Saturday, October 30, 2010

Thomas & Lindsay




I hate decisions.  There's over 100 terrific pics, but I'm only subjecting you to 20.
Baby steps.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Shazaam!


Thomas & Linsday
(click the photo to enlarge, Blogger doesn't do it justice)

This was my first engagement shoot and I am so pleased with how their pictures turned out. It rained the entire day, but we had a blast and the colors were beautiful anyway.

More of these to come when I have time to edit.

Hey Debbie Downer, leave the magpie alone

This summer, I was getting in my car to head to work. There were magpies in the yard as usual, I didn't even look at them. Then I heard a sound that was slightly different, and it caused me to look up.

There was a one-legged magpie hopping around on our fence.
{The magpie will henceforth be referred to as Roger}

I thought about him on the way to work, and was almost in tears. It had been a beautiful sunshiney day, birds were singing and life was good. Until I saw Roger.
(Weird? Yes. Am I going to apologize for having a soft heart? No.)

I worried about him, thought about taking him in and feeding him, etc.
But then God used it to teach me something. He asked me if Roger felt sorry for himself. I thought, "No." He asked me if Roger looked healthy and happy with his ONE leg. I thought, "Actually, yes."

Here I was, trying to fix Roger's problems. If I could have sat and talked to him, with as sad as I was for him, no doubt Roger would have ended up feeling sad for himself too.

When life got difficult, Roger just pressed on and adjusted. He made it work. He is living a happy and productive magpie life.

If I had stepped in, he probably would have learned nothing but to feel sorry for himself and depend on my hand-outs. He wouldn't have had to learn the lessons and experience the growth that God had planned for him. I know the Bible says to weep with those that weep, but hey! If they're not weeping, leave them alone. Give them a boost. Encourage them. Let them learn to adapt. They will be much happier.

We are still talking about Magpies, right?

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

You ARE my sunshine!

Happy Birthday Mama!




Dad knew a good thing when he saw it.
Boy meets girl. Two weeks later...  "Will you marry me?"  Naturally you said yes.

How is it that we are the chosen ones God decided to give you to?

Thursday, October 21, 2010

just because: for the Hartleys

because its Thursday.
and because I think its funny.

recycling hampsters

Do you ever have one of those weeks where you have too much on your mind, and you keep the big stuff together pretty well but the small things all fall apart?

  • Yesterday I kept telling the new guy at work about our recycling hampsters.  Do you ever say a word, and something in your brain says "that wasn't quite right" but you can't figure it out so you keep saying it?  Yeah, recycling hampsters. 
  • Last night I locked my keys in my car at church.... aaaaaa-gain.
  • Today I forgot to wear deodorant.  I remembered it twice this morning and set out to find it, but got de-railed.

Oh Anna, Anna, Anna.
You have issues.

Monday, October 18, 2010

one of MY favorites



Sweet Hour of Prayer, sung by George Beverly Shea

Friday, October 15, 2010

and I don't even like yogurt

You know what I appreciate about the trials of life?

They churn up all the warm fuzzies that are lying undisturbed at the bottom of my heart. When you're going through it, you sometimes become overwhelmed with how much you love the important people in your life, and you find out how much they love you. You find out how much God loves you, and you start to realize just how much He does for you moment by moment.

Its like the yogurt with fruit in the bottom. When you stir it up you find all kinds of "good stuff."

Thursday, October 14, 2010

sorry about the donuts

{I am about to throw myself under the bus for the purpose of making you laugh.}

I must preface this tale with a little factoid. I don't do well with numbers in my head. I can't add in my head. I get historical dates, phone numbers and birthdays mixed up in my head. I rely heavily on calculators and cell phone calendar appointments.

I call it Number Dyslexia. I don't know if that's a real thing, but I have it. When I write / type numbers down, I often transpose some of them. This causes a lot of small, mostly humorous mishaps around the office and in general life. Its not because I don't pay attention. I pay attention more closely BECAUSE of this problem.

{once upon a time}

It was a beautiful morning. Crisp color, fresh air, fall leaves, etc. I was so overcome with the warm fuzzies that I decided to bring donuts to work. I happily filled up my pink pastry box at Safeway with a delectable variety of delicious donuts (thanks Brandon for baking them BTW, your job is very important to my sense of well-being).

Back at the office, there was much happiness in the air as people gathered around the pink pastry box. Let me share one of the conversations with you.

Susie: Oh Anna, this is so exciting.
Anna: Yes I know. I've got to say though, I always feel a little bit guilty when I buy donuts.
Susie: Why?
Anna: The Baker's Dozen. I always got 12 before, but a couple of years ago some pompous Know-it-All (exaggerating for effect) was shocked that I didn't know about the Baker's Dozen. Apparently EVERYONE knows you put a baker's dozen in the box, even the Safeway people tell you that. I felt so dumb for not knowing this fact of life that I have ever since taken the Baker's Dozen, feeling horribly guilty all the while and wishing I could just take 12.
Susie: YES! EXACTLY! I do that too. You do feel guilty. But you feel dumb if you only take 12.
(the pitch of the conversation is getting more excited and demonstrative)
Anna: Its like, once you pass 12, you start to look around hoping for someone to stop you. Or for a ceiling tile to drop on your head.
Susie: YES! YES! I do that too!
Anna: Or when the checker casually asks, A dozen donuts? That horrible moment of wondering how to answer. Do I ask her to clarify? Repeat the question? Do I say yes? Baker's Dozen? 14?...

silence.

Susie: Isn't a baker's dozen 13?

silence.

Anna: Oh. Shoot. Yep, sure is.

Susie: Anna you are SO CUTE! {insert the jolliest laughter I've ever heard from Susie in 7 years. This lady is so sweet she never laughs AT people. Doesn't happen. Until yesterday.}


And so Brandon, as a representative of your store, I publicly apologize to you. I have been taking 14 donuts for about 3 years. At some point, the number 14 lodged in my brain and has been the official Baker's Dozen in my world ever since. No wonder I've felt so guilty.

I've thought about the least complicated way of rectifying the situation. Clearly I cannot return the donuts. I've decided I will take only 11 donuts for the next few years.

Will that work? Will you still be my friend?

And officially, what is the proper amount of donuts to take? Just for future reference and clarification to all "14" of my blog readers.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Repost: Bend in the Road

BEND IN THE ROAD

When we feel we have nothing left to give
and we are sure that the song has ended.
When our day seems over
and the shadows fall
and the darkness of night has descended.

Where can we go to find the strength
to valiantly keep on trying
Where can we find the hand that will dry
the tears that the heart is crying.

There's but one place to go
and that is to God
and dropping all pretense and pride.
We can pour out our problems
without restraint
and gain strength with Him at our side.

And together we stand at life's crossroads
and view what we think is the end.
But God has a much bigger vision
and He tells us it's only a bend.

For the road goes on and is smoother
and the pause in the song is a rest.
And the part that's unsung and unfinished
is the sweetest and richest and best

So rest and relax and grow stronger
let go and let God share your load.
Your work is not finished or ended
you've just come to a bend in the road.

Helen Steiner Rice


Bendy roads are scary to drive on, because they are usually going up a mountain. But oh the breathtaking view when you arrive at the top. We just need to let God drive.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Heaven's Choir

Luke 19:40
And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

I was having a little Heaven on earth at work today singing, and I got to thinking about Heaven's choir. I can't begin to imagine what it will be like to be a part of that Choir. Every voice will be in unison, every note hit with graceful ease, precise timing will occur effortlessly, every heart will be grateful, every motive will be pure, perfect harmony. We will sing with one purpose alone - to praise the Lord.

I'm so glad God created the pleasure of singing. I'm so glad He created us with the ability to hear it with our ears, and feel it with our souls.

Music is the most beautiful language of worship, as far as my limited knowledge of the universe goes anyways. We always think of French as the language of romance on the earth. Well, I think of Singing as the "language of worship."

Kitty and I were discussing music in length awhile ago. I attempt to play piano for the poor / unbelievably kind woman on Saturdays, and I play a variety of stuff; classical, folk songs, children's songs, and hymns. She and I love the old hymns the very best. I can play a hymn, and when I'm done I look over at her and we both have little streams running down our cheeks.

She asked me why that is? What is it about the old hymns that touches a person so keenly?

Modern songs are different. They can move you, tugging at your emotions and touching your senses. The old hymns, sung the old way, tug at your very soul. And that, to me, is the difference.

I don't know if you'll grasp what I'm getting at. Its like, when things become modernized, they carry "man's" touch on them. Oh they do affect me, they do. But they've lost a little bit of Heaven.

Below are two videos of "Come Thou Fount," illustrating my point.

1. Mormon Tabernacle Choir
When I imagine Heaven's choir, I think it may be more like this first video. It saddens me that LDS are blinded to the Truth of God's simple plan of salvation, and I don't support their teachings, but I do believe they've gotten ahold of the concept of the Heavenly Choir.



2. A more modernized version.
I actually do like this one quite a bit. But do you hear the difference I'm getting at? This is good, but just not the same from a Heavenly perspective. To my ears. Maybe I'm weird. Well, actually that's a given. :-)


This whole post has an ulterior motive. "Come Thou Fount" has been stuck in my heart for months and months. I can't move on. I love it so much. Maybe if I spill it out on you it will ease up on me.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

sorry, you can't have that

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
John 16:22


If my joy rested upon my emotions and my circumstances, you could easily take it from me. BUT, the Joy of the Lord is my strength. Its not my joy to let go of, its the Lord's joy.


Good thing.


Good thing, because without Him I'd be unbearable to live with probably.

:-)

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

just because

because its Wednesday.
and because I think its funny.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

don't be stupid Anna

The secret of life is letting go. (Facing the Giants song)

Dandelions get it.
Their life's purpose is letting go. Though we dislike them, we can't argue that in letting go of all they affect the world around them in a big way.



This has been on my mind heavily all weekend. My life is in the midst of much change, I'll just leave it at that for now. I've been awkwardly learning to let go. I like to be in control (gross understatement), and sometimes God has to pry things out of my death grip. I'm learning to leave my hands open, palms up.

You know how you get your mind set on something, and that's just that. Its how it is, its how it will be, and NO ONE will change your mind. Extremely self destructive behavior.

An example from my own life.
Disclaimer: this story is not shared to glamorize my sin, stupidity or stubbornness; but to share with you God's undeserved goodness to a jackass (totally appropriate word here).

There once was a boy I was captivated by. Years ago. He was big-time bad news. Everyone disliked him. I, however, can be fiercely independent and wasn't going to admit 'they' were right. I was on an oppressive path of destruction, and the farther I went the more desperate and trapped I felt. I never compromised my virtue, but that doesn't make what I was doing any less sinful. I was horribly rebellious and almost destroyed my future. Oh, don't think I didn't ACT spiritual. That was my whole premise. I brought him to church. I prayed for him. I prayed with him. I was "helping" him. When I act spiritual to justify my sins, it puts it in a whole new ballgame - makes it harder for me to back down. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.

I didn't care who I hurt. When I look back, I see a dark boiling cloud hanging over our home. I fought with my dad, I hurt him. I fought with my brother. I shut out my friends. My sister would bristle when the guy would come around. I'm sure my mom cried. They were all worried, but couldn't fix it because they didn't want to push me away farther. I didn't care.

Thank God for his divine intervention. My brother sat me down after months of the ugliness. I was prepared to bristle and walk away, but he totally changed his approach that day. He gently and kindly implored me to listen. He said my life held so much more value to him and everyone else than I valued it myself. He painted this glowing picture of what he hoped for in my life, and basically said I was voluntarily painting a much darker picture. He gave me room to save face. I don't think he even knew what he was doing. It was God's divine hand directing my brother. I deserved to be rebuked, I deserved to be raked over the coals. God was merciful though and used the words that could break through.
That day, that moment, changed the direction of my life.

Sometimes you just need that one person to say to you "Wake up Ding Dong. What are you thinking?!"

I cannot describe to you the feeling of intense relief that washed over my soul when Clayton broke through my impenetrable wall. I could love my family again. I could let my guard down. I could talk to my friends again. The hardness of my countenance melted back into soft, repentant sweetness. To this day I'm ashamed and saddened of how I hurt people when I was in that skewed state of mind.

I still get goosebumps when I think about what my life would be like today if I had finished 'that' course. I wouldn't be the "cool" aunt. I wouldn't have any integrity. I may not have gotten saved a few years later. I wouldn't be held up as a good example by mothers. I wouldn't be on the brink of a couple of AWESOME things that God is about to unfold. All that is wonderful and good in my life.... I wouldn't _____. You may think I'm being dramatic, but I'm not even telling the half actually.



I think its important to share this story for some reason. God's really been revisiting that chapter of life with me lately as I think about my future. Take it from the queen of stupid, don't be stupid. God is under no obligation to bail us Jackasses out of our self-created disasters.
I may not leave this post up long, but its so heavy on my heart right now that I think God wants me to share.
The lesson I learned: LET IT GO.