The boy

He's 3 now! And, just the joy of our lives...and sometimes the pain! :)

Jen's Kids

Jen's sneak peek is up on my photo blog. :)

Piper on William Cowper

I finished reading the sermon entitled, "Insanity and Spiritual Songs in the Soul of a Saint" this morning, given by John Piper in 1992, about William Cowper, the hymn-writer. I recently read a sermon/short biography on Spurgeon by Piper. I have found that these are very encouraging to me..to read of saints gone before us, of their struggles, and yet to be reminded of how God used them and continues to use their lives today. I don't have the same struggles as William Cowper, and yet was still encouraged.

We, many of us, go through times of despair or darkness. Even if you don't, you know someone who does. Some go through deep dark times like William Cowper did. Others just struggle with despair from too much introspection, and for others it may just be brief moments of despair. May we be encouraged to press on and to cheer others on when they are struggling. May we be like John Newton, who never gave up on Cowper, but cheered him on til the end, even if it would have been easier to leave him behind.

I think we need to be reading the Word constantly, and yet also give time to study those who have gone before us...be encouraged by their struggles and how God was faithful to them, realize God will use us if we are willing to be used-despite our own struggles or failures, and be spurred on in our walk...whether to encourage someone else or to encourage our own souls. Be blessed today as you spend time with the Lord, as you come to know deeper who He is and who you are in Him, and the realization that you need Him for your very life and sustenance. Thank God that His mercies are new every morning!

A Good (and cheaper!) Cup O Joe!

I love those expensive coffee shops...but these days, it comes as a very special treat! I try to schedule photography meetings there, so I can write it off as a business expense! :) But, other than that, rarely can I afford the price or the calories! :) I've been experimenting with my coffee at home. Now, I LOVE coffee with heavy cream...no, not half and half, but the real stuff! :) However, my waist and other body parts do NOT love heavy cream! I still have it as an occassional treat...my favorite is coffee with 1/4 cup heavy cream, 2 tbsp. honey, and a dash of cinnamon--Cafe De Miele. However, that is off limits for me right now!

But, this morning, I made a good cup of coffee I wanted to share with you.

6 oz. strong brewed coffee

1/4 cup 1% milk

1 tbsp. cocoa powder (unsweetened)

4 tbsp. sugar-free (splenda) English Toffee Syrup ( I used Torani)

2 tbsp. light whipped cream to top (pressurized can)

I figured out it is about 65 calories! You could use any type of syrup here...caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, creme de menthe..mmmm! The cost comparison...well, no figures here, but I can tell you it did NOT cost me $3.95! :) And, at S___, a tall nonfat mocha (no whipped cream) would run you about 170 calories! So, have your cup o Joe, and have a great day! :)

My New Favorite Website!

As a photographer, this site gives me all the confidence I need! I laugh and laugh and laugh some more! Enjoy! http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

Drew and Anna-Kathryn

Drew and Anna-Kathryn...it was so much fun! :) So glad you love these as much as I do! :) http://www.karimcgrath.wordpress.com/

Phil and Ellen

Congratulations, Phil and Ellen! :) What a blessing to be able to photograph your wedding day! Thank you for the opportunity! :) May God's blessings rest upon your marriage! :) http://www.karimcgrath.wordpress.com/

From the Mouths of Babes

Awhile back, my oldest daughter was having a hard day, and so she got sent to her room and I wrote out 1 Thessalonians 5:18 on a piece of paper for her to meditate on. It says, "In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (I guess we were having trouble being thankful for what we had that day!)

After awhile, she came out of the room and handed me back the paper, on which she had written: "God's word is true. God's word is holy. God's word is loveing. I'm sorry..... I love you mom. Love you mama. P.S. Look in the bak....I'm not saying this becus I'm sorry for my self. I'm saying this becus it is from my hart. I love you mom. Love, ____"

I love how God's word pierces through to the heart and marrow! :) Although, I guess we need to work more on spelling! ha! :)

From the Mouths of Babes

Garden

Here's a few pictures from what we have harvested from our garden this year! :) We LOVE eating food that we've grown...don't know why, but it seems fulfilling somehow to us! :) How about you? Anyone else gardening out there this summer? We've had a decent crop. We had some problems with some pesky little rabbits, but we put up a fence, and so far that has deterred them!

Encouragement for all the youth ministers out there! :)

Summer Fun

My dear friend, Cari, and her son, Joe are over at our house quite often...not as of late, because I've been so busy, but in the winter it was every week! In May, we spent forever blowing up the new slip-n-slide mom and dad bought Lizzie for her birthday and let the kids have at it! Here's a few pics from then. By the way, Happy Birthday Cari today! :) Love you!

The Kiddos

Well, I think it's been awhile since I posted anything, let alone some pics of the kiddos! So, here goes...enjoy! They just melt my heart! :)

Spurgeon Suite, New Albany, Indiana

My husband posted a great post today on The Spurgeon Suite in New Albany, Indiana. http://www.smgrath.wordpress.com/ That is where I am writing from! God blessed us with my parents watching the kids so we could get away. We are here two nights then headed up to Indianapolis for a couple nights. We have never been away this long alone! While we love our children, we are having a great time! I have an awesome husband!!! :) (no, that's not me, with flowing hair, in the hot tub!)

In honor of being in the Spurgeon Suite, I wanted to post this quote I read this morning, that tugged at my heart, both convicting and encouraging me at once:

"Another beauty which God puts on the meek is contentment. They that are of a quiet and gentle spirit through the grace of God are satisfied with their lot. They thank God for little. They are of the mind of the godly woman who ate the crust of bread and drank a little water and said, 'What? All this and Jesus Christ, too?' There is a great charm about contentment, while envy and greed are ugly things in the eyes of those who have anything like spiritual perception. So meekness, through bringing contentment, beautifies us." Spurgeon, 1895

God is still speaking to me of contentment (remember all those posts awhile back?) I am SO slow to learn, but His grace on me is great! :)

Bryan and Jamie

I photographed a wedding last summer for our dear friends from Cedarmore, Tim and Meagan, and last weekend, I had the privilege of taking pictures for Meagan's mom's wedding! There is just something I love about a small, simple wedding...and Bryan and Jamie are at the stage in life to realize what their wedding day is truly all about. It was supposed to be outdoors in a prayer garden, but God had other plans, and rain poured down on us! So, we went inside...and we made do! :) Bryan and Jamie, I am so happy for you to have found love in each other! May God bless you and draw you nearer to Him. You are a joy to know and to work for! :) Thanks for winging it with me and just having fun!

Travis and Kristy

Congratulations to Travis and Kristy on their beautiful wedding day! Thank you, again, for choosing me as your photographer! We had alot of fun! I am thrilled with your pictures and can't wait for you to see them! May God's blessings about upon your marriage! :)

A Homeschool Family

Okay, I think I posted this one awhile back, but it's worth repeating! I LOVE what Tim Hawkins (a homeschool dad, by the way)has done in this video with the misconceptions of homeschoolers! Cracks me up! :)

For The Wives Out There...LOL!

Bedtime Prayer

Virtuous Daughters

Photography by Jenneil

My friend, Christina, signed my daughters up for a newsletter called "Virtuous Daughters." We just got the notification in the mail, and we are EXCITED to get our first newsletter!

This is the description of the newsletter: "Many girls feel alone in their Christian walk. Living in the world-but different from it-can be difficult. We hope to offer you some practical encouragement as you follow God. Virtous Daughters is written by like-minded young ladies who seek to encourage and edify one another in their walk with Christ."

This is a monthly publication, written by many participants (mothers and daughters). "Monthly topics include: Bible Reading, prayer, journaling, cooking, housework, Scripture memory, trusting the Lord, contentment, family relationships, wise friendships, standing alone..gratitude, babysitting, and many more!"

For one year's subscriptions, the cost is $6.96! The publishers cover the cost of the magazine...you just pay for postage for the year! What a great deal! Like I said, we haven't gotten our first publication yet, but I wanted to pass this offer along to all you out there. I will keep you updated as we receive this newsletter.

There is no email or website. You can send $6.96(make checks payable to Virtuous Daughters) to :

Virtuous Daughters
18842 Walding Road
Montgomery, Texas 77356