Beauty... in sixth grade!

Hey there BEAUTIFUL friends,


Last week was my spring break and I spent the weekend with some awesome people from the Delaware area and some youngsters (3rd-5th graders) at Winter Camp. I enjoyed the kids (they made me feel kinda old :)) and seeing them grow and begin to understand who they are, and who Jesus is!

Then, on Sunday I caught an early flight to Florida with my grandma. It was a good week. We did lots of shopping, and walking around Delray Beach. I got to know my grandma a little better which was nice. We had not been around each other for a week straight (for a long time). Anyway, it was a nice break, and then I returned Saturday night. I got to spend time with my family and friends Saturday night through Sunday. I loved break so much that I didn't drive back to BG until Monday morning. But, before I left I went with my mom to school for her first class period. I had to get some shots for my photography course, and who better to shoot than my crazy, awesome mom! ;)

While I was there, I sat at her desk while she did her thing. I noticed this girl who sat at the back of the room. She was wearing a BRIGHT pink dress with sparkles all over, heels, and her shoulder length hair nicely straightened, and the front pulled back with a clip. She was such a cutie! It was her day to present her national disaster project. My mom has them dress up for this. Anyway, this girl looked like a rock star! That was a dress I would have worn to a homecoming in high school! It was great.

Then, being the creeper that I am I was listening to a conversation she was having with the girl next to her. She was irate that her mother would not let her wear makeup. (She was grounded... from makeup.) She proceeded to get up and march to the bathroom covering her face. A few minutes later she returned in big sunglasses (you know the big lensed glasses that women wear these days) so you couldn't see her eyes and half of her cheeks. She kept talking about how horrible she looked and she just couldn't show herself without makeup.

I was shocked. completely shocked. 6th grade. I wanted to stop my mom in mid sentence and talk about beauty to these 6th grade girls. I am sure the boys would have thought I was insane. But, I couldn't help thinking-- They are so YOUNG and BEAUTIFUL!! I just wanted to tell them that so bad! When we put on makeup and all of these things that supposedly make us "beautiful" we forget that we are beautiful just the way we are, the way we were CREATED!! Then I realized, I am guilty as well. I go out without make sometimes, but I am tough on myself about how I look. How can these young girls believe they are beautiful just the way they were made if the older women around them don't believe it(and live it out)? That morning I had a new outlook on what it meant to be a women of Christ. It does mean being encouraging, loving, and all the things we can find in the scriptures. BUT, it also means being a role model for these young girls. THEY need us to know (and truly believe) that we are beautiful...not because of the products we use, but because we were created in the image of Christ... The MOST BEAUTIFUL image!
So, man or woman, young or old... YOU are beautiful. Let us start believing it!

In Love,
Maddy

A Beautiful Responsibility

Lately, I feel like I have just been going through the motions.
It is a really uncomfortable place to be. I know I am learning and growing, but am I really grabbing every opportunity to love people? Probably not.
My spring break starts THIS FRIDAY. YES. :)

I have the opportunity to LOVE on some beautiful young girls and watch God do His beautiful work in their hearts. Then, I am on my way to FLORIDA with my grandma. Sounds like the best spring break any girl could ask for. ;)

But, lets go back to the opportunity I have been given.
Since I stopped leading Young Life, life has been drastically different. (that is a whole other post.. keep your eyes peeled) But, I am super excited to spend time with young beautiful girls this weekend and help them see even a glimpse of their King!

I have been reminded (the past few days) of the fact that I have no right to speak into these girls lives. But, that Jesus has choosen me as His tool to do that. What a beautiful responsibility! I am so thankful for it!

I am excited to see how this weekend grows these girls, but also to see how it grows me!

May God do His beautiful work in your life this week, friends!

In Love,
Maddy

Heyyyyyy

hey friends!
I have not been doing a tremendous amount of shooting lately... but I am taking a photo class at BGSU!
It is a great getaway when I am sick of doing Math. :)

But, for our first assignment we had to do a self portrait, without us in it. So, it was a photograph of what we are like.

Here is the result (after hundreds of ideas, shots, I am pleased with how it came out).

Winter Break-- Friendly Photos! :)

I recently finished Fall semester and am home for break! :)
I am taking some photos of some friends.
Here is my best friend Emily!







I had a great time with her shooting photos!

The Czerniak Family!

Meet Jim, MaryBeth, and Katleyn!!
They are such a wonderful family!
Here are some of their Christmas photos.

Below: Little Katleyn! She is very cute! Loved the poinsettias!


Below: Jim and Marybeth! Wonderful couple :)


The cute family:

Fall Break! Finally, some camera time.

This fall break was awesome, spending time with my family. Getting some awesome shots!


I love this photo. You can definitely tell it is game day. Go Bucks!


My brothers Ford Focus. Freshly washed and waxed.




My mother is very photogenic. I love this two above shots of her.

My brother has recently been riding scooters a lot and is getting some fancy tricks down. Check it out below.

Danny and Kerry Engagement Photos!

I was privileged to take some engagement photos for Danny and Kerry!
They are such wonderful people!
Here they are! :)