emily peyton cook photography

 

Welcome to my blog! 

I'm Emily Peyton Cook, artist and photographer. If you want to know more about my faith, family, and photography, you've come to the right place. Along with postings from the studio, you'll also find excerpts about my relationship with God and my life as a mama of a funloving 3 year old boy and a sweet sweet baby girl.

this day in history...

Three years ago today, I became a mother. The time spent with him from that day to today has made me his "Mama." I've been "growing up" right along side him. I look at this picture and remember how happy, yet scared to death, I was to be holding that precious 8 lb, 14 oz baby. We survived! Jonah asked me last night with his sheepish grin, "Are you going to be sad I'm 3, Mama?" I exclaimed, "No way! I am so blessed that God has given you another healthy year with me." Thank you Lord for allowing me to borrow this boy from you to raise up for your kingdom and your glory. I pray He becomes a mighty man for You!

Now, off to decorate for his 3rd birthday party. And I really feel every 3 year old needs one of these. Hope it's not too late to find and assemble one...

updated website

I've been working on refreshing my website, blog, and everything else promotional in my world. Check it out when you get a chance. Maybe you'll spot someone you know. 

(click the photo to go to my site)

my 3:00

We beat the rain! I've been dreaming of this shot for a while. I saw a similar shot on pinterest. I knew I wanted to use balloons for Jonah's 3rd birthday shot because he is obsessed with flying, "jumping to the sky", etc. His imagination inspires me. It's been too cold and windy lately to get outdoors with balloons. It was 60 degrees here today so I finally had the chance to capture it.

$10 worth of balloons + a $20 basket + a $12 hat and a cute little boy under the hat = such a fun photo!

He's turning 3 next week! Can you believe it? I can't wait to see what The Lord has in store for this little guy. It's so much fun being his mom! 

life's a blur

I know these images are not tack sharp. But this is life right now.

Ever moving.

Ever changing.

Always beautiful. (In this one I see a glimpse of my baby boy's face within that little boy's face).

Sometimes surprising.

I'm a mom. Of 2 babies. And I'm enjoying it so much more this time around.

God's word will not return to Him empty

(This is a post I wrote for the community Bible study blog. Thought you would enjoy).

I heard this song today and thought of you.

Isaiah 55:10-11

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 

Lyrics to Bethany's song:

In the beginning was the Word
The Word was God
And put on flesh to dwell with us
In Him was the life
And the Life was the light of men
And it shines in the darkness

Even as the rain and snow come down....
And do not return empty....
Making it bear fruit and sprout....
So Your Word will be

For the Word is living and active
Like a sword, piercing the division
Of soul, marrow, and spirit

A light unto my path....
Strength to carry on....
The treasure I have found within....
Is hidden in my heart....

read this earlier today and thought of you

My child, never forget the things I have taught you. 
Store my commands in your heart. 
If you do this, you will live many years, 
and your life will be satisfying. 
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! 
Tie them around your neck as a reminder. 
Write them deep within your heart. 
Then you will find favor with both God and people, 
and you will earn a good reputation.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; 
do not depend on your own understanding. 
Seek his will in all you do, 
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:1-6 

 

job believed in Jesus

I wrote this today for the community bible study blog, but thought you might enjoy it, too.

Did you catch in yesterday's reading that Job looked forward to the Redeemer and even the resurection of the dead in Christ?

Job 19:25-27

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!"

Yes, Job, I, too, am overwhelmed at the thought of meeting my Savior face to face and even more overwhelmed that I will be resurected one day with a body that is imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:54). But, the thing is, I have heard the gospel. I know Jesus lived and what He did for me. Job, at that time did not have that information.

Before I read the Bible cover to cover, I always wondered how people in the Old Testament were "saved" or redeeemed or in my own lingo at the time "got to heaven." Just like Abraham, Job's faith was credited to him as righteousness. The people in the Old Testament looked forward to the cross for redemption just like we look back to the cross for redemption. They trusted God with the promise of the Redeemer (Jesus) that He gave back in the garden of Eden. Remember in Genesis 3: "He (Jesus) will crush your head, and you (Satan) will strike his heel.”

So, as you read, I want to encourage you to seek out that redemptive thread. Look for Jesus in every story. You will find Him there if you look hard enough. Your table leaders will be asking you questions that will help you see the thread of redemption in the Bible as we read through this year. Everyday, after you've read, ask yourself, what did that tell me about God?

I want to encourage you as you read. I know it can sometimes be tough, but stay the course and you will be rewarded with something that cannot be taken away from you. I am praying for you to hear from God, that you'll know His voice, and He will show you your place in His story.

In Christ alone,
Emily Cook

out of my comfort zone, inside the will of God

God: You should take this Chronological Bible Discipleship information to Tipton County to a multitude of women bigger than small groups.

Me: How am I going to do this, Lord? I don't have a place big enough. And Lord, remember, I'm not gifted at teaching. Who will teach the curriculum? Will I get ladies from Bellevue to lead a conference? Do I ask Donna and Iva to come to Tipton County to train women?

God: No, Emily. You are thinking in the physical world. Think spiritually. Trust me. I will show you the way. Just wait on me. My timing is perfect.

Me: O.K., Lord, I'll trust you with what my eyes can't see. Yes, Lord, I'm yours, I'll do it. I prayed. And I waited.

Mom: Lori Hawkins has a passion for women's ministry. Maybe you should contact her.

Me: "To Do List" item...email Lori.

Lori: Sure, let's have lunch.

Me: Kidney Stones, Stomach Virus, Kids get Stomach Virus, I Get Stomach Virus Again. Lord, do you really want me to meet with Lori? Please, allow this to happen.

Lori: Mono. Really!?

Old Town Hall Waitress: Can I take your order?

Lori/Emily: Chatting so fast about God they hardly hear her.

Lori: Jan. 10

Emily: Jan 10 it is. Thank you Lord for providing Lori.

God: Trust Me.

Emily: Wait. Anticipate. Wait. Anticipate.

Jan. 10, 2012

Tonight was out of my comfort zone, yet inside the will of God, my safe place. Yes, that's me on stage speaking.

Me. The one who started making worse grades in elementary school when I found out you had to give a speech at graduation if you were the top 3 "straight A" students.

Me who was too shy to light a candle at our "hanging of the greens" service at my church growing up.

God used me. Me, the most unlikely of public speaking candidates to introduce a new way of studying His word to my community. (Thank goodness God is using Lori to teach us. After my intro, she blew me away with the lecture time).

A community of believers who go to many different churches and come from different denomonations.

The picture you see above is the picture God gave me in my head the morning I was driving to CBD training in Memphis. The morning He called me to this thing that was bigger than anything I could accomplish, just so His glory could be displayed, His name known, His character revealed, and His redemptive plan of salvation shared with women hungry for His word, so that they might share it with those in their worlds, those I can not reach for Him.

As I looked out at that crowd through tears in my eyes, my faith became sight. Each woman sitting in those chairs is a part of His story and now they are connected to my story, too. This is a day in my faith life I'll never forget. This whole journey has strengthened my faith and brought me closer to my God. I can not wait to see the plans He will accomplish through this and how the name of Jesus will be magnified to many.

Two people received the redemptive plan of salvation tonight.

Angels rejoiced. It was worth saying "YES!" to God just for that.

God is good. He only does good. Do you know Him?

I hope you have the joy that I have inside. Glory to God. Goodnight.

Philippians 3:13
Emily

i've found a safe place

I've found a safe place...right in the center of God's will. Pray for me tonight as my faith becomes sight and women from my community, at large, corporately gather together to study God's word chronologically. It will be a transformational journey for all who choose to join us. Can't wait to see what God has for us this year!

Safe Place
(Karla Adolphe)

You whisper a song over me
I'm slow to answer slow to speak
I've found a safe place

How wide is your love
How high, how deep, it's untouched
And I'm not enough
I've found a safe place in you

Remember the day you called my name
I was a stranger in your house but just the same
I've found a safe place

You are the one my heart is waiting for
You are my treasure, you are the key, you are the door
You hold me tight, you hold me quiet, you hold me safe

georgia: 6 months

Georgia Caroline you are 6 months old! A half a year, I can't believe it!

-You weigh: 16 lbs and 3 oz and are 27 and 1/2 inches

-You are wearing 6-9 month dresses, 9-12 month separates (you are long waisted), and 12 month one piece clothing.

-You wear a size 3 diaper
-You wear a size 2 shoe.

-You take a short nap in the morning and a long afternoon nap at the same time as your brother (most days). You're starting to give up your late afternoon slumber.

-You will sit for a minute in your boppy, but aren't going to be as early of a sitter as your brother, I'm afraid.

-You have bronchialitus this month and are having to take breathing treatments.

-You are eating one jar of fruit with cereal around 11 and a jar of veggies at supper time
-You still laugh a lot...especially at your brother.

-You are rolling and scooting everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised at all if you crawled early since you've never had a problem with tummy time.

-You love to feel new textures and grasp at everything you can get your hands on.
-You love to chew on your hands, but still no teeth.
-You had so much fun at Christmas and were so well behaved. Everyone bragged on how sweet and content you were.

As I was staring at you sleeping last night I thanked God for sharing you with me. I prayed that He would continue to grow you into the person He has called you to be and I would be able to equip you to do His will.