Thursday, May 12, 2011

~Finally Time ... ~

This Friday, May 13th marks the "Official" end to my journey at Calhoun as I walk across the platform to receive my diploma.  I think perhaps many a college graduate debates "walk" or "don't walk", and... go through the ceremony or don't... but for me, at age 48, I probably debated it more than some.  I was encouraged by my instructors especially, and I was also encouraged by many family members and friends to complete this part of my journey with the: "Official Walk across the platform" ... I am certain that I won't regret it.  I mailed a very few invitations and I will be joined by a few of my family members tomorrow night.  It feels really strange, almost awkward... and even somewhat exciting all at the same time.  I know how very hard I have worked to achieve this degree, and there is NO DOUBT there are many around me who have supported me and spent hours in prayer for me as well!  I am not walking across the platform as if "I" have done it! NO WAY! ... :) ... This has been one HUGE TEAM EFFORT!  and GOD has taken me on the journey from DAY 1 ! ... WOW GOD... What a RIDE! ... and I know the Blessings are only just beginning ... not only that ...I have felt them the entire time... 

I have had a camera in my hand since I was in the 5th Grade! I shared the story about my 5th Grade Field Trip to Shioh ... and that particular camera looked just like this ...   :) ...

I had no idea on a Mission Trip to China in 2007 how God would begin to use THAT trip to draw me to pursue an actual degree and turn what had been a lifelong, passionate, hobby into a passionate career!  How I would share that with my sweet, sweet husband and he would say... "This is important to you, quit your job, go to school full time, we will manage..." ... and somehow, we did...  AWESOME GOD! ... 









And then this past December I made it through my final classes, including strugging through the dreaded Math112 (for the 2nd time!) by way of much prayer and support once again from my precious husband, friends and family! ... Wow God, once again... I have Praised Him over, and over, and over again ... I have sat in classes with instructors which I admire and they have impacted my life... I consider them mentors.  Some of those are Photography Instructors and they have made me a better photographer!  Some of those Instructors have taught English, Literature, Science, History, Sociology, and yes... even Math and I consider those ladies and gentlemen to be mentors of mine as well.  As a more mature student it has been a joy learning and gaining additional "book" knowledge and it was an additional joy adding more "bonus" knowledge (for lack of a better word) as well!  We are NEVER to "old" to gain knowledge or expand our horizons... What an experience this journey at Calhoun has been for me.  What a "Mission Field" that I am truly going to miss.  I loved interacting with the people there day to day, and that is one of the things that I have missed the most... enlarging my "Circle of Friends" in a wide range of age groups!! :) ...




So now ... with new cameras in hand... my JOURNEY continues ... and I am blessed to feel God's Hand and His Presence on and in my life.  It literally brings tears to my eyes and fills me with such overwhelming JOY.  Jeremiah 29:11 says:   "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " This verse was shared with me by a friend, Brenda Byrd, many years ago, and I have had it hidden in my heart since that time.  She recently went home to be with the Lord.  It is a verse of promise that rings true, straight from God's Word.  I feel it, I have lived it... God cares about every single detail in His Children's lives.  He placed a passion in a little 5th Grade girl way back when and allowed it to evolve just "a few short years later"!! ... That Amazes Me! ... and I Praise Him and Thank Him for It!! ... :) ...


Looking for new Adventures... and New Memories to Capture... and excited about New Moments to "STOP IN TIME!" ... :) ...

Tina :) ...

Saturday, May 7, 2011

~Happy Mother's Day!~

And in Honor of MY BEAUTIFUL MOM  on this Special Day ...  :) ...

I have the privilege of sharing a few things about her ... She is the Mother of 3 daughters and 1 son, and the Grandma to 5 Grandsons and 2 Grandaughters ...  She is the most caring and giving person that I have ever known!  Thank you Mom for the example of love that you have always been.  Because of who you are Mom, I am a better person, and a better mom myself!  Thank You! ...

I can spend hours telling you about the selflessness of my Mom and how she goes out of her way to meet the needs of her kids and her grandkids ... I will only mention one today...

When I was in High School, first learning to crochet, I used to go to the library and check out books on Crocheting with patterns in them.  I would make copies of my favorite patterns and file them away in notebooks.  While I was filing away the patterns, my Mom was "filing away" and making mental notes of my favorite Crochet books.  That Christmas she surprised me with one of those books!  I remember how it brought tears to my eyes... To this day, she still does things like this... she is keenly aware of the things that are important to all of us, and God uses her all of the time to bless us with those "little" things...


My Mom (Mary Bevis), Me, Shirley & Deb

I also wanted to share this picture that was taken of my Mom, me, and my two sisters ... It was taken at our church May "ParTea" in 2009.  It was a fun time for just "us girls" to get together and make some memories that year! ... :) 

It is such a blessing to be able to still have my Mom around, I don't take that for granted!  I thank God often for such a privilege and honor as that.  I also Thank Him for the blessing of such a caring, loving and giving Mom as I have the privilege of being raised by... and I continue to pray that He will continue to draw my precious Mom to Himself as His own.  Happy Mother's Day MOM!  With all my love ... :) ...

Happy Mother's Day my Friends ... Praying blessings on you all, as you Celebrate your special day as Mom's perhaps or with Moms perhaps or remembering Moms with Jesus perhaps.  I know of many new circumstances on this particular Mother's Day and know that I am praying for each one. 

Hugs to you all!  and Capture a New Memory for yourself and Stop a New Moment in Time this year! ...

Tina :) ...
http://www.tinawrightphotography.com/
My photo
Huntsville, Alabama, United States