Light and Magic

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Dear Readers,

I apologize for the lengthy gap between my last entry and this one. Fortunately, I have been busy at work these past few weeks taking numerous new photos which I hope you will like! I have discovered some new techniques for taking better - more creative - shots, and again, these photos have been edited to enhance and enliven their quality and character. Enjoy!

 This is my precious new niece, Olivia. Is she not one of the most beautiful things this world has ever seen?! All snuggled up in her pretty pink blanket and cooing in her dreamy sleep. I can hardly wait until she can talk!

 It's a good thing I like cats, or this one would have been in super big trouble for drinking my milk... ;)

 I was putting away some clean dishes when I discovered the most fascinating effect in a glass as I looked through it. I wondered if I could capture of photo of it; I tried, and it worked. I... was... thrilled.

One day, every photographer will be using these! 

 I just recently discovered that a clear blue sky plus a pond of water makes one of THE coolest nature shots!

Oh, and a sunset? I was almost hysterical with excitement. 

 Oh, guess what? I finally discovered some unique ways of taking photos of myself so that I don't have to bother my little - that is, not so little but younger - sister anymore... I used the strap on my camera to tie it around the garden fence outside, set the camera on timer, and posed. Flash! And behold, my photo appeared.

This one was a little trickier. I used the camera strap to tie it to a fake steering wheel on the playground set in our backyard. It kept turning, so I had to find some way to make it stay still so that the camera didn't tip too far any direction. It took a few minutes, but it was worth the learning experience. =) 

This one was really easy. There are two decks on the playground, so I just set it on the second deck on self-timer and posed. 

 I think this photo must have been the most difficult of them all! The weird expression on my face and the awkward posture I'm in were entirely unintentional...

 ...I squeezed my camera strap into this crack...

 ...I set my camera half on the stump and half on the stick so that it would be straight and steady...

... and I RAN over to the tree and tried to get into position in time before the camera flashed. I just barely made it the four times I tried! 

 I've always liked barns. I walked into this one without my camera, and I couldn't take another step further until I staggered out and grabbed it.

 I thought this coloring would give these photos a nice antique look... it was really quite colorful in real life!

 A creaky staircase to the upper level.

And the upper level itself! I'm pretty sure I was gaping for a few seconds when I came up the stairs!

~ I LOVE BARNS! ~

 I don't usually take photos of lamps because they're so common and plain, but this one was special...

 Emily and I had a long discussion about how I should edit this photo; I was looking for the secret beauty while she wanted the utmost vibrancy; this was the compromise. ;)

I didn't really want to post a picture of something some people might think was just plain creepy, but I felt there was a secret charm about this photo with the vibrant coloring and lazy structure, and I couldn't bear to leave it out! It might actually be my favorite!

 When I saw the silo, I thought of a farm; when I saw the weeds, I thought of Rapunzel...

 I was really disappointed with the quality of this photo; I did not intend for the sunlight to cascade over so much of my hairy head, but I couldn't take many other photos because Joe the cat was growing restless of my holding him with one arm... ;)

 This is my darling princess Pumpkin. She's been ours for... wow, almost ten years, now! She's timid, plump, and the very definition of a 'scaredy-cat', but precious nonetheless. Also, she looks a lot like her mother!

 The pictures below are from another walk - only this time with just my parents and me. We were passing by some houses in out neighborhood when I spotted this corn in the gravel off to the side of the road. So, naturally, I had to take a picture.

One final photo trick... I tied my camera to a tree by its strap, set the self-timer, and posed. I look a little bored or perhaps slightly tired, but really I think it was just the brightness of the sky. Sadly, there was a hose in the background which I had failed to notice beforehand.



Lastly, I was taking some photos up in a tree, and my hair caught in the branch next to my head. I thought it would be minutely humorous to capture a photo of myself staring at it, and had no idea until I started editing it that my facial expression was remotely like that of Megamind when he's trying to have Minion cut the music, (after Megamind's victory dance for defeating Metro Man).

I hope that you enjoyed viewing my latest photos; there will surely be more in the not-very-distant future! Ah, it's good to be back on my blog... ;)

God bless you all! <3



Looking Unto Jesus

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Dear Readers,
I thought it would be a good time to post my FAVORITE devotional by Charles H. Spurgeon.


June 28th, Morning:

“Looking unto Jesus.” -Hebrews 12:2

It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, “Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.” All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that “Christ is all in all.” Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument—it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by “looking unto Jesus.” Keep thine eye simply on him; let his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; when thou liest down at night look to him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never fail thee.

“My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness: I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”

{End of quote}

The first time I read this devotional, I had just come home from a missions trip to Guatemala. At that time in my life, I was especially struggling at 'looking unto Jesus'. After such an amazing trip and experience which brought me so much closer to Christ, I felt like coming home was going to destroy my relationship with Him because I would have to get back into the hustle and bustle of regular life. It was like home was more of a battlefield because I would have to fight against all of the comfort, temptation, and easy way of life to spend time with God, when in Guatemala, every moment of the week was spent serving God in the lives of others.
    This message of 'looking unto Jesus' helped me shift my eyes away from self and all of the struggles, and focus on the One who loves me and who would gladly help me become 'hupernike' - more than a conqueror - over myself, my sin, and the world! It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever read, and it has been my favorite devotional from that moment forward. May it change and encourage you as much as it has for me... and more!

God bless you all!

Look Up

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Dear Readers,
My mother sent this to me in an email; it's an old devotional, I'm not sure who by. I thought it was vastly encouraging, so I decided to share it with you all. Enjoy!

"In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice. In the morning I lay my requests before You--and I will look up!" Psalm 5:3

This was the Psalmist's determination in the morning--and it should be ours.

Preserved and protected through the night--we should look up with gratitude, and praise our God for His goodness.

Aware of our dependence and needs--we should look up and beg mercies of our Almighty God for the new-born day.

Sensible of our foes and dangers--we should look up and pray to be kept, guided, and sanctified by our ever-present God.

If we look within--it will dispirit us;
if we look around--it may distract us;
if we look back--it may awaken fears;
if we look forward--it may arouse foreboding!
But if we look UP to God--it will preserve . . .
  the head from swimming,
  the heart from sinking,
  the feet from slipping, and
  the hands from hanging down!

Beloved, let us look up!
There our loving Father is!
There our interceding Savior is!
There all our supplies are!
There our everlasting home is!

Let others look where they will, "I will look up!"

If we look up to God in faith--then He will look down upon us in mercy; and looking, He will supply all our needs!

Mandisa

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Dear Readers,

A very good friend of mine just introduced me to an incredible female singer by the name of Mandisa. Not only does she have a beautiful voice and is beautiful on the outside, but sounds to have a beautiful heart that loves the Lord.

    I just found a YouTube video of her from about two years ago which intrigued me greatly: Click here to watch it.

I absolutely love looking at the lives and hearing the voices of other Christ-followers; It helps encourage me when I fell like I can't handle difficult circumstances anymore by pointing me back to God, who has the best in mind for me, even throughout my struggles (Romans 8:28). Mandisa has a song all about this, called 'He Is With You'. I heard it a moment ago for the first time, and at the end, I just started tearing-up because it was so sweet and beautiful and true!
    Another song of hers I'm listening to presently called 'Voice of a Savior' has a similar message, and also is powerfully beautiful!

I think I might have found another favorite music artist!

~God bless you all!~

Lily-White Purity

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Dear Readers,

I was reading once again in Leslie Ludy's book, Set-Apart Femininity, and I came across more quotes that I just HAD to share!

"Are we willing to lay down everything else and take up His set-apart commission?

    God's sacred intent for us goes far beyond just ... idolizing Christian bands instead of secular ones. It is not just making sure we tack on some Christian morality to our self-indulgent lives.

    His sacred intent for you and for me is nothing short of absolute abandonment to Jesus Christ, entire separation from the pollution of the world, and ardent worship of our King with ever breath we take.

    Yes, it's a huge vision - one that is contrary to everything our culture presents. In our modern world, we as young women seem to be presented with only two options for our femininity - we can either embrace the ... version of womanhood glorified by pop culture, or we can go the opposite direction and trade in perfume and makeup for grit, grunge, and guy-like behavior.

    But both of these options cause us to completely miss out on the glorious pattern God designed for our femininity. We were created to shine with heavenly beauty, to radiate with Christlike feminine loveliness, and to sparkle with the lily-white purity of our Prince. We were created to be set apart for Him.

    As you read this book, you will likely hear plenty of voices in the background screaming that it is impossible to achieve this set-apart standard. But the good news is - you don't have to achieve it on your own. As Oswald Chambers says,

When we deliberately choose to obey God, He will tax the remotest star and the last grain of sand to assist us with all His almighty power.

    Whatever your version of femininity has been up to this moment - God desires to offer you hope and a glorious future. Jesus Christ can take a life that has been bruised, rejected, or squandered and make it completely new. He can empower a weak and helpless life to rise up and conquer. No matter where you've been or what you've done or how far from Him you feel right now - He can transform you into a radiant, victorious, world-changing, set-apart young woman.

    No matter how worthless or ugly you feel, He longs to shape you into His stunning princess. It starts with one simple step of obedience - one simple decision to answer the sacred call He has upon your life...no matter what the cost."

{End of quote}

So... Now I've at last made it to the end of the first chapter! I'm so thrilled with Miss Ludy's writing; the message she gives is straightforward, hard to hear because it's so blunt, but perfectly wonderful and full of truth! It's been a long time since I've read faith-encouraging literature quite like this... and never have I experienced this kind of devotion to not only to purity, but to Christ Himself. The combination is what I love to call 'quickening'. (One of my FAVORITE words!) Presently, I feel quickened, encouraged, and full of joy; my prayer shall be that God's Spirit will grant you the same.

God bless you all! ♥

Flair and Beauty

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Dear Readers,
Over the past couple of days, I have been taking lots of photos, just the same as always. But today, this fantastic day in history, is the first time I will have transformed them - that is, edited them - to give them each new flair and beauty. Enjoy!

This is my darling little niece. When she was born, I called her 'Ocean-eyes'

 This is a water-reflection of a carousel... doesn't it look like rampant flames?!

 As soon as I found out turning my flash on created a crystalized effect on the fountain water, I didn't turn the flash off again.

On the way to the car... I was just about to shut off my camera when I snapped this.

~ Thank the Lord for life, breath, light, and cameras ~

~ God bless! ~