The Son's Flower

Our sunflowers are just beginning to bloom! They are Mom's favorite flower. So beautiful!

I love to think of them as an example of believers...growing and growing, always closer to the Son. Sunflowers have their name, because, in a way, they look like the sun. We as believers should be looking more and more like Jesus. We will never shine as brightly as He, nor will we ever on this earth be sinless. That brown spot in the middle of the sunflower reminds me of the sinner that I am. Yet when I get to Heaven, that will be washed away, and I will be a new creation, radiant and pure.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places...."Ephesians 1:3

What wonderful examples The Lord gives us in creation!

"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!"

Psalm 30:11-12

All creation sings His praise!

Psalm 8

Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, 

who put your splendor above the heavens. 

From the mouth of children and infants you have foundedc strength 

on account of your enemies, 

to silence the enemy and the avenger. 

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, 

the moon and the stars which you set in place— 

4 what is a human being that you think of him? 

and a child of humankind that you care for him? 

5 And you made him a little lower than heavenly beings,d 

and with glory and with majesty you crowned him. 

6 You make him over the works of your hands; 

all things you have placed under his feet: 

7 sheep and cattle, all of them, 

and also the wild animals of the field, 

8 the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea, 

everything that passes along the paths of seas. 

9 Yahweh, our Lord, 

how majestic is your name in all of the earth! 

"But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3"

Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Your Grace is Sufficient

Your grace is sufficient 

Your strength covers me

Your grace is sufficient 

It's sufficient for me!

Now gladly I will boast in you

And give my weaknesses for you to work through

Gladly I will boast in you

That your power may rest on me

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound 

That saved a wretched soul like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

I once was blind but now I see

And Your grace is sufficient for me 

Jehovah Reigns

Enthroned in Heaven's majesty, 

His glory is the Light

That shines through all eternity, 

The Source of Joy and life.

His presence rolls like thunder, 

Dominion without end. 

Creator, Master, Lord, and King, 

His name forever stands! 

Jehovah reigns, forever victorious. 

Through all times, 

In every place, His power endures!

Now let all creation sing His praise, and bless His holy name! 

Jehovah reigns, Jehovah reigns. 

And so He left His throne above 

And, humbled as a man, 

He walked the shores of Galilee, 

Love's redeeming plan! 

Then crucified, He bore my pain, 

My death forever gone! 

The chains of death are overthrown, the Concourer has come! 

"Jehovah Reigns" by Rachel Busenitz 

He is Faithful

In the morning sunrise I behold Your glory 

All creation sings Your majesty and praise 

I come before You, resting in Your presence. 

My Maker and Redeemer,You're the Keeper of my days 

And You are faithful to supply my need.

You are faithful to give me joy abundantly 

You are faithful to calm the storms of life for me

You are faithful, You're all I need.

In the darkness of the night my heart is peaceful

As I rest beneath the Shadow of Your Wings

For You alone can fill my deepest longings

You're the Alpha and Omega, my Jehovah and my King

And You are faithful to supply my need.

You are faithful to give me joy abundantly 

You are faithful to calm the storms of life for me

You are faithful, You're all I need.

"He is Faithful" by Rachel (Wissmann) Busenitz 

 

Tomorrow.......

....they'll be the age I was when they first came to us! Oh my!

When we first heard about them, they were 10 years old...Wow...the the years have flown. 

Edward, you are the life of the party. Fun....funny, always making me laugh...and your antics...oh boy!

You've really changed a lot in the time you've been here, crossing from boyhood and making your way on the journey to manhood. You've become a hard worker, and I am so proud of all you've accomplished through Christ. My heart swells with a sisters' pride and joy every time I see you in your ALERT Cadet uniform. Those things...the things that really matter, like reading Gods word, prayer,wisdom  search, heart to heart talks with mom and dad, time spent with your siblings, teaching them things, sharing your heart with them, working in your novice handbooks, helping Dad with a project, working hard, obeying, etc, etc, those things will produce fruit in your life. When you have Christ living in you, those everyday things will produce godliness, character, a firm foundation for a godly future that honors The Lord. I pray for you each day. I pray that your heart would always be soft, and always be turned to Him...to Mom and Dad, to your family, this one, and perhaps a future one, should The Lord see fit. I pray that in all situations, you will choose the straight and narrow, to stand for Truth. Be courageous, be brave, be strong. Ed, whatever The Lord brings into your life, whatever path you choose, choices you make...know this: I love you. I will always love you! I am so blessed that The Lord chose you to be my [not so little anymore] brother! Happy 14th birthday.....Eward!!

Elisha, I truly don't know what I ever did without you! Oh dear, I can't even begin to imagine! I'd truly be high and dry. Remembering little details, check. Finding everything I ever misplace, check. Writing cards of encouragement to me when I need them most, check. Organizing the toughest mess that no one else wants to look at, check. 

When I'm overwhelmed, your smiling, joyful face encourages me. Your laughter at the simple things reminds me to be lighthearted. 

I am so blessed to see you reach out with letter writing, and encourage others with verses and prayers. I also was amazed at how wonderful you were with the girls at Bright Lights! Wow! You made them all feel so welcome and at home. Thank you so much for that! Any little details that slipped through my fingers fell into your hands and were take care of so willingly and joyfully...half the time I probably didn't even realize it! So thanksgiving is definitely in order! 

Lishy, I am so grateful for the ways I see you stepping up, reaching out, and really growing in The Lord! I have watched how Jonathan, Nicole, Rosie, and yes, even Edward;), look up to you...SO MUCH!!! They want to be JUST LIKE YOU! How much more impact do your decisions(even the small ones) have on not only you, but on your siblings, and even others outside yet intently looking in. 

I pray that you will continue to see how you can serve The Lord in these most valuable years in all of your life, these most precious times, not only in the "big," and seemingly more important ways, but also in the small ways...that may not seem so special, like being a daily example to your siblings. But believe me, these things will have a lasting impact on many generations! When you obey The Lord in the small things, He'll give you bigger things to do.

 I pray that no matter what comes into your life, that you would remember your First Love....Jesus. He is the only one who can wholly completely fulfill all need and every desire!  May He be your everything. May you never, ever settle for anything less than His best for your life! You are precious! More precious and valuable than rubies. 

As I see The Lord taking you on the path from girlhood into womanhood, I am constantly awed at how you are becoming more and more beautiful in Him every day. 

Elisha Marie, Lishy Lou, Lish....I love you so much! Always! No matter what! 

Happy 14th birthday, Elisha! I hope your day is the special-est one ever!