illuminater...

I long in my heart to see and to seek God in the fresh, vibrant way I did when I first blogged. There was something about that time, something new, unexplored. The world crept in, and I became self-conscious about my writing, and I left it.  But...never forgot it.

God knows the desires of my heart, even through my fumbling, inadequate attempts to talk to him about them, usually ending in tears and very little words actually being said.  He knows, and he gives.

I stepped out into the cool, early air of the porch, and my face sought the sun without conscious thought.  What I saw took my breath.  

This day, God did what God does - he revealed himself.  And for once, my eyes were willing to see.

Photography is all about light. I am in love with light, and my eyes and heart can barely contain themselves when I see beautiful light. This particular morning, God showed me more than just lovely light - once again, he showed me Jesus, glorious Jesus.

As I've learned and grown as a photographer, I've learned how to manipulate light, using it to illuminate my subject in the manner I have envisioned in my mind's eye. The very best light is big, soft light, the closer the better, light that wraps around and embraces the subject, softening harsh edges and shadows. 

Isn't that my Jesus? He is the Light of the world, the Light of MY world, and when he comes close to me, as he always is (if only I would see), enveloping me in his big, soft glow, my soul is illuminated. No shadows can remain, no darkness in the inner chambers of my heart, not when I am the subject and my Jesus is surrounding me, wrapping around me, filling me.  And like a well-lit portrait pleases the viewer, may the light of the Son reveal a subject that is pleasing to the Father.

Thank you, dear Father, that you heard my prayer, and showed yourself to me in such a sweet and precious way. You are the Faithful One, and I love you. 

Christmas in June...

So much has happened since I last blogged the sad news about my beloved Chrissy, and I am thanking God that it has been good stuff. My dear friends from California came in for a nearly-week-long visit, and we had loads of fun window shopping, eating, planning gardens, eating, chatting, cooking, eating...right up my alley, wouldn't you say?

And today, this came in the mail, sort of a followup gift box, I guess you'd say. We had much discussion about low carb cooking and eating, especially since 2 of my family members have been following that type of plan. The goodie box was jam packed with tons of stuff to try, as well as a huge folder of recipes to give a go. This will keep my mind and hands and mouth happily occupied for weeks.

But the most funnest (is that a word?) gift was the blue alligator for Zeus. One squeak and he knew it was his.  


Anne and Amy, much love and thanks to you for the sweet, thoughtful, and generous box of treats, and this comes from both me AND Zeus. Much love!
XOXOXOXOXO

 psst - can you tell he's crazy about it?

goodbye, my sweet girl...

You came to us at Christmas, 2005, as a precious bouncing 7 week old, making one 9 year old boyheart burst with joy and happiness. And now, 6 1/2 years later, that same boyheart is breaking.

I'll never ever know what you were chasing so intently, but why, why did you have to chase it into the road? I've never seen you do that before.  That young girl never even saw you coming. There was nothing anyone could do.

How I wish I could have stopped you. Instead, I got you back home and woke up my boy to tell him.  He is taking it hard, because there is nothing like a boy and his dog.

And now you're sleeping that long sleep, not far from Pumpkin. Who would believe that I would have a pet graveyard here, before we've even been here a year? If I had known, I never would have moved here. Yes, you would have been worth it.

Now we have days to come where we will look for you marching your patrol, and you won't be there. I'll scrape some leftovers into a pan for you, before I realize that you aren't there to eat them. Hellboy will eat from a bowl on the porch and wonder why you aren't taking it away from him. And Dillon will mow the yard and walk the woods and find your rubber tiger or a tennis ball in the grass, and wish you were with him.

I love you, sweet Chrissy. I will miss you more than I even know now. I'm so glad I had my coffee on the back porch with you this morning, and threw your toy for you a few times. I'll always remember how happy you were...

See you at the Rainbow Bridge. XOXO

out of sync...

God of my heart, this past year, You have blessed me beyond measure. You have given me gifts greater than I could dream of.  You have blessed given loved.  You have...

And yet - I am out of sync. My steps erratic. My heart unsettled.  I don't know why, except that I've been hiding, holding back, watching from a distance.

I want to come home.  Bring me home. To sit in the sun with You.  To sit at Your feet.

'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.'  Jeremiah 29:13

wistful ending, thriller beginning...

It's late, not much to say except it's a little sad to be wishing our first Christmas here goodbye.

But so exciting to be saying hello to our first full year. :)

I have lots to think about, and say, in the coming weeks, about God, children, me...so excited to be ready to blog again.

bringing it in, Hogwarts style...

2012 is well on it's way to being here, and I'm so looking forward to it. Last year at this time, I had a big load of house sitting on the land, and was anxiously waiting for the weather to cooperate so building could commence. Three snows and several weeks later, it did. :)


This year, we are snug and cozy in a beautiful, God-provided home, with walls still bare of pictures, for the most part; more furniture on the to-get list; and a few window treatments still not decided on. But we are here, and we love it. God has blessed this house with friends and family, and I hope and pray that I am using it to the glory of Him.


Tonight is our first New Year's Eve here. Dalton headed back today, not exactly to college, but to his part-time job leading youth at a small country church; Stevie's friend could not make it until at least tomorrow; and our friends cancelled plans to grill steaks with us; so it's just the four of us, and that's okay with me (except for the missing Dalton part). 


We had a little sugarhigh celebration a few minutes ago, with a nice draught of butterbeer, courtesy of Hogwarts.  Or rather, courtesy of Foxnews.   The recipe is there, and it was quite easy to make. We didn't have pint glasses or mugs for it but, we made do. 


Be warned, it's way sweet! 


Happy New Year, world. May this year be devoted to God, and through that devotion, to family, friends, and acquaintances. 

I should have waited for the bubbles to settle before the picture - it made

a wonderful "head" and the line of separation between foam and

drink was well established. 

senior 2012...

Been pretty busy, lately - lotta catching up to do here on the blog.  :)

But to share some cool news, for the first time EVER, I've had a graduating senior call me for portraits the summer before graduation the next May! Woot! 

I tried to hint a few times at the pretty fall colors and cooler weather, but it was useless. We did it in the heat. lol. At least we did most of the outside stuff early and I didn't have to show the client what a huge wimp I've turned out to be about the heat. :D

LOVE the way this one converted!