Inspired

I have been feeling quite inspired lately.

Or better put-- filled with the Spirit's whisper.

If I took anything away from my last trip to Africa, it was that I loved to go and capture the lives and spirits of orphans... but I wanted to go somewhere different next time.

Always on my heart has been the desire to want to go to India. It may have started several years ago when I saw Slumdog Millionaire. Several people have told me about the overcrowded and smelly conditions, but it really doesn't matter to me. If I chose to stay away from a place that needs documentation due to preserving my personal comfort, then I wouldn't go anywhere.

A couple of weeks ago, my aunt was in town and shared with me some pictures from her recent trip to India. Her and my uncle were invited by a man who used to work for them. He was getting married, so they were invited to his wedding. I loved seeing all of her images and learning about how their culture handles weddings.

Then, a few days ago, I saw on the Lifesong for Orphans blog this video about Lifesong India. Immediately, my first thought was: I have to go.

It was clear to me that this would be my opportunity. I am not sure how or when this will happen, but I am praying that it works out sometime in my future.

I was talking to my Mom on the phone a couple days ago, slightly overwhelmed and emotional because of it. She asked me what it is I enjoy the most about being involved with certain events or organizations, and I told her:

Being the creative support. I love to go to a new place and capture faces and stories. I want to document it in all its truth and reality so I can then bring it home with me and used it. A picture can do so many things; it can go on a brochure. It can be at the pinnacle of a tear-jerking moment in a video. It can live on a website, or be shared with an audience.

If I can share the pictures of orphans in a way that will tell the story to many who will give, then that many more orphans are helped. And God is glorified.

THAT is what gives me passion and purpose. So, with that in mind, that is my goal if I get the chance to go to India. Capture and create.

Last night, some friends and I put on a dinner for Lifesong for Orphans in Morton. It was an amazing evening! God helped us deliver in ways beyond our control!

The goal is to plan a series of events and/or methods to raise money for a school development project in Zambia. Last night's dinner was just the first of many stepping stones to get there. We brought in $20,000 from a night of delicious food, beautiful pictures, several moving presentations and a youth choir who sang an UNFORGETTABLE song.

I had the chance to speak to a couple of VIPs in the Lifesong world and tell them of my interest in traveling to India, so we will see what happens!

On another topic entirely, today I went to see "October Baby."

Oh my goodness- a definite must-see. It's the story of a girl's journey who suddenly finds out she was the survivor of a failed abortion.

It's a beautiful pro-life film. The theme is "every life is beautiful," and since my favorite chapter in the Bible is Psalm 139, I really connect with this.

Anyway, movies like that inspire me. They inspire me to go out and live my life for purposes mentioned in the beginning of this blog post. What can I do with my talents to bless others?

Love you all!

T