About Me

Joanne Eileen Callaway

19-Mar-2010

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Please note the name change!! Steven and I got married on June 17th, 2007 and I can honestly say that I have never been happier. We start out our new life by finishing up my old one by leaving my current employment and stepping out on faith, allowing God to guide me into the right job in Oregon. God has guided me into the right direction my whole life and I there is no way I'm going to stop having faith in Him now! He guided me to Steven! And I know that He will guide me in my employment.

For those who are reading about me for the first time, please feel free to read on about my photographic history and my love for Christ.

For as long as I can remember I have loved to take pictures. I bought my first 35mm camera back in 1982, a Minolta x-700, and have been snapping away ever since. However this page is not to talk too much about photography, but to tell you a little bit about myself.

I was born and raised in Southern California and have lived here most of my life. I have always been enamored with the United Kingdom, especially Scotland. My Grandfather from my mother's side and my Grandmother from my father's side were both born in Scotland and going there was always a dream of mine. Unfortunately, for years I suffered from anxiety attacks and getting on an airplane was not in the realm of possibility for me. And yet, I never gave up on the dream. It was just very hard for me to believe that it was ever going to happen!

In 1995 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 31 years old, in a quandary as to what I should be doing with my life. Then I find out that the life I was living was at a point that it might actually come to an end. I couldn't believe it! But I saw the x-rays, mammograms, etc. It was true. I knew that I was in for a very tough fight to stay alive. So, ironically enough, it would be during those 8 months of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation - when I was fighting for my life - that I finally started to live! I believe that it was during that time when life actually began to matter to me. I also learned to completely trust in God's will for my life.

"If God brings you TO IT, He's going to bring you THROUGH IT!" (unknown)

Four years later, I finally made my first trip to Scotland, anxieties & all. With God's promise to be with me, I got on that plane and flew into Glasgow. (Joshua 1:9 "I command you - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." NLT)

Since my first trip, I have had the opportunity to return to the UK a few more times and I am always planning on returning. Which at this time is about once every 2 years.

God has blessed me in so many ways. Through everything I have had to face, I know He has been with me the whole way, walking with me and taking care of me. I also know that none of this would have been possible if it weren't for God's grace & mercy. He provided the opportunity & the means for me to travel, and I believe He has also given me the desire to share His grandeur through photography.

As an Educator, I love being able to share my travels with my students. Seeing their faces light up at the thought of life's many possibilities is so exciting! Hopefully I can spark an interest within them to travel as well.

God is good. All the time! And I thank Him for all opportunities to travel, to teach, and to spread His Word.

So as I travel through life I know that God is guiding my every step and helping me with all those pesky bumps in the road that I seem to always come across. He can help you too. All you need to do is ask Him. He was/is there for me, I know He is also there for you.

God Bless You! 

 

This site was last updated 10/13/09