It takes a community to marry a couple.

Congratulations John & Gwen! Married Saturday September 25th, 2010.
Thanks for letting me photograph your wedding! It has been such a blessing to be a part of this journey. I met John when I first moved to Chicago a little over three years ago now. I was attending Willow Creek Community Church when I started getting involved in urban ministry and facing homeless & social justice issues in the face. John was such a light to our morning breakfast and helped us keep our heads on straight. Hannah, one of my other very first friends in Chicago and the lovely lady I led the 5 loaves ministry with, helped arrange this whole wedding production. It was quiet lovely especially since all of it came together because of peoples' generosity, giving of time, finances, space, and service. Seeing John grow in love for God over these past few years revolutionized my faith. John taught me that the Lord is faithful even in though times, struggles, valleys, good days, bad days, cold days, poor days, and life changing days. And because John continuously has been committed to the Lord's glory today he is employed, lives in a lovely apartment on the Northside of Chicago, and just married the woman of his dreams.
When a community is so tightly bound by real love radical transformation happens. I am blessed to be a part of this story.

Rehearsal Dinner @ Hannah's house:



Ceremony, now pronounce you husband & wife:





Let's eat cake & celebrate



The Bridal party:



Hannah w/ the lovely couple:



Best wishes John & Gwen!

Ed.U.Cation

School is picking up with a more intense work load than ever. It is the last year which means something. Trying to make alot of photographs and challenge myself to strengthen and hone my work. The BFA show is in the spring so that is also a longer term goal that I am making work for.
Today though... all of my stuff including photo supplies, lunch, wallet, and keys are locked in my unregistered locker. So I get to spend that afternoon waiting around to get someone to verify the locker and give me permission to cut my lock off. Awesome.
For now I am spending my time in the photo lab gooling, ichat, facebook, and blog.
Love it.

The good news is once I do get access back into my locker I have a new roll of film to make prints from and my first large format image to show my class! Images of the work coming soon (need to scan it)

Love.
P.S. Reading an amazing new book- Hard Questions, Heart Answers written by Bernice A. King (Martin Luther King Jr. daughter)

Growing a garden takes love.

As some of you know I have been very enthralled as of late with the idea of growing my own food, in my environment. Eventually hoping to be sustain off of what we can grow in our little 10x10 yard.
Here is the progress; starting with the planter being built labor day weekend until today when the plants are sprouting and growing.

Start-up building:







Day 1: The seeds are in the soil



Day 7: Sprouts!


Day 11: Growing, growing, growing

Renegade Craft Fair

This weekend in Chicago was the Renegade Craft Fair- one of the best street fairs I have ever been too. There are over 100 vendors selling their work, ranging from screen printed tees, handmade soap, clothes, stationary, bags, art works, music, home goods, and tons of jewelry. It is so amazing. This is the second year I have gone and I always walk away inspired. This summer I worked a lot on collage and envelope making- truly looking forward to honing this skill and having a sell-able product as my outcome. Tomorrow is the first day of my book making class so now I can throw that skill in to the mix.
So excited for creative possibilities!

Check it:
http://www.renegadecraft.com/chicago

The most wonderful moments.

There is that point in the day sometimes where you feel so drained and exhausted, but keep on going because you hope that the day will eventually bring something grand.
That was yesterday. Long day downtown at class then went home, wasn't feeling so great, took a nap, and awoke in a funk. Then I logged online and had a message from my lovely friends- it all started with Justin's idea for us to go out and celebrate each other @ Big Star in Chicago.
How lovely. Everyone always has something to be celebrated. Anthony was arriving back from California, I just had started my last year of college, Laura and Jess started teaching CPS again this fall, Brad was going to NYC to visit the lovely Camilla, Devin is amazing and launched Real Good Studio (couldn't stay for dinner though, sad ), Josh is new to Chicago from California and is also amazing, Ali got a new job! , Jon is back in school @ Moody and playing rad music, and Justin just loves all of us enough to organize a dinner (and of course is also amazing).

To be known and desired is to be loved.

I appreciate my wonderful community beyond belief. Each person has something amazing and unique to offer. When one person is feeling down another is on a high, that is how the heart beat keeps going. We keep each other afloat through quality time, conversation, love, prayer, encouragement, laughter, breaking bread, & just the simple things of life mean so much more when we do them together. You are all so dear to my heart.

Beauty From Ashes.

You are beautiful.
A being made in the image of God- turned from brokenness to beauty.

If you ever forget this; look at the people around you and then in the mirror.

Back in the swing of things: Chicago

Hi Chicago-

Oh How I Missed You.
Ive been back for a week and half now and couldn't be more thrilled. We are all moved into our new home in Humboldt Park and its so beautiful (check the pictures). The neighbors are wonderful, two lovely girl friends of ours live upstairs, great community, close to the park, and us in our beautiful little two bedroom.
This is home.













My last year of college started on Wednesday, so mental. This year is going to be amazing filled with some radical classes which will hopefully allow me to produce some lovely work for my BFA show in the spring.

So much on my mind as I am picking up where I left off.

Hope to see you soon.



P.S. The chilly weather set in today