{ DAY 429 }

He was an inspiration to me even before I knew it.  My older brother was always drawing people out.  It didn’t matter who they were or what they were like he had a knack for that sort of thing.  So while I don’t remember when I started picking up on this beautiful trait of his there was a moment when it clicked in my head.  There I was standing under the shelter at the private camp area with a whole field of people playing and talking and when I looked over there was one person all by herself.  I knew she must feel lonely even amongst all these people and so even though I felt unbelievably awkward I walked up to her and started a conversation.  No, it wasn’t the easiest conversation but from that point on I knew something had shifted.  Ever since then I’ve been trying to learn about people by just striking up a conversation with them hopefully letting them know that I genuinely care.  While my brother, Drew, has the ability to seamlessly engage people, I on the other hand have been making awkward conversation ever since that day at the camp but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Learning takes practice.  One of the best things about this blog has been the opportunity to extend that ability of meeting people.  There have been some crazy connections that have made my heart smile.  Several years ago while doing my 100 day dress project I had the privilege of meeting some lovely ladies from Urbaca Salon and they have generously pampered me ever since.  Then when the 12 days of Christmas project came around in 2012 my cousin’s friend found a photographer in Utah who graciously shot their pictures in Colorado.  How does this all intersect?  Well the beautiful Kiersta who took those pictures for the fundraiser moved to Portland this summer! We met up and had a wonderful time talking and sharing lives.  She’s an amazing woman!  So when when Urbaca Salon asked me to model for hair and makeup I knew just the person to take the pictures!  So today’s post is in honor of collaboration and learning to care about people from all walks of life from all over.  You never know what beauty might just catch your eye.  It may range from a dusty camp out to a lovely salon but you might miss it if you don’t take the chance of meeting someone new.

A huge thank you to the amazingly generous and talented Kiersta from Kiersta Rhodes Photography for taking these images.  Kiersta, you are a beautiful woman and I feel so blessed to know you.  Thank you so much for being an incredible fundraiser last year for my kiddos as well.  Can’t thank you enough for that!  Check out her lovely blog here!
Also thank you so much to Urbaca Salon for asking me to model!  I don’t normally wear this much makeup or get my hair done so it was fun to play around with something new.  🙂