How are you using the gifts you've been given?

I love taking pictures.

I honestly can't think of any better combination than a beautiful 80° day, a light breeze, and my camera. Especially this time of the year. Flowers are in bloom, the butterflies dance along your paths, everything seems so fresh.

Ever since June of 2007 I really have taken a liking to photography. When my son was born in June of 2007 I couldn't quit thinking about all the cute ways I could photograph him. I started with a Sony Cybershot 3.2 mega pixels camera....and my pictures still looked good! I determined that real skill in the photography realm isn't totally dependent on the equipment alone.

From there I got an Olympus Point and Shoot camera that could be frozen, thrown in water, dropped, and still work. It was Olympus’ latest in practically indestructible cameras. I enjoyed the jump – I went from 3.2 to 10 megapixels and found that I had so much more room to play with pictures in the photo editing sense without taking too much away from the picture itself, quality wise.

Today I am shooting with an Olympus DSLR and love it!

I have thoroughly enjoyed taking pictures of my little man, and most of the other ones have been family members or nature. I love taking pictures of flowers along a nature trail…or birds or turtles, or butterflies, or whatever else we might happen upon along life’s path.

The more pictures I took, the more I wanted to take…our weekends became time for exploring state parks that were close to us so that I could take lots of pictures! I never seem to tire when it comes to taking pictures. Just the other night I had my camera out at 11:15 at night taking a picture of a lady bug that had managed to get inside our home….There are days that I wish I could just spend the whole day taking pictures.

My love of taking pictures, and seeing how people reacted to the pictures that I took…I got to thinking that maybe it would be a way to make some extra money…so I began taking steps to ‘get my name out there’ so to speak. I did some photo finishing work in creating a calendar for a local high school in exchange for my add being placed in the calendar. I took pictures of little ones free of charge. I took pictures at a birthday party and provided a print to everybody who attended with my watermark on it. In the midst of doing this, time flew by, like it always seems to do.

Before I knew it December 2009 was quickly approaching.

I learned of a movement by photographers all around the world known as Help Portrait. It was the idea that you use your time, expertise and equipment to give back to somebody less fortunate. For me the family that I did this for had recently lost their husband/father to cancer. Left behind were his wife and son and daughter. They were relocating here because there was family here. A lot of their belongings were left behind because they couldn’t afford to send them all here. They were starting out with the bare minimum but doing what they needed to get from one day to the next. The mother wanted to have a family picture done for the holidays but knew that there was no way she could afford it. The target had been located! I took pictures of them, and she brought along a picture of her husband, hoping that in some way I could incorporate a picture of him into the picture. The task before me was huge. I had never done anything like this. Yet my one wish for Christmas was to find a way to give it away. I had heard the song by Matthew West, “Give this Christmas away” and was just waiting for my opportunity to do just that. This is what the picture looked like upon completion…actually this is a compilation of all the pictures that I came up with…but you can see where I took his picture and the picture of the three of them and combined them.

Needless to say the woman and her children were moved to tears. They loved the way that it looked like he was just part of the picture. I was satisfied with the finished product, very rarely am I ever ‘happy’ with the finished product – I look at it and see so much room for improvement and things I should have/could have done differently. I did feel a since of accomplishment. It was the first time taking pictures for somebody else that it made me feel so good about doing it. I mean this feeling went straight to my heart…it was amazing how good it felt to use the gift that God has given me to make somebody else happy, to give them hope, and to give Christmas away.

Time goes on, life goes on, I get back in school. I continue to take pictures but quit doing so much to ‘get my name out there’…Then Relay For Life comes along…and again I am in the unique position of having three good pictures of a woman who my mom knew personally is currently fighting cancer. She and her family came out to Relay and thoroughly enjoyed the event. I was the only one that my mom knew of that had pictures of she and her family walking together. I took the pictures that I had managed to get and made a collage for her. She too, was very pleased with the finished result. And again, it felt like my heart and spirit were being lifted. Yet again, by doing something good for somebody else I felt like I was benefiting more from it than they were. I was so motivated and felt so good about the finished product.

And then it hit me like a ton of bricks…it is amazing how when His message gets to you, when you hear His message – the impact that it can have on you is astounding. The question that remained in my head upon completing Relay for Life was this one – What are you doing to further God’s kingdom? I couldn’t understand why that question would be placed in my head upon completing the picture. And finally it got through my thick skull – my photography abilities are not meant to provide any monetary gains at this time in my life. The purpose of my photography is to honor God…I dug out the first watermark that I made – it had a VP in the middle of it and around the outside, in the form of a heart it read, “Honoring God, one click at a time. Van Deusen Photography.” My photography is only meant to benefit me when it is in the form of hope for somebody else.

The purpose of my photography is to provide hope. It just so happens that each time I have provided hope and felt so great about what I did – it was for people involved in church and Christians. I am thinking that somehow I am to use the gift that God has given me to honor and provide hope for others who are less fortunate than I am…be it family situation, or health situation. I think I am to use my photography to further God’s Kingdom by providing hope for those who are struggling….at least this is the message I feel that I have received thus far!

The Bridegrooms

The Bridegrooms By: Allison Pittman

Tragedy hits the Allenhouse family on a hot summer night in Ohio when a mother of four vanished. Eight-year-old Vada virtually grew up overnight and raised her three younger sisters while her father lost himself in his medical practice in the basement of their home.

Now, Vada is a grown woman, still making her home with her father and sisters. Her days are spent serving as an errand girl for Cleveland’s fledgling amateur orchestra; her evenings with Garrison Walker, her devoted, if passionless, beau.

Dizzying change occurs the day the Brooklyn Bridegrooms come to town to play the Cleveland Spiders and a line drive wallops the head of a spectator. The fan is whisked to the Allenhouse parlor, and questions swirl about the anonymous, unconscious man.
Suddenly, the subdued house is filled with visitors, from a flirtatious, would-be sports writer to the Bridegrooms’ handsome star hitter to the guilt-ridden ballplayer who should have caught the stray shot. The medical case brings Dr. Allenhouse a frustration and helplessness he hasn’t felt since his wife’s disappearance. Vada’s sisters are giddy at the bevy of possible suitors. And Vada’s life is awakened amid the super-charged atmosphere of romantic opportunity.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

To purchase a copy of this book please click here.

 

Forget Me Not

Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze

Crossroads Crisis Center owner Benjamin Brandt was a content man—in his faith, his work, and his family. Then in a flash, everything he loved was snatched away. His wife and son were murdered, and grief-stricken Ben lost faith. Determination to find their killers keeps him going, but after three years of dead ends and torment, his hope is dying too. Why had he survived? He’d failed to protect his family.

Now, a mysterious woman appears at Crossroads seeking answers and help—a victim who eerily resembles Ben’s deceased wife, Susan. A woman robbed of her identity, her life, of everything except her faith—and Susan’s necklace.

The connections between the two women mount, exceeding coincidence, and to keep the truth hidden, someone is willing to kill. Finding out who and why turns Ben and the mystery woman’s situation from dangerous to deadly. Their only hope for survival is to work together, trust each other, and face whatever they discover head on, no matter how painful. But will that be enough to save their lives and heal their tattered hearts?

To purchase a copy of this book please click here.
This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Home Beyond The Sun

Home Beyond The Sun
Home Beyond the Sun is the story of two girls, Jenna (Melyssa Ade) a 22-year old American teacher and the other, Chu Lee (Molly Sayer) an eight-year old Chinese orphan. Together, with the help of the Lord and the guidance of His Word, they overcome the adversity of prejudice, persecution, and political oppression to find solace and protection in the bosom of a Christian family. This extraordinarily moving feature explores the social and political realities of China today. Produced, written and directed by award winning filmmakers of faith, this movie will enthrall the heart, elevate the spirit, and expand the awareness of committed men and women to these challenges. In this deeply committed visual adventure, the creative fire of Christian love warms the hearts of rebels with a 
                                         cause.

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This movie was very inspiring.  It also made me stop and count my blessings.  I can not even begin to imagine being thrown in jail for reading/possessing a bible.  That is beyond me.  I also can't begin to imagine what it would be like to have to give my baby up just because of the sex of that child.  This movie was a real tear jerker...it had a bit of suspense and action and really kept me interested right to the end.  I would recommend this movie to my friends and family members!

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To purchase a copy of this movie please click here.
"Disclosure of Material Connection: I recieved one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in teh hope that I would mention it on my blog.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good of my readers.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions' 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonial in Advertising."

This Little Prayer of Mine

Author Anthony DeStefano’s adult books, The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven, have sold a quarter-million copies. Illustrator Mark Elliott’s cherished artwork has appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s ever-popular Princess Tales series.

Now, these acclaimed inspirational experts have come together to create This Little Prayer of Mine, a beautiful and alluring book designed to guide children into a very simple, real and expressive relationship with God.

Through engaging rhymes and alluring illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine shows children—and their parents and grandparents—that complete dependence on God is what brings peace and fulfillment. It invites children to know and believe that God is always just a simple prayer away and that He longs to respond to them with a resounding, “Yes!”

This Little Prayer of Mine appeals to readers from all different faiths. Easy-reader format allows children to read alone, or with someone older, and encourages them to openly express their fears, thanks, and needs directly to God.

This book was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Company.
To purchase a copy of this book please click here.

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My little one has recently become a fan of books and enjoys listening to stories.  I enjoyed reading this book to him as it helped reinforce the importance of prayer.  He enjoyed the bright colors and the 'toys'!  The book was not too short and not too long, it held the attention of our almost 3 year old for the entire story!

Week 12 "Focusing on Angles"

 

This is one of my all time favorite pictures of my son and my husband.  I love zooming in and looking at the little hand grasping his fathers finger!  The camera was practically on the ground for this picture.  I took it angled up from the ground so that all you saw in the background were the clouds!

check out all the other great entries here.

 

Wow...6.9 cm made my day!

Today was an amazing day!

I had an appointment for an Ultra-Screen. It is a combination of blood work and an ultrasound to identify if the baby may have Down Syndrome, Trisomy 18 or Trisomy 13. In the ultrasound they are mainly concerned with the nuchal translucency which looks like a white spot behind your baby’s neck. Normal is anything under 3 mm. Our baby measured 1.3 mm! That was the first good news of the appointment. The little one was cooperating wonderfully.

We saw the brain, noted no extra fluid so that is a plus!
We noticed that the eyes have moved from the side of the head to the front of the face where they should be.
We saw the nasal bone fully formed.
All four chambers of the heart are just about complete.
The heart is already working, pumping blood through the little one.
We listened to the heart beat.
A heartbeat was recorded at 163 beats per minute.
The baby was opening and closing their mouth during the ultrasound.
We saw a full bladder on the little one - evidence that the esophagus has formed properly.
We saw the stomach cavity.
We saw the spine starting to develop.
From crown to rump the little one is measuring 13 weeks 1 day...or 6.9 cm...or about the size of a jumbo shrimp!
Can you believe that they can see everything I listed on something that is only 6.9cm long? That to me is absolutely amazing...it is soo incredible. The person doing the ultrasound said the baby was very good and very cooperative. She described it as a 'textbook picture'!

Dancing with My Father/Mother-Daughter Duet REVIEW

                                                Let Your Soul Dance with Delight in God

Do you sometimes feel victimized by circumstances? Are you overwhelmed by weariness, fear, or discouragement? Do you wonder, Where can I go to claim the promise of Jesus that my joy could be made full?

When trusted author and mentor Sally Clarkson noticed a lack of joy in her own life, she realized how easy it can be, especially for women with overloaded to-do lists, to feel weighed down by drudgery and disappointment. But rather than slogging through her days, Sally wanted to know the delight of God's presence. She began prayerfully exploring how to cultivate deep-rooted joy even in the midst of difficult seasons.

In this warm and wise book, she invites you to experience for yourself what happens when you trust God to lead you into a life of anticipation, passion, and purpose.

Weaving biblical insights with real-life stories that reflect every Christian woman's deepest longings, Dancing with My Father reveals how any woman, in any circumstance, can daily live in beauty and grace, joy and peace.

This book was provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Company.
To purchase a copy of this book please click here.

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A harmonious relationship is possible

When your daughter was born, you had a thousand hopes and dreams for her. . .including that one day you'd be best friends.
But as life unfolds, even the best intentions go awry. There are so many challenges on the journey to adult friendship that the reality is fraught with friction and frustration. Thankfully, a harmonious relationship with your daughter is possible.
Written by a mother and daughter who have successfully navigated the minefield from distance and tension to acceptance and friendship, Mother-Daughter Duet helps moms open wide the door of communication so that daughters want to walk through it. Filled with personal anecdotes and based on proven principles, each chapter offers timeless wisdom as well as a daughter’s perspective. Often these principles apply to daughters-in-law as well.
The relationship between mothers and daughters is intense, personal, complex, and unique. But you can have the loving, authentic bond you always dreamed of—when you learn the mother-daughter duet.

This book was provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Company.

To purchase a copy of this book please click here.