A meaningful project

The idea came some time ago - it just took a while to figure out how to make it happen.

Our work at the Center for Women, with the women in our community, motivated us to think it through.

What if we made them feel really special?

What if we celebrated their efforts of mothering, even when it is really hard?

When they choose life - they need to know that is a very worthy calling.

And we see that.

-Notice their dedication.

Celebrate it...


So we put our heads together,

compiled a plan,

had a few misunderstandings (because this is my life and I am in the learning stages of communication still...),

...and then at the last minute things were thrown together, prayed over, and our first mommy/baby Mother's Day photo sessions came about.

We contrived a studio with supplies that fit in a large Rubbermaid tote.

It included a garment rack,

curtain rod,

7 curtains,

a flower clip,

a small wooden chair,

and very possibly some scotch tape.

And through our photos, and the gifting of them, I pray that we conveyed what we hoped.


That their choices to give life,

to mother,

to work so hard,

and love.

Are choices of greatness.


That by them coming in each week and taking parenting classes,

prenatal care classes,

and bettering their lives,

They are reaching for something beyond themselves and above ordinary.


These women have my highest admiration. Many of them are doing this parenting journey alone.

-Working full time and coming home at night beyond exhausted, with no help to draw the baths and tuck the babies in.

I teach them and counsel them as I volunteer at this crisis pregnancy center, but I also look up to them in many ways.

Not all stories that come out of my work here are heartwrenching and sad.

Some speak of hard work and beauty.

 

Those eyes motivate me.

Such sweetness.

Of course I would be remiss if I didn't mention that much fun was a part of this project...

We had some time on our hands between photo shoots - and we couldn't resist...

So, it was fun, and it was friendship, and it was ministry and passion.

Alot of good.

For me, the cherry on top was handing the album of prints to one of our mommies last night. She was deeply appreciative and even had a little tear.

Mission accomplished.