Weep With Those Who Weep

My heart is heavy for those who are experiencing the great loss of children
in Connecticut.

I found these things encouraging tonight while reflecting and in prayer. Hopefully they will bring some comfort to those in need.
May hearts be directed to Christ in these desperate times.

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The Briefing Special Edition – Connecticut Shooting

Rachel Weeping for Her Children

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I read these words born of a season of grieving the loss of loved ones, in this blog post tonight and they rang so true:

Frederick Buechner calls people of God “connoisseurs of sorrow,” for we are alive through the depth of Christ’s suffering borne out of love for us. Today and for the foreseeable future, we wrap sadness around like a cloak. At the very same time, we are people of hope. Christ came to bring eternal life of abundant delight. To this promise we cling. O death, where is thy sting? Seems like everywhere we look at this moment. But a new tomorrow will dawn in which there is no sorrow or crying. For that day we wait.

***

I love the LORD, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. The cords of death encompassed me and the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!” Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. For You have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before the LORD In the land of the living. I believed when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD. Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones. To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Psalm 116

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What is your 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.

He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,
and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.
He also watches over me in such a way
that not a hair can fall from my head
without the will of my Father in heaven:
in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.

Because I belong to him,
Christ, by his Holy Spirit,
assures me of eternal life
and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready
from now on to live for him.

(The Heidelberg Catechism, Question and Answer 1)

lounging at the pool

Tonight was our long awaited Brook Hollow Employee Pool Party. Woohoo!
I was ready to brave the heat for some excellent catered Mexican food.
And I was not disappointed, it was fantastic!
It really was a good night. First, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing soo many co-workers with their families. I just love seeing them together and interacting since I often hear stories and have no faces to match them up with.
Second, I photographed several of the families and I hope to present them, soon, with a beautiful image that may remind them of a great night and the many things they can be thankful for.
I like being a photographer. :]
Oh and Melissa Williams and August were my dates tonight. So happy they could join us!

I can’t wait to post the images! But I must retire for the evening.
I will give you a few from today.. I know, I’m so kind. ;]

This is the amazing gazpacho I made this afternoon. -Definitely inspired by Brook Hollow’s stinkin-amazing recipe-
I may have spent close to two hours preparing and taking photos of the process…Randi came out of her room and I was standing on a chair, hovering over the kitchen table snapping away. She thinks I’m crazy, hahaa :]  …more to come!

Me and a few of the beautiful ladies at the pool party tonight.
I have to admit, I’m really thankful for the self timer function on my camera :] I just love this one.

Sweet dreams!

Excitement

I’m not going to lie, this was me two weeks ago! LOL

Golden Birthday

May 25

I have wonderful friends and I was so happy that we were able to eat breakfast together at one of my favorite restaurants in Dallas, Smoke.
I was also thrilled that Randi was all about wearing gold everything for my golden birthday. This included (but was not limited to) shoes, nail polish, jewelry, sunglasses, dress, and clutch.
Breakfast was followed by a walk through Bishop Arts, that would not be complete without a visit to my favorite flower shop, Dirt.
If you haven’t stopped in their shop, be sure to. I’m constantly amazed by their creative stylings and variety of imported flowers.

I always feel so honored to receive a card from the creative genius of Bryant.

Thank you, my friends, for blessing my life in so many ways.

I look forward to what the Lord has in store for us this year. I am thankful for the change of seasons and boy, have things been changing.
I’m especially thankful for the grace of God that sustains daily, the truth that He has a firm grip on my life, and that He will have His way and do what He sees fit. And I can trust that He is good in all of it.