Erin Spinks Photography

2009-11-17T02:35:00.000-08:00

My story~our story, began with one single prayer:

"Lord, you know this baby. You created this baby. You have purpose for this baby. I only know of this baby because you designed it for me. I now lay this baby at your feet, for this is where she was created. I have no idea your purpose for her, or even anything about her, but I trust you made me aware of her for reason. That alone, I will praise you for. I pray for her wherever she is, that she is comforted by you. That You hold her dear and you protect her from pain & fear. This is all I can do."

This is the prayer that I prayed for Mae the very night the caseworker told me about her. I left her at the foot of Jesus and prepared for God to make a way in her life. Several weeks later, we were asked if we would foster her--not knowing the outcome. Not knowing if mom would do all things asked of her and in a couple of months, have her baby back. I always claimed to have faith, but God if you want me to be a walking testimony, use me. I remember praying daily--wishing God would just write it in the sky for me. Was this faith? Was I trusting? One day at church the praise and worship team was singing "I will rise"--when you call my name, I will rise. This song broke me down and I could feel the hand of God leading me to do what He knew all along was our plan. Rise and follow--don't ask questions, just rise. So, we decided to step out of faith and get Mae and love her no matter what. I also wrestled with the thought that maybe God wanted to use me to help her mom become a better mom?? I explained to her the first day that we met, that I wasn't sure God's meaning of all this. That I felt God putting me in their lives was for a reason and that I was going to serve them though. Not to worry about Mae, we would love her and guide her through this time in her life. Months went on, visits came, talks with mom, court cases, tears, and lots of prayers. Her mom knew that I loved her and that our family was a place where she felt safe. It took months of visits, talks, missed visits for me to realize that my love for Mae was not just great because I was here for her, but that her mother also loved her dearly and was struggling to find the purpose for her. When I met back with mother in August right before court, I have never had a harder day. Why are you here? What are you doing? --these questions were the first to come to my mind, but softly as I prayed and people prayed for me, I was quiet and I tried my hardest to show love to her mother. I was confused, worried, and had to rely on faith of others to get me through those 3 weeks before court. Court was Aug 26th--termination--was the judge going to see 3 weeks coming back for visits as a sign that mother was interested now? Could I deal with that?? Again, God softly whispered to me--you are taking the right steps and I have a plan. As we began to talk to mother, she explained her love for Mae to us and that she knew Mae was loved by us and she knew we would take care of her. I remember the look on her face(and I hope to NEVER forget it) as she asked us to please take care of her baby. The circle was complete--my journey was over, but my heart BROKE into pieces when I explained that God brought us together and it was not a mistake, but a plan that neither of us will ever be able to explain. She signed the papers of termination of rights--tomorrow we will sign the papers of adoption. I cannot explain the overwhelming feelings I have today that God had a plan and He used a year, 2 mothers, and one precious little baby girl to tell a story--a story of FAITH, a story of HOPE, and a story of LOVE. Because to me, at the end of the day, all I can really do and know for sure is that God LOVES me and He trust me to LOVE others......

Tomorrow, Mae will be a Spinks' girl and my heart will be filled to the max!! I am so gratful and so blessed. For all my life, I will live to love and bless others! This story also reminds me that God's children are given to me to protect, love, and teach. They are his--and He is blessing me and Chuck with 4---this is my DREAM COME TRUE!!! Be blessed and bless others....GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!

fall mini~session

2009-10-09T04:21:00.000-07:00

Fall Mini-session is a time to come get your family photo/christmas card--easy, quick, and fun. I can do whole family, children, or just one child. In this busy life of mine, I only have time to do mini-sessions this fall. Hope this works well for you and your family.

Price--$75--you get my time, talent, and 3 proofs emailed to you--you will own these proofs and can do whatever you want with them--christmas cards, print for your family, etc.

You can always order more through me. I will do these fall pictures at my house or downtown. One Saturday will be at my house--Nov 7th and the other will be downtown Nov 14th. All orders have to turned in by the end of November to get back for Christmas. Thanks!

times are

9-9:30-10-10:30-11----lunch break----2-2:30-3-3:30-4-4:30-5 on Saturdays

wednesday nov 4th---4-4:30-5

friday nov 6th----4-4:30-5

wednesday nov 11th--4-4:30-5

monday nov 16th--4-4:30-5

email me or facebook me your time! thanks:)

love these kids!

2009-09-27T04:01:00.001-07:00

They "save" me every day!! I am so blessed!

God WILL use you!

2009-09-27T03:41:00.000-07:00

Can't believe I haven't kept up with our journey, but then again it has been crazy/busy/stressfull/joyfull/fun! On August 26th, we found out that Mae is going to be a Spinks' girl and that she will forever be a part of our story! We are family and we are BLESSED! I am overwhelmed that God would choose ME and use ME in the way that He has! My heart was already so full with our 3 boys, but overflowing now with Mae included! Our journey has not been easy, but a true testiment to FAITH and that alone! I always thought my faith was strong and would even question if maybe it was b/c I had not really been faced with anything to put full/total faith in. The decision to foster Mae was just that, it was my stepping out without knowing the outcome. Each time my faith was tested, I would go back to the point that I know God was using me for some bigger reason than I could imagine. One day I will write this all in a book form, but now it's a little too 'new' and emotional. Having FAITH, God will use you! I hope to encourage many along the way of this journey of life I am on. Mae is a blessing to our lives and we would not be complete without her here! I am so proud to annouce her upcoming adoption--still waiting on a date, but it's coming!! Thanks to all that have prayed for her/us and for all who let me "borrow" a little faith along the way!! God will USE YOU!

2008-11-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

I’m writing you all to let you know what God is doing in our lives this moment-- Not so that you understand or that you relate to what God is calling us to do, but so that you can lift us up daily in your prayers.
As most of you know, Chuck and I started our process of adoption in September this fall. We went through the DFACS in Morgan county having most of our classes in Jasper County every Tuesday night for 6 weeks. Last Tuesday was our last home study (you have 2 home studies where they come in your home and talk to you about every thing in your lifeJ). The first home study was 3 weeks ago this Monday. On this morning, I prayed that God would open our hearts, eyes, and ears to be focused on Him alone. I prayed that our case manager would not let us know about any child unless God had a purpose and a place for us to serve. That morning, she let us know about how “ironic” it was the night before she came to our home she got a call about a little baby girl needing a home. I immediately told her about my prayer and that I would seek God’s will in this child’s life and ask our immediate family and friends to pray for her. As weeks have progressed, I have felt God’s hand on me and an unusual sense of peace. Each couple of days we would learn that doors were opening up and that the baby was fully placed in DFACS for a year this Wednesday. The mom will have a year to complete her case plan which consist of several different issues she has to resolve and conquer. We decided that instead of waiting for the case plan to start and for the placement to be a little more secure that we are willing to open up our home to foster this baby girl stepping out in faith knowing that God is in control and that He has a plan for us, this baby, and her mother.
This is not an easy decision, but we feel that God is calling us to trust and lean on Him for guidance. This baby is precious to us and for some reason, God wants her to be a part of our lives through this season. By doing this, we are offering her a family to celebrate Christmas with and her first birthday which will be in January. We ask that if you would, please lift her, our family, and the mother up daily in prayer until God shows us all His plan for her life.
My daily prayer is a verse from Psalm 34:4-5
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered in shame.” “Open my Eyes, Heart, Ears so that I am focused on YOU!”
Thank you all for your friendship and love. We know that with your support, we will all be okay with God’s will for her life. Her name is Meagan—we will call her Baby Mae! May God use you all for his purpose and His will daily!
We love you all!
Chuck, Erin, Wyatt, Rhett, and Shep
Oh, she will be with us on December 1!!

clark family

2008-11-03T12:50:00.000-08:00

I have the best time when friends bring out their family for a shoot! I love this family and they are all great little models! Take a peak at a few I did! I'll have the rest up soon:)

christmas card special

2008-10-28T13:14:00.000-07:00

On November 22~ I am doing mini-sessions of kids or families. This session will be $25/due at time of session. For $25, you will receive a copy of ONE proof that will be emailed to you. You have all rights to this proof (you can print Christmas cards, make extra copies for family, etc) One day only, 4-6 proofs to choose from. You can always order more or have me to do the christmas cards as well. Sign up for times now!

9-12

1:30-5

please email me at erinspinksphotography@hotmail.com

LUV

pumpkin time...

2008-10-26T04:32:00.000-07:00

Oh what fun!! I LOVE the fall and halloween time! So much fun going on all around and so many things to do at home to keep the boys busy and happy! Thursday we went to get a pumpkin to carve, b/c we just can't wait til Mama's pictures are done so that we can use the 2 that I am using for pictures to carve! Anyway, when S went to sleep, we began our adventure of carving a pumpkin for halloween. W was the most help--he wanted to get in and get dirty(of course). R enjoyed helping pick out a face for the pumpkin. S woke up just as we finished, perfect timing! He thought it was yucky! What precious moments spent with my boys!

"W" time...

2008-10-26T04:17:00.000-07:00

This was "W"'s first field trip with school this year! What an exciting time--riding the BIG bus, packing snacks, mama going to help out! I cannot express how precious this time with just him was. As I thought about going to the pumpkin patch, I thought that we could pull it off with all 3 boys--I could get some really cute pictures, everyone would have a great memory together, all boys would come home with a pumpkin, etc....However, I am so happy with my decision to just be with W for this day. My mother-in-law came and stayed with the others--God bless her and I pray that one day I'll be half as sweet and helpful to my daughter-in-laws. I got up extra early to get ready and W and I were off for school. On the way to school, he asked if I would ride on the bus with him and sit in the same seat--this is HUGE knowing that I have all boys and that it won't be long before they will not be asking me this question! "Of course"~so I sat beside him on the bus all the way to the pumpkin patch. I enjoyed talking to his friends and laughing with them all! It was freezing at the pumpkin patch, so I got to have some extra snuggle time on the hayride--how special! The other dad had a camera (forgot mine!) and took some pictures of all the kids! I cannot think of a better thing to fill my day with than the time I spent with my first little boy. He is getting so big and my heart smiles to see him enjoying, laughing, learning, encouraging, and wanting me to sit with him on the bus:) May God continue to build him up to the Man he will be soon! Thank you God for special times with my son!

2008-09-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween/Fall Special: No sitting fee! Come out for a mini-session dressed up in your Halloween costume or just come in your fall attire. Sessions will be for 4-6 shots for you to choose from. Packages will start at $25 which will be due at your photo shoot time. You will have 2 days to choose your image or I will choose it for you. Your package will consist of 1 image--1 5x7, 2 4x6. You may also order separate pictures. I will also have Halloween cards to choose from in you are interested.
Packages: $25--1 5x7, 2 4x6
$35--2 5x7, 2 4x6, 8 wallets
$45--1 8x10, 2 5x7, 2 4x6, 8 wallets
all packages are one pose only
additional pictures:
4x6-$6
5x7-$15
8x10-$20
8 wallets-$12
Halloween cards-$25 for 25 cards
Dates are October 10 &11 9-11AM and 4-6PM
October 15,16,&17-9-11AM and 4-6 PM
October 23, 24, $25--9-11AM and 4-6PM
please email me to sign up for a time:erinspinksphotography@hotmail.com
Thanks! Erin
Just a sneak peek at Miss "E" the Fairy:

Little Baby "A": 1 week old

2008-09-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

Little Miss "A" at 1 week old~Enjoy!