Wednesday, November 21, 2012

give thanks

I can't even believe that this time last year, the hubbs and I were in Africa missing home. I. just. can't. We didn't have a home to decorate for Christmas...we were wanderers waiting to get back to the States and live with our families for a couple of weeks.

I am so thankful that we have had the joy of experiencing the Fall this year, as well as our culture's shift to the Christmas season. I know that it all can get pretty materialistic...but the holidays are so special to me. I am so happy I get to celebrate ALL of them with family this year!
Our church's Thanksgiving Potluck, the hubbs' birthday cake and my sissy...
ALL on the same day!
So, the hubbs and I are giving much thanks this year to God. We have a wonderful church family, a beautiful home, and I have the perfect job and work family. He has provided our daily bread in every way...we are blessed with ordinary, stable lives...and that in itself is extraordinary. My heart is full.
Our home all decroated for the most wonderful time of the year!
I found this adorable sign here, along with many more printables to go with the theme! And it's FREE!
Stopping to be thankful with co workers and students
For the "So thankful for..." cards, I printed them from here...I plan to use them in a Christmas craft, too...so stay tuned for that one!

May your Thanksgiving Day, no matter where you are spending it, be spent with a grateful heart and joy!

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

my sister's last twenty

then now
No one could say that your last 29 years were uneventful...I mean...you got ME as a sister in these last 29 years...but many could look at your life and who you are today and say that your 30's are going to be amazing...but enjoy your last year as a twenty-something..because it'll be 3 more years until I am in the same age range as you again :)

I love you, sweet sister, and I canNOT imagine life without you!

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

it's been a while, my lovelies

I don't know when I decided that blogging wasn't a priority...maybe when I realized I could text people again? Whatever the case, my silence has been unacceptable...maybe not to you, but to me. If I am not sharing about God's love...then what AM I doing with my life? That is the sole purpose of this blog...so it's important for me. Sooooo forgive me, all, for slacking...for putting so many other things before sharing.

At the end of grad school, our cohort put together a "soundtrack" of our year to encourage each other through their practicums overseas. I really love it....it's 40 songs of pure hope (and some Justin Bieber). One song in particular has really been speaking to me lately...as I hear more and more people being discouraged by the state of our country and world, I feel the need to remind them (or scream at them...yeah, not good) that WE are suppose to be spreading hope...not bringing the downers...so, I share this song with you...and if you are in that place where you are distressed over the state of humanity...be still and listen to the words...and rediscover your purpose in the whole scheme of things...


We are slaves to these age-old afflictions
Fighting for control 'till we fell too far
Pursue desire, ignore our convictions
Only wretched souls beneath the weeping stars

We are calling out in the thick of the war
I am standing down to fight for something more
Would we cease these battles, let this love resound
Still too hard to find our common ground

There's a fire that stays bold and courageous
There's a light to light the way
There's a fire that stays bold and courageous
There's a light to light the way

And we try so hard to heal our diseases
We break to pieces when our hope has failed
Some will live or die without a reason
Such are the seasons, still our faith prevails

We are lost and found and beg to be restored
We keep falling down, harder than before
But love will find a way to give us strength to carry on
Sorrow for now, but someday soon will be gone

There's a fire that stays bold and courageous
There's a light to light the way
There's a fire that stays bold and courageous
There's a light to light the way

So we come and go, it's still a mystery
And we'll be history long before we find
All the secrets since now and forever
We hope for better on the other side

God, hear the cries of Your people!

There's a fire that stays bold and courageous
There's a light to light the way
There's a fire that stays bold and courageous
There's a light to light the way

{"Humanity" by Tim Be Told}

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Monday, June 11, 2012

meet the dog and cat

In my last post I shared about the new additions to our family and how I felt about our acquisitions...and I said I would post a picture...well, here you are! Their first picture together!
Also, I get to announce our kitty's name! The hubbs picked Suri Katherine...so we have Muri and Suri :) Yes, I know we are awesome...

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Thursday, June 7, 2012

a dog and a cat

For our 3 year anniversary, the Hubbs and I decided to get a kitten...so naturally, the week before our anniversary, I brought home a puppy. Muri had a hurt eye, so we knew she would be blind her right eye...but we did not know that she would need to have the eye removed...so I brought home a one eyed Chihuahua Whippet puppy...she can be sweet, when she is not trying to bite your face off...I know she will grow out of it, and it is hard not to wish her puppy years away.
Muri is already much bigger than this...and the sock monkey no longer exists :) or should I say .)
So we (or maybe I) decided to go ahead and get a kitty, too, because that was the plan all along...she is still unnamed, but we lovingly refer to her as Kitty Kitty or Meow Bucket. She is super friendly and needy (meaning, she meows for 30 min. whenever she is left alone before she can occupy herself). She is a brown/gray tabby and is super playful.
Muri and Kitty Kitty have not been able to officially meet...we are worried Kitty Kitty will claw Muri's one eye out...and that Muri will bite Kitty Kitty too hard...

All in all...it feels like I have actual children...in the mornings, when I feed them and they both need my attention or when I am holding one and the other follows me whining/meowing, I feel like a mother with small children...and it's kind of funny. I have realized that there is no way I can be a working mother.

I have also learned that biting puppies are very hard things to have patience with...it's a miracle that I still have all my fingers, jewelry, and the diamond in my engagement ring :)

But, in these tiny creatures, I see and feel God's goodness and love...I know that may be weird to think about...but their little heartbeats and personalities...God really did show-off when He made so many different types of animals...all to show His glory and for us to enjoy...and when I look at our puppy and kitty...that thought is the only thing that makes me not feel crazy for bringing them into our home :)

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.
The Lord upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

{Psalm 145}
Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

More Coke


More Coke from onetimeblind on GodTube.

If you have some time, I highly recommend this skit that our teens (and youth sponsors) enjoyed this weekend at SNU Extravaganza. So much truth presented in the simplest way...

How many times have we squandered our gifts because we wanted someone else's....seriously...we are so foolish. Luckily, God gives us gifts regardless of our shortcomings and allows us to participate in His beautiful and exciting plan...God, help me to appreciate and treasure my 8 oz Coke.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Friday, May 18, 2012

be kind

Incidents happen all the time where we have the choice to be kind and thoughtful or harsh and a meanie head...I hate when others choose the latter...and I am ashamed when I choose to be a meanie head, too...but a simple kind word after you have been a meanie head is appreciated, even if you are never told that it was.

Just a thought.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth