Thursday, January 5, 2012

Celebrating a completed goal!

Two of our three kids have been sick this week so we’ve been cooped up in the house a little more than normal.  I’m starting to go a little stir crazy and so are they!

On the bright side, however, are the lovely flowers my hubby brought me yesterday.  They were in honor of a goal that I successfully completed this week … reading through the entire Bible in a year!  Yay!  I loved it so much that I started reading it again this morning.  If you’re interested in joining me, YouVersion has lots of reading plans to choose from.  Last year I did the Blended plan and this year, I’m going to try the Reading God's Story:  One-Year Chronological Plan.  I’m looking forward to seeing what God has for me in His Word this year!

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This or That Thursday

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

2011 Favorites–October

I’m simply going to let the pictures do the talking today!  May I present my October favorites…

IMG_8728 a touch of love and haze

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IMG_9069 1 Timothy 412

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IMG_9474 a touch of haze

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Monday, January 2, 2012

2011 Favorites–September

I came across this quote today and could totally relate …

“I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it.”  -Author Unknown

Photography has taught me to see.

And appreciate.

I will always be grateful.

My September favorites…

IMG_6854 pp hazy

IMG_6863 clean

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IMG_8400 kk scripted autumn

IMG_8441 pure a touch of love

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Jesus Calling: January 1, 2012

 

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Come to Me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed.  A close walk with Me is a life of continual newness.  Do not cling to old ways as you step into a new year.  Instead, seek My Face with an open mind, knowing that your journey with Me involves being transformed by the renewing of your mind.  As you focus your thoughts on Me, be aware that I am fully attentive to you.  I see you with a steady eye, because My attention span is infinite.  I know and understand you completely; My thoughts embrace you in everlasting Love.  I also know the plans I have for you:  plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Give yourself fully to this adventure of increasing attentiveness to My Presence.

Romans 12:2; Jeremiah 29:11

Jesus Calling:  January 1

What better way to start the New Year then by coming before the Lord with a teachable spirit and a willingness to rest in His presence?  I can’t wait to see God’s plans for my life and for those that I love unfold before us in His perfect timing!

Happy New Year!

Friday, December 30, 2011

2011 Favorites–August

I am so enjoying this project of sharing my favorite 2011 pictures.  It has been so much fun to relive such wonderful memories of this past year.  And I’ve gotten a few sweet comments from those of you who are following along and are enjoying the process as well … so thank you!

August’s pictures were especially fun to go through because there were a lot of vacation pictures.  Of course, that just made choosing my favorites even more difficult.  I could’ve literally picked dozens!  Nevertheless, these were my final picks.  If you live in cold climate like we do right now, you can also join me in living vicariously through these warm, sunny, summer pics…

1.  I love pictures of paths!  Don’t these woods look so lush and inviting?  The woods surrounding our home are currently bare and drabby looking so I’m especially enjoying this picture today.  Paths represent a journey and isn’t much of life all about that journey?  I enjoy a good journey, especially since I never have to walk the path alone!  Praise God for his presence in the journey!

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2.  The picture is all about repeating patterns – something else that I really enjoy taking pictures of.  My eyes spot repeating patterns everywhere and I love how those patterns are captured with my camera.  This picture also represents another really fun vacation memory!

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3.  Ahh…my beloved, hat-wearing Matthew!  I just love this kid!  He’s still extremely into that hat and wears it almost everywhere.  I can’t wait to look back on these pictures someday and remember this wonderful stage in his life when he couldn’t bear to be away from his hat.  From a photography standpoint, I really like the colors in this picture as well as the off-center composition.

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4.  Some might say that the kite should be in focus in this next picture, however, what I love about it is the fact that the only thing that is in focus is a small section of string.  To me, that narrow depth of field makes the photo interesting.

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5.  I chose this next one because it represents one of my favorite vacation memories – kayaking down the Platte River with Joel in the early evening, when there was very little human activity anywhere on the river.  I remember being completely enthralled with the reflections on the water.  It was and still is stunning to me!

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6.  This picture is so precious to me – even if it was staged for the camera.  Being out in such a beautiful place, it’s hard not to praise the Creator of such beauty.  I love what those raised arms represent … surrender, praise, gratitude, awe!

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7.  Oh goodness … a gorgeous sunset over Lake Michigan … absolutely stunning!

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8.  This next one was taken on the first day of school … in the grocery store cafĂ© area.  Not only is it precious, but it’s a reminder that good light makes a huge difference (of course, it doesn’t hurt to have really cute subjects!).

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9.  I took a lot of pictures of my mums during the late summer and early fall months, but this one is, by far, my favorite.  I love the composition, the rainbow-like colors and the slight texture I added in the editing process.

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So there you have it … another month of favorites.  Thanks for hanging in there with me!  I’ll post my September favorites early next week.  Enjoy your weekend and have a safe and Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Building “Frosty”

No White Christmas for us this year.  But, we did get a few inches of snow a few days after.  And since Joel is off this work this week, the five of us headed out to play.  Well, actually four headed out to play with snow while one went out to play with her camera!  The snow players eventually sucked her into their fun, however, and the result was the biggest snowman we’ve ever built!

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Since we haven’t had a lot of snow yet this winter, we’re all hoping for much, much more (just not when I have to drive in it!).  That’s not too much to ask, is it?

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

2011 Favorites - July

Although I’m sure I’ve lost some of you along the way, I’m am truly enjoying the trip down memory lane, if you will, as I share my favorite pictures from 2011.  If for nothing else, I’m happy to have these favorites all in one place and I’m really loving the opportunity to reminisce about all of the fun times we had as a family this past year.  It makes me feel very blessed!  Here are the ones I chose for the month of July…

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IMG_4006 with texture

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IMG_4284 with scripture

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IMG_5197 with scripture

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Only five more months (and five posts to go)!  August’s pictures will be up later this week…