From the Breath of God

Yes, my back is hurt.  Yes, it hurts a lot.  (Thank you all for your prayers!!)  I'm struggling to keep my focus on the plans of the Lord, however.  In the words of our Pastor Fraley, I'm praying for healing, unless the Lord has something better.

Despite the pain, I continue to work out my days with His strength.  I've been visiting my chiropractor a few times per week, thanks to my kindhearted chauffeur/son.  Just as I was about to leave with Jacob yesterday morning, I glanced outside, then had Danny go grab my camera.  I had to convince Jacob to make a quick stop somewhere along the drive to capture the beautiful, ice-frosted treescape.

Jacob--usually a stickler for appointments, deadlines, and rules--obligingly pulled over at a small park, and helped me walk the 50 or so yards through the snowy playground to capture these images.  (He told me that he would "have to report this incident" to Dr. Mitchell--and he did!)  I was blown away by the hand of God on the landscape.  Winter can indeed be beautiful!  I enhanced some of the images, so the sky really wasn't that blue!  But I wanted to highlight the ice that was still covering the branches of every tree, even at 9:30am.

I like to post Scripture along with my nature photos, so I looked up the word ice in my beloved concordance (other than the Bible, the best book you could ever own!).  Here's a verse I found:

From the breath of God ice is made,

And the expanse of the waters is frozen.

Job 37:10 nasb

Then I decided to read "around" that single verse, and had a fascinating Bible study this morning.  Here it is in context:

Out of the south comes the storm,

And out of the north the cold.

From the breath of God ice is made,

And the expanse of the waters is frozen.

Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud;

He disperses the cloud of His lightning.

It changes direction, turning around by His guidance,

That is may do whatever He commands it

On the face of the inhabited earth.

Whether for correction, or for His world,

Or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen.

Job 37:9-13 nasb [emphases mine]

God created this landscape with His breath!  I serve an awesome God.  Not only that, but these verses highlight the why, which really is the bigger picture.  He uses all the different types of weather--storms, cold, ice, lightning, storms, tornadoes (read v. 12), wind--to correct or punish us, to water and nourish His earth, or to show us His love.  He causes it to happen.

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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A Boston in Winter

I don't see myself refining my skills into becoming a pet photographer.  I do see myself refining my skills through photographing pets, however!  Hey, an opportunity to capture wiggling, barking excitement should not be wasted!  Having grown up with two very special dogs, I have a natural affinity for these loyal domestic animals, and an attraction to photographing man's best friend.  When we spent Christmas Eve with dear friends, what a treat to have them bring along their beloved Sweet Pea.

I had never really been a fan of Boston terriers, but this little girl grew on me.  Our family dog-sitted her on a few occasions, and she impressed me with her keen intelligence.  Within a day, she knew where to sit while waiting for us to finish our meal (rule:  no pets in the dining room), whom to bark at if she wanted to go for a walk, and how to avoid coming back inside after a nice romp in our back yard.

Not only those, but she also knew how to pose just-so for the camera.  Though I took tons of family and people photos of our shared day together, Sweet Pea won the "most photos taken" category.  :)

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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Don't Walk Away From This Gift

As I reflect on this past Christmas weekend, I've grown to appreciate even more God's gift of His Son, Jesus, to save me from my sin.

Our extended family had a very simple Christmas this year; the only gifts exchanged were puzzles, one for each family unit.  We had a blessed time being able to focus on opening these heartfelt and thoughtful gifts, and we shared merry laughter throughout the afternoon.  Our focus was more easily turned to our Savior, in inner worship and thankfulness.

We saw the four beautifully wrapped gifts sitting under the tree.  Though there are no longer little ones in our family, the urge still rises to pick a gift and rip open the wrapping.  In our gift exchange this year, four gifts sat side by side--which one would we choose?  They were all so prettily wrapped.

The glitter, the colorful paper, the bows--it all makes me want to grab and open.  Who wouldn't want to open such a beautiful gift?

Even the manger scene is pretty--the ceramic figurines my mom hand-painted are beautiful.  They are nestled safely inside the pretty stable.  But I know differently.

While they were there [in Bethlehem],

the days were completed for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son;

and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-7 nasb

He wasn't wrapped in glittering satin.  He wasn't placed in a golden crib.  He was born unknown, except for a few chosen by God.  He was wrapped in cloths, and placed in an empty cow trough.

...He has no stately form or majesty

That we should look upon Him,

Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.

He was despised and forsaken of men,

A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;

And like one from whom men hide their face

He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Isaiah 53:2b-3 nasb

Few wanted to unwrap that particular gift.  Few were willing to accept it, even though it was free.  Thank You, Lord, for opening my eyes to the greatest gift I have ever received.

It's nice to receive gifts!  Remember that God sent Jesus, His Son, as the greatest gift.  He asks nothing, and yet everything, of you.  Surrender your life.  Receive everything in return.  Won't you open His gift today?

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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Now Proclaim!!

Angels, from the realms of gory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth;

Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth!

Shepherds, in the fields abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night,

God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant light!

Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar,

Seek the great Desire of nations, Ye have seen His natal star!

Saints before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear,

Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear:

Come and worship, come and worship,

Worship Christ the newborn King.

May He abide in your heart in peace and hope.  Merry Christmas!!

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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Baby Girl Candids

Ellie, my camera, is amazing.  She helps me out, even when I get her settings wrong.  (And Lightroom is a great piece of software.)  :)

Though my back was--and is--still in quite a bit of pain, I managed to carry Ellie around all day Sunday for our church's afternoon event.  The Caroling Choir spent the day singing Christmas carols in downtown Naperville, and having fun back at the S. house.  Oh, yeah, and they ate a lot of pizza, too.

But that's not the point of this post.  The point is, Chris and Liz showed up later in the afternoon with their daughter Kate, about seven weeks old.  Though I had been upstairs lying down, Ellie led the way right to this beautiful baby, and Liz didn't say a word as I took several shots.  Though I didn't get to hold her at all (a good thing, considering the shape my back is in), I got a few great images of this precious gift from heaven.

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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Saturday Sightings -- Like Flying Birds

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I'm stuck on birds again this week.  :)

One morning last week, when I went out to grab the package that the UPS driver left at my front door, I noticed tiny bird prints all over the fresh snow blown onto our porch.

It's a little hard to tell from the photos, but there were so many prints, and right on my porch!  Those birds were brave.

Then, a day or so after that, I heard lots of melodious chirping right outside my back patio door.  I've learned that one must tiptoe or one will not see any birds.  These starlings (which is what I think they are) were happily chattering while they searched for seeds and other food.

Looking out my patio window

I oh-so-patiently and carefully opened the back door, but alas--the birds instantly took flight.  Still, it was fun to get a glimpse of our cheery visitors.

I leave you with an interesting verse about birds:

Like flying birds so the LORD of hosts will protect Jerusalem,

He will protect and deliver it;

He will pass over and rescue it.

Isaiah 31:5 nasb

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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CURRENT SPECIAL through January!!!!

~My photo gallery~  Christine Anne at Smugmug  ~My photo gallery~

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• Pay session fee and place a minimum $10 order.

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And, if you know where I live, stop on by!  :)

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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Saturday Sightings -- Visitor in the Back Yard

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to view interesting photos, and to participate with us!

While I was visiting my parents last Sunday, helping them prepare gifts for a couple of needy families, I spotted another visitor perched on the piping of the awning at my parents' back yard deck.

A mourning dove!  It was fluffing its feathers a bit, and when I tried to sneak onto the deck for a closer shot, it became edgy.  Praise the Lord for a telephoto lens!

It's nice to see a sign of outdoor life in this frigid December weather.

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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Put Your Game Face On!

At a Friday Game Night at Lori's house, I became involved in a game that became one of my "laughingest" games ever!  Because this lovely young lady was sitting across from me, I naturally took several photos of her.  She is filled with imagination and expressiveness, and she is one of the funnest (another non-word) people I know.  Enjoy her expressions--all captured during the game.

I'm sure you agree with me that if one spends time with Gabrielle, one will laugh.  A lot.  :)

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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Saturday Sightings -- Winter Wonderland

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to view interesting photos, and to participate with us!

I wanted to wait until this morning to take photos, since I knew it would be snowing all night.  Everyone slept in, so I enjoyed a cup of coffee and a small bowl of apple walnut oatmeal as I gazed out into our newly created winter wonderland.

Of course, while the oatmeal was simmering, I grabbed my camera and headed out into the yard, both front and back, to capture the snow-covered wonder.

Being a detail person, I had to snap a few of these from my front garden.  Enjoy!!

Living life.
Capturing life.
Christine

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