games

During a spiritual development workshop at school, we were asked to go around in a circle and finish the sentence:

{I am most happy when...}

My reply was:  I am most happy when I am sitting around a table with all of my family playing a game.

Photo by Karen Elizabeth

It's true.

What about you?  Let me know in a comment!

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

cousins

It is interesting that when I put "I Hate Rap." as my Facebook status, my wall comes alive like I just said I was having a baby.  Out of all of friends' comments...came love:

I have a big cousin, who once was a king
Running and glasses were her sorta thing
She then left to college, it was very sad
I should have taken advantage of the time that I had
And now she is gone to the city of Philly
And I miss her lots, yeah... really.

Crack me up...this was written by my cousin, Nick...God love him...he is very special to me...when I babysat him (during his dinosaur loving days) we would dance to the Newsboys...I mean...how many boy cousins do that???  I have enjoyed watching him grow up...gain a sense of humor...and come to me for advice...I just can't really explain how much it means to me when he says he misses me.

I miss you too, Nick...thanks for being so cool :)...I love you...and so does the hubbs :)

Much love,

Emily Elizabeth

The art of steeping

So many of us spend our days rushing and running...it's not hard to apply this same lifestyle with our spiritual one...

Many American Christians feel they need to work for God's love and grace...but I propose a different approach:

steeping in God's presence

Psalm 131 says:

{My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; 

I do not concern myself with great matters 

or things too wonderful for me.

But I have stilled and quieted my soul; 

like a weaned child with its mother, 

like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD 

both now and forevermore.}

I love this Psalm...it comes from a humbled heart, depending on God...it brings memories of being comforted by my mother...and encourages us to quiet ourselves before Him

So take some time, friends, to rest in the love and grace that the Savior gives freely.

Much love,

Emily Elizabeth

Happy Fall

Farmer's Market in DeKalb, IL

I absolutely love Fall...I may even like it more than Spring....the smell of the fresh, chilled air mixed with the falling leaves brings back so many memories of Fall with my family...Rice Krispy Treats...carmel apples...carving pumpkins and then roasting pumpkin seeds...trees that look like they are on fire with red and yellow leaves...pumpkin spice coffee creamer...pumpkin bread...bean soup...finding those black and yellow catapillers everywhere...bonfires...carmel apple suckers...just love it all...

I was driving home from school one day and heard this song, "American Honey" by Lady Antebellum...and it took me home...and I think that's why I love Fall...it takes me back to East Texas...where I can hear my mom say how much she loves the weather...and I enjoy all the festivities with the rest of the fam.

Remaking of a classic when I visited my sis over Fall Break during my senior year at SNU

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Transforming Power

This has been my favorite book I have read so far in grad school.

Robert Linthicum takes Deuteronomy as God's ideal nation and compares it to the nation that has turned away from God in Ezekiel.  He proposes that the only way to bring a nation back to God is through God loving community organizers.  Linthicum uses Jesus Christ and Nehemiah as examples of biblical community organizers.

I really loved this book because I think it is a wonderful guide to assist anyone who sees injustice in their community do something about it....how to react with love.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

Just Wallpaper {revisited}

it's just good stuff...Hosea 12:5-7 

see Just Wallpaper for more

Much love,

Emily Elizabeth

JT

In honor of my dear, soul sister, Jessie O'Brien's 25th birthday, I am posting our famous "Sexy Back" video {its hard to believe that we made this 3 years ago...wow}.  I am also sharing a link my sister, Amy, sent me to make sure I smiled, or more like laughed out loud, once during the day.

So this is my ode to JT by way of JO:

*sorry, this video uses the unedited version of JTimberlake's "Sexy Back"

Click here:  The 25 Most Embarrassing Photos of Justin Timberlake

Jessie:  I love you so much!  I hope your birthday weekend is WONDERFUL and I wish I could spend it with you over a pumpkin spice latte.  You add so much to my life, including:  LOTS of laughs, encouragement and love.

JT:  Thank you for the music that has been the rhythm of so many fun times on my life.  However, your interview on NPR was pretty lame.  Nonetheless...thank you.

Much love, 

Emily Elizabeth

rainy cold day

but my sunshine is the hubbs.

A girl's got to love when she {hasn't had time to take a shower...and throws on a headband, jeans and a fleece hoodie...} knows there is no use trying to look nice on a cold, wet day...and her love tells her she looks cute...

yes...just another reason I know I married a precious man.

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth

hiding

I'm not sure what it means, but my heart is warmed.

I have hidden myself away all day in our bedroom, recovering from what I hope is the last day of a cold...homework, documentaries and meals delivered by the hubbs have occupied a pleasant day of productivity and vegging...

As our boys file to their rooms for the night, one knocks on the door and asks if I am okay...I say yes and he says, "just checking," the way my mom would...then another knocks on the door a little later and saying, "Goodnight, Em."

Maybe it's not love, but at least it is care :)

Much love,
Emily Elizabeth