A Newborn Story of Faith Community and Quiet Generosity

A Different Kind of Giving

At Fully Alive Photography, giving back has never looked like checking a box or pulling random names from a raffle. For Tracy, it has always been about connection — about stepping into real stories, real lives, and real moments where a small act of generosity can ripple far beyond what we ever see. This newborn session began not as a booking, but as a relationship.

Through her dear friend Liz Kinsfather, who works closely with refugee families and social justice efforts through Welcome to America Project, Tracy was introduced to a family who had recently moved from Zimbabwe to the United States and had just welcomed a new baby. Liz originally reached out to see if she could purchase a newborn photography package for them- cause that is the kind loving most generous person she is… Tracy’s response was simple and immediate: she wanted to donate the session instead.

Because this is the kind of giving that feels right. Personal. Intentional. Off the beaten path.

Why This One Mattered

Newborn photos are fleeting in a way few things are. Those tiny fingers, the way a family looks in the first quiet weeks of becoming something new — it’s all gone before you realize. It feels like forever, but in hindsight is fast. Tracy believes photography is more than a luxury; it’s a gift of memory & beauty. And when offered at the right moment, it can feel like hope.

An Invitation to Give Differently

This story is also an invitation. An encouragement to look at what you do — your craft, your skills, your time — and ask where it might meet a real need. Giving doesn’t have to be loud or formal to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s offering your service to a friend-of-a-friend. Sometimes it’s volunteering quietly where your heart already feels pulled. Sometimes it’s choosing presence over recognition.

The story you’re about to read belongs to Noeleen — shared in her own words, unedited and deeply personal. It’s a story of faith, resilience, motherhood, immigration, and the kind of community that shows up when it matters most.

We’re honored to hold space for it here, alongside images from this newborn session that we hope reflect even a fraction of her strength and grace. Nothing is sweeter than true stories & baby Christmas photos!

Noeleen’s Story

“From Zimbabwe to Promise 

My name is Noeleen Mulande. I am originally from Zimbabwe, and my journey to the United States was not born out of comfort, but out of hardship, faith, and a deep desire for a better life for my family.

Leaving home meant leaving everything familiar. I flew nearly 40 hours into a country I had never seen, knowing no one, stepping into a completely foreign land with nothing but hope and faith. The food was different. The systems were different. Everything felt overwhelming. There were moments when I wondered if I had made the right decision, but deep within me, I knew I was chasing a future that mattered.

Education: A Fight I Refused to Lose

Education has never come easily for me. I was raised by a mother who was not educated herself, a humble hairdresser who, despite having very little, saw something special in me. She struggled, sacrificed, and did everything in her power to keep me in school. She believed in me long before I believed in myself.

Unlike many of my peers, I did not have the opportunity to attend university immediately after high school. I had to work and study at the same time just to survive. While others moved ahead, I stayed behind, but I never gave up. Through persistence and faith, I conquered and attained my undergraduate degree. I became the first person in my family to earn a degree, a victory that meant more than words can express.

Today, I am pursuing a Master’s degree in Global Management with a Business concentration at the Thunderbird School of Global Management under Arizona State University. This journey has not been easy. I am studying through an expensive student loan, the only way I could secure admission, but I chose to take the risk because I believe education is my pathway forward.

My hope is to land meaningful work, to grow, and to place myself where opportunity calls me. I want to be different. I want to continue leading my family forward. I am the first in my family to earn a master’s degree and the first to come to America, not for recognition, but for legacy.

Faith and Community: God Was Leading Me All Along

My connection with Liz is something I believe was heaven-sent. She is truly an angel in my life. Through her kindness, her consistency, and her love, I experienced what it truly means to be welcomed. Even outside of her work with Welcome to America, she continues to show up for me in ways that heal broken pieces of my heart. One act of kindness can restore so much, and she has been that reminder for me again and again.

I was invited to Tempe Church, and from the very beginning, I knew God was directing my path there, not just mine, but my family’s. This church feels like the first church in the book of Acts: a place where true love reigns, where communion is real, and where faith is lived out daily. It has become home. It is through Tempe church, I got to know beautiful Liz.

I truly believe my faith in God has been the answer all along. God was speaking, and I was listening. He led me from Zimbabwe to the United States with nothing and no one, into a completely foreign land, yet He never left me. Looking back, I see His purpose unfolding step by step, even when I did not understand it at the time.

Motherhood: Grace in the Unexpected

Motherhood has shaped me in ways nothing else ever could.

Conceiving my baby girl, Mayamiko (Maya), came as a complete surprise. At the time, I was already overwhelmed, new country, new systems, new responsibilities. My spirit felt crushed as I wondered how I would manage everything.

But once again, God showed up.

When Tracy offered to do a newborn photoshoot for us for free, it touched me deeply. It was a reminder that God takes care of you, even when you least expect it. The beautiful clothes she selected made my baby girl feel special and wanted. Her patience, her kindness, and the care she took, especially with a toddler involved, meant more than she may ever know.

Those moments healed something inside me. They reminded me that even in seasons of fear, God surrounds us with love.

Parenting my four-year-old son, Tiyamike, while welcoming Maya has been stretching, exhausting, and beautiful all at once. I pray that my children grow up learning from the best people around us, that they learn to love selflessly, to be kind, and to walk in integrity. I do not want them to inherit brokenness. I give them fully to the Lord, trusting Him to do the rest.

Culture, Identity, and Prayer

I come from a very African tradition that follows protocols, and one that is so manipulative. You can’t show your happiness and achievements publicly because someone will bewitch you. To a point where I can’t share publicly, the beautiful photos Tracy took of us, until baby Maya is probably 1 year. Her innocence could be used for witchcraft or she could be attacked. However, One tradition that defines my family is praying without ceasing. This culture of prayer was passed down to me by my parents, and I believe it has kept us standing through every storm. I pray my children grow up rooted in prayer, knowing where their strength comes from.

As an immigrant, I wish to be seen simply as who I am: a mother trying her best, raising meaningful children who will contribute positively to society. I come from a place where envy, hatred, and harm can exist, but I choose a different path. I desire to live as a harmless soul with pure intentions, guided by faith and love.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

When I look at how far my family has come, I feel proud, not because the journey was easy, but because we endured.

My greatest source of strength has always been my faith in God. My motivation is the future I am building alongside my husband, Ackson, for our children, Tiyamike and Mayamiko.

My story is not about perfection, it is about obedience, resilience, and trusting God when nothing makes sense. I believe He can take you from nothing, carry you through uncertainty, and place you exactly where you are meant to grow.

And this, this is only the beginning.“

A Newborn Story of Faith Community and Quiet Generosity

Check out My Newborn Pinterest Boards

Check Out More Newborn Shoots

Super cute handmade dolls from @ Cuddle & Kind