Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

Photos from my grandparents ranch,CA June 2012

May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly say: “Our fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord, and he heard their voice, and looked on their adversity, etc.” Let them therefore praise the Lord, because he is good, and his mercies endure forever. Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, show how he hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor. When they wandered in the desert wilderness out of the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry, and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before the Lord his loving kindness, and his wonderful works before the sons of men.”

-William Bradford

in honor of a veteran

my grandpa David,circa 1970. photo by my beautiful grandma Janie.

Thank you to my beloved grandfather  for his military service to our great land. My grandpa's vision, knowledge, and love for God, family and his Country are so evident  in everything he does and has done, including serving in the Air Force. I am so blessed to be his grandaughter and we are all so grateful for his example of bravery and patriotism.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

We LOVE you, Gramps!

Note: I fully intended to post this ON Veteran's Day, but ran out of time. After debating whether or not to post it late, I decided I would still post it for him.

Happy Birthday, Beautiful!

She really is this cute.

Happy THIRD Birthday to my beautiful, funny, delightful flower princess!

May our Father in Heaven continue to guide you and bless you! HE is so good!

I love you so much, baby sister!

hello my friends...

 I'm just popping in to say I have not left this little spot to fall by the wayside...my two week blog vacation was, in fact, a real life two-week trip with my family. The Lord truly blessed us with a glorious time at the coast, filling our lungs with cold sea air and our eyes with marvelous sights.
Then the week after we made our way home, I was busy with settling back in; getting re-acclimated
(that's a word, right?) to, although not loving, city life; educating my mind; working at home and our business;not to mention enjoying precious times with my family, I just wasn't ready to blog about it yet.

Now after a bit of time to reflect, you can expect to see our beyond-belief beautiful trip
in photos shortly.

xoxo,
Emily



And a sign of things to come....

my baby sister Elizabeth, photo by hannah

farewell to the pine

A little glimpse of what's happening at our place right now.

See that huge tree? Years ago, a tiny pine tree was given to my great-grandmother, a thank-you from her co-workers from the hospital where she was employed as a nurse. She planted it in the yard lovingly, and over the years it grew. And grew, and grew, until it reached behemoth proportions.

Recently, our neighbors requested that the tree be removed for various reasons. Well, my grandpa and parents decided yes. A tough decision, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do sometimes. And it is pretty cool to see how such a, er, shall we say large tree gets cut down...everything is a learning experience, riiiiiight? YES! ( Even more so if you're a homeschooling bunch like we are!

Love you in Christ,
Emily

Post script: I'm taking a two week 'blog vacation'. See you soon!

Welcome Sakura

This beautiful baby

is my newborn cousin

Sakura

Sakura means cherry blossom in Japanese.You might think she was named after these...

via

But she's really named after these...

via

...Sakura markers!

My uncle is an artist so her name is an homage to his favorite markers. Pretty special I think.
It's just a sign she will make a big mark on the world.

Look at that cherry blossom! Oh, my heart is a puddle right now.

Dad took this one.

 

My mama with her first niece! Love.

 

The little cousins hands.

 

We are just so grateful to God for this precious, healthy baby! The birth went well, and Ally and Mike are in bliss.  It's just great.

 

 I always forget how amazing it is to hold a newborn-the sweet smell, the soft breathing, the stretches and yawns...it's just so beautiful.

 

We are just in love with this little baby. 

Can you tell?

 

xoxo

Emily

see you soon!

Tomorrow morning, this is the view t'will greet my eyes.





And we shan't return 'til next week.

See you then my loves!

ally/baby/art

This beautiful woodland princess is my uncle's wife, Ally. She is just a gem and over this past year has become such a dear friend. She is such a kind, lovely, open-hearted person and I am so blessed to call her family. I just love her so much. So grateful to God for her.
 They are is expecting their first little one, due in a few weeks ( happy dance!) and we just found out IT'S A GIRL!  I am so happy to finally get to meet and hold this little one. The whole family is so thrilled, this is going to be one LOVED baby. New life is so exciting. Praise God!

I made this for her baby shower. I loved painting it. I really wanted to make something for her because she has been such a graceful pregnant mama, and I know she will be a graceful, natural mama once baby is here!

Much love,
Emily

c. Emily Barish

c. Emily Barish

c. Emily Barish

Thoughts for Sunday

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.
John 14:27

















There are times when our peace is based upon ignorance, but when we awaken to the facts of life, inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus.When Our Lord speaks peace, He makes peace; His words are ever "spirit and life.'' Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? ''My peace I give unto you''-it is a peace that comes from looking into His face and realizing His undisturbedness.
--Oswald Chambers

This was so what I needed to read this morning. How faithful is our Lord!

Have a beautiful Sunday.

xo
Emily

lunch time!

green goodness in a glass:

frozen spinach
frozen fruit ( papaya, pineapple, strawberry)
banana
coconut water
whey

blend, pour, DRINK UP!

Mmmmmmmmm.

hello hello

Hannah and I just got back from spending five days with our wonderful/beautiful/fun/godly friends up north. Pictures to come!

xoxo

rosebud

A little sweetness for you.

xo,

Emily

post script: Dad, Mama, Hannah and I are off to our homeschool convention! Ray Comfort and Dr.Voddie Baucham will be speaking...yeah!

Hanky-Boy

My brother/best friend turned twelve years old on saturday.

He is so original, creative, super smart, amazing, fun, brave, good-hearted, Christ-loving... all around great kid.

He is five years younger than me, so I get the best of both worlds--I get to be the 'big' sister and we're also really close. He's my pal.

Meet Henry.

A few weeks ago, he and I went to the park to shoot some photos...we had so much fun. He was very obliging and even wore this snappy vintage outfit, because  he's just cool like that. ( =
Notice the hat? He effortlessly wears hats and has a growing collection. This boy is the man.

Henry boy, just know that I love you so much and you are the best brother we three girls could hope for...you are a gem!
I pray the Lord would continue to grow you into a young man after His Heart!

Love always,
Em

for my father



My dad--drinking coffee of course! photo by mama.

                                                                            ~

      Papa, when I was little I would sit on your board-

straight towards that blue horizon.

I was never scared you know

I knew you, the strongest man in the world, were right there

It still happens, no matter where we are or what kind of situation we're in

When you're right there 

I'm safe

My dad, the strongest man in the world

Here on earth we are fallen-nothing is perfect.
Only our Father in Heaven, our savior Jesus--only He can love perfectly.

Still,

It's a good example of our Heavenly Father, right?

No matter where we are 

He's with us 

We're safe

Because

Our Father IS the One True God

Thank you Papa

For being my earthly father

For all that you are, all that you teach us, all the adventures.

Thank you most of all

for guiding us towards our Heavenly Father

and our inheritance and abundant life in 

Him.

~

Papa,

I love you so much and I am so grateful to God for you!

Happy Father's Day!

The righteous man who walks in integrity—
     blessed are his children after him!

Proverbs 20:7

the pleasing rhythm of everyday

c. Emily/song of the sea

Life has just started to slow down into the pleasing rhythm of  ( almost, not quite) ordinary days.
My sister Hannah's graduation was beautiful and so much fun! I am so proud of my big sis and the beautiful,godly woman the Lord is fashioning in her! ( Pictures of the ceremony are coming!!!)

My life this week has been full of taking pictures, going for walks with my two favorite littles in the world ( brother and baby sister), cooking, chores, tea, lots and lots of drawing ( want to see some?), family Bible time, singing, studying,history with my brother, music, talking, leftover graduation cake ( =, flowers, coffee, pondering, dish-washing, smiles, sniffles, light, wonder...more comes to mind as I write.

You know, life is simple and wondrous every day.

We just need to recognize it all comes out of our Father's loving hand.

Much love,
Emily

a graduation celebration preparation

My sister Hannah is graduating from homeschool this saturday!

We are in a flutter of excitement and a flurry of busy preparation!

So please don't mind my absence, I'll be back next week!

xoxo.

rose of my heart

A poem I wrote today.

Rose of My Heart Allegory


Rose of my heart, sing sweetly as you grow in faith
Knowing one day
The Gardener's work will be finished in you

Open your petals to the sky
As your roots grow deep
As trials and love deepen your
Trust

Inspire others to love Him
Grow in His love
Grow in your love for His people

One day your petals will fall
And all that will be left is a soul
             taken up to your LORD
Perfected by the Master

HE
Who planted you
Who grew you
Who watered you
Who tenderly pruned you
Who picked you.
~

Much love,
Emily

Stepping towards the light.

                                                                   This is me. photo by my dear Hannah

From my journal:

  April 28, 2012

 ''Seventeen. That's what I am today.It is just incredible to me how the future becomes the present so     

quickly, that growing up is a reality. For the first time in many birthdays, this concept of leaving behind    an age, a part of myself, and moving on isn't bothering me.

 We all move forward--this time I'm excited. I'm excited to grow and learn and live and to walk along the   stepping stones of life, simply in awe that the LORD of the universe is the One directing my path, guiding my steps. Growing older is not a dark threat, it's moving towards the light.''

Thank you,  dearest Kelsey, for taking this beautiful photo!

On Saturday, we had a fun little exploring day with my family--who, may I point out, are my favorite people in the world. I love them to the moon and back.
Then...

We had a little family get-together on Sunday at my grandparents house. It was perfect. Just to be surrounded by people I LOVE  was such a blessing from God!

My heart is so full.

Well. Can't sing I am sixteen-going-on-seventeen anymore. I smile as I write that. Because, you want to know why, seventeen? You're already promising to be wonderful.

of adventure and lovely, simple things

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while...

We've been on an adventure!

Because of our family business, my parents went up to Portland, Oregon, (beloved city!) for the SCAA convention last weekend. They had not flown together, just the two of them, in almost ten years! So, we were thrilled for them to have this opportunity! My sister Hannah was the captain for our first time running the ship on our own! Although we missed our dear parents so much, we had a lovely, exciting,wonderful, adventurous time!
The high points:

• starting each morning gathered round the piano, praising our Creator by singing hymns along with my sister's piano accompaniment. 
• early morning snuggles with the baby girl. Nothing like cuddling a cozy, sleepy two year old. 
• scrumptious food! We're talkin' raw saurkraut and organic uncured hotdogs, quesadillas with homemade guacamole, mangoes and kiwis, root beer floats, smoothies, and my sister's aaaahhhmazing lemon pudding cake...yumsters. Hungry?
• watching Tintin for the fourth time. ( =
• Long talks with my sister and brother.
• cleaning the house while listening to music (have you heard this?), laughing and talking.
• stories! Elizabeth favored those of the Curious George variety.
• Hannah reading puritan devotions aloud from Voices from the Past. Praise God for the Word!
• laughing! My siblings and I can laugh! Cue inside joke: Minkey!
• neighborhood walks.
• breakfast out with dear grandparents.
• swimming!
• our home beach.
• picking flowers from the garden and arranging the blooms in vintage glass milk bottle.
• painting! Baby Elizabeth is a talented little artist. We all contributed to a Welcome Home! sign for our parents, and that was a lovely time.
• playing at the park.
• thanking God for each precious second I have with my siblings.

We had a marvelous time, but it is beyond wonderful to have mama and papa with us again.

Life is either a great adventure or nothing.

Helen Keller 

c.Emily/the song of the sea

so much love

c. Emily/the song of the sea

She snuggles into me. I kiss her little head and breathe deeply. She munches on her apple, and I listen. She offers me a bite.You're so kind, I tell her. I give her another kiss. She rests her curly head on my shoulder. I love you. My heart is overflowing. And I thank God for my baby sister.

infinitely wonderful

c. Emily/the song of the sea

The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.
A.W. Tozer

Amen! That quote is so true of my life right now...no matter what happens, God's goodness is always there. I just want to praise Him for His love and mercy!

Um, yes. It's been a while.

I know I haven't posted in ages! I'm so sorry, friends.
Expect a photo post soon!

Much love.

'Saint Patrick's Breastplate'

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

~attributed to Saint Patrick

Valentine Greetings//You Made Me Love You

Happy Valentine's Day, dear ones!




In honor of love day, I thought I'd share one of my favorite songs done two charming ways.
First, by the talented, incomparable and darling Judy Garland. My sister and I found this a few months back and it's just so sweet. I love this rendition... her young voice is so pretty, and the whole theme simply could not be cuter.

                                                                                

And second, by the incomparable, talented and not-so darling...Cookie Monster! Mama bought my little sister her first Elmo movie, and Hannah and I were just delighted to see this hilarious rendition of Judy's fan letter and song.

Pretty great, yes?

Sending love to you all this delightful day!

You know you made me love you!

Much love in Christ,

Emily

xo

my baby sister and our dear camera

                                      

My darling baby sister. 

I'm finally posting a photo taken with our new, beloved camera. For those of you who don't know, we've been wanting a D-SLR for ages...and for Christmas, my dad surprised us with a Canon Rebel T2i! This camera is amazing! We love it so much! Can you tell?

xo,

Em

O CHRIST,

All, thy ways of mercy tend to and end in my delight.

Thou didst weep, sorrow, suffer that I may rejoice.

For my joy thou hast sent me the Comforter,

multiplied thy promises,

shown me my future happiness,

given me a living fountain.

 --The Valley of Vision, Joy

daily verses

I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1

Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1 Peter 3:16

A joyful heart is good medicine but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22


These were our Bible verses for today. They are such sweet encouragement!

Our God is so good.

"Ah! what a mercy it is that it is not your hold of Christ that saves you, but his hold of you! What a sweet fact that it is not how you grasp his hand, but his grasp of yours, that saves you.''

~Charles Spurgeon

Contentment in the New Year

 Say not, ''why were the former days better than these?''
 For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
 Ecclesiastes 7:10

2011 is gone. Gone, and can't be brought back, ever.
Funny thing about it, I don't mind. Funny because it seems I've spent much of my life trying to hold onto things that are completely out of my control--like time,childhood, not wanting anyone to grow up, not wanting to forget sweet memories,being afraid I'm not cherishing each moment as I should, and the like.

This year, however, I've begun to realize that each day little things change, and oftentimes for good.
New chapters begin ever so slowly and the story doesn't end all at once. I'm learning to look at things in a new light. Taking delight in my LORD and the life He has given me...not trying to live in the past or looking anxiously towards the future. I praise God He has brought me to this realization, because it's freeing. My Father in heaven knows me and he has every moment of my life in His hands. So I don't have to hold onto things because HE already is. 

And that is wonderful.

''...Be content with what you have for He has said, ''I will never leave you nor forsake you''.
Hebrews 13:5

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
1 Timothy 6:6-7

''For everything there is a  season...''
 Ecclesiastes 3






Happy New Year, and may God bless you all.


P.S. Excitement: my papa bought us an amazing Christmas gift--a Canon Rebel. Yes, a DSLR!
That is a fulfillment of a dream. Can't wait to start posting pictures!