Sunday, July 31, 2011

Living By Faith

Sometimes when I post about my faith, I am a little frightened, not by my faith, but how others may perceive me when I say, "I have felt God's calling" and that I feel "led by the Holy Spirit." I tuck those feelings of fear for others reactions way deep down inside and push through my post knowing that I have a wonderful Heavenly Father who loves me and who daily shows me his love in creation, the blessings in my life, and his guidance of me in my journey of faith. I know he is there, and I have felt his calling. I felt it when I became a teacher and I fought it tooth and nail refusing to go into a profession that was not monetarily lucrative. But when I said, "Yes, I will be a teacher," the riches God showered upon me through the children I taught was greater than any amount of gold. I have felt God's calling in other ways too and most recently shared with you about my feeling called to go into children's ministry. Before leaving for our trip to New York, I had spoken with Father Howard at our church, who used to live in New York, about a church to visit while we were in New York. He told me of St. Bartholomew's in east Midtown New York. We did visit the church after our morning walk in Central Park. It is a beautiful Romanesque church which was very welcoming, and I was very glad we stopped by, even though it was brief.
That was an intentional visit to St. Bart's. What I did not intend was the detour that a more "spirited tour guide" took us on while we were walking in New York the day before. Howie and I had just visited the High Line and we were walking back towards our hotel down a rather busy street. I said to Howie, "Hey, can we walk down one of these more quiet streets back to the hotel?" Howie agreed and told me to choose a street to go down. I decided upon the very next one. As soon as we crossed over the busy street and entered the more quiet side street, I looked up and saw this.
 Then in the window, I saw this.
 This encounter with the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York was completely unplanned on my part but I believe completely planned by my "Spirited" tour guide. These are the things that show me in a concrete way, God's calling of me to children's ministry. It is something that brings me such joy and for which I am so thankful for. I know that God calls each of us in different ways and it is such an awesome thing that he loves us all in such a glorious way!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

New York Cuisine

It was restaurant week while Howie and I were on our trip to New York two weekends ago. What that means is food, food, and more food at a nice little fixed price at many of New York's finest restaurants. Howie took full advantage of restaurant week and reserved tables for us all over New York. And the fine restaurants were not the only places we went to for food! Food is EVERYWHERE in New York, and it is quite tasty! I would weigh a million pounds if I lived in New York. No, I take that back, I wouldn't because I would walk it off  everywhere I went! Here is just a small sampling of the restaurants, markets, and cuisine of New York City!



















 Disclaimer on the dude below: First, no that's not Howie. This guy was taking photos too and offered to take the photo of me above (You can see him in the window reflection). So I took one of him as well. Interesting choice of hat, don't you think! He was very nice though!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Central Park

The planners for the city of New York were very wise in the consideration of a large municipal park, Central Park, for the inhabitants to use and enjoy. With the genius mind of Frederick Olmsted, Central Park became a true oasis in the middle of a huge metropolis that literally never sleeps. It is a wonderful and beautiful place to visit, that not unlike it's host city, offers countless places to visit and enjoy. On our last day in New York, Howie and I took a morning walk through the park. It's a very peaceful and beautiful place to visit. I actually think it is New York's finest treasure!
 The plight of only having two on a trip is not having someone to take a photo of you both. This is my way of managing to capture a photo of Howie and I together in Central Park. Check out Howie getting his messages on his cell phone!
 Howie in Shakespeare's Garden
 The Turtle Pond
 On Top of Belvedere's Castle looking down on the Turtle Pond
 Self Portrait!
 Belvedere's Castle
 Egyptian obelisk given to the United States as a gift. The obelisk symbolized the sun god Ra, and during the brief religious reformation of Akhenaten was said to be a petrified ray of the Aten, the sundisk. It was also thought that the god existed within the structure. I am so glad Patty from Finding Serendipity taught me how o capture sun flares. It works perfectly with this obelisk! ISO 200, f 22, 1/60

 Me pretending to be Alice in front of the Alice and Wonderland Statue.
 Oh, I forget the name of this place! It's where you can rent mini-sailboats to sail across the pond.

 Howie in front of the fountain.
 Iconic site!
Howie enjoying a pretzel and a water!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

The Buildings of New York

When you think New York City, you think buildings, lots and lots of buildings. From the iconic Empire State Building to the beautiful brownstones, to the sky scrapers, to the pre-war walk ups; all come together to make up the skyline and the city of New York. Each building is unique, each has it's own history, each offers as much personality to the city as the hundreds of thousands of people who dwell amongst these buildings' walls. When you are photographing New York, you are inevitably photographing the buildings. Here are just a few, famous and ordinary including Howie's high school.


ISO 200, f 6.3, 1/800, 405mm (Sharing with Finding Serendipty)













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