Fall Fun with Mimi!

If I could, I think I'd visit every pumpkin patch in town! I just love fall colors and decorations, especially when there's an unusual display, say, a giant corn tepee or a mum ferris wheel. You just never know what you'll see from year to year!

I had read about the mum ferris wheel, and last week Mimi and I drove across town to the Pumpkin Barn across from Mt. Lebanon. We had a great time, and Miss Ava had a lot of colorful things to keep her entertained! She even chewed on a piece of straw to be in keeping with her surroundings!







Ava loved the ferris wheel. An elderly gentlement built this and turned it on for us when we got close to the barn.



This would make a great bonfire! I had never seen one this tall.

This Time Last Year

Lately, I've been sorting through a mountain of pictures from 2008 as I prepare to begin Ava's special lifebook. I love going through pictures and seeing what was taking place this time last year. I found this picture today, and I love the look on Ava's face and her hands. That little hat looked so cute on her!

I get lost in remembering sometimes. We all have stories, and sometimes, I like to just sit down and remember details that I've forgotten or that have grown foggy after the passage of time. I like to remember His faithfulness as I move forward into uncharted territory, knowing in my heart that He's already there, waiting for me to join Him in this adventure.

I love knowing that He's the one waiting for me.

With open arms

You know that feeling you get when you get off of the plane and step through the gate to see someone waiting for your arrival? That's what I imagine. He's THAT excited to see me - especially after a long absence. That excited. Every time.

I think He would make posters and hold them up.

Amazing Grace

I get a lot of e-mails with attachments. It's not every day that I open videos and watch them in their entirety, but I did today. I am so glad I did! So glad, that I wanted to share it with you all. It's like a recipe that I just can't wait to tell someone, "You've got to try this!" May you be filled to overflowing today.

I've never been to the Colliseum in Rome, but I bet it's really something! This is a video of Ill Divo singing Amazing Grace there, and boy, was there a surprise at the end!

Truly, no matter how many dangers, toils and snares we come through, God's grace will lead us HOME! That is the best news I have ever received. He made a way for me to return to my rightful home, away from the dangers, toils and snares.

If I take the world up on all of it's many offers for fulfillment - entertainment, beauty, health and exercise, why in the world would I not take Him on his offer for true, lasting fulfillment? That really hit me just now.

We just rented Amazing Grace from Netflix, the true story of the man who wrote the song and the man who had a vision to stop the slave trade in England in the 1800s. It was an incredible movie, one we almost passed up. I just love true stories about men and women of great faith. If you do, too....

Meet William Wilberforce.

The honest truth is that Emily, meaning me, myself and I, is that wretch that the song talks about on any given day. All the makeup and fanciful scarves, friendliness and good intentions don't hide that. At my worst and my best, I need grace. Amazing grace. Lasting grace. Unconditional grace. In all my strivings, it's never about how good I am. It's about how GOOD HE IS. That's such a relief to me!

God says it is sufficient for this weary daughter. Enough.

Oh, how grateful I am for the grace that covers me. The world may see my blemishes. There are many on the outside and the inside, but God sees me as perfect. All of Christ's attributes are mine because of what He did for me. I don't know about you, but I need someone who doesn't look at all of my imperfections. Someone, who says, who you are is enough. I love you no matter what. You're beautiful, a princess, no matter your age or what you've been through or what you've said or done.

I'm having a moment right now - a giddy, beautiful moment with the Lord. The world can NEVER satisfy, but He can! He truly can!

I'm sorry I can't embed this. The embedding has been disabled by request. This link will take you straight to the video.

Let the words pour over you and into you in the midst of whatever you're doing. I promise you that your heart will be encouraged. Plus, the bagpipes are way cool!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i526Q8PlnL4

Back Aches and Fever

Just checking in today. I've been away from the blog for a few days as things have been a little crazy around here. Ben really threw his lower back out last Saturday and has been really struggling this week. He's going to a chiropractor who tells him that he should be better in a couple of weeks. He really does look like his body is going two different ways. I've never seen anything like it!

We were supposed to leave today to visit family in Maryland this weekend, but he has been instructed not to sit for long periods of time. We didn't think 10 hours in the car with Ava would be a good idea. We're so bummed as we were really excited about visiting family. We hope to go very soon as soon as he's able.

It's probably a good thing we didn't go, because Ava has a fever of 102 today! It's getting comical at this point.

I'll post more pictures just as soon as I'm able.

Ava has recently discovered Leggos!




Blessings to you~

Emily

Pumpkins for a Pumpkin

This time last year, Ava was almost two months old when we went to pick out pumpkins.





Today, the temperature climbed into the upper 60s, and we headed to the pumpkin patch. Ava is almost fourteen months old! Our church is just up the road and sells them each year to benefit Samaritan Hands. A dear friend of mine is in charge of the patch each year.

Ava had a ball! The mud on her knees is evidence of a good time. :)

Happy Fall, everyone!

CHINA!

Excitement in the house tonight! I just checked the China Adopt Talk site, and it has been confirmed that China has processed 5 days worth of log-in dates. They have now placed referrals through March 28, 2006! We are April 28, 2006! That's one month of log-in dates away from us. Let's just say that they consistently process 5 days per month from now on. That would mean us gettting our referral for Maia in April! Whoah, it's right around the corner! I need to get ALL of my China stuff back out!!! We definitely think it's going to be before summer of 2010!

Ava's going to have a baby sister from the other side of the globe, and the Lord knows Maia's name and where she is right now. She has likely been born and is waiting for us! I'm still posting on the Maia site if you still want to follow that.

Blink.

It will be here before we know it!

Simple Things

For me, it's any number of things; a comfortable chair, the smell of a blanket that's been outside for awhile, a memorable conversation with family or friends, a good, take you to another place read, a colorful scarf to add color to my day or my first sip of spiced tea. Just yesterday, it was the smell of seasonal cinnamon brooms at Kroger.

For Ava, it's a BIG box! She's had more fun in this box than she's had with all of her toys combined we think.

I thought about that box. I long for the simple most days.

Such joy can be found in the simple things.

Life, daily life, can be so complex and tangled and weighty.

Today, I was thinking that we all need a big box.

What's your big box?

Just for fun, leave me a comment and tell me what it is. I'll post the comments and we can read and be inspired by one another. Come on now, you maybe happened upon something I haven't thought of. Had you thought of cinnamon brooms? Ok, there you go.