I realize it has been a little over two months since my last post. WOW have I been busy, and I am so excited to share some of the projects I have been working on lately. In efforts to catch up I will be posting two new projects each week so stay tuned…
Here are a few shots from a mini shoot with Little Miss Emma from the beginning of the summer 
This year Willow’s goal was to provide 500,000 seed packs for families in Zimbabwe. During the Celebration of Hope series volunteers held various seed packing events on the 5 campuses for three weeks. The packs consisted of vegetable seeds for carrots, squash, tomatoes, onions, and cabbage. Volunteers responded by packing 514,500 family packs, well beyond their goal. How great that Zimbabweans are now going to be able plant gardens and start growing their own food. Below are photos from one of the events.
Celebration of Hope is a three-week series that Willow’s Compassion and Justice Ministry put together. They support a village in Zimbabwe, and do this series every year to raise awareness, and provide support for them. It is a time for Willow attenders to identify with them, and learn about ways they can get involved. They challenged the congregation to eat the diet of a Zimbabwean for 5 days (water, beans and rice, oatmeal, and tiny bits of chicken, tomatoes, squash, carrots, and broccoli). I attempted the diet, and it made me realize how fortunate we are to not have to eat the same thing every meal. It got to the point where I just wasn’t hungry because I didn’t want to eat the same meal again! I photographed the event and the exhibits they had on display in the lobby. Below are some shots from the opening weekend.
The Step Up Leadership Book is a 5 day series that all potential Community Life leaders at Willow go through before making the commitment to lead a group. They wanted the layout to resemble the All In Devotional Book that I had designed previously for them. I changed out the content, colors, textures, and designed a new cover for the book.
My first winter in Chicago has felt like forever!!!!! I am ready for spring. My favorite teas below have helped get me through the cold winter days : )
Pomegranate Blueberry Tea from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
This tea is so delicious. It has a unique taste from the mix of fruits. It’s a combination of green, oolong, and black teas, infused with blueberry and pomegranate for a delightfully aromatic tea. Also, try it in the summer as an iced tea .
Relax from Trader Joes
This is my new favorite, that my tea loving mom told me about. It is true to its name. It literally relaxes you! It is packed with deliciousness including fennel seed, licorice, rooibos, anise, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, peppermint and strawberry leaf. This taste of this tea lingers, and will have you craving a second cup.
If there are any other tea lovers out there that have some favorites, I would love to know about them. Please share!
My family visited Chicago over Christmas. I had a blast showing them around my new home! Here is a snapshot of our holiday.
I had a blast taking a few wedding photos of newlyweds Ali and Joshua. They got married in San Diego this past summer, and they had a second reception in Chicago a few months back. Ali’s parents house, an awesome red and white Chevrolet, and Stonebridge Country Club were the backdrops for this shoot.
