Wednesday, April 11, 2012

10 Ways to have the most wonderful wedding imaginable

 Pittsburgh Wedding Photography

Have fun at your wedding!
Wedding Fun


                By dr Frank – www.frankkendralla.com
                www.kendrallaphotography.com




  1. Relax – Your emotions will show in your pictures and to your guests.  Relax and enjoy your day!
  2. Hire a professional wedding coordinator.  Put the pressure and stress on a professional who understands the inner workings of a wedding.  Their role is to take the burden of coordination off you and/or a family member or friend.
  3. Hire a professional wedding photographer and ensure you get along well with your photographer.  You will spend many hours with them on your wedding day.  The expertise of a professional helps reduce the stress of the day.
  4. Reception – special songs by a guest or two.  If you have family members who can sing (especially young family members), their singing a song to the bride and groom always brings tears and laughter to the guests. I will never forget when my granddaughter sang L.O.V.E. to her aunt (bride) during my youngest daughter’s wedding reception.  Tears of joy flowed throughout the reception hall.
  5. Honor others during the reception.  If there is a guest that has a significant anniversary or birthday, dedicate a dance to them.  It always brings tears to my eyes when the bride and groom dedicate a dance to family members with 30, 40, 50, 60+ years of marriage.  I always cry when the couple brings a cake to a (great) grandparent for their birthday. 
  6. Plan on the variable and ensure there is enough time for stuff to happen.  Please understand delays happen during the day.  Traffic delays cause bridal party members to arrive late and/or cause delays between the ceremony and reception hall.
  7. Provide maps and directions for your guests.  Although many folks have GPS devices in their cars, smart phones, etc., a printed map is always handy.  I doubt that I will ever forget the time I was in an area with very limited GPS coverage and how valuable the printed map proved to be for the guests.
  8. Emergency Kit – A small kit with needle, thread, pins, handy wipes, mints, etc for those emergency situations that seem to appear at the craziest time during a wedding.
  9. Eat – Yes, many brides and bridesmaids refrain from eating but remember the day is long and the opportunity to eat is limited.  I always suggest keeping an energy or fruit bar in the ‘emergency kit’.  Although chocolate is enjoyable, it might not look great if it melts on a dress or is in your teeth for pictures.
  10. Relax and enjoy your special day!  Permit others to help and honor you during your day!
Fun Wedding in Beaver County

10 Ways to have the most wonderful wedding imaginable

Keep in mind that the most important tip is to have fun, relax, and enjoy your day!




10 Tips to have wonderful wedding images from your wedding photographer.

Monday, April 9, 2012

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews My reading life series by dr Frank

Book Review
The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity

By Andy Andrews
Published by Thomas Nelson


My reading life series by dr Frank



The main character in one of Andy Andrews’ earlier and tremendous book (The Traveler’s Gift) is the main character in this book.  David Ponder is a successful businessman in his seventies and is struggling with the loss of his wife and best friend when archangel Gabriel appears to David and whisks him away to The Final Summit with many historical leaders where they are tasked with finding the answer to save mankind. 

Initially, when I read this book, I did not like it because I approached the reading of the book in a theological review manner.  However, knowing that many books have a hidden meaning and oftentimes requires multiple readings, I decided to read this book for the second time with an open mind and heart.  It is with this second reading that I write this review.

 Similar to other books by Andy Andrews, this book builds upon each chapter and contains tremendous insight, wisdom, hidden humor, and quotable quotes.  Many historical leaders are in the book such as Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, King David, and Thomas Edison.  Every character adds their distinct characteristics and ideas in an effort to assist David in finding the answer to the main question of the book.  In two words, “What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?”  This complex yet simple question creates the basis for questions amongst the travelers and their sometimes witty yet provocative answers.  

As with all of Andy Andrew’s books, there are multiple hidden and oftentimes direct challenges presented to the reader and this book is no different.  I recommend this book for many reasons especially if the reader enjoys learning practical life’s lessons while learning some historical facts.  This book is available in an audio format which adds a unique aspect to the presentation.  Although this review is based upon the written version, I recommend the audio version too. 





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter Choir - Victory Family Church Celebrating the Resurrection of Christ

Victory Family Church
Victory Family Church

Easter at Victory Family Church

For more than ten years I have had the distinct honor of photographing events as a volunteer for Victory Family Church and every year my enthusiasm and excitement grows more and more.  There are many events that take place throughout the year celebrating holidays, baby dedications, water baptism but my favorite holiday of the year is Easter as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The choir did an amazing job Saturday night (and I am positive they did the same for Sunday AM).  I never grow tired of hearing the Gospel of Christ preached.  The ultimate sacrifice for sin was paid but the resurrection is the victory over death and the grave. 1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  Many times last night I was moved to tears listening to the voices singing praises to the Lord and seeing the hands raised to Him.

Glowing cross
Glowing Cross

As a photographer, light is very meaningful to me and last night the lighting and sound team did an amazing job accenting the singers and adding emotion through light and sound.  From my vantage points (as I moved about the church), the sound and light seemed to come alive as the light danced around the singers and sent accents throughout the crowd.  Moving about the church, I could see others moved to tears of joyous emotion as they worshiped the Lord and praised Him for salvation, healing, and life. 
Singing with lifted hands of Praise
Singing with lifted hands of Praise. 
 After the tremendous singing of praise, Pastor John preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Our Risen Saviour.  Throughout the message, my eyes and heart were filled with tears of joy and celebration!  They were celebrating the fact that we are not redeemed by our works but by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.


1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Singing Praises with lifted hands
Singing Praises with lifted hands
Today many families (including ours) will celebrate this amazing event with a meal of roasted lamb.  I find it amazing that this small simple animal represents and signifies an amazing truth.  When it is served, it is called by its name.  Lamb.  Unlike many other meats when served, its name is simple.  It does not have an over complicated name hiding its origin but it is served in a simple fashion.  Just like the Gospel of Christ - very simple.  Salvation through Christ is not over complicated nor is it filled with a special code.  Receive Him as your Saviour today! 

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
 

Pastor Peter Penrose
Pastor Peter Penrose
Matthew 28:6-7 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.