2023 was a busy year – it was my four weddings and a funeral year! Although I’ve never actually seen that movie, so I can’t compare the plot, but the title works.
In summary: March was a show. April was my cousin’s wedding – I got to visit South Africa while I was there, which I felt so blessed to be able to do as it was 10 years since my last visit! June was my best friend’s hen but also the last time I saw my other best friend. Sadly, she passed of cancer a week later; that was a difficult week. August, I moved house and two of my friends got married so I was driving all over the country that month. September I moved to Spain and went some wonderful people, it was an incredible experience. October I went on holiday to Greece. November I moved back. December I had a fourth wedding(another dear friend of mine).
This year has been such a roller-coaster of emotions, very high highs and very low lows. It’s made me very much appreciate my community. Yes, our individual faith is important, but so is having a community of people who can support each other in times of need and celebrate together when there is joyous news. And I am so lucky to have found that all around the world. I am so thankful for every single person God has placed in my life. They have been such a blessing and I continue to learn from every one of them.
So my encouragement to you today: find community. It matters. And I promise – it really helps.
God bless.
Engaged. [14/08/2022]
So…it’s been a while.
A lot’s happened.
I’ve been working on other creative pursuits, I graduated, got a job – see past Cat! - and my best friend got engaged (see above)! Actually, a few of my friends have been engaged / married; yes folks, I am that old. I would like to do this more often though. I’ve been catching up on past photographs, so those will be uploaded. I’m working on it!
But yes, one thing to confirm, this past year, God’s been doing a lot of confirmation. Confirmation that my life is in His hands, that He knows where I’m going – even if I don’t – and that what He promises He will keep.
Two years ago, He told me to step out into the wilderness. And I felt a lot like those Israelites, lost, confused, not sure where I was going. So for those out there who don’t know what’s happening, a year from now, a month from now, a day from now – I’ve been there; I know how you feel, and it is hard.
One year ago, He told me He was leading me into my promised land. I didn’t know what that looked like – I still don’t really, I’m not sure if this is it. But now I can see that I am in a land with milk and honey. It’s not perfect, by any means. There are still things I would like to be different, and some of that’s on me. But it’s still good, and that’s not from anything I’ve done. God has placed me here for this season. So here I am.
So be encouraged, you may feel like you’re in a wasteland right now – but God will bring you through to the other side, and it will be good.
God bless.
Flowers in a wall. [26/04/2021]
Trusting God is like flying. In an aeroplane, I mean. We can't see the pilot. All we can see is a small window to where we're going and sometimes it's covered by clouds. We have to trust that the pilot knows what he's doing, where he's going. We cannot influence him - he's out of our sight. He can talk to us though and let us know what's going on, but only when he thinks it's time. We trust pilots. We have faith to know that they have our best interests at heart - to bring us safely to our destination. God is like that pilot. We can't see Him. We can't see what He is doing. But we can trust that He will be with us for the whole journey.
God bless.
Preseli Hills stream. [18/03/2021]
Words are powerful. I don't think we really understand how much. Everything we say is a declaration of what we believe. It's a truth spoken over the people present, whether that's a group, individual, or just yourself. That's why it's so important to guard what you say. How many of us speak negative thoughts over ourselves? IT'S NOT TRUE. You are beautifully, fearfully, and wonderfully made. So much care and thought was taken into crafting you into who you are. We are not perfect; we make mistakes. But listen, and listen well. No matter who you are, you are intelligent, beautiful, kind, generous - loved. Yes, it's expressed in different ways in different people, it doesn't look the same in everyone. So let's build each other up, instead of breaking us down. Let's speak truths over ourselves and rise to the occasion. You are more precious than rubies or diamonds - so speak like it, live like it. And remember: God sees you for who you are, every little thing about you, and loves you so much that He gave up His life so that you may have life to the full.
God bless.
Heather in the Snowdonia Mountains. [22/11/2020]
Be, just be.
I know what troubles you,
I know why you're anxious,
I don't need you to tell me.
I just want you to sit here.
I want you to sit at my feet, daughter.
I want to stroke your hair
I just want you to be.
Enjoy My Presence, little one;
Enjoy the silence, the stillness.
Enjoy the comforting blanket of Myself over you;
Be at peace.
I want you to know Me more,
I want you to enjoy My company,
Don't fell like you must fill it with words;
Be at peace.
I love your heart and desires,
I love your quirks and thoughts,
I don't need to hear your voice right now,
I just want you to be.
Do you feel that joy, my precious?
Do you feel that peace?
I want to give you more, my love
So be, just be.
Abba, I have no words for You,
I'm just so grateful for Your love;
How much is it, that you You ask me to
Be, just be.
God bless.
South West Snowdonian Mountains. [04/10/2020]
The feeling of being overwhelmed - physically, mentally, emotionally, even spiritually. Everyone has felt that at some point. To be honest, I've been feeling it a lot in recent weeks. But God is greater than any mountain of work or thoughts that lay before us. Nothing is too big or impossible for Him to overcome. So, when things feel too much, and you're feeling tired or drained - look up. God is reaching out His hand, He will walk with you through it, one bite-sized piece at a time.
"I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!" Psalms 121:1-2.
God bless.
Tenby Village. [25/07/2020]
Do you ever feel worried about the future? What’s coming next? Have you ever had dreams that you long to come true, but there seems to be no promising steps towards them on the horizon? I understand that feeling. I set my future and my dreams in God’s hands a long time ago. I continue to trust that His plans are good and will come out on top, if only I trust and be patient. But that does not mean I do not have times of worry or of longing. For me, they always occur late at night, when there is nothing else to distract my mind, which often means I’m up late into the night, my brain whirring.
A week ago, I had one of those nights. I was feeling lonely, missing my friends, missing company and longing for what I do not have, longing for the dreams I had given to my heavenly Father. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, but it is not good to dwell on these things as it can build resentment and frustration. This night, however, I was finding it really hard to get my mind off it. I prayed to God for peace, or some resolution to the cycle of thoughts racing through my head, but none came. Then a verse popped into my head. It’s from Philippians 4:6-7 and it says, “Do not worry about anything. Instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for what He has done. Then you will experience God's peace which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.” [emphasis mine]. My immediate thought was this is exactly what I’m doing, aside from the worrying. I’m praying about everything, I’m telling God exactly what I need/want, yet I still want His plan to reign. I should receive peace now, right? Then it occurred to me – I have not thanked God for what He has done, and what He has blessed me with. So, I pushed aside everything I did not have and started thanking Him for everything I did have. Everything from the big things, like being able to go away or abroad for holidays, to the small things, like the beautiful day we just had. As I began to list things, my restless thoughts settled, and I felt the peace of God slowly began to descend. My worries slowly faded away and the focus became less about what I was missing and more about being thankful for what I already had.
The last thing I want to mention before I sign off is this. This verse keeps popping up over the last week and I felt like God wanted me to share it. It’s 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and it says “pray about everything. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” [emphasis mine]. Be thankful in all circumstances, no matter what season you are in. Thank Him for everything, whether it’s big or small. You may be in a situation where it’s much harder to find things to be thankful for, or you may be in a situation where it’s much easier. But wherever you are, there are always things to be thankful for, so give thanks. It’s as (if not more) important than making your requests. For it is only once you have made your petition and thanked God will you receive peace. And that’s something that I want every one of you to experience.
God bless.
Upper Whitewater Falls, North Carolina. [14/06/2020]
Life is like a river. Sometimes it’s smooth, sometimes you hit a rock. Sometimes you sail off a precipice and fall into a mass of confusion, hurt, sorrow and anger. But the fall always ends in a pool: a pool that soothes and cleanses, that heals and restores. And soon, the water will flow on.
God bless.
Castle Beach, Tenby. [07/06/2020]
Today, I just have one small thing to share and it is this: that God is everywhere, if only you look for Him. Today, I could feel Him in the wind as it raced across the beach, the joy of His presence, the caress of His embrace. So be encouraged – if you seek Him wholeheartedly, you shall find Him.
God bless.
North Down coastal path. [24/05/2020]
I have learnt that the most important thing I can do with my time is spend it with God. Just resting in His presence, delighting in His being. This world will not last forever. So, with this precious gift of time we’ve been given, I want to make sure it’s well spent. The things of this world will fade – from ashes to ashes and dust to dust. And while one day they will be gone, it doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy what we’ve been blessed with. But it should not be what we live for. My God is faithful and loving, merciful and just. He is eternal. He sent His Son to die so that we may live in freedom. He paid that price, a price so great, so that the barrier between heaven and earth could be broken and we could come before Him, meet with Him, have a relationship with Him – spend time with Him. He will not fade nor grow old. He is eternal. And because of who He is and what He has done for me and you, well. . .I think that makes Him worth living for. And the best way of living for Him to the best of our ability is to spend time in His presence.
God bless.
Belfast City Hall. [22/01/2020]
Patience. It’s hard, right? In a world where things come instantly. . . Especially when it feels like your whole future depends on it. Take, for example, my search for placements. I am currently looking for a year out in industry as part of my degree – a “placement” is you will. I say currently: more like for a year and a half. I keep thinking that it’s never going to happen, and life will keep going, I’ll reach the end of my degree and that’ll be it. What happens next? People always tell you it will be fine, and if you’re a Christian “don’t worry! God’s got it!” Which of course, He has, and I do believe that – it’s just lot harder to put into practice! I ended up extending my degree another year. Did I do it for completely the right reasons? Probably not. But in the end, I think it was right.
I have a good friend in the year below me. Beautiful, lovely woman. She got a placement in her first three months. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am so proud of her and I wish her the very best. She worked hard for it, she’s an excellent person, a strong child of God and she earned it. But for me, it’s been such a slug. I’ve been to interviews; I’ve been to assessment centres – the whole shebang. Honestly, sometimes it feels like I’ve got nothing to show for it. But patience pays off. I went to a careers fair the other day and spoke to quite a lot of people. The first of which, actually, were quite a small company, I think. But as I chatted to them, their interest seemed to spark more and more, and I remember thinking maybe this is it. . .Part of me says don’t get your hopes up. But the other part keeps reminding that God IS good, and He has a plan. And even if this is not where I’m going to be next year, even if I don’t get a placement – even if I have no idea what the rest of my life looks like! – I trust in God completely. And I know, one day, my patience will pay off. One day, yours will too.
God bless.
(P.S. Hope you had enough patience to make it through that longer-than-usual post! 😉)
The sun as it sets across the Pembrokeshire bay. [02/09/2019]
God is good. That’s what I’m thinking as I write this first “official” blog post. God is good. As I’ve been building this website, combing back through old photographs of beautiful places and new and old memories, I’m thinking about all the ways God has blessed me in my journey of faith up till now. Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t always been fun: but the hardships make the good so much better. So I just want to inspire you today…if you’re going through a difficult season, keep trusting in Him: the sun will always breaks through the cloud. On the other hand, if you’re in a season a blessing, enjoy it! I’m sure by God’s grace it’s well deserved.
God bless.
Myself editing photos in the kitchen of my American aunt. [18/07/2019]
I'm posting this as a throwback to the days when my aunt really introduced me to all of this. She showed me this world of capturing God’s creation and I have her to thank for this inspiration. I also just want to thank God for giving me the opportunities to do so, because the only reason I sat in the kitchen was because of Him! So here’s to the start of an incredible journey, where I’ll be sharing snippets of my walk with God, and hoping to inspire you to do something beautiful with Him too.
