by jeannie | Dec 7, 2011 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
a few days ago, we decided to make posters of Christmas words and decorate them. The kids did this while Christmas music played, and enjoyed the time. Today, I had to test a few things for a shoot I have in the morning, so I just asked the kids to step in… actually, I had to make them do it… but anyway, they did, and as chaotic as it was with these crazy kids, and with a little help from our friend, Jordan, there were a few fun shots. Merry Christmas to everyone, and I hope each of you are blessed with Joy, and Love, and Jesus this season. Can’t you see the hope in their...
by jeannie | Nov 4, 2011 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
If you have a sister, you can remember how you felt at one point about them when you were younger, and how you may have looked up to them, wished they would leave you alone, or how your life seemed to be measured somehow by who they were or were not. I watch my girls and see a lot of the same things, and how they seek some definition of who they are measured by the other one. It’s a constant thing I remind them of, their uniqueness and the intentionality of God for it. Some days they need their own space, and some days they don’t click at all, but most days, there’s an obvious bond that will never be broken. I watched this in multitudes after our move and as we all bonded together more and more just to feel normal. As with life, everyone had days that were hard. What I saw is each time, everyone dropped their differences immediately, and offered hope to the other. Watching Libby be there to comfort her little sister as she grieved her friends, old neighborhood and home will be a life memory I’ll never forget. The big sister who usually isn’t interested in hugs from Ella, her little sister, is suddenly wrapped around her speaking words of comfort and encouragement. As days come that make them sad or miss what they once knew, I get to see visions of Libby holding her little sister while she cries, our family holding hands and praying, and the bond gets stronger. Laughter and joy dominate us now, and it seems...
by jeannie | Sep 7, 2011 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
Time for school, for schedules and a great need for priority in our lives. It’s Young Life season again, kicking off Monday, September 12th. With collectively 28 College leaders mentoring our middle and high schoolers, NW Austin Murchison (and area private schools) and Anderson High Schools continue to be blessed with one of the greatest communities I’ve been a part of. Thankful for the intentional ministry, prayer, support of leaders, partnerships with local churches and a lot of devoted hearts for seeing Kingdom work here on earth. In NW Austin, we gear up for another powerful year of being part of the story God’s writing in NW Austin. Last summer, Jimmy and I were blessed to accompany NW Austin to Crooked Creek Ranch to watch some YL High Schoolers closest to our heart visit camp. As I watched them play, learn, and pursue Jesus, I kept remembering and seeing them as they were when I met them. Middle school. The were bold, amazing girls that have journeyed to where they are now. Beautiful young women. Watching the same class of boys grow into young men has been equally humbling to see how God’s using these kids to change and transform many of us. Some courageous, some still searching, but many are counting the cost, and beginning to agree with the Creator of their worth, and value and understanding their role in changing the world. Club starts on the 12th, but the relationships between leaders and kids has been ongoing. Here’s a shot I took while sitting in back of club at Crooked Creek Ranch in Frasier,...
by jeannie | Aug 17, 2011 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
I just learned today, that a friend in Mexico was baptized. Daniel at Casa Bugambillia, a clinic in Mexico, has been cared for and loved well by these people. When we met, he was paralyzed from a gunshot to the neck. His road has been long and anything but easy. I remember us all holding hands around his bed, praying for him, crying with him and most importantly bringing Z to meet him. Z and Daniel have common backgrounds. Z’s father was a man that had brought Cocaine to Mexico and Z’s journey is an amazing story in itself. After losing his father on the front steps of his house by gunfire, a lifestyle of drugs and prison, Z is now a follower of Jesus and missionary. Danial, after time at Casa Bugambillia in Mexico, is now in a wheelchair getting around pretty good. First time we met him he was tough at first, then wept as we prayed with him. I’m sharing part of a blog entry from a friend below. You never know how something will impact others or how you will be used, but God really used our friend, Eleazar Garza (better known as Z) that day we met Daniel, and he’s been using him & Casa Bugambillia ever since. My heart is full that mercy is a part of the journey, that none of us would get there without it, and that Daniel has come home. Audra’s Post: I think the greatest way to describe where Z is now is to tell you of a moment we had the first day at Casa Bugambilia. While visiting patients...
by jeannie | Jul 29, 2011 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
Looking back at our time in Guatemala with team of photographers, I came upon this photo. One mentor with us there talked about taking your place in the mix of things and waiting. Waiting and watching. That’s how this photo came about. I was alone in the streets and looked down to see a little girl walking toward me. She was alone but likely her parents were working nearby. Her eyes caught mine as she walked toward me. I miss these beautiful children of Guatemala. More often, for me to grab a photo in a foreign environment, the best way to get a great shot is to approach them, talk with them, establish trust and your intentions, and then with their blessing, begin to shoot. I’m eager to return and capture more shots there, and learn more about these people, their needs, and establish relationships there. Here’s a few more shots I loved from my time...
