Ginger goes again

Remember Ginger?

Well. She's going again.

Its times like these I imagine I resemble a lot of "Peter Pan" or "Anne Shirley" tendencies: a yearning desire for absolutely nothing to change.

But the harsh, cold, true reality is that you can't hold back time. You can't wish it to stop, or to rewind. Time presses on with more endurance than anything else I know or know of. Time changes things we wish to stay the same. Time presses forward, and the more we wish it to hold on, we miss where time has brought us at that moment.

But the thing more consistent than even time itself is God. ("Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8) And that consistent God is ever faithful, not just to me, but to Ginger as well.

Ginger, as you go, remember that the loving and faithful hand of the Father is on you and all your ways. Know that though time and distance are between us for this season, you are always dear to my heart, and never far from my thoughts. 

Allow the Son to be the light by which you shine. You are so endearing, and lovely, dear Ginger. Let the Father use that! I get overwhelmed thinking of the ways He could. ("For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:5&6; "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5

I don't know how life will look for you in the coming months; and I dare say neither do you. I know you pray. I love to hear you pray. But sometimes, the words just don't come for any of us. When those times come, take comfort. Your shouts of joy or your wails of grief or your moans of confusion or your silence of thankfulness are each heard, and understood. The Father knows. He kind of thought of everything :). ("...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Romans 8:26)

That passage is pretty cool. It goes on to say, that "he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." (Through vs. 30) 

Ginger I don't know what being adults is going to look like for either of us. Where that will take us, and who it will shape us into. But please know that I am praying for you, wherever you go, will love you however He creates you to be, and will visit you, no matter where He calls you to live!

(Ginger and I spent a lot of time together this summer, but this is the only picture we got. Two of our dearest friends between us!) 

The story of a Ginger friend

Once upon a time, two little girls grew up together. They went to each others' houses a lot, and spent the night often. They got to do a lot of cool things together:

They went to a horse farm when they were little. And one time, they were pirates:

They were very apart of each others' lives. They had a pretty cool childhood together. When they got just a little older, they decided, "hey, we actually like being friends." As if they didn't already do a lot together, they started doing more and more together. They became apart of so much. One thanksgiving, they even spent the night with each other! These girls were inseparable!

Over the next few years they had some pretty cool adventures:

they got cool Indian shirts at a festival

they got to go to the zoo together!

oh and one time, they were ninjas for a while

they were free entertainment to their families, because they're just so funny

 

they made each other laugh, a lot!

they made messes...

...and new friends

and then, they graduated...TOGETHER!

They're grown up now. (Note, not ALL grown up ;)) And that crazy red-headed girl is off following the greatest call of her life: making disciples. She will be leaving the country soon. She's been gone for a few months, training already, and the other girl misses her terrible. But more than all that missing, she is so proud of her. Because she can't imagine having all these wonderful memories with someone more amazing! This ginger is another sister. Loved by her family, and cherished by so many. They're still very dear friends, and skype once a week as time allows. But on the edge of adulthood, they see how the Father is working to use them best to His glory in different parts of the world. Although the girl is sad to see her friend leave for a time, she can't imagine her firey-haired, partner in crime doing anything less than EXACTLY what The Lord wants of her.

To follow this amazing gal's journey across the Nations, visit her blog.

I love you so much girl and I'm praying for you as you GO! :)

Wordless Wednesday

(this is actually from a few weeks ago, I just found it funny enough to share :))

My Warrior

Dear Newest Nephew,

You were born  on Monday afternoon, and you already have me so in love.

I had forgotten how tiny a person could be, until I got to hold you. Even with your two brothers before you, I had forgotten how little a person could do. I didn't remember being able to hold a whole person in the crook of my arm. Yet there you were, real as I was, in my arm.

You made me believe in a bigger love, all over again. I love so many people a whole, whole lot; but the love didn't run out, it grew. There's plenty of love for you in my heart, little mister!

 You've already proved to be a fighter. My little hero. As your mommy got ready to bring you into the world, you weren't moving around much, and I began to pray for you; a lot. When you were born, they found a knot in the cord that was bringing you oxygen and nutrients. That same cord that was keeping you alive, was also around your neck. GOD was with you and your mommy, baby. You are a healthy baby boy!

I got to hold you again today. Your tiny face wrinkled like a little man having a deep thought. Your nose crinkled like you smelled something stinky, and your little eyes peeked open at me.You sleepily settled into my arm and continued your blissful, innocent slumber.

Innocent. You are the picture of innocent right now. You know nothing. You have everything in front of you to learn. You have two amazing parents, and two big brothers, four loving grandparents, and loads and loads of adoring aunties and uncles to help teach you. There's so much we can't wait to show you!

You have a good life in front of you, my little Warrior. Continue to stay strong. And always remember my love, that it's by God's hand we win wars. <3

~Love,
"Yonnie"

Family addition!!

Please welcome to the family, Squirt! 

(Excited brothers, showing you their new baby :))

 

~One happy Auntie 

(Pre)Senior Pictures!

While visiting my sister and her family in one of my favorite cities, my eldest sister suggested we take a few "early senior" portraits. So spur-of-the-moment, away we went! I must say, I was excited about it! Some of them turned out great!

Here's a preview of my favorites, (and I promise one of the only posts that will be pictures of me.)