I've been discouraged lately - shooting out of obligation instead of for the joy of it. It's amazing how a few days can bring such a change in perspective! I decided to get back to the basics a little bit. I pulled out the good old camera. I tinkered. I adjusted settings. I played with the self timer. I shot in manual more than I usually do.
I had FUN taking pictures like I haven't had fun in a really long time.
I just shot what I saw. I prayed "Lord, show me please. Show me beauty where I've been missing it." I didn't have to look far.
Two of my wonderful babies:
A sunflower about to burst into color:
The onions growing in my garden. I've never had luck with onions...will this be my year?
A delicate speck of prettiness resting on the grass:
Like I said, I played around with the timer. It pains me to put this picture up. I mean REALLY pains me! But I'm trying to be honest here...sort of honest, anyway. Maybe next time I can put a picture up of myself without brushing some wrinkles out first ;-)
We took a family stroll that evening, and I brought the camera. My girl scooting through the neighborhood:
The little ones enjoying a summer treat:
My cautious oldest - being sure he doesn't get sprayed:
There was something about the pattern and texture to the rusty storm drain cover that caught my eye that night:
Having this child in my life just makes everything a bit more joyful (and loud and chaotic, but it's worth it). Here he is, sprinting toward me to show me his treasure:
"Look Mama!"
Shot from the hip as I held hands with my baby girl and she told me a story:
It didn't take long for someone's little legs to get tired, so my husband took the kids home and I kept walking. We have a wonderful little path that winds out of our neighborhood and through some undeveloped land. The sun was getting low and setting the fields to glow. I love evening light.
I can't describe what this color does in my soul...I think it has something to do with a dream I once had:
Southern Idaho is an arid place. If not for irrigation, the whole place would be dried grass and tumbleweed. Somehow, I even saw some beauty in the tumbleweed:
Seriously? This all happened by chance? Coincidence? Luck? I think not. My God - He is a spectacular artist.
I'm loving textures and patterns lately. There's just something about a plain old chain link fence - it brings my childhood roaring back...the tingly feel of my fingers and the jingly sound as the fence rattled while I ran down the sidewalk with my fingertips skimming the fence...the smell of honeysuckle creeping up the edge of the fence...the vines that tangled themselves in the links as they reached for the sun.
When I run, I often take this same path, and I always eagerly look forward to getting to the spot where I have this as my view. It's especially stunning in the evening because the mountains are lit beautifully, and the clouds have a little extra something as the sun sets:
As the sun set, I hardly knew which way to look! To the west, the sunset was a blaze of light and color:
And to the west, my favorite mountains with the fields aglow and the sky saying goodnight.
Thank you, Lord, for loving us so much to show us your beauty. You are Awesome.
"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard."
Psalm 19:1-3
