// IPS-PWP2 //

So now I have to describe an incredibly amazing week. I don't know exactly where to begin.

IPS is all about teaching you how better your skills as a photographer. Whether that be on a computer, or with your camera. But IPS is also about so much more. It's about your relationship with Christ. It's about your relationship with others. It's about using your camera/computer to change the world for Christ. Maybe that's why I like it so much. Because yeah, I learn so much about how to be a better photographer, the angles, the emotional appeal, and the 'wow' factor. But I also learn about Jesus and am surrounded by people serving God with all their hearts

The last time I went to and IPS class (PWP1) it was in Washington DC. That experience proved to me that I am not a city girl. I don't really enjoy people not understanding what I'm saying or the fast paced life. You almost have to be rude to survive. =-) I was there before and loved it. Not sure what happened between then and now. But anyway. I still had fun and learned ever so much.

PWP2 was in Manitou Springs, Colorado, at a place called The Summit. It's this great big, white motel. We had the place pretty much to ourselves. (there were Summit staff there who cooked for us and stuff like that) We had 8 instructors. I forget how many students. (oops) Some of the guys had brought their guitars so some evenings we sat downstairs and had a jam session. Our assignments/contests were at Ghetto Falls, Garden of the Gods, or the town of Manitou Springs. This experience was much more. . .relaxed? I think that word works. It was in a little town, we had a 'house' all to ourselves. . . yeah, I'm pretty sure relaxed works. I enjoyed it a lot more. Not sure why. . . Maybe it was the fact that we had so many instructors. Maybe it was the fact that it wasn't in a large town. Maybe it was that we could hang out more. Maybe it was that I learned more about the computer part of photography. Maybe it was the closing Life Thought in the evening. Maybe it was the fact that God finally crumbled the stone that my heart had become. Any of these could be the reason I liked it so much better. But I'm pretty sure it was the last two. See, I would wake up each morning and dread the fact that I had to take pictures again. I would somehow survive the day and then we would have the closing Life Thought, given by different instructors every evening. Each time God used what they said to make another crack into that heart of mine. It seemed like every night I just wanted to go sit somewhere and think. To examine what they had said, what I had become. Every night my heart broke apart more and more until finally there was no more stone. Unless you have been there you cannot understand how amazing it is to feel life come back into your heart. To know that someday there will be nice green grass and lovely flowers instead of that horrible cold stone.

Here are some pictures of the week. I wish I could show you more but then I would have far too many pictures. . . Some are assignments. Some are contests. Some are speed shoots. Some are just for fun. Enjoy.

--for Ms. Ruth Ann =-)

Next time, and I shudder to think how I will ever be able to pick pictures of two whole weeks to put into one little post-- )) Durango, Colorado ((