It started almost a year ago when I was standing in line … the line was long. and I was bored. ….and then, I met a dear lady who changed my outlook. She reminded me to slow down. smell the roses. and enjoy. every. second. …because of this lady I wrote my original entry asking...
This is an AWESOME picture. Hurry, hurry!!! I can’t wait to see more…
Beautiful indeed! Can’t wait to see more!
Oh Abby,
To see my to precious babies on your blog just rocked me. I thought about how beautiful chocolate skin is, and how God saved my kids from generational horror. When Taleah was three, I held both of them in my lap and told them a cute story about adoption.
Taleah promptly hopped down, stared at me and asked, “Do you want to know how it actually happened?”
My amazement responded, “Sure…”
“Well,” Taleah continued, “Tavin was in pieces in God’s eye, and I was in pieces in God’s other eye. He brought us home to put us together.”
Her insight spoke to me…and I saw it fulfilled in this picture.
When I saw their photo -
I laughed.
I cried.
I thought of Alisha.
I thought of your mom and Jubilee.
I thought of the mom who had just called me to pray for her teenage
daughter (that she had adopted as an infant) because she was
experimenting with drugs.
I thought about the fun we had watching you and Carla fuss over us and
give us something beautiful to see God’s tender redemption.
I thought about kiddos everywhere who weren’t love, or cuddled, who
didn’t have milk to spill, or beds to sleep in, or anyone to hold
and know they would belong forever…
Thanks, Abby. Thanks for sharing not only your talent, but also your smile and enthusiasm for life no matter what it entails. Your child will have a great mom (and some awesome photos!).
dreaming of dancing,
Lisa
drum roll please….. ……… ….so I hit publish on my post heads or tails, and the votes started flying in. So much so, that I was immediately overwhelmed. So many for one. Not so many for the other. But I wanted to do both. …and, then I got a text message from a dear friend....
8 comments
YAY both! God is good.
PTL!!…I love how HE always finds a way to work things out! They are both SO deserving. May God richly bless you both for your selfless gift to these wonderful families!
Blessings and Hugs,
~Tanya
that is just wonderful! i love it! so happy that they’ll both get these beautiful, tangible memories.
i couldn’t find an e-mail for you from when you left me a comment, so i’ll put the answer here! =)
YES, from sanyu…how amazing that you were just there! i remember your mom saying that on the blog now that you mention it. this will be our “identifying” trip….so we don’t know which child(ren) He has planned for us yet! we have 4 little girls now and are so, so excited that we’re so close to having our family all together.
i’ll let you know when we know our children! maybe you loved on them….would love to hear that. =)
i see you twitter….i’m going to go follow you now….i’m @letlovegrow.
you both are beautiful people for reaching out to those who need it and doing something so wonderful like this.
I love it! I actually voted for Alisha, but asked in my last comment if someone else couldn’t do picturees of Lisa’s family. I guess that was God’s plan all along! Isn’t God good – You are doing something wonderful for someone, and He is giving you time with your dear friend! Enjoy! I hope we get to see all the pictures!.
That is wonderful!
Praise the Lord! I prayed something like that would happen because they both had amazing stories! God is SO good!
oh what surprise! totally sensational! i would have been jumping up and down too. i’m sure they will all be beautiful – i can’t wait to see a sneak peek! i will be praying for alisha. you are amazing to have such a wonderful contest – what a generous heart you have!
…Or better yet, Alisha or Lisa?? I cried and cried over the entries. Beautiful, heartfelt. All so deserving. I got entries from Army moms, adoptive parents, and even a beautiful mom who sacrificed and gave her baby up…. …. I got entries from people who cleverly managed to use alllllllll my favorite word’s in one...
127 comments
One more thing, for anyone who’d like more details on Alisha’s progress with treatments etc, I’ve been posting updates on my blog at christianlace.blogspot.com
Both these stories crush my heart, but I must vote for Alisha because she is my beloved cousin!
I “lurk” on your mom’s site almost daily! So I had to hop over here and read the stories. My vote is for Alisha–those babies will need to have pictures of their beautiful mom when their own too-young memories fail them. What a blessing this will be to either family, though.
Not that it’s an easy choice. #2
I vote for alisha. Her daughters deserve picture with their mommy, this may be there only chance. Life is oo short and too precious, those girls deserve some good memories. Good luck Abi, this is going to be a tough one to decide and a tough one to shoot. I can’t wait for the results, you will do an amazing job!
Now that I’ve finished sobbing, I vote for Alisha. Everyday is a gift and a miracle and I’m praying for Alisha to get hers!
I vote for Alisha.
I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD CHOOSE ALISHA. WHILE BOTH ARE GOOD, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR THOSE SWEET GIRLS TO HAVE LIVE LONG MEMORIES OF THEIR MOM. THE BABY WILL POSS NEVER KNOW HER MOM AND TO SEE PICTURES OF HER LATER HOLDING HER KIDS AND DAD SMILING WILL BE A GREAT HEALING PROCESS FOR THOSE GIRLS. lYNNE
alisha.
Both stories touch the heart. My vote is for #2
I vote for number 1…as everyone has said, both stories are so deserving, but I feel like voting for number 2 is like saying we’ve already given up on her.
Both stories are moving but Alisha’s daughters need something precious to remember their mommy by. My heart breaks for this family and I pray that God would perform a healing miracle so all would see His mighty hand and His great love for His children. But even if that is not the outcome, His love will show for them through you and your loving gift to their family. God Bless You!
#2. I know you will make it beautiful…
Lisa, adopt and sacrifice and then sacrifice some more, moving to Kenya! really…!
Definitely hard. I am really moved by Finalist #1-but given the extensive nature of Finalist #2′s cancer-this could possibly be the most important pictures & sadly, the only professional pictures this family may ever have. For this reason-I pick FINALIST #2-Alisha
I vote for Alisha. Both stories are so touching, but I would like Alisha’s daughter’s to have something special to remember their mom by if she doesn’t make it. Will pray for them and for a miracle! Abi, you’re awesome! Just like your mom!
My vote is for Alisha…
Definitely Alisha. Those girls will treasure this long after their mom is gone.
Both of these stories really touched my heart. I have to vote for number 2. Alisha. My thoughts and prayers go out to her.
Alishia
BOTH! :)
I vote for Alisha her baby needs something to remember how loved she was by her mother.
Okay, this just isn’t right. Can’t they both win?! If I knew for certain that Alisha was going to beat this thing, I’d for sure vote for #1. They are such an amazing family, and I really hope someone will come along and capture their beautiful family before they leave for Kenya.
But in light of the tragic diagnosis of Alisha, I just have to vote for her. You are an amazing photographer/artist and I know you would be up to the challenge of capturing “time” for her daughters. Those photos will become one of their most treasured and priceless gifts, should they have to go through life with their mama in Heaven. Prayers are going up for Alisha, for sure! Hugs to all who love her.
<
Blessings,
~Tanya
Hard decision, but I’d go with finalist #1–Lisa and her family.
you gotta choose both!
I vote for Both!! You can do it. And if you can’t…call me, I’d be willing to chip in!
Blessings-
Amanda
manda2177@aol.com
I’m a first-timer commenting here… ; )
Lisa’s story just wow’d me…amazing woman!! But… Alisha’s story tugged at my heart. My vote goes to Alisha, it would be a wonderful gift not only for her but her daughters.
Can’t wait to see the pictures…whomever wins. : )
Many blessings,
Barbara
Orlando, FL
I vote for number 2. I believe these little girls will have a great stories to tell about their mom and they need pictures to go along with that story. Praying for both of these families.
Lisa sounds so amazing as I share her heart for Africa and wow, what a family. But, my dear friend’s husband died so young of cancer and a special photo session was such a gift to her and her children… So I have to vote for Alisha… Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us through your blog… God has blessed you indeed!
I vote for Alisha. She may not have much time left with her family and the girls and hubby will need those pictures to get through the dark days ahead.
alisha
I can’t imangine my kiddos with no mother and an infant at that.
How to choose? If everyone who could chipped in something, could you do them both?
I’m sure both are very deserving, but if I had to choose, it would be Alisha.
I would have to vote for alisha, although both stories are touching. I believe her little girls need beautiful photos to remember their mommy and how much she loved them.
Oh my goodness! The last one is heartbreaking! That one is my vote. By the way, I love your pictures so much! I myself, love photography, so I really appreciate them. Keep it up! :)
Wow, both are amazing women, with such great testimonies.
I am going to be praying for Alisha-our God is a miracle kind of God and I want her to see that in her life!
I bet Alisha would really get a good cheering by being picked. I vote for Alisha, though of course I’d love for Lisa to win too…as an adoptive mom, who is also not a lover of her picture being taken…I can see where it is a total blessing to have such a photo shoot,to *remember* by.
God bless Lisa as she journeys into all God has for her…I know He has many blessings to pour out over her life as she waits on Him.
Kimmie
mama to 7
one homemade and 6 adopted
I will vote for Alisha.
ALISHA!
AGAIN I MUST SAY YOU ARE TRULY AMAZING!!!!
MY VOTE IS FOR #2–ALISHA.
Alisha because she might not have the time to have her pictures taken later.
ALISHA…You probably noticed when you shot our Youngstown, OH May wedding that my husband’s mom was not there. She passed away from a sudden cancer discovery right before we met. The photos that he and his brothers and sisters have of her are their most prized possessions. Losing your mom is losing your mom…whether you’re 6 or 60.
Abi, you’re an amazing person. And an awesomely talented photographer. So glad I got to meet you.
Here’s something else I thought you may be interested in…a friend from high school is a photographer in Orlando, FL and has also been inspired to help others. http://www.imagesforacure.com
I don’t know how to choose. Both would result in blessings for each family.
I pick… Alisha. And I pray that somehow Lisa will have a chance too.
This is tough!!
Shelley
I vote for Lisa.
Can you bless both of them in some way? a mini shoot?
Thank you from the uk for being such a lovely daughter to such a fab mum!!! x
Alisha is my pick, hands down. I am a cancer survivor and know the difficult time that I had. This will give Alisha something to fight for, to know that she has tried everything for her children.
i vote for Finalist #1 – Lisa and her family.
I guess I cast my vote for Alisha. Really too hard to choose, though. Sounds like they both need it.
I could not help but cry as I read your post. You see, I know Alisha. Her older daughter and my daughter met the first day of kindergarten and have been “best” friends ever since. We have spent many nights this summer crying and praying for this beautiful family. Alisha, her husband, and two beautiful girls would be so blessed to receive this from you Abi. Thank you so much.
Although, having met Lisa and her wonderful family, I agree – it is hard to choose. Bless you for doing this.
Of course I can’t pick, but I guess if a mother is possibly dying, I would choose that one, so that the children can have some good memories of her. :( So sad. I will pray for both of these precious families!
Hey Abi, this is Megan (Benjie’s wife) from tRC. I vote for Alisha for a couple of reasons. First of all, the lady that inspired you to want to do this contest had cancer and you would be able to do this for another mom who has cancer! I know Alisha personally and have known her since high school. It would mean sooo much for her to have these photos and for her kids and husband to have them as well. I think it’s awesome that you’re doing this! Blessings to you!
i vote Alisha
I vote for Alisha & will be praying for her and the family in the chemo treatments.
Hi
I vote for Alisha! What a beautiful thing her children will have, a family portrait! I am praying that all works out very well for her and God performs a miracle on her behalf! But in case HIS plan is not to perform a miracle because he has other plans, well then this young family needs all the photos of thier mother with them to give them something to hold onto forever!
You are a beautiful person for doing this!
Lisa
I vote Alisha
I would like to vote for finalist #2 Alisha
My vote is for Alisha. Prayerfully the Lord will restore her body, but should he choose not too, it would be a precious gift to her husband and children to have this, at this point in their journey…. God bless them….
Both stories are moving & you are a phenomenal photographer, so my vote would be for you to do photoshoots for both families! What a legacy of love that you could capture for them to pass down to generations!
If I have to pick one, it would be Alisha’s story only because time is fleeting and her babies need to be able to see how beautiful their mother is…
As a mother of two (soon to be three) former orphans, my heart vote goes to Lisa.
I vote for Alisha.
i vote alisha
#2
I vote for Alisha. That story brought me to tears. She needs this to share with her daughters!
Alisha- these photos may be the most precious thing her young daughters have to keep memories of her.
Great stories and both are so deserving. I would like to vote though for Story #2 because there may not be a lot of time left for these little girls and having the pictures would be so important to them as they grow up!
Wow, what a tough choice. I think both definitely deserve some photos to cherish. Lisa will treasure her family photos.
i wish they could both win. or we could donate how much it would cost to purchase a setting. . .
but if i have to choose, i’d say alisha. her daughters may not have their mommy forever, and it would be a special gift to have. if she’s around for a long, long, time, they’ll all have a pictorial reference of when life was uncertain and difficult. i will be praying for this family!
Alisha
Both are so worthy, but I vote Lisa. She is remarkable choosing to go work with the orphans. I so get the issue with family pictures as I have three adopted Africans.
oh, my heart.
God has shown me a glimpse of his heart for orphans and i LOVE lisa’s story. i head to uganda in less than 2 weeks to meet our precious babies! and if my husband’s timing could trump God’s, he’d be living in south africa serving the orphans. now.
so although i REALLY want to say lisa…..my mama’s heart votes Alisha. i would want my girl’s to have gorgeous tangible memories of us. us living…doing our day-to-day, as well as gorgeous shots you dream up.
blessings to them all…including you!
I just have to vote for Lisa. She has had difficulty getting good pictures and they deserve to have talent such as yours to help them out. Hard choice but I really have to go with Lisa.
I vote for Alisha.
Hey Abi! Both stories are so touching. I am voting for #2. A dear friend of mine is in a very similar situation. Has an 8 year old daughter, is pregnant, due in 4 weeks, and was just diagnosed with breast cancer. They are taking the baby out this Friday…..my heart has been so heavy for thier whole family…But God is good and will redeem this situation. So, I am voting for #2. Those girls need pictures of thier mommy, no matter what happens….
God bless you, Abi, for taking the time to do this.
When I read Lisa’s story first, I was sure I would vote for her, because I love how she has chosen to approach her life and her disability, and I LOVE what she and her husband are choosing to do. Surely someone who has chosen to adopt special needs kids and is choosing to care for God’s orphaned kids in Kenya should be blessed by having your wonderful photos of her special family!
But when I read Alisha’s story, my heart ached, and I feel that she NEEDS the photo shoot more. I can’t imagine facing what she is facing, and I know your photo shoot would be a blessing to her and her family. And somehow, although I know Lisa would love to have the photo shoot, I think she would give it up for Alisha. I don’t know her, but somehow I just think she is that kind of person.
So far, it looks like Alisha is going to be the lucky winner. Does anyone know anyone who would do a photoshoot for Lisa?
Both are touching stories and seem deserving of the prize. However, I pick #2 – Alisha
I vote for Alisha!
Alisha….#2
I would have to say that the #2 finalist stole my heart. I am a young mommy of one, two and a half year old little love bug, and I can not imagine my life without my daughter, nor, I can not imagine that if I were in that situation with cancer would I not want to be photographed with my daughter, with the lingering thought that I may only have 6 months to a couple of years. I think that this is very poignant, and moving experience not only for the mother to have BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING pictures of her and her family but of her daughters as well, and to also have the memories for her daughters if anything happened to their mommy.
I am looking forward to Friday and finding out who your winner is!
Sincerely,
Britt
I’m voting for Alisha – praying for a miracle for her and knowing how treasured the pictures would be for her and her daughters.
I found it tough to make a choice where by choosing one, I would feel as though I am invalidating or not affirming the other equally deserving story. How about a fundraiser to make it possible for the other family who does not “win” to still be able to get a session? I would be totally willing to contribute to make it happen for the other family.
Hi,
I read your mom’s blog and I vote for Alisha because maybe winning this contest will bring some hope to her heart.
And might give you a chance to show the Love of Christ to her especially given her circumstances.
You do some amazing photographs dear! They are really lovely.
I went to your website last week I think it was, and the pics were breathtakingly beautiful. You truly have a great
talent. I have one lil suggestion for you tho.
Everyone who looks at your website is not necessarily a young person, I loved looking at
your photos but had a hard time because the music was very loud, my suggestion is lower the
volume just a bit~~or at least make it so someone can lower it themselves if needed.
Please don’t hear me criticizing…..trying to be helpful cause I think sometimes
people don’t realize how loud the volume is on their site.
Anyway, you have a really great day,
Blessings, Nellie
How do you pick just one wonderful women? I say why not do both? Im sure your heart would swell with pride to be able to take both there photo’s….I belive GOD had placed both these women in your lives so you may be touched by each of them differentley.
megan
I also need to vote for Alisha!!
This is very hard however having to pick I pick #1.
That is so not right! I was wishing we could afford to have you come to Ohio to take our pics but now I am wishing I had the money to send you to the one you don’t pick! Ok, I agree, Alisha should have something beautiful to get her through the hard days that lay ahead! Thank you for doing this! The apple sure doesn’t fall far from the tree! Sheri
Alisha, oh my goodness…
First let me say that what you are doing is amazing. I can’t imaging having to choose just to narrow it down. Both of these stories are moving. However, my vote is for #2. I am sure that these photos will be a treasure to that family forever. Blessings Sommer
Alisha is the one I vote for. Those pictures will be precious to her girls.
i vote for LISA
thanks for doing this abi. what a blessing
Oh this is such a tough decision, they are both such deserving families! But if I had to choose, I’d say the second story, Alisha! This is such a generous gift you are giving, your willingness to share your God-given talent is inspiring.
Oh my gosh…..this is a very tough decision BUT I vote for Alisha and her family.
Can’t wait till friday to hear the winner!
I say Lisa. I got chills reading her letter.
my vote is for #1
I vote for #2 Alisha. Thank you for showing us a picture of generosity! God Bless!
Both, I guess I’m too much like your mom. Wow, how did you ever get through reading these stories?
Both stories tug at my heart but my vote would have to be with finalist #1, Lisa and her family. While I was in Kenya with my family we visited many families who committed their lives to serving there and they really cherished the pictures of their family. I think it would be a wonderful gift to this family to document this time in their lives and provide them with pictures to cherish.
Both stories touched by heart. No wonder you had such a hard time narrowing them down. I want to vote for Alisha. Even though I loved both stories, Alisha is on a time clock. Lisa has more time. I hope all goes well for both.
Not an easy one, I guess you can only choose one:( I nominate Lisa. Prayers going out o 2 very special families!!
That’s a hard choice! But I vote Alisha.
so, deep down, i want both. what a special treat for family number 1 to have some beautiful pictures from you, pictures that will show their happiness and love and capture their spirit. but for family #2… my oh my. they truly do need some beautiful pictures of happiness in the stress that they are living and some pictures showing the love the mom has for her little girls. something that if their mom doesn’t survive this,t hat they will be able to hold onto forever and remember.
so, if i MUST choose one, my pick goes with family numero dos… i want those to have beautiful visiual memories of their momma.
Definately voting for #2
Hopefully #1 will have MANY more chances to win a photo shoot
Both familys are great but I have to vote for Alisha, those little girls need a picyure with their mommy no matter what happens!
I vote #2! Although I totally vote #1 as “Super Awesome Family!!!!” WoW and Praise God for both of these amazing women/families!
alisha
So………..hard but I vote for Alisha
I vote Alisha! Time is so precious, and photos of this family at this very time will be so treasured. I’ll be praying for them.
Both!!
But short of that…Alisha.
I agree with barclay, I vote for both of them. It is impossible to choose! *sigh*
I’m not sure what to say, except they both should have a photo shoot. Yes, I realize that is not what the original contest specified. And I’m glad I am not you at this point. This is too difficult of a decision for me to make.
However, you could look at it as being inspired by the woman who got away and do one in her honor, and then do the other just because it is what you wished you would have done in the first place with the woman who got away.
I seriously doubt you would regret doing both shoots.
That said, I have no idea what cost you’d be incurring in order to do these shots up right. However, I certainly, wholeheartedly believe without one single doubt, the Lord will provide a way to honor both women and their families if you choose to shoot them both. If I were you, which I am not, I’d bring it to the Lord in prayer.
I do not know your family at all. However, in reading your mother’s blog off and on for a year or so, I’d say she’s taught you many wonderful things from God’s word. I’m sure she would also offer excellent counsel on this matter…more than I, a total stranger, ever could.
I encourage you to throw caution to the wind, take a leap of faith, and just do both.
Ahh this is HARD! I see what you mean about not being able to choose yourself!
I think I have to go for Alisha. I can’t imagine what her family must be going through right now but I think her little girls need this.
So hard to choose between the two, but I have to choice #2 Alisha’s story.
I vote for Alisha. What a beautiful gift you are giving.
um, BOTH. i’m not sure how you choose! i guess if i HAD to pick one, it would be the last… sounds like it may be their last chance for photos. my heart is so sad for that family :(
alisha
Totally love the story of Alisha. Those pictures will be cherished, no matter what happens.
Both stories are very touching… but my vote goes to Alisha.
#2 !!!!!!!!!!
Hey From KY! I found you randomly through a friend… love your work :)
Can I send some money to help sponser the runner-up’s session? It wouldnt be alot b/c we are saving for our own adoption, but maybe a few other people would also like to sponsor a session – that way both women could have shoots – they both are deserving…. and for both, it seems like a need and not just a want….
Let me know what you think.
-addie
this is not really a vote, cause that would mean, in my mind, that someone’s story is not that important. they both are. but i must go for Alisha. i know that if i were one of the girls, i would want my photo with mama.
Abi, I wouldn’t be able to choose either, both of these stories are beautiful and touching. I think I will vote for Alisha, to capture her for her daughters is priceless.
The saddest part about Alisha’s story is the fact that the cancer was discovered during an ultrasound for her new baby. The irony is what crushes me. She must have gone into her ultrasound appointment loaded with excitement and energy, only to find out that she is also carrying something that may one day kill her. For the people who are close to Alisha, that moment was a life-altering force.
I do believe that Alisha and Lisa are both equally deserving of a photoshoot, however, Alisha NEEDS it more than Lisa does.
Therefore, my vote is for Alisha.
I have to put my vote in for Alisha. Life is incredibly precious and I’d love for her little girls to have beautiful pictures of and with their mom.
Sure you can’t let them both win? I think copying your Momma isn’t a bad idea… hehe… if you refuse than I vote for Alisha simply because she has less time to find other opportunities for pictures & less time for you to change your mind and come back and take her pictures also!
I think I have to vote for Alisha…powerful and makes you realize how precious life is.
I vote for #2.
I say you honor both of them, sorry too hard to choose!
oh these stories just took my heart for a ride.
i wish both could be chosen…
in the end, i think alisha’s daughters need something beautiful like this that they can look back on in future, whatever does happen. what a beautiful thing for them. her story broke my heart into pieces. she is in my prayers.
I vote for Alisha.
My grandfather died unexpectedly last September, and I’m so grateful that my daughter has a few pictures taken with him before they realized he had cancer. He was diagnosed in August, and died just a few weeks later.
As hard as this may be to imagine, best case scenario is that she does get to watch her daughters grow up. However, in the event that she doesn’t, these pictures would mean the world to the family, and give them even more memories to hold onto.
We wish we had had that chance with my grandfather.
I was in the store the other day, waiting in line to return a few items. The line was long. and, I was bored. I looked around, trying hard not to tap my foot in impatience… and I noticed out of the corner of my eye a lady holding up purses. Back and forth. Back...
28 comments
As the ancient Greeks would say…”live with passion”. Love your idea and thankful you allowed your five minute friend to inspire you to do this. Even if you didn’t think of it right then, God is using the inspiration given to bless a multitude!
Abi – your blog has touched my heart. Yesterday was the funeral of my 52 yr old aunt that passed away 11 months after being diagnosed with a very aggressive form of bone cancer. She too went through the scarf and wig phase of the treatments. I wish you the very best in choosing a winner for the giveway.
i came here from your mom’s blog, which i found as we’re adopting from uganda. =) although i don’t know anyone in your area, just wanted to tell you that i think this is an awesome idea. and who knows if your paths will cross again….
I also kick myself way too many times because I mommy brain – I am not as quick on my feet and have delayed reaction – I come up with great ideas of what I could have done to make someone’s day better way after the fact!
We are an adoptive family – we added three kids this year to our family – an infant and 18-month old twins. We would be totally blessed to have them captured in pictures! My point and shoot does not do them justice in capturing their joyful spirits! We are in an impossible legal situation and should the worst happen where the appeals court overturns the trial court’s decision to terminate bio mom’s parental rights and rules to have the children reunified with their incarcerated bio mom, it would mean the world to us to have wonderful tangible reminders of our children. And as an added incentive – we are in the East Bay about 35 mins from S.F!
Blessings.
I stalk…I mean READ ;) your Mom’s blog and followed her link here to yours.
I just want to say your photography is DELICIOUS and your heart is wonderful!
I have actually had a session for the same thing. I received a phone call on a Monday and she said she needed photos done ASAP. Not knowing why, I asked her why she needed them so quick, and that was her reply as well. “I’m starting chemo and I want to remember what I looked like while I was still beautiful.”
Her photo session was incredible and brought tears to everyone’s eyes that saw them and heard her story.
And I begged her to allow me to shoot her again, free of charge, after she has lost her hair. I told her that she will have another kind of beauty: one born of God’s strength and mercy. And this beauty will surpass her before photos.
I just want to say that this is a great idea, and I know several people who could qualify…except they are all in Canada. I hope you find someone who truly needs it and I know you will change lives.
You have such a precious heart! Wishing I lived in CA not TX!
Blessings,
Carla
Abi,
I found this post through your mom’s blog. I made the mistake of starting to read it at work! I have a very public, customer service related job and I actually had to head to the back for a few minutes to collect myself.
See, my mom is a seven year survivor of breast cancer. When she started chemo, my dad went in and had his shoulder-length hair shaved and donated to cancer patients. My little brother did too, although the sacrifice wasn’t quite as great for him. Mom managed to convince me not to shave mine too, as I was away at college, about to graduate and needed to find a respectable job. She also forbade me to leave my last year of school to come help.
Mom made it through a grueling double-round of chemo and radiation treatments with a lot of prayer and help from some amazing friends. My dad (who gets queasy pulling off a band-aid) did an amazing job taking care of her. Some days, she saved up all of her energy the whole morning to stand up and take her glass of water to the sink herself. What a triumph!
I’m not trying to be dramatic here, I just want you to know that if this amazing gift goes to someone – like your five minute friend – who is dealing with cancer, it will surely be appreciated. Most days, when I would come home to visit for the weekend, I’d find Mom on the couch surrounded by photos. They were her prayer list, her encouragement, her memories and her hope. To be able to provide that to someone is a truly special gift.
Let me know the next time you’re in Durango. I’d love to meet you in person.
Shelly
Simply said, “Bryson”. I have wanted a photo of me kissing his precious feet every since we got him. We qualify as we live exactly two hours away from your new home!
And thanks for the reminder about the simple things! You have your mother’s heart.
I recall those very moments of “kicking myself.” A mom in a grocery store line continually calling her kid down. A man at the rear of the packed line yelled out in his deep voice, “Austin, I don’t even know you and you are getting on my nerves.” Saw her in the parking lot trying to load kids and groceries. Kick myself that I did not go over with my kids and tell her it could have been me on any given day and load her car as she just sat….love what you are doing. Have checked out your pix-AMAZING! Wish I lived closer! Hope you find the perfect someone to bless!
What a fabulous idea! I am so inspired by this story–and love your Mama. :) I am a beginner at photography, but I am praying that I can develop it into something that God can use. I would love to just do things for free for those who cannot afford a photo shoot. I have two friends with cancer and I would never have thought to tell them to get photos taken before they lost their hiar. THANK YOU for posting this. You sound like a treasure…just like your Mom. :)
WOW what a wonderful giveaway. How I wish I knew someone close to you. I just know someone special is going to be very fortunate to have you doing their picture. AWESOME!!
I heard about your giveaway through your Mom’s blog. My story doesn’t meet the location parameters(Ft. Worth, TX), but I’m hoping you might consider anyway. We have a sweet couple in our church, Kim and Steve. Steve was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma, cancer of the blood. There is no cure, but with treatment people have lived as long as five years. What breaks my heart about this family is that Steve is only 44. They have two beautiful daughters, Abigail (5) and Rachael (3). Kim lost her father to cancer when she was a teenager and her mother died this past December. They have been through so much and yet walk with such faith and hope. I know they would be so grateful for your generosity.
Well, my little family lives two hours from San Francisco. I am a single mommy of three, adopting my fourth. IF I should win, I would want to save it until my daughter comes home from Ethiopia. I got my referral March of 2008 and am still waiting to pass court and bring her home! She is 8 years old next month and spending her second birthday in the orphanage. We have had failed court dates three times…and now are waiting on an impossible (so it feels) piece of paper from Northern Ethiopia and the village is rained out.
God knows when she will come….and I would love a family portrait! BUT I just won your momma’s memorial box, and I feel guilty entering again! :) But I will.
Blessings to you on your move. SF has some very fun and beautiful places.
We would love to be able to get our large families pictures taken. We live in Brentwood. Which is 1 hour from San Fran.
We are a adoptive family. We do not have the money to do professional pictures. I love pictures, that is my most favorite gift to get. We usually take them with our personal camera and print them out and hang them on the wall. I would love to take a class on photography. Maybe someday. I have lots to do before that. Theology classes, Russian classes and whatever to prepare our family for the mission field. :D
Also keep me in your prayers as this Fri I will be having my second mammogram and ultra sound, to see what they have found in my left breast. I do believe that my time is not at the end. God is not done using me for his will yet.
SO please enter our family in the contest and come check out our blog. I am a little slow as keeping it updated.
Blessings to you.
What a beautiful idea! I know the Lord will lead you to just the right situation.
mama of 13
(I think you and one of my daughters have become Facebook friends … she’s a photographer also)
what a sweet and precious idea.
i had a friend who went through medical gymnastics to get pregnant. she and her husband had three beautiful babies. when her youngest was 16 months old, she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.
three children. 5, 3 and 16 months.
she had glorious long golden hair.
i really wanted her to take a photo with her kids. and her family.
she never did.
and she died, bald as a cue ball.
and her kids wouldn’t have cared if she had blue hair, no hair or straw hair. just to have a moment captured in time with their mommy. . . what a treasure.
especially if she’s around to enjoy it with them twenty years down the road. “remember that time i took that yukky medicine and lost all my hair?? that was so hard, but look how God delivered us!”
all moments deserve to be chronicled. even the hard ones.
bravo for a FABULOUS idea.
Gorgeous pictures…gorgeous writer!
I would like to nominate the Saunders family. They are a family created by God and determined to be His hands and feet. They are the essence of your post today. They do NOT waste moments, time, experiences. They use all they have been given, for God.
They are well-known by the bloggy world as selfless people. When things get rough, they never lose perspective. Their focus remains on God. So admirable.
Their family is beautiful. It is made up of all shades of the rainbow and it is growing. If they should win, please wait until their newest daughter, Jubilee, joins the family. And, also, please set the timer on your camera so that you and Ryan can jump in some photos too. You, are, after all, their baby too!
What a great opportunity you are giving! I hope the Saunders win!
Good luck in your new home!
Hey Abi! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your work so pleeeeeease enter me into your drawing. I do not need to tell you our story – you know it well. I would love to have a photo shoot after Isaiah is home. Actually I would love to do it whether I win or not :)! We are 4 hours from you but we can take a road trip or better yet – you and Ryan can come up and enjoy some country living or skiing this winter.:) Let’s chat soon!
Through tears I say, YES! Beautiful…joyously beautiful!
you and your mother are truly gifts from God! i love yall and how good yall are to people! we need more of you everywhere! Yall are AMAZING!
I just found your blog, I’m not even sure how, a link from another to your ooh la la post, but this one made me tear up. One of my very best friends has just finished chemo and radiation, sported buzz cuts, wigs, and scarves, and is coming through to the other side of the experience – the side the says “thank God it’s over with.” We had our own fabulous photoshoot before she lost her hair and oh, how I wish you had given one to your five minute friend. But it wasn’t meant to be, because you were meant to do it online and make a difference to someone else. I wrote too much, but I’ll be back.
Hey Abi :)
This is a great idea.
I was just wondering (Because my husband and I are starting to plan for his next tour…)
if you knew of any good venues/churches/coffee shops in your area and/or some legit musicians in the area that he could hook up with to set up a show? We may possibly be coming your way! I hope all is well.
–Jillian
Awesome Abi. I haven’t commented before but this post really moved me. What an awesome gift you have to give. You are a wonderful photographer and I think the winner will be so blessed by your talents. Thanks for the challenge to look outside of myself – or a line – and see hurting people and see what gifts I’ve been given to bless them. I can’t wait to see who will win and what the beautiful results will be. So fabulous!
Jill from Durango
You are so sweet! I hate when things like that pass me by. I’m usually the one who has the great ideas after the fact. You have totally inspired me to be more mindful and giving! Thanks
I love it Abi. Great post, I commend you for living with your heart. xoxo
Wow, Abi – you are an angel. Your husband and family are lucky to have you. You are so unique.
Orange.
Who else but you would be guided (by the hand of God) to chime in as a distraction to the boredom of standing in line.
Lesson learned? When I get impatient in lines (which I loathe), I’ll look around, be more aware of the world that is spinning around me as I stand there, and look for the positive.
So true! So true…..
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