Hodge Podge of Stuff & Week 8 of 52 Challenge

I am positive that I will look back at last Saturday morning and be glad that I did it....at some point. I know there's truth in "No pain- No Gain" and I know that "joy comes in the morning".....but let me tell ya- however joyful the morning was...there were tears during the night!
The cause?

My first kickboxing class. AKA: Bootcamp from Hell.

I discovered a couple of things Saturday morning:
1. I totally get the heeber-jeebers putting my hands in boxing gloves that were worn by others. I mean-like, yuck!
2. My friend Sabrina totally exxagerates. She used the word "FUN" referring to Kickboxing. Gee, maybe I'll get her a gift certificate for a free root canal for her birthday!
3. Fifteen push-ups can cause serious pain right away and excruciating pain 12 hours later.
4. Lifting my right arm the next morning to put on deodroant was virtually impossible

On Saturday night I went to see the Celtic Women: Songs From The Heart in concert. I liked it much more than I anticipated liking it. I'm not big into showmanshippy type of performances....I'm more of a nuts and bolts kind of girl....but, even with that being said- the spastic violin player was entertaining. My favorite part was the bagpipe player's rendition of Amazing Grace. My second fave part was Chloe singing "There Will Be Miracles*" from the Prince of Egype soundtrack. (*may not be the actual title of the song)

Something was said during church on Sunday morning that really resounded within me. Our minister pointed out that next week is Transfiguration Sunday. He spoke briefly about the disciples who beheld Christ in his glory on the mountain- and although he's preaching on it next Sunday- he asked us to search our hearts and ask if we are prepared to see Christ in his glory. It was a very, very brief statement- nothing that he elaborated on- but it got me to thinking. When I got home I looked up some scriptures- and came across 2 Corinthians 3:18.  Amazing. The scripture said to me- don't just be prepared to see it and experience it- partake of it....."put it on" BECOME the glory of Christ! To be changed INTO the same image. Wow. Let that one sink in.
I think I would have got more out of Sunday's service had I not been soooo sore- and not sitting there thinking about the fact that I only had deodorant on my left arm and not my right! Ha! Strong enough for a man....but made for a woman....I wish I had SPRAY deodorant yesterday! I was being a girl. *lol*


52 Challenge:
I am challenging myself to shoot in only manual mode. I know for you seasoned photographers it's a no-brainer...but I'm trying to "get there". Here are a few photos for this weeks 52 Challenge. I shot this tulip poplar pod in my friend's yard. I edited the hues and saturation with Topaz Adjust (my fave PS plug-in!) It had rained the night before- so I love the way that Topaz accentuated the colors of the wet picnic table wood and let it "pop" in the picture. By the way- necessity is the mother of invention....I was using jumper cable terminals to clamp the seed pods to the table top. :)

For those of you who follow me on FB- regarding the picture below: this was the picture that made me squeal.

Last Friday my Kiddles and I did a Taylor Swifty-ish photoshoot.

Quip From The Family Scrapbook:
When my 2nd daughter was about four I was admonishing her for saying something mean about someone at our church. I was really trying to drive the point home and said, "Sarah, if you can't say something nice yooooouuuuu....." and I paused waiting her to finish the statement. She piped up just as serious as could be and said, "....just say it real quiet!?!" 

And where would  people get the silly notion that she's a spitting image of me?


Well, I meant to post this blog on Sunday- but as usual I'm playing catch-up. My week has been good...I can finally lift my arm and put deodorant on.... and my kiddos will be with me this upcoming weekend. I've been listening to a lot of online sermons online lately. This morning I listened to one regarding The Light within- the daystar of God's word and how it shines from us. Of course, this thought greatly encourages me because I think of how many of you have been a great light to me...some of you have been a candle of encouragement in a dark time- or a sweet glow of mercy through tribulations and a warm place to reconcile my heart and life to the spirit of the Lord.

May your days be bright as you Shine All Your Light....
Cass