This is the beautiful Stahl Family. Included in these pictures are Gregg and Jennifer and their two beautiful children, Christian and Callie; Gregg’s brother and sister-in-law, Pat and Jessica; and Gregg and Pat’s wonderful parents, Leonard and Nancy, who have been married for over thirty years. Pat and Jessica are newly weds. They wanted to do this shoot because Pat and Jessica are moving away from the rest of the family soon.

The story with this family that is most familiar and amazing to me is that of Gregg and Jennifer. Gregg and Jennifer have been married for eleven years and actually went to her high school prom together.

Maybe it would be better if I let her tell it…

Gregg and I met in 1993 and actually went to my Senior prom.  We had been married for 4 years and started trying to have a baby.  Got pregnant right way and lost that baby.  Tried everything for the next 7 years and then started the adoption process.  God orchestrated Christian’s amazing birth story between us, his birthparents, and 12Stone.  We were so honored to be at his birth and become his parents in December 2007.  Shortly after he turned 8 weeks, I had a feeling I might be pregnant.  I took a test and that is where Callie’s story began.  Even though we had stopped praying to get pregnant or have more children, God didn’t forget our prayers and desire to have more children.  Sometimes I laugh(and cry) at the fact that I have kids 10 months apart and all the craziness that comes with it, but the story is one that only God could have created and for that I am humbly grateful.  The other cool thing about having kids so close together is that I get to tell the story…God’s story… all the time for his glory.

Hi everyone! WOW! I did not know what I was getting myself into when I created this contest! It has been such a journey of blessing. I have laughed and cried as I have read and re-read your stories, all of them beautiful and unique, making it SO difficult to choose! It was so good for my heart to see the faithfulness and beauty of true love, still alive and well on this earth!

Laura and Mark Eubanks are my couples shoot winners! They will get to choose the couples shoot of their dreams! I am looking forward to sharing those pictures with you all and letting you see a glimpse of their deep love for one another!

Here is the twist in the whole deal!  I have decided, along with my good friend Dustin Ah Kuoi, to have a 1st runner up with a consolation prize! ( which could have been 1st prize too!)

Tony Webb and his wife Jan will receive their own personal love song written and performed by Dustin. He is one of the songwriters and worship artists at 12 Stone Church. Dustin is also a Blogger Extraordinaire, and you can find his words and ideas here, at http://dustinahkuoi.wordpress.com/

Congratulations to my winners, and to all those who did not enter, or win this time, stay tuned! You will find this kind of thing popping up all year!!

Blessings,

Mary Anne