A BIG SURPRISE

This past week I received a big surprise. Each month BetterPhoto.com has a photography contest. I entered during the month of August and the photo was picked as an "Editor's Pick". Then I got a message in September that the photo had made it to the "Finalist" category.
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I have been taking photography and creative writing classes on-line as part of my "Continued Learning" that CBF encourages in Field Personnel. This seems to be a very inovative concept - to develop the skills of personnel in a way that will enhance ministry opportunities. I cannot tell you how many people I have met and become friends with in Macedonia because of this one interest. It is amazing!

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Anyway, I never thought much more about the contest. I look at it as having an opportunity to learn from other photographers - more than anything else. But this past week - this announcement came in my mailbox. So I am showing you what I received:

"Trust" SEarl Photography

Hi Shelia,


Congratulations! You have won Second Place in the Monthly Theme category of this month's BetterPhoto photo contest! Way to go!
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With over 22200 entries in the contest, it is a big honor to be selected among the winners.To see your winning image - Trust - and the other excellent winning photos, visit:

http://www.betterphoto.com/contest/winners/0908.asp
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News Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/23/2009------------------
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Photographer Shelia Earl of Skopje, Macedonia has won Second Place for August in the prestigious photography contest sponsored by BetterPhoto.com, the site's founder, Jim Miotke, announced Wednesday.
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More than 22200 entries were submitted to the online photography contest, which attracted contestants from around the world and featured 10 separate categories.

Earl's stunning image, "Trust", garnered top honors after being submitted in the Monthly Theme category.
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All of the winning images can be viewed at BetterPhoto.com's contest page: http://www.betterphoto.com/contest/winners/0908.asp

The contest is conducted each month. Categories include Nature and Landscapes, Animals, People, Elements of Design, Digital Darkroom, Travel and Place, Flowers, Details and Macro, Catch-All, and Monthly Theme.

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Judging is performed by a panel of professional photographers. The contest are sponsored by
http://www.betterphoto.com/