a snapshot

another year past and passed.

it has not, by any means or definition, been an easy year. 

in fact, i think it's been the most challenging yet. it's been lonely, uncomfortable, heartbreaking, stretching, painful, stressful, sorrowful, angering, and the range of emotions+experiences goes on.

but.

it's also been joyful at moments. victorious at others. hilarious. incredibly growing, stretching in good ways. it's also been a steep learning curve in many areas. hard decisions were made. sacrifices. relationships broken, others mended. 

featured in the photo above are little bits and pieces from my life throughout 2015. particularly the joys, both big and small.

two dear friends and myself on their wedding day. of which i had the absolute privilege of photographing. they're coming up on their year anniversary, and it has indeed been a full year for them as well. but a blessing in my life they have been, definitely. 

a book, go set a watchman. it was entirely different than i had expected. but impacted me on such a deep level that i didn't expect, in areas of identity that started a long train of thought which is still working in me today.

a pair of earrings. originally meant as a gift, that i ended up keeping for myself. because, let's face it, they're just too darn cute.

a rock and postcard. taken from the joshua tree national park. a token of a relaxing and memory-filled time with my parents and danish grandma during her visit here. being together with the three of them was and is always such a restful thing.

my favorite lens. sigma 1.4 50mm. this year was, and will continue to be into the next, a huge rewriting of my entrepreneurial business story. it's been a self-seeking journey of trying to figure out what i want to do with the giftings and talents i have with photography+media+design, and how i want to impact people with them. the rebranding process of miss kayla photography was an exciting restart, and i'm greatly anticipating what this next year holds.

a certificate of completion for the required motorcycle training class. which basically enables me to get my license and go ahead with purchasing+riding my own bike. oh, the adventures that will ensue.

a lighter. because. 

a recently acquired print of new orleans. because i love that place. and it reminds me of two separate and very different experiences in that city - both wonderful in their own ways. also something to keep me looking forward to the next visit. 

my favorite boots purchase to date. clearly awesome. and black. with buckles.

and. last, but definitely not least, a photo of my parents on their wedding day. because day after day, they show me a love and grace that carries God's blueprint all over it and impacts my life in such a big way. i don't know how they do it. they've championed each other, in and in turn, myself, continuously. they've modeled such a blessing of a marriage that i hope and look forward one day to experiencing with my own. because they're great. and also because i won't let my dad live down having a mullet on his wedding day.

these are only just a very few of the highlights from this past year. there are definitely more. and other lives that have still continued to impact mine, even from a distance. 

of all the hard lessons learned, the one that stands out most clearly is that God's got it all under control. that my timing and His are two different things entirely. that my past does not define my future. that i need to let myself just be sometimes. 

mercy, by amanda cook, has been playing on repeat often these days. 

because He does delight in showing mercy. 

because He does show me mercy. everyday. and it triumphs over judgement. 

so here's to this coming year. people often see it as a new, fresh start. 

i like the sound of that.

it's time to wipe the slate clean. it's time for this heart to be whole. it's time to shake off unnecessary baggage and unrealistic expectations. 

happy, peaceful new year, everyone.