More Than Words Photography By Tammi

i’m so excited! i’m so excited!

over the last few months, i have been seeking God in some business decisions for next year.  last week, when i photographed gerrit and his family, the lord made something very clear to me that he wanted me to implement.  christmas cheer all year!!  for the past two christmases, i have done a christmas cheer giveaway.  families were nominated to win who needed some extra cheer for various reasons (job loss, health issues, etc.).   i have loved it and have been blessed by the families i’ve photographed.  i’ve also done various sessions during this past year that i called {blessing} sessions that were donated to families in need.  this year, god has led me to the decision to make this idea an intentional part of my business.  to seek out families, not just offer it when needed.  that means, each month, more than words will donate one session and a cd with all images to a family in need.  i can’t wait to start!  this decision just gives me such joy in my heart because i’m following the path that my savior has planned for me.

{do you know of someone who could use a session? contact me and share their story!}

**are you a professional photographer? contact me if you’d like to join in and implement something like this where you are- i’d love to start a group on fb or something**

sooo, what does that mean for all who entered??  well, the christmas cheer all year will start with all of you!  each person/family that was nominated, will get a free session and cd.    {by the way, i wish i could share the stories sent in.  many of them had me in tears.  i was so touched by the emails and the pain that so many are facing.  however,  i want to be respectful of privacy, so i will let the families share what they would like when i post about their sessions.}

below is more info for the families that were nominated:

mini sessions with cd of images will be donated to:

Alysia- family session- nominated by sara reicheld

Ana- child session- nominated by Melissa dykman

Hayes family- family session- nominated by Angela Drain

 

newborn sessions with cd of images will be donated to:

Jessica- nominated by Darcy Logan

Tracy Bartram- nominated by Sarah Buzzell

 

full family sessions will be donated to:

The Mshar family- nominated by Jennifer Diel

Amy & family- nominated by Lisa Beard

Lumetta family- nominated by Becca Werner

 

i can’t wait to meet you all!   to those who nominated the families above, feel free to share this with those who won and be sure to get me their contact info!

 

 

every now and then, someone comes into your life and changes everything.  gerrit (almost 11) is one such person.  i met gerrit and his family last year when i photographed them.  Last October, gerrit was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.  he and his family have had a very challenging year to say the least.  gerrit has had many procedures and treatments.  i was recently blessed to spend time with their family again, capturing a few moments.  the first time i met them, i was moved by their love for our savior and their faith that holds  onto god’s promises. they are clinging to the promise that he makes all things beautiful in his time. (I am holding onto that for you all too, baas family!)

what do i love about gerrit? his spirit. when i met him in 2010, he was so funny and full of life.  you can see a few images from that session here

this year, as gerrit battles more challenges, his spirit still shines through.  he is half paralyzed from the cancer- walking,  talking and eating are very difficult.  but with whispered voice, he was still cracking jokes and had me laughing.

{meet almost 11 year old gerrit}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

these are gerrit’s bravery beads from the hospital.  there is a whole program that each time he gets a medical procedure done, an ambulance ride, etc. there is a particular bead for that and he gets to collect them on a string.  gerrit had several strings.

 

 

 

 

 

I love this image as it speaks to me of  his parents being right beside him every step of this hard, hard journey

 

team baas!

 

they’re all wearing grey for the color for brain cancer

 

gerrit making his sisters giggle

 

 

brothers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

i adore these next two images and the love that they convey

 

 

 

 

 

i asked gerrit to show me his favorite ornament.  i then asked him if he liked to hunt and his eyes lit up and led mine to a deer head mounted on the wall.  that was from a very special hunting trip with his dad!

gerrit, you are a hero of mine.  you are so brave for all you have been through.  you are brave for letting me take your picture and share your story.  thank you.  there is a little camera bravery bead coming your way soon! i found one!  hold onto Jesus, buddy.  he’s got you tight.

just being with gerrit and his family has reminded me of so much.  what really matters. like when i talk with my kids to really be in the moment (not thinking about the next one). to invite them to sit next to me and share their day. to slow down.  to appreciate what my husband does and let the little annoyances go.  to show more love to my family. to seek to be Jesus more and to not be so busy with my own agenda, that i can.

so this Christmas as you build memories with your loved ones, can i ask you to do something in gerrit’s honor?  take it in.  really take it in.  savor the sound of your child’s laughter.  take a mental picture of the sparkle in your grandma’s eye as she tells you of days past.  leave the dishes aside and take an extra moment to play one more game, read that book one more time, or sit next to your spouse and live fully in the moment.  apologize and make amends if needed.  look for the small blessings and be grateful.  be grateful to the giver of life.

gerrit’s voice may be but a whisper.  but his message to all of us?  loud and clear.

***{want to do something??  leave gerrit a comment to encourage him here or on my fb page.  also- gerrit  has given permission for me to share his care page.  you can find it here  . search for his care page: inhistime .  Please pray for him and his family and if you are moved to do more- contact me about giving them a financial donation}***

 

last year, i put together a personal project to celebrate the true meaning of christmas.  this was my small gift to my savior.  after finishing the images, i decided to put together a video, but wanted some quotes to use.  God led me to Ann Voskamp.  If you’re familiar with her work, you know she has an amazing, spirit annointed way with words.  If you’re not, then take some time over this season and visit her here: a holy experience  .  Thank you, Ann for allowing me to bless my little circle with your heart.  Also, thanks to little Kyson for being the perfect baby Jesus.  Music is by mark shultz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

if you’d like to see more, you can see the video here:

the cross in christmas

 

Merry CHRISTmas!

this fun session was inspired by my girls and our love for little house on the prairie, and little house in the big woods… {any other ‘little house’ fans out there?}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

this is the third time i’ve been blessed with capturing the sizemore family, and each time i grow to love them even more!  j& j have their hands full of love with these little ones! i think you’ll be able to tell…

{by the way, i switched back to my old picture format because i missed having the big images}

 

 

 

 

 

precious, aren’t they?