About the Cover Photographer
Erin Osborne of Flutterbee Photography is our featured photographer this month. Erin has many facets in her life - wife, mother of two, daughter, sister and follower of Christ. All of these, have an amazing affect on her photography.
As a wife, she "loves a love story" and capturing those special moments between a bride and groom or when a Mom and Dad are tackled by their two year old. As a mother of two, Erin loves the maternal connection of a newborn in its mother's arms or the shaky steps of a one year old. The daughter in her identifies with the trust in a child's gaze, sloppy kisses from toddlers, and the stubborn reluctance of teenagers. As a sister, she loves the adventure and creativity that siblings inspire in one another. As a follower of Christ, she marvels at how God could create something beautiful, every single time He made a human being, and never ever repeat Himself.
All these combined forces in Erin's life make her photography emotional, true, and joyful. Her images capture not only what you can see, but the invisible connections you share with those you love. Erin hopes that in 50 years, the moments she's documented for her clients will be like a time-warp that allows them to re-live the connections shared with their children, parents, and spouse.
Take a moment to stop by Erin's blogsite through www.flutterbeephotography.com and flip through the images there. They just might inspire you to capture the seen and unseen in your life as it is right now. To contact Erin, call 404-585-8185, email erin@flutterbeephotography.com, or on Facebook at Flutterbee Photography.
On the Cover
MEET THE ROBISONS!
Matt, Kristy, Izaiah, Braylon and Layla
Matt and Kristy were both raised in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and were high-school sweethearts. After graduation Matt went to Cincinnati Christian University where he studied General Ministry and Kristy went to Eastern Kentucky University where she studied Early Childhood Education and Child Development. They were married on June 1, 2002 at Southside Christian Church where Matt worked full time in youth ministry. In 2004, Matt and Kristy had their first child, a son, Izaiah Chase, and then their second little boy, Braylon Trace was born in 2005.
In 2006, Matt and Kristy felt the Lord leading them to Hillsboro, Ohio to do youth/family ministry. It was there that the Lord really began working on their hearts to add to their family through adoption. Kristy first felt this calling while on mission trips and seeing so many orphaned children. After prayerfully looking at different countries and learning there are 6 million orphans in a country the size of Texas, they knew the Lord was leading them to Ethiopia. So in 2007, Matt and Kristy began the adoption process.
Adopting a child internationally was a huge leap of faith, but on July 23, 2008, after a 23 hour flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Matt and Kristy met their 5 ½ month old daughter, Layla Brooke “Samrawit”, for the first time. When they held Layla in their arms, it felt as though they had just given birth again. “It was instant love! It’s amazing how God does that!”
Adoption has completely changed their lives and given them a better understanding of God’s adoption of His children. Layla has been a huge blessing to Matt and Kristy, but it has not been an easy road. After Layla was home for about 8 months, they began noticing what they now know is an attachment/trauma disorder. It was hard for them to believe she could be so affected by her first 5 months of life, but there was no denying it. Raising Layla has taught them not to be judgmental to families of children with behavior issues.
In 2010, Matt and Kristy felt the Lord leading them to the Paulding/Douglas County area to plant a church. However, they wanted this church to be different; to be a church for people that “do” life together, worship together, serve together, and to be intentionally multi-ethnic. “We know that heaven will be every tongue, tribe, and nation, so the church should be also. We want to be a piece of the puzzle of what God is doing here.” So after much prayer and hard work, they launched the One Community Church on March 27, 2011. “It is amazing to see the Lord bring broken, hurting, struggling people to us week after week. We like to say that we are the perfect place for imperfect people, and we mean it! We all have struggles, and we are no exception. We are so far from perfect, just normal people, but we serve a God whose grace is sufficient for us.”
Matt and Kristy continue to be amazed that God chooses to use simple, ordinary, imperfect people like them for His glory and purpose. Also, they would like to invite you to One Community Church; the perfect place for imperfect people. Services are held every Sunday (except 5th) at 10am at the Regal Cinemas at Arbor Place Mall in Douglasville. Everyone is welcome! For more information visit www.one-communitychurch.com or call 678-324-1713.