Name that object...

The impetus for this picture was an accident... it was behind what I was actually shoot--Just thought I'd share with you... once you've had a chance to guess, then I'll post a few other pictures to make it easier to identify... Susan you are so not eligible for this "competition" I showed you already so that would be cheeeeating!

Some people probably

think I have an obsession with flowers, but really, it’s just one of those obvious, colorful, eye-catching manifestations of God’s creation and I am awed and inspired that someone so big, so full of important people and projects to see to and prayers to hear that he would pause long enough to bless us with his living design, this place we live, this earth.

A patron brought in some roses for our dearly loved Children’s librarian and instead of keeping them to herself, she shared them with the public, so Susan and I played “snap-that-picture” today and I will probably (possibly) post some shots of those at a later date.

My next photo plan is to go strawberry picking and shoot some of those! Isn’t God good?

Camera Angles

raised to praise

Baaaaaa

Truck Study 2

The very first picture on here is my favorite...

Another headlight shot just for you :) I know, I know, you're speechless...

Again, I wish there weren't so much junk inside it, I'd like to take a picture of the entire vehicle.

I think these two are kinda neat... don't know why, probably that whole "same subject, different focus" deal, for some reason that draws me in...

If my father knew that I was taking pictures of this truck he'd be ecstactic, this is why it's top secret... we do not encourage the collecting of items that do not function!

This is like the big nosed disproportionate puppy pictures that were so popular not long ago... okay maybe a little different, but it's what I think of... because the nose does look bigger than it is with respect to the whole.

study

Sunday afternoon

Not sure

Hello all... I am not sure if I've shared these with the public or not... I do know that after looking at them again I want to and since I've checked the blog and can't find them I'm going to... sorry if I repeat. Leaves are so awesome!

random shots

Temporary

Mountains and valleys exist in each of our lives, I hazard to say that the handful of people that read this blog know more pain than I do myself. Borrowing again from a devotional, let me share a revelation:

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor. 4:18

'You may not realize it -- but problems often "speak" to you.

They say things like, "You can't get rid of me. I'll be withyou as long as you live."

"Your parents died from this and you will, too."

["This pain will never end."]'

I've considered leaving the church I'm at on multiple occasions from the time that I started going there almost 4 years ago--sometimes I hear it and I wonder, did I make the wrong decision? Should I be serving somewhere else?

Lately, I've just started asking God if I can leave yet--I know it's not my permanent place, I can feel that. Maybe it's the military brat in me--what some might call "wander-lust"--this desire to keep moving beyond what's right here. Not being fully sure what God has in store for me, wanting to see it, but half in fear, hiding. Knowing that I never quite fit-in anywhere I've been or where I'm at currently. Constantly feeling like a total outsider.

Knowing that really what I want to want... what I want to desire more than anything else is to be not just a "reflection of something" but a reflection of Christ.

In researching the word "desire" the thought came to mind "as the dear panteth for cool waters so my soul longeth after Thee".

Have you ever been so thirsty? Have you wanted, desired, craved, sought out or longed for any one thing with all that you had?

I like this next sentence: "Desire is a strong feeling [...] that impels the attainment or possession of something that is within reach" did you catch that last part, impels, meaning pushes forward....

Pain subsides, what we see on this earth, it truly is temporary. So what are you pushing forward for? What you see, or what you can't see?

Plans

The best laid plans... oh yeah.

Saturday there were many projects to start and finish, shopping to be done and spending time with family. For two years now I've wanted to take pictures of some poppies (not puppies, poppies), but because of a lack of an operational camera, timing (distance from my location) and some procrastination, that has not happened.

Well, I set out in my little green car Saturday morning around 9am and drove 30 minutes to the spot I wanted to take these shots. Problem was, the sky--it was completely gray. My conversation with God was all inside my head "Lord, you know I wanted to take these pictures..." I was on the verge of tears because my life has been so full of running that I don't often get a chance to pause and do something I want to do that's also relaxing, not demanding.

So the war continues "Remember the last set of pictures you took?" There was rain, unexpected and also unwanted.

"Yes, those were good pictures and yes it wouldn't have been the same without the rain."

Still warring, I wanted what I wanted(there was a shot in particular that isn't possible without a blue sky and a visible sun), but attempting to be positive, I pull off on the side of the road--the flowers were planted next to the highway. I get out of the car and the mist that had been at the beginning of my journey was now real rain.

If I had turned around and gone home that would have been an hour wasted. So as I cross the road, little old man who has just set up his flower stand says "It's raining" and I said "I know" continuing on my way.

For thirty minutes, there was mud and wet and much camera clicking. I don't know how much all of you know about poppies, but man are they diverse. Awesome in fact.

And no, it wouldn't have been the same with a bright sun or a blue sky.

Sometimes, allowing God to work through the rough spots, the ill-timed plans, the small griefs of life--He reveals to us more beauty, more unexpected blessings than we could ever imagine.

It's as if God said "let me show you something beautiful" and I said "but I don't want your something beautiful, I want MY something beautiful" what do we miss out on when we follow only what we desire, ignoring all else?

What am I missing?

I’m in the middle of something and I can’t see. What am I missing?

About a month and a half ago I was having this conversation with a friend, he said “man, God must have something big for you”.

I had just finished telling him all that I was involved in with church and work, as well as maybe going back to school for my masters.

You have no idea how much I want to believe what he said. But my question remains, what am I missing and why does right now bother me so much?

It's stretching out in front of me-- and I don't even know what "it" is.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am to be content.

Philipians 4:11

Watch

I’ve noted on more than one occasion a bird in the air with a nice wingspan. He soars and glides so effortlessly. It's enjoyable to watch as those wings beat and he rises through the air or simply floats across the blue sky….

He has a grace and a beauty I’ll never possess.

The picture I’ve attached to this post is not mine, I didn’t have my camera handy the last time I saw this bird in flight, but I wanted to include a photo. If you are an astute observer, you will note that this bird is a vulture.

Interesting, is it not, that such a bird as this, one who up close would be regarded as ugly (in the very least) is quite amazing when really, truly watched.

(Please note that this is not my picture.)

Negative?