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

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!

words and pictures for Thanksgiving

O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. —Psalm 95:1-6

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

  

 “A sensible thanksgiving for mercies received is a mighty prayer in the Spirit of God. It prevails with Him unspeakably.”  

-John Bunyan

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, His love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.
—George Washington

Happy Thanksgiving!


Love,
Emily

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