beginning again

a fresh start.  we all need it sometimes.  with the busyness of life pulling us in differing directions, it's nice to relax and have a new beginning.  I think that's what the Lord had in mind when he created day and night.  He knew that we would dig ourselves too deep, create too much trouble, and become overwhelmed with the cares of this world.  so He gave us the new day.  we read in Lamentations that his lovingkindness never ceases!  and his compassions never fail!  they are made new every morning!  Great is His Faithfulness.  (3:22-23)

so please bear with me here, its my new beginning.

genuine love.

"Let love be genuine.  Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  Love one another with brotherly affection.  Outdo one another in showing honor." 

Romans 12 : 9-10

Let love be genuine.  Not love when you feel like it, or love when the other person loves you.  No, let it be genuine.  What is genuine love? What kind of love is worthy to be described as genuine, true, and honorable?  Let's look.

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 

1 Corinthians 13 : 4-7  

Wow.  To have what the Bible describes as genuine love would be amazing.  Imagine it.  Christ would always come first, tempers would never be lost, grudges would never be held, truth would be cherished, hope would flourish.  (And let's be honest, decisions would never be made.)  Life would be perfect.  And although that perfection will never be achieved due to our ever powerful sin nature, what is there to stop us from putting love first and striving towards the fulfillment of that perfect place?  So join me.  Let's put love first, being patient and kind, not being envious or boastful.  And what do you know?  Maybe someone else will catch on and together we can make this world a more lovely place.

found on Pinterest

*all Bible verses are ESV*

new post on the cooking blog!

I haven't posted on my cooking blog in a long time, but thanks to the encouragement of a dear friend I decided to pick it back up!  (well, she was actually teasing me for saying I would post, but then never doing it.)

Anyway, for some reason I think two blogs will be easy to handle even though I can hardly handle one. . . yep, that's how my mind works.

Please visit A Pat of Butter and a Rolling Pin!

http://apatofbutterandarollingpin.blogspot.com/2013/10/fall-supper.html

Have a marvelous day!

rejoice!

Rejoice : to feel joy or great delight  Merriam-Webster Dictionary

To feel great delight.  To be filled to the brim with love and peace and passion for Christ.

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it be tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV

Although we experience trials and tears and heartbreaks throughout this life,  one day there will be no more tears.  Only praise and glory and honor.  And rejoicing.
When we have those hard days, where nothing seems to go right, there is always reason for rejoicing.

You are alive.

You are loved.

Tomorrow is a new day.  Don't continue carrying the burden and pain of yesterday.  Lay them at the feet of your Savior and rejoice!

alone?

Source: Uploaded by user via Kelley on Pinterest

do you ever feel alone?
do you feel like no matter how many people are around, they are nothing to the emptiness inside?
sometimes you just need someone to tell you it will all be ok.

let me do that for you.

everything is going to be ok.  maybe not today, maybe not next week, it may even take a really long time.
but it will happen.
it will happen if you trust God.  He is the One who stands tall even when storms rage and strong winds push you to the ground.
when He envelops you in His love there is nothing that can take you away.

He is with you.  He will always be with you.

"even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

so do me a favor.  be strong.  be strong for yourself, be strong for me.  set an example for those around you.

because you will never be alone.

twenty.

She is twenty.

This gorgeous girl with her clear blue eyes and her sweet smile.

And her freckles.

I am so jealous.

She's my best friend, my inspiration, my partner in crime.

We've been together for ages, exploring and living, fighting, (of course) but always making up.  Things aren't nearly as exciting by yourself, right?

 We  love many of the same things, hiking, cooking, playing outside.

So those are the things we do together.

And we've always been super cool. . .

Well, she has.  I had some bad days. . . 

But, of all the things we love, laughing makes the top of the list.  I can think of countless situations, one of us having a problem or being in trouble, but always finding something to laugh about.  

She's like that.

Finding the good in every situation.  

{I have to help sometimes, but we are still human here.  :)}

So this year on her special day, my mother asked many of our friends to write something encouraging to Lillian, beautiful words for her to read over and over as the years go by.

On the morning of Lillian's special day, my family gathered around (with the addition of our amazing friend Olivia, who is practically family) to read to her the beautiful words from her friends.
It was lovely.
We cried.

And laughed.

Thank you to all who took the time to write something encouraging to my sister, who was truly touched by the evidence of so much love.
We get so caught up in our problems sometimes, so blinded by sin and sadness that we forget there are countless souls who love us for who we are.
And most of all that there is ONE who will always love us no matter what.
And that is what fills my heart with joy.

"Lilleyin, I wish you did not go.  I lov you so much." - Melissa Anne

". . .Lillian, when asked to write a note for you, I did so without hesitation.  The words came so easily.  I did not have to 'think of something nice to say.' That's because you are a wonderful person!  And I pray that God would bless you richly on your birthday and always!  Keep following God's direction in your life and cling tightly to Him always. . ."

"You always have a kind, positive, encouraging word.  You are thoughtful and friendly to those you meet.  You are quick to laugh and to share others' joys and sorrows.  You are a wonderful example for me to follow, and I thank you for that.  And Lillian, on top of being one of the most genuinely nice people I know, you are also one of the most beautiful girls I know. . . You are such a blessing to so many people, Lil!  Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.  Love you, sweet girl!"

My dearest Lillian,
It has come.  This day on which we gather to honor you and your lovely life.
I can't even begin to find the words to describe all that you mean to me.  You are so patient with me, especially when I don't deserve it (which, by the way, makes be feel especially terribly, and more like a lowly worm than anything else.)
But that is what I need.  A constant reminder of the attributes I know I need to possess, but so easily slip through my fingers.  You have a grasp on life.
Things don't seem to take you by surprise.  And even when they do, you somehow manage to keep your head and deal with them (well, most of the time).  You are a daily inspiration.  Watching you grow into a Godly young woman helped me realize the importance of growing in faith.  I was stuck in a rut of non-growth, but you helped pull me out, whether you knew it or not.  My goal was (and is) to grow up to be just like you, loved and appreciated by all.  You don't seem to see it, but people love you.  They love YOU.  For your sweet spirit and your quiet laugh.  For your continuing determination to show Christ's love, even when it does not seem to be wanted.  I hope you realize this as you read these notes, I did, just barely fighting back the tears.  I love you so much, my darling sister.  You keep me held together.  I don't know what I would do without you, and I pray I will never have to find out.  (Well now that I have finished this on a depressing note, I ought to think of something funny to say. . .so. . .I shall end with a Daily Odd
Compliment.  "Today, I gave myself a headache, trying to picture how someone would describe a jellyfish to a blind person.  And that's when I realized I shouldn't be left alone and I miss you."  He he he. . .)
Much Love,
Eady

broken hearts

"Father, break my heart for what breaks Your's.

Give me open hands and open doors.

Put Your light in my eyes and let me see

that my own little world is not about me."

My Own Little World - Matthew West 

We all have those days.  The ones where nothing seems to go right, when all you want to do is curl up in a little ball and cry.

When you feel like your heart is breaking.

You are human.  I am human.  We have emotions, feelings. . .we love. . .

And when everything seems to be going wrong, there is One who hears your cries, listens to your prayers, but most of all, He loves your heart.

He loves you.

Remember it if you are on top of the world, and when you are at your lowest.  When you are happy, and when you are sad.  Remember that He loves you always.

Because sometimes it takes a broken heart for true love to seep in.

Sometimes failure gets the best of you, knocks you down, tells you that you will never be good enough.  But don't believe it.  Get back up and move on.

You are strong enough. 



So, what are you waiting for?