Yesterday's Devotional

from Sarah Young's 'Jesus Calling'

I am preparing you for what is on the road ahead, just around the bend. Take time to be still in My Presence so that I can strengthen you. The busier you become, the more you need this time apart with Me. So many people think that time spent with Me is a luxury they cannot afford. As a result, they live and work in their own strength - until that becomes depleted. Then they either cry out to Me for help or turn away in bitterness.
How much better it is to walk closed to Me, depending on My strength and trusting Me in every situation. If you live in this way, you will do less but accomplish far more. Your unhurried pace of living will stand out in the rush-crazed age. Some people may deem you lazy, but many more will be blessed by your peacefullness. Walk in the Light with Me, and you will reflect Me to the watching world.

Isaiah 64:4

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me
you can do nothing.

Psalm 36:9

For with you is the fountain of life: in your light we see light.

Christmas 2011

What a wonderful Christmas it was - full of family and fun and lots of food! The older I get, the more I cherish each and every one of the family members God blessed me with and the greatest gift is being able to spend time all together with everyone, especially since it doesn't happen too often. 

Christmas Eve morning ~ best day of the year!

Mira & Adelaide were so excited to see each other they each, independently woke up to see each other and had a 1am playdate :)

um...what are we doing up right now? shouldn't we be sleeping?

Christmas morning :)

Beautiful girlies all dressed up for Christmas

love these 2 so much!

best $5 ever spent - her favorite Christmas gift - Dora spinbrush

love when she's so focused on playing

Uncle Justin - forever surrounded by the gaggle of nieces

The 2 oldest girl cousins with the 2 youngest ~ Mira, Madelyn, Adelaide & Meredyth

family time :)

Mary & Jenna

Justin, Gwen & Maggi

Papa and Samuel

Joy & Adelaide

Seth & Emma Clare

The boys ~ Caleb, Justin & Seth

so sleepy!

Photo of the Grandkids

take 1 - emma clare missing...

take 2 - hmm...emma clare running from the shot...

take 3....Adelaide's starting to lose it...

take 4...aha...Caleb got her!

lots of games :)

Naomi & Uncle Scott

me & sis!

jenna, me & mary

2 Very sleepy girls watching Baby Einstein

Looking forward to 2012 and to what God has in store for us!

:)

Thanksgiving photoshoot

Adelaide and I had an impromptu photoshoot Thanksgiving morning...it was so beautiful out and she got to partake in her favorite activity...running down the driveway! love how these turned out :)

my little beauty!

new zebra toy!

so beautiful

I found this prayer for a daughter on this amazing blog. So beautiful ~ I want to frame for Adelaide's room....

a prayer for a daughter

Father who breathed into this daughter…

I pray for this girl being formed into eternity….

May the wind always be in her hair

May the sky always be wide with hope above her

And may all the hills be an exhilaration

the trials but a trail,

all the stones but stairs to God.

God, clothe this girl in a gown of grace

Grace, the only dress that makes beautiful,

the style of Your spirit.

Nourish her on the comfort food of the Word,

Word, that makes her crave more of Christ,

have hunger pangs for Him.

Enclose her in communion with You

You, Love who makes her love, who folds her heart into a roof

that absorbs storms for souls,

that makes her tongue speak only the words that make souls stronger.

May her vocation in this world simply be translation

Translating every enemy into esteemed guest

Translating every countenance into the face of Christ

Translating every burden into blessing

When it’s hard to be patient… make her willing to suffer

When it’s ridiculous to be thankful … make her see all is grace

When it’s radical to forgive … make her live the foundation of our faith

And when it’s time to work… make her a holy wonder.

May she be bread and feed many with her life and her laughter

May she be thread and mend brokeness and knit hearts

May she be dead to all ladders & never go higher , only lower, to the lonely, the least & the longing

Her led of the Spirit to lead many to the Cross

that leads to the tomb wildly empty.

Oh, and raise me, Lord, from the deadness of my own sins to love this beautiful girl like You do…

In the name of Christ who rose

and appeared first

to one of His daughters…

Amen…