Recently, I received a sweet email from my Aunt. It moved me to write again, and I thought I'd share it with you...hope you don't mind, Aunt Janet!
“Marti, You are so special! You yourself are a gift to many I am sure. Many times as I go to Facebook I find inspiration in whatever you have posted, and I am always so convinced of the many ways your wonderful husband completes you. I am also glad that you found each other and decided to be committed to one another for life. As a loving couple, you will inspire many. Marti, you have special gifts for capturing inspirational photos and for expressing yourself in writing. You yourself are a gift.
Following a Bible Study today at my home, I was drawn to sit quietly to meditate and pray. This I did. Then I felt drawn to look at Facebook which I don’t regularly do. Appearing first was a memory of mine with two clasped hands. I had no idea why this pic appeared first and no idea who the clasped hands belonged to, but I kept looking and eventually discovered this was attached to your blog which I proceeded to read. I was so blessed by your writing. After spending more time with your written thoughts, I was compelled to let you know your writing, your photos, and yourself are such a gift of love to the world. We all need to keep hearing from you.
Love from one of your admiring fans,
Aunt Janet”
The tears fell as I read her email. I desperately needed some affirmation in regards to my work and life in general, and didn't want to receive it by posting on social media, hoping for many "likes." I'm tired of that. I really am. I knew I needed affirmation from the Lord, and He used my Aunt to speak to me.
I'm at the point where I want to do more (in addition to my current services) with my photos and stories. What does that mean? I'm not entirely sure, but God is definitely telling me that it's time to do more and pursue some new projects.
I was moved by her email because she felt led to tell me. God's timing is pretty neat. I'm not exactly sure why I stopped, other than the fact that my thoughts got all jammed up due to how full life was.
Somewhere in between my lung collapsing, an extended hospital stay, Scott coming back into my life, getting engaged & married, then moving to Harrisburg (all in a year and a half!), I stopped putting my thoughts to paper/screen, when that was most likely the best time to be writing!
So, here I am, back at it. Feel free to follow along as I reminisce, blab about nothing at all, dig deep, tell stories of married life, or simply share photos that mean the most to me. Her email breathed some life back into the photographer and writer in me, and for that, I am grateful.
Thank you, Aunt Janet, for encouraging me to write again.
Love,
A niece who admires and loves you very much.