I had the immense privilege of scooting up to Nashville with my 17-year-old daughter a few days ago. Any of you with uber social, type-A, forever on-the-go teens will understand why I considered it a privilege. My days with her are numbered and precious. She is a rising high school senior, discerning her career and college choices, with high hopes most days to adventure as far from home as we will allow (New York? California? Hawaii?) - until of course the reality hits that she will be home solely for Christmas and summer breaks. Only then does she bring her aspirations a little bit closer to home. We checked out Vanderbilt University on Monday and were both duly impressed. It is now one of her top 2 "dream schools." I love that she sets her aspirations sky high. Now continues the very real and daunting task of working toward such lofty goals. I have no doubt she will give it her all.

Aspirations aside, a visit to "Music City" required a tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame. I must confess, I am not much of a country music fan, but most of the radio stations in my daughter's car are programmed to the twang. So to satisfy her bucket-list desires, we "did the thang." We walked the halls of glass-encased blue suede shoes and blinged-out leather suits and ENDLESS varieties of cowboy (and cowgirl) boots. We saw Taylor Swift's swarovski-encrusted guitar and Glenn Campbell's denim everything and countless CMA and Grammy winner's beaded and feathered gowns. We had FUN together, exploring the streets of downtown Nashville, feeling oh-so all American, sweating through our clothes and seeking out air-conditioned respite in hotel lobbies and coffee shops. We were tired by dinner time. Okay, maybe that was just me. Point is, we had fun together. Emphasis on the together.

This lady. And her cup of coffee. What a ride it's been already and we've barely just begun. Transforming Beauty is officially launched after a year of dreaming, praying, researching, designing, praying, laughing, maybe a little crying, more praying, and LOTS of coffee drinking (please visit www.transformingbeauty.org for the full story). When Michelle gave me the first inkling of this vision God bestowed upon her, I had NO IDEA what she was talking about. (What in the world does t-shirt design have to do with adoption, or beauty, or ministry? was my initial tunnel-vision response.) Thank God she is obedient, and patient, and vigilant. I must confess that even up until about a month or so ago I was still somewhat in the dark as to how this was all going to play out, and fit together, and minister to others. The one thing I HAVE known all along is that Michelle Benzinger follows after (and trusts) the heart of God with a vengeance. So I felt fairly confident that whatever small part she saw me playing in this adventure would be good (not just for the ministry but for me as well), and might even stretch me a little. 

Suffice it to say I am stretched. For a girl who's not exactly social media savvy, I am learning more about the ins and outs of Etsy, Facebook, Instagram (still struggling there), Zenfolio, and now the whole blogosphere (yes, that's actually a word . . . I looked it up) than I care to admit. But I am thrilled beyond measure to be discovering more and more about the workings of my Canon EOS 60D, scouting locations for a decent photo shoot, and using my creative vision to help tell a story. 

This day's story took a humorous turn as, after hours of vineyard location blog shooting, we arrived at the studio where Michelle teaches a killer exercise class or two (because she doesn't do ENOUGH raising six kids, forming missionaries, launching a new ministry, and running a household - twinge of sarcasm, yes) and soon discovered she had all the equipment necessary except her sports bra. As luck would have it, I happened to be spending the night in Tiger, so of course had a bag in the car, complete with years-old, sweat-stained (even after being laundered) sports bra in tow. In my humble opinion, you have to know someone pretty well to borrow their undergarments, old OR new. Talk about your organic sisterhood. (!!!) Michelle did not skip a beat. She strapped that stinky thing on and got to teaching. This lady lives day-to-day with a plan, on a mission, and gets it ALL done in one way or another. Beautifully.

Even so, as well as I know her, the one thing I never would have guessed is that she HATES to have her picture taken (thanks for keeping that juicy tidbit from me before hiring me as your personal photographer, my dear). Seriously, it's like leading the lamb to the slaughter. She acts like I'm going to harm her with my lens. AND she blinks. A LOT. Thank God for digital throwaway shots. 

Does this look like the face of cooperation to you?

Does this look like the face of cooperation to you? All joking aside, I am happy to be learning about and alongside this brave woman. She has stepped out in faith in a huge way. And even though the focus of this post has been "this lady," Michelle makes it very clear that Transforming Beauty is not about her. She is praying it will grow into a

"SISTERHOOD of women linking arms and joining hearts to journey into this organic adventure of faith that God has invited each of us to, personally and collectively." (from her blog at transformingbeauty.org)

I am intrigued and excited to see where God takes Transforming Beauty, and privileged to document as much of the journey as I am able. Here's hoping you'll come along for the ride.

Had to get a quick post in from my last shoot at STONES. Check out this guy's diamond nostrils, eyes, and horns (not to mention the bling on that clasp). You'll find some of the most unique and beautiful creations around at www.stones4hg.com. I never leave a shoot without a wish list for my hubby!