You are so beautiful, I am so proud of you and the woman that you have become, you are going to have a wonderful life, I love you so much….

Words that every woman should be told at some point in their lives. The exact words that Stacy’s mother told her as she buttoned each precious button on her daughters wedding dress.

This day was full of so much love, so much peace and joy that you could feel it in the air. Steve and Stacy chose to have an intimate ceremony at their church home surrounded by their closest family and friends. It was an incredible, sweet and beautiful ceremony. The joy filled tears where seen throughout the room.

I loved that Steve and Stacy were not shy about the foot of snow that we trudged through to get to their first look location. It was so them! We laughed and smiled the entire time. After the ceremony everyone headed to W.A. Front and Company in St. Paul for drinks and a meal. The setting was absolutely perfect. I loved the warmth of the room as everyone mingled and shares stories with one another.

Florist – Forever in Bloom Floral

Hair & Makeup – @kmorenson & @allieknutsonhair

Venue – W.A. Frost

Strong words? Maybe, for some anyway. But not for us!

I have heard those words so many times over the last few years.

I have even said them.

I sat on a beach in Florida once talking to Jason on the phone while I watched our oldest daughter play in the waves. He said, ” I have something to talk to you about.”

“OK,” I answered, thinking nothing of it at all. As I watched Paisley play and rubbed my 24-week pregnant belly, he told me about what God had been teaching him. We were on a vacation without him since he was busy with work. He continued to tell me that he was going to work only part time for his current company and work the rest for the church for pretty much no pay- that we needed to honor this call.

I said ” I think you’re crazy, but OK.”

I will never forget that. It was October of 2012. I immediately told my parents about his decision. They gave me interesting looks and also said, “OK”

Not even a year later he left his full time job to work full time for our church as a Youth and Associate Pastor. It wasn’t long after our second daughter was born.

So we went from two pretty good incomes to a pretty small one and my income as a photographer, which is never reliable.

I got asked by a lot of our friends, “Are you guys crazy?” and, “What are you thinking?”

And now we are here. We have added another child, Jason finished school a few years ago and is officially ordained, and we are now planting a church!!!

He struggled for a while with taking possible jobs with other churches, doing interviews and visits. But nothing ever felt right. He woke up one morning and said “Babe, I think I have to plant a church.” This time I didn’t say, “Are you Crazy.” I said, “I know.”

So many people would look at this and think that it was dumb, that it would be an irresponsible decision for a husband and father of 3 to pretty much go jobless and start a church.

I don’t see it that way. I think he is crazy brave. It takes so much courage to fully walk in faith. To get up everyday and push towards a goal that you can’t see. To also continue to lift me up when I am feeling unsure. When I can’t see this plan. When all my fears and anxiety set in. It takes bravery. He is the bravest man I know.

And all along, God has been faithful. That’s how I know we’re doing the right thing. We have NEVER been late on a payment, missed a meal, or had empty tanks. In fact, we have lived bigger and fuller lives in the last 2 years than I could ever have imagined. Because let me tell you what- we serve one crazy God.

A God that is not afraid to dream big and push us to the limit so that we can also see His plan. He is a wild God, so what is stopping us from believing Him?

I’ll tell you what it is. It’s our own fear.

Fear of failure

Fear of judgment

Fear of letting go of this world’s crap

Fear of looking silly

Fear of looking crazy

Fear, fear, fear…

We serve a God that’s not afraid. So when will we learn to stop being afraid ourselves? Start thinking differently about the crazy ones. They are the ones who might just have something figured out.

When I went to Florida last March to photograph Steven and Hope’s wedding I never anticipated meeting a new client.

Selin walked into the bridal house and introduced herself right away. I instantly wanting to be her friend. She brings light into every room she walks into. We got to spend most of the wedding day together. She was Hope’s personal attendant! We hugged as I left the wedding and said we would stay in touch!

Soon after she reached out to me about her own engagement!!  I couldn’t be more excited for this couple!! Mason proposed on April fools day at Minnehaha falls. He had gathered all of Selin’s closest friends and family and surprised her!

They wanted their engagement session to be near the water. Their wedding will be at a lake resort this July! I am so thankful for meeting this couple in Florida of all places. They have brought so much joy to my life. I can’t wait to celebrate with them on their wedding day.

Our recent trip to Maui was incredible on its own. Then we were introduced to this beautiful family. We sat on their front porch and ate a dinner spread, drank wine and talked about life, kids, ministry and shared our dreams for the future.

Having the opportunity to photograph them made the trip that much better.

Hello! Beautiful family on a beautiful beach in Maui? Need I say more?

Casey, Brie, Georgia and Isaac it was so wonderful to meet you all the way in Maui! I cant wait to get to know you all better!

Location: Oneloa Beach

Last fall Dan invited his girl friend Kristi to go out and practice shooting arrows with him. Little did she know that Dan had a big surprise planned. Dan kept encouraging her to hit the target correctly and when they finally got it a sign fell asking if Kristi would be his bride!

How awesome is that engagement story? From there Dan and Kristi dreamed about the perfect fall wedding on Dan’s family farm.

And it was just that! I was completely blown away by the attention to detail and all the hard work that they had all put in to the big day. It was so beautiful. From the hand made arch that Dan and Kristi said their vows under to all the painted sign’s and the sweet florals that hung around Emma (their dogs) neck. The day was perfect!

Dan and Kristi were married in the corn field that his family has tended for over 40 years. His dad Bob, told me that “this is God’s land” and he was so proud to have his soon be getting married on it.

Right after the ceremony we all jumped on the tractor trailer for a ride down dirt roads and ended the night dancing to an awesome country band.

Dan and Kristi!!!! Congratulations on your wedding day and thank you so much for having me.