Yesterday was our first “official” day on this secret Sony Project. I finally got to meet the Director of the project, and he is not only incredibly talented but incredibly kind and encouraging. I think we’re going to work well together. He didn’t seem to be tripped up by me being a little nervous which put me right at ease.
Before we left town last week, Brian and I sat down and prayed with the kids about this specific project. We explained to the kids what was going to happen, and why we were doing this project with Sony. Then we asked them if they’d like to pray about it as a family and see if God had any encouraging words or pictures to give us. No expectation, but only to experience the wonderful moment of being quiet together as a family. Brian did his usual thing of setting the timer for two minutes (this way the kids know we’re not going to be quiet for the rest of the night :)). When the timer went off, we went around the room and shared what impressions we had, if any.
Pascaline felt a little awkward sharing a picture that came to mind. But as she started to explain the image, I almost fell off the couch. The more she expressed the taller she sat, and her voice was clear with confidence. She had a picture of a tall white building that stretched up to the sky. On the tall white building was a mirrored triangle that was slowly moving up the building. Then she looked at me with her wise eight year old eyes and said, “Mama, this probably sounds weird, but I felt like the mirrored triangle was a reflection of all the women who were going to feel raised up and confident with their camera while taking pictures of their kids–all because of this special project…and mama, you were the tall white building that helped raise them up.”
What do you say when your child says something like that? I was speechless.
This week is a powerful week. I feel like things will never be the same after this week–for a thousand good reasons. It only makes sense that with such a symbolic milestone week, we would experience every thing under the sun in the last few days. Let’s see…Pascaline has thrown up five times. Blaze threw up three times yesterday. Brian lost his voice two days ago, and I’m feeling cross eyed and pumping Vitamin C like nobody’s business.
Pascaline and I took a break from it all yesterday and went to get manicures–that was an awesome. And then the Stylist (yes, we have a Stylist on board! Can you believe it!) showed up with THREE suitcases of clothes for us to try on. Blaze just watched from his bed, but I have to say, I didn’t feel so cross eyed when she opened up a suitcase of Anthropologie clothes for me to try for my wardrobe. 🙂 I had a blast with that!
But despite the 24 hr. spells of fever and nausea, lost voices, mom feeling cross eyed, despite all the temporary obstacles…there is a peace–a deep peace–in all four of us. We’ve all talked about that prayer time together, and it helps us feel like we’re here for a reason much bigger than ourselves. We feel like something bigger than ourselves brought us to this place in time. And we feel like our time here is a gift for us and thousands to come.
Put our little family on your prayer list this week. We’ll take all the well wishes and prayers we can get! 🙂
Thinking of ALL of you this week. Much love,
Me Ra
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Wow! Pascaline… shes like a wise 90 year old woman trapped in an 8 year- olds body. Shes so precious, and confident, and inspiring, and truly truly wise! Whatever it is that is brewing at sony must be big.. with the big words that came from pascaline. Hope everybody is feeling better!
Will definitely keep your little family in our prayers. I thank Him frequently for you and ask even more blessings to be poured out on you and your family.
I can’t believe you were bitten by a brown recluse! I have a severe fear of them as well as black widows. We found both in and around our home when we moved in and immediately called to set up a quarterly bug guy. That is such a painful experience and I pray for your strength and quick healing!
Pascaline… what a wise little soul. And MeRa, I have to say that you are that “tall white building”. You are such an inspiration to all of us. Thank you. Now, would you please tell us what is going on?! I’m going crazy over here! 😉 I can’t wait to hear about your secret project.
That’s so amazing! Pascaline is so right. and Me ra, wow a sylist?!? Can I have your life? Thanks again for sharing, and can’t wait to find out what the sony secret is! 🙂
It is SO hard to be patient and wait for you to reveal all these secret happenings!! ugh. 😉
I love your family prayer time… what a beautiful image in my mind.
Pascaline and Blaze are so wise beyond their years and their wisdom amazes me.
I think you and Brian definitely are that white building that is helping women to see their visions and photography dreams come true. You provide so much insight, knowledge, strength and empowerment through your workshops alone. I am excited to see that the Sony project brings to all of you!
(Can you hear Chicago’s “You’re My Inspiration” playing in the background? LOL)
MeRa…You are changing the lives of so many women, including myself. Your ‘ripple’ effect is so vast and widespread…I gave a huge ‘shout out’ to you in my blog today…You are a trailblazer. Thank you for all you do. Mwah…big hugs to you all.
I just can’t wait to hear all the details! Thank you for opening your heart to all of us!
Thank you for sharing some of your special family moments with all of us. And it’s so wonderful that your kids know and understand what you and Brian are doing and why it’s so important!
I’ve recently started to really study and practice my photography (having finally decided what I want to be when I grow up! :)) and I sometimes feel so lost in the giant maelstrom of information, and then feel panicky because, “I’m just not learning this FAST enough”! Then I check my Google Reader and I re-read your posts.
I love visiting your blog because I see it as a calm sea (to carry over the metaphor :)). It’s kinda peaceful here – thank for that, too!
Looking forward to all the details about your secret project!
I pray for you and your family always….and won’t stop now! I will pray double-hard for all you are giving of yourself to help women live our ultimate lives. Thank you Me Ra for all you do!
Wow, that is so beautiful of Pascaline! Thank you for sharing! Good luck this week! You guys will be great at whatever you set your mind to. 🙂
ok, i’m intrigued! anyone else?
…praying.
Me Ra, what a wonderful post! I love it that you sat down with the kids and did a family prayer (nice touch with the timer). Pascaline’s image was a powerful one–what a great way for her to see her mother! Good luck this week. I hope your trip is an amazing experience!
A great post, glad everyone’s feeling better.
What a wonderful post I know things will turn out wonderful and good luck with the secret project!
I just treasure your posts in which everyone sees the…opportunity/belief you instill in the kids to visualize and be still. It’s brilliant, whether they come up with profound abstract concepts like Pascalines or not, what a GIFT you give them, a gentle confident power to assess and dream about their world. I do it with my kids after reading how you do it with yours.
go Go GO!
prayers and love~
Love and blessings!
I LOVE IT! I love it when God shows pictures to us. Sometimes it is hard to figure out what the pictures or dreams actually mean. For God to give Pascaline the interpretation with the pictures is AMAZING! She is truly hearing the voice of God! Can’t wait to hear more about the project.
Side note: I LOVE Anthropologie! I was just there this week because I had stop there on my way home from moving my Mom from Bellingham. After all, it was on the way home. I drooled over most of there clothes. How fun!!!! Praying you all feel better and enjoy the rest of your trip.
Love,
Sue
Me ra – thank you for sharing this with us. I already thank God for allowing me to find your blog, everytime I read it, I find so much encouragement. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I had the blessing & honor of being there for this beautiful prayer circle and witnessing it all. What a precious gift to me – one I won’t forget.
One thing not mentioned is that Brian writes what every person says – a key piece b/c it says (at least to me) ‘what you’re saying has value & worth to us and so do you’. And Pasc was writing in her own journal too – following in Mom & Dad’s footsteps – how wonderful is that? Plus getting to see where & how the visions come true…what simple foresight! Duh! I also have to say that MeRa presented it so clear and straightforward to the kids – no baby talk. Impressive without meaning to do so. Wish all of you could have been there.
I’m moving so fast right now that to take that quiet two minutes with all of you was/is priceless and balancing against the stress in my/the world. Riding bikes with the kids helped too :). Thank you sooo much. Love you all – prayers too for your quick, easy recoveries. (PS back at mom’s – not well:( )
Your daughter has incredible insight. You are blessed.
I am actually holding off on buying anymore Nikon equipment. Can’t wait to see what the big secret is.
I hope your family recovers soon.
whaaaaaaaat? Pascaline is so great – I do love her very much! You’ve already done so much but things keep getting bigger and bigger for you – Im glad you have your family to hold on to.