Keep an open hand.

via

Set Apart Thoughts from Leslie Ludy 

"Not long after Eric and I officially began our relationship, he left for a missionary training school several states away. He did not have e-mail, a pager, or a cell phone while he was gone. The only way I could communicate with Eric for several months was through letters (which had to somehow be kept hidden from his overly curious roommates) and once-a-week phone calls via one of the few pay phones on his campus. Without the constant reassurance of his devotion to me, I began to worry that he was going to forget about me and find someone else. One Friday night I hung around the house, waiting expectantly for a call from him that never came. Even though there were plenty of reasons why he might have been unable to call me—from an unplanned team meeting to an extra-long line at the phone booth—I still found myself restless and unable to concentrate on anything else. My mind began to race: What if he is losing interest in me? What if he met someone else? What if he changed his mind about our relationship? I wandered miserably out to the back yard and sat on the porch swing. Silently, I began to pour out my anxieties to my King. In the middle of my internal ranting, I sensed a clear, calm voice speaking to my heart. 

“Leslie, do you want My very best for this area of your life?” 

My agitation quieted as I responded, “Yes, Lord—I do want Your best. I want You to script my story.”

As gently as a spring breeze, I felt Him whisper, “Can You trust me with Eric? Will you allow Me to do whatever I see fit in this relationship?”

At that moment I realized how tightly I had started to cling to this newly discovered love story with Eric. Even though I believed that God had initiated this romance, I had taken the pen back out of His hands. But now I was reminded of how incredibly faithful He was. Why had I questioned Him? Why had I ceased to trust Him? He knew, far better than I, what was best for this relationship. If for some reason Eric was not the one He had for me, then I realized He had an even better plan for this area of my life, even though that was difficult to imagine with my limited mind. I closed my eyes and opened my hands.

“Forgive me for taking the pen back into my own hands,” I prayed. “I now offer it fully to You again. You may do with this relationship whatever You see fit. I will trust You with all my heart.” Peace washed over me as I spoke those words. Jesus Christ was in control—not me. From that point on in my relationship with Eric, I focused on keeping an open hand instead of clinging to my own desires. My true Prince knew best. And He was always perfectly faithful.

One of the best ways to keep Jesus Christ at the center of a relationship is to keep an open hand at all times. Whenever we start to cling too tightly to a friendship, relationship, or even the desire for a relationship, we must take a step back, examine our heart and entrust the pen back to the Author of romance."

 Have a blessed day! 

32 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

Have you made your list yet? :)

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today is my Daddy's birthday!

I am so thankful to get to spend the entire day with him in the Smokies!

He is everything and more I could ever ask in a Dad.  I love his goofy sense of humor. I love the way he is sometimes very shy, but other times he is far, far in the opposite direction.  I love that he protects his girls.  I love how he flirts with my mom.  I love my memories of him helping me build a tent out of sheets. I love our heart to hearts.  I love when he picks up the phone and calls me just to chat and see what's going on in my life.  I love that he provides for his family.  I love how he used to wrestle me in the floor. I love that he loves and serves God whole heartedly.  I love that he is one of my biggest Philippine supporters.  I love that he loves me.

I could seriously go on forever, but I'll stop there.

Daddy, I hope this birthday is the best yet.  I thank God everyday that He give me you as my Daddy. May you laugh until your tummy hurts, do all of the things you want, and most importantly stuff your face at Bubba Gumps :) I love you to the skies and back :)

Me, Gracie, and Dad in Dollywood a couple of years ago

His goofy face..definitely one of those not so shy moments.

our family...minus the random guy on the right :/

A sweet carriage ride for their Anniversary.

Beautiful :)

Recent happenings...

Hi :)

I miss the blogger world :( We have three laptops in our house, and would you believe I haven't been able to get any of them to work?! All three of them have at some point been with me to the Philippines..that could have something to do with their not working. Mine has been working fine, but now won't even come on. Mom's programs have somehow been deleted, and the Internet won't pull up at all. Needless to say, they need to go see the computer doctor!

I just wanted to catch you all up on this past week since I have been MIA! These past few days have been crazy. My sister's thirteenth birthday was last weekend.  We surprised her with a Scotty McCreery cake (she kinda loves him...A LOT), and invited a few guests over including her best friend, Katie.  We had such a fun evening.  We ate entirely too much, and stayed up way to late playing Phase 10. I won in case you are wondering :) My mom would not allow my sister to have a Facebook until she was thirteen. Facebook does not allow children to sign up under the age of thirteen unless they lie about their age, which a lot of kids do, but mom was not about to allow. Needless to say, she was beyond excited to finally get in the world of Facebook.  Gracie and Katie stayed up until after midnight Saturday night just so they could finallyyy create Gracie's Facebook account. SO funny!  I'm pretty sure they were both dozing off during church on Sunday.

This is the only picture I have for now!
Isn't this cake beautiful?!

This week I have had two finals, and have been finishing up all of my work for my online classes.  That has kept me pretty busy, and very stressed.

We will be leaving tomorrow to go to one of my favorite places in the world, the Great Smokey Mountains. I cannot wait. We normally go for a few days in the spring and fall, and take our week long trip in the summer. However, this year we are fortunate enough to take two week long trips. So, I probably won't be blogging very much until the week after Thanksgiving! I am definitely in need of this vacation!

Love y'all!

our true Prince.



Set Apart Thoughts from Leslie Ludy

In my book Authentic Beauty, I wrote about the time in my life when I finally discovered the fulfillment of all my romantic childhood hopes and longings; when I finally found the prince I had always dreamed of to carry me away to his castle and cherish me forever.  Since many of my readers knew about my love story with Eric, they at first assumed that when I spoke of my “prince”, I was talking about him.  But as I explained in Authentic Beauty:

via

 

"My true Prince is not Eric. My true Prince is Jesus Christ. Eric, with all his amazing qualities, could never meet the deepest needs inside my heart the way my true Prince has. If not for the tender love of my true Prince, my love story with Eric would not have even been possible. The romance of my love story with Eric is only a faded glimmer of the spectacular beauty of the love story I share with my Jesus Christ. In fact, my childhood longing to be loved and cherished by a tender knight that I could follow to the ends of the earth was placed in my heart by Him. Jesus Christ alone can fulfill that desperate longing. 

Jesus Christ was not merely a stand-in until Eric came along.  Jesus was, and still is, my true Prince, my ultimate Bridegroom, and my all in all.  Yes, Eric does bring wonderful joy and fulfillment into my life.  But my love story with him could never compare to my love story with the King of all kings.  Jesus Christ is the One that ultimately satisfies the deepest needs and desires of my heart.  Jesus Christ is the One I lean upon for fulfillment, strength and security.

  

I have no guarantee that Eric will always be around – God may call him home before me.  And though he is an amazing husband, there will always be moments when he fails – when he falls short of being the sensitive, devoted, picture-perfect prince of my childhood fairy tales.  But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He knows my heart better than even I do – because He created me.  He will never fail me.  He will never disappoint me.  And He will always be the most perfect Prince my feminine heart could ever crave. Singleness is an incredible opportunity to be fully consecrated in body and spirit to Jesus Christ alone – to be undistracted by any other romance and free to be consumed with Him alone. (see 1 Cor. 7:34)  This is not only an amazing opportunity for our single years, but it is the absolute best way we could ever prepare for marriage.  When Jesus Christ is our all in all, we will never place unhealthy pressure upon our spouse to meet the needs only He can fill.  And if our husband is ever taken from us, we will not lose our confidence, hope or security – because it’s in Jesus Christ. "

Have a blessed day! 

20 kids?!

I'm sure most of you have either seen or heard this by now, but HOLY COW! The Duggar family is expecting their 20th child....TWENTIETH! 

Oh my goodness..I absolutely cannot imagine.  I used to say I would only have a couple of kids, Lord willing, but after spending time with my sweet friends from Florida, who come from a family of eleven kids, I began thinking differently.  They have such a fun life!

Do not misunderstand! I absolutely do not plan on that many kids, but I would enjoy more than the "normal." You know..maybe five or six ;)

With the Duggars, what has been more shocking to me than a woman actually having twenty kids is the fact that she is 45 years old. 

Michelle explained that this latest child came as something of a surprise since this was the first time she’d gone 16-18 months without being pregnant in, like, forever, “so we were really kind of thinking [No. 19] might be our last, and that was kinda sad,” she said, surrounded by her19 children, and a couple grandchildren to boot.

Michelle Duggar is kind of amazing if you ask me!

I'm thankful for...my sister! HAPPY 13TH :)

Hi all :)

I did not plan on posting this post until Sunday; however, my computer at home has crashed or something. I'm no computer whiz, but I know something is definitely wrong. I am also afraid if I schedule it, it won't post.  Sometimes that happens too.

I actually had planned on writing about my entire family for my next "thankful" post; however, I began thinking about it and decided it made perfect sense to dedicate an entire post to the beautiful, lovely, Gracie.  

I am SO thankful to call this sweet girl my sister. 

Sunday just so happens to be her birthday!! A very big birthday...she is going to be a teenager, and her big sister just can't quite believe it.  

It seems like just yesterday I was waiting patiently impatiently with my pink cigars, for her arrival.  

Yes, she is the little sister who loves to get all up in her big sisters business....and closet! But...what sister doesn't?! haha.  I can't believe she is a TEENAGER this weekend! Wow..time flies!

She's the best on the court :)



Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains





Having a little picnic in Cades Cove





Beautiful!



Psalm 139:13-14

Dear Gracie (G.O.),

From the very first moment mom and dad told me about your coming, I was ecstatic.  I had always dreamed of having a little sister to play with with, and share things with.  Mom and dad knew I would be a little too excited, so they didn't even tell me mom was pregnant until she was several months along.  I admit, I was kind of upset at first..I thought they definitely should have told me way earlier, but it did make it not seem near as long before you were here!  On November 13, 1998, as we sat in the waiting room, I grew a little impatient and decided to take a stroll around the hospital with dad.  Oops...we almost missed your arrival.  :) I remember the first time I held you. Mom and dad repeatedly told me to be careful.  You were so fragile, and so, so sweet.  A precious gift from God.  The doctor and nurses in the hospital named you "Snow baby," because of your white hair.  I guess somethings never change. haha ;) 

As you have grown older, you have become such a beautiful young woman.  You make me laugh like no one else.  You sometimes say the silliest things, most of which make no sense!  I love movie nights with you, and wish we could have them more often.   It makes me so happy to see the joy that lives inside of you.  Never, never let anyone take that away. You are such a beautiful daughter of the most high King.  Always put Him first in your life.

This weekend, we celebrate the thirteen wonderful years we have had with you, and look forward to the many more. Always remember that I love you so, so much.  More than I could ever even begin to put into words.   I thank God everyday that He allowed me to be your big sister.  Out of all of the families in the world, He chose ours to give you to. I'm so grateful.  I love you to the skies and back, sis!

Love always,

Em

BE THE SUNSHINE!







Secret Church 2011

Hi friends!

Last weekend was total craziness!  I worked all day Friday at the flower shop.  As soon as I got off work at five o'clock, I headed up to Birmingham! Ever read David Platt's book Radical? If no, you definitely should. Anyway, in his book he talks about having secret church in closed off countries. Twice a year Brookhills Church has their very own secret church.  We went up to B'ham to experience that. Definitely coming back to this with more details! I got home and in the bed, about five o'clock Saturday morning.  I had to be back at work at ten o'clock. Ouch! I was exhausted to say the least.  Worked until five that evening, and then went to my sister's fall festival at her school.  Sunday, supossed to be the day of rest right? No mam. I went to church Sunday morning, worked Sunday afternoon, back to church that night, and then choir practice after.  Needless to say I was ready to sleep in Monday morning. Monday morning, I was awakened at 5:30 a.m.  to be told I had to have my sister up by six, and get her to school.  No rest for the weary.  Oh well...that is life. 

Now...back to secret church.  Basically, it was seven hours of sitting and listening to David Platt speak.  Sounds like a lot, I know. Yes, my butt was a little numb, and my legs a little restless before it was over, but all in all I barely realized it was that long.  David Platt was an amazing speaker, and seems to be such a great man of God.  I want to share with you a few points he made. It was wonderful.  I highly recommend anyone near the B'ham area to go and check it out next year.  If you aren't nearby, you can link up with simulcast!

The four main topics were marriage, family, sex, and the gospel.

Just a few things we talked about...

• God created men and women with equal dignity.
• We all represent God. 
• Man was created to exercise loving authority over woman.
• Woman was created to extend glad submission to man.
• Marriage exists for God more than it exists for you. 
• God gives children to fammilies by His grace.
• Orphans are easier to forget until you see their faces. They are easier to forget until you know their names.
• We care for the orphans not because we are rescuers.  We care for the orphans because we are the rescued. 
• Singleness has a purpose we must be careful not to waste. 
• Ponder the external delight and joy associated with future salvation. 

Over 160,000 Christians are killed every year for their faith.  One every 5 minutes....Pray for them! 

The month of Thanksgiving.

Hi bloggers :)

As I mentioned in my last post, I will be writing about all of the many things I am thankful for this month. After all, it is the month of Thanksgiving :)  I am truly blessed, and could go on and on about the many blessings the Lord has given me.  I am going to take this month to share many of them with you. My goal is to at least post every other day. Sometimes life gets a little too crazy, and things don't go as planned. So, please bear with me. 

I am going to go in no particular order...after this first post. I do want to start by thanking my Savior, and giving glory to the One who has blessed me SO greatly.

On the 21st of December whenever I was ten years old, I realized I was a sinner in need of a Savior.  I had heard the story of Jesus loving me and dying for me many, many times.  I knew exactly what to do..it was just a matter of doing it.  That night, I asked Christ to live in my heart.  It was such a feeling of relief and joy. I remember wanting to tell every single person I come in contact with the joy I felt inside.  I wanted them to know they could also feel that same joy. 

The joy that God give to me that night, still remains inside of me.  Some days I struggle a little more than others to let show.  Sometimes I get bogged down my life, and forget to let go, and let God.  Over the course of my ten years as a child of God, I have been through many things, but God has been a constant through it all.  I have learned the things I might consider problems aren't really problems. Someone out there is facing something much bigger than I am.  As Donna VanLiere said at the EWomen Conference, "What we sometimes consider problems are really just inconveniences."  I sometimes confuse the two.

I am so truly thankful that I serve a God who will never let me down. I can call on Him at any time and He will answer. He is my strength.

via

Vote YES on 26

For all of my Mississippi readers....

via

Running like a chicken with its head cut off...

Happy Friday y'all!

I have quite a bit on my agenda for today! I am super (I use super entirely too much while blogging) excited for the weekend; although, it isn't going to be much of a weekend.  It is more than likely going to be filled with a lot of work.

Today, I have to meet with my adviser to set up my classes for spring semester. I have class from 11-noon. I am working at the switchboard from noon until one o'clock. Then, I am going in to work at the flower shop from one o'clock until four o'clock. 

As soon as I get off of work, I am meeting a small group from my church, and we are heading up to Birmingham to Secret Church. 

via

I am not sure exactly what it is going to be like, but I have heard it is awesome! I'm pretty excited to go and see for myself!

All in all I think it is going to be a crazy, yet really fun day! 

What are y'all up to on this fabulous Friday?

PS I watched the trailer for Breaking Dawn last night, and let's just say...I am BEYOND excited! Yes, I am one of those Twilight lovers :)

Blessings.

Blessings by Laura Story 

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

And what if a thousand sleepless nights 

Are what it takes to know you're near

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy

And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are Your mercies in disguise

This song is currently one of my favorites. It is so true in my life. I am planning to do several posts this month about the things I am so truly thankful for. I am not quite sure how I am going to do them just yet, so stay tuned :)

Much love <3

26 schools.

Hi everyone :)

Yesterday, I seriously ran like a crazy person all day. I worked a bit, went to pick up a skull to study, went to Hamilton to the eye doctor, met with a man about going to the Pines, went to my sister's game, and then studied for a few hours.  If you read yesterdays blog, you know I did not get to a few things on my check list.  Oops. A gal can only do so much, right? 

After I finally finished all of that last night, I was wired.  I hate it when that happens, but what else is there to do other than catch up on some blogs?! I decided to write another Philippine story since I haven't written on in a while, so here goes...

Hope you enjoy!

BTEA is filled with highly competitive people.  More specifically, the Mississippi team is filled with highly competitive people.  This past summer we decided to give ourselves a little extra motivation to keep going, and have a little competition.  Ray said the winner would have a "special prize." Ha. 

The following morning we were assigned our teams, and headed out. Kelsey was on my team for the very first time on the trip. We were super excited to spend some time together...until we remembered our little competition. 

We quickly snapped this picture before going separate ways!
Please remember we were in a third world country, and excuse the nastiness. 

Kelsey and Pastor Teddy rented a motorcycle, and stayed closer to the city, and Pastor Steve and I headed up the mountains on the Jeepney. It was a WILD day. Steve and I literally were running from one school to the next.  Don't get me wrong, we were taking our time with all of the students, and soaking up every moment with them. However, we were not sticking around for any snacks after we shared the gospel with them. 

These were taken as we were traveling to our very last school.
I am not sure about the "park," but the rock was beautiful.  The view back behind this rock was absolutely breathtaking. 

The view as we were going around the mountain. 

Steve and I were so far remote we did not have any cell phone service to contact Kelsey and Teddy. We figured they were still getting schools.  Our goal that day was 30. Surely no one would beat that. Steve and I finished up school number 15 around 4:20 p.m.  The T.I.C (Teacher in Charge) told us it was about a 30 minute drive up to the next school, and they dismissed at 4:30 so it would be impossible for us to speak there.

We quickly ran to the Jeepney, and hurried around the mountain just as fast as the old blue jeep would go.  In the process, we were going through MASSIVE mud holes. Seriously, they were huge. Needless to say, Steve didn't brake at all. Probably about half way there we hit a hole, I come completely off my seat, hit my head on the metal top, and come back down and hit my ankle on the metal part of the door.  That little incident resulted in chipping my ankle bone.  Had I have told Steve the pain I was in, he would have immediately turned around and headed back to the hotel.  So, I screamed and cried inside and kept telling myself the pain I was feeling was nothing compared to the joy the kids at the next school would have after I shared Jesus. We finally arrived to the end of the road. Confused, Steve asked one of the villagers where the school was. He pointed straight up the mountain. I quit counting after the 500th step, but trust me it was much more than that. By the time we got there I absolutely could not breathe. Thankfully, the children were still there. They were more than happy to hear what the Americana had to say, so I shared Jesus, and they all accepted.

See the level we are standing on? There were stairs from that level down to where the metal roof building is. From that point down is where I counted the 500+ steps. Exhausting, but totally worth it. Look at those sweet faces.

As we were about to leave, a little old lady, who had also heard me speak, come up to me and said something like, "Thank you so much for coming all this way to see us. You climbed all those stairs, and I'm so thankful." With tears in my eyes, I hugged her and told her it was my pleasure.  I then asked her to please take a picture of me and Steve. She told me she had never seen a camera before, and did not know how to use it. I proceeded to show her how to capture a picture, and she just giggled.

I think she did a pretty good job :)

Kelsey and I did not reach our 30 schools that day, but we were still the winners! We beat all of our American friends, made it to 26 schools!

**We went so hard, I had so much dust in my hair by the time we finally got back to the hotel that my hair looked solid grey. #gross

Read my other Philippine Stories here. 

Wordless Wednesday: Hearing about Jesus for the first time

I joined in here.

Happy November!

Happy November 1! 

I am super excited that we are now in November. That means the holidays are almost here!! 

Love, Love, Love...

November is a fun month around our house.  My sisters birthday is the 13th. Yes, she was born on a Friday! Dad's birthday is the 21st. Thanksgiving is a given! Andd, last but not least, we have vacation #2! We are heading up to Gatlinburg for a week this month, and I am so super excited to vacate.  My life has been so crazy lately, and I am ready for a BREAK! 

Speaking of craziness, here is a little of my to-do list for today...

(I definitely have to get off of here and get to work)

• work 11-noon (I know that sounds rough)
• eye doctor appointment 1:30
• meeting with possible Philippine supporter 2:00
• get skull from former teacher--study for lab test
• study for lecture test
• finish online homework
• Gracie's basketball game @ 5:00
• run 3 miles

**I seriously think there is more than that...I just cannot think of it!

For those of you who know me, know I love little Webb and Tigger. The two of them together simply lights up my world :)

Love.

Hi all,

I just wanted to share a quick thought with you guys.  A dear friend of mine called me the other day and told me he had a challenge for me.  Write down 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, and everyone you see the word love insert your name. For example: 

"Emily is patient and kind; Emily does not envy or boast; Emily is not arrogant or rude.  Emily does not insist on her own way; Emily is not irritable. Emily is not resentful.  Emily does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Emily bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Emily never ends." 

Can you do that without feeling like a liar? I definitely see some areas I need to work on..

For all of my Ilonggo speaking friends: 

"Ang tawo nga nagahigugma mapinasensyahon, maayo sa iya isigkatawo, indi mahisaon, indi hambog ukon bugalon,  indi bastos, indi maiyaiyahon, indi maakigon, indi madumot wala nalipay sa malaot kundi sa matarong,   permi mainantuson, permi may pagsalig kag paglaom, kag permi mabinatason.  May katapusan ang mga pagsugid sang pulong sang Dios kag ang mga paghambal sa iban nga mga lingguahe nga wala natun-i, pati ang mga pagsaysay sang kaalam sang Dios, pero ang gugma wala gid sing katapusan. " -- 1 Corinto 13:4-8

Philippians 4:6

What I have been listening to lately...

Every since the EWomen Conference this song has been stuck in my head, and set to repeat on my iPod :)
Seriously, I love it!

What I have been reading...

via

She was one of the speakers at the conference, and was amazing! Loved her!


Favorite quote of the day...

"Emily...I'm going to start calling you Annelle!" -Mom

She said that after I accused her of taking the Lord's name in vain at my sisters basketball game.

She was referring to this conversation from Steel Magnolias!

" Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

-Phil. 4:6

Rosemary's Home of Hope

Hi all!

I want to start this post by saying, thank you for stopping by and reading this. This post is one of the most important post I have ever written. I sincerely ask that you would please have an open heart for what you will read.  I would mean the world.

I few months ago I shared a story with you from my summer trip to the Philippines, and told you there were more details to come.  You can read that story here. Scroll down until you see "A heart for the orphans..." There you will find the story which will get you caught up to this point.

After spending the evening with those two sweet children, I was even more eager to help the orphans.  My heart always breaks for those who seem to be so hopeless in this great big world, and I have such a desire to do all that I can.   

I arrived back at the hotel that night feeling overwhelmed by all of my emotions.  I was so grateful I had had the courage to follow God when he told me to go minister to a street kid. Overwhelmed by what He had done in not only showing us one child, but two as well as a grandmother. However, at the same time, I was heartbroken to have to take those two children back to their terrible, terrible situation. I felt confused. I wanted to do more.  There were countless kids walking the streets day and night without a home, without food, and without love. Many of the children are what Filipinos refer to as "trash kids." They pick through the trash cans on the streets with hopes of salvaging what food they can find, and collect any of the trash they might can sell to get money. There were no orphanages in Southern Leyte that could help these kids.  I wanted so desperately to help them, but how?

That night Ray come up to me and told me he needed to share his vision with me.  He said something like, "God has given me a great vision. We are going to start an orphanage." I at first think I responded with something like, "Are you serious?!" It was such an answered prayer.

Pastor Steve, one of the pastors who serves with BTEA, and his wife, Care, have been praying for several years for the opportunity to have an orphanage; however, they haven't had the support that was needed to get the process started, until now.  Steve, Care, and their children have relocated to Southern Leyte to run our orphanage, Rosemary's Home of Hope.  We have found land, but have not been able to purchase it yet.  We are in need of about $30,000 just to get it started.  

Although we do not have our land purchased or our buildings built, we were still able to go ahead and rescue three children from poor situations. We need your help so we can take the next step in this process.

If you would like to make a donation or receive more details, please email me! I will gladly give you more information! 

If we don't help them...who will?

Meet Rosemary's first orphans:

Unice: 4 years old

Clyde: 6 years old
Clyde is Unice's older brother.

Andy: 8 years old
Andy is one of the many street kids I referred to earlier. Steve & Care have been teaching Andy the normal every day routine things, such as basic hygiene.

Coming June 2012:Baby McKay

Hey y'all! As promised a bazillion days ago, I have some super duper exciting news to share!

For several months now, I have been praying for my bestie, Tab, and her hubby, Jason, to have a baby! I know they would make incredible parents, and truthfully, I need another baby to spoil. :)

Meet Tab & Jason

She's the kind of bestie every girl needs!

A couple of weeks ago, our little group of friends decided we had not spent much time together in far too long, and needed to plan something.  We all seem to have crazy schedules and it's very rare we get something planned when we can all make it.  With the cooler weather coming in, it only seemed logical to plan a bonfire!

All week we looked forward to Friday night. I don't know how I didn't pick up on Tab's extra excitement because thinking back on it now, she was definitely more excited than the usual.  Keep in mind, we are the kind of friends that know EVERYTHING about each other, and I still don't know how she kept this secret.

Friday night came, and I wasn't feeling well at all. I'm talking in the bed, don't talk to me. I kept trying to get up and pull myself together because I really did not want to miss this night, but I just couldn't do it. Finally, I text Tab and told her I was sad I could not make it, but I just didn't see a way. I really wish she had screamed through the phone at me then to get myself over there, but she was a good friend and understood. It was just a couple of minutes later that I received this picture...



Baby McKay is ON THE WAY!

At this point, I stared at my phone until it really sank in what it said! I was in shock! And SO excited! I jumped out of the bed like jack in the box, ran down my stairs, jumped in my car (pjs, hair in a pathetic bun, no makeup=looking a MESS), and scooted over to Tab & Jason's. Suddenly, I felt a whole lot better. HaHa.

I really can't wait for the sweet baby girl (hehe) to get here. They are going to make awesome parents.  Babies are such a sweet reminder of how awesome our Savior is. Just knowing that He already has His hand on this baby, and already knows the plans He has for him/her amazes me. It's miraculous. My heart is overjoyed to call them my friends, and to be a part of such an amazing thing.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." -Jeremiah 1:5

Love you Jason & Tab :)

You are loved.

"YOU are God's chief creation,

and YOU are here for His pleasure

 and His glory."

-Beth Moore

**I have some SUPER exciting news coming soon! Hehe :)

Weight Loss Wednesdays: My Stuggles

Honestly, I have never been consistent on linking up with "Weight Loss Wednesdays" for a few simple reasons, but it all boils down to pride.

In high school, I was a tiny little thing. I played basketball, and ran cross country. I could run miles and miles without stopping, and I truly loved it. They say all cross country runners are crazy...I think it is probably true. I never had a problem with being active or gaining weight. It was easy for me.

The past few years have really been a huge adjustment for me. One I am not at all adjusted to. Since graduation I have spent many weeks in the Philippines, began new jobs, and studied many, many hours.

You would think that my going to the Philippines would not play a part in weight gain, but it has. In the Philippines, I tend to lose weight. Seems that fish and rice does not put on the pounds like chocolate and ice cream in the States does. It is the returning home that causes me to gain weight. I always come home craving the things I longed for while I was in a third world country and so far out of reach of them. I keep telling myself, "I'll start a diet tomorrow," and sadly, tomorrow never comes.

Working has been wonderful. The extra cash in my wallet has been a blessing, and I'm very grateful; however, between work, school, and church activities I hardly have time to work out. Those afternoon runs I could not live without when in high school, rarely happen anymore. I never have time to hit the gym or take up any classes. How have I gotten this caught up in other things that I have neglected myself?

I can't get past my high school years when things come so easy for me. How do I eat healthy, yet not deprive myself totally of the things I love? What are some healthy foods I can make that are quick and easy? How do I get back into my running routine? Seriously guys, if anyone has suggestions I would be grateful!

Sophie's Candy Land...PART 1

Hi blog friends :)

I have had a wonderful fall break; although, it has not been much of a break. I have worked both days I have been off, and have had to do some homework. However, I am not complaining. I love my new job at the flower shop! Also, I got to babysit two of my favorite kids in the world, and had I have been in school that would not have been possible.

As promised, here are some pictures of Sophie's Candy Land birthday party. Sophie is my pastor, Ray, and his wife's, Candi, little girl. Her and her brother, Eli, just so happen to be two of my favorite kids that I mentioned :) I think they are adorable, sweet, precious, irresistible, etc. Haha.

We have a joke at my church about being on "Emily's pregnancy prayer list." Basically, a couple of years ago I told a couple of people that I was praying they would get pregnant. Candi was one of them :) I had kind of forgotten about it until she pulled me aside one morning after church and said, "Stop praying! I do not want twins!" At first I was a bit confused, but I soon caught on :) I have loved that little girl every since. I was there the day she was born, and have been blessed enough to be a part of her changing and growing into the one year old she is today. My heart flutters each time I am around her and see how she is changing. The way she has learned to crawl, stand up on her own, say little words, learn to tickle, blow kisses...it all makes me so happy. She's adorable. Without further ado...

SOPHIE'S CANDY LAND...



Me & Miss Sophie Claire





LOVED the castle




Everything was adorable & so edible!




Soph & her daddy



Sooo much candy..it was kinda awesome!
I love the way Candi took simple things and turned them into these pieces.



Gracie, Mom, & Candi




Oreo balls=delicious




Eli..he was "modeling!" Too cute.




I think she's precious!

I took about 250 pictures at this party! HaHa. Needless to say, I am pretty sure I captured almost every single moment.  I selected about eighteen to post, and I think this got about half. The best ones are yet to come :)