Every 6 Seconds...

A Child Dies of Hunger.

About a month ago, our pastor asked our church congregation for volunteers to help pack 20,000 meals for an upcoming Stop Hunger Now event. Though neither Chris, nor I, knew anything about the SHN organization, when we got in the car after that Sunday's service we both felt that our hearts had been stirred. Over the next few weeks we made plans to attend, and began praying about how we might help. About a week ago I watched this video...and I was floored. The stirring that I felt in my heart before was instantly replaced by an absolute NEED to do something.

Yesterday we were given the opportunity to join together with our church community to finally take some action. There were supposed to be 4, hour and a half long shifts...but we completed our goal of packaging 20,000 meals in just 1 hour! Can you believe it?! The SHN organizers brought a big gong, and rang it every time we hit 1,000 meals. Every single time I heard that gong sound, I got chills. When it rang for the 20th time, people cheered. I can't tell you how awesome it was! It amazed me that in just 1 short hour, we were able to accomplish something incredible. One hour...anyone can give one hour, right?!

I really encourage you to look into this organization. You never know, maybe your church/community/workplace/school would want to hold a food packaging event. Maybe your desire to get involved will inspire others to do the same. Maybe the video above touched your heart just like it touched mine, and you just can't turn away without doing something.

Every 6 Seconds....

A Wonderful Way To Give!

As a new mom, I'm constantly taking pictures of Elli...I know, it's hard to tell :) And though I really enjoy taking them, and I love how they turn out most of the time, there is really nothing like having a professional photographer capture some great images of significant milestones. It's the same way with wedding pictures, family sessions, & engagement portraits...I love having professional looking pictures of the ones I care about most, to display around my home.

That's where Pictures of Grace comes in. Bree Adams is a photographer in the DFW area who is serving others and "glorifying Christ" by using her talent & time to benefit those in need. She has been passionate about photography for the past 20 years, and recently felt called by the Lord to use that passion as a way to serve. It's so inspiring, I wanted to tell you all about it!!

For a low $85 session fee, you and up to 5 other family members can get a 2 hr photo session anywhere in the DFW area. **Each additional person is $10** That fee will also get you basic digital retouching on all photos, and enhanced retouching on up to 10 photos. You will also receive a high resolution DVD with all of the pictures from your session, as well as the rights to all photos.

Now all of that is great by itself, right? But you want to know the best part?? That $85 session fee, in it's entirety, goes to Bree's current mission. That's right, I said the WHOLE fee! In the latter part of last year, Bree's mission was to support a church-sponsored mission trip to Kenya. This year, she is contributing the money to the sponsorship of three Haitian children, as well as to two Compassion trips to Africa this summer.

What servanthood! Her desire to help others touches my heart, and I wanted to share her mission, and the mission of Pictures of Grace, with you. Not only is she a GREAT photographer who has unbelievable prices, she is also making a difference in the lives of so many others...bringing them to Christ, sharing the Good News, and delivering hope to those in need. I encourage you to at least check out her site...I don't think you'll be disappointed!

Oh, and just FYI, I don't know Bree personally. I heard about her site from a family member, and quickly checked it out when I found out what she was trying to do. She doesn't even know that I am writing about her! It just goes to show you how much of an impact she has already made on me :)