“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” – Romans 12:6-8

Irony:  I love photography … but I never take photos.
I know, right?
I actually have a reputation for being the only mom at the classroom party without a camera.
It’s so bad that my friend, Heather (who always has a camera) routinely takes photos of my daughters without me asking.
It’s so bad that my mother-in-law goes straight to the source (again, Heather) to get photos of her granddaughters.
You would think that would be enough to shame me into taking a photo or two.

More Irony:  I never take photos … but I own a fancy schmancy DSLR camera.
When I bought it, I was having a Field of Dreams moment (you know, “If you build it, they will come”).
If you have a nice camera, you will want to take more photos.  Not only that, but they will automatically look like Annie Liebovitz took them.  Right?
Not so much.

But I love photography more than you can imagine.
It seems the things I don’t do well are some of the things I appreciate and admire the most.
Namely:  1. the above mentioned photography;  2. gardening;  3.  singing

On gardening …
My friends, Maggie and Michelle, are The Garden Whisperers.
They have a connection with Mother Earth that is beautiful and inspiring.
They are so at ease and comfortable in their gardens.  And they can make anything grow.
Whenever I get the urge to try my hand at it, within five minutes I am bored, impatient and throwing garden tools.
I seriously think that is why I appreciate beautiful gardens so much.
Because I know that a nurturing soul has tended to it so patiently.  And most likely with no throwing of the tools involved.
But, alas, I have come to this conclusion …
Why bother with gardening when Maggie and Michelle will show up at my house with tools and plants in hand?
{I’ve even been known to stand beside them drinking iced tea while they labor in my garden.  I’m embarrassed.  Just a little.}
I could take this same approach to photography.  You know, since Heather is my wing girl.
But I know it’s not the same.  Photography is art; and art is something that is seen, interpreted and experienced differently be every set of eyes.
Photographs are emotions captured in a two-dimensional form.
And no one else can experience my emotions for me.

I’ve been following Ashley’s blog for a long time.
There are a thousand things I love about Ashley and her blog.
She’s a mad photographer.  But that’s not what I love most about her.
What I love most about Ashley is her desire for capturing moments, even seconds, and preserving them for eternity.
Her favorite subjects are her four (soon to be five) children.  I can’t even imagine how many photos she has taken during her childrens’ lives … thousands? millions??
I imagine Ashley when her children are grown … feeling so grateful for the wisdom in knowing that time doesn’t stand still; that no matter how much you think you will, you’ll never remember those fleeting moments that seemed so ordinary; the minutes that form the tapestry of your life.
I want that too.

So I’m going to take my first baby step.
For May, I’m going to take and post a photo each day.
I’ve read my camera manual cover to cover.
I’ve downloaded, read, and re-read the Master Your DSLR Camera iPad app.
I’ve taken the Photography 101 course at Shoot Fly Shoot.
I’m ready.
Cheer me on!  And go here to follow along.

One last thing.  On singing …
Believe me, by not singing … I do the world a favor.
So you’re safe.  Unless you catch me doing a “Song a Day” series.  Then you should run.
But I probably won’t.

Peace,

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