Benjamin's Package From His Family

A couple of weeks ago we were told that we could send Benjamin a package . I asked for guidence in sending appropriate items for him. The box contained: 2 pairs of pajama's, crayons, coloring book, pictures of the family and a Thomas the Train blanket. Today I learned that he had received the package and was very excited to show off all of his new stuff. The pajamas were the first pair he has ever owned and fit quite well!
The blanket was a favorite, he proudly showed it to his grandmother telling her that "his family had sent it, and not to touch it"! This cracked me up, his 3 year old american cousin tells us not to touch his stuff all of the time. This confirmed that he will fit right in and they should be fast friends!!!

At the end of last week, I received photos of him at church. I noticed that he was the only boy in the church photo without a suit on. I asked if it would be possible to send money for a suit to be purchased. Today I received this cute photo of him sporting his new duds! Looks a little big but, so handsome!

Benjamin is very excited about his new family and repeatedly speaks of us and his new American home. When Benjamin speaks of his new home to his grandmother he tells her that "there will be lot's of food there. WOW, how unimaginable that wealth for them is food.

In two days, the families adoption petitions will be presented to Kenya's High Court. Please be praying for the right judge to be assigned to our case and that we will have favor in the Kenyan courts. This will be a day of many decisions and an outline of the required steps we must take to complete this adoption will be determined.

I look forward to receiving more good news!

A New Home for Benjamin

We were asked to email a photo of our home to Benjamin so that he and his family could see his new home in America. There were several thoughts that went through my mind at that point. "Will Benjamin be confused or scared"? How would his 3 year old mind understand?
Since homes in America are usually larger than homes in Kenya I wondered  laughingly, " will he think this is a palace"?

Well, I didn't have a photo of our home but, fortunately, since I'm a photographer, I rushed out in the snow with camera in tow and snapped a few pics! I came inside with my family all laughing at me and decided to edit the image (of course) and add his photo to the front of the house. I hoped that it would be a way for him to see that this would be his new home.

Eagerly, I sent the image. A few days later I received a phone call from our friend and liason for the adoption saying that Benjamin had been showing the photo to everyone in his village and saying " this is my new home in America"! My eyes teared-up and heart leaped imagining the whole scene.

We continue to be encouraged by the progress of this adoption and hope to bring more good reports as they come.

Until next time...Jennifer

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Journey to Adoption

For  many years my husband and I have discussed the topic of adoption. Having four biological daughters, we have always considered adding a son to our family!  For the past 2 years we began conversation a little more seriously and began to research the many options that are available.

Last August my husband had the opportunity to take a missions trip to Kenya. While there, he spent time at a local orphanage where we sponsor a little girl. The experience of Kenya and the photographs captured both of our hearts and caused us to investigate the possibilities of a Kenyan adoption. With the connections God had placed in our life we initially thought we would look to adopt from the orphanage. In December, land was donated in Kenya to our church to build a kenyan church on. Unknown to us at the time, the grandmother who donated the land for the church also had an orphaned grandson. She had been praying that someone would be able to adopt him. Upon hearing that we were looking to adopt a little boy she asked if we would consider Benjamin for adoption. We were so overjoyed with this news that we immediately said "yes" and began pursuing the possibilities.

Benjamin turned 3 on December 21st. (my dad's birthday)We have exchanged pictures with Benjamin's family, and the family has signed the necessary documents to allow adoption proceedings to move forward. There are so many emotions that are tied to this journey. Through all the excitement there is also a guarded heart not wanting to feel so vulnerable to a possible rejection from the Kenyan government. We are hopeful to keep you updated with lots of good news regarding Benjamins journey to America. We are praying for favor and a smooth transition. Brett and I are in the midst of fund raising for a new missions trip in August. We hope that while on this trip we will also be able to finalize the adoption and bring Benjamin home with us.

I have posted a few photos and will update information as I have it.

To all of my client families who have adopted, thank you for all your support and invaluable information! Keep your phones on, I may have more questions!!!LOL

Optimistically looking for a happy ending,

Jennifer

Kiva-helping entrepreneurs around the globe!

Hi!


I just made a loan to someone in Philippines using a revolutionary new website called Kiva (www.kiva.org).

You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Remelyn Calenada in Philippines. They still need another $25.00 to complete their loan request of $1,200.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). Help me get this entrepreneur off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Remelyn Calenada too:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=170561

It's finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build asustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

For those of us who are parents, I encourage you to get your children involved. One of my daughters has actually funded this particular loan. I'm excited to see how this will help blossom her giving spirit, and teach her some basic loan principles.

Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.



Thanks!

Happy New Year!

I'm told that I have really fallen off the blogging wagon! I realize that it has been a while since my last post so I'm making a resolution to do a better job of keeping you posted on the latest happenings of Black Photography!

2009 was another great year thanks to all of you! A special highlight of 2009  included a few families that some of you nominated for complimentary photography services. I firmly believe that we are blessed to bless.  This year I was shown true strength and serventhood by families who were faced with a diagnosis of a termanilly ill child or individuals who were reaching far beyond themselves and adopting form 3rd world countries. I have been enriched as a parent to have simply met these individuals. In 2010 it my goal to continue take nominations  for deserving families.  Please feel free to let me know if there is an area that I can serve for 2010.

Another BIG highlight of 2009 was moving to a new office.  I was so excited when the opportunity presented itself for me to move next to Hobby Lobby on Merle Hay Road. It tripled my square footage and and was budget friendly. An awesome blessing!
If you have not been by the new space, feel free to come and check it out!

I can't wait to see all of you again in 2010 and once again  be apart of capturing your growing families and changing seasons!

I pray God's richest blessing on you for the New Year!

The Simple Things

I recently attended funeral services for a dear client of mine Mrs. Kathy Broich. Kathy was not only a client but my girls reading teacher and friend. She was a wonderful women with a great zest for life that was shortened by ovarian cancer. At Kathy's funeral a poem was read that was written by her.

It talked about how we are always in a hurry, telling our children to hurry up and get dressed, hurry up and get in the car, hurry-up, hurry-up...! I realized that I have become one of these moms who can be guilty of the"hurry-ups" and not enough of"taking time to smell the roses"!

A couple of weeks ago when all of the beautiful wild flowers began to bloom I commented to my girls how pretty they were. Since then, I have received several bunches of wild flowers from my sweeties! Today, Sabrie brought me one little single wild flower. I was working at the computer at the time she interrupted me, I first thought of saying "just a minute". Suddenly, I reminded of the "hurry-up" poem. I stopped what I was doing and said "WOW, what a beautiful flower sweetheart"! I asked her if I could take a picture of this flower and asked her to place it in a small vase so we could all enjoy it"! Her sweet little face just lit -up with satisfaction.

Thank you Mrs. Broich for reminding me to take time to appreciate all of life's gifts! Big and small!

Jennifer