ErinManfrediPhotography
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365 Project: April (30 images)

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  • April 30, 2010; Virginia, USA {Lasik: Part 2}<br /> After surgery.

  • April 29, 2010; Virginia, USA {Lasik: Part 1}<br /> Before surgery.

  • April 28, 2010; Virginia, USA {Full Moon}<br /> "Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand." -Neil Armstrong

  • April 27, 2010; Virginia, USA {My Mercy Jar}<br /> Hudson Taylor, one of the greatest missionaries to China, once said, "God's work done God's way will never lack God's supply." I have deemed this a worthy quote over the years, but you how it doesn't really become true for you until you are in the midst of it? Well I found myself there the last two weeks. I had not sent out one letter, nor asked one person for support and yet the money came. It came in the form of a farewell gift, it came in the form of cash and check handed to me in envelopes, it came by mail. The key word is, 'it came.' Before I could do anything, God sent his supply. And now when I begin to wonder down the line if God will come through again, I will take hold of this truth and remember that He will.

  • Day 116 <br /> April 26, 2010; Virginia, USA {My Girls}<br /> These are my girls, well, two out of three of them. Jonah Marie is from the Philippines and lives with her family in a rural community. I have been sponsoring her for two years. We exchange letters often, filling each other in on daily life. I had no clue I would be moving to her country when I chose her. I hope to travel to her village and meet her sometime while I'm there. <br /> <br /> Shakirah is from Uganda and lives in the Green House Orphanage. Rika snapped this photo of me holding her while we were there. But what Rika didn't know was that I had decided that day that I wanted to sponsor her. You can imagine my surprise when Rika made me this journal! There she was, my beautiful little girl.<br /> <br /> Rose-Kettie (not pictured) is from Haiti and lives in the Kay Li Orphanage. I got to meet her and her sisters when I went down in February 2009. She had a sponsor before, but they had to stop their support. When I found this out, I told Rose-Kettie that I wanted to be her sponsor. <br /> <br /> Three little girls; three different continents. They get to go to school. They get to eat. They get a chance to grow and learn and become someone. You don't necessarily have to travel far to make a difference. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, I highly recommend it. It will change their life and yours. Here are the three organizations that my girls are sponsored through:<br /> <br /> His Hands for Haiti: www.hishandsforhaiti.org/children.asp<br /> Compassion: www.compassion.com/<br /> World Help: www.worldhelp.net/Work/Child-Advocacy.aspx

  • April 15, 2010; Virginia, USA {A Day with Ellen}<br /> "That is my favorite tree." Ellen and I pulled off the highway to get a better look. We jumped out of the car and ran across the road. That is when it started to pour. We raced into the field and under the cover of its big, twisting branches. We stared up the massive trunk. It must be at least 100 years old. The sky got dark, wind picked up and the lightening boomed all around us. My heart started to race. I snapped a few shots, and we shrieked as we sprinted back to the car. Sometimes photography can be a rush. Today it was.

  • April 24, 2010; Virginia, USA {June Bug}<br /> One of God's biggest gifts in life is to watch your best friends become parents. I smile when I think back to all of those late night conversations in college about love and marriage and babies, and the kind of people we wanted to become. Melissa was meant to be a mom. And here I was in her kitchen, watching her hold this little bundle, with those big blue eyes looking right at me. June is the answer to Kyle & Melissa's prayers. This is it. This is life in its best moments.

  • April 23, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA {Nationals Park, Section 405}<br /> "Excuse me, Sir, can you help me find my seat?"<br /> "Ha! Take the escalators all the way up to the top. You are in the nosebleed section, ma'am!"<br /> <br /> Thank you, Mr. Baseball Park Security Officer; NGT proudly filled section 405 to watch the Nats beat the Dodgers, 5-1.

  • April 22, 2010; Virginia, USA {Great Falls}<br /> Kelsey, Walo and I ventured out to Great Falls for a quick hike, some sun and fresh air. To our surprise, there was much activity happening in the river below. The Fairfax Fire and Rescue squad seemed to be testing out the water. We watched from above, as the boats raced down the rapids, this one becoming totally airborne. They must have been holding on tight, because they never fell out!

  • April 21, 2010; Virginia, USA {Miss Pick}<br /> 5:30am; Her alarm goes off. She gets ready and is out the door by 6:50. She walks into the quiet classroom to prepare for the day and awaits her 24 first graders. They come in, one by one. For the next eight hours, they are under her care. She knows her students well and teaches accordingly. She monitors their improvements throughout the year and knows just what they need to help them succeed. She is there for their big moments and for their little downfalls. She sees their frustrations and guides them towards a solution. Her skills are deeper rooted than her degree; they are innate. At the end of the day, she sees them off. She packs up her things and leaves by 3:30pm. Her duties don't stop there. She gets home and checks her inbox for emails from her student's parents. She responds kindly. As the sun goes down, she gears up for another day. Her hard work pays off; maybe she will see it tomorrow or maybe farther down the line. Either way, whether it be now or then, she is helping shape the future.

  • April 19, 2010; Virginia, USA {In Her Scrubs}<br /> My friend Sara is now a registered nurse and well into the first three months of training with her preceptor. We met up in Tysons after she got off, to catch up before her IC Nurse book club. I have a deep respect for what she does because it takes a special person to face the critical situations she encounters every day. <br /> <br /> Sara's Blog:<br /> http://inherscrubs.blogspot.com/?zx=70ee9a6db434f769

  • April 19, 2010; Virginia, USA {Spaghetti & Meatballs}<br /> That's amore!

  • April 18, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA{Carmen & Shane: Part 2}<br /> Engagement shoot in Georgetown.

  • April 17, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA {ArtMusicJustice Conference}<br /> I love a good golden-nugget; a little piece of truth that really hits you deep. Today was full of them. I went to a conference at The Falls Church called ArtMusicJustice, hosted by several well-known musicians, photographers and storytellers. In the afternoon, Sara Groves, Charlie Peacock and Jars of Clay told us about their lives as musicians. I couldn't write fast enough to take down every piece of wisdom. This one, though, did stick with me, and I thought to myself..."That, I can do." So here is to the next year ahead of attempting to describe the world...<br /> <br /> "An artist's job is to look at the world and describe it." - Jars of Clay

  • April 16, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA {Thank you & Farewell}<br /> Thank you, dear friends, for making my last day at NGT a beautiful memory. Although my muffins lost in the bake-off to Katie's extraordinary Panda Cake, I was greatly moved by all of your kind words and encouragement. Your generous support towards my time overseas has moved me to tears. Farewell for now, until I see you again!

  • April 15, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA {Tax Day Freebies}<br /> Thank you, Starbucks, for your generous tax break! How did you know a free cup of coffee is what everyone would need this morning?

  • April 14, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA {Vapianos}<br /> SJ and Carmen whisked me away after work today to grab dinner at a rustic Italian restaurant that serves specialty pizza & pasta. Little did I know that all the PCs were there waiting for me; a little mid week goodbye. What a special surprise!

  • April 13, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA {Curbside Cupcake}<br /> NGT won the Curbside Cupcake DC wildcard for the day over a competitive mid-afternoon texting battle over twitter and Facebook. This mobile cupcake company pulled right up to our door with hundreds of goodies!

  • Day 102<br /> April 12, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA {The corner of 17th & M}<br /> It seems like a lifetime ago when I walked through these doors for the first time in high school as an aspiring photographer, marveling at what life would be like to work in a place as special as this. It is a strange feeling to stand here, looking at your dreams that have become a reality. It has been an amazing year and a half; the best years of my life. As I begin my last week of work at National Geographic, I can leave with confidence that I was meant to be here for this time, as I walk towards this very great adventure before me. I hope to be back again here some day, standing here on this corner, with a whole new set of dreams that have become reality.

  • April 11, 2010; Maryland, USA {La Canela; a Little Taste from Home}<br /> My sister and brother-in-law have been back in the States for a month, so we decided to take him to the best Peruvian restaurant in town for his favorite meal and a pisco sour.

  • April 10, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA {Little Red Hearts}<br /> I went on a run this morning and asked God to show me more about His love. It didn't come in the form of a diamond or in the sweetness of chocolates or even in the songs of the birds. I actually see it every day...but today he opened my eyes...

  • April 9, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA {Need to Breathe / 930 Club}<br /> Something Beautiful<br /> In your ocean, I'm ankle deep<br /> I feel the waves crashin' on my feet<br /> It's like I know where I need to be<br /> But I can't figure out, yeah I can't figure out<br /> <br /> Just how much air I will need to breathe<br /> When your tide rushes over me<br /> There's only one way to figure out<br /> Will you let me drown?<br /> <br /> Hey now, this is my desire<br /> Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful<br /> To touch me, I know that I'm in reach<br /> 'Cause I am down on my knees.<br /> I'm waiting for something beautiful<br /> Oh, something beautiful<br /> <br /> http://www.needtobreathe.net/music/something-beautiful/

  • April 8, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA {Lunch Break}<br /> We took advantage of the amazing weather and walked a few blocks down to the White House during lunch; one of the many reasons why I love working in DC. I got a quick snapshot of the crew before we headed back.

  • April 7, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA {Life on PC Row}<br /> With the assistance of a few empty computer boxes, Kory turned his cubicle into an office space of productivity; despite the fact that it caught the attention of every person walking by, provoking them to poke their head in to say hi. You never know what you'll get on PC row, but you are guaranteed a good laugh every day. (Speaking of a good laugh, please note my winning March Madness PC Bracket - It will be the first and the last time that ever happens!)

  • April 6, 2010; Virginia, USA {Whirlwind}<br /> I feel like I'm caught in a whirlwind, but of really good things. This is the best way I can describe it...

  • April 5, 2010; Virginia, USA {Dinner & a Sunset}<br /> Dinner on the porch with my family.

  • April 4, 2010; Washington, D.C., USA {Amazing Grace}<br /> Danielle and I made it downtown early this morning for the Easter Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Memorial. We sat on the steps and watched the sun come up in a glorious display over the Capitol, as the church choir led the 2,000+ crowd in a few rounds of Amazing Grace. The preacher delivered a powerful message about Jesus as our Help, our Hope, and our way to Heaven. After all the devastating things D & I had just seen in the Dominican, I left the service at peace. <br /> <br /> Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,<br /> That saved a wretch like me.<br /> I once was lost but now am found,<br /> Was blind, but now I see.<br /> <br /> T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.<br /> And Grace, my fears relieved.<br /> How precious did that Grace appear<br /> The hour I first believed.<br /> <br /> Through many dangers, toils and snares<br /> I have already come;<br /> 'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far<br /> and Grace will lead me home.

  • April 3, 2010; Virginia, USA {No Place Like Home}<br /> After a long and emotional week, it was great to be back with my family. Andy surprised us and flew home for Easter, so we were all together for the first time in a long time. My dad took the occasion to fire up the grill and threw on some seafood shish kabobs. What a wonderful night!

  • April 2, 2010; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic {The Burden of Thirst}<br /> There is a lot to digest from the last four days. I started to wonder if anyone else out there cares about this stuff?! As we were getting ready to board our plane home, this National Geographic Special jumped out at me. I grabbed it. As I skimmed through the issue, I was moved by one article in particular called 'The Burden of Thirst.' <br /> <br /> The article documents one woman's daily struggle to provide water for her family. "When you spend hours hauling water long distance, you measure every drop. The average American uses a hundred gallons of water just at home every day; Aylito Binayo makes do with two and a half gallons. Persuading people to use their water for washing is far more difficult when that water is carried up a mountain. And yet sanitation and hygiene matter- proper hand washing alone can cut diarrheal diseases by some 45 percent. Binayo washes her hands with water maybe once a day. She washes her clothes once a year. "We don't even have enough water for drinking- how can we wash our clothes?" She washes her own body only occasionally." <br /> <br /> Although it spoke about women in Kenya, I couldn't help but picture the faces of the women and children I met this past week.

  • April 1, 2010; Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic {Monte Christy}<br /> I never got to know my grandfathers. One died a few months before I was born and the other when I was pretty young. Standing there with Enoch, listening to his stories through his broken English, made me smile. He is 85-years old. He grew up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. His daughter dropped him off at this Haitian elderly home and told him she'd come back for him soon. That was four years ago...He flipped through his family photo album, pointing out snapshots of his daughter and son and grandson. He was so proud of them. And then he pulled out this photo of him and his wife on their wedding day. His face lit up. I could tell he really loved her. <br /> <br /> As we were leaving, I had a conversation with Patti about the young and the old. Although we spent a lot of time with orphans this week, being at the elderly home made me realize that the orphans and the elderly are in the same boat. At these two vulnerable stages of life, we need other people. But where are they? Where are these 'other people'...the people in between the young and the old? That is when I realized that they too, are just trying to survive...

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