Today I am thankful for my lil sis. My dear, sweet Brookie.
Brooke and I are almost exactly two years apart, which made for some interesting times when we were growing up. Sometimes in my mind, we are still 12 and 14, rolling our eyes at each other while we try to get ready in the same bathroom. Now, though, we are the closest of friends. It has been so incredible to watch her grow up and become the woman she is today. She is someone who loves deeply and is fiercely loyal to her family. I see these, and more, beautiful traits coming out in her more and more as the years progress, and it is truly astounding. There is something about watching the one you used to play dress up with and argue with over who didn't put in the new roll of toilet paper become a truly beautiful and Godly woman. I love watching God's plan for her life unfold.
Among so many other things, Brooke is unconditionally supportive. She will rage with me when I am frustrated to no end by how long this adoption process is taking, and then in the same breath, remind me that all of this is part of God working things together for the greater good. There has not been a time since we have started this process when she told me that she just couldn't talk right then. Her ear is always available. And I appreciate that so much, especially because the longer this takes, the more needy I seem to become.
So I am thankful for you, Brookie. For the joy and laughter you bring me. For the love and support you never cease to give me. For the encouragement you always send me. I am thankful that the Lord saw fit to bless me with a woman like you for a sister.
Love,
Baylor
Showing posts with label Thankful Thursdays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thankful Thursdays. Show all posts
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Thankful for Big Daddy
You know that on Thursdays I try to write about something or someone for which I am thankful. Well, I had no trouble coming up with someone to write about today.
I am writing today with both a joyful and heavy heart. We spent today celebrating the life of a wonderful man. Adam's grandfather, a man I know only as Big Daddy, went to be with Jesus this week, and today our whole family shared in a celebration of his beautiful life. Big Daddy was 94 years old when our gracious Heavenly Father called him home, and I can say with certainty that this incredible man used all of his years to bring honor and glory to the Lord. I know that this week he heard the words every follower of Christ longs to hear.
"Well done, my good and faithful servant!"
With those beautiful words, our gracious Father welcomed Big Daddy home.
As I was sitting in the church this morning, surrounded by a family I love so much, I was thinking about what I would say to Big Daddy if I could have the privilege of one more conversation with him. And I know exactly what it would be.
"Thank you. Thank you, Big Daddy, for being a man who honors Christ above all else, who not only believes that God is real, but has a real relationship with Him. Thank you for raising your children to love the Lord and to seek to honor Him with their lives. In doing so, you raised the woman who raised my own husband. And because of you, the man I love knows the Lord. Because of you, I have the deep honor of being part of a family who knows and follows Jesus. When this whole family is together, I look around and am truly amazed that everyone I see knows and trusts Jesus. That is because of you. Thank you for seeking Christ always, even when it was difficult. Thank you for teaching you grandson, my husband, to do the same. I know that he will teach our children to seek Christ, just as you taught him. Thank you for that. Thank you for laying the foundation that will lead to my husband leading our family the way you have led yours. I have been blessed by knowing you, and I look forward to sharing with my children our family's legacy. Starting with you."
My heart is full, yet aching today as we celebrate the "home going" of an incredible man. I love you, Big Daddy. I always will.
Love,
Baylor
I am writing today with both a joyful and heavy heart. We spent today celebrating the life of a wonderful man. Adam's grandfather, a man I know only as Big Daddy, went to be with Jesus this week, and today our whole family shared in a celebration of his beautiful life. Big Daddy was 94 years old when our gracious Heavenly Father called him home, and I can say with certainty that this incredible man used all of his years to bring honor and glory to the Lord. I know that this week he heard the words every follower of Christ longs to hear.
"Well done, my good and faithful servant!"
With those beautiful words, our gracious Father welcomed Big Daddy home.
As I was sitting in the church this morning, surrounded by a family I love so much, I was thinking about what I would say to Big Daddy if I could have the privilege of one more conversation with him. And I know exactly what it would be.
"Thank you. Thank you, Big Daddy, for being a man who honors Christ above all else, who not only believes that God is real, but has a real relationship with Him. Thank you for raising your children to love the Lord and to seek to honor Him with their lives. In doing so, you raised the woman who raised my own husband. And because of you, the man I love knows the Lord. Because of you, I have the deep honor of being part of a family who knows and follows Jesus. When this whole family is together, I look around and am truly amazed that everyone I see knows and trusts Jesus. That is because of you. Thank you for seeking Christ always, even when it was difficult. Thank you for teaching you grandson, my husband, to do the same. I know that he will teach our children to seek Christ, just as you taught him. Thank you for that. Thank you for laying the foundation that will lead to my husband leading our family the way you have led yours. I have been blessed by knowing you, and I look forward to sharing with my children our family's legacy. Starting with you."
My heart is full, yet aching today as we celebrate the "home going" of an incredible man. I love you, Big Daddy. I always will.
Love,
Baylor
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Thankful Thursday: A Restful Summer
Yesterday, out of nowhere, I realized how truly rested I feel. This summer has been an unbelievable season of rest for me. And I am so very thankful for that. I feel like I have truly has time to rest and recuperate, time to refocus and gear up for the year ahead. I have been able to see my family more this summer than I typically do in entire year; that in and of itself is an enormous blessing.
Beyond that, I have not had to fill out a single form for our adoption! If you look at our adoption timeline, you will see that almost ALL of last summer was spend paper chasing to get our homestudy and dossier completed before I had to go back to work in August. It was a wonderful, but incredibly busy and stressful time for me. So I am most thankful to have had this summer to rest and enjoy my husband, family, friends, dog and the Lord. Heading into the new school year, I feel rested and prepared (though I am getting anxious as our start date draws near).
Mostly, I feel as though this summer has allowed me to rediscover God. With very little demanding my time, I have been able to realize and then focus on God's true goodness and sovereignty. I have been reminded of His character, and, after a difficult start to 2013 and feeling quite lost, I have been drawn back to Him. There is no way for me to adequately express my thankfulness about this. I can so easily see now how journeys like the one we are on tear people away from God. But He has not allowed that to happen to me. Instead, He has gently reminded me, through loved ones in my life and His Word, that He is always here with me, that His heart grieves with mine and that He has a plan in all of this.
And so I am thankful. I am thankful that the Lord saw fit to allow me a season of true rest, one in which my heart and mind could both let go a little, one in which I was not constantly filled with worry, one in which I was able to do things I love and see the people I love even more. One in which I was reminded of His great love toward me.
Yes. I am feeling very thankful today.
Love,
Baylor
Beyond that, I have not had to fill out a single form for our adoption! If you look at our adoption timeline, you will see that almost ALL of last summer was spend paper chasing to get our homestudy and dossier completed before I had to go back to work in August. It was a wonderful, but incredibly busy and stressful time for me. So I am most thankful to have had this summer to rest and enjoy my husband, family, friends, dog and the Lord. Heading into the new school year, I feel rested and prepared (though I am getting anxious as our start date draws near).
Mostly, I feel as though this summer has allowed me to rediscover God. With very little demanding my time, I have been able to realize and then focus on God's true goodness and sovereignty. I have been reminded of His character, and, after a difficult start to 2013 and feeling quite lost, I have been drawn back to Him. There is no way for me to adequately express my thankfulness about this. I can so easily see now how journeys like the one we are on tear people away from God. But He has not allowed that to happen to me. Instead, He has gently reminded me, through loved ones in my life and His Word, that He is always here with me, that His heart grieves with mine and that He has a plan in all of this.
And so I am thankful. I am thankful that the Lord saw fit to allow me a season of true rest, one in which my heart and mind could both let go a little, one in which I was not constantly filled with worry, one in which I was able to do things I love and see the people I love even more. One in which I was reminded of His great love toward me.
Yes. I am feeling very thankful today.
Love,
Baylor
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Thankful Thursday: My Parents
Having just returned from a week in South Florida with my parents, I am feeling especially thankful for my mom and dad. We were able to spend a lot of time together, and that is something that is so good for my soul. I won't lie, it is tough to be the one who lives far away, but it makes visits like this past week extra wonderful.
My mom and dad are two of the strongest people I know, and I mean that in every way. Both of them are hard workers and pretty much the antithesis of laziness. Adam and I often wonder if my dad just runs of batteries that only need to be recharged once a year on our family vacation. For as long as I can remember, my parents have modeled a God-honoring life for me, always seeking out God's will and trusting in Him when things do not go according to plan. So much of what they have taught me is being used in my life right now, and I am beyond grateful for that.
I also really love just being able to be around my parents. It doesn't matter if we are eating dinner together, watching an episode of Criminal Minds or working at my mom's store. Whatever we are doing, I am just happy that we are together. It is so cool to be in the phase of life where, while they will always be my parents, they have started to be my friends, too. They are the people I can turn to for advice and comfort without fear of judgment. I know they will be kind and honest.
Thank you, Mom and Dad, for giving a standard to strive toward, for pointing me to Christ, for setting the bar high and encouraging me to reach for it. I am who I am because of the way you parented me. Thank you for your tireless prayers and constant willingness to listen. Thank you for being parents who continue to lead by example, always modeling the importance of integrity. Thank you for teaching me to love Jesus. I love you.
Love,
Baylor
My mom and dad are two of the strongest people I know, and I mean that in every way. Both of them are hard workers and pretty much the antithesis of laziness. Adam and I often wonder if my dad just runs of batteries that only need to be recharged once a year on our family vacation. For as long as I can remember, my parents have modeled a God-honoring life for me, always seeking out God's will and trusting in Him when things do not go according to plan. So much of what they have taught me is being used in my life right now, and I am beyond grateful for that.
I also really love just being able to be around my parents. It doesn't matter if we are eating dinner together, watching an episode of Criminal Minds or working at my mom's store. Whatever we are doing, I am just happy that we are together. It is so cool to be in the phase of life where, while they will always be my parents, they have started to be my friends, too. They are the people I can turn to for advice and comfort without fear of judgment. I know they will be kind and honest.
Thank you, Mom and Dad, for giving a standard to strive toward, for pointing me to Christ, for setting the bar high and encouraging me to reach for it. I am who I am because of the way you parented me. Thank you for your tireless prayers and constant willingness to listen. Thank you for being parents who continue to lead by example, always modeling the importance of integrity. Thank you for teaching me to love Jesus. I love you.
Love,
Baylor
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Thankful Thursday: My Husband
Recently, I have felt a prompting to focus on being more thankful. So much of my prayer life (as I mentioned yesterday) has been focused on the things that are NOT going the way I want, so I feel like it might be a good idea to turn my mind and my heart toward the things in my life for which I am thankful. From here forward, I am going to try, emphasis on TRY, to focus a post each Thursday on a different blessing God has placed in my life for which I am thankful.
And I am going to begin with the single greatest, earthly blessing God has ever given me.
My best friend, my teammate, my rock, my partner in this life and the one my soul loves.
My husband.
There is no area in my life in which God's love for me and deep knowledge of who I truly am is more evident than in the man He gave me as my husband.
I am profoundly grateful that The Lord saw fit to match me with such a man. Adam is loving, patient, supportive, encouraging, faithful, steady, hardworking and forgiving. He lives out what God demands of Christian husbands in His Word, loving his wife as Christ loves the church.
The trials we have been going through over the last years have served to solidify and deepen our bond and my love for him. Mostly because he has stayed with me! He has been right by my side every single step of the way, encouraging me, upholding me and reminding my who God is. Adam has been a steady presence and a constant source of love. We stand face to face as two people in love and side by side as one unit fighting toward the same end. He is strong where I am weak, and he never ceases to amaze me with the depth of his devotion to both God and our family.
When Paul defines love and lists its attributes in 1 Corinthians 13, he sets the bar pretty high.
Love is...
Patient, kind, it does not envy, does not boast, is not proud.
Love is not self-seeking, it does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
As I read this passage in Scripture, I easily see how Adam fills each slot, does all these things and is never satisfied with anything less. And I am thankful beyond measure to have been blessed with a man who seeks to be all these things.
I am so thankful for you, Adam. You are more than I could have ever known to ask for. I love you for who you are and who you help me to be.
"I found him who my soul loves."
Song of Solomon 3:4
Love,
Baylor
And I am going to begin with the single greatest, earthly blessing God has ever given me.
My best friend, my teammate, my rock, my partner in this life and the one my soul loves.
My husband.
There is no area in my life in which God's love for me and deep knowledge of who I truly am is more evident than in the man He gave me as my husband.
I am profoundly grateful that The Lord saw fit to match me with such a man. Adam is loving, patient, supportive, encouraging, faithful, steady, hardworking and forgiving. He lives out what God demands of Christian husbands in His Word, loving his wife as Christ loves the church.
The trials we have been going through over the last years have served to solidify and deepen our bond and my love for him. Mostly because he has stayed with me! He has been right by my side every single step of the way, encouraging me, upholding me and reminding my who God is. Adam has been a steady presence and a constant source of love. We stand face to face as two people in love and side by side as one unit fighting toward the same end. He is strong where I am weak, and he never ceases to amaze me with the depth of his devotion to both God and our family.
When Paul defines love and lists its attributes in 1 Corinthians 13, he sets the bar pretty high.
Love is...
Patient, kind, it does not envy, does not boast, is not proud.
Love is not self-seeking, it does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
As I read this passage in Scripture, I easily see how Adam fills each slot, does all these things and is never satisfied with anything less. And I am thankful beyond measure to have been blessed with a man who seeks to be all these things.
I am so thankful for you, Adam. You are more than I could have ever known to ask for. I love you for who you are and who you help me to be.
"I found him who my soul loves."
Song of Solomon 3:4
Love,
Baylor
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
