I love pictures.
I love them.
Pictures capture feelings and emotions.
They capture a piece of life, of reality.
Here are some of my favorite pieces of life from the last couple months:
One of our favorite "field trips" this year has been to a historical site where the kids got to spend all day experiencing life as a kid would have 100+ years ago.
The most memorable quote of that day was from my 5 year old, "Why did the kids have to work so hard back then and now just the moms have to work hard?" :)
My first thought of this picture is the urge to complain that this is the only piece of "Spring" that we got to experience this year because the weather has been awful.
But then quickly I think of my dear friend Jo who said good bye to her momma a couple months ago and will not see her again till Heaven. One of Jo's latest blog entries talks about how it feels to watch your mom suffer (and that is an understatement) from 6 months of miserable cancer and then hear your friends talk about how seemingly miserable they are from the bad weather. wow. convicting. Watching Joanna the last few months deal with this journey has been amazing. The joy of the Lord was truly her strength.
So now, this picture makes me think of how extremely grateful I am for friends like Joanna who set an example and inspiration for me of what it means to truly keep your eyes on Jesus.
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2
Jo, I love you.
A sweet piece of family life.
My favorite pic of my niece. The beauty and sweetness of being a young girl.
And then we have my girl...ha ha.
just ONE nice picture.... is that too much to ask for?
apparently so.
so after our cheesy-boring-smile pictures, I say, "let's do a candid one." and he says, "I'm outta here." unbelievable.
yes, the dog is still here.
and at this point, that is all I have to say.
another gift from God. Gretchen.
Home for a month from Cambodia, it was a treasure to have her visit.
Just like Joanna mentioned above, to watch another friend go forward in life with their eyes and life fixed on the prize, in the face of serious persecution and sufferings, is an amazing thing. There are a lot of people that talk the talk. Gretch walks it. She is living example to me of what radical abandonment to Jesus Christ looks like. Keep on keeping on, Gretch. I love you! And I am sooooo thankful for your partnership in the Gospel!
"Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." I John 2:6
I got out of the shower on Mother's Day morning and had this waiting for me.
Bed made, coffee, my favorite creamer, God's Word, strawberries, yogurt, doughnuts (my favorite), and a new mug they had all written on....along with a note that said for me to stay in my room for a while and relax. (and that was all on their own. dad was at work.) Unbelievable. Thank you, Jesus.
Best friends, best neighbors, best cousins.
Watching God work the last few months amongst this group of people has been an unbelievable experience and super super cool. I am excited to write a blog post about the new journey that God is leading and taking our small group from church on....but I will wait a bit till more firms up. In the meantime I will just say that this group of friends who meet weekly to challenge each other in the Lord is a rich rich blessing. To God be all glory!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
