I gave my life to Jesus when I was about 10 years old. I was an only child with two disabled parents (not knowing I was also living with an invisible disability myself). I had grown up hearing about God and always believed in him, but didn't know him. But that little girl began to feel the weight of the burdens in my life becoming too heavy to bear and one day I shut myself in a room and cried out to God and said "God, if you're real, I need you to reveal yourself to me because if you're not, I can't do this."
Imagine the pain a 10 year old has to feel to not want to live when life is just beginning. I wasn't expecting a response. But what I received was the most supernatural and overwhelming sensation of peace and light that filled the room and enveloped me. I knew in that moment that God was real and promised to follow him all the days of my life.
I was pretty good at that for awhile. I pursued ministry more seriously when I began college and saw miracles happen in front of my eyes. I saw God move. But slowly, I began drifting away from God and began seeking him less. Then I began to experience pain and abuse that was at the hands of Christians and in churches. I got so angry. I knew Jesus, had walked with him so intimately, and this was not who Jesus was. But instead of running towards him for comfort, I ran away in my bitterness and disappointment.
I went through divorce, extremely challenging health issues and difficult diagnoses, depression, anxiety, all without God to lean on (out of my own doing). And I've learned from personal experience that without God as my shelter, the enemy had a field day. I put my hope in everything but God and it never satisfied.
But God had never left me, and in making the decision to move back home with nothing, he met me. I began to encounter him again. Once more, I hit my breaking point and experienced God's supernatural peace cover me when I thought all hope was lost.
I don't think God waits till we are about to break to reach out. I think it's the only time we are truly ready to trust him. It's in fully surrendering our will to him that we find him. He's always waiting and ready to embrace. 🤍
Adventure is something that has always fueled me. The thrill of exploring unknown territory and being open to whatever awaits. Adventure challenges your comfort zone, which I believe is an essential part of being human.
But out of all of the adventures I've embarked on, there has been no greater adventure than walking with God. He takes you through the wilderness, deep valleys, and lights the way through the darkness. When you reach those mountaintops with him, you get to experience a love and freedom you never knew was possible.
And the view from up there is what you hold on to when the inevitable valleys come again because if there is one thing that is certain about being human, it's that hard times will come.
But God also promises us that no matter how dark the night, joy comes in the morning when we trust in him.
And while earthly adventures must always come to an end, my journey with him never does. I'm constantly learning, growing, and praying I become a little more like him each and every day. And that's why it's the most exciting of journeys; the race isn't finished until we get to heaven. Until then, I'm following him and trusting his navigation into the unknown 🤍
God's design is always intentional. I'm constantly amazed about how much of his creation can teach us some of life's greatest lessons. I am thankful to call Florida home and he constantly learning and growing from her beauty.
Yesterday morning, I went to take out my kayak at sunrise and had the pleasure of meeting a fellow photographer, @maribel.gonzalez.photography , who snapped these photos of me! I've never gotten any photos on my kayak so it was such a nice surprise and I always love meeting fellow wildlife enthusiasts.
I had intended to go fishing this morning when I realized I left my rod at home 😅 I was paddling along and God was blowing me away with a flock of great egrets (one of the most majestic wetland birds). I said God, could you surprise me with something else amazing? He said "go turn that corner". All of the sudden I see a bridge and canal I had never seen before and it took me into the most magical series of canals through a mangrove forest. I am always looking for places in nature that are completely silent and without a soul around and this was IT! God is seriously the best girl dad. 🫶🏼
#orukayak #girlswhokayak #kayakingadventure #biscaynebay #biscaynenationalpark
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And all of the ashes of my life
All of the pain and all the strife
All of the pages You'll rewrite
You always lead me to the light
All of the years the locusts stole
All of the time I didn't dare to hope
You will return a hundredfold 🤍
@songbirdabbie
Some work for @everwater.charters 📸
I'm always inspired to see people that dedicate their life to a love for the water. Captain Jason and his team are the real deal. I love getting to tell stories around our beautiful state to inspire others to be a part of protecting her for future generations.
#tenthousandislands #10kislands #shelling #swflorida #southwestfl
Thank you @everwater.charters for the most amazing experience! Can't wait to come back 🤍🐚🏝️
#tenthousandislands #shelling #shellingguide #southwestflorida #southwestfl
Had an incredible time exploring Ten Thousand Islands yesterday with @everwater.charters ! Visiting this chain of islands in Southwest Florida has been a dream of mine and I finally got to make that dream come true.
I feel so thankful that God opened the door of my heart to photography when I was 13 and that I am just as in love with it two decades later. I especially love getting to combine my passion of photography with my love for wild Florida and being on the water.
Can't wait to share more soon from this epic day!
Wearing all my favorites:
@manggear@captainsforcleanwater@marshwearclothing
Thank you to my outdoorsy friend @belleoftheglades for snapping these!
#tenthousandislands #femalephotographers #sonyalphafemale #manggear southwestfl
Little Blue Heron 💙🪶
One of my favorite wading birds that are very easy to spot in South Florida. They love quiet water like marshes, flats, and mangroves. Juveniles are entirely white and blend in with snowy egrets until they molt into their blue-gray and purple plumage in their second year.
They are typically solitary hunters and are very calm and patient. I highly recommend watching the sunrise on Biscayne Bay and watching them hunt ☺️
#littleblueheron #floridawildlife #biscaynebay #floridawildlifephotography #floridabirding
The Jewel of the Marsh 💎👑
The Purple Gallinule is called the jewel of the marsh for a reason! They're very common to spot throughout the Everglades but especially on the Anhinga Trail. Their long toes are perfect for walking across the lily pads which is where they often feed. It's fun to watch them run across and try and keep their balance.
"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
Isaiah 61:10
