Have You Met....

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to connect with my sweet friend Ashley.  Y'all, said friend possesses the super-powers of creativity (majorly talented photographer -- take a look at her stunning work at Being the Siders  --she's the creative genius who gave me my favorite image from this summer -seen below), wisdom (so insightful) and affirmation (encouraging beyond words - such a gift).  She and I were chatting amidst a flurry of activity and I was bemoaning the fact that I've wanted to blog seriously for a while now (we're talking minimum of 8 years it's been on my yearly birthday bucket list) and that I haven't been acting on that desire because of fear.  Fear of being laughed off the internet, fear of vulnerability, fear of words (I know - that one is really hard to believe).  But really, the self-doubt has been strong with this girl asking what could I possibly say and who on this green (rainy, but green) earth would possibly want to read the iterations of a 30something mom-of-three, living in south-central pa.  The critical voices keep chanting "why? what? you can't be serious?" but as I shared the words of these naysayers with my friend, she spoke out against them to remind me of a few facts.  I'll paraphrase below -
First off - who was I doing it for?  Myself? Well then as long as I liked what I was writing (and I was writing) did anything else matter?
Secondly - None of the major bloggers started off knowing their voice or knowing how large their audience could grow, but they held a desire to share something on their heart and create a community and so they dared to dream and act and look where they've gone now!
Thirdly - what to write? Write whatever you want, write what you know, what you think, what you're curious about - but just write! She reminded me that God puts desires in our hearts for a reason.  The more I think on this one the more I have to put to rest all the other thoughts beyond following a hope and a dream and see where it leads.  So here we go...Not sure what content will look like, but I'll move forward in faith with an open heart but holding this dream loosely and remembering that these hopes and dreams rest in the hands of God.
Y'all who know me ---suggestions on what to write? Leave me some thoughts :) and I'll leave you with this final nudge --- book a session with the incomparable Ashley Sider and then frame all the pictures.  Your heart will thank you as your days are graced with the moments she preserves!