I am sitting at my desk working...

...and heard a news report just now on the radio. The US cargo ship Maersk Alabama has just arrived at its destination in Kenya, but without it's captain, Richard Phillips, who is being held hostage by pirates. The reporter was describing that the crew were in the port but still on the ship. In response to a question about captain Richard Phillips shouted up by someone on the shore, one of the crew shouted "THAT MAN SAVED OUR LIVES!!"

What overwhelming gratitude this crew must feel!

I am always humbled and inspired by stories of people who put themselves at grave risk for the survival of others. Would I be courageous enough to do the same in a similar situation?

This weekend I, along with Christians worldwide, am remembering and celebrating Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice for mankind. I want to take a moment and say with gratitude and joy: "THAT MAN (Jesus Christ) SAVED MY LIFE!!!!"

As the years go on, I am increasingly amazed and thankful about this, realizing more and more that I am so very far from deserving such rescuing.

For a while, I have been meaning to mention a blog Peace Within Reach that is authored by my brother in law Fred. Fred has a heart for serving struggling people in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is ministry director at Center of Hope there. In order to reach anyone else who may be seeking peace in their lives, he has started this blog recently. I encourage you to click on the link and check it out if you feel so led.

Wishing you a blessed and joyful Easter...

Vanessa

It has been a full day...

...and I wanted to share one of it's highlights!

Her name is Caeleigh...

Her favorite colors are purple and pink...

She LOVES to sing...while being photographed! :-) Very, very sweet.

She loves her family...

and she can twirl with the best of them!

Nickie and Dan...and Buddy!

I recently had the enjoyable job of shooting some engagement pictures for Nickie and Dan, whose wedding I get to photograph on June 13. Dan's lab Buddy came along just for fun!

In order to get Buddy to look at me, I was holding his favorite toy, a big red rubber ball type thing. :-) This was yet another one of the many times that I am thankful one can only see who was in FRONT of the lens, and not crazy ME, in this case waving a red ball thing and yelling "buddy.......buuuuuuuddy......BUDDY!" while balancing my camera BEHIND the lens!




My favorite image from the session:

Thanks for the great session, Nickie and Dan!

Natalie and Trevor...engaged!

Here are some favorites from my session with this super fun couple.






Natalie and Trevor...thanks for being troopers in the cold and windy weather! I am looking forward to your July 17 wedding!

Thankful today.

Jesus paid it all
All to him I owe
Sin had left its crimson stain
HE washed it white as snow!

We sang this during communion this morning and I dared not end the day without posting up this picture of our front yard, taken today, APRIL 5!

I never thought I would be...

...driving home from a wedding in a blizzard on April 4! But that is exactly what I did tonight! Crazy Iowa weather! I am praying that all the guests made it home safely.

Emily and Benj got married today and I wanted to share some of my favorite images with you!

I love this moment...right after the ceremony.



We were only able to shoot outside for a couple minutes because of the wind and cold. We did get a couple nice images like this one below.

I thought the cake was beautiful. It was made by Michelle from Piece of Cake.

The couple danced to "The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra...

Emily and Benj-I wish you many blessings and all the joy in the world! Thanks so much for asking me to document your special day!

Meet Gentry...

...precious new addition to this very happy family!

Only 6 days old at the taking of these pictures...he is so fresh and new!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Gentry getting a little loving from Mom...

...and getting ready to be Dad's hunting partner!

He looks so tiny in this beautiful cradle hand made by Grandpa Dan. But he won't look tiny for very long...and that is why I am so thankful to have been invited to capture a few fleeting and precious moments in the life of this family! A heartfelt thanks to you, Kamie and Matt!