Merry Christmas and blessings to all!

Wow, I guess I haven't been too faithful with the blog thing...

The last few months have flown by, all the puppies have homes, I have a 15 year old permitted driving child, I've done a lot of Photography, Christmas is in just a few days and will be gone before we can blink...and then it all starts over. New Year, new goals, new trials, new triumphs. Sometimes I wish we could just stop time for a moment, just be still and relax, reflect on what all has happened in the last year, listen for God to speak, spend time in the Word.  I guess we can choose to "stop time" whenever we want, we just don't think we HAVE time.  We get so caught up in work, school, "Mom's taxi service", Photography (e-hem Maria), shopping, socializing, concerts, and yes, sometimes even our ministry can keep us from getting before the Father to listen.  Really listen. Most of us are guilty of it, I know I am.  We talk the talk, but are we really walking the walk? Do we uphold the same level of communication with the Father that we do with our best friends, our spouse, our co-workers even? 

As Christmas is upon us and the year comes to a close, I challenge all of us to not wait until the New Year to make resolutions.  Make a commitment NOW to get before the Father EVERY DAY and really listen. Get so caught up in his Word that you can't get enough. That's where I want to be!

Merry Christmas and Blessings to you and your families!
Maria

The Pitter Patter of Little Paws...

    We are blessed to announce the arrival of 11, yes eleven new additions to the Dakota-Dawn American Bulldogs family, born September 14, 2010! Momma (Dakota) and babies are all doing well. We have 5 girls and 6 boys and you can view them at http://www.dakota-dawn.com/ website.  I will be uploading pics here as well, but the website will probably stay more updated.  They are all so beautiful, I can NOT wait until they open their eyes and ears and start running around. Too CUTE!
    Photography is picking up, and I've been adding to my portfolio week by week, with a teen-ager and her horse, a maternity session, a Wedding Party session, a couple of families, a magazine session, and possibly a newborn session before the month is out! Getting lots of experience! So much FUN!
    I would like to announce that I am now booking Christmas card photo sessions, with unique ideas for cards and something that will add a little extra to your Christmas cards this year.  Call me for more information. (334) 207-0323 or email me at reflectionsofgracestudios@gmail.com . 
    God continues to amaze and bless us every day! I love how he is working in and through our family right now!  We have joined a small group and love it, we're loving our new church family and serving/fellowship among new friends and brothers/sisters in Christ! AMEN to THAT!

In closing I would like to share a quote from Beth Moore, from the book "Praying God's Word Day by Day"

"I have put the devil on alert, he may make my life very difficult but he cannot make me quit, for I am one of God's dear children."  

Counting down...

Busy, busy has been our month, and August has come to an end.  Dakota is in the final two weeks of her pregnancy, so the puppies will be here before we know it! Ready or not...ha! My "news" from last post which I can now share, is that I was asked to shoot the photo for the cover of a new magazine! The first issue (that I shot the cover for) is already out (Sept 1).  Thank you Andy and Janet Krantz for the recommendation.  I feel so blessed for the many MANY ways God is continuing to move in our lives right now.  On that note, we officially joined the St James UMC family today (after about a year long search).  I can very happily say that our family has never felt more at home or closer to the Father than we do now. And the amazing thing is that we ALL WANT to serve.  If you know me at all you know this is a BIG DEAL. The fact that my sweet husband is telling ME, "come on, hurry up and get ready so we can go to church" is such a blessing.  Thank you Lord!

Anyway, getting ready for September (and a long weekend)...puppies coming...fun and exciting photo shoots...magazine coming out...we're counting down to an exciting next couple of weeks.

I know I still don't have many "followers" but I do appreciate the comments if you do read, and would love to hear from you.  Also, if you have a specific prayer request, please email or post, and we'll get on our knees together.

Until next time...

Blessings abound...

I know it's been a long time since we blogged. Summer has ended. School has started. As I said on the first day of school on my facebook wall, the first day of high school was almost as hard as the first day of kindergarten, but this time there was only one set of tears.  Now, we are in our second week of school and already, the time seems to be passing too fast! We have a high schooler! But we've been busy. And that's a good thing. Getting straight to the point, I have some things I would love to share!
Blessings and Praise:
1. Business (for Curtis Company) has picked up, and I think we may just make it! Which is a blessing and answer to many months of prayer.
2. We have found a church home (finally) and are all VERY happy and waiting for more opportunities to serve. Another blessing.  Mom said to me just yesterday "isn't it strange how we are surprised by the blessings we receive, but we shouldn't be surprised, I mean we prayed for it, having faith that God would bless us in our obedience." So true.
3. Opportunities and new ways to glorify the Father have been falling in our laps lately.
Again, surprises, but when we pray for certain things, we really shouldn't be surprised.  On that note (sort of), I finally have an official website other than this blog. It will be up and running very shortly and I will let everyone know as soon as it happens. Updates to come very soon...
4. We are expecting our second litter of American Bulldog puppies. Dakota is doing great and the pups are due around September 13th.  We will keep you posted and I am sure you know, (if you know me at all) there will be no lack of photos in the weeks/months to come.  http://www.dakota-dawn.com/ for more info on the pups.
5. Both kids really like school this year. Gabe is at Floyd Magnet again (and playing Bass Guitar in the band) and Breanna (in Creative Writing) at BTW.

Prayer requests:
This is something new (for the blog) I would like to try, so add a prayer request to this post as a comment, and hopefully it will give you peace, knowing that prayer warriors are right there on their knees, praying with you and for you, for whatever it is you may be going through. If you'd like to be anonymous, that is fine, God knows who you are and prayers will go up, just the same!

Lastly, I would like to leave you with a verse that has been sticking around in my mind lately... Hebrews 11:1 Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Blessings,
Maria

Independence Day Prayer - by Mary Fairchild

found this and thought I would share...

Dear Lord,


There is no greater feeling of liberation than to experience this freedom from sin and death that you have provided for me through Jesus Christ. Today my heart and my soul are free to praise you. For this I am very thankful.
On this Independence Day I am reminded of all those who have sacrificed for my freedom, following the example of your Son, Jesus Christ. Let me not take my freedom, both physical and spiritual, for granted. May I always remember that my freedom was purchased with a very high price. My freedom cost others their very lives.
Lord, today, bless those who have served and continue to give their lives for my freedom. With favor and bounty meet their needs and watch over their families.
Help me to live my life in a way that glorifies you, Lord. Give me the strength to be a blessing in someone else's life today, and grant me the opportunity to lead others into the freedom that can be found in knowing Christ.
Amen

About Breanna's Writing...

     I just posted some more of Breanna's writing as requested by so many.  If you haven't read her stuff, well, you should.  The girl is talented.  She has been writing for about 3 years, since she started taking Creative Writing at Baldwin in the 6th grade.  Back then she had some really cute poems and other writings, (that by the way, she WON'T let me post, because it's "embarrassing") but she has really matured over the last 3 years and her writing style has changed, a lot.  The first time I read her short story "Blue", I was in shock (I asked her to lengthen it because I wanted it to be longer, I wanted more when I read it -and I think you will too- She may still do that, but what I have published so far is NOT the entire short story, I didn't have time to type it all right now, plus, it will give you something to look forward to) =) .  She'd never really shared much of her writing with me before. She just didn't think it was that good.  But when we were getting ready for her interview at BTW for Creative Writing and she asked me to read some of her work to pick out the best ones to bring,  I was amazed!  So, if you haven't checked out her pages yet, be sure to.  And tell her what you think, because she still doesn't think she's that talented.  All I know is, I think God has BIG plans for my little girl, He gave her a gift, and now he's giving her the opportunity to develop it into something AMAZING.  She will be taking CW for 2 hours every day at BTW.  (Poor Mr. Dickson- jk) It will definitely be an adventure...

Back from the beach...

Back to reality is not so fun after 5 straight days off from work.  The beach was absolutely the most beautiful I have ever seen it. I am so glad we didn't listen to all the "hype" about tar balls, closed beaches, etc.  We had a wonderful and relaxing time and did NOT want to leave. Posted below are a few pictures, (I took about 600 photos while there) needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed my camera and loaner lens while on this trip! Day two I got up at 5:30 to see the sun rise over the water...only to find out the view of it was blocked by the HUGE hotel next door. =( But as I went walking down the beach that morning God "showed off" anyway and I got to see a huge stingray, lots of fish, a cool looking crab, AND some DOLPHINS! He never lets me down...