His Glory! HIS Renown!...one photographer's desire

Sara's Place...Where Melodies Ring On...

2010-06-14T23:11:00.012-05:00

i was blessed to spend an afternoon at the Children's Village at Lions Park in Cheyenne recently. it was a chilly and windy afternoon where a small gathering of family and friends came together to remember and celebrate a life lived but a moment. they gathered to dedicate a place of peace, a place where children would gather and play for years, a place where melodies can ring out among the laughter and the giggles of the tiny feet that run about.

moments of silence were brought to an end by the sounds of the children running among us all. they would strike a melody in sara's place, giggle with glee as they dug in the sand, and shouted with joy at the chance to splash in the many water areas.

as we spent time walking around...thinking about a sweet life gone too soon i couldn't help but be watch all the children running around playing and and think about all that is and all that could be... all the hopes and dreams that were represented in each little foot print. as i reflected, thought and watched a song came to my heart-

"beautiful Lord" by Leeland "When the storm is raging all around me, You are the peace that calms my troubled sea and when the cares of this world darken my day You are the light that shines and shows me the way.
Oh, the beauty of Your majesty On the cross You showed Your love for me!
Beautiful Lord awesome and mighty, I’m captured by this love I see. Beautiful Lord tender and holy Your mercy brings me to my knees.
It’s Your mercy that has made me free, beautiful Lord.
When my sin is all that I can see Your grace remains the shelter that I seek and when my weakness is all I can give Your gentle Spirit gives me strength again and oh, the beauty of Your majesty on the cross You showed Your love for me.
And I am lifted by Your love to sing! It’s Your mercy that has made me free!
You’re beautiful, my Lord. You’re beautiful, my Lord"

it was a sweet day with friends... may Sara's song go on in the lives of those who loved her and knew her even if it was only for a moment....for moments are memories for a life time!

sing your song...play your melody....and dance!
Lizzy

Herding Buffalo...AKA a road trip across Wyoming-Buffalo, Wyoming to be exact!

2010-05-03T01:46:00.005-05:00

I have always Loved Wyoming and all that it has to offer. It truly is one of the most beautiful States I have ever driven through... and I have driven from one side of the United States to the other, so I don't just say that because I was raised here. It is not a bias statement. There are plenty of things about Wyoming that I get frustrated with, like our forever Winter weather- I mean just today we had snowflakes, rain, amazing sunshine and sleet all in a matter of hours... it can wear on a person. BUT all that aside... there is something about driving through a flat, dry almost barren dust bowl to have the road dip out and suddenly you are looking at the foothills of a National Forest, the foothills of the Rockies, of the Big Horn Mountain range, the Grand Tetons, Yellow Stone... the list goes on.

Recently I had to make a trip to Buffalo Wyoming-- yes it is just as exciting as it sounds. BUT it is also one of the coolest little old towns you could ever visit. I didn't take any pictures of the town, but one day after sitting in a training all day I decided to take a 20 min drive and go into the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains... and more importantly "Crazy Woman Canyon". I took my trusty camera along and grabbed a few shots as this was my first 're-entrance' into all things "Wyoming Mountains". ENJOY

Anyone up for a little hike???

You're safe...I'm shooting with a Nikon today!

Not sure if you can see him...but this is what we call "open range!" little grazing taking place... ahh I love being HOME!

Take me home...to the place I belong!

Pure BEAUTY... takes my breath away!

This is where the road dips down into "Crazy Woman Canyon" as I walked down into the area to take a few photos this old man comes around the corner with 2 dogs. Kind of startled me. He was exactly what you would picture for someone living down in the canyon. A bigger man, missing a more teeth then he had, had on a plaid shirt and bib overalls that didn't button on the side due to his girth. He spent a good amount of time sizing me up. I'm sure I looked good in my "business casual attire" of capris,semi nice top, and my half sandal/shoe footwear...a little out of place for a walk in a canyon... not to mention camera in hand. So he looks me up and down and then as he starts to walk off.. looks over his shoulder he says "well if we ever needed a poster child for Crazy Woman Canyon, I think I found her" and on he went...I wanted to say something smart back... but I was in awe of all that had just happened...probably a good thing.

The road leading out of Crazy Woman Canyon...and the road home...

I thought a lot about coming home. What it has meant for me personally. I also thought about what Crazy Canyon Man said to me... maybe I could be the poster child for Crazy Woman Canyon...not a bad thing really. Life is really one long journey anyway right? and there will be some paths that cause us to dip down into canyons... canyons that will be filled with strangers that cause us to laugh and wonder and canyons that remind us a little bit more about who we really are and where we came from.
ENJOY your journey and try not to loose focus of what is important.

a lil girl's best friend...memories before goodbye

2010-04-28T00:06:00.002-05:00

So Jaidyn and her little buddy Gadget (and Momma) spent some time together on a somewhat windy Saturday afternoon in Cheyenne to record some moments and memories as Gadget had been fighting a battle with cancer. It was very sweet to see the love affair between a little girl and her best friend.
We knew that it wouldn't be long before Gadget (lovingly called 'fat-head' by the Momma) wouldn't be around to take the 'walks' Jaidyn loved so much...we just didn't know it would be two very short weeks.

Rest in Peace- Gadget May 1998-April 23, 2010

Looks like Jaidyn is telling Gadget a story:"look Gadget I have it all figured out..."

It is LOVE!

"come on Gadget one last run!" says Jaidyn

In the end it is all about the journey "home"... like Gadget I hope I have a faithful friend....someone who loves me to lead the way... someone who will hold my hand and make it all okay...

Run and play Gadget...run and play!

Happy Birthday to my lil Stinker!

2009-10-30T15:18:00.004-05:00

It is hard to believe that it has been a year already! But alas it has... and my lil stinker is all grown up and is becoming a 'big boy'... *tear*
Before I left Midland and made my trek home to Wyoming Jack and I kidnapped his Halloween costume and headed out to a local park.... where if I am honest some home-school moms accused me of being a horrible mother for 1. allowing her young child to experience the 'horrors' of Halloween and all of Satan's charms. 2. dress her child as an animal that smells nasty (they should smell Jack-o's diapers!!) and 3. adorn my body with *gasp* tattoos.... they proceeded to make me a lesson to their children talking about me like I wasn't even there...
Well 1. Jack is not my child... but the son of 2 of my greatest friends and I feel blessed they entrust me with him... 2. the costume is amazingly cute and Halloween is what you create it to be and I grew up with a very healthy outlook on it and believe I turned out very okay! and 3. I am okay with the fact I could be your object lesson for the day. Just wish you would have taken the time to come over and meet me... taken the time to hear my story as I would have loved to hear yours. But alas... this is not about the day... but more about the person... AND the fact that today.. TODAY my lil JACK-o-lantern is 1... AHHHHHHHH

Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday dear Jack... Happy Birthday to you!!!! Your Aunt Lizzy Loves you very much and knows you will become great as you have been blessed by Him and loved by many!!!!!!

now enjoy some more of my lil Stinker... and keep in mind that your witness is in who you are and the words that others can hear.... we are who we display ourselves to be!!! lil stinkers and all!!!!

Be blessed and Bless always!
Lizzy

Sebastien Thompson...a lil man with BIG insight!...

2009-09-29T01:31:00.005-05:00

it never fails... I will be in the midst of taking pictures of a lil one... we get to talking about things and something they say totally blows me away. to be fair to them, usually they are unaware that what they are saying has such amazing impact.

Take Bash... if you will remember back to the first of this year I shared some time with Bash as we were awaiting our outgoing President (good o "W") to come to Midland so we could "welcome him home". Bash and I were talking as I was taking some pictures of the 'little' crowd gathered. as Bash and I talked, he asked me if I knew what kind of man "W" was, and if I thought he was the kind of man that would spank a kid if he and done wrong or he would just look past the bad in people and see the good... if you think about it those are some really deep thoughts. Well that and the fact that someone might have been in a little bit of trouble at school that day... But still I wonder what kind of people are each of us? do we take the time to look past the blemish of people to see the good in them?

well I got to spend another day with Bash here recently- in fact it was one of my very last days in Midland, Texas as I prepared to pack my things and relocate my life to try and find a new start... as Bash and I were in my friends backyard starting the picture process he asked me why it was so important to take so many photos... I decided to turn the question back to Bash... I said gee I'm not sure Bash.. what do you think? he kind of kicked the ground smiled a lil and said... "I think it is because people want to remember the really really good things about you, so when they are upset or sad- they can look at the good things and be happy"... I told him that was probably the right answer. that photos were the ability to take a moment and keep it forever to remember what something or someone looked like... he thought about that for a little while while we were taking photos... and while we were looking and flowers he looked and me and said.. "yeah I won't be almost 6 forever and these flowers won't be here forever especially if I pick them or step on them"... YUP he is ALL boy... O and for the record... we didn't step on or pick ANY of Mr. Bruce or Ms. Martha's flowers... just smelled them!!

Celebrating Volunteers!!!

2009-06-06T21:32:00.007-05:00

As I have been spending time in Florida making contacts with churches and looking into some student ministry openings... I have had the AMAZING opportunity to stay with my SWEET friends Greg (the Gal) Harford and her husband Larry and their housemate Paul.
Greg works for the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church doing Disaster Recovery Ministry. It is AWE inspiring to see her and her co-workers go at it... be it at a training, as they plan to go into action in a recently (or not so recently) effected area... or as they did most recently CELEBRATE those who selflessly give of their time and their talents to reach out (to others) and reach up (to God) to be the hands and feet of recovery in devastated areas.
It was awesome to hear the stories of humble heart-ed people. To meet some pretty sweet people who use the gifts and talents they have and are taking the time to be trained and learn new skills to bless others... So I heard stories, saw pictures... and became part of the background to capture their celebration in pictures... here are a FEW of the 200 I took... yeah know...if you ask me to capture...I will capture!
ENJOY!!!

Sean Stout....The Senior!!!

2009-05-09T00:53:00.009-05:00

Can't beat a few hours spent with a good friend and his son snapping pictures to freeze in time this moment for Sean. Check this kid out... and DIG the CHOPS!!!!

Congrats Sean... Then BEST is yet to come!!!

Thank YOU... all i can say.. thank YOU!

2009-04-12T02:13:00.005-05:00

I found this photo on line on a "random signs" website... and even though their focus of posting was humor it hit me another way...
"Thank you for your suffering"... WOW ... such simple words, yet such deep and full out meaning... REALLY- Think about it- what if we really took the time to not only think those words, but we visualized them, we said them, we POSTED them for all to see.
WHAT IF... we were bold enough to place a sign like this in our yards... at our places of business... in our lockers at school... our sporting events... at our favorite coffee shops... and then when people stopped to look (cause we know they will) we don't brush it off, we are not quick to explain it away or mumble a excuse under our breath... BUT what if we took the time to explain just WHY ... WHY we are thankful for the suffering.. the suffering of the beatings... the Suffering of a mocking crowd... the suffering of a cross.
WHAT IF... we did more then just sing a few songs on Easter Morning? WHAT IF... we lived the message the story from the cradle to the cross every day? WHAT IF... each step we took every day we took boldly? WHAT IF... we actually were bold enough to say...

I want to be bold enough... I want to be Strong enough... I want to EVERY DAY... find a way to THANK HIM for the Suffering...
Because of Him... I live... how about you???

Celebrating Bud Lueck... an amazing man, father and husband

2009-04-04T01:37:00.012-05:00

It is hard to believe that a year has past... it seems like only yesterday my phone rang to let me know that one of the most amazing men, fathers, and husbands I have ever known had won his battle with cancer and gone on to celebrate with Jesus... leaving us here to mourn and CELEBRATE his life. Bud was the man you knew as a friend within the first moments in his presence. He was a big bear of a guy with a laugh that filled the room and arms that could hug like none other.

When I moved to Walla Walla, WA in July of 1997 to be the Youth Pastor at Pioneer UMC, his beautiful daughter's Brandy and Toni were in my youth group... and their family became my family. Holiday's would be spent together, trips would be taken together, snow would be played in and laughter and tears shared. They would trust me to take their eldest Nashville to look at the music world... their youngest on a mission trip to Jamaica... they would celebrate and cry with me as I followed my call to Texas. They would count me as family when their daughters married two of the most amazing men and make sure I was there to share in their days.... and ask me to be as family on the day we celebrated Bud's life...

In time spent just how we would do all those years before- but this time with the added addition of some special lil ones, we took a stroll- shared some memories- walked in our thoughts-- and looked for Grandpa Bud's yellow plane with JP... it was a very special day... so today, as I do every day when I see my blue rising star that has been placed in honor of Bud... I pause and remember a man who's integrity is something we should all strive to have, who's love of family was awe inspiring, who loved his wife as every man should and who never met a stranger...

we love and miss you Bud... your finger prints are upon us!

The road of life is never easy... but the road of life is paved with people that will leave finger prints upon us for life!
Thank you Jesus for all those you have brought across my path- their finger prints rest upon me...upon my heart

My Jack-man is 5 months old!

2009-03-29T00:36:00.006-05:00

Jack may be 5 months now.. but these were taken well over a month ago as we got ready to celebrate his mom's 30th (shh don't tell her we told you) birthday... His dad and him came over to show off their matchy matchy duds... lookin' pretty spiffy eh! Jack is the cute one.. Matt ... well he is Jacks lucky daddy... and these are just a few from our time together...

....Jack has discovered his voice... he started to let me know just what he thought of the big fun flash on my camera... he has this thing for lights...too cute!
....every time the flash went away... he got a lil more upset... doesn't help dad woke him from a nap to play photo shoot...
...these next two I took a few days before the Camo shots... Jack and I got to spend the day together and well he scores a lil extra camera time thanks to a very bias Aunt Liz who just happens to think he might be the cutest lil man to cross her path as of late...

The Cross....

2009-03-22T16:24:00.004-05:00

a symbol of faith... hope....love... truth... and the price paid for all....
enjoy... and remember!
Lizzy

Gates.. gates.... and MORE gates...

2009-03-22T15:56:00.009-05:00

"But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." Matthew 7:14
I've always had a thing for gates... I would say it is mostly because of the scripture quoted above... there is something about them... they can let someone in or keep someone out... they can be made of many things. They can be simple or complex. You can lock them or keep them open... either way... there is just something... something about gates....

Stained Glass... old art... new inspiration.....

2009-03-22T15:39:00.005-05:00

last fall I spent months working in the hill country... living at a little camp. Nestled among the camp is a beautiful and peaceful little chapel. Inside the walls, lit only by the afternoon sun, shaded by the trees... I found the following stained glass of saints.. the identities of the saints are important to some, but to me it is the art that is alive...
enjoy!!!
Lizzy

Midland Welcomes Home President George W. Bush....

2009-01-20T21:59:00.007-06:00

Today was truly a day in history. A day when we Welcomed a new President into office... and for those of us who call Texas home... and especially WEST Texas, we welcomed home President Bush and Laura Bush. Today as Millions flocked to the "mall" in Washington DC... thousands converged on the city square in Midland.
It was a moment to stop and think. It was a moment to reflect. And mostly it was a moment to Thank a man who faithfully served our country...
I remember the first time I stood in that square... it was to see the same person... but that time it was to send him off to Washington DC right before he was sworn into the office of President...
It was a moment to reflect.. to think... and to listen...

Let Freedom Fly...

It is hard to wait and wait and wait for "W" to arrive...so catch those "Z's"

Texas Pride meets W Pride...

One young Texan contemplates what kind of man "W" is
(it was a GREAT conversation!!!)

The "Fly By" as they come in for landing

The Sea of "W" waves on and on...

Thank you!... Thank you for being a man of integrity... a man that has vision...who leans INTO The FATHER... and knows that man is not perfect. Thank you for 8 faithful years of service to our country... may your hope never be in the things we touch... but in the moments we are blessed to be a part of.

Catches the Eye....

2009-01-19T22:03:00.005-06:00

Sometimes I enjoy just a day with my camera in-hand for no reason but to capture what catches the eye... sometimes I love a chance to take pictures just for the JOY of capturing something that tells a story alone... and maybe... JUST maybe the story it tells you is different from the story it tells me...
enjoy that which catches the eye....
(oh and just a reminder... but all photos on this blog are copyrighted to His Renown Photography... you want a copy.. just let me know... but PLEASE play nice... I do!)

Camp Barnabas... Where EVERY child is EXTRAORDINARY!

2009-01-19T21:50:00.002-06:00

One summer I was blessed to take some students to an amazing camp for extraordinary children... Camp Barnabas... in Purdy, MO... a week etched in our minds-heart forever.

That for which my heart beats for.....

2009-01-19T21:31:00.004-06:00

When I was a Youth Pastor I spent many years traveling across the water to a lil Island called Jamaica... there I met and became friends with... and Auntie Liz to many children... They will forever be upon my heart.

When you get to the heart...

2009-01-18T21:35:00.003-06:00

Sometimes it isn't about babies and weddings... but instead it is about getting at the heart of someone... It is about learning about who someone is... their heart... what really makes it beat... THEIR love for the Father...and it turns into not just a fast friendship.. but a HECK a lot of FUN!
I always enjoy when I get to spend time with Jason Dunton (even when I spelled his name wrong the first time I met up with this talented LAD)... this last time was once again for some off beat shots for his upcoming worship cd... enjoy.. they are not your norm... MY FAVORITE.. and while you at it.. check out Jason's music!!!
www.jasondunton.com you WON'T be sorry!

Jack Matthew Jewett... to be!

2009-01-18T21:08:00.003-06:00

Back on October 30th my friends Matt and Stacy Jewett gave birth to their first bundle of JOY.. Jack Matthew Jewett.. and is he amazing... but then again Aunt Lizzy is always a lil bias...
Before Jack Made his debut into the world we took some picks of "Jack to Be"... it was a sweet lil moment...
Enjoy!

The Argo's say I DO!!! November 2008

2009-01-18T20:20:00.007-06:00

Nothing is better then watching two of your friends connect their lives as one... well okay... maybe there is something a little better... being asked to be a part of that day.
Ross and Kat tied the knot in the beautiful Horseshoe Bay, Texas with just a small gathering of family and friends.
Here is a quick glimpse of what was a sweet few days with great friends!
Lizzy

The Wedding Party...

Ross and Katherine Argo... They are too cute...

We had a great background--- who cares that it was chilly!

What is great is they just kept talking to each other about how "fun" their day had been... and it was!

Ahhhh! THE KISS!!! probably the most important picture of every wedding, I'm always so scared I will miss it!

Kat and Her Daddy (BC) walking down the stone isle.. very sweet moment- reminds me of those 'bride ads' you see

I will say this was my favorite moment of the day, I even had to wipe my eyes and compose myself--- sometimes you get invited into the most special moments.. Thanks GOD!

umm Ross sure knows how to pick em!! naw John and Stewie are GREAT guys!

Some fun with the rings.

I now present to you... Mr. & Mrs. Ross Day Argo... and their Christmas Card pose!