photography + adoption = love

I don't really even know where to start.

Almost 2 years ago, God put me in a class at church called "Digital Photography for Ministry"

I got in because our mission pastor had to drop out the night before.

That class changed my life.

Seeing how photography could be used for ministry.

and actually learning how to use a camera.

after that my photography business was birthed {not something I ever thought I'd be doing - but God gave me this gift. on a silver platter it seems like}

and I love it. I love telling stories.

I started doing it full time last October after our family decided to adopt.

{not because of that, but it was right around the same time}

but last January, I started asking God for more.

I wanted to go on a mission trip & tell stories.

I asked people who've done it how they did it and they all said the same thing - just put it out there and just do it. (read about it here)

so I prayed.

the next week I got a call from the same missions pastor that dropped out of the photography class saying, "I know this is last minute but could you come to el salvador over spring break to photograph & tell stories of the people there"

WOW God that was fast.

YES!

Since then I've been to El Salvador, Uganda & Ethiopia doing just that - telling stories with images.

I've used those images since I've gotten home to advocate for the people & ministries we worked with and have since been recruited to go on another trip with Visiting Orphans over New Years - and guess what I'll be doing....photographing!

I get back from the trip & decide it would be really cool to go with families to pick up their children and really tell the story through photographs. Once again, I start asking around to people who have done it in the past. They all say the same thing I was told before: put yourself out there & just do it.

So I'm talking about my upcoming mission trip on facebook & saying that I really want people to come along with me (Note: since then, there are now 11 people coming with me on this trip!!! 10 from my home church & my sister! happy happy girl!)

One of the fellow Noonday Ambassadors said she would love to come but she hopes to be picking up her son at that point.

I tell her I would love to photograph adoptions and if a friend paid my way over the first time, I'd do it for free!

Note: Noonday Ambassadors are an AWESOME community of women, if you are interested in becoming one of us, email me (wynne.elder@gmail.com)

So that night I also emailed Jessica, founder of Noonday Collection, to ask her a few questions and tell her I was going on this trip. Because she was about to go to Rwanda to pick up her son and I thought she would think it was cool I was going over New Years.

So I get a call from her Wednesday morning, "Wynne, I know this might be crazy but I've been praying and dreaming and I want you to come with us to photograph us picking up Jack"

I called her back & left her a message telling her how much I love her and her dreamer spirit.

Are you serious? That was fast God! YES!

Something like this would never have happened if.....

a. I wasn't willing to do this for free if someone paid my way

b. hadn't just come back & had all my shots, and knew exactly what to pack/etc!!

So...long story short, we texted and emailed back and forth from Wednesday - Friday and by Saturday her parents & in laws had helped them buy my ticket and it was a done deal!

Which means, I'm going to Africa FRIDAY!

Friday!

I just can't believe God's provision on my life. I mean, I can believe it. You know!

I marvel in every single one of these details that has prepared me for the next thing.

That He would give me this gift and then allow me to use it.

that this gift would not be just for me, but it would bless others.

FOR HIS GLORY!

that people will see the Honnegers adoption story unfold as I capture it with images.

How is this my life?

How do I get to do what I love?

I firmly believe it's just in being obedient to God in the simple things - taking that class, saying yes to going to el salvador, saying yes to wanting to help families document their stories. It's not about me. It's about the bigger picture and I'm so excited to be along for the ride.

I'm going to be posting more info about Noonday Collection in the next few days & how you can pray for us and follow along our journey.

But I just wanted you to know the story.

Thanks for walking this journey with us!

PS- if you have NO IDEA what Noonday Collection is, head over to my website here:

http://www.wynneelder.noondaycollection.com/

happy shopping :)

and read more of my Noonday story on my blog here

happy reading ;)