RachelJonesPhotography

Sarah and Josh

2011-07-26T19:07:00.003-05:00

Grace and Judson

2011-07-26T19:04:00.004-05:00

Ashley and Bryan

2011-05-25T22:45:00.004-05:00

Could not have asked for a better afternoon for a walk around Birmingham with this awesome couple. Here are a few of our favorites:

Grace and Judson. Engagements.

2011-01-23T22:47:00.003-06:00

Asheville

2010-12-20T11:00:00.003-06:00

A few weekends ago I got to have a fun and much needed getaway to Asheville, NC for my friend Ann Marie's birthday. We were surprised Sunday morning with several inches of snow! THankfully I brought the 645 along and shot a few of these:

The Millers

2010-12-06T23:51:00.004-06:00

Had the privilege of working with one awesome family last week. Here are a few of my favorites:

The Winsteads

2010-12-05T23:03:00.002-06:00

The Williams

2010-11-30T21:47:00.004-06:00

One of my favorite shoots of the year. Meet the Williams:

The Spurlings.

2010-11-22T09:51:00.006-06:00

This past week I had the privilege of hanging out with the Spurling family for an hour. Here is what we did:

herds.

2010-11-21T23:09:00.000-06:00

Gloucester. Fall. Film.

2010-11-11T16:09:00.004-06:00

A few weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to go visit my dear friends Josh and Amanda Cannon. They live in a quaint little town called Gloucester, about 45 minutes north of Boston.

Gloucester is definitely up there on my list of favorite places in the world. This fishing town is older than most towns I've visited and with that it brings a lot of history and personality. A lot of movies are filmed around these parts (Perfect Storm and The Proposal just to name a couple of my favorites).

I decided to only take film with me this trip. I've been up to visit so many times that I have taken thousands of digital images so I knew that it would be good for me to learn more about my new film cameras if I didn't have the option to shoot digital.

I ended up only taking a couple of rolls... one 35mm and one 120 on my new Mamiya 645.

Here are a few of my favorites:

how fun is this.

2010-11-08T09:27:00.001-06:00

yep. that's an iPhone case. so fun!

hmmmm Camping.

2010-10-27T12:20:00.001-05:00

Next time I go camping I want this. Unrealistic? nahhh

Wedding Film

2010-10-26T19:50:00.008-05:00

As you know I have embarked on a new adventure. Film. I shot a few rolls at a wedding a couple of weekends ago

2010-10-21T15:28:00.003-05:00

Today I found this awesome site. Thoughtful, unique and perfect for Christmas gifts!

Paper Boat Press

Hungry?

2010-10-21T15:07:00.001-05:00

I want this for dinner. Hello

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/crispy-fish-tomato-leek-saute-00000000012409/index.html

Magan and Michael

2010-10-20T20:45:00.007-05:00

This past weekend I spent some time with an awesome couple, Michael and Magan van Tonder on their big day! Here are a few images from their wedding. Can't wait to get more film back on this one.

2010-10-20T14:42:00.008-05:00

If you've known me for more than 5 seconds you know that I LOVE Fall more than any other season. I even annoyingly talk about it's arrival all Summer (my least favorite of the seasons). I was in Africa for most of September and October has been a crazy month for me. I almost forgot that it was fall! It's been warm here in Sweet Home Alabama so that has something to do with my autumn absent mindedness I think. But alas it's almost November (my favorite month) and therefore I thought I'd share a few of my favorite favorites:

#1- Colors.
All of my favorite colors are fall colors. Red. Orange. Yellow. Brown. I love it!
I'm headed up to Boston next week and I am hoping there will still be some of this:

#2.- Scarves.
My signature.

#3- Pumpkin Spice Lattes.
I am definitely a Chai girl, but I cannot resist a good Pumpkin Spice Latte.

#4- Friday Night Lights.
I do love the show, but I am talking about the real game here. I love football. High School (Go Eagles), College (Roll Tide) and NFL (Go Pats!).

#5- Fires.
I am a sucker for fires. Whether it's a bonfire, campfire or fire in the fireplace. Give me a book, hoodie and cup of coffee and I am set.

#6- Cardigans and Coats
My second favorite clothing items. I bought these two at Anthropologie for the season.

#7- Thanksgiving.
Tied with Christmas on my favorite holiday list. I love all of the baking, cooking, and fellowship that comes with this holiday.

#8.- Grey, Cold Days.
I know.. call me strange, but I love grey skies and cold winds.

#9. Fog.
I love waking up to a foggy morning. And it happens often at my house on the mountain.

It's Fall. It's Film.

2010-10-19T20:54:00.005-05:00

So I am super bad at this blogging thing, but this post will be the start of my awesome blogingness (word? possibly?) I am making a big jump in my career....one that will hopefully give me a boost into a new realm of the world of photography...

film.

I have started shooting a little bit of film and have fallen head over heals in love. Now I can't stop! I just recently purchased one of these from my good friend Stephen in NY. Cannot wait to try it out!

Until then I've been playing wiht a few film cameras that I already own but haven't had a clue what to do with.
These were shot on an old Canon Rebel 35mm... love the colors

These were shot on an old Kodak Brownie (Think way way back). I bought it for 4 dollars at a junk store because they thought it didn't work.

So needless to say I am super excited about diving into the world of film. There is just something special about it. I still have no idea what I'm doing, but I'll learn.

Further Explanation... Africa

2010-06-07T23:00:00.001-05:00

I am going with a team of girls from Passion City Church to Watoto , a Children’s orphanage in Kampala, Uganda in the middle of September. Watoto is an organization that is raising up children to become the next generation of leaders in Uganda. To find out more about Watoto you can go to their website @ www.watoto.com.

They love having guests from around the world come and bring hope to their country in a practical way. Our team will specifically be involved in Baby Watoto. Our days will be filled with holding, feeding, bathing, and loving the 90+ babies under the age of 2. There is a good chance we will be welcoming in new little ones that have just arrived at their new home. Without willing hearts much of the ministry they do would not be possible and God has given me a willing heart for these little ones!

Each of us are paying our way (flights/room/board/etc) but Watoto has asked each team member to donate $1000 to Baby Watoto. That's where I thought you guys could get involved! You can write a check out to Watoto and mail it to the following address:

Rachel Jones
3733 Carisbrooke Dr
Hoover, Al 35226

I will collect all the money and send it directly to Watoto before we leave for the trip. This money will be used for medical supplies, baby items, and any other needs that they have. I am ready to see first hand the work of Watoto, experience another culture, and see that when people partner together, lives can be turned around.

Please pray for our team as we take this journey of a lifetime! I am sure we will never be the same again!

Africa Bound

2010-06-07T22:53:00.001-05:00

We are selling T-shirts to raise money for our trip to Watoto Orphanage in Uganda. $20 a piece and all of the money goes directly towards a donation each of us have to make to Watoto to work with the babies there, if you are interested in ordering to support our trip, please message me or comment the size you want to order so we can get the orders in....

The shirts should be ready soon, and our trip is in September!! We are getting so excited!

to find out more about Watoto, go to http://www.watoto.com/home, our team of 14 women will be working with Baby Watoto the 10 days that we are there...

NATHANNAH Wedding- Alpharetta, Ga

2010-06-03T22:26:00.003-05:00

This has been a crazy week and I am still in the process of sorting and editing the photos from Nathan and Hannah's wedding at the end of May. But just for now here are a few of my favorites so far

Think about it

2010-04-22T21:23:00.003-05:00

Well as usual life has decided to take off on me. There has been a lot going on with my grandmother. As many of you know I am in the process of getting her moved to a long term rehab facility (nursing home) and that has been honestly a bit overwhelming. It isn't easy having to be totally responsible for someone else... much harder than I anticipated!

One of the most annoying side effects from all of this responsibility is the lack of "thinking" I get to do. I mean real thinking about real life matters such as love and the meaning of it all. My brain is just so tired by the end of the day and so full of to-do's that I forget to slow down and really think. It is sort of a cultural phenomenon i believe... the lack of thinking. We just say,go and do.. and half of the time we don't stop to think about why we are saying or going or doing. You follow? I think we are too busy of people. We could all stand to slow down a bit. So that's what I'm going to try to do. Eliminate unnecessary things to leave more room to actually think about the things that matter to me and matter to Him.

I have a friend at work named Rachel. We share a special little bond because, well, we are both Rachels with curly blonde hair :) This Saturday her husband was killed suddenly in a water skiing accident. He was a barefoot skier practicing for a competition. They got a new boat driver who was a bit inexperienced and as Stuart was doing a trick the driver swung too wide and slung Stuart into a dock. He was going backwards and didn't see it coming. In a second he was gone. That news really shook me up. I think I needed to be shaken a little bit. I had gotten a little to comfortable in the false promise of tomorrow. It really reminded me that we do not know when our last breath will be.

Yesterday would have been their 8th anniversary. I can't even wrap my head around that. My heart is so heavy for her, but I know that she is leaning on the Lord and that Stuart is in a better place. I just hate we had to lose such an awesome man. You don't find many men like him anymore (step it up boys!). Kind, servant of God but oh so accepting and relevant to the world and the people in it.

But all that to say... if you can take a minute each day to just think. It will change you I promise.

A Yummy Treat

2010-03-02T22:30:00.002-06:00

So as some of you know I recently started working at Organic Harvest in the cafe. Organic Harvest is a local organic market and cafe located in Hoover off highway 31 by the new Starbucks and Publix (everyone come see me!). I love working there and I am already learning so much about food and health. No worries I won't bash you for your eating habits or bombard you with healthy living info overload, but on occasion when I find out something interesting I will pass it along. There is just so much to learn when it comes to food and health. We have a very detailed creator that is for sure! I know I am quickly realizing how poorly I've treated my body (lets see poptarts, easymac, snickerdoodles)... I know I know I just nailed about half of your daily food intake...but there are some awesome and really yummy alternatives to the stuff we've been running to for a sugar or carb fix.

Try this for example. I concocted a little signature smoothie at work (no worries I won't be spilling all of O.H.'s recipes on here, but since I sort of made this one up I thought I'd share). This is a great sugar fix and it has better for you ingredients than the typical candy bar or cookie. Give it a try I promise you'll like it!

Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie

½ cup Strawberries (or any berry you like)- Try to buy organic here, fruit is one of the highest chemically sprayed items out there!
¾ Pear
2 Tbls. Raw Almond Butter (raw is best, but natural will do if money is tight)
2 Tbls. Honey or Agave (natural sweetness)
½ cup Fat Free Vanilla Yogurt (once again organic is best)
1 Tbls. Flax Meal (fiber- good for your digestive system)
1 tsp. Vanilla
2.5 cups Ice

Blend and Enjoy!

Life is Seldom What You Plan

2010-01-20T23:04:00.003-06:00

That quote keeps coming to mind these days as life is changing all around me. It is so simple yet so true. Much has happened since my last post. I found another job in Atlanta working for a family as a live in housekeeper/nanny... which was going to be such a great opportunity.

But after speaking with my grandmother this weekend and seeing how much the circumstances have changed back in Birmingham and how in need of me she was, I decided to make a tough decision and move back home. I wrestled so hard with it all weekend as I am just getting settled here in Atlanta and had a great job opportunity open up, but felt that God has given me a responsibility to take care of right now and that is my grandmother. His word tells us that as children we are to take care of our family, widows and orphans... and that is an undeniable responsibility that I need to fulfill right now.

I would be lying if I said it was as easy as that to make a decision. It was a very hard weekend to say the least. I have never felt so torn and I know I put a lot of people through a lot of emotional roller coasters... you know who you are and I am so sorry. I definitely felt called to Atlanta back in October and took a step of faith and came. But it is a new season now and God has a new plan for me and His plans are always good. I have to stand on that.

So for those of you who I met along the way in Atlanta, please know that I love you all and you mean the world to me. My PCC family was just starting to feel like a real community. I am so excited for all of you and can't wait to see God work in you and through you in the coming days of Passion City Church. It breaks my heart to think I will not be here, but He knows best. My heart is with you guys... don't stop believing in great things! They are coming! I can feel it! And who knows... maybe and hopefully I will join back up with you guys...

So Birmingham I will see you in a few. I have missed you.

And back to square uno

2010-01-10T16:02:00.002-06:00

For those 2 of you who read my blog you probably know that God provided an awesome job for me being a home manager for a family in Atlanta! I had recently been re-evaluating and praying hard about whether God wanted me to stay in Atlanta and just asked that if He wanted me to stay, that He would provide a job for me... and He pretty much laid one in my lap that week! The way He worked out the details just blew my mind and was clear evidence that He wanted me to stay.

Yesterday I received and email from the family saying that Kim, the wife, lost her job on Friday and that they didn't think they were going to be able to hire me anymore. Talk about disappointing! I will get a definite yes or no from them tomorrow after Kim goes into the office and finds out about relocation. I must say it doesn't look hopeful.

All that to say please pray for me if you get a chance. I need direction. Very badly! I also need some open doors... and quick! I know that God provided that job for me and I have no idea why He took it away, but it's not my job to figure out the plan of God... I'm just here to walk through the doors He opens. I know He has something better He wants me to do... and I am beyond excited to find out what that may be!

BUT

that very well may mean moving back to Birmingham. Which is a bitter-sweet thought and something that I just don't think is what I am supposed to do! I feel very called to Atlanta and have had that calling confirmed many times... so I'm just praying for His will to be done and whatever that means I know He will give me the strength to do it!

I appreciate your prayers so very much! They are felt trust me. He is in control and I am resting in that!

Hello 2010

2010-01-06T13:50:00.003-06:00

Wow. I don't even know if I will be able to put into words how full my heart is right now.
Passion 2010 came and went...It all feels like a bit of a blur to me right now.
I didn't get to see much of any of the sessions, but one line from a song sung by Chris Tomlin keeps running through my mind right now:

And if our God is for us then who could ever stop us! If our God is with us then what can stand against!

What an awesome anthem for 22,000 college students to be carrying around in their hearts right now as they go back to the "real world". I remember as an attendee that was the hardest part for me. Going back to the real world. I learned so much and then had to go back and live it... it's not easy!

I think one of the coolest parts of a Passion Conference is Do Something Now. Do Something Now is an area set aside for students to explore ways that they can be involved in bringing justice to people all around the world who are suffering from everything from hunger, lack of water, sex trafficking, and much much more.

Are you ready to be blown away?

These 22,000 POOR college students gave $668,597.95 (and counting)..WHAT! Then a couple in the crowd matched that with another $668,597.95!!!

That is over 1 million dollars going out from the pockets of students and leaders to people all across the world who will now see the hands and feet of Jesus meet physical needs that have crippled their lives!

I don't know about you but I am pretty positive that I have never been so blown away and humbled in all of my life!

So you want to know what I've been up to and what all this #passion 2010 stuff that I've been twittering and facebooking for the past week is. It is not about the cool production elements (which were really cool by the way). OR the awesome design of the Go Center (which was completely amazing) OR the artist (even though they are all really awesome) Or Louie, Beth, Piper or Francis.

BUT it is about the Glory of God. The glory of God brought to life in students lives as they see that God is not all about them but God is all about God and in that we can have complete joy! The glory of God seen in the fact that students sacrificed more than we will ever know so that people around the world can now have $1 million to help them get out of a pit they thought they were going to die in. The Glory of God seen in the life of the student who came with a friend, clueless to what they were getting in to and are now a child of God by His grace.

That is what Passion is about. It's about Him.
There is so much more I could say, but since I tend to like to tell stories via photos I will let these tell the rest:
268generation.com/blog

And at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father!

So long 2009

2009-12-29T18:04:00.003-06:00

2009. It really has been a great year. A big year. A lot happened in my life this year.
I graduated college.
I traveled to 8 different countries.
I moved to away from Birmingham and from everything I know to Atlanta where I know no one.

I know that is only 3 things but they are, in my opinion, very major things.

College. I never thought I'd say this but I miss it. I miss the flexible schedule, the variety it provided, the interaction with peers. And yes sometimes I even miss studying. I do not miss the papers, the pointless assignments and the arrogant teachers :) I took 24 credit hours my last semester. I also juggled the responsibility of selling a house and working 20 hours a week. Needless to say once May arrived I was in much need of a break :) That leads to the summer...

I had the most awesome summer traveling all over the world and tell people the awesome story that is the gospel. I started out in Costa Rica. Then headed to the Dominican Republic with my family and a few others and finished up in Europe with a group of young adults from my home church in Birmingham. All in all it was the best 3 months I can remember. I love traveling more than anything and I was so blessed to have that opportunity.

Once back from all of my world travels I had to make a major decision. I had felt a call from the Lord for me to move to Atlanta. for a while, but the timing was never right. Now I was through with school and jobless... I established pretty quickly that this was a pretty good time.
To be completely honest when I finally made the decision to move I had no idea if it is what God really wanted. I knew I wanted to do it and I hadn't heard a no from God so I decided to jump. I moved in with a friend that I had met volunteering at Passion City Church back in the spring. I began the job search and quickly hit a wall. I couldn't find a job. So I spent two painful months doing absolutely nothing but sitting at Starbucks sitting at every single day. If you know me, you know how miserable I was. I began thinking about moving back to Birmingham. My friend Abby convinced me to come work at Gap in Birmingham so I decided to spend the holidays at home and really try to discern what the Lord wanted me to do.

I asked God to show me what He wanted me to do by either providing or withholding a job for me in Atlanta. On the 13th I decided to look on craigslist one last time and came across a job for a home manager. I emailed the family and even though they had received responses from several people they really liked me and are even involved in the same circle I am here in Atlanta. The way the small details of that worked out completely confirmed in my heart that God wanted me to stay in Atlanta.

So with all that said 2010 will no doubt be an incredible year.

One thing that I have learned from all of this is that it is so hard to not base your joy in your circumstances. As children of God we have the awesome ability to maintain joy no matter what our circumstances. It has been easy for me to be extremely joyful as I am riding a bus through the countryside of Montenegro and really not joyful when I am sitting alone in a Starbucks in a suburb of Atlanta. I am not even remotely close to being a master of it by any means, but I am so thankful that God is very patient with me as He teaches me to rejoice in Him always.

I learned a lot about myself this year. I am not a very open minded person. I have often accepted things I have been taught all my life with out questioning the veracity of them. I am often more judgmental than I should or want to be. I am selfish. I am more outgoing than I thought I was. I am more afraid of change than I thought I was.

I hope most of those change in 2010... and Lord willing they will. I exist for Him. And I'm clinging to the promise that He isn't through with me yet!

Changes Changes Changes

2009-12-27T22:47:00.002-06:00

To be completely honest... I totally forgot that I had a blog. I remembered today and since my posts have been few and very far between I am highly doubtful that anyone reads my stuff anymore. BUT just incase there is someone out there who wants to know what is going on in the life of me I will give a quick update:

I moved to Atlanta back in October. I live with my friend Samantha in her house in Alpharetta. I just really felt God call me to this city and I still to this day have no idea why. I spent most of the months of October and November looking for a job. Applied several places and never heard back. This made me question my decision to move... because I was highly qualified for all of the jobs that I applied for. There was no reason that I was not getting hired. So my sweet friend Abby told me to apply at the Gap in Birmingham at which she is the manager. I was a little hesitant at first because I felt like I was giving up too fast, but I also new that money was going to run out soon and I needed to do something besides sit at Starbucks everyday. So I decided to come back to Birmingham from Thanksgiving until Christmas and really use that time to pray and seek what the Lord would have me do about Atlanta. So I started working at Gap and began praying. I knew that a certain sign from God would be a job. I prayed that He would let me know where He wanted me by either providing a job in Atlanta... which meant I could stay there... or not... which meant I would come back to Birmingham. So I prayed and prayed and nothing happened... and I was fully prepared to go back to Atlanta, pack up my stuff, and say goodbye to a city I was just getting to know. But then one day I decided to look on craigslist to see if any new job postings had come up. There was an add for a home manager. I had no idea what that meant so I clicked on it and long story short it sounded awesome, I emailed the family, they felt like I was just what they had been praying for and offered me a job. The small details that unfolded in the midst of all of that is really how I knew it was from God, but just the fact that I had a job waiting for me in Atlanta when I get back was confirmation enough for me. I knew once again that God had opened a door.

I am not one to test God... and I usually stray away from asking God for a sign, but I had no choice this time. I knew that if God didn't give me a clear opportunity to stay then I was going to have to start all over, back in Birmingham. He did open a door though. I don't know why I so often feel like He is not in complete control. I have such a short memory.

So... I am volunteering for Passion 2010 and after that I will meet this sweet family and begin working for them in January. They have 5 kids and I can't wait to see how God is going to use me in their lives and them in mine.

I am still not totally sure why I am in Atlanta, but for now I am going to stop trying to figure out the mind and ways of God and just take it one day at a time...walking in the way He has laid out for me now. I too often get so caught up in looking to the future that i forget to embrace right now. That is definitely something I want to work on in 2010.

So there you have it. The brief update on my life... if you made it this far thanks so much for caring enough to read all of that.

Trust Him. He has it all figured out.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (The Message)

23-24May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!

Last Christmas... I wrote this blog

2009-12-16T00:40:00.001-06:00

So I was browsing through some of my old blogs and decided to look back one year ago. This is what I found:

I know Christmas is over but I just had some random thoughts last night as I was lying in bed that I thought I'd write down since I am here at the church by myself with really nothing to do...

Isn't it funny that at Christmas time everyone sings songs of Christ and His birth whether they know Him or not. They don't think twice about it. I passed people in the mall on Wednesday singing Silent Night-Joy to the World etc. and it just kind of hit me. Do they know joy...real joy.. or what happened that night? They know the songs and do not hesitate to sing about it, but do they know? A lot of who sing don't know the One they sing about. Just goes to show how easy it is to put on a mask that says "I have it under control" and "This Christian thing is easy". I think especially living in the South it is so easy to say or claim one thing and live another.

Second random thought- I had to stop by Walgreen's yesterday to get something for Christmas lunch and since it was the only place open on Christmas day I found myself on an isle that contain everything from mac and cheese to laundry detergent to light bulbs. Multi purpose to the max I guess... but then I went over to the "cold isle" to get milk and notice a man standing at the frozen dinners and for some reason it just made my heart hurt. He was an older man...probably 50s maybe 60s deciding on a frozen dinner for Christmas lunch. And I just thought I wonder how many people are like him today. No family- trading in the turkey, ham and dressing for a lean cuisine...now considering my circumstances I could not invite him to dinner with us, but it just made me question how good of a job the church is doing. I know I am so convicted of the bubble I hide in. My little SMI bubble. I seldom reach out of it to love on those who are not around me. I know it is probably cliche and may even sound a little naive of me but wouldn't it be awesome if, because of the church, there wasn't anyone who had to spend Christmas alone. We have the Remedy...why do we chose to hoard it so much? I am the guiltiest of us all at hiding within the shadow of my own comfort. It just made me think about it. The day that I spent with family and more food than could have possibly been eaten was not so plesant for everyone. There were empty hearts-empty stomachs.

Just food for thought... OH and to end my walgreens experience the guy checking out after me began placing bottles of Imodium AD on the counter...I started counting...18 bottles... I guess Grandma's cooking didn't go over so well.
-December 2009

Photos for a Cause- Compassion Sale

2009-11-11T21:30:00.002-06:00

I absolutely cannot believe that it is already the Holiday season. It is my favorite time of the year by far, but it always seems to sneak up on me.

One thing that always seems to burden my heart this time of year is gift giving. I love to give gifts. It is one of my favorite things in life, especially when you know that what you are about to give someone is something that they are going to cherish. What an awesome feeling! But if you are like me the question is always... what does this person that I want to buy for need... usually the answer is... absolutely nothing. I know if you asked me right now what I wanted or needed for Christmas it would take me a few minutes to even think of something I wanted that I don't have or can't get pretty easily. Think about it for a second... what do you really need. Make sure you are defining the word need the way it needs to be defined. Hard isn't it.

I was blessed to travel to 8 different countries this year. Traveling is my favorite thing to do. I think the Lord wired me to move around... go places... see things. Along with travel comes exposure. Exposure to life. Not the American life that I see everyday, but life where things are not okay. Life where enough and plenty is not a common concept. Life where people die everyday from lack of the most basic of things. Food. Water. Clothing. Things I take for granted every single day. We are a blessed nation. A blessed group of people. But not everyone is as fortunate... in fact... the majority are not as fortunate.

Now this would normally be the part where I would throw some statistics at you to make you see how bad off people all over the world really are. But if we can be honest for a minute I think we all already know. I have seen it first hand. Up close. You may not have. And that is okay.

But we all know that not everyone has enough. Enough food, Enough water, Enough shelter. So this Holiday season I would like to propose an small and humble alternative to the normal gift giving.

Last year I had this idea and it turned out way better than I could have ever expected so I thought why not try it again.
For the month of November and December you can go to my website RachelJonesPhotography.com and purchase any print from my galleries and 100% of the profit will go to Compassion International. Also this year, 100% of the profit from any shoot booked for the month of November or December will go to Compassion International.

What is Compassion International you ask?
Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.

Founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training.

Today, Compassion helps more than 1 million children in 25 countries.

For more info on Compassion International you can visit www.Compassion.com

So for those of you who are fans of bullet points (like me) here is how it works:

- Browse through the galleries
- Find a photo or photos you would like to purchase
- Click on the Compassion Sale option at the top of the home page.
- On that page you will find a paypal button. Follow the steps from there and chose your size and quantities.
- After you have completed the paypal process then go to the contact tab at the top of the home page of my website. Simply put your name, email address, and then in the comments section put;
1. The name of the gallery in which the photo is found
2. The number ID of the photo(s) you ordered (photo ID is the number located in the top right corner of each photo)
3. Quantity of each photo.
Click Submit and you are done!
Your photos will ship to you within 10 days of your order.

Thanks for taking the time to even consider helping out in this way.
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Very Merry Christmas!

Pictures of Egypt

2009-11-01T19:16:00.001-06:00

No explanation necessary.

Life.

I don’t want to leave here
I don’t want to stay
It feels like pinching to me either way
The places I long for the most
Are the places where I’ve been
They are calling after me like a long lost friend

It’s not about losing faith
It’s not about trust
It’s all about comfortable
When you move so much
The place I was wasn’t perfect
But I had found a way to live
It wasn’t milk or honey
But then neither is this

I’ve been painting pictures of Egypt
Leaving out what it lacked
The future seems so hard
And I want to go back
But the places that used to fit me
Cannot hold the things I"ve learned
And those roads closed off to me
While my back was turned

The past is so tangible
I know it by heart
Familiar things are never easy to discard
I was dying for some freedom
But now I hesitate to go
Caught between the promise
And the things I know

If it comes too quick
I may not recognize it
Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?
If it comes too quick
I may not appreciate it
Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?

Sara Groves

The First Job

2009-10-28T17:22:00.003-05:00

The real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.

We can only do it for moments at first. But from those moments the new sort of life will be spreading at the right part of us. It is the difference between paint, which is merely laid on the surface, and a dye or stain which soaks right through. He never talked vague, idealistic gas, When He said, "Be perfect," He meant it. He meant that we must go in for the full treatment. It is hard; harder- in fact, it is impossible. It may be hard for an egg to turn into a wild bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad....

This is the whole of Christianity. There is nothing else. It is so east to get muddled about that. It is east to think that the Church has a lot of different objects- education,. building, missions, holding services. Just as it is easy to think the State has a lot of different objects- military, political, economic, and what not. But in a way things are much simpler than that. The State exists simply to promote and to protect the ordinary happiness of human beings in this life. A husband and wife chatting over a fire, a couple of friends having a game of darts in a pub, a man reading a book in his own room or digging in his own garden- that is what the State is there for...

In the same way the Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became man for no other purpose. It is even doubtful, you know, whether the whole universe was created for any other purpose.

Clive Staples Lewis.

He Holds My Hand

2009-10-12T21:08:00.001-05:00

The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

Hello Atlanta

2009-10-10T20:41:00.002-05:00

Change. It is here. In full force. My sister wrote a blog yesterday and it made me realize I haven't written a blog in a while... and a lot has happened.

I am now a resident of Atlanta! Man that's weird to think about. Moving to Atlanta is something I wanted to do for a while now and finally I am here. I feel the Lord is going to do great things. I can't say that I had absolute clear direction to come here. I prayed, surrendered, and followed a desire. I have no idea what God is going to do. I may have made a huge mistake and end up back in Birmingham before anyone knows I am missing. But I would never know if I didn't try. So here I am! Trying! I am waiting to hear back from a few retail jobs. I am so thankful to have a good group of friends here... I don't do well by myself :) I do miss home. A lot. I miss my family the most. And my friends too of course :) It's a little scary to have the future be uncertain... but, in all reality, even when we think it is certain... it really isn't. For we don't know what tomorrow will bring... even if we think we do.

So yeah thats my big change as of right now. I'll make sure and update as life unfolds here.

Now for a few random thoughts:

Friends Gag Reels are the best. Period.

Chris Tomlin's Christmas Album came out this week. You should buy it.

I am so tired of painting... I've been "painting" my room for 2 weeks nows. I. give. up.

I bought a t.v. I haven't owned a tv in like 5 years.

I think I might starts wearing brown again. Might is the key word here.

I really want a Great Dane. Really bad. It's name would be Jake. Or Oliver.

I really like the name Audrey.

That's all folks.

Mishka

2009-09-18T22:52:00.002-05:00

That is the name of the Artist I am currently listening to. His song Above the Bones may be my new favorite.

I just cleaned out my closet. What a great feeling.

I am unfaithful. He is faithful.

My eyes have not seen it all yet.

Passion City Church starts back Sunday. I. Cannot. Wait.

I love Candy Corn.

And Hot Tamales.

It just started pouring rain. I love going to sleep to this sound.

I am a terrible blogger.

We've got to let go

2009-09-01T11:31:00.001-05:00

We've got to let go of our impoverished, circumcised, traditionalist, legalistic, human perceptions of God and open ourselves to the God in Jesus Christ. If we will, the promise is that we will be filled up with the fullness of God. That is truly good news!
-Brennan Manning
The Furious Longing of God

An ocean doxology

2009-08-30T17:24:00.002-05:00

I'm sitting here. The beach. Nt my favorite place in the world,but still a place that never ceases to leave me in awe if I take the time to stop and let Him speak to me. As I sit here I cansee storm clouds all around, threatening the minute humans that run to and fro along the white sandy carpet. The sun is pearing through a cloud creating a glamorous showcase of silver and yellow light on the ocean top. The constant roar of the ocean drowns out the voices of the people around me. Noisy silence. In the distance a rain wall is dancing across the horizon with a promise to fully invade anything it will come across. A lot like God. I think often that I have no grasp whatsoever of this God that calls the rain down from heaven, and commands the lightning to hit it's mark. Who tells the ocean thats far enough, or the moon to wait until the sun has done it's job. Who with the touch of His finger draws a hurricane into being from the vast calm ocean. Who announces His prescrnce with the voice of thunder and received praise from every living creature.

Who is this God?
Who am I?

It never grows old to remember that this God is the God who knows my name. Who decided it was a good thing for me to exist on earth for a breif moment in time. And who made that time right now. This God who knows how many grains of sand there are in the world has eve more thoughts about me. This God has grace that drowns us whether we are aware and receptive or not. We bend beneath the weight of His mercy until we are where we need to be more often, our knees. This is the God who is jealous for me, passionately and deeply in love with me, who has wonderful plans for me. Plans to prosper. Plans to suffer. Plans for me to carry my cross and the gift of bearing the name of my sweet Savior.

This is my God. My best friend. My Keeper, Deliverer, Saving Grace and Solid Rock.

There's something about realizing just how small you are and how big He is. One of the best feelings in the world. That my friends is true satisfaction.

Hello Change

2009-08-21T23:47:00.002-05:00

Fall. It is almost here. I can feel it. I know most of you, at least those of you who live in the south, are thinking I've lost it considering today it was about 95 degrees with about equal humidity.

Change. It is one of Fall's most stunning characteristics... at least in my opinion. Leaves. Temperatures. Pastimes. It is all around us. And we are powerless to stop it.

I love change. Maybe that is why I love Fall. The vibrant colors that entertain my senses. The smells of baking spices and mulled cider that do the same. Football. Fellowship. Frolicking. Just a few of my favorite Fall things.

Now we here in the good ole South have about 6 weeks left until we get to embrace those things...well at least most of them. We will sweat our little hearts out at football games for a few weeks before those cool temps roll in.

My life is very full of change right now. With a college degree under my belt the natural question is what next. Most people do something in their field with their new and hard earned degree. Yeah I can't really do much with a bachelors degree in Anthropology and History. Go to grad school you are thinking? Yeah. Right.

So that still leaves me with what to do! By the time Summer is technically over I will have spent time in 8 different countries this year. That is a lot lot lot of traveling. But I loved every minute of it. It shaped so much of me and I can't imagine a better summer. But now real like must begin. And I have gotten the question a lot lately so I thought I would fill everyone in on just where life is going, Lord willing, for me in the very near future.

Atlanta. That will be my new place of residence. Why? Because I have a weird love of traffic. and smog.
Okay for real ... I have been involved with a church plant (Passion City Church)... think Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels... since they started meeting corporately back in February. We just met once a month for four months and then took the summer off. We start back 4 weeks from tomorrow on Sept. 20th. My heart beats right along with the heart beat of that ministry and that church so I am beyond excited to be a part of what God is doing there. And since that is just a volunteer thing I do... and money is slightly necessary... I will be working some sort of retail job as well once I get to Atlanta to help pay for life. I will move the first weekend of October.

I have lived in Birmingham all of my life so this is a big step, but I am so very ready for change and a fresh start in a new place. God really shapes us when we have nothing and noone to rely on but Him.

So until then I will make a trip up to Boston and Canada to visit my good friend Amanda :) and finish up a few photo jobs I had in the month of August. Go to the beach with my fam and begin to pack. I have actually enjoyed the down time since being back from Europe. I have a feeling the rest of my life is going to happen at a crazy pace so I must savor the down moments when I get a chance.

The Lord has taught me so much about love as well. True love. His love for me. My love for others. I am so very thankful for that. He truly and passionately loves us. He is jealous for us and will chase us down no matter how hard or far we try to run. WHen you take the time to chew on that it changes you from the inside out. For it is His kindness that leads us to repentance. I challenge you to read the book of Hosea and let the words of the Lord teach you a thing or two about His jealous love. It changed my life.

So that is just a brief update on life for me. Expect more blogging when I get to Atlanta... due to more free time.

Oh and incase you didn't know... my new site is up... with a lot of new photos on it. so check it out!

RachelJonesPhotography.com

Hosea 6:3

So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth.

Ciao from Montenegro

2009-07-29T05:42:00.003-05:00

Ciao!
Just wanted to give a quick update from Montenegro!
Things are going well. It feels like we have been here for months, but it has only been 6 days. We are half way through our trip so when I think of it that way it seems like we just got here!

Our travel to Europe was pretty smooth. Now don't get me wrong 9 hour flights across the atlantic are never really exciting, but Advil pm was my friend... I slept about 3 hours. We were able to spend the day in Frankfurt Germany on Friday because we had about a 12 hour layover. We just walked around for a bit then found some lunch and coffee. Then I took a wonderful much needed nap on a bench by the Main River.

We then made two more connections in Zagreb Croatia then on to Dubrovnik Croatia before taking a very windy and rather fast bus ride to Niksic ( think NeekSeetch). Praise the Lord we made it since our oh so talented bus drivers facebooked and text the entire way through the mountains (think dirt/rock roads- thousand foot clifts and all sorts of interesting wildlife).

We spent the weekend handing out flyers advertising the camp. There is a walking street close by that is lined with cafe's and interesting shops :)

There is a little cafe right across from our hotel that has become a morning tradition coffee spot!

Camp has been going well. The Lord has been gracious seeing that English is a bit more complicated than we thought it would be. We have so many kids that are at various levels in their English learning that it makes it difficult to keep everyone involved. Art has been fun for them however. They have really enjoyed making different things that they can keep. SO far we have made duct tape wallets and prayer journals. Please pray that the Lord will make His glory know through the little things we do. We are able to have bigger worship meetings at night so pray for those as well.

This has been a very different from any other missions trip I've been on before. This country has so much history yet it is so new ( It just became its on independent country in 2006). You can see such a communist influence everywhere. The people are very suspicious of us and are not quick to trust at all. Lauren said hello to a lady passing by her on the street and the lady replied "it is a nice night, but I don't know you". Very different from Latin America.

So all that said... we need prayer. The Lord has been so good to us and we have been able to build a lot of relationships with some of the kids and families, but we need more. WE need to go deeper. It is not as easy to tell them about Jesus here. You must have relationship first or they will never trust you.

That is about it for now. Just a quick update!

I will update more before we leave. We head to Dubrovnik on Saturday and then Frankfurt on Monday before arriving back in Birmingham at 4pm on Monday night. We loose 7 hours on the flight though so it will feel like about 3 am!

Thank you all for your prayers. They have been felt! Our God is so so able!!!!

Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for man, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

He Provides!

2009-07-21T11:56:00.003-05:00

I'm not sure I could imagine a more crazy, busy, awesome Summer if I tried! God has been so gracious to me over these past few months as I have been able to travel to Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic to spread the gospel and serve in His name. I have one more trip coming up. We leave for Montenegro in 2 days ( I can't believe it is already here)! Our team will travel to Eastern Europe spending time in Germany, Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro. We will be teaching English and Art to youth in the city of Nicsik, Montenegro.
This will be my first time doing missions work somewhere besides Central America so I am really excited to be able to experience working with a totally different people group!

Thank you to all of those who have supported me through prayer and/or financially. Through His grace both of my trips to Costa Rica and The DR have been fully paid for. Praise the Lord!!

That being said I still have about $2,000 to raise for the Montenegro trip.

I realize that I probably missed a lot of people when I sent out support letters ( considering the year we live in finding someone's mailing address is way more challenging than finding their email address!).

If you feel lead you may send a check to :

3733 Carisbrooke Dr.
Hoover, AL 35226

Make checks payable to SMIC (Shades Mountain Independent Church)
and designate it for Rachel Jones

More than anything I want to ask you for your prayers. Money is a small part of this trip and our entire team is in need of much prayer. The Bible says that the prayers of the righteous really make a difference. I am counting on that!!

Thanks again for all of your support and prayers!

What a privilege that He allows us to be His hands and feet!

For His fame and renown,
Rachel

OH and here is a link to some photos that I took in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Photos

I'm not dead

2009-06-14T23:23:00.000-05:00

I will blog again one day... I swear.

Twittering in church. really?

2009-05-03T15:39:00.001-05:00

Here is link to an article by TIME. It talks about pastors and their encouragement to their congregations to twitter during church.
Interesting eh?
Let me know what you think:

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1895463,00.html?cnn=yes

Well it is here

2009-04-27T11:30:00.003-05:00

My last day of class in college. I have 3 finals next week then I am done. Where in the world did the time go. Not to be cliche or anything but it really does feel like it was just yesterday that I sat down in my first college class...9 am English 101 at the University of Alabama. What a crazy 4 years it has been. I would have never predicted on that day in August 2005 that I would be where I am, doing what I am doing today. Just goes to show that we can make plans but it is the Lord who directs our steps. I couldn't have asked for more out of my college years. Did I waste time? sure I did. Did I waste money? absolutely. Did I do things that most likely did not bring glory to God? unfortunately. Did I share with me peers the best thing that has ever happened to me... being reconciled by a man named Jesus so now I have no more guilt? Positively. Do I know more about myself and about God than four years ago? Totally.

So all in all I would say that it has been a crazy wild ride, but the Lord taught me things I could have never imagened. He used me in ways I still can't fathom and He was more faithful than words can express.

So here's to college. I will most definitely miss it, but I must say I am glad I never have to write another paper again (after Wednesday :))!

Beth Moore is Wicked

2009-04-20T08:59:00.002-05:00

Okay well now that you think I am about to go on a rampage about Beth Moore just hear me out.

I'm at work this morning, doing contributions and listening to the Passin podcast and Louie mentioned that Beth Moore is coming to Passion 2010 and it sparked a memory in my head of a dream I had last night.

It is brief but I laughed when I though about it and decided to blog about it... since my blogs are so few and far between these days.

But last night I had a dream that Elphaba from Wicked (which I saw from the 2nd row on Saturday by the way... aaaamazing) was in fact Beth Moore... and to top it all off she was at the Chick-Fil-A in Hoover signing autographs and giving out free chicken nuggets.

Priceless.

The Word

2009-04-07T16:02:00.002-05:00

I heard this song on 93.7 today and absolutely fell in love with it. It is so rare that I listen to the radio, but I am so glad I did today. It is called "The Word" by Sara Groves.

Check out the lyrics. Phenomenal.

I've done every devotional
Been every place emotional
Trying to hear a new word from God
And I think it's very odd
That while I attmept to help myself
My Bible sits upon my shelf
With every promise I could ever need

And the Word was
And the Word is
And the Word will be

People are getting fit for truth
Like they're buying a new tailored suit
Does it fit across the shoulders
Does it fade when it get older
We throw ideas that aren't in style
In the Salvation Army pile
And search for something more to meet our needs

I think it's time I rediscover
All the ground that I have covered,
Like seek ye first what a verse
We are pressed but not crushed
Perplexed but don't despair
We are persecuted but not abandoned
We are no longer slaves
We are daughters and sons
And when we are weak we are very strong
And neither death nor life nor present
Nor future nor depth nor height
Can keep us from the love of Christ
And the Word I need is the Word that was
Who put on flesh to dwell with us
In the beginning

Oh a month

2009-04-05T22:01:00.000-05:00

that is how long I have left until graduation. It will probably go by so very slow.

We Have Puppies!

2009-03-30T18:03:00.004-05:00

Our family went to the Humane Society this weekend...this is the result:

long time no blog

2009-03-25T16:32:00.002-05:00

Sorry I have been rather MIA lately. Life has turned a bit upside down. Most of you know I've been in the process of putting my great aunt's house on the market. My mom and grandmother have been living there for the past several years since my great aunt died, but now they are moving into apartments and since I own the house I have been getting it ready to sell. It has been a job for sure since everyone who has lived in that house has been the most extreme pack rats of almost anyone I know. But now all of their stuff is out and in their apartments and all of the "junk" that is too heavy for me to carry to the trash pile is in one pile in the basement and the relator is taking care of that. But the awesome blessing was that the house sold in 10 days! We close in 6 days, next Tuesday! SO it will all be over soon! Oh... and yes I am still taking 24 hours of class this semester... I will be done in like 6 weeks! Lord willing I pass all of my classes...not only have I been MIA in the internet world but I"ve been a little MIA on the whole school scene as well. But as soon as I get my grandmother unpacked life will be a lot easier for me... I have some awesome friends and family who are helping me so I am slowly regaining my sanity! I appreciate all of your prayers... I would probably have run away by now without them :) The Lord has been so good to me and I cannot wait to see what He has in store for me in the near future. Some possibilities that I though would never become realities are slowly but surely becoming just that... I will talk more about that though when I know something concrete! Also I am getting a new camera as soon as the house money comes in... so new photos will be in the works soon! I haven't lost that passion or talent... I just have barely had time to sleep so it has had to go on the back burner for a while, but I am looking forward to firing it up again in a month or so!

That is all for now... I am in class so I should really pay attention...just wanted to give an update on life! Oh and check my last post...free stuff!

Much love to you all! What an awesome God we serve...He is never overwhelmed!

A gift from me-

2009-03-15T00:19:00.001-05:00

The first five people to respond to this post (from my blog and/or here) will get something made by me.

This offer does have some restrictions so please read carefully:
- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
- What I create will be just for YOU.
- It will be done this year (2009).
- It will be something made my own two hands.
- It might be a mix CD, a knitted scarf, stack of cards, a poem, baked goods, an original photograph....the possibilites are infinite.

In return, all you need to do is post this on your blog or facebook and make 5 things for 5 other people. Easy as pie....

one

two

three...

GO

well

2009-03-10T21:34:00.002-05:00

I find it funny that my last post was pictures of the snow we had here a couple of weekends ago. Today it was 83 degrees.

I am on Spring Break.

It doesn't really feel like Spring Break though bc I have to work and write a ten page paper plus I have about 3 tests the week I get back from Spring Break. aka. Bummer.

I am going to Atlanta twice next week. I don't hate it.

I drove around with my windows down all day and I loved it.

Somehow I have lost a love for coffee...as in straight up coffee...and have become a chai snob. Hmm.

The house (my great Aunts that I own) went on the market Wednesday. Pray for a buyer!

I just got lost in FaceBook World...I hate when that happens.

The Lord is teaching me A LOT lately. I love it.

I am looking for some opportunities to travel this summer (if the house sells). Any Ideas?

Well it is past my bedtime... yes it is 9:42.

Peace yo.

Snow

2009-03-02T10:30:00.005-06:00

Yes. It happened. It snowed in Alabama. In March. A miracle. I know. There are approximately 8,974 Facebook Albums entitled snow. This is just not okay. So I wanted to post a few of my favorite photos from the snowy day in the south here on my blog. There is just something about snow. It holds a special place in my heart. It is one of my favorite things in life. It reminds me of the Lord and of how as messed up as I was he made me white as snow and covered all of my imperfections and sins. Hallelujah! He has found me!

1 year ago

2009-02-25T16:46:00.003-06:00

So once again... I am sitting in Archaeology of Palestine...aka... I have nothing to do... so I decided to start reading some of my old blogs... and I determined that even though there are probably all of 3.5 of you out there who read my blog, I will be glad I wrote down a lot of my thoughts when I want to look back 10 or even 20 years down the road.

SO here is my blog form 1 year ago today.

Interesting...

Feb. 27, 2008

So last night some pretty hardcore storms came through Birmingham. I woke up once when the power went out because I sleep with a fan and when the fan stops up I go. I looked outside and remember thinking man it is raining soooo hard... and then it came. I'm pretty sure the bolt hit my apartment building. My bed shook and there was no time at all between the bright blue flash and the splitting of the air by the heat of that ferocious lightning strike. I don't think it stopped lightning for about 20 minutes after that. Continuos flash flash flash of bright blue and green light followed by peels and and occasional pop of thunder. As I lay there all I could think of was the passage in Job where Elihu talks about the voice of God in the thunder. I fell back asleep listening to the voice of my Father telling me of His power and might. Now that is what I call an awesome bedtime story. Turns out there was tornadoes all around me and most of my friends were in their basements... thanks for the call guys... but all in all God was in control... and shouting it loud and proud.

"Listen closely to the thunder of His voice, and the rumbling that goes out from His mouth. Under the whole heavens He lets it loose, and His lightning to the ends of the earth. After it, a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, and He does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard. God thunders with His voice wondrously, doing great things which we cannot comprehend."

and I just noticed the next part... and it fits so ironically because I just walked out on my porch and there is about 1/11116 inch of snow on my rails. Yesterday it was 75 degrees out and tonight.. snow

Elihu continues,
" For the snow he says, 'Fall on the Earth,' and to the downpour and the rain, 'Be Strong.'"

and in verse 13 sums it all up with,
" Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen."

another random thing

2009-02-25T08:54:00.003-06:00

okay so I know these chain things are getting a little out of hand, but since I sit in class from 8-5 two days a week, I got a little extra time on my hands. So why not. And since I am at work right now and don't have photoshop on my work computer.. I can't make it look all cool and fancy.

Band name- Manuel de Almeida Trindade
First Album- In which they are won
Album cover:

1 - Go to "Wikipedia." Hit "random article" in the sidebar.The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations" or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to Flickr and click on "explore the last seven days" or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use Photoshop or similar to put it all together.

5 - Post it to FB with this text in the "caption" and TAG the friends you want to join in.

Tea Tree

2009-02-24T10:12:00.003-06:00

Okay ladies... I have made a wonderful discovery.

Tea Tree Mint Shampoo and COnditioner by Organix. I discovered it at CVS last night and this morning, when I used it, I felt like I was at a spa. It has this awesome blend of hydrating oils and refreshing mint. The smell really wakes you up so if you are a morning showerer then this is a major plus. The tea tree oil is especially good for your hair because it helps get rid of that unnecessary build up while hydrating with vitamins and oils that your hair needs.

So head to your local CVS or Target and grab a bottle. You won't regret it!

Oldie but greatie (goodie but better)

2009-02-23T11:53:00.002-06:00

So the last couple of weeks (and the next few to come) have been what some may call less than ideal, but like Sara Groves so wonderfully put it, in His hands the pain and hurt look less like scars and more like character.

But this song came on my iTunes shuffle mix this morning and I just thought how appropriate. God is above all that i know and no matter what the world throws at me... its going to be okay because my God saved the day and His word never fails.

So enjoy this oldie but greatie...

Salvation is Here- Hillsong United

God above all the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears
I don't care what the world throws at me now
It's gonna be alright

Hear the sound of the generations
Making loud our freedom song
All in all that the world would know Your name
It's gonna be alright

'Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here

God above all the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears
I don't care what the world throws at me now
It's gonna be alright

'Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here

'Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here

Salvation is here
Salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here
Salvation that died just to set me free
Salvation is here
Salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here

Cause You are alive and You live in me
Salvation is here
salvation is here and it lives in me
Salvation is here
Savation is here that died just to set me free
Salvation is here
Salvation is here and it lives in me

Cause You are alive and You live in me
Salvation is here
salvation is here and it lives in me
Salvation is here
Savation is here that died just to set me free
Salvation is here
Salvation is here and it lives in me

'Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here

'Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here

Well I did it...times 2

2009-02-17T09:54:00.002-06:00

number 1:

The New Do...6 inches...gone... I don't hate it

number 2:

I volunteered at the Passion City Church launch this past Sunday in Atlanta. By far one of the coolest things I've been a part of. God was there and in a very powerful way. I cannot wait to see what the future holds.

Check them out here at PASSIONCITYCHURCH.COM

ALSO....check out this awesome site while you are at it: OneMillionCan.com

The Great Debate

2009-02-12T20:05:00.002-06:00

ok so I need opinions.... this time of year I always have the same great debate...and those of you who know me well are laughing right now because every time I said, "this year I won't do it" you always said, in wisdom, "whatever Rachel."

So my hair. Praise the Lord for it, but it drives me crazy. I am convinced that I may have the most difficult hair of anyone on this planet earth. I love it long, I do, but it is just a pain and I end up wearing it in a wet blob on the back of my head. The humidity hates me and I hate the humidity. It makes for a hair mess.

So here it is... keep it growing and see how long I can stand it. i know that when it gets about 8 inches longer I will probably like it, but that will take like a year...so my other option is:

SHORT.

CUT.

hmm...

but I have made the mistake before of getting it cut semi-short and then it is just as much of a pain as before...only now I can't pull it up in a pony tail... so I am going to need a cut that takes about 10 minutes to dry and straighten- and oh did I mention how thick my hair is... yeah there are no words to describe how thick it is... so thinning will be in order as well.

SO I am in the great debate.

Cut... no cut..hmm

what do you think? Here is what I am thinking...

ok ok...another 25 things thing....sorta

2009-02-12T11:37:00.001-06:00

Place an X by all the things you've done and remove the X from the ones you have not, then post it on your blog!

THINGS YOU HAVE DONE DURING YOUR LIFETIME:
( ) Gone on a blind date
(X ) Skipped school
( X) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( X) Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
( ) Been to Hawaii
(X) Been on a plane
() Been on a helicopter
(X) Been lost
(X ) Gone to Washington, DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep-
() Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
(X ) Sang Karaoke
( X) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.
(x) Made prank phone calls
(x) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X ) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X ) Gone ice-skating
(X) Gone to the movies
( ) Been deep sea fishing
(X) Driven across the United States
() Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
( ) Lived in more than one country
(X) Laid down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(X ) Seen a falling star and made a wish
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
( X) Seen the Statue of Liberty
( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(X ) Been on a cruise
( X) Traveled by train
( X) Traveled by motorcycle
(X ) Been horse back riding
( ) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
(x ) Been to Disneyland --- and Disney World
(X ) Truly believe in the power of prayer
(X ) Been in a rain forest
(X ) Seen dolphins in the ocean
( ) Been to Niagara Falls
( ) Ridden on an elephant
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf
( ) Been spinnaker flying
( X) Been water-skiing
(X ) Been snow-skiing or snowboarding
( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
( ) Been to the Louvre
(X ) Swam in the Mediterranean
( ) Been to a Major League Baseball game
( ) Been to a National Football League game

Just FYI

2009-02-12T11:31:00.002-06:00

World Poverty Statistics

- Half the world (nearly 3 billion people) live on less than 2 dollars a day

- The poorest 40% of the world's population accounts for 5% of global income; the richest 20% account for 75% of the worlds income

- more than 80% of the worlds population live in countries where the income differentials are widening

- For the 1.9 billion children living in the developing world:
+640 mil lack adequate shelter (1 in 3)
+400 million lack access to safe water (1 in 5)
+270 million lack the option for health care (1 in 4)

US poverty

- 35 million people living in poverty
-49% African American
- 40% of Homeless men had served in the armed services
- 16% suffer from severe and persistent mental illness
- at least 30% substance abuse

An anthem

2009-02-11T15:08:00.003-06:00

8 classes (24 hours) of school...God is in control

20 hours of work a week...God is in control

putting a house on the market...God is in control

still a photographer...God is in control

dealing with social workers and such for my grandmother...God is in control

passioncitychurch...God is in control

finding my mom a place to live...God is in control

time to breathe?...God is in control

Life in 10

2009-02-06T14:37:00.004-06:00

1) 60 66 68 68 67 70 64... those are the highs for the next 7 days... Hallelujah

2) I am volunteering at the Passion City Church launch in ATL in a week and so very excited...check it out... passioncitychurch

3) I graduate in 89 days. PTL

4) UAB is wanting to buy/use some of my photos I have been taking for a class...now to figure out licensing...but exciting news

5) I decided not to paint my office...no time...so it will stay two-toned...now to buy curtains...hang pictures and order prints

6) I talked with sweet girl at UAB today who has decided to major in ATHRO because she wants to do missions and wants to have lunch next week...what a good opportunity

7) The Lord is teaching me patience...especially lately...but has also shown me that a desire for change doen not always signify dissatisfaction

8) My nose ring decided to take a trip down the sink at 11pm last night...so...in my exhaustion...I made an emergency trip to Walmart for a new one...had a good talk with God on the way so it was totally worth it.

9) I miss my dear friends Josh and Amanda so so much and cannot wait to see them next month....maybe even twice

10) I found my favorite scarf...and have worn it everday this week.

90

2009-02-05T10:20:00.001-06:00

90 days (including weekends) until I am no longer a college student.

Can I get a hallelujah

One Word

2009-02-04T16:13:00.002-06:00

1. Where is your cell phone? table
2. Your significant other? God
3. Your hair? crazy
4. Your mother? Denise
5. Your father? Robert
6. Your favorite thing? Bible
7. Your dream last night? lost
8. Your favorite drink? Chai
9. Your dream/goal? mystery
10. What room you are in? 125
11. Your hobby? photography
12. Your fear? bats
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? anywhere
14. Where were you last night? Jones
16. Muffins? Strawberry
17. Wish list item? 5D MKII
18. Where you grew up? Birmingham
19. Last thing you did? coffee
20. What are you wearing? converse
21. Your TV? gone
22. Your pets? non-existent
23. Friends? wonderful
24. Your life? His
25. Your mood? encouraged
26. Missing some one? manda
27. Car? Altima
28. Something you're not wearing? hat
29. Your favorite store? Gap
30. Your favorite color? red
31. When is the last time you laughed? today
32. Last time you cried? Sunday
33. Food aversion? mushrooms
34. One place that I go to over and over? Starbucks
35. One person who emails me regularly? Heather
36. My favorite place to eat? Jackson's
37. What are you doing tomorrow? classing

work

2009-02-03T14:09:00.002-06:00

How do we get so busy doing the work of the Lord that we forget to spend time with the Lord of the work.

Thanks Israel Houghton.

Current Favorite

2009-02-01T22:12:00.001-06:00

Check it... chills...unavoidable

Conversations with an Australian..aka...who is Little Debbie and what is in her cake?

2009-01-30T14:36:00.003-06:00

Abby- Southern Belle
Ashleigh- From the Land Down Under

Here is how it went down

Abby- "so now when we sell a gap card we have been getting snacks as our reward so but, now ya know, they took Little Debbie's off the shelf because of ecoli. so..."
Ashleigh- Wait wait wait...what?
Abby- you know ecoli...its in Peanut BUtter now
Ashleigh- wait..start over...who is Little Debbie and what is in her cake?
Me- no longer is the water that was in my mouth still in my mouth...sorry about that Galleria cleaning services
Abby- ok let me start over
Ashleigh- I mean I tryin to get past your accent here...I just don't understand
Abby- Ok you know snack cakes
Ashleigh- No
Abby-what... I mean it they are just like...well...Little Debbie is a brand of these snacks
Ashleigh- like a cupcake or something
Abby- sure and other assorted snack...cakes...this is hard to explain
Ashleigh- well its ok i think I got you now...keep going...is it like chocolate birthday cake?
Abby- umm...sorta..but different. ok well now instead of little debbies we have these off brand ones...like twinkies, ding dongs
Ashleigh- DING DONG! WHAT!
Me- can no longer see to driv I am laughing so hard
Abby- yeah like a twinkie but different
Ashleigh- oh gosh...I'm think like ...you know... a ding dong..as in...well you know
Abby- oh no! Its just what they are called
Ashleigh- Wow you guys call these cakes weird things. I mean if someone were to ask me if I've had a ding dong i would say, "are you crazy?! I'm a girrrl"

absolutely priceless...

after that we went on to explain, Zebra Cakes, Fudge Rounds, and Moon Pies.

Here's How I see it..observations and random facts

2009-01-29T10:31:00.002-06:00

aka... what I am looking at right now...

When I am in different places..or just places with a lot of people I like to observe what I see...and since i don't have my journal I decided I would just blog it... in a few month when I am in a different place and no longer in college I will want to remember these random times.

So here they are...my observations and a few random thoughts.

The guy sitting across from me has a huge hat on.. i can't really see his eyes... i guess he can see though because he is typing.

There is a girl asleep on the couch next to me...awkward I won't lie...and she just sent her purse flying off the couch

I have never heard someone slurp coffee so loudly as the guy at the next couch.

My piano teacher ( who I have had for 4 weeks of class now) never knows who I am...everyday he asks me...have I see you before...this is not okay.

I decided I would like to be a tour manager...

I also decided I get really bored with piano really quickly...

I spent the morning learning Cold Play's Postcards from far away on the piano.

There are 6 computers in the room (at least that I can see) and 5 of them are Mac.

I need to buy the new iLife.

Did you hear that Apple was sued for their failure to put enough protective coating on the 1st generation iPod nano...you can get $25 back if you have one...and all it's info.

My wardrobe keeps shrinking...its about time to go shopping i believe. New shoes are first on the list.

I want some converse shoes.

Alaska is the largest state in the U.S.

81 Popes have been canonized 7 have been beatified There have been 38 antipopes

There is A novelty pet store in Japan that sells live seahorses equipped with tiny saddles.

Raniy Day Mix

2009-01-28T16:17:00.002-06:00

It is a rainy day...so here is a rainy day mix.
iTunes. Download. Listen. Chill.

1. Gutters Full of Rain- David Gray
2. Hold Your In My Arms- Ray Lamontagne
3. Postcards From Far Away- Coldplay
4. Show Me the River- EastMountainSouth
5. I'd Rather Be With You- Joshua Radin
6. Falling Slowly- Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
7. Each Coming Night- Iron and Wine
8. Your Love is Strong- Jon Foreman
9. Your Hand in Mine- Explosions in the Sky
10. Save You- Matthew Perryman Jones
11. Gather Your Children- Ray Lamontagne
12. Thy Mercy My God- Sandra McCraken
13. Med sud í eyrum- Sigur Rós

I surrender...25 things about me

2009-01-27T20:20:00.002-06:00

Rules:
Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. I don't think I am going to be think of 25 things

2. I am a child of God.

3. I am a photographer.

4. I love to travel...especially randomly and spur of the moment...My sophomore year of college I decided to go to Spain...by myself...to meet a friend who was studying abroad. I left that week.

5. I am allergic to raw apples, cherries, carrots, and pears. I can eat baked ones though.

6. I am an Anthropology and History major...and very ready to graduate in 12 weeks.

7. I don't really like Taylor Swift's music...except for one song...Love Story.

8. I am allergic to horses but I love them...PTL for Benadryl.

9. I have this weird ability to remember numbers and dates...however I am terrible at Math. I can remember most people's birthday though.. it freaks people out sometimes.

10. I love music and all that it entails.

11. I don't really like chocolate all that much...some kinds are ok... I do like brownies though...no chocolate cake however.

12. I was a manager at bath and body works last year.

13.I love to snow ski...and snow in general.

14. I like to watch sports, especially football, basketball and baseball. No soccer please :)

15. I used to play volleyball and softball in high school. and I was a cheerleader. Crazy I know.

16. I would love to work for a missions agency or something non-profit and take photographs all over the world.

17. Top 3 places I want to visit: Israel, Tokyo, Anywhere in Africa

18. I really like to cook and clean. Once again...odd I know.

19. New England is one of my favorite places in the whole world...along with NYC.

20. Texas haunts me...never been there but it is always around me...everywhere...all the time. Prime example..I am driving home from tuscaloosa (35 minute drive) and I see 47 cars with texas tags...that is abnormal. Or sitting at a red light in vestavia and I look over and there is a truck with the word AUSTIN painted in huge blue letters on the side of it. Thats it... just AUSTIN.. no company name or number. I surrender to the texas.

21. I think people are absolutely beautiful and I love them. Photography has helped me see that.

22. I have a nose ring.

23. I am getting a tatoo...just not sure what to get yet.

24. I really like change...new places...hair colors...furniture arrangement...whatever :)

25. I cannot think of the last time I was in my house for 24 hours at once. Even when I am sick I am on the go.

Well there it is...complete randomness...tag... you're it.

Two Exciting Tidbits

2009-01-24T18:52:00.003-06:00

1. I have created a new page on my website, RachelJonesPhotography.com that is a benefit page for the Lovelady Center. Go to the Lovelady center page on there to find out more about this awesome organization located here in Birmingham and how you can help. I recently did a shoot for them that "tells their story". SO check out the photos at the bottom of the Lovelady page for a "goosebump" moment!

and #2) FREE MUSIC!

Go to ChristNockels.com for a free single from her new album that will be released soon. Hey it's free music...everybody go get it!!!

A little prayer por favor :)

2009-01-22T12:41:00.003-06:00

Well I know I have been trying to put off thinking about the future...aka after I graduate...aka... in 3 months...but it is getting to that time when I need to start thinking a little about what to do.

No ideas.
At all.

So if you think about it say a prayer for me. I just honestly want to do what the Lord wants me to do. I know He will tell me. But I am needing to make summer plans in the next month or two.

Wisdom and advice much appreciated :)

Ok I just can't help it...OhhhBama

2009-01-21T16:49:00.004-06:00

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior"
-I Timothy 2:1-3

So the political talk is pretty much reaching it's max on my patience threshold considering the inauguration yesterday, but I just couldn't resist writing a little something about it.

No I did not vote for Obama, but as I watched the inauguration festivities I could not help but have a strange sense of peace as I watched our new elected president take the oath and officially become our country's president. Most of you officially think I have lost my mind but I can quickly confirm that I have not.

BECAUSE

I am a child of God. The One and Only God. Maker of all I see. Sustainer of all I see. Savior of my pitiful life. He chose Barak Obama as our president. God has not removed His hand from our country...and no...at least to my knowledge...Barak Obama is not the anti-Christ.

God is not surprised by our choice here. We (America) made it and we will have to face the consequences..

point being...

I did not chose Barak Obama as my president. God did. He placed Him in office. Therefore I will respect my new authority...my new president.

As much as I do not agree with so much that he stands for...I will make an honest effort not slander him...to respect his decisions...and to pray for Him, both as my leader and as a person.

So here's to God. Who knows what He is doing...and has a plan and the ability to turn all things in to good.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
-Romans 8:28

Hallelujah

2009-01-21T16:34:00.001-06:00

No more pink background!!!

Hookers and Robbers

2009-01-20T12:42:00.003-06:00

Some friends and I went to see Charlie Hall in Tuscaloosa last night... it was a small small venue so we were on about the 2nd row which was great. It was an awesome night of worship. I think my favorite song from the night was Hookers and Robbers. Praise the Lord he cares of the least the world has and Praise the Lord he does not boycott the ones who are less than ideal and a little tough to love.
He came down from perfection, got His hands dirty and saved the world...the hookers, robber, crack kids, track kids and even me.

Seasons are tough. Be He is strong.

Officially Impressed

2009-01-18T21:19:00.002-06:00

Ok so I am not a "pop" music follower in general...however I saw this on Rebekah Y.'s blog and since I am an artist... I was completely fascinated...the editing and productions may be the coolest thing I have seen in a long time.

Check it out:

*Disclaimer* I don't know half of these songs so if their content is questionable..I am sorry.

pink

2009-01-14T20:58:00.002-06:00

Can I just say i strongly dislike pink...I can't help it... and i accidently changed my background to this lovely pink one...and now...I can't change it... the site that I get my backgrounds from is down and all they have are these valentines ones...and other sites change all your info on your page and all...so for now..it's pink.

Should be fun.

On a different note...went to the Cody visitation tonight. What an amazing testimony of God's grace. I look at that family and wonder how they are holding up so well...how can you stand up there next to the casket holding the man you fell in love with when you were ten years old. Only by the grace of a truly amazing God. He knows what we need and He quickly supplies grace when life becomes less than ideal. I can definitely testify to that. Praise God that when we are His children, our joy is no longer based on our circumstances.

Praying for that family. What an awesome God we serve... a God of such amazing grace and comfort.

close call

2009-01-13T15:35:00.002-06:00

Alabamians DO NOT know how to drive downtown. I am talking to Lynn Sleeper on the phone today while waiting to cross the street. The light turns red and the walk man comes up and teh bright yellow box resting on the pole in front of me signaling I am good to cross the street... I even pause for a while before crossing then proceed to step out onto the street when someone grabs my arm... completely alarmed I turn to see why someone has grabbed me when zoom....a 15 passenger white chevy van comes flying by me at about 40 mph. He missed me by an inch. Praise the Lord for aware fellow pedestrians... I would have definitely been run over.

Oh geez

2009-01-08T10:33:00.003-06:00

My Western Civ professor:

1. Studies Alabama Coal Miners for a living

2. Is fascinated with prostitution and her grandmothers ran whore houses in Birmingham back in the 30's.

3. She teaches a Sunday school class at her baptist church in town.

Jesus take the wheel

Such an anticipated year

2009-01-08T09:02:00.002-06:00

2009. A year that has been this milestone coming for so long. The year I graduate. The year the "real life" happens. Whatever that means. Now that it is here I have more mixed emotions than I thought I would. I would say over 50% is excitement...I am so ready to be done... I am just a little bummed that after four years I will have a pointless degree. Oh well God can use it if he wants. The remaining half of my emotions is divided between anxiety, sadness and regret.
Anxiety about what comes next. Atlanta? Boston? Birmingham?

Sadness about not being in school anymore. I really do like learning. And I am going to miss the environment of college a lot. I'm going to miss the flexible schedule and the variety it brings.

Regret. I have had such an awesome missions field the past 4 years and I have not taken advantage of it at all. Mostly I have just gone to class and and left without talking to anybody...with the occasional exception of course in a small class, but I can probably set my number of spiritual conversations at about 25. maybe 35. in 4 years.... 4 YEARS! I will never have this opportunity again and I feel like I wasted a ton of it.

But praise the Lord He does not keep tallies of our short comings.

So far 2009 has been good. Our college group at SMI went to the Mtns. of North Carolina the 1st- the 4th. We got to ski and just chill. A good start to the year for sure. Classes started yesterday. I am taking 24 hours of class...crazy I know. But so far so good.

It is time for western civ now. I know.. a senior taking western civ. Bummer.

two random thoughts:

The older I get...the more I like chocolate and the less my hair straightens.

Peace yo.

A look back....way back

2008-12-31T23:36:00.003-06:00

So since it's a new year and all... I figured I would take a trip to the past and take a look 10 years ago...

I found it fascinating... here's what I found:

Top songs of 1999

1.Baby One More Time, ... - Britney Spears
2. You Get What You Give - New Radicals
3. Millennium - Robbie Williams
4. Closing Time - Semisonic
5. Sweetest Thing, The - U2 (single mix)
6. My Favorite Mistake - Sheryl Crow
7. Praise You - Fatboy Slim (radio edit)
8. I Think I'm Paranoid - Garbage
9. Never There - Cake
10. Because of You - 98 Degrees
11. Goodbye - Spice Girls (single version)
12. Take Me There - Blackstreet/Mya/Mase/Blinky Blink
13. When a Woman's Fed Up - R. Kelly (clean version)
14. Father of Mine - Everclear
15. What I Got - Sublime (clean version)
16. I'll Never Break Your Heart - Backstreet Boys
17. Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) - Jay-Z (edit)
18. Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) - Baz Luhrmann (edit)

Top 10 Movies of 1999:

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
The Matrix (1999)
Tarzan (1999)
Big Daddy (1999/I)
The Mummy (1999)
Runaway Bride (1999)
The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Price of Gas: $1.06
President of the US: Clinton
Super Bowl XXXIII winner: Denver Broncos

Big Happenings:
-Napster Debuts
-Chavez becomes president of Venezuela
-Apple releases the first iBook
-World Population reaches 6 billion
- Exxonmobil merges and forms the largest company in the world
- US turns over Panama Canal to Panama officials

Where was I?
12 years old
SMCS
6th/7th grade
Birmingham, AL
Trying out for volleyball and cheerleading
playing 3rd base on a Homewood rec softball league
Honor bands...honor bands...honor bands.
Best friend: Shannon Calloway

Let's see how far we've come... where were you?

The year in pictures (my version)

2008-12-31T19:50:00.010-06:00

So New York Times does a much cooler version of this ( click here to see the real "year in Pictures")

But I thought I would do one as well...recapping the year here in Birmingham, SMI, UAB, etc.

Here ya go!

My top 8 (and 11) of 08

2008-12-31T17:43:00.007-06:00

I tried to narrow it down to be my top 8 of 08...but for the picture part that didn't happen...SORRY! This is very random and you probably don't care, but it will be fun to look back at in a few years.

Here are my top songs: (In no order)
1.Your Love is Strong- Jon Foreman
2.Med sud i eyrum- Sigure Ros
3.Desert Song- Hillsong
4.Praise the Father Praise the Son- Chris Tomlin
5.Viva La Vida- Cold Play
6.My Brightness- Charlie Hall
7.God Alimghty- Chris Tomlin
8.Live Your Life- T.I. and Rhianna

And my Favorite 11 picutres of 2008:

Hello Morning...and presents from Mia

2008-12-30T10:19:00.002-06:00

So I got up at 4:45 this morning. Eww I know. My uncle had to be at the airport at 5 so I was voted the one to take him. Thanks, Mom. I did get excited however when I realized I was going to get to watch the sunrise (one of my favorite things to do in the whole world). That excitment quickly turned to bumnation(yes I made that word up...but it is an awesome word...go with it) when I realized that the sun didn't rise until 6:45. I was not about to sit out in the cold for and hour and a half in the dark. So I went to my grandmothers and took a nap until 7. I took her dog to the vet for her at 7:30 to get groomed...

Two thoughts here:
1) I don't think I will ever own a dog that requires "grooming"
2) My mom warned me that she will have to take a little poop as soon as she gets to the vet so walk her in the grass before you go in.

So Mia and I hop in the car and head on our way to the vet. It was a cold morning so I had the heat on in my car...this makes her wheeze...so I roll down the window for her. As the 25 degree air is pouring in the left window and invading my nice warm car it happened...around around around goes Mia in the passenger seat...all of you dogs owners knows what that means. No MIA NO NO NO MIA. Drop...terd...terd...terd...terd...in the seat...SERIOUSLY MIA? We are all of 2 seconds aways from the vet.

I knew it couldn't stay there in the seat ....that would be a disaster considering how Mia felt the need to dance among the recently dropped terds. So chick-fil-A napkins in the glove box to the rescue. The terdes were now flying one by one of of the window as I tried my best to pick them up with the napkin before she could step on them. Needless to say when we got to the vet she didn't need to poo any more.

Awesome morning. I can't help but laugh. I really do love mornings...once I'm up.

A Few Christmas Thoughts

2008-12-26T10:34:00.002-06:00

I know Christmas is over but I just had some random thoughts last night as I was lying in bed that I thought I'd write down since I am here at the church by myself with really nothing to do...

Isn't it funny that at Christmas time everyone sings songs of Christ and His birth whether they know Him or not. They don't think twice about it. I passed people in the mall on Wednesday singing Silent Night-Joy to the World etc. and it just kind of hit me. Do they know joy...real joy.. or what happened that night? They know the songs and do not hesitate to sing about it, but do they know? A lot of who sing don't know the One they sing about. Just goes to show how easy it is to put on a mask that says "I have it under control" and "This Christian thing is easy". I think especially living in the South it is so easy to say or claim one thing and live another.

Second random thought- I had to stop by Walgreen's yesterday to get something for Christmas lunch and since it was the only place open on Christmas day I found myself on an isle that contain everything from mac and cheese to laundry detergent to light bulbs. Multi purpose to the max I guess... but then I went over to the "cold isle" to get milk and notice a man standing at the frozen dinners and for some reason it just made my heart hurt. He was an older man...probably 50s maybe 60s deciding on a frozen dinner for Christmas lunch. And I just thought I wonder how many people are like him today. No family- trading in the turkey, ham and dressing for a lean cuisine...now considering my circumstances I could not invite him to dinner with us, but it just made me question how good of a job the church is doing. I know I am so convicted of the bubble I hide in. My little SMI bubble. I seldom reach out of it to love on those who are not around me. I know it is probably cliche and may even sound a little naive of me but wouldn't it be awesome if, because of the church, there wasn't anyone who had to spend Christmas alone. We have the Remedy...why do we chose to hoard it so much? I am the guiltiest of us all at hiding within the shadow of my own comfort. It just made me think about it. The day that I spent with family and more food than could have possibly been eaten was not so plesant for everyone. There were empty hearts-empty stomachs.

Just food for thought... OH and to end my walgreens experience the guy checking out after me began placing bottles of Imodium AD on the counter...I started counting...18 bottles... I guess Grandma's cooking didn't go over so well.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T00:00:00.003-06:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I hope you have a blessed day with your families. It comes and goes so fast it seems.

Update and Tune Tuesday

2008-12-23T09:01:00.004-06:00

Well it has been a crazy week...my grandma is going home today. She is doning much better and the dementia seems to be gone-heart stable so I guess she is better. Never a real diagnosis but oh well. We will see... home may not be best for her considering teh circumstances but God is Sovereign right.

BUT... on a brighter note...

IT IS ALMOST CHRISTMAS!!!

And it is Tuesday and I haven't done a Tune Tuesday in a while and with it being Christmas I thought I'd stay in theme...but it was hard to think of a song considering all Christmas songs are wonderful...but usually overplayed and we've all known them all our lives.

So I thought I'd go back...to 1745...and visit Charles Wesley.
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus isn't the first thing I think of when you say Christmas songs...but it is an old Advent hymn and we sang it this past Sunday in church...then talked about it after that...then Louie talked about it on the Passion podcast so I thought it was worth looking in to.

They lyrics are incredible. Sure it's old school... if you will... but those are often the best. So read the lyrics and get into the Christmas spirit a bit...the real Christmas spirit...the hope of all the earth Thou art!

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Can I get a witness

2008-12-18T12:10:00.001-06:00

Ok Birmingham weather is ridiculous right now. I mean come on it is 1 week before Christmas and its 72 degrees outside...

AND THE WORSE PART

THE FOG...and humidity

My hair is ridiculous. Can I get an amen

Can I just say

2008-12-16T09:34:00.001-06:00

...I have never in all my life seen so many squirrels as I did this morning on my way to work. I had to slam on my brakes about every 100 yards to let one cross. What is this? Did I miss the squirrel marathon memo?

I passed

2008-12-15T22:58:00.003-06:00

Hooray!!! I did it! I passed physical Anthro! And to top it all off... I came out with a B in Archaeology!!! So 1 more semester to go in college... another post about that to come later conisdering whoa that is crazy freaky I am about to graduate....but HOORAY PRAISE THE FATHER PRAISE THE SON THIS SEMESTER IS DONE! Who knew I could turn Chris Tomlin songs into my very own rhyming poems....okay waaaayyyy to tired. To bed I go... no REAL news on my grandma yet. Will find out more tomorrow!

Our God is the God who provides!...even a C in a class where my avg was about a 35!!! MIralces can happen!

My Grandmother

2008-12-15T12:34:00.002-06:00

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and my family these past few days. For those of you who have no clue whats going on and want to know I'll give you the brief summary: My mom called me on Saturday and asked if I would come spend the night with them (she and my grandma) because she needed a break from taking care of my grandmother who has been sick this past week. I said sure thinking I would just help my grandma get to bed and give her her meds ( we thought she had pneumonia). She was schedule to go to the hospital on Sunday as that was when her sister, my Aunt Bobbie and Aunt Mayme could come take her. Well when I got there my grandma had gotten progressively worse. She was now hallucinating very very badly and I couldn't keep her in bed. My mom took some sleeping pills and went to bed so I was on my won around 8. My grandma kept getting up every 15 minutes ( and mind you she can't really walk so every time she gets up you have to as well and walk with her because she falls)So I would get up with her and ask her what she was doing and she would reply " getting all these people out of the house". Every time I would tell her there was no one there and she would get so mad because I couldn't see all the people, dogs, ants and rats she could. So this went on all night. I left there at about 8 on Sunday morning and came home and went to bed. My aunts came and took her to the hospital ER yesterday and she is in ICU right now. HEr breathing is still labored but the mental part is getting worse. They had to tie her down this morning to the bed because she was hurting herself and the nurses trying to fight off imaginary people. So that is all I know right now so keep her in your prayers as the doctors try to figure out what is going on.

I'll keep updating as I know more.

God is good and it's times like these when I see just how good and gracious and loving He is.

+Rach

Life as it Used to be

2008-12-13T10:53:00.003-06:00

So I am here in Tuscaloosa. Heather and I came down for UA's graduation. I just dropped her off, went to Target and am now at the new Starbucks...well new to me anyways. They didn't have any of this stuff when I was here. NOw they have a whole new shopping center with Panera, Barnes and Nobles, Old Navy and tons of other stores and restaurants. I used to come home to Birmingham to go and sit at the Barnes and Noble or Starbucks to study bc there weren't any good places in Tusc. to do that. I think they got this the summer after I moved. Go figure. But being back here to actually hang out has brought back such weird emotions. The other day I was think about how different life would have been if I had stayed and finished school here. I would probably be living in a house on 13th street and back in Birmingham for Christmas break. It was weird to drive around campus and see all the buildings I used to have class in. and then drive to the target I went to so much. Its been two years since I've lived here but I could so vividly remember my old routines and the good ole' days at University of Alabama. It was a pool of mixed emotions. Many of which were thankful that God led me back to Birmingham, because I do love the city and don't miss the actual city of Tuscaloosa at all. But then some were sadness and just reality i guess that I am getting older, memories of college are quickly fading and real life is about to hit ( in 4 months to be exact). All that to say my heart is a big ball of paiurgtbiuagtyrugtv right now. YOu know what I mean. I am very excited for this next step in life and I know I am right where God wants me to be... for right now at least. We will see come May where the road will go, but for right now God is keeping the future path hidden from me...which is really good yet really hard.

Random thought but I was just thinking how interesting it is that Christmas is everyones favorite... whether you believe in the King or not... Christmas is just a season that everyone loves to celebrate. Whether people know it or not they are celebrating the birth of a Savior. Cool part is...one day everyone will bow to the Lord, it just won't be so happy at that moment for those who have ignored Him all this time.

Fear Not ---- There IS a SAVIOR!

Desert Song

2008-12-07T22:15:00.000-06:00

This is my prayer in the desert,
When all that's within me feels dry,
This is my prayer in my hunger and need,
My God is the God who provides,

And this is my prayer in the fire,
In weakness, or trial, or pain,
There is a faith proved more worth than gold,
So refine me Lord through the flame,

I will bring praise,
I will bring praise,
No weapon formed against me shall remain,
I will rejoice, I will declare,
God is my victory and He is here,

This is my prayer in the battle,
When triumph is still on its way,
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ,
So firm on his promise I'll stand,

All of my life, in every season,
You are still God,
I have a reason to sing,
I have a reason to worship,

And this is my prayer in the harvest,
When favour and providence flow,
I know I'm filled to be emptied again,
The seed I receive I will sow

tis the season

2008-12-05T14:51:00.004-06:00

So as Christmas approaches the question comes to mind...what do I get everyone... Now mind you I love to give gifts. LOVE it. One of my favorite things to do in life. So Christmas shopping is one of my favorite activities! But I always sturggle with what to give everyone...and it is usually the same issue that trips me up every time... no one i am close to really needs anything! Now mind you I am not Scrooge and I love to give fun things that we really don't need...like Starbucks giftcards...hint hint....but I mean really... I can't think of s single thing that I really need.

Think hard...got something?

Me neither.

So think year I have re-vamped my thinking when it comes to gifts and the amount of money I spend.

All that to say I am announcing a December special on my website : RachelJonesPhotography.com

100% of the proceeds from any purchases made during the month of December will go toward the maximum impact fund of World Visions Christmas Campaign.

$35 provides $490 worth of clothing for a child in Africa.
$30 provides a wool blanket for a child living in an open air house in frigid weather.
$25 helps provide job training for women who are trying to get their lives back after losing their hubands, families, and often dignity due to sex trafficing
$70 sends an orphan in Zambia to school for a year.
$100 provides a goat and 2 chickens to a family which means eggs and milk for food.
$50 provides $250 worth of food for a family in Africa.

I could go on and on but you get the point.... a little goes a loooooong way.

So check out the site...order some photos and make a difference for a child this Christmas... Oh an watch the video from my previous post to get a little Christmas motivation.

WATCH THIS

2008-12-04T09:31:00.001-06:00

Thursday thought

EVERYONE WATCH THIS...NOW!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tune Tuesday

2008-12-02T09:18:00.002-06:00

SO I had to take a study break...so I thought I would post the song for the day.

This is Wedding Dress by Derek Webb. I've had this song on repeat for a few weeks now. The words are just so true. I cannot listen to it without tears in my eyes. What a gracious Lord we serve.

If you could love me as a wife
and for my wedding gift, your life
Should that be all I?d ever need
or is there more I?m looking for

and should I read between the lines
and look for blessings in disguise
To make me handsome, rich, and wise
Is that really what you want

I am a whore I do confess
But I put you on just like a wedding dress
and I run down the aisle
and I run down the aisle
I?m a prodigal with no way home
but I put you on just like a ring of gold
and I run down the aisle to you

So could you love this bastard child
Though I don?t trust you to provide
With one hand in a pot of gold
and with the other in your side

I am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers so less wild
That I would take a little cash
Over your very flesh and blood

Because money cannot buy
a husband?s jealous eye
When you have knowingly deceived his wife

I am terrible at this study thing...result...a new writing

2008-12-01T16:27:00.003-06:00

So for some reason I hate the word poem/poetry. I do not know why. maybe it brings a cliche factor... I don't know. But nevertheless I write. And these "writings" which I guess are technically poems come out. So here is one I wrote the other day...during Bible study... I know I know. Hey it is about a Biblical story. Come on :)

I dont have a title yet.

An intentional rendezvous on bitter soil
A weary traveler meets a weary girl
An ancient stone provides a seat
A patriarch’s well is where they meet

“Give me a drink”, He read her mind
If she only knew what she was looking to find
Is sitting right there, an open door
Reaching out His hand to embrace a whore

Are you better than Jacob? Becomes her defense
This invitation to beauty does not make sense.
Straight to the core aims His demand
Go now, away, fetch your husband

“I don’t have one” becomes her mask
“I know, you have five, I didn’t need to ask”

The truth revealed she could no longer hide
And she turns to the man that sits at her side

What is this living water you speak?
And how did you know I’m so desperately weak?

Child the one that you search for is I
I’ve seen every tear that you have cried
This satisfaction you have sought for so long
Is now found in I who left the throne

And as the ink flows from my pen
I’m reminded of when I used to drown in my sin
My eyes have been open and now I can see
This girl that he met at the well was me.

Advice Please!

2008-11-30T17:21:00.002-06:00

So most of you who know me know how much I am not enjoying school right now. This will be my last semester starting in January bc I will graduatge in May. I just hate it so much I am taking 24 hours in one semester to be done. So basically one semester of academic Sheol and then I will have a bachelors in Anthropology (aka a degree that you literally can do nothing with without getting your masters). I just chose it because I wanted to do something where I learned about different cultures and how they work so I could maybe use it to do some missions work or something...well that hasn't happened...the learning about other cultures that is... and so now I am just doing it to get a degree...which does go farther these days than it used to. But what I want to do is photography. God has lit that passion in me this year and it is taking off that is for sure, but I just am very uneducated about it. I don't know how to use photoshop...deal with lighting, exposures or anything else...the pictures I have done have turned out as good as by the GRACE OF GOD... literally. So all that said I have $5,000 left to spend toward college. and here is where the dillemma/ need for advice comes in.

I really believe photography is what God wants me to do. it is what i have a true passion for when it comes to occupations and He continues to open doors for that... I haven't opened any myself which is such a good feeling...and I pray He will grant me the grace to continue to walk in that patience and let Him keep working through it. But I just have this thought in my heart (different than a thought in your head...ya know what I mean?) that maybe I should stop this other degree and go to photography school. I mean I only have $5,000 to spend toward school right now. So it is one of the other right now if you know what I mean. I can spend it at UAB and finish my degree in Anthro...or stop that for now...I mean I really can finish that at anytime...and go to school for photography and be able to do more with that. Photography has the potential to bring in great money...and who knows... if I decide to go that route... I can still take like one Anthro class at a time through the years and be done with that degree in like 2 years. And in the mean time I can go to hotography school...learn how to actually be a true life photographer and be able to take on more higher paying jobs which in turn can pay for me to finish my other degree.

Now I won't pretend to be more disciplined than I truly am and say that if I do not finish this Anthro degree next semester...then I may not finish it ever. Which may be okay since I am not learning anything anyways...but who knows. Maybe I will use it one day...maybe I just need to shift directions for a while... its not like my classes disappear if I skip a semester...I don't know. Just want to get others opinions. So drop me a comment or message if you can. I'd appreciate.

Whatever it is... To HIM be the glory.
Rach

it is here

2008-11-30T16:35:00.000-06:00

Finals week... Lord help me... Come on December 9th!

At last

2008-11-26T10:42:00.002-06:00

I am here. One of my favorite places...Gloucester/Boston. I don't know that I could ever live here (who knows..maybe one day I could)...but I love it all the same! I am so excited to be here with my sweet friends Amanda and Josh. I love them and a visit is long over due! Amanda and I are about to head to a cute little place in Gloucester called Sugar Magnolias, to get lunch then to the Lonely Gull coffee shop to just chill for a bit. Ah I am in much need of some chill time, especially in a different place.

It is nice to get away from the norm and daily rut. Especially right now for me. Looking forward to Albany tomorrow. I've never been to upstate NY. I think there may be snow too! I hope so very much.

Well I am out for now. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!