Shannon Holden Photography

When I first felt the nudge to go to Africa this past summer on my first mission trip, one of the initial anxiety points that cropped up was my fear of traveling. That anxiety was multiplied ten-fold by my fear of traveling with strangers. I’m generally a fairly shy homebody. But God knows my heart, and he knows what I need. First, he led me to an opening on a Wiphan mission with my kids’ PE teacher, a woman I admire and feel very comfortable with. The stranger obstacle was removed, or at least reduced. Then I found out my son’s teacher’s son (following me?), whom I had photographed before, was also going to be traveling with us. And our team would be led by another family I knew through school, whose daughter was in my son’s grade. Ok, God, thanks for the reassurance!

In the midst of my anxiety about committing to the trip, I met Christy one afternoon on the school playground. I knew we had mutual friends, and I knew she was involved with Wiphan. I soon learned that she and her husband Brad would be traveling with our group. What I didn’t know was how much I would come to adore this family! One would think that 10 days in a foreign, impoverished country with a random group of people could be a recipe for stress and misery. But God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good. He put together a perfect group of 9 strangers and turned them into friends. We spent those 10 days together, laughing, learning, helping, hurting, worshiping, serving, seeking, and growing. It was hands-down one of the best experiences of my entire life. And forever, Brad and Christy will be a key thread in that memory for me.

I had a blast creating their family portraits this year. Their family and mine have gotten to spend more time together since our trip. Anyone who knows them can tell you that they are some of the warmest, most selfless, and most entertaining people around! I always look forward to time with them, and our session was no different. Kyle and Lily Kate are so precious. Kyle has a sense of calm wisdom about him, though with that spark of energy that all 5 year olds have. Lily Kate is funny and spirited.

Brad and Christy, thank you for being who you are, loyal friends, loving parents, and humble servants of God. I am so blessed to know you. I hope we can share more journeys together in the future.

Much love,
Shannon