Many of you know that my former companion and great friend Anna Pew Harrison is also an amazing photographer. She has documented many portions of our life including our wedding and many family photo sessions. Nearly a year ago she was telling me about National Geographic photographer that she follows on instagram, who had done some photography in Armenia. Around this same time she had the growing idea of a photography related non-profit that she was wanting to move forward with, she took the time to e-mail this photographer about her ideas just to get them out there. She was not really expecting a response but much to her delight, he did respond and seemed thoroughly interested in her ideas and passion. In the meantime, I looked up this man's work, His name is John Stanmeyer by the way, and fell in love with the photos from Armenia. It was so beautiful to see someone capture the details of that beautiful country. Exciting right? SO then, Anna was planning a trip, for her and her husband to go to Armenia last Fall, but as they prepared, they felt strongly that it wasn't the right time to go to Armenia. It was strange because they have been waiting and wanting to go for so long. Anyway...come December. I get a call early in the morning from Anna saying she's going to Armenia in March and she needs me to come with her. The day before she had just casually been going through Instagram and her heart started pounding when she saw John Stanmeyer was hosting a Photo Storytelling Workshop in none other than Gyumri Armenia. (The city where we were first mission companions) When she first told me, I thought there would be no way I could go, the dates were interfering with what we thought would be our Chile trip and there was no way I could spend that much time away from my kids. However, I have been hungering for more training in photography. Most of what I have learned is from Anna. what better way to learn more than to go to the country I love so dearly with my mentor/friend and another professional photographer who understands the sacredness of that country! I had no idea how it would happen but from that point, I couldn't stop thinking about it. And you know that supportive husband of mine...he was all for it from the beginning. He has never been one to deter me from my ambitions, he has always been the one to say..."let's see how we can make this work!" and I love him so much for that. Yes, he will take on single-fatherhood for nearly two weeks but he does it without complaint because he is truly amazing. The pieces fell into place and we were really able to make it work and I still can't believe that I will be returning. Here are some photos from my time as a missionary there, you can look forward to much better photos coming soon! PS, Anna, I hope I didn't butcher your story, but rest assured you are one of very few that will read this, haha!)
Yes you told the story well! ;) I'm so so so grateful that God had this plan for the both of us!
ReplyDelete