Storm, rainbow, storm

Rainbow 3
Originally uploaded by Whitley

It's been raining all day and for the past few days. Gray skies and gloom. I have to be honest...after a while...it starts to get to you.

Then just moments ago, Daniel called from work saying, "Hey...go outside a minute. There's a rainbow outside." So Oli and I head outside and I don't see it.

Daniel: We can see the whole rainbow from here. Back up some and look towards the south.

Me: Umm..Don't see it.

Daniel: Keep looking.

Me: OH....I see it. Pretty. I didn't even realize it had stopped raining and that the sun had come out.

Daniel: Yup. Well, I had better get back to work, love you.

Me: Love you.

Oli and I gazed at it for a moment and as the wind blew, the dark clouds came over and it began to sprinkle again. However, as I was walking inside...there was still a smile left lingering on my face.

Almost instantly this parallel came to mind:
Sometimes we can be going through our darkest times. Day after day after day it's dark, gloomy and rainy!

While living in the gloomy...God gives you a glimpse of a rainbow and the skies clear. Sometimes you don't even notice that the rainbow is outside and that the skies have taken a breath. Often, God has to say:

"(enter your name here) take a look outside...the rain has stopped and a rainbow has been sent for you to gaze upon."

You say: Where, I don't see it.

God: Just take a couple steps back. You are way too close...you need a fresh perspective.

You say: I still don't see it. Oh...wait...now I see it. Wow...that's really amazing.

Sometimes the clear skies and rainbows last for a while and sometimes for only a moment. But as you walk by you've seen the rainbows and clear skies. You know that the gray skies won't last forever. You go back inside...and a smile lingers.

Isn't God good? He uses the ordinary things to speak to us. I'm so thankful..he speaks to us on a regular basis....but are we listening. (Check out Pastor Steven's message from this past Sunday at Elevation Church's website. Click here.)

Jeremiah...

At Elevation...we have been able to meet some of the most wonderful families. One of those families are the Haper's. Ray and Shauntona are amazing parents to the cutest little boy (next to my nephews, of course) named Jeremiah. He's got the sweetest face and disposition! While shooting the service at Elevation, we snapped a couple of shots of Jeremiah. He gave us a 5 second window of time...

I must make note that his mom tells us often that it's going to be soon for us to have a little Lanning running around. Not so sure about that one! We have plenty of nephews and a niece to keep us content for now!

Enjoy these snapshots of a cute little man!

He's so tough in this one (below)!
Time for chapstick!
...alas...on the run again!

The Perfectionist In Me.

The past couple of days I've had this kind of yearning....you know what I mean? The kind of yearning that inspires CHANGE! Let me go even further...and for my readers...let me be transparent .... I want to be the BEST at all I do. Know the feeling?

**I want to be the best wife** I have the best man, ever. Hands down. I want to be the best I can for him, for me...making our lives the most fulfilled they can be.

**I LONG to create photographs that will inspire, touch, and move those that gaze upon them.** I have been soaking up new concepts,new ideas, researching, and marveling at great photographers near and far . I'm longing for a great blog & website...I just want to be there NOW.

Yearning has been something I've been doing for a couple of weeks now...but I was even more encouraged at Elevation yesterday. Our Pastor spoke on an amazing topic of living inside the box rather than being frustrated by living outside it. When you live inside the box...you make your box larger! It's fabulous stuff...and it's sparked more and more thought about all of this yearning going on in the inside...you must check his sermon out here....go ahead..it's only 30 minutes or so...!

Joy...and happy sadness...

This week has been a wild one. But let me start with this. CONGRATS to the amazing job my Pastor did at Catalyst yesterday. He spoke to over 12,000 church staff/leaders encouraging them and giving them hope with no holes barred. I was unable to be there (that's the sad part)...but I was so proud that he was there with over 150 our staff/church members. What a defining moment in his life and the life of our church. I can say from experience, Pastor Furtick is so humble and longs that God be honored and followed through His word in everything that Elevation does as a church...and yesterday was no exception. Thank you Pastor for freely giving the way you did! Daniel and I are honored to be a part of Elevation Church!
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The joy...well...the joy comes from this angel below...I would like to introduce the newest member of our family. His name is Oliver Queen....but we'll call him 'Oli'. He's a maltese...5 months old...and is as gentle as a feather. We picked him out yesterday....he'll come home with us when we arrive back from California. Watch out..this kid has TONS of pictures coming our way :)



(Oli was named after 'The Green Arrow's' True Identity, Oliver Queen, from the series Smallville and the Justice League Comics. He's so sweet! Here's his first picture of many!)

Week 2

It's the beginning of week 2 as a full-time business owner/photographer! We've have had 2 engagement shoots and many more planned. Thank you Lord for providing!

I think one of the first things a full-time photog should do is have goals. If not, you are treading water. I started with..reviewing a mind-blowing book, E-Myth, by Michael E. Gerber. Check it out. It will revolutionize your way of thinking about small business.

The second thing I feel like a full-time photog should do is....well....network. I need relationships with vendors and other photographers. Thankfully I got a headstart... my friend and fellow photographer Cheyenne Schultz and her hubby have been SO generous with their time, resources and networking. I hope I'm able to help others they way they've so generously helped us.

It's also important to blog regularly. I think it's important to share honestly about photography, life and more. I don't think anyone can really understand our photography and our style if you don't know the role it plays in our everyday lives. So in an attempt to help anyone thinking about starting their own business, whether photography or not, here we go!!!!! Click here to see our latest photos!

**
Speaking of what's going on in our life....our Pastor, BROUGHT IT, on Sunday. We are in a series about relationships. It was real and honest...sure...when you tell the truth it can feel a bit uncomfortable...but don't let that stop you in your tracks, let it propel you to be challenged to be better. That's what his sermon did this Sunday. Go here to listen to it (it's week 4).

The Renewed Mind is the key....

Good Morning!

WOW! Last week as a blur!! I have had this post in draft mode for two days! I don't even know where to begin...but we'll do the quick rundown...
--Emergency Root Canal on Thursday- $1030
--Two engagement shoots on Friday & Saturday (Charlotte & Charleston)
--An amazing Sunday at Elevation with the beginning of our Visionary Love Dream Sex Series. Oh....you haven't heard about it? Click here.

(Designed by the talented Graphics Designer at Elevation Church.
--An amazing Sunday Night at the "Meet Pastor...Join a Community Group...Get on a Volunteer Team ..."
--My friend and volunteer extordinare, Brandi Jones, had a sweet baby girl, named Marley Paige.
--Reba, Daniel's sister is having a baby girl today (they've yet to reveal her name).
--My brother gets MARRIED this weekend.

God is so good! He has provided crazy strength for us..and we are excited about the weeks to come. Keep waiting for 4 weddings to be posted within the next week or so.

Below is a video sent from Geoff, our motion graphics staffer at Elevation. It's way funny...and yes....it's for real.

A Celebration!

Congrats to my WONDERFUL parents! Today they are celebrating 30 years of marriage!! I am so proud that my parents have loved each other, respected each other and stuck to it all of these years. My mother has taught me how to love a man...while my father has taught me how to be treated and loved. They have shown me what a loving relationship looks like. They've taught me what depending on Jesus looks like during the best of times and some of the darkest of times. I couldn't be more proud of my parents. I love them more than myself. **Pictures of them to come tonight**

Also...Daniel and I are so looking forward to going to the Free To Succeed photographers conference with David Jay tonight. Our new friend and talented photographer Cheyenne Schultz will be coming along as well. We can't wait to learn, soak it in and meet the people we admire in the photography realm. We are sad that we won't get to hear Jasmine* ...but it still is proving to be a fantastic asset for our photography!

One last thing...as we, at Elevation, are going through the Daniel fast...we are reading a chapter of John each day. We are on day 16...thus on John 16. There are a couple of things that stood out to me, that I would be amiss if I did not share. The first...I think its crazy that John 16:21-22 talk about giving birth to a child and how it's painful during, but you can get past that because of the joy of the child being born. Why is that crazy, because our Connections Pastor, Larry Brey, and his lovely wife Janet are having their baby girl, Daelyn today!!

On a serious note... John 16:33 it reads, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

A REAL Daniel Fast.

Starting on Sunday we at Elevation Church (staff, volunteer leaders, and others) were given the challenge by Pastor to begin a Daniel Fast for 21 Days. Honestly, I have never been more excited than I am now about being part of something so much bigger than myself. We are praying for MANY lives to be changed during our Gospel Series that begins this Sunday. I can't think of a better way to pray and give than by doing this. There are people in my life that I want to have 'Come and See' and I can't wait to watch God work in so many lives....

....not only are we fasting foods....but I am fasting my husband. (Not literally) Daniel is in Conway getting licensed in something for his job....and I didn't get to see him. So...I guess I am doing a Daniel fast in the true sense of the word!

**Keep your eye open for some bridal portraits today or tomorrow.**

get yours now!

At long last the Elevation Worship Cd, "We Are Alive" is now available on iTunes. Go get yours now and feel free to show some love for it by writing a review about it....

You can search for it on iTunes by the following keywords, "elevation worship we are alive" .

Speaking of Elevation Worship...continue to pray for our worship leader Wade Joye and his wife Ferris' twin girls. They have overcome insurmountable odds through the prayers of so many of you...We are believing for complete and total healing for them. Please visit here (Ferris' Blog) for detailed prayer requests and/or here (Wade's blog). They are both sharing very candidly this area of their life...and I believe that so many people will be inspired and changed by it.

Amazing Awakenings

Yesterday at Elevation Church we baptized over 400 people. In the last two weeks God has answered our prayers and baptized 1044 people! That's 1044 lives that God has forever changed. He did it. He receives all the glory.

Thank you Lord for caring about the numbers...because the numbers = people...and people matter. Thank you Lord for the movement that you are starting for this fall and for what's to come beyond. More pictures here (taken by Daniel)

Our bands did an amazing job this Sunday....and I felt when they did Healer, it was especially powerful. Click here to see it done by Hillsongs Live.

Sunday...lives were forever changed. That's what we were created to facilitiate....life-change opportunities. We don't do the life-changing, God does...and thank goodness for that...

Here are a few beautiful moments from our Providence Campus yesterday.

Sunday.

Yesterday was one of the most amazing Sunday's I have EVER been a part of at Elevation Church! Pastor Furtick unapologetically shared his message about why we should be baptized. He eliminated every possible excuse, reason and obstacle to keep someone that needed to be baptized from getting baptized.

God decided to just blow our socks out of the water...we baptized over 600 people. Yes, you heard me right 600 people! That's 600 lives He's (God) has forever changed that he can use. God did it. I'm amazed, in awe and so thankful that I get to witness what He's doing with my very own eyes.

Both Daniel & Sean Lyon photographed each and every person that got baptized. That way, we can send them the picture and they can remember it. Daniel still has his picuture up in our kitchen (where we spend the majority of our time:) and it reminds us of all that God is doing.

Here are some pictures Sean Lyon took at Butler and some that Daniel took at Providence. God rocks! He gets all of the glory...and His name will be made famous in all the earth.

Extreme Makover: Home Edition, Charlotte

Going tonight to see the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition house that's being built near our house in Charlotte. Did you know that Elevation is a partner in this? Click here to see the website.
More pictures to come. Awesomeness.

Chicken's Up!

Yeah...I love that phrase. My friends from undergrad would say it often...and well, it kind of stuck!

As promised..we have pictures from the 'Night at McGlohon'...Daniel gets the credit for taking these amazing pictures...I was the second shooter on this one....Nice work love!

Go here to see...






Also...from CD release Sunday...check out pictures from Providence (by Daniel) or Butler (by Sean Lyon)..they are great! Thanks guys for your time volunteering to do these pictures and cranking them out so quickly!!

Sun Stand Still.

Joshua 10 talks about a Sun Stand Still moment...a miracle that God performed for Joshua. You can check out our series of that here. One of the most monumental services our church has ever been a part of..

I have two life stories I want to share with you....but if you read these...I ask that you let them inspire you, encourage you to pray for them and feel free to keep up with them...

Wade & Ferris
I have the awesome privalege of working with Wade Joye. He is our Worship Pastor here at Elevation Church. He wrote the song that goes with the series mentioned in our first paragraph, Sun Stand Still (click here to read lyrics of song). Ferris, his wife was the talented graphic designer that created our logos for our photography business, The Beautiful Mess.

They recently found out that they were pregnant...then found out that they were pregnant with twin girls! Soon thereafter...they found out that their girls had some health problems...and through an unprecendented series of events...had an emergency C-Section...and had their baby girls Adleigh and Liana at 27 weeks. This all happened 3 weeks ago this Thursday.

Little did Wade realize that when God put the words to that song on their hearts that truly he and Ferris we're going to have to lean on them.
The girls are having a roller coaster day each day...but Wade and Ferris are convinced (as am I) that God is going to heal their babies and have them brought home earlier than anyone could have ever thought. God is using them in so many ways....check out Wade's blog here and Ferris' blog here...to get caught up...click on their archives....

Daniel and I have the awesome opportunity of photographing their sweet girls soon...we'll have those for you down the road...till then...here are a few shots taken by Ferris & Wade...


(Adleigh pictured above, Liana pictured below)


Ashley & Brian
I went to college with Ashley. She's a fun and energizing friend. We haven't seen one another since we graduated,but have kept up with one another on our blogs and e-mails. Ashley found out not too long ago that her husband has Lou Gehrig's Disease. Their local tv channel just did a piece about Brian. Click here to see that video. Please keep Brian and Ashley in your prayers.

God is Good!

Last night was incredible. We had our cd release at our a.m. services...and then had a full-blown release at, A Night at McGlohon Theater, with all of our volunteers, givers and small group leaders. There are not words to describe how fulfilling this night was. I felt so honored to be a part of the event. I have the best job in the world as Guest Services Director. Our AMAZING volunteers showed out in style....in fact...so much, that the police stopped by and asked if they had a permit to be out. Gail, one of our Greeter Leaders, had her team out welcoming, smiling and cheering on all of our guests outside as they were coming into the theater. They covered an ENTIRE city block. Gail responded by saying, "officer, is there something wrong"

The policeman said, "Man, we've had a couple of complaints that your people have been cheering to loudly, and it's causing a disturbance."

"Oh, I'm sorry officer, we are welcoming people, we aren't protesting." Gail said.

"Ma'am, with the amount of people you have out here, you are going to need a permit."

Gail responds kindly, "but we are welcoming people to our church."

"But you are organized..." says the policeman.

She smiles and responds, "You are right officer, we are organized. The next time we are out here, we'll be sure to have a permit." As he turns to leave, she says, "would you like to come inside and be a part of our service tonight?"

Of course, at this time, all of our staff, including me, that have heard the police were there...made there way to make sure that we had done all that we could do to comply. I can't tell you how rewarding it is for me as the Guest Services Director to have SO many willing volunteers that we need a permit to move forward! I was so proud of how great all of our volunteers worked to make the Night at McGlohon Theater such a special event!!!

Pictures from the night will be posted within the week...we (Daniel and I) are furiosly editing them! Great job to our creative/production department and Pastor Furtick for planning so well...and making the night SO special.

To download the cd go here. To download the chord charts...go here.

Please see post below too....

We Are Alive

Daniel and I are currently driving back from our mini-vacation in Hilton Head Island. We’re on 95 to be exact. We are listening to our church’s brand new cd (that will be released tomorrow) ‘We Are Alive.’ Pastor Furtick has said that these songs are our stones. Stones from what you may ask? When Israel crossed over the Jordan river, God instructed them to set up 12 stones as a continual remembrance of his miraculous power. Pastor Furtick couldn’t be more right.

As I listen to each song, I think of all that GOD has done for Elevation Church and I’m so thankful that he has allowed us to be a part of this movement. We are HIS humble servants and God, and God alone, receives all the glory for all we do and for ALL the lives that He is bringing to himself.

Lord, you are worthy. I am incapable of having the words to use to describe all that you are and All that you are worthy of and of all that you deserve.

Daniel and I would like to give Ryan Hollingsworth a big shout-out for the top-rate AMAZINGLY divine artwork for this album. When I get famous and sing ‘Legacy’, will you design my album work? 

Wade, Mack & Chris….God has rocked our socks off with this album and the songs in it. God couldn’t have chosen 3 more inspiring musicians!

Pastor Furtick’s song that he co-wrote with Carl Cartee, ‘Here in this Place,’ has me in tears every time I hear it. The lyrics couldn’t be more appropriate for what our church exists for. All of you that are reading this blog…you MUST get a hold of this album. Whether you attend Elevation or not….this music is right on.

Here In This Place
Lyrics & Music by Pastor Steven Furtick & Carl Cartee

This is a place for the broken
This is the hope of the world
Jesus, friend of sinners
Jesus, Savior
Here in this place mercy is flowing
Here in this place is the glory of God
All things are new in the presence of Jesus
Father we stand amazed
Here in this place

Meredith & Jack...

They dated off and on for 7 years....lots of good history as they grew up together...and this past Saturday we photographed Meredith & Jack's wedding. It was so fun....and the reception was in her parents large backyard. Equipped with gazebos, a large white tent, mesh set ups and in the pool a large 'W' with flowers and candles floating in the water. It was just beautiful. Just like Steel Magnolias, but without the 'bleeding armadillo.' We are working on editing their wedding pictures...but below is the bridal portrait she printed for the wedding. To see a few more (though not all) click here . (post continues below picture...)



At Elevation, our band preformed Robbie Seay Band's song, "Rise"....it was accompanied by an amazing video shot by our interns in Charlotte. It's powerful to say the least. I watched it 3 times and couldn't get enough of it. It's on our Producer's website.....Wes. Click here to go see it. It's amazing, really. (the video does not include Elevation Band's performance, but it's set to Robbie Seay Band doing it).

cacophonic...

It's a quiet night in the Lanning house...

So quiet I can hear the house creak.

Candice is away at a staff advance for 2 days so I'm home alone, lacking my best friend to have conversation with....need I say more?

I will.

This week our church is participating in a "kill the television" week. We're all keeping the tv off from Monday-Friday.

And if you still think it isn't quiet enough around the house...our loud and rowdy neighbors decided to take the night off and haven't made a sound...it could only happen when Candice is gone.

Yeah....I think I'll go find some chirping birds to invite into the house so I can have a little noise other than the occasional drip of the kitchen sink faucet (which I still need to fix)...or the ice maker in the fridge doing its thing every thirty minutes.

And while having the house so quiet can be strange and awkward at times (i'm too lazy to get my iPod out of the car), it's actually quite soothing. Living and working in the city can be so hectic and cacophonic (spell check doesn't like my adjustment to the english language...but I like the feel of the word) that days can go by before I really have an uninterrupted moment to just rest without any noise.

So here's to an awkwardly quiet night at home...hopefully I wake up to the alarm tomorrow without help from Candice.

No post should ever be without a picture....Enjoy.


I miss you, love.

Feeling Like a Failure?

I think there are times in our lives, more often than not, we are our own worst critic. I’m guilty of it. When I was part of the band at whatever place of life I was at, after every service, I’d listen to the playbacks…and instead of noticing the good parts…I focused on what was flawed.

We can put on an outfit that we feel great in. But notice that our stomach is muffin topping or that our hair is flat or something….It’s easy to pick out our flaws.

This past Sunday at Elevation (where I work) I was at the Providence campus. As Guest Services Director I’m over all campuses for the following areas: lobby, parking, ushers, First Impressions (bathrooms), and First Time Guests. That includes hundreds of peoples and leaders. When something goes wrong on Sunday…I have to make corrections and changes to it for the week coming up. Sometimes those mishaps happen before my very eyes, brought to me from another campus, or shown to me on the campus that I happen to be at.
A trap that I often fall into is that allow those mistakes own me. I had an epiphany on Sunday when someone was showing me something that was not running as it could have been….it was this, “Own every mistake, but don’t let every mistake own you.”
Freedom. Yes, that statement brings me freedom. It’s hard to not let our flaws, mistakes and mishaps own us. The solution: we should do all in our power to make things better, but don’t let them own you.

I pray that in your own life, you will own up to those things that you are responsible for in life…but don’t let them own you.

**Daniel and I had the privilege of being a part of the ‘Safe Journey’ Graduation. What an awesome time to be a part of what God is doing in the community. Click here to see a few of those pictures that we took.**

Pinned up on the inside!

I (Candice) have had several blogs pinned up on the inside of me the past couple of days...the way they used to be pinned up back in the days of my blog, "China Girl Quotes." I've had zero time to post....but today...I'm going to share some and hopefully share some tomorrow as well.

Let me first say...it's quite an experience for me doing Guest Services at Elevation Church. I've always considered myself a leader. But a real leader doesn't just lead people, they also lead other leaders. What's the difference, you may ask? Well...there are people and volunteers that just enjoy being led, shown where to go and they will own whatever you ask of them...but leaders...are different.

When leading a leader you will need to provide the why's, how come's and more. Leaders think of all of the detail that it takes to pull something off--not just the task. Leaders see the bigger picture and realizes the sacrifice that it will take to get there. Leaders look out for their teams and the best interest of the ministry itself and of those following.

I never in a million years would have guessed that God would have placed me in a position to lead leaders...but I am being stretched and challenged every step of the way. It's exciting and frustrating at the same time. If you are leading leaders, I imagine that you will feel some of the same things--but in the end, when you ask leaders to take a risk with you for a vision bigger than yourself, if they are the right leaders--they will go there with you. BUT....not without the 'why'.

Let me encourage you to not be discouraged by leaders needing to know the why--lead them in a way that they have confidence in the vision that you are placing before them.

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In a personal note...Happy 77th Birthday Pa! I love you so much and wish we lived closer. His birthday was actually June 3rd...but I'm posting it late...