Did the grass sing?

I have a ton of Deepwood photos to post over the next few days (from yesterday, plus today--yes, I went back!). The one above is from today, but mostly I just wanted to wish you all a happy Easter. The weather was dreary this morning, but after church we had some sun and I got to take lots of pictures of flowers, so how can I complain? I also called my parents and plan to eat something deliciously potato-y tonight. What did you have for Easter dinner?

Now can someone convince my employer that we should have Easter Monday off? :)

PS The subject/title is from a song called Was It A Morning Like This, which my mom has sung for church a few times many years ago. It's been on my mind this past week and I wouldn't mind hearing my mom sing it again! :) Hi, Mom!

Easter weekend

Today had probably the most beautiful weather of year, so far. It was both sunny and warm enough to go around in short sleeves, so I went to Deepwood Estate, which has a nice garden that I've visited a couple of times before.

Living in Oregon has definitely given me more appreciation for sunny days, and when we first start having some nice weather, it's like eating when you're really hungry or drinking water when you're very thirsty. It's so good and satisfying. But wandering around a quiet garden on one of those sunny days bumps the satisfaction up to the level of an amazing, home-cooked meal or the coldest, most delicious glass of crystal clear water.

I don't mean to be dramatic, but it was just so good to walk around in that setting. I wanted to text everyone I know and tell them how nice it was. That made me think about how I wish I were as excited to tell everyone the good news of Christ as I was the good news of sun. But, indirectly, appreciating flowers and sunshine and gardens and all of that natural beauty is recognizing God. (I do need to work on being more direct about it, though.) When I'm gushing about nature, I'm also gushing about the Creator.

So here's to God. Not only did he create awesomeness, but he created us to love it. We're capable of being inspired and fulfilled, sometimes when we aren't even looking for it. There are mysteries, and he lets us in on little pieces of them very slowly, and that propels us down whatever path he has for us. I'm sure there's a better way to say all of that, but I'm not so much with the words.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

The New Name + Snapshot

As you've likely figured out from my watermark* on the pancake photos, my new photography name is Greengate Photography. (I need to update and add to that site, but there's a logo at least.)

Greengate is the name of a street I lived on for several years. I like the two words in that name--green is my favorite color, and gates have some nice symbolism attached. There are some other reasons why I ended up with the name, but I'll spare you. Just trust me that I know it's not perfect, but choosing a name was a long and difficult process, and I'm very glad to be done. I'm satisfied, and that's what matters. (Yes, it's all about me.)

Various circumstances have me all reflecty about photography and how it's become more prominent in my life over the past eight years. In my mind, I have snapshots (no pun intended) of moments that I feel contributed to where I am now. One can be represented with an actual photo:

This man was the State Librarian and was associated with my then-employer. It happened that I knew the most about our new office camera and had been asked to take some of the photos we needed for a brochure I was designing. One was a portrait of this man, so I met him in his office one day and took a bunch of horrid photos (technically speaking), but got this lucky shot that turned out decently. He was so pleased with it that he wanted to use it for some other purposes, and I even got paid by a publisher who used it once. (Heck yes I took a photo of that check before depositing it!)

He didn't know me but, because of this photo, he was very supportive and encouraging. I think he's just that kind of guy anyway, but it still meant something to me. He kept insisting I should pursue photography, and that he could be a reference for me if necessary.

That's one of the many situations where I feel I did nothing special, but was blessed by God through others, and given a bit of momentum to move forward. I may talk about some other snapshots in the future, mostly because I think it's a good reminder to me of how God paves a way in areas where he has assigned our passion and interest.

*Which is subject to change--I just quickly came up with that for those photos.

Refuge

Last night I was reading and thinking about Psalm 23, because it was soothing the anxiety I was feeling about some stuff. It's a popular passage for a reason, and it has meant a lot to me at many points in my life.

Tonight I was hesitant to be home alone and suddenly felt inspired to go to the nearby wildlife refuge before it got dark. It was pretty, but I was slightly disappointed that I didn't get any amazing photos or anything in particular out of it besides an evening walk. Driving out there, I guess I had thought there might be something more for me, though I didn't know what.

Later, I was reading Psalm 23 once again and realized it matched many of the scenes I had just experienced tonight, and then I got it. :) God's a sneaky sneak.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.


He lets me rest in green meadows;


He leads me beside peaceful streams.


He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.


You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Also, it took me until I started writing this post to put together that in a moment of weakness and need, I went to a refuge.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9)

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8)

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him (Nahum 1:7)

And on and on and on.