The Journey

We just spent 10 days at the beautiful Salvation Army's Camp Hoblitzelle in Texas.

📸: laurajdake

The Bible leaders for the week were Captains Andy & Abby Miller. Our theme was, The Journey. 

We have to own that the journey is not your own.
Captain Andy Miller III

God has a marvelous path or journey for our lives. Life happens and sometimes we get detoured from the path He has planned for us but He is with us guiding us. We have to listen to His voice. Many times we listen to our heart because it makes us feel good at the time. Captains Miller said this, Our hearts lean toward sin. Following your heart has lead couples to adultery and has led people right out of the church. We need to have a pure heart. 

The theme verse was found in Philippians. I love the translation they used. The Voice. The creator of the universe, the God who knew me at the very existence of my being, the God who created me, created a journey for me. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him. I love capturing images with my camera. I think telling a story with images comes so much easier to me than writing words on a page but I love how this translation paints this image. God, the creator, will not stop in mid-design but He is constantly perfecting me. 

I thank God for the opportunities he has provided for me. I'm grateful for the friends and family I have that keep me accountable.

I am confident that the Creator, who has begun such a great work among you,
will not stop in mid-design but will keep perfecting you...
Philippians 1:6 The Voice

Thirsty

I'e been wanting to share a moment I had this weekend. I'm finally able to jot down my thoughts.

On Saturday morning I was the photographer for the Territorial Men's Conference for the Salvation Army Southern Territory. It is strange being at a conference when you are one of three women but I had a job to do.

The speaker for the conference was Jonathan Evans. He was a college football player and was signed by the Dallas Cowboys. He is the chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys, co-chaplain with his father Tony Evans of the Dallas Mavericks and a Christian author, speaker and pastor. You may be familiar with his sister Priscilla Shirer.

Sometimes when you are behind the camera, you are concentrating on capturing the moment and you aren't paying attention to what the speaker is actually talking about. I was sitting on the front row in the chapel. I know he was speaking about Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness. He was talking about being thirsty.  You know, when you are so thirsty that a coke or any other kind of drink won't quench your thirst. Water is the only drink that can satisfy that thirst.

As I sat on the FRONT row, in that moment I thought of my brother. As he was dying, he would often tell us how thirsty he was. He had cancer that was taking over his body and shutting it down. He couldn't swallow very well. He was SO thirsty! He would suck on little sponge lollipops but even then the little bit of water that came off that sponge, couldn't get it past his throat. He would say, "I want my thirst quenched." It is very difficult to watch someone you love so much, in so much need and something as simple as a drink of water you couldn't provide.

I was fighting back tears but I couldn't make them stop. Being the photographer you are always on the move, so I gathered up my cameras and made my way to the balcony where my husband  was and so I could let the tears flow freely.

Later that weekend I talked to my good friend Judy who understands the cancer journey. She said that Doug's thirst has been quench by The Living Water himself. Jesus took care of his thirst for eternity.

I am grateful that God gave me the best brother I could have ever imagined. I don't understand why He wanted Doug more in heaven than I wanted him on earth but I know that Doug lives with Jesus in heaven today and for eternity. That is the greatest gift.

“Jesus said, “Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst-not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.” ”

— John 4:14 The Message

#GivingTuesday | Warby Parker

I love fashion...clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories. If you've ever seen my walk-in closet you would know. ;)

I especially like companies that have a pay it forward message. I have already posted about The Giving Keys.

I also love Warby Parker. Buying glasses/sunglasses should be a fun experience. You can pick out five frames online and try them on at home. They send them to you in a box and after five days you place the prepaid return label and send them back to Warby Parker. Order your new glasses online and in days they are delivered to you door.

These statistics are taken from the Warby Parker website, almost one billion people worldwide lack access to glasses, which means 15% of the world's population cannot effectively learn or work. To help this problem, for every pair of glasses sold a pair is distributed to someone in need.

Consider giving back to those who are less fortunate not just today..the day someone has called #GivingTuesday but every day. As one of my other favorites say...need has no season. #thesalvationarmy

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Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade 2015

Being part of the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA was an awesome experience. I didn't march but have definitely added it to my bucket list. I was the photographer for The Salvation Army band. The Salvation Army is celebrating it's 150 anniversary. I believe it is one of four bands that participate every year.

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal church. It's message is based on the bible. It's ministry is motivated by the love of God. It's mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. 

I was very proud to be a part of The Salvation Army. To see my husband, nephew and friends march down Colorado Blvd. playing Stand up for Jesus. To see the crowd display their thanks and appreciation for the work that The Salvation Army provides in communities across this nation and beyond.

Truly grateful for the opportunities that we have to experience moments like this. They will last a lifetime!

All photography is owned by Laura Dake