“Today’s the day.” I heard this voice softly whispering in my ear as I was heading to the Salt Lake City Airport to conclude a trip. The flight to Chicago was delayed. I knew this before I was picked up in the black Chevy Suburban that was arranged to drop me off at the airport. There was something so special about that morning. It was the morning I knew I was to be traveling to Chicago to drive the Chevy HHR home which was packed full of my stuff. I knew it was the start of the end of a journey that was months in the making. I was to be moving home after a very heartbreaking experience of learning how to Surrender to the Lord (See the Golden Key blog post for details).
The voice was very clear that that day was the day I was to be purchasing a camera after waiting for years for the right time. It wasn’t an impulsive feeling nor was it one of my bad financial decisions. No. This decision was clearly made by the Lord. I knew this because the feeling came from within and it just felt right and warm and fuzzy. There’s no other way to describe it. When I got to the gate at the airport, I opened my laptop and already knew what camera kit was to be mine. I pulled out my credit card, sat it on the table and made the phone call to my sister to see if she or my brother n law could pick it up for me. When she answered, I told her with pure joy that I was in the process of purchasing a camera. Caty, who was being careful with her words, asked me, “Krysti, are you sure this is the right decision? We just want to make sure you’re purchasing the right thing and doing it with careful consideration…” For a moment, I doubted myself and then the Lord pulled me back. He reminded me of the puzzle piece He’s been carefully constructing for years and years.
I’ve always loved photography and even went to a prestigious art school to study it. At one point in time, I was freelancing and working under a few photographers. However, I never owned my own gear. For some reason I’d always come up with an excuse as to why I wasn’t able to save the money to purchase one. The time never felt right or I was in a rebellious state of mind and blowing my cash to take vacations. I was never smart with my money and it’s still an area the Lord is working on.
When I became a follower of Jesus, I asked Him a few times, “Lord, will I ever get back into photography? And I would declare to Him, “Lord, it’s my desire to get a camera and begin shooting again.” Even in those months of fervently praying for a camera and asking Him for one, it didn’t feel right. When I got accepted to the World Race shortly thereafter, I had it in my mind that part of the cash I was to save for expenses would go towards buying one. I just never knew it would be as soon as that day in May.
So how did I ACTUALLY know that this camera was from the Lord? In the month of April, the Lord was walking me through this season of learning to surrender to Him and to trust that He’ll provide for each step of the way. By April, I had about $800-$900 saved up for a camera. Then about a month later I was able to purchase the $2,200 kit. So how in the heck did I go from $800 to $2,200 in a short time frame? Simple. By trusting the Holy Spirit that if anything is His will, I’ll surrender to Him and allow Him to work it all out.
Between April and May, I randomly got money from people who told me it wasn’t for my World Race Fund but for other things. The Lord even granted me with a random bonus on my paycheck. At the end of April, I had about $2,000 saved for a camera.
I bought the camera that day in May while waiting for the plane to board from Salt Lake City to Chicago with only $220 left to pay on it. As I was entering my credit card information, tears began to flow down my face. I couldn’t believe that I was actually getting my own equipment after waiting for a total of eight years for the right time. Mostly, I couldn’t believe the Lord provided the last $1,000 for the camera. He answered my prayer and brought me back to the one craft He gave me before I met Him. O! How He loves us! The moment itself was monumental and something I’ll never forget.
The flight landed three hours late in Chicago on Saturday. The plan for the night was to stay with a family who I’ve been fellowshipping with. I decided to stay with them for a day before I made the drive home to Charlotte Monday morning. Monday came and on his way into work, Stanley, felt in his heart to give me $100. The Lord never ceases to amaze me.
Now at this point, I only had $120 left to pay off the camera…
During the eighth hour of my drive to Charlotte, my brother n law, whose a videographer, asked me if I could help him on a shoot the next morning. I was reluctant because I knew I was scheduled to be getting in after midnight and also because that would be the first time I would use a camera in over two years. After a long moment of consideration, I agreed. I wasn’t expecting to be paid because I wanted to help him and after all he’s my brother. After the shoot he hands me $120…
Yes. $120!!!!!! $120!!!!!!
I mean c’mon you can’t make this stuff up! The Lord is beyond amazing.
When I say this camera is from the Lord, it’s a gift given to me by my father. Because of Him and Him alone, I was saved by grace. Because of Him and His endless love for me, He provided $1,000 to grant me a desire I’ve had for eight years. A desire that I’ve had well before I knew Him. If there’s one solid thing I’ve learned in these very short five months of waking with Him, it’s this: As His children, if we are able to fully give our hearts to Him, He will provide all of the desires of our hearts. The more we allow Him to take over our heart the more He can teach us. He’s the Lord of all and He’s able to do all things!
Love you all! Keep praying with your whole heart and giving your heart to the one who is the author and creator of your faith.
Until next time ??????
Krystina
***Side note: The camera was given to me by my Father in heaven to be in service to others the same way He’s in service to us. It is my sole intention to treat what was given to me in this same manner. Because of this, I’m offering FREE portrait sessions in exchange for donations to my World Race fund. You can opt to donate or if you can’t then don’t worry about it!!! Just be blessed with FREE portraits of your family, you, kids, dogs, etc. Message me if you’re interested and we can work something out!
***Camera is a beautiful Fujifilm XT-3.
