What I've Seen Lately Through the Lens

Just a few of the pictures I have been taking lately.  As you can see I have fallen in love with action photography.   


I would love to photograph your kid do whatever they love to do.   Or if you need a family photo for this year's Christmas card I would love to help you out. 

Ordinary Obedience

A few weeks ago I witnessed a beautiful thing in the life of our church.  Several of our families stood before our congregation to be honored as foster parents.  I am privileged to know many of them and their stories are unique.  They do have one very important thing in common.   That thing is obedience to the Lord.  He called them from where they were, and asked them to stand up for the fatherless.  They obeyed.

I am currently reading a book called 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker.  The author spent 7 months removing excess in specific areas of her life.  I spent a couple weeks in the jungle of Brazil a couple years ago and since then I have desired and sometimes achieved a simpler life.  From that perspective, this book spoke to me.  The author often mentioned her friends who helped her on this 7 month journey:

"The power of the church has always been in its many, many parts.  In a culture of hero worship and conspicuous rainmakers, this concept struggles to emerge, but the story of God's people comprises a billion little moments when an average believer pressed on, carried through, stepped up.  In the quantity of ordinary obedience, the kingdom truly advances."

Reading these words I immediately thought of these families.  Ordinary obedience.  The church is beautiful when we practice ordinary obedience.

Why I Run

If  you are a runner and blogger, at some time you have probably written a post entitled "Why I run".    Until recently I never really felt compelled to answer that question. 

A friend who is a far more talented and dedicated athlete than me recently experienced an excruciating injury.  She has probably wondered why this happened and what her future athletic career will be like.  She loves God and so I have no doubt that she will be looking out for the lessons He has to teach her in these days.

Listening to her tell her story caused me to think a lot about my own running history.   I began running in February 2004, in a beginning running program sponsored by our local running club.   That 7K run led to my first marathon in October 2004.  There have been a handful of marathons,  a few triathlons, and a handful of 5ks with my kids since then.  In all that time, the only injury I have endured was a brief spell of shin splints that made the down hill runs in San Francisco a really "fun" adventure.   I know that the intensity of my training probably could have used a little kick from time to time, but I wondered why in all that time I have been injury free.  Every time I think about this I am left with the same conclusion:  God wants me to run.   Not just running, but running with a purpose.

So the answer is: I run because I can.  I can get out of bed early in the morning, lace up my sneakers and take to the road.  Along the way I can tell people about children who are in danger.  Children who are hurting.  Children who need our help.

The next time I line up at the Start line will be on June 9th at the Chicago Half-Marathon.  Before I get there I would really love to meet my goal of raising $750 for As Our Own.  I would appreciate your support to help build a future for those girls.

Spring has Sprung

The beautiful weather as made it very hard to stay inside.   It makes everyone smile!  It also means that I am back to my two favorite outdoor activities. 

One is running.   Only a few months until I run the Chicago 13.1.  As the miles increase on longer runs I will be thinking about the As Our Own girls and what I can do to help them have a bright future.  

The second is taking pictures.  I have been blessed to have the privilege of  photographing some amazing families.  It is a joy to spend time with them.  I would love to spend time with your family and take a few pictures!!  

How about capturing those beautiful Easter outfits?  Do you know a young person going to prom this year?  How about some special photos of their big night?  Do you know a budding athlete?  I also dabble in sports photography. 

 My goal is to raise $750 for As Our Own.  I am almost half way there!!  Would you like to help and have some great pictures?  I can't wait to hear from you.