This is it

After writing that last post I talked to Martin about my plans for being part of the NILMDTS network.  I've told him before but talking about it tonight made me feel so excited!  I really want to do this.  And I feel it is a wonderful long-term goal for me.  It is going to take me years to feel confident.  It is going to take me years to learn and practice.  I need my kids to be older if I want to be able to leave at a moment's notice when the hospital calls for me to go help.  It is going to take me years to get the background and the depth to the stories.  But I have years.

After talking to Martin, I went running.  And as I ran I had the thought that what if this is just a moment of excitement that is going to fade--like food photography?  I was ridiculously excited about it when I discovered it.  I wrote a blog post or two about my passion for food and feeling like I found my photography niche.  I looked up a food photographer and got excited about her book.  But then I didn't go to her photo walk.  I still have the book's link bookmarked but I didn't purchase it.  I appreciate food photography but it is not my niche.  I might dapple with it but people and their stories really get me going.

How do I know this is not another thing that will fade?  As I pondered it, my mind recalled the bishop's Sunday School lesson from last week.  He wrote on the chalkboard three ways to know if you are receiving personal revelation and not just having thoughts of your own.  First, it is good--and not just good for you.  Second, it is in line with the teachings of the living prophets and the scriptures.  Third, it brings peace.  If you have all three, you can know that it is a message from the Holy Spirit. 

With food photography, it was a good idea.  It wasn't against the teachings of the scriptures.  But it didn't necessarily bring me peace.  In fact it brought quite a bit of uncertainty.

With the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Network, I have all three.  This is a good plan.  It not only is good for me but it is good for many others--those I touch with my photography as I learn; the families I photograph; the friends they share the photos with; the nurses and doctors and others included in the sessions; and more I have yet to think of.  This is in line with the scriptures and the living prophets--giving service; sharing my talents; healing the hands that hang down and strengthening the feeble knees.  And above all, it brings me a tremendous amount of peace. 

As I ran on the treadmill tonight, all I could think of was a prayer to my Father in heaven thanking him for showing me this talent; praying for his guidance and encouragement in this journey; asking for the courage to see this through; and returning to thankfulness.  My heart is solemn and open and strong.