Savoring Life

What are you seeing?

2009-06-29T15:54:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I participated in a photowalk of York. I have never done anything like that. I met over 70 other photographers on the square of York. We then proceeded to take a walk through York specifically looking at the diverse architecture. We even had an author who lives locally who has published a book about the architectures to accompany us.

All of the members of this walk were as diverse as the architecture. Some of the members had very basic point and shoot digital cameras, others had a camera like mine (entry level DSLR camera), and others had higher level DSLR cameras with various lenses and accessories. There were a few that had two cameras to make it easier to switch between lenses so they tell me. I was proud of my new camera even though I am still learning how to use all of the features.

I was walking with another member, (we will call her Sue). She had an impressive camera and set of lenses and other accesories. I stopped to take the pictures that you see on the blog today. Sue asked me, "How did you know to take that photo?" She went on to say that she regularly goes on these walks all over the Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia area and she just can not figure out how people know how to take these "interesting" photos. She said, "I spent a lot of money on the cameras and accessories and I still take little more than snapshots."

She told me of a guy on the last photo walk who would find the "same kind of shots" as I was taking. She just couldn't get how to "see" these interesting things. I invited her to walk with me a bit and to feel free to take the same shots I took. I explained that all the shots I take don't always turn out "artsy" as she described it. After a bit of following me she thanked me and said she thought she would try it on her own for a bit.

This reminded me of my spiritual walk. I remember the times in my life when I bought the "latest study Bible" or the "newest book on spirituality" in order to deepen my relationship with Jesus. I often found I had all these new shiny tools (much like my friend on the photowalk), but I was unable to really make the kind of progress I was desiring. You see I thought having the tool was what would allow me to grow.

As I discovered recently I seem to have an ability to find some "interesting photos". I believe some of that has come from looking at the photography of others. I love to look at interesting pictures. I think that as you look at great photography you can begin to "look for" the same kinds of opportunities in your own world. Sometimes it takes walking along with another person who takes really interesting pictures to begin to look for these opportunities. Just like my friend Sue did with me.

In my spiritual walk I have learned to "look for" where God is at work in my life. Where He is moving and where He is showing me love. I have begun to do this because I have had the opportunity to walk with people who have the ability to see these things in their own lives as well as to point them out in my life.

My questions for you today is...Are you looking for the places God is working in your life and showing you His love? If you are struggling with this, is there someone in your life that can help you find those good "photos"?

Sunsets...

2009-06-27T12:23:00.000-07:00

Last week I decided I wanted to take some pictures of a sunset with my new camera. So to prepare for the "photo shoot" I did a little research online. I found out what settings will allow my camera to take the best pictures. I also purchased a tripod. You see you need to be able to hold the camera very still in order to capture the shot. Well...I wanted to arrive in ample time before the sunset so I could be prepared. So...I arrived at Sam Lewis Park at 8pm (35 minutes before sunset). I took my camera and lenses and tripod out. I set them up. While I was setting up I also saw some hot air balloons float over...that was VERY cool!

By the time I had everything set up there was still 20 minutes before the sun would set. However the sky was pretty. I wanted to start taking pictures, however the sun was shining directly into the camera and really I couldn't get any good pictures. (I had read that would be the case.) So I had to wait. Then the sun dropped behind the clouds. The momentary drop behind the clouds allowed me to take some shots. They were beautiful. I played with the settings to find the best conditions.

The sun started to fall below the clouds and again...too much sun. My eyes could enjoy the shot, but I was unable to "capture" the beauty. So I just sat down and "enjoyed" it. I took it all in. The sky became a brilliant canvas for me to watch. I was enjoying so much.

Finally the sun dipped behind the horizon. Now was the time to begin to shoot the colorful sky. I was able to get some beautiful pictures. The pictures you see on the blog were the result of my evening.

As I was enjoying this time of sunset photography, I realized that this experience is very much like my spiritual life. There are times that I prepare to spend time with God. I gather everything I need (my journal, my Bible, a book I am reading, a candle...etc). I sit and I am ready to spend time with God. What I discover is that in order to truly experience the beauty of this time it requires "waiting". I sit and wait. This waiting looks like me "preparing myself" by listening to some music, or maybe praying, or maybe lighting a candle and just become fully present. As I sit there, I begin to experience an amazing intimiacy with Jesus. Sometimes I do not even have the ability to put words in my journal about the experience. I must just enjoy it and be very present. As I sit and I am silent, I find that I can eventually put words in my journal to record the experience.

So have you sat silently and spent time just "being present?"

Discovering My Creative ME...

2009-05-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

About a year ago, I decided there was an undiscovered part of who I am. This part is the creative part of me. I have ALWAYS known that I "appreciated" art...I just never knew I could create it. I have enjoyed taking photographs on vacations. I know people have complimented them. Then I spent 3 weeks in Europe..and I took some nice shots...trying to pay attention to perspective and to choose unusual angles. I was pleased and even printed a few of them. They hang in my living room.

Well on Saturday I went on a "field trip" with some friends from church in our home town. Our mission..."Take pictures of the City". Well I did and I am so excited about the results. I have posted some on my facebook photo page and some on the Capture York Website.

http://www.captureyork.com/people/campinglisa

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/album.php?aid=113079&id=782751014

What is cool...is that people like my pictures. I don't have a fancy camera. I just like to take pictures. So what about you...what have you discovered about you?

For the tough times...another great book...

2009-04-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

If you are a Max Lucado fan you will love this book. It is quintessential Lucado. It is an easy read and would be appropriate for anyone going through a difficult time. I recently gave the book to a friend who was struggling with circumstances in her life that seemed to be out of control. She found the truth offered in the book by Lucado

Max takes complex theological issues and communicates them in a way that makes it understandable to all. (Lucado has an amazing gift of doing this.) His style is like "comfort food" to the soul.

Time to READ...The NOTICER by Andy Andrews

2009-04-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

"Sometimes all a person needs is a little perspective" I found this book enjoyable and challenging. The Noticer is a MUST READ book. Andy has described people from all walks of life in his book. I found myself "hooked" in chapter one and I couldn't put it down.

The main character, Jones, a career noticer weaves his way in and out of the lives of many people in a small Southern town. I found myself often resonating with the characters. Then I would be challenged by the perspective Jones would offer.

My favorite piece of perspective from Jones occurs in chapter one, "The view is great on the mountaintops - they're also cold and rocky. To grow we must come off of the mountain and go through the valley.... Think. Learn. Pray. Plan. Dream. For soon... you will become."

This is a book you will want to share with your friends. I know I will be giving it as gifts.The Noticer: Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective.

When it might be a SNOW DAY

2009-01-28T05:59:00.001-08:00

You know in the life of a teacher...snow days play a VERY important part. They often bring a "PAUSE" during a time when school is crazy.

I got an unexpected PAUSE last week. I had to take a week off last week because I got the FLU. I have never had the flu. I usually get the flu shot, but missed it this year (trust me I will be intentional not to do that next year.) I was so very sick. The only thing I did was sleep, check email for work, sleep, watch TV (not much to choose here because we don't have cable). What I did do was think about how busy my life is. So busy that I have little time to just enjoy. Now this is something I realized several weeks ago. I also know that I am working toward removing things from my plate. Unfortunately I can't do a dump.

What I am thinking about is how do I protect my time? How do I not over-commit? The thought of protecting my time causes all kinds of feelings to rise up inside me. I have part of me that says I am being selfish by protecting my time. I have another part of me that says protecting my time will allow me to be my best.

Why do we feel we have to be everything to everyone? Is it because we think we are indispensable and no one else will do what we do? I would love to know what you think...

What do I REALLY want?

2009-01-10T15:12:00.000-08:00

(a picture I took at Colonel Denning State Park)

Have you asked yourself that question? I believe it was Cindy Lauper in the 80's who said "Girls just wanna have fun?" (if you don't remember the song you can click to see the video from the 80's) Well I do like to have fun, but I believe there is so more than having fun. I think

I have spent MOST of my life not allowing myself to answer that question. Somehow I had the impression that if I asked for what I really want I was being selfish. So I never really allowed myself to even think about the question.

So at 41 I find myself asking that question, "What do I really want?" I am not sure what I want. I seem to vacillate from one thing to another. I think because I never allowed myself to really answer that question. Sometimes I think I can't decide because I am afraid to make the wrong decision. Other times I think it is because I am afraid to commit to an idea because something *better* may come along.

I do know that I am looking at the second half of my life and I want to make it count. I want to make a difference in the world. I want to learn visit the world. I also know I want to live a balanced life.

What I do know is that as I learn to wait I will begin to NOTICE notice what the best choices are.

So have you asked yourself that question, "WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT?"

Loud Noises and Whispers

2009-01-07T18:50:00.000-08:00

Today I was in a room all by myself eating my dinner. This room had a clock in it. I actually could hear the second hand moving. I have been in this room many times before. I have never noticed the sound of the clock. However usually when I am in this room there are other people in their talking to each other and with me. When I was finished eating others started to arrive for our meeting. Slowly the sound of the clock began to disappear because of the other noise. I tried to find the sound of the clock as the meeting progressed. I did actually hear it a few times in the midst of the other sounds. It reminded me of a plaque I recently purchased.
Here is a picture of it hanging in my sacred space (which is literally a corner of my living room).

It says,

Make time
for quiet moments as
God whispers
and
the world is loud.

I find that this practice while the simplest of concepts can sometimes be so very very challenging. So many things in the world seem to mask the whispers. But once I have made time, I find that I have moments that words can not describe.

What loud noises are preventing you from hearing God's whispers? Have you made time to focus and listen?

2009-01-04T09:37:00.001-08:00

Today I am finding myself pondering the start of the work week. For me that means my graduate classes begin along with my work at Red Lion High School. As a Classrooms for the Future teacher I am also required to take another course during this semester to remain in the grant program. I look at these committements and my head begins to spin. I feel like I am ALREADY on the slippery slope. So I am taking some time to be intentional about my time and plan. I know this time of business will end (in exactly 10 weeks).

I hope you will choose to be intentional about your time. Remember to take time to enjoy life. Savor Life. If you can't slow it up right this moment, maybe find ways you can be intentional about some savoring time. I know if I don't ...I spend time procrastinating...then I find myself not spending quality time...

What will you choose? I am choosing to Savor Life

Happy New Year....

2009-01-03T19:22:00.000-08:00

Wow, it is really 2009. This year is full of so many changes. FIRST my oldest daughter will be graduating from high school and going to college. I can HARDLY believe it. I remember when she was so tiny. It has been so exciting to watch her mature into an amazing young lady. I am starting to have the bittersweet feelings mother's have when their children graduate and go to college.

I am also in the midst of my principal's certification at Drexel. You know I finished my master's degree almost 17 years ago. Being a half time student and teaching full time and being a mom...has been well challenging. So another change for this year is to S...L...O...W.... up. I have decided that instead of taking 2 classes in the winter quarter, 2 classes in the Spring Quarter and 2 more classes in the summer I would just take the 2 in the winter. Take a break and MAYBE take one in the summer. This way I can enjoy my girls a bit more. I also can enjoy life a bit more.

This year also will include a concerted effort NOT to make resolutions, but rather to make some lifestyle changes. You know they seem to look a lot like a resolution...

1. Be more healthy (i.e. exercise and make healthy food choices)
2. Be more organized with my finances (weekly check ups)
3. Be more regular with "sacred space time"

Ok...there are more...but these are my BIG 3. Through these 3 things I want to improve my relationships with my girls and my friends and my family.

Wow...this is getting to be a long post...I think I will close for now...

Well close with some things I am thankful for....

1. My amazing daughters
2. My journey with Jesus
3. My health
4. The fact that I "de-cluttered" my room!

Being The Change I want to see in the world.

2008-08-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

I am starting a new club at my school called "Be the Change".

The purpose of our club is to affect the school climate by doing Random Acts of Kindness. I hope that the club will plant a seed for the students (and teachers) at my school to make a difference by doing Random Acts of Kindness. Each week our club will issue a challenge to commit a Random Act of Kindness. Teachers will be asked to hand out a C.A..U.G.H.T. (Committing A Uniquely Good Humanitarian Task) card. Students will be informed that they have been "CAUGHT" and their names will be placed on the card. The cards will be collected each week. The following Monday morning we will have a drawing from the cards which have been submitted. Our goal is that the person who was chosen will win a $5 gift card (i.e. gas card or coffee card.)

What is cool is that I sent an email to some of my friends asking them to invest in my dream by sponsoring a card. Within 2 hours I had 7 friends who replied saying they are willing to sponsor a card. Cool isn't I have almost the first marking period covered.

One of the things I want to do is to teach the students in the club to Pay it Forward. In the spring we are hoping to have our club commit Random Acts of Kindness in the community through a service project.

Thank you so much for taking time to read about my dream.

Old Friends...Old Fears...

2008-08-12T06:23:00.000-07:00

This weekend was amazing…some friends were in town and spent the day with my girls and I on Saturday. Our girls were best buddies when they were little (15 years ago). They did everything together. My friend and I would be able to just allow the girls to play while we would drink our coffee and watch…Sweet times. The girls have not seen each other in over 8 years. It was amazing to see the girls (now young ladies) just seamlessly be with each other. We had a great time having breakfast and then going to Inner Harbor. It was such a special time. I really am thankful for our dear friends…

In the midst of the joy of the old friends the reality of being a single mom came crashing down. The fears of not being able to provide for my girls came rousing up. The reality of not having the money to get a car for my daughter (this is really not just a want…but a bit of a need because she needs to have her own transportation for school). She has been unsuccessful in finding a job this summer…ugh… This is about trusting God to provide. Everything in my mind knows God can provide. I am just having to trust His timing. Ahhh…does learning to trust get any easier…

Remember...Savor

2008-08-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

Today as I was doing my work for my grad classes, tutoring, housework….I realized that the time I have with my beautiful daughters living in my home is quickly fading. They will soon be graduating from high school and going to college. I will soon not have them here all the time. They will have their own lives. I find myself wanting to spend as much time as I can with my girls. I want to make as many memories as I can. There are so many thing I want to do with them. I sometimes get frustrated that I don’t have the means to “do” all the things I want to do with my girls. I realize that TIME is much more valuable than money.

So…with that in mind I planned two camping trips for us. One will be an overnight to Lewes,DE. We love this beach. It is not commercial at all. It is always a place of relaxation…no plans…just be on the beach…cook over the campfire…hike on the trails…read books…

The other trip will be to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. We will be camping in rustic sites. The sites can not be reserved here. They are first come first serve. So we will be very “spontaneous” and pray for a site.

Camping gives the girls and I such great memories!

So the lesson that I have learned today…treasure the time I have with my daughters…and with all of the loved ones in my life.

A Whole New World...

2008-08-12T06:11:00.000-07:00

This is the beginning of a WHOLE new world for me. I have always loved “techie” stuff…but to have a blog for the entire world to see is another thing. I have decided I wanted to create a place where I could record about my life as a teacher and integrating technology. Then I thought…why not a place where I could just blog about what life is like for me…a single mom, high school algebra teacher, graduate student(working on my principal’s certification leading to my EdD.), Christ follower, friend, daughter…you get the picture.

I am not sure how this will all play out…but it is a whole new world isn’t it?