Scotty & Jenni!

Wow, it seriously took me over an hour to get this one session posted and I haven’t uploaded that many pics. CrAzInEsS!! So here a few from this engagement session, I have 5 more sessions to post to be caught up on all my blogging. I can see the light!

Here they are…

My other two little girls. I must admit, I have been so busy over the past few months that I have put my family (pictures) on the back burner. Let’s see, a new baby girl, photography, church, just life in general. Ahhh… *sigh* But I seriously have no complaints! I wouldn’t trade it for the world; as I’m sure most of you wouldn’t trade your lives either! These are a few pictures that I’ve taken of Azlyn 3 1/2 yrs. and Ava 2 1/2 yrs.  recently. I’ve neglected a lot of things in my life over the past months, but I am looking forward to a new year (meaning NEW GOALS for 2009). I plan on making my blog a little bit more personable, maybe you’ll even think you know me before you ever meet me and I hope that you DO! AND for those of you who do know me (or even those who used to know me, but we don’t talk  much anymore) you can keep up with my life and know what’s going on in my world of raising 3 beautiful, crazy, silly little girls that were all born within 3 years of each other, yep that’s right! So stay tuned for more to come over the next few months. By the way, I will be posting more sessions over the next week or so. I haven’t forgotten about all of you!!! God bless! ~ Ashley

P.S. I am now taking appointments for the Spring 2009. I am currently booked through February 2009 but will be accepting appointments beginning March 2009. Please contact me if you are interested.

**these are just a few that I’ve recently filtered through, MORE to come!!

Silly little Ava Beth, this is her and I love this picture!

I just love this picture of Azlyn, it was taken a few months ago.

Updated picture of Lily Grace!

I decided today that I would post a new picture of Lily Grace since I haven’t posted one of her in a while, actually I think she was 4 weeks old the last time I posted her picture. She is already 3 months old and believe me when I say this, she is the happiest baby ever. I took this a few weeks ago and yes, if you are wondering, she looks like me, red hair and all!

A Christmas Solo ~ Zoe Elmore

A Christmas Solo
22 Dec 2008
Zoe Elmore

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NKJ)

Though I’m an untrained singer, I had the privilege of singing a solo in our church’s annual Christmas program for over ten years. You can imagine how thrilling it was to hear the orchestra and one hundred voices behind me as I sang “Oh Holy Night.” Each and every time I sang that song, I was transported into the presence of the Lord. I felt as if my feet were leaving the ground as each note climbed higher and higher until the final crescendo. I think I now understand why angels fly as they live in God’s presence!

This wonde rful annual experience came to an abrupt end several years ago after an illness and medical condition removed my ability to sing. My ability, but not my desire! While my mouth can no longer sing praises very loud, my heart still soars as I squeak out the words to Handle’s “Messiah.” I still love to sing spiritual songs, especially those of the Christmas season.

The Lord knows this, and has given me one of the sweetest gifts I’ve ever received: a new inward heart-song of worship and awe. Even with such a tender and lovely present from the Holy Spirit, I’m amazed at how easily I become distracted by the shopping, parties and food of this season. The “need” to decorate and bake often shouts louder than my need to sing my heart-song. While none of these holiday preparations are bad in themselves, they can easily overshadow the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The trimmings and trappings can far too easily eclipse the true meaning of this marvelous season, s tealing my new heart-song and silencing my worship.

This Christmas I have made a commitment to concentrate on celebrating the name of Jesus by continuously singing my heart-song. It is the Name we bless in times of thanksgiving; the Name we call upon in times of trouble; and, the Name that brings us the love, joy, peace and salvation we need at all times.

Will you join me in making the name of Jesus the centerpiece of your Christmas celebration this year? In the midst of the songs your mouth will sing, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the gift of a new song in your heart. A new heart-song celebrating the powerful, lovely, wonderful, life-giving, everlasting Name of Jesus! Sing forth praises to the name of Jesus today!
Dear Lord, I bow before You as my Savior, Lord and King. I ask You to he lp me celebrate Your presence in my life with a new heart-song of worship with You as the centerpiece. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Power Verses:
1 John 5:11, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” (NIV)

Psalm 40:3, “He has put a new song in my mouth – Praise to our God…” (NKJV)

Merry, Merry CHRISTMAS!

Goodness, what a whirlwind these past months have been!! I have quite a few sessions I need to post, but haven’t found the time. I will, it will be after the first of the year when things slow down, hopefully or maybe a few before. You never know with me!! It’s not just photography that’s keeping me busy, it’s my life in general and all that combined leaves me scatter brained most of the time!! I cannot believe Christmas is in 1 week. Wow, this year has flown by, but it has been such an awesome year for me and my family. God has blessed me in so many ways that I cannot even begin to count them all, but on another note by me saying that, it prompted a thought- you see, I don’t just throw it out there (God has blessed me, He is so good, etc.) to make myself look good or try and rub it in anyone’s face. I am truly counting my blessings. I don’t just talk the talk. My heart is 100% in the right place and I strive daily to be more like Jesus. Yes, I mess up but luckily I have a loving Father who helps me up when I fall and encourages me to keep on going, but that also doesn’t mean that we should sin intentionally knowing that He will forgive us- there are consequences. We are to turn away from our sin. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is I won’t talk the “God” talk unless its truly coming from my heart and I won’t say what I think you want to hear. God is definately good ALL the time and I try to live according to His will not mine. So with all that being said, please have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you are looking for a great place to worship, please come visit us at Start Baptist Church. We would love to have you and come find me, I would love to meet you. If you don’t know who I am, I am the “red” head on the praise team. I realize that there are a lot of people in my community that check my blog daily, weekly, monthly, whatever and you are looking for a place to get involved and feel like you belong, that’s us @Start Baptist!

Sitting in the Middle of My Mess by Glynnis Whitwer

 

Sitting in the Middle of My Mess

Glynnis Whitwer

 

 “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” Luke 10:38-39 (NIV)

         

Devotion:

I tend to consider myself a “Martha” type personality. And I don’t mean Martha Stewart. By this time in December, that Martha probably has her hand-made cards mailed out, 10 batches of candy made and gift-wrapped, and her entire home decorated.

No, I’m nothing like Martha Stewart. In fact, last year I didn’t even manage to decorate the tree. It got put up and because it was pre-lit, it had lights. I managed to put a few gifts under it before Christmas.  That only happened because my dear children kept looking at me with those big hopeful eyes, asking when I was going to wrap SOMETHING. But that was it.

Last Christmas ended one of the most stressful years of my life. I’m thankful nothing devastating happened to my family. But the demands on my time exceeded my available time. When that happens, I get behind … on everything.  So I spend lots of time just trying to keep my head above water.

 

Back to being a Martha. If you know the Luke chapter 10 story of Martha and her sister Mary, that’s the Martha I’m talking about. And it’s not a flattering comparison. That Martha had the privilege of hostessing Jesus. Jesus actually came to her house. Instead of sitting at His feet like her sister Mary did, Martha worked and actually complained to Jesus that Mary wasn’t helping her enough. 

Jesus gently chided Martha, and affirmed Mary’s choice to sit and spend time with Him in the middle of all the work that had to be done. I remember the day clearly last December when I decided to follow Mary’s example and sit in the middle of my mess to spend time with Jesus.

Normally, I feel as if everything has to be clean before I can “treat” myself to some down time. I believe I have to have the dishes clean, counters cleared, urgent emails addressed, laundry going, home-based business checked for orders, etc. Normally, by the time I’ve done all that, something else has demanded my attention, and my time with Jesus is neglected – much like what happened to Martha.

But not that day. That day I sat at the kitchen table and looked at my mess. It was big. There were papers strewn over every surface, a lunch box left on the counter from the day before, breakfast dishes everywhere, jackets from yesterday, blankets that had been left on the couch, dog fur forming balls, and the list went on. I had to fight my instinct to get up. And I won.

I sat in the middle of my mess, and spent time with Jesus. I pictured Him sitting across the table from me. It was pure pleasure … and the mess amazingly faded from my view. My stress melted away, and I felt renewed.

This Christmas, whether you’ve gotten your house decorated or not, whether you’ve mailed out cards or not … Jesus has come to your house for a visit. I had such a good time sitting in the middle of my mess with Jesus last year, I’m planning on doing it again.  Will you join us?

 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus to be a companion during my hectic days.  Help me to remember that peace can only be found when I choose to set aside the pressing demands of my life, and quiet myself with You.  Teach me to look for Jesus’ presence in the middle of my mess. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Ohhh, I loved this session!

AWESOME family!

I would LOVE to post more from this session, but I am so behind right now. I may not get to post all of my sessions until after the holidays.

Blessed…

Wow, I am truly blessed and just wanted to take a minute to outwardly express my love and gratitude to Jesus Christ. Do you ever sit and wonder what it might be like if He hadn’t paid the debt for ALL of our sins? I can’t even imagine and yet daily we all fail Him, but He loves and forgives us anyway! Man, the word “forgive” is hard to do some times isn’t it? BUT Jesus does it without second thought when we confess our sins and ask His forgiveness. I am so thankful that Jesus has my heart and I hope He has yours. I know I mess up. I am NOT perfect and never will claim to be, for I am only human but my heart’s desire is to constantly walk hand and hand with Jesus and be an example to my children. I hope over the next few weeks as Christmas gets closer and closer we will all take the time to sit down with our families and reflect on the TRUE meaning of Christmas, Jesus’s birthday. Oh, I LOVE Him so!

This is a surprise, don’t spoil it!!