So…. I leave in 9 hours and I’m still not packed. Everything’s there… I promise! It just hasn’t hit me yet… that I’m leaving on a trip of a lifetime. This trip has been on my “bucket list” since forever… and the only response I can muster up when people ask me if I’m excited is… wide eyes and a mouth halfway to a smile, and halfway ready to say something… but nothing comes out because I have no words.

There are so many thoughts running through my head, it’s hard to catch one… they’re fast and I’m out of shape. But one that has allowed more contemplation is the memory of leaving for YWAM in 2007. It’s weird to think this was 3 years ago because it still feels so fresh. But remembering who I was and the significance of that particular adventure opens my heart to the wonderfully different realization of who I am now, and the significance of this new adventure I’m embarking on tonight.

Last time, I was making the decision to leave my Junior year of college–everything I knew and thought I wanted. Last time, I took a gigantic leap of faith, trusting that a small hobby of mine would develop enough for me to call myself a mission photographer by the end of it. Last time changed who I am today. It’s about a 7 hour long story… so I won’t go into it now…. but the important thing is I’m a completely different person than I was when I boarded my nonstop flight to Germany in 2007.

This time is different. This time feels like a dream…. one that I never dared to have in 2007. I never thought that hobby would develop into a passion, that would develop into another leap of faith, that would develop into my job. I never thought I would have the privilege of doing what I love as my JOB…. and I never thought I would have the opportunity to combine it with traveling. The best of both worlds have become friends and tonight I’m embarking on the first leg of this new adventure.

You guys….. I’m seriously so excited. I sincerely hope you’ll join me on this new adventure… and I hope something about this trip inspires you to dream big.

Our life-changing journey begins this evening as we board our overnight flight to Cairo, Egypt.

Here’s some shots from my last adventure that bring back many memories of some largely defining moments…

Sitting on a bench overlooking all of Herrnhut and Ruppersdorf, Germany…. the birth place of The Order of the Mustard Seed.

Some shots taken one of the first days I went exploring in Herrnhut. I was unsure, nervous, but excited all at the same time!

See you in Cairo!

So… in the last post you saw the Davidsons and their planes.

Well… that’s not all we did at the airfield….

Uncle Dick and Aunt Sandy asked Christopher and I if we would like to go for a quick flight in one of their planes… we looked at each other, and without hesitation we both said yes before our anxiety told us other wise. Before we knew it, Christopher was in the front seat with Dick and I was in the back seat with Aunt Sandy and we were off! As we taxi-ed along the runway, Dick explained everything he did… and Christopher, interested in learning, payed close attention…

Excited/”What are we doing?!!!!” face…

Excited/”What are we doing?!!!” face….

And before we could say anything, we were up in the air… JUST LIKE THAT! It was wayyy less dramatic than the 747 take-offs…. for sure! And it was a gorgeous day for flying around Redlands.

We flew over Beaumont, Redlands, and highway 38 up to Big Bear…

And then I noticed this…

I looked closer… and Christopher was FLYING THE PLANE!!!! Dick said, “Hey, why don’t you take the wheel…” Christopher said, ” Uh… okay?”

I guess he decided to adopt Ms. Frizzle’s motto for the day…

Take Chances. Make mistakes. FLY A PLANE!

Here’s a little moment I thought was hilarious… (internal conversation in his head = “OH. MY. GOSH. I’m flying a freakin’ plane!!!”)

Keep your eyes on the road sky!

I’m grateful to say we landed safely on the ground… and everyone flew beautifully.

This was the day Christopher flew a plane with me in it. We lived to tell the story. Everyone’s feeling a little more alive this holiday season.

The End.

I got off the phone with my Aunt Sandy and felt two things…. excitement because I was going to get to finally spend some time with her and Dick…. and nervousness because I had never taken pictures of a plane before. But it ended up being a gorgeous late afternoon in Redlands, California and the airfield was pleasantly calm. This holiday portrait shoot was a little different than most because it had more of a “lifestyle” feel to it… I shot with the intention to capture Dick and Sandy and their lifestyle. Something that Dick and Sandy love more than anything is flying. Dick’s been doing it for years… he even used to commute from Big Bear to Riverside every morning via plane. But more recently they’ve flown to their vacation home in Oregon quite often to get away from the busyness of life. I absolutely loved spending time with them laughing and learning about their planes…. here’s my favorite shots from the afternoon…

I found it quite challenging to fit people and two planes into the pictures, but I think we managed And this is one of my favorite “his and hers” pictures I’ve ever taken….

This is my favorite picture of Dick because…. well… it’s Dick. I love that he was totally surprised when I asked him to stand next to Sandy in a picture… he thought I was there to take pictures of just the planes…

After we played with their planes for a little bit, we headed back to their hanger and Sandy showed me her motorcycle…. I couldn’t resist

And take a look at these SWEET cowgirl boots! She had gotten them for a birthday present the day before the shoot.

The day wouldn’t be complete without some speed racing on the motorcycle along the silent airstrip….

Thanks for letting me catch a glimpse into the life of the Davidsons…. it’s definitely exciting! I loved hanging out with you guys, catching up, and having some fun adventures!!