Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Repost: Snowflakes from Heaven
This is a repost from January 12, 2010 and although I don't have any snow around my parts right, this will do.
^ This one can be clicked
for a much larger image
(look for the glitter-like snow)
And now our featured story:
It was 10am as I traveled toward home that Saturday morn.
On the way, I notice what looks like glitter...
falling from the sunny, blue, and nearly cloudless sky.
Stopping at the gas station I notice a few of these glitter pieces...
resting upon my coat.
It is then that I see the tiny most intricate object...
I have ever seen with my unaided eye.
^This pic and a couple others
resisted the embedded copyright.
...ahem... sorry for the interruption.
The final two miles home I was in wonder...
at what I could only describe as bits of heaven floating to earth.
I have since heard stories about these small flakes.
Stories of how they spontaneously formed in mid-air..
or were belched out by the refineries,...
but only I seemed to have seen the details
of God's engraved signature.
More pictures can be found on my gallery. God bless ya'll.
Monday, December 20, 2010
The Videos are Served.
You probably didn't think they would come, heh, I didn't think they would come, but here they are. The videos.
Friday, December 17, 2010
11 to 22: A Story of Friendship and Love
Below is Elizabeth and I's love story as written by her. Enjoy!
Zachary and I have known one another
for about half our lives. When you know someone that long, you
collect a lot of memories and stories together. This account could be
much longer, but this is the short version of our long history!
Zachary and I started having music lessons together in 2000 when we were both 11 years old. Although we didn't talk to each other at first, we became good friends by the time we were 14. Our friendship continued to grow when we were 15, but our schedules took us apart shortly after our 16th birthdays. We did not see much of each other at all for a year until our paths crossed again. We did not stay in contact for long, however, and events outside of our control divided us again in the fall of 2006.
Zachary was easy to like (and imagine a future with), but I needed to keep my heart and will in the right place and let God rule that part of my life. After an intense emotional struggle, I surrendered my desire to have a future with Zachary to the Lord on November 11, 2006 -- shortly before our 18th birthdays. I never expected to talk to him again. This time in my life was incredibly difficult, but with God's grace, I learned to trust the Lord with our futures.
Once my heart had been checked and placed in my Lord's capable hands, He was able to work wonders in our lives. Zachary began attending the church my family went to -- First Baptist Church -- in October 2007. He was in Sunday School and Choir with me so -- once again -- we saw each other regularly. Even though Zachary had not done anything wrong, I was reluctant to be his friend again. I had given him up for good, and I was afraid of becoming emotionally vulnerable again. Zachary persevered, and we were able to be reacquainted during 2008 as I graduated from my high school studies, got a job, and planned for college.
My hope of a future with him had been reignited, but I was confused and unsure of his feelings. He was always such a good friend and gentleman -- which I admired -- but it didn't make interpreting him any easier. Understandably, I was confusing him as well with my somewhat friendly but distant interactions with him.
On August 11, 2008, Zachary removed all doubt and asked my father's permission to court me. I was overjoyed! Even though our parents wanted us to get to know each other better before an official courtship was entered, it was a milestone in our relationship. We began to spend much more time together. My admiration for Zachary grew quickly, but I was still partially withdrawn and reserved. I was afraid he would decide not to move forward with the relationship, and I would be left heartbroken. There was no question in my mind that I loved him.
There was no need to fear; Zachary assured me of his love (which I gladly returned) on October 11, 2008, and our official courtship began on April 11, 2009. In the following months, our love only grew as we enjoyed long walks, games, church activities, and conversation together and became more than friends; we became sweethearts!
Zachary and I were at the Cann Memorial Gardens on April 24, 2010 when he asked me to marry him. We had been talking about it for some time, but he still managed to surprise me! We held hands for the first time that day and chose a wedding date: June 11, 2011. He had spoken to my dad the day before, so my family knew it was coming, but it was so exciting for me to tell them all the good news!
The Lord worked a miracle in leading Zachary and me to each other! Our engagement has been a productive time of work and college, but we are both eagerly anticipating our wedding and a life spent together as husband and wife!
Zachary and I started having music lessons together in 2000 when we were both 11 years old. Although we didn't talk to each other at first, we became good friends by the time we were 14. Our friendship continued to grow when we were 15, but our schedules took us apart shortly after our 16th birthdays. We did not see much of each other at all for a year until our paths crossed again. We did not stay in contact for long, however, and events outside of our control divided us again in the fall of 2006.
Zachary was easy to like (and imagine a future with), but I needed to keep my heart and will in the right place and let God rule that part of my life. After an intense emotional struggle, I surrendered my desire to have a future with Zachary to the Lord on November 11, 2006 -- shortly before our 18th birthdays. I never expected to talk to him again. This time in my life was incredibly difficult, but with God's grace, I learned to trust the Lord with our futures.
Once my heart had been checked and placed in my Lord's capable hands, He was able to work wonders in our lives. Zachary began attending the church my family went to -- First Baptist Church -- in October 2007. He was in Sunday School and Choir with me so -- once again -- we saw each other regularly. Even though Zachary had not done anything wrong, I was reluctant to be his friend again. I had given him up for good, and I was afraid of becoming emotionally vulnerable again. Zachary persevered, and we were able to be reacquainted during 2008 as I graduated from my high school studies, got a job, and planned for college.
My hope of a future with him had been reignited, but I was confused and unsure of his feelings. He was always such a good friend and gentleman -- which I admired -- but it didn't make interpreting him any easier. Understandably, I was confusing him as well with my somewhat friendly but distant interactions with him.
On August 11, 2008, Zachary removed all doubt and asked my father's permission to court me. I was overjoyed! Even though our parents wanted us to get to know each other better before an official courtship was entered, it was a milestone in our relationship. We began to spend much more time together. My admiration for Zachary grew quickly, but I was still partially withdrawn and reserved. I was afraid he would decide not to move forward with the relationship, and I would be left heartbroken. There was no question in my mind that I loved him.
There was no need to fear; Zachary assured me of his love (which I gladly returned) on October 11, 2008, and our official courtship began on April 11, 2009. In the following months, our love only grew as we enjoyed long walks, games, church activities, and conversation together and became more than friends; we became sweethearts!
Zachary and I were at the Cann Memorial Gardens on April 24, 2010 when he asked me to marry him. We had been talking about it for some time, but he still managed to surprise me! We held hands for the first time that day and chose a wedding date: June 11, 2011. He had spoken to my dad the day before, so my family knew it was coming, but it was so exciting for me to tell them all the good news!
The Lord worked a miracle in leading Zachary and me to each other! Our engagement has been a productive time of work and college, but we are both eagerly anticipating our wedding and a life spent together as husband and wife!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The Photographer's Personal Pondering 11: Christmas Commercialization
I found this post at the under-appreciated and nearly daily blogger by the the name of photographingeveryday. She expressed these thoughts about Christmas with the fervor of a sister protecting her brother. How could I do any better?
Day 344: True Meaning of Christmas
-sigh- It's sad that people get fooled by big corporations and spend spend spend tons of money on presents. Oh don't get me wrong, I love getting presents too and I know it's also about giving. I'm just upset that the meaning is lost and replaced by advertisement of Santa's face and Christmas trees and having to spend too much money which could be spent helping people who need the help (homelessness, poverty, etc etc). More children believe in Santa Claus than Jesus now too. >.< Okay, enough of that. Goodnight.
~
Posted with permission. All copyrights and redistribution rights are retained by the original poster, photographingeveryday @ http://photographingeveryday.blogspot.com. Please contact her if you would like to repost this on your own blog or site.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Photo Stories: The Effects of Cheerfulness
 |
| Title: The Effect of Cheerfulness | Refusing to give in to the drab, this unknown tomato-like plant proudly shows its cheerfulness to all! |
Shooting Conditions
Camera | Canon Digital Rebel XSi
Lens | Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro
Exposure | 1/100 at f/5.6
Flash | N/A
Exposure Bias | 0 EV
Exposure Mode | Semi-Auto (Aperture Priority)
ISO Speed | ISO 800
Metering Mode | Pattern
Post-processing | Photoshop CS3 - Minimal
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Photographer's Personal Ponderings 10: Management
Well, I don't feel like I've been managing my time the best I could lately. I don't think I need to be productive 24/7, but what I have done appears in hindsight to be less than efficient. I was having some difficulty sleeping for the past few weeks and now that I'm getting more sleep, I realize a few inefficient habits have developed because of the extra time I had when I wasn't sleeping. Mostly organization and ordering.
Management is a big and daunting task. To order ourselves efficiently takes time, but at what point does the time taken for order outweigh the time that would have been taken if the job had just been tackled from the get go. I know that I have fallen into less planning here lately, but I've spent most of my life on the too much planning side. So which is better, to plan or not?
That's a hard question to answer since the answer isn't the same for every life event. I don't know when I should plan or when I should just do the job. I'm still working that out. I do know that if I stay close to God, He'll guide me, and you, when I don't plan enough and when I plan too much.
Management is a big and daunting task. To order ourselves efficiently takes time, but at what point does the time taken for order outweigh the time that would have been taken if the job had just been tackled from the get go. I know that I have fallen into less planning here lately, but I've spent most of my life on the too much planning side. So which is better, to plan or not?
That's a hard question to answer since the answer isn't the same for every life event. I don't know when I should plan or when I should just do the job. I'm still working that out. I do know that if I stay close to God, He'll guide me, and you, when I don't plan enough and when I plan too much.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Photo Stories: Sweethearts
|
| Title: Sweethearts | Elizabeth and I enjoying our time together at the zoo |
Shooting Conditions
Camera | Canon Digital Rebel XSi
Lens | Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Exposure | 1/160 at f/4.5
Flash | N/A
Exposure Bias | 0 EV
Exposure Mode | Auto
ISO Speed | ISO 100
Metering Mode | Pattern
Post-processing | Photoshop CS3 - Moderate
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Photographer's Personal Ponderings 9: Communication
Ever find yourself in a situation where you just couldn't seem to communicate? Either the audience, whether they were a massive crowd or a meager one and only, wouldn't listen or didn't understand what you were saying. Perhaps you didn't speak the same language or understood the same statement in two different ways. Maybe you and audience were actually telling each other identical information using different words. Regardless of the cause, the outcome is at best a misunderstanding, and at worst a relationship destroying quarrel.
Now if it's so hard for us humans to communicate with each other, imagine trying to communicate with beings of another realm, such as angels. How were we supposed to reconcile with God when we couldn't reach Him? We weren't. It was impossible and God knew this, which is why He sent His Son, Jesus the Christ, to open our hearts to His declarations.
So if our hearts are open to Him then all is right and good now, isn't it? Well not quite. We might be able to talk with Him as with a father or brother, but so often we choose not too. We have the opportunity to talk about anything with the creator of the universe, and we opt not. Maybe we just don't think that the Almighty would want to hear about our trivialities. I certainly understand that stance and I think He does too, which is why he tells us to bring everything to Him through prayer and supplication. He knows that we will assume Him to be too busy or important to deal with the little things and so he commands that we tell him everything all the time.
Who knows, perhaps if you talk to the Savior of the world about nothing, you could talk to anyone else about something. Without the quarreling.
Now if it's so hard for us humans to communicate with each other, imagine trying to communicate with beings of another realm, such as angels. How were we supposed to reconcile with God when we couldn't reach Him? We weren't. It was impossible and God knew this, which is why He sent His Son, Jesus the Christ, to open our hearts to His declarations.
So if our hearts are open to Him then all is right and good now, isn't it? Well not quite. We might be able to talk with Him as with a father or brother, but so often we choose not too. We have the opportunity to talk about anything with the creator of the universe, and we opt not. Maybe we just don't think that the Almighty would want to hear about our trivialities. I certainly understand that stance and I think He does too, which is why he tells us to bring everything to Him through prayer and supplication. He knows that we will assume Him to be too busy or important to deal with the little things and so he commands that we tell him everything all the time.
Who knows, perhaps if you talk to the Savior of the world about nothing, you could talk to anyone else about something. Without the quarreling.
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