emily peyton cook photography

I am Emily. I am wife to Zach, mama to Jonah and Georgia, and photographer to many amazing families. I love Jesus and am seeking daily to know Him more and live life intentionally for His Kingdom.

This blog was created (5) years ago to serve as a marketing tool for my photography business. It quickly turned into a place for me to document my growing faith and family. The past two years, less of my photography work has been posted and more of my faith walk. It has become a springboard for ministry opportunities I never imagined. You can read about my journey on these pages.

From this day on, I will primarily be posting on how I see the world "Through the Lens of Faith." Thank you to all of my loyal readers and supporters. I enjoy reading each of your comments. If you have any bibical topics you would like for me to cover, contact me at epcphotography@gmail.com.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

from something, for something

Ephesians 2

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

We were born children of wrath destined for hell and a life of reeking havoc on the way.

But God...

 because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

By trusting in Him, taking His outstretched hand extended in salvation, I was saved by grace from something, for something.

I was saved from hell, not for the location of heaven, but for good works and eternity seated in heavenly places with Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 We were saved from an eternity of separation from God, for an abundant life walking with God, and we get to be in on the good works He is doing here on earth with the bright hope of heaven with Him, in praise and worship to Him forever.

Our hope of heaven is God not the location. Our hope is the Giver not the gift.

God has to be enough. If we long for paradise, worldly pleasures, or even people, we are no better than the walking dead idolaters we once were prior to salvation.

May we, especially with our children, stop presenting heaven plus God and put Him in His proper place. May we exalt Him in our daily lives so much so that the world would know that just as a family makes a house a home, God is heaven not the other way around.

Let's not invite people to heaven, but invite them to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

The joy set before him=The Father

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in [me] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

Psalm 30:1-12
I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.” You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

busy, busy, busy

Since the last weekend in April we have been busy, busy, busy. This is quite a schedule change for homebodies like us. We've decided to enjoy the ride since our calendars don't seem to be easing up any time soon. 

April 26 kicked it off with a deacon/deacon wives retreat at our church. We had a fabulous meal and heard from a wonderful biblical speaker as we fellowshiped with some wonderful friends. 

That following Sunday, I filled in to teach Sunday school for my friend who was  on a mission trip. I taught a group of High School Seniors on the topic, "Share Jesus." It was a wonderful time and the Lord had totally prepared me to teach that day. Zach also filled in teaching for our young married class as our main teacher was out that day. 

The following week was Muffins with Mom, National Day of Prayer, and "Jesus Storytime." This was Zach's 2nd year to organize the national day of prayer. He did a wonderful job and I got to watch first hand how God chose men and women to pray for our nation that day. It was a perfect day, overcast and no humidity. As I sat on a park bench listening to one man ask God to raise up prophets from children in this next generation a gentle breeze blew around me as my head was bowed and my eyes were closed. I couldn't help but hope that that was the Spirit of God confirming to me that he has a plan for my children to be used to make much of His name in their day.

The azaleas were also in full bloom this particular week, so I was very busy at work.

Storytime went well and we were overjoyed that God provided the use of a local theatre, The Ritz, since it was cool and wet outside. We had about 40 children and their families in attendance. 

The following week was full of practices and dress rehearsals for Jonah's violin graduation and recital. He did great! He played to the best of his ability....until his hands got tired at the exact moment he was featured on the jumbo tron! HA! It looked like he was waving at the camera. : )

He received his first award and as we were leaving he told a little girl (probably 10 years old), "you did a great job." ; )

Yesterday was Mother's Day. We celebrated on Saturday with my family and a fish fry. On Sunday we went to church and visited with Zach's side at lunch. 

(In my new Matilda Jane dress I got for Mother's Day). 

Thursday, Zach and I leave for the "Teaching them Diligently" conference in Nashville followed by a Parent Practicum for Classical Conversations, the program Jonah will be entering in August. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I will sit under teaching to prepare to be a classically minded educator while the kids attend a Classical Conversations camp. My friend and her girls are going with us and I couldn't be more excited!

Next Thursday, I have the "Friends and Neighbors" banquet to attend at Covington Assembly with some awesome friends who I serve alongside in ministry. And then...Memorial Day Weekend! We are hoping to head to the lake!

June 1 we have another "Jesus Storytime" (mark your calendars). June 2 we have a Deacon's/Deacon's wives prayer time after church. I always look forward to this time with our pastor's wife and the chairman of the deacon's wife. I always learn so much and leave so encouraged!

June 7 we have our monthly dinner date with the Napier's. On that next Monday through Friday we have Camp Outrageous (VBS) at church. I am helping teach 2nd grade again this year. And after that wraps up on Friday, the next day we leave for the BEACH!! I have my beach sessions fully booked and couldn't be more blessed! We'll have a weekend off and then it's time to celebrate Georgia's 2nd birthday!!

The following Wednesday we'll leave for my cousin Mallory's wedding in Atlanta. We are hoping to make a stop by the American Girl store for the birthday girl! Jonah will be the ring bearer (a first for him). We are looking forward to this family ROAD TRIP!

And that rounds out our summer activities. From that point on I'll be preparing to start classically educating Jonah for 4K. Classical Conversations begins Aug. 12! : )

storytime at the ritz this Saturday!!

ATTENTION! Due to inclimate weather on Saturday, we are pleased to announce that StoryTime will be meeting at 10 a.m. in the RITZ THEATRE at 126 W. Liberty in Covington, right down the hill from the park on the square with a FREE lunch immediately following. We thank God for providing us with this wonderful location to serve you and your children this week! Please, help us spread the word! : )

muffins with mom

We celebrated Mother's Day a little early this morning at Jonah's school. (Georgia stayed home with Daddy, but she wanted to be in our picture. This is how she is dressed most days when we take "Bubba" to school). : )

We had cupcakes and he gave me this plate that he made for me. How sweet!

Then I got back to the studio and someone had messaged me this music video. It was such a perfect song for today and was a true encouragement to me. I hope you'll enjoy it, too.

my heartbeat

This morning, I reached over to stretch and felt a book laying beside me. As my eyes adjusted, I realized it was an old copy of the Bible. I have no idea how it got there as I haven't read this particular version in a year or so. I must have gotten up during the storm and grabbed it subconsciously. Later as I gathered my quiet time materials and opened my study Bible, today's reading featured this verse from Psalm 16:7:

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Praise God that I woke up with a Bible beside me after a night of storms. If nothing else, for me this was a picture of how I should run to His word during the storms of life. 

Today's post from Iva May echoes my heartbeat and passion for the Bible as THE tool for training up others in the faith. Return to God's inexhaustible (Romans 11:33) Word!

"David responds to this appalling lack of Bible literacy. He lists four reasons why every generation must teach the following generation their history and solid theology (Psalm 78:7-8):
1. So that they would put their trust in the God
2. So that they would not forget His deeds
3. So that they would keep His commands.
4. So that they would not be like their forefathers--a stubborn and rebellious generation whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him.

Many church leaders (Sunday school teachers, small group leaders, etc.) are substituting good books written by popular Christian authors for the Bible. It shouldn't surprise us, therefore, that Barna Research Institute reveals that only 7% of Evangelical church pew members have a Biblical worldview. Just as people cannot maintain proper physical health by skipping meals entirely and living totally dependent upon vitamin supplements, so believers cannot maintain spiritual health without knowing the history of God's people and the theology embedded within the stories of the Bible.

Good books are just that--good books; they are supplements to the Word of God, not substitutes for the Word of God. Every generation must know the Word--which means I must be involved in Bible literacy (intentional growth in my own knowledge of the Word), in teaching the next generation the Word of God."

how I met your father

Kids,

It was the Spring of 1996. After a failed attempt the previous autumn to get the hint to your dad that I liked him, I had given up that we'd ever have a date. But, God and your Aunt Laura had other plans.

The weather was crisp, but comfortable, a perfect night for a high school baseball game. I tagged along with friends to Baltzer Field to cheer on the Chargers. After consuming my weight in coke, blow pops, popcorn, and m & m's from the concession stand and giggling with the girls all the way through the game, Gigi picked me up to take me home.

About as soon as we walked through the door, the phone rang and it was Aunt Laura, "Hey, want to spend the night with me?" "I just got home." I thought, but I would never turn down an opportunity to hang out at Aunt Laura's. [And my mind is fuzzy, but I think she may have mentioned that your dad and some of his friends wanted to hang out] I sheepishly asked Gigi if she'd take me over to the Glass's. She said, "Sure!" 

So, we loaded up and headed to Countrywood Cove. I busted through their front door without knocking, as was my custom (behavior learned from best friends on 80's and 90's sitcoms). I yelled, "Laura. (no answer). Laura! (still no answer). I walked out back by the pool and there was your dad sitting at a patio table with candles lit (Aunt Laura's arranging, mind you). I wondered, "What is he doing here?" A set up wasn't my first inclination. 

I sat, we chatted and later I found out she had called your dad to tell him I wanted to see him and as you can see, she failed to share the message with me...she knew my heart. ; )

So, the following week, Dad called me every night except for one (and I freaked out, but he was just studying for a test). The following Friday, seventeen years ago today, after another long baseball game, seeking quiet from my noisy friends, I hid in my closet with a portable telephone as your dad asked permission to "ask me a question." From that night on until June 26, 2004 he was my boyfriend and the rest of the story is the stuff great books and movies are made of. 

April 26, 1996 will forever put a smile on my face as I remember the the angel who set the ball into motion, the butterflies, and the dimple faced, charger uniform wearing boy I'd admired since the carpool line in 1987, finally smiling back at me. 

So, kids, that's how I met your father. 

the two faces of facebook

Last night I had a Christian women's fellowship at my house. After everyone left and I settled in wide awake from caffeine and staring at the ceiling surrounded by the roar of the snores, I thought of something. As I panned around the room in my mind's eye recalling every lovely face circling my living room, I  realized if it weren't for facebook, the night wouldn't have happened. 

And that's when I realized the necesary evil of facebook can bring about So. Much. Good. when used in the right way with a heart after God's. 

I've read some interesting articles on social media lately mostly directed at parents of tweens and teens, but thought provoking none the less. Read them here, here, here, and my favorite, here.

My first reaction, as a parent, was disturbed. Some of these articles referenced young teens and preteens with instagram and social media accounts. The inner panic began to take over as to how you diligently monitor that and protect their eyes and hearts during that character shaping time in their lives.

Recently, I was searching for sibling photos of my sister to post on social media for "sibling day" and couldn't find an acceptable one to post from our preteen-early teen years. Who wants that awkwardness revisited?? Middle schoolers may someday regret having all those "selfie" photos out there for the world to see. 

But, I digress. Since my children are in the preschool and toddler phases, I decided not to freak out too much and to  just cross that bridge cautiously when I get there. Instead I began to think of the impact of social media on my own life and whether I just needed to give it up all together. I have such a love/hate relationship with the whole phenomena.  

I remember when I first heard about facebook, via my sister, during her college years. There was this term "wall," as in "He wrote on her wall." (Literally thinking me was picturing a website where graffiti was posted on someone's profile page; )). In this particular conversation, it was a negative use of facebook, a degrading comment left on a "friend's" "wall" for all her "friends" to see. 

I wondered why in the world anyone would want to sign up for facebook. 

Fast forward to a year or two later, I was sitting at my kitchen table (according to facebook October 27, 2006), creating a facebook account while wincing. From the looks of my facebook archive, I didn't make a post for an entire YEAR! I was afraid of it...seriously. 

After that year passed, facebook had a little bar at the top that said, Emily is...and I'd fill in the blank with all of my pre-kid daily activities [a little embarrassing looking back on it, but hey, I only had about 200 "friends" then]. 

Then Jonah arrived and facebook became a great way to chat about his milestones interact with other moms and keep a record of all my cute pics of my new baby. I have loved having all of those on-line albums to look back on and wax nostalgic. Posting quick pictures and sentiments was easier than blogging daily with a new baby. 

Then, facebook took the "Emily is..." away and the "status box" for me became more of a statement box. I became convicted that there was a lot of negativity on facebook and it needed penetrating with light. So, I began to share out of the overflow of my daily quiet time the thoughts and verses the Lord laid on my heart. Facebook has been a great tool for encouraging others and sharing the gospel to the glory of God. I believe more Christians should use it as an evangelistic tool. 

So, where do I stand today? On my end, I have been trying to strike a balance in my posting of encouraging words, convicting passages, and the-mom-life. 

Some days I am tempted to give it up completely when I see the spammy material in my news feed, TMI posts and pics, and negativity. Honestly, I avoid the news feed at all costs some days. 

I know facebook can expose heart issues as referenced in the article above; covetousness, jealousy, gossip, and pride to name a few. Facebook, like many other things in this world, is not the evil, our hearts are. 

On one side of the coin:
-My posts or lack there of on Facebook have caused me to be "defriended" by family members (that makes for awkward Christmas dinners).

-I have had my feelings hurt (which always led me to reevaluate where my provision comes from, God or man which ultimately led to repentance and growth).

But, on the other side of the coin:

-I have made real life friends I never would have known apart from social media. The way it usually works is I'll meet an acquaintance through work or bible study and get to know them through their posts on facebook. Then, I think, you know, they'd be pretty fun to hang out with and a night like last night happens.

-Out of the mouth the heart speaks. Facebook posts say a lot about the person and much of the time you can judge a "friend" by their "updates", or at least if they stand for the things you do. I am to the point in my life when I want to be surrounded by people who want to know God or grow in God. I don't have much social time to speak of and when I do hang out with friends I want it to count for the Kingdom. Facebook has been a great discipleship magnet in this respect.

-I know that there are complaints that people only show the good sides of their lives on social media and blogs and don't air out the messy parts of their lives. In my case, a rule from the beginning has been to "keep it positive." My dad always told me "there's enough negative in the world without having to contribute to it." I agree. The big picture of my life is so joyful, so blessed, so wonderful because God has allowed me to see it that way and that's what I want the world to see. We've had our share of loss and sadness in my life, you've read about it here. But, there is always more than one way of looking at things. I adore my husband, my children, and my cottage in the church district. My life is not perfect, we have sad days, we take things out on each other, my kids throw fits, and somedays my bedroom closes in on me so much, as the "catch-all" room, I want to SCREAM. That's my life, but it's a good one and I thank God for these imperfect people that love this mess of a mama and share these status worthy moments with me. 

Today, I'll choose to count facebook as a blessing as God sent me real life friends from virtual ones. 

running

When I was editing images today and ran across this one, I immediately thought, "This is me." Not literally of course, but this picture describes how I've been feeling on the inside this week. 

I am a runner. Not the kind of runner you are thinking, my clumsiness keeps me from athletics. When I try to run the race of life on my own, I get fearful and I want to run away and hide from this crazy world. But when I run with Christ, for Christ, to Christ, He is my strong tower and I am safe. With all of the chaos that has transpired in America this week, I've found myself running, but with joy, to the word of God. At night, instead of turning on the news, I've been running to truth, running to Jesus for comfort so that I can have the strength to run this race of faith for Him with endurance and not grow weary. 

Isn't that where He wants us to be? Looking to Him to be our one and only Savior, Source of joy, and Security. And one day, one glorious day, I picture myself running, just like Olivia is in this picture, into His open arms, for eternity.

maddie is five

Maddie Kate and her family have been with me since Maddie was 3 months old. Maddie was one of my very first baby planners after I quit my full time job to be a full time photographer. I didn't know them then apart from my business, but they have become great friends over the passing years as we've both watched Maddie grow up. I am so grateful for the clients who've supported me from the beginning and by allowing me to photograph their families year after year they enable me to do the job I've always dreamed of doing. 

For these clients I prayed in 2008, before a single one walked through my door and God answered my prayer abundantly. Because of that I have gotten to meet some awesome people and document the lives of some pretty spectacular kids, including Maddie.

Five years! I can't believe it. 

knock knock jokes, inside jokes, and kid humor, oh my!

Some things I'm loving about this stage in our kids' lives.

1. When I let my mind wander and waste time wanting a bigger house with more storage for our stuff and a room a piece for Jonah and Georgia, I stop and remember what would be missing if they didn't share a room. Every night before they go to sleep, they tell each other knock knock jokes. They giggle them selves to sleep with "Banana. Banana who?" And some days, the first words out of Georgia's mouth when she wakes are "Knock, knock."

2. They share inside jokes and words such as "malicious" instead of "delicious." They say that word and laugh in the way only siblings do when they think they have an inside joke that no one else knows.

3. They are best friends. When Jonah goes to school, Georgia goes around saying, "Jonah, where are you?" Today, he's feeling under the weather and wanted to lay down in his bed at 10 a.m., not our normal nap time. I tucked him in and Georgia raised her arms up to me and said, "Blankie and stars." (Her phrase for I want to go to bed. She has a blankie she loves and a pillow pet that projects stars on the ceiling. Jonah got one for his birthday and she had to have one like it. She begged for his every night). I think it's so cute how she doesn't want to be out of his sight.

4. Georgia's cute phrases. "Cinderella Dress:" her nightgown she wants to wear 24/7 "Diapa Change:" 2nd words out of her mouth when she wakes. ; ) "Bible Stowy and Pray":" She asks for both most every day. "Bow Hair:" 3rd phrase out of her mouth when she wakes, says her knock knock joke and has her diaper changed, she wants a bow in her hair. Ha! "Vio-lin Moozic:" She identifies violin songs from our Suzuki album. When Jonah practices she vocalizes the "Mississippi-Hot-Dog" phrase that he has to remember to keep time with the music. She's learning right along with him. "Mat Sat, Mommy?:" When she wants to play the "Bob" app on my phone. She said, "I love you, Mommy." for the first time at StoryTime. She also is starting to speak more full sentences like, "What's that sound, Mommy?" when she hears a garbage truck or train. All in all, she is in the cutest stage yet, but don't I always say that! Being a mom is work but so rewarding! She is also the most polite 21 month old baby I've ever known. She says "Please, Mommy?" and "Thank you, Mommy." at the appropriate times.

My children love each other, they aggrivate one another, but over all they enjoy time together and that is a direct answer to prayer.