D loves to stare at her reflection in the bathtub overflow cover. She and I will wave at our reflections on it's shiny surface and giggle together and have fun making faces. Then I got the idea to capture the fun on "film" and was so happy with how these pictures turned out.
Speaking of reflecting on things; this past Sunday at church we recognized the kids who were graduating from high school. A few of the gals who I mentored in the girls high school bible study group before D was born, were among those moving on to college. One such gal came up to me after the service was over. I hadn't seen her in probably 10 months but, she was so happy to see me. I too was very happy to see her because she was someone who I had often worried about and prayed for. Her mom passed away when she was 13 I believe and as far as I know she doesn't have much of a relationship with her Dad. Her Grandma raised her and her younger sister and clearly she did a marvelous job because this gal is just beautiful inside and out. I am so proud of who she has become and how much she has grown in her faith. She wants to be a teacher or possibly an interior designer and I encouraged her to continue to follow her dreams and told her that God has plans for her life and He will direct her steps as she continues to trust in Him.
As I walked away after hugging her and telling her how good it was to see her I realized that I have grown a lot even since having my daughter. I have always had a huge passion to minister to high school aged gals. There are so many horrible messages about beauty, sex, relationships, love and what it is to be a woman being crammed down their throats through the media. So many girls are lost, confused, insecure and hurting because they don't know the truth about their worth. They don't know how valuable they are. Something about having a little girl of my own has helped me connect with these 18 year old gals even more. Each of them are someones little girl and I got to play a very small part in disciplining them and loving them as an older sister or friend. I had the honor of teaching them the truth about their worth in Christ and I pray that God brings Godly mentors along for my daughter some day as well. I pray that I can teach my daughter just how valuable she is to Jesus. I pray that I can teach her that beauty is not about being tan, skinny or fit but, about having the joy of the Lord in her heart which will then pour out of her like bubbling spring water. I pray that I can teach her that being pure is a beautiful thing and not an old fashioned or boring thing. I pray that she learns to lean on the Lord and to seek after him with all her heart. I pray that I can teach her that waiting for Mr. Right is SO worth it. I pray that her confidence wouldn't be found in what she looks like or what people think of her but, in the truth that is found in God's word.
Very cool perspective! These are really great shots!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful reflection in your words and photos Casey. Have you considered going back into high school ministry?
ReplyDeleteOh goodness these pictures are so cute! I think we really do reflect a lot more when we become moms and that we look at things in a whole different way. I hope you are doing great my friend!
ReplyDeleteMama Hen
I Absolutely loooove these pics!!! They need to framed in a collage frame and displayed! You take amazing pics! Motherhood def changes our outlook and life and its such a blessing that God gives us!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos. You captured that moment so greatly! Those are also such beautiful things to want for your daughter, she will grow up to be a bright and beautiful woman.
ReplyDeleteOh i love this post! So good for you for mentoring those high school girls! I really have a heart for older girls, even newly married girls, girls usually get married at 18 in our community (including me) and I just would love to get involved in something focused on young women! I think I need to get older and wiser first;) SUCH cute pics of Daisy! What a doll..
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, these pictures are amazing! I love how unique the reflections look. And I love your heart for high school girls, teaching them about their true worth. You are right, we grow so much since having a child and I'm happy to see your beautiful desire for D to grow secure in God's love. This post reminds me of when I used to meet with college girls and I miss those times. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! A few months ago, I did a post with similar pictures. My son also loves looking at his reflection. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://shoni-walkwithme.blogspot.com/2011/04/bath-time-reflections.html
very cool pictures! Love the bathtime and the daisy cuteness...:-)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. Such a lovely memory captured.
ReplyDeleteI co-led a high school small group of girls for 4 years and I remember the day they graduated. I look at many of their lives now and am so proud of them.
I can't imagine anything sweeter for young girls than being mentored and ministered to by you! I pray that God continues to bless you and open doors for you.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, and Daisy is so stinkin' cute! Love the splashy picture! I bet you get soaked!
Love,
Cindy from WyTography
(I don't know why blogger won't let me comment while logged in, but I'm getting frustrated! Until it is fixed, I'll be anonymous...sort of)
Awww! I love this post and the photos. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWow is really all I can say! I especially like the third photo. Your latest post was great. I want the same things for my daughters. I pray each day that they see how much they are loved by God and all that He wants for them. Every once and a while I get to see how God has influenced my kids lives already. My 7yr old came up to me the other day while we were all in the living room together. She said "Dad God told me to pray for you and your bad hand and foot". She then put her hand on my bad hand and prayed for it. When you get to experience how God has affected your kids life I really can't describe how it makes you feel!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words & Beautiful reflection shots!
ReplyDeleteHow true is this?! I hope and pray that I get to have a daughter someday but it does scare me to death that I will not teach her these things good enough. I want her to understand her true worth as a daughter of God but what if I don't teach her enough?! Hopefully she has amazing leaders and mentors like you in her life :) (hopefully I get to have a daughter haha)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures!!!
What special mom & daughter times captured! I think it's great that you mentor young women- can't think of a better person to do that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT perspective! I would have never thought to capture photos this way! Great job!!
ReplyDeleteLove this! I've always wanted to help other teenage girls with their self esteem and image, however, now that I have a little girl of my own, I am even more motivated to make the message that real beauty comes from inside, very clear.
ReplyDeleteAnd your pictures are so clever and adorable, too, by the way :-)
What a good mentor you are to those girls! It's very important for teenage girls to have someone to look up to, to guide them in the right path.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics!! These are too cute!
Sounds like your having a profound impact! Love the pics!
ReplyDeleteCasey - this post gave me chills. I can not think of more wonderful values to teach to teen age girls or to D as she grows up.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are so fun! What a great idea!
Absolutely beautiful! What a wonderful prayer for your daughter. I pray the same for my kids. That my boys will be Godly leaders in their homes, and that TT will find someone to keep up with her amazing spirit! GORGEOUS (and very cool!!) pictures!
ReplyDeleteI so wish that we were bff in real life. I just love you!
ReplyDelete