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

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

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 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!

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!

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

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.

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

simple moments

A few weeks ago, after a day of stormy skies and monotone rainfall, the sky was illuminated by the setting sun. The rain stopped for a moment, and the clouds turned peachy golden in color, the world around me cast with a rosy glow. I was breathless for a moment, my heart full of wonder at this life God has given us. I love those moments. Those moments where everything is still and you say to yourself,
Life is so, so beautiful. Lord Jesus, you are so, so good. Your works are marvelous. Thank you. I love you. Thank you for moments like this.
These are the simple moments I hope never to forget.

I'm thankful for Operation Christmas Child

For the past three years, my family has been blessed to pack boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

We just love it. It is a wonderful opportunity to give, to pray, and to spend some lovely, excited, gift-buying and wrapping, fulfilling, God-honoring family time.

This year, I chose to do a box for a girl, age 10-14. I thought it would be fun to share what was in one of my boxes. I've thought about it, and this post isn't at all to show off. I've hesitated posting it because I don't want it to seem as if I'm doing good for praise from others. My idea in posting this was to encourage you all to participate in the future, if you haven't already, and to share what is going on in our family right now. 

So, without further ado, my box...

Jewelry! I made the necklace with love and bought the bracelet (with love).     

Colored pencils and a notebook. As an artist myself, I wouldn't think of not including these items. ( I put in regular pencils as well.)

Can't forget hygiene! These are necessities. ( I also included a bar of soap.)

Treats! I also added a box of animal crackers.

A hand-written card. This is one of my favorite parts of the whole box-making process. It is so exciting to think I get to wish a little girl who lives in a different country 'Merry Christmas' with love in Jesus' Name. Isn't that exciting? Isn't it? 

I am so blessed to be a tiny part of this huge, wonderful ministry. I pray each child receiving these Christmas gifts would come to know Jesus! And that they would know that they are loved by Him, and loved by Christians all over the world.

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, this opportunity was a wonderful time for me to reflect on the many blessings for which we can be thankful to our Savior. 

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday?

Love,

Emily

she is TWO!

This is the little girl who captured my heart the moment she was born two years ago.

The first day I met her. November 2009, born at home.

What a rose!

Summer 2011

She keeps us laughing!

With mama.

Sleeping Beauty.

Making tea!

Me and my girl. 

Wearing the mama's baby dress (handmade by Great Grandma Bertha).

 So precious is she!

Oh, sweet baby!

This was taken with real film! My mom is an amazing photographer.

This is my baby sister.

My heart swells with thankfulness to Jesus that He made her my baby sister.

I love her more than words can say. I love her so much I think I might just burst.

Today is her birthday.

Happy Birthday, my little lady of loveliness.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Your doting sister,

'Eminy'

Wonderful are Your works;

my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:14b

a letter to my mama on her birthday

Isn't this orchid gorgeous? I love photographing flowers.

Dear Mama,
Happy Birthday! I love you so much, how can I express it? You are the most wonderful, godly mother, and you are so fun! Thank you for all that you are! I praise God for you, and all you do  for Him and for others, always so selflessly. How do you do it?
Thank you for training us in the knowledge of Christ, and teaching us that everything's about Him.
 My mama, I love you and I always will.
xoxo (xoxoxoxoxo...),
Emily

May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand       times and bless you as He has promised.
Deuteronomy 1:11

a wonderful time

This afternoon, I played the game Bible Baseball with my family.
It was fun. It was wonderful.
I love my family.

ocean love

                                                                                                                                  photo by my mama

I love the ocean.

I could say so much more. 

I could, but right now... I won't.

 I'll simply say it again.

I love the ocean.

for my mama with love

Your Mother And Mine

Well a mother, a real mother, is the most wonderful person in the world;
She's the angel voice that bids you goodnight
Kisses your cheek, whispers, "Sleep tight."

Your mother and mine
Your mother and mine

The helping hand that guides you along
Whether you're right, whether you're wrong

Your mother and mine
Your mother and mine

What makes mothers all that they are?
Might as well ask, "What makes a star?"
Ask your heart to tell you her worth
Your heart will say ,"Heaven on earth."

Your mother and mine.


Written by Sammy Cahn and Sammy Fain
From the film Peter Pan

That just about sums it up. I praise and thank God for my wonderful mother.
Mommy, I love you so so so very much.

Love,
Emily 'LiLi'

note: gorgeous ephemera from the graphics fairy

I do LOVE Peter Pan.

praise Him!

The sky is clear, blue, bright,

The palm trees are swaying, the fronds shimmering in the sun and soft breeze,

The birds are singing their free, joyful melodies, putting a smile on my face.

And the love of God is filling my soul, thoughts of the pure Son dying for me leave me breathless.

I am in awe of His goodness to wayward hearts, and I am so grateful I am saved... I know I am bought with Christ's selfless love,

and I can truly say and believe

I am saved, I am forgiven, I am His friend.

He is my Master and LORD, and all I want to do is

Love Him.

Rejoice in the LORD always!

amen

For sin will not rule over you,

because you are not under law but under

grace.

Romans 6:14

Have a blessed and worshipful Sabbath!

~Emily

Psalm 30:5

His anger lasts only for a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime;

weeping may endure for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5

I have said that verse to myself time after time, and it always reaches down to my soul and comforts and encourages me.

Through a trial, often when I'm sleepy/frustrated/confused... (sidenote: I am usually frustrated or confused when I get supertired--I've just always been the kid that when 9:30pm hits, I might not be myself for much longer. Seriously, when I was little I would be fine and then 9:00 would come, and boom! there goes LiLi*...out like a light. ( = End of sidenote), anyhow when I'm sleepy/frustrated/confused, that verse just pops into my head. I take a deep breath and think aaaaahhhh...this won't last forever, and I feel renewed to put my trust in Christ and believe that weeping, pain, sorrow, frustration, or exhaustion may endure for a 'night', but rejoicing, joy, and a renewed sense of God's good kindness and faithfulness does come in the 'morning'.

In the back of my Bible there is a section of 365 daily verses. The verse for today is Psalm 30:5, and I just knew I was to share it with all of you. I pray it might touch you or encourage you right when you need it. Jesus has led me so many times to places in His Word right when I needed a particular answer, I hope this verse may be just what some of you need to hear right now. It happens to me all the time with your blogs. ( =

Have JOY now!

Aloha,

Emily

*LiLi is the nickname I've had for my whole life, most people I know call me by it, and I love it!