Lyza {5 days old}

There's something so incredibly special about being asked to take newborn pictures for a family. It makes my heart smile.  Lyza is such a sweet little one.  I was honored to take her pictures and blessed to get to know her family better.  Congratulations Emily and Nate!     

 

3:11 Youth Housing {Welcome Home}

On any given night in Grand Rapids, there are 80 youth experiencing homelessness.

Meet Jon and Lauren. 

In 2012, as Jon and Lauren were praying about their next steps, they were approached at youth group with the idea of beginning a youth housing program.  Lauren and Jon, in partnership with youth, community members, and local organizations launched 3:11 Youth Housing.  Their mission is to develop safe, affordable housing for youth experiencing homelessness and partner in their transition to healthy interdependence.  Read their amazing story here.   

We walk alongside each young person who moves into 3:11, setting goals together that make sense for their life circumstances. We eat weekly meals together as a community and develop relationships through intentional conversation. Overall, we engage with young people from their point of reference and walk with them as they move themselves to the next step in their lives.

This past March they celebrated their Second Annual Welcome Home Event.  The event was filled with 3:11 family, friends, alumni, and partners.  It was an opportunity to share progress made in the past year and a chance to express their vision going forward.   

Kayla welcomed everyone to the event and shared about the history of 3:11.

 In the past 5 years, 3:11 has seen the following results:

• 10 youth housed 
•  4 young people are safe and stably housed after moving on from a 3:11 home
•  8 stable employments and 4 young people receiving job promotions
•  Our youth have saved over $2500 for future housing through their rental savings accounts
•  3 alumni mentoring new youth and engaging in alumni programming

Silent auction bidding had guests watching their phones to see if their bid was the highest. 

 

The event sold out and had a great mix of new and returning supporters.

Support 3:11 Youth Housing by becoming a Brick Layer today.

Reouniah {Our Blessing}

It's been a wonderful whirlwind of 6 months.  I've been enjoying getting to know our beautiful daughter, Reouniah (rO-nI-yah).  Her name combines my husband's tribal language of Ngambaye with Swahili to mean 'road with a purpose'.  She is precious and oh so sweet.  We are blessed.  

And I've of course had a blast taking her picture.  =)  She's growing so fast.  Slow down little one.

Julie, Paul, David, and Addison

This sweet family has been such a blessing to us!  It was great to be able to catch up with them on a beautiful afternoon at Ada Township Park.

Kaylin + Luke {Wedding}

I've had so much fun getting to know Kaylin and Luke.  It felt as if we'd been friends for years when I finally met them on their wedding day.  Luke and Kaylin were surrounded by family and friends when they said their 'I Do's' at Redemption Hill Church in Kingsford, Mi.  Their wedding day was a beautiful testament to the healing power of the Lord and His great faithfulness.  Heart-warming moments abounded - Kaylin's mom helping her get ready,  a sweet note Luke sent to Kaylin, Kaylin's dad seeing her for the first time, Luke's 4(!!!) incredibly sweet sisters singing a song they wrote welcoming Kaylin into their their family,  and many, many more.  I hope you enjoy!

 

Blessings as you begin your life together!