{New Life}

Today I was blessed to meet my dear friends new little one...

Precious new life, only hours old...

Welcome to the world little one! May the Lord bless each day of your life.

You are already more deeply loved than you will ever be able to fully grasp. Your parents are wonderful people who will cherish you every day and every moment they have with you. I am blessed to know them and you! (And your big sissy too.)

Love,

Megan

{Comfort through Grace}

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Grace: from the Greek word Charis

Definition
-grace
-that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
-good will, loving-kindness, favour
-of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
-what is due to grace
-the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
-the token or proof of grace, benefit
-a gift of grace
-benefit, bounty
-thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

Comfort: Paraklesis

Definition
-a calling near, summons, (esp. for help)
-importation, supplication, entreaty
-exhortation, admonition, encouragement
-consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment
-thus of the Messianic salvation (so the Rabbis call the Messiah the consoler, the comforter)
-persuasive discourse, stirring address
-instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father,

who Loved us and gave us eternal consolation, comfort, solace, and refreshment;

and good hope through good will, loving kindness, and favour;

give you solace and consolation, and comfort to your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

A Tease of Summer

Summertime is in the air. It teases us. Glimpses, Sunny days, with cloudy rainy cold days sandwiched in between...

The flip flops are out, and on our feet on the days that permit it...

The playtoys beckon us...

And Tiny Pink Converse made for a two year old are sported with some capris...

Little ducks toddling in a row...

And those shoes again...so STINKING adorable...

Ah yes summertime. I know you are near. You will come in glory, and yet it will be brief here in the Northwest. But it will be glorious.

The seasons of our life are so reflective of those that surround us. Sometimes we seem to be stuck in an unending winter. Perhaps the winter is desolation, or sorrow. Or maybe a winter of calm, peace, and purity.

And then spring emerges. Hints of new life or new opportunities bud, and you can sense them coming. Life seems fresh. Perhaps you have glimpses of color between rainstorms.

Then comes summer. Oh summer. Glorious, warm, filled with delights. It comes like a burst of joy, an explosion in our hearts! It can be exhilarating.

Eventually summer melts into fall. In my life, I feel most energized in the fall. It delights me. The colors of the leaves, the crisp bite in the air, the warmth of the sun as the day progresses. Such memories formed in autumn in my heart...

All these seasons, ever changing. We struggle with wanting to capture one, and keep it forever, but it is not to be. Because these seasons in our life are what make it LIFE! Without a taste of winter, we could not fully appreciate the burst of summer. The delights of autumn. Without the sweltering heat of summer, we would not welcome the pristine white days of snow.

It is all beautiful, and it surrounds us. And if you look carefully, it all turns our hearts to the One who made it all...

Be blessed, whatever season you are in.

Lovingly,

Megan

{My Adventure in Italy}

I didn't mention on here yet that my husband and I had the privilege of going to Rome and Venice last month. Amazingly, we arrived home only 2 days before the Icelandic volcano started erupting!


We had many adventures, and good times, but it was also a very challenging trip. I missed my kids terribly, and the stresses of international travel made me long for home!


I'd like to share some photos from our trip with you.


First off, on the bus, there were signs designating seats for the elderly, pregnant woman, infirm, and such...I found the photos highly amusing. One of my favorite things to take pictures of happens to be funny signs and illustrations.

Example:

Oh yes I love that one. It still makes me laugh.



In Venice, I spied a little bird helping himself to lunch at a fruit stand-


Here are my love and I in Venice, overlooking some of the beautiful landmarks. I have to say that getting this photo taken was hilarious. A young man who was by himself saw me with our camera (a Cannon Rebel) and knowing that I would know how to use his (something smiler, a Rebel or Nikon...can't remember) he askes me to take his photo. He had his "shot" all lined up, and asked me to stand in a specific spot. Totally understandable, I would do the same! I took several pictures of him, and he was very pleased. I then asked if he would take our photo. Well, let me tell you- this is a man who loved his camera! He was like a photographer for models or something! He was moving around, taking photo after photo, and really getting into it! Made me wish I'd been a bit less shy and put a little umph into HIS photoshoot!


Here is an angel that flanked the sides of a bridge, with many others, on the road that led across the river in Rome into the Vatican area. They were gorgeous, and each held a symbolic item that related to Jesus ministry or death.

And finally, I invented a rousing game, which I like to call "Slug Nun". No, I did NOT slug a nun, it was the equivalent of 'Slug Bug', and I (oh-so-gently) slugged my husband each time I saw a nun. He of course was allowed to play also, but being that I invented the game, I won each time. ;) And so, in tribute to Slug Nun- slug! Gotcha!

More photos and stories to come...Please share with me your adventures in travel!

-Megan

{Picture Love}

We've been playing!

Playing with our camera....

Enjoying one dry day without rain...And playing with digital altered art...Below is a combination of pictures I took in Hawaii last year, made into a collage. The main focus of the green berries? Those are coffee beans in their most original form!! How cool is that?

And below is a shot of Lala's boots, with several layers of other photos for texture and vibrance.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend! I'm not sure what we are up to yet, but I'm sure it will be fun. The hubby is home and being together as a family is what counts!

Feeling relaxed,

Megan

Clarity

God,

Open my eyes and my heart

to your truth, your love.

Bring all things into focus,

You are the lens that gives the greatest clarity

to the picture of my life.

-Photo and words by Megan 2009

I couldn't stop thanking God for you - every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks.But I do more than thank. I ask - ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory - to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him - endless energy, boundless strength! All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. Ephesians 1:17-21

Through a 3 year olds eyes

My son got to use my Mom's camera the other day to take some pictures on his own. Here is the world through his eyes-

Quite fitting, mostly pictures of his hotwheels. Hehe. And a shot of his sisters leg. My mom is worried that she may have created a photographer monster, he really enjoyed himself!!

Spring is springing and life has been so busy, with all sorts of activities. I've also had a lot on my mind and haven't had any creative energy. Sigh. I am determined to get back into the blogging swing here. I had coffee with a friend and she chided me for not blogging lately. So this ones for you, Amy!

Digging in,

My Boy

This is My Boy. He is wild and sweet, tenderhearted and impetuous. When he was born my life was transformed. I fell in love with this new being whom I held in my arms. He is 3 1/4 years old now, and fills my everyday with energy, delight, and always some frustration on the side!

I wonder what he will do? Where he will go?

I pray for him everyday, for protection, for a heart that will always be sold out to God.

I pray for wisdom. Because some days I don't even know how to respond to him.

Right now I am watching him play with his trains. They are having conversations I don't think I can even begin to translate.

I love this photo. I love playing around with my pictures for a unique feel. This one seems to capture him in so many ways. It's from last summer. I think it's about time I print and frame this one, don't you?

In what ways have your children impacted your life? And if you don't have children, how has a child you know transformed you?

Thoughtfully,

Megan

Joining Wordful Wednesday....

I {Heart} Faces- Childrens eyes

Find more adorable faces, or enter your own at -

So, for the children category, here is LaLa. It's all about the eyes this week on I Heart Faces.

Sorry to all of you who already commented on the post below and saw this! I had to edit them and do 2 posts to follow the I Heart Faces guidelines!

But this is new!! Check it out, my dog made it into the collage on I Heart Faces, click here to see! It is not any brilliance on my part, just random luck if you read the post about their collages, but hey, I'm all giddy anyways!!!

Figuring it out,

Megan

I {Heart} Faces

It's been going around. The I Heart Faces blog, that is. I decided to try my hand at 2 different entries. Go check them out, click the button below to visit them!

First, for the pets category. Here is out Top Dog, in the snow. I love this photo. He is hard to capture on film (er, memory card) when in the snow, it makes him all crazy-happy. But here it is, poetry in photo. At least I think so. I might be a little biased.


I {Heart} My Families Faces,

Megan

Christmas at Charolette's Web

It looks like Spiders really know how to do Christmas right!! My Dear Son pointed out this spider web to me out the window and I had to go get a closer look. It is absolutely AMAZING. Look at the details of the ice crystals clinging to the silky web. How intricate and elaborate? I am in awe of the beauty that the Ultimate Creator creates. Merry Christmas from Charolette! (Maybe this is her contribution to the Nester's garland party??!!?) Oh, and I saw no sign of the spider there, don't feel sorry for the little guy, I think it's probably sun bathing in Maui right now. ;-)

Enjoying God's little miracles,

Megan

Walking in a Winter Wonderland/Christmas in the Northwest! Part 1

I am amazed by these pictures. I took them IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. There was a yellow glow cast by nearby lights reflecting off the clouds in the sky and the snow on the ground. I tried several times to capture the beautiful sight, and failed. Until I started to play with my camera. I set it on the "Starry Sky" setting, set the exposure on high, set it on the railing, and hit the button. I then left it there, not touching it or letting it move, and it counted to fifteen 2 times. It then took the picture, leaving the shutter wide open for a long period of time, thus soaking up all the light. The end result were these pictures! They are au naturel, no editing! They are only a bit brighter than it actually was, because of the exposure setting I put the camera on. These ones are getting framed!

Relishing the Glow,

Megan