Son

This last week my friend, nir, attended his son's "ceremony honoring his graduation of the advanced stage of naval officers course" in Israel. Last week I was called home in the middle of the day to attend my childrens home performance of "Pirates Of The Caribbean." I was told to close my eyes and sit down. On the count of three, my eyes opened and all I could do was laugh. Caleb Jack Sparrow. Caleb. I'll never forget the day you were born. When they said, "it's a boy," I had a overwhelming sense of joy that brought tears to my eyes. I was so proud. I will always charish that moment. You are a strong young man. Your name gives witness to that. Twelve Israel spies went into the promise land, ten were bad and two were good. Joshua and Caleb. It was Caleb who would speak up against the entire nation and call them to obey God. You're a leader, you're a hero, you're a Thomas kid and you're a child of God. I look forward to the wonderful adventures you will bring in my life. Peace. Papa~

Lion Of God

There are many people in my life. I am very blessed and that I have so many around me and around the world. Even better, as life moves and changes season, I have also had the opportunity to meet "new" friends, brand new people, new arrivals to the planet earth. Rabindranath Tagore said, "Every baby comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged with man." I LOVE that statement and I would like to think children are the truest sign of hope in what sometimes seems to be a hopeless world. Little Ariel is the daughter of my good friends Robert and Pearl. At only 4 months old, I wonder if she knows she has to be my friend. I wonder if she knows how loved she is. I wonder if she will call me "crazy uncle Johno." It doesn't matter, I'll take it. Little Ariel, I can't wait to watch you grow. I can't wait to hear your little voice break out in song. I can't wait to see how you will change this world. You are a Lion of God. peace. johno~

Wheels

5:30 AM. Coffee time with Don is one of the best parts of my week. He is one of my accountability team mates and a good friend. He has a wonderful ability to be shaped by the cross. When he prays for rain during a dry season, he carries an umbrella. He leads his family as an honest man, a godly man and it shows. They are a blessing to those around them. They follow his lead and are servants. Having survived cancer, Don looks at life with a different set of lenses and the world will be a better place because he stops and notices even the little things. He knows his place and he knows his time. He is in a race to live life to the fullest and he wants to take as many people along as he can. The only thing that really bugs me about him is this... He knows where to find great bird shots. Share the love. ;-) If I could attach a psalm to this man it would be this one found in Psalm 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. peace. johno~

Mother

After only 37 years of being a son, what can I say about my mother? More than could be contained in this forum, I'm sure. As this project matures, I find it more difficult to keep my thoughts to a minimum. "What is the highlight?" "If I could say ONE thing." Thus, the problem, just one thing! So, if I could share one thing about my mother it would be this, she is a woman of Faith. As a child growing up I remember the many times she sat and read her Bible before us. I'm not sure if it was everyday, but it was many days. It was ever before me both day and night. I remember the night I made my choice to make Jesus my Savior... I got out of bed, around midnight, to talk to my mom and there she was, reading her Bible. It is an image that will always live with me. I hope it is an image that will continue in my life and my children and their children. The Word of God... It became flesh and dwelled among us. peace. johno~

Photojournalist

(Sorry this is late... I have been very ill) I'm not sure if I have found my "inner-photographer-self" since I don't really have one subject I stick to. I like to shoot life. How do you narrow that down? I'm not sure. However, I have always admired the "photojournalist" and their ability to capture life that tells a story. Don is that man. Don works for the Wenatchee World news paper as the head supervisor of photography. He sends out a crew and sometimes himself to capture the going ons of this little town. I first met Don at my daughter’s piano recital... His daughter also plays piano. It's funny, I didn't notice him at first, I noticed his lens... Canon 70-200 2.8 L series lens which was attached to his Pro body EOS-1Ds II. Drool. At that time I clinched my Fuji Pix 5100 point and shoot, which looked like a tricycle next to a formula one race car when stacked next to the canon. I knew then why they were called CANON. I knew this was someone to learn from. I ask my daughters piano instructor who he was and she told me he worked for the news paper as a photographer. I MUST MEET THIS MAN. He can teach me. As awkward as a junior high dance, I crossed the "dance" floor to introduce myself. Voice pitched both high and low I managed to say my name followed by, "I take pictures too." STUPID! I managed to somehow work in a request to have him look at my photos to give me some pointers. He agreed and I've yet to take the next step. I guess I feel like a junior high kid not wanting rejection. I'm an idiot sometimes. Never-the-less, Don is a strong family man and Christian. He has offered much to the community here in Wenatchee through the eye of his lens. peace. Johnathan~