St. Vincent and the Grenadines

I have a great opportunity to be involved with a mission project in St. Vincent and the Grenadines this summer, July 8-30. Tabernacle Baptist Church of Cartersville, the Bartow Baptist Association, and the Eastern Caribbean Baptist Convention are teaming up in hopes of this effort to reach people with the Gospel, start new churches, and to expand the Great Commission effort around the world. Week one will focus on training with the people of the islands Week two we will be conducting 7 VBS' on St. Vincent and 1 on Union Is. Week three will be a week of missions youth camp called S.P.L.A.S.H Vincy which stands for Show People Love And Share Him in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I want to ask you to be an important part of helping me go through your prayers. We all know the power of prayer and how it is vital in every day of our lives. Secondly, as the Lord leads, will you consider giving a financial gift on my behalf to make it possible for me to go? The cost of my trip will be approx. $1800, which is due by Wednesday, June 15th. If you are unable to give at this time, please know that I covet your prayers as we prepare for this awesome adventure in furthering the Kingdom of God. To contribute financially, please send me a message and I will privately send you the information needed for your commitment. I want to thank you in advance for all of your prayers, friendship and support. It means a lot to me and I am so thankful for the people God has placed in my life over the years. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

This Is My Story, This Is My Song

May 10, 2011. That's the day I've been anticipating since August 18, 2006. Graduation day. Finally.

But with all this anticipation comes questions. "What are you going to do?" "Have you applied to any jobs?" "Do you have any jobs lined up." "Are you going to photograph weddings?" "Are you going to move back home to save money for a while?"

Also with the anticipation and questions comes frustrations. For some reason, when I tell people, friends and strangers alike, that I am about to graduate with a photography degree, they freak out. Well, the strangers freak out. They all ask some of the previously stated questions, and as soon as I say wedding photography they feel the need to tell me what I should and shouldn't do.

"I have a friend who does that, you should do 'this'." or "Have you thought about 'this'? You should look into that. You should check "So and So" out, they're really good. My friend does 'this', you should do 'that'."

It makes me want to scream. Maybe I'm over exaggerating the whole thing, but it happens ALL THE TIME. Especially with customers at work or adults from church that I hardly ever see or talk to. I mean, I have spent the past five years seeking this degree. If you don't have some sort of photographic or visual arts degree, then do not tell me what I should and should not do. 98.87% of the time they don't even give me a chance to tell them my "plan." I barely get the words "wedding photography" out of my mouth before they freak out, cut me off, and begin their rants. I know they mean well, but good grief. I may not know what I'm doing, but I know what I'm doing. So please, just stop before I throw it all away and decide to move back home and sleep for a year.

With that being said, I'm just going to tell you my story. Where my inspiration comes from. Why I am not worried about "what I'm going to do when I graduate." What I actually plan on doing, since I can't seem to get a chance to tell someone. And why I am doing this. This is my story.

I got my first camera in 8th grade and started a scrapbook of me and my friends. Of course that only lasted about 3 years, but I did receive a new camera my senior year I believe. Just a little point and shoot, nothing fancy. I went to Europe after graduation, to Italy and France, and realized how beautiful the world was outside of Small Town, Ga. I loved being able to take pictures of the architecture, landscape and history in Europe, and I guess that's where I made my decision to pursue photography. Since then I have also been on a couple of international mission trips, and it has really sparked my interest in portrait photography. I knew I was going to study Visual Arts, but had no idea what I wanted to do with that degree. You know how most kids dream about what they want to be when they grow up? Well my dreams may not have seemed big to others but to me they were perfect. I was, have been, and still am completely content with being a stay-at-home mom someday and still "make" art on the side, just like my mom. Over the years her artistic talents have varied from in-home murals(when that was popular back in the late 90s and early 00s), to floral arrangements, creating and decorating for numerous church events and weddings, interior design and remodeling(alongside my very talented dad), to little craft work here and there, and now she is starting a new job as managing a new ladies boutique on Main Street, Small Town, GA (I'm not kidding, it really is on Main Street) in which she is decorating the store and picking out all sorts of wonderful fashions and jewelry. All of these talents she is blessed with, my heart connects with.

The past 5 years in college I have tried to figure out "what I am going to do when I grow up," and I think this past year God has slowly started to reveal to me what that might be. For years I have dreamed of owning my own home, a bungalow style home that I could paint, decorate, fill with vintage and antique finds, and finally get rid of all my "apartment stuff." I want real dishes, real furniture, colored walls, and a yard for my dream dog as well. Going back to that stay-at-home mom thing, though I always dreamed and assumed that's how I'd end up, I was unsure with how I felt about kids, until 2009. My sister had the most beautiful baby boy I have ever seen, and I am head over heals in love with that kid. My little Benjamin. He will be two on April 2, and I still can't get over him; can't get over how much I love him and am now so incredibly looking forward to having my own kids someday.

Well, in order to have kids, there is kind of an important factor that has to be there, a husband. (Which is going to bring me to my point about photography...sort of) Probably every girl's dream growing up is her wedding day. Not for me. I never dreamed about that, at least not that I remember. It has only been the past couple of years that I finally started to dream. You see, I am still waiting for that one God is preparing for me. And I know God is still preparing me for him. The hardest part of it all is the waiting period. (And now I'm starting to cry, haha) As I am nearing graduation, turning 23, and starting to look for a job, I thought I'd would at least be dating "Mr. Right" by now, but God has other plans for me, and I have to daily remind myself of that. My day will come, my "prince" will come. But it's hard, so on one hand I am hesitant to pursue wedding photography because honestly it kind of depresses me sometimes, but on the other hand I just love the thought of capturing those precious moments of that perfect day for couples. To see them so in love, so happy; it warms my heart and brings me back to my dreams. Also, I've realized that I can't let this waiting time in my life consume me, depress me. So I want to laugh in Satan's face, turn away the sadness, and doubt, and pursue this career with a positive mindset, joyful heart, and allow God to use what little I can offer to make a difference. I want to use my abilities to be who I was created to be, to love people, to glorify God through the images I create, and to keep dreaming. To let myself get caught up in daydreams of the one He has for me, and what it will be like on my wedding day, all the while capturing others' dreams on their special day.

Getting back to my point, as graduation nears and more pressure is being placed on my shoulders to figure out my life, I try not to worry. I know God has it all in His hands. He will guide me along the path. He will place people in my life to help me and encourage me. For now, my plans are to get the ball rolling with my future and career. I'm working on getting an Etsy account and start creating craft work for weddings...all occasions really. Wedding tree "guest books" and other fingerprint "guests books" are in the works(more about that later), as well as hand painted signs and what have you. I also have just created a Facebook page for my photography, until I can get a real website up and running. (Check it out: Sarah LaRue Photography) And of course I am hoping to start my own wedding and portrait photography business sometime in the future, but before I jump into that with both feet, I want more experience. Though I've done a few "portrait" sessions and am mostly confident, part of me is hesitant for this main reason: at my school, the photography program, and entire visual arts program at that, focuses on the fine art aspect of photography. The past five years I have been taught how create conceptual work and pushed towards creating work that will sell in galleries, museums, coffee shops etc. Commercial photography is somewhat laughed at or frowned upon. But I went there to learn how to use a camera and am coming out with a great experience. Unfortunately, portraiture is not really taught, so though I have an idea about what works best, I'm still unsure, especially with flashes. With all of that being said, I am looking for assistant work. I've made a couple of connections and am waiting to see how things turn out. In the mean time, I will gladly without any hesitation do engagements, newborn, children, and family portraits. It's the weddings that I'm waiting for more experience with through assisting before I jump in by myself. I mean, those are kind of a big deal.

So there, ya have it. That's my "after graduation plan." I'm not in a rush (not too much that is), and I'm definitely not worried. God has it under control. I may not have a clue what it is He has in store for me, but this is what I've got so far. To wrap it up I'll share this song with you. It's like they read my mind or something.

That was my story, this is my song.

Whatever You're Doing

Well, where do I start? Tomorrow is the first day of March, and the beginning of a very hectic couple of months. I will be graduating in May (finally!) and there is just so much to do! I've got two shows to put together, one in Atlanta and the other is my Senior Show, which is kind of a big deal...

In the mean time I'm going to tell you my short term/long term plans since the number one question I get asked by family, friends, and strangers alike is, "So what are you gunna do after you graduate?" First, I'll do a little venting... Why do I have to have an answer for that question right now? Can I not take a little break after 5 grueling years of annoying school projects and late nights? I'm not worried about it; I'm not worried about "finding a job." I'm pretty sure I'll be self employed anyways, or at least be someone's assistant for a while. But ultimately, I'm not worried because I know God will take care of me. I know He has a plan for me and in time it will all work out. But for now these are my plans...

1. To have a Facebook "Business" Page up and running by the end of May. This is until I can manage a real website.

2. Sleep a lot to catch up on all that I've lost over the past five years...

3. Start working!

-I will be doing Engagement shoots as well as Family and Children/Newborn Portraits(not in a studio). Eventually I will work up to Weddings, once I get some experience under my belt.

-I also want to tie in my photography with Missions, just not sure how that will work, that's one of those God things that I'm not too worried about right now ;)

-I will also be making some crafty type things to sell

So that's basically it. All that info will be on my Facebook page soon!

I feel like there was more that I planned on putting into this post, but my brain is going in five thousand different directions that I just don't even know. Oh well.

Healing Begins

I am currently working on a project for my senior portfolio. You can call it a self portrait project. Call it self exploration if you must. But this project is more than just a project, it's a process.

This work is about self healing and awakening. The weight of pain and sorrow from past mistakes and the recent loss of my grandmother and grandfather has pressed on my heart for far too long. These images reveal a spiritual awakening through symbolism and expression. They represent a healing process; a journey that starts with waking up from the spiritual slumber, dealing with the numbness created by that past, and learning how to obtain true joy. The balloons represent the hurt that I have not been able to let go of. It is only when they are freed from their bondage that next step in the process can start.

This is where the healing begins. This is my awakening.

Positively Blue

I have been in a great mood the past couple of weeks and I have loved it! (well, with the exception of today, which was a terrible day at work, but that's another story, about a pizza place) School is out for winter break, Christmas is just around the corner, and I've finally been able to have some fun! I've gotten the chance to catch up with a couple of friends that I haven't seen in a while, been to a couple of Christmas parties, and have met some really awesome people. The past couple of years have been a lack of fun and social life for me because of school and work, and now that I am nearing the end of school, I think I'm finally getting the chance to get out again. Praise the Lord!

I'm really excited about the coming weeks and months, and can't wait to see what God has in store for me! Thank you to my friends who have brought me out of my work and school routine, allowing me to have some fun again! Looking forward to more time with friends and loved ones. The weather may be a bit frightful, and the people of Georgia may be dumb and incompetent when it comes to driving in even the slightest bit of rain, and customers at work may be not so giving this season, but this blue-eyed, redhead is definitely staying Positively Blue.

Wish List

This year my wish list is a bit on the eclectic side.

Every good southern girl needs a set of Ball mason jars.

Because this umbrella just screams awesome...

I am quite obsessed with Toy Story

I desperately need something besides a 18-55mm...

What kind of photographer am I?

Paula Deen cookware set... enough said.

Only the best Christmas movie ever. They're names were

Sarah and Julie. Just like me and my sister.

Because macro is better.

A tale as old as time.

Isn't it beautiful? Mix and match dishes, please.

But my number one wish list item...

My very first pair of genuine cowboy boots.

What's on your wish list this year?

:)

A Christmas Story

It's that time of year again, the Christmas season. For some reason, this year I am particularly excited about it. My mom always decorates our house so beautifully and my eyes and heart just bask in its warmth when I walk in the door. You know that feeling that most student's get when they come home for the first time in a while? That "its good to home" feeling? Well my parents live 2o minutes away from me and I usually see them at least once a week, so that "good feeling" doesn't really kick in... until the holidays. After stressing through finals then finally coming home to a house you'd swear came straight out of a Southern Living magazine, that's when I say, "It's good to be home." It feels like home, and I love it.

I am a traditionalist when it comes to holidays. I want all traditions to stay the same year after year. I know this is a bit unreasonable, but I am probably the most sentimental person you'd ever meet, and holiday and family traditions mean a lot to me. Of course things change, and though they may not fit into my snow globe view of a LaRue family Christmas, over time those changes have and will continue to become new traditions. I guess its all mainly my sister's fault. Once she went off to college in '02 and met her now husband, things changed. I'm kidding, no bitterness here. It has only made things even better, with an amazing brother-in-law and now the most precious 19 month old nephew, and I couldn't be more happy to share old family traditions with them, as well as starting new ones. Last year was my nephew's first Christmas and the first Christmas Julie, my sister, was not waiting with me and Michael upstairs in the morning. It was different, a little sad, but we joined them later and started a new tradition. And I am perfectly fine with that.

While growing up, our Christmas traditions started with a special Christmas Eve dinner. Followed by watching George C. Scott's version of A Christmas Carol (don't worry we watched the Muppet's version too). Drinking hot cocoa or coffee while sitting by the fire was a must. And I always had to watch the claymation Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Julie and I always got new pajamas, and before running off to bed the three of us would pose for the camera while "hanging our stockings with care."

In the morning we would anxiously wait upstairs while my dad showered and put on his jeans and a flannel shirt, and my mom (still in Christmas pajamas) put on makeup... Julie and I followed this trend as well. Our parents would then go downstairs to start a fire and a pot of coffee, which doesn't sound like it would take very long, but every year we waited and waited all the while Dad poked his head around the corner, taunting us.

Finally we got the okay to go. Running down the stairs, into the den, gleaming with delight as we initially saw our "big" unwrapped present from Santa and stockings stuffed so tight you'd think they'd burst. All of this was followed by opening the rest of the presents while listening to Christmas music, then our breakfast feast of blueberry pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup, sausage links, fried potatoes, and ambrosia.

. . . . . . . . .

I'll be honest, as a kid I was just extremely excited about watching Rudolph and opening presents. But throughout high school and now college, I began to realize that getting those gifts on Christmas morning wasn't what gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling inside. It was the giving. I've noticed that what excited me most was the look on my family's faces when they opened their gifts. I really want to give gifts that will touch the heart. I mean that's really a reflection of what Christmas is all about right? A celebration of God's greatest gift of all, Jesus. That's all I really need.

All in all, I want this year to be extra special. My family has gone through quite a lot of emotional stress recently. If you've read my previous posts you'll know that my grandmother passed away just two and a half weeks ago. My Mama Jeanne love, absolutely loved Christmas. She was with us every year for that Christmas Eve dinner, and would return in the morning with the warmest of hugs (and presents too!). The first of our traditions changed when she moved to Florida in 2005, after my granddaddy passed away, to live with my uncle and cousin. Of course Christmas wasn't the same without her there.

I know this year wont be easy. But the important thing is that we will all be together, and we can celebrate her life and honor her on that special day. To help make Christmas even better for my family this year, I want to do something real special. My heart is full with a longing to do something great, but I just haven't figured it out yet. What else do you do for a brother who has only asked for gift cards and mountain bike gear that you don't even have a clue what it is? Or what special something can you give a sister and brother in law who just want cookbooks and architecture books? What meaningful gift do you give a dad who has lost his job this past year(but thankfully has been blessed with another) who year after year says he doesn't want anything? And what on earth do you do for a mom who's faithfulness and strength you can't even begin to fathom, as she has lost her own mother recently? I'm talking about gifts from the heart. Whether homemade or store bought, that one little thing they didn't ask for, but it was exactly what they needed. Suggestions?

I have a perfect example of what I'm talking about. In December of 2007, I had no idea what to get my mom for Christmas. Of course she always says she doesn't need anything, but I can't imagine not giving something to my mom on Christmas morning. So I got in the car just three days before Christmas and headed south. I showed up on Mama Jeanne's doorstep in Tampa, FL, unannounced. Told her to pack her bags, and that she was coming home for Christmas. She stayed with us til New Years day. I will never forget the look on my mom's face when I walked in the door the next night, with Mama Jeanne behind me. That was my mom's gift that year.

So as school ends and Christmas nears, I long to do something more. Something more than a gift card or book. Something with love. My family deserves the best. So what do you think? How can I make this holiday season particularly joy-filled and heartfelt?