Sunday: Focus on the Savior (with Rachel Tatem)


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My name is Rachel Tatem.  I am a wedding photographer, wife, friend and want to be "fashionista".  I am married to my best friend, "literally the best man ever",stated channeling Chris from Parks and Recreation, oh and I should probably state that I love media.  All forms and fashions of it I deeply enjoy: I even really like advertisements, well done advertisements anyway.  I have never been called quiet a day in my life and I'm a bit too proud of it.  I love people in a big way.  I like to talk a lot but I love to dance more.  I think my voice sounds great, and I might be the only one. 






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I never know how to start these, a testament to what God has done in my life/what he has taught me.  Where do you start?  So as all things me I will just simply start. Over the years of growing up, every moment seems to take less and less time. As a child when your mother tells you to go sit still for 15 minutes I remember feeling like it was eternity.  Slowly time seems to have sped up.  Not actually but my perspective has morphed.  But in so many ways my perspective on time is still very childlike. 




 Over the years I have been married, which has not been many, there has been a lot of waiting.  Waiting for direction, waiting for purpose, waiting for jobs, waiting for the purchase of our house to go through.  For so much of our marriage we have been on hold in a desire to keep our lives focused on God, trying to honor God.  During all this waiting I feel like a child, when things don't happen within my time frame, within my reasoning of right.  So often I throw the adult version of a temper tantrum, through the most adult medium possible "prayer requests".  



You know what I am talking about.  "I would really like your help with waiting cause God isn't make Himself clear, so I can't do what He wants"...   I stand there irritated that I'm not getting my way, when I want and exactly how I want.  Slowly God has used these long years of almost continual transition to teach me over and over again: I don't matter.  My knowing what's going on doesn't matter, no matter how much I wish it did.  I am here solely to honor God with my everyday actions.  I don't even have to do much of anything... just simply give myself up daily to God. 
 Sounds so simple, so perfect... yet it is the most difficult thing ever.  Despite my failings, despite my entitled attitude and extreme arrogance God blesses me.  I think my favorite thing from this past year is that God has helped me see all the blessings, whether as simple as a great parking space on a terrible day or as huge as helping me trust, that He lays upon me everyday.  I know that I still miss so much but this year I am ever grateful to God for showing me the tiniest bit of grace He gives me.  On my worst days when I can't seem to keep my head up, somehow God helps me see grace. . . I think this is the best thing yet, for I am by no means an optimist.  I like to call myself a realist and my "Everything's sunshine" husband deems me a pessimist but he can't be trusted. : D
 
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SHOOT. EDIT. SUBMIT. People's Choice

Time to vote for your favorite photo from this month's SHOOT. EDIT. SUBMIT. Winners! These listed below were chosen as the #1 winning photo the last 4 weeks and now it is time to choose a winner.

The winner's photo will get a free month long feature on the right side bar of mine and Kim's blog which gives them more exposure thus driving more traffic to their blog.

Not only will the winner win a free month long feature but we also have some wonderful people sponsoring prizes for our winners each month. This month's sponsor is the lovely Stephenie from Pocketful of Rosies.

My name is Stephenie Jordan and I am the owner of Pocketful of Rosies. I am a wife and a stay at home mommy of two! I enjoy utilizing my crafting abilities to bring joy to others and this business is such a blessing.  I love to create colorful and fun accessories for all ages. I would be happy to create custom birthday party favors, wedding party accessories, items for cheer, dance teams, prom, or accessories for any other occasion! Most items can be custom ordered to fit your need.

The prize is a $20 credit to her store.  This will be enough to buy multiple items. Headbands, earrings, necklaces are all very affordable and suitable for all ages. So, sound the alarm and go gather all your friends, fans and families to come vote for you! These are two amazing prizes that you most certainly will want to claim as your own. If you are not in the running but still wish to have some of these lovely accessories, visit Stephenie's shop to get some of your own! Stephenie included a couple samples her beautiful products below:
 

Voting closes at midnight on Tuesday. Winner will be announced on Thursday.





 Alf Photography



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SHOOT. EDIT. SUBMIT.


I'm just loving the increase in participants. That being said though, you guys sure are making our jobs a lot harder narrowing down our winners...

The contrast and composition of this shot is spectacular.  Truly beautiful! {Kim}

A Country Girl's Ramblings
Such gorgeous clarity and love the black and white conversion. {Misty}

Little Adventures
The bold, crisp colors are fantastic.  The depth of field is absolutely perfect. {Kim}

Just A Moment
Gorgeous details and love the way this photo tells a story. {Misty}

Congratulations, winners! Grab your button!







And this week's #1 winner is:

Holy Cow.  The detail captured, the colors, just the whole shot.  I am stunned.  LOVE.IT. {Kim}

Congratulations on being chosen as this week's #1 photo. Grab your button! You will be in the running to win a fabulous prize at the end of the month.







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Well, it's time for you to submit your entries! Be sure to grab the button below to include on your post.

1. Photo must be taken this week.(Sat - Fri)
2. Only one entry per person.
3. "Shoot. Edit. Submit." button or a link back to this contest must be on your post in order for it to qualify.
4. Link only to your blog post not your main blog url.

 (If you submit a photo you are granting us permission to copy and paste it onto our blogs if you win.)






By the way, if you haven't already, be sure to go meet my awesome co-host, Kim at Mom Tried It.

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Broad-billed Hummingbird

Enjoyed some wonderful family time at the zoo today. The hubs wanted to go check out the hummingbirds and I'm always up for a photo-op. Isn't this one lovely!


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What's Up Wednesday!

It's been a while since I have posted this linky...If you are like me, you stumble across inspiring photog bloggers from time to time by chance through other bloggers, linkups, comments, etc. Well, I thought I would try to make it easier for you by grouping everyone in one place. Instead of opening this linkup to all bloggers, I am only asking for blogs that are geared toward photography to link up below. Just link up your blog's url below and start sending a "What's Up" shout out to your neighbors! That's it!  Linky will be open on Wednesday morning through Thursday evening so get your blog linked up.  Be sure to come back to meet new photogs!

It's not required but feel free to grab my button for others to find their way to the linkup as well.





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What's Your Story? - Ep. 4


Arnie (isn't that a cool name?!) was the third of the three bird nerd gents I got to meet. When he heard me questioning his other cohorts he answered my questions before I even had to ask him. I love it when people are excited to help out with my project.

Arnie is the "youth" of the three (see episodes 2 and 3) as he likes to call himself at the ripe young age of 63. He hales from Indiana but has lived in SoCal for quite some time. While back home visiting his family many years ago, he wanted to spend some time with his brother who was an avid birder. Not being a birder himself, Arnie decided it would be worth it just to go along with his brother bird watching just so he could spend some time with him. That day changed things for Arnie and now for the past 25 years he proudly wears the title "bird nerd".

Like me, Arnie is also a photographer. He said his kids grew up with his camera constantly in their faces and though they may not have enjoyed it at the time, now, all these years later, they love sitting down and looking at all the memories their dad captured for them.

A cool little fact I found out is that Arnie's wife, Bill's wife and Bruce are all psychologists. I'm impressed! Being married for 31 years, I'm sure Arnie has many pearls of wisdom he could have given me but one quote he did leave me with was this, "Brighten up a room when you enter it, not when you leave it." I must say I laughed out loud as did we all, but what a quote to dwell on. When do you brighten a room?


Three years is all Arnie has left till he can finally retire from his job in sales. I must confess I didn't quite understand what exactly he sold when he was trying to explain it to me. It sounded impressive though. :)

Arnie shared a personal story with me he asked me not share on the blog, but let's just say that three different times, God spared his life and Arnie firmly believes he is here for a reason.  What a pleasure it was to find a new friend in Arnie.

Meet Arnie:
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Scavenger Hunt Sunday

I meant to take some of these pictures this afternoon between church but I totally forgot as I got caught up watching the movie Courageous - a must see for sure. Such an awesome message for fathers, a total tear jerker and all-around great clean movie created by a church in GA. Anyway....totally got on a rabbit trail there. Had to pull a couple of the prompts from the archives, but I tried to be original on the rest.

{Sunset}
One of my first tries at combining two photos to achieve the photo I was trying to get. I like how it turned out.

{Black and White}
Salt and pepper which are already black and white processed black and white. Double whammy.

{A Day in My Life}
Baby girl and I spend many a day at the park...an ordinary day in our lives. A mom at the park gave her this balloon for sharing her bike with another little boy.

{Four}
Yeah this one is definitely from the archives but I like it so why not share it again.

{Colorful}
The crayons in our house are very much used and worn. Baby girl asked me what I was doing and I told her I was looking for something colorful. She grabbed her container of crayons and said, "Here, mommy." Man, she's smart! So thanks to my 2 year old for this prompt. :)

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Sunday: Focus on the Savior (with Jennifer Officer)


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I am first and foremost a daughter of God, saved out of my own personal rebellion and control.  God took a life that looked fine on the outside, but was broken beyond recognition.   After He healed me, He healed my marriage to the love of my life.  My husband and I parent two wonderful children who are too quickly approaching independence.  I serve as the children’s pastor at the church where I grew up. I began blogging in late 2010, thinking that I was going to attempt a 365 picture project.  (I think I lasted 52 days.)  Out of guilt for my ever-present lack of perfection (anybody else?) I was only a sporadic blogger for several months.  However, as 2011 came to a close, I realized that I could use my blog as an accountability partner – a world-wide obedience tracker – for what God speaks into my life.   Since no one but me, and occasionally my mom, read my blog, I am free to be honest about my struggle and fear and heart-felt desire to follow God with everything I’ve got.  When my page views are high, it’s only because I am struggling and desperate to remember what God has spoken to me. I most enjoy cooking and opening my home to people as a ministry – whether lunch and Bible study with a precious group of women on Fridays or cookies with teenagers.
I blog over at Jennifer Officer.
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I can appreciate that some people do not like to cook.


I do not like to garden.


I tried it.  When we got married and moved into our home, I immediately planted roses.  My mother grew beautiful roses.  Wives were supposed to grow beautiful roses.


So I cajoled my sweet man into digging up a rose bed and proceeded to spend way too much money for a newly married couple on rose plants.


I learned something about myself.


I do not like to garden.


When it is hot and humid outside(which is frequently here in TN), I prefer the swimming pool or at the very least the air conditioning. It is hard to tend your roses from either of those places.


I gave up gardening.


Sometimes I forget that I don't like it and I do something ridiculous.  Like plant something.

It never ends well.


But cooking...


There I find my pace.


I have felt like God's Word to me this year was to pursue love.

My problem is that in pursuing a Godly marriage, ministry, parenting, a clean house, folded laundry - I forget to pursue love.


Until I slow down and begin to mix the ingredients for a blueberry scone.  For no reason except that I have some blueberries going south quickly and I don't like wasting food.


So, with worship music cranked loud and kitchen warm from preheating oven, I bake.  And I slow down to pray for people - for soldiers who are recovering, friends who are waiting, people who are searching.  As the butter meets the flour and the songs fill my house, I slow down and do the act of love that is most beneficial - I lift my soul to the Only One who is my Help.

                 He on whom we have set our hope.  And He will yet deliver us... 2 Corinthians 1:10




And the beauty of frozen, grated butter meets with the lyrics of a song that played from my daddy's radio years ago

Why me Lord

What have I ever done to deserve even one

Of the pleasures I've known


Tell me Lord


What did I ever do that was worth love from you


Or the kindness you've shown


Lord help me Jesus I've wasted it so

Help me Jesus, you know what I am

Now that I know that I've needed you so

Help me Jesus my soul's in your hands


Try me Lord

If you think there's a way I can ever repay what I've taken from you

Maybe Lord

I can show someone else what I've learned myself

On my way back to you

Lord help me Jesus I've wasted it so

Help me Jesus, you know who I am

But now that I know that I've needed you so

Help me Jesus my soul's in your hands

Help me Jesus my soul's in your hands

David Crowder Band - Why Me?




And the tears pour down my face because that is me:  undeserving of His pleasures and His love.
And I pray that as I meet this year of pursuing love that I could show someone else what I have learned myself.
I challenge you to find the thing that helps you slow your pace and turn your face toward heaven.  Have you found it?
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SHOOT. EDIT. SUBMIT.


So encouraging to see the number of participants this week and all the talent mixed in. You guys are incredible. We have narrowed down the winners to these:

So majestic and glorious. Again here is proof of an amazing Creator. Incredible capture.{Misty}

The softness of this shot is amazing.  It doesn't miss one spec of detail, either. Simply marvelous! {Kim}

Gorgeous choice of b&w for this image. Gorgeous details and beautiful DOF. {Misty}


I love the tones and the light. Plus, I am a sucker for a good macro shot and this is good. {Kim}

Congratulations, winners! Grab your button!







And this week's #1 winner is:

Everything about this picture portrays peace and serenity. Stunning lighting and details all the way down to the water dripping from it's beak. Blew me away. Well done! {Misty}

Congratulations on being chosen as this week's #1 photo. Grab your button! You will be in the running to win a fabulous prize at the end of the month.









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Well, it's time for you to submit your entries! Be sure to grab the button below to include on your post.

1. Photo must be taken this week.(Sat - Fri)
2. Only one entry per person.
3. "Shoot. Edit. Submit." button or a link back to this contest must be on your post in order for it to qualify.
4. Link only to your blog post not your main blog url.

 (If you submit a photo you are granting us permission to copy and paste it onto our blogs if you win.)






By the way, if you haven't already, be sure to go meet my awesome co-host, Kim at Mom Tried It.

Posted by 11 comments:

What's Your Story? - Ep. 3


 I met Bruce the same time I met Bill (from last week's episode). He was out bird watching with his buddies along side a pond located in the center of a short roundabout hiking path. One thing that really stood out to me was Bruce's calm gentle personality. He was so kind and answered all my questions with the utmost interest in my project. He loved that I was following my passion and encouraged me to always do so.

Bruce has been birding for 40 years. At 69 years old that is a good chunk of his life spent enjoying his favorite hobby. When giving me advice he said, "Find your passion and pursue it." It was so nice to hear that from someone who did so himself.

Bruce has been married for 20 years and he shared with me a little known fact about himself: He loves opera! I would have never thought that to look at him, but he told me that his love of opera goes hand in hand with his love of birds. The same joy that comes from listening to opera is the same joy he gets out of hearing birds sing. Both are music and both are beautiful.

Unfortunately Bruce is not able to dedicate as much time to birding as I'm sure he would like, because he hasn't retired yet. Would you believe it if I told you he's a psychologist? Interesting huh? I so wish we had more time so I could ask him more details about his job but I had already spent so much time asking him so many questions.

Thanks so much, Bruce, for sharing some of your story with me. What a pleasure!

 Meet Bruce:
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