Pictures of Pictures

One of my friends was saying that she didn't have any photos of her mom that aren't digital. Trying to scan her pictures was too much trouble. So last week, when everyone was changing their profile pictures on Facebook to their mother's photo, she didn't participate.

Well, I have a fix for that! I often use my camera to take pictures of pictures.

I also use my camera to take photos of children's artwork, receipts, scrapbook page ideas, and other documents.

Now, if quality is really an issue, then scanning will yield the best results. But many things can be successfully photographed, quickly and easily.

This is especially nice to know when you have large, bulky artwork that won't fit in a scanner, or are out and about and want to capture a great idea. {It helps to have a nice, small camera and carry it with you!}




Here are my tips for taking photos of photos:

1. Set the camera on auto {or if you know how, engage the "macro" setting}
2. Turn off the flash
3. Place the document or photo on a flat surface in a well-lit area with indirect light
4. Position the camera so that you are looking straight down on the picture you are photographing
5. Zoom in, or get as close as possible
6. Hold the camera steady and take the photo

That's it! Let me know if this makes life easier for you!!

Love never fails!

Life gets hard and I get silent. My face smiles as I complete the normal, daily routines, but my heart despairs. I find that I tend to turn inward, not sharing, reaching, or showing my need. I long to express myself, but the words won’t come. And when they do, the tears race to get there first, so it becomes easier to not even try. This is exactly when I need to turn to the Word of God. And there I am comforted: “Love never fails.” (1Corinthians 13:8a)

It has been a tough week (month… year… few years…). The cares of this world, the stress from my never-ending To Do list, the circumstances of bills greater than the bank balance, the busyness of days multiplied by children with their own schedules and deadlines—these all threaten to overwhelm me. I am bound to drop one or more of these balls I am juggling. I fail. Thankfully, in the midst of all is a beacon of light: “Love never fails.” God is love. God never fails.

“Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.” (Psalm143:8 / ESV)

Bare branches bursting into bright blooms announce that the darkness of winter has given way to spring! Those blooms are a resurrection reminder. Even in the darkness, the Lord is doing His greatest work. The enemy would love for me to wallow in my self-centeredness, to be ineffective, and to bring others down. Instead, I need to choose to seek the Lord. I thank Him for the words of Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Likewise, I am soothed by the numerous verses throughout the Bible that speak of God’s unfailing, steadfast love. No matter what darkness I face, I choose to cling to His Word. There I find rest, comfort, peace, and hope. Even at my worst, my lowest point, He loves me. “Love never fails.”

What circumstances cause you to forget about God’s unfailing love? What are ways that His unfailing love has manifested in your life?