by jeannie | Jul 21, 2011 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
Today and within the last several days, I’ve been reading through drafts and looking through photos for the book project for a very talented writer, Audra Outlaw, and remember our many adventures as she interviewed many that have impacted our own stories. As she heads out tomorrow to the writer’s conference in search of a publisher, the thought that these stories may make their way into the hands of so many amaze me again by the God we serve. As we sat through each interview, Audra and I left changed after each one. One that has brought back up a series of emotions is Z’s story. As excitement that the project is moving forward grows, a deep sadness for the people of Matamoros, Mexico sits heavy on me. The memories are thick today as I miss the people there and am unsure when we can return. I want to be back in Z’s living room talking about the faithfulness of Jesus, visiting our friends who are enjoying their first house after living in a farmer’s shed, visiting with Daniel at Casa Bugambillia Clinic and remembering the first time we met him and how we prayed right there with him at his bedside as he wept desperately wanted to walk again. I want to go to the lady at the corner store that told me in tears she had to send her kids away b/c she couldn’t afford to keep them. I have pictures of those exact kids that I got from an earlier visit and know it would bless her to get them. I’d love to just...
by jeannie | May 12, 2011 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
So I know there are no perfect days, but today was fantastically close. Oddly for a perfect day as today, I started it out way early … and arrived at Butler Park at 7:15 for a shoot for a book releasing at the end of summer… Great people, great shots, and the sky opens up and drenches us all… I’m shooting with a bag over my camera, completely soaked, and loving it. Home, greeted by my neighbor inviting me to sit and listen to the rain on her back patio… She already knows me so well. Explosions in the Sky on Pandora, spending needed time with a great book, inspired by the One that sustains me… Isaiah & Hebrews today.. Crazy perspective. Today, curled up on my couch, coffee, music and I’m reminded of how little I need. Today, for the first time in a long time, my new home feels like home. Then a text from our “other” son stating he’s bringing his girlfriend to dinner tonight. The day ended with two guests that don’t feel like guests, but family, and a lot of smiles, my children feeling loved, loud laughter, dinner, chocolate chip cookies, and races in the cul de sac all before hugs goodbye. After a long season of huge decision-making & loads of change, I am certain that change is good and today, for now, we are home. Here’s a shot of Leah and Jordan with our kids after so many foot races I lost...
by jeannie | Jan 29, 2011 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
“Simplify” It’s a word we’ve incorporated into our lives recently. Since leaving my corporate 13-year career in December, we have embarked on a new adventure, a healing, renewing, terrifying adventure. Sell your home, change your lifestyle, simplify, get back to basics & LOVE your life. Something we had longed for and prayed about for some time but seriously put off for way too long. We are easing into a new way of life and so far, what I can tell is that letting go of the cash has opened our hearts wide open to the possibilities of our life, taught us how to really let go of what we know trusting for a greater life that looks more like Jesus’ will be done and less like the American dream. As we venture out on our mini-adventures each day, we look for and find great ways to connect, have fun and love each other. Our Storybook Tree, Peacock feathers for a $1, Dad’s lesson on blowing bubbles, my learning to cut Beck’s hair. Going through a huge transition openly with your kids, means a lot of questions, communicating, fears, prayers and great times of deep connection. There’s something about walking with uncertainty and having great peace; knowing you are broken and being truly free. I wouldn’t change one thing. I anticipate great things. So far, cutting back has given us much more… Here’s a few shots of our latest adventures at our tree, peacock feathers and Ella’s BFF,...
by jeannie | Nov 23, 2010 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
I think a lot. Sometimes too much, but nonetheless my DNA is to reflect, consider and think and then think some more. It’s not in a bad way, and usually not in a worrisome way, but sometimes, I know my epiphanies, convictions and passions may be a bit overwhelming. This is the importance of a friend that “gets” you. On occasion, I sit at my desk, Pandora playing, and I get to chat with my good friend, Audra… Oh, Thank God for her. For a girl to possess such beauty outside and inside I often wonder if God specifically picked her and said, “I just knew you needed this one.” Listening, on any scale, Audra wins. She’s this crazy mix of compassion, humor, joy, love, and all the while will always join you in your pain and little by little pull you out with her encouragement and a little thing called grace. Audra, now pregnant with her third boy, let me photograph her incredible family last weekend. I left feeling filled up again at how beautiful the everyday of life with children is and how we make each other feel completely loved no matter what completely inappropriate thing our children said or did. I pray for her to feel as loved as she has made me feel. For her to know how amazingly unique she is and how God has worked incredibly through her in some of my biggest moments in life. Here’s a shot I liked of her from the shoot....
by jimmy | Oct 6, 2010 | buildingaboat, missions |
Well I am back in Mexico a mile from the border. We were up and on the road again at 5. So I will be short but i do want to share my experiences with you. For some you have gotten these notes before and I thank you for your prayers. I am always amazed at how much withdrawing from life to come across the border changes my perspective. There is so much need and it is really just a matter of listening and putting faith first I really did not think I could make this trip with my work being so crazy these days. But I am thankful for my team and though I am only down for couple of days I have already felt closer to God in many ways. And felt satans constant pull to safer things. I am here and I could not feel more safe and alive. I sat at dinner on the front patio area of a small house and had the best tacos of my life. A man and woman with there small daughter. Cooking from the house. So good. We were able to bless them with some money and I will give more tomorrow but here support goes far. We also prayed for them and I have forgotten how powerful it is to be around Z when he gets going. I love being here. We painted a room in a building Z is turning into a center for kids of the area. See Americans are no longer coming to help as they once did. The violence has them scared. I understand...
by jeannie | Jul 2, 2010 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
As we entered the Experience Africa night with Wilson Bugembe and heard his story, we made our way over to Scott Lambie afterwards. Scott moved to Africa not too long ago from Austin, and was visiting Austin for various reasons. We had previously sent his wife, whom I met in Mexico at Pan de Vida Children’s Home in Sandoval, Mexico, a note inquiring about any interest in our book project and being one of the stories. She had responded positively, but having met each other about a year or more ago briefly just before they moved to Uganda, it slipped off both of our radars. As we met up with Scott that night, we confirmed his interest and planned our time together. What started as an interview, photographs and getting to know each other conversation, quickly changed into deep conversations about our faith and a place of deep understanding. At one point, Scott mentioned the moment you know that nothing will ever be the same. How one kid saying to him in Africa, “Don’t forget us,” changed everything for him. All of us have our own moments like that, or at least I hope we all do. The amazingly beautiful and real moments that change our reality and change our heart forever is definitely something I hope for everyone. Living life without fear, or a fear that keeps you still, without distraction, trusting what you cannot see, but a God you know, and allowing your world to get wrecked as you know it is a life worth living in my opinion. After pictures, interview and more pictures, we felt...
