Sabbath…

My wife and I both hold deeply to our faith. We have both been through some muddy experiences with it but at the end of the day we both choose to believe and to believe deeply, and to allow this believing to drastically shape how our life is played out. A central theme to our faith is this idea of Sabbath, a day set aside to rest, to reflect and to remember what life is really all about. In a way, to allow our lives to be synced to something outside of the madness and chaos of everyday life.

We need Sabbath.

Our lives are full. Running a business, both being in fulltime grad school, valuing our marriage and time together, as well as keeping the important relationships alive… we still want to love and be loved by our friends and family, so not letting them slip by the roadside.

Yesterday we had Sabbath.

We slept till our bodies couldn’t sleep anymore, yes we skipped church, but we skipped so our souls could live, I think God understands. We then cooked waffles together, yes together, flirting with the flour and sharing bits of delicious syrup covered goodness. We then walked hand in hand, puppy on leash, till we couldn’t walk anymore. We stopped at one of the best ice cream shots in town.

We then sat, ate ice cream, and talked… together.

It was nice…. Really really nice.

We then walked home.

We each rested… Pearl curling up with a book; I taking to more walking but this time with a camera.

As I walked I shot random pictures around my house… my little world.

As I shot I started noticing the amazing flowers, the autumn leaves, the coolness in the wind… I remembered the world is a beautiful place.

I remembered to look around, to pause, and to not miss the world around me.

a prodigal & a suitcase...

This is one of those blogs that I’m simply thrilled to post.

A little over 4 years ago Pearl and I moved to Lancaster PA to be on staff with one of the best churches I have ever been exposed to. The church (LCBC) does things with amazing excellence; creating gatherings and environments that those who avoid religion as if it were the swine flu feel welcomed and comfortable, as well as those who grew up in the church and simply feel like there’s nothing new to be experienced. This community of believers reshaped and gave life to my struggling beliefs when I needed it the most. I have an amazing respect and trust for the leadership, which is saying a lot when you’re as cynical towards the church as I have been.

The other day I was asked who has influenced me the most in the past 5 years and with little thought I knew that it was Jason Mitchell, the guy simply gets faith, doubt, struggles, and the nasty journey of figuring out how an ancient faith becomes real today. I simply have some crazy respect and admiration for the man.

Well, last Monday he invited me to spearhead a last minute project for his team. They saw a video online of the prodigal story, loved it, but wanted it retold with one of their students. We collected our thoughts, dreamed a little, reshaped it, and as a team came up with what you see below. It was a blast to work along side his team, Shannon (the amazing 7^th grader in the pictures) was a blast to photograph, and knowing that roughly 600 middle schoolers heard about what real love and forgiveness is makes my heart feel a little warm and fuzzy.

Hope you enjoy…

a prodigal & a suitcase from Matt Parks on Vimeo.

Converse & Chinese food

Here’s another image from the shoot earlier in the week. It’s just sitting on me; like some Chinese food you ate way too much of way too late, but in a good kind of way. You know what I mean, that feeling in the center of your chest that keeps you up at night pondering. Well instead of pondering what it was I just ate (hoping it was chicken)… I’ve been wrestling to pin point what it is in this picture that feels like it connects with where I’m at in life right now.

Is it the movement?

The uncertainty?

The journey?

The excitement of going?

The rawness or realness?

Or just the fact that seconds after snapping the shot those pearly converse were covered in mud, and my cons are covered in mud as well… may be I should just clean them?

Deep…

thoughts?

what a week...

What a week so far. Monday was my last day working at the Lodge, inc of Pa. Tuesday I started on a creative project for LCBC, wrote out my to-do list, accidently deleted my calendar, then found a way to retrieve my deleted calendar, scary!

Wednesday I answered what felt like 400 emails, meet with an amazing videographer, Brain Shaub, about possibly partnering with each other, then saw a concept design for our new website from the talented Nate Hamilton and shot a portrait session for the creative project, and ended the day by meeting a bride to talk about possibly shooting her wedding.

Then was up this morning (Thursday) at 4:20 am (yes I did say AM) to have breakfast with a friend, stole a quick nap from 6-7, and then off to starbucks for a book discussion (not really work related but was still really good), then to LCBC to edit photos, and film a video using them.

I’m now waiting on lightroom to export the photos, then it’s off to the printer, then the “studio” (aka, the table with a rug on it next to a huge window) to film.

Well looks like the export is now finished let’s go print some pictures.

Here’s a couple of my favorite from last night.