The day Terry Holt was diagnosed with pancreatitis, he and his wife, Ann, were planning a photo show at Gallery 101 in Marion.

The show was to feature Terry’s collection of black-and-white photos capturing the majesty of waterfalls, mountains, clouds, oceans, and flowers in New Zealand, Costa Rica, and the United States.

Instead of unveiling his photos that evening, Terry was confined to a hospital. Ann represented him at the show.

Five years later, Ann suggested that the couple compile his photos in a book as a legacy for their children and grandchildren.

Terry had been thinking of creating such a book, with each photo complemented by brief spiritual reflections mirroring his spiritual awakening and transformation while in the hospital.

As they worked together on it, they realized it could be an inspiration to others.

The result is a soft-cover, coffee-table photo book, “My Lord and My God! My Spiritual Awakening to the Joy of the Cross.”

Each of the 52 black-and-white photos is accompanied by personal notes to the reader from the photographer.

Themes of God’s goodness, mercy, grace, virtue, and comfort as well as themes of repentance, forgiveness, surrender, and obedience to God are declared throughout.

“Black and white lends a certain strength and timelessness,” Terry said. “We praise God for the inspiration to create this book. We pray it will create a spark for meditation.”

The self-published book is available from the Holts for $25, including tax. They will sign the book if it is received in person.

The Holts can be contacted at hummingbirdannterry@gmail.com. The book can be purchased at https://store.bookbaby.com by putting “Terry Holt” in the search line.

In five or six weeks, the Holts say, it will be available on Amazon, in bookstores, in Wal-Mart, and internationally.