The Stories
Sometimes the stories we find ourselves in are blazing fires of celebration.
Sometimes our stories are grief-stricken; we sift through ashes for flashes of value.
Through art, photography, and writing, I search for glimpses of glory leaking through the cracks of tragedy and triumph. And then I tell the stories of God With Us amidst it all: “fragments of light.”
Prequel to My Story
I graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in Fine Arts in 1993; but my wild journey of following Jesus around the world since then motivates my attempts to capture in words and images His passionate pursuit of each of us.
In the contexts of serving as an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship staff-worker (1995-2002), and then as Hope’s Promise’s Director of Orphan Care (2006-2012), I witnessed first-hand His light shining brightest in the darkest corners of the world, in places such as Mathare Valley slum of Nairobi Kenya and poverty-stricken mountain regions of Vietnam. And even sometimes in my own heart.
My husband of 23 years, David, teaches me the most about seeing God in ordinary moments. We adopted two of our four children from a Kenyan orphanage; they face significant challenges as a result of early trauma and neglect. We remain haunted by the children left behind, and welcomed the opportunity to help pioneer two children’s homes in Kenya, Sanctuary of Hope #1 and #2, now home to 24 former orphans, through Hope’s Promise in 2006 and 2008.
In 2006, a friend and I co-founded a business: www.pambatoto.com to raise money for Sanctuary of Hope. My line of jewelry called Azizi sells through Pamba Toto, and I love offering design input for the Taraja line, created by impoverished single mothers in Mathare Valley, and the Toto for Toto line, created by the SoH kids themselves.
My Story Unfolding Now…
I took a leap of faith in 2012 to pursue Jesus full-time through art, photography, and writing and through being as present as I can to my kids. In images and words, I search for “fragments of light” – evidence of God’s relentless presence with each one of us, of His ability to redeem suffering, and of His intent to give us a hope and a future.
PS I usually post once or twice a week with original writing, photography, and art on topics including spiritual journey, international travel, family and adoption, and artistic process.
I am deeply honored by those who choose to read and view my stories!

Photo by Susan Dukat
Hi…I have a question. I am writing a post for Friday on Communicating in Beauty….okay if I mention you in it?
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Wow, I feel totally honored that you would even think of me with that title, much less mention me in a post. Thank you and please feel free! I am really enjoying reading your posts and learning more about your beautiful heart.
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Hi there.
I have nominated you for the Liebster award.
All you have to do is follow the rules on the link. Feel free to copy and paste if it helps. Here is the link: http://richardankerswrites.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/liebster-award/
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Thank you so much for thinking of me! I am honored by your nomination and by all of your encouraging comments! I enjoy dropping in on your blog.
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Colleen,
Thank you for visiting my photography blog and liked several posts! So glad that blog-sphere bring us closer.
Thank you for sharing your life story! “Being present” is a big lesson that many of us need to learn and some never realized it the whole life, isn’t it?
Have a great day and a cool Halloween night!
Jean
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Thank you Jean! Your blog was such a gift to me today! I resonate with your decision to throw yourself into life now, and not wait for some day off in the future (that may never come). Thank you for your beautiful images and reflections that have brought joy to my spirit today.
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Colleen, so glad that I made a difference to your day! 🙂 When you let go of the control in the direction of your life, interesting things happen to you. 🙂
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Hi Colleen, I don’t know if you participate in awards or not but I have nominated you for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award! It’s just a way of showing my appreciation.Participation is optional, and if you want further information visit me!
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I really adore your artwork, Colleen! Thank you! I hope to see more soon!
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Thank you Julian! Your photography is stunning!
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You sound like an amazing person. Its great to have the kind of faith you seem to have. Its a strength like no other. Stay blessed.
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I’m so glad to “meet” you – your blog has been a gift to me this afternoon. I look forward to following you! Thank you for finding me.
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Your blog has inspired and reawakened the power of having faith . Here’s a small acknowledgement from me – http://ripplesnreflectiontimes.wordpress.com/2014/09/29/premio-dardos/ Cheers! 🙂
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Thank you so much Aruna (I think I have your name right?) ! I am truly honored. It’s been a privilege to read your blog and learn about your deep and thoughtful soul.
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I love your site here and the wonderful work you are doing for the LORD!
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Thank you Tony! The deepest desire of my heart is that the Lord would be honored through all I do. Blessings to you on your journey of honoring Him!
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I just nominated you for the One lovely Blog Award. If you like it, please do accept. 🙂
http://ripplesnreflectiontimes.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/one-lovely-blog/
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Thank you so much! I am totally honored and it’s been a joy getting to know you through your blog!
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Hi Colleen! I wanted to let you know I nominated you for the “One Lovely Blogger Award” 🙂
Here’s the post to the link: http://jodythomae.com/2014/11/16/one-lovely-blog-award/
Thank you for inspiring me and so many others!!
Blessings of ARTistry, CREATivity & BEaUty,
Jody
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beautiful works of art… you’re truly gifted
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your work has blessed me this morning – your rhythm and imagery is beautiful.
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Hi Colleen! I’ve now nominated you for the WordPress Family Award!! You’ve been such a blessing to me on my blog journey and your artwork speaks deeply to me!!
Here’s the link:
http://jodythomae.com/2015/05/20/wordpress-family-award/
Blessings my friend, Jody
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Thank you so much Jody! I’m honored by this encouraging nomination! Forgive my delay in responding – sick computer for a few weeks that is finally in the shop. I will check this out in more detail when I’m up and going again. You are a constant song of encouragement in my life!
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Beautiful family! Looks like Garden of the Gods. Or maybe Roxborough?
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Thank you! It is, indeed, Garden of the Gods!
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