06/30/11

This is a tale of the sunflower.

Bear with me as I explain:

A couple of years ago I saw that a sunflower was rising up out of the backyard in an area where we had had a bird feeder for the winter. That little seed had been missed by a hungry feathery friend and had nestled down in the soil for a cozy time before desiring to sprout forth with joy!

What joy I had upon seeing said flower bursting forth in glory.

I was so very excited to photograph it and checked each day to see if the sunflower was beginning to bloom.

Upon checking one evening I knew that the next day would be the day for me to begin the photographing of this beautiful creation. I was so excited!

I awoke the next morning, rushed to the window to view the beautiful yellow unfolding.....

... and saw that the head of the sunflower had been bitten off during the night by some animal... probably a deer.

NICE.

Fast forward a couple of years.

I began to view in the same area several of those gorgeous yellow sunshines rising up from the ground. I was ecstatic! Not only were they rising up but there were LOTS of them.

I couldn't wait... I had anticipated this for a long time.

I went out the next day to view the progress.....

.... only to find that Steve had hit them all with Round-Up weed killer the night before.....

DOUBLE NICE.

I asked why he had done so.... and he just said he thought he should get rid of them.

But wait!

Out of the ruins of the Round-Up killed beauties I see one standing alone... it had fended off that weed killer and now was a glorious green waiting to burst forth with color!

I was now so excited I was dancing.

I began to check on it every day. I would have cuddled it if my family had not thought it strange. (Of course... I do things every day that they think are strange so why did I not do it???)

Then it came. The day I had waited for.

It began to bloom!

Day 1

I checked on it every day. I took pictures of the growth each day. I also learned that the yellow that I thought were flower petals were not flower petals but actually more similar to the sepal petals. The actual blooms of the flower were the inside and so all of those parts on the inside are tiny flowers. I learned something new through this photography adventure! (Thanks, Kevin!)

Day 2 ~ notice the little flowers are opening up more.

Day 3~ check out the growth in the center!

Day 4 ~ look at the changes!

Unfortunately, there is no day 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or.... well, you get the point.

Something (we think a storm with heavy wind) knocked down my beautiful sunflower on day 2. It was still blooming so I kept photographing it hoping that Steve could just prop her back up and do something to hold it steady.

When he tried.... it died.

I did not get to watch it change into actual seeds in the sunflower. I did not get to view the other blooms that were waiting to burst forth!

TRIPLE NICE.

So much for me and my sunflowers.

06/29/11

"Have a blessed day!"

Did you know these words were offensive to someone at Steve's work?

An email was sent out work-wide to not put those words when you close an email any longer as "it offended" someone.

It amazes me how something so simple such as that can be offensive when I see things in the news this past week that offend me greatly. I would be considered narrow-minded and legalistic for thinking such thoughts!

I read an article last week that stated a country singer was "gay and Christian." Those two words do not go together at all.

It was in the news last week of New York passing the gay marriage legalization. These two things offend me, however, if I think that I am being a "hater."

I don't hate the person... I hate the choice of sin -- just as God does.

How do I know that I am right and these people are in the wrong?

It is because of God's Word.

My pastor this past week spoke on how we can know the truth in situations such as this. We must be in God's Word and search the Scriptures.

We are to put what is said up against the perfect Word of the Lord. God's Word is true.

All of these events show more and more how we are living in the last days. What once was right is now wrong; what once was wrong is now made to be "right." God's Word shows this is to come:

II Timothy 3:1-5
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
holding to a form of godliness (religion) , although they have denied its power.

As I was walking the other morning, this song came on my MP3 player and it put all of the things we are seeing in this world into perspective. Enjoy the song....

OH.. and have a BLESSED day.

06/28/11

I mowed grass today.

You may think that is nothing new.

And it isn't.

However, I did it because I love my husband.

Now THAT is some kind of revelation!

You see.... I am so not an outdoorsy person. I am not a "green thumb" and I detest insects.

But I love my husband.

I love to surprise him and do things for him that he wasn't expecting.... even when it is something I don't really enjoy doing.

He does the same for me ... he has cleaned the house, cooked, washed clothes just so I wouldn't have a lot on my plate when I got home (whether I was at work or not!). Those surprises show much he loves and cares for ME!

As I was riding on that lawnmower today cutting almost 3 acres of grass I chewed on a few thoughts I wanted to share today.

So many times we get caught up in the "feeling" of love towards someone and we claim that the only way to show love is romantically.

Not so.

Love is an action. Love is not a feeling.

When I think of Steve over myself I begin to see what is bothering him or ways in which I can help him. I have to put him above my own desires at times.

Steve has always been willing to help around the house and that has grown in many ways since we have had the kids. There are a lot of things we both just "do" around the house, but when we see a need with the other, we try to jump in and help.

My parents have always been willing to help each other. Mom was a stay-at-home-Mom with us and Dad worked on the farm. They both worked hard at what they did.... and they both helped out with things at home. Dad helped me with homework just like Mom did even though Dad worked outside of the home. (I can still remember him trying to teach me to count money... oh, it wasn't pretty. I had my Holly Hobby gown on and couldn't get a lick of it right!) They supported each other and no job was "too good" for the other to help.

Marriage is a partnership.... not a one-sided venture. I think more marriages would survive today if the first thought of the married couple each day were "How can I help or encourage my husband/wife instead of expecting my husband/wife to do something for me?"

Thinking of others is not always priority in our day and time. It is all about ME and what I want, and what I deserve.

"I work hard all day so I shouldn't have to come home and do _________."

We all have days we feel like that, but that is not what God wants us to do. If we really stop and think about it, we don't DESERVE anything... everything we have is a gift!

God wants us to look to the needs of others.... and that, most importantly, means our SPOUSES!

I don't claim to hold a doctorate in Marriage, but the Lord has revealed many things to me through the years and they were mostly directed at ME! I had to learn not to be the selfish one!

Here are some ideas: (these are all things Steve has done for me or I for him!) This is not a long list. Feel free to add ideas to these in comments!

• Take out that bag of clothes that your wife has put together that needs to go to Good-Will because you know it is heavy and she needs help getting it to the van.
• Clean up the kitchen after your husband/wife made supper.
• Be willing to clean up an area that drives your spouse crazy that you have allowed to go "wild" and cluttered in the house/outside the house over time. (Steve and I both have had times of that!)
• Take out the trash.
• Fold the laundry even if it isn't "your job."
• Go pick vegetables in a garden that has bugs crawling in it because you know your spouse is tired when he/she gets home from work. (That would be especially for me....)
• Be willing to serve them and allow them to sit and watch their favorite show.
• Show support with rearing the kids in front of the kids. Discuss differences away from them but still be on the "same page" as much as possible.
• Learn to let go of some "pet peeves."
• Mow the grass!

Just remember... love is an ACTION.

Are you showing your spouse you love him/her....

Or are you showing your spouse you love YOURSELF more?

Ephesians 5:33
Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband.

06/27/11

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart.
Ecclesiastes 5:2

Speak softly and sweetly.
If your words are soft and sweet,
they won't be as hard to swallow if you have to eat them.
Anonymous

06/26/11

Isaiah 58:8, 9, 11

... the glory of the Lord shall by thy rereward. (rear guard)
Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say,
Here I am....
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

What a beautiful picture of what the Lord is to us!

06/25/11

I read this in my devotions the other night and wanted to share.

The Wedge of Bitterness

The following story proves that bitterness is a trap that leads to nothing by despair. Don't be ensnared by bitterness; it will lead to your spiritual downfall.

Vincent van Gogh's father, Theodorus, was a minister in a small, Dutch Reformed church, and his mother, Anna Cornelia, reared him in a proper parsonage. Early in life the red-haired, blue-eyed, freckled boy memorized Scripture, frequently quoting it.

Vincent pored earnestly over biblical passages and hymns, and as a result, he was rgarded as a fanatic by many of his peers. Nevertheless, his commitment to Christ was paramount, and eventually he became a Bible teacher and a supply preacher for a local Methodist chapel. His sermons there often focused on mankind's severe lot, God's kindnesses, and the bond of love that can tie together the human family.

Vincent did not succeed at his theological studies, and after failing to get a mission assignment as a lay preacher, he appointed himself a pastor to coal miners in southern Belgium. He preached in an old dance hall and started Bible classes. A mission's society agreed to pay him $10 a month for a six-month trial period.

Wanting to be obedient to every word of Jesus, Vincent sold all his belongings and even allowed the coal dust to remain on his face. This "excessive zeal" caused the missions society to discontinue support.

Vincent became angry and resentful. On Christmas 1881, he bitterly informed his father that he regarded the institution of the church as "abominable." He befriended a disease-ridden prostitute.

From that time on, Vincent lived in despair. In a fit of despondency, he cut off his left ear. He was in and out of normalcy, putting himself into a mental hospital. Writing to his brother, Theo, he said that he believed life to be ongoing-endless-this troubled painter of 800 oils and 700 drawings took a revolver into a wheat field on July 27, 1890. He stepped behind a manure pile and shot himself in the stomach, then stumbled back to his bed and turned his gaze to the wall. The 37-year-old genius was in his eternal home. (Taken from an article by J. Grant Swank, Jr. July 16, 1990, Christianity Today.)

No matter how disappointed you are in others, in your church, in yourself, or even in the Lord, don't allow bitterness to envelop you. Don't lose sight of the love, hope, and joy that Jesus Christ brings into your life.

~ Dwell Devotional

I can't help but think on this as I was typing it. Vincent van Gogh was so quick to try and make his own path. Since I wasn't there, I honestly don't know, but from what I read here it seems he was so caught up in the religion of Christ that he failed to have the relationship. He failed to ask the Lord where he should go and what he should do. When things didn't work out the way HE wanted them, he turned his back on God.

Aren't we like that too? We can be very quick to push God away when things don't go the way we want. We can become bitter just like Vincent van Gogh. I know... I have been there.

Give yourself time to ponder these thoughts that Steve and I have been going through in a Bible study with friends.

Do you know God and believe Him?
(believe His Word, His truths, His promises)

Do you glorify God?
(actions, words, deeds)

Does you find satisfaction in God?

Do you experience God's peace?

Do you enjoy God's presence?

Don't be like Vincent van Gogh and go your own way. Find that Peace and Joy ... which do not allow bitterness to take hold... only through Christ.

06/24/11

What is something I love to eat beyond words?

That would be cheese.
When Steve and I went to Boone for our anniversary we stopped in at Ashe County Cheese and picked us up some smoked mozzarella and Pepper Jack. The mozzarella was gone within the first week because there wasn't much of it... and, well, I didn't want it to be sad sitting in that fridge. The pepper jack has been a continual joy.

I love, love, love most all kinds of cheeses. Muenster, Colby, Swiss, the above mentioned... etc... However, I cannot.... really, truly cannot do goat cheese. I have tried it on several occasions and just can't swing the taste. My best friend and I were at a place last fall that had aged cheddar cheese samples. This cheddar cheese was around $27.00 a pound! We were frequent flyers to the sample area. We would walk away and then meander through the store to get back to the samples. We probably ate the $27.00 worth of samples.

I know it helps with calcium, but if I ate all that I would like to I would be a walking cheese head... and not from Wisconsin. lol

Speaking of Wisconsin... a friend from church is there visiting her family and called me just to see what kind of cheese we wanted so she could bring us back some!!! I am beyond excited for the delivery of Wisconsin cheese. :) (Thanks, Beth!!!)

Do you like cheese?

What is your favorite?

06/23/11

I am engulfed in editing of wedding photos. It is wonderful to watch a picture become more alive....

Wanna know what these are?

These would be notes from parents and students I have kept since I began teaching. I haven't kept EVERY note or card, but I have kept those that wrote a lot or ones that were just plain special. I have looked back through these over the years and received encouragement on days when I didn't think I was getting through to my students. They lift me up. We all need that from time to time.
A few years back I began to question whether I was really doing what God wanted me to do. I had become quite discouraged in the teaching realm and felt overwhelmed. He had me open up this box and I began to read... and read... and read. He also reminded me of Colossians 3:23 - And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

I am not doing whatever I do to please men... I do it to please the Lord first by using the talents He has given me. It was a reminder straight from Him and I appreciated it so much. After that I have always looked at this box in the same way... these are my reminders from others, but God uses them to help me see what I do is where He wants me.

As I pulled it back out a few weeks ago when I was cleaning out the office closet, and placed precious memories from this past year inside of it, I realized 16 years worth of reminders make this box full. I am now moving on to another one. I thank the Lord for that.

I love how the Lord takes everyday things to help us see Him. :)

06/22/11

If you recall my crazy dream about the wedding, you know I was obsessed with the details.

I wanted to make sure I captured as many details of the wedding this past weekend that I could. Even then, I didn't feel I captured all that I wanted. I know when I got married that just wasn't what was captured. The formal shots and "staged" shots were there, but not the parts that you will some day forget. I tried to capture as many of these as I could for Chelle.

Another thing that was different from my wedding was that they saw each other before the wedding. I used to be a person who was totally against that... but after experiencing it as a photographer twice.... and really getting into it this go around... I think it is a really sweet idea.

We made Wilbur stand with his eyes closed at the end of the aisle. Then, we walked Chelle to him, he turned around and I was able to capture that sweet smile he gave her when he saw her for the first time.


I remember seeing Steve's smile at me on our wedding day.... right before all of the people stood up for me to walk down the aisle. I wish I had that moment captured for me forever. I know it is in my mind and heart, but I also know how those things can fade over time.

I am so glad I was able to capture that for Chelle and Wilbur. I now am not so against the bride and groom seeing each other before the wedding. We gave them a few moments to themselves before having to run around and do more pictures. It really was a special moment. I have another photograph that I love, but haven't had time to edit it yet so you will just have to wait. Until then....

06/21/11

I thought I'd show the three wedding ring shots I took at the wedding. I love ring shots.




If the sun wasn't glaring so much I would have stayed outside and done more there. However, I am sure I looked a bit odd with my bottom in the air as I was trying to photograph the rings on the brick. There were probably passersby that got a chuckle. When creativity strikes you just have to contort your body in whatever way you can to get what you want.

I was a bit frustrated with how many times the rings did not want to cooperate in the flowers.... I could have stayed there for hours photographing them but realized time was ticking and I had a bride to go capture.

Tomorrow... something more. :)

06/20/11

Today was my birthday.

I moved on to another decade.

I have sailed past my thirties.

I am no longer a spring chicken even more than I was yesterday. (I realize that makes no sense... but, after all, I am now forty.)

I am "Over the Hill."

I am "Past my prime."

Actually, I feel smarter now than I did when I was 20. Just wish my body was the same.

What an enjoyable day this has been!

I got up early and walked by myself to relish the last few moments of being in my thirties. I was sitting at the computer editing wedding photographs when I officially turned over to a new decade at 7:03 AM.

I had a visit from a friend who brought me an mocha frappe from McDonalds. I drank the entire thing in a short time.

I then went and had lunch with a friend... she was quite sweet to invite me. I had chocolate ice cream after that lunch.

I had supper at Mom and Dad's tonight.... a yummmmmmy Italian dish. Then I had birthday cake from Once in a Blue Moon bakery.

I have inhaled as many calories today that I should have inhaled in a week.

Oh well.... it's my birthday. I needed some extra sweets.

I did do a bit of reflecting today. Thinking on how I can't believe I am 40 and the fact that I don't always feel it. (Although, when I get around teens now I realize what a generational gap there is...)

I am thankful to the Lord for allowing me to learn and grow these 40 years. I am thankful for His patience with me and, most importantly, His love.

I am praying the 40's will help me gain much more wisdom.... but not many more gray hairs.

06/19/11

"A child will not see God as his Heavenly Father unless he sees God in his father."

~ Author Unknown

Psalm 128: 1-4
How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in his ways.
When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine,
Within your house,
Your children live olive plants
Around your table.
Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.

Happy Father's Day!

06/18/11

The wedding went well.

I survived.

I have a lot of pictures to edit now. :)

The bride teaches with me at school. Their story was shared on the back of the programs today and I thought I would share it here. It is very sweet and I am thankful for how the Lord worked in their lives. Their theme today was "To God be the glory!"

After being set up by well meaning friends and it not working, Chelle finally asked God that if He wanted her to have a husband to send him to her church or her doorstep. After being widowed for one year, Wilbur and his youngest son, Jonathan, joined Catawba (my church) in the spring of 2010. Since Jonathan had been Chelle's student there was a common ground and chances to talk became more frequent. After a belated birthday celebration for Jonathan, Wilbur brought Chelle to her doorstep and asked if she would go on a date with him. She said yes. God answered by bringing Wilbur to her church AND her doorstep. They started dating and got many confirmations from others that this was God's will, and there were even some that had been praying they would get together. Wilbur knew quickly that this was God's plan and that he loved Chelle. However, it took a bit longer for her. During the Thanksgiving holiday while Chelle was in Pennsylvania, she realized Wilbur was the one God intended for her to love. Wilbur asked Chelle and her dad for permission to marry her, and they both agreed. On December 4th, 2010, Wilbur took Chelle to the church steps and told her this place was special in their lives as God brought them together here. He thanked God for bringing Chelle into his life and taking away his sadness. He asked her to marry him so they could serve the Lord together. She said YES! Praise the Lord for Wilbur and Chelle as they start their lives together, serving Him. To God be the glory.

06/17/11

I just love how the Lord gives you what you need when you need it... ALWAYS. I have had many things from the Lord this week giving me assurance as to what I am doing, whether the wedding or some of things I have going on in life right now, are the right things to do.

Here was my devotional last night. Maybe it will speak to you, too!

Mission Possible

Since the Garden of Eden, God has had a plan for the rescue of humanity. God loves us and wants us to be with Him. You can plainly see in the call of Moses that God gave him a mission in life. He called him forth from the life of being a shepherd to that of being a leader, a rescuer of the people of God. It was an unbelievably daunting job, filled with agony, but God knew Moses could handle it.

When God called you to salvation, He designed a mission in life specifically for you. He gives you something to live for, a mission that will fulfill you, and He counts on you to do it. Perhaps you're on the pastoral staff or leadership team at your church. He expects you to care for the lost and those that are saved right there in your area. He wants you to lead those under your care - by teaching them to help the marginalized of the world. Maybe you're a parent. Be the best you can be under God. Instruct, guide, and direct your children. Love them, laugh with them, and take good care of them. Be involved in the lives of your children - be there for them. If you're a teacher, your mission is your school children. (If you are photographing a wedding, He has given you the ability to do it and has called you to do so.... He will give you strength! ... my own words, here....) You might think you're meandering around this world with no goal, no aim, and no purpose. You're not. If you belong to God, He has given you a mission. If you haven't found it, start praying as you look for your assignment in life! God loves you and has a place for you in this world.

God is tender and loving. He is a caring God, thinking about the suffering of His people. He feels that way about you. Some of you just read that and glossed over it, thinking, "Oh, sure, right; I'm not so sure He really thinks about what's happening to me." He does. He hears and answers prayer; trust in Him, believing He will help you as you pray.

God told Moses about His plan to deliver His people. Their cries have reached His ears, and He is a God of action, planning to bring them to a good and spacious land where they can be free from the oppression of the Egyptians. He then expects Moses to get going and get the job done; after all, it is God that is backing Moses! God hears your cries, too. What needs to you have? Go before God every single day and ask for His help.

We serve a real, living God. Let's find the mission He has for us and act on it!

~ Dwell devotional

06/16/11

Here is a quote I read from my Bible study yesterday:

"Regardless of how long we've been Christians and how deeply we've studied God's Word, most of us don't really believe down in the marrow of our bones that God is entirely, wholeheartedly, and unwaveringly on our side." ~ Beth Moore

Despite how we feel and how it seems that life is "out to get us"... we must always believe that God IS on our side!

06/15/11

This is a peony bloom being ravaged by ants. I was told that this is common, although, when I took this picture, I wasn't so sure!! By the way - how do YOU say peony? Like us NC southern peeps "PEE - O - nee" or like the rest of the country "Pee-u-nee"?

As I thought this plant was being attacked by those ants, I have felt quite attacked this week.

It hasn't been a person.... it has just been the lies of Satan himself.

How many of you have heard the little voice in your head tell you:

"You aren't good enough."

"You think YOU should do THAT?"

"You aren't worthy."

"You can't do that!"

And the list could go on and on.

Those spiritual battles we have on a daily basis can really wear us down.

I know, because I feel a bit weary.

I have been reminded yesterday and today doing my Bible study, and some of the songs that have come on my MP3 player as I walked, that I need to keep my eyes on the Lord. I am finding such richness in Psalm 120, 121, 122, and 123 from my Stepping Up Bible study.

I find that we can have such wonderful times of spiritual awakening and growth.... and, if so, beware because that is not what Satan likes and he will do everything in his power to make us fall. He hates us so he wants to make us fail or feel like a failure.

That would be me.

It seems I have taken my eyes off the Lord for a few days and put them on the troubled waters around me. I stopped looking UP and began to look out and began to sink.

The wedding photography is definitely something that Satan is trying to use against me. I am a perfectionist so I want to do everything "just perfect" but I have been reminded this week that I capture moments every time I use my camera and this is nothing different. I have to let this go and let God control that shutter.... and everything that I have to remember on that day.

Doubts about whether I have the ability to do some other things have been creeping in. I know it is just another way Satan is trying to cause me to stumble so that I cannot be used by the Lord.

I am learning this week, and choosing, to LOOK UP.

Enjoy this Psalm that I am studying right now that has helped me immensely:

Psalm 123:1
To Thee I lift up my eyes, O Thou who art enthroned in the heavens!

Psalm 124:2-8
Had it not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us; Then they would have swallowed us alive, when their anger was kindled against us; Then the waters would have engulfed us, the stream would have swept over our soul; Then the raging waters would have swept over our soul. Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us to be torn by their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper; the snare is broken and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

06/14/11

I thought I'd share a couple of things I have realllllly been loving so far this summer:


I am eating a salad most every day for lunch. I fix a really big one and then keep it in the fridge for each lunch to just "dish it out" when I want some. It is something I have really looked forward to enjoying everyday.


Another thing I am enjoying (and so is Mikayla).....

....green olives. They have become like candy to me and I can't get enough of them.

This is when the jar was "just bought." Can you tell Mikayla and I have been in them?

When I was out with a friend yesterday I had to buy the sandwich for lunch that had olives on it, just because of the olives! It was delish, too.

What is something you are really enjoying to eat this summer?

06/13/11

We had a mystery around here this past weekend.

Steve has been growing some pepper plants in pots on the deck. He started to notice one was not doing so well.

When he went out to check on it on Friday, he noticed that it was being eaten by something. I told him it might be a bird or something because it looked like it had been "pecked" where the actual bell pepper was growing.... or, tried. We didn't see any insects on it or around it so he figured he would just move it to the other side of the deck away from where the bush was located right beside the railing where this plant had been.

He went out on Saturday morning to check it.

It was in worse shape than before!!

But we found out, "sortof "clear as day what was causing the problem:


A Tobacco Hornworm was enjoying his "All You Can Eat Bell Pepper" plant.

I thought it was rather interesting that you could see the thorax of it where it looks like his mouth with teeth... click on it to see what will be its six legs when it turns into a moth.

Below you can see the "horn" on the end of the abdomen that gives it its name.

At first Steve wanted to kill it.

I can't blame him... the thing ate his peppers.

Wesley decided he wanted to keep him and watch him through metamorphosis.

We'll see if it survives that long between Wesley forgetting to feed it and the cats being VERY interested in it.

06/12/11

I Peter 1:7-8
that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

06/10/11

I am going to talk some politics today.

I normally do not do that on here... simply because I am not very "into" politics. I also don't want this blog to become that kind of place.

For today, though, I want to "talk."

What are your views on Representative Anthony Weiner... the one who sent pictures of himself to other women?

Here are some thoughts I have had:

Those photos were beyond inappropriate. You would expect a Congressman to show a little more class. However, he is a human just like any and we are all sinners.

Do I agree with what he did? NO.

My first response was that he is a jerk and needs to resign.

I still think he is a jerk.

I still think he should resign.

I am wondering is he REALLY sorry... or just sorry he got caught?

He will have consequences because of his actions, but I honestly wonder if there is a humbleness about him now. If so, I haven't seen or heard it in what I have read. He refuses to step down.

I saw on one article I read today where 56% of the people in his district polled think he should just stay in office. Is this because he does such a super job? Is this because the world's population as a whole really doesn't get offended by trash like this any longer?

I honestly think it is because the world's population as a whole really doesn't get offended by this trash any longer.

I read where there was going to be an investigation as to whether this violated any House rules or not. How about violating plain old decency? How a person lives in their personal life DOES make a difference in the professional life whether we like it or not. Every time he goes before his fellow representatives now that is going to be the first thing they are going to think of... not what he is discussing.

What I began to do today after reading a bit more about him, though, was remember that Jesus loves Him, too. He needs a change in his life..... a REAL change of Jesus Christ.... not some "Hope and Change" the world likes to show us these days. He needs to the Lord... plain and simple. We all have sinned and our sin is no different than his sin. I am no better than this man.

Do I really know what is the best course of action for this man? Not at all. God put him in office for a reason and God will do as he pleases with this situation whether Anthony Weiner recognizes Him as Lord or not.

I just pray the man is truly sorry, stops what he is doing, and finds the Lord. As I was reminded of today:

Proverbs 16:18, 20
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

06/09/11

This is the blog edition of what Kellie thought today:

"Boy, it is stinkin' hot."

"I can't write Steve love letters any longer.... I dusted."

"Am I EVER going to get done cleaning this house?"

"Who knew I would find THAT (various things I thought were gone forever only to be discovered/uncovered) again!?"

"I am NOT crazy."

"Oh, WHERE is my cell phone?"

"For half an hour the dentist earned $150.00... must be nice."

"I have watched 5 kids today and been quite entertained."

"What a fun day!"

06/08/11

Here is a little taste of the fun the kids have had this summer. When you don't have a pool you improvise with a water hose. The kids love it and have done it several times already. This day I got out and took some pics.

Molly does not like water... which actually kind of shocked us. We thought most retrievers liked water. ha! The kids were holding her down to help her see water was cooling for her. She did OK but still didn't know what to do with herself. lol

Molly chases her tail while Mikayla chases crazy Wesley with the water hose.

Water hose shower.

We love our Molly Girl.

High Jump with a water hose.

Mikayla could ride Molly with how big she has gotten!

I was trying to re-create a picture I took of them years ago in the backyard with their bathing suits on.... Wesley didn't quite cooperate.

I can't get over how much he is changing.

Sweet Molly Girl!! Hard to believe she is 8 months old.

Nothing like a spray in the face.

They love each other.....

.... and I am so glad. :)

06/07/11

I really should have something witty and inspiring to say today.

I just can't seem to find it anywhere.

I have been at this computer all day working on pictures for various things and ordering a bridal portrait for a certain someone who is getting married in a week and a half.

Am I still having bad dreams about photographing said wedding?

No.

Am I still going through all scenarios in my head?

Yes.

My office looks like a tornado went through it.

The rest of my house needs some serious cleaning.

But at least I am going to make supper tonight.

What exciting things have you been up to today? Come on, peeps... talk to me!

06/06/11

SO what have I been up to today?

I had a pillow fight with Wesley this morning. Boy, that youngun' hits hard!

I walked with the kids. I did pretty good!

I wanted to ride my bike but it was in a mess. Wesley cleaned it up for me today. It has not been ridden in a mighty long time. We'll see if I remember how.

I took Mikayla to piano. We got to play with the piano teachers little boy Max while we were at it. He is the cutest little thing!

I went to Walmart. The kids were thrilled beyond words.

I went to BJ's. The kids were even more thrilled.

I couldn't believe how expensive razor blades are. They must be made of gold.

I went home and fixed lunch. We had turkey sandwiches.... with some olives on the side. What did you have today?

I started tearing out the junk that is in the office closet. Oh my... what have I gotten myself into!!!

I sorted through old pictures. I laughed and smiled at the old times.

I "cooked" supper... we are having a chef salad tonight. Just call me Rachel Ray.

I received the SWEETEST card and note in the mail from a friend. It made my day.

I am thankful for another wonderful summer day.

06/05/11

Psalm 121 (HCSB)
I raise my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber.
Indeed, the Protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep.
The Lord protects you;
the Lord is a shelter right by your side.
The sun will not strike you by day,
or the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all harm;
He will protect your life.
The Lord will protect your coming and going
both now and forever.

Picture this prayer as you would going on a journey.

Can you see it?

You see the mountain up ahead and you want to be safe.

This journey can also be our daily lives. The mountain can stand for those things that hinder your journey - fear, anxiety, depression, lack of self-worth, basically all of Satan's lies.

Remember that it is the Maker of heaven and earth that will not allow your foot to slip.

He is the Protector that will not cause harm to come to you by day or night. He never sleeps.

He is your shelter.

He will protect your life.

I needed that this week. One of many things I am learning through my Stepping Up Bible study by Beth Moore. I pray it speaks to you today, too.