The very best of 2014

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This is 2014 in pictures. This year was absolutely incredible.

I am beginning 2015 with a trip to Cambodia. I leave tomorrow morning for Southeast Asia to see some good friends at Rapha House. As soon as I got back to Joplin last January, I knew that I wanted to return and visit. I am preparing for my long flight + warmer weather + humidity + rice and fresh pinapple + lime juice + learning everything I possibly can about God's love and faithfulness to His people.  I will be taking hundreds of photos while I am there. If you want to keep up with my trip, please follow my feed at http://instagram.com/meeganamanda. 

Aimee and I did some black Friday shopping at Anthropolgie. I promise I only buy mugs there. 

Maci Britt and I met in 4th Street Starbucks multiple times. We decided that we should probably hang out in November 2013. 

She has become one of my dearest friends. She has helped me put together buisness cards, a logo, a website. Every bit of branding that you have seen has been inspired by Maci Britt. We bake cookies, run around Joplin taking pictures, watch some Princess Diaries.

 She has pushed me to blog and write when I am fresh out of words. 

I spent a week in Columbus Ohio with the Rapha House staff for the ICOM conference. I spent the week taking selfies with this beautiful lady,Theara. The city was a wonderful change of pace from Joplin. Waking up with the city right outside my window, eating at the North Market everyday, wandering around the city with Theara, talking to non-profits about what God is doing in their ministry. I met a photographer named Bud Johnson who is the head photographer at Common Spark Media (http://www.commonsparkmedia.com) and he is hosting a couple workshops next year. Please check out his work! He was a great encouragement to little ol' me. We discussed lenses, fstops, and wedding photography. 

Nashville, Tennessee

This weekend was full of good music, foggy fields in Kentucky, and finding rest.

I was able to see an old friend that now goes to school in Nashville. We picked up where we left off a year ago. Since we saw each other last, she has visited Africa and I have visited Cambodia. Although our time together was short, it was so encouraging to see her. 

Addison & Cody

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There are some people you aspire to be like. You want to love Jesus like they do. 

You want to have the joy, peace, and kindness that spills out of them everyday.

My friend Addison is someone I aspire to be like.

She was my roommate for a year and a half and boy, we had a lot of fun. She has taught me how to be a better listener and a better friend. She is dedicated to her work, her family, and the church. Her Mom and Dad have given me so much to be thankful for.  

Her boyfriend Cody was in town and they wanted to hang out and take some pictures. I loved spending the afternoon with these wonderful people...and aren't they beautiful?!

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Colorado Summer

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Brynna Mae

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A little time in the country is good for the soul.

The first thing Brynna told me is that she wanted to shoot by her favorite barn and we instantly became friends. Brynna is so down to earth and absolutely sweet. We trekked through fields, walked on some railroad tracks. We talked about her plans for the future and I loved hearing about her dreams. These are some of my favorite golden hour pictures. 

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Cambodia part 2

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Happy Saturday

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Head shots and glitter.

Just for fun.

Avery is a precious woman who loves the Lord and all things artistic. 

Mary is from Costa Rica and in our first month of friendship, I have loved talking about her culture and our dreams for the future. 

We may have left a little sparkle on the sidewalk in front of the library... :) 

much love,

Meegan

Cambodia: Part One

  "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of     God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."
1 John 3:1-3 

The Lord reveals Himself to us in different ways and He speaks through His Word. When I was taking vitals at our clinic, this passage in 1 John was brought to my attention. Sometimes I forget that God loves me like a father. I should serve Him because I love Him. Because His mercy is new every morning. When I was in Cambodia, going down the road in Battambang, I realized that the Rapha girls feel a hole in their heart for a Father. Every girl I know needs a man who loves them and tells them he is proud. I have a wonderful Dad who fixes my car and makes me coffee and tells me he loves me. I have always felt protected and provided for. I occasionally recieve a text that reads: "Proud of you sweetheart. Love you. Dad"

However, the girls at Rapha do not have an earthly father who cares. How deep the need is. How great the hole that is left. Whenever we do not feel love from a man, we tend to reach out in unhealthy ways. We find men who are not trustworthy or kind because we do not think of ourselves as worthwhile.

The abuse  the girls have suffered is great.  However, they have joy that only comes from Jesus. It is deep in their hearts and it spills out to those around them.

When I was doing Triage at Kid's Klub, there was a sweet little boy with a blue shirt and a perfect smile who I met. I took his vitals and asked his name. I told the translator to tell him that he would be okay when he got his teeth pulled because I knew the dentists and they were nice people. He was a trooper and didn't scream when the dentists did the procedure. With a mouth full of gauze but still a smile, he came back over to hang out with me. I had my left arm around him and my right hand making notes. He stood hovering over my shoulder for a long time. He gave me a hug and quietly said, "You. Mommy." I was surprised and asked where his parents were. He insisted on calling me Mommy for the rest of the day.

The Lord spoke this verse  to me with this little boy in my arms: how great the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure! Just as my heart ached and loved this boy so much, the Lord feels that way about me.

Except the Lord knew me before I was created. He knit me together in my mother's womb. He saw me grow up in Texas, move to Missouri, and He watched my parents move to Colorado. He was there in high school and the times I didn't feel good enough. He is there when I feel lonely, scared, stupid, or rejected. He knows when I am insecure. When I wonder how the Gospel actually changes the world.

He saw my first trip to Cambodia and then allowed  me to go back a second time.

The LORD has never left me alone.

And He never will. 

 

Good morning Phnom Penh. 

Miss Amy

This week, I was able to spend some time with my friend Amy. She is a wedding and portrait photographer and her work is absolutely incredible. Please check out her portfolio at http://www.iamamymichelle.com/! 

I love her joy and her love for the Lord is evident. Thank you Amy for inspiring and encouraging me. 

Merry Christmas everyone! May your day be blessed with time with family and friends.

 

much love,

Meegan 

Princess Theara

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Meet my dear friend Theara. She is sweet, hilarious, and full of joy. I love her jokes, her laugh, her big personality. She shows the love of Jesus in everything she does. 

She is a blessing to all who have the priviledge of being her friend. She works with Rapha House, which loves, rescues, and heals girls from human trafficking in Asia. 

Last year, when she came into town, we tried to take photos but it rained. This year, we planned to take photos and it rained. (Welcome to the Midwest.)

Today, we made the most of our time and admired the fall colors. 

I love you my friend....The Princess of Cambodia. The little lady with a big heart. 

 

The Bushnell Family

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Weekly coffee at the Bushnell's is one of my favotite things.

This family has so much peace, joy, and hospitality. We chased leaves+laughed a lot. 

I am so thankful for you all. Thank you for being encouraing and listening to college kids. You set an example of what a beautiful family looks like. 

 

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Cyrus+Becca

A preview of Cyrus + Becca's wedding. 

“I cross my heart and promise to give all I’ve got to give to make all your dreams come. In all the world, you’ll never find a love as true as mine.”
— George Strait

This wedding a gathering of old friends. It was a blessing to be a part of their beautiful day. 



Becca's little brother is a sweetheart. He wanted hugs all day. 

much love,

Meegan