Toni Watters is a loving mother of four and devoted wife who lives in East Lansing. Recently, her faith has been tested while she tries her best to provide her family a loving and stable home. This photo essay explores Watters unyielding faith as she perseveres through the trials of life, finding out just how strong faith and belief can take you.
East Lansing
Unyielding Faith
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Anna Ironside
While cleaning up their kitchen for the night as a family Toni and Matt joke around with 2 their kids Joey (on the right) and John (in the middle). As the running around and loud children start to wind down for the night Toni can relax for a moment and have a clam break from the chaos.
Anna Ironside
Toni’s two boys John (right) and Joey (left) play in their basement which is used as a toy room and for the babysitting service that Toni runs on the weekdays. She does this to make extra money, even though it can become extremely overwhelming as she said at time, she watches 13 kids on her own ranging from ages 2 to 10.
Anna Ironside
Toni keeps rosaries around the house to use once a month when the whole family gets together to pray the rosary. She also keeps one always hanging in her car as a form of protection while she is driving.
Anna Ironside
Toni holds her youngest daughter Mary while on a walk around her mother’s property in the country. Mary is only 2 but has gone through a hard time as she broke her femur at the age of 13 months from falling down the stairs which resulted in a few nerve wrecking visits from CPS.
Anna Ironside
At the end of the families walk they regroup to figure out when they should head back to Lansing from Dowagiac. Toni says that a two-hour car ride with four kids can be tasking but it is well worth it to catch up with family and friends in Dowagiac.
Anna Ironside
Toni Visit’s with her close friend Debbie Ironside while carrying her daughter Mary on a walk. Debbie and Toni have known each other since high school and have stayed close all these years. Toni says that Debbie has been like a sister to her and has been there for her in the worst of times and they best of times.
Anna Ironside
Mary Watters is the youngest child out of the four and is only 2 years old. She is not old enough to realize the struggles that currently plague her family. She is a rather happy baby although her walking a speech development was delayed due to a fall resulting in a broken femur.
Anna Ironside
Toni Watters spends each night with her children before bed to read to them in the family room. She follows the reading time with a prayer because she wants to show her kids the way of God outside of the church setting as well. On November 24, 2023, she led a prayer thanking God for the blessings the day brought to them.
Anna Ironside
The calendar posted in the kitchen is Toni’s way of keeping up with her bills, events, and religious holidays. She stated that in her world full of chaos this is her way to stay on schedule.
Anna Ironside
This is the outside of Toni’s home in East Lansing MI. She has lived here for 6 years with her family, and she is happy to call it home.