MC & KB

You know when you have found your prince because you not only have a smile on your face but in your heart as well. ~Author Unknown

What I've Learned: God Grants us Gifts so that we might use them in Service to Others.
I've known for sometime now, Reader, that God has a plan for my photography. True, I'm not sure what it is yet. But, having been blessed with this gift and the tools & opportunities to make beautiful images, I know He is as much at work in my creative life as in the spiritual. I love that. I love that God takes our creative passions seriously. I love that expressing my creativity in praise of Him can be as much an act of sacred worship as tithing or serving. I love that He provides joyful work.

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of driving out to a friend's farm to shoot her engagement photos. I've known KB for many years and was very touched when she and her fiance asked me to photograph their wedding this October. After praying about it and doing plenty of research, I felt convicted that this was a wonderful opportunity to use my gift to serve my friend (in my first wedding as a photographer). I arrived at the farm with my trusty Olympus E-420 and was greeted by KB, who wore a gorgeous plum dress and looked more lovely than I'd ever seen her. Her fiance appeared shortly thereafter and we embarked on a relaxed morning shoot involving the couple and their horses--all with gorgeous views of their property in the background.

Took me most of the week to edit the photos but I finally got them done and presented them to my friends this afternoon. I hope they enjoy them as much as I have. Perhaps the thing I love most about photography is the unique opportunity it provides to clearly show a viewer that special something or personality quirk that makes your subject so interesting.

Photography was never a gift I aspired to, and yet, it was in God's plan that I would one day pick up a camera and discover a calling. I can't wait to see how this gift He's given me will impact the lives I encounter. It's already completely transformed mine. What a wonderful way to serve my brothers and sisters--and to serve my Beloved Father.

So, without further adieu, here are a few of my favorite shots from last weekend for your enjoyment, dear Reader. Love is a mighty fine thing to behold...


















He felt now that he was not simply close to her, but that he did not know where he ended and she began. ~Leo Tolstoy




True love stories never have endings. ~Richard Bach

Quotes courtesy of Quote Garden.

Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees. ~Victor Hugo

What I've Learned: The Biggest Moments Are Often Rooted in Simple Decisions.
The first thing I will remember, dear Reader, about this--my Baptism Day--is the fading heat of a 90-degree summer afternoon and the scent of a hundred lilacs in the air. I will remember how, after days of being anxious, all the nervousness I felt melted away the moment I stepped inside the church. I will remember bouncing with joy and meeting everyone with a smile as I took it all in. I'll remember my family all being there and holding the hand of a dear friend who was also baptized today. Most of all, I will remember stepping down into that pool on the stage where Pastor Pete and I talked while my Faith Story was read aloud to the congregation. Then Pastor Pete took my arm and dipped me beneath the water, cleansing me of all my sins and signifying that I am now a new creation before God.

It was some weeks ago, after attending the last water baptism service at Christ Community, that I knew it was time for me to publicly declare my faith by getting in the water. Having made the decision to accept Christ as my savior in February, this was a tangible act of obedience I knew I needed to do. Neither of these decisions were arrived at lightly--it took something like six years of seeking before I really understood what being a Christ-follower meant and that I wanted to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

But once I knew that, the two biggest decisions of my life were eerily simple to make and resulted in huge moments of humility, awe and indescribable gratitude.

Reader, there are few things more joyful than acts committed in total confidence because you know you've made the right decision. I can't describe how this experience feels--it is something each of us has to decide for ourselves. But when it's right, there is no doubt. No anxiety. No regret. Only the most amazing peace and God's promise of everlasting life. Makes for a pretty darn good day.

God enters by a private door into each individual. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Quotes courtesy of The Quote Garden.

At Table Rock in Maine, April 2005

 No question is so difficult to answer as that to which the answer is obvious.
~George Bernard Shaw

 What I've Learned: Seek & Ye Shall Find.
For years, Reader, I have searched for a love to fill me up. In retrospect, much of that need for love and acceptance stemmed from early childhood where I never lived up to my father's expectations.  That sense of being unloveable was compounded by a deep sense of loneliness and abandonment when my parents divorced.  I was seven years-old.  Years later, I assumed the bottomless craving in the middle of my being was for romantic love. So, all through my teen years, my 20's and into my 30's, I chased relationships. I squeezed myself into every romantic entanglement that looked even remotely viable (and a few that were obviously wrong from the start), all in the name of finding the perfect man to fulfill my every need, desire and fantasy of being loved.

Sure, it sounds silly now. But that's exactly what I was doing. I was sure that once I had real, romantic love, things would change. All the ugly parts of my life and character would suddenly begin to turn around. Being in love would somehow work the changes in me that I couldn't seem to bring about myself.

Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. ~Daniel 5:27

Of course, it never worked. Even when I finally found a man who loved me, his flaws coupled with my own were enough to topple the relationship and leave me vaguely sure that finding a significant other still wouldn't solve the problem.  It took many years to realize that no mortal man is capable of the kind of love I craved. (And it was down-right unfair to lay that impossibly heavy burden on someone else.)

 But my need to be loved remained. It was there all through college as I sought to be a writer. It was there in every job I landed, driving me to find something--anything--to feel significant, respected. That need was the catalyst for turning a surly, tongue-tied kid into a boisterous, adventure-seeking extrovert who makes friends easily. Looking back, I'd been searching for anything to fill that emptiness my entire life.

So, what exactly did I need? Why wasn't the love of my wonderful mom and extended family enough to fill the void in my heart? Why was it still there, even when I acknowledged my flaws and shortcomings? What could possibly fill it? Even if a person could live with this giant hole inside, I knew I didn't want to.

People see God every day, they just don't recognize Him. ~Pearl Bailey

Turns out, God had been nudging me into the path of His love for years.  I met countless wonderful people who were living by Jesus' example and gently guiding me in the right direction. My dearest friend, Brown, was the first person to take me to a church where I found solace (a revelation for a confirmed atheist). My paternal grandfather lived out his faith every day of his life--though I wouldn't see the significance until after his death. While I lived in Texas for a year, a fabulous, high-heeled coworker-turned-confidant showed me each day how a love of the Lord had worked miracles in her life. Another friend came and demonstrated the unconditional love of Christ by helping me paint a room and move twice--all in one week.

And there were many more: people I came to admire and respect who had a steady, unwavering assuredness about where they were going and the peace of knowing whatever happened next, they were LOVED. In fact, they were so LOVED, that they were able to freely give that same LOVE to others. This was the kind of LOVE I had been looking for.

There is a God-shaped vacuum in every heart. ~Blaise Pascal

But there were a few obstacles. I didn't believe in God. I didn't know anything about faith. I'd heard of Jesus but was really skeptical and afraid that giving my life over to Him would mean succumbing to some sort of religious brainwashing where common sense and intellectual thought went right out the window. I was scared to consider believing in something I couldn't see or touch (Santa and the Easter Bunny had me a little gun-shy). What if it wasn't true? What if I were deluding myself?

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
~Martin Luther King Jr.

These questions scared me. But, I found myself continually drawn back to God and the deep peace His church offered. My need for LOVE was met when I went to worship. When I took the time to really, truly pray, I felt a deep sense of belonging--now I'd call it being a child of God. Sure, I left each service with more and more questions and some anxiety about where this spiritual seeking would take me, but I couldn't ignore the sense of peace--of rightness--I found in listening to God's Word spoken by God's people. As my desire to learn more and read the Bible grew, more spiritual advisers appeared with even more books and resources to help me make sense of what I was hearing.

I was told repeatedly that if I just kept seeking, I would begin to understand and God would find a way to bridge the chasm of my sins and all the ugliness that made me feel unworthy. Still, it surprised me when, on Saturday, Feb. 26th, 2011, as I was listening to former Buffalo Bills Quarterback, Jim Kelly and his wife, Jill, speak at my church that the last of the pieces suddenly dropped into place and I understood. I don't have all the answers in this life and I won't. But God does. W hen I put my faith in Him and trust that He will see me through whatever life has in store, remarkable things happen. My life changes. The lives around me change. Each time I have honestly put my faith in God to find a solution, He has done amazing things and granted more than I ever hoped for.

Hunting God is a great adventure. ~Marie DeFloris

So I prayed sincerely (not half-heartedly as I had a couple of times before) for Jesus to come into my heart and life and change me. I asked Him to forgive me and take this life, make it into whatever He wants it to be. I had never been more serious or exhilarated. I felt thrilled and also a little dumb-founded. Here I was, a former atheist, a person who used to think people of faith were weak and deluded but now I was purposefully--gladly--handing over the direction of my life to something so much greater than myself. How's that for a surprise ending?

Of course, it isn't the end. It's just the beginning of a new life, a whole new way of being. For the first time in my life, watching the sun go down doesn't make me sad, thinking about another day being gone and wondering how many more I have left. I don't fear loneliness or worry about how I will handle the next tragedy when it arises. I don't wonder anymore if my existence is meaningless or purposeless. I no longer despair, trying to beat back the choking fear that this life is all there is. But more than that, I know I am LOVED. Precious & treasured.

And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. ~John 8:32

For me it was true, dear Reader. At some point if you seek, you will find. God Bless and Keep You.

Faith is reason grown courageous. ~Sherwood Eddy

Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. ~Psalms 119:105

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. ~I Corinthians 15:26

Quotes courtesy of The Quote Garden.

Ready For Christmas Morning

Today's Joy: Christmas Eve.

It's finally, finally here, Reader! That most wonderful day before the BIG DAY. Marked by a final flurry of gift wrapping and that obligatory last trip to the store for forgotten sour cream, extra shrimp and, of course, a few more gifts.

I love Christmas, Reader! I've been wishing folks on the street a Merry Christmas since Thanksgiving. My radio at work has been playing Christmas Carols for weeks & when everyone else goes to lunch, I join in, singing loudly. But it's not just me. The whole family has been Christmasing for the entire month of December. Our house is covered in gorgeous light-up snowflakes and the Christmas Dinner menu has been planned since Halloween. We've also been baking cookies for three consecutive weekends (no need to rush perfection, after all).

This week, the house has morphed into Santa's workshop central with an onslaught of gift wrapping. I adore wrapping gifts, Reader. Coordinated papers and packages stacked in gift towers tied with sumptuous ribbon--ahhhhh! Each year after Christmas, I take advantage of the 75% off sales to buy next year's coordinated wrapping scheme. It brings me great joy to watch my friends & loved ones unwrap my patterned package confections. Add to that, the final phase of decking the halls and we are almost ready! Though, I'll probably still be tinkering with my red & white candy tree in the dining room until we sit down to eat Christmas Dinner. Speaking of which, Aunt & I have been plotting the perfect holiday table setting for days. And I won't even get into how I turn into the world's biggest kid on Christmas morning.

Now, having said all of that, I've already gotten what I want for Christmas this year. I have asked God into my heart in a way I've never done before. I have felt his presence almost constantly and am watching Him work small miracles in my heart & in the hearts of others around me every day. For the first time, I am aware in a dumb-struck, utterly humbled sort of way what it meant when that little baby was born in a Bethlehem stable. A promise was fulfilled. It really was to save you & me. And that changes everything.

Just a thought, Reader: while you're opening gifts tomorrow morning, surrounded by the sweet love of family & friends, remember that all the joy in your heart is but an echo of the love freely given by Our Father. What a staggering revelation to know He's done all this just for me. Just for you. May God Bless & keep you and may this Christmas be full of all the warmth, love, memories and illumination your heart can hold. Amen.

We are volcanoes when we women offer our dreams and experiences as our truth. All maps change and there are new mountains. ~ Ursula K. Le Guin

Today's Joy: Remembrance & Contemplation.
You may have heard, Reader, Elizabeth Edwards passed away this week. I've been thinking a great deal about the graceful and gracious way she lived her life despite several very public & painful chapters. She refused to be defined by the things that happened to her. Instead, she turned each setback, humiliation and tragedy into an instrument of strength with which she made a difference in the lives of others.

What an example she set! If Elizabeth Edwards could accomplish so much as an advocate, political figure & mother--all the while walking in faith and hope--what can I accomplish in my own life with the time I've been given? What could you accomplish, Reader? How would your life be different? How many lives could we change?

I am moved by the words Elizabeth posted on Facebook Monday--they turned out to be her last offered publicly:

"You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces -- my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope. These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined.

...There are certainly times when we aren't able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It's called being human. But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful. It isn't possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel to everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know. With love, Elizabeth."

An amazing and well-lived life. May we all be so blessed and strive to make the most of what God has given us.

Statuary, Grapevine Botanical Garden, Grapevine, TX.

Today's Joy: Finding Out What Other Hearts Need.

Co-led our weekly church community group meeting with SH tonight, Reader. Our usual leader is on vacation this week. Though I was nervous, it turned out to be a smashing success. The readings went smoothly and each woman opened her heart and shared personal concerns with the group.

It was like a breakthrough, really. And as the group grows and evolves, I can see our needs changing too. Am also beginning to get a picture in my head of ways we can be flexible in the group while still meeting all of these needs, whether they be spiritual or fellowship-related. I will pray for guidance on what will be the right path for this group. Thank you, God, for providing me this place where I can come and share with other new believers.

There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience. ~French Proverb

Today's Joy: Clearing the Air & Honoring Someone Else.
Made a phone call tonite, Reader, to say a few things that needed to be said. Took ownership of a few of my mistakes and offered forgiveness for someone else's. Not exactly what I thought I'd be doing tonight when I woke up this morning. But God works in wonderfully unpredictable ways and you can't ever tell when he's gonna drop something heavy enough on your heart that you just know those words need to be delivered now. Following His direction means taking a risk and stepping out in what you believe. Still, I'm glad I listened and said my piece.

I know God will use this experience in the lives around me as well as my own to teach lessons that will prepare us for what's to come. He has already blessed me so incredibly! I can't imagine what He has in store next and can't wait to find out!

When He puts a directive like that on your heart, Reader, take that leap. Do what you know deep down is the right thing--that which will work healing in another's life as well as your own. In honoring them, you are honoring God too.

Sundown, Bahr Rd., Burlington, IL, July 27th, 2010.

Today's Joy: A Big Day.

It's been a really big day, Reader. Though, I suppose it's the culmination of several seeds God planted weeks ago. Over the past 2 months I've been listening to Dave Ramsey & other sources discuss the benefits of tithing. I know how good giving to others can feel in my own life, so I can easily see how regular tithing would bring much fulfillment. But with my wonderful new job only being part-time and the bills far outweighing any extra income, I figured giving back 10% of my income was a ways off yet.

Still, I felt God nudging me. When the opportunity presented itself for me to have a charitable donation deducted from my paycheck, I immediately signed up. I chose to give to Compassion International. True, it was only a small sum each week, but it was that much more than CI had the week before. Plus I enjoy looking at my pay stub each week and seeing the donation total grow.

Fast forward to last week, when I signed up for my 401K. I read all about the plans my employer offers and took the little risk assessment included. Discovered that with a good 30 years or more to retirement and a certain comfort level with risk, I'm a good candidate for the moderate to aggressive technology-based funds. Now I'm set up with a balanced portfolio that includes stock in Microsoft, Apple, Google and Suncor Energy, among others. (How cool is that?) While figuring out how much income to contribute, it became apparent that in 30 years, 10% would yield almost $10K more than an 8% contribution in principal alone. A no-brainer, right?

I took a good look at how much 10% of my income was and thought again about tithing. That little nudging sensation was back again. So, I prayed about it that night and asked God to tell me if this is what He really wanted me to do, even with such a limited budget. Then I thought about my charitable donation and how I didn't even notice that extra bit of money being gone each week. I broke the 10% down into weekly amounts and divided it between my payroll deduction, my weekly church offering and a favorite radio station I've been thinking about supporting for quite some time. It would be really tight, but I could do it. So, I called HR and upped my donation. Then I made a commitment to God that I would do my 10% and trust in him to make sure I had enough to live on. I immediately felt SO good!

All of that brings us back around to today. I was at work this morning when my supervisor called to say that she wants to make my position full-time with more diverse responsibilities, which would mean full benefits as well as more hours. After only 6 weeks with the company! I immediately accepted and thanked her. When I got off the phone, I was almost in tears as I thanked God. The additional income will be more than enough to cover my 401K contribution as well as the amount I will tithe. It's so amazing how God works! He simply asked me to have faith in Him and as soon as I did, everything changed. Yup, definitely a big day. I feel so blessed!

Driving home along my favorite country back roads tonight, there was this spectacular sunset over misty cornfields, so I stopped and took a few shots. Hard to describe how full my heart felt. Can't wait to see what God will do next.

Me, B & Leaky Bucket

Faith is reason grown courageous. ~Sherwood Eddy

Today's Joy: New Beginnings.
I took a step out in faith tonight, Reader. I attended my first women's community group through church. While God has blessed me tenfold since I've been home, I confess I miss the day-to-day closeness of my best girl friends (all of whom live in other states). Now that I'm attending a church I really like, it feels like the perfect time to reach out in search of fab new local female friends to share this faith-journey.

Over the last 14 years, I've been blessed with several lifelong women friends. We've met while living in a treehouse and while studying physics. Two started out as my boss and another as my editor. Over the years, they've been my conscience & spiritual guides, my personal beauty advisers, my cheering squad and (when needed) a gentle reality check. They've been generous beyond measure and once even crawled through mud to get my car un-stuck so I wouldn't get my dress filthy.

K & J

P.S. They can rock any look from purple alligator-print stilettos to pink-lined camo gear.

D at the Fort Worth Botanical Garden

Whatever we go thru in this life, it's my pleasure to remind them I still see the bold, young women underneath the mommy, wife and career roles they've taken on. What a joy to watch them grow and mature into better versions of themselves! I suppose I feel about my girl friends the way some women feel about having children--there's always room for more!

S & her new HHR

Anyway, I had a good time tonight and met some fascinating and honest women. Can't wait to get to know them better. Have that feeling of being right where I'm supposed to be--you know the one I mean--where you can clearly feel God working in your life. Something special is beginning. Can't wait to see how it will unfold.

As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit. ~Emmanuel

Quotes courtesy of The Quote Garden.

Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message. ~ Malcolm Muggeridge

Today's Joy: Time Spent with God.
Had the day off today, Reader. I fell asleep last night after reading a few chapters of The Shack, by William P. Young. This is my second reading of this amazing book. So it felt only natural, upon waking this morning, to stretch luxuriously in bed and then pick up right where I left off. I read for a bit, absorbed some more deep and wonderful ideas and then got about starting my day.

After attending to the daily duties of living, I found myself drawn back to the book in the afternoon. So, I read some more. And passages that hadn't resonated with me during my first reading popped up like beacons of understanding this time around. There are several questions I've been pondering in regard to faith. Questions that my readings & discussions with spiritual advisors have not entirely answered. I'm sure you have a few such quandaries yourself, Reader. So, you will understand when I say that I really struggle with some of these faith roadblocks.

Mostly, they have to do with the rules of written teachings feeling incongruous with what I know in my heart about God & love.

In The Shack, Sarayu (my favorite character) advises, Don't look for rules and principles. Look for relationship--a way of coming to be with us. She further refers to responsibilities and expectations as subtle forms of these rules--words that were once live verbs (response & expectancy) but which we humans have turned into dead nouns. In essence, routines, rituals & obligations, which take away from our live relationship with God.

God is a verb, not a noun proper or improper. ~ R. Buckminster Fuller, No More Secondhand God, 1963

In The Shack, over and over, Papa, Jesus & Sarayu (the three faces of God in the book) all reiterate that they want to be in relationship with us. They want to live inside us, to be a part of everything we do--not just a chore to be completed on our daily to-do list (did the dishes, picked up the kids, prayed to God, etc).

When I think of the healthy relationships around me, I know a hint of that togetherness & acceptance. That understanding that no matter what your flaws, someone loves you unconditionally. Of course, with God, it's on a scale more infinite than anything I can imagine. But I see snippets of His love in my love for others and in the way they love me. God is the ultimate form of that--more than I can comprehend and more than I'll ever need. I like the idea that he's there with me every moment, seeing all that I do, celebrating triumphs & drawing close in times of sorrow.

The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too. ~Teresa of Avila

I love too, that he has extended this offer of relationship to everyone, regardless of race, color, belief or persuasion. He longs for fellowship with each of us. He is "especially fond" of all his children, whatever their circumstance, wherever they have been. He always offers them the chance to come to him in fellowship. As I progress in my own faith & relationship with Him, I can't imagine life any other way. Tonight, I can't wait to return to my book and see what other revelations I will find. What an amazing journey! Dear Reader, I hope my little musing gets you thinking--maybe even curious enough to pick up Mr. Young's book, or better yet, God's. Or, hit your knees and talk to the Man, Himself. I'm sure he'd love to hear from you. More revelations to come!

People see God every day, they just don't recognize him. ~Pearl Bailey


Quotes courtesy of The Quote Garden.

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. ~Mother Teresa

Today's Joy: Taking It Back to Prayer.
It was not a good day, Reader. It started out stinky and got progressively worse. Due to a miscommunication, I found myself sitting alone outside work at 6 am when I didn't need to be there until 7. Certainly inconvenient, but, as my visiting friend was flying out this morning, it seemed doubly so. We could have spent that precious hour having breakfast together. As it was, I left before she woke up and didn't get to say goodbye.

Then, in the afternoon, I went for a follow-up to one of last week's job interviews, got completely lost, drove around for over an hour looking for the new interview location and almost ran out of gas. I finally had to call my perspective contact and, over garbled cell phone reception, ask to reschedule. I felt utterly defeated. Sometime overnight, it seems, I had lost all of my time management and directional skills. Add to that an abnormally intense & painful rush of monthly hormones, which caused me to entertain very un-Christianlike thoughts about the drivers in front of me, and all I wanted to do was come home, eat chocolate and put on my jammies.

The only thing that kept me from being in tears was returning to prayer and handing it all over to God. Don't get me wrong, every moment felt like a struggle today. But without that simple, basic act of asking for help, asking for solace, praying for patience and the self-control not to honk my horn at pretty much everyone on Route 176, I would have felt even worse!

“Things don't go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all that you were intended to be.”
-- Samuel Johnson, English Author

Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats. ~Voltaire


Quotes courtesy of The Quote Garden.

Today's Joy: Faith, Demonstrated.
It's been a hard day, Reader. I took my photo wares to my third show this year, very optimistic that this was it! I'd been praying and hoping the bad shows were behind me. I was finally going to recoup some of the cash that's been sunk into this venture! After all, I'm very proud of my work and the products I sell. They're thoughtfully-made from the best quality materials I could find. I'm proud to put my name on them.

However, once again, the show turnout was almost non-existent and for the second show in a row, I sold nothing. Yep, not a notecard. Not a bookmark. Zip! A few lovely people did stop by and offer encouraging feedback. There were also a few that monopolized 20 minutes or more of my time and man-handled several items before mumbling they were broke or unemployed and walking away. I tried not to notice when they bought ugly multi-colored roses made from wood chips at the booth next door.

I really tried to keep my positive attitude, but after six tedious hours of selling nothing, my positivity was utterly deflated. So, Mom took me out for a late lunch and we talked about what was successful (not much), what wasn't (a whole lot) and how to improve. Talking helped, but I was still in a funk.

After we parted ways, I realized there was still time to make the evening service at a local church God's been prompting me to visit. So I took my heavy heart over there and walked into a baptismal service.

Reader, there are few things more moving, more uplifting or more personal than watching someone who really believes in Jesus & God's love dedicate his or her life to God and re-affirm their faith. I watched a young widow renew her faith as she deals with grief and trying to move on. There was also an angry young man, now at peace with his demons. Most powerful though, was a couple being baptised. The husband led his wife, who has stage 4 breast cancer, into the pool and they went together. They were all so happy when they came out. It was really, REALLY wonderful and moved me to tears.

It also made me feel very silly for spending so much energy brooding over my problems. As a photographer, I spend a lot of time peering through a lens to capture little, infinitesimal moments of beauty. I forget sometimes that God uses me as a lens in the same way and I have to be just as mindful of those images. Good thing He loves me, 'cause I am SO not perfect! Is there anything He's put on your heart to see or do, Reader? If you're putting it off, what's stopping you?

Photo: Forsythia, 2008.

Today's Joy: Taking the Good with the Bad.
It was an odd sort of day, Reader. It started out rather poopy and I was afraid it might continue that way. But a little prayer for guidance & help, a nice visit with Mom and 2 exciting pieces of news (one job-related & one business-related--yes, in my world they are separate things) brought me out of my funk. So, now I'm facing tomorrow with all kinds of possibilities that weren't on the horizon yesterday. Isn't it funny how God knows just when it's time to bolster our hope and faith--usually when we're holding on by our fingernails?

Trust me, he says. Yessir.