BHG Opportunity

As if life hasn't been crazy enough, lately... it seems God thought it'd be nice to compensate for all of the tough stuff that came along in May by blessing me with lots of incredible opportunities and fun in June. :) One of these many opportunities was an opportunity presented by an old friend from when I lived in DSM, Sue. 

Sue taught cooking classes at Kitchen Collage during the time that I was working there. Thanks to her, I am now capable of creating delicious homemade egg rolls, some incredible Thai soups, and if I tried really hard, I might even be able to remember how to successfully poach an egg.

It's been a while since my DSM days, but Sue and I have been able to keep in contact via Facebook. I keep up with her different catering gigs and gorgeous foodie photos while she keeps up with my travels and photography.

At the end of May I received this from her:

• May 31, 2012
• 

  5/31, 10:45pm

  Sue 

  Hey you!! Long time, no talk to! Hope all's well. Say, I have a seriously crazy proposition for you: My company is doing some VERY last minute video work for Meredith through the month of June where we'll be shooting some short cooking-type videos, and we're looking for some people who might be good in front of the camera (I know you're doing beautiful work behind it!) and who have some familiarity with food (that is, they are comfortable cooking and chopping and all that stuff). Would you happen to be interested in coming in for a day or two to give it a try? Don't worry if this isn't up your alley--I totally get it! If you have questions about it, call me...

Naturally, I responded with this:

• 
  

  5/31, 10:47pm

  Lauren

  SUE THAT SOUNDS SO FUN!!! When do you need me?! thank you for considering me!

We talked. We emailed. We planned. Everything came together. I showed up one Friday and was BLOWN AWAY at the whole scene of a professional video shoot!! It was SOOO much fun. 

I had the privilege of being made up by the one and only Mary-Kate Gales. She's incredible. Just after sitting with her for an hour, I felt like I had known her for a lifetime. She was so personal and encouraging. She gave me tips on building a small business and taking advantage of opportunities such as this one to build a portfolio. She was kind enough to take photos of me during the set (I'll add those in a minute!) There was just something about her presence, she is very much alive and inspiring to be around... these types of encounters are my favorite!

Throughout the course of our day, we shot enough for three 1-2 minute videos: 

Secrets to Success from Better Homes and Gardens

• Chicken and Dumplings
• Spice Rubbed Chicken with Roasted Onions
• Maple Brined Turkey

I don't yet have the links to any of them... but will probably add them on here when I get them. We'll see. 

Everything about the day just gave me such a rush. The pressure of knowing my lines and being animated enough on camera was so strange. Having to fill up a silent room with a the voice I've carried for the last 24 years was really bizarre too! It was fascinating how they prepared the food downstairs and created such works of art... and they were still edible! It was fun to see how Peter, the cameraman, worked with the lighting and changed his angles to create depth and different focuses to keep things interesting. 

It was a great day, I can't wait to do it again!

'If only you saw what I can see...'

Yesterday I had a new revelation when I heard how my sweet friend, Hanna, listens to this song:

Before you hit play, I'd like to challenge you to do the same. She said when she hears these words, she just can't help but see God behind the microphone. How passionately he yearns to persue us and help us see his love for us. Listening to this song with new eyes is pretty powerful... have at it!

I think it can be so easy to let a disconnect come into our view of God's crazy love for us. This song may not have been intended to be a love song from our Maker, but I know I am encouraged by the reminder that he loves us more than we realize.

Taylor

If you haven't heard or read anything about Taylor Morris, please follow this link to learn more about our local hero: www.taylormorris.org

Taylor was serving in Afghanistan when he stepped on an active IED. Taylor's life will never be the same. Little do we realize, our lives would never be how they are if it weren't for brave soldiers such as Taylor. The activities that we enjoy, the people we connect with, the thoughts we are able to share -- all of these things could and would be drastically different if we didn't live in a land where freedom was fought for, protected, and valued.

Whatever your political view, please learn more about your local heros and do what you can to encourage and support them today. Our freedom is so invaluable.

Minor personal excitement: I set up a Twitter account just to share this situation and have had a response! I do not know how to operate let alone communicate via Twitter, but I 'tweeted' Ted Nugent and Glenn Beck, knowing they placed our troops in extremely high regard. Lo and behold, I just heard Uncle Ted on 97.7 KCRR and he wants to meet Taylor! How cool is that?!

Other ways to learn more about Taylor and his service to our country you can visit his support group on Facebook or read the Chive article to see how incredible and generous people are all the way around the world.

Nostalgia

‎"nostalgia - it's delicate, but potent. teddy told me that in greek, 'nostalgia' literally means 'the pain from an old wound'. it's a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone. this device isn't a spaceship, it's a time machine. It goes backwards, and forwards... it takes us to a place where we ache to go again. It's not called the wheel, it's called the carousel. it lets us travel the way a child travels - around and around, and back home again, to a place where we know are loved. " - don draper

Summer Send-Off...

Oh, there's SO much to catch up on... these past few months.... year and a half or so, really... has been such a whirlwind! It's not looking like life be letting up anytime soon, either. That's alright, God is good. 


One thing I want to share before I forget, is the latest gift I prepared, I just think it turned out so cute and is everything I think a gift should be: thoughtful, pleasing to the eye, and practical.

What do YOU think?! 

I wanted to go with a nautical/patriotic color scheme, and all of my findings were just that! :) The gift was for a boss who I've had the pleasure of knowing for 7 years or so. She's absolutely wonderful and is taking this time to be a professional Mom! (Lucky dog!) That being said, I thought summery fun would be nice concept to keep in mind. 

Everyone likes a good magazine. 

I've never met someone who had too many beach towels. 

Sparklers are fun for all ages. 

AND we all need a little sweetness, just so happened that this one went with the color scheme AND the theme. 

I think it came together pretty well!