Hello and welcome to the blog! We are Cheyenne and Geoff Schultz and are wedding photographers in Charlotte, North Carolina. If you'd like to contact us about our photography, please e-mail me at cheyenne@lovetheschultzes.com with a subject line "The Schultzes". You can also check out our website at http://www.lovetheschultzes.com

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

The Great Beagle Chase!

Today was a good day. I don't know why - it just was. I just felt a lot of joy in my life today...for no particular reason. I love it when I have days like today.

I've decided I want to start blogging more. And, when I feel like it, use my blog as a journal and not just a photo blog. I'm not the best writer, so you'll have to bear with me. However, in the 3rd grade my lifelong ambition was to be a writer. Ha.

My motivation for this comes from other photographers. There are SO many that inspire me with their amazing art. Lately, in addition to their photography, there are two in particular that really intrigue me and make me want to reflect more on my life. They are Scarlett Lillian and Jasmine Star. They have no idea, but they are an incredible source of encouragement for me personally and with my business.

I haven't really ever shared anything about my faith here yet...but tonight I think I will. Just because I feel like it.

Yesterday I stopped off at the good old Food Lion grocery to pick up some ice cream on my way home from work. I was just about to turn into my neighborhood when I noticed a small beagle cross the insanely busy street. He had a hurt paw and was limping. I suppose he could have been a "her", but for the sake of the story, we'll assume his manhood.

For some reason, I really have a heart for animals - especially one's that are hurting. Sometimes I think that I should become a police officer for animals in distress - like the one's on that show "Pet Rescue". (Although, I have a self-imposed rule that I'm not allowed to watch that show, as I end up hysterical and crying). Anyway, because of this, I just HAD to try to save the injured beagle. I flipped a u-turn as soon as I could and caught up with him.

He just kept running alongside the busy street, so I turned on my hazards and followed him until I got to a side street to turn off on. I jumped out of the car, got down on my hands and knees to try to appeal to him, and began calling for him to come to me. He gave me a quick look and kept on trucking. Clearly, he was freaked out, scared, and not knowing what he should do or where he should go. So, back in the car I go.

We played this game about four more times - everytime I got back into my unwashed, dented Honda - defeated and all the while, getting more and more upset (and yes, hysterical even...the way I get while watching Pet Rescue). All he did was run like a madman - trying to get to safety...trying to find his way back home.

I was SO desperate for him to come to me so I could help him. I kept thinking, "why won't he just come to me? All I want to do is to help him and take care of him and save him from the danger and madness all around him....he'll be SAFE if he comes to me!"

Even amongst this craziness of chasing down this dog for an hour, I began to think of this in a bigger picture. I began to think of this situation related to how God is always chasing after me when I get far from him....when I'm lost...when I'm hurting. And all I do is run further.

ALL He wants is to desperately get His arms around me so He can love me, nurse my wounds, comfort me when I'm freaked out/stressed out about life. He wants me to run to HIM, so He can calm my nerves and let me know that everything will be alright - and ultimately bring me back to where I need to be.

I'm sure God is saying the same thing that I did with the beagle - "Why won't she just come to me?! All she has to do is run on over into my arms and I'll put her in my Honda to drive her to comfort and safety!"

Okay...maybe I'm exaggerating - I mean....I'm sure God drives something a tad nicer then a Civic. :)

Sadly, the beagle did not ever make it to me. He crossed another street and I lost track of the poor little guy. I do hope he wandered into a quiet neighborhood and someone found him to help.

For me, this experience - the same experience that left me heartbroken and crying for the lost dog - is an incredible blessing. I do believe that God uses situations, circumstances, and experiences to teach us something or to reveal something to us. From now on, when I'm freaking out - running around like a crazy lady and on the verge of a complete meltdown - I'll remember the beagle. All he had to do was run to me.

Thanks for reading - I'm exhausted and need to have a cuddle with my pup and my husband. Some TV is in order - we won't be watching Pet Rescue....a marathon of Top Model should do the trick.

* Check back tomorrow night for a new photo blog post from tonight's "Charlotte One"!

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I love this story. How ture it is about when we think we can do everything on our own and all God wants us to do is call on him and he will take care of us no matter what we are faceing. Great post!

Unknown said...

I love this story. How ture it is about when we think we can do everything on our own and all God wants us to do is call on him and he will take care of us no matter what we are faceing. Great post!

SJB Weddings & Events said...

Great post!!! I totally agree. It's funny how you can get inspiration from the strangest situations. Excellent story!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Cheyenne. I enjoy your insight, your emotion and passions, energy and thought process ...I love you more and more as I watch from a distance....I am glad that God has brought you and Geoff together....what a story that is in itself from coast to coast. Keep writing. I want to see this all in a book someday. It will make the top 10 list because it will touch the emotions of everyone. God bless always....with the eyes to see and the ears to hear HIM in everything.
Karen / MOM

Scarlett Lillian // Jacksonville Senior Photographer said...

Oh my gosh, I'm totally bawling right now. What a beautiful story about you and the beagle. I totally feel like the beagle right now and this story really helped to put things into perspective for me exactly when I needed it. Thank you for sharing your story. I know it takes courage to share your faith on the blog, and I feel honored that I could play a part in helping to inspire that. I can't wait to meet you at WPPI!

Monica said...

OH MY I could I have written alot of this post the running faith etc etc

and I have written maybe even on my blog

something like where you said
quoted from you
"My motivation for this comes from other photographers. There are SO many that inspire me with their amazing art. Lately, in addition to their photography, there are two in particular that really intrigue me and make me want to reflect more on my life. They are Scarlett Lillian and Jasmine Star. They have no idea, but they are an incredible source of encouragement for me personally and with my business"

I too LOVE JStar blog wow the inspiration and Scarlett Lillian, I always LOVED their style it looked like my style or WHAT I wanted if that makes sense.. plus they seemed SO real talked about their faith etc..
Now I can say I still love those 2 but i've found the charlotte, NC girls to be amazing!
YOU my new find seriously you rock!, Kristin Vining, Critsey Rowe, Caroline Ghettes such awesome photogs and just awesome people overall.