This past year has been an incredible year with crazy large changes for my life and my family. Great changes. This past holiday break i have been cleaning out my room at my parent house. OH man that was sooo hard for me. I am very sentimental.. so i was boxing things with MAD tears. But i really look forward to what this next year has for us. It might even have more changes than this past year, who knows. As much as I am excited for the future I do like to reflect often on the past. So, I have compiled some of the highlights through this past year. Just some of them. There were many more. Some of these are REALLY fun and exciting projects and others are large milestones and meaningful times in my life. Watch out this is a long one and there are LOTS of typos. Sorry ahead of time.
1. CATALYST WEST: In April For the first time this year brian and I got to be a part of Catwest. Catalyst is an amazing experience where some of the most inspirational leaders in the country come together to speak and connect. This past year i was hired to photograph a number of the events including the backstage area. Brian led the catalyst greenroom, video interviewing The speakers, leaders, and musicians. We got to connect with some really amazing people that have led to great friendships. You can view the blog post about this HERE. and HERE.
2. OUR WEDDING DAY!! In May 2009 I married my best friend and lover. I am so honored and excited that I get to start this new year off married and in love. Brian is the sunshine and joy of my life. PLUS, He makes me laugh hard everyday. Go HERE to read more about Brian and HERE to read about our wedding day.
3.DESIGNING FOR JEDIDIAH CLOTHING: It was so fun to design a couple t-shirts for Jedidiah Clothing this year. Kelli, the main artist, has a heart of gold and I have been a BIG fan of her work for a long time. This fashionable female rules the design and fine art world. I love her work and I was soo excited to be a part of what they are doing. Check out their website. You can find their clothing at Buckle and Nordstrom.
4. OUR SPECIAL FRIEND IN OUT TREE: I know this is silly… but we only had this owl friend in our tree for one day. I am soo thankful that there were some really loud birds outside sqauking to get our attention… or else we would not have seen him. Seeing this friend actually made my month and I think about him from time to time. He had such a sweet face and would watch us wherever we would move. He is a barn owl and i consider this a treat to have had him for a day. if you would like to see the blog post go HERE.
5. OUR TRIP TO AFRICA: In August 2009 Brian and I got to have an experience of a lifetime. We served alongside 20 wonderful people at an orpahanage in Kenya Africa. It was truly a life changing experience and we got to meet our sponsor daughter Jackline. This is a trip we will never forget. and we will be back to visit soon. It was so wonderful to be able to have an experience like this as newly married couple. What a bonding time we had being a part of something larger than ourselves and tent camping in the middle of  africa. AHHH! haha. Visit the blog post HERE.
6. ART FOR HURUMA PROJECT W/ BARTON DAMER: I loved this collaboration project with Barton Damer. He is seriously a solid, organized, and talented dude. Â This was my first experience collaborating with another artist at this level. We sold hundreds of products that supported the orphanage we visited in Africa. I can’t wait to do this again soon. Thanks again to INVARTISTNETWORK and COLLIDE MAGAZINE. visit the blog posts HERE and HERE.
7. PHOTOSHOOT WITH CANDACE CAMERON-BURE & FAMILY. Troy Grover and I got the opportunity to have a photoshoot with the Bure family. It was so fun and their family is soo down to earth. Check out the personalities and expressions of those kids. They are little Rockstars that can WORK IT. Candace has been a great friend of Brian’s for a few years now…. I am honored and humbled to have photographed them. SO fun. Go HERE to see the full shoot.
8. MARINA’S INVITATIONS & WEDDING. MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND WAS MARRIED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR TO AN AMAZING MAN NAMED JONATHON. I got to design her invitations and be a bridesmaid in her wedding. She was SUCH a beautiful bride. It blows my mind how fast the train of life is moving. It is sooo crazy that my sister, marina and i all got married in the same year. WOW! love you Marina. Go HERE to see Marina’s invitations.
9. MERCH DESIGNS FOR PHIL WICKHAM: I have LOVED Phil Wickham’s music for years so i was honored to have been asked to design his new merch and goods. I love the result and I had a great time working with Daniel and Phil to create a look that goes with his other designs and his new album. See the full post HERE and purchase his album and visit his website HERE.
10. MY SISTERS WEDDING!! This November my sister married Troy Grover. WOOHOOO! The wedding was beautiful and meaningful and we are sooo happy to have Troy in our lives and our family. Brian and I love you guys. Cant wait to come visit soon. CONGRATS! Visit the invites i designed for her HERE.
11. MY FIRST HOME MAKEOVER PROJECT. haha I am not suzie homemaker whatsoever… So I was soo excited that this was my first project to redo. i painted and re-did certain elements of this china cabinet that i found at Savers. I love a bargin and I love to re-configure exsisting things. So fun. I hope to have more projects like this in the future. View the full post HERE.
12. ONLINE FRIENDSHIP CONNECTIONS. The internet gets a lot of bad rap in regards to connecting people together. This year I have been so thankful for online networking, twitter, facebook, and any kind of social media connections. I have really met some great people online, most of whom i’ve actually got to meet in person this year too, and it has started a great friendship and nework of support. As artists i feel that we need other artists to support us and help push us further into the creative world. I have been really grateful for these amazing people that have been in my life in some way or another. Especially some AMAZING and influential/inspirational women. Thank you!
So here’s to a great 2009. There have been some historic highs and some interesting lows. I know God has amazing things in store for 2010 and I’m grateful for this snapshot of how good He has been to me this year. All my best to you in 2010 and thanks to ALL of you that stop by my blog, appreciate my work and encourage me with your words…you have been a huge part of my joy in 2009.
I hope I can continue to create, inspire and be in community with you in the coming year! If you do a ‘year in review’ kind of blog post I would LOVE for you to link your post here so that I can read about your year. Many blessings to you and yours in 2010!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!
January 1st, 2010 at 2:33 pm
BEST Year ever!!! Woo woo!
January 1st, 2010 at 2:43 pm
aw love this post! and your blog!
here’s my year in review:
http://purplemonkey732.blogspot.com/2009/12/farewell-2009.html
January 1st, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Wow! What a year! Happy New Year Prom! Love you
January 1st, 2010 at 3:24 pm
I would just like to honour you for the love and compassion with which you have walked alongside Holly and Aaron,Kate, Olivia and Will Mcrae. Your initial blog alerted people worldwide to pray and things have grown from there. Your photo shoot before Kate’s surgery was such a gift to the family at a time when they didn’t even know if kate would come through the initial surgery. Then the continuing support and your first webdesign show the love and compassion of Jesus who said Suffer the little children to come unto me.
For oldies like me we stand in amazement at how such creativity and spiritual energy has been so impactful in so many areas – the top ten are just the tip of the iceburg!! I for one will watch with interest how God uses you and Brian as such a beautiful team around the world in the ever-increasing circles of influence. I am delighted to pray for God’s blessing and protection on you and yours and the ones you laugh love and live with in this year of MMX – the second decade of the second millenium.
January 1st, 2010 at 3:45 pm
So lovely. An amazing year and what a great recap!
January 1st, 2010 at 3:45 pm
congrats to you on an amazing year! you are a very talented and loving girl. I totally remember your baby owl post. that’s when I starting reading your blog I think? I blogged this after seeing your baby. it might be it’s mom! happy new year promise!
http://www.livelovephotography.com/blog/ewwww-scary/
January 1st, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Promise! You have been the, absolute, best thing of my 2009. I cannot imagine my life without you and I’m so proud to be your husband. Thank your for committing to me and being the greatest joy of my life. I’m so excited to see what 2010 holds for us and I’m so glad I don’t go into it alone.
My prayer is that I would lead our marriage with a renewed energy into the adventure of following Jesus. I’m praying that God would fill you with His life, love and creativity. I also pray that I would love you more this year in the way that He loves you.
Ecstatic to be your guy. Love you more than you could know!
Brian
PS – here’s my link to a New Years Blog I wrote. Obviously, I’m no where near as cool as you, but, it’s a little reminder of the bright New Year ahead!! http://brianwurzell.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/a-new-year-to-rise/
January 1st, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Promise,
2009 was a great year! You’re def an inspiration to all! I wish you the best in 2010!
http://peacockmanor.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/thats-a-wrap-2009-recap/
January 1st, 2010 at 5:18 pm
we love you promise and brian. so thankful for your role in my life all these years. thank you for sharing your passions and talents with us. <3
January 1st, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Promise, you fill the world with a fresh innocence and passion for life. You curiosity and openness to God and his creation allow you to see through the lens of beauty and that makes your work, your friendships, your life count for eternity
Keep living like that………….and keep inspiring others along the way!
January 1st, 2010 at 5:35 pm
What a great year! I’m so excited for 2010! Loved your recap!
http://heatherlydee.blogspot.com/2010/01/farewell-2009-hello-2010.html
January 1st, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Promise, you fill the world with a fresh innocence and passion for life. You curiosity and openness to God and his creation allow you to see through the lens of beauty and that makes your work, your friendships, your life count for eternity
Keep living and inspiring others along the way!
January 1st, 2010 at 6:19 pm
09 was a great year! Thankful that our collaboration raised some awareness and dough for the kids! Has been great to meet you and Brian online!
January 1st, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Happy New Year ! Your post is inspiration to me to write about my year ! Lot of thinking and writing for me
January 1st, 2010 at 9:42 pm
What a wonderful and inspiration year for you! It has been amazing following you, as well as being inspired by you. I hope 2010 is even better!
Here is my recap!
http://hopereagan.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/a-fond-farewell-to-2009/
January 1st, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Happy New Year! Many blessings to you in 2010! I couldn’t fit my recap in just one post. Here’s part 1 &2:
http://ashleerohnert.blogspot.com/2009/12/looking-back-at-2009-january-june.html
http://ashleerohnert.blogspot.com/2010/01/looking-back-at-2009-july-december.html
January 1st, 2010 at 11:59 pm
glad your year was so wonderful!! it was great meeting you in palm springs and at the wedding <3
January 2nd, 2010 at 2:22 pm
I’m so glad I found your blog Promise. You and your hubby truly have some awesome ways to serve, doing the what you love the most! I have a feeling that my husband and I would get along well with you two! Happy 2010
January 2nd, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Wow. I don’t usually comment because I never really know what to write. I also hate that because of the above reason, you have now turned me into a lurker and that is unacceptable. Everyday, I come here to hang out and I think maybe today will be the day I will comment or have something to contribute…but sad. I never do. So here it is. My big fat contribution. Bla bla bla. Ha ha ha. Anyways, I think your insights and love and design and creativity is phenomenal. I am inspired almost every time I come here – thus why I am a stalker. But whatever. So thank you. Thank you for being real in your work and real in the way you present it. Yay you.
January 3rd, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Promise… you rule and so does your blog… you’re artistry is inspiring to me, seriously…love it! can’t wait to get workin’ on some kind of creative project in this new year, Summer and I have been talking about getting together and having lunch with you one of these days… we are positive that you can help us on our upcoming projects
May you and your husband have loads of happiness and creativity in this new year!!!
January 3rd, 2010 at 9:09 pm
BROOKE!! I would love it. Lets make it happen ASAP.
loves to you
January 4th, 2010 at 12:26 am
you had a great year!
I also really love Kelli’s work!
Yours is great too. You got talent girl!
Do you do anything with PASSION conference?
I feel like maybe I met you before, maybe not.
Congrats on your marriage! God is awesome isn’t he!
January 5th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Hey Brandi. I havn’t worked with Passion before.. but I do have some great friends that do amazing work for Passion…..Although… Brian (my husband) and I met for the first time at a Passion. 07 Atlanta. The BEST weekend EVER!!
January 5th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
love your retrospective. its good to look back before you look forward, i think. keep rockin, young lady.
the world needs more cool young chicks doing cool stuff–loving others, loving Jesus, and creating awesome stuff.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
WOah are you serious!? I was there! Maybe we met in passing? My hubsand was playing with Matt Redmond and Chris Tomlin at that time. I was constantly meeting people that weekend who knows maybe I saw you. Im always looking/ staring at peoples hair (im a hairstylist) not a creepo hahah:)
Passion 07 was life changing! Glad you met your love!
January 7th, 2010 at 12:45 am
Love ya! H