A pep rally in Heaven

Scripture says "There is a time to be born and a time to die; a time to weap and a time to laugh....He has made everything beautiful in His time."

The passing of Lovington's dearly loved Pat Rogers prompted me to stop once again and ponder the "circle of life", the seasons of our lives and God's hand in it all.

Three fresh, little newborns entered the worlds of Lovington families on Wednesday, Jan. 18. On Thursday, one life left Lovington families and entered eternal glory. We firmly believe she was united with those waiting there for her, and most of all, she saw the Presence of her Lord. What a pep rally that must have been.



Life seems to move in circles, ebbing and flowing, with birth and death as bookends, and this thing called life in between. The dash between the birth and death dates is small but represents, in Pat's case, a life lived to the fullest. Life is the journey, not the destination.





Maw, as most of us knew her, was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman. Her physical beauty couldn't outshine her inner radiance of kindness and unconditional love for everyone she met. No matter who you were, she made you feel like the most special and most important person to her--and YOU were !

Her graciousness endeared her to everyone she came in contact with--from the littlest Wildcat to the oldest. Heaven only know how many meals she cooked through the years for her kids, grand kids and ALL their friends. The most recent recipients of those meals and love were friends of Taylor. She was Wildcat to the core and never missed an athletic event. She arrived early in her electric chair for those important Wildcat football games--hair done, makeup immaculate, dressed in Wildcat blue, and always had a smile waiting for Taylor and his friends when they looked for her from the field. Neither weather nor ill health deterred her from her Wildcats.
Pat's life and presence filled up our hears and this town, and though she's not here physically, we will always have those fond memories of her love and beautiful smile indelibly stamped inside us. This leads me to marvel at the blessing of living in a small town. Life in a small town is special in that when birth or death happen, we circle the wagons around the rejoicing or hurting. We bring flowers, food, cards, love, help and support. Those life experiences weave our lives together like a hand pieced quilt. Some pieces are bright and colorful, while other pieces have tear stains and are faded, but they all fit together to make a beautiful tapestry.
Pat placed many pieces in that tapestry and each one has a different name. Her love for her family and friends is woven deeply throughout the tapestry. "She is clothed with strength and dignity" and her children "arise and call her blessed."
Thank you Maw for being who God called you to be. Tears may be the best words a heart can speak and our hearts are speaking profusely.

"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generations." Ps. 100:5

A Day called Actually

As you can see, I haven't written in a long, long time. Time is the reason I haven't written--not enough time, or else too much to do to fit in a 24 hour period. That could be a post in itself--we can't add hours to our days but we keep adding things to do and activities to participate in. But another time on that.....

I started an entry on Facebook and found myself using the word "actually" a lot. It was a crazy, hectic day of photographing high school Seniors.

I actually had a young man know how to tie his own necktie--first one in a long time, actually there were two. The first one had been practicing after a quick lesson the kind people at Beall's where he bought the tie. Actually, the second knows how to tie double knots and cool ties; he is one of the most classy, kind spirited young men I've ever met.

Actually, there were a lot of classy, kind, good Seniors in the Class of 2010--both here in Lovington, and Tatum, and Hobbs. I'm especially acquainted with the classes of LHS and THS and have been impressed all year by the level of talent in academics, athletics and character. Actually, congratulations to the parents of these young people. Great job!

Actually, that day was hectic and funny and a new Senior every 15 minutes. There were missing tassels, freshly starched and ironed white shirts, excited smiles that graduation is ACTUALLY here, moms who watched and beamed with pride as their baby "suit up" in graduation gowns and caps, and actually my Kleenex box wass less full that night.

Actually, I am counting my blessings because I love my work because it is actually about these kids. Actually, the day started one way and ended another, but that's how life is. Actually, I have been so blessed by these kids and their families. It has been and is an honor and privilege to have photographed a lot of them for their entire lives, and now as they take flight and fly. I've seen their faces break in to huge smiles when they see how good they look in their portraits , and to see their moms cry when they view the images of the life they have nurtured.

Actually, I'm dead tired, but grateful for each of you who have walked through my doors. I appreciate it deeply--ACTUALLY!!!!

A Life Well Lived

It's Christmas Eve and we are waiting on the weather to let up and then head to Lubbock. I've been thinking about my dad of course and that his chair will be empty, but he is spending Christmas with Jesus. It sounds so trite, but is so true. If we had his perspective, we'd be able to truly rejoice in knowing that our lives here on earth are truly but fleeting moments in God's time. The "dash" between the dates of someone's birth and death is so short, maybe God meant it that way, to signify the briefness of life. But on this side of heaven, a lot of living goes in to that "dash". He lived a lot--hard work, devoted wife, kids that adored him and grandkids that adored him even more as "Seymour". That's another story. He lived a lot of good life in that "dash" and I am so grateful to have been given to him for a little girl. Daddy, you are greatly missed, but we'll see you soon.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Gratitude

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Oklahoma with Ron's family. This was the first time they met Bella Grace and she was a hit. You can see her cuteness in every photo. Of course we had lots of good food and fellowship with relatives that we don't get to see very often. Ron's dad and mom are in good health and it was very special that they got to see Bella in action. YOu can read Emily's blog at ittybittysmithy.blogspot.com for more details. She is a GREAT blogger. (I've been concentrating on work, the website and Facebook so the blog has had to go to the back of the bus.)
We have so much for which to be grateful--family, health, jobs, homes, and abundant love in every direction. I took more time to appreciate Ron's parents since my dad died on Labor Day. We all miss him and his spot wil be so empty this Christmas, but we know where he is and that God's timing is perfect, as is His grace and mercy.
I saw a phrase somewhere--I'm not sure where it came from-- but it said "Empty Hands Filled With Grace." I love it but confess that part of what I like is that I know it holds a lot of meaning that is yet to be revealed to me. I know that His grace is "unmerited favor" and that it is renewed every day for that day's challenges. So for now, I want my hands to be empty of selfishness and the "stuff" that clutters my heart, so that His grace can fill me up and work through me. Be blessed....with His grace.

This is Mike, Emily and Bella--what a precious little family. They are loving every moment of Bella's young life and it's wonderful watching them relish parenthood like we did. God is good!

Granddad is always the science teacher. Priceless! And great-grandpa is so happy to have this little happy baby on his lap, enjoying the sunshine.
Then every baby loves to have only a diaper playing paddy-cake. Too cute! God is good!

And here's Allison and her guy, Brad, who is a great young man. She thinks so--just look at her face. God is good!

And then this is the little baby that I photographed 3 years ago when she was 13 days old and now she's almost three. I happened to catch this priceless moment between this little girl and her adoring daddy. I think she must be thinking "Daddy, you'll always be my number 1 guy." And he's thinking, "You will always be daddy's little girl." God is good!

Loss and blessing

Today, Nov. 5, would have been my parents' 63rd anniversary. That's a long time to be married--to one person. I look at their wedding portrait and I see those fresh, young faces full of expectations for love and family and a long life together. They got married at my mother's parents' home, then went to Lubbock to have a wedding portrait made and it is priceless. He raised cotton on a farm south of Lubbock for many years and she was a full time, and I do mean full time, homemaker. She made our clothes, cooked all our meals (no take out or MacDonalds), canned fruits and vegetables in the summer, and kept up with 4 active kids. We worked hard and played hard. We hoed cotton and drove John Deere tractors (the big ones and yes I can drive one) in the summer. We were always so excited for Saturday when we anxiously watched as my dad wrote out our checks. When we could reached a certain point at the end of the summer, we'd go to the lake and ski and ride inner tubes, or go camping in the mountains. Tons of fun and lots of good memories.

The sadness over my dad's "change of address" is still a a quiet undercurrent in my heart, that unexpectedly bubbles to the surface. I acknowledge the grief, the emotions, and the loss because it honors his life. It still doesn't seem real that he's gone. My mom is doing very well. She was able to go to Bella's first birthday with us and that was very special. She'd never seen the girls' homes in Temple and we treated her like a queen. After 62 years of being a wife and mother, she's not accustomed to being on the receiving end, but she deserves

it.

It's hard to believe that our little Bella has already reached her first birthday. What a joy and blessing she is. She keeps us all smiling.

Life DOES go on. I've been busy catching up on the appointments I had to cancel, mostly Senior yearbook portraits, and I've started with the big Senior sitting almost daily. This is a GREAT Senior class and I'm impressed by the quality of these kids--their academics, athletic abilities, and most importantly, the good character and manners they have. They have all been a delight to photograph and get to know better. Check out my Facebook and website for the latest action photos from the volleyball and football games, which I LOVE shooting. I also post Seniors' studio portraits and updates.

I look back at my Father's Day blog and I'm so grateful that I wrote that while my dad was alive and could read it. It's sad that we wait until a funeral to say all the nice things about a person--those things should be said while our loved ones are alive. So I challenge you to take one minute each day, and tell one person something nice about them or how they effect your life in a positive way. We are quick to criticize, and slow to praise. Let's be better about showing affirmation and gratitude. We all have so much for which to be grateful. Thank YOU for being a part of my life and allowing me to be a part of yours.

Change of address

Many of you know that my dad died unexpectedly last Monday, just like he wanted-- quickly and peacefully. I don't really have words yet to write about it but I wanted you to read the blog by my dear friend and pastor, Heather Bean. Just click on Keeping It Real with Heather Bean in my blog list. The post is called The Circle of Life and touched me deeply. It gives a different perspective on the passing, or "changing of address" as one friend wrote me, of a loved one. My dad got to his destination and we can celebrate that. We celebrated his life and what he taught us and realized how very much he meant to each of us. Life does go on, but it will be different now. I know that God's grace is sufficient for every day and we lean on Him. Thank you for your cards and prayers and many kind messages. God bless you each.



This photo says a lot about him. He always wore a red hat--felt or straw--and people could seeing him coming and know exactly who it was. He was a cotton farmer and some of my family went out in our field and picked the cotton bolls to add to the "Yellow Roses of Texas" arrangement. The little smiley face hidden in the arrangement was another of his trademarks. When he retired from farming and growing Christmas trees (in West Texas), he kept busy using old plow parts to make smiley faces. That's another story. For now, his work is done. He leaves a big hole in our hearts and lives, but his love for us overshadows that sorrow.

Bring It On!!!! Wildcat practice action

The Wildcats were hard at it at practice today. I delivered their football photos, so all you moms should have your buttons for this week's first game, as well and photos to display. If you need more photos, you may re-order. I'll be photographing 9th grade football this Sunday night, Aug. 30 at 6:30, then do high school volleyball after that at the gym.


There are more action shots at my website. Photos from Friday's game will be posted Sunday night or Monday. All the photos from each sport--individuals, coaches, managers, and teams--will all be posted on the website. If you didn't order the first time around, you may re-order at any time. Good luck Cats!

p.s. If you want to sponsor a Wildcat player's poster (as seen around town in businesses), you may contact Regina Baggett to purchase one for $25. She'll be at the Booster Club table Friday night or at 631-1532. This is a great way to show off our kids and show them we support them. It means a lot to them to see their photo in someone's window. It's a small investment in a player's life.

Football photos

It's been a great week of getting football photos ordered. We'll do Band photos on Aug. 28 before the Artesia game. The band members will have order forms to take home and bring with them on Friday. I'll also be taking photos at the Artesia game and those action shots will be posted on my website by Sunday night. I'm so excited that it's football season again. Taking football and basketball photos is where I really started in photography. I was yearbook editor in high school, as well as yearbook sponsor for 5 years at Lubbock Cooper. It is something that is pure fun for me.

All the football players, coaches and managers photos are posted on my website. You may still place an order if you haven't done so yet. There is a cool special effects photo of the Seniors.

Wildcat Football Photo night

Last Sunday night, I had the privilege

of photographing the 2009 Lovington Wildcats. It was awesome. I was so impressed with the young men. They were polite and mannerly, (without prompting) , and were easy to work with. It was a pleasure to see many of them again, and to meet some new players, and new coaches. What struck me was the inner confidence and drive for the State trophy that I saw in every set of eyes. When I asked them to look like a Wildcat, many of them straightened up a little taller, while others were already tall on the inside. There was a definitive energy and enthusiasm in the team members.

I was surprised at the number of Seniors on the team. We had fun doing a "fun picture" after we did the serious, "Seniors only" photo. what a group. Tomorrow, I will have all the players and coaches posted on my website. I tried to upload them tonight and there is a problem with the connection and they didn't upload. sorry. You should be able to see them tomorrow.

If you haven't ordered, you have until Thurs. at 5:30 to get your order in at the original prices. After that, re-order prices which are slightly higher will kick in.
You may come by or call in your order. Full payment must accompany orders. It's going to be a great year. Ask one of the Wildcats!

School's here and we're off.......

I haven't forgotten about blogging. I've just been busy as crazy getting ready for Back To school Special with a brand new floor and wall to match, and new things for sports, and a special for Seniors to have their yearbook portrait done quickly and inexpensively for the early deadline. Then you can schedule your regular sitting for another time. Go my website or my business Facebook page to see more details and samples for each of these.

At the website, there are galleries, as well as the Specials in the View Images section. You don't have to be on Facebook to view my page. It's full of information also. There will be more later. I'm off to photograph the 2009 Wildcat Football team. Those photos will be posted on the website by Wed. night for you to see. Exciting!!!! Go Cats!!