courage quote

''Courage is what it takes to

stand up and speak; courage

is also what it takes to sit down

and listen.''

--Winston Churchill

short post

Thought you all may be interested that I was a '' guest blogger'' ( heheh, in a way) at my dad's blog, the roasters blog. I would love for you to check it out!

~Emily

hello and...good-bye

This is an old photo of me, Hannah, Papa, and Henry, taken maybe 7 or 8 years ago.

It reminds me that life is beautiful.

Life is also short. I want to live life to the fullest.

Since life is so short and beautiful, I don't want to waste any time.

So...

... I'm taking a blogging break.

Aside from being quite busy, time is so precious and I just need a wee bit o' time to just, well, be.

I'm not leaving for good, or even that long in the grand scheme of things.

We're doing so many things around here...we've been on several road trips/journeys this year, with more to come, so I won't even have access to a computer at times.

All this to say...don't be surprised if you don't hear from me for awhile.

My break may turn out to be a short one. Who knows where God will lead me...I only know it will be good.

Lots of love,

Emily

P.S my super mom took the photo. ( =

birthday mama

Happy Birthday, Mama!!!

Dear Mama,

I love this picture of you as a young, first-time mom. It represents everythong you are--loving, kind, strong, intellligent, nurturing, giving, beautiful.

You are wonderful, and I don't tell you that enough. Thanks for being the best mama, I love you so much. And I know I'm not the only one who does...everyone loves you because you are so warm, you are so easy to love and you are so loving. Not many people are discerning and soft-hearted, but you somehow manage. God blesses me in new ways every day by you.

Happy Birthday!

Love always,

Lili ( :

xoxoxoxoxoxo

note: the picture is circa 1993, and the pretty lady is my mom and the baby is my older sister Hannah.

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