Family Love

Those of you who know this family know how much of a real, caring, loving, strong and fun family that they are. This photo session was kind of a surreal one for me because I grew up in the youth group with Dave and Roxie as my youth pastors!! I'm pretty sure I even said aloud while taking their picture "Okay, this is crazy. I'm taking family photos of my old youth pastors!" :) I remember back to the day that 'the twins' (aka The Beach Boys) were born and going the the hospital a couple days before, with a friend, to pamper Roxie and give her a pedicure. SO many of my favorite memories are ones from our youth camping days, the annual Six Flags trips, the many mission trips we went on & one of the greatest things that came from being in their youth group was meeting my husband!! 

I'm confident that I'm not alone in thinking that this family has touched so many people's lives by their example as well as by their actions. They all serve in Tempe at Dave & Roxie's church-plant and they give so much to those in need. Life has brought them many trials and sad times that are more than I can even imagine facing- but their love for God and strength as a family never changed. And even now, as the ornery-ist of them all, Grandpa Ernie, awaits an open heart surgery they all still have so much joy and trust in The Lord. These family photos were nothing short of them all just having a good ole' time together and picking on each other. It was supposed to be 'work' for me but really it was an hour and a half of entertainment and laughing! I love this family and am privileged to have gotten to take part in this special family moment for them.