Humility is...

...not the trait of thinking of self as less of worth. Humility is not thinking of self at all, whether good or bad. Humility is thinking of others and seeking their advancement. To think about your condition and try to be humble is pride itself, for it is valuing self above all.

-Michael Pearl

"In lowliness of mind let each of you esteem others better than himself."
Philippians 2:3

A laugh

My dear cousin, Nicole, never fails to make me laugh -- this morning was no exception!

Any of you single girls out there might enjoy this as well...thanks, Nicole!

Day by day

:: everyday is a little life --

and our whole life is but a single day repeated ::

"So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Psalms 90:12

Each moment I have is Thine,

O Lord.

Please mold them as Thou wilt.
Let each one be filled with Thee,
And in Thy mighty hand be stored.
Let them not be wasted, O Lord,
On things that hold no good.
Lord, let them only be for Thee,
Teach me to do as Thou would'st.
Let my heart be joined to Thine,
Make it wholly Yours.
Change my life to be like Thine,
Let me never stay the same.
Take my life and mold it
Each moment of ever day
Until only You are seen,
In all I do and say.

-Chantel Harding

Candidly Charissa

Since it has been over a month since I've done a photo shoot with Charissa (I know, it's been over a month already! Aren't you impressed with my self-restraint?! [grin]) I thought I'd post a few candid pictures of Charissa from our family's time at a Children's museum:

Baby in a bubble!

Charissa really didn't know what to think of the mirrors, though...

"Oh no! ...I thought I was cuter than that!"

I know -- this isn't Charissa, but it was too cute not to post!

I bet she's the sweetest lookin' fireman you've ever seen!

"Okay, Andrew, something tells me I'm not quite cut out for this job!"

She was completely enthralled with the mini-grocery store. It was adorable watching her walk the aisle, picking out her "much needed" food items.

Hm-mm-mmm ...she's already learned the secret to a quick meal!

And last but not least -- one of my personal favorites:

Peek-a-boo!

Coming soon...hopefully!

Due to the mounting number of photography questions I am continuing to receive, plans are in the makings for a new appearance here on my little home on the web. My apologies if you've been waiting a while for an answer to your question, but I am excited about the possibilities in store!

Stay tuned...

Feeling ordinary?

"O my Lord, I am not eloquent..."

"Who has made man's mouth? ...Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, GO...and I will teach you."

Exodus 4:10-12

When you believe that nothing significant can happen through you, you have said more about your belief in God than you have said about yourself. You have said that God is not capable of doing anything significant through you. The truth is, He is able to do anything He pleases with one ordinary person fully consecrated to Him.

-Henry T. Blackaby

Full supply

Depend on it:

God's work
done in
God's way
will never lack
God's supply.

-Hudson Taylor

Canada at random

Yes, I've been absent from my blog for almost a whole week again, but this time it was due to being out of the country. I am back to the good ol' USA now, with a host of pictures from our time up north. (And to hear more of why our family was in Canada, as well as continued testimonies of the Lord's faithfulness, check out my sister's post: Ontario).

But for the host of pictures:

:: the beautiful shore of Lake Erie ::

"Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,

and for His wonderful works to the children of men!"
-Psalms 107:8

:: while taking a walk one afternoon we girls spotted this crazy sight ::

One just never knows what they will see in Canada!

(Disclaimer: do not try this at home!)

:: sheep ::

(pictures like this enhance complete randomness)

:: my little 'twin' sister enjoying the swing ::

"Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,

and for His wonderful works to the children of men!"
-Psalms 107:15

:: Canada, O Canada ::

:: the joy of playing in the leaves ::

"Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,

and for His wonderful works to the children of men!"
-Psalms 107:21

Charissa was thrilled to play with a kitten...

though she wasn't quite sure what to make of the kitty kiss that was placed on her cheek seconds later!

"Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
and for His wonderful works to the children of men!"

-Psalms 107: 31

Light declares itself

"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."

-2 Corinthians 4:6-7

We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we don't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining -- they just shine.

D.L. Moody

Rejoicing in His love

Through the years a young girl prays for her husband to be,

She prays that God will reveal Himself, and set His spirit free.

To love, believe, and walk with God, His Spirit to obey,
She asks that Truth will be his guide and keep him for her someday.

Now she's rejoicing in His love as it flows from God above.
The one for whom she's prayed and dreamed is here for her to love.

She knows now who God's given to her, that she might understand
The love of Christ for His own bride -- she's rejoicing in God's plan.


At the same time a young man asks that God will give to him a wife;
A woman pure, who loves the Lord, a friendship made for life!

He hopes that she will love God's Word and often that she'll pray;

For Jesus Christ to be her life and then turn her heart his way.

Now he's rejoicing in His love as it flows from God above.

The one for whom he's prayed and dreamed is here for him to love.

He knows now who God's given to him, that he might understand,
The love of Christ for His own bride -- he's rejoicing in God's plan.

Today they come to unite their hearts as one in Jesus name;
They'll give their hearts, their lives, their love; a ring to seal the same.

What once was two shall become one, that the world might see again
A testimony of the love of Christ between a woman and a man.

Now they're rejoicing in His love as it flows from God above.
The one's for whom they've prayed and dreamed are here for them to love.

They know now who God's given to them, that they might understand,
The love of Christ for His own bride -- they're rejoicing in God's plan.

-Norm Wakefield

Over already

Hundreds and hundreds of pictures later, the wedding day is over! Thank you all for your prayers. Again -- the day was huge, but the way the timing and everything worked out I knew you were praying. THANK YOU!!

I am still sorting through the multi-gig photo cards that I filled on Saturday and I'm looking forward to sharing a large pictures post in the near future. Unfortunately, between travel back to my family in Michigan and finding computer time, this may take a few days.

Stay tuned....and know that I am so grateful for your encouragement and prayers!

Please pray!!

After a very early morning and two flights, Rachel and I made it to Omaha safely. It was my first time flying commercially, so I enjoyed it to its fullest. [grin]


(Let it be known that we tried to get a picture of the two of us together....but it just didn't work.)

Now the rehearsal is tonight, the wedding tomorrow. Even though I have photographed a wedding before, I am still a bit apprehensive! But the Lord has been so good -- He has already answered so many prayers that I am humbled by His grace and blessing.

A few days ago as I was preparing and feeling slightly overwhelmed, the Lord sent this specific verse to encourage my heart:

"I will save you, and you shall be a blessing.

Do not fear, let your hands be strong."

Zephaniah 8:13

What encouragement is found in His Word if we only take the time to read it!

If any of you care to pray for the wedding pictures tomorrow, know that it would be much appreciated! There is nothing like the wonderful feeling of knowing and feeling the prayer support behind one. [smile]

Specific prayer requests would be for good weather, wisdom with technical skill, ability to capture those timeless moments, the bride and groom pleased, and most of all that the Lord will be glorified.

Watch for upcoming wedding picture posts!!

Caption contest:

When doing photo shoots with an adorable baby, there will invariably be one or two shots that a person cannot pose that are absolutely adorable. I mean, really, you can't tell a baby to do this:

or this:
It's one of those things that just happen!!!

Captions, anyone?!

Romans 6:8

"If we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him."

It is not the external circumstances themselves that enable us to reproduce the pattern of His death, but our willingness to accept the circumstances for His sake.

It is loss to keep when God says give.

-Elisabeth Elliot

Special blessing

What a delightful surprise it was to have one's own brother show up at this afternoon's service at a nursing home!! [grin]

We didn't pull him up to sing like we had on Sunday, but his presence was still a very special blessing.

Oh the joys of family!

Have you heard...

of the exciting treasure hunt going on over at our family's blog? Definitely on the unusual side, but the prize will be treasured once it is attained.

Go check it out!!

Wanted: in any size, any shape...if seen near you -- please contact us!