Thank you Jesus, for the multitude of freedoms we are given in America.
Let us never forget the lives lost in the fight for our freedom, nor your example of sacrifice in your death for our eternal freedom.
We watch for your return...when everything will be new again and your glory will fill our hearts.
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Monday
Well, it's been a long, hot summer. We haven't had any rain for weeks and now we're getting a downpour. I'm so thankful for the respite in the muggy weather. School has been in for a few weeks and, although it's been hard to make friends, we have enjoyed our classes so far. All of the framing, roofing, and most of the wiring is done...now for insulation! The sheet-rock can't be installed for a few weeks since the workers are VERY backed up. I'm itching for it to be done so that I can paint my room, start decorating, and MOST OF ALL, move in!
Looking back on all we've gotten done, I'm so thankful for my hardworking family. I didn't think we'd get this far since we don't have Noah or Josh to help.
I'm just SO glad for the fun things I did in the past few months. Although going to the beach tops them all, we also
Wes loved watching the fire.
He got marshmallows all OVER his hands!
Bella loved the marshmallows.
The pig at the pound!
Granny's beautiful garden of Zenias.
God has REALLY blessed us with such a wonderful world--it's so hard to remember that this isn't our home.
We're sojourners, blessed by God's grace, looking for Heaven in His creation, and finding hope of Glory in Jesus' life and resurrection.
Looking back on all we've gotten done, I'm so thankful for my hardworking family. I didn't think we'd get this far since we don't have Noah or Josh to help.
I'm just SO glad for the fun things I did in the past few months. Although going to the beach tops them all, we also
- had many barbeques
- had Isabella and Wesley for two sleepovers
- went swimming
- went shopping
- had many birthday parties
- went to the Highland's Festival with this little Diva and her Mommy:
- Had two bonfires and roasted marshmallows:
Wes loved watching the fire.
He got marshmallows all OVER his hands!
Bella loved the marshmallows.- And Noah visited before school started!
- The funniest part of the summer:
The pig at the pound!- The prettiest part of the summer:
Granny's beautiful garden of Zenias.
God has REALLY blessed us with such a wonderful world--it's so hard to remember that this isn't our home.
We're sojourners, blessed by God's grace, looking for Heaven in His creation, and finding hope of Glory in Jesus' life and resurrection.
Tuesday
No way to get far away from you...
Just like Jonah, sometimes I try to hide from God. From His will, from the words of His Spirit in me, from the obligation I feel to honor and glorify Him. I especially try to hide the workings of my heart from Him.
Thankfully, I'm not strong enough to get away from His gaze or His arms. His embrace isn't wide open...His arms are wrapped tightly around me and I am bound to Him by chains of redemption. I don't have the key to unlock them. Only He can let me go.
That isn't something to hide from--it's something to shout from the tallest mountain!
Thankfully, I'm not strong enough to get away from His gaze or His arms. His embrace isn't wide open...His arms are wrapped tightly around me and I am bound to Him by chains of redemption. I don't have the key to unlock them. Only He can let me go.
That isn't something to hide from--it's something to shout from the tallest mountain!
Why does it matter if I understand?
God holds my heart, God holds my hand.
Monday
I'll fly away to another state, I don't care what my friends say. We'll dance and sing 'till broad daylight...Skip to my Lou, my darlin'!
My 63 year old grandmother...
did 3 intervals of almost 30 counts on the skipping rope!
Lord, let be me that healthy when I'm her age!
post title: "Skip to My Lou," Meet Me in St. Louis
did 3 intervals of almost 30 counts on the skipping rope!Lord, let be me that healthy when I'm her age!
post title: "Skip to My Lou," Meet Me in St. Louis
I feel pretty, Oh, so pretty, I feel pretty and witty and bright!
After a long break from Photoshop, I've started using Picasa's Picnik to edit and make my pictures more chichi (yes, a real word meaning spiffing/spiffy).
This is the purse that my brother and sister got me for my birthday. It's the side-by-side tote from Vera Bradley. It is so awesome and spacious and I love the way it carries and looks.
I was caught in the Vera Bradley Outlet in the Mall and my Mother spotted these grocery/shopping bags. Aren't they cute? Makes me wants to go to the market!
And THIS is my new wallet. It's part of the frill line in Vera Bradley. That's what I call chichi!
It also works as a clutch. Unbutton and inside is silky blue--a pocket for your phone, a zipped space for coins, a slide-in for cash, and id and card slots. Oh, and the wrist-handle clips on and can hold your keys!
We also went to Kohl's where we found a lot of new clothes and stuff. I got a set of colored and silver half-ball studs for my second piercings. I also purchased a headband set. The one with the flowers is my favorite.
I played this piece for my senior recital. It's so lovely, I will try to record it to share with you.
And last, but not least, my piano teacher gave me these two suites as a graduation gift! My favorite piece is Ballad for Nashville.
So, we're really busy, but I'll try to update again this week. My grandmother and brother come in Wednesday night for my eldest brother's wedding!
I'm so proud to have such a wonderful brother and new sister-in-law.
post title: Leonard Bernstein, "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story
This is the purse that my brother and sister got me for my birthday. It's the side-by-side tote from Vera Bradley. It is so awesome and spacious and I love the way it carries and looks.I was caught in the Vera Bradley Outlet in the Mall and my Mother spotted these grocery/shopping bags. Aren't they cute? Makes me wants to go to the market!And THIS is my new wallet. It's part of the frill line in Vera Bradley. That's what I call chichi!It also works as a clutch. Unbutton and inside is silky blue--a pocket for your phone, a zipped space for coins, a slide-in for cash, and id and card slots. Oh, and the wrist-handle clips on and can hold your keys!We also went to Kohl's where we found a lot of new clothes and stuff. I got a set of colored and silver half-ball studs for my second piercings. I also purchased a headband set. The one with the flowers is my favorite.I played this piece for my senior recital. It's so lovely, I will try to record it to share with you.And last, but not least, my piano teacher gave me these two suites as a graduation gift! My favorite piece is Ballad for Nashville.So, we're really busy, but I'll try to update again this week. My grandmother and brother come in Wednesday night for my eldest brother's wedding!
I'm so proud to have such a wonderful brother and new sister-in-law.
post title: Leonard Bernstein, "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story
Thursday
So if you like a big heart that's in this for the long haul, till we're rockin on the fronch porch and they're callin me pawpaw...you're gonna love me
My parents--I think next year is their 25th anniversary!
My brother and his wife--just married last weekend...I heard this song by Chris Young:
I'm so glad my Dad and Mom are in it for the long haul...And I know that my brother and his wife are too.
Thank you, God, for giving your children Your steadfast love and someone to share it with.
"But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments."
Monday
'Cause when somebody loves you There's nothing you can't do When somebody loves you It's easy to get through When somebody loves you...
"the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God."~John 16:27
post title: "When Somebody Loves You" by Alan Jackson
Tuesday
You're in my heart, You're in my soul You are my heaven, You're my home You're my best friend, You're my true love You are my treasure, You're my God
Until recently, my heart was burdened by an idol, the biggest idol I have encountered so far in my life. That idol may be familiar to you, although not so dear or so close or so big as it was to me.
The idol is being a help-meet (don't worry, this isn't a mourning post of a single, I'm only eighteen!). I can't remember a time when the desire of my heart was not to be a mother. As I grew older, that desire matured into the longing for a husband.
And it wasn't a bad thing to want for. Not a bad thing at all.
But little did I realize that I belonged to someone else. Not a husband, but a God. It never occurred to me that while I was busy thinking, planning, wishing, praying, dreaming about my future husband, someone was being neglected. And that someone is madly in love with me.
It never occurred to me to think of God as a lover, well, I had thought of Him as a God who loves, who has a warm regard for others: as a lover of mankind. But I'm still learning to see His love for me as that of a father, a brother, even a husband. Francis Chan uses the example of Hosea and Gomer to show God's husband-like love for His children.
In 1st Corinthians 7:34, Paul warns us about the challenge of keeping God as our focus when we are married,
I felt something strange inside me when I thought about being alone. I didn't feel lonely at all. When he was going to be crucified, Jesus told his disciples, in John 16
It was then that, to my joy, I realized God is slowly taking away the idol that so long burdened my heart. Not entirely, but making it smaller in light of the idol I hold in Him--an idol that grows bigger every day. I still have the desires in my heart, but they are not who I am, are not everything I want to be anymore. I'm surprised to realize this. I really am. And I'm so glad. I'm excited to see the things He will lead me to. And I'm so glad He's my very best friend.
I know Nuns commit themselves as married to God and that is NOT what I am saying I believe. I'm not saying that I don't want a husband, I'm just trying to share that I don't feel like I need a husband. Jesus is all I need. I need no husband, no children, nothing of this world. I need Jesus above all the desires of my sinful heart. He is my everything.
He's Mr. Right. Yeah, He's the one.
The idol is being a help-meet (don't worry, this isn't a mourning post of a single, I'm only eighteen!). I can't remember a time when the desire of my heart was not to be a mother. As I grew older, that desire matured into the longing for a husband.
And it wasn't a bad thing to want for. Not a bad thing at all.
But little did I realize that I belonged to someone else. Not a husband, but a God. It never occurred to me that while I was busy thinking, planning, wishing, praying, dreaming about my future husband, someone was being neglected. And that someone is madly in love with me.
It never occurred to me to think of God as a lover, well, I had thought of Him as a God who loves, who has a warm regard for others: as a lover of mankind. But I'm still learning to see His love for me as that of a father, a brother, even a husband. Francis Chan uses the example of Hosea and Gomer to show God's husband-like love for His children.
In 1st Corinthians 7:34, Paul warns us about the challenge of keeping God as our focus when we are married,
"And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband."Isaiah 54 speaks of Israel as a desolate woman and God as her loving husband,
"For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called."As I was reading my blog-roll today, I encountered this post on The Scriptorium Daily.
I felt something strange inside me when I thought about being alone. I didn't feel lonely at all. When he was going to be crucified, Jesus told his disciples, in John 16
"Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me."That's sort of how I feel--I'll never be alone because He is with me.
It was then that, to my joy, I realized God is slowly taking away the idol that so long burdened my heart. Not entirely, but making it smaller in light of the idol I hold in Him--an idol that grows bigger every day. I still have the desires in my heart, but they are not who I am, are not everything I want to be anymore. I'm surprised to realize this. I really am. And I'm so glad. I'm excited to see the things He will lead me to. And I'm so glad He's my very best friend.
I know Nuns commit themselves as married to God and that is NOT what I am saying I believe. I'm not saying that I don't want a husband, I'm just trying to share that I don't feel like I need a husband. Jesus is all I need. I need no husband, no children, nothing of this world. I need Jesus above all the desires of my sinful heart. He is my everything.
He's Mr. Right. Yeah, He's the one.
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