faith's garden takes a new direction

i'm very excited to share some news! but 1st... remember this?

cliff notes:
originally i was going to name my business Faith's Garden, but for some reason it just didn't feel quite right. the name went through a few transformations before i landed on illuminate. i knew that Faith's Garden wasn't gone altogether. maybe it would turn out to be a book. maybe it was destined to be something else. then i came upon this idea of starting a ministry where i would photograph babies that had gone to heaven... like our little Faith. i had no idea where to begin, so there the idea sat on the dusty bookshelf at the back of my mind.

2nd...

through the blog of a photographer friend (rosie - i love you!) i discovered this amazing foundation:



here's what they're all about:

When a baby dies, a world is turned upside down. There is confusion, sadness, fear, and uncertainty that cannot be explained. There is sorrow where there should have been joy. During this time, it might be impossible for families to know what they might need in order to heal in the future.

This is the place where the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives.

amazing right? well, my wonderful and exciting news is that i was just accepted as a NILMDTS photographer (search by zip 78613). after learning more about this inspiring organization i am in total awe of the work that this group has done and continues to do. i just wish i had found them sooner. to think, one of the founders lost her baby in early 2005 (just like us) and NILMDTS already has nearly 3,000 professional photographers nationwide. God is truly amazing.

so i'm looking forward to learning more and getting more involved with the group. i haven't had an official assignment and i'm not sure how often they even get a call, but i'm so looking forward to being able to use my gifts to serve families who are experiencing loss.