3/2 Warriors Grand Champions

Building a better blog...but this is just a fun pic of Emily Grace with her HUGE trophy. The Warriors from Cross Timbers Gym in Argyle Texas took 1st place in Junior Level 1 and Grand Champion for all of Level 1 there were 12 teams in the entire level. The girls got State Champion Jackets and Lexi Markwardt got the trophy for all her hard work. I know someday Emily Grace will get that trophy.

2/52 Sis and the Portrait lights

Soooo its been since 1995 that I set up full portrait lights and backdrops etc. Sis was on hand to help me. These are completely over exposed as I was beginning my bracketing...moving exposure up and down to get to correct exposure however these are my favorites...I love to see her laugh like nobody is watching. Look on our FB for the whole set of pics.

1/52 Emily Grace Power Tumbling

Emily Grace does power tumbling as well as Cheer. Last year she walked on to the mat the first time and won the Gold in her flight...this year...her first pass was gorgeous, her second, well she over rotated and fell on her bottom. She might have won the Gold again her first score was so high. She competes again at the end of February and I am hoping to make her another Gold Medal Memory mate. At any rate this is Emily Grace on the mat and her coach Austin Shirley.

52 Week Project starting late...

Sooo...I saw another photographer doing a 52 week project and I decided I am game. I need to get better at shooting my own family weekly as well as work on my photography to get better all the time. So here I am going to journal this journey hopefully I will remember and keep up with this project.

Can you ride the escalator to Heaven if you have to stand behind Hitler?

There is an age old judgement among folks about those who change their minds at the last moment. Inmates on death row, people who were very ugly in their youth then when they get old they change. People joke old people are nice because they are closer to heaven than we are. Consider this, to judge people who wait until the 11th hour to change their minds is to forget you to are a sinner. While we were still sinners Jesus died for us. If on the escalator to heaven you were subject to standing between Hitler, a murder, a prostitute or the like would you understand that you were right where you belonged. If the rule is don't break it does it matter if you break it on the thick end or the thin end? In the eyes of God sin is sin the wages of sin is death, separation from God. Through the blood of Jesus we are redeemed to God. We must first confess that we are sinners, therefore recognizing the need for a savior.

Imagine you do not believe in Jesus and you heard the incredible story of the cross. Does it not seem as though there could have been another way. I mean we're not all that bad. The number of people in prisons and those who commit crimes against humanity are not the majority...are they? Imagine your mother comes to you and says I love you so much I am going to jump off the empire state building. While you may be flattered at her devotion to you, it seems an odd way to show her love. If we are unable to share the need of Christ with others we will never be successful in truly demonstrating the need for the cross in the eyes of unbelievers.

So that said, lets look at things a little differently...if your friend needs an organ. One you can provide and you give it to them. Their need is made known to them and it is fulfilled by you. When we fail to demonstrate that we understand that first we are sinners and then we are christian there is no other way to demonstrate the need of the cross. With Jesus Ascension and the delivery of the Holy Spirit (our ever present help in time of need) our bodies become a literal temple to house the very being of God by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Once he takes hold the life is changed.

do you ever really know people well enough to talk about them?

I am so bad at this blogging thing. I have loads of drafts full of life's lessons taught by God, family but mostly by my blessed friends. I guess I am not sure if anyone is ever really reading them. I guess you have to keep up with the blogging to get a real following...hehe but then again. Sometimes writing it all down documenting my lessons drives them home.

So here it is...I am so sick of being fat. My girlfriends are too. WE discuss the things we would like to do and I so envy another friend of mine who works out several times a week. I envy the desire to go to a gym and with diligence think about the things you put in your mouth. Then on the flip side of that I am reminded of people I know who seem obsessed with what they eat or I am told only go to the gym because there is nothing else to do so I need to do something. Well I am here to say...its time to find some dang balance. I am all for a partner to work out with but I am not going to a gym...not doing it. I feel like morning is better but morning to me and morning to others well sometimes that's just two different things. I want accountability to this thing but I have been and am in accountability in other areas of my life and Geez some days that is almost unbearable. My life is overwhelming me and I am not going to down play the activities, expectations, or obligations but I am overwhelmed because I am not focused...There is no real goal. I am overwhelmed because I am running behind trying to catch up rather than running ahead and leading the way, clearing the path. I used to do this...I think I got tired and now I am tired all the time. I am rediscovering books. I am rediscovering vigilant prayer life. I feel the effects the changes and I think I might be ready to start the race again. However, mostly it comes down to choices. The first choice...begin my day with God in prayer let him order it then follow his instructions. The rest, its his body (temple), his house, his finances, his spouse, his children, his business, his closing...treat it all that way.

Studying Again...So here goes

The bend in the road…How often are we discouraged by the bend in the road? How many times do we shake our heads and say I knew this was coming or I should’ve known that was a bad idea. Only at the end of the journey to look back through every bend and say…Its not what I would have chosen but I would do it again to be where I am or have what I have in my life be it spiritually, financially, emotionally you name it.
How does a frightened fugitive become a courageous leader…time with God. Hello captain obvious, why do we have so much trouble with the simplest things in life. It’s like my tax reform idea it’s just too simple for a government as complicated as ours to implement. However, in my life which is usually only complicated by me I too can not see the simplest answer all the time. And the idea that obedience can mean increased suffering to one’s self and others. This is not an idea I’m all that crazy about. I am mostly ok with obedience except when it gets in the way of…lets see…my life, my fun, 42 cocktails you fill in the blank here for yourself. However, on the days I do choose obedience my life in the end becomes less complicated and I am free. Isn’t it funny that what seems so hard at first and up front in the end becomes the thing that offers the most freedom. It is freedom too, that peace you feel that surpasses all understanding when you just lay your head on your pillow that night with out vice or disobedience? Why is that freedom so hard to remember when faced with the temptation or discouragement? I am so grateful that my discouragement never discourages God. I am however most grateful for the ability to be transparent in prayer. In the notes at first glance it seems like Moses is being a big sissy about “O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me?” (Exodus 5:22) however, the explanation in the notes Page 2 Section III “It was a desperate prayer growing out of great personal pain, but the question Moses asked was reasonable and his description was accurate.” I am not much for a victim. I have great compassion for people who suffer affliction, addiction and circumstance, I know suffering brings enormous gifts and I am sickened by the choice to stay the victim under any circumstance; and never receive the gift. I am familiar with the story so I know Moses’ is not being a victim because as said before his description was accurate. I wonder some days are mine?

God’s changing things for me girls, doors are opening that I was never quite sure of before. Things I did not recognize God could ever really use it seems he is using. I am still praying for his provision and the ability to recognize his provision but also his will for me and that some days he might need to use a 2x4 instead of a whisper but I am trying really really hard to be still and know to be quiet and hear.