I know it's a little late, but...I don't care

The first week back from Thanksgiving break. It was such a good break! And a much needed one!

 Our family does the tradition every year of going around the room and saying what we're thankful for after my dad says the prayer and I just wanted to share a few things that I'm thankful for (and what my family said too).

1. My family of course because they're awesome! More specifically Grace. She's been a huge blessing in my life and I never thought I could love somebody (especially a baby, because I'm not very good with babies) this much. And I'm thankful that she remembers me every time I come home from school. :)

2. My puppy Petey because dogs are wonderful and it's proven that people with pets live longer. :)

3. That I am saved through faith in Christ Jesus and can worship freely and that I was raised in a Christian home.

4. The gift of music and the ability to hear. Music soothes the soul and makes me feel good. :)

5. I'm thankful for the caring staff and professors at Bethel that are always there for me when I need them. And that I can actually afford to go to Bethel. :)

6. That I know ASL and can communicate with Deaf people.

7. My friends, both at home and at school. I'm a lot to deal with so anybody that can handle my personality is a trooper. :)

8. I have the ability to read and see the world around me (that God so beautifully created)

9. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. chances. :)

10. Blogging, I like it a lot and is a great therapy. :)

11. That this semester is almost over. :)

12. Chiropractors! They're life-savers!

13. And my personal favorite that my dad says every year...indoor plumbing and toilet paper because I could never pee outside so hopefully I never get stuck in the woods. :)

There could never be a more beautiful you!

Today at 5 Star we talked to our group of kids about labels. Unfortunately, everybody is going to get labeled. Sometimes we like those labels and sometimes we don't. The important thing to realize is that you can choose what to label yourself as and you can accept or reject those labels.

One label I think every person should have and believe in...

            

Gracie, I hope you know that!

"God has made everything beautiful in its time."-Ecclesiastes 3:11

Blah...

Everything that has gone wrong this week:

• This past week was Spiritual Emphasis Week, I do not feel spiritually emphasized.
• I was 30 minutes late to my doctor's appointment because my GPS didn't save the address and I'm horrible with directions and I don't like being late. :(
• Got behind on homework.
• Recently, signed up to do 5 Star and instead of being excited about it I spent the entire night freaking out about it and feeling completely overwhelmed with everything I have to do.
• Accompanied with that is wondering what purpose God has for me and what He has called me to do and HATING that I don't know.
• Now being sick and all the yuck that accompanies that-no sleep, discomfort, getting behind on homework, having my first tests on Tuesday and feeling ill prepared, plus all my other homework and projects due this next week.
•  Missing my family-especially Grace. :(
• Finding out that Grace can crawl. Thanks for telling me Mom. I hate being out of the loop.

But, I keep trying to remind myself to have faith like a child. I got to skype with Grace today which did make me miss her, but I was reminded of how little care she has. ;) She currently has an ear infection, sinus infection, and yeast infection, but you wouldn't know by the way she acts. She was a little fussy, but no more than usual, but she just kept banging on that keyboard and talking to me. I seriously cannot help but smile when I see her because of how cute and carefree she is. I desperately wish I could go back to being like a child, not just because I would be so dependent on other people or the attention or having no responsibilities :), but because I want to experience that carefree life again. When you grow up you get so caught up in life that you lose that attitude. Being sick just becomes another weakness and a distraction from the things that need to get down because if things don't get done it's the end of the world!

Please God help me to see the purpose you have for my life. Give me patience. Help me to get better in YOUR time. Keep me focused and motivated. Help me to have faith like a child. Thank you so much for placing Grace in my life. Before she was born I used to think about all the things I would be teaching her. I never imagined all the things she would be teaching me. Father I love you and I give you praise!

"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of us."

On Saturday and Sunday before coming back up to school I took the train to gma's where my brother and sister-in-law picked me up. And where Tim and Kristen are, there Gracie is also! :)
So since Mommy and Daddy were there to take care of Gracie I didn't get to spend as much time with her. But I did get to witness the love her parents have for her and the love that she has for her parents. It's been great to see how Tim and Kristen handle her and try to make her laugh. They're really great parents and it's been amazing to see my brother...and sister-in-law grow. In their love for each other. In their love for others. In their love for Gracie. In their love for God. And a growth in wisdom.
Now, this blog wasn't totally meant to praise my brother and sister-in-law. What I really wanted to say is that Gracie's laughter is so cute and contagious!
Tim was throwing her up in the air on Sunday afternoon and she was so happy and laughing hysterically. Kristen was bouncing her on the couch and she was laughing her deep belly laugh. I couldn't help but laugh myself. When I think about Gracie and her smiling and laughter it makes my day.

"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of us."

Pictures

As I promised...
Here are some pictures of Grace's baptism. Though I'm sure most of you have seen them, but I'm gonna post them anyway.

Proud Grampy and parents

Her baptism outfit

"I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

Getting ready

Her new sunglasses from Aunt Tina

Putting on her sweater.

Me and my Love.

I love the look on her face.

She looks bored in this one.

Some fun.

Edited one of GiGi Troup

Oh I miss my Gracie so much! I can't wait to see more of her this summer. I can't believe she's already 4 months old! I probably sound like a broken record but I cannot believe how much I love her. So far she has been my greatest blessing.

"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers, in speech, in love, in faith, and in purity."-1 Timothy 4:12

I already see this in her. :)

Dear Grace

Dear Grace,
Today you were brought into God's family through holy baptism. Lucky Grandpa had the honor of baptising you. I think he feels a lot better now that you're finally baptized. You were definitely a big hit tonight. Everyone wanted to hold you. Everybody was kissing you and commenting on how cute you were. I have a confession to make...I was a little jealous. Not that you were getting all the attention, but because there are so many people on this earth that love you. I wanted to have you all to myself and be the one to show you the most love. Then I realized that by doing so I'm not really loving you at all. First of all, I'm not your mother so there's NO WAY I could love you more than they do, but I also remembered a point that was made in chapel Wednesday, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it."-Psalm 24:1
You see Grace, you do not just belong to your parents but to God. Most importantly to God. No matter how much your parents or I or all these other wonderful people in your life try to love you and do what's best for you, ultimately God is the one in charge. You are His. He is the one to love you, to heal you when your sick, and to "fix" you whenever you become a rebellious teenager. :)
But I definitely think that one way God shows us His love is through others. We love because He first loved us. I want you to always remember that Grace. Even during your saddest darkest days remember how much Jesus loves you.

And how much I love you.
Love Always,
Aunt Liz xo's

P.S. Pictures of the baptism are soon to follow.