Wallace Standard

A total joy to see this project through, for the first time, with the Deacon candidates, their wives, and Fr Jamin.

It was so hot y’all!!! August. Pretty sure we were at or over three digit temperatures. And these men showed up obedient to my eye and composition wishes with the kind of grace those genuine smiles clearly reveal.

I say it, and I’ll never stop...to all those who find themselves in front of my lens...I am ever grateful to you for the beauty we create together. ❤️

The Diocesan Office of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate has just published its new Deacon Candidate Formation Poster that will be displayed in Churches and institutions throughout the Diocese. Check it out now, and pray for Mike Barras and Randy Waguespack -- the two men from our parish pursing a call to the diaconate.

It's not exactly Day 5. It is, however, the clearest picture (taken just now by my middle daughter) of my devotion to being Elle's mother. She's doing what she loves, all nail art and lizard talking and a few readers digest facts...I listen like this, all hunched over and no talking and a few mom only secrets.

It's been a while since I've had a family in front of my lens...its been a joy today that I've missed.

Always an honor to work with the Vocations Office on the photography and design of this poster. I've lost count of all the years we've grown together, but I know for sure I've seen the journey of every man on that top row in full. While I know the people of this office inspire many, they will all have a special place in my life.

Our latest poster! Please keep our Seminarians in your prayers.
St. Jean Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests, Pray for Us.

Day 2. Sometimes nothing is in focus. Not our minds, our time, or our school. Even the damn coffee seems to be cold. It's not my favorite kind of morning; and still, I push through, because they are my everything. Maybe the day will find its focus eventually. Maybe the coffee and the sun and these moods will find a warmth naturally.

series. That life would pause for a moment of truth and of beauty is available as much as I allow it to be. Me. That, sweet love, I will learn.

😜 The girls and I hit up the this afternoon! It's probably one of my favorite things. Like I told the Hubbs, "it's my people...the creators, the odd ones, the rebels. All in one place and that place happens to be the biggest Library in EBR." served our community with their build-your-own-tea-for-free booth. Y'all. Big win. Standing ovation. All the love. I knew better than to throw my kisses at these beautiful young women, but that's EXACTLY what I wanted to do. 😘

The southern woman's front porch is a place, no, the place for a warm welcome no matter how cold blooded the visitor.

I should wash my hair. I can no longer stand, though. The tiredness of the day hit my bones and my eyes, and then it soured my tummy to the point of knowing a sponge bath was my only option for this night.
_
I sat in the tub. Two inches of warm water touched my bottom and a head full of lost moments took over and a bare belly screamed for the meal growing cold in the other room. I won't eat tonight.
_
I looked right out the side of the tub and tipped my head. The day won this one. I lost. It was time to simply cover my body and close my eyes in surrender.
_
There are worst things and people to which we lose. After all, the day is like the good mother. At the end of her lessons, she looks over us with a kindness and urges us to try, try again. She reassures us she lives by the light of our eyes. Her greatest victory is our growth, not our defeat.
_
Encouraged, we quietly ask if she'll be there when we wake. She promises she will, and we don't doubt that promise for a second.
_
Tomorrow comes. She's there. Our eyes open to the promse of a new day.

"No wonder people choose to retire here," I told my husband, "nothing dies in Sedona. Not even the damn cars!"
_

When I have no ideas of what to say...When the angry spirits have no dominion...When the light seems to sink below the horizon.
My hands reach beyond the stars. My body moves against the coming wind. My face lights up with the Moon.
And we rise together. Mothers of the dark. Daughters of the Sun.

Bill Depola walked up on that stage with that New Orleans smile of his and then paused before he said anything to us at all. He promised to fill us with good things. No bull s**t. A bigger part of my blessed him for that. And after twenty minutes of listening and writing, watching and laughing with him, I'll tell you these words of his will stay with me long after everything else.
__
"There is never a light you can shine in yourself that is brighter than when you shine a light on others. It reflects back onto you. And I promise you, it doesn't get any brighter than that."
~ Bill Depaola, Dat Dog, New Orleans.
__
Amen, brotha, Amen to that.
#225