Sometimes I run out of new things to feel grateful for. Partly because I pray for the important things, but always forget to pray for the little things in life. The more we pray, the more miracles God will do, the more grace we will receive, and more new things to thank Him for. How can we pray for little things in life?

It is a false sense of security we have that we are in control of ANYTHING. That is a lie from the depths of hell itself. We may THINK we are in control of certain things, when in reality we are not. That’s why we should start to pray about everything, no matter how insignificant it seemed. If I would pray as I was looking for a parking spot. That didn’t mean a spot up front magically became available, but it did mean I got the exact spot God wanted me to be in. If I would pray about what camera to buy, it didn’t mean that Canon will give me a Mark II for free, but probably God thought I looked cooler with a Canon hanging on my neck. Oh well, I made this one up.

The point I want to make is, if we don’t pray about something, we leave it up to chance, instead of what God wants for us. To me, God is much better than chance, or me. And since God has given us the ability to communicate with Him at any time about anything, we are fools when we don’t take full advantage of that opportunity. We are only making our lives more difficult when we live any part of it apart from God. We are carrying unnecessary burdens when we don’t take everything, even the little things to the Lord in prayer.

To help myself learn to pray for the little things in life, I bought this book on the internet – Paper Bag Prayers.  It is a cute little book that contains prayers about many random things the author has in her paper bag. Things like a map, a banana, a q-tip, a paper cup etc. She showed me how we can open up conversations with the Lord on just about anything. So keep praying about the big things in your life, but now, start even praying about the little things. Pray on!

The following are from my church’s vacation bible school last month. The songs from there are still the greatest hits in my  household right now.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the LA Shoot This! event at the Balboa Peninsula. It was a group of the most friendly and amazing photographers who gathered together to share their passion, and to have fun.

I also met some incredibly awesome models who have a such a professional attitude. While I was freezing my butt off, they jumped into the water without hesitation. That’s professionalism! I cannot even take anything less than a hot shower at home. My hats off to these girls! I cannot tell you how much fun I had. Not only the shooting part, but shooting and getting chased by the waves at the same time. Almost died of a heart attack right there.

Special thanks to the following for making this event happen, and for giving me an almost-heart-attack-kind-of-fun.

Event organizer: Joelle Ledder Photography

Group Leaders: Chris Diset, Tamara Young, Lloyd Graves, Thomas Frank Pellicer

Models: Rudy Curry, Ashley Rush, Amanda Goraleski, Mera Zero, JK Delapp, Alex Cranmer

HAIR and MAKEUP ARTIST TEAM: Michelle Cheng, Shirley Vazquez, Shannon Ely, Katie M & team

Location for the models to get ready: Salon TM 2

Clothing Provided by: Joanna with Blue Violet Boutique, Kim with BabyKakes

This year I had the honor to help out in the Purple Ark Ministries. I really can’t say that I was helpful at all, besides taking these photos, and bagging food for like, five minutes. For all other volunteers who went, it was a morning of giving and reaching out to the poor. For me, it seems like I received more than I gave out. Besides getting a free meal for Annabelle and myself, I got reminded that while I can eat until I puke during the thanksgiving holidays, some people simply can’t afford to have a nice meal. Or to buy new clothes for their kids.  Or to have a nice photo of themselves.

I tried to get close to the kids who were playing in the playground to photograph them. At first, I was afraid that they would not like me and my camera. To my surprise, they loved to be photographed and even posed for me, as opposed to my kids who would run away from my camera. Perhaps no ones ever takes photos for them. It makes me sad to know that some people can’t afford to have nice photos of their children. I am so thankful, for all the photos I have, even when they are out of focus. Um…no, not the later.

These were the food that we bagged up to give out…

Please meet Aban (not sure if this is how it’s spelled). He has such a friendly personality and was very interested in my camera, and these candies…

She is known as the Jump Jump Lady. I can be a witness that she well deserves this name because she can jump really high! But I like to call her the Triple “E” lady. For she is a person full of energy, enthusiasm and empathy. When she is on the stage, the whole room overflows with her passion for God and for kids. Then she comes off the stage showing a whole lot of empathy to everyone she meets.

It was Jana Alayra, a popular children musical artist, who came to our church to give a Halloween “alternative” concert for young children and their families. My little panda Christian wandered on the stage at one time, but shame on me who did not take a picture. I was too amazed at him, and at the same time, trying to be ready to rescue my little panda from stage freight. Annabelle can sing and do motions for Jana’s famous song Jump Into the Light, even when she’s asleep. I enjoyed her songs and motions so much that I couldn’t help singing and dancing along as I shot. So don’t be surprised to find my photos below a little shaky.

Be sure to check out Jana’s website too.

Jana and Ron, thank you for a night of serious fun! Way more fun that trick-or-treating!

Here is spiderman with a little attitude…

Yes Jana, you rock!!

The dads showing off their choreographic talents…

She touched my heart when I watched her warmly greet, chat and hug every big and small person who wanted to meet her:

She is almost four but still would not go on a swing. Bounce house at school is not her thing. This is how cautious and conservative Annabelle is. I was prepared that Annabelle and Christian’s first time at Knott’s Berry Farm would not be super exciting. Instead, I anticipated a day of walking and sightseeing. We went because Ricky’s company had its annual picnic at this America’s 1st theme park. The day turned out to be quite fun for all of us.

When we first got into the park, whenever we walked by a kids’ ride, I would ask Annabelle if she wanted to play. The answer was always “no“.  After answering “no” a few times, she was annoyed and decided to say “I don’t want to play ANYTHING.” Okay fine. I was glad we got the tickets for free. Then Ricky had an idea. “Why don’t Annabelle and Christian watch our stuff so we can go play?” Oh I loved that thought!

Just when I stopped asking Annabelle if she wanted to play this and that, she pointed at the Huff-N-Puff wagon and said, “Mommy, when can I go in there and play?” Girls have rights to change her minds anytime.

Then it was showtime for Christian. He wanted to ride on the airplanes.  Annabelle did not want to ride because these jets were fast and they went off the ground. So I got in line with Christian. He was excited and kept saying “I wanna ride plane!” After he repeated this 15 times in the line,  it was our turn. I put him in the seat and left. As soon as he saw me leaving, anxiety began to emerge on his face. Soon after, he started crying. Too late. The planes were taking off. After going 2 lapses, the planes slowed down. The technician was checking his switches and did not know what went wrong. A lady started walking in; she stopped next to Christian and announced through the microphone, “Parents of this gentleman, please come and pick him up .” That was how he got evacuated. No crying was allowed on flights.

I only took my 50mm f/1.4 with me and shot with it all day. Man, isn’t this lens amazing? What a bargain.  Here are some more photos from the rest of the day…

It was a great ice-skating show that I enjoyed so much. Yummy colors, fantastic music, and amazing dancers!
I wouldn’t mind watching one more time, but Ricky objected.

This back lighting scene caught my eyes as we were leaving the theater.

Dusk can be as beautiful as sunset.

I was going through our photos from this past weekend’s retreat. Out of the 576 photos that Ricky and I took, this is the one that touches my heart. A four-year-old little girl singing praises to God. What a beautiful scene!

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. ~Psalms 63:4

It was Bethany and Joshua’s 1st birthday party (could also be their engagement party.) With fourteen babies and kids playing and the parents hanging out, it was a blast for everyone!
Bethany was arrested for killing Joshua.

All the kids by age. (Next time can I do all the adults by age?)

Bethany was arrested for killing Joshua!

Happy birthday to this perfect couple! (And congratulations on your engagement!)

Bethany: Me or hat, only one could live.

Ken, you look gorgeous!

Having a birthday in the summer has the privilege of celebrating by the pool. The magic of water has made all the kids gone wild. Happy Birthday Brian!

Annabelle has never been this wild with water.

I just love this one!

My son’s big tummy.  I’ve only seen this kind of pictures on pregnant women though.

Home-baked raisin cake, substituted eggs with lots of love since Brian is allergic to eggs.

Candle lighting seemed to be a very serious moment for them.

My first time shooting for church special events last Saturday.  Thank you–praise teams from CBCCOC and His Torch Music Ministry, for letting me enjoy such wonderful worship songs and music.  Good job everyone! Congratulations to those who accepted Christ!  What a wonderful night.  (More photos will be posted on FB.)

Ricky shot these two after the show. They are pretty funny when put side by side.