetic" and weak. I've learned that my heart is a laughing matter. I have seriously learned that over the years. Somewhere deep down, haven't you known that your heart was good?
Now, I have learned so much in the past seven years or so. All by the grace of God, I realized (through a tough and in my case, traumatic, conversation) that I was "better than that." I began to learn that my heart was and is good. It was like a spark lit in my mind and I all of the sudden knew that I had a greater purpose. Weirdest thing, if I do say so myself. God showed me what I didn't want to become. This made me run the other direction, which was finally the RIGHT direction. God became my true guide for the first time when I was sixteen. Through that, he taught me all about his love. Since he was my guide, my parent and my role model, he showed me how much he loved me. He showed me what was good about me and what could be changed. ...but mostly his love. It never hit me that God loved me unconditionally until I met Chris.
I remember hurting myself one day and I thought to tell Chris. I don't remember telling him about it before then, so this might have been a shock to him. I don't know. I think I was waiting for him to go into shock at what I did, but he didn't. He wasn't scared at all. He carried me, in a sense. He held my hand, while he was the one with the strength in that moment. I remember being blown away by his gentless and care. Who would or could even love someone like this? Someone like me? Jesus, what?!! I don't get it! God, for real?
I went on forever and a day asking God if I was dreaming. Is this love? What is this? I am being spoiled? Does he actually care?
God started trying to get me to see how much he loved me and how much my sins didn't make him love me any less. I am beautiful to him. He was trying to get me to see that and grasp that. Well, I have been so blessed by God and I DO see his love for me now. I still don't understand it, and I may never understand it, but I have finally accepted his love. ...and it is freeing!
It blows my mind every time I am (once again) reminded of how much God loves me. I am not perfect, FAR from it, but to know that God loves me...I mean, truly loves me, is a big deal. These emotions that arise within us at times: fear, sadness, anger, regret, are all opportunites or rather, invitations to go with him "into the deep waters of the heart." I have never thought about that before. These emotions are an invitation by God, to learn about my own heart and what God has to say about it.
My heart is good. Your heart is good. God made our hearts to be good. Wow. What have you learned about your own heart? I've learned over the years, that my heart is a waste of time. I've learned that its passions are "pathetic" and weak. I've learned that my heart is a laughing matter. I have seriously learned that over the years. Somewhere deep down, haven't you known that your heart was good?
Now, I have learned so much in the past seven years or so. All by the grace of God, I realized (through a tough and in my case, traumatic, conversation) that I was "better than that." I began to learn that my heart was and is good. It was like a spark lit in my mind and I all of the sudden knew that I had a greater purpose. Weirdest thing, if I do say so myself. God showed me what I didn't want to become. This made me run the other direction, which was finally the RIGHT direction. God became my true guide for the first time when I was sixteen. Through that, he taught me all about his love. Since he was my guide, my parent and my role model, he showed me how much he loved me. He showed me what was good about me and what could be changed. ...but mostly his love. It never hit me that God loved me unconditionally until I met Chris.
I remember hurting myself one day and I thought to tell Chris. I don't remember telling him about it before then, so this might have been a shock to him. I don't know. I think I was waiting for him to go into shock at what I did, but he didn't. He wasn't scared at all. He carried me, in a sense. He held my hand, while he was the one with the strength in that moment. I remember being blown away by his gentless and care. Who would or could even love someone like this? Someone like me? Jesus, what?!! I don't get it! God, for real?
I went on forever and a day asking God if I was dreaming. Is this love? What is this? I am being spoiled? Does he actually care?
God started trying to get me to see how much he loved me and how much my sins didn't make him love me any less. I am beautiful to him. He was trying to get me to see that and grasp that. Well, I have been so blessed by God and I DO see his love for me now. I still don't understand it, and I may never understand it, but I have finally accepted his love. ...and it is freeing!
7.13.2011
Photography Part 2
Something I forgot add...
Starting in August of this year, I will be moving to Americus, Georgia. It is simply an hour south of central Georgia, give or take a few minutes. I hope to continue providing shoots for those in the Warner Robins/Perry/Macon area often. However, I look forward to the many opportunities living in Americus will bring!
Those of you in the Sumter County region, please feel free to contact me! As for now, I am still offering FREE shoots. I do not have the experience (I feel) to ask much of anyone except for their time and patience (with me, of course). I am simply learning and I would be HONORED to capture YOU.
Thank you for your support!
Starting in August of this year, I will be moving to Americus, Georgia. It is simply an hour south of central Georgia, give or take a few minutes. I hope to continue providing shoots for those in the Warner Robins/Perry/Macon area often. However, I look forward to the many opportunities living in Americus will bring!
Those of you in the Sumter County region, please feel free to contact me! As for now, I am still offering FREE shoots. I do not have the experience (I feel) to ask much of anyone except for their time and patience (with me, of course). I am simply learning and I would be HONORED to capture YOU.
Thank you for your support!
Photography
Hair & Make-Up by Stacy Gillespie 
Thanks to my parents, my siblings and my friends I have been able to practice photography. I love photography and all the beautiful artwork it brings to the table. I would LOVE to be able to capture the beauty of all people. Capture their smiles, laughter, creativity, and the love they have for others around them. I would LOVE to be able to capture the wonderful life changing moments of the lives of others: a new baby, a marriage, an engagement and so much else! I long to show women how stunning they are and men, their strength. I am not the most creative and not the most talented photographer, but I would love to learn SO much more concerning photography. I would love to be able to gain the experience.
I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family that allow me to take pictures of them. They are so good to me!
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