It seems like photography is blooming in my life. On Friday, I spent hours (and I do mean HOURS) photographing one of the swimming pools that the family business built recently. In the daylight, in the dusk and in the darkness. Pools with great night lighting have wonderful ambiance. :) We did talk about letting me climb onto the house roof for shots from above... but settled for simply putting an 8-foot ladder onto a boulder. Dangerous, but not-so-dangerous as the roof idea. :)

Oh, and the picture above was taken with my very cool new 50mm f/1.8 lens! The lens is SWEET! ... and that beautiful flower is in my front hedge. Pretty much the only really gorgeous flowers in my gardens are growing in the front hedge, which I now refuse to touch--because there is also poison ivy/sumac/mysterious something that infects me every time I go near. So the hedge grows in peace and the rest of my gardens are annuals and first-year perennials with very little motivation to bloom. Honestly, the roadside daylilies across the creek look better than my garden! * sigh*

Anyway, Saturday was the very, very exciting day that I get to second-shoot my first wedding!! I spent hours hanging with the bride & bridesmaids, running up and down 3 flights of stairs in a mansion, trying to stay cool in hot summer weather, gathering the groomsmen for photos, changing lens, ooohing and ahhhing over gorgeous pink rose decorations, learning stuff about weddings and trying to capture moments of joy. Lessons learned: Even a 4:00 pm ceremony is too early on a blazing hot summer day. Don't wait 'til last to do the bride's hair. Have a wedding planner who knows everything and remains calm through anything (the wedding planner at http://www.lilymanor.com/ was ridiculously AWESOME! She did the cake, the flowers, the catering and had decorated this mansion in the most amazing ways!). Schedule, schedule, schedule! And many more technical lessons that I will carry with me for a long time... to sum up, I STILL love weddings. And I definitely want to photograph more. There's just something beautiful about documenting such forever memories. :) Oh yes and the wedding food was delicious!

I (heart) Sundays. REST and relaxation on the mountaintop with the family. Bonding with The Little Bro over military/crime drama TV shows. We are good at figuring things out. It's the ridiculous amount of mysteries I read as a child... A long misty walk at dusk, picking summer wildflowers that smelled of woodland rain, smiling and laughing down the lane. Sunday night traditions with the family. Popcorn and a little Chuck Norris. Some time in the hot tub.. and I didn't wanna leave!! I love the mountain!

"Canoeing or Not Canoeing?" That is the question.

Friday. The weather forecast for Saturday is RAIN. Yes--going canoing. Maybe not. Maybe yes. What if we don't? You can only get so wet.... The Country Boy's graduation ceremony. Usually, graduation ceremonies put me to sleep. This one was stay-awake-worthy. Pretty violin music prelude. The obvious lack of cap-and-gowns. Five homeschooler graduates. Funny/happy/interesting picture slideshows... and my favorite part!! Graduate recessional to "Pomp & Circumstance" played on the electric guitar! * HUGE smile* Try to imagine what that sounds like. It was like 10x funnier in real life!... much socializing at an outdoor pavilion. Looking at the "shrines" of young graduates' accomplishments. Eating yummy food. Missing The Curly Girl! Joking about a monstrous energy drink.... Final answer: NO, not going canoeing on Saturday!! Very sad. The recent rain has made the river water levels too high. Now we brainstorm for alternate activities late into the night.

Saturday. Final decision: Indoor picnic at Hidden Haven. Saturday morning finds me madly rushing to understand more about Photoshop, edit graduation photos and not destroy any images in the process. Frenetic texting to organize food for the picnic. Still raining like crazy. Approximately twenty youth and young adults in a house. Playing charades, pool, loud music, grilling food, setting up tables, watching a movie, shhhh'ing people, hiking, loud conversations, "Finally! Naomi and (The Trinidadian) actually agree on something!" LOL. (it was the hypocrisy of the Amish. Go figure.) Long drive home with several middle school boys in the car, who informed me of how fast the earth spins and regaled me with tales of a field trip to the sewage plant... Oh my word. Summery evening. Squishing lightning bugs. :) Ahh, brings back memories... and then technology & nature meet in perfect harmony, as I spend a few hours sitting on the front porch, editing photos on the laptop and listening to the sound of quiet creek waters. :)

Sunday. Happy Church Day!! Sunday always means church. Which means vibrant worship, passionate preaching, dear fellowship and the presence of the Lord. Like Pastor says, "The church is not a building! The church is people!" I remember this often as I look around the congregation of precious saints... Oh and Sunday was also Happy Father's Day! Much time spent chillin' with my daddy. One of these days I'm gonna write a blog enty about how cool he is! :)

No canoeing this weekend.... Can't complain though. ALL things work together for good!

Over the weekend, I commented to someone that I feel like a "jack of all trades, but master of none." I feel pulled in a million different directions by my diverging interests, passions and responsibilities. There is so much to do, to learn and accomplish. Sometimes I hardly know what to work on next! I'm not going to list the many things that pull at my time... but suffice it to say that I am often frustrated because I might be "good" at something, and not ever becoming "excellent." Don't get me wrong---being famous or rich are not on my list of life goals. I don't wanna make a name for myself... but on the other hand, I don't want to dishonor Christ by never developing the gifts that He has given me. I want to be a good steward. At the end of my life... when I stand before the Lord... I want to hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Considering the end is good. But it usually means that I have to make changes in my daily life. Time seems to flow like sand through my fingertips. At the end of a week, I will wonder where all the time has gone and why it seems like I accomplished little. This week I have simple goals.

#1 - Pray More.
“I generally pray two hours every day, except on very busy days. On those days, I pray three." Martin Luther said that. Ouch. And of course, I am always convicted when reading about the life of Jesus---how often He went away alone to pray.

#2 - Study the Word More.
Bread of Life. My sustenance. Can I starve spiritually and still have strength to fight the good fight?

#3 - Sleep More
It seems shallow. But irritable, cranky, sleep-deprived people never glorify God. And not much is accomplished in the late hours anyway... "Sleep is a daily reminder that we are completely dependent upon God." -- C.J. Mahaney

I need grace. :)

A.k.a. Weekend in Review

It's true. Happiness comes in many forms, for many different reasons. Read & understand.

A new refrigerator. This is monumentally HUGE! My roommates and I are rejoicing… the old fridge was very, very old. As in 30 years old. The fridge was given to me though and it kept things cold, so I can’t complain. But after a few months of coming home and skating across the kitchen floor because of the water puddles, I decided that enough was enough. And purchased one shiny new black refrigerator. * huge smile*… the rest of the evening was spent at The Tall Guy’s house with many young adults, yelling for the Penguins to win, good-natured arguing about where to order food from, what game to play and what racism really is about, among other things. Memorable lines: “Look I’m Picasso!” “Stop helping them!” “No mushrooms. I don't like mushrooms.” "...and that's why you don't have a man!" Hahahaha.

The Other Bro is visiting from North Carolina. And also, a plethora of his unusual friends. :) They spent all day doing weapons tactical training on the mountaintop near my parents' house. I went out to "bond" with my bro. Bonding meant that I was able to shoot with an AK-47, AR-15, Mini-14 and some Smith & Wesson handgun that I can never remember the name of. FUN! I also helped with a photo shoot for a movie poster (one of the friends is a professional photographer). And recorded some music! And learned things about Photoshop! When I finally returned home, I prepared food for The Dad's 50th birthday party...staying up til 4:00 a.m. in the process. And remaining suprisingly happy throughout. Even when I couldn't find the vinegar, my potato salad was evil, the hard-boiled eggs just would NOT peel and I kept bumping into the new fridge in the middle of the floor! :) Woot.

Coffee is a little bit of happiness and what did I tell you? Happiness comes in many forms. Church. :-D And then enjoying the beautiful summer day during The Dad's 50th birthday party. Glorious layered clouds filled the sky... after food, it was onward to softball. This meant I gave constant commentary from third base and the backstop. For some reason, I was the most vocal member of the team. :) Equal parts encouragement (for both teams) and trash-talking. Pastor's wife pitches and hits the pastor in the ankle. I fall over laughing. Literally. "If she hits you, I think it means that she loves you." One secret weapon. The sound of the bat cracking agains the ball as someone makes a good hit. Like my dad hitting 3 runs. Woohooo for the birthday man! Boredom at third base = making shadow puppets. "You are our last hope!!" (to four consecutive hitters).... and for the record, we lost by 1 run after 10 innings. Sooo close.

By this time, the weather changed from "warm" to "BLAZING hot." The Butterfly Girl, (the Four Musketeers---aka Middle School Guys) and I decided to wade in the lake. Which quickly turned into "falling into the lake." Oops. :) It was a wholly pleasant experience! Floating through refreshing waters shimmering in the early evening light. Splashing happily. Laughing at The Trinidadian & Wife digging for worms, and attempting to fish. Photographing silhouettes in the sunlight and little children joyfully swinging. One bonfire with s'mores.

*sigh* Happy.

Yesterday, I...

• Stood barefoot in a puddle.
• Harvested fresh lettuce (and gave some away!)
• Mixed up some fresh minty lemonade.
• Made a roomie-cleaning schedule!
• Read a little Sherlock Holmes
• Talked to my mom on the phone and in person.
• Put food in my new freezer. Ahhh, the things that excite me. :)
• Exclaimed happily over gorgeous graduation portraits!
• Made some Cajun chicken... mhmmm yum!
• Hung out with The Butterfly Girl---watching our "new" favorite show!
• Listened to the sound of the rain.
• Discussed a favorite author.
• Found a church for a friend to visit on vacation.
• Chatted with The Curly Girl (in Nebraska!)
• Started to write a new song...
• Scheduled to second-shoot my first wedding!! :) (not me getting married, silly! Someone else! I just take the pictures!)
• Philosophized on relationships, the Word and life in general.

Variety is the spice of life. Or so they say...

"But I'll get wet!" -The Raven-Haired Girl complaining about rain.
"Run in between the drops!" -Me


"I think God created sports to torment us... and build character." -The Sis during a Penguins game.


"And that's when you accidentally bury it in the ground with only its head out, and then accidentally mow the lawn..." -Random Guy Friend talking about cats.
Later that day... I saw The Sis' cat.. shaved...
"Your cat looks like she got run over by the lawn mower!" -Me


On my Dad's 50th birthday... telling ubiquitous short jokes.
"Dad, ya know how people shrink when they get older? I think you had a head start!" -Me
"Better watch out. My stature is like your inheritance." -The Dad
Burn. :)


"Never found gray hairs. Once I found a black hair though. I thought, 'I really AM black!'" -Me


"What? Did yo mama teach you how to play basketball?!!" -The Little Bro trashtalking The City Guy during a basketball game.

Yesterday, I watched my sister stand by the swing set and push her little girlies on the swings. It was early evening. The sky was growing darker from impending thunderstorms. Every few moments, faint thunder echoed in the distance. One angry-looking cloud grew rapidly and seemed to be moving in our direction.

“Mommy, let’s go inside!” The Older Niece said worriedly. “Mommy, I’m scared!” And The Sis would simply reassure her that the rain was still far away, and they would go inside before the storm came. A few minutes later, thunder would roll again and the concerned little voice would pipe up, “Mommy! I hear thunder. Let’s go inside!” And again, a calm mommy voice would point out that it is not raining yet and the storm had not come over the mountain and there wasn’t any lightning yet. Everything was fine.

Eventually, the rain came…

And I wondered. Do I sound like that? Every few minutes asking my Father if He is going to take care of me today? Looking at the clouds and listening to the thunder and allowing worry to overcome me? Do I need the reassuring hand of my Father to comfort me? Do I often need reminded that He cares for me, He protects me and He won’t let any destruction come near me?

“Casting all your care on Him, because He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7

Over the course of the weekend, I spent 10 hours of driving, 36 hours in Virginia, 5.5 hours at parties, 2 hours playing the piano, 9 hours at church, 3 hours napping on Sunday and not enough time sleeping during the rest of the weekend. I drank 3 caffeinated beverages, gained 4 new phone numbers, met countless new people, heard “oh, you’re (my name) from Pennsylvania!” and “I’ve heard about you!” over 5 times (this is me looking alarmed! :-o)…. Hours of fun, my friends, hours of fun.

Vacation Day Friday
We had grand plans for this day. Meandering down to Virginia, picnicking at Great Falls, shopping at antiques stores. And then, the rain came…. Ugh. Last minute change of plans--- girlie day!! Afternoon tea at the British Pantry and getting manicures (which I managed to brutalize my own in less than 24 hours because of piano playing. No more manicures!!).… the rain was constant, chilly, and pretty miserable. But sipping hot tea was gloriously relaxing.

Graduation! The whole reason for our visit. I love Christian high school graduations. Like... I actually stay awake for them. That’s how much I love them. :) WOOHOO for the graduate!!! :)

Party Crashing. I can claim ignorance for this. Somewhat. I didn’t know the graduation party was such a hardcore by-invitation-only party until we got there and the bouncers had flashlights & guest lists. But we were allowed entrance. I’m chalkin’ that one up to the mercy of God. :) Great conversations… once I went to find a bathroom and stopped for a thirty-minute conversation. Longest. Bathroom. Trip. Ever!

Park Place. There are two kinds of parks in this world. One green, tree-lined, picnicking, random deer spotting, this-is-the-city-and-I-crave-nature kind of park. And the other kind is the swings-and-playgrounds park where little kids feel like they’ve died and gone to heaven. On Saturday morning, we drove to the first kind of park, raised our eyebrows and drove away. I have nature parks in PA… all we wanted was a nice happy kid park for The Little Man… There were swings. And a mud puddle (which I convinced The Little Man to throw rocks, play with twigs and otherwise splash in---you can tell I currently fill the auntie role and not the mommy role!! Hehe).

Testimonies. Of salvation and God’s provision and His faithfulness and His power. I am wide-eyed and joyful and encouraged that God is moving in mighty ways in people’s lives. Just strengthens my faith to believe the Lord for the impossible—like the salvation of prodigals. :) … Oh yes, and I heard stories about some rather blunt spiritual rebukes that struck me as funny. “You are a gossip trash can” and “You have a pathetic prayer life.” Harsh words but fitly spoken. :) It made me laugh.

Til Death Do Us Part. One murder mystery birthday party. I laughed so hard during this party that my face hurt. My visit was unknowingly timed to fall on this birthday party, so I had the privilege of capturing these happy and hilarious moments with a camera… In between my giggles, I watched the intriguing costumes, acting and deviousness of a real-life whodunit! It was set during an Italian wedding reception, complete with the guest no one knows how HE got invited ("Ken's my cousin," "Yeah, friends with Stanley. We go waaay back!"), the over saturated drunk relative ("I'll drink to that!!!" lol.. all in good fun, people!), the jealous sister, the overachieving mother-of-the-groom doing business deals... all trying to answer the question, “who had motive and opportunity for murder?” *Insert creepy music here* Just like a life-size game of Clue!!.... Oh yes, and the tiramisu was delicious!

Young Adults Meeting. Included a silly teamwork game that was waaaay too complicated for us. My team lost miserably. Twice. We were the “B” squad of the “B” team. Let’s be blunt---we were the looosers. :) But it’s funny how intense people get over paper clips and rubber bands. :) Moving on to spiritual things… good preaching!

Musical Times. Musical conversation. Listening to good music. And playing on a grand piano. * sigh* SOOO fun. Even if I did play for a looong time while listening to spiritual conversations. And my fingers got cold. And then went to church the next morning and played the entire way through an extended testimony time. My fingers hurt…Methinks I need more practice.

Enough rambling... This weekend was full of hours of fun while near and far. With old friends and new friends. At another church and my own church. With church family and blood family. While I drove, ate, played, chatted, smiled, laughed, listened, spoke, cheered, said "Amen," hugged, bounced in happiness because I'm gonna be an auntie again!, planned, wrote, and rambled. Hours of fun, my friends...

My newest discovery (prompting "why didn't I think of this before?" thoughts!) is that my wireless internet works on the front porch. Of my little cottage. Now dusk has fallen. The sky turned into a beautiful shade of not-quite-midnight blue. Sounds of rippling waters echo through my little hideaway in the valley. I hear the hum of cars and see their headlights flashing across the hill, but mostly my thoughts are meditative in this stillness... or, as still as small-town life gets...


Blogs have been few and far between lately. Even the staple 'weekend in review' has been left behind this week. Now I am returning... at least for this evening, to share what's been on my heart.


On Sunday morning, my pastor shared a message about the church of Sardis. As a message to us. To my church. To me! It was very pointed. And sharp. And fitly spoken to my heart.


"... I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die, for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God."
Revelations 3:1-2


The church of Sardis was a church with a reputation for spiritual life. Many people thought that things were happening there---they were on fire! God was moving... or was He?


Our church has a reputation. We're the ones that "pray loud." Or 'have youth that are on-fire,' or are 'really radical.' I've heard many things spoken (those are the positive words). And while some is true... we really do pray loud... I still wonder...


Is the reputation just a wisp of a dream? A fleeting mirage of spirituality? An echo of spiritual fire that burned ten years ago--five years ago--last year?


Reputations give way to pride, which is the deadliest and most dangerous sin. Yes, God has done great things in our midst. Who are we to glory in ourselves? Have we worked supernatural wonders? Was it our faith that saw miracles---or the God who gave the seed of faith within us? If God is pleased in anything among our Body, He has done it Himself.


Pastor brought a challenge to our church this Sunday.
"Wake up and strengthen the things that remain!"


We can't let these things die!

• Faith. Yes, the "faith camp" has perverted the truth about faith into something that benefits flesh and pleasure. But this does not negate the Biblical message of faith. "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." Jesus never dealt mercifully with unbelief. To doubt God's promises and His willingness to fulfill them is to doubt God Himself. Faith pleases God, and that's the pure truth of it!
• Love for the Word of God. It is our supreme teaching. We ought to tremble at His Word. It is infallible and inerrant.
• Divine Healing. For all! "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." Acts 10:38
• Prayer. Personal prayer. There is no life outside prayer. If you are trying to find direction in your life and you don't have a prayer life, you will be confused! Fervent prayer. We should ALL be fervent in spirit, praying fervently, listening fervently.
• Holiness. Not self-righteousness or hypocritical standards. A holiness that comes from being in the presence of the Most Holy God.
• Doctrine.
• Authority. To meet God is to meet authority. Americans are independent. We pride ourselves on our self-sufficiency and independence. And that's great--in politics. The kingdom of God is not a democracy. It is a theocracy, and Christ is the head!

There's not much left to say. Except that I have been challenged to get out of complacency, to awake out of spiritual slumber and fight to keep the foundations laid in my spiritual beginnings. I must become a child again... humbled before my Father, a student of the Word, holding tightly to the truths so dear to us.