Why I ...

Hey there!

January was promised to bring changes to the studio and technically it's still January so we're good right?

As I mentioned in my last post this business was never meant to be another 'perfectly-posed'  photography business. I have felt called for years now to use the few talents God has blessed me with to spread the love of Christ( I use talents loosely because they're all mediocre at best. )
7 years ago I placed my teaching career on hold to take on a new job as Mama and wife.  My hobbies have dabbled in writing - a couple long lost blogs out there-  running, and photography... but my JOB day in and out is being a mother to three little humans and military wife. When someone asks what I do the word " photographer" doesn't ever fall out of my mouth naturally. What I DO is hardcore MOMing ALL day with a few miles of running  and snaps of a camera thrown in there. I have friends that are beautiful photographers, artists, creatives and to them I bow down! They are the real deal. I however am not. I just love life and want to create images to show that pure vision of love to others.

From here on out Believe Studio is going to be filled with not only photographs but also the journey behind them . Hopefully by summer we'll have some prints and work up for sale too! I will always still take new clients so if my style is something you are interested in ,  all that information will continue on my website Believestudio31.com

To kick off this new path I'd like to share the beginning of my journey as a believer . If you've heard my testimony a handful too many times... NOW IS YOUR chance . Click away while you can! You've heard it all so come back next time .

In the fall of 2012 I found myself in one of the most challenging places of my life. My heart and arms were filled with two very busy little boys 6 months old and newly 2. The love of my life had just left for a 12 month deployment to one of the most dangerous war zones in our continuing battle overseas. We lived near family temporarily meaning my surroundings were very civilian, no friends could grasp our situation. We had lost friends to this war, friends that left behind beautiful STRONG families. Besides the obvious fear of what could happen 'over there' the daily struggle of parenting alone had worn me to complete exhaustion. Now I was raised in a Catholic home. My parents met at a Christian University, were married- had baby me- divorced. Both remarried quickly and both to Catholics... you could say I was raised in a fairly "religious" enviornment. We  attended mass on Sundays and CCD Monday nights.  I knew the stories of the bible and memorized the entire hour long service of when to stand, words of the prayers etc. As I grew older and went to college it was just never of importance to me truthfully. My life was pretty perfect and the idea of religion just seemed abstract and unnecessary. Fast forward to 2012 and naturally the first place I knew to turn when my world was crumbling was the church. There I am juggling my two young children , alone, trying to entertain them through an hour long mass while ignoring the multitude of dirty looks and irritance of others. It took everything in me to not yell out " MY HUSBAND IS DEPLOYED! I NEED SOME KIND OF HOPE TO GET THROUGH THIS!" but instead I remember going home and just sobbing. There had to be something more. And oh how there was...

My Grandparents lived nearby at the time as well. Papa being a retired Air Force fighter pilot and Grandma the quintessential officers wife of the 50s... these two have always been my rock. They had been attending a non denominational church there for years and incessantly invited me to attend with them and finally threw in   " THERE IS CHILDCARE! " so I had no excuse at this point. I will never forget walking into that place, trusting these kind people with my boys ( something I rarely had done ) and sitting in those seats next to Papa and Grandma. The worship music was powerful and like nothing I had heard before, the pastor was relatable, and for the first time in my life I felt the love of Christ. I had to go back. For the first time in my life the Holy Spirit was moving in me and I slowly learned what it truly meant to be in a relationship with Jesus. Religion had taught me the words of the bible but this church, THIS CHURCH,  and it's people taught me that Christ is alive and moving in every one of us whether we know it or not. My life completely changed from that moment forward. Since then my kiddos and I have belonged to 3 different churches around the country and each one has moved us and shown the same love in unique and amazing ways. Suddenly every person that came into our life was on some path as a believer. Everyone had a story of faith that moved my soul in incredible ways, stories that I constantly want to share with others.

One year after inviting me, Papa went home to be with Jesus.  On a beautiful winter afternoon in Arizona he was honored in a memorial service fitting for only an incredible American Hero such as he. Our pastor mentioned how Papa had brought me to the Lord as one of his last missions  and those words ring through me frequently with so much truth. The life I live today is completely because of my decision to follow Jesus which never would have happened without that first push from my Grandparents. There is not a doubt in my mind that he had a huge part of us being here in Alaska.

There have been countless days of joy and sadness over the past 4 years that have lead me here today. Being a Christian doesn't mean you have it all together... it means that you can admit you don't. I am a complete mess of a human most days but the JOY of the LORD reminds me that it's ok because immeasurable grace has been given to all of us over 2,000 years ago.

That's just a little insight to where I come from, why I am here.



I know a life away from Christ and a life with him.



Because of that I want to share this beautiful messy life with each and everyone of YOU .



This is my story of why I BELIEVE.



- B



"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13