A few days ago my husband was talking politics with someone and this person said that the only reason Eric didn’t really like President Obama is because he is a black man and Eric is racist. Now of course, this has been a tactic for anyone who does not agree with President Obama to distract from the ISSUES. So after hearing this again from another person on Tuesday night, it made me so frustrated that I decided to make a list of African American politicians/advisors that Eric and I would gladly support for president. Now there are a couple that I disagree with on one or two issues on but would still be able to vote for them. Here are just a few, Dr. Ben Carson, Herman Cain, Allen West, J.C. Watts, Charles Payne, Daneen Borelli, Alveda King, Condeleeza Rice and Mia Love. If you don’t recognize these names, then do not question my acceptance of African Americans in leadership positions because you are not informed on both sides of this topic.

I don’t support President Obama’s policies. AT ALL. I don’t agree with his obvious disregard for our U.S. Constitution by issuing executive orders like hall passes. I don’t agree with his support for abortion. I don’t agree with his support for redefining marriage. I don’t agree with his belief that government can do everything for everyone. I don’t agree with his apologizing for America on foreign soil. I just fundamentally disagree with President Obama. I do not wish any harm to him, or his family. I don’t want him to personally suffer because I disagree with his policies. I just want him to be out of office where he cannot continue his assault on our Constitution.

Once again, to say someone is racist because they don’t agree with a “leader” that is African American is just a distraction and an argument from those who can’t discuss issues with you based on the merits of issues. I am absolutely sure that if I sat with these people Eric talked to that I would have much more knowledge of Both sides of an issue than they would. Why do I say that? Because the average person hears just enough from sound bites on their local news and then think they know enough to discuss an issue. WRONG!!! For one thing most local news slants the news according to their sources which are usually Reuters and AP. Both of these sources are mainstream and are biased toward liberal, left leaning views. Local news is not impartial. I spend a lot of time listening to many sources and reading many blogs from both sides. It used to be if you questioned someone’s character, you would be challenged to a duel. I am not challenging anyone to a duel using weapons but if anyone wants to challenge my thoughts on political issues, I’m there.

Just one last comment, the most important comment……… God has given us, in His word the guidelines of right and wrong and if we are all honest, we can look at each issue and discern the right side to be on. Very few, if any, issues allow you to be “in the middle”. Just look to God’s word for the answers. If ANY politician is making policies that go against God’s word, how can you justify supporting that person?

On Wednesday evening, Eric and I went to observation night at Alana’s ballet class. She was adorable and we are so proud of her.
Derek and Brittany went also and I got a photo afterwards. I just love my girls and am so proud of them and the lives they are making for themselves.

A thought on our country not paying death benefits to the families of our fallen soldiers. This didn’t have to happen and there’s enough blame to go around to all sides of the political parties, however, if we had a LEADER in the White House that took his responsibilities as Commander in Chief seriously, it could have been solved with the stroke of a pen. President Obama doesn’t hesitate to use his executive orders for a variety of reasons but for this he was content to let a private organization, The Fischer House, do the job of our government. Why is it that the jobs they are supposed to do the don’t but the things that Americans can handle on our own, the government feels the need to stick their nose in? I am proud of those members of my family who served and can’t imagine the pain of the families losing their loved one and then having their government fail them.

Lastly, I just read a local news story about a zookeeper who was killed by an elephant. I was on the local news sites and was amazed at the sympathy for the elephant. Now, I am not heartless and I feel bad that last week there was a death of an elephant, however, a HUMAN lost their life and I don’t mean to be cruel but to me it’s not the time to grieve for the elephant family. I am stunned that so many people equal the loss of an elephant to the loss of a human. I even saw one post that said they were sure it had to be the zookeeper who caused it. Really?????? Some days I feel like I am living in a different world than most people.

Anyway, there they are, my thoughts on a few things. Hope they didn’t offend too many people, or elephants. LOL Have a great weekend!

One of my favorite times of the year is when all the leaves turn so many different colors you just can’t help but admire the wonderful work of God.  What beauty to give us to treasure like a precious memory to  hold onto during the cold dreary months of snow.  I was born in September and I feel a special “belonging” during the fall.  As a photographer there is no better time for natural backdrops and beautiful vibrant colors.  This year, when the leaves turn, which will hopefully be soon, I plan on doing “quick photo shoots” at my house.  There usually is about a two week window of time for good color.  If you are interested, let me know and I will give you the pricing and see if it will work out.  I would say around the 20th thru Nov 1st.  I will keep everyone posted on the progress of the leaves.

You all know that I am pretty interested in keeping up do date on political situations.  I am slowly beginning to realize that our government is basically bigger than the citizens now.  I think it could be undone, however, I don’t have the optimism that I once had about the desire of the citizens to WANT to change back to what we were meant to be.  So what is my course of action?  I have finally learned to turn it over to God!  LOL!!!!  It didn’t take me very long!!  Now that’s not to say that I won’t still post articles to Facebook because there really is no reason to be uninformed.  However, trying to make people care when they don’t is just too frustrating for me.  I know God is in control so therefore I don’t have to worry about it.

It is a beautiful day of sunshine and I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

For the last couple years on most mornings, I have woken up and went to Curves to workout.  Last Friday that Curves closed and instead of transferring I have decided to go a different way with my exercise (more on that in a different post).  On Saturday, there was a going away party and we had a great time sharing contact information and vowing to get together from time to time.  I really enjoyed my time there and went through a period of healing during that time.  The day I signed up at Curves, I was having such anxiety that I couldn’t go by myself.  My sister Tamara went with me and got me started.  Before long, like maybe a week, I felt very comfortable and although the anxiety was still there at times, the ladies that I worked out with distracted me from it.  Each lady there had a special talent that impacted my life in a positive way.  I can’t possibly remember them all but just a few, Becky, Rebekah, Mary Jane, Roberta, Edie, Cheryl, Linda, Teresa, Diane, Vicky, Julie, Wanda, Sherry, Mavis, Ruby, and Elida were a great joy to me.  I am sad that I won’t see them daily, however, I am excited to see what the next phase of life brings.  Just as God led me to Curves, he will guide my footsteps from here on out. 

Most of my family and friends know that I have dealt with fear and anxiety for a while now.  One of the areas that fear has frozen me is in going to the doctor.  I am not so much afraid of the outcome of the appoinment, but the actual appointment itself.  My blood pressure rises and I feel faint and so on……….

So in January, I went to see my primary care doctor and she was a new doctor to me.  So during an examination for other reasons, she saw a mole on my shoulder and immediately told me that it needed to be checked as soon as possible.  She referred me to a dermatologist.

After cancelling the appointment twice and then using the wedding as an excuse to procrastinate, I went on July 20 to see the dermatologist.  I almost let my fear and nerves stop me but then God gave me such a peacefulness that I was able to keep the appointment.  Once the dermatologist saw the mole, he insisted on removing right then and there.  Now I was alone and nervous but the doctor actually kind of made me angry and that was a great motivator for me.  He did the removal and sent it off for a biopsy with the promise of results within 7 days.

When I left the office, God gave me peace and I felt a sense of accomplishment for having gone and gotten it checked.  I had a knowing in the back of my mind that something wasn’t right, but I wasn’t fearful at all.  I received the news that the biopsy same back as Melanoma, skin cancer, Stage 1.  Our family hasn’t had really any experience with cancer so after hearing the results, I automatically got online to read about Melanoma.  What I read was that catching it early is the key to beating it and Stage 1 is very early.  Once again I had peace that all was clear but I needed to undergo the procedure of removing a centimeter of skin around the original site of the mole.

I arrived for the small surgery and decided to just do it under local anesthesia.  I was nervous but God calmed me.  I had the procedure done on my sister Tamara’s birthday and the nurse introduced herself to me and her name was Tamara.  That was just one of the small signs of reassurance God gave me that day.  I turned up my praise and worship and Gaither music and waited for it to be over.  When it was, I left the office to await another biopsy and 22 stitches in my shoulder.  I got word a few days later that all was clean and clear.

I don’t want this to be more dramatic than it needs to be.  By the grace of God, I caught this really early.  With His help fear didn’t keep me from getting this checked.  I would just encourage everyone to get things checked when advised and especially don’t let fear hold you back.

“God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

Here’s a couple photos just to show the mole before and the 22 stitches.

Someday soon I will share how God has healed me from anxiety and fear and is continuing to work with me daily on improving in these areas.  By the way, thanks for all the prayers that have been coming my way.  God Bless!

I have been doing a lot of wedding preparations today.  It is getting so close.  Britt and Derek are so busy,  it is hard to get them cornered long enough to get plans finalized.  Oh well, it will all get done.

I have had a great day and just thank God that even in the smallest things, I can praise Him.

Here’s a couple photos that I recently took

It is a beautiful time of year.  I took some great shots of Alana the last couple weeks.  She played in her pool on April 2.  That is the earliest we have filled it up.  I love catching her when she’s playing and capturing her smiles and sweetness on camera.

On this Easter weekend take time to thank God for His gift of His Son’s life to save us from our sins.  Remember that the bunny and the eggs are just for fun, but the important message is HE IS RISEN!!!!

Hello Everyone!!  This is my new blog.  I am setting it up for my photography clients and potential clients to display a sample of my work.  I will also have pricing information and session information.  It may take me a while to it all set up, but I hope it will be worth the wait.  I also will have an occasional pondering page that I will try to seperate so if you don’t want to read my ramblings, you won’t be subjected to them.  Anyway, I am looking forward to my new home here on wordpress and sharing pics and ponderings with you all.

Thanks, Shelkay