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365 Project Day 309: Gathering the Glory
Posted on 06. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Enchanted
Canon 5D Mark ll, 16-35 2.8L, 16 mm focal length, 5.6 aperture, 1/400 shutter, 200 ISO
I had an hour. One hour to gather the glory.
We drove to Amicalola State Park today to see the fall color. We have busy schedules and I knew it would probably be the only day we could go. However, our time was short. There were other places to be and things to do so we only had an hour to walk around the park. ” You sure you can do that? Just one hour?” Chris asked me on the way, knowing me so well. “Yes. Yes, I can do that,” I clearly stated, not knowing at all if I could. I just wanted to go so badly.
Stained Glass Sky
When we arrive, I am nearly breathless with anticipation. It was here. The beauty of Autumn all gathered in one place. This is one place I know I can go to find the extravagant glory of this season. Johnny and Chris wait patiently as I stop and pick up the different leaves, examining their shapes, colors and sizes. ” What do you think this one is?” I ask Johnny who is my tree expert. He has spent many days studying them in the woods at home. He loves the trees too. ” Oh, that is a different type of Maple than we have at home”, he comments. Yes, it is a lovely maple, with lacy edges and colors that blended from red to orange to green.
Exquisite.
Autumn Shining
My eyes scan the path. So much color and texture in one place. I am undone by a God who lines the very places we step with beauty. With fallen feet we shuffle through the delicate glories that have surrendered to the Master’s bidding. All the people, they move through this sea of bitter grace as it clings to their shoes. Bitter in the falling. Grace in the new life promised.
He Lines Our Paths in Beauty
I can feel my heart swelling with each leaf gathered, each image captured. There is an urgency, a drive. I have to hold this somehow, to keep the beauty. I pass my fingers across the maple leaf, it’s edges already curling in it’s frailty. Tears well up inside. ” Please don’t go”, I hear myself whisper. The clock is ticking, I can feel it. For the season, for this life, for my time here. My hour to gather the glories is waning. I stuff them into pockets that I keep ready for these moments.
I want to to hold them, and so I try the only way I know how. With my camera, I focus and capture what I can. In my heart I pray, ” Thank you for this season, this leaf, these moments.” I pray to the God who with his breath speaks it all into being: the colors, the children, our lives, the time. He holds it all. My heart aches for the temporal, but He hold eternity.
My Favorite Treasure
Spoken and Swirled into Being
Chris reminds me of the time and I finally let it all go. I weep holding the little leaves between my fingers, tears streaming down my face. I don’t want to go. He looks at me with concern. I don’t understand the passion, the ache. How can I explain it to him? It burns inside, the desire to stay, to sit here in the glory a little longer. A child passes by laughing and exclaims to her daddy, ” Look, it’s a leaf world!” Yes, yes. Her joy resonates in my heart. “Yes,” I say out loud. We are supposed to marvel, to be undone by the glory our God creates. We are supposed to laugh, to revel, to cry at the beauty. It is for us. I think He laughs, He revels, He cries too. I think He does that when He looks at us.
So glad I could gather some glory today to hold for a little while and share with you.
1 Peter 1:8 ~”Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,”
A Little While Longer
Swept Up
Heavenly Path
Joy
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365 Project Day 308: Alone?
Posted on 05. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Vulnerable
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 5.0 aperture, 1/1600 shutter, 100 ISO
Sometimes the most difficult things I do are also the most isolating. Following through. Forging a new path. Becoming. Taking new steps. They all feel so frightening and lonesome sometimes.
It seems this is my year for that feeling. When the crowds all walk away and I am left to decide and do, what will I do? Another day on this project? Will I give up and go to bed (finally!) or spend another night ticking away on a keyboard wrestling down the deep places? The cavernous places that would rather be left undiscovered? It is terrifying to reach into pockets and fear there is nothing left. I pull them inside out, searching for something, for today’s manna. What if I forgot to gather it today?
Thankfully, I have come to the end of me more than once during this project. Daily, really. The truth is, I am never alone, even though I feel the ache of it seeking to swallow me whole sometimes. I am not alone, and it is in these moments, the pressing-through moments, that I know it the most tangibly. God is with me. He is always with me. When my threadbare pockets come up empty, and yet there is enough, always enough, I know I am not alone.
Another image. Another post. Another night knowing God is with me. I am not alone, and you are not either.
Grateful.
Psalm 139:7-10 ~”Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Even There
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365 Project Day 307: Oh, the Trees
Posted on 04. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Fire Reaching
Canon 5D Mark ll 100 2.8 macro, 2.8 aperture, 1/125 shutter, 100 ISO
I want to be more like the trees.
How I love them. They stand like warriors, stalwart and true around our home. The white oaks with their textured bark, the red maples with leaves that lick like hungry flames against the azure autumn sky, the hickories gilded and gleaming in brilliant yellows. This is their glory season. Soon their bare branches will send cracks against the winter grays and whites, looking more ominous and less friendly. But I know. They are steadfast and true, waiting, holding in the deepest of roots the happy joys of spring.
But for now, it is the glory season for the trees. Autumn has pulled them into a song and dance that has enchanted us all. As they release the last of their temporal glories to the wind, bowing in submission to their Maker, I am in awe. I watch how they let go, leaves falling like stars to the earth, and I want to be more like them.
I want to open my hands too, letting go of whatever glory I seek to hold. Then I can be refilled, showered anew in the love and life of my Maker.
Taking lessons from the trees.
Isaiah 55:12 ~”You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Stalwart Warriors
Surrounding Song
Glory Season
White Oaks
Faithful
Falling like Stars
Reflections of Autumn
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365 Project Day 306: Eighth Anniversary
Posted on 03. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Back to the Beginning
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 2.8 aperture, 1/80 shutter, 250 ISO
Dear Brandon and Kimmie,
For you anniversary this year, I want to give you something special. I have collected some treasures, some joy, some sunshine for you. Just here in my pocket, I gathered them and I have them for you. They are images of you, happy, in the moment, in love and remembering why you began this journey together. You have been through some tough seasons. Some not far behind you, and some still ahead, but look at what I have for you. God is with you. His light shines between you and His love covers you.
Here you are. See? Happy, alive, laughing. There is a good road ahead and you are walking it together. The path of righteousness. Strong and loving parents, husband and wife, family of four. God is indeed with you.
Happy anniversary, Brandon and Kimmie.
Psalm 16:11 ~”You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Joy
Dancing
Happy in this Moment
Surrounded in Light
Laughter
Play
Eighth Anniversary
Magic
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365 Project Day 305: Ever a Miracle
Posted on 02. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Kissing a Miracle
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 2.2 aperture, 1/250 shutter, flash used on camera and bounced of ceiling at 1/8 power
Sweet Ever Adeen McCormick was born on October 11, 2011. Eight weeks early, she entered the world wrapped and woven in the shimmering prayers of God’s people. When she was born it was like a star lit upon the earth. She bears the very essence of hope in her little body. She is a shining miracle in her soft pink skin. Yes, God still hears the prayers of his people.
Adeen means little fire in Irish. Yes, she is. She is a fighter. Her mommy Kimmie tells me that she has been feisty since the beginning, letting the nurses know her needs straight away. She no longer needs oxygen support and hopefully will be coming home this week to meet her older sister, Storie, who was also born early. Another miracle on this earth.
We are all so happy for you, Brandon and Kimmie. We thank God for all He has done for you, and will continue to pray for you as you journey into a family of four.
Enjoy the photos of my time with Sweet Ever and her mommy and daddy.
Psalm 20:4,5 ~”May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.”
Sweet Kisses
Tiny Fingers
Wrapped in Light
Loved
Ever so Sweet
Mommy and Daddy are Here
Happy
We've Got You
3 lbs at Birth
Cherished
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365 Project Day 304: Kaleidoscope Fall
Posted on 01. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Fallen Beauty
Canon 5D Mark ll, 100 2.8 macro, 3.2 aperture, 1/250 shutter 250 ISO
Kaleisocsope ~ “a continually changing pattern of shapes and colors.” (Dictionary.com)
Autumn is upon us in full glory here in Georgia. It is a feast for the senses. The brilliant colors seem to change in shapes and patterns right in front of my eyes. It is like being in the very center of a kaleidoscope. The breezes blow, and the colors begin their playful dance again. Another cold autumn night and the Crepe Myrtles are an even more delicious shade of red. Even the fallen leaves add to the shifting color cast, as they turn over and shine like stained glass in the sun.
It is glorious to behold.
As I have looked over the many blogs of this 365 Project I am amazed at the beauty in the seasons and I am grateful that I have been privileged to capture them and share them here. I am moved when I look back at the snow that created what looked like a glimmering lake on my neighbor’s pasture. I am taken back to that time and I can remember how I felt then as I knelt next to the fence line, the cold burning into my knees and the snow fogging up my lens. It was wonderful. I felt alive and part of what God was doing on the earth and in my heart. I am coming to the last part of my project and moving into the colder season again. I marvel at the thought. How time has flown! I am incredibly grateful that I have been able to account for every glorious and precious day here on this blog in some small way.
But I digress. For now I will focus on the gorgeous Autumn we are now having today in Georgia. Today. I have marked it, and I am counting my blessings on this day.
Psalm 90:12 ~”Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Shimmer and Shine
Singing to Me
Stained Glass Landscape
Crepe Myrtle Reds
Hickory Golds
Sugart Maple Crimson
Delicious Light
Our Drive in Autumn
Sweet Cowboy in Autumn Light
Waiting For You
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365 Project Day 303: For Sheryl
Posted on 30. Oct, 2011 by maryanne.
Pomegranate Red
Canon 5D Mark ll, 100 2.8 macro, 4.5 aperture, 1/160 shutter, 100 ISO
I have a dear friend who adores food photography. When I was photographing these lovely pomegranates, I could not help but think about her. She loves to cook and set a pretty table. Really, anything that presents food in a beautiful way makes her heart go pitter patter. So, this blog is for her. She is my New Zealand friend. We have never met in person, but I am very fond of her. We met in a online community when I was looking for help creating my website. She messaged me and told me she was a designer and that she could help me. That was five years ago, and she has been handling my web image since then, as well as designing my logos and business cards. She designed this blog and hosts it for me in NZ. I feel like she knows me and I know her, all the way across the world. Literally.
There is another reason I am dedicating this blog to her. Sheryl is battling breast cancer right now. She is enduring the effects of chemotherapy and has lost her hair. Throughout all of this she has kept her sense of humor and continued to find ways to be creative and happy. She is a brave and beautiful woman. I admire her deeply.
Please pray for my friend Sheryl. She needs God’s healing and strength to continue her battle. I want to keep her for a long time.
You can find her design business on the web at http://www.huiadesign.com. She is amazing at what she does.
Proverbs 11:25 ~”A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Here are a few more pom pictures to cheer up Sheryl.:)
Waiting to be Opened
Have Some
Pretty Setting
Lovely Poms
Ruby Fruit
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Carly
Posted on 30. Oct, 2011 by maryanne.
Lovely Carly
I had such a wonderful time photographing Carly Marksberry for her senior photos this week. Carly is an amazing young woman with a big heart. She truly is stunning, inside and out. Her hope is to work with special needs children when she graduates.
We went to Midtown Atlanta for our shoot and found some special locations there. My favorite prop of the day was a red scooter that Freddie Miller from the Jonathan Adler store let us borrow. He walked outside while we were shooting and offered to let us use it. We were pleasantly surprised and jumped at the chance. Thank you, Freddie!
Enjoy some of the magical photos we captured of Carly.
Pretty Patterns
Scooter Cutie
Sassy and Stylish
Bridge Beauty
Happy in Red
Sweet
So Pretty
Sunshine on the Bridge
Perfect
As the Train Goes By
Black and White Classic
Just Carly
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365 Project Day 302: Never Hide
Posted on 29. Oct, 2011 by maryanne.
Fly Your Colors
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 2.2 aperture, 1/60 shutter 400 ISO
Never hide the glory that God has put in you. Never be afraid to shine. Let your most brilliant colors show.
You are beautiful because He made you that way.
Beautiful Mixture
Even when you are at your lowest, He shines through you. When you believe you are done, and your colors lay separated, and you feel tired.
He shines through you.
Fallen
For His strength is made perfect in your weakness. How can you fail? When you are well and happy, shine. And when you are tired and weak, He shines even brighter. You cannot lose.
This is worth smiling about.
Icing on the Cake
You can have your cake and eat it too. OR wear it on your face if you like.
Just shine, and never hide the light that He has put in you.
It is Well
You can rest tonight knowing that He has done all that needs to be done. He has wrestled with your worst enemy and won. He has created you in His image to bear His glory.
God is with you. Shine.
2 Corinthians 12:9 ~”But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
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365 Project Day 301: Different
Posted on 29. Oct, 2011 by maryanne.
Different
Canon 5D Mark ll, 70-200 2.8L, 180mm focal length, 6.3 aperture, 1/30 shutter, 250 ISO. I used a tripod to prevent camera shake at a lower shutter speed and a remote to get the shot.
I am different.
I am the little girl who dawdled, walking with shoes untied and flowers in her hands. I am the one who got my dress dirty as soon as my mother put it on me, because I couldn’t resist the mud puddle at the end of the driveway. Sitting in the summer dirt is still one of my favorite things. I am still that little girl, but now I live in a grown-up world that doesn’t seem to appreciate these behaviors. I sometimes wonder if I will ever catch up, to be on time, to be the grown-up I expect myself to be.
Will I ever fit in exactly right?
Irresistible Reflections
I get caught up, marveling. I lose all track of time when the sun hits a certain place on the horizon, casting her glow across the earth. I am spellbound. And when light streams in and shimmers on rain-soaked leaves after a storm? I am all in, lost in the moment. When I hear the high pitched giggle of a child in a crowd, or see the chubby legs of a toddler trying to keep up with the stride of her daddy, what then? Time slows and I have lost my place in the book somehow. Where was I? Everything, all things beautiful must be held, captured, shared. “Did you see that?” I often ask whomever is close enough to hear.
Do You See?
There it is
But sometimes I hear people joking about these tendencies. They laugh, probably not in a critical way, but I still cringe just a little. Am I so different? Is my dress dirty from my puddle sitting? Did I embarrass someone or myself by my inability to stay focused on the things at hand? I feel self-conscious and wonder if I will ever fit in.
I run to my Father who made me this way.
You Are Unique
Never Hide
He comforts me. There is grace for me in Him. If He made me this way, then it must be good. He tells me to shine. Always shine and never hide.
I know some of you are hiding too, afraid your differences will cause you to stand out. Go ahead and stand out. Shine. I look forward to seeing your brilliant light coming out from the shadows and the world will never be the same.
Shine.
Shine
Isaiah 60:1 ~”Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”
“Why are you trying to fit in when you were born to stand out?” ~ What A Girl Wants
