promise images

2011-09-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. ~ John 1:16

I spent two delightful hours with this still-heaven-scented baby boy and his family last weekend. Baby Hudson was scrumptious... His wrinkled toes... The perfect swirly pattern in the hair on his head... His snorts and gurgles and whimpers...

But, for me, the most beautiful part of my time with him was watching his momma and daddy in action. See, it wasn't TOO long ago that I held his momma in my arms when she was newly born and I was a little girl. It wasn't TOO long ago that I tucked his momma into bed as her babysitter when her parents were out for the evening. It wasn't TOO long ago that I watched his momma bloom as a high schooler. And it seems like it was just yesterday that I saw her walk down the aisle as a hopeful bride and say, "I do" to the man of her dreams. Someday, Baby H will know how much I love him AND his momma. He already knows what a wonderful and special lady she is. He is so in love with her! What a blessing he is and how blessed he is to have his momma and daddy.

Here are a few of my favorites...

Be Strong and Courageous

2011-08-07T12:50:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

I recently had the opportunity to meet and photograph a family of four. They have two young sons who are preparing to go out into the world on their own. As I worked with their mother to set up a photo shoot at a time when both children would be home and available, I tried to imagine how it must feel to be at her stage of parenting. Perhaps scary and exciting and relieving all at the same time... I think what must be reassuring to a parent getting ready to send children out into the world is knowing that God goes with them, wherever they go.

Beauty in the World

2011-07-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

These people are not professional models. They're just beautiful people and happy, charming, and genuine to boot! My camera doesn't do them justice... I look at these images and start to hear Macy Gray's "Beauty in the World" song in my head...

1 John 4:11-12

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another,

God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

April & John (Plus One)

2011-06-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

September is consistently a big month for this couple! They were married in September....

And now, baby is coming in September! I'm so excited to capture these milestones in their lives...

"Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things!" Isaiah 12:5

John@CrossRoad

2011-05-18T18:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some Senior photos of John. This is my favorite pose. And, I liked how the grainy black & white turned out...

My latest favorites of Naomy...

2011-03-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 12:5 "Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world."

Thank God for You (TGY)

2010-08-04T16:21:00.000-07:00

Brown Eyed Girl

2010-08-01T18:27:00.000-07:00

Mark 12:29-31. "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

I recently got to photograph this little one, a beautiful girl with big brown eyes and golden curls. My prayer for her is that she will grow to love the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind and strength!

Precious Moments

2010-06-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

There's something about newborn photography that is so precious to me. Well, there are several things--newborn baby smells, those tiny wrinkles, teensy hands and toes, and a newborn's general sleepiness. But, what really hits me each time is knowing that I'm playing a little part in a new person's very first weeks on earth. Someday, I'll be talking to this little person when she's older and I'll still have pictures in my mind of the day I took her photo at 2 weeks old. What will she look like then? What will her voice sound like? How will her eyes sparkle when she giggles? I am looking forward to finding out.... but until then, I'm cherishing these images.

Anticipation...

2010-05-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

I think maternity photos are so important. It can be hard for the mom-to-be to feel glamorous enough to have her photo taken sometimes... But, it's such a special time! The anticipation is exciting to all who are looking forward to the arrival of the little one. Here are a couple of photos from a session back in April of two very dear people.

Then, after all that waiting, planning, dreaming...and more waiting... ta da! A new little miracle.

A few more...

2010-05-14T20:58:00.001-07:00

Continued...

2010-05-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

At long last... more of my niece who is graduating from 8th grade! (D, I'm almost done...these will be in the mail to you by tomorrow.) Love you, flower girl.

Spring is here!

2010-03-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

All winter, my camera has been begging me to take it out to play... But Illinois winters are not fun for outdoor photography (in my opinion). I prefer blue skies, green grass, and temperatures above 55 F. This week, my camera and I have been reunited...and it feels so good! (hahaha-I am not really old enough to know that song or who sang it, etc...but I've heard it in enough commercials to know the tune).

My niece...the one who made me an aunt for the first time... the one who, at not-quite-three years old, dropped little clumps of petals down the aisle at my wedding as the flower girl... the one who (well, for her sake I won't tell the story about what happened one night as she was bouncing around on a bed with a solid oak headboard)....the one who once screamed in horror, "You're sitting on Jesus!!!" as I climbed into the backseat of a car beside her... yes, that one...is graduating from 8th grade soon.

So, I got to take her graduation photos! Isn't she lovely? I look at her and see this person who is maturing before my eyes...and at the same time, I see her at age 7, smiling a gap-toothed grin at me when she was losing her baby teeth. She is so wonderful and special and I just can't wait to see what she does next.

FYI, this was taken at the Illinois River in Seneca, Illinois. Behind her, you can see the new bridge that is being built and the old bridge, too. I'll post more of my favorites of her as I edit them...

2010-01-13T18:27:00.000-08:00

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23

This Psalm has been running through my mind as I think of the Haitian people today. My friends, I pray for your comfort...for God's mercy on those who are suffering...for strength and faith.

Fall Family Session 3

2009-11-16T20:39:00.000-08:00

"The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him." Proverbs 20:7

This photo shoot started out comfortably, but as the sun continued to set, it became chilly. It made me smile to see this family snuggle up together in between shots to warm up! Everyone cooperated so well and we really picked up some of those vivid colors in the changing trees. I so enjoy every minute I spend with this family. They are so beautiful inside and out!

Fall Family Session 2

2009-11-16T20:23:00.000-08:00

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again--rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:4-9

I've gotten to know this family much better over the last two years and the photos below reflect several of their wonderful qualities...they are so colorful, full of joy and movement. They are confident and peaceful and quick to smile and laugh. Their love for each other is so evident!

Fall Family Session 1

2009-10-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

This fall, I photographed two brothers and their families. I've known these families for some time now, and it seems like just yesterday these two couples were newlyweds. In fact, one couple had their wedding photos taken in this very same park.

Amazing what can happen in 10+ years! Their children are so sweet and so beautiful. What wonderful blessings--all 5 of them!

Sports Photography

2009-10-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power if made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Back in early September, I had the opportunity to dabble into some sports photography. I got on the field at my brother-in-law's team's football game. He's the head coach at Joliet Township. It was an amazing experience. The sounds, the colors...even the smell of the grass. It was thrilling to my senses.

I gained a better appreciation for my brother-in-law's talents as a coach...for his determination and leadership. I was also impressed with the character of many of the young men on his team.

Blume-Fleming Wedding Photos

2009-09-30T20:56:00.000-07:00

I have so many photos to share from this beautiful wedding. It's just taking time to get through them all. But, I thought I'd start sharing a few of my favs. (I'm hoping Blogger doesn't mess up the sharpness of these images...)

This one is just amazing--the petals in the air, the joy on their faces...

Yaaaaaay, 5!

2009-09-02T20:41:00.001-07:00

Cliff to Rudy "Did you call your sister a baby?" "No. I called her a chicken baby."

When I was younger, I loved to watch episodes of The Cosby Show! They were so real, so fun... My favorite was Mr. Huxtable and my second favorite was Rudy because she was closest to my age and she was super cool. There was one episode featuring Rudy that I remember. Rudy's older siblings were getting to do lots of big-kid stuff and Rudy felt left out. She eventually retreated to a hideout in her room. No one seemed to notice she was gone...except Mrs. H, who found her there. She crawled into the fort with Rudy and Rudy finally had a chance to open up. She had just had a birthday--she was 5. But, she thought 5 stunk. Mrs. H started to point out all the wonderful things that came with 5. All the things she could or would do that year that she couldn't have done when she was 4. In time, Rudy began to feel like maybe 5 wasn't so bad after all. It went something like this:

"Well, Rudy, now that you're 5 you can ride your bike with no training wheels!"

"Yay, 5!"

"And, now that you're 5, you can write your whole name and tie your shoes!"

"Yay, 5!"

"Rudy, this year you will go to Kindergarten!"

"Yay, 5!!!"

It was a wonderful episode. I've been thinking about it lately as my Fantastic Five year old has been doing terrific things. Like going to Kindergarten! She started this week...

Summer Gathering

2009-08-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

From everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him, and his righteousness with their children's children. Psalm 103:17

What a joy it was to photograph this family of three generations--a mother and her two daughters and their families.

Miss K

2009-07-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

"The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear?" Psalm 27:1

Last year, I got to do senior pictures for two young men and it was just a thrill to be around them...with all their energy and intensity. This year, I had the opportunity to do a senior portrait session with a young woman and it was just as much fun. Ok, maybe a little bit more fun, just because I was once a girl going into my senior year...and I have these two adorable daughters who, in another 14 years (ok, that sounds like a long time, but I am positive it will be here in a flash), will be seniors just like my subject, Kathryn...and, well, she is just so gorgeous. It was such a pleasure to spend time photographing her...all that potential and all her dreams bubbling up to the surface where I could capture it in image--the twinkle in her eyes, the hope in her smile...I can't wait to see how her story unfolds!

Two peas in a pod

2009-07-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it. (NIV) Proverbs 22:6

Little Jorgy turned 2 in July. Two today and tomorrow she'll be driving. Blowing bubbles today, and tomorrow she'll be picking a college. I hope she's always a little angel, though! She lights up her mama's life with joy. She's such a blessing!

Oh-my-starry-eyed surprise....

2009-07-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

John 1:10

Do you remember that Starry-Eyed Surprise song? It makes me think of summer...and Lily...I don't know why. She loves summer and warm weather. She is full of life and strives to soak up every second of it.

She is lovely.

Love you, little one.

A vision in white...

2009-07-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

On rare occasions, one is able to gather extended family members in one place at one time when all present are in good moods and agreeable to photo-taking. I was privileged to be the photographer on one such recent, rare occasion! It was truly a magical summer evening. The sunlight was just right. The subjects were happy - even, for the most part, the hesitant brother. The grass was green (probably thanks to the goose poop that served as fertilizer!). The air was warm and the breeze was soft. The results are below!

Awww...those are grandparents looking on in the background!

Stepping strategically to avoid the aforementioned goose poop!

Blessings to this happy family!

Happy Birthday to You

2009-06-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

"He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure." Isaiah 33:6

I had the pleasure of photographing this family recently! They were so much fun. For the better part of an hour, I got to witness and capture the affection they share. They are blessed in so many ways. I have so much admiration for this couple and their growing family. They are so wise and their foundation is so sure!

Pretty in Pink (and white and red)

2009-06-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

(Ephesians 4:32 NIV)

The picture below is of my "godson" and I like to think of myself as his "fairy godmother." He is very dear to me...and I have vivid memories of him as a very tiny baby, curled up for a photo on top of a stack of fluffy white towels. Now, he's a young lad with freckles and tousled hair. He is still an affectionate one and I pray he stays that way. It's been a joy to watch him grow over the years, as he became a big brother to a brother and then a sister. It was an honor to photograph him and his whole family - three generations - a couple of weeks ago.

Here are three generations...Mother, daughter, and granddaughter.

See his freckles?? Those blue eyes? That dimple? What a prince.

I think Poppy might be his favorite. They steal quick, quiet moments together.

A super-sweet daddy-daughter photo.

Derek & Amy

2009-05-27T20:14:00.001-07:00

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

John & April

2009-05-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

I Corinthians 12-13

Haiti Journal - Thursday, March 26, 2009

2009-04-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

Today was our last work day. We have accomplished so much! The whole basketball court and all 3 hoops are up. We even had Pastor Manno shoot the first basket (which he made on his first attempt) (see photo above). Three soccer camps today and all the donated clothing and soccer equipment was given away. 6th grade students were in testing today...I took a quick photo of a classroom (see above). You'll note that the students were wearing different uniforms. That's because students from many different schools came to Pillatre today for their tests. This was a practice test to help them prepare for the final test in June that will decide if they get to pass 6th grade.

We also had soccer cleats to give away today. It was very difficult to decide which children would get the shoes. There were only 11 pairs. Some larger sizes, some very small, and most in the middle. With the first group of very small children, I walked up and down the rows and took a look at the shoes they already had. There was a boy in beat up Nike sandals. And, when I say beat up, what I mean is that the soles were completely worn through at the heels. He was my first choice. I thought he looked 5 or so years old, but the Haitian kiddos all look smaller than American children their age--so he was probably 6. Then, I saw a girl in purple sandals and her toes were hanging over the tops. She was maybe 4.

I quickly picked out one more child and while the main body of kids filed out the door, I took those three by the hands and stood to the side. One of the Haitian teachers came over and tried to make the children go, but I gestured that they were to stay. I led the first boy to a chair and had him sit. I smiled and him and sized up his little feet. I made a guess as to what pair would fit him--and was right! They were perfect. I brushed off the bottoms of his feet with my hands and undid the laces of the shoes so that his feet would slide in. I tightened the laces and tied a bow. He smiled and said something excitedly to the other two children. I smiled at him, kissed my hands and patted his shoes. "Bendzye bene ou!" I said (God bless you). He said, "Mesi!" and hopped down from the chair. I put his old shoes in a plastic bag and let him take them home. Then, it was the little girl's turn. She sat down and I took off her sandals, the velcro was barely holding. I brushed off her feet and put on a pair of white socks. Then, I picked out a pair of cleats for her. They were too small--too hard to get on. So, I tried another pair and they were just right. She smiled as I put on both shoes and tightened and tied the laces. I hugger her tight and said "Bendzye bene ou!" to her, too. She thanked me and I took her picture (above) in her new shoes before she took her old shoes in a bag. I followed the same procedure for the the third child, a little boy. He was equally excited and grateful. Tears streamed down my cheeks the whole time I fitted those three for shoes. I wasn't crying--I was elated. And yet, I couldn't stop the tears amid my smile. It was a very humbling experience. I longed to be able to show the people who made those donations just how happy they had made these adorable little kids.

When it was time for the middle-graders' camp at 10:30, I decided to play, too. I played with the boys first and I think they were impressed. I schooled them all. I kicked corner kicks to a group of them and they took shots on goal. Several of them took turns being goalie. It was so fun! I had been hesitant to join in the play until today because I didn't want to turn an ankle or something and be out of commission for the week. (It wouldn't have been hard to do, given the rocks and divots in the field.) But today was the last day, so I was in. I played a game or two with the girls, too, which was fun. They weren't afraid to get physical with me! I got elbowed, shoved, and several girls tried to trip me. I pushed and elbowed right back. It was all in fun. They liked to see me score and cheered for me. We played for over an hour!

When everyone was tired, they began to straggle off the field. There was a toddler who stood just off the field where his older sister was playing and suddenly, the ball came at him and a crowd of girls trampled him. They went off down the field, leaving him in tears and screaming. I walked over and scooped him up, patting his back and wiping his tears. I rocked with him and soothed him until he stopped crying. Then, I carried him over to a shady spot under a tree and sat down with him. Soon, a few other children gathered, too, including a girl who was the same size and build as my daughter. They were all so sweet. I took their picture and let them see themselves on the display. They are amazed by cameras because they rarely see themselves in photos. Then, they began inspecting and grooming me. One girl picked the dirt from under my fingernails with her own dirty fingers and a boy scratched the streaks of mud that had dried on my legs. They are so fascinated by my sunburned, mosquito bitten skin. They touch each red, swollen bite mark (there are so many!). They also like my blonde hair and green eyes. They run their little fingers through my hair and take my face in their hands to get a close look. One little girl was worried about the sunburn on the back of my neck, and kept trying to pull my shirt collar up over it to shield my skin.

I gave away barrettes that I brought from home today, too. Oh, and they LOVE to blow my whistle! I gave one of my whistles to a Haitian woman who had helped us a lot with the soccer camps and another to Willem, a teacher who also helped.

The older boys showed up again today for another game. Omar is my friend. They all show me a lot of respect and call me "Coach." Today, during the second half of their game, there was a hand ball. Suddenly, all the players were yelling--there was a heated debate about something... And they turned to me and motioned insistently for me to come onto the field. I thought it was a pretty obvious foul, so at first I told them to work it out. But, they were insistent. Two of them came over and pulled me onto the field. My heart was pounding so hard! I wasn't afraid, exactly, but definitely intimidated. I didn't want to get stuck in the middle of a crowd of 20 angry Haitian men! They had been playing intensely and aggressively, so they were really worked up. There was even a large crowd that had gathered to watch!

So, there I was in the middle of the field, trying to figure out what these young men were shouting about. After a few minutes, I realized that they were arguing over whether the hand ball took place INside or OUTside of the penalty box (which wasn't marked). They wanted ME to make a call. Since the field was so small, I decided it was outside the penalty box and said so. I awarded a penalty kick and the argument was over. They lined up the kick as I left the field, my heart still pounding. The kick did NOT result in a goal...whew. A few people later commented that they had showed a great deal of respect for me in that situation--and had held me in high esteem. Imagine that!

Haiti Journal - Wednesday, March 25, 2009

2009-04-16T20:18:00.000-07:00

6:42 am

Rain. All night. Barking. All night. In fact, I'm fairly certain that at least one dog was devoured by the others last night. I woke up with a start last night to the gnarly sounds of a vicious dog fight outside my window. Alyssa was wide awake with me! We both just stared into the darkness until it was over. Then, we awoke again later to sweeping on the street outside at 4:30 am. I am tired.

6:38 pm

I love singing Bible songs with the first campers of the day. I do my best to sing the words in Creole, and the little ones correct me. I love to sit near them and hold dance with them. I love to hear their collective, tiny voices echoing off of the church walls. They come to camp hungry. Hungry for lots of things, but hungry for food. It it so satisfying to feed them...to watch them eat...and to see them perk up with energy soon after.

The second soccer camp of the day went so much better today! The middle grades learned their lesson, I think. Getting to play today was a good motivator for good behavior. They stayed off the fields until 10:30 am when it was their turn. This allowed us to really focus our attention on the littlest kids. The toddlers stayed in the church for songs and games, so for the first camp, we really only had preschoolers through 1st grade. It was perfect. They did passing games and even got to practice taking shots on goal. Then, when it was time for the second camp, the children stayed organized and listened. We skipped any type of drills for the second group and went straight to setting up teams and games on two fields. One field for the boys and the other for the girls. The girls were so excited to have their own field, their own teams, their own ball. I stood between the two fields and tried to referee both simultaneously. The boys seem to disregard any out-of-bounds markers, and so their play often spills over onto the girls' field...until I chase them off (unless the girls on the field get to them first).

There are many more boys than girls. Many girls don't want to play soccer. They stay on the sidelines or sit under trees and play clapping games. Still, both of the fields are crowded.

I did not get to go on a walk into Pillatre with Parice today. Instead, I served as referee for a soccer game for the high school/university boys. They played on the larger field - 9 v 9. They were mostly the same young men who played Monday afternoon. My friend, Omar, from Monday, was back. He said that they all had late classes yesterday and that was why they weren't around. No late classes today, though, and they were anxious to get on the field. They played shirts & skins today. They are very slender, and yet, very muscular.

Omar speaks English very well. Today, I told him to tell the teams that the winners would receive soccer jerseys (that were donated by American. This inspired more intense and aggressive play than Monday's game. The trickiest part was that the concrete for the basketball court was still being poured...about 10 feet behind one of the goals. I am certain that the players understood what I was saying when I explained that the ball could NOT be kicked into the drying concrete. But, I suppose it was inevitable. The ball sailed into or skimmed across the soon-to-be court 3 times. Yet, the men working on the court let us have the ball back each time - miraculously.

They played two 30 minute halves again today, and when the time ran out, they were tied 7 - 7. I put another 5 minutes on the clock and finally, the skins team won. We took a team photo, but not before there was a crazy MOB of young men grabbing for their prize jerseys! I came out of the mob unscathed, and recounted the best plays of the game with Omar and a few others. (Apparently, when they go to university, many students learn English, because several of the young men from this 3rd camp of the day spoke it very well.)

I am still on a high from that game. It was exhilarating. It was awesome to watch. My first Haitian football game! I am exhausted.

Somewhere during the day we also sorted through the bags and bags of donated clothing, dividing them into piles for women, men, boys, and girls. I was able to see the medical clinic close up. The doctors and nurses there take any and all patients and deal with all kinds of illnesses and issues. There are surgeons who make visits to the clinic, too. Oh, and I learned that they do not use anesthesia for their surgeries. Ever. It's just too hard to obtain and too risky to administer. Think for a minute about the last time you...had a tooth pulled? Had a lump in a breast removed? Had your tonsils taken out? Had an appendix removed? Ok, I'll stop. You get the point. Ouch. Haitians are tough. We Americans are wimpy.

God is opening my eyes. It's just what I prayed for. I am here reaching, touching these forgotten people. I see their desperation and brokenness. Their hunger and beauty. Their kindness and humor. Their hope and joy. I love them. I see them. I hear them. This whole world I never knew. They matter. God sees their suffering and hears their cries of agony and their songs of praise. And, He sent me to be a love letter to them.

Haiti - Tuesday, March 24, 2009

2009-04-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

Three more days of Haiti. Then, I will be heading home to my family. I can't wait to see them. I woke up this morning missing them. I realized today that this is the longest amount of time I've gone without talking to Mark in the nearly 10 years we've been married. I wonder how he is and if he misses me...

It rained all night again, but we woke up to clouds. The soccer field was a swamp and it was almost comedic to see the kids slipping and sliding around, splashing in the puddles. They/we were so dirty!

It was a rough day with the kids today. The problem was that the middle-grade kids were not in testing or class this morning when the littlest ones were having their soccer camp at 8:30 am. So, while we tried to get the little ones playing, the middle ones were stealing the balls and running off. We tried to chase them down and keep them off the field, but it was futile. We were all so frustrated and disappointed for the little ones.

What made it all worse was that the children were very irritating. "Give me my shoes." "Give me a dolla." "I am hungry." "Give me my cap." Grrr....They were relentless. I was reading last night about Jesus spending time with even the dirtiest, most diseased sinners. If he could do that, surely I can be patient with these children.

We talked to Prisca and she decided to cancel the 10:30 camp for the middle grade students. She called them all into the church--all 300 or so--and yelled at them. I couldn't understand all that she was saying, but I'm pretty sure she said that she was very disappointed in their behavior because it ruined the camp for the younger children and because it was disrespectful to us. She told them not to come tomorrow until 10:30 or, if they came earlier, to stay off the field. If they disobey again tomorrow, the camp will be cancelled again. But, if they behave better, they can play. After she was done, she came over and told us, "I told them you all were REALLY mad!" That wasn't quite what we were trying to convey. So, Kim asked if she could say something to the group. Prisca translated as Kim told the children that we would pray for them to be forgiven for their bad choices and for them to do better the next day.

They all filed out of the church somberly. I was feeling the same way. Their punishment was punishment for me, too. I felt bad for the ones who did behave well.

So, after lunch, I went "calling." We walked with our interpreter, Parice, in the streets of Pillatre. He took us into people's houses and I finally got to see firsthand the extreme poverty of the majority of people of Haiti. Manno's house is very different from the houses I saw today. His house is big and modern and in a nice neighborhood. (He said his neighbors are doctors, engineers and drug dealers.)

The first house was a one-room box with walls of concrete bricks. There was a big opening in the brick for a door and other smaller opening for a window. There were strips of cloth hung over the door and window as curtains. There was no bathroom, no kitchen. Just a small bed and a couple of chairs and shelves. 10 people lived there, including a 2 week old baby.

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Side note: I just heard Talia call out, "Maman!" and it made my heart ache to hear someone calling that name for me.

***********************

There are always dogs at every house. It's their security system. The dogs are locked up all day, just like Manno's dogs. Then, they're let out to be guard dogs at night. The next house we stopped at was also full of people. The elderly man who greeted us explained that one house was his first house with his wife. Then, as their children grew and married and grandchildren were born, they built houses up around that first house. They were clustered together, but not quite touching. A young girl was sitting outside washing dishes. She was beautiful. (Don't you think? See her photo above.)

They were a very welcoming, very happy family. His wife hugged me and touched my face, saying something sweet in Creole. She made me think instantly of my grandma at home. Several grandchildren loitered around, examining us and playing, so I photographed grandma with all of them. One of the women had a 2 month old baby boy. Megan held him and I took pictures. The grandfather asked us to pray with the family before we left, so we did with help from Parice. We prayed for the baby and for the family and their homes.

We then went on to meet a witch doctor. While some folks in Haiti are Christian, most of them practice voodoo. The witch doctor showed us candles he was making for a voodoo ceremony. People come to him with problems or tragic situations to be cleansed. At the end of the ceremony, the witch doctor eats the remainder of the candle. Yes, you read that correctly. He eats the candle. Mmmmm...!

Next, we met a woman who thought we were rich and wanted money to buy a new dress. Then, we saw a man who was making a big round flatbread over an open fire. He coated it with coconut and sugar and then flipped the whole thing over like a pancake. I wanted to taste it, but we have been advised not to eat food on the street. I decided not to take any chances.

Now, the day is almost over. I'm praying the next few days are not as long as this one. I need some rest.

Haiti - Monday, March 23, 2009

2009-04-08T16:38:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of the soccer camp in Pillatre. Now I know why my fellow missionaries were laughing at me when I described my ideas about soccer drills and games. (I mentioned that maybe a white board with Xs and Os would help them understand since I couldn't explain in Creole.)

Here's what the layout for the day looked like:

7 am breakfast

7:30 load up on the tap-tap

8 am arrive at Pillatre, set up soccer goals, tools, T-shirts and food

9 am Group 1 Soccer Camp - preschool through 1st grade

10:30 dismiss Group 1

11 am Group 2 Soccer Camp - 2nd-6th grades

12:30 dismiss Group 2

12:40 lunch

2:30 Group 3 Soccer Camp - 7th-12th grades (plus a few even older students)

4:30 load up on the tap-tap

5 pm arrive back at Cap Haitian for clean up and dinner

7 pm devotions, team meeting

9 pm collapse exhausted after the dogs are released for the night

_______________________

When we got to Pillatre around 8 am this morning, a huge swarm of children came running out of buildings to greet us. They were shouting and waving--they were so excited! They had the biggest smiles...I took a photo of the crowd from the tap-tap (see above). It was probably the closest feeling I've had to what a celebrity must feel like. As teachers corralled the children back into their classrooms, we got out of the truck and began setting up. I examined the soccer field.

My assessment? Not good. There was a huge dirt pile at one end, and big puddles at the other. There were no out-of-bounds lines drawn. There were huge rocks scattered all over the field, and finally, the 6 inch tall weeds needed to be mowed down. "You get what you get and you don't get upset" is what I always tell my kids. So, I said that to myself and moved on. We set up the goals and nets. We used some string and stakes to mark off one large field that we would split into two halves to have two games going at once. Then, we used white spray paint to mark the lines. There were small clusters of boys following me around the field. They thought I was crazy, picking up stones and pitching them off the field. But, some of them joined in and helped.

The first group of kids assembled in the new church (Quick side story - there is a church currently in use in Pillatre, but the congregation has grown so much that a larger church is being built. It's MUCH bigger. So far, just the shell of the building is there. Everything inside still needs to be finished. Manno anticipates that it will be next January before the new church will open.). We were expecting 200 children in that first group, but there were nearly 400. Wow! I heard them singing songs and after a little while, some of them--maybe 60--emerged onto the field in their new camp T-shirts. The littlest ones were very little. I was expecting preschoolers, but not toddlers. Apparently, some younger siblings had tagged along.

I had no idea how to get soccer drills going with kids ranging from age 1 to 7. We set up large circles of kids, and had them pass soccer balls back and forth as best as we could. We realized then that we needed to separate the very little children the next day at camp. But today, we muddled through chaos until 10:30 when we dismissed them. At 11 am, Group 2 assembled in the church. They got their T-shirts, food, and sang songs. And, did I mention that at the start of each camp, someone from our group gave a brief testimony with the aid of a translator? It was so awesome to hear their child voices singing, the sound ricocheting off of the walls and carrying out the windows...I didn't recognize many of the songs they sang, but I did hear the Creole version of "Deep and Wide" and "Father Abraham."

The soccer set up for Group 2 was much more organized. We set up two fields and had the boys play a game on one and the girls on the other. It took a while for this concept to catch on. Fortunately, there was a Haitian woman who worked with me to help get the children divided into teams. One team tied their T-shirts around their waists and the other team kept their shirts on. And, they played in their school uniforms! Many of the kids wore sandals to school, but sandals don't work well for soccer. So, they just played barefoot--ouch. Well, ouch for me, but they must be used to it.

The girls were shocked by the fact that they had their own field and their own ball. Their shock quickly gave way to excitement. I have thought a lot about why the girls seemed so surprised. I don't think they get to play very often. I don't think the boys get to play very often either, but I think the girls play even less. So, when you hardly ever have a place to play soccer, much less a ball, competition gets pretty fierce. I'm guessing that the boys don't often let the girls play... Anyway, they had a ball (pun intended).

Group 2 dismissed at about 12:30. A few ladies from the house in Cap Haitian arrived with sack lunches for us. I was tired, but on a high from the first two camps. Around 2 pm, a group of about 20 high school boys showed up for the last soccer camp of the day. I could tell they were serious. A few of them even had cleats. They were ready to play. They gathered in the church and with the help of a translator, I introduced myself and prayed with them, and we headed out to the field. I decided to play the role of referee for their game, keeping time on my watch and calling fouls as needed. They called most of their own fouls and worked out the penalties themselves. They played shirts vs. skins and they were good. Very fast. It was fun just to watch. By the end of the game, they were referring to me as "coach." See above for a photo of the winning team.

It was so exciting to see all the children today. They didn't hold their distance like most of the adult Haitians I've met so far. They got up close. They talked to me (and they didn't care about our language barrier), touched me, held my hands, hugged me, and taught me clapping games like I used to do at recess in 6th grade. As I expected, they were fascinated by my blonde hair and fair skin and light eyes. They touched all of my freckles on my arms...ran their hands through my ponytail...and examined my sunburned shoulders.

The other thing I experienced that I hadn't expected was that the children wanted me to give them everything. "Give me my shoes," they'd say. Of course, they really meant to say, "give me your shoes." Or, "Give me my cap." "Give me my watch." They'd ask over and over again. I learned quickly to just say no. I had so much to give! But, not my watch, shoes, or hat. They also wanted me to take their picture. "Photograph," they'd say, and then they'd strike a pose. I'd take their photo and then, just like American kids, they'd want to see themselves on the review screen.

It rained on us yet again during our ride back to Cap Haitian in the tap-tap. We cleaned up and had a dinner of cooked cabbage and mushroom casserole and creamed corn, with pudding for dessert. What? That doesn't sound appealing? Well, let me just say that when you're tired and hungry, you eat. We had devotions and our team meeting and a big laugh when Deb said, "So, Sarah, now you understand why we thought your Xs and Os were so funny?" I am exhausted and yet already excited about another day of camp tomorrow. I love soccer. I am so thankful for this opportunity to connect with these Haitian children through our shared love of this sport. Even if they can't understand what I'm saying, they understand that I'm passionate about soccer. And, they understand that I'm here because I love them and care about them.

Haiti - Sunday, March 21, 2009

2009-04-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

Only once last night did I wake up to the barking dogs. Otherwise, I slept until I heard women working outside my window around 6 am. Most people here in Haiti get going early in the morning. I'm guessing it's mainly because they have to walk to get where they're going--they don't hop on a train or in their car. Well, some people here do have cars, but given the state of the roadways, it's not much quicker than walking.

I am so proud of myself for being able to sleep well last night. I'm surprised, really. At home, I cannot sleep with windows open. But here, the windows, doors...everything is wide open. It rained all night, but somehow the sound was soothing to me.

It rained hard all through breakfast: toast & jelly, eggs with bacon mixed in, and fresh bananas and pineapple. They are the tastiest bananas and pineapples I have ever had. Mmmmm.

We all got ready and dressed. We went to church in Pillatre, which is a small town near Cap Haitian where Manno is the pastor. The church campus also has a school and it's where we'll be doing the soccer camp this week. Manno and Prisca, our hosts, have two vehicles and the tap-tap. Since it was raining so hard, we had to get to Pillatre in the two vehicles. We asked Prisca, "How many can fit in your Jeep?" "Hmmm," she responded, "American style or Haitian style?" We all laughed and assured her that we were up for riding Haitian style. Haitian style is people crammed in on top of one another--maybe even a few on top or hanging off the sides. For real! We saw a truck just today where a guy was driving--DRIVING--with half of his body hanging out the window. A car that fits 6 people in America fits 12 in Haiti...maybe 15 if they're smaller-sized people.

So, we packed 10 people into the Jeep. We began to pile in and Manno said I should sit up front in the middle ("the tiny one" he called me - I love him for that). "Wait," he said as I began to climb in. He ran back into the house and came back with two pillows. That's when I knew it was going to be a rough ride. I have never seen potholes like I saw today. They weren't even potholes. They were craters. I was so thankful for those two pillows. I don't think we ever got over 30 mph. And, all the craters were filled with water and mud, thanks to the last 12 hours of rain.

We saw some strange sights on the road to Pillatre. People walking, people on motorbikes, people in trucks. Some trucks stuck. There are animals that root through the garbage piles on the sides of the roads--pigs, goats, cows. I think I saw a pony and a donkey, too. And there are rusting-out vehicles scattered here and their on the shoulder of the road. I imagine they are vehicles that got stuck or broke down right there in that spot and were simply abandoned. Many men walking on the road carry machetes. I wonder why...

The drive to Pillatre took about 35 minutes. When we got to church, we went straight in. I don't know what time church usually starts, but today it started when Pastor Manno arrived. I have been told that on a typical Sunday, there are hundreds of people who worship here. But, with all the rain, many people can't make the trip. There were about 50 people there, plus the 15 on my team. There was singing, preaching, more singing, more preaching, and looooooong prayers. The music was beautiful, even though I didn't understand the words. I met a few children who let me take their pictures. The whole congregation was dressed up in their best clothes, despite the fact that they had to walk a long way on muddy roads. Some of them walked all that way barefoot--carrying their shoes, so that they were clean when they put them on at church. The little girls have their hair all done, with lots of bows. Danielle would have loved to see it.

I watched out the windows during the service as the rain stopped and the sky began to clear. By the time we left church to head back to Cap Haitian, the sun was out. I noticed as we left that a hearse was parked near the church. Manno said that there was a funeral this afternoon. I wonder who has died, but have decided not to ask.

After church, we hung out back at the house in Cap and had a simple lunch. Haitians don't do any work on Sundays, including cooking. Later in the day, we went for a walk on the main road to the "car wash." I have never felt so vulnerable and uncomfortable in my life. We were 13 white people on parade (yes, 13 - Arizona was napping and Kevin? Well, they think he's Haitian. People in the airport gave him very strange looks when they realized he didn't speak Creole). It occurred to me that I was feeling, perhaps, what black people in the American South may have felt a few decades ago... I could see some people carrying machetes, and I didn't know how many others may have had concealed weapons. Some people we encountered were friendly, some ignored us, and others were pretty open about the fact that they didn't like us. There's a lot you can understand through facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. I was glad we were there in daylight, and not in the dark of night.

The "car wash" is a broad stretch of a stream in Cap Haitian, where there is enough shore for people to drive their cars up, so that the wheels are immersed, and wash their cars off. It's the same stream where you can also see animals drinking (and I would assume, defecating), people bathing, and others collecting water to take home for cooking and drinking. Oh, and the stream is also used as a garbage dump. Garbage, garbage, garbage. It's everywhere. The smell is overpowering. It's the smell of decay. I began to wonder if improvements could be made simply by educating people about the basics of sanitation and waste disposal, but I think there are many things I don't know or understand about the complexities of life and politics in Haiti.

On the way back to the house, I observed a second common form of security around here (the first being guard dogs). Broken glass bottles cemented on top of the walls around the property, sharp ends up. Clever. Nice reuse of material! It's even kind of colorful and pretty...

I miss my family tonight. I long to hold and love on my children and sing them a song at bedtime. I have felt very strange today about having some "down time." Almost guilty, I think. So much time to myself today. Usually, at home, I have cooking, cleaning, laundry or childcare to do. There's always SOMETHING that needs to be done! But here, after dinner is prepared for me, I eat and put my dishes in the kitchen and then....DO WHATEVER I WANT.

I don't know what to do with myself. I stood on the balcony and listened for a while to some children nearby who were singing, their voices carrying on the breeze. So sweet. Birds calls... A little lizard scampered across some tiles on the roof. I think I surprised a neighbor girl when she realized I was watching her. She began to dash inside her house and fell down. I'm guessing it's not everyday that she sees a strange white lady watching her from up here. She must have gone inside and told her mother she saw me, because her mother came out to see me for herself. I smiled and waved and called, "Bonswa!" And she smiled and waved back. My first successful exchange in Creole!

Baby B

2009-04-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

I interrupt my Haiti journal to bring you Baby B. I just can't wait to share a few of these photos with you. This little boy is so precious and his arrival is a long-awaited promise from the Lord. Showers of blessings on you, sweet one!

Haiti - Saturday Conclusion

2009-04-03T19:15:00.000-07:00

I am so tired tonight that I think I'll be able to sleep ok, despite the dogs outside and the rain falling. There are three women here in my room. Liz, Alyssa, and me. Alyssa and I are sharing the double bed and Liz is sleeping on a mattress on the floor. I think we have the best room in the house. We have our own balcony (which is great for hanging up wet clothes, except that they never seem to completely dry...mainly because it keeps raining) AND we have our own bathroom. The bathroom looks like a pretty typical bathroom. There are a few differences in how you use it here, though. There is TP in the bathroom, but it can't go in the stool. No flushing TP. Use it, and then throw it in the trash. Oh, and use it sparingly because the roll you brought from home has to last all week. It's a surprisingly hard habit to break.

I also learned how to take a "Navy style" shower. They do a lot of things here to conserve water, and this type of shower is one of them. You turn on the shower and get yourself wet--oh, and btw, the water is cold. Turn off the water and then soap up, wash hair and shave. Then, turn the water on again and rinse off. The water from the tap is not filtered, either, so you have to be careful not to get it in your mouth.

Finally, you must remember to use your bottle of water to brush your teeth and rinse your toothbrush.

As I sit here in bed with my ipod on, I'm getting pretty sleepy. Back at home, my two girls have been fast asleep for hours... I hope. I wonder what Mark is doing. I realized today that this trip will be the longest time that I will have not spoken to Mark in 10+ years. While there have been other times that we've been apart, we've always had email or cell phones to talk on. This time is different. My cell says there's no service. I've turned it off and put it downstairs in Manno's office, which is locked. No computer here, either. Completely out of touch for the next 6 days. It's going to go by fast...right? G'night!

Haiti - Saturday Continued

2009-04-01T20:02:00.001-07:00

Ok, so...Where was I? Oh, yeah. On my first ride in the tap-tap....

We pulled away from the puny airport and onto the packed streets of Cap Haitian. There are no lanes in Haitian roads. There's not much pavement, for that matter. Mostly dirt, which is mud when it rains. Lots of honking and the biggest potholes I've ever seen. I will never complain about American potholes again. Little boys and girls on the street waved and smiled. A van ahead of us was transporting fowl - ducks, hens, roosters and doves. They were tied upside down on the top of the van. At first, I thought the animals were dead, but I soon realized they were alive. Very alive--flapping, squaking and looking around. For a moment, I questioned the humane-ness of the situation, but decided in the end that it was ok. They were animals, not people. They were about to be dinner for some hungry Haitian family. After all, at that moment, I was feeling rather like a farm dog, standing in the back of a truck. Many Haitians don't have ready access to a refrigerator for food storage, so they keep the birds live until it's time to cook and eat. I know I risk offending my dog-loving friends here, but I'll say it anyway. I think Americans (in general) spend way too much money on pets. Do we really need doggie daycare, gourmet doggie treats and designer doggie clothes for our pets when people in Haiti and other places in the world (even the USA) don't have homes, clothes or food? I guess maybe that's an issue to blog about some other time...

After 10 minutes or so of battling traffic and dodging potholes, it began to rain. Haitians standing in store doorways laughed at us - drenched and on display. We arrived at Manno & Prisca's home thoroughly soaked. Their home is set off an alley that connects to a main road. They live in a very nice part of town. Their house has a lovely courtyard and several rooms with balconies. The windows have glass, but it's slotted and never closes completely, so there's always a breeze and sounds of Haiti floating through. Gauzy drapes, tiled floors, tall ceilings. Tropical and inviting...

We quickly changed into dry clothes and ate lunch that was prepared by 5 or so Haitian women in the kitchen. Fruit salad, spaghetti with chicken and carrots. There is always water and tea to drink. The women wait while we eat and then we take our dishes in and say, "Merci!" I am not used to being waited on and it makes me feel... weird. The children who belong to these women stay here, too. One boy and two girls. One girl is 8 and the other is 2 or 3 and makes me think of Elli. The boy is 10 or 12, I think. The 8 year old girl spoke to me today and told me her name is Amelie--or at least, that's what I heard...

We then had time to unpack some of our suitcases and put all of our wet stuff up to dry out. Some took naps, some watched TV. Yes! TV. I was so surprised. They have satellite. Later, we had dinner - BBQ sandwiches. I had time to explore after the rain stopped and took some photos. I also met Fluffy the dog. He is Manno & Prisca's pet, I guess. He is kind of stinky and mangy, but loves a good back scratch. He is not allowed in the house, but has free reign of the grounds all day. I soon found out that while Fluffy is king during the day, he cowers during the night. Here's what happens here starting at dusk...

First, all power in Haiti (at least in Cap Haitian) is turned off about the time the sun sets. At that time, Manno's house runs off of a closet full of car batteries. Around 9 pm, someone releases the hounds that are kept in cages all day - there are 4 of them. They're guard dogs, not the kind of dogs you want to cozy up to. The whine and cry in anticipation of being let out, and then bark wildly as they get their first taste of freedom. They bark and bark as they hunt down Fluffy, and then they get revenge for his taunting them all day. When he finally yelps "uncle" and slinks off to a hiding spot, they run around the grounds and bark some more. After a while, they quiet down a little. When the batteries begin to run down, the generator kicks on - which is usually around 3 am. The hum of the generator drowns out the dog noises and if you're still awake then, you might finally be able to drift off.

...to be continued. (Yes, there's more. I had a lot to absorb on my first full day.)

Haiti - Saturday, March 21, 2009

2009-03-31T12:21:00.000-07:00

Wondering who is on my mission trip team? Kim and Mike Hatfield are our team leaders. Their son, Johnmark, who lives in Chicago, is on the team, too. There is one more Hatfield on the team - Elizabeth Hatfield, aka Liz. She's a teacher in Pontiac, but is not related to Kim, Mike or Johnmark. Then, there is the Wilcox family - Todd, Deb, and their son, Jared. Tim Thul, Kevin Jones, and Alyssa Garvin are also on the team. Tim Miller, who we call Arizona, is on our team. Can you guess where he's from? Meghan and Brian Ernst are on the team and Meghan's dad, Paul. And me. That makes 15.

Our team's motto for this trip = "Be Flexible."

It's about 5 pm here in Cap Haitian, Haiti. I think. Things here don't seem to run according to clocks. We were up early at the hotel in Miami for breakfast. I don't think I slept more than an hour or two. Mainly, I think, because of the Dr. Pepper I drank on the flight from Chicago to Miami. Also, because of all the noises, an uncomfortable pillow, and anxiety. Well, maybe not anxiety--maybe anticipation is the better word.

We had breakfast and got to the airport. The flight to Port-au-Prince left at 10:10 am, and it was about a 2 hour flight. Uneventful. I listened to Haitian people sitting nearby. The airport in Port-au-Prince was different than any I'd seen. Straight out of the plane, off of a ladder and onto the tarmac. I felt like a President. A Haitian band was playing just inside the airport doors. We went through customs and had to fight for our 34 bags of luggage. Many adult men wanted to "help" us load up. They'd grab a bag from my hands and say "no problem, no problem." I had to hold on tight and continue to refuse. Otherwise, we would have had to pay all of them.

We got everything loaded and onto a small shuttle that took us from one part of the airport to the other. There was a large crowd of Haitian people standing behind a rail watching us. The called me "missus" or "blanc" (white). So, the bus took us to the other side and we stood around while security people poked through our bags. In the end, they decided they couldn't fit all of us AND our 34 bags onto the small prop plane we were taking from Port-au-Prince to Cap Haitian. So, we boarded and most of the bags stayed. They'll be brought to us in Cap in a day or so. Too bad I left my bug spray in one of those bags.

The plane was the smallest one I've been on and we didn't fly very high. Just enough altitude to get over the mountains. The view was beautiful and the ride was bumpy. When we went through the clouds, my stomach would flip as the plane pitched up, down, and side-to-side. At one point, I thought I was going to throw up, but it passed quickly. I sat by the window and watched the big city of Port-au-Prince disappear. Slums and tightly packed streets gave way to countryside, rolling hills, and then mountains. Patchwork quilts of fields and meadows where goats and cows and pigs grazed. Not big herds as one might drive past on country roads in Illinois, but half a dozen or so animals dotting the landscape here and there.

We landed on an airstrip that looked like it ended in the ocean. There were Haitians standing around watching us again. A group of three boys offered to let me take their "foto" for "one dolla." I passed, and then they asked for food. A bony, three-legged, mangy dog hobbled by. I think he must have lost that leg pretty recently. We immediately boarded a "tap tap." It was a truck with benches and rails to stand and hold onto. I found out why it's called a tap tap. Because if you want the driver to stop the truck to let people get on or off, you tap on the top of the cab. I was glad to be standing in the truck - the ride sitting would have left me with a sore backside.

...to be continued...

Haiti - March 20, 2009

2009-03-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

Went from Bloomington to Chicago to Miami today, 34 suitcases (at 50 lbs. each) and three guitars in tow. Made it safely and God was faithful all the way. Airline agents let us re-shuffle suitcase contents so that we stayed within the 50 lb. limit. And, the hotel tonight let us leave all the luggage packed on the shuttles so that they're ready for the morning trip back to the airport--instead of having to unload and reload. Nice.

During devotions tonight, we talked about letting go of our worries. God is in control of everything, so we really shouldn't worry. So, I'm laying down my worries about my family while I'm gone, financial problems, and everything else. I'll let Him take care of it.

63 Mosquito Bites

2009-03-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone!

I'm home from Haiti safe and sound. No joke, I counted them last night after a shower... 63 mosquito bites. And, they itch terribly!

I am still absorbing and processing all that I saw and did on my trip. I can't wait to tell you all about it. I have some fantastic photos to share, too.

First, I have to get it all onto my computer from my cameras. I'm working on that today, so stay tuned!

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I definitely felt protected and lifted up.

Love, Sarah

Get Packin'

2009-03-13T19:00:00.001-07:00

Tonight, we packed 34 suitcases full of gear to take with us to Haiti. Soccer cleats, shin guards, soccer balls, basketballs, nails, tools, clothes, shoes, food, and much more. It was a pretty busy hour or two, with about 15 people working together to get each suitcase at exactly 50 pounds. But, we got 'er done. One week from today, the 12 people on my team and I will be in Miami, ready to fly out to Port-au-Prince the next morning. Here are some photos from tonight...

We prayed tonight that all of the suitcases would make it to Haiti ok--that they would sail smoothly through customs and that we wouldn't have to pay extra for them being over the weight limit. The Haitian people we meet will put all of these things to good use!

The Pizza's Here!

2009-01-22T20:46:00.000-08:00

My sister-in-law once shared a story (forgive me if I don't retell it exactly the same, DMA) about how she once called an ordered a pizza for her family. The pizza place said it would be delivered in about 30 minutes. She and her kids waited, expectantly, and hungrily. They waited 30 minutes and no pizza. They knew the pizza was coming. 40 minutes...They knew they had put in their order accurately. They watched out of the window... they waited. Almost an hour...It was agonizing. Been there? This wise mama pointed out the similarity between their situation and times that we have to wait on God to deliver. Trust that the pizza is coming--hold fast. For the family I photographed last weekend, the pizza is finally here. This is the soon-to-be big brother...

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5

Every baby is a miracle. Every baby has a story. This baby's story is amazing. Sometimes, when we're waiting on God to answer our prayers, it's hard to understand why He keeps us waiting. Then, in time He reveals His plan. He's often executing His plan on a different schedule than ours.

I was so honored to photograph this expectant family. Soon, they'll welcome this little person into their lives... What a blessed little baby, to be received with so much love.

Christmas is About SO Much More than Santa

2009-01-19T19:56:00.000-08:00

"Do not be afraid, for I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For this day, in the City of David, a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11.

I did a wonderful Christmas session with a family that was working hard to keep Jesus the reason for the season (which can be hard with two little ones who are really excited about presents!). The photos turned out beautiful, but there was so much that the camera couldn't capture: the warmth of the fire in the fireplace, the twinkle of the lights on the Christmas tree, the giggles from the kids, the sweetness of the frosting in the cookies, and the love and closeness in this family.

I did a very brief session with this family back in November, too. We ran out of light too quickly, but got this photo. I love it.

Wrapping up from 2008

2009-01-19T19:48:00.000-08:00

Back in November 2008, I had a session with this young family. We caught the very last bit of color in the trees on a very gray day! Aren't they adorable all bundled up?

We were able to get some snuggly photos inside, too.

Yes, I know. I've got a thing about feet. Look at this family of feet in their striped socks! So fun. Big feet, tiny feet, feet, feet, feet! (Quoting Dr. Seuss' Foot Book)

Oh, Boy!

2008-12-07T20:02:00.000-08:00

Wow. It's been a while since my last post! I have been busy taking pictures, but I guess with Thanksgiving, I got so busy that I haven't gotten around to a new post. So, at long last, here it is.

This little guy is growing faster than I can snap the pictures. I think he's determined to catch up with his older sibs. Just look at those blue eyes...and he only has eyes for one lady--mommy. Yep, those smiles are all for her...

Delightful Diva

2008-10-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead, he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light." Luke 11:33

Ok, so maybe "delightful" and "diva" aren't often used in the same phrase... In fact, maybe it's a bit of an oxymoron... But, truly, that's what I discovered a few days ago while photographing this 2 1/2 year old. She has a light inside that shines for everyone to see! She and her adoring big sis had me completely enchanted.

Another of my favorites...

Oh, and did I mention that it's plain to see where these two sweet girls get the sparkle in their eyes? Mommy...

You Can't Always Get What You Want

2008-10-22T19:38:00.001-07:00

From Psalm 25: "Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

Ok, so every time a photographer sets out to do a session, she envisions the beautiful setting, the serene atmosphere, the joy on the subjects' faces, the ethereal light from the radiant sun... What she does NOT plan for are crazy-hungry mosquitos, incessantly biting species of tiny black insects, rising blood pressures as subjects begin to sweat in their tuxedos under a blazing September sun... And when you find yourself in just such a situation, you take a deep breath, try to help everyone relax, and move quickly to get it over with as soon as possible. You just can't always get what you want. (Can you hear the song I am hearing in my head? You get what you need! In this case, just one or two good photos.)

The three children I photographed during this miserable (and somehow hilariously memorable) session (bless their little hearts) did pretty good, given all they were subjected to. Here's how it turned out...

And, now for the gag reel... note mom, swatting the biting bug,...the tears, the frown, and, of course, the kiddo picking his nose.

It's a Wide, Wobbly World!

2008-10-06T19:14:00.000-07:00

Try for a moment to imagine the world from the eyes of a 6 month old. Scientists tell us that at 6 months, a baby's eyes are focusing at farther distances and are able to distinguish many colors. All of this improvement in vision helps a bunch when you're beginning to attempt rolling over, crawling, and maybe even standing with support! And, yet, when you get up there and take a look around, whooooaaaah.... there's so much to see! Welcome to 6 months, baby. You're gaining speed from here! What a gift to watch you grow with my 32-year-old eyes and through the lens of my camera...
"But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." -2 Peter 3:18

Giggly Girls in Gorgeous Gowns!

2008-10-03T18:59:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, God sends me blessings in little pieces. That's how it was with my photography experience with these two sisters. The first piece was actually doing the session with them. Following them around the park, listening in on their whispers, smiling at their giggles. The other pieces came each time I sat at the computer to look through the photos from the session and when editing them. Those smiles! Even just looking at them on my screen brought me joy! I hope they always have the closeness I witnessed... the sparkles in their eyes... the bounce in their steps. Beautiful.

Details...

2008-09-11T20:06:00.001-07:00

All these photos by Anthony Duong.

Who made this amazing cake?? None other than the talented and beautiful Dana Aubry.

More, More, More!

2008-09-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

Fun shots from the park just after the ceremony and before the reception!

The two photos below were taken by Anthony Duong, my co-photographer for the day.

More Wedding Photos

2008-09-11T18:44:00.000-07:00

Count them...Yes, 11 bridesmaids, one jr. bridesmaid, a couple flower girls

(one not pictured here) and, well, one bride.

Caption for the photo below: "She's all yours, son."
What were they laughing about? We may never know, 'cause I

asked them and even they don't remember.
Awww..... The last time his finger will be ringless.
What a little gentleman, eh?

Provance_Yandell...Ephesians 5.

2008-09-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

A September wedding! I was honored to photograph this beautiful young couple. Here are just a few that I've been working on... Keep watching the blog for more soon!

Guitar Hero

2008-08-25T12:17:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of doing another senior portrait session recently. It was a perfect evening...cool breeze, warm setting sun, blue sky and green trees. These photos were taken in the lovely backyard garden area of the client's home in Downs, IL.

Takin' Care of Business

2008-08-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

Check out this totally rockin' football family. More coming soon. Go Steelmen!

So new, so tiny...

2008-08-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

I had the opportunity to do another newborn session! You may have seen the maternity photos from earlier on my blog, and now, here is baby dear... It's so easy to forget how tiny and sweet they are at just 1 week old. Those little toes don't stay little for long!

And, of course, I had to do a re-do of the shot with all the feet, with the baby toes in the mix now!

Brick Wall Cont'd.

2008-08-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some more from a recent Senior High photo session. These are some of my favorites. What a smile, eh? It was a perfect evening. Thanks again to this young man for letting me capture this point in his life.

Old Brick Wall

2008-07-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

Before the thunderstorms came rolling through the countryside, I had the opportunity tonight to do my first High School Senior shoot. This young man was very cooperative and seemed to move easily before the camera. Our session was cut short by the weather, so more sports-themed photos are to come... For now, take a peek at these--taken at his family farm. As I look at how grown up he is (and how handsome!), I'm reeling at how it seems like it was just yesterday that he was shorter than me. If you ever want to hear the sweet story about how I know he has friends in high places, just ask... This guy knows the power of prayer.

Mother Daughter Moments

2008-07-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

I have a friend of many, many years... She's a precious Pearl to me. I recently got to spend some time photographing her with her pride and joy--her daughter. Happy birthday, little one! What a gift for me to capture these two. Oh, and if you find yourself admiring the beautiful flowers in the background, you can pass your compliments on to the Schmidts. Many thanks for letting me use your enchanting garden as my studio!

Prima Ballerina!

2008-07-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

Get a load of this little ballerina! Is that tutu the most adorable thing you've ever seen or what?! And her poses! Peeking over her shoulder and sticking out her little tooshie... Too cute. She just turned 1, but in about 15 years--look out! Mom and Dad, you're going to have your hands full with this one :)

Sneak Peek

2008-07-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

I did a very special session with a mother and daughter this week. There are so many amazing images that I'm spending a lot of time getting them just right for viewing... But, I wanted to let you have a sneak peek at just one image... It's one of my very favorites!

Baby On Board!

2008-06-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else.
(1 Thessalonians 3:12)
Soon, this family will have another little one to love! We had a beautiful day for catching their smiles as they eagerly anticipate the arrival of Baby 3. Big brother and big sister were happy to play and get cozy together for the camera. I am so thankful for the opportunity to capture a few moments with these dear friends!
The photo of the feet was my idea--I think that jumble of toes is so precious. I hope to photograph some teensy tiny toes with this family a few weeks from now...

The Close of a Chapter

2008-06-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

Today, a retirement party was held at Ewing Manor in honor of Dr. Deborah Gentry, who is retiring from ISU. She's also my mom and Nana to my girls. Here are some photos from the event...
Of course, I have to work in a few photos of my kids. They had fun exploring the grounds and twirling around in their sundresses...

Mom and colleagues...

Mom and Dad...You know what they say, "Behind every good woman is a wonderful man." That's what they say, right? Well, anyway. They lift each other up and neither would be where they are without the other.

More Michigan...

2008-06-22T20:50:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday of our vacation, we visited a local ranch and Danielle got a riding lesson! Her instructor's name was Morgan and the horse was Lacy. With wide-eyes, Danielle learned about a horse's hooves, brushing and grooming, and how to properly put on a saddle and bridle. She learned how to lead Lacy and then got to ride. She learned how to "click, click" to get Lacy to walk and to say, "Whoa" to get Lacy to stop. The girl was in heaven up there in that saddle! Every time Lacy would whinny or neigh, Danielle would laugh and laugh...

We spent another day at the beach, too. It started out cool, but quickly warmed up. The lake was still freeeeezing, though, so the farthest we went in was our knees. Elisabeth got to feel her toes in the sand for the first time ever. When the water would come up around her feet and the sand beneath her sank, she would get so thrilled. The girls shared some quiet, close sisterly moments on the shore...

Time Together

2008-06-10T06:02:00.000-07:00

Hello, from Northern Michigan! We're on our first vacation as a family of four. So far, the trip has been great. BTW, Dena, the driving plan worked!

Our first stop was at Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, MI.... We had close-up encounters with giraffes and saw lots of other animals.

Our final destination: Boyne Mountain and Petoskey, MI. Here are some photos from the beach at Petoskey State Park. The water was freezing, so we didn't swim, but we made a sandcastle and collected shells and petoskey stones.

Here is the condo where we are staying. We're upstairs. Very comfy. We're the only ones in this building with small kids, though. Not sure the other vacationers appreciate our 7 am wake time each morning.

We spent time yesterday on some hiking trails. Elisabeth went in the backpack carrier on Mark's back. Danielle and I hiked. We weren't sure Elli would like the carrier at first--she put up quite a fit. But, she settled in and got so relaxed that she fell asleep in there!

We hiked up a local trail and had a nice view of Lake Charlevoix, an inlet to Lake Michigan.

Luv that Lily

2008-05-25T20:41:00.000-07:00

Warm weather + a cute bow + sunshine + a beautiful garden + three little girls =
a fun afternoon!

More of that Sunny Sunday...

2008-05-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I spent more time looking at the images from Sunday. It's amazing how a whole new image can be pulled out of another image. With some creative cropping and other effects, these images appeared...

Good Day, Sunshine!

2008-05-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

Had a great session with two adorable blondies and their lovely mom on Sunday! The gardens at Ewing Manor provided a beautiful setting. Here's a sneak peek at a few of my favorites... Those curls! Those blue eyes!
He was such a gentleman...

These two sibs were totally playful!

Ringenberg-DeKeyser Engagement Photos

2008-05-01T20:58:00.001-07:00

They're Mr. and Mrs. now, but these photos are from their engagement last fall.

January Cuddles

2008-05-01T20:54:00.001-07:00

These are images from a winter cuddle session back in January. Two girls...lots of pillows...teddy bears...giggles... = Fun photos.

When Paige Was on the Way

2008-05-01T20:48:00.001-07:00

Here are some photos taken BEFORE Baby Paige arrived. Her family was patiently waiting...

Flashback to July 2005

2008-05-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

These photos were taken by Julie Grant at Franklin Park in Bloomington. Beautiful setting, beautiful day!

Bathing Beauty

2008-04-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

"The water is fine, fine, fine. The soap is mine, mine, mine. Scrub and shine, shine, shine.

It's my bathtime!" -Raffi, Silky Bubbles

A Paige from Heaven

2008-04-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

Time stood still for me for part of the day today. The moments I spent with Baby Paige and her family. One need only spend time with a newborn to be reminded of God's miracles and wonders. Every breath, each gurgle and coo...the soft baby skin and warm powdery scent...the finest hair on her tiny head... Big Sister Lauren is so proud and Mama and Daddy are beaming. Take a look...

Captured Moment

2008-03-24T21:15:00.001-07:00

Grandmother/Granddaughter caught in smiles.

Four Generations Photo

2008-03-24T21:11:00.001-07:00

Here is a photo of four generations... What a rare thing to see! What a blessing. Jax will appreciate this someday.

Easter Smiles

2008-03-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots of the beautiful Sniff family. Aren't the boys adorable in their plaid shirts? It was a cold day and their noses were red, but these shots turned out great. Look at that giggle on Kenny's face!

Elisabeth - 1 Year!

2008-02-27T20:23:00.000-08:00

Was it really just 12 months ago that Elisabeth took her first breaths? How amazing to see her grow from a helpless infant of 7 pounds to a walking, talking, exploring, curious, active toddler with 8 teeth, weighing in at 21 pounds! This week, she learned to blow kisses... So sweet.

Ringenberg-DeKeyser Wedding Feb. 16, 2008

2008-02-18T20:11:00.001-08:00

First Post

2008-02-18T20:05:00.000-08:00

For a few years now, I've been photographing my children. I see God in their smiles, the twinkles in their eyes, their dimples--in everything about them. And now I've realized that I love capturing the beauty of God's creation in photos of everything around me. And so, I launch into the world of photography. I want to use this blog to share some of the photographs I'm taking. I hope you can see the beauty of his creation in them, too!