Mary Anne Morgan Blog

Project 365 Day 365: Finish Line

Posted on 02. Jan, 2012 by maryanne.

Canon 5D Mark ll, 24-70 2.8 L, 6.3 aperture, 10 second shutter with a tripod, 320 ISO

We had a good time shooting this image with Katie, Annie and her sweet friend Kate all helping. (Even though we had a few mishaps.)  A couple times they got the numbers backwards and the sparklers wouldn’t light or they would go out too soon. It was a challenge, but we got it!

Here are a few outtakes below

Often is it easier to commit to something than to actually do it. That has been my experience during this 365 project. I am delighted to finally complete this journey. There were moments I was sure I could not do it, but I have finished at last!

It has been both difficult and rewarding on many levels. I know my husband will be grateful I am wrapping it up, so he can see me again in the late evening hours. It has taken hours of my life to process photos, choose them, and then actually write something coherent and somewhat meaningful here on this blog night after night. Yes, I am grateful too. But although it has been a trying task, I am so thankful for how it has pushed me to become better, dig deeper and find more resolve than I thought I had. Most nights I know I crossed over my own limits and found strength that only God could give to complete another post. He met me, time after time, giving me beautiful images to capture and then the thoughts to share about them. I never intended to write about my images. I was just going to post photos, like most 365 projects I have seen. I discovered that I love to write as well and I enjoyed developing that passion during this project. You never know where God will lead you when you embark on a new journey.

I think my favorite part of this year has been the people I have gotten to meet, either by photographing them ( “Hi, can I photograph you for my project I am working on?” so scary) or the ones that have become so dear to me and part of my life by reading my humble posts and emailing me or commenting on the blog. I am so grateful that by opening myself here, I have gained friendships that I would not have had otherwise. I love all of you! Thank you for being part of my little world here.

This year, you embarked on a journey with me.

From that very first day, where I jumped in, and some of you decided to come along. Thank you. I shared some secrets that have helped my marriage shine, on many occasions. I tried my best to show you my best view of hope, and hope in the midst of darkness. Always  hope.

I photographed my kids a lot. With their faces painted, riding dirt bikes, drumming with paint, and getting sprayed with water. And so much more. They are good sports. How I love my Katie, Annie, and Johnny.

I talked about my husband, as farmer, musician, and told our love story.  He is my best friend, and my partner for life.

Oh, I could go on. The flowers, (too many to link!), the sunsets,  bubbles, and water drops. I took you with me to Nashville, Indiana and Oxford, England.   These are just to name a few.

Thank you for being part of my journey. Thankfully it doesn’t end here. I do not intend to stop blogging. Probably just not every day.

I am excited to see what God has for 2012! He is so good!  I have put together a calendar from this year’s project. If you are interested, you may purchase it here, or by clinking the link in the header that says Calendar.:)

In addition, I have posted the images from this year on a Flickr Set, where you can view them all at once.

 

Blessings my wonderful friends. See you very soon.

~Mary Anne

Ephesians 1:16-19 ~”I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,  and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Add your comment...

This may take awhile…

Posted on 10. May, 2010 by maryanne.

Mondays are hard for me. They have been for sometime now.  With our family being so involved in ministry at church on Sundays, it seems we never really get a rest before we head right back into another week. Sometimes I feel so down I have to find ways to rest and tell myself it is okay.  Today, in search of a reprieve from the tension, I walked outside and found this ladybug emerging from her larval stage, or cocoon. I have never seen this before. I went inside and got my macro lens, and for the next several minutes watched her struggle to be free of her previous state. I knew I could not help her or I would somehow hinder the process, and possibly injure her.

As she struggled, I thought about my own life and how I am always in the process of becoming someone better, someone more free, someone more alive. At least that is my hope. It has been a hard but life changing year for me. I sent a daughter to Spain, and another one to Africa. I am learning to let go of and give my children to God. I began to discover my own heart for the first time in many ways, including some of the following:

• I love colors I didn’t know I loved! (I painted my kitchen red and my bedroom a spicy orange).
• I like being organized and will accept help in getting more that way.
• I want and now have canvases of my own family on my walls.
• I LOVE shoes!
• I realized that I need laughter, hot tea, good coffee, (Chris bought me a french press for mother’s day!), and to read books just because.
• I have learned to say no to things that kill my soul, like taking every job that is offered to me, and processing for hours every night.
• I need friendships and am willing to build them.
• I love and need to dance as much as possible.
• I can’t help but fall in love with the beautiful light I see clinging to the profiles of my children as the day progresses into night.
• I am married to the man God made just for me.

That is just a sample of my year and what I am learning about my own heart. It is a good journey, and worth the struggle.

As you can see in the second picture, there was a moment when she looked right into my lens. She looked panicked. She couldn’t see what I could see, and that is the myriad of empty cocoons on the leaves around her of those who had successfully made the journey, and that she was made for this.  And so am I.  Reminds me of Sara Groves’ song “From This One Place”

Here are the words to the chorus:

From this one place I can’t see very far

From this one moment I’m square in the dark.

These are the things I will trust in my heart. You can see something else. Something else.

Enjoy your Monday!

Add your comment...