31 Woman Series: Homemaker By Choice, Amber Ravatsas

Amber and I actually went to high school together in Wisconsin. So I was pretty surprised when I heard that she moved from home to Norway. Most people from our high school have never left the area. Curious about her Norway life, I  started following her blogs and after reading a few entries, felt led to interview her for the 31 Woman series. It's so encouraging to see other women that have made the same decision to stay at home and her blog is a journal of just that. Her love for her God + family, and devotion to her home is evident in all her pictures and entries. I encourage you to stop by her blog, say hi and get to know her a little bit. :)

Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Amber, and I am currently living in Norway. I married my best friend Ruben two
years ago, and we just had our first child, Anya Mae seven months ago.

What's your favorite Bible verse?
My favorite bible verse is Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer
live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who
loved me and gave Himself for me.

What made you decide to become a homemaker?
Ever since I was a little girl I desired to be a wife and mother. That was all I ever wanted to
be and I couldn’t picture myself as anything else.

What encouragement do you have for wives who are on the fence with their career vs.
staying at home? 
I have never been in that situation, but I do not regret staying at home. It has been a blessing to me and my family. In Titus 2:5 it says that we are to be “Workers at home.”

What blessings have you seen in your life from choosing to be a homemaker?
I have loved to stay home it benefits my husband and being able to take care of the house and
food for him. He provides a roof over my familiy’s head and I love being able to take care of
him. It also benefits my daughter and my relationship with her. I have enjoyed getting to spend time with her and watching her grow and explore the world around her.

Describe your blog, Homemaker by Choice.
Homemaker by Choice journals the life of a wife and mommy. It encourages and equips mothers and daughters in their biblical roles.


When did you start blogging?
I started blogging in March of 2010, a few months after my husband and I got married.

What or who inspired you to start blogging?
I have always loved to write, and I thought that blogging would be a great way to stay in
touch with those back in the states.

What advice do you have for anyone interested in starting a blog of their own?
It is so easy to get wrapped up, and compare yourself to other, bigger blogs out there. Make
sure that your motives for blogging are right BEFORE you begin.

What tips do you have for current bloggers?
A few tips that I have learned from blogging are that you want to promote your Facebook
and twitter more than GFC (Google Friend Connect). Most of my traffic to my blog is from Facebook or Twitter. Keep social media icons on the top, so when people enter your page they see them. Making a
button for your blog so that people can put on their websites comes in handy...it’s basically free
advertising.

Who inspires you? My family inspires me the most. I love serving them and seeing the joy on their faces.

What inspires you most about the Proverbs 31 woman? She could do everything and with such a joyful heart. She loved to take care of her family and to provide them with the best.


How do you the Proverbs 31 woman can relate to the everyday wife and mom today? 
We can use her example to learn to be content where God has placed us and live everyday fully for Him. 

Why Rabbitsauce? (One of her blogs is titled RabbitSauce family)
When my husband and I were courting, my family and I could never pronounce his last name. Ruben tried to come up with easier ways to say it, but to no avail. My Dad said it looked like Rabbitsauce, and well... it stuck! So today we are known as the Rabbitsauce Family. 

How does living in Norway compare to the states? 
I really miss America! In Norway, people are not as friendly as they are in the states. If you said hello to a stranger they would look at you like you were an alien. The people in Norway are not so receptive to the Gospel either. It is a very dark country over here, and they need our prayers! 

Your write in English, but do you speak more Norweigan or english?
I speak basic Norwegian. I find it easier to understand when someone is talking in Norwegian then to try and speak Norwegian to someone. I have had it pretty easy here though since most people speak English. The children are taught English as a second language in School. So, it is mostly the older people that I can't communicate with. My husband is currently teaching our daughter Norwegian, and I am having fun learning along with her. :) 
Besides blogging, do you have any other hobbies? I like to write Christian fiction, vlog and I am learning how to make candles.

Where can we find you?
Homemake By Choice
RabbitSauce Family
Facebook
Twitter

31Woman Series: Rosina Waszaj

I am very excited to introduce you all to our next Proverbs 31 woman in our series, my friend Rosina. I've never actually met her in person but my husband's cousin told me all about her work when they found out I was a photographer. Now normally when I hear that someone is a photographer, I just nod my head because these days it seems that everyone and their mom is...but Rosina is special. The minute I started paging through her work was when I realized how much I could learn from her. Her images opened me up to a style of portrait & wedding photography I had never seen before. Nothing is posed. There aren't any forced smiles. Just pure emotion. She has an INCREDIBLE eye and her work is truly honest. 

Aside from her incredible talent, the reason why I call her a Proverbs 31 woman is because of her love for the Lord and her dedication to her family. When I started really getting serious about photography, I came across a blog post of hers that talked about how she understood that her gift was from God and apart from Him she could do nothing. He is the One that gives and takes away and she recognized that taking pictures is an opportunity. I remember reading that and admiring her humility. I also love that she only does a limited number of sessions per year to ensure that she has time for her kids. Rosina realizes her role as a wife and mom first and this really put things into perspective for me once I had my son. I'm blessed to know her and appreciate all the advice she has given me within the past years. Rosina's work is a true reflection of a God-given gift and honestly displays her love for her family and all the people she encounters.

Without further adieu...meet Rosina :)

Tell us a little about yourself.

I'm a stay at home mom with three children. My oldest is 5 and my youngest is 6 1/2 months. I've been staying at home since my oldest was born. I grew up in Southern California and so I'm a beach girl at heart. : ) In July, our family of five moved from the West coast to the East coast. Now I live in New Jersey.

What’s your favorite bible verse?

John 15:5-- "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." It's so true...everything belongs to God. Without His permission or His 'okay', we can accomplish nothing. For me, it's very humbling to keep that in mind, no matter where I am in life.  

When did you start taking pictures? Professionally? 

I started taking an interest in photography when I was 16 years old. I took a basic photography class back in high school and enjoyed working in the darkroom. I then wanted to get a photojournalism degree in college. Long story short...my mother convinced me otherwise. I got a teaching degree instead and  started taking pictures when my daughter was born back in 2008. I had a Canon point & shoot and one day I just decided I wanted to have nothing to do with the 'auto' mode. I manually shot everything and that was the beginning. : ) 

 

How did you learn?

When I finally got my pre-owned DSLR (a canon rebel xti), I read the manual from cover to cover and then I experimented. And then I read the manual again. And then I experimented again. I kept doing this until everything made sense. Once everything made sense, I just shot and shot and shot. Personally, I feel shooting is the BEST way to learn. : )  

What or who inspired you to start photographing?

Oh, definitely my kids. I love their forever-innocent faces and I wanted to freeze that innocence forever.

How would you describe your photography?

 I've always been drawn to story telling which is why I wanted to study Photojournalism in college. There is just something about 'telling a story' that intrigues me. I was never really into posing, although I did go that route in the very beginning. It was when I realized I hated every moment of it that I decided to stay true to myself. It feels really good to stay true to what I believe in.

What makes you think “That would be a great photo!”? 

When I can feel the authenticity of one's emotions and feelings...like when someone is reminicsing his childhood or telling his love for grandma's cookies...

What goes through your mind as you’re taking a shot?

 I'm not sure. I don't really 'think' much when I shoot. I think I'm in a completely different mode when I have my camera in my hands. I just shoot.   

Do you have any rules for yourself as a photographer? 

Yes! Always, always believe in yourself. Be inspired from within. I don't ever visit other people's blogs to "get inspiration" because those are other people's ideas, not mine. I want to be original and I want to be me. Once you get inspired from within, you will always be able to create!

What camera equipment do you shoot with?

 I have a Canon 5d classic and a 35 1.4. That's what I shoot with 99.9% of the time. When I have weddings I rent. Normally the 135L. I love prime lenses. That's the only kind I use. : )  

What is your go to lens? 

Definitely my 35 1.4.

What advice do you have for moms trying to take pictures of their kids? 

Stop asking them to look at the camera and smile! After all, you want to remember who they are. Not all kids love to smile and that is ok! My oldest hates the camera so I never ask him to smile and I'm ok with remembering that he hates the camera lol.

What advice do you have for aspiring photographers? 

Stay.true.to.yourself. NEVER look at other people's success and envy that. Why do you pick up your camera in the first place? Is it because you love the art of capturing life or is it because you want to 

"be that famous photographer"? If it's the latter, you will end up hating it. Always strive to be better than what you were. Know that you are created to be a creator. Know that you CAN.

What are your goals as a photographer? 

Personally, I really don't like that title. To me, I am a wife and a mom. My job is to play those two roles well. But what are my goals as an artist? I would say I'd like to be bolder, more daring and I'd like to become better in making more real and authentic images of people as they are.

Have you had any struggles as a photographer? 

Absolutely. In the very beginning, before I really knew who I was as an artist, I used to look at other people's images and hate every single one that I made. In my head I believed I would never be as good as some other people. Not until almost a year ago, I attended an amazing workshop put together by the Parsons (www.wearetheparsons.com) After that I quit comparing. It was the best decision I made.  

Who inspires you? 

Aside from my kids, the Parsons do. I love them.

What inspires you most about the Proverbs 31 woman? 

That she knows and understands her role as a woman...she knows and understands whom she was created for.   

How do you think taking pictures relates to the Proverbs 31 woman? 

Know who and what you were created for. This desire and talent is a gift from God, so always stay true to this gift. Be honest. Be content. Be thankful. 

 

How do you balance your work life and your home life? 

It is SO hard! With our newest addition, I have ZERO time to focus on photography right now. I also realize that my kids are so little, they really need their mommy at their age. They will NEVER be this little again. So I am only taking a handful of bookings a year. Once they are older, if God willing, I would love to pursue more. Right now at this very point in my life, I feel that playing the role of a wife and a mom is definitely more important. I don't want to have any regrets. I only work on photography when their grandparents can take them for a day. This way I know I can concentrate. When they're at home, i don't even really think about it.

Besides photography, do you have any other hobbies?

 I'm not sure if this counts as a hobby...but I love to have coffee with friends and catch up on life. I wish I had more time to have coffee with more friends and I used to love to read. I'd like to do that more, too!  

Where can we find you? www.rosinasphoto.com

31Woman Series: Stephanie Nunes

It's easy to look at the Proverbs 31 woman and get intimidated. When I first started reading about her, I quickly realized I fall short of a lot of her characteristics. I most definitely do not "get up while it is still night" (hey - I like the snooze button!) but the more I studied it, the more I realized this poetic figure was just an example. It is not expected that all of us "plant a vineyard" and make "linens and garments" but her devotion to God is something we should strive for. There is definitely more detail I would like to share about this particular chapter, but I will get more into it as I continue this series.

So what is this series about? It's about honoring different women that I know who are incredibly talented and are blessed with many of the characteristics the Proverbs 31 woman has. Each woman I've picked is incredibly unique. They all have different talents which deserved to be displayed for all to see. Their love for the Lord is obvious and they know how to balance their home life and their work life.

So without further adeiu...meet Stephanie. She is a youth pastor's wife, a teacher and an extremely creative homemaker! She has such a knack for re-purposing furniture and treasure-hunting at thrift stores. She can take an old window (that I would completely overlook) and turn it into something beautiful. Wait until you see the pictures I took of her sweet, sweet home...but read the interview first! There are many helpful tips on home decor ;)

Also, please take a look at Stephanie's blog. They are adopting a boy from Ethiopia and recording their journey in this sweet journal.

Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Stephanie. I love many things, my Lord, my husband, creating, baking, riding my bike, traveling, garage sales, flea markets antique stores, farmers markets, music the list goes on. I enjoy the hunt for “junk”. My husband and I are in the process of adopting our first child, a son, from Ethiopia. 


What's your favorite verse?
hmm...so many. One of my favorites is Luke 1:37 "For nothing is impossible with God." 


How would you describe the style of your home?
I would say the easiest way to describe my style is an eclectic blend of chic junk. 

When did you start repurposingfurniture/thrifting/decorating? How did you learn?
My introduction to antique stores and thrifting started young. My grandparents would take to me antique stores and I would wander for hours looking at everything and wondering its story. I started repurposing in high school. I found a very cool looking dresser, but hated the color-so I painted it! I’ve taught myself through trial and error (many, many errors).

What or who inspired you to start your hobby?
My grandma inspired me to start my hobby. She always used to say “Girl, you’ve got wine taste on a beer budget!” Which is totally true. I love stores like Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware, but I definitely don’t have that kind of money-so I’ve learned along the way how to make my own version of some of the things I love from those stores. I’m also inspired by design magazines, they are my guilty pleasure. I keep them for YEARS and save pictures and ideas in a binder, I’ve been saving pictures forever, and even if I don’t create every style I see, it’s fun to look back and see how my tastes have changed and developed. 

When you’re at a thrift store, how can you tell which piece has potential?
When out thrifting, I always try to find pieces that can serve many different purposes. Like being able to stay out year round through the holidays (for example I love cake plates, they can serve as 1. a place to serve cake, 2. a stand for pumpkins in the fall 3. a place for small Christmas pieces to be displayed) I try to look for multi-use items.

Do you have any rules for yourself when hunting for new pieces?
I don’t have many rules. It has to be cheap, not just inexpensive but cheap. And it also has to be unique. 

What is your go to tool? 
Paint. Definitely paint. It can drastically change a piece and once you get more comfortable with it, you can play with color palates and blending colors. Paint is a miracle worker when repurposing. 

Who inspires you?
I’m not inspired by one particular person, when I can share my ideas and passion with others I get inspired.

What inspires you most about the Proverbs 31 woman?
There are SO many things that inspire me about the Proverbs 31 woman, but for me, the most inspiring at this season in my life is “She can laugh at the days to come” (vs. 25). I believe that the Proverbs 31 woman trusts Christ fully and has no fear of the future and what’s to come. There are times, many times, where I question the future. Many times where I look at the future with fear instead of with laughter. I strive to be a woman who can laugh at the days to come. 



How do you think decorating your home relates to the Proverbs 31 women?
As a follower of Christ, I believe that God gives each of us different talents and abilities. I believe God has given me the ability to create. I am thankful that God gifts us all with different abilities and talents. I believe that decorating your home can not only be a reflection of the gifts and talents God has given you, but it also can be a chance for your gifts to glorify God, which is what I believe is the root of the Proverbs 31 woman, not only does she use her gifts and abilities to glorify God, she also uses the situations that God has placed her in to glorify Him. 

What advice do you have for new wives/moms trying to make their house a home?
Be patient. Don’t expect your house to become your dream home overnight. The hunt for the perfect piece is the fun part. The story behind how you got certain items, the stories you’ll take from trying to get those items home. I have so many stories about having to take doors off the hinges because I found something so unique and my husband and I standing in the rain outside trying to figure out how we’ll get it in the house, those are the best parts, the memories that come with creating a home. Be patient it’ll come. Make a “dream” book. I took a design class in college and my professor told us to always be saving pictures in binders of styles we like and designs we wanted to accomplish, it will help you when searching for pieces.

Do you have any future plans/goals/dreams to turn this hobby into something more?
I would love love LOVE to have some kind of a store or maybe host some kind of class on repurposing. My dream would definitely be to have a store somewhere and sell my items. 

Where can we find you? 
You can find out more about me and read about our adoption journey at www.nunespartyofthree.blogspot.com