The beautiful Maas family (yes, beautiful is really part of their name…) were in town a few weeks ago and I had the privilege of taking their portraits during their stay. Joy, Desiree, Berea, and Perazim (and Jonathan, their oldest brother who couldn’t join us this time!) are from Kansas City where my oldest sister lives and together they joined our family in Los Angeles for Thanksgiving. I had so much fun getting to know them individually and as a family and wow, they were such a blessing have. SUCH a blessing!

This family really is a beautiful one. Their joy and strength are such an encouragement to me and I feel so blessed to know them. A few years back they sold all they had and left their homes to work with the orphans in India. They were only there for four weeks when unexpectedly, Joy’s husband got sick and went to be with Jesus. How at that moment they chose to trust in God and worship when nothing made sense, moves my heart. I loved hearing their testimony- how God turned their mourning into dancing, bringing so much hope and peace when life was turned upside-down. Joy, Desiree, Berea, and Parazim, thank you so much for sharing your lives with us. I can’t wait to visit you all soon!