How Did FTL Workshop Come About? Greenville, NC Photographer

As many of you know, I am planning a workshop called For the Love.  It was idea that, I believe, dropped straight from heaven.  On the morning of Oct. 6, 2009 I was reading my bible and listening to worship music.  All of the sudden, it felt like God plugged me into His computer with a USB chord.  All of this information about a spiritual retreat/workshop began to flood into my brain.  It was really divine, actually.  I immediately grabbed my journal and began to write down all of this information.  Seriously…I’ve never experienced anything like it.

I’ve been asked many times if I was scared to take on such a risk.  To be honest, there wasn’t really a choice.  I knew that this was what God told me to do.  There was no question about it…no other option than to obey.

I immediately called my friend, Lauren Clark.  Lauren is a photographer in Texas that is loved by so many.  Her blog is addicting.  When you read it, you feel like you should be cuddled up in p.j.s on a couch chatting over a cup of coffee.  She has that way with people.  Just from reading her blog, you feel like her friend.

I felt in my heart that she was supposed to be a part of this workshop.  When I called, she was on her way back from the Marfa trip to Oregon.  Even though she was in an airport, she gave me her undivided attention as I began to fly through all of these details about this spiritual retreat/workshop.  I can only imagine how fast I was talking.  Without hesitation she agreed to be one of the teachers.  She has been a rock for me through this whole process.  I very thankful for our friendship.

During that conversation with Lauren, she mentioned a photographer in Dallas that she felt would be a good addition to our team (Erik Clausen- a.k.a. Poser).  So, I checked out his website and was floored!  His work was breathtaking.  To be honest, I was a little nervous about emailing him.

One night, I visited his website again and felt like I was supposed to drop him a line.  So, I simply filled out his contact form, explaining what the Lord laid on my heart.  I didn’t expect for him to respond.  Within 2 hours Erik responded.  I will never forget his response (I actually have it saved in my inbox).  He explained that the Lord told him to do a workshop just like this one several months ago.  He spoke to his pastor about it, but didn’t feel like it was the time for it.  He excitedly agreed to be a part of it.

It all fell into place…The vision came, the seeds were planted.

I will never forget the “high” I was on at the beginning stages of planning this workshop.  EVERYTHING was coming together.  It seemed so easy.  One day, towards the beginning of the planning process, I felt the Lord say, “don’t think that planning this workshop is going to be easy.  You are going to face a lot of opposition”.  I’m so thankful that I wrote that down, because the honeymoon phase was definitely over within a couple of weeks.

Reality. hit. hard.

What if no one comes?  What if forget something?  What if we don’t get enough people to meet the costs?  What if….what if….what if?

I felt like there was a HUGE mountain in front of me.  I’ve never experienced as much weight and pressure in my life!  I was terrified.  Seriously….Terrified.

So, I called Erik to explain what I was going through.  I needed someone to simply BELIEVE.  I needed someone to pray for me.  I needed someone to speak LIFE not DEATH.  Boy, am I glad that I contacted Erik.

When I called him, I began to ask all the “what ifs”.  I’m not sure if the following words are his exact words, but basically he immediately stopped me and asked “What God do you serve?  Do you serve a Father who would give their child a gift/idea and snatch it away?  Do you serve a small God?  No!  You serve a BIG God.  A victorious God.  A GOOD Father.”  Then he began to pray for me over the phone.  He doesn’t know this, but I was weeping.  I could feel the fear melting off of me.  He read Phillipians 4 to me.  This scripture has been my rock…

“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is FAR more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”   (Phillipians 4:6-7)

I was and still am so thankful for that phone conversation.

So, that is how this workshop came about.  I’m humbled that I’m a part of this wonderful workshop.  I can’t believe that it is only 12 days away.  I’m already excited about the next one (which will be in November!).

So, what is God telling you to do with your business?  What ideas has he given you?  Even if you aren’t a photographer, is there an idea/dream that seemed to big.  I bet that if you opened up about it, there would be others who would encourage you to take risks. Even if you aren’t going to For the Love Workshop, there is a group of believers that are ready to support you.  If you don’t know where to find them…I would start at For the Love’s facebook fan page.  Feel free to post your dreams and ask for others to give you advice.