Tuesday, January 29, 2008

First Day... Precious

Today was my first day of school... well really, back to school since the engagement and wedding. Steven was so cute last night because he packed up my back pack with a new folder, my nalgene, snack machine money, and all the other things I might need. He also got up this morning and made my lunch. What in the world! I did not by any means expect this treatment, but I am thankful that God has given him a servants heart. I love him dearly and more each day.
Friday is our 2 month anniversary. So I thought I'd post the lyrics of the song he picked for our first dance by John Legend called Stay With You.
We've been together for a while now
We're growing stronger everyday now
It feels so good and there's no doubt
I will stay with you as each morning brings sunrise
And the flowers bloom in springtime
On my love you can rely
And I'll stay with you

Oh I'll stay with you through the ups and the downs
Oh I'll stay with you when no one else is around
And when the dark clouds arrive
I will stay by your side
I know we'll be alright
I will stay with you

Though relationships can get old
They have the tendency to grow cold
We have something like miracle
Yeah, and I'll stay with you

Oh I'll stay with you through the ups and the downs
Oh I'll stay with you when no one else is around
And when the dark clouds arrive
I will stay by your side
I know we'll be alright
I will stay with you

And there will be heartaches and pains, yes it will
But through it all, we will remain
In this life, we all know
Friends may come, and they may go
Through the years I know
I will stay
And in the end I know that we'll find
Love so beautiful and divine
We'll be lovers for the lifetime, yeah
And I'll stay with you
I will stay with you

Oh I'll stay with you through the ups and the downs
Oh I'll stay with you when no one else is around
And when the dark clouds arrive
I will stay by your side
I know we'll be alright
I will stay with you
Everything will be fine
And I will stay with you
Through the end of time
I will stay with you

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Argentina Count Down




Steven and I will be leaving March 9th for Formosa Argentina. We are taking BCM students there for a spring break mission trip. Last year we went to Brazil and worked with a ministry called Restoration. They worked to evangelize children in the favellas (slums) and start churches. In Argentina we will be working with two IMB (International Mission Board) families to evangelize through sports, door to door, and backyard Bible clubs. Our main objective is to share the Gospel and start churches with the people who become believers. I'll keep you updated as we continue to prepare.
Until all tribes and tongues and nations know the name of Jesus Christ,
emily

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Home Sweet Home

Madi is home right now! Praise God that she has fought hard and her little body is functioning much better now. Hopefully I'll have a picture soon.

Today!

Madison could come home today! We got a call at 9:30 this morning saying there is a good chance Madi could be release from the hospital by the afternoon! Lee and Lara spent the night at the hospital and are anxious to bring her home.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Madison Update

Many of you have been faithful to pray for Madison so let me give you an update in order to pray specifically. After talking with Lee last night I was encouraged to know she is getting better. They had orginally hoped she would be home today, but some machine reading has to reach zero and stay there for 24 hours before the hospital will release her. Basically her blood sugar has to be a certain level and stabilize for 24 hours. Lee and Lara have been at the hospital ever 3 hours to see their baby girl. We were able to meet Lara's mom and hang out with her and Braden Saturday. I made Braden's favorite... cake! He went crazy!

Friday, January 18, 2008

Madison- a gift

Nine months happens slowly when you are waiting anxiously for a precious gift! But so much can happen in the waiting.

The past nine months have included dating, engagement and marriage for us! We don't like to waste any time. God has brought many trials and struggles, but I am thankful because this is not my ultimate home. So if necessary, for a little while, if I must face hardship I can rejoice in the hope that has been revealed to me in Christ Jesus. The past week and a half has been one of the most difficult I have ever experienced in my 25 years. Although, the season of struggle is still among us I am learning how much control I long to have and how much better it is for me to TRUST in my Redeemer. He is sovereign!
1 Peter
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Baby Madison was born Monday January 14th! Lee, Lara and Braden are our dear friends and we treasure their spiritual care for us. So this time is so special and encouraging. Life is very precious, but death is sweeter! No more suffering, no more trials.. I think of Philippians 1:
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

Madison is still in the hospital because she is boarder line diabetes. Her little body is fighting this disease, but is not doing so well. Her time on the earth has been so short and she is already facing the struggles this world brings. She has done nothing to deserve this pain, but yet she doesn't deserve the love of her heavenly Father. None of us do, but he freely forgives us and calls us his own.
I am reminded of a song by Sovereign Grace Ministry titled: Isn't He Good

Your goodness
Found us in the darkness
Rescued us and freed us
Cleansed us from within
You saved us
Freely You forgave us
Counted us as righteous
And heirs with Your own Son

Isn’t He good, isn’t He kind
Hasn’t He blessed us time after time
Isn’t He good, all of our days
With endless mercies
And ceaseless grace
Oh let us sing: He is good

Your mercies meet us
With the daybreak
And every breath that we take
Points us to Your grace
Your power
Keeps us till the hour
Every knee will bow and
Worship Christ alone

Friday, January 11, 2008

Photos

Since I can't post my own personal photography skills here anymore I will post a link to our wedding photos! You can purchase the pics from smug mug and they're having a big sale right now... half off.
Wedding pictures!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Rejoice in Lord always

2008!
Doesn't seem real that it is 2008. I can still remember being in elementary school writing the date in the top right corner of my note book paper, January 8, 1989, 1990, 1991... I always wrote the previous year for the first three months of the new year.

There has been some sad news in my life. At the end of a very exciting eventful year my camera went missing. Still don't know what happened to it... it was just gone. It was a good 2 years together, but now it's gone. So unfortunately no pictures on the blog. Perhaps this will inspire me to write more.

My husband got me a book called "Shopping for Time" by the ladies of Girl Talk a while back and I finished reading it right after the new year. A whole chapter is dedicated to the importance of a personal retreat. The Lord convicted me to take my own personal retreat. So I did last Friday afternoon. I set some goals for myself and locked the door of a room at the ministry house with my Bible, a blank notepad, a list of goals for my time, and questions asked in the book. Four hours later I came out refreshed, excited, and motivated. God taught me about character: poor in spirit, mourn, meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemaker, and persecuted.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven...

This is my plea for your joy and godliness to set aside a specific chunk of time to be still before God and be proactive about planning the next few months of your life.