Fear and All His Friends

ugh. I am so sick of our media right now. Seriously, these people are out of control lately. Between all the dooms-daying about the economy and inflation and now the Swine Flu nonsense. Yep, you heard me right, nonsense. I'm so tired of the media hyping people up and taking away their hope, and I refuse to participate in it anymore.

Dave Ramsey had some really good things to say about the media, and the economy, and a lot more during this free simulcast last week. I did not get to hear the entire thing because we had kids open houses at school, but the 45 minutes I caught were awesome. You can find out more here.

Town Hall for Hope

For the record, I think Christians need to be the calm in this stormy time. Watch yourself when you are taking in all of this frothy stirred up media frenzy and remember that God is our strength, our deliverer, our healer and our provider. We have no reason to fear. Let me remind you of a couple of verses flood your heart with some peace...

Psalm 27:3
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

Psalm 46:2
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

And also, remember that we need to keep our hearts turned toward Him, rather than the desires of the flesh and this rotten, fallen world...

Proverbs 29:25
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Psalm 34:9
Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.

Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

This is where I turn when the news gets scary. I'm spending extra time with God right now, making sure my heart is right so that when that trumpet sounds, I'm ready. I'm also slowing down with my kids and speaking words of life to them, reminding them of what Jesus did for each of us and encouraging them to check their own hearts. I believe that's the best investment I can make right now.

A few Moments

Ok, heading out the door here in just a bit, but I have realized this afternoon how very bad I've been about blogging again. I'm sorry. I sometimes wish I could remote post from my head, cause I'll find myself thinking about blogging in random places like while waiting at a stoplight in the car, or while sitting under the dryer at the beauty shop, or when I'm standing in line at that bank. All those little snippets of time that could be utilized for good if I was just a bit more organized, right? That iPod Touch sure would come in handy, wouldn't it?? (actually, it's on sale and comes with a $30 gift card at Target this week, but I am being good and holding out for my new camera first, hoping they run the sale again later in May). Anyway, y'all have been on my mind...

New camera. So I mentioned that. I've been 'shopping' for about 2 months now. By shopping I mean reading consumer reviews, comparitive studies, and asking the opinions of other avid Nikon users. About a week ago I was praying about it and God spoke to me about paying cash for this camera. I know that seems obvious, but sometimes I really get excited about things and Rob had already given me the go-ahead, knowing I was good for it. I committed to God that I would wait until I had ALL the cash to buy it. That was a week ago yesterday. As of today, I'm 80% there. God is so good!! My goal is to buy my new camera for my birthday, a little 30th splurge from ATP to me. :) Rob's pretty excited too, cause he's dying to shoot second camera on the d40x.

ATP has been crazy good lately, it's really exciting. I love my job so much, and have been literally submerging myself in the business this month. I just noticed my post count on my sister blog and it was 25 posts this month, compared to 3 and 6 (or something similar) per month earlier in the year. I'm not done either, I've got 4 more shoots this weekend and I'm loving it!!

My quiet times have also been awesome lately. I feel a maturity coming on with 3o. I'm sure all my friends are having a hard time digesting that one, but a maturity for me, by my standards, not by the world's. :) It's wierd, I was wrestling so hard with this upcoming birthday for the past 6 or 8 months, but in the last week or so, I feel a peace with it. Like yeah, I'm 30, I've figured a lot of this stuff out! Ok, maybe not that far, but I truly am in awe of what God is doing in my life. I never dreamed that I'd be running my own up and coming business and developing client strategies or learning Photoshop or bending my brain around all this new information. It's totally overwhelming and empowering. It makes me wonder where I'll be in another 10 years? (eek! we'll cross that bridge when we come to it) But 30 is neat, cause I'm confident in where I'm at. I know I have a lot of things that I'm not good at, but I've come to grips with that and can stand back and say, I'm just not good at that and thank goodness other people are! On the other hand, I'm really beginning to realize the things I am good at, and starting to see how God has woven this this thread of unconnected talents together to do something big for His kingdom. How awesome is that? I now know that God created me just the way I am (with all my flaws - bad teeth, big personality, stubby baby toenails and all) and who am I to say I don't like it?? I love that He can use me in spite of me. I still get hurt, a lot. Far more often than I ever talk about on here, but He's teaching me to look to Him for my self-worth, and that hurt people hurt, and all I can do is be loving and consistent.

Ok, well, I'm quickly realizing that this is far too much post for a quick one before I run to church. So I'm going to sign off for now, but I feel at 'Things I Know at 30' post coming on and I'll try to get back to it as soon as I can. And you know what? If I can't, I'm not going to lose any sleep over what you are thinking about me in the meantime. :) Thanks my faithful blog followers, it's just really cool to know you are there! blessings!

Two Pages From Yesterday

I really barely scrapped yesterday morning, before my day got interrupted. It was a tiny reward for finishing my editing and allowing a break in my crazy work-all-hours-of-the-day-and-night life lately. I had started this Easter page and then had the second one's product pulled and sketch done, so maybe a half an hour of 'play'. It was very fun though!!

Saturday's Pages

So I guess I was in a yellow mood last week. ironically! I actually had a really rough couple of days, thus the relative blog silence. A lot of times, when I'm in a mood, I don't post. No sense in spreading my funk, right?

We had a great life group last night, and a wonderful service on Sunday morning. I was supposed to be at staff meeting this afternoon, but it got canceled, so I get to kick around home and catch up on editing and cleaning and just general paperwork instead. yay! It will feel so good to get caught up again, right before I get slammed at the end of the week. I've got four shoots between now and Saturday night, so that's pretty exciting!!

Didn't I say I'd be right back??

Wow, I have been so on top of things lately, haven't I??

Just have a moment, but wanted to share this awesome pic Rob took at a shoot a few weeks back. I love it! Right down to the lens cap in my pocket. That boy can OWN second camera...

neat quote.

"Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence. "

- AG US Missions Candidate Orientation

As an artist, I am truly inspired by these words of wisdom... had to share. Be back soon!

Big Ordination Day = Sleepy Girl

Wow. I want to journal all that was in my head last night, as it was spinning trying to calm down to go to sleep. Hopefully I can remember it all, but I'm pretty wiped out and Rob won't go to bed with me at 8:30pm. (after almost 11 years of marriage, I really don't like to go to bed by myself, I need my heater!)

First off, District Council was amazing this year. This was our 4th District Council (2 in IL and now 2 in TX) and by far the best yet. Don't get me wrong, our licensing service was really special, but it was definitely overshadowed by our experience last night. Anyway, the whole Council was a leading up to Thursday night's service. We know so many people now, mostly because of Rob's role as the Sectional Rep for the past year. Every time we turned around we'd bump into someone else that we'd shared some experience with. It was like a great big family. And we just kept adding to the family throughout the week. I'm not going to name drop or anything, but it was really cool to get to know some of the high-ups in the district.

Ok, I will name drop just two places, but both of my stories have significance, so bear with me. First off, Dr. George O. Wood preached our Ordination service. And that is meaningful because he was our Interim Pastor at Central way back in college, while we were struggling so hard to stay in school and living at the campground (go all the way back to the beginning of my blog and you can easily remember the struggles we waded through during school). During that time I had suffered our second miscarriage, and he had a tv spot that really spoke to me one day. I had written a note to thank him for the encouragement, and he wrote me back. Handwritten note. I still have it. And he was our speaker last night. Doesn't that sound like a God thing? We spoke with him afterwards and he recognized us and remembered our story. God is so good, isn't He?? He signed Rob's Ordination Bible, so that's a very neat momento from the evening. Sometimes, when things like that happen, I think our life will make such a great story some day. All centered around how good God is...

Second name drop (and that's it, I promise) happened at supper on Tuesday. Rob and I were sharing a phenomenal chicken and avocado sandwich in the restuaraunt bistro. Who should happen to take the table right next to us? None other than Brother Burroughs, our retired Superintendant. He proceeded to talk with us for the next half an hour, so personable and approachable. It really made me realize what a great, relational district we are a part of.

Overall, it was a wonderful council, filled with incredible moments. The absolute highlight was last night's service and especially during the kneeling and passing of the mantle. Pastor Hayes prayed over us and his prayer was so significant and just right on. And Linda and Ginny were snapping pictures all the while. I'll be getting some of their photos here in the next few days.

Oh, and I loved my dress. The board bought us new clothes for the event and they were beautiful. I felt like a princess! We'll be wearing them on Sunday morning, too!

Ok, while I'm too tired to type anymore. I'm so glad to be home with my beautiful children and all comfy in our home again. Hope you have a good night too!!

Happy Easter!!

(a day late and a dollar short)

I'm a day late cause I'm crazy busy with photo shoots right now, yippee!!

And a dollar short cause we just dropped $497.67 on a bad bearing in our one and only vehicle. fun, huh??

But we had a beautiful Easter, totally blessed. Spent the day with the incredible Aunt Mary Ridge and her brilliant family!! It was a blast. The food was fantastic, but the company and the confetti egg fight was even better!

Today I've spent today buried in laundry, housekeeping, packing for District Council (eeeh!!) and editing. I just moved from 4 behind to 3, but I leave for a senior shoot in an hour. Very cool though, I love, LOVE my job. You all know that, I just am really seeing God's blessing all over my business lately and it's so exciting!!

Ok, well I need to go get ready for my shoot, but I just wanted to remind you all how good God is!! Yesterday was a celebration of His very best gift to us and I hope you found a still moment to reflect on that and tell Him how good He is!! I did. Love you all!


PS - it totally has to be the joy of the Lord when I'm still super happy today even after having a $500 bombshell drop in my lap this morning!

ObnRanna Observed

ObnRanna is a holiday we came up with many years ago, actually, I think it was on our first anniversary. We both had to work on our real anniversary, but then took a trip to Springfield, MO that weekend. Anyway, during the long, silly 8 hour drive we decided that 'RobNAnna' sounded like a Jewish holiday. Then we mixed it up a bit more and called it "ObNranna" and that REALLY sounded like something important. So eventually we decided that ObNranna Traditional is our actual anniversary, but ObNranna Observed is any other day we choose to randomly celebrate.
Yesterday we had a shoot scheduled with our good friends - Bart and Jennifer. They are coming up on 12 years of marriage on May 17th (happens to be my birthday). Rob shot second camera and it was a blast. When we where finished we went out to Outback for dinner, it was such a special evening. After that, we needed to get home to the sitter, but still didn't want to break up the party. We headed back to our house, took Amber home, and popped in a movie. We finally parted ways at midnight. It was such a fun night! And I can't wait to edit their pictures, but we've got an Easter Egg hunt this morning and I've got 2 shoots this afternoon. (Yay!) I thought I'd quick post this fun photo from our evening though. Eli took it. :)
We had so much fun, I think we are going to make this an annual event.

THURSDAY!!!

Do you ever just wake up in the very best mood??

It's officially my favorite day of the week and Rob and I have an entire day of fun planned! I'm so excited to spend time with him today. We've been running in different directions a lot lately and I love having 6 hours on Thursdays to spend soaking up each other's presence. It's going to be a great day, I can tell already.

So my hair's looking sweet (thanks Jennifer), I'm wearing a 'date top', my lipstick's on and I'm ready to go!! Oh, and Rob brought in these beautiful roses from our bush this morning. I am a blessed woman!!

Plus, looking forward to this evening... One of my students brought me a $10 iTunes gift card last night. Just made my evening! I can't wait to 'shop' for some new music!!

Hope you have a great day too!!

PS - I've really been enjoying this song lately. Now I really don't believe in luck, and feel more blessed than lucky, but the concept of still being in love with my best friend really appeals to me. :)

Special Services tonight.

Wow, we had an awesome evening at theLOFT tonight. Rob and I dug this communion drama out of the past. I don't think we've done it in 12 years or so. It went really well and the kids seemed to get a lot out of it.

Well, I'm wiped out. Tomorrow we are going to Houston to the camera store, DSW for ordination shoes, and to scout out Rice University's campus for an upcoming shoot. Should be fun!!

Ridiculously Excited...

I know, I know, big shocker there. Man, if I could bottle up my excitement and sell it, I'd be a rich woman, wouldn't I?

Life is good. Not that it isn't exhausting and some moments I'm just not sure which task to turn to next, but overall, it's good!! The next few months are looking so wonderful, I'm just ready to take them on!

First off, God is really blessing my business. That is an answer to prayer in itself. I've got three shoots scheduled this weekend, and I'm so excited for each of them!! One family, one couple and one senior - so a great blend of styles. I love stretching like that, and being creatively refreshed for each snew gig. Hoping to shoot one in a junk yard, so I've got a bit of research and phone calling to do in the morning. :)

And of course, it's Easter weekend, which is historically an awesome weekend. I love Easter and the meaning of it. And I know as Pentecostals 'every Sunday is Easter Sunday' and that's totally my lifestyle, but the real Easter Sunday has deep and significant meaning in my book. Our church has invited Jews for Jesus to do a special service this Sunday and I'm really looking forward to hearing their message and partaking in their heritage. I guess I've secretly always wished I had grown up Jewish - to be God's chosen people, what an honor! I know He loves us Gentiles too, but the legacy of the Jewish people is incredible. It should be a very special Easter Celebration. Also, we have the annual Egg Hunt at Trinity on Saturday at 10am, that's always a blast with the kiddos. (and a photo op!)

I guess I was feeling Easter-y already because I had an urge to bake and frost sugar cookies this evening, and they turned out so pretty! This post is useless without photos, but they are in the dark kitchen and I just got the kids to bed. Eli and Sarah have been a bit insane the past 2 days and we aren't sure what exactly is up with that...

Next week is huge. Monday I will spend editing photos all day, I'm sure. Probably in to Tuesday as well. At noon we leave for District Council, which is always a joy to attend. Spending dedicated time with Pastor and Linda is really special, since most of the time we talk about church, it's nice to get away and just be us once in a while. But the highlight of District Council this year will for sure be Rob's ordination. I am so thrilled about this event, we've been working towards it for a long time now! The spiritual significance is extraordinary and I'm just so delighted to be there experiencing it with him!! His mom and stepdad are coming down from AR to celebrate with us, it will be so good to see them. We are going to take in the beach over the weekend, which we haven't been to since Ike, so that will be interesting. President Bush Senior says it's A.O.K. to return to Galveston Island so we'll do our patriotic duty and eat out while we are there, I'm sure. :)

And most exciting of all, off in the not too-far distance looms my birthday. Ah, the big one. The only thing that makes it most exciting is that my best friend Lori will be coming to share it with me - removing the sting from 30 hopefully. I can't wait!!

So, as you can plainly see, I'm a little worked up. So many fun and happy things on the horizon. Yes, I know we are in a recession. Yes, I know the unemployment rate is at an all-time high. Yep, the government created a trillion random dollars out of thin air 3 or so weeks ago. I know all that. But I'm choosing to see the positives in life, and they are still there, I promise!! The biggest positive? The best reason to have joy in your every day life and a bounce in your daily step?? My Lord and Savior is coming back for us one day soon! And until that trumpet sounds, I'm going to squeeze the very best out of this life. That glass is still half full, baby, I promise.

Last Week's Pages... and a little reflection.

Man, I'm wiped out. We just attended a Sectional Youth Reps retreat up in the Woodlands. It was really cool. First of all, we work for an awesome District Youth Director and his wife. We spent the weekend working on a top secret project that could potentially help youth pastors across the state, so that's really cool! Also, the ladies had a few small sessions alone to talk about the issues that yp wives deal with. (what? we have issues??) It was extremely refreshing, but somehow I came home exhausted. We've just been going like crazy all week and tomorrow is Sunday again, already.

It was so good to get away with Rob. We've pretty much lost our Thursdays the last two Thursdays and we tend to get cranky when we don't get our down time together. Even just the drive up and back, and our time walking around Market Street last night, that was pretty special. And of course, sleeping in a bit is always amazing, considering both of our children are early risers!

So, it's early to bed for me. I'm still fighting off a sinus something, and it's just lingering this time. Poor Rob, his sinus issues are about a day behind mine, so he's really miserable. I'm excited and ready for a great Sunday though!

Selling My IPod...

So many of you have told me how much you like the music on my site and how you leave my blog up for background music. I figured here was the perfect place to post that I'm selling my 8gig Nano iPod. There is nothing wrong with it, save for a scratched up back after a year and a half of use. It is in perfect working order and comes fully loaded with my taste in music.

I'm sure you are wondering why I'm selling it, and I'm so glad you asked. I've been holding out for the iPhone forever, but they refuse to come to my network, and I'm a faithful Verizon customer. But recently my eyes have been opened to the iTouch and the calender abilities, along with email and internet surfing at wi-fi hotspots has me very intrigued. With the insanity of my life, a portable, electronic calendar that easily syncs with Mac is a very promising idea.

So I'm asking $100. I can ship it anywhere in the US. Just email me or post a comment. First come, first serve.

(PS - I just added the Lenka album and the Twilight Soundtrack)

New-ish Music

found this recently. silly video, great song!!

Seriously...

I did not fall off the face of the earth. Or any of the countless ways you've perhaps envisioned in my 7 day blogosphere silence. bunny trail - have you seen the promo for that 1000 ways to die program? That looks really intriguing to me for some reason.

Mom and I pretty much ripped up Houston. :) Not quite, but we definitely tried. We did make it to both really good scrapbook stores, Baybrook Mall, the Galleria, watched Aliens vs. Monsters with the kids (boo, not impressed), Harwin Drive (actually not street as previously mentioned), church and a big social dinner, scrapbooking on Friday night and numerous movies/veg time in between. It was a lot of fun. I didn't take nearly enough photos, not really sure why. I did manage to squeeze in a sinus issue on Saturday, which I'm still trying to chase off. And Mom left not feeling well too, so bummer. But we had a blast and I'm pretty sure it's the most time I've spent with my mom since graduating high school (gulp) 13 years ago.

In all of our shopping, i actually did not overspend (stayed under budget by $25 in fact!) but found some great deals, including the jewelry for my new dress to wear for Ordination two weeks from tomorrow. I also found 2 pairs of great new flats from Kohls for about $10 a pair. I need to take some photos. Mom also bought me an early birthday present - a great brass bracelet from Target with owls etched in it all the way around, I'm super psyched about it. And I did finish 4 pages on Friday night, so I'll have to post those pics in the near future.

We are back in to a busy stretch; I've got 3 photo shoots in the next 8 days and we will be out of town for a Youth Rep retreat on Friday and Saturday. I'm excited about all that God is doing in our lives though, and really excited for ordination. We've been working towards this for a long time, over 10 years in fact.

Ok, so I'm about to call it a night, a hot shower and a good night's sleep sounds fantastic at this point, but let me share a couple photos first.
Here Mom and I are at Cheddar's - about to dive in to our Spinach Dip. It was yummy! And I should mention I'm trying a new hairstyle, it's significantly shorter than previously, but I'm really enjoying it.
We happened upon the Easter Bunny at the mall on Saturday and the kids enjoyed that. I couldn't believe Sarah actually got that close to him!
We visited the Container Store one morning while at the Galleria. And overall, I was pretty overwhelmed by it, but I loved this fabulous display of cameras.
And I got this great shot of Mom and the kids the first night she arrived. Both of those dolls Mom gave to Sarah, she's sewn both of their outfits. They were a big hit with Sarah.