Hiking In Grace & Capturing My View

Photography, A Healing Art

01.06.12

I like this sign. I took a photo of it because it lists Photography with Stress Management and all that “healing” spa type stuff.

This year I have been given an assignment of sorts by the love of my life.

Or was it a challenge? Or is it therapy? meant to help heal and draw me from the da rkness of depression … I’m willing to try it.

The Challenge: To spend more time focused on my photography and blog.

I’m stating this right here to keep myself accountable. I am aiming at that goal in 2012. (Even though my first post of the year is… uh… six days into the new year.) And several other goals as well.

Goal #2- I am focusing on more this year is adding 1,000 in 2012. I am tossing my hat into the ring and joining in with Ann and her Joy Dare, to list 1,000 (more) gifts in 2012. And she is doing a giveaway!! Click on that link and read about it! She even has the “rusty comment box” open!

I have been sporadic in my listing of gifts on Mondays. (Maybe I should actually write the post BEFORE Monday and then I could link up somewhere in the top 50 links … or maybe even the top 25! Instead of the bottom 200~300. That would be a first.)

Goal #3- Do some batch writing. Working on several posts at once then coming back and editing them, instead of doing them one at a time, slow as a snail.

Goal #4- Read some ebooks. I have my eye on several focused on blogging and time management.

Goal #5 To acquire Photoshop and learn how to use it. (This one goes hand-in-hand with The Challenge.)

I think that is enough for now.

(I’ve been inspired by John Acuff’s Finish Year posts.)

Walk With Him Wednesday: Preparing for Christmas

12.21.11

Last year around this time depression overshadowed and not much got done in preparing for Christmas.

The tree was decorated but nothing else. No garlands, lights, or stockings were hung.

No cards were sent by me. Come to think of it, it has been years since I actually mailed cards mainly due to ever-present depression.

Last year, my husband picked up the slack and sent them out, to family, friends, and church members, for our family in the guise of it being a ‘Pastor thing to do’. Thankfully, he did what he knew I couldn’t.

Last year, I wanted so much to do the Jesse Tree Advent Devotional as a family. I printed it all out, even printing the ornaments on photo paper so that I could mount them or do something crafty with them.

The ornaments were never cut out and after about a week of reading each night somehow we got side-tracked and stopped it altogether.

This year, I am fighting hard against that dark cloud and am carefully choosing what I take part in and do. (and Christmas cards… don’t make that short list this year either.)

This year, I was determined to at least, if nothing else, do the Jesse Tree with the family. I kept bringing it to the Lord and asking Him to help me accomplish this one thing. This preparing of hearts for the Christmas Gift coming.

On the day after Thanksgiving, I stopped by the grocery store (of all places) and outside the store was the perfect Jesse Tree. A small fir about three foot tall in its own little tree stand. I didn’t hesitate or allow myself to talk myself out of it. I bought it and took it home.

Having the tree helped me to carve out time to sit and make the ornaments. I dry-mounted them on mat board with rubber cement and punched holes for hooks.

We have been faithful this year in reading the devotional each night. The kids are excited about it, with the older ones taking turns reading and the youngest putting the ornament on each night.

I’m thankful that this preparing for Christmas is taking place this year. A goal set, finally accomplished, helping me to keep moving forward in my “fight for joy,” as Ann calls it.

I want to be joyful this Christmas.

A few comments about this devotional.

I love the poetic writing of Ann Voskamp, the literary way this is written is beautiful all by itself. The colorful ornaments are stunning, adding quiet reminders of each story you read on your Jesse Tree Journey.

Want to do this with your family? just click one of the links above. The link will take you to Ann Voskamp’s website for more information regarding the Jesse Tree Advent Devotional.

Tuesdays Unwrapped: Why Not All Trees Have Faces

12.20.11

A view from my daily hike.

In our area there are several trees that have faces.

The kids often squabble about who is going to sit on the side of the car that the “tree-faces” are on.

Depending on where we are going that is.

On the way home the other day, my daughter tells me some valuable information regarding tree-faces.

“Know why not all trees have faces mom?

It’s because they are sleeping and that’s a good thing.”

~says the four year old

Linking up at Emily’s for the last of Tuesdays Unwrapped.

It Was A Good Hit

12.15.11

Alternate title: A Dinner Conversation at Grandma’s Table

The littlest relays it to me.

What happened the night before.

When I was not present at the table.

“I inhaled my dinner and then I threw up on my plate.”

“I didn’t miss. It was a GOOD HIT. I got all of it on the plate!”

Then she turns to my mom (who is trying very hard to not explode from laughter) and says,

“I didn’t want to get it all over your pretty table Grandma.”

She was more concerned with messing up Grandma’s pretty table than she was about the fact that she lost it all to begin with.

*****

Won’t You Join Us?

12.13.11

I am really looking forward to the (in)RL event coming up in April. An event put on by

I’m hoping to host some ladies in my home some may not even be bloggers.

The cool thing about this is: YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO ANYWHERE!! and it doesn’t matter what part of the world you live in.

This will be so worth the wait and CHEAP! Only a $10 sign up fee. Come on! It comes with a free t-shirt! (Okay, so think of it this way: you’re payin’ $10 for a cool t-shirt.)It will be worth it. Think of it. A conference to encourage women that you can attend right in your own living room with some friends. (or maybe at a coffee shop or church fellowship hall)

Here is the best part: there will be NO “tickets limited” or costly airfare or hotel bill to worry about.

(in)courage has been used to encourage me so much. The ladies who regularly contribute are truly genuine. (That I have met so many of them and consider them to be good friends is a BLESSING!)

Come on over and join us at the Beach House!