thoughts on blogging

I've been thinking about my blog lately... 
It's about to grow.
I began this blog with the intent to post about daily happenings, my walk with the Savior, photo-journaling my life, my family, chronicling my little siblings childhood, my art, creative endeavors,  
natural living, food and cooking,  little and big things that I love... the list goes on. I didn't intend to post sporadic writings that, because I was in a rush to 'finally post something', did not convey very accurately who I am and what I had desired this blog to be. I would say 'My blog isn't the one I would like to have, but I don't have time for it to be different'. Not enough time. Could that really be true?

Everyday it seems I have something I would love to write about, pictures I would love to post, adventures I would love to share, that it can no longer be an option for me to not have enough time. Obviously, I have very little time. But time can be made. Thinking of all the little, unimportant things I waste time on...I realize that blogging can be squeezed in somewhere. It has to be. I had been thinking about all of this, and talking to my mama, and she told me that she wanted me to blog the way I'd wanted to in the beginning, sharing my life with writing and photos, creatively and productively...as a family record, and for my grandparents to enjoy. Well, having mama say that in her kindness and wisdom clinched it for me.

I want this blog to thrive. I want it to be productive.  It is something I've wanted to do for such a long time. I pray the endeavor will strengthen my skills in writing, photography and creativity
(and time management *grin*), I pray that  it will bless my family as I journal our life, that it would encourage and inspire you in some way, and most of all I pray that the LORD would receive all glory and praise.

 I won't be posting all the time, but I hope my blog will start to take the shape I had originally intended.
I'm excited!

Thanks for being on this journey with me.

~Emily

 This post needed a picture, so here's one  I took this summer. It's no longer summer, but today has to be the warmest day we've had this year...so a summer flower photo is appropriate. ( = 
My mama told me this lovely flower is called Jupiter's Beard.

beautiful, amazing things-part one-the baby shower

So much has happened lately. I hardly know where or how to begin. I haven't been blogging for a number of reasons, mostly because we've been so busy, but when I'd have a free moment to actually blog about what life has been like, I would just get completely overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of writing about it all. Honestly, since the start of September, life has been a whirlwind. Beautiful, amazing things have happened...so I suppose I shall just start at the beginning. I'm going to split-up all the recent goings-on into a few parts, because there is just way too much to squeeze it all into one post!

I'll start with the baby shower.

My last post (ahem, written almost a month ago...eeep!)  was about the baby shower we were throwing for my auntie. My mama was the party planning mastermind, my grandma was the talented go-to, and my sister Hannah and I were the 'assistants'. Wow, I had so much fun. It was delightful to spend time with my dear mama, gramma, and sisters. We held the party at our coffee shop, and we had a wonderful time transforming it with the whimsical decorations. My mama is a creative genius. ( =

The theme was 'A Child's Garden of Verses' and I think it came across really beautifully. My mama worked so hard. It was truly a labor of love, and it showed. 

I would love to post pictures I'd taken, but alas, in the hectic last minute party prep crunch time ( whew!), my camera was left behind. Yes. Hard to believe, but sad and true. However, there is good news. Our lovely friend Cassie took some GORGEOUS photos, so I'll share them with you. 

Here are a few pictures.

The spread! We had too much fun making all of that food! 

My little brother Henry helping to serve tea. He was such a cheerful helper!

I love this boy!

This my friends, is my baby sister. She is a constant source of delight and I love her with all my heart.  She was loving the tea.

We made Lemon Verbena Lemonade, and Pink Sonoma iced tea. They were so good.  The pink sonoma is a new white tea our tea supplier came up with. It is delicious. ( For any of you new to the blog, my family owns a coffee/tea shop.)

Darling, yes? This was one of my favorite decorations. ( =

The table decorations. Definitely one of the most fun parts was making the centerpieces. photo credit: Cassie.

Sisters! My lovely sister Hannah and me. That's me on the left. Photo: Cassie

 Elizabeth + me. I am so in love with this little  baby.  Isn't she the most cutie beauty little girl? God has blessed me more than I can even express with this one. photo: Cassie.

I just love this photo. For the tea, we served Lemon Chiffon Rooibos. My favorite. I think.  ( =

                                                   My dear auntie and her first baby.

            It was a delightful day, spent praising God and enjoying sweet fellowship. 

Much love in Christ always,

Emily 

I love watermelon

Watermelon is one of the sweetest delights of summer. I could eat watermelon everyday for the rest of my life and never tire of it.
How 'bout you?

~Emily

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.

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!

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!

counting my blessings

This photo is a perfect example of how God blesses us in little ways. I found these flowers on the sidewalk when we were in San Francisco last summer. I felt God's presence was so near. I love how the flowers appear to be glowing in this picture...perfect. Speaking of blessings...

...Before you is a list of 25 things I'm thankful for.

Looking over the list, I am so blessed!

Here they are!

1. My salvation in Jesus Christ. Thank you, Father!

2. my super family...

3. my mama

4. my papa

5. my baby sister

6. my little brother

7. my big sister

8. and the fact that we all have a great relationship--my parents and siblings are my best friends. Thank you, Jesus, for my amazing family!

9. I'm homeschooled! YES!

1o. I've grown up constantly surrounded by music...

11. ...and art

12. the sorrow that has deepened my character

13. a house that is a home

14. food

15. the ocean!!! And that I live near it in all it's magnificence. Bliss.

16. our coffeeshop. It is awesome to be a part of a small business, to have grown up like this.

17. my life

18. the Bible. God's Word, total Truth. And He has given it to us to read and study and love.

19. coffee

20. TEA!

21. SMOOTHIES!!!!!

22. flowers...jasmine, freesias, lavender, daffodils, tulips, sunflowers, roses, and on and on...

23. drawing and painting, one of my talents from God.

24. singing (this should probably be in the top ten, but I'm not really doing this in order.) I love

to sing, and I am always singing. Always.

25. every day, every breath, every heartbeat I've been given.

Note: only the first eight are in order, the rest are random things I'm thankful for.

How are you blessed? Make your own blessings/thankful post on your blog, and leave me a comment! Share the love, and encourage others to do the same. You'll be blessed, I promise you. *grins*

Love,

Emily