Here's to 2014! And a Time Out...

Good morning!  I come to you this morning refreshed and confident in the new direction God is taking our business, and our family, for the 2014 year ahead.

Last year, God said to me, "slow down."  And I did.  And He blessed beyond my wildest (and somewhat apprehensive) hopes!  This year, I really feel God saying, "time out." I feel that this year needs to be more on the unplugged side, and that more time and energy from me need to be invested into my family, relationship with Him, and home.  I'm ready to listen, and be wowed again at His unfailing goodness and grace and mercy...all undeserved, but all so inexplicably appreciated.

What does that mean for Picture Perfect Photography, exactly?

What does that mean for our clients and friends?

What that means, dear ones, is that if I accept a commission to create art for your family, it will be prayed over first to make sure it's on God's "go for it" list for MY family.  If I do not, I will refer you to one of my amazing christian female photographer friends from my rock of a support group, Pursuit 31.

It also means that I know the value of my work and time and will be sticking to the pricing we've worked hard to establish in order to remain in business. (Would you go to work and put in overtime even, time away from YOUR family, for FREE?)  Our pricing will NOT be increasing in 2014, though, so I'm not tempted to try and take over even a small part of God's credit for how He will bless this year.

I have a certain number of sessions I will do this year, and when each month hits it's limit, I'm done. No matter how large or prestigious the commission.

I will not be working Saturdays or Sundays.

With all of these restrictions I am placing on ME, I am also freeing ME.

I will spend more time on the floor with my daughter playing tickle and spinning until I'm dizzy, just to hear the awe-inspiring sound of her laughter.

I will dance with her every day, and let her wear the pretty pink sparkly "only for special occasions" dress when she asks for her "beautiful dance dress". (It will either come clean or it won't...stains are reminders of where fun has been, right?)

I will cook dinner most nights, and we will sit around the table to eat it!

I will read.  Bible, books, a newspaper...bring on the black and white!

I will be de-cluttering our home and lives of STUFF.  We are blessed with more than enough, but when we greedily accumulate too much, all the blessings of the "enough" are suffocated and drowned by the excess...

I will LOVE.  God. Myself (even the extra 100 pounds until it finds it's way elsewhere). My family (why do we treat strangers with more courtesy and respect than we treat our closest loved ones!?!?). My friends (more play dates anyone??? :) ).  My clients (if I work for you, there will be even more amazing surprises and gifts than this year!). My ____________s (who knows who we'll meet and what they will become in our hearts if we let them).

So here's to 2014!  May it be all that He has designed, and nothing more.

"For I know the plans I have for you (Tiffany), declares the Lord (my rock, strength, shield, defender, protector, father, One who knows me in my secret heart). Plans to prosper, and not to harm you. Plans for hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11~