Give this a try, it just might uplift your day!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! We sure did! Our baby boy is officially 6 months (as of yesterday) and finally started crawling, and he's been sleeping a little better in the night. That means more sleep for me and the hubby! Woohoo!

But anywhoo...

I was contemplating what to write about when I came across a video clip from Joyce Meyer--I love her! She's so relatable.

She talks about doing a 1 year challenge of giving thanks. It started back in December of last year, BUT it's never too late to start giving thanks!

I have a nudging on my heart to participate in this challenge. So, starting today (tonight) I'm going to do it!

I think this will help me refocus my days (and attitude) on being grateful for what God has given me. I honestly believe this will make your day a bit more joyful.

Follow me on Instagram (@benpark.studios), to see each day what I'm thankful for!

I'd love for you all to join me in this challenge if haven't started it. And if you did start, but fell off for awhile, then here's your chance to start back up or start over again.

Don't forget to tag me in your photos so I can see what you guys are thankful for and use the hashtag #LetsShareTheJoy


Today, I am thankful for family who is super supportive and helps me when I need it. God knew what He was doing when He placed me with them!

photo credit: Jessica Crews Photography | http://jessica-crews.com

photo credit: Jessica Crews Photography | http://jessica-crews.com

It's Finally Happening!!

Hellooooo world,

Okay. So I am all kinds of excited...you just don't even know! Do you want to know why?? Well I'm glad you asked!

Yesterday was a big day for me. I'm talking Washington Monument kind of big!

Okay...I'm honestly over exaggerating but, it still was a great day! Last week, I FINALLY ordered some new camera equipment. And let me just say, it has been loooong overdue. But the day has finally come, and as of yesterday I am the proud and joy filled owner of the Nikon d750 (lenses and a new Macbook pro are being shipped as we speak!)

Check out my selfie skills! Except the top left one, the hubby took that.

For those of you who don't know much about cameras and electronics, this is a big deal! And I am so blessed to have an amazing family who is willing to invest in my business.

A couple weeks ago I wrote about being careful for nothing and going all in, with what God has placed on your heart (check it out here). Which was actually written, before I even ordered my new equipment. But I knew I had to, and I had to start putting in more work than I have ever put in before.

I'm done being careful/hesitant/afraid. I've taken the leap and I'm excited to see where God is taking me!


What has God placed on your heart to do? Whatever it is, create a game plan for it's completion, and...

GET. IT. DONE! 

Give Dad a Chance (Dad don't give up)

Hello Ladies and gents! Welcome back to....

Tidbit Tuesday

I honestly wasn't sure what I was going to write on here today. It's been a pretty busy weekend. The hubby was away, So Jeremiah and I went to go visit his grandparents. Of course they showered him with love. Playing with him, when he should be napping...but hey! That's what grandparents are for right??

Anyways...

It's the second Tuesday of the month so I think I'm going to dedicate this one to all mamas and papas out there.

Let me tell you about what happened today.

So our little Jeremiah had been fighting sleep, --  raise your hands if you know what that's like?-- he was extra goofy and cranky all at the same time. I know every child is different, but are there any other parents whose child screams with at the top of his lungs, with all their might, when they are super tired? Well, our son does. It looks as though he's having the time of his life but them immediately follows it with an angry grunt or cry. It's quite hilarious actually.

But back to the story. So he's been fighting sleep and nothing I did was helping, which normally I'm able to get him to sleep pretty easily. Not this time!

So after so much effort I tell my husband can you please try and get him to sleep, I have to do eat and get some work done -- because you, I was procrastinating a little bit. -- Now, my husband is 1 for 200 in getting Jeremiah to sleep. So of course you know there a little discouragement there. BUT because he's such an amazing husband, he agreed.

As I'm making me something to eat I'm hearing my little man cry and scream that high pitch scream just makes you want to take them and hold and kiss them, and say "mama's here, everything is alright now."

Ladies let me tell you something...it took everything in me not to run upstairs and do just that. My heart was racing and I started to get hot (does this ever happen to anyone else?). And I dared not turn on the baby monitor. I wanted daddy to try and do this by himself.

Can you believe once I sat down and started to work, the screaming died down and Jeremiah fell asleep?? Daddy did it! He sent me a picture afterwards saying,

"Thanks to God! One of the best moments of my life." 

I say all this to say, mama...give dad a chance! He has to learn the same way you did. We didn't know what we were doing, but we figured it out. Don't go rushing and swooping baby out of daddy's arm just because they're crying. I remember many nights Jeremiah was screaming at the top of his lungs with me, but eventually I learned what calmed him down and got him to sleep.  And please no micromanaging! If daddy asks for advice, give it to him. Don't go telling him he needs to do this and that, or rock him like this while patting him like that, etc. etc. Give him a chance to figure it out.

Now I must admit, often times I have to literally cover my mouth to stop me from telling Uriah what to do, like a know it all.

And daddies, don't give up! You're not a bad dad. Babies cry. That's just what they do. And they do it with mama too, not just with you. Keep trying, and ask for advice and help if you need it.

Just don't give up!


I'd love to hear some stories where daddy had a victory with baby!

Whatever you do...do this to be successful

Tid Bit Tuesday

Sorry for the late post ya'll we've been very busy, and my little man has started rolling over non stop and teething...and gassy (the painful, trapped gas kind) So needless to say I've had my hands full. He's 5 months ya'll! Time has been going by so quickly.

Now on to the subject at hand
I have a revolutionary concept that will just blow your mind. It's something that just messed me all up on the inside. I mean it really shifted something inside me -- Now let me warn you, this is suuperr deep and not everyone will understand or accept it --
Ready?? Here it is -

DON'T...be careful.

Now hear me out, before you totally dismiss me!

Sunday I went to church and the Co-Pastor mentioned a scripture that lit my hear on fire. It was Philippians 4:6. And I tell you what, I could barely listen to the rest of the sermon after just the first 4 words from that scripture. All these thoughts started flooding my mind. Here's what it says:

There are other versions that say anxious and worry, but this was the first time I read it in the King James Version.

Be careful for nothing

How many times have our parents told us to be careful as a child, or for those of us with kids tell them to be careful so they don't get hurt? How about a loved one that is taking some sort of risk, we tell them to be careful, because we want them back in one piece? While all that precaution is nice, but we as Christians don't need to be careful when it comes to the things God has for us.

I have been dealing with some things on the inside of me lately and this came right on time. It's like God was telling me not to hesitate or hold back, but to go and go boldly. Yes we should choose to do things wisely, but I say if we're going to choose to do something (for me it's my business) give it our all. Don't be careful. Don't be afraid. Use the gift that God has given us and don't hold back!

So I want to encourage you (and myself) whatever God has laid on your heart to do stop waiting and making excuses as to why you can do it, and just do it.

DO IT NOW!...or tomorrow at least, but don't let more than 1 day pass!

If you are a follower of Christ, remember He is on your side and He will equip you with everything you need! Trust Him...He knows what He is doing.

Now, I don't need to be careful for anything anymore. I'm going to trust God that what He leads me to, He'll lead me through and to the finish line. It's not an overnight transformation, but it's definitely start. And through Christ I will finish the task!

I told you guys I nit-pick at stuff! What is it that you've been holding back on? 

You Can Have Peace with a Crazy and Chaotically Intense Life

Hello ladies and gents! And welcome to...

Tidbit Tuesday 

(unless I can think of a better name...) 

I know it has been a long... LONG time since my last post! I feel just awful about that. Here I am just squandering the talent and wisdom God has given me! Boy am I glad I serve such a forgiving God. But I still have to let Him do a lot of work on me. I'm striving for perfection here people...I'm not there yet! So bare with me!

Anywhoo...

There is A LOT of updating to do! So I'll have to do it bit by bit. For starters, My husband and I welcomed our first bundle of love in to the world on February 24, 2015. His name is Jeremiah Mathias Bentick. He is just so darling you don't even know! As you can see...or you can just do the math...He is 3 months old! Oh how time flies...

(Check out my one handed camera skills! haha)

Secondly, I have met a wonderful woman by the name of Treneka, who has motivated me to get back to blogging and doing what the Lord has called me to do. I am just so blessed and thankful for that precious woman, who is also a fantastic photographer, I am totally convinced that it was God's design for us to meet! 

Check out her work here on Facebook or on her blog you will not be disappointed!


Okay so! 
I'm going to keep this tidbit short since I'm writing suuuper late while my son is asleep. I know I know...I should be sleeping too BUT this is the only time I can get things done since my husband has been in Trinidad since December 2014 (he'll be back Saturday Lord willing!! *happy dance*). 

My life these past months have been pretty intense (I'll give a full update later), but I am so thankful that the Lord has allowed me to still enjoy it all, even through the rough patches...like not knowing where our source of income is going to come from next or not knowing where we're going to live.

"I will make peace flow to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flood." 

- Isaiah 66:12  

Now I'm only focusing on the first part of this verse, because honestly I just couldn't get past it. I love to nit-pick at specific words or phrases in the bible. There is so much meaning behind even just one word. And this had me thinking about what a river is like and why God chose to compare peace to it. If you're like me, you envisioned a river being calm, peaceful, and undisturbed. But can be wild, loud and rough with either small or big rapids knocking anything and everything around.

So why a river??

I can obviously see how the analogy works for when rivers are calm, but the verse doesn't say peace like a calm river. Just "a river" period, which means it includes the times when rivers are intense with white rapids.

So now I'm thinking, maybe God is saying we can have peace while things are intense and looking all crazy. And I believe that is exactly what He's saying!

I while ago I read this devotional a friend sent me and a small portion of it really resonated with me.

"God's Word does not say we'll have peace like a pond...When God used the analogy of a river, He describes a peace that can be retained while life twists and turns and rolls over boulders. It means to have security and tranquility while meeting many bumps and unexpected turns on life's journey."

I don't know if you've ever seen white water rapids, but even though they're going crazy, there's still a peace and beauty to them.

I do also believe God wants us to know that like a river...He will give us peace that's always flowing. Have you ever seen a river that wasn't constantly moving?

I haven't...

Either way, there is beauty and peace to be had from the crazy times in our lives. If only we would truly let God in, then we could have so much peace and start enjoying the life and circumstances we are given.

Here's a few simple applications:

1) Read the bible. Specifically the places where it mentions God's power and His promises to everyone. If you're new to the faith just take it slow. There's so much to learn it'll take an entire lifetime to know it all, and even then you still won't know everything... So take your time and look in the concordance in the back to help you find what you're looking for. Or you can search specific subjects with the "youversion" bible app.

2) Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Every time something negative pops in your head, immediately (out loud) say something that combats it. It could be God's goodness & power and/or the things you've been blessed with. There's no limit. It's not always easy, but you have to train your mind to give praise even when it's hard.

For example: God is in control, HIs thoughts and ways are better, you are alive, you had food to eat, etc.

3) Write them down...this is especially good for future reference, when times get tough again.

4) Repeat 1-3 daily.

Steps To Having More Joy In Your Life (Part2)

"Negativity only sees uncertainty and hardships; Positivity only sees opportunity and blessings."

-Pamela B.

Last time, in part 1 of this series, I shared how focus can play of a big role in having more joy in your life. Today, I'm going to talk about perspective. Which is to me one of the main reasons why even the smallest of things can suck the joy of our days. The word "perspective" has two meanings, but the one I'm going for is, a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something.

Here are two types of situations in my life where perspective was everything.

Situation 1:

When we were living in Wilmington there came a point in time where we had to find another place to live or else we'd be living in our car. The soccer (football) team my husband played for provided housing, but once the season ended we had to move out. The only problem was that we had no place to go. On top of that, it was hard finding an apartment because we didn't actually know when the season would officially end. It all depended on if they made it to the playoffs or not. But mostly we didn't want to sign a lease anywhere because we didn't know how much longer we were going to live in Wilmington. There were just too many unknown variables for us to decide on anything. 

Now any normal human being would have been freaking out not knowing where they were going to live, or how long these uncertain times would last. They probably would freak out knowing they will never have any answers until they randomly show up one day. Even some of our friends told us how crazy, worried they would be if they were in our shoes.

Situation 2:

Not too long ago I was at a point in my life where I felt like I was drowning. Everybody around me was working hard to pursue their dreams and looking pretty successful. And I have to admit, I just really wanted to throw a pity party. I was living with my (hard working) parents when my husband was hard at work pursing his dream and looking for a place for us to live. Meanwhile, I was watching Netflix everyday, I hardly had any clients and therefore thought I had nothing to do with my life. And let's not forget to mention I barely went out of the house because most of my friends had moved away or were still in college.

I felt like a huge bum with no job and no sense of purpose or reason...

Can you just feel the dark cloud of negativity??

And I honestly could have kept that horrible perspective of my life and I did for a while.

BUT in reality....

1. I'm a newly wed
2. A lot of change happened in a short amount of time causing me to put my career on hold
3. I was only in business for 3 months before all the change happened
4. Most businesses don't take off until well after the second year
5. I actually have things I could be doing, that will help me gain clients
6. Not having as many clients helps me get my business plan organized
7. Not having as many clients helps me to create concrete business procedures
8. If I was too busy I would still be doing things randomly and unorganized 
9. If I was too busy I wouldn't have as much time to spend with my husband 

Situations might not change, but our perspectives can!

All that stuff that was going on in my life didn't change right away...I'm still in, what I like to call "client limbo" but I now have this unexplainable, joy and peace in my heart. Despite my circumstances I'm still laughing, smiling, and enjoying my days. And it's all because of my perspective.

I'm normally the type of person who looks on the bright side of things, with an occasional negative view. But one perspective God always brings me back to is, "it's just another way for Him to get glory". It's just Him making or allowing things to look soooo crazy and then at the right moment, show off with all His power, wisdom, and goodness. It's quite exciting actually, because you never know what He's going to choose to do, but you know it's gonna be good so you don't have to worry.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

-Romans 8:28

Ever since I got a real understanding of this verse...I never let it go.

I just can't help but see everything as good (even if it looks bad at the moment)

Because God called me and I love Him, He will always take the good stuff and the"not so good stuff" and make them both work out to benefit me in the end. And the messier, crazier, and more chaotic it looks, the more glory He'll receive. Plus I'll have more stories I can tell to shock people....which in turn gives God all the glory.

Ultimately the way you look at your life and circumstances, whether positive or negative, is completely up to you. You have to make that choice.

What do you find yourself doing more?

I Probably Wouldn't be Married if it Wasn't for These Women

Feature Friday

Okay so today I wanted to introduce to you my sisters.

But first off, for those of you who know me but don't know about my sisters are probably like..."What?? I thought she was the only girl". Well you're right. I am the only girl, and I'm the youngest at that (yup...I'm basically the favorite...I know this because I still get the perks, even at 23 years of age)

While I don't have any sisters where we share the same parents, I do have sisters who share the same Heavenly Father. So if you think about it...technically we are sisters by blood...just not our blood, but Jesus's blood. But that's besides the point. I met these women (and many others that I don't have photos of yet) during my first semester at Liberty University through "Bridging The Gap Urban Ministries" BTG for short. And I can't say all of our relationships started out solid, but they surely ended up that way. I can honestly say, that if it wasn't for  God putting them in my life, I would have transferred from Liberty after that first semester. And then I have no idea what my life would have been like. But I do know that had I transferred schools I wouldn't be married to the sweetest, sexiest, cutest, man alive. 

My sisters played a HUGE role in my college years and helped me develop into the woman I am today. They, and many others, taught me so much about God, the bible and what Jesus' sacrifice truly meant for my life. I love them so much and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Like I said before, I'm the only girl in my family and I honesty believe that they are the sisters that I used to ask God for when I was younger. And now I have more than I can even count. Now-a-days we're miles apart now,  but if I ever need them, I know they would always be there for me.

These are a few photos I took from my last visit. We had an impromptu photo shoot. It was so much fun! I'm looking forward to my next visit. Hopefully, then, I'll be able to see more of my sisters.