…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. … And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4: 8 -9
What is my only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
~Heidelberg Catechism
Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
~Mary Oliver
To do the useful thing, to say the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing: that is enough for one man’s life.
~ T.S. Eliot
A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
To live is so startling, it leaves little room for other occupations.
~Emily Dickinson
I believe in God as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
~ C. S. Lewis
Remember this. When people choose to withdraw far from a fire, the fire continues to give warmth, but they grow cold. When people choose to withdraw far from light, the light continues to be bright in itself but they are in darkness. This is also the case when people withdraw from God.
~ Augustine
Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields…Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness.
~ Mary Oliver
The seed is in the ground. Now may we rest in hope while darkness does its work.
~ Wendell Berry
Nothing will sustain you more potently than the power to recognize in your humdrum routine the true poetry of life.~ Sir William Osler
But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts, and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.
~George Eliot’s final sentence in Middlemarch
If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.
~ E.B. White
Geese appear high over us, pass, and the sky closes. Abandon, as in love or sleep, holds them to their way, clear, in the ancient faith: what we need is here. And we pray, not for new earth or heaven, but to be quiet in heart, and in eye clear. What we need is here.~~ “The Wild Geese” Wendell Berry
Let it come, as it will, and don’t be afraid. God does not leave us comfortless, so let evening come.
~ Jane Kenyon from “Let Evening Come”
You can only come to the morning through the shadows.~ J.R.R. Tolkien
Look for what you notice but no one else sees. ~Rick Rubin
If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I am living for, in detail, ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for. ~ Thomas Merton
This life therefore is not righteousness,
but growth in righteousness,
not health but healing,
not being but becoming,
not rest but exercise.
We are not yet
what we shall be,
but we are growing toward it.
The process is not finished
but it is going on.
This is not the end
but it is the road.
~Martin Luther
Ten times a day something happens to me like this – some strengthening throb of amazement – some good sweet empathic ping and swell. This is the first, the wildest and the wisest thing I know: that the soul exists and is built entirely out of attentiveness.
~ Mary Oliver
It is not your love that sustains the marriage —
but from now on, the marriage that sustains your love.
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
She has done what she could…
~Mark 14:8
What do you mean? Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good on this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?~ J. R. R. Tolkien from The Hobbit
Barnstorming 
Beautiful! Congratulations grandmother!
Best wishes,
Maureen at Plough.
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Congratulations grandmother! What a beautiful gift she is. And thoughts of sending the LIght back and forth. Sounds like Emma was named after you. Blessings to all.
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Good morning Emily!
Congratulations on becoming a grandmother! I am so happy for you and you will be outstanding in that role! I can’t imagine a more magical environment for your granddaughter to grow up visiting than a farm with ponies, cats, dogs, a treehouse and a swing with a garden gnome! And your “welcome to the world” poem should be lovingly placed in her memory book. It is beautiful. You have an endless supply of beautiful writing to share. You are gifted. Again, congratulations on this exciting milestone in life!
All the best, Heather Hejmanowski San Diego
Sent from my iPhone
>
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The perfect game of catch, with all that matters… Such a blessing!
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Congratulations to all. Emma is beautiful, as is her family. Many blessings are wished.
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Oh, I don’t know what I could possibly add to everything that has been said by others! This post was awesome–your joy–your son’s joy with his lovely wife and precious baby girl–and “sending the light”–the thought of that warmed my heart on this, another cold day in Idaho. Blessings and congratulation, Emily!!
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Your long wait (and that of Emma’s beaming parents as well) is over. These nine months must have seemed an eternity to
you and Dan. Not to mention reliving the happy memories of your own three births. Now Emma Sophia is here – a miniature hope for peace and love between two nations combined in one tiny baby girl. You must be counting the days when you will enfold her in your waiting arms – to begin the cuddling and the story-telling all over again.
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What a wonderful welcome/blessing for this new life!
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Such a joyous time for all of you. You must be itching to get your hands on that little one, so precious to behold. Congratulations to all.
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Congratulations!! How precious and sweet.♥
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Congratulations to all of you!!
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New life — there is nothing more inspiring at this moment. Thank you and congratulations! Beautiful photos!
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Congratulations to you, Emily! Emma Sophia…what a beautiful name.
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Lovely! and Congratulatons!
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Love her name! She is a little doll. Love the picture that was sent, they look so happy. Congradulations Grandma & Grandpa! Such a gift from God.
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She is so beautiful! 🙂
Sent from my iPad
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our eldest (of seven) grands is now eleven, but the moment we heard, and then held him, is always with us. such precious gifts…many blessings to you and yours!
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Congratulations and Praise God for the new life and joy little Emma brings to your whole family worldwide!
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