Tags
iHeartfaces, Owasso photographer, photo, photo challenge, photographer, photography, photography challenge, silhouette, Tulsa photographer
This week’s theme is silhouette! One of my FAVORITES! I have so many photos I could have shared, but this one just seemed like the one today:
This is the boring part of the blog now. If you’re here just to see the pretty picture, I understand. Ooooo…..ahhhhh…..pretty! Thank you for stopping by! I so appreciate everyone who drops in! If you go without the rest of the story, that is alright. I’m not offended. Sometimes it’s a rush to get to see all the entries.
BUT, if you have time……have a seat, I’d offer you a cup of tea if I could, but just rest for a second and relax. Take a deep breath and let your shoulders relax. How often do we get to do that….
This is my sweet friend, April. I’ve known her since she was 13 in my Youth Sunday School class at church. I know you can’t see in the picture, but April is the polar opposite of myself! POLAR opposite! And to be quite honest, she scared the snot out of me the first time I met her! Yes, even at the age of 13!
April grew up in a very different part of town than I did. She grew up in a very different sort of family than I did. She’s had to fight for everything she’s had, work more than any child should, and worry about things I can’t even imagine. I think she was born tattooed! LOL She’s very very rough around the edges. Always has been.
She’s one of those “throw away” people: the kind most people don’t invest their time or energy in, don’t give a second look to, and certainly don’t listen to. She was a gang girl too. TOUGH as nails!
But, for me, God placed a very soft spot in my heart for this rough looking girl! I always made sure to sit with her, ask her about school, how’s her family. Probably our 3rd conversation she told me about seeing a young man shot 46 times in a drive by shooting right in her own front yard……she was 13 and watched the entire thing. It was nothing where she came from, but it was shocking for my suburban-housewife ears to hear. I remember going to bed that night and praying for April’s safety.
I’ve done a lot of praying for this young lady. I’ve done a lot of worrying, too. But the most important thing is, I’ve spent a lot of time with her. I’ve prayed with her more times than I could ever count. She’s slept on my old, broken down couch for years before I could afford to get a twin bed in the bedroom upstairs. I remember one time we sat around the table as a family to eat and she said she’d never done that before. And last year, she spent Christmas with us. I don’t know when I’ve ever laughed so hard! She’s a joy to our family! She’s one of those I just count as one of mine.
I took this earlier this year. She wanted a picture of herself and this is what she wanted. She’s grown now, almost 23, and she has a testimony that is amazing to hear! She’s been to Africa on a mission trip, she’s been to Mexico with me on a mission trip, and her heart is totally sold out for Christ. She wanted a photo that reflected that.
She’s told me countless times that I saved her life.
Truth be told…….
I don’t know if I saved her life….
………….as much as she’s saved mine.
God is so good to us!
Be kind.
Not only is it a silhouette, it’s a reflection. How appropriate. Dana, you do the things that I only THINK of doing, that I WANT to do, but that I never actually DO. What a blessing you are in so many,many ways. I actually talked about you in Sunday School this morning. Don’t worry; it was all good. And Dana, when Jesus talked about the “least of these”, He was talking about April. And when He gave an answer as to “who is my neighbor?”, once again.. April. Remember “Go out into the world …”? Yeah, April, again. And yet, it’s also that gorgeous, well-connected photog, who thinks she’s got it all. Or the guy who is climbing the corporate ladder, using other people’s heads for the rungs. Or, the soccer mom, who spends her entire day ferrying kids from place to place and yet never really connects with anybody. They’re emptier than April, and appearances aside, they’re a whole lot poorer than her, too. Because they don’t have peace. And they don’t have you. xoxox…
OMGosh Pam…..I need to hug your neck.
You’ve made me all weepy! And you are so right! I love you, dear friend!
Well Pam already said everything, so I’ll just say that I love the photo and the story is wonderful.
People like April change the world. I worked in a homeless shelter for many years in operations and fund development. I wasn’t equipped to work front line – people like April are the ones who changed lives. God chooses people to go thru persecution and situations we can only imagine – he chooses the best. April, He chose you.
Thanks for sharing this photo and story….both are beautiful!
I’m glad I read the “rest of the story”. Both are beautiful.
Great shot! Love the colors!
What gorgeous colors!! Beautiful!!
So pretty
Love the reflection!
wow I really like this. love all the colors.
you can check out my photo here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailywyatt/5048693986/
Amazing story, thanks for sharing… the picture is breathtaking as well.
Dana, I had to comment again. I honestly saw the photo and loved it and posted my comment. But I came to bed with my IPhone in hand and went online again to see the entries and I opened your photo again. This time I read your story and I just had to tell you how moving your story is and what a miracle it was that you both found each other. I will say a prayer tonight for you, your family and for April. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story
I love this picture Pam. And even more than that, I love the story. God has changed her life. What a blessing.
God is amazing.
He’s bigger than any kind of generational curse. Any kind of raw deal. And of course, God is bigger than the “booby man” (courtesy of Itty Bit).
I love Pam’s comment. Hug her for me too. So true – how it is a reflection! And look at the harvest that your investment has brought! A dear friend who has a living hope!
Thank you Dana – for giving of yourself.
Just beautiful—love how God has worked in both of your lives…and He is getting the glory for that. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. Blessings, Tanni
This is such a beautiful picture and story . . . I could not love it any more! Beautiful!
Love the shot – but love the story even more!!
God works miracles!
Thank you so much for commenting on my entry! This shot is absolutely gorgeous! You’re so talented!
I sat down after receiving the daily IHF email and got your blog. I usually never read them. And certainly wasn’t going to read something about leading lines? (I’m new.) But, I just put my kiddos down to nap so I started to read. Very interesting, I thought. As I finished up, I went to your blog to seek more advice. I see your picture and your posting. OMGosh. You are wonderful. Not only is your picture amazing. Did I say amazing already. But, you are amazing. I have done the same with a similar child. She will be 18 in a couple of weeks. And then I don’t know what to do. But it sounds to me as you have everything under control. I want you to know that I am thinking of you and yours. Prayers go out to both of you. Big hugs!
Gorgeous photo, and the story is incredible. You are so amazing, as is April. Hugs to you both!!
I just hopped on over after reading IHF. Wonderfuly story & I’m grateful to hear April has made out well, all things considered & that you have taken her in & was a real friend to her, hard to find these days. I also liked your leading lines post, very cool & thank you for your pointers!!! God Bless!
That is just so precious! I love the processing and the story behind it.