118/365

Jeff McLaughlin

Hilarious man and a great Youth Minister.
This guy can make a rock smile and he's
not afraid to do what's right even if
it does not seem "cool". There are times
when he's serious this, however, is not
one of those times.

ZV

117/365

Danny Marker keepin it real

This was a great moment in life.
Danny is one of the nicest, most gentle
kids you'll ever meet.
However, when there is a task in front of
him. Such as a dance off the Michael Jackson.
Danny will get the job done.

ZV

116/365

B.C.

That Mustache really fit him.
If he could naturally grow that
I believe he would beat out Chuck Norris
or any glorified sit com star for that matter.

ZV

115/365

The men of the retreat

This is the boys during the fashion
competition of the game, Battle of the Sexes.
great times. Jeff was a great host, he was quick
on his feet and his costume was fascinating.

ZV

114/365

My Father and Grandmother

Me saying I love these people
has been a common theme in these
pictures, which I hoped to be the case.
These two have provided for me in
contrasting ways. Both ways being
unique and heartfelt. One not better
than the other. Just different.
It's interesting how much a person
is willing to give and sacrifice based upon
your relation to that person.

P.S.
Sometimes I am lazy.
I can never tell if people actually
look at this thing or not so there are
times when I have to really be motivated.
There are other times when I fail to be
motivated as well.
If you notice me not posting pictures
send me a facebook message or or find a way
to tell me to keep posting pics. Throw a rock
through my window. Do something to keep me
motivated.

ZV

113/365

Donald

This is my Uncle.
He posses a caring soul
and a joy for simple things
in life. You could learn alot
from this man. Though he
wouldn't tell ya he knows
much. Which, in my eyes,
makes him even smarter.

ZV

112/365

Hunter

By far the best smile out of the group.
This kids innocence was very intriguing.
In the downstairs basement, Ratatouille
was playing and he watched it from the
top of the stairs so he would have a
perfect getaway if something scary
happened.

ZV

111/365

The ever so glorious Haley

This girl could make a
mean muggin stranger grow a heart.
She's hilarious and truly not afraid
to make a friend.

ZV

110/365

My Aunt and Mother

I love these two so dearly
My aunt offers a spiritual perspective
that is so rare in life and even more
rare in this family. My mother has
offered up countless days and years
to ensure that I am uplifted in life.
She deserves the light of the world.

ZV

109/365

My family

This little group has a wide variety of
personalities, beliefs, and values.
But for the first time in the history
of thanksgiving, all of us dissolved
our differences and came together
to enjoy this rare gathering.

ZV

108/365

Jaime

you would never find a bigger sweetheart.
This was taken during EGLMC's Jr. High
retreat. I'm not sure what I did but after
the first hours of the retreat Jamie
clung on to me and we became great friends.

ZV

107/365

Trees at a park in Washington D.C.

I like the colors and the way the
tree creates these twisted lines.
I feel like this could be an album cover.

ZV

106/365

A man being interviewed

It looks as though this man has
packed his bags and is staring death right
in the eye. He's not afraid anymore.

ZV

105/365

Inside the Lincoln Memorial

I'm a big fan of these photos.
When something just covers the
whole picture.
It just seems like your perspective
on what is in front of you changes.

ZV

104/365

World War II Monument

Every star symbolizes 1,000 deaths during
world war two.
This is just a quarter section
of the all the stars.

ZV

103/365

Abraham Lincoln Memorial

He looks like an old man watching the news.
I do like how dominant his hands looked.
That is what I tried to capture in this shot.

ZV

102/365

Me with some chops

seconds after this photo was taken
I was in the process of shaving it off.

ZV

101/365

The Halloween Party

One thing I love about this picture is Jim Huffman
I am fascinated by this man.
he was dressed in black and holding a golf putter.
he was dressed up as harry putter...

ZV

100/365

Glorious representation of out personalities

She is in D.C. and I am in N.C.
I hope she's having a beautiful time
with some old and new friends.
and I can't wait to see her.

ZV

99/365

Taken after the Halloween Party

I love this picture.
Allie looks beautiful
and I look like a angry rabbit.

ZV

98/365

We were the black eyed peas

Allie thought of the idea.
She's a smart one.
I think she wanted to be the
black eyed peas so she could put
makeup on me...

ZV

97/365

Creamer going into a cup of tea

I find this to be my favorite
out of all the pics I have posted.
If I were an artist I'd name this
Creation
because it looks as though
continents and the water
dividing them are being made
during this ever so simple process.

ZV

96/365

The result of what Larry gave me

Plants teach us a good
amount of patience.

ZV

95/365

Sweet Cinnamon Spice tea

This resembles my Tuesday nights.
every Tuesday I go to a sitting group
with my wife
and engage in three 25 minute sessions
of silent meditation. I love this new found
outlet and hope to engage in other facets
of spirituality.

ZV

94/365

Day 3 of Larry's sprouts

"In this soil anything can grow"
-Larry referencing the motto
from the bag of soil he bought.

ZV

93/365

The Sprouts

From Chicago to New York
these seeds made it to proper soil
and are beginning to grow.

ZV

92/365

Shelley

Her Painting turned out awesome.
She has a great eye when it

comes to color.

Off to Kirtland OH today for
the leaders retreat. enjoy the
weekend my friends.

ZV

91/365

This guy was a bright light for everyone's life

The youth planned out the whole Sunday service for the Buffalo-
Clarence Community of Christ. The pews were set up in a big
circle so all could see each other.
For about half of the service this little guy was in the middle
of the circle just captivating the whole
congregation. I was amazed at the power this little
boy had in all of us.

ZV

90/365

Once again, Katie Fritz

taken by Katie, I think this is such a cool shot.
The flow of her hair makes it seem as though
she is falling but with no background it gives
me a vertigo feel.

ZV

89/365

Kati Fritz

Sarah Warriner, who is in the 7th grade, took this amazing picture.
Once we told her it was ok to mess around with the camera she
captured every possible second she could.
She also did about 8 photo shoots with Katie ha.

ZV

88/365

ROOTS youth

Just a cool shot of the youth after they planned
out a Sunday church service.

ZV

87/365

The youth of the first ROOTS gathering

The roots weekend was great.
I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.
The youth that were there interacted with every little
thing we did.
I'm very thankful to have such a great group of kids.
I'm very appreciative of the parents and family members
that took time out of their days to bring their kids to
this event as well.

thank you all for a great weekend.
ZV

86/365

Ben Folds with the Buffalo Philharmonic

Orchestra music is beautiful within itself.
But when you a add a more modern twist
that relates to some music that you love.
Its amazing.

ZV

85/365

Small pine cone at Letchworth state park

They remind me of home...

ZV

84/365

Beautifully colored tree

This tree was hanging over a cliff giving us the river
as a background. It first caught my eye cause of
the colors of the leaves.

ZV

83/365

Fall is here

Western NY takes pride in the fall season and they should.
Right now the colors of the trees are amazing. Ive never
seen such deep reds in the mix of yellows and greens.

ZV

82/365

Flyer for C of C Training Event

Kevin, Jeff, and I are creating a training event that offers
some ways to help people with youth. This event will cover
a good amount ofsubjects and not just the three youth
ministers, but people trained in certain fields pertaining to
the youth will host a session as well. Should be a good time.

ZV

81/365

Concord Grapes

Every time I see Mr. Mcaffrey he has a box a fruits and
vegetables from his farm for me. I'm thankful for this
man and his love for the oneness of people.
These grapes were the main produce that I received from
him the other day. I have never had these kind of grapes
before. I'm not sure if the west coast has them or not,
regardless, I love em.

80/365

Flowers just before the storm

For the past couple of days it has been storm city in Buffalo
which I actually enjoy because the rain reminds me of home.
Just before the storm a slight rain fell and I was able to
capture some water on these flowers.

ZV

79/365

An up close shot of the sweet barn

Honestly for the most part the shot has been barely edited.
The colors of this place are just nuts

ZV

78/365

The coolest barn I have ever seen

On the way to Greenwood I drove past this barn and
realized I would hate myself for the rest of my life if
I didn't stop to take a picture of it.
I have never seen a barn painted like this before and
the changing colors of fall really accent the color of this barn

ZV

77/365

A wet sunflower up close

I liked this field of sunflowers.
most have their petals stretched as far as they could go
but this field of sunflowers had their petals rapped around
their seeds. Whether they were dying or trying to protect
themselves from the rain, I liked the human characteristics
that were created from the result of a sunflower covering
itself in its petals.

ZV

76/365

Field of wet sunflowers

This weekend was interesting for me...
I went to a soccer game. It was a glorious time.
Then I stayed the night with a family and had some
good conversation.the next day I went to church in a
neighboring town and hung with some of the youth in
my area. In between doing this I listened to the
book, Three Cups of Tea, a very inspiring novel that has
convinced me to, after my years in youth ministry,
pack up and make a change for people in simple need
of food, shelter, water, education, etc. There is no doubt
in my mind that I will achieve some sort of change
within a body of people. I am thankful for my stubbornness
because sometimes it is certainty, no matter how delusional
or truthful it is, that gets people to believe in your cause.

ZV

75/365

A "local" newsletter I'm trying to create

In thinking of way to fund for the youth in this area,
I created this newsletter for $5 a month people will get
a newsletter with two main topic areas. One being a story
about what is going on with their youth. The second being
an interview with one of the youth that will attempt to
bridge the gap between the youth and the other generations
through mass media.
If you would like to support my cause or give
me any suggestions please feel free to do so

541 968 4695 or email: velkinbu@gmail.com

ZV

ps- its just a draft so none of the stories will make sense.

74/365

Flyer for ROOTS

I'm trying to create a foundational program for the youth that gives
gives them a fresh outlook on church. This program has many
purposes but here is the flyer that I sent to all the youth in the
area. hope ya like, if you have any suggestions feel free to send
them way.

ZV

73/365

Kelsey and Ashley working hard in the kitchen

Two awesome people.
both are off to college now and I
can't wait to see where there life
continues to lead them.

ZV

72/365

Brandon Christian

This hood did some cool things to people.
Even that glares of the lens don't look that bad

ZV

71/365

Classic GTO with lady in the background

This is my favorite shot of that day.
with the depth and the two focal points
I really enjoy the old school feeling of this shot.

ZV

70/365

Car from the show

I like this shot because the field of depth is so confusing to me.
like that head light can almost reach out and touch the front bumper.

ZV

69/365

Engine of a Street Rod

Just a neat shot
nuff said...

ZV