Phero Photography & Poetry

NEW BLOG

2010-08-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

I finally have my new blog set up. Please follow, comment or simply visit me now at...

Phero Photos & Poetry

Phao to Phero

2010-08-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

Upon finding out that there is a well known Phao Photography company that owns their name I am currenlty in the process of changing the name of my blog to PHERO PHOTOGRAPHY & POETRY. I have done my homework this time and I actually like the meaning of 'Phero' a bit more. As soon as I figure it out I will keep you POSTED! :)

Murphy Family Fun

2010-08-16T18:46:00.000-07:00

Downward Dog

2010-07-26T07:54:00.000-07:00

On your mark...

Getting set....

Taaa Daaa!

Still Ta Da'ing

THE END!

Probably Jonah's most favorite position other than those thunder thighs wrapped around my hip.

Just in case you don't know - Downward Dog is supposedly a difficult yoga position upon which Jonah is doing perfectly. Now you go try it!

Gone Fish'n

2010-07-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

Oh little worm if you only knew your fate...

Just waiting .... and waiting

Some action!

Realing him in

We got him!

This is Jackson's 'up to no good' look.

Jonah had fun too!

Big Boy Underpants

2010-07-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

If only I had a back yard this would be my potty training method.

Disney underpants will have to do. He's quite proud, if you can't tell.

See You In August

2010-06-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

I have decided to take a break from my blog for about a month.
See you in August.

Nap Time

2010-05-25T10:50:00.000-07:00

Don't ask.

When We're Unhappy & We Know It

2010-05-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

If we're unhappy and we know it

We let Mommy Know it

If we're unhappy and we know it

We let Mommy know it

If we're unhappy and we know it then...

We so kindly let Mommy know it

When we're unhappy and we know it

EVERY DAY

MOMMY KNOWS IT!

He Maketh Me To Lie Down

2010-05-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

Weariness and aches, moments of chills followed by droplets of sweat… fever had set in. With two tiny mouths to feed and two precious hearts to nurture, lying down happened in spurts. Sleep, I needed sleep. With the steady help of a hand by my husband, I lay down and slept. The fever persisted strong, I grew weaker and weaker. Days and Doctor visits later, while babes lay sound in their beds, I found myself curled in the fetal position upon a chair in the E.R. It could be meningitis.

A large needle sharp in my spine draws the fluid slow. Three tubes full later, it is done. I can lie down once more. The long hours passing where doing the dripping now. Then the results came. It was negative, no meningitis! We are thankful.

Home is where we head unprepared for the following days. A severe headache, neck and back pain coupled with nausea and fatigue were symptoms this frail body battled for four days. Head heavy upon the pillow was my only relief from the throbbing pressing enemy. I dreaded if need to get up for the restroom. For even that meant heightened pain and a trip to the plastic-lined trash can.

Tears wet my eyes when my mother walks in the room. She is here to tend to our home and children with the utmost care and tenderness. The sounds of playing and laughing mixed with fussing carry its way up the stairs. In one hand I held tight to the cherished sounds in the other I took hold of the longing to tend to my children and this greeted me with more pain because I could not. I could barely raise my lashes to look my two year old in the eye. And it was here, in the deepest depths of my heart I learned stronger still, my days with my little ones are richer than the pen can tell; for they cannot even be measured. Stripped from me for a few days, I tasted the sting that will one day be sure. For they will grow and need no longer to rest on my hip, they will walk without hand held in mine, they will pull their own socks ‘round their toes, and read books by themselves. And then the day will come when they carry a boxed lunch and pack upon their back and I will watch them wave good bye. Much of my day will be silent. The hours will pass without the sweet little sounds that travel through the house and up the stairs and I will miss it.

I ponder this lesson as He maketh me to lie down.

I did not improve and could hardly lift my head from the pillow without the help of my husband. Back to the E.R. was only wise. The pain peaked as the ambulance rolled up to the large sliding glass doors. Unbearable agony shrieked through my body while piercing my temples, the back of my neck, and fiercely shooting down my spine. Lying down provided no relief. Tears rolled down my pale hollow cheeks. I had not eaten in four days. I could not, food would not stay down. I pleaded with the nurse to somehow knock me out. This was not an option. Thoughts about death crept in… would death be my only freedom from this? I did not feel I had the strength to fight anymore.

Yes, death would be my sole relief… but it would not be my own death. I couldn’t keep count the number of needles stuck in and out of my arms and spine. I held tight to the familiar grip of my husband’s hand throughout the blurriness of the pokes and murmured speech between Doctor and nurse. It would take the pulling of my blood to patch the drip in my spine.

He maketh me lie down, passed through my mind. He maketh me lie down, yes, but wasn’t it green pastures He said He would lead me to lay in? My green pasture met me in the midst of my pain. I lay down with my Shepherd, who held me the whole time, and under His wings I took refuge and it was the blood that would do the healing. The blood stopped the pain, it patched the broken place, it sealed just as the Spirit seals and it made whole again what was torn apart. His blood, the blood of the Lamb, pours into the soul just as it poured into my back and it heals what cannot be healed by human hands. For it were the stripes upon His spine that bled so mine could even stand in the first place. And if it’s His blood that enables me to stand, then it’s by His blood He maketh me lay down. For He promises even in the suffering, even in the shadows of death, to take His sheep to waters which are still and pastures colored with green.

He maketh me to lie down so He can maketh me to believe again. He maketh me lie down to teach me.To teach me He is with me and that He loves me so. He maketh me lie down to remind me to cherish my youth, to cherish my health, and to cherish my numbered days. He maketh me lie down because He is good.

© Emily Murphy - May 1st, 2010

2010-04-15T14:40:00.000-07:00

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2010-04-14T07:07:00.001-07:00

A Bride in Boots

2010-04-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

It was such an honor to take this couples picture. I grew in my skills & creativity but mostly in the area of coaching from behind the camera. This is something I still need much improvement in, but it was a delight to start with Belina & Ashton. I plan to post my top 10 favorites over the next 10 days... so to the few who stop by regularly keep on coming by to see how the session unfolded.

A fun fact: Belina is from Albania but she loves to where cowboy boots! She is a true Texan at heart. I told her to come wear'n her boots since those were the shoes that make her feel most comfortable. It turned out better than I could have imagined!

Belina

2010-04-10T13:03:00.000-07:00

If you're tired of seeing pictures of my kids you are in for a treat!
I have the honor of snapping one of my first non-family member tomorrow!
Belina is a friend, a newly married friend, who only had ONE picture taken of her and her husband on their wedding day. This disappointment has opened up an opportunity for me.

Her "session" will be her bridal pictures. I hope to capture sweet memories of them as newlyweds all dressed up again. Come to think of it, who wouldn't want to put their wedding dress on once more?
Come back next week to see results!

A Day Of Play

2010-04-07T18:32:00.000-07:00

A day of play

can seem a day of

insignificance

Yet to the little boy

it seems to be

the best gift

his Mom can give

And this day set

to give to play

becomes

a gift to the Mom

who wonders...

what makes the things of "significance"---

something significant anyway

(C) Emily Murphy - April 7, 2010

The Pen of a Poet

2010-04-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

The pen of a writer must tell a story

before the crafting of a poem can tell it's own.

A Triumphal Entry

2010-03-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

A Reading for Palm Sunday

And so it was near Bethany

Upon the Olivet Mountain

Two pair of feet were sent

A colt to be found as they went

Four calloused hands untied -

A colt not one had yet to ride

It was just as He had spoken

It was just as He had said

‘Our LORD has need of it’ were the -

Five words to say when wowed

Mens cloaks upon the colt did lay

His throne clip clopped throughout the day

Downhill they walked with voices raised

Multitude of men set strong with praise

Jerusalem neared as they sang

Wet tears fell from their sitting King

He knew where this trotting led

Gethsemane nears ‘round the bend

The tears which damp the mountain soil

Foretell His bleeding in garden toil

‘Blessed is this coming King

Highest glory and peace!’ they sing

Pharisees rebuked and raised a nose

Yet, stones would've sung if no one was

"And when He drew near and saw the city, He wept over it saying, 'Would that you, even you,
had known on this day the things that make fore peace!
But now they are hidden from your eyes.

From the reading of Luke 19: 28-42

The Boy Who Steps Into My Dripping Days

2010-03-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

See earlier post entitled, A Dripping Day

3 Boys & The Grandaddy Behind The Making

2010-03-11T16:09:00.000-08:00

These days of little faces, stubby noses,
flushed pink cheeks, the pitter patter of two clumsy feet,
and tiny crumbs left just for me -
to wipe away at the end of the day
Will all be gone with a blink of an eye
And I'll wonder...
Where it went or how that time was spent

What I oft want to pass quickly
I know...Oh, how I know...
Just as sure as the moon sits above me now
Will be missed as deeply as the sea runs thick

And I'll want that time back
And that is just that...
For what I already want back,
Is right before me this very moment

So may we all take hold
Of what we hold dear
And to whatever it may be that we hold so dear

May we hold it often and hold it well

(c) Emily Murphy - March 20, 2010

Training Wheels to High Heels

2010-03-08T19:02:00.000-08:00

And so it is... she's here again,

Belly curves and the lower back bend

She laughs at the days to come...

She ponders these things in her heart

Knowing there'll be bumps along the way

With each and every passing day

she knows...

to high heels!

It will be training wheels

Before she knows it.

I Share A Wall

2010-03-02T08:45:00.000-08:00

Have I told you I share a wall?
To my right and to my left
And with a neighbor to my back
I share three walls, to be exact

Have I told you these walls are thin,
And carry noises deep within?
It's these walls which are quite thin
That speak of transgressions well hidden

I grumble at a bang or bonk
I roll my eyes at a noisy song
I toss and turn the whole night long
I share a wall, three, very tall

Have I told you I hear sin?
Noises I wish had never been
Cries that should not be so
But I share a wall, three, very slim

Have I told you of my hate within?
The things I wish had never been
The words that cut the ones I love
But I share a wall, I share in sin

My neighbor may grumble at a bonk
Roll his eyes at a noisy song
Perhaps he's tossed all night long
We share a wall, three, that's all

It's these walls that teach me much
My judgment of rolling eyes and such
My failure to love the ones most dear
I share a wall, I share 'the fall'

Have I told you where I lean?
It's not on these walls in between
It's not on trying to fix up me
I share a need, much more than three

Have I told you I share a wall?
Have I told you how that's not all?

© Emily Murphy - Reflections from White Rock

March 2, 2010

Sun Kissed Curls

2010-03-01T11:40:00.000-08:00

Matthew 21:16

2010-02-20T17:43:00.000-08:00

"Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies

You have prepared praise."

Matthew 21:16

The interesting thing about planning a picture is that it can make time appear differently than it truly is. What is behind this soft, tender photo? I had wanted to catch a picture with Jonah on this antique prayer bench before he was too big. Time was passing quicker than I wanted and Jonah was growing with each passing day. I had the idea, I had the verse, I just needed to snap it. Yet, capturing this idea came at a cost. I was hard on Jackson and spoke in anger trying to get him to stay out of the picture. Not too long after that, Jonah rolled off the bench onto the floor. You would have thought the child had seriously injured himself… tears fell hard. I held him, and regret immediately followed. I asked for Jackson’s forgiveness.

When I looked up the scripture little did I know this picture, and this verse would bring, phao, or light to such a humbling lesson. Jesus is clearing out the temple in righteous anger. His house of prayer had become what he calls a “den of robbers.” Money making business was taking over His place of worship. What was built for something beautiful was being filled with greed. Who were the men behind this? The Pharisees, men that appeared “holy ” on the outside but were full of ugliness under their elegant robes. How my heart sunk. What I thought I really wanted, a beautiful picture of Jonah, crumbled when I realized the ugliness that hid behind it. As the staged beauty began to fall I saw the true beauty I missed - to set the camera aside and “capture” time with my sons. Time is a funny thing. We want it to pass but we fear what is ahead. We can’t escape stepping into what’s ahead but regret what has passed. It’s fleeting, it’s fragile, it’s cursed because of the fall… yet God says it’s set with purpose if we would grab hold of Him in the midst of this fleeting & frail life.

The passage ends with a picture of irate Pharisees due to the children who are filling the temple with praise, crying “Hosanna”. Jesus’ response, “Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise?” Jesus didn't just put a stop to the ugliness but He restored the time, setting it back in place to begin ticking with purpose.

May we be able to discern when to stop and reset, so our ticking can be one that passes with purpose too.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” Psalm 90: 12

To listen to a beautiful sermon on Psalm 90 visit:
http://www.providencepca.org/downloads-links/sermons/
click on the sermon listed as Psalm 90

Like Father, Like Son

2010-02-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

Precious Pumpkin Seed

2010-02-18T08:59:00.000-08:00

Been meaning to post this. It's hard to remember exactly what it was like when Jonah was such a little seed. One things for sure my back probably didn't hurt as bad! He turned 6months the day of yester... that is, yesterday, in my silly lingo. It goes by too fast.

Covenant

2010-02-13T13:14:00.000-08:00

A little over four years ago Jack rested on one knee and I said, "YES!"

Come back tomorrow, February 14th, to read a Valentine poem...

If Love Is…

If love is a choice and not a feeling

And if love is a mindset and not an emotion

And if love is a calling and not a duty

And if love is inwrought and not made by hands

Then it’s you who I would choose to love

And it’s you I would set my mind to love

And it’s you I would accept the call to love

And it’s you my soul longs to love

For it’s God who chose us in Him to love

And it’s God who set His mind to love

And it’s divine of God to call us to love

And it’s through Him our souls sing to love

So, if love includes all the things above

And if it’s you a lifelong I'm called to love

And if it’s God who decided you, my Love

Then this I cannot help but say,

“It’s His sovereignty shown in such a beautiful way!”

Written for my husband, February 14^th 2009

A Dripping Day

2010-02-11T20:45:00.000-08:00

The day drips like the leaking of a faucet.

Falling flakes out the window offer

happiness to my tired, hurting heart.

It’s white outside. The snow sticks.

Jackson plays with toy trucks,

He laughs when one falls in the flower pot.

Jonah watches Jackson. He coos.

I brew a cup of chicory.

The day drips on.

Flakes still falling…

Wishing the day would fall just as fast.

I should make dinner.

Hearing babes in the background while stove top burns.

Husband comes home, tired but helps.

We eat together, we talk together.

The day drips on.

I nurse.

Jonah sleeps sweet now.

Hear laughing, splashing in the bath.

Jackson soon to close his eyes.

The night keeps its constant drip.

“Knock, knock”

It’s May May.

A ten year old boy steps,

Into this dripping day.

Wet from flakes yet full of brightness

He’s outside? At this hour? Alone?

I think to myself.

"Stay here for awhile, I’ll make you coco."

His favorite.
He smiles and takes comfort inside.

The night still doing its drip, drip, drip.

But it’s this dripping at this hour,

I find...

Even the dripping days are set for purpose.

©Emily Murphy – Reflections from White Rock
Feb. 11^th 2010

“My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;

I address my verses to the King;

my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.”

Pslam 45:1

O' Come

2010-02-09T08:33:00.000-08:00

Scripture tells us repeatedly to come to Jesus as a child. We (including me), are pros at doing just the opposite. We've grown up, right? We should only approach God when we have it all together, when we feel we have the right words to say, or in the right setting when our minds are fully attentive on Him... where are these moments, I'd like to know!
Yet, Jesus tells us to approach him as a child. Having children has turned this concept on it's head for me. Jesus, are you really saying I can come in all my messiness, with my short attention span, fumbling for words to say, and to come whenever I want, saying whatever is on my mind and that I can say it over and over if I desire? You get the idea... like children!

In light of these lessons I share my second poem.

O' Come

O’ Come unfaithful to the faithful One

Come messy, weary, heavy, undone

Come just as a little child

Come O’ heart that is not mild

In My arms I’ll hold you well,

O’ weary one I’ll hold you well

Come My own just as you are

Come raw, guilty, in painful scar

Come just as a little lamb

Come wobbly to your great “I Am”

In my arms I’ll hold you well

O’ weary one I’ll hold you well

Come like Thomas in doubtful pride

Come and touch My very side

Come just as an infant cries

Over and Over and Over once more

In My arms I’ll hold you well

O’ weary one I’ll hold you well

Come little girl or little boy

Come skipping in youthful joy

Come just as tiny ones dream

Come twirl and dance with your King

In My arms I’ll hold you well

O’ Precious one I’ll hold you well

Inspired by watching my children & A Praying Life –
By: Paul Miller

Bottom Dimples...and A Little Pee

2010-02-06T15:12:00.000-08:00

The Apple Of My Eye

2010-02-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

If the lighting is just right I can look into the center of Jonah's eye and see a reflection of myself holding him. This is called the apple or "little man" of the eye. Being a stay at home Mom I experience days that seem insignificant as I go through the daily routine of life. But one of my favorite things about nursing is when this happens. God sweetly reminds me how important I am to Him and how important my job as a Mother is.

For He calls me the apple of His eye.

"He found him in a desert land,and in the howling waste of the wilderness;
he encircled him, he cared for him,
he kept him as the apple of his eye."
Deuteronomy 32:10

Let The Sunshine In

2010-02-02T07:33:00.000-08:00

This is Granmommi, my beautiful mother with Jackson when he was almost 2. She has taught Jackson many songs and calls frequently to sing him new ones.
"Let the Sunshine In" is one of his favorites.

Twenty Tiny Toes

2010-01-29T12:04:00.000-08:00

These precious little feet, this calling of Motherhood.

I post my first poem.

I wrote this poem a little over a year ago.

Jackson was a year old and I was soon to find out

we were pregnant again.

My poem expresses a deeper desire to accept this calling of Motherhood yet weaves a thread of hope in the midst of revealing the hardships of parenting.

The reward...well, its deeper than the pen can tell.

A Mothers Love

If I am always cleaning, organizing, running errands and cooking
but have not love, I am just another wife and mother.
If I give my time to community service, volunteer work,
and church activities
but have no love, I gain nothing.
If I spend time in God's word, in prayer & in writing
but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love is rising with little sleep and letting go of a planned week.
It's changing diapers, wiping a runny nose, singing songs and playing
"Uh Oh!”
Love reads silly stories and makes air plane noise.
Love carries on her hip.

Love is willing to endure back pain.
It does not envy another life;
wishing things were different or longing for more free time.
Love accepts her lot and believes her cup runneth over.

Love fights bad attitudes.
It confesses sin and asks for forgiveness time & time again.
Love disciplines in hope that her children see God's loving boundaries.
She does not discipline for her comfort or peoples praise.
Love sets other desires aside so she can look into her child's eyes,
she realizes how fleeting life is.
Love never fails.

(c) ~ Emily Murphy ~

A personalized version of 1 Corinthians 13

Hold Time Still

2010-01-27T12:35:00.000-08:00

This is my sweet Mother in Law, Cathy, with her 4 grandchildren. I named this one "Hold Time Still" because something she often says is, "Make memories." Just as a camera can capture a moment in time so our minds can with memories. We love you TaTa!

Meant For More

2010-01-26T19:55:00.000-08:00

One of my best friends, Jessica & her husband Dave. To read more about this couples purpose & mission in Moscow, Russia visit their blog on my link list titled - Meant For More.

Abigail - A Father's Love

2010-01-25T18:04:00.000-08:00

Psalm 27:13

2010-01-25T11:21:00.000-08:00

"I believe I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

Jonah at 2 weeks

It's Not My Party & I'll Cry If I Want To

2010-01-25T10:53:00.000-08:00

First Time In The Sprinklers

2010-01-25T10:47:00.000-08:00

~Reflection~

Mr. Mischief

2010-01-25T10:26:00.001-08:00

I turned around and found my son in the dryer!

Pretty In Pink

2010-01-24T21:51:00.000-08:00

This is Miss Molly, my adorable niece.

A Cloth Diaper

2010-01-24T21:48:00.001-08:00

This turned out to be such a cute picture but I am so thankful we have disposable diapers now

The Brick Wall

2010-01-24T13:51:00.001-08:00

I discovered this fabulous brick wall in a run down shopping center behind our house. It's a pretty popular style of taking pictures these days so I thought I would give it a try. Jackson, my two yr. old, is so sweet to let me play with my camera while making him the subject. These pictures inspired me to begin this blog.

We went to McDonalds afterward!