Young Speakers Guild Induction

As you know, Kali is part of a national organization that teaches speech and debate. She has been studying this field for two years now, and has spoken on numerous platforms locally, around the state, and even in states other than our own.

Kali has recently completed a three-year program of lessons which included putting together ten different speeches that she had to research, write, practice and memorize, then present on a number of various platforms. The Young Speakers Guild is a rigorous, in-depth program to train our students how to speak about their faith on any platform, at any time, under any circumstance. Kali has now completed that program.

The other two students you see here are in our chapter of the Institute For Cultural Communicators. They have also completed the Young Speakers Guild. These three students were the first ever in our chapter to complete this program.

On this particular night, the three students planned a formal presentation of their speeches and what they had learned. They invited friends and chapter members to come celebrate with them. Our chapter sponsor inducted them into the Young Speakers Guild. Two of the additional students in this photo are previous interns with ICC and are already YSG members. It was really special for them to be involved in our program.

Signature move!


Kali and the other two inductees also had their portfolios on display, along with presentation boards highlighting their accomplishments during this program. Completing the program and becoming inducted into the YSG was part of the requirements for Kali to intern with ICC for this upcoming tour season. She leaves next Monday and will be on the road with the other ICC Interns teaching speech and debate conferences across the United States until some time in November. As you think about it, please pray for their safety and pray that God will use them in a mighty way across our country. You can follow their activities at www.instituteforculturalcommunicators.org. or check out a conference near you.

i ♥ faces Pet Challenge

The photo challenge for the week at i heart faces is pets! Awhile back, we brought home a new miniature donkey. This photo was taken by my daughter at the ranch Luna came from. Kali took a lot of quality photos that day - this one was my absolute favorite! This is a miniature horse (I think they have a special name, but I don't recall) and he was chasing the mini donkeys around the field. Kali popped this shot as he thundered past her! Thanks, Kali, for letting me share it on i heart faces!. To see more pet photos, head on over HERE :).

At the National Championship in Virginia

Kali and I have been in Virginia for a little over four days now. We are attending the NCFCA/National Christian Forensics and Communications Association National Championship. Kali has done a phenomenal job this year in speech and debate. We have the rest of today and tomorrow before we head home on Saturday. Region 8 has done an exceptional job here. Our students hold approximately 20% of all the slots in semi-finals. If you regularly follow my blog - you know to expect a bunch of photos in the next week showcasing the National competition experience :). I can't wait!

It's Just Plain Hard Work

As I stated earlier in the week, it's just plain hard work being a flower girl!

You Capture - Your Best Shot

I have several shots this week that would work for this challenge, and I selected this one. You Capture at I Should Be Folding Laundry, is hosting the Your Best Shot challenge for the week. Head on over to their page here, to check out all the entries, or to post one of your own!

Ode to a Flower Girl

This past weekend, Kali and I were honored to shoot a local wedding. The two flower girls were just precious!

They made it onto the runner and stopped as soon as they got to the first bunch of people.

They eached grabbed a handful of silk flower petals and tossed them onto the ground.

Then another . . .

. . . then another. (I love the way Kali is laughing in the background :)).

The bride's father finally talked them into moving on down the runner as everyone laughed and smiled at how cute they were!

And they proceeded on to the front, making a lovely escort for the bride and her father to follow.

It is definitely hard work being a flower girl . . .

. . . but someone has to do it. And do it they did! So sweet and beautiful!

Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge

Recently, Kali and I were visiting family near Atlanta, and we took a side trip one afternoon to shoot some photographs. They understand my passion for photography and always find me something interesting to work with.

This particular bridge is part of the Georgia Historical Society.

We parked at the foot of the bridge and started walking around. Kali found this awesome cross shadow in the muddy waters. I am always looking for interesting cross photo-ops, because of the name of my blog :).

This is an actual working bridge which covers this river.

This is what it looks like as you enter the bridge on foot.

If you read the sign pictured above, it detailed the town lattice design of the bridge. You can see that very clearly in this shot of one of the inside walls. If you look closely, you can also see the individual shingles through the beams of the ceiling.

I didn't really feel safe walking through the bridge. This is shot with the camera pointed down towards my feet - you can see the space between the boards and the river rushing by underneath.

I opted not to ride across the bridge. Sandy offered to drive but, like I said, it didn't feel safe. So, we walked across. This shot was taken coming out the other end.

I primarily took this shot for the Johnny's girls :).

Looking back at the bridge.

In case you didn't read the sign in one of the above photos, this bridge was built in the 1840's by a freed slave. He built many bridges, this being the only surviving bridge of the town lattice design. The criss-crossing web of wooden planks are connected at each intersection with approximately 2,500 wooden pegs. The Red Oak Creek covered bridge is the oldest and longest wooden covered bridge in the state of Georgia.

It is amazing to me that something that looks so not sturdy . . .

. . . is actually traveled across and used on a regular basis.

The area around the bridge was indicative of the general location. So vibrant and beautiful.

(It's getting where I can only get decent photos of Kali when she doesn't know I'm taking her picture - lol!)

In The Good Old Summer Time

Meet Casey's family :). . .

. . . the twins. . . (I'm loving those blue streaks! She's a girl after my own heart!

. . . the newest girl. . .

. . . and her boy. He's a sport model! All boy, and absolutely no interest in taking photos!

Climbing trees was definitely on the agenda because this is the tree-climbing park. You have to climb a tree. It's written on the fence! Just kidding.

It's one of those fun requirements - lol!

This was one great baby. She didn't care where we sat her, placed her, stuffed her, or who we handed her to - she smiled and was joyful.


Then we headed over to the rails-to-trails bike path to take a few shots. It was deserted during the day.

It's the perfect place for a run. . .

. . . or a family walk. No cars allowed!


We had a great time. We had a bunch of high energy kids and two tired grownups - counting me :).


Plus a couple cousins thrown in - lol!

One of my favorite shots of the day - we finally get everyone looking at the camera. Everyone is looking and somewhat smiling, and I get ready to click the shutter. Then, the baby lets us know that she is all finished - lol! What a hoot! OK, photo shoot over!

i ♥ faces Week #21, Yellow

The challenge at i heart faces this week is Yellow. I loved the way this little fellow just felt at home in the flowers, wandering around, picking flowers for his mother. What a sweetheart! To see lots more yellow, or to post a yellow entry of your own, head on over to i ♥ faces here.

The Crabb Family - The Cross

My friend, Pam, had this video on her facebook this morning. I love the song (and the Crabbs) and it goes so well with my blog title and thoughts. Thanks, Pam! And, thank you Jesus!