But a good day. It's life, ya know? The good, the bad and the ugly... it's all life, it's all good, and it's all from God. Praise God that every second of every day of every year of every decade (and so on) is planned... and going according to plan... and it's all for our good... because (as my Dad likes to say): God cares more about our character than our comfort. And praise the Lord. Can you imagine what we would be like if life went according to our plans? We'd be a much more unsanctified people. I'm so glad the Lord cares about me that much. And even crazier, He rewards us in Heaven for the work He does in our hearts. Again, praise God.
If only we could be as patient with each other as God is with us. Waaay too often we focus on the bad in each other... and criticism unbalanced with understanding, humility and love leads to pride. And pride leads to dissension like nothing else. We become so used to pointing out others' faults that we start to ignore our own... and begin to think more highly of ourselves... then pretty soon, people don't wanna be around us because we just can't help but compliment ourselves throughout our conversation ("But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth" 2 Corinthians 10:17,18). We need to have love for one another... and that entails the actions in 1 Corinthians 13. Not just having a good feeling for someone, or having a good time with soemone... but acting it out. We need to have an understanding heart... and have compassion rather than criticism waiting to jump on people ("Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep" Romans 12:15). AND... we also need to learn to appreciate one another. Not just put up with one another... but really, trully appreciate them and be thankful for them... and admire them for their strengths and pray lovingly and humbly for their weaknesses ("Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each eseteem other better than themselves" Philippians 2:3)... and love them because God loves them... and He loves us. Our hearts should be so overflowing with gratitude rather than pride! "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift" 2 Corinthians 9:15.
"They came to see that family need not be defined merely as those with whom they share blood, but those for whom they would give their blood."
-Mr. Crummles, Nicholas Nickleby
If only we could be as patient with each other as God is with us. Waaay too often we focus on the bad in each other... and criticism unbalanced with understanding, humility and love leads to pride. And pride leads to dissension like nothing else. We become so used to pointing out others' faults that we start to ignore our own... and begin to think more highly of ourselves... then pretty soon, people don't wanna be around us because we just can't help but compliment ourselves throughout our conversation ("But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth" 2 Corinthians 10:17,18). We need to have love for one another... and that entails the actions in 1 Corinthians 13. Not just having a good feeling for someone, or having a good time with soemone... but acting it out. We need to have an understanding heart... and have compassion rather than criticism waiting to jump on people ("Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep" Romans 12:15). AND... we also need to learn to appreciate one another. Not just put up with one another... but really, trully appreciate them and be thankful for them... and admire them for their strengths and pray lovingly and humbly for their weaknesses ("Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each eseteem other better than themselves" Philippians 2:3)... and love them because God loves them... and He loves us. Our hearts should be so overflowing with gratitude rather than pride! "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift" 2 Corinthians 9:15.
"They came to see that family need not be defined merely as those with whom they share blood, but those for whom they would give their blood."
-Mr. Crummles, Nicholas Nickleby
Mama and the girlies.
Addie.... trying to smile?
Flowers make her happy. ;)
The five hundred million faces of Emmy. The girl is quite... expressive.
And then there's Addie. And you just knoow she's plotting something inside that little head. :>
Oh, beautiful child. :D
The stubborn "can't make me smile" face. =>
I don't know what to call this, but she sure is a cutie-pie. :D
=D
Ooh dear. lol, she really is the strangest girl. But endearingly so, of course.
Fair Emmy.
Scary Emmy.
She amuses herself deeply. hehe. Can't say that I blame her. She IS hilarious.
And then... there's Walnut. *sigh* This baby is truly... edible.
Walter getting tired, but trying not to freak out.
"Auntie? Have mercy? Please? Get me out of this contraption!"
Okay, everybody: "Aaaaaw!"
Ang and Rach. <3
Manda couldn't be in any of these pictures (they were Mother's day pics) cuz she was being a Mom... a pregnant Mom at that... and feeling quite sick. Poor thing.
*heart*
Um... Em? Half of the time I don't know what the girl is trying to do. lol. I love her.
Oh, my beautiful girls. Er.. my nieces. I can't help but be possessive. I just love them. =D
Shweethearts.
Mum-mum love.
See? Mine. My girls. ;)
Oooh, he's gettin the look. The Jenni look.
Oh, that's lovely, Greg. Sucha boy. ;)
Let's hear it again: "Aaaaaw."
2 comments:
A very lovely post indeed, Annie dearest!!! You have so much to give and at such a young age, not blogging would be such a crime! This was truly a blessing and great reminder! Our sinful hearts look at the worst, but OH may we see with the eye of love!! I LOVE all the pictures and I pray I get to know those two dear girlies soooo much better!! How precious you all are!!!
Awww, I'm sorry your day was long >:D< But thanks for sharing about it, I feel for you! (although my days are not nearly as full) I was so excited to see THREE new posts! What did you decide was the best Sam Adams? We've been drinking that recently too (well, Ed drinks. I smell it and pester him to describe the flavor to me :P) And what mid-wife book are you reading? I've got one packed away somewhere that might be useful to you. I just LOVE all those girly pictures of Em and Addie and all the girls. So beautiful! Thanks again for sharing! :X
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