A Mother's Example | Cherry Blossom Portraits

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A Mother's Example | Cherry Blossom Portraits

If there is one thing motherhood has taught me, it is that my children learn more from what I do than what I say. If I find true enjoyment in something, they seem to enjoy it also. If I complain about something, I find they mimic my complaints later. They mirror the way I treat them, the way I talk to others, and the emotions I express. To my dismay, they often mirror my negative qualities along with the positive. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” they say. And it’s true. So what kind of apples am I growing? What kind of tree am I?

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The Principle of Spring: Life from Death

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The Principle of Spring: Life from Death

There is a beautiful principle found in nature: life from death.

Just because it is beautiful doesn’t mean it isn’t hard. Death is painful. Even these stunning trees will watch every bloom die, every fruit wither, and every leaf fall. They’ll be left with a red scar where life once was. And yet, new life will come. Without the surrender to the death of what was there could never be another beautiful Spring.

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How the Nursery Reminds Me of God’s Faithfulness

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How the Nursery Reminds Me of God’s Faithfulness

The twins are now officially big boys in toddler beds. I remember when I was planning their nursery just before they were born. Our time was running out at our townhouse and we had nowhere to go. We tried unsuccessfully for months to find somewhere to live. I wanted their room to reminded me of God’s faithfulness on the mountains and in the valleys. I wanted a peaceful room, full of dark and light contrast to remind me that both darkness and light are the same to Him. I can be at peace in Him, regardless of our circumstances.

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The Shepherd and the Wounded Heart

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The Shepherd and the Wounded Heart

When the soul is wounded, it needs care just the same as a wounded body. I’m learning this deeply. Jonathan has a large physical wounds from this, but my soul has invisible wounds. It needs care just like a broken down body. It needs rest and things that will do it good. A wounded soul needs the medicine of the Truth, for nothing brings comfort and healing like God’s Word. It needs quiet and stillness to heal. Most of all it needs the care of the Good Shepherd, the only one who can bring true healing.

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Jonathan's Emergency Heart Surgery | Part 1

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Jonathan's Emergency Heart Surgery | Part 1

On Sunday February 19th, 2013, my precious husband collapsed leading worship at our church, Awaken City. He said he felt something like a shockwave go down his spine. I was helping in the babies area that day, but someone came and got me pretty quickly. By a miracle of God’s grace a nurse with a cardiothoracic background and her husband who is a PA were on the front row, rushed to help him, and quickly called 911. He had symptoms of a stroke from what they could see, but something just seemed off to them. They hoped it wasn’t a dissection (more on what that is exactly later) but they suspected it might be the worst case scenario.

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