Some Once Told Me...

... there are no such things as coincidences!!

Over the past 6-8 months I have really come to realize that is so true; there are only moments in your life that God is getting you ready for something bigger.

With that said, here is what I have gone through the past 6-8 months that have led me to where I am....

1: Back in January/February I was approached 2 different times in one day asking if I was going on the Ecuador mission trip that was to take place in June. I had not given much thought to it AT ALL. I could not afford the trip, but obviously God was telling me that I'm supposed to go... that leads to...
2: February we get our tax return back... I have the money to go...
3: I start preparing for the trip, reading scripture, talking to God...
4: I go on the trip... WOW! I have never been closer to God, I have never understood Him more clearly. I have never opened my Bible this much, I have never studied this much. I am on a spiritual HIGH!
5: I get home, I'm still on this high. My husband and I go and buy devotional books and start doing individual devotions in the morning and then 2 different devotions together at night.. We are so close to God
6: 2 weeks after I return, I'm still on this high, God is preparing me for something....
7: 2 weeks and 2 days after I get back from my trip, Branson passes away.. had I not been so in tune with God, had I not listened to Him and gone to Ecuador, had I not gotten into the Word, had I not put every ounce of faith in my Lord, would I have been able to get through that day? Would I have been able to get through a week? Would I have been able to get through, now, a month? NO.. No coincidences!

Now I was faced to find another way to make money (not being able to watch children from my home until the toxicology reports come back and the investigation is complete)... Again, no coincidences...

1: About 4 years ago, I started making bows for my little girl that had just been born, Emma. I was good at it and thought I would make money with that... FAIL..
2: About 3 years ago, I asked for a sewing machine and started making little girls clothes for Emma. I was good at that too, so I tried selling them... FAIL...
3: I started watching kiddos from home and LOVED working with kids
4: I followed through with a high school dream and bought a camera 2 days before Branson passed away. I took some pictures the next day, and the next day, he passed.
5: I'm' not able to watch kiddos, for now...
6: I don't think it's coincidence that I bought that camera 2 days before he passed, I don't think it's coincidence that I took his picture the day before he passed, I don't think that it's coincidence that I have learned skills (sewing, making bows, crafting, etc) that could help with photography props, and I don't think it's coincidence that I worked with children watching them in my home for the past 3 years and in day cares for 3 years where I have gotten use to working with them. God knew what he was doing! **DUH** I know can still work with children, I can do what I have ALWAYS wanted to do and do photography, and I can help provide for my family while staying home with my children. Isn't God amazing?!?!?


So, I have started Rice Box Photography... already I have done 3 children's shoots and 1 maternity shoot. I have 3 weddings, a 1 yr bday shoot, a bridal shoot, and an engagement shoot lined up. God is blessing this business already. I have talked with my husband and I would LOVE to be able to get a grant and open a studio where I could specialize in child/newborn photographs. We are praying about that and looking into it. If it's in God's will, it will be done. I'm soooo excited that my life has taken this turn (I would have maybe changed the way it got here, but hey). I really feel that I'm no longer in control of my life, God is. I feel open, excited, new, STRONG!

Thank you AGAIN for all the prayers, you guys are amazing!! Please continue to pray. Pray for continued healing for the Brannon family and for myself. Pray for this business and that if it's God's will. Pray for guidance for our family, and, please, THANK God everyday for a new day and what you have!

God bless,

April



I'll leave you with a college of some of the shoots I've been doing..