A Special Christmas Gift……..,
Almost two years ago I got a great Christmas Gift, in March! I was speaking at the Florida Birding Festival and was introduced to John Oakley and his grand daughter, Ralphi (Raphaella) Oakley. She was a very sweet young lady and had won the Youth contest at the festival. The more I talked with her and John it was obvious what an exceptional young lady she was, and how talented. I offered her a His Light Scholarship. Later she attended a workshop with John, and her sister Nina. It went so well that I extended the scholarship for another event. Long story short, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and come to love a great family! Tami, her mother is a terrific lady, classy and sweet, and her other sister Carlie has become a great friend too! She has an assortment of brothers, all great guys, and a new baby sister Mia. It has been a real pleasure for Sherlene and I to get to know them.
Back to photography, Ralphi has developed into a terrific shooter and gets better by the minute! The most impressive thing about her work is the diversity of her subject matter! Ralphi has been willing to try any new subject category and excels at everything! Here are some of her wonderful photographs!
I am constantly amazed at how she adapts to such diverse subjects, and has a great feel for each! When I visited the store the family owns, Original Pieces, I got to see some of the fashion posters she has created and was once again I so impressed with her diversity. Here were few of my favorites,
So almost two years later I keep getting a great Christmas gift over and over, thanks John, and Nina, and Carlie, Tami, and the boys, and most of all, thanks for turning my gift into a great gift to myself! Thanks Ralphi, and Merry Christmas!
Nina, John and Ralphi! I want to nominate John for Grandfather of the Year, he has brought Ralphi to 9 workshops!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Monday, December 21st, 2015 at 5:06 pm
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Such a wonderful article written on my family! It was an encounter through God that our paths crossed and it has been wonderful, especially for Ralphi. You are her inspiration. Bill and Sherlene have a wonderful Christmas and a very blessed New Year!
We are the ones that have been blessed. Your family has been a great gift to us!!! You have an incredible young lady in Ralph!
I ( both Bill and I0 Hope to see you all up here in Olympic NP in 2016. ( remember our discussions in Townsend !)Have a blessed Xmas and a great 2016!—Bill is correct about your work Ralph—onward and upwards!—Jack
PS_-I’ll never forget introducing young William with you at the Summit!
Nor will I Jack, you guys did a wonderful job and said some very nice things about me, but you both should try to stop lying!!! Merry Christmas!!!
Jack, thank you so much! I will never forget the time we all spent together at the summit. It was an honor to introduce Bill with you! We will for sure see you in 2016! Merry Christmas!!!!!!!
Well Bill this has been a special Christmas gift that has been shared across the entire His Light family.
Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting Ralphi’s mom and the rest of the family, I have had the wonderful pleasure of meeting and getting to know Ralphi, John, Nina and Carly-Rae — to my immense pleasure 🙂
Agreed, Merry Christmas Mike!!!
Thank you, Mike! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!!!
Thank you!! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year, Mike!!!
Ralphi (and Nina/John) captured my heart also – in the Smokies at Friends & Family. The family is very God oriented and understands spiritual things. It is so “WOW” when the physical world (photography in this case) and the spiritual world (loving Jesus) come together between individuals – an instant friendship is born – and the tie is almost impossible to break. Blessings to both Pilgrim and Ralphi (and the corresponding families)!! May 2016 be the best ever for both of you!
I believe 2016 will see some amazing spiritual events, I have a very exciting announcement to make before Christmas, something God has placed on my heart and I’m thrilled with the revelation!
GLORY BE TO GOD!!!
The accolades for Ralphi are well deserved and are the beginning of a long list that she will accumulate as she continues in photography and design. John’s recognition should be for more than just a year. His example and work have been much more than just a single year’s achievement. These wonderful people and many other I have met though the workshop and blog are deserving of praise and recognition for their inspiration.
David, I think you hit on a important point, the people we have met and gotten to know at the His Light Workshops have developed into great relationships with a lot of wonderful people! I’m blessed at Christmas to have all of you in my family!