All things new, yet not entirely

I love the way that life works.  Our days, our moments, our dreams and aspirations start off as something so full of hope, or so full of practical reality.  Somehow, the one view influences the other, and we are left with what we are living and what we have decided, writing the story of our lives.  In Proverbs it says " In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." (19:21)  This is exactly right!  Last month I had the privilege of shooting for a family that I instantly connected with.  I love that!  Mum and I had so much in common.  After discussing what they were planning on wearing, talking about how we were going to execute this monumental "let's run around London and take amazing photos" photoshoot, her words before the session were "I'm so excited, but I'm actually more excited to meet you than I am about the shoot!"  

So where am I going with this?  Well, this family are, like yours truly, South African through and through.  Trainers are takkies (Ta-keys), Jumpers are jerseys, Felt tips are khokis (koh-keys) and yogurt is yogurt (yow-git).  Despite living in England for more years than you can count on one hand, some things will just never change!  (ie:  You can take the South African out of the bush, but you can never take the bush out of the South African.) They were settled, made friends, had a beautiful home and fantastic jobs, had found a wonderful church to call home, but something changed - their heart.

 Izak, their sweet and mischievous little boy came along and stole the show.  There's something about having a child abroad, it makes you pine for home.  For your own "mom" and dad to see them grow up.  The seas certainly feel like they widen considerably between you and the only people in the world who will love your child AS MUCH as you do.  Marisa and Zak never planned to feel this way, England had won them over but South Africa won their hearts right back.  Enough to pack up and do the whole resettling of a home thing all over again, this time, as a family unit, back to their parents farm where they would be welcomed with the warmest love they've felt in years.  And the best part?  They don't have to say goodbye.

So we painted that town RED!  The beautiful city that never sleeps, (literally! We thought we'd miss the traffic by arriving at 7:30, no siree!)  Tower bridge and Big Ben, You are beautiful, and Marisa and Family wow, did you only make them pop!  what fun we had.  All your memories, Marisa, of cycling to work passed the bridge, are all wrapped up in your beautiful portraits, and will be ready to hang in your new home.  I am sad that we only met recently, we would have made great Hobbycraft shopping partners and I would have loved to bring business into your talented framing hands, but I wish you and your family the utmost joy and favour in your new (but old) life in South Africa.

 

And just like that, a turn of events and touch of the heart can change your steps.  But in making these life changing decisions, let's keep our eyes on the things that matter, while being flexible enough to allow change where it's needed and  strong enough to not let go of the things we shouldn't. 

Have a wonderful week! xx