LINC Community Revitalization {Rock the Block}

LINC hosted it's annual Rock the Block on the southeast side of Grand Rapids earlier this summer, celebrating community, culture, and connection to opportunity!  Located on Madison Street it had local food, live entertainment, community resources, street vendors and activities for kids of all ages.

It's been fun to get to know our neighborhood better in our 2 years here.  There are so many great things to experience.  

LINC's Co-Executive Director, Darell Ross welcoming the community to Rock the Block.

LINC Staff connecting neighbors to resources in the community.

Daddy Pete's BBQ

Cre8tive Fitness involved the crowd in a super fun demonstration of their Hustle & Step class.

LINC Staff learning some new moves.

Shamar Alef

B.D.'s BBQ 'Home of the Tender Meats' 616-971-0190

Community leaders showing their support.

Ginormous Elephant Ears by Amie Jo's Concessions

Grand Rapids native, Floyd Mayweather and his guys stopped by to say hello!

Neighborhood kids loved exploring the Grand Rapids Fire Truck.

Righteous Enterprises 'Come to Success'

Meka's Dance Studio - Little Mamas were a huge crowd favorite.

The Grand Rapids Police Department was on hand allowing kids to explore their SWAT Team truck.

ILovettDesign

Big Ed's BBQ 'It's Grillin' Time'

After taking a selfie, The Revolution team lead the crowd in worship.

 

Special guest for the event was Kool Moe Dee.  He was a prominent hip hop artist in the late 70's through the early 90s.  He was one of the first rappers to earn a Grammy Award and was the first to preform at the Grammys. 

Claire + John { Beautiful Love }

John and Claire are this incredibly sweet couple!  I first met them a few years ago when John's family hired me for a photo shoot.  I was struck by the kindness they demonstrated when interacting with each other. 
 
Claire and John were married at the wonderful Camp Fairwoods in Westfield, Wisconsin.  Their day was filled with amazing personal touches and great details - birch tree candle holders, crochet dollies, adorable chalk signs, wild flowers, and more.  

Their 'first look' brought tears to my eyes as I watched John in prayer while he waited for Claire.  An instant smile stretched across his face as I told him 'here she comes.'  It was a beautiful moment! 

They are an incredibly sweet couple.  Their desire to glorify the Lord was evident in all that they did. Blessings in your new life together Claire and John! 

 

Owen {4 days old}

Baby Owen is here!  Yippee!  His arrival has been prayed for by many.  He's just so precious and sweet.  Don't you just want to pick him up and snuggle?!?!?!  

Congrats to Rachel and Josh! (You may remember his parents from their maternity shoot.)

 

 

Katie & Derrick {Love}

Where to even begin with this one???  Sometime a wedding is so personal that I struggle through tears to capture precious moments.  Katie and Derrick's wedding was one of those for me. 

Katie is the oldest of my young of cousins. While on one hand it's hard for me to believe that she's actually married, another part of me knows she's ready. Katie has always demonstrated an impressive maturity. She is incredibly responsible and has a wonderful heart. 

I met Derrick for the first time at my wedding when he arrived early with Katie's family to help decorate our venue.  He jumped right in hauling stuff and setting up with only a hand shake of introduction.  Who does that?!?!? Derrick does.

They are a beautiful couple, who love each other deeply, as you'll see in their pictures.   The excitement and deep emotion of the day often overflowed in tears of joy.  It was wonderful.... beautiful.... and much more!  I love that pictures can capture moments that I am unable to adequately describe with words.  I hope you enjoy their beautiful day!  

Congratulations Katie and Derrick!