April Gratefulgrams

"Every good gift & every perfect gift is from above, & comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." {James 1:17}

Yesterday was quite the day - all kinds of things going on, going to & from work in the pouring rain, missing my exit on the highway followed by more traffic to navigate through, plus to top it all off, I burnt a HOLE in the bottom of our tea kettle when I did get home last night!

But God - He is ever faithful, remains the Great I am even when we have one of those days when even the tea turns out wrong. He is the Blesser & because His great mercy, I am thankful today. Here are just a few things I'm grateful for in April:

1.  Memorizing God's Word with my SG ladies / 2. Sweet surprise words of encouragement from Deano / 3. Celebrating love & engagement with new friends / 4. A long walk/talk with DaraLynn / 5. Working alongside Laura for a beautiful Easter wedding / 6. Catching up over dinner with friends

LMP Giveaway Winner!

Although I actually gave up eating or drinking anything sugary this month (almost to the end!!), I SO wanted to bake a cheery cake, slather some Nutella on top & party as Lorin Marie Photography celebrated 1 year of business!

This past week, I announced a portrait session giveaway as part of #lmpturns1 that I'd be sharing with one awesome NoVA/DC couple!! And, insert a big, long drum roll here .... we have a winner! Well, 2 winners technically (because they're a couple :) ). 

Congratulations to LMP's portrait session giveaway winner(s): Bonnie & her husband!

Here's what Bonnie shared on the blog about one of the greatest acts of service her hubby has done for her: 

My husband has been taking great care of me throughout my first pregnancy - taking over chores and going above and beyond, without a peep of complaining! Our second anniversary is coming up, and I would love to capture our new family with a portrait session!

Awww, isn't that so sweet?! Bonnie, it's awesome to hear about what a help your husband has been in your life recently!! I will be contacting you shortly so we can schedule your upcoming portrait session! Congrats again :)

Joel + Yoshiko | Washington Marriott Georgetown Wedding Sneak Peek

On Easter Sunday, we had so much to celebrate! The resurrection of Jesus Christ (He is risen indeed!) & the uniting of a very sweet couple in DC: Joel & Yoshiko.

They traveled all the way from Ontario to join with their DC family & friends for a beautiful, family-centered wedding ceremony & reception at the Washington Marriott Georgetown hotel. More photos of the wonderful Mr. & Mrs Huertas coming soon!!

LMP Giveaway!

Break out the noisemakers & put on your party hat because we have a birthday to celebrate!

Lorin Marie Photography is turning 1!!!

It's incredible to think that just last spring I put my what if's into action & began pursuing this dream. I've been so blessed by the Lord's constant faithfulness, my hubby's ridiculously awesome support & the love & encouragement from all my family, friends, clients & you!

To celebrate this milestone & these past 12 months of business, I'm giving away one portrait session for a couple!

The winner will receive a 2-hour photo session that will take place in Northern Virginia (within 25 miles of Falls Church, VA) & must be scheduled within 2014. High-resolution digital images is also included in the giveaway.

You have between now & Monday, April 28 to enter. You can enter your name in the giveaway up to 4 times. You can do 1, 2 or all of the entries, but remember that the more ways you enter, the more entries you will receive!

How to Enter:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post, sharing part of your love story: one of the greatest acts of service your significant other has ever done for you

2. Follow me on Instagram, post a photo of you & your significant other, tag @lorinmariephotography & #lmpturns1

3. Follow me on Twitter, tweet "Lorin Marie Photography is having a giveaway!" & tag @lorinmariephotography & #lmpturns1

4. Like the LMP Facebook page, share this blog post to your timeline & tag the LMP page in your post update

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 29! Can't wait to read your entries :)

He is risen

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 
He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay."
{Matthew 28:5-6}

After a faulty trial, beating, scourging, mocking mistreatment and ridicule, the innocent King of Kings was nailed to a cross where he hung to die between 2 guilty men. Christ-followers & believers of the day who looked on at the gruelsome death scene thought that was the end of it all. He couldn't be the Messiah & die - so they thought.

Although Jesus had pre-told them of His upcoming death & resurrection, His disciples didn't understand the full extent of His words. Yet 3 days later, on what we celebrate as Easter, a rolled away stone, empty tomb & graveclothes are little snippets we get from the Gospel accounts of that glorious day. That day when the Savior of the World who bore the weight of the world's sin for us, so we could be washed in His blood & be spiritually renewed, defeated the grave & rose from the dead! 

“'O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, & the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  {1 Corinthians 15:55-57}

In Matthew 28, the angel comforts Mary Magdalene & Mary who had come to Jesus's tomb by telling them the good news: The One you seek isn't here. He is risen! There is an everlasting hope & assurance we have when we reject trying to save ourselves & surrender our lives to Him who died that we may live.

If you're in the NoVA/DC area, I invite you to visit one of our MBC campuses on Friday night, Saturday, Sunday or Monday, & hear more about the story of Jesus & how His resurrection from the dead changed the course of humanity & can do the same for you!