{attention pacifists}

I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. 

And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it.

-Jack Handey

*The air soft bullet proof vests, as well as the leather handgun holsters, magazine cases, and belts were made by Allen Penney. I highly recommend his work, and if anyone is interested in purchasing contact me and I will refer you on to him.

{the solution to incompetence}

All of man's misfortune comes from one thing, 

which is not knowing how to sit quietly in a room.

-Blaise Pascal

Coffee

One of the easiest assignments in the world. Not to mention the fact that by the end of the shoot my hands smelled totally awesome. There's still a faint scent of coffee in the room. 

{Btw, playing with an off camera flash is way more fun with inanimate objects than people. They don't complain about the flash being too bright, or strobe lighting...or being moved around over nine thousand times. }  

{following the Piper again}

Joshua 'n Anna

A little over a year ago, the Courter asked the Penney if she would be courted. She said she would.

They're still changing together, and thought that pictures would be a good idea. So we did a shoot, and here are a few photos.

9.10.11

Reflections of sorts

9:05pm

{what goes through an ADD person's mind in the space of about 20 minutes...or is it time span? I'm not sure. Which reminds me...}

Today began the second week of being back to work after being gone for a month. From the looks of things, this will be another 40+ hour week. And somehow, I have a blister already, on my left pinky. This is odd for two reasons: 1, I'm right-handed; 2, it's my PINKY! How do you get a blister there?
 

At work last week, I forgot to bring silverware for lunch. I had pasta, which wasn't really an eat-with-your-fingers type lunch. After scrounging around the cabinets, all I found was plastic knives. So, I put my chopstick training to good use. I actually think that chopsticks with a serrated edge would be a fabulous invention. Not only would you be able to eat your food, you'd be able to cut it as well. Just a thought. Anyways, the two knife idea worked fabulously. But I still brought silverware the next day.

 

I love my job. It's wonderful manual labor. The only thing I don't really like is the whole items-being-backordered thing, then the catch up process after we get in the shipping supplies and/or items to ship. Last week we ran out of a certain kind of sign box. This is our biggest box, and is custom made. After several days of allowing the orders to back up, we finally got the boxes today, an hour and a half before quitting time, and in time to run out of 9x4 blue magnets. Not only that, but the phone/computer line was broken, so there was no internet, which means that the packages can't be labeled using FedEx's handy dandy system. Everything will have to be entered in by hand until the phone line is fixed. The first good thing is that that’s not my job. The second good thing was that I got my paycheck from last week, which made me immensely grateful to have a job, despite the glitches in the system. All things considered, I have a lot to be thankful for. :)

I've been thinking a lot about different things since coming home from China, and re-evaluating a lot of goals. I've been thinking a lot about this quote shared in church last Sunday:

"Ambitions for self may be quite modest … Ambitions for God, however, if they are to be worthy, can never be modest. There is something inherently inappropriate about cherishing small ambitions for God. How can we ever be content that he should acquire just a little more honour in the world? No. Once we are clear that God is King, then we long to see him crowned with glory and honor, and accorded his true place, which is the supreme place. We become ambitious for the spread of his kingdom and righteousness everywhere."
 ~John Stott

I'm wondering what ambitions I have that are insignificant and selfish? What ambitions should I have to further Christ's Kingdom?

Which reminds me again of China, and the fact that my 8 gb memory card is now finished downloading.  So, now I'm going to process and delete some of the photos from the trip.

 

                      This photo is in Pinghu, shot from a bridge over one of the many canals. Unedited.

I can tell I was in China for three weeks. When I subconsciously attempted to pick up my fork and use it as a pair of chopsticks, I realized even more. Especially when the fork flew across the room.

I miss China. I didn't think I would.

The street outside of the hotel. The view from the balcony that, well, had the best view. :) 

Home from China!

I'm finally home. Many memories, many photos, many new friends. One thing I've seen more than ever is God's never-ending faithfulness and grace.

Wade (my co-teacher), me, and our assistant teachers-Sunday, Eunice, Haylie, and Cally.

More after sleep! :)

What is currently occupying space on my desk and mind...

(not pictured - some of the best tea in the world)

Lest you think that I've waited until the last minute to study, you're wrong. I still am 36 hours and 21 minutes away from the test, or 2,181 minutes, respectively. And I'm studying.

For Dym

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Prov. 27:17

It's not often one of my own images intrigues me so...

...and I wonder why fog has such a pull on me...a longing to see what is hidden by the veil of mist, to know what is behind the curtain just out of reach...to see the source of the haunting music...a drawing to follow the Piper into the unknown...

"The Piper is coming nearer," he said, "he is nearer than he was that evening when I saw him before. His long, shadowy cloak is blowing around him. He pipes-he pipes-and we must follow...round and round the world. Listen-listen-can't you hear his wild music?"  ~Rainbow Valley

A few of Morgan's bridal portraits

Due to request, here's a few of Morgan's bridal portraits. Morgan has been like a big sister to me, and I was so excited to be able to share in this time in her life.

I'm so excited for you, Morgan! More bridal/wedding photos will come...soonish... :)

Graduation!

So, about a month ago, I graduated! I didn't post then, but figured late was better than never. :) I rarely knew where my camera was most of the time, because random other people were taking pictures for me. Here are a few of family and people that I graduated with...

The awesome people I had a party with!

Sister pic!

 After the graduation meeting/practice thing.

 On stage...

My cousin and I

 I suppose my mom thought that since she had a daughter graduating, she was graduating as well somehow.:)

 My brother practicing for graduation...or being a pirate? not sure.

The most logical thing in the world to do with the balloons that were on the table!

I have tons more pictures, but decided for time reasons (actually, because I didn' feel like uploading them all) to just include people that graduated with me and family. Hope y'all enjoyed looking!

A hope when things go wrong

So far today I've lost important papers, had my plans turned upside down, ran into a wall (yes, I did), hit my head really hard on a chair, and had a knife dropped on my foot. But...

"Surely there is a future, and [my] hope will not be cut off." :)

This will be a great day! :)

Because moments are more important

I had  a plan. We were going to do a photoshoot. I had props, my reflector, and

clean matching clothes.Then we got to the beach.

 I got one pose out of them. Then, when asked to do something else...

 "But Leah, it's too pretty to take pictures and be busy. Today is a day to run!"

 A day to run. A day to be free from the Martha concerns and plans, unbusyed by lists of 'to do's. 

A day to make footprints in the sand.

 Because now matters. Because moments are important.

This moment.  Running in the now.

I long to grasp the fleeting moments. I long to understand the meaning of the minutes and the memorials unappreciated. To treasure this time. To take the time to find joy in running the race.

Every day these moments slip away like so much sand. Are they caught, and treasured? Truly valued for the gift that they are?

May you find meaning in the moments today. 

In the whole of world history there is always only one really significant hour- the present...

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Next, please...

It feels like a warm spring afternoon. One of those wonderful days when you have all day, and nothing to do. But I have a lot to do. A list a mile long.

I know I need to do-what I would say to some one else. "Do the next thing."
The next thing on the list of the importants.

So I'm going to turn off the computer. Right now.

And do the next thing.