happy birthday, baby sister!

My lil sis and me, July 2013

Happy 4th Birthday to my precious gem of a little sister. Budgie Bird, I love you more than I can say and I am beyond grateful to God for you. You amaze me in new ways every day with your wisdom beyond your years, your sweetness, your hilarious-ness, kindness, cheerfulness, silliness, beautiful-ness...you are pure sunshine. I just can't get over how much fun it is to be your big sister. Dealing in facts, you are simply the cutest human on the planet. It thrills me to watch you grow and see you become the person the Lord has you to be. I praise and thank God daily for your life. I pray that Jesus will bless your fourth year and all the splendid years to come. Happy Birthday, Baby girl. I love you forever and ever.
Kiss, cuddle, hug,
Your sis Emmy

not too late to be

Wait, what-is it really October already? This year has just flown by for me...man, I really haven't been present on this blog much/at all. Blogging is kind of tough like that, you know? For me, at least. Putting my real self, my real thoughts into words and then hitting 'publish' is so...hard. So easy it is for me for me to close my eyes to sharing and being open. You know, balancing on that fine line so as to be authentic...not superficial and not overwhelmingly personal. I don't know. I want to be uplifting and only be an arrow pointing to Christ.
Anyways, life is busy, and beautiful and uncertain and weird and sad and happy and it is LIFE. My Savior knows just what He's doing. I pray I constantly am conscious of that fact.
Just a little ramble today, folks.
-smiles and love-

"the sweetness of honey"

O LORD, our Lord,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8:9

This was so good for me today. How beautiful is the living God!

"food is my liiiffeeee"

Yeah, my birthday was almost six months ago and I'm posting a picture of my birthday cheesecake. YOU'RE WELCOME.

pray for children

 If you read one article today, let Protect the Children from Chemical Weapons on Desiring God be the one. These issues are heavy on my heart, and I pray your hearts will all be broken over this as well. Please join me in prayer. Thanks, friends.

flowers for your birthday

c. Emily Barish 2013

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!

papa's day

my daddy and me, 1995

Happy Father's Day, Papa! I love you so much, and I thank God for you!!!

My Mama

Happy Mama's Day to the best mama--MINE!

There is so much I could say, but the simple words from my heart sum it all up--Mommy, thank you so much for everything--you are such a blessing and I am so grateful the Lord allowed me to be your daughter. I am so thankful to God for YOU and I love you so much!

My mama, the most beautiful mother I've ever known, and lil' old me, circa 1995

Love you forever,

Emmy

P.S. You's mommin' it like a BOSS!

rejoice and be glad

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

How wonderful are those truths.

Happy friday, my friends!

P.S.I'll be eighteen day after tomorrow...

California wild poppies and lupines circa 1995 by my mama

ah, sweet spring

THOU GOD OF ALL GRACE
          Thou hast given me a savior,
          produce in me a faith to live by Him
          to make Him all my desire
                                all my hope
                                 all my glory.
                   From The Saviour, The Valley of Vision


Today is warm and the breeze carries the glorious scents of spring...jasmine, orange blossom, dewy grass, freesias and roses in bloom. What a gift is this life. On this day, amidst the daily ups and downs, I want to fully wonder and marvel at all the beauty surrounding me. Our Savior is so unbelievably good.

xoxo

Dear Hannah

1998

Happy 20th Birthday to the dearest big sissy!

1998

You are so lovely, loving, kind, brave, beautiful, wise, hard-working, talented, caring, forgiving, styyyyylish--you never cease to amaze. You are mature yet fun-loving, serious yet spazzy. You are my best friend. I love you.

1997

The LORD has placed such a beautiful spirit, sweet soul, and heart for HIM in you.

2013

Happy golden birthday, princess! May Christ bless all you do this year!
I love you now and forever,
your lis sis,
Em
xoxoxoxo

A Prayer

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.

--St Patrick's Breastplate

 

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

 

beach bonfire

Last night, my brother Henry and I (just the two of us; sadly the rest of my family was feeling under the weather) were so blessed to spend the evening with dear friends at the beach for a good ol' fashioned bonfire!It was a slice of heaven to fellowship with such dear, precious people... Cassandra and her family, and Rachel, who was visiting from Arizona. I love those girls so much!

There was much laughter, heart-sharing, hugging, cute little kids, s'mores,the most delicious gluten-free chocolate chip cookies made by my brother-boy Hank, crashing waves, a beautiful sunset,inside jokes and rejoicing in the goodness of our Savior!

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
-John Fawcett

Much love,
Emily

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Add caption

          Here are some nearly vintage photos of my darling big sissy Hannah, Valentines Day 1999. I love these photos! She was so cute! (Still is, but she's almost twenty...a little less cute, a little more beautiful now.) And I'm pretty sure a pink dress, rosy cheeks, happy smile, and a chocolate lolly are a recipe for a pretty 'sweet' love day!

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 xoxo,Emily