41 Books

This year I kept a record of the books I read and gave myself permission to use only two words to describe each. With the exception of a few books I mostly did just that.

It would seem that this year I chose books to escape reality and make me laugh. I chose a lot of books that were gentle on my mind and spirit and some that left me shaken. There are lot of books here that required little to no extra thought on my behalf. Although there are a few that did make me sit up and think about our world and a few that caused some deep thinking about myself.

There has only been one unfinished novel this year. It was just too, too tedious for me at the time. I might try it again in 2010...

I started a new book today that I wont get finished by this evening so this is the list. The 'Have Read It' list for 2009:

(click the button in the left bar to see the original post...)

2009 'Have Read It' List

- in order of having been read from top to bottom.

1) Twillight by Stephenie Meyer

- Completely Obsessed!

2) Assassins Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy) by Robin Hobb

- Consuming goodness.

3) New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

- Couldn't stop!

4) Royal Assassin (The Farseer Trilogy) by Robin Hobb

- Tediously Entertaining.

5) Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

- Love! Edward!

6) Assassins Quest (The Farseer Trilogy) by Robin Hobb

- Gratifyingly completed.

7) The Nation by Terry Pratchett

- Hilariously Brilliant!

8) The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards

- Gut-wrenching catalyst.

9) Seven Ancient Wonders by Matthew Reilly

- Ultimate Action.

10) The Opposite of Love by Julia Buxbaum

- Self-indulgent mush.

11) Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reich

- Brilliant. Addictive.

12) The Locus Awards: Thirty Years of the Best in Fantasy and Science Fiction by Many, many people

- Bizarre. Fascinating. (Note: There were 18 stories in this book and each was such a unique piece of writing that it would be difficult to write only two words on each story let alone the entire compilation.)

13) Foxmask by Juliet Marillier

- Haunting. Beautiful.

14) The Secrets of the Cave by Phillipa Bower

- Captivating. Emotive.

15) Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

- Near perfect.

16) The Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith

- Mildly entertaintaing.

17) Whispering in God's Ear: True Stories Inspiring Childlike Faith Compiled by Wayne Holmes

- Inspiring! Powerful.

18) Obernewtyn (Book 1) by Isobelle Carmody

- Childhood favourite.

19) Farseekers (Book 2) by Isobelle Carmody

- Comfort read.

20) Ashlings (Book 3) by Isobelle Carmody

- Forever favourite. (I seriously love these books and have read them so many times - not something I can usually do!)

21) The Keeping Place (Book 4) by Isobelle Carmody

- Love Love.

22) The Stone Key (Book 5) by Isobelle Carmody

- New Love! (Ok, so my comments on these books are not very helpful suffice it to say that I am one whole leg over the line for being a nerd about these books. The first one came out when I was 11 years old and I read it straight away. The second and third came out in 1997 and the fourth came out in 2000. This book, the fifth, was released this year - 2009. It's along time to wait to hear how a story ends only to discover there is still one more to come (possibly September this year but with 17 years between the 1st and the 5th who knows!). I've grown up knowing and loving these people and their adventures and always wishing I was the main character. I've read them so many times that to say anything other than that I love them is not enough. I'm so glad Joel loves them too!)

23) The Mercy of Thin Air by Ronlyn Domingue

- Enthralling Construction.

24) Temple by Matthew Reilly

- Gripping Action.

25) Vision in White by Nora Roberts

- Enjoyable Chic-Lit.

26) The Bright Forever by Lee Martin

- Creepily observant.

27) Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs

- Scary! Excellent.

28) Death Du Jour by Kathy Reichs

- Morbidly entertaining.

29) The Flood by David Maine

- Brilliant. Uncompromising retelling. (3 words I know - but this is a truly fantastic book)

30) Jasmyn by Alex Bell

- Fairytale Awesomeness. (I have been raving about this book by 23 year old Alex Bell since reading it. Anyone who loves a modern fairytale will be completely captivated by this book. I'm on the hunt for everything else she writes from now until forever!)

31) The Road Home by Tommy Tenney & Mark Andrew Olsen

- Heart Opening. (This is the story of Ruth and Naomi from the Bible told as women in the present day. I could say a lot more about this book too!)

32) Hadassah: One Night with the King by Tommy Tenney & Mark Andrew Olsen

- Awe Inspiring. (The story of Queen Esther. I admire and am inspired by this woman so, so much...)

33) Beauty by Robin McKinley

- Gorgeous. Involving. (Retelling of Beauty and the Beast. What's with reading retellings at the moment??!)

34) Angels Fall by Nora Roberts

- Absorbing mystery.

35) Tethered by Amy MacKinnon

- Devastatingly real.

36) The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

- Magical. Moorish!

37) Saving Grace by Ciara Geraghty

- Comically Irish .

38) The Betrayal (Abram's Daughters Book 1) by Beverly Lewis

- Spell-binding. Transporting. (to the Amish life)

39) The Covenant (Abram's Daughters Book 2) by Beverly Lewis

- Gripping. Gentle.

40) The Sacrifice (Abram's Daughters Book 3) by Beverly Lewis

- Heart-rending. Faithful.

41) The Prodigal (Abram's Daughters Book 4) by Beverly Lewis

- Perfectly written .

Happy Handmade Christmas!

(click to make big so you can read!)

Take note of our new kitchen chairs and the stunning paper flowers that Rachel Ann made (well, she didn't make them make them, she put them on wire so we can keep them forever! Just as good!).

I pray you all had a blessed Christmas day as we did here. With love - Rachel Esther. x

Wedding Week: Bonus! - The Gorgeous Couple

And you thought you'd only get seven posts about the wedding! How could I not save these for last?

Rachel & Daniel - I am so privileged. Not just for having the honour of capturing your special day and the enormous love you share but for being your sister. You are wonderful and precious people and I praise God for each of you and for bringing you together in marriage. May your life together be full of divine Love.

With love and blessings (and many more photos to be shared just with you), your sister, photographer and friend always - Rachel Esther xx00

(note: see why I go by my first two names???)

Wedding Week: Part Seven - Details

Rachel and Daniel worked towards having a lovely natural/garden themed wedding. They pulled it off beautifully with, as I said yesterday, help from many family and friends.

Steve made three very cool screens to mark space and even inserted a mail box into one so envelopes didn't get lost! How cute is that!

One of the most long term projects, however, was the growing of little succulents for each guest. A name tag was made and poked into each one as a place setting then the guests were invited to take them home as a reminder of the wedding. I'm not sure exactly how many different people were involved in the growing but I do know that one Nana used extra fertilizer for hers which meant you could tell which ones she had grown by all the little babies they were sprouting! (Of course there were jokes about this being a fertility blessing or something for those of us who had the ones with baby succulents...!) Aren't they lovely?!

And of course they made for the perfect place to put the rings....

Wedding Week: Part Six - the PARTY!

And what a fun party it was! Details:

Cake - super delicious chocolate mud cake with fondant icing - tasty! And beautiful to boot.

Venue: The Horsham Football Club. They had originally booked the Horsham golf club but it was burnt down in the february fires - very sad. The Footy club did an awesome job of stepping up and updating their club room with new carpet, curtains and other things to make it place you could hold a wedding reception. Add to that the gorgeous ideas that Rachel and Daniel had for decorating and it turned into one beautiful room. (This was all that fabric I told you about that I ironed!)

Decorations: Rach and Steven put a lot of hard work into growing big dishes of wheat grass for the table centre pieces which then had a simple white case and candle placed in the centre - stunning and so creative. So many other people but hard work into the details of the reception. People made screens, name tags and a photo booth. Some dedicate women even made a very special long term commitment to contribute the gifts for each guest. I'll revel those tomorrow! It was wonderful to be a part of such a big family group all contributing to this event of love.

The first dance: Daniel and Rachel actually took dance classes in preparation for their first dance - full points guys! They danced to one of their favourite musical pieces from The Lion, The With and The Wardrobe. A very special moment.

The other dances: At the risk of alienating large portions of my in-laws I really, really wanted to share this last picture along with the second last. This, my friends, is The Nutbush City Limits. It requires serious concentration.. On your feet...! Sorry Becker women - I just love this photo! The dancing lasted until the DJ was asked to shut it all down. He called the last song 5 times (then I believe he continued the party somewhere else!). A brilliantly fun night. And there was a bubble machine - does it get better than that?

Wedding Week: Part Five - The Austin

I must admit that I have little to almost no knowledge of cars - especially old ones. But I can appreciate a beautiful thing when I see one. And this little Austin is gorgeous. My understanding is that it used to belong to Daniel's grandfather, Roy (the numberplate's namesake) and now belongs to Colin, Daniel's dad, who loving takes care of it, shows it and enjoys driving around it. Marie, Daniel's mum, has even knitted a special hat to wear while going for a ride! Sadly I didn't get to see the hat...

I don't know if you can fully appreciate how tiny this car is. Imagine the roof is up. Then put Rachel in the back seat where the suitcases are. Now add Steven (Rachel's Dad, my father in law) into the front passenger seat. Keep mind that Steve is TALL! And finally imagine Colin, who is about Daniels height, driving. That's how they arrived at the church! It was almost the glamourous version of this! But much, much nicer!!

Thanks for letting us use the car as a prop Colin! It was the perfect addition.

Wedding Week: Part Four - The Church

I just LOVE how excited Daniel is to see Rachel and have her hand in his! I think this might've been the first time he fully relaxed all day. What a precious thing it is to be so confident in the choice you have made to marry your beloved. And equally so when your parents agree (spot Daniels dad behind them getting swept up in the emotion of his eldest child getting married).

The service was a perfect testament to love. Joel (my Joel!) preached a beautiful sermon and led Rach and Daniel through their vows so confidently you would never have guessed that it was his first wedding. Everyone was very proud of him - especially me.

I discovered this circular staircase on a previous trip to the church and new I wanted to use it for its drama. I love how this shot turned out. You're stunning Rach! x

Wedding Week: Part Three - The Lads

After a few grooms family photos the lads and I (plus mum, dad and sister) headed down to the oval for some fun playing around, action shots. One particular groomsman was very entertaining with his "I've got an idea for a pose" suggestions. I was happy to oblige and we came up with a few very funny shots. The bottom one here was taken while they were getting ready for one of the requested 'boy band' poses. Good fun groomsmen!

Take notice of the sky here. So very, very overcast and yet bright enough to keep everyone squinting. Later in the day we had the most gorgeous blue skies - and still lots of squinting.

Questions for the Photog's - What can you do about that aside from moving into full shade?

Wedding Week: Part Two - The Beauty Bar

The girls arrived at Sassi Beauty Bar at 8am in glamourous monogrammed robes made by Rachel. Rach was worried that her feet would get dirty wearing thongs so she rocked up in socks. Just white socks. Bridal privileges. I said this yesterday but I'll say it again - the girls and the time at Sassi was perfect. (And the lighting was decent too!)

Wedding Week: Part One

+++++Tune out NOW if wedding talk bores you!+++++

Considering that Rachel and Daniel are family and this is only the second wedding I've photographed I think it is only fitting that I dedicate a week of sharing some of their pictures everyday. I'll be sharing little snippets of their day and the week leading up to it through the photos and some stories to go with them. So check in often and share in the gorgeous day that is the start of what we pray with be an incredible marriage.

Picture One: Rach's dress was stunning. I had the privilege of seeing her in it a few days before the wedding and (just quietly) I got a little teary. It was so incredibly unique and beautiful and made just for her. One of her photo requests included using the old tree in their front yard somehow. The tree is quite beautiful now but nothing comp

ared to how it was before dying in the drought. Unfortunately it will have to be knocked down soon before it falls over and hurts someone. So we bandied around a few ideas and came up with using it as a backdrop for some dress shots. A step ladder, 3 men (with clean hands I promise!) and some patience with the wind and I think we achieved some shots that do a gorgeous dress justice.

Picture Two: Sassi, the Beauty Bar where all eyelash tinting (yep, me too!), spray tanning, massaging, mani/pedi's, hair cut and colour, and facials happened before the day and where all makeup, hair and other primping happened on the day - was AWESOME! The girls there were fantastic at their jobs as well as being so calm and relaxed - which really helped with the Big Day nerves and mood. They did a beautiful job of everyone's hair and make up (I LOVE having my makeup done. So girly! And nice to have a moment of being the sister in law as well as the photographer). In fact their whole establishment was lovely. Including this stunning blue wall with little circle mirrors in line...

.....more pictures tomorrow..... Maybe I'll even show someones face!

Daniel & Rachel are MARRIED!!

They are one! Congratulations dear ones. It was an honour to share the day with you. The day was close to perfect. May your marriage be the same.

Much love and many, many more photos to come. xo

Congratulations Sem Wives Graduates!

I believe that this evening, in a town far far away (Adelaide), this years Sem Wives are 'graduating'. The Sem Wives (Sem - as in Luther Seminary, even though now it's call Australian Lutheran College no-one really calls it that) are the group of women whose husbands are study for the pastoral ministry. And each year as the husbands graduate and are ordained into the pastorate their wives are acknowledged for their part in supporting their husbands and as valued friends in the Sem community. For the past 30 or more years (with the exception of a few 'off' years) the wives have received a PHT - Putting Hubby Through - certificate as well as other tokens of love.

I feel honoured to be a part of the shift in thinking for the Sem Wives Graduation evening. When I arrived on campus the evening consisted of the husbands making presentations to their wives to thank them for their support during their studies. Myself and a number of other women felt a few different things about that but mainly that a) Sem Wives is about the women and the graduation should be about the women thanking and farewelling the women and b) the men should have been thanking their wives every day not just once at the end of 5 years!

So with some hard working, likeminded women we made the change to a family celebration where the graduating women are honoured for all that they have been and become and given encouragement for the next phase of their lives. Each women has a friend give a speech specially for her and a gift is given. It is a precious event.

Two years ago I had the honour of giving the speech for a very dear friend. We both cried. Last year as I stood next to the gorgeous group of girls I was graduating with another of my most incredible friends said the few words she could get out before we both started crying. This year, as a first year graduate, I was asked to share some thoughts/experience/encouragement/wisdom with the graduates. Since it has been a major year of learning I felt I at least had some thoughts to share.

Tonight, as the ladies say their formal farewells, as they are lifted up and honoured for the time and life that they have invested in people, and as I reflect on my own Sem Wives graduation 1 year ago (yesterday) I want to share with you what was read out on my behalf for them. Perhaps you might find some encouragement in there for yourself.

Be blessed tonight Sem Wives Graduates. You made it here. You will make it to the next place - because our Lord is with you.

"The lesson I'd like to share with this years graduate wives comes from Queen Esther. Just like Esther we don't get a lot of say in where we live but we can take her example in the way she conducts herself:

~ Firstly, she draws near to God with daily and constant prayer.
~ She seeks advice from those she loves and trusts as wiser and more experienced than she is.
~ She doesn't moan and complain about her circumstances but makes the most of them, seeing the best wherever she can.
~ She is in love with her husband!! Instead of complaining when he leaves for war, or doesn't call her to him for weeks, she gets on with work that she has and eagerly anticipates the next time they will have together so that it is enjoyable not a nag-fest. (Graduate pastors work hard! They are starting a career they have studied 5 years for. Be supportive, understanding of their changing life too, and make your home a place your husband wants to spend time in rather than a place he gets told he's working too hard!!)
~ She knows it's not really about her but about about God's big picture plan.

Mordecai's encouragement applies to each of us: "Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Wherever you are God is there with you and he has some plan for you. Delight in his word, be faithful, honest, seek comfort and advice from those who have gone before you, cultivate an attitude of joy, love your husband and know that God is for you and wants to bless you beyond your imagination - and he can do that in any old town!"

Wedding preparations:

(Adam & Hannah's Wedding in February)

One of the many careers that I think about going into is that of wedding planner. I love everything about weddings - the planning, the dreaming, the visioning, the excitement, the colours, the dresses, the flowers and of course the photography.... all of it. I think I could get married 20 times (always to Joel!) just to use all the wedding ideas I have.

This week I have the privilege of helping my dear sister in law prepare in the final days before her wedding on Saturday. We have been making names for the place settings, cones for the rose petals and deciding on all manner of last minute things. She is so very organised and has gorgeous taste in style and decor. All the family has been chipping in - dad has been doing some building (no details yet!), Andrew has been moving things and generally allowing himself to be bossed around, Joel is helping Andrew and preparing the service, message and legalities and mum has been doing sewing, driving, emotional support and everything in between.

This afternoon we are going location hunting for photography. Two of the spots we had chosen this time last year weren't burnt out in the February bush fires so we need to come up with something else. I'm starting to get a little nervous about being the photographer. I've had one dream before we came that I forgot to bring my camera... instead I've managed to bring two! I also bought my computer and external hard drive with for easy file transfer and back up. It would not be a good thing if I lost my sister in laws wedding photos! I think it will be ok but...

So, it's all fairly frenetic here but it's very exciting be a part of the preparations for one of the most important days in loved ones life. 3 sleeps to go!!!!!