The Graduate

I have served in the Preschool Ministry department of our church for nearly 12 years, so when my son first entered it as a four year old, I was thrilled.  I am still stunned that his two years in our ministry are already done and that it is time for him to move on.  Needless to say, this was a very bittersweet moment for me.  When he first entered, he had just barely left toddlerhood behind.  As he leaves, he is fully a young boy.

With his daddy, the director.

God Is So Good

Psalm 34:1-5

I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

and let us exalt His name together!

I sought the Lord and He answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to Him are radiant,

and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Recently, a very good friend of mine experienced a trial, the sort of trial that can easily frighten and cause discouragement.  It was a tense time for me, and I can only imagine how it felt for her, her husband and the rest of her loved ones.  Through it all, however, I marveled at the strength of my friend's faith, which remained steadfast and unwavering--even when her initial biopsy was unsuccessful and the second one postponed.  For over a month, many of us prayed and waited, asking for healing, but most of all for the Lord to be glorified.  And I am pleased to report that He was gracious to allow both!  The mass proved to be benign and God was glorified in my friend's trust in His provision and sovereignty.

A Wine Country Wedding

This weekend we had the joy of celebrating a long-awaited wedding.  The bride has been a friend since high school, and the groom since freshman year at USC.  The two actually reconnected at my own wedding twelve years ago, and yesterday they officially tied the knot!  Here are some photos from their ultra-classy affair.

 the barrel-vaulted church

the beautiful bride being escorted by her father 

 The newly pronounced Mr. & Mrs.

 a lovely setting

 hors d'oeuvres

 with an old high school friend

with one of my former fellow Trojans 

Congratulations, Gertie & Bri!!

Return to the Drive-In

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Photography 101

As a very generous anniversary present, the hubby got me a new camera. (Thanks, Sweetie!).  And thanks to Isla Studios, I obtained some very necessary tips on how to use said camera.  These are some shots I took practicing my newly-acquired skills.  Incidentally, the class we took was a three-hour class we purchased from Groupon for a third of the usual price!

 Jen figuring out her settings

 A zipliner in Justin Hermann Plaza!

 SF Clocktower

still life 

practicing 

close ups 

This Time Last Year

Has it been a year already? This time last year, we attended a farewell party for our dear, long-time friends, the Boncatos. It hardly seemed real that they were leaving...until they did! We miss them dearly but are encouraged by their service at IGC in Hawaii.

Daddy & Me Project #2

The next project on the list was to shoot off a rocket.  Oh, the fun to be had with just a little bit of vinegar and baking soda....

the little guy's drawing

Train Town with the Boys

Count it! Not one, not two, not even three, but five boys fit in the back of the SUV!  Yeah, you can imagine it was not a quiet ride. Lol!  Train Town didn't know what hit 'em...

Boys being boys.