a letter to my husband & an announcement...

What a year it has been, 'eh? Lord knew that marriage wouldn't be easy, but I never thought we would face so many joys and challenges in our first 12 months.

The mountain tops were high: We rented our first apartment together and made it our home. We traveled the states and beyond. You completed your bachelor's degree - with flying colors! We found a great church community and made lots of new friends together. We joined one of my best friends as she said "I do" and witnessed as other dear friends jumped into forever with each other. You began your seminary journey - Yay Greek! We shared the joy of adding another little nephew to the family and celebrated with our families during great accomplishments.

The valleys were terribly low as we stood with family and friends during heartbreak and tragedies, carried the casket of one of your best friends, experienced deep grief and confusion, juggled broken cars and pinched pennies, sometimes with only our trust in God to carry us through the days and weeks.

Merging two lives together has been an exciting, difficult and rewarding thing.

As I proudly and confidently took the leap into joining you as your wife, I am now finally taking the leap into rebranding as Jenn Anibal. Thank you for loving me, supporting me, laughing with me and holding me when the days were too much to bear. It's been a crazy dance through the minefields, but you are the best dance partner I could have. I love you, hubs. Don't give up on me.

Becoming Jenn Anibal... from jennanibal on Vimeo.

"i do" are the most famous last words, the beginning of the end. but to lose your life for another, i've heard, is a good place to begin. because the only way to find your life is to lay your own life down and i believe its an easy price for the life that we have found.

we're dancing in the minefields. we're sailing in the storms.

this is harder than we dreamed, but i believe that's what the promise is for

we bear the light of the Son of man so there is nothing left to fear. so i'll walk with you in the shadow lands until the shadows disappear. because He promised not to leave us and His promises are true. so in the face of all this chaos, baby... i can dance with you. don't give up on me.

the announcement . . . 

I alluded to "something big" happening recently on twitter. To all of you who thought I was pregnant... I'm sorry, you're wrong. Ladies, gentlemen, friends and family. This concludes my journey as JennWebber Photography. It has been a rewarding path, but from this point forward, I will be walking on a new path. Don't worry, I'm not putting the camera away, this is a simple rebrand that has been a year in the making... 

Change your bookmarks, folks. 
You can now find me at:

 www.jennanibal.com

spring break in chicago!

To all my trusty followers... feel like I've been M.I.A. lately? It's not because I haven't been out shooting... because believe me, I have a TON to update you all with (workshop, babies, engagements, yay!). I spent the first week of Chicago on a Spring Break trip with some fellow peers. Now I know what you're thinking... "Jenn, didn't you graduate? What are you doing going on a Spring Break trip?" It's true... I DID graduate; however, I didn't travel too far from the college campus. In fact, I still spend about 30 hours a week @ Grand Valley State, my alma mater. I hold two job positions - one with Campus Recreation and one with Campus Ministry where I am the graphic designer at both.

At Campus Ministry, another large part of my job description is helping coordinate our 20 Spring Break Mission Trips. This year, not only did I help coordinate and participate in a trip... I was a Point Leader for the Chicago Trip! This was a huge responsibility and not one to take lightly. Therefore, the past three weeks, I've been doing final prepping for all the trips, spending a week on my specific trip, and then doing follow-up clean-up for all the trips! Needless to say... I've been busy the past month, so pardon my JWP-BLOG absence!

It was a blessing to be able to lead and minister alongside 13 peers. What an awesome week we had working with DOOR Network. Brian Sales was a great host and we even got to work with a group from Pepperdine University for the week! If you'd like to hear more about this AMAZING experience, let's get coffee. I'd love to share some of the great stories & moments from the trip! For now, enjoy some of the beautiful faces and sites that I was surrounded by... and then check back in a couple days for more updates!!

The first site as we emerged from the train station:
HELLLOOOO CHICAGO!

One of the few pictures I took at the Art Institute of Chicago. I liked the wall, ok?

We love public transportation!
Assembling Emergency Food Boxes @ The Greater Chicago Food Depository:
In June of 2008, this Elementary school closed down due to bankruptcy. Helping clean out the school for auction was a bittersweet experience!
We loved working with James and his crew at Vital Bridges South, a food pantry for people with HIV/AIDS. What a beautiful experience!The view from our Blue Line-stop. The church we stayed at was just a 10-minute "L" ride directly West from downtown:

Wednesday night @ Navy Pier... Can you spot our group members?

Our GVSU team with the Pepperdine team and Brian from DOOR!
A final group shot before we head to the train station...

Merry Christmas!

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn" - luke 2:6-7


May you feel love and joy this Christmas season that comes from spending time with family, giving gifts to one another and reflecting on the true meaning of why we celebrate this holiday!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Love, Jenn

au revoir, autumn

unfortunately, i think michigan has seen the last of the autumn weather for 2008. while autumn is arguably my favorite season, i always enjoy the anticipation of a new season. ...bring it on, winter!