Stacy Westfall and Horse Waltz

This is Stacey Westfall. She is not able to speak or hear, but her gift with horses is nothing short of amazing. Her father died shortly before this competition.

I'm one of those girl-horse-lovers, so when I saw this, I just had to share. An animal and human waltz.

"O Lord, how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou has made them all; the earth is full of Thy possessions. They all wait for Thee." Psalms 104:24, 27

Just as Stacey and this horse are a beautiful witness in their performance, may I be just as sensitive to Your instruction in my life. Waltz with me.

Two More Lessons, To Use With Any Camera

Another lesson (see previous post) to use with a variety of subjects is the  "1/3 rule." My teacher, Dawn at Lake Shore Camera, asked me to take pictures thinking of thirds. Uh hem, hence the sky, water AND the beach.

This one is also in thirds. Can you see it? (Well, the computer program at the store had little dotted lines going across each picture to verify and make you feel either good or bad.) Now before you think I'm all smart, I cropped this photo. I had the bird in the middle of the picture. Now Mr. Seagull is near the right third and the post is a third.

The second Dawn rule is; "Space in front of the face." In other words, whichever way the "face" is looking add more space so the eye continues on. It works.

My next lesson includes using the meter function. Gulp. That's the light/brightness control. Boy this camera is smart. When I grow up I want to know how to use all the functions. :P

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." Psalms 32:8

Lord, keep "space in front of my face" to see You in all things. Don't let things crowd my vision.

photos:karenrevans

I'm a Rebel T2i

Oh, that's the name of my camera. I love it! The pictures I've taken before today were on the Automatic side ONLY. Even reading the book I couldn't understand it. (No wise-cracks here, ok?) So I went to a local camera shop for a bit of one-on-one.

And I must say, my camera is too smart for me. Whew. I took one lesson. She helped me reset the camera, gave me a few pointers and homework. My teacher knew when my eyes glazed, it was time to stop.

My first assignment was to use the single spot focus (AF), to focus on only one thing and move the camera to widen the view and it keeps the focused spot clear.

As you can see the trees stand out, and the water is unfocused. This smarty-pants camera has a bunch of other focus-hocus pocus I've yet to learn. But I'm learning. (I might share more if I get good grades.)

"In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world." John 17:18 (MS)

Single focus is great for cameras, but may I not get so single-minded I don't notice the big picture around me. Jesus widen my lens.

photos:karenrevans

Grateful Heart Shoutin' Out!

This is a loud shout out to my son, David.

 Not only is he a magna cum laude culinary graduate, with his own Deisel Seasonings,

he plays in a Christian rock band called Truth Residual,

and he designed my new website, karen r evans, with his design "DED" , but most of all

I love him, Melissa my daughter-in-love, and my two wonderful grand kids. (and yes he served our country in the Marines.)

This is a "thank-you" post for all he's done. I just have a grateful heart today for him and his family.

Luv you guys!

Say, check out his sites, if you haven't and my new website. I think it's great. AND I'm not prejudiced





"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord." Psalms 137:2

Ok, a girl can brag on her kids a bit, right? Just wait until I get to my daughter! :)
Give a hug to your kids today for me.

This is Grateful Heart day. (I just made that up.) Pass it along.

Blessings***

Dead Grass

Lots of rain and wind hit our beaches the other day. Pushed all this dead sea grass and trash on the beach. These birds didn't have the clean nice beach to gather their food.



But they found food amidst the trash and you know what, I didn't hear a single complaint. Oh, all right, those sea gulls squawk all the time, but it wasn't about the mess on the beach.

"The Lord is my portion." Psalms 119:57

When my life becomes a mess of dead grass, either by my doing or circumstances, I usually complain. May I remember the birds who continue doing what they know to do without complaint. For the Lord provides a way.

Photos:karenrevans

What's a Girl to Do?

It's your party.

You've eaten a good lunch. So.....

You can have your Sesame Street birthday cupcakes,

You've feed the cows,

Rode the train

Opened your presents and are just down-right tuckered out.

When even the good things get to you, what do you do? Go to Mom or Dad, of course.

"As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him." Psalms 103:13

In good times and in bad, what joy to know God feels and cares for us like loving parents.

Photos:karenrevans taken at Taylor's 2-year-old party.