by Kimberly | Aug 7, 2015 | Coffee with...
Coffee…well, maybe popsicles. But that totally fits the summer and the fact that we were discussing photography while watching 3 out of 4 of our children play in the pool on her back deck. Made for a fun morning.
I love introducing you to friends who are good at their creativeness. This is one way I do it. I love to learn and learn more about them, specifically. Enjoy!
Celina and I met through our church, specifically through a freezer meal swap. We have children in the same age bracket (under school age) who like to play together. And we both like to shoot photos!
How long have you been interested in photography? I’ve always been interested in it, but never had much time to practice it. Then I had our daughter. One of our first apartments had no windows, so therefore no natural light. I started with a powershot. Then I moved up to a rebel. Just took pictures, practiced. I started pursuing it as a side career about 2 years ago.
How do you balance being a wife/mom and being a photographer? Photography is a good side business because you can edit at night or during naps and you can set your schedule. There is plenty of flexibility.
What word of encouragement would you share with those starting in photography? Stick with it. It if is something that you like and that God wants – it will happen. Be humble. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek advice. Watch tutorials. Ask google. Be creative with a situation – not just artistically.
What type of shoot is your favorite? Newborn definitely. I love to capture the excitement. You can see it in the parents faces.
How would you like to see yourself grow in the next year? I would love to continue to improve. I will never be perfect. I can improve with each shoot.
Why photography? Because I can’t draw. Seriously. It is my creative outlet.
All photos taken by kcreatives photography.
by Kimberly | May 11, 2015 | Books, Coffee with...
I’ve just been recently introduced to the life, ministry, grace, humor, and writing of Trillia Newbell. She does some great things for the kingdom in race ethics, CBMW, and for the ERLC. But, today, I’m not talking to her about those things – though I would definitely like to.
I’m getting the privilege to introduce to you her new book, Fear and Faith, by Moody. Ladies (gentleman, keep reading because your wife will thank you for the book) – this is one of those books, and they have been rare in my life – that I think every woman should read. Married, single, mom, widow, barren, adoptive mom, divorced…you name it – its for you. Because I think Trillia has hit on a topic all women struggle with. FEAR.
I’ll save my book review and the GIVEAWAY for next week, but right now you can hear from Trillia herself. And while I didn’t get to sit down with her face to face and have coffee, this is what I would ask her if I could have:
1. You write a part about always being in a hurry. How do you manage to write books, minister to women and others through CBMW, ERLC, and be a wife and a mom?
When I first began writing I had a desire to write as often as possible for as many organizations as possible. In part, I was simply excited to write. I also thought it was a great way to grow. As my responsibilities have increased at the ERLC and speaking opportunities have also increased, I’ve had to say no more often than I’d like to. That, I think, is how I’m able to balance. As new seasons come I have to make decisions to stop doing certain things. Before I was writing books, I was a fitness instructor, as I began to write more and my husband and I saw this as a ministry I ought to invest in, I gave up fitness.
I simply could not do this without my husband’s support, encouragement, and blessing. He helps me evaluate opportunities and balance serving the home, family, church, and broader ministry work. God’s grace is sufficient and he enables me to work.
2. When you got finished writing this book: what had you learned the most about yourself and what would be the first chapter in Fear and Faith part 2?
I’m not sure what I learned about myself but what I did learn is that fear is universal. I knew that it was a common struggle but the response has been such that I realize it’s almost a temptation for everyone. If I had a Fear and Faith part 2—the first chapter might be on finding our identity in Christ as we seek to fight these fears, especially the fear of not measuring up.
3. What verse or advice would you share w women on how to conquer social media and its push on what we do in life?
I think if a woman is secure in her identity in Christ and looks to Scripture to define for her what womanhood is, she will be able to fight the temptation to compare on social media. I don’t think that social media is all bad. I think we should be able to look on these various sites and rejoice with other women who receive what we do not or who are gifted differently than us.
But we also must know that we do not have to be on social media. I think many fear missing out so we check often. But if social media tempts us to sin rather than is a means of grace, don’t get it on it. There’s freedom to miss out—and honestly, we aren’t missing out on much because real life around us still goes on.
I hesitate to throw out Scripture because it depends on what aspect of it someone is struggling on. There’s plenty in the world about running our own race, not looking to the left or right, and encouraging one another. I would say anything in that category would be a good start.
4. Random question just for fun for your readers to get to know you better. If you could go on one trip just w your husband, where would it be and why?
Mine is Paris!! I studied abroad, in Swansea, Wales, and while over there I visited France. I traveled to Paris a few times and it was by far my favorite city. My husband, Thern, has not been to Paris (though he has been abroad). I would love to sit at the foot of the Eiffel Tower with him. Oh man, that would be so wonderful!
5. What is your favorite coffee shop where you live and what is your “regular ” order?
I love to work at the Frothy Monkey and The Good Cup. I enjoy fruit tea and various delicious coffees.
by Kimberly | May 4, 2015 | Books, Coffee with..., Women
One of the women who have shaped my theological thinking and has been a friend to me the last 8 years is Courtney Reissig. I first met Courtney in Louisville when we both worked for deans of the SBTS and had some ministry with CBMW. She then got married and I moved away to Raleigh.
Then I got married, and she moved to Little Rock. Then we moved to Little Rock. Even though we were at separate churches, I was glad to meet up with her every now and then to talk life, marriage, parenting, and ministry.
If I still lived in Little Rock, I would probably pick up some coffee and head on over to their house (about a mile from where we used to live), let our boys play, and share this conversation with her in person. She’s due any day now with another little boy. Since I’m not in Little Rock, I used modern technology and asked her these questions about her new book, The Accidental Feminist, and about coffee. You’ll get a chance to hear how writing this book shaped her heart and family and her relationship with her heavenly Father…and about her coffee direction.
Thanks Courtney.
1. Writing a book is a time-heavy endeavor. How did you manage 2 toddlers, a husband, and serving in your church – while writing a book?
That’s a question I get often. In all honesty it was by the complete grace of God. The prevailing theme in my life as I wrote the book was unexpected weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 was very dear to my heart throughout the entire process. It says:
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” I got pregnant halfway through writing the book, sadly it was followed by a pretty complicated miscarriage that seemed to drag on. In God’s kindness, I got pregnant again right as the editing process was starting and was fairly sick through most of the editing. There were many days where I thought I would not be able to get it done, but God was faithful to give me words when I needed to write them, and provide the necessary energy to write and think. Practically speaking, this book has been in my head for a long time, so in a lot of ways it flowed out of me primarily because I had done so much thinking and writing about it before I ever had a book contract. Also, my husband was a tremendous blessing in providing me space and time to write. When I wasn’t pregnant, I would get up early in the morning to write and he would get our boys started with the day. I also did a couple of overnight writing retreats and that really helped with getting large chunks of writing done. For the most part, though, the book was written during nap time and in the early morning hours. I just process better earlier in the day, rather than later.
2. You’ve obviously thought about this topic of feminism much. What is one new thing you learned in your research for this particular book?
I read a book on the history of first wave feminism towards the end of the process and I was struck by how white the early feminist movement was. One of the dividing lines of the early feminist movement was whether or not they would include African-American women’s issues on their platform. Many of them, largely influenced by the spirit of the age, did not see a need to include African-American women in their fight. I had always known that some early feminists, like Margaret Sanger, wanted to eliminate those she saw as unfit for society (like minorities, disabled people, and the poor), but I didn’t know that within the larger movement there was such a lack of minority representation. That was really interesting to me–and of course, really troubling. It showed me that it’s easy to only think in terms of our own culture and context when we apply truths to our lives without looking at people who are different than us and really trying to understand where they are coming from and how our ideas might be interpreted by them or applied differently to their lives.
3. The local church is important in this shaping us to look more like Christ. What is one way that women can be purposeful in their relationships with other women in the church to help each other grow in our womanhood?
I think the primary way woman can be purposeful in their relationships with other women is to take initiative themselves. It’s easy to assume that no one has time for you, or that others aren’t interested in your life, when in reality everyone is waiting for someone to approach them first. I know I do that more often than I should. If we want to see women flourish in their understanding of God and his word and we want to see relationships develop among women, then we have to be willing to make the first move. In my own life, I know my reticence to taking initiative is often owing to fear (which is really pride). I’m afraid of rejection or afraid that the person will think I’m too needy. But I am needy. We all are. We need the body of Christ to encourage each other, fight sin together, and remain steadfast in the faith. One of the encouraging things that I see in the local church today is the desire women have to study God’s word. That is one practical way relationships can be forged, through intentional study of the Bible together. There are many more, of course, but that is the best place to start.
4. How did writing this book shape your relationship with your husband and your children?
That’s a good question. First, with my husband, it really showed me how much he truly supports me. Writing a book is not an isolated effort. Of course, there is a lot of time spent alone as you crank out chapters (which is a challenge for an extrovert like me!), but it’s also about the community that shapes your thoughts. My husband has probably talked more about feminism than he ever thought he would! He is my greatest support, but also my toughest critic. In the early stages of writing, I struggled with his criticism because I took it so personally when he said something didn’t make sense or didn’t sound true. But as we’ve walked through this process together, I’ve learned that because he is my greatest supporter, I can trust his criticism. His critiques are faithful and in my best interest. He’s not out for my evil, but for my good. And he’s a really good editor. If only it didn’t take me so long to appreciate it! With my children, it’s a little different. They are two (and as of right now, my third son is still in utero), so they can’t read yet. But as I researched for the book and learned more about feminism’s influence on men and how our culture perceives them, I became more convinced of the need for understanding the far reaching impact feminism has had on all of us. I want to raise my sons to be men who love God, love and respect women, and love God’s word. That is counter-cultural in a world that expects very little from our men, and it frankly scares me to raise them in a world where they are expected to be either ignorant boys who never grow up or aggressive sexual predators who use women for their own pleasure.
5. What kind of coffee do you drink? Or tea? Maybe more so when you aren’t pregnant.
I do drink coffee. I didn’t drink it during the first 16-17 weeks because I couldn’t stomach anything, especially coffee. But I love coffee in the morning, so I eventually gave in around 20 weeks and started drinking it again. With the twins I didn’t, but since I actually have other kids now I feel like it’s a necessity to function in the morning 🙂 I love Caribou coffee, but we don’t have that here, so I drink the Kroger Columbia blend (to save money). I like it with some milk in it. Since I have gestational diabetes, for a treat, I’ll get a decaf skinny vanilla latte at Starbucks if I’m out for coffee. Normally I get the normal kind. 🙂
by Kimberly | Jul 8, 2014 | Coffee with...
Love the way that people weave through your life at random times and bring light and sunshine each time they enter.
I first met Mallory when she was in high school when I was chaperoning a ski retreat with a church I used to be on staff with in Florida. She had an eye for celebrating the everyday even then. I love her pursuit of others, her craft, her friends, and her Jesus.
Now, she is in Woodstock for just a brief journey in life before she moves to Australia early next year, and we’ve reconnected – she’s come to our home and eaten at our table, she has given me lots of places to try out for coffee and good eats, and she has shared some of her life with me again.
Let her glimpse through her lens open your world to its love and light.
The above picture is a sweet newborn session with our dear friends Jack and Maizey. Love this photo!
1. How did photography come to have such a grip on your life?
Ever since I was a little girl, I would always take my mom’s camera and take pictures of anything I could. I always loved watching her reaction when all of these random photos came through on her camera, she knew I was discovering a hobby, yet little did I know it would become a passion. I had a friend in high school that would always take photos with me. We would pose, go on adventures with our cameras and play with natural light. Sometimes we would even skip morning classes to catch the perfect early morning haze on the island. I graduated high school in 2009, and that’s the year that I pretty much realized that I was really in-love with the beauty of a photo. My sister’s friends who had families started contacting me wanting me to do photo sessions of them, and then I just kept shooting. Everywhere I would go I would have my camera with me. I started taking my friends at college and around the area on photo adventures and just using them as models to expand my photography portfolio. So here I am- 5 years later, with many clients, and the same ones I started with who have supported me since the very beginning.
2 What would be a dream fulfilled for you and your lens and your soul?
A dream of mine when it comes to my photography would definitely be to use it as a way to record the adventures that life takes me on. When I went on my first mission trip to Haiti a year ago, I absolutely loved the way I was able to communicate with the Haitian kids through the power of a photo. It literally was like they had never seen how beautiful they were before. I would love to travel, and just take photos of different cultures, people and nature.
3. What do you most like to be peering at when holding your camera?
Nature & people. Nature because of the sincerity of it and people because… well, people are just awesome. I absolutely love capturing couples during an engagement session because their love is so powerful it explodes through the photo. I love to put people in nature because it’s like the beauty of trees, flowers, or a sandy beach changes their perspective and gives them a sense of freedom and happiness. Children, also, are amazing to capture. They are so innocent and happy. Eyes, skin, smiles- there is so much beauty in everything!
4. Is there any place you are dying to do a photo shoot?
I don’t think I could pick one exact place to do a lifestyle shoot. There are far too many amazing places in the world I have yet to see. Definitely would want to choose a place that if authentic, unique and natural. From an alley in Paris to a field in Ireland… I really couldn’t pick just one!
5. What are three words that describe your photography?
Beautiful moments captured.
by Kimberly | Nov 15, 2012 | Coffee with...
Panera is good for lots of things: food, writing, second office, and meeting new friends. Today: it was a bit of all four!
I was introduced to Tricia before I moved to Little Rock and I knew I wanted to meet her. She is a few years ahead of me in life and many years ahead of me in writing and motherhood. She was a blessing to sit down with and learn how she got started and what her life is like. With these pictures and short interview: I hope you will feel like you joined us at our table at Panera.
1. What is your greatest joy as a Mom? Snuggling and reading books. It is one of my favorite times of the day!
2. When did you start writing? When I was a stay-at-home-mommy at the age of 22. A friend was working on a novel and I realized it was something I could do at home. I went to my first writer’s conference in California in 1994. I love the friends I met there and the community I still have with them today.
3. What is your favorite menu item at Panera? Broccoli-cheddar soup. I have to find a healthy(ier) item to balance it out. The seasonal pumpkin muffins are wonderful!
4. What is your favorite book you have written? Night Song was my second novel. It was set in my favorite country: the Czech Republic during WWII. It is about a 13-year old boy. I cried while writing it. I haven’t read it since it was written in 1994. I hope I still like it 🙂
5. What is the Scripture that has been encouraging to you this week? “If we humble ourselves, He will lift us up.” Coming back from Allume, I was so blessed by all the women I met, such a community, such a blessing. I in turn want to help people all the time.
And today, Tricia, you were. Thanks for helping me network, encouraging me as a mom and writer, and for having lunch!
You can read all of Tricia’s books: fiction, non-fiction, devotional. Check out her blog and find her on facebook and twitter.
by Kimberly | Sep 17, 2012 | Coffee with...
Love catching up with old friends. Stacy Rist is a friend of mine from Southeastern Seminary who is serving in a local church.
We sat at Caribou…sipping on pumpkin chai and Diet Coke…talking about life and fall and women’s ministries.
What is your favorite thing about Fall?
Sweaters. Christmas in the air. Leaves changing. Leaves dying…Hope is coming.
What is your favorite part of the Church?
The Church has many parts…all integral. They all reflect God and His glory. Redeemed. All walks of life.
If you had a purpose for women in the church…what would it be?
For them to truly understand God’s Word and have the tools and methods to study it and be involved in their growth.
If you had your dream job, what would it be?
Investing in women’s lives by writing and speaking with intentionality.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Australia: hopefully doing intentional women’s ministries (anywhere in the world).
Stacy writes over at Chord of 3 Strands if you would like to check out her blog and her heart for Jesus, the church, and women.
