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365 Project Day 315: Have You Thanked a Veteran Today?
Posted on 11. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Robert Lee
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 3.5 aperture, 1/250 shutter, 125 ISO
I opened my door and the first thing he said was “Have you thanked a veteran today?” I smiled. I reached out to shake his hand and answered him, “Not until now. Thank you!” No, he wasn’t collecting donations for any organizations. He was bringing me hay for my horses. I have only talked with him couple times, but the conversation is always lively with Mr. Robert Lee. Yes, as in Robert E. Lee. He says his daddy was bent on naming him that, southern man that he was.
He says as a rebellious 17 year-old he left home and joined the army. He couldn’t be deployed until he was 18. That is when he went to Vietnam. He spent a year there. He was a Sergeant with the 52nd infantry from 1967-68. He says he went 9 months without getting a scratch on him. Then in May of 1968, a 122 mm rocket shell landed right next time him, leaving him unconscious and his back badly injured. His men thought he was dead. After some time, he woke up much to the surprise of his fellow soldiers. After 6 weeks in a hospital he was allowed to go home. He married his high school sweetheart, Sarah, in January of 1970. ” Almost 42 years,” he beams. He lights up when he speaks of her. I love that.
Farmer and Pastor
Now, Robert attends People’s Baptist Church in Flowery Branch, GA. He will talk to you about Jesus if you get him started. And I did. He’s a good man.
Have you thanked a Veteran today?
Psalm 1: 1-3 ~”Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”
The Real Deal
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365 Project Day 314: The Green Boots
Posted on 11. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Birthday Surprise
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2 L, 2.0 aperture, 1/400 shutter, 100 ISO
I found these waiting for me at the end of a wonderful birthday this week. The green boots. I had been eyeing them in the window of our local Charming Charlie store that we pass when we go to dinner or a movie. I remember passing by them once or twice while Chris and I were on one of our dates and thinking how I loved their cheerfulness. They were just sitting there in the window, beaming sunshine, a not-so-easy task for a rain boot. I may have remarked that I liked them. It is typical of me to ooh and ahh out loud. At any rate, my sweet husband walked himself right into that store and bought them for me for my birthday. He remembered. He said in that one gesture, ” I see you, I hear you, and I value you.” That does a lot for a birthday girl’s heart.
Best of all, he left a note about something else he remembered. Something from the season when we were falling in love, when we walked and shared hearts in the rain.
Sunshine for my Feet
He wrote the line. You know, the line that nearly stopped my heart all those years ago when I was wearing those red skippies of mine? ( You can read our love story here.)
Rain still looks good on you.
I love my Carolina boy. Gonna keep him. How will I do without him when I splash in the puddles of England next week?
I do not know.
Wrapped in Red Ribbons
Sigh
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365 Project Day 313: For the Love of Sam
Posted on 10. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Home
Canon 5D Mark ll, 70-200 2.8L, 120mm focal length, 3.5 aperture, 1/160 shutter, 400 ISO
This Chinese baby boy will melt your heart. His name is Sam, or Samuel, which means “God has heard”. Erin and Andy let his name resonate to the bottom of their spirits every time they call him or hear it spoken. God did hear their cry for a child to love. They found him after much prayer and longing through Lifeline Children’s Services, a Christian adoption agency committed to placing children who need homes with loving families. Andy and Erin are that and so much more. They cannot take their eyes or hearts away from their treasure, their Samuel. They know that God has heard not only their cries, but the cries of a baby boy who needed a family of his own.
Happy
Three Make a Family
This is a treasured, happy little boy. He is deeply loved and cherished by his parents. You can hear it in his laughter. And beautiful, so beautiful, this boy. How could they not love him? His eyes sparkle when his daddy throws him in the air or when his mommy sneaks kisses from his cherubic skin. He is adored, grafted into a new heritage, a home woven and washed in the love of Christ. Sam is a blessed boy.
Isn’t this our story too? It is the Great Story. The one that runs through every amazing story we have ever heard. A great and noble King risks everything and fights a wicked nemesis to rescue those He loves. We are taken in, rescued from death, and given a new name. It is the stuff fairy-tales are made of. Rescued from hopelessness, we become the sons and daughters of a great King. We are brought in, given the finest robes, and a feast is set before us. We are honored, treasured, fought-for, loved. We are given a new bloodline, a royal heritage, and an eternal home that no one can take away from us.
Sam’s story is our story and it is beautiful.
Blessings to you, happy happy boy. You are esteemed and loved and we are glad.
Galations 4:6-7 ~”But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!” Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you’re also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.”
Treasured
Wrapped in Love
Lifted
Embraced
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365 Project Day 312: Selah
Posted on 09. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Leading Lines
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 1.2 aperture, 1/30 shutter, 2000 ISO
Selah, when spoken slowly, sounds like exhaling. It is often used in the Psalms, and is described as meaning, “stop and listen” or “pause and think of that” ~Wikipedia. I want to have more selah moments, to stop right on the tracks of my life and look in both directions as far as my eyes can see. Being grateful for what is and what has been is as important as dreaming about the future, and both will breath life into our sometimes task-driven existence.
Selah. Breathe.
Tonight you and I walk the tracks together. Balancing on luminous lines we laugh and let our minds untangle from the shards of worry. We remember how we walked these places as we fell in love. We count the mercies and pile up stones again to remember the miracles. Babies, jobs, dreams, songs, friendships, family, and dancing, always dancing. We breath out together. Selah.
Balancing
You ask me again what I want to be, to do. I ask you the same. The dreams change and grow. Our God has grown bigger too, more accessible as we have worn the paths of prayer and relationship. I smile as you describe Him to me again. I love to see Him through your eyes and heart. The God that makes you laugh out loud when you think about His goodness. My hands ache to hold Him when you speak. He is a good God. He is the God of my husband, and He is mine too. Selah.
Selah
I have perspective again. I am grateful for what is and has been and hopeful for what will be. I am held to the chest of my God while holding your hand. I can hear Him breathing and you laughing.
Selah.
Jeremiah 6:16 ~”This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Hopeful
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365 Project Day 311: Travis
Posted on 08. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Joy in his Calling
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1,2L, 2.8 aperture, 1/100 shutter, 100 ISO
It was 5:00 and the sun was beginning her descent. I knew my time was short and I still needed an image for the day. I was in the neighborhood of my church so I headed over to 12 Stone to see who or what I could find. The first person to round the corner was this guy. Travis Woollard, who is one of the worship interns at our church, was surprised when I asked him if I could feature him on my blog for the day. But, fortunately for me, he readily agreed. Travis is such a wonderful and funny person, and so easy to be around. He smiled and said, ” Just let me grab my jacket!” and we headed outside for a quick session before the sun went down.
Sunset Serenade
Travis is originally from Vienna, West Virginia, but has been part of the internship at the church since August. The internship program is a great way for young leaders to get experience and dive into the culture at 12 Stone. When I asked him about his favorite part of his experience so far, he expressed gratitude for the community he has found here and a clearer sense of his calling. He talked about how God was restoring a vision He had given him earlier in his life, but that he temporarily lost due to a difficult experience. Finally, he shared how his relationship with God had deepened and how that tied everything else together for him during this season. He shared all of this with such a sense of peace and joy. It blessed me to hear his redemptive story and the gratitude he expressed. Gratitude is so beautiful.
One of my favorite things about this project is the excuse it gives me to meet and interview new people. I did not know Travis’ story before today and I am so glad he was the one who came around that corner when I was looking for someone to interview.
Blessings to you, Travis!
1 Thessalonians 2:13 ~”And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”
Magic Hour Guitar
Kind Face
Handsome Travis
Going Places
Classic Intern Shoes
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365 Project Day 310: Amaya
Posted on 07. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Sweet Amaya
Canon 5D Mark ll, 100 2.8 macro, 3.2 aperture, 1/125 shutter, 32o ISO, 580EX flash used off camera on a stand at 1/8 power with an 60 inch shoot through umbrella
Amaya. Her name means “night rain”. It suits her. Peace rests on her like a soft blanket. I photographed her mommy’s maternity shoot almost exactly a month ago. She is just over a week old now, bringing life and joy into new family’s home.
And those cheeks. Oh those sweet Amaya cheeks. I could kiss them all day. She slept peacefully in a little ball while we changed her into different outfits and photographed her, her mommy and I giggling and marveling over her sweetness. She is an amazing blessing to her mommy and daddy, Heather and Ben Scranton. I am grateful for the time I got to share with another gift fresh from Heaven, eternity still lingering on her skin.
Congratulations, Scranton family.
James 1:17 ~”Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.“
Bundle of Joy
Princess Amaya
Peace
Perfection In Magenta
Adored
Family
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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
