LOOK AROUND

Look around and what do you see? Today on the way to work I counted the different colors of nature that were all around me and I counted [in the long three mile drive], 26 different colors in flowers, leaves and ground cover. It was so nice to be able to look around and appreciate these colors, especially since it was such a dreary day. I love spring and I love fall and you know I am sure it is because of the colors of each season.

I believe when God created the world he must have had one huge art pallet with oodles of color choices.

Now we have so many things in our lives which require choosing color: paint for your home or business, cars, hair, clothing, nail polish, jewelry, make up and even food.

Do you recall in the Wizard Of Oz when Dorothy stepped out of her home into OZ, what a difference it made that the movie was then in color? That to me was a great way to let us really appreciate color.

This weekend we are photographing a Prom and the Prom Committee made a request that we offer regular color photographs and the choice of Black and White with "Color Wash" only in the background flowers, it should be interesting to tally up the choices. It will be their choice and it will be unique, but I wonder how many will make the "Color Wash" photograph choice over the traditional color photograph. Especially with all the choices of colors for the beautiful prom gowns.

Don't get me wrong when done right there is nothing like the rich, classic Black and White portrait, but then God gave us color too and we can have beautiful color portraits.

Take a moment and look around, how many colors in nature do you see?

Be sure to Thank God, I did :-)

LOVE The Natural Thing!

Yesterday as with many Saturdays, we photographed a wedding. The day was beautiful. This was good as the venue for the Wedding was outdoors.

Friday evening we went to the rehearsal and I am thankful that we did because this was a totally new type of wedding ceremony for us. The couple was from the state of Washington, they found us via the Internet and with a recommendation from Chris' (the Groom) Grandmother. The wedding was taking place at Chris' Grandmother's farm. A home place where Chris had many wonderful memories and wanted to add one more I am sure. The wedding took place by a very old and beautiful, sturdy oak tree. There were numerous rituals that were part of the ceremony, it proved to be something quite interesting to experience.

Yes, I am glad that we attended the rehearsal on Friday evening along with the intimate gathering of family and friends that were very special to the couple. We learned just how the ceremony would unveil. It was vitally important to the couple that through our photography, this wonderful day would be preserved for them.

Just as with any different type of experience, we had a difficult time accepting such a unique wedding ceremony. Communing with Mother Nature, Father Sky and the Mighty Oak as the altar, seemed hard to grasp as a true wedding venue.

However as the hours have passed since the wedding, I find myself respecting this couples true love of nature and most certainly of each other. I truly feel ignorant and small when I realize I found myself initially amused at this couples choice of Ceremony celebration.

It was beautiful and so much THEIR OWN, how lovely that they were able to have exactly what they wanted, utilizing the gifts we have all been given. It was not necessary to rent a hall for the reception, and God's gift to all of us is the beauty of nature, so why not have your ceremony and celebration in his beautiful setting.

Yes, I was apprehensive about an outdoor wedding in April, but GOD blessed them with a beautiful day. Culture seems to insist a wedding in a church is essential, but you know GOD gave us nature and it's beauty, not buildings.

And remember....... Man & Woman did begin in the Garden of Eden.

REMEMBER WHY

A Star in the sky, Shepherds, Wise Men, you and me.

Just about 3 and half months ago we celebrated Christmas, the birth of Christ what a joyous time of the year and not because of Santa's gifts but because of GOD'S Gift to us.

We are now about to celebrate the joy of Easter.

But today through Saturday is a time for reflection of what happened to GOD'S gift to us. The back stabbing, the lies, the torture and finally the death of Jesus Christ.

My, my it sounds a lot like the world we live in today, doesn't it?

This Sunday Christians will celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, ALLELUIA!

When do you suppose we will celebrate the Resurrection of our World, and return to the Peace, Love and Joy that GOD wanted us to have in our world?

The star in the sky is still there; those of us who attend Church or Synagogue, know our Shepherds; perhaps there are still Wise Men about; and yes there still is you, me and GOD.

This Sunday when you are in church celebrating Easter and all it's meaning or even during Passover when you are in Synagogue take time to think and Celebrate with Hope, for a future full of love, peace and joy with our Lord. I will be doing just that.

Thank you GOD for being there with us and for us, always.