Merry Christmas | 2013

We celebrate Christ's birth as the incarnation of the Holy God to lowly man beginning the process of restoration between Creator and creature.  (Galatians 4:4-5)

We celebrate His life as an example of perfect obedience to God's law, showing us the way we should live once called to be God's own. (Philippians 2:8)

We celebrate His sacrificial death as a satisfaction of God's wrath. (Hebrews 10:12, 14) 

We rejoice in complete victory over death and sin giving us life, encouragement and hope. 

As you celebrate this day, may you revel in the birth, life, and death of Christ, knowing that without Him, Christmas is only gifts, food, family, friends, etc.

{ Jesus is the reason for the season }

~Merry Christmas, friends~

Kyle | 2014 Senior

Last month, I had the pleasure of taking Kyle's senior photos. 

Our families have been friends for a long time, and I can't believe it is time for him to graduate!

Kyle is a kind young man, sensitive to others, and earnest in his faith. 

His bright smile, and cheerfulness are a blessing and encouragement.

Enjoy some of my favorites from our session together! 

A month of gratefulness.....thoughtfulness

Today, I'm grateful for a sweet email I received from a dear relative. The thoughtfulness of the words, encouragement in sharing of biblical insight, and overall delight of receiving a "good" email made my heart happy and blessed. It brightened my day, and made me smile often throughout the different activities I was occupied with. 

Thanks, B! (You know who you are if you're keeping up with the posts!) 

A month of gratitude......moon and stars

(Pre-P.S. I had a great post for 11/12/13 because it was my half birthday, and I look at the post list today, and for some reason it never got posted. Fizzzzzzzz. 

It was really good, too---oh well.)

Tonight, I'm grateful for a moon and star lit walk in the crisp fall air. I love to walk at night. And tonight the moon shone softly while my sister and I crunched through the leaves. 

One of my favorite psalms declares our response in seeing the intricate beauty and handiwork of the skies. 

Read through this psalm, then look up in wonder. 

O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
    to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars,which you have set in place,
what is man that you aremindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
    you have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

~psalm 8 

A month of gratitude.....

Tonight I'm grateful for warm fires on cold blustery evenings. I'm grateful for  brothers who start and maintain the fire.

Oh, to curl up in the chair and watch the flames dart and dance.......sound cozy? Come in over! 

A Month of gratitude-radio, clock, & lamp

Disclaimer: this is a photography blog, so I post photos. The photo above does not say one thousand words. It says one. Bor-ing. Please accept my apologies and skip down to the words. 

Today I am grateful for my own clock/radio and lamp. They have been my faithful bedside companions for many  a year and yesterday they moved on to a new home. I have given them up, so my brothers can. Get up, that is. Since they moved back downstairs, it's hard for them to know what time it is in the morning. That means I, their personal walking alarm clock, get the distinct pleasure of awakening them. 

I have decided to resign from that career and let the ingenious clock/alarm/radio do its job. 

Unfortunately, that leaves me hard up for knowing what time it is, getting up at a reasonable time, or reading at night (because the other lamp in my room gives off about 27 watts of light)

(Try reading small print with that thing) 

I walk into my room and instantly glance to see what time it is. I come with hand half raised to stick under the lamp shade and turn the light on. I jump in bed, and lean over to turn the radio on. 

All in vain. 

My to-purchase-at-thrift-store list just got some new items. 

Do you have a clock, radio, or alarm in your bedroom? Could you live without it? 

A month of gratitude

Today, I'm grateful for cozy lamplight during a dreary, rainy day. 

I'm thankful for a home where soup bubbles in the stove, fuzzy socks and warm scarves are needed to keep warm since the fireplace sits cold, and music softly playing in the background. 

If only I had some extra time to read a book....

A Month of Gratefulness-Lamentations 3

This month, I want to pursue gratitude by daily acknowledging God's gifts to me.

Today, I am grateful for the hope we have in Christ alone. For God's grace and mercy. That He daily pours out blessings on His people. That He is faithful and steadfast to uphold His holiness.

"But this I call to mind,
    and therefore I have hope:

 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness. 

 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
    “therefore I will hope in him.”

 The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
    to the soul who seeks him. 

It is good that one should wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord."

Lamentations 3:21-26 

 

A Month of Blogging-23/23-The Last Day

This past month of weekday blogging has really pushed me. 

To be creative. 

To be consistent. 

To be honest. 

 

Thanks for joining me on this journey. Encouraging comments, on the internet and in passing. Participation in the giveaway. Those who read my thoughts, look at my photos, you make this worth my time, effort, energy, and preparation.

I'm thinking I might try something similar for November, but I've got a few hours to think it over. (smile!)

Stay with me, though.

There are still going to be some good things coming.

For now, enjoy our most recent updates of "school photos" (photos of we 5)

A Month of Blogging-22/23-Pie

One of my favorite pie recipes includes melty chocolate, caramelized nuts, and buttery pie crust. 

I made it for my grandma's birthday a few weeks ago, and she was quite delighted. 

It has many different names, including Nestlé Toll House Pie, chocolate chip pie, or chocolate pecan pie. 

It is a fairly easy recipe, but results in an impressive dessert. 

Enjoy! 

Ingredients

• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell 
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 cup Chocolate chips 
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 325° F. 

BEAT eggs in large mixer bowl on high speed until foamy. Beat in flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat in butter. Stir in morsels and nuts. Spoon into pie shell. 

BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between edge and center comes out clean. Don't overbake.  Cool on wire rack. Serve warm with whipped cream, if desired.

A Month of Blogging-21/23-Hebrews 12:1-2

These verses can be such an encouragement when life's journey takes a troubling turn or fearsome fork.

Today is the three month mark of when our basement was flooded. Three months of disarray, disorder, chaos, confusion, high hopes, and dashed desires. 

Three months of provision, protection, friends, family, hymns, and Scripture.

 

Part of the first verse reminds me that because of our sinful, depraived nature our life is full of carrying burdens. But, when we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, we can cast all our cares and burdens on Him because He cares for His own. 

(1 Peter 5:7)

As the moments pass, it is easy to become entangled with "civilian pursuits" (2 Timothy 2:4.

Daily cares and concerns can draw our focus away from the One who requires of us perfection, and He who lived perfectly, enduring the complete and utter wrath of God, that we might be seen as perfect, atoned, and guilt-free. (Isaiah 6)

How do you respond when your human frailty gets in the way of complete dependence upon God?

What encouragements aid your journey of life?

A Month of Blogging-20/23-Andrew & Keegan | Engagement

As much as I love taking senior photos, I think my up-and-coming new favorite is going to be engagement couples.

I had my first ever (eek!) engagement shoot a few weeks ago for some dear friends.
They have known each other for a few years, and on their 2nd anniversary of meeting each other in person, he proposed, and she said yes.

There was only a short time to capture them, as the light was quickly fading, but we had a wonderful time together, and definitely got some lovely images!

Andrew and Keegan, I am thrilled for you both! It has been an encouragement and challenge to see the way you have let the Lord lead your pathways.
Blessings as you begin this new season of your relationship, and prepare to be married!