Looking for Christmas spirit

I've been lacking in Christmas spirit so far this season.  I usually jump right into the fray, but I've been a bit bogged down with life demands.  So, in an effort to kick-start my spirit, I went with some friends to a church in a nearby town.  The members act out portions of the Nativity, with costumes, songs, and even animals.

Some of the story took place outside.  It was cold, but the members were sticking it out.

There were shepherds with their flocks by night...

(and those little white white blobs are snowflakes).

 

 And angels singing.... 

Then in the manger was the holy family...   (my SOOC entry this week)

Luke 2:8-14

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, 

keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord 

shone round about them: and they were terrified.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you 

good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped

in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the

heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

       
                             Katie Lloyd Photography                   Murrieta 365
                        

Kudos to everyone involved in this production for their time, effort, and commitment to helping us all remember the reason for the season.  You can find more Sunday scripture and straight out of the camera photos if you click on the links above.  I hope you have a great day.

M.E.

History in the making

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to travel and celebrate a special event - 

and a little history in the making.

This is a friend of mine and the new, first female Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety for BGSU, in Bowling Green Ohio.  We met almost 15 years ago when we were very young, finishing college, getting our first jobs, and having no idea where the years would take us.

We had different jobs back then and they overlapped on occasion.  We understood that 1) we had a lot to learn, 2) working together and sharing our trials and errors made it easier, and 3) that maybe sometime in the future we would be the ones blazing new trails.

While I am impressed by her continued success in a very demanding field, as well as her education and training credentials, it's her spirit of not giving up that has propelled her to this point. You see, shortly after we met, she was involved in a winter car accident on the way to finishing her last course requirement for her BA degree.  She was working full time, so she squeezed in the last classes on Saturday mornings, when the roads had not yet been completely treated.


Her injuries were extensive and Humpty Dumpty had nothing on her.  After weeks in the hospital and months of rehab, she fought back, beat the odds and got back to her patrol job.  She knew she had things to do then and she is ready for a new challenge now.

Here she is talking with the press, something anyone in law enforcement will tell you is a special challenge all it's own.  She will get used to it eventually!

I have many more photos of this event, but for personal safety to the officers in attendance I am choosing not to post them.  I cannot know what types of assignments or work the officers from around the state are doing, and I would not want to inadvertently cause a danger. 

The large turnout for Chief Monica's swearing-in ceremony is a testament to her skills, professionalism, and just being a darn nice gal!  The university is lucky to have her around...
and so am I.


M.E.

Video Star

I had to take a short trip out of town, so I am behind on my blog reading and such.  I hope to catch up today!  Here are a couple photos of my oldest brother and youngest niece.  These were taken over the Thanksgiving week.

My brother had taken some flip video of her talking and laughing to share with family back in Texas.  She was fascinated with the video playback of herself.  We were as entertained by her reaction as she was by the video itself.

She was so focused.  Isn't it amazing how their little brains can comprehend and learn things so quickly?  Adorable!

M.E.