weekend trip

This weekend I had the AMAZING opportunity to travel to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to attend a lifestyle natural light workshop taught by Lisa from The Long Road to China.  I met Lisa through her blog and we instantly began a long distance friendship/mentor relationship.  She is extremely talented and even more giving of her expertise!  When she advertised the workshop on her blog...I jumped on it!

And so glad I did...

This was such a wonderful blessing for so many reasons:

I got to take a little trip ALONE.
Now, usually, I don't like to be alone.
But for some reason {wink, wink}
the peace & quiet time of traveling solo
and staying in a hotel room all alone
was just what I needed.
I miss my boys & hubby terribly, BUT
I have embraced all aspects of this trip and enjoyed every single minute of it!

I got to spend the weekend doing something I am truly passionate about.
I was so eager to soak up all of the knowledge that Lisa
{and so may other talented ladies} were willing share.

I know that this weekend will continue to further my career as a photographer,
which at this point is helping not only feed my passion,
but provide for my family, as well.
I am so thankful for this opportunity.

{photo collage courtesy of Felicia - thanks for the permission to use it - I was actually in these shots!}

I also got to meet some wonderful ladies.
Before, I had gotten to know most of the ladies from the workshop through their blogs.
However, I have never spoken to any of them {not even Lisa} until this weekend.
It was so neat being a part of this group, finally meeting everyone in person,
and I know that I have made "new" friends
& created some wonderful relationships that will continue to last!

We spent alot of time working...but we spent alot of time playing, too!
We have already started planning next year's trip!

{these photos are not so great considering they were taken with either my phone or Lisa's}

I have added a column on the far right of my blog
listing all the wonderful ladies from the weekend and their blogs.
I can't wait to keep up with their lives and their talent as a photographer!

I even cried today as I said goodbye to everyone!

Lastly, I feel truly honored to be a part of Lisa's journey.  Lisa is heading to China this month to meet her new daughter after waiting 50 months for this blessed day.  This weekend workshop allowed her the opportunity to raise some of the funds required for the adoption.  I am so happy for her and so anxious to continue to follow her story with a prayerful heart.  I wish her the best and know {after spending time with her this weekend} that her new little girl is so lucky to have Lisa for a mommy!

Most of the women attending this workshop have also been blessed with little girls from China.  Everyone was overwhelmed with emotion and truly moved by this experience.  We did a little sneaking around and secretly took up a collection for Lisa.  We presented her with a BIG FAT gift card to help her buy some fun goodies for her new baby girl!  She was so surprised!  And, YES, she cried {and so did we}.

Check out that adorable cake!  Yum!!

 

I have already started editing my images from the weekend 

{we snapped shots for 6 hours on Saturday - whew!!}  

I can not wait to post them soon!

My flight leaves Pennsylvania at 6am tomorrow 

and I can not wait to get home to my family.

But, I am sad that the weekend was too short!

Bye-bye Bethlehem, PA.

Check out Lisa's amazing images of this little town & the hotel we stayed in.