The journey captured

At some point in the past, we became facebook friends.

I have no idea how or when, but I have my sneaky suspicions that this “online friendship” was somehow initiated and directed for just such a time as this.

I occasionally saw Kristin’s beautiful photos fill my feed, and when fire whipped through her hometown of Pateros last year, I wept over her captures of the devastation in her hometown. I also watched from afar (and desperately wished I was about 15 years younger and eligible to participate) as she led the incredible Delight ministry which encourages young female artists to love Jesus with all their hearts and all their talents.

And then that Easter week came bringing news that catapulted our family on an unexpected journey. Hearing that we might only have but a short time with our daughter, I immediately knew I would want that time captured.

But by whom? I started praying for the perfect person to be in the room with us that difficult day. Unbeknownst to me, as I kept this desire hidden in my heart, my best friend was praying for the exact same thing.

And just a couple weeks later Kristin sent me a facebook message. Prompted by the Spirit and the one who sees and hears all our desires. She had been reading our story on the blog and wanted to know if she could have the privilege of capturing our family at this time.

We started communicating with each other, and a deep friendship was not developed, but discovered. It helps that her mama is a fierce prayer warrior that has battled daily for our little Bella.

When my sister was in town, we hung out at Kristin’s place and picked fresh cherries in her parents’ orchard.

And then, a couple weeks ago – past the “ideal” time period for maternity shots (as in the belly has grown beyond the cute size to the massively uncomfortable size) we finally managed to get together to freeze in time our little family of four.

As we headed out, Kristin’s daughter Emily (now the primary photographer for Lifesong) just happened to arrive, in town for a weekend visit and the anniversary of the fire.

And so we were blessed with not one, but two incredible photographers.

I cannot quite convey to you the special gift of this evening. And it’s not just the images that we will cherish for so many years to come.

It was the undeniable, shiver down your spine presence of the Lord with us that night. We were on Holy Ground.

All photographers know that one of – if not THE – key to good pictures is lighting. You can control this to a certain extent. But there is an ethereal, gorgeous golden light that can only be hoped for, not planned.

As we parked by a field near the end of the evening it appeared that that light was not to be ours. There were some clouds in the sky and the sun was about to dip behind the hills. The light would be pretty, but not stunning.

But then. Against all odds.

About 15 minutes later that sun doused that field in the most glorious light. It was enough to take your breath away.

We don’t have all the pictures yet, but I couldn’t help sharing some of my favorites now as we head into this final week of waiting. We will head to the UW tomorrow for one final check-up before inducement, assuming the occasional contraction doesn’t turn into actual labor before Friday.

If the Lord wills, Kristin will be there with us as we welcome Arabella. However, she is also awaiting the imminent arrival of her first grandbaby (and no, there is no way she’s old enough to be a grandma). So we shall see what the Lord has in store! You can join me in praying that Kristin will have wisdom in knowing if and when to head west (to Bella & Seattle) or east (to Spokane & her sweet grandson).