A Birthday Celebration: Lois Witte Style!!

It was a happy day to be sure, as evidenced by the photo above. Mom and Dad are clearly quite fond of each other... what a gift! Mom celebrated her birthday today with her fantastic family and one of her favorite friends: Mrs. Jump, at one of her favorite restaurants: Pizza Hut.

I am exceedingly thankful for both of these women! It's about time they had a decent photo together!


Katelyn has always been pretty good about finding a solid balance between practical and heartfelt in her gift giving... but I think this may be pushing it just a little.


One of the pups chewed up a book that Grandpa borrowed from the library, but Emily saved the day and drew the rest of the cover for Mom's birthday! Watch out... that thing could be worth a lot of money some day.





Awww... warms my heart! What a great birthday!

The Harmon Family

The Harmons are a very special family... one of my favorites for sure!! They are lovers of bacon, Ohio State football, and all things reformed. They are marked by hospitality, superior literary knowledge, and really good meatloaf (according to those who can appreciate loaves of meat.)

Matt and Kate set an example for me, among others, both in their marriage and their passion for studying God's Word and seeing the preeminence of Christ therein. Knowing them and watching them rejoice in their salvation is a privilege for sure!

One can rarely interact with this family without coming away more... hmmm... cultured... in a good way. Matt introduced me to a gospel-centered reading of the Scripture, the ESV Study Bible, and Seinfeld; Kate introduced me to alliteration, edamame, and Justin Taylor's blog. They regularly use words such as "amanuensis," "absquatulation," "defenestrate," and the like.

Take a look at this uniquely demonstrative family:

Jon and Jake are charming young gentlemen -- very different, but both sincere, sharp, and quality basketball players.

I love this photo!... They both look so happy. It was undoubtably taken shortly after the kissing photo. :)

Meet Luther: the canine theologian who enthusiastically plays his part in contributing to the smells and sounds of the overall Harmon household experience. One will never want for a warm reception with Luther around.



I thank God for this family often! They are a blessing to many... and really photogenic!!

Niles/Buchanan Michigan Engagement

This has to be one of the coolest photo shoots I've ever done!! Lindsi is one of my best friends... one who I haven't seen for a while. I had the privilege of not only getting to see her, but getting to take photos of her and Kyle (who gets to marry her in a few months!) It was so great seeing Lindsi and Kyle together... happy, and in love... God has been so good to them and certainly exceeded expectations... He is kind in that way.

Here is a look at our Tuesday morning engagement escapades:



That's one sharp couple right there!

Thanks for letting me take your photos guys!! For the record... you two are definitely the best looking engaged couple I have ever photographed! ;)

My God is so BIG!!

Christ's Covenant Church's children took a "gospel journey" this past month. They learned about creation, rebellion, redemption, and restoration. It was so fantastic! In every activity, teaching, and project the kids heard the truth of the gospel. I got to sneak around and capture the week in photos. I loved seeing the kids learn and have fun... I also enjoyed the great music!

Here are some happy VBS faces along with a song they learned throughout the week:

"My God is so BIG, so strong, and so mighty; there's nothing my God cannot do!"

"The mountains are His..."

"The valleys are His..."

"The stars are His handiwork too!"

"My God is so BIG, so strong, and so mighty; there's nothing my God cannot do!"

... A simple song with such profound truth!!

From a Daughter

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

Ephesians 1:3-14 ESV

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."

1 John 3:1-3 ESV

These verses are full of astonishing truths of my inheritance from God. Out of the riches of His grace, He chose to adopt me... He made me an heir with Christ... I am called a child of God. It is impossible for me to fathom why God would choose to make a rebel His daughter, but that is the beautiful mystery of the gospel: those who were once called enemies (Romans 5:10-11) are called children (Ephesians 5:1); those who were once called sinners (Romans 5:12) are called saints (Colossians 1:24-27); those who were once slaves to sin are slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:16-18); those who were once dead in sin are alive in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:22), (Ephesians 2:1-10); those who were once haters of God (Romans 1:29- 2:1) are heirs of God (Galatians 3:29). And to add to the wondrous mystery of it all, consider this: The God from whom sinners need to be rescued is the same God who provided a means by which we may be rescued (Zephaniah)! This means was His own sinless Son (2 Corinthians 5:21). This same God is my gracious heavenly Father. What a reason to rejoice on Father's day!

"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"

Romans 8:31-32 ESV

I am so grateful that along with the unfathomable gift of being called a child of God, God has chosen, in His incomprehensible kindness, to give me a godly earthly father whose view of our heavenly Father has been used to shape my view of our heavenly Father. I told my dad last weekend that by the grace of God and the power of Christ in him, he is a dad worthy of my admiration. It is very true. I cannot express how thankful I am that God saw fit to bless in ill-desearving sinner in this way.

We were able to celebrate both my dad's birthday and Father's day this past weekend. Here's a look at what the weekend was like around the Witte home...

...Hehehe... I'm glad they like each other so much. :)

She is very talented... a woman of grace to be sure.

Katelyn and Rosy... Emily and Ruby

To Grandpa Hall: My Favorite 97 Year Old

God graciously gave my grandpa another year of life. He turned ninety-seven last Saturday, and got to celebrate with some of my family out in Pennsylvania.

What kind of birthday present do you get someone who is turning ninety-seven? After that many years of birthdays, presents start to get a little old... in more ways than one. But who doesn't like a little poetry on his birthday? I deemed this the best birthday present option and decided to write Grandpa a little poem. It was writen for him mind you... so if it doesn't make sense to you dear reader, you can rest assured; it made sense to him!

Here's to you Grandpa:

Dear Grandpa Hall...

Sometimes I don't know about you,

You heckle me till I’m reddish-blue.

You tell stories about meat and dogs and knives...

And tails of your family and their lives.

You tell me I don't know how to kiss...

Then you speak of marital bliss.

You give shouts of scorn with wielding fork,

Every time I cut fat off my pork.

As I try to discreetly remove the gristle,

You grumble, shake your head, and bristle.

You have plenty to say about boys...

And remind me that I make too much noise.

Your wisdom far exceeds my own...

You deliver it well in your grandpa-ish tone.

You speak highly of my mom: the perfect child...

And then Uncle Charles who was rather wild.

I’m thankful for you Grandpa, to be sure...

You help me grow like a garden with manure...

My affection for you, you need not ensure...

For my love and admiration will certainly endure.

Happy year ninety-seven...

In June, two thousand eleven.

Grandpa Hall, you are now old...

... if I may be so bold.

Even though you don’t yet see the follies of sweets,

Even though you pickle your beats,

And even though you seasoned stuff with monosodium glutamate,

All in all... I suppose you are still pretty great.

I mean, come-on...

I’ve looked hither and yon...

You are the only one I’ve met who picks his nose with his tongue.

In my opinion, you’re still pretty young!

Be Still

Still my soul be still
And do not fear
Though winds of change may rage tomorrow
God is at your side
No longer dread
The fires of unexpected sorrow

God You are my God
And I will trust in You and not be shaken
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone

Still my soul be still
Do not be moved
By lesser lights and fleeting shadows
Hold onto His ways
With shield of faith
Against temptations flaming arrows

Still my soul be still
Do not forsake
The Truth you learned in the beginning
Wait upon the Lord
And hope will rise
As stars appear when day is dimming

Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend

Katelyn Rene... Round Two

Katelyn Rene

What a beauty! Katelyn is a senior in high school this year so naturally photos were in order.