Amber, it seems like just yesterday we were playing 'My Little Ponies' in your basement or dressing up and playing 'house'. I treasure all the memories at Grandpa and Grandma's pool and making up synchronized swimming routines to music with you :) Thank you for all the long walks to the covered bridge, for sharing your jewelry beads and playing Mighty Beanz (remember those!). Whether reenacting the Christmas story together or going to winter camp together, I always thought it was pretty cool to have cousins the same age. And even though you used to tell me years ago that you would never get married... I am happy for you and praying for the Lord's direction in all your new adventures! Congratulations Jon and Amber!
They are getting married! We may live many states apart, but I hope we will always be close.
Thanks for having me be a part of your day :) Looking forward to being your bridesmaid! Absolutely adore this little blessing of a cousin :) You are greatly loved and have stolen our hearts! But what you may not see behind her precious smile, the summer dress and bow, and the bubbles that make her laugh - is her mama who brushed those two little teeth, who washed the stains from lunch off the pastel stripes, who cleaned her hands from cracker crumbs, who brushed her hair after naptime, who has eaten countless cold meals to make sure the baby eats, who has been inconvenienced every grocery trip, who watches her carefully while she sleeps, who runs to the rescue with tears come, who prayed for her before she was born, and dreams for her every night. Thank you moms, for all the time you give, energy you spend, and love you shower on us. We do not even realize how much you do nor say thank you enough; we are forever grateful!
This little antique is my trophy from perusing neighborhood yard-sales with our cousins. I had never seen so many yard-sales and lemonade stands! Going through all the not-so-desirable items for something we really could use was like treasure hunting. We laughed about the television show about buying old storage units and looking for valuable antiques. I am not an impulse buyer, so after having left the camera earlier in the morning, I got it for half the price by waiting until the afternoon when the yard-sales were over. I really do not even know if it works, but I like it :) While shopping I remembered reading about the parable of the kingdom of Heaven in Safely Home (excellent book by Randy Alcorn) and Radical. Christ compared His Kingdom to a man finding a treasure in a field. When the man realized its worth, he sold everything he had to be able to buy the field. When we value the kingdom to come, the glitter or this world sparkles less and less. It is a choice. I can have joy in letting go of all that the this life offers, because I have been given new life. How many have found this treasure and walked away? How often do we sacrifice the Kingdom of God for temporary pleasures? If we knew someone who truly sold all of his possessions to go buy a field and told others the field was worth infinitely more, many would think him crazy or irresponsible. Likewise, when we give up a job promotion to do what is right, or to share the Good News, when we value the Kingdom of Heaven more, the world will think us crazy. I did not have to sell anything to purchase this old camera (which is probably not worth anything to anyone except me), but it will be a reminder to me to seek the Kingdom of heaven and hold loosely the treasures of this world in anticipation of the next. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matt. 13:44
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Pro. 2:1-5 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of ) the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Phil 3:7-10 Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Pro. 23:23 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:19 -21 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Lk. 12:33-34 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; … Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Is 55:2-3 , 6-9 Love this little cousin ~ Eliana 2015
Here is a glimpse of my family... our time together is always an exciting adventure! They are the best family a girl could ask for and such a blessing to me :) You can see who is the center of attention... the cutest little cousin ever :) Really enjoyed walking across the bridge in downtown Chattanooga! For fun, we walked through the gardens of Gaylord Opryland Resort ... absolutely beautiful! It was definitely worth staying after dark, the Christmas lights were amazing! Lastly, we went in the 9 degree freezer to see the ice sculptures. So thankful for the parkas!
From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! |
AuthorI will be the first to admit that I am not a writer, but have a sincere aspiration to articulate Truth with grace, in love, seasoned with salt. Here is a journal of sorts, or photo documentations of a journey - one currently around the world in Papua New Guinea working at the Kunai Health Center. Thanks for visiting and your support! Archives
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