Justice for Michelle | Mini Session Fundraiser

justice for michelle mini sessions

One evening in late September, I received a message from a friend on Facebook inquiring about a mutual friend.  “Has Demi posted anything about her mom?”

Immediately my heart sank.

I’d later find out that night that Demi, a former volleyball player of mine when I coached at Gilbert Early College, had lost her mom.

And not just unexpectedly.  Tragically, to domestic violence.

She and her sister’s are not only having to  come to grips with the murder of their mom, but they are having to deal with the emotional trauma of having witnessed it.

Last year when I held mini sessions for a dear friend with breast cancer, we raised $900 for her and her son. (See that one here —> Red Lips Campaign)

Now, I’m asking you all to do it again for Demi and her sisters.  On top of funeral expenses, they’ve had the cost of moving to a new home, grief counseling and everything in between.  If you haven’t already contributed, now is your chance (and get some fancy pictures in return).

Here’s what you need to know:

  • There are 8 spots available
  • Mini sessions are for up to 6 people
  • Each session is 15 minutes
  • Every participant will receive a style guide via email
  • You’ll receive 10 images in an online gallery with rights to print

DATE: December 9, 2017
TIME: 2:15-5:00
LOCATIONS: East Mesa (location will be given to participants)
COST: $150 (bring cash or check to your session)

Ready to sign up? Pick your time here —> Justice for Michelle Mini Sessions

Once you’ve selected your time, I’ll send you everything you need to know!

justice for michelle mini sessions

 

Hintz Family Session | Scottsdale, Arizona

desert family session

Desert Family Session

Meet the Hintz Family. Actually, if you’re reading this, you probably already know them!

While hiking in the the desert doesn’t often, or ever, make the list of top things they do on a Saturday night, these 4 met me out at the base of a mountain for their family session, Tieks and all. We were lucky to have dodged the bikers and hikers, but unfortunately nature attacked and I was stung by a bee for the very first time in my life. *cue the dramatic effects* Thankfully Delia’s first aid kit came to the rescue.

We all have our own stories of this beautiful family about how they have impacted our lives. They’ve walked each of us through different seasons, some sad, some joyful. They’ve brought our names before our heavenly Father and given us encouragement when we needed it the most. They’ve opened their hearts and their home to each and everyone one of us and I doubt you and I will ever forget them for it. They serve well, they love well and reflect the hope of Christ every chance they get.

I love them most for how real they are. There’s no guessing what they are thinking. There’s no discrepancies in who they are.  And I think we can all agree that Donavon and Kimber just might be the world’s best parents because Kyra and Delia are two of the sweetest girls I know.  I’ve watched them grow into beautiful young women and I hope and pray that they wait 20 years for Dax and Rowen to grow up.  Just kidding.  😉  But I do hope that my boys are lucky enough to know them when they are older.

Thank you Donavon and Kimber for giving me another glimpse into your beautiful family!  It means the world.

Desert Family Session
Desert Family Session
Desert Family Session
Desert Family Session
Desert Family Session
Desert Family Session
Desert Family Session
Desert Family Session

Dear Husband, Whoever You Are

A few weeks ago, I shared a little bit about my story and this week, I’m taking you back to the very beginning.  Please know, this is a story of hope, not of pain. I’m not writing this series as a means to bash anyone.  You won’t hear details of what happened.  That’s in the past.  What you will hear about is my story.

Back when everything was happening, God began to give me a new hope, a new desire.  He began to give me a glimpse of what my future husband would be like.  So, I began to write him letters.  I’ve kept every single one of them as a reminder of his goodness and that is faithful to fulfill his promises. 

I hope that whoever reads this series walks away knowing that there is in fact hope.  Healing may not come in the way we expect it or the way people tell us it should.  But it’ll come.  I promise.  He is faithful.

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The room was dark, the stage illuminated.  The band was playing a Hillsong United favorite.

Some were standing on their chairs, others were jumping up at the front.  Others, stood, hands in pockets.  This was youth group.

But I wasn’t doing any of those things that night.  I was sitting, writing because that’s what I had been prompted to do.  “Sit down and start writing”.

So I did.

I wrote the lyrics to the song playing,

Your mercy found me, upon the broken road and lifted me beyond my failing….

I’ll throw my life upon all you are.  Cause I know you gave it all for me. 

When all else fades my soul will dance with you,

Where the love lasts forever. 

And then it was as if everything else had been blocked out, the music faded, the people who stood around me became blurs…and God began to speak.

I will bring restoration. 

I am the God of all. 

Melodee, know what that means.  I am God of all.

I am the God of restoration, peace, reconciliation, healing. 

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That night, God spoke to me in a way I’ll never forget.  I’ve grown up in church, grown up knowing who he is.  He’s God.  Of course I knew that.

But that night, it was different.  He wanted me to walk away knowing full well that he is I AM.  He is all things to all people.

After those few brief moments, that felt like time stood still, I was sure that God had spoken those words to me to give to someone else.  I said, “okay God, show me who it’s for and I will humbly deliver this message.”

A few weeks went by and I saved the paper, but he never revealed to me who it was for.  Maybe I made it all up. I started to doubt.

And then after being married only six months,

the first tiny lie came to light.

And then I knew,

those words were meant for me.

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Goetzfried Family Session | Lost Dutchman State Park

Boyce Thompson Arborteum Engagement Session

Lost Dutchman State Park is becoming one of the most requested locations for photography sessions and it was no different for Bri, her son Landon and of course Leia, her sweet golden retriever.

As you can see, Landon has a sweet smile that is so contagious. And as you can imagine, he’s as goofy as any other six-year old boy you’ll meet.

Our session started at the beautiful desired golden hour and ended as the sunset behind the mountains along the western horizon. There is something that is indescribably magical about the desert at sunset.  Growing up in the flat plains of midwest, I would sing the line “purple mountains majesty” from one of my favorite songs, not having a clue just how majestic those mountains really are.

When I first moved to Arizona, it was hard for me to wrap my mind around how in the world the desert could be beautiful. But the longer I have lived here and the longer I have been behind the camera, traveling to various locations the more I’m sure that the desert is one of the most beautiful places to be.

For more beautiful desert family sessions, click here.

Boyce Thompson Arborteum Engagement Session
Lost Dutchman Family Session
Boyce Thompson Arborteum Engagement Session
Boyce Thompson Arborteum Engagement Session
Boyce Thompson Arborteum Engagement Session
Boyce Thompson Arborteum Engagement Session
Boyce Thompson Arborteum Engagement Session
Boyce Thompson Arborteum Engagement Session
Boyce Thompson Arborteum Engagement Session
Boyce Thompson Arborteum Engagement Session

Zane + Jake | Boyce Thompson Arboretum Engagement Session

Boyce Thompson Engagement Session

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Starbucks. Tuesday Night. 6:30.

I walked in, my favorite aroma faithfully greeting me.  And there they were.

They jumped up and greeted me, offering me some coffee which I surprisingly declined.  Maybe I was nervous.

This wasn’t just any interview.

This wasn’t my typical consultation with the bride and the groom.

No.

There, sitting at the table in Starbucks was the mother and father of…

the bride.

Gulp.

Now I know how Jake felt.

There was one thing that was very clear from the get go, Carolyn and Griff love their daughter and I love how much they love her.  As a parent of two little ones, I love when I can sit down and talk with parents who have walked the road in front of me.  I know when they talk to me and hear my stories, they remember their own like it was yesterday and when I hear theirs I am reminded how quickly time goes.  As my oldest is approaching kindergarten next year, I’m holding on to every second as tight as I possibly can!  But I’m always so encouraged when I talk to parents like Carolyn and Griff because the parent-child relationship doesn’t end when they grow up.  It changes into a beautiful type of relationship that is absolutely priceless.

After we shared our fun stories, I walked them through what an entire wedding experience looks like with me and before we left, we were already scheduling the engagement session.

I walked away from that meeting knowing that I’d just met my new favorite people.

And the fun was only just getting started.

This past week, I had the pleasure of meeting both Zane and Jake for their engagement session at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. I love that place every time I go, but this time…this one took the cake. (Is that a saying or do I just want cake?)

These two will both be graduating soon with their masters from GCU. Their masters you guys. (Fun fact: Zane graduated from community college before high school. Man, if I could go back and do it all again…)  Zane and Jake are two driven individuals.

Zane and Jake,

This is only the beginning.  Your story may have started at the GCU hot tub but that is just the prologue to the greatest adventure you will ever experience.  Walk it hand in hand.  (Notice I said walk, not run) because these precious moments come and go so quickly.  I always used to cringe when people told me it went by quickly…probably because I don’t like being told what to do 😉  I’d just smile, nod and say, “oh yeah, don’t I know it”, but now that I’ve had a little more experience under my belt…I’m learning they are right!

Always put each other first.  Jake, love her.  Zane, respect him.  Jake, don’t forget those little anniversary gifts Kim told you about, Zane support him as he becomes the head of your household.

Honor the Lord, honor each other.

Zane, I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle.

Blessings,
Melodee

 

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