Portrait of Capacity and Faith – Dallas Frisco Family Photographer – Me Ra Koh

We have been so excited about introducing you to Shelley! She is a living example of ‘rising tides raise all boats’ and has such a heart for service to others. It’s an honor to share her story about faith and capacity with you!

STEPPING INTO PURPOSE

Shelley and her husband have gone through a few really big changes over the past few years, which had the potential to shake their faith quite a bit. We definitely understand how feeling ungrounded and unstable can set someone in a spiral of doubt and confusion. However, this dynamic duo leaned into it ‘hard’, allowing it to solidify their faith, and they stepped into a season of purpose. The resounding theme for Shelley of this season has been, “God has given me the capacity to handle everything He has brought to me”. So where others may often feel overwhelmed, Shelley has tapped into a supernatural peace and the impact on her life and the lives of those around her has been awe-inspiring!

“GOD HAS GIVEN YOU THE CAPACITY”

When we asked Shelley what she believed her top three attributes to be, she told us faith, capacity and purpose. She said stepping into her faith was making the decision to stop trying to figure things out on her own and trusting God, while she keeps moving forward.

The clearest ‘theme’ that has presented itself in this season has been capacity. We asked her to expand on this a bit, as it’s not a typical word we hear from others when describing themselves. Her answer blew us away! She told us that so many things have been laid out before her…so many passions and avenues she wants to pursue. When she got overwhelmed and was trying to figure out where to start or even which one to pick, she heard God tell her, “You have the capacity for everything I have put on your heart.”

Wow. Confirmation of this has come in waves of hearing God repeatedly say to her heart, “God has given you the capacity to do the things He’s given you to do. So just do it.” So she is! She’s doing it. Shelley is activating every passion that is placed in her heart and she’s seeing the fruit produced from these passions in the lives of those around her. She feels like this season is a ‘second chance’ for her. A reminder of her capacity and faith.

WHY SHE HESITATED TO DO THIS

Shelley was so honest in her video testimonial. It was POWERFUL!

I’m wondering if you can relate to her struggle before she came.

WHAT SHAUN LOVES ABOUT HIS WIFE

Shaun shared with us some of his favorite things about his wife, Shelley. First and foremost, he created a visual descriptor, as Shelley reminds him of the galactic symbol for bear – Mama Bear. He says Shelley is strong, resilient, a force to be reckoned with. Much like Phoenix in X-Men, Shelley has stepped out of the unknown and frustration and into a place of realization. She is a phoenix being born from the ashes and rising to her full potential in this season!

Shaun also describes Shelley as compassionate. “My wife has such a heart of compassion and mercy. She has the ability to care for the most undesirable things, just like Jesus, and not even realize she’s doing it. She’s not a ‘bleeding heart’, but has a heart filled with life.” He also says Shelley is incredibly forgiving. They both try to walk in forgiveness. They are walking in faith and capacity.

HUSBAND’S INITIAL DOUBTS THEN CLARITY

Shaun told us he can be weird about money…so initially when Shelley approached him about doing a Rising Phoenix Experience, his first instinct was hesitation. But then clarity hit and he thought, “No, she needs this. I need her to see what everyone else sees…to see a visual representation of this season where she’s finding relief, completion and answers to questions she’s long been asking. I could not deny her this. God is giving her success in all she has her hands in, and I want her to SEE the good she’s doing!”

He hopes that these portraits remind Shelley that it’s HER time to shine. Shaun hopes that they give her confidence to approach others about her business; to talk to them, hear them and craft answers to what they need. Shaun jokes, “She wants to help women of a certain age find balance. For her to get that from your session would be such a great marketing boom for us!” Lol We do what we can, Shaun! 🙂 We hope the benefits from this Rising Phoenix Experience for Shelley cause a ripple effect that touches everyone she comes in contact with!

WHAT ALICE LOVES ABOUT SHELLEY

Alice describes Shelley as very informed, very caring and a spiritual ninja! “People underestimate Shelley at times. Everything she brings to the table is hidden, a selfless resource. She freely gives but in nuggets. She’s incredibly educated, but personal.”

What is a spiritual ninja? Because, honestly, this may be the best thing we’ve heard in a long time!

Alice tells us of a time where a friend went on a mission trip with Shelley to Cambodia with a group combating sex trafficking. There was a lady in her 20’s that shared a room with Shelley, who soon was switched to a different room. The lady says she instantly felt a difference without Shelley’s energy in the space. Shelley walked down the hall and saw this woman sitting alone and asked, “Do you want me to sit with you?” The woman instantly felt lifted. Shelley just knows instinctively what was needed in the moment without anyone needing to say anything. This is what walking in faith and capacity looks like.

PRESSING IN

Shelley is all about a person’s wholeness. Alice tells us she’s an amazing resource for healthy living, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. Her gifts are not just practical but deep. She also tells us that Shelley is very service oriented and knowledgeable. She grounds you without taking away. She’s spiritually minded and a brilliance to service. Shelley knows when to press in and push people or release and let go. “Shelley doesn’t realize all she brings to the table. She just cares so much. It’s beautiful.”

Alice says Shelley’s superpower is ‘the image of Moses and Aaron’. She’s intensely supporting at every level of who a person is. Whomever the Lord has in front of her; she’s the living concept of ‘armor-bearing’. “Shelley loves to partner with others’ vision. If you’re a leader, you need Shelley! She has this amazing ability to break down the vision into bite-size pieces and will help with resources. She’s the package deal! When she’s partnered with a strong leader, it’s magical.”

WHAT DEBBIE LOVES ABOUT SHELLEY

Debbie loves that Shelley has such a heart for helping other people, personally and professionally. She’s so eager and on-the-ball to answer without even being asked. She also describes Shelley as a great wife and eager to learn new things. Debbie says her superpower is in how she loves people. We asked her what she hopes Shelley sees when looking at her portraits and Debbie said, “I hope she sees how much she is valued and loved by God.”

WHAT PASTOR DEROZETTE LOVES ABOUT SHELLEY

We called her pastor from when Shelley and Sean lived in Seattle. Pastor Derozette says Shelley is a servant, first and foremost. She will find holes and serve in whatever capacity is needed. Another top quality for Shelley is her intellect. “She’s brilliant at coming up with systems and ideas!” Pastor Derozette says Shelley’s smile is so bright and beautiful. “Even when she’s down, she has a smile that is penetrating, contagious, so bright and it will make you smile brightly in return.”

We asked Pastor Derozette what Shelley’s superpower is.. “With a positive attitude, Shelley will exclaim, ‘I’ll do it!’ No matter what it is, she’ll do it and figure it out. And in the best way!”

Derozette hopes the portraits remind Shelley of who she is as well as who she can be. “Shelley can get lost in seeing others that she takes herself off the list. I think this will be an opportunity for her to walk in fullness of light. Every woman flourishes when they can see their own beauty and appreciate it. I hope she can look into her own eyes and see how they radiate when she smiles!”

PURPOSE IN THIS SEASON

We had the honor of installing Shelley’s portraits recently. They are STUNNING, a visual representation of the power and purpose Shelley is stepping into. After a chapter of uncertainty, Shelley is reclaiming her faith and capacity for creating IMPACT in the world. Her eyes shine with strength and compassion. Her face is pure joy from the good works God has lead her to and through.

We pray, Shelley, that you are able to take these beautiful words from your husband and friends, and commit them to your heart and in your memory. That when little doubts start to knock at the door, you can pause to reminisce about all you have done and all God continues to do in your life. We hope that when you stop and look at your Rising Phoenix portraits you are reminded that your purpose, capacity and faith moves mountains. We are honored to be a small part of your story and cannot wait to continue witnessing you take flight into your power!