me vs. me

I win!

What Drives You?

Last year I was asked to write a paper in response to the question "What drives you?" This was my reply:

"You walk down a street and see people all around. Different personalities flash by as others drive past. Maybe it's their type of music that they are playing that describes them and what they love. Or maybe you see a mini van abundant with children, a mom, and a dad. What do people live for? This father could be a working man, trying his hardest to provide for and raise his family. He lives to make his family happy.

Everyone has something that they live for, and something that "drives" them to do what they do everyday. For me, it's the people and loved ones around me. To see them happy is a great treasure of mine. In my life I have tried to dedicate all my efforts to those I associate with. I find it reasonable to say that the feeling of brightening up someones day is a worthy cause to live for. Seeing a smile drives me   to go on and to live for a better day.

Joy has always been my favorite word. It's the word that drives me. It reminds me of my courageous grandmother. She is the inspiration for the word joy. I often wonder what drives her. The answer always seems clear. It's joy. You may think that joy is small. in fact, it's a three letter word. But it has greater meaning. My grandma has undergone sickness after sickness and surgery after surgery. She doesn't complain. She goes on. She maintains joy in her life. This is my inspiration and my goal in life. To be like my grandmother would be a huge accomplishment. That goal drives me. I want it and I'm willing to shoot for it.

Is there ever a day where you don't feel joy? That's definitely a yes. We all have difficult times and that's what life's all about. Difficult things happen. Joy is still waiting though. When you find the thing that drives you, you have to be able to recognize it when it's there and you must reach for it with all your might. I know that sometimes people have a hard day and feel like they can't do anything but mope around. i don't think they are passionate about joy enough to recognize it, because it's there.

The man in the mini van gets in a car accident. He looses his wife and one of his children. He thinks to himself, now what do I have to live for? it's all gone. The joy in his life is supposedly gone. Does he give up on those children who are still living? They're still there. They feel the pain too, just the same. They lost their mother. Does the man recognize the influence that he has on the children who now look up to him more than ever? he can become their "joy". But he has to prove it, and live up to that. Can he find his joy though? He can find joy in the faces of his children. He can see his joy all around him. The oldest child has his wife's eyes. The other, looks just like her sister. Can he view these small evidences of joy?

It may seem tough. It is, no doubt. But with the right focus, we can understand it, and come back to the joy we had. When I'm in a bad mood, I recognize the effect it has on others around me. I've decided that I don't like it. My life time goal is to be happy and to make others happy. The lit up face of a child as I push them on the swing: that drives me. To feel the embrace of a friend who had been going though a difficult time that I helped them get through: their tears of joy drive me. Seeing a bunch of people, while walking down the street, makes me think about the difference one can make. I realize that I could be that "one". That drives me."

Halloween 2009! :)

Yes these are a little late.. but I was looking through pictures and thought that these were pretty cool! I was Russel from Up for Halloween. (put together the costume myself ;) haha! every random pin we had at our house was on it). After I showed the picture to my Grandpa he told me that I should have called him because he had every single patch on his sash and I could have borrowed it, so its a bummer that I didn't think of that!

Our jack-o-lanterns were SWEET! :)

Rachel Photography!

I've finally been able to start a blog for my photography! Go ahead and check it out! I'm still in the process of getting caught up with what I've photographed, but I am working on it! It is honestly so much fun to put together! Enjoy, and make comments of what you think! It's a work in progress! Go ahead and visit rachelvoorheesphotography.blogspot.com! Keep checking for more 'cause it's coming! Thanks!

Baby Jaylee

what a kid.. haha

Exciting Week

I'm continuing with my obsession of photography and I can't wait for good weather so that I can go out and take shoots of everything and anything :) If any one wants to see some great pictures though, go to fausetphotography.blogspot.com. This girl is my inspiration! Amazing stuff she's done! :) Maybe one day I'll be as good as she is haha.

But with more news :) I went to a school Dance this last Saturday! :) It was a BLAST! Adam Jones was my date :) He's my best buddy! We just had loads of fun! He thinks he's not photogenic but I'd say this is a good picture! :) *hopefully I'll get more pictures from the other girls in the group soon :) and i'll share. Sorry adam ;)

He is also in my ward and him and my friends won Region Church ball! It was loads of fun to cheer them on and be appointed as their Mascot and Manager :) They even dragged me into being in their Pictures. :)

Adam's Jr Jazz team also went all the way and won the championships! :) So he's a Champion all the way!

I had a very eventful and exciting week! :) I love having good weeks! Lets keep it up! :)