Friday, October 30, 2009

bittersweet.





In recent days my heart has been aching...aching over the here and now-suffering, pain, hardship, and aching for the heavens and earth to come. My precious grandmother is somewhere in between. After over a year of strange sickness she thought was related to food allergies and a loss of over 30 pounds (she is at around 85 pounds), we found out her once cured hormone cancer has come back with a vengeance. It has metastasized into her lungs, and abdomen, causing her to fight for her every breath. I could go into a great deal of detail, but the bottom line is she is hurting, and that makes my heart hurt. Hence the bitter part.

The sweet part is that she is the biggest fighter I know. The sweet part is that she holds onto the Savior and always has. And when he calls her home there will be an overwhelming joy and ache inside me...one for her eternal destiny and the other for mine. I long to be home too. But, of course, the timing of that is not for me to decide. For now I pray for her to be out of pain as quickly as possible, be it a comeback from this sickness or a passing on to a place where there is none.

She is my mother, she has been there for me more than my own... nurturing me, fighting for me, and exercising the power of prayer over my life. I'm so thankful we're not only blood relatives; we're heirs of Christ and adopted into the family of God. We'll never be separated for long.


Wednesday, October 28, 2009

creative birthday girl


Me and Steph (above) Baby Will (below)

I've been meaning to share pictures of these fun earrings for a while now. What a perfect day for it.....the creator's birthday! Stephanie has an art degree with a concentration in painting. Nowadays she spends her time raising little Will (age 1) and creating lots of fun things in her home (lots of fabric work, modern quilting, felt, etc.). I admire my dear friends' commitment to buying handmade things as well. I'm considering taking the handmade challenge myself! Here are some pics of the cute earrings I've fallen in love with:) Watch out...you might find yourself craving a pair, too! You can shop at her Etsy store.


Happy happy birthday Steph-my wonderfully creative friend!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

psalms to silence the heart

trust (trst)n.
1. Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
2. Custody; care.
3. Something committed into the care of another; charge.
4. Reliance on something in the future; hope.

I'm encouraged to fully trust my heavenly Father with our future when I read these poetic and heart-felt Psalms...

16:7-11 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

61:8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before himl
God is a refuge for us.

145:15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

103: 1-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all this is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Sam Bear-Hugs a Cholla

Here is my studly husband after a fight with a cholla (type of cactus). I don't know who won. Although Sam's body looked like acupuncture gone wrong, the cactus was definitely demolished so.... maybe they both got the crap kicked out of them. Oh the joys of living in the desert.








Sunday, October 4, 2009

Dear Ruth

I don't know why I should feel a tad bashful about sharing this. There's no shame in loving people and being loved in return. And I know you're not one to hide your heart for others either...oh how I admire that about you :) On your special day I think you must know how much your one life has touched mine; how much I look to you as a source of godly wisdom and example. No, I don't put you on a pedestal, but I celebrate the work of Christ IN you. Just as you create things as an artist and look upon them with great joy, so your Father looks upon you as his masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." You are loved dear friend.

Happy Day of your Birth!

Love,
Libby