Monday, February 22, 2010

Big News!

We are moving to Chicago! Trusting in God's leading, my husband and I are moving our family to the Windy City. After 6 months of emails, phone interviews, two visits, and lots of prayers, Bill has accepted the Senior Pastor position at Edgewater Baptist Church in the Edgewater neighborhood (just a few miles north of downtown). We are heading to a sweet church set right in the heart of the neighborhood. The community there is urban, very diverse, and dense (the second most dense neighborhood in Chicago!) We are eager to see how God wants to impact this city for Christ and can't wait to meet up again with our new church home!

While we are excited for what God has in store for us, it is with heavy hearts that we prepare our home for sale and our hearts to say goodbye. Phoenix has been my home for 30 years and this move is, by no means, an easy one. We love our community, we love our church, and . . . we love the sunshine! Ha! (NO Chicago-weather cracks, please! . . . yes, I AM a lightweight, but I bought a good coat, and I'll be fine. :)

We plan on heading out in 10-12 weeks time. There really isn't much time for photo shoots between now and then, but if you are dying to have a photo session, please contact me asap. I will keep a list of all the inquiries and fit you as my schedule allows.

Thank you! Phoenix, you've been so good to me in the launch of my business, and I will miss this city and all of my amazing clients, friends, and family here!

These images are from an anniversary trip Bill and I took to Chicago last April. Thought I'd share a few.

Here is Bill overlooking the city of Chicago (reflection in the 'Bean', a famous metallic sculpture downtown). Ironic, huh? Who knew he was overlooking his future home and place of ministry?!
I LOVE the Bean!
Here is a little series that I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to capture. It was a beautiful April day, blue skies making their spring debut. Gorgeous, gorgeous day! People everywhere! There were several field trips of kids in the city and I happened to catch this sequence as one class arrived at the Bean.

As the kids came running up, I snapped away, marveling in the joy of these kids. I was beaming ear to ear at their excitement and wonder of the awesome sculpture in front of them. They were LOUD and it was just plain fun to watch them! As I studied the scene, I was particularly interested in this lone guy fidgeting with his camera, trying to get that perfect shot of his own reflection. He NEVER looked up. I couldn't believe it. I mean, he was laser-focused in his own little world. He completely missed out.

So, . . . my social commentary here is simple- Look up! Life is too good!




Mmmmmmm, the textures of this city! Love it!



Upon closer inspection, I found a man sitting in the window studying the view of afternoon rush hour traffic. So much to see and observe in the big city-
Love it! I've seen a couple of taxi drivers in my time desperately try to talk their way out of a ticket so this scene caught my eye. Love it!

I am excited to go back to Chicago and head out with my camera again. The city is rich and is truly a photographer's dream. You can be sure of more posts to come from my adventurers there.

3 comments:

  1. So beautiful, Christine! I am sad to see you leave, but so excited for you & your family. Can't wait to hear more about your new adventure! :-) Colleen Stringi

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  2. Great photos Christine! I'm pretty positive Bill's actually gazing in the direction of Edgewater! North and a little west. How uncanny is that!

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  3. Thanks, Joge! I think you are right- he definitely is looking north and west. How funny! I hadn't even thought about it being that literal, but you are right! Love it! I am going to try to have a big print of this one framed for him for his office. :)

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