Tonight, I thought I would simply share one of my favorite Scriptures with each of you, my friends. Perhaps, it may give to your hearts the same strength and peace it offers mine. :) You're all so precious to your Father's heart...never forget how dearly He loves you.

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Ephesians 3:14-21

I'll say good night for now, but I hope you will all be blessed with a wonderful day tomorrow--full of opportunities to grow in Christ more and more. :) Thank you all for caring enough to share your time with me here...it means a lot. All my best!

Earlier this afternoon, I was blessed to go visit a dear friend of mine. She has three precious nephews, and they were all over at her home, enjoying their aunt's company, when I stopped by to see her. One glimpse of the tender, little eyes was all it took to bring me back, in an instant, to times so long since passed, that the years seem to have been part of another lifetime...

The first-born little baby was named William, and he greeted this world far before any of us expected his company. Being born at only 21 weeks of gestation, he was instantly brought into a world of immense medical difficulty--even what some called impossibility. Tears and prayers were poured, as never before, from our hearts upon the altar of God's throneroom...and our Heavenly Father listened to our pleas for William's life.

He did survive and continued, with each day, in his tiny heart's struggle for life. Doctors, even now, are baffled by his overcoming such odds. All I know to say is that God chose to show immense mercy...there is no human explanation for the miracle of his life.

He will have difficulties that stay with him the rest of his days, but I have never yet found another heart so pure and so inexplicably able to make me feel as though I've suddenly entered the embrace of my Savior's loving arms. William just has a certain peace that overflows from his life and shares its fragrance with all who are blessed enough to be near.

During the first night of his life, I penned a poem--not knowing if he would still be with us the next morn. In its words was a certain dedicatory trust; we had no way of knowing what the next dawn would bring, but we knew God would be caring for William, no matter what came to pass.

You gave me a child, Lord,
For which I daily prayed.
Yet now he's weak, and I know not
When tomorrow could be his last day.

If the world cannot here hold him, though,
We trust Thy tender heart.
Perhaps Your lamb couldn't rest as well
Within our mortal arms.

If this be so, we lay him then
In Your own loving hands.
We pray, Lord, that You'll hold for us
Our precious little lamb,

And when someday, I come to You,
And my life here on earth is done,
I will hold out my hands and You will place,
Within them, my dear little one.

In that moment I'll know, after all that's passed,
Why You sheltered my lamb so long.
You knew that in no other place could he rest
As he could in the hand of God.

The Lord graciously allowed us to keep William here, and today as I looked upon all the precious little ones, my heart reminisced over the many years of faithfulness in which God has blessed us all. Never once, did He fail to show His love--even when it seemed hidden; Through all, He was perfectly orchestrating the symphony of life which cannot cease from showing His glory.

Today, William's existence is a testimony of God's faithfulness to all who have been blessed to know him. I consider myself honored beyond any measure to have shared in his life.

Before I bid you all farewell for this evening, I will share one more poem... This one was written on the day of William's first birthday, and I think you will begin to see, even at that early stage, what a beautiful place he was holding in our hearts.

Dear little one of blessing,
Tiny gift, oh precious lamb,
We were praying here for you,
While you were still within God's hand.

He held you there in Heaven
While we waited here on earth,
Until He thought the time was best
To show to us your worth.

In truth, you never really left
All Heaven's glories there above;
For when you came to bless us,
You carried, with you, Heaven's love.

So when we hold you here on earth
And cradle you within our arms,
We don't just hold a precious lamb,
But also love within our hearts.

So thank you, tender little one,
For coming with your love so true.
You've touched our hearts, and we will ever
Thank our Lord for sending you.

Thus ends the story of my cherished William. I cannot wait to see how the Lord will continue to use his life to bring unending glory to His name. Is it not written that God uses the foolish things of earth to confound the wise and the weak to confound the strong? The Lord is working through a little child, robbed of his sight, to open our eyes to the truths that matter most. I'm humbled by this precious gift of love from our Father's heart; I will never cease to marvel at His grace.

May the Lord bless you in everything to which you set your hands. I pray you will be used to bring great delight to His heart and tremendous honor to His name. God be with you!

Hello, my friends! I hope you, too, have been blessed by a wonderful day. I'm heading out, in just a little while, to go walking, and the Hill Country is very lovely tonight. A breeze has swept its way into our area, and I only wish it was here to stay. :)

My day has been filled with all the "heaviness" of massive homework, so when someone told me of a humerous happening today, it gave me even more pleasure and lightness of heart than it would have, under normal circumstances. :) I thought some of you might enjoy the opportunity to laugh at and with us, too!

Several days ago, my mother remembered that her sister's birthday was near at hand, so she purchased a beautiful card for her loved one. That served to remind her that a old family friend shared the same birthdate, so we picked out a wonderful card for him, too. The weekend was even busier than most, but we gave a concerted effort to write hand-penned notes within the little cards and rushed them off to the airport post office, around ten p.m. one night. Wanting the letters to have the best possible chance of reaching their much-loved recipients by this morning, I admit I was quite well-pleased that my family had given such a good effort. :)

Well...this afternoon, my mother called my aunt, and my cousin answered the phone. Mom quickly said, "Hi there! Is your mom around the house? I wanted to wish her a happy birthday." A few moments of silence passed before my cousin replied, "um...yeah she's here...but it's not her birthday." My mother nearly dropped the phone, as the realization came to her that the birthday wasn't until August. My aunt still took the call and thought the whole situation was as funny as could be. :)

Of course, Mother's sister took it all with a well-humored laugh. The more humiliating scenario was the fact that an old family friend, also, received his "birthday card" today--only it was a month early. :)

We've never, ever done something like this before. You've got to believe me. I remember a few "select" birthdays and trust my mother to remember any other ones of great importance. That would have worked this time, too--except that my mom's in a transition time of her thyroid medication. To put it mildly, my valedictorian mother's mind is a bit less "connected" than usual. I don't bear humiliation too easily, but what a good laugh we shared, when all was said and done! :)

Anyway, there aren't too many earth-shatteringly important lessons in this little post--just some cause for good humor. :) However, I think God takes great pleasure in seeing His children smile, so take a few moments and thank Him for the joy He loves to add to our days.

I hope you will all have a marvelous night, and I send my best wishes to each of you! God be with you!

I'm mortified that such a long time has passed since I last said hello to you all here. I'll try to be a more steadfast friend, in the days to come. :) So very much has transpired, since last we spoke, and I've had the immense joy of watching God's hand at work in my life and the life of those all around me. I'll share with you a short story that really touched my heart when its news first reached me, early yesterday afternoon...

When I was only four years old, I moved with my parents to the San Antonio area and within weeks, we had chosen a church home. As God would have it, our family became one of only four founding families of the infant congregation. Seven years later, 2000 people were hearing God's Word taught there each weekend. :) (These are some of the dearest times of my life, by the way.)

Though times eventually have changed and dear ones have moved and embraced new callings, we've kept close bonds of friendship with those other founding families. A long while back, one couple took their family and moved to Brazil to serve as missionaries. While ministering there, a little orphan grew very dear to their hearts. They tried everything to adopt the precious girl, but eventually, there was simply nothing more that could be done. After serving in Brazil for years, they returned to the States and, in doing so, were forced to leave behind the little girl whose heart had been inscribed within their own.

Ten years have now come and gone, and the little girl has grown from a youth, only seven years old, into a young woman. My missionary friends haven't been able to see her in a decade, but every day has found her in their hearts. Only days ago, the wife opened her mail to find a letter penned in Portuguese. The orphaned girl, now seventeen, desperately wanted them to visit her. She told of what has filled her days throughout theses past ten years. Her life brought anything but simplicity or ease, but her heart has stayed tender to the Lord. What one influence helped to birth such love and trust for her Savior? --my precious missionary friends...

I'm truly praying a great deal now for them all. If the Lord allows, the girl would love to be brought to the States to be a part of their family, as they have longed for her to be, so very long now. It may be that she will have to wait another year, until she will have reached an age of adulthood. I know that God is looking down on everything and that He will bring His very best to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I trust that His love will triumph in the end, no matter what we see immediately around us.

I found it astounding that she had not seen them since the age of seven, and yet it was that small "window of time" which has given rise to the character she embraces today. Truly, I found it all very humbling. I believe we all try to be a reflection of the Lord to those with whom He's surrounded us, but sometimes, we neglect to realize the incredible power of influence we are given. I stand as witness to the beauty of spirit that has been birthed through the willing obedience of just one couple, and I wonder, "What if they had not been a mirror of Christ to that girl? What would've become of her soul?"

We never know when we may be the only glimpse of Jesus that another person ever sees. That thought brings me a great impassioning to submit myself wholly to God for His perfect purposes. More than all else, I want to adore my Savior and lead others to His love. We never know when that little girl or boy at our knees will be the next champion for God's cause on earth. We never know when a hungering person fed in mercy will have seen the hand of God through us, for the first time in their life. We never know...

God has placed around us so many people to influence with His heart, and I know I am the woman I am today because someone cared enough to invest in my life. I'm both humbled and filled with gratitude for the amazing hosts of friends, mentors, and leaders by whom God has grown my heart. I owe so much to them and to the Lord for His immense mercy in placing them in my life. I only pray I can give back to this world even a portion of the love God has poured out upon me.

I've missed you all, and I'm glad I was able to sit for a little while and share a bit of life with you. :) God be with you all, my friends!

This is for you, Paige, on an important day...you know why. I just wanted to tell you I love you and keep you always in my thoughts and prayers. You'll forever have a home in my heart, and more importantly God has a special place for you in the most treasured recesses of His heart. So rest therein, knowing you are precious to Him and to me, as well. Blessings, my sister in Christ!

May God be with "the rest of you" sweet friends, also. You can't know what a joy it's been to share your company here. I pray our Lord will bless you all, as you find the strength to follow Him!

I have to admit, I promised several of you that I would post pictures soon...a long while ago. Forgive my tardiness in fulfilling my word. Though late in coming, I hope you'll enjoy a few glimpses into family life. :)

This first picture is one of my dear sister, Anna. (She's the one on the right, of course.) :) Her sweet, little companion is named Joanna and is the instigator of all my back-breaking, stable-building labor, of the past month or so. :) They're both quite lovable, I must say; the work was hardly comparable to wanting to bless my "long-prayed-for" sister and her new little friend. :)
This second photo shows what the first could not display in entirety...that Joanna's a creature of great beauty. :) I'm still amazed at how wondrously God creates all the life we see around us. From the microscopic to the magnificent, everything reminds me that my Lord loves to design everything as a reflection of His character, beauty, and purpose.


This one is being included because... well because... To be honest, I'm not quite sure why it's being included, except that it was vulnerably sitting on my desktop, saying, "I feel so ignored, so utterly neglected." So, not wanting to discourage the poor, little picture, I've posted it, as well. True story now...it was a lovely day, and my brother just wanted to take my picture, so I'm sharing it with all of you. :)


Here's a gathering of some of my dear ones... From left to right: Gen. Engel, Peggy, Amy (me), and David. We were just finishing a delicious meal, and seeing my camera come out, the server said, "Let me take the picture for you!" (He certainly earned his tip. I love it when people "go the extra mile", even in showing the most simple consideration.) :) At that point, the realization was just starting to "dawn on me" that I'd soon be bidding the General farewell.

Last one...I promise. :) I just loved this picture of Daddy and Mother. I thought those of you who know them would enjoy seeing them again, and that those of you who don't know them might enjoy making their acquaintance. Also, I thought the photo would be something endearing to keep me company when I check on my site... :) Aren't they sweet? I'm blessed beyond measure to have such incredible parents. I certainly never deserved such grace of God. :)

Well, that's all for tonight, my friends. I hope you all are blessed with a wonderful week, and I send my best wishes and prayers to you all! :)

Today has been filled with such beauty and such fulfillment; rarely, have I known the blessings of such a day. Soon, I will tell you why... It would be unfair, however, for me not to explain the many events and past days that have led to the one, now at hand. So, nestle into a cozy chair, and enjoy the reading, for a little while. :)

I have a dear friend, David, whose son died last year, at a youth's age of 21. It nearly broke my heart. David's heart of friendship and devotion is one of the dearest gifts God has ever given me, and it hurt so deeply to watch the pain through which he and his precious wife walked. More on that later...

David's business travels have taken him all over the world, and years ago, he made a good friend in Israel. The man there was a brilliant, retired general who held the hearts and respect of his countrymen, in every possible way, and years of devotion and dedication to the cause of his land's freedom had made him a hero in the eyes of all who knew him. When this dear friend heard of the death of David's son, he promised the grieving father he would come visit him...especially so he could pray by his side, at the grave of the young son.

For months now, David has told me this sweet friend was soon to visit, and he very much wanted my family and me to meet him, during his stay here. Over the past years of their friendship, David had often spoken to the general of us, and the general wanted to know the friends that had so loved David and his family, especially during the times of heartache.

Well...the long-awaited day of the general's arrival finally came, this past Friday. We were to share a meal and fellowship with him, that evening. Also, the distinguished visitor had longed to hear the worship we so love because he had heard of it from David, for years now. :) I couldn't have been more thrilled than to offer a sacrifice of praise to my loving Father, that night. You see, the general is certainly Jewish and has not yet accepted my precious Jesus as his Redeemer. As he listened to the music and saw, in our faces, a fervent love and humbled adoration for our Lord, he realized that this was so much more than a religion to us; he looked deeper to see that it was a relationship--treasured in my heart more than anything I can even comprehend.

After an hour's worth of worship, he still wanted to hear more, and when the music finally stilled and found its cessation, the guest looked through misty eyes at us and spoke some of the most moving words of gratitude and blessing, I've yet ever heard. These words of graciousness and honor were coming from the man who was a national hero, had designed the most technologically advanced tank of our day, and to this day, holds great influence...

The heart was, slowly, being made tender to the call of God--to the beauty of the loving relationship we share with our blessed Savior, Christ. No, he has not accepted my Jesus, but he is listening, perhaps for the first time in his life, and that gives me immense hope.

Throughout the three days I spent in the man's company, I grew to deeply love this one who is so different in every way from me. I have lived in a land that holds an unfathomable degree of supremacy, across all the world; he lives in a land that was founded upon the shoulders of a mere 400,000 persecuted but impassioned patriots. I have lived in relative safety, not having to regularly watch the skies for attack; he has fought every day of his adult life to protect the land and the life he holds sacred. I have adored Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with every breath that's been given me, since my accepting the salvation of my awesome God; he still awaits the coming of the Messiah Who will save him and all that he holds dear.

In the midst of the great love I held for him, there was an equal portion of heartbreak, in knowing that one could know so much and give so much for the sake of a holy God, but somehow, he had lived 58 years without accepting God's most precious sacrifice, Christ Jesus.

For the first time, a face has been put alongside the prayers I've prayed since grade school--that God would watch over His chosen people and bring them to a saving knowledge and acceptance of Jesus. Now each time I raise my eyes to heaven and beseech God on Jerusalem's behalf, a pair of crystal blue eyes will be in my memory, spurring me on to give even more of myself to love others--especially these precious, chosen ones--unto Jesus.

I am amazed, as I look across all the happenings of God's faithfulness, these past several days... For the first time in 58 years, the general stepped foot into a Christian church, sat down, and attended a service unto the glory of Christ. He said he was going to honor David and us, and that he wanted to hear more of the music, but I can tell you that his heart was incredibly moved by the service today, and I only pray it will not be long, 'ere he is my brother in Christ. Even when it seems to be impossible, that is the blessed end to which I will direct my petitions before God.

Just hours ago, David, his precious wife, a few of our family, and I all went to the airport with the special guest and "saw him off." :) He did not know that our family was coming, and the man nearly cried, when he learned that we had loved him enough to bid him one, last farewell and a Godspeed. There's so much that I simply couldn't be able to fit into this note, but let it suffice to say that this man of such valor and prestige found a place in my heart through his gentleness and tender honor toward us all. I miss him already. There's a reunion, near at hand, but I'll save that story for another chronicle. :)

So, months of awaiting his arrival have flown by, and now he is come and gone. He did visit the grave with David...he prayed, turned to leave, then stopped and came back to pray, a little while more. Atop the youth's headstone there now rests another smaller stone. The little rock made a journey of thousands of miles and was brought by the general from the Mount of Olives. So there, atop the grave of a twenty-one year old son, lies a testament to the greatest acceptance of the will of God that has ever been known. "Not My will, but Thine...", were the words of the Savior Who there sacrificed his heart that mine might be saved.

God's purposes are so far beyond all that we can ever hope to see, while we are yet upon this earth, but someday, I know all will be clear. Even now, I trust Him in all and know that He is fulfilling all He has ever dreamed for us. So I willingly bow the knee and ask that His will only be done...no matter what the cost or what the joy, I know He will bring it all to His glory. I wait to see what He brings to fruition in the heart of my new and dear friend, and I know that my heart has been forever altered for the better, in the process.

Father, may Thy will be ever done! I am humbled beyond measure that you allow me to have a part of your purposes, but thank You, Abba...loving You and loving others unto Your kingdom has been the delight of my life.

I'll leave you, my friends, for this night. I know it seems unbelievable, but there's actually so much I've left unsaid. :) Pray for General Engel and for his nation which is so precious in God's sight. I thank you all for honoring me enough to read through all the glimpses of life I share and for making them as momentarily important to you as they are eternally pertinent to me. :)

Blessings to you all!

I know it seems as though I've "fallen off the face of the earth", but I assure you, my friends, I am still here. :) ...sorry about that.

Our family celebrated a wonderful Independence Day yesterday. I was less than thrilled about having to get up by six am on a "supposed holiday", but coming to my senses, I quickly realized that this was to be a great day and I wouldn't want to miss a minute of it. :)

We arrived in Austin, around eight-thirty, and found our place in the Alandale Parade, of which my father's family has been a part for at least fifty years. I've been a member of the jubilant crowd there, for as long as I can remember, and I've certainly participated in my share of flag waving, bike riding, and period dressing.

Well, my little sister, Anna, has been begging me, month after month, to dress up with her for this year's parade, and after promising her I would, I held true to my word. We arrived in full antebellum splendor, and for the love of my dear little sister, I completed the entire walk, even though the humidity could've easily squelched someone. :) It seems the sisterly endeavor was well-blessed by God, for we received second place in the "Best Costume" category, and Anna has been "on cloud nine", ever since. (You should have seen her face, when she had the joy of showing her official certificate to our mom, Mema, and beloved cousins galore.) :)

'Ere long, I was home again, and my evening was spent, reveling in the beauty of a good thunderstorm and hours spent in worship before God. It was such a wonderful day, and I am unspeakably grateful to my loving Lord; the fact that He has given our nation such favor is still a wonder to me, but even more deeply, my heart is stirred to thankful humility by all that the Savior has given to free my heart. So tonight, I look over all the yesterdays that have come before, and I can't wait to stand as witness to all I know the Lord will do in each of the tomorrows to come. :)

God be with you!