Pictures, Poetry, and Prose

Mood

2011-05-15T04:38:00.000+07:00

The sky was gray this morning, yet a light shone on the world and the colors of spring were vibrant. The sun shone for a while, then the clouds darkened. In the distance, thunder's speech was deep and solemn. The clouds cried a little, but with no relief; the sky is still troubled.

The darkness persists.

Um, guys... that's a parking lot...

2011-03-14T23:16:00.004+07:00

Destination:

2011-03-11T23:14:00.001+07:00

Scrabble!

2011-02-25T08:16:00.000+07:00

Puzzle using all but four letters! Do you see anywhere we could have added them?

Courage

2011-02-20T09:41:00.010+07:00

February 20-26 is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Courage

What is courage?
     What is beauty?
          What does it mean to be an example?

Is it being fearless?
     Is it being flawless?
          Is it never making a mistake?

Or--

Is it doing the right thing even when it terrifies you?
     Is it recognizing your immeasurable worth, finding strength and
     confidence in how much God values you?
          Is it trusting God enough to walk forward, knowing you will misstep
          sometimes--and being willing to backtrack and start again when you
          do?

Oh my friend, how can I tell you how I feel? Watching you struggle and break, unable to fix what's wrong, unable to ease your way--only to listen, to tell you I love you, to tell you I'm here if you ever need anything. This is something you have to do, but I will walk with you. I will cry with you. I will wait with you until the day God heals and restores you. We will see that day together, and then we will rejoice! Until then, never forget:

You are courageous.
     You are beautiful.
          You are an example.

And you shall be victorious.

Beauty From Pain

I love you.

Under the Eaves

2011-02-12T05:40:00.000+07:00

Written June 2010

The heavens are sympathy today,
Expressing my feelings just the way
I wish I could.

Under the eaves I find my chair,
Breathe in the darkening air
And sigh.

My heart is wild; so is the wind.
Direction and drive cannot be reigned in
By any hand but God's.

Thinking, wishing; dreams and fears--
I gaze up through the clouds' tears
So often like my own.

But today my heart is worn.
Feelings abound but the drops won't form.
So I lay my head back on the chair;

I close my eyes,
Cry inside,
And let the rain soak my skin.

Thick and fast comes the downpour
Like blessings from the hand of my Lord
Even in the midst of my stormy heart.

Thunder rolls around the sky;
The clouds begin to dry their eyes.
I am soothed.

Ready for Spring

2011-02-07T04:40:00.001+07:00

Viewer Update

2011-01-31T21:58:00.011+07:00

At the end of this past week, we hit over 1,000 views of the blog! I believe that's usually a time that bloggers are excited about, so *woohoo! celebrations and confettis galore!*

;)

All joking aside, I am happy about the increasing number of dcyo--oops, "hits" that is. Haha, sorry about that; I accidentally hit the keyboard shortcut to change my keyboard to Dvorak instead of QWERTY layout! The numbers have definitely gone up since I revised the blog, which tells me I'm headed in the right direction.

One more interesting update--you all are quite a diverse audience, which I love. There have been at least twelve countries represented in my program that keeps up with viewer stats:

America
Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Canada
Finland
Germany
Japan
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom

India

2011-01-30T09:37:00.002+07:00

One of my favorite countries

Web Site Registry...

2011-01-25T08:53:00.004+07:00

....And just HOW OLD do they expect people to be? They really think someone 160 years old will be registering online for a test?

(You may have to click the picture to enlarge it, so you can see it clearly.)

Sanctity of Life

2011-01-17T09:38:00.001+07:00

Some people are recognizing Sanctity of Human Life Day today, the third Sunday in January, and others are recognizing it next Sunday, January 23.

What is the youngest baby you’ve ever seen? A day old? A few hours? Less than a minute? I’ve had the privilege to assist in a couple of labors and witness the birth of two precious babies. I could see them crowning—could see the tops of their little heads before they were even born. Does that mean I saw them before they were alive? Some would say yes.

At what point does an embryo or fetus become human or alive? What scientific or logical evidence do you have for that time you just thought of? Most people I’ve talked to believe that a fetus becomes a living human at some nebulous time “pre-birth” but cannot tell me when the magic moment is. A zygote will certainly develop into a baby if everything happens as it should, just as a baby will develop into a child, and a child into an adult. So what is the difference between a newborn baby and a just-conceived zygote that makes one human and the other not?

If you don’t know the answer to this question, I urge you to search until you find a reason that is backed by scientific and logical evidence. The only satisfactory answer I’ve found is that there is no essential difference between a baby and a newly fertilized zygote—that they are both alive and human. If you reach a different conclusion, please comment below with your findings and your evidence. I am truly seeking truth.

Allow me to tell you about a powerful, painful experience I had. Recently, I saw an embryo who was probably about 6-7 weeks old (an estimate based on size and situation). It was perfect! From head to rump, it was about half an inch long. I could see its clear skin, dark eye spots smaller than a pin head, and tiny, tiny little feet and arms. That is the youngest baby I’ve seen, and I went home and cried. It was beautiful, just beautiful... and it had died.

This is a life-sized model of an embryo at 9 weeks’ gestational age—two or three weeks older than the baby I saw.

Please, if you do nothing else after reading this, give serious thought to the question of when life begins. If you believe that human life is valuable and deserves protection, this is not a subject you can avoid.

Power Outage

2011-01-14T09:22:00.000+07:00

My City

2011-01-02T09:44:00.002+07:00

Every city has a shadow--a place behind the tall buildings and fancy shops.
It's an area forgotten, ignored, intentionally overlooked--a place full of people with great need.

   "My landlord's threatening to kick me out."
   "I got nothing."
   "The courts took away my niece's little boy, so I keep him. He's handicapped, and I got to take care of him before [I take care of] me."
   "I been out of work."
     "I'm blind in my left eye and they're going to amputate my right leg."
     "I'm only part-time, so I got no money for medicine."
     "I go to the ER every Saturday and Sunday because my sugar shoots up."
     "How do I take care of myself?"
     "Where can I get help?"

Grey skies overlook dingy buildings and crowded streets.

In this city's shadow lies a little white building with bullet scars on the doors. Cold rooms, exposed pipes, and cracked walls every month surround the shadowed people reaching for light.

The crosses on the doors show the reason for the bullets--and the reason this little building is yet full of prayer, singing, and blessing. Hope bustles around with food, clothes, groceries, and health checks. People who live in their own shadows--cancer, miscarriages, physical needs--serve their neighbors with smiles and "God bless you"; and their light overcomes their pain.

Hope is alive; grace is lived daily; and love shines all the brighter because it's found

In the shadow of the city.

Winter Crystal

2010-12-29T09:55:00.001+07:00

Living Mural

2010-12-27T01:22:00.001+07:00

Beach Series--Sea Oats

2010-07-09T17:26:00.002+07:00

Beach Series--Embedded

2010-07-06T17:23:00.001+07:00

Freedom's Never Free

2010-07-04T16:09:00.001+07:00

As America reaches the 234th anniversary of her independence from Great Britain, I encourage you to do three things:

Celebrate the freedoms we have.

Honor and respect those who work to preserve our freedom--whether military, civic leaders, or "average" citizens doing their parts.

Do YOUR part to retain and regain freedom. Let your voice be heard.

Freedom always comes at a heavy cost. What are you willing to pay?

[Pictures from the internet; sorry, no references.]

Beach Series--Focus

2010-07-03T16:05:00.001+07:00

Same picture, two perspectives

Beach Series--Fallen

2010-07-01T18:02:00.002+07:00

Beach Series--Waiting

2010-06-30T17:00:00.002+07:00

Beach Series--Mangrove

2010-06-28T17:49:00.002+07:00

Icy

2010-06-26T16:46:00.003+07:00

La Ventana.... only tiny

2010-06-20T16:30:00.001+07:00

Picture of the real La Ventana:
http://www.americansouthwest.net/new_mexico/el_malpais_lavabeds/rockarch_l.html

Chapel

2010-06-19T04:33:00.001+07:00

Return

2010-06-19T04:12:00.003+07:00

Wow. I didn't realize I'd been gone for nearly half a year; time went by so quickly! So much has happened. The personal transition time I referred to in my "Sabbatical" post was partly a job search which led to new employment. I am pleased to say that I love my job. :)

Even though I haven't been posting pictures, rest assured I have not stopped taking them. The first new picture will be immediately following this post.

Please stick around; I should be back for a while now!

~Stephanie

Sabbatical

2010-01-25T08:59:00.003+07:00

As I am currently in a personal transition time, I will be taking a temporary leave of absence from my blog. I fully anticipate beginning to post pictures again before too long--possibly even in just a month or so. Until then, please look around at past photos, and stay tuned!

Cathedral

2010-01-08T05:01:00.001+07:00

Nesting Snowmen

2010-01-05T04:47:00.001+07:00

Past Knowledge, Experience, Wisdom

2010-01-01T17:00:00.001+07:00

...Never forget to learn from history, recent or ancient

Christmas Canyon

2009-12-31T04:49:00.001+07:00

Taken by a friend

Stop--and enjoy the season!

2009-12-28T04:28:00.001+07:00

Christmas Colors

2009-12-24T17:30:00.001+07:00

Red--for the blood Jesus spilled when He died to free and cleanse us from sin and death
............... "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

White--for the change in those of us who have accepted the salvation of our God and obey His commandments
............... "Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! ... 'Come now, let us reason together,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.'"

Green--the color of growth and life
............... "Whoever believes in the Son [Jesus] has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
............... [Jesus speaking] "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

Christmas Glow

2009-12-24T04:21:00.002+07:00

The Trumpet Sound Proclaims

2009-12-22T04:15:00.001+07:00

"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."

Christmastime is here!

2009-12-20T05:11:00.002+07:00

Pointing to Salvation

2009-12-18T05:05:00.001+07:00

"But the prettiest sight to see is the holly...."

2009-12-16T05:57:00.002+07:00

....need the Light of the world within.

2009-12-06T04:46:00.001+07:00

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Stained-glass people....

2009-12-05T05:34:00.001+07:00

"People are like stained glass windows--they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within."
-----Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Autumn Light

2009-12-02T04:53:00.003+07:00

Autumn afloat

2009-11-30T04:46:00.001+07:00

Taken by a friend

What are you thankful for?

2009-11-26T17:00:00.000+07:00

L'Chaim---To Life

Shadows of Light

2009-11-26T04:32:00.001+07:00

Dandelion--Colors and Textures

2009-11-24T04:16:00.001+07:00

Taken by a friend

Leap!

2009-11-22T04:13:00.001+07:00

Glowing Silhouette

2009-11-15T05:07:00.001+07:00

Fire and Stone

2009-11-13T06:02:00.000+07:00

Perspective

2009-11-11T05:22:00.000+07:00

The Privileged Planet--an AMAZING film that helps provide perspective on the Earth in relation to the whole universe.

Photo above is from the Hubble telescope.

English Window

2009-11-08T05:44:00.000+07:00

Taken by a friend

Have you examined the evidence yourself?

2009-10-30T04:16:00.003+07:00

...Or do you accept by blind faith that evolution is fact?

Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution
Take a look at the evidence.

This site has some biographical information about the scientist heading the project, and lists what animals are discussed in each of the three videos:
http://www.explorationfilms.com/exploration-films-incredible-creatures-3.html

A Sheet of Paper in the Hands of the Master

2009-10-28T04:11:00.000+07:00

Amazing paper artwork by Peter Callesen at http://www.petercallesen.com/

In Literature's Shadow

2009-10-26T04:22:00.001+07:00

Photo taken by a friend. I wish I knew where this place was so I could visit the books... :)

Caboose!

2009-10-23T03:16:00.001+07:00

Cozy and Warm

2009-10-21T04:48:00.000+07:00

As much of the country is experiencing a cold snap, I thought this was appropriate...

Ooouuuuch....

2009-10-16T04:04:00.000+07:00

Taking Care of Each Other

2009-10-13T04:01:00.001+07:00

Laser Light

2009-10-10T03:58:00.000+07:00

This is the result of shining a laser pointer through one of those hammered-glass-looking shower doors

Muscle-Man

2009-10-07T03:56:00.001+07:00

You Don't Have to Be Perfect...

2009-10-05T04:15:00.000+07:00

I realize it's been autumn for some time now, but... a most happy fall to you!

2/3 of the Earth

2009-09-30T21:54:00.001+07:00

Globe puzzle with the continents put together, and much of the water as well, but only the oceans left to do

Washing Instructions

2009-09-23T04:14:00.002+07:00

...um, thanks!

Gift

2009-09-21T04:26:00.002+07:00

Classic

2009-09-16T03:58:00.002+07:00

"We claim this ground in remembrance... We will never forget."

2009-09-11T20:11:00.000+07:00

Window Into...

2009-09-09T04:44:00.000+07:00

Taken by a friend. I like this picture because of the color and texture contrast and because it leads me to further questions... like what is beyond? Who would I see looking out if it was open?

Translucence and Shadow

2009-09-06T04:31:00.001+07:00

Hemp Cascades

2009-09-04T03:51:00.000+07:00

Shimmering Wood

2009-09-02T04:45:00.001+07:00

"Musing on Purple" (dedicated to Michael)

2009-08-29T04:13:00.001+07:00

;)

Always a Bigger Fish...

2009-08-28T04:08:00.000+07:00

Cloud-swept Sky

2009-08-27T04:09:00.001+07:00

No amount of darkness can hide the smallest light

2009-08-24T04:35:00.001+07:00

Back to it

2009-08-23T10:35:00.002+07:00

Again, technical difficulties have prevented my posting the past couple of weeks.
Apologies--look for a new picture tomorrow or Monday!

Bloom

2009-08-08T04:13:00.002+07:00

No comment necessary...

2009-08-05T04:10:00.001+07:00

Skill

2009-08-03T04:08:00.001+07:00

Sticky Sweetness

2009-08-01T04:02:00.001+07:00

Great God our King!

2009-07-19T16:27:00.000+07:00

Protect us by Thy Might

2009-07-18T16:24:00.001+07:00

...With Freedom's Holy Light

2009-07-17T17:19:00.002+07:00

Long may our Land be Bright...

2009-07-16T17:16:00.002+07:00

Author of Liberty, to Thee We Sing

2009-07-15T17:14:00.001+07:00

From the Jefferson Memorial, Washington DC

Our Fathers' God, to Thee...

2009-07-14T17:12:00.001+07:00

My Heart with Rapture Thrills, Like That Above

2009-07-12T16:46:00.000+07:00

... and Templed Hills

2009-07-12T04:41:00.001+07:00

Thy Woods...

2009-07-10T16:37:00.001+07:00

I Love Thy Rocks and Rills

2009-07-09T17:34:00.001+07:00

Thy Name I Love

2009-07-08T16:31:00.001+07:00

Land of the Noble Free

2009-07-07T16:30:00.000+07:00

My Native Country, Thee

2009-07-06T17:24:00.000+07:00

Let Freedom Ring!

2009-07-04T17:06:00.002+07:00

From Every Mountain Side...

2009-07-03T17:13:00.001+07:00

Land of the Pilgrims' Pride

2009-07-02T17:15:00.002+07:00

Land Where My Fathers Died

2009-07-01T17:19:00.000+07:00

Sweet Land of Liberty, of Thee I sing

2009-06-30T17:20:00.001+07:00

...'t is of Thee

2009-06-29T17:23:00.001+07:00

My Country...

2009-06-28T17:25:00.001+07:00

Mountain Sunset

2009-06-25T05:09:00.000+07:00

Picture taken by a friend

Bread and Oil

2009-06-20T03:26:00.002+07:00