Thank you SO much to everyone who took time to ponder the question, “Describe a time when you felt most alive?” We loved reading all your stories, that were all so full of unique and inspiring moments. But, we have to pick a winner, so here we go…
First, a few that we really liked and are worth giving mention to…
Stephanie
“I have been pondering this question for a couple days now, since I first saw that you had posted it. I struggle in finding the words to clearly express when I feel the most alive. I feel alive when I’m riding a horse and the wind is in my hair and I’m totally reliant on the horse as it takes each stride. I always feel alive and grateful each and every morning that I wake up and find that I have another day to be Madison’s mother and Alex’s wife. I try to savor every moment, but I also have a unique lifestyle and I think I’ll write about that for now. Being a proud Marine Corps Wife is the start of it. Almost six years ago, I started on this journey called being a “military spouse.” On this journey we had our first cross country move, had our sweet Madison, have made some amazing friends, have moved 5 times (living in 3 different states), and have watched God change our hearts. God has impressed upon us that we need to help create a community in our home for all of these people who are so far away from their homes and have their husbands deploy on a regular basis. I feel so alive when I am entertaining and helping other military families feel loved. I know that this is where God wants me. Now that we have recently moved, I am waiting for God to reveal who it is I am to reach out to, which in and of itself fills me with life.”
{Sarah’s thoughts: I liked the greater perspective you shared on what could be seen by many as an unfortunate way to live…moving around as much as you guys have. Your heart for others is so admirable.}
Jessica
“Feeling “alive” has been fostered through some of the most defining moments in my life. These moments have made me feel “human” and “alive” in a way that is hard to comprehend fully. There are moments that consist of pure joy and other moments of utter devastation. Life-changing moments: Finding Joy…Marrying my best friend, who is a daily reflection of what it truly means to serve and help those in need; The birth of my children, who fill my heart so full of love, that I think it might explode with each smile and laugh. Difficult Moments… Losing my best friend when I was in Junior High; Being evacuated from the Capitol Building on 9/11; Listening to my mom tell me she has cancer. Each defining moment, whether tragic or joyous…is a reminder to live life to the fullest and not to take anything for granted.”
{Derek’s thoughts: Having had some high highs and low lows over the last few years, I definitely resonated with this one. Life isn’t about avoiding painful circumstances, but being refined by them as much as the joyful ones.}
J.Shipley
“As my family and i sat around the kitchen table at my grandparent’s home feasting on thanksgiving leftovers, we laughed, we cried, and we chuckled. you know the kind of laughter…the kind when you can barely breathe, and your eyes well up with tears and you find yourself rolling around in your chair or sometimes even on the floor. all of which makes you laugh even harder. and when you finally catch your breath, your stomach hurts and you have tears steaming down your cheeks. well that kind of laughter happened that day. we were laughing and telling stories and doing as families do. we were talking about funny sounds and faces, which is a huge shipley thing, but my mom always refuses to participate. until that day. my dad asked her to do “flat lip” and she did in on command. and i’m not sure i’ve ever laughed harder in my life. and i was not alone. my entire family was on the floor laughing hysterically. everyone was laughing so hard he or she was crying. and my mom was “vibrating” –no sound just vibrations of laughter. i am thankful for that moment in my grandma’s kitchen when all was right with the world. we were full of turkey and full of laughter and joy. and in that moment, i found myself thankful and i felt most alive.”
{Sarah’s thoughts: This one made me laugh just getting a visual for the family time described here. I also relate to this because I too have had many fond memories with my relatives over holiday meals…laughing, sharing and enjoying being a family.}
Erin Hamilton
“Every year the City of Whittier, and many surrounding cities host a Relay for Life. In the past, I have lost an aunt and a dear close friend to cancer. Just last year, my mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Thankfully the Doctors caught it early and my mother is now in remission after a short radiation treatment. Last year at the Whittier Relay for Life in June, I walked around the track during the Luminaria ceremony. As the hosts of the Relay read names of those who have lost their lives to cancer and the bag pipes played, the hundreds of us walked the track remembering them in silence. I have never felt more alive because here I was walking a track healthy as God has blessed me to be, but my ears kept hearing the names of those who have passed on from something so horrible. To keep the memories of my Aunt and close friend alive I walk the Relay for Life. And as a tribute to my mother, I walk the Relay for Life. And to remember how alive and healthy I am, I again, will walk the Relay for Life on June 18, 2010 and for many years to come.”
{Derek’s thoughts: Something I’ve always admired is the camaraderie among cancer victims; it manages to cut across all economic and social lines. The pain, joy, and victory is the same for everyone.}
And now for our winners…
Vy
“Morning.
The sunlight’s growing glow behind the blinds
The vroom vroom of cars rushing by on the busy street below.
Next to him, I am.
I sneak a peek through sleepy eyes to find him.
Stretch and pull the blankets up close and around us.
He peeks back, and smiles… most of the time.
And I am happy.
I use my special improvised sign language.
Because I’m not yet ready for words.
To tell him my thoughts and answer his questions and to tell him I love him.
He guesses. Silly guesses. And I am ecstatic.
The quiet moments are broken with laughter.
We grab each other, hard and squeeze.
Brush, nuzzle, sniff, smack, smooch.
I am in love.”
{Sarah’s thoughts: this one was sweet, well said and created a very fun, playful picture of what it feels like to be alive day to day for those of us blessed enough to be in love.}
Taryn
“The time when I felt the most alive was during a winter night up at a ranch in the Sequoia National Forest. The air was frigid, the snow was falling, and my seven-year-old eyes were wandering everywhere. I had recently left my seat by a bonfire next to a lake, and decided to walk over to the horse stables to see if they really did sleep while standing. I stood next to the horses, who actually happened to still be awake to my disappointment. Their heavy, warm breath was heating up the air, bringing about what I thought at the time were mini clouds coming from within. It only took one glance up into the sky for me to become hooked to the numerous amounts of stars. I come from Los Angeles, and had always assumed that the stars I saw on an average city would be finite. To look back at those nights, and then look back up at the sky to remind myself of where I was in that moment was incredible. That was the moment I realized there was so much beauty that was impossible to reach but incredible to admire from afar. The night I first saw the stars spreading across the midnight winter sky was the night I felt the most alive. I never go a moment without missing the night sky painted with sparkling stars, just like a black canvas shrouded with glitter.”
{Derek’s thoughts- when read this, the visual imagery stood out to me like a movie. It sounds almost magical- what an awesome childhood memory to have!}
Christina H.
“When I asked myself when was a time I felt most alive, the answer overwhelmed me. Currently my husband (Jason) is in the process of adopting my son from a previous marriage. Typically I would not imagine a meeting in the court with investigators to be an “alive” moment but it was. Part of the very long process involves interviews with court investigators who either recommend for or against the adoption. It was during our last interview where I had “the” moment. The investigators had been asking Jason very simple, factual questions like the date of our marriage, etc. Then they asked him, “Why do you want to adopt Tristan?” Jason was caught off guard and instantly he choked up. So much so he couldn’t speak. When he could finally clear his throat and wiped the tears away, he said, “Because I love him!” It was such a simple answer but it also said so much. So many emotions raced inside of me. I was happy, relieved, thankful and I was ALIVE inside. There’s obviously more to the adoption story and it has been a rough road… but in that moment I knew it was all worth it. Hopefully by the end of the summer it will be official and both of my kids can say they have one of the best dads ever 
”
{Derek’s thoughts: This story really touched me; I love the simplicity of his answer. Most men have a hard time expressing their emotions, but when they do, it runs deep.}
Vy, Taryn, and Christina H- Please send us an email with your address and let us know if you’d like an Itunes, Starbucks, or Coldstone gift card sent your way! chat@frenzelphotographers.com
And THE winner for a session with Frenzel Photographers is…
Shelly
“The time I felt most alive is very easy to pinpoint. I was standing atop a mountain in Kathmandu, Nepal, overlooking rice patties, tiered hillside, and women walking with babies strapped to their backs and carrying large baskets on their heads. In awe of God’s creation, and for the first time in my life, I was able to see the bigger picture. It wasn’t about me. I was almost breathless as I realized that God hadn’t brought me to Nepal to help orphans and love lepers. He had brought me all the way to Nepal to show me Himself. At that very moment. I was alive.”
{Sarah’s thoughts: This one stood out to me immediately…it is simple, but so deep. And I really liked the depth of the experience she shared…that life is about SO much more than ourselves. I think that every experience when we feel most alive involves the greater, “it’s not all about me” perspective.}
{Derek’s thoughts: This story reminded me of Elijah in 1 Kings 11:12. God didn’t speak to Elijah in a raging fire, great earthquake, or powerful wind, but rather a gentle whisper. So often we expect that God has led us through certain circumstances for one purpose only to find that he had completely different plans- almost like a blindside. But in reality, it was His plan all along- we blindside ourselves. For me, it’s easy to get focused on what I am doing for God and not who I am before God. But when all of the business of life is stripped away, and the “fires” and “earthquakes” subside and I listen for the gentle whisper, I also feel most alive in the presence of my creator.}
Shelly- email us and we’ll get you scheduled for your session!!
Thanks again everyone! And since no blog post in complete without a picture, here’s Raylee feeling most alive!
And stay tuned for 3 weddings and a few other shoots coming soon! Happy Thursday all!
by Derek & Sarah
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