13 Hours of Rain

Autumn lingers, showcasing leaves that have slowly ripened into brilliant yellow, orange and red. The season of Christmas rush and winter hibernation is just around the corner. A tentative gift budget has been struck. Rakes comb our backyard to prepare for snow. And I pause and savor the cool mornings, warm afternoons and the chill of night frost. Change is coming. One side screams with anger and sorrow. Another side whispers hope. On Wednesday, October 22, our country woke up to a different reality. Acts of terror rocked our nation’s capital. The battles fought way over there descended for a moment within the House of Commons. Sorrow flowed. Anger was expressed. Our collective resolve to stand firm was punctuated by political speeches. Fears were calmed with promises of a more secure country. I was saddened that day, saddened over images of citizens and paramedics frantically trying to bring a dying soldier back to life; saddened to know that there is a six year old boy out th...

I'm frustrated. You know the definition: feeling or expressing distress and annoyance, especially because of inability to change or achieve something. Yup, I am there today. I'm frustrated over my seemingly mundane existence. Wake up. Cook meals. Wash dishes. Do laundry. Clean house. Track debit/credits. Clean house, again. Go to bed. Repeat. It goes on and on and sometimes I just WISH I was doing something smart. I'm frustrated over money and how I wish I didn't have to track what we spend. The cost of everything continues to go up and there are days I wonder if I've got this budgeting thing all wrong. This week I need to stretch $50 for groceries without swiping the credit card. Don't panic readers, I am not a charity case at all. We do have some emergency savings. And technically government subsidies were deposited into our account very recently. However, I want to pretend it doesn't exist as I need that cash for some added expenses next month. Regar...

Last weekend I had the chance to photograph a friend's extended family. Admittedly, I was a bit nervous, as I knew I only had 15 minutes to produce some decent shots. Regardless, it was good practice to photograph a group under pressure while paying attention to background, lighting, and the smiles on little boy faces. To prepare for the photo shoot, I scoped out a park in our city (see picture above). The park was showcasing rich autumn colors. I desired to capture the warm hues of the trees at this time of year. For two days, back-to-back, I took my family to the park and practiced camera settings. I made sure I was shooting the pictures around the same time as the scheduled family portraits. I discovered my "go-to" setting of Standard/Shade under the Portrait setting (EOS Rebel T5) produced dark pictures with muted brown tones. I changed the settings to Warm/Daylight and the pictures took on more vibrant colors. I was pleased with the result. Photo shoot day cam...

It began with some national inspiration, the idea to open our home to newcomers or immigrants and share thanksgiving. The weekend approached. We were informed an Irish fellow was to be our guest. But our city organizer was unable to make contact. And I had bought all this food planning on welcoming a family of four. Plans were changed. Your Daddy persevered in spite of my temptation to "just forget it". A last minute invitation was offered. And a couple from your Daddy's place of work graced our table to partake in turkey, Cabernet Sauvignon and pumpkin pie. It was a good time. I hate to admit it, but I really struggled with misplaced missionary zeal while promoting and anticipating this event. I had aspirations of being used by God to transform a newcomer's life, so much so, that they would dramatically profess faith in Christ and testify to the power of hospitality. "See what happens when you open your home to strangers? The church grows! Let's all d...

Dear Child, I forgive you. I forgive you for all the times you think you are insignificant and ugly. I forgive you for comparing yourself with others, wishing that you were living another person's life or dreams, instead of being content in the reality I've placed you in. I forgive you for coveting the external beauty of others while looking at your own physique with disdain. I want you to know that you are significant. Your life has a purpose. Even right now. And you are beautiful. At this wonderful moment. I forgive you for judging others in an attempt to feel better about yourself. Yes, you have reasons for why you do what you do. But that doesn't mean others who do things differently are stupid or ignorant or wrong. Be blessed in the calling you have received from me. Know that I smile on you. But as you speak up for truth in obedience to me, be gracious with others. And know that everyone is living a unique curriculum designed for them by me. I forgive you for ...