I remember the first day Beverly and Dustin walked into our church.  They were both tall - so they stood out.  In addition, they were young, vibrant and so full of life.  The recent newlyweds had both just finished law school and had located to Statesboro where they both accepted jobs.  Bev is a staff attorney in the Superior Court of Bulloch County and Dustin is at a law firm in Savannah.  We got to know them better through a life group which met weekly at our church.

A few weeks ago, after finding a lump on her breast Bev received the most terrifying news a woman could ever hear - "you have breast cancer."  With the faith of Abraham and the due diligence of Perry Mason - these two have tackled this bump in the road as aggressively as anyone I have known to go through this.

I had the opportunity to photograph Bev and Dustin and Bev’s siblings last week.  They have all come to town to support them.  After photographing the family they all left to give us some time alone.  Just before I left - I asked Dustin to share with Bev what made her so special that he knew she was the one and then tell her why he would do it all over again.  You will see from the collage of images - the reasons must have been pretty compelling.

I ask you to join me in praying for this beautiful, talented, faithful couple today.  30 is much to young to be going through this.  I do know that prayer works!  One of the most incredible sources of strength I received during my journey of fighting cancer - was the emails, notes and letters from absolute strangers who told me that their Sunday school class, church, etc. was praying for me.  Today is the 6th anniversary of my last cancer surgery - I was 33.  Like me - I know God has an incredible plan for this wonderful couple.  Pray for healing and strength to keep an open heart and mind so soon they will discover the reason for this medical challenge and how God will use them through this to touch so many people in unimaginable ways.

Bev has allowed me to place her email address here and I know she would love to hear from you today - even if it is only FIVE words…"I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!"  It will mean so much to them!

Email her and Dustin at:    beverlybarr2@gmail.com

  " Be careful I am a preacher!" is one of DeWayne’s lines in the play celebrating the life of legendary coach Erk Russell.  Well DeWayne is not REALLY a preacher (although he can lecture with the best of them) but he does portray Dr. Bill Perry in the play.  This weekend they opened to sold out houses and will perform the play again on Wednesday and Thursday of this week at the Averitt Center for the Arts.  They take off the holiday weekend and the show reopens in the Black Box Theatre on the GSU Campus for three more performances.

I know you expect me to be nice with my review because DeWayne is in the play - but this is really a "must see" play.  It is a powerful story about how one man motivated an entire community to do the undoable.  He pulled our community together in such incredible ways.  DeWayne and I were fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know him and his family.  He was a "larger than life" sort of person.

No matter whether you are a football fan or not, whether you know the story of Erk or even live in Statesboro - this play will inspire, touch and move you.  It will encourage you to "DO RIGHT!"

For ticket information or more information about the play go the the Averitt Center web site by clicking here.

  Today I celebrated another birthday.  Even though I am still in my 30’s - birthdays just are not as exciting as they were when I was in my teens.  I had a wonderful day which began with a wonderful "gourmet" breakfast prepared by Edie Grace.  It included all of my favorite breakfast foods including chips, peanut butter, nutella and marshmallows.   Edie Grace prepared the breakfast completely by herself.  Edie Grace had a great day planed for me with DeWayne’s help.  For lunch we ate at the dog house - Edie Grace’s favorite hot dog stand in Statesboro.  Then on to Savannah for some shopping for school clothes for Edie Grace.  In fact she got TWO pairs of tennis shoes - because they were both so  cool you simply could not choose just one.  After our "birthday" shopping trip we went to Chuckie Cheese to play some games and then back to Chops in Statsboro where I met my dad and step mother for dinner.  Like all of my days - even my birthday was a little aggressively packed.  We accomplished it all and I had a blast.  Edie Grace is such a great birthday planner.  If you need any creative ideas for your next birthday - give her a call.  She will be happy to help!

ALL 500 backpacks were given out in under two hours Saturday morning at Believer’s church to kids in Kindergarten through 8th grade.  This is the first time we did this project and everyone, myself included, was overwhelmed at the crowd.  We had some of the coolest kids in town bouncing, eating hot dogs and doughnuts, getting faces painted, seeing a fire truck, getting a kid’s i.d., and learning that God loves them!  Edie Grace’s age group, "Believing Kids", helped stuff the bags.  After they stuffed the bags, they prayed for the child that would receive it to have a great school year and put a personal note that they had stuffed the bag and prayed for them.  She thought that was pretty neat.

People were in line at 7:30am to receive the free backpacks.  What a reality check about how much people need a bit of a helping hand right now.  Earline, our minister to children at Believer’s, told us that many kids miss the first few days of school because school always starts here at the end of the month and many people are not able to afford the supplies they need to send their kids back to school. 

DeWayne told a wonderful client in Atlanta about what I was doing Saturday morning and in less than an hour she had her Sunday School class organizing  their own backpack outreach project.  If you have a group that would like to help some kids visit Somebody Cares Tampa Bay .  That is the source Earline used to buy the backpacks.

Our world has really changed quickly lately.  Kids need our help…not just in Africa…but in our own towns too!  Jesus said, . . . I tell you the truth whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40, NIV).

Erk Russell was more than a football coach that developed a collegiate program that won four national championships in Division I-AA.  He became an icon that changed a small Georgia college and the surrounding community.  Come celebrate this giant of a legend! 

Directed by Dr. Rebecca Kennerly.

August 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 2008 at the Emma Kelly Theater

Sponsored by Wachovia Securities

There is another reason you should mark your calendar to see this wonderful community play - other than being an Erk fan.  DeWayne has been cast to play Dr. Bill Perry, the former pastor of First Baptist Church of Statesboro, and the pastor who married us.  No, this is not a joke - DeWayne is really playing a pastor in the play.  I know what your thinking - but they had a read through this weekend and I must admit he makes a pretty good pastor.  This play will be a must see for lots of reasons.  Hope to see you there!

Call 912.212.ARTS for tickets

Sunday, Believers Church put together a very special surprise party to honor our pastor on his 50th birthday.  Seven years ago God gave Scott and his wife Janet the vision to start Believers church in Statesboro.  From its humble beginning God has really blessed our church.  Now with over 500 regular attendees, it is one of the fastest growing churches in our area.  I grew up Baptist.  Was Baptist in a Baptist church, got married in a Baptist church and christened Edie Grace in a Baptist church.  Never in a million years did I ever feel God would lead me to be part of a non-denominational church - but he did, and I am thrilled.   With a real evangelistic mission, our church reaches our community like no other church could or would.  No matter if you’re in a church or are             un-churched, I would encourage you to visit us one Sunday.  It is an experience you will not soon forget!

Scott deserves the recognition he received tonight and so much more.  He is very special to me and our family.  I wish him much more success in the future.

Learning more about Savannah has become my hobby lately.  Boy, there is so much history, art and culture!

This past Saturday night I enjoyed Art Squared’s Palette to Palate Gallery Hop.  Four trolleys traveled around 15 different art galleries in downtown Savannah.  I especially enjoyed seeing the Mapplethorpe and Annie Leibovitz images at SCAD’s Art Museum and the Bird Girl from the cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil at the Telfair.   All evening local musicians serenaded us while we enjoyed food and beverages and took in the art.  What a great evening!

Savannah has become a mecca of art…come take it in!

  Some sessions are much more difficult than others.  For the next few weeks I am working on  a project that requires - no, demands -  that I photograph VERY good looking young men.  I have been shooting a good bit at Tybee and downtown Savannah the last couple of weeks.  My last model for this project was C BUZZ.  I am not sure what that means - hopefully it is not too risque.  He was a lot of fun and, believe it or not, surprisingly shy.   He certainly attracts attention -  especially shirtless - even on the beach.  But I will let you judge for yourself.  I have hand picked an interesting group of guys for this project.  Just think Christmas Present for you and every lady on your Christmas list.  I predict even your great grandmother will enjoy this gift! 

I know it is a very difficult job - but someone must do it - right?  

I hope you are having a wonderful, restful 4th of July holiday weekend.  Tonight, we made our annual pilgrimage to the Mill Creek Park to see the annual fireworks.  Of course we had to eat a few hot dogs, some popcorn and lots of other great, heart-healthy food.  Every year, I always say that there is no way the fireworks could be better.  But again this year they were magical.  Edie Grace is pictured here with her friend Shaye.  Fireworks are always better when you watch them with a great friend right?  Whatever you are doing this weekend, I hope you are pausing to reflect on how fortunate we are - even when we are being inundated with bad news about the economy and high gas prices.  On our worse day, as Americans, we are SO much more blessed than countless others not so fortunate to live in here.  So, if you have great health and a great family - then you have all that you need!

Have a Safe and Happy 4th!

Today I want to grant a very special birthday wish to a wonderful & special person Lee Johnson.  DeWayne never met or had a relationship with his biological father.  He was raised by his grandfather and name sake, Herschel Grice.  Along the way, DeWayne has had many wonderful father influences in his life including a super great step dad - Bob.

For those of you who know DeWayne and I understand the special relationship DeWayne and I have with his self described “Godfather” Lee.  It was actually because of Lee that DeWayne and I met.  (Long story for another blog).  His wife Sharon actually worked for us at the studio part time years ago…before she went home to heaven.

Every year it seems I get to hear a new Lee story around his birthday.  Since Edie Grace has really began to swim like a fish - this years stories are all about Lee teaching him to swim.  Obviously Lee is a patient man!

There are lots of things Lee taught DeWayne and most of them we can even talk about in public.  The one thing I appreciate the most is how Lee instilled in him the importance of making the two women in your life the most important.  He enjoyed spoiling his wife and now his daughter and grandchildren.  DeWayne certainly has followed in his foot steps.

DeWayne certainly gets his entrepreneurial spirit, love of politics and understanding that every one can do better if they work hard and stay focused - traits from Lee.  Not a day goes by that we do not think of Lee and the wonderful influence he has had on our lives and the contributions he makes to our community.  We are fortunate to have him in our lives and hope that the birthday fairy brings him everything he desires today!

Happy Birthday LEE!