Free Wedding Photography Contest

From my Charlene Day Photography blog:

Free Wedding Photography Contest

With the economy the way it is I suspect there is a extraordinary couple in our area who would like a professional photographer for their wedding, but they just feel they can’t afford one. I am offering FREE wedding photography for that deserving couple. I want this to go to a couple who would truly appreciate the gift.

Please send your story, or the story of a couple you feel is deserving in detail to: contest @charleneday.com (remove the space)
The story of your/their situation and why you think you/they should receive such a gift.
I want to hear about how the couple met, any trials or obstacles, and what they mean to each other.
I am looking for honesty, real love, and hope in your emails.
Tell me why the couple will have a hard time budgeting for photography for their wedding.
Give details of the wedding, such as the location and vendors already booked.
Attach a recent photograph of the couple to the emailed story.

Wedding must take place between August 1st and December 31st of 2009 on a date that I am available.
If I am booked on your wedding date I will immediately inform you.
Wedding must take place in the River Valley area, Tulsa area or the NW Arkansas area.
The couple must be willing to have their photographs and their story published on this blog.
The 3 finalist couples will be chosen by me and other discerning judges, at our discretion.
The final 3 couples will be posted on this blog for people to cast their votes.
Deadline for entry is June 15th.

The winning couple will receive up to 5 hours wedding day coverage, an online gallery of photos for 60 days, and a disk of their photos with a release.

There are truly no strings attached, if the couple doesn’t want to purchase anything extra, that is fine.

If this contest goes well we may do another in Nov.- Dec. for 2010.

Town Hall For Hope

Town Hall For Hope with Dave Ramsey

Click the link to find where you can view the live simulcast.

From the website:

Tired of hearing the fear, doom and gloom that’s filling the airwaves? Join Dave Ramsey for a nationwide town hall meeting and discover what’s happening with the economy, how we got here, and where we’re going. Plus, Dave will answer your questions live throughout the event!

Join us for this free event April 23 at 8:00 p.m. EDT in one of the thousands of venues across the country as we stand together to reignite the fire of hope!

National Tea Party Day

National Tea Party Day is scheduled today.

TEA is for Taxed Enough Already.

Check out the website to attend. Some are starting at noon. The one nearest us starts at 4PM.

Are you fed up with a Congress and a president who:

• vote for a $500 billion tax bill without even reading it?
  
• are spending trillions of borrowed dollars, leaving a debt our great-grandchildren will be paying?
• consistently give special interest groups billions of dollars in earmarks to help get themselves re-elected?
• want to take your wealth and redistribute it to others?
• punish those who practice responsible financial behavior and reward those who do not?
• admit to using the financial hurt of millions as an opportunity to push their political agenda?
• run up trillions of dollars of debt and then sell that debt to countries such as China?
• want government controlled health care?
• want to take away the right to vote with a secret ballot in union elections?
• refuse to stop the flow of millions of illegal immigrants into our country?
• appoint a defender of child pornography to the Number 2 position in the Justice Department?
• want to force doctors and other medical workers to perform abortions against their will?
• want to impose a carbon tax on your electricity, gas and home heating fuels?
• want to reduce your tax deductibility for charitable gifts?
• take money from your family budget to pay for their federal budget?

If so, participate in the TAX Day TEA party rally, the Taxed Enough Already (TEA) party.

Bring your cell phone and call Congress and the president while attending the TAX Day TEA party rally (Representative and Senators, 202-224-3121; President, 202-456-1414). Tell Every American about this effort by forwarding this invitation to your friends. Together we can make a difference.

Resurrection Cookies

These little cookies are a great way to get away from the Easter Bunny and teach your children the REAL story of Resurrection Sunday.

While you make them you could sing or listen to some of the many hymns or praise songs about Christ's death and resurrection. Worship with me.

The Lion And The Lamb
We Serve A Risen Savior
No Greater Love
Thank You For The Cross
On My Cross
How Deep The Father's Love For Us


If your family has nut allergies you could probably leave those out. I think I made these in the past without nuts.

Resurrection Cookies

• 1 c whole pecans
• 1 t vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• pinch salt
• 1 c sugar

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. (this in important - don't wait until you are halfway done with the recipe!) Place pecans in a zipper bag and let children beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested
he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isa.1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered ookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matt. 28:1-9.

HE IS RISEN!

My Most Favorite Video EVER!