Grace, the cutest sister, from 2005-2010

The Last few days, while looking at pictures, something struck me. I have the world's cutest sister!!! Okay, it's struck me before ;). But I decided I needed to blog about it.

So... here's what I'm doing. I'm posting 8-13 of my favorite pictures of Miss Grace Hannah for each year since we've had her, excluding 2005 because I only have two pictures of her on this computer (And yes, I went a little overboard in 2008 because we went on vacation. So expect a few more there!). So, back to 2005, I'll post those two because they're awfully cute!!! So anyway, if you're reading this, please comment on your favorite for each year and your favorite overall! I'll tell you, it was hard narrowing it down to just a few per year, we've taken so many pictures of that little girl! Oh, one more thing. If you have a lot of pictures saved of your younger siblings, I'd encourage you to do something similar to this! It's so fun looking at all these sweet photos and I think I'll do this for Titus soon. :)

2005 (10 months-15 months)

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2006 (1-2 yrs.)

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2007 (2-3 yrs.)

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2008 (3-4 yrs.)

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2009 (4-5 yrs.)

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2010 (5 yrs.)

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God bless!

Rachel

God, will you dance with me?

From the heart of an unknown author—
"When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing “dance” at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn’t flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw “G: I thought of God, followed by “u” and “i”. “God, “u” and “i” dance.” God, you, and I dance. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God’s blessings and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.
And I Hope You Dance!!!!!!!!"

After reading this, I decided that no longer should I just casually follow God. I'm going to dance, and let Him lead.

Miracle of the Moment

Recently, particularly since moving to Japan, I have had the opportunity to spend more time with my siblings; especially my sister, Grace. We have a wonderful time together! She's five years old, and we enjoy snuggling, talking, sharing a room, and memorizing Bible verses together. Recently, I have started teaching her letters, sounds, The Pledge of Allegiance, drama/ memorizing, Bible stories, more Bible verses, and other things. It has been so much fun! However, the other morning while we were whispering in my air-mattress bed, I realized something that I had thought of before but never really considered. There will be a day, in fact, one fast approaching, that Grace will no longer want me to tuck her into bed at night. The day is coming, all too soon, when I won't be able to teach her Bible stories every afternoon, or hold her hand while walking to the store, or walk into our bedroom to hear her laughing. Soon the day is coming when Titus won't be yelling in the next room or forgetting yet again what a particular letter is. Someday, even, Matthew will not want to have a slumber party in my room with candy and Adventures in Odyssey.

How do I pause this time machine called life? I think of God's sovereignty, and how it is by His mercy and grace alone that I am able to take another breath. He gives us our every breath, and with every breath events in our lives are changing. I said to my mom just yesterday, "Isn't it funny how life changes?" I was reflecting over our recent move, and how I would never have imagined it just over three months ago. How could things change so quickly?!? But the funny thing is, that, although I don't like to admit it, it is not just during the times of obvious change such as during a move, an illness, or a tragedy that things are changing. Life is changing every minute!

This is what I have been trying to learn the last few days. Every moment is a miracle. A memory. A gift. I am reminded of the words of someone very wise who once said, "The past is history, the future is a mystery, but right now is a gift. That's why they call it the present." And most of all, the words of David in Psalm 90:12, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

This moment is a miracle. A gift. A remarkable present. Each day is numbered. Those things are all factual, unable to be changed, and out of my control. But I can be in control of something. Will I have a heart of wisdom?

And the adventures in Japan begin!

Hi all! So sorry I haven't posted in so long. We've been kind of busy since we've been in Japan! But I've decided that I need to record some of my 'adventures,' if they can be classified as such, lest I forget them and *gasp* lose them forever!! Anyway, the day that we came here, or night, I should say, was a LONG day. The flight was long. We were tired and jet-legged. It was a huge change. But, coming here was an experience in itself! Directly before getting our luggage, we had to go through a security check where some men took my parents fingerprints and a 'mug shot' of sorts. While we were waiting for said so-called security check, there were instructions playing in the back ground of what to do. Basically, there was a recording of somebody telling you that you needed in look into the lens when they took your picture and place your index fingers on the pad. Standing there with no one in front of us in line waiting for the men to tell us when they were ready makes one wonder "Why are they playing these instructions?" "Why do the security guards not know the instructions themselves?" "Why am I here?" "Why didn't I put on make up and do my hair more properly this morning?" "Why did I put on mis-matching shoes when I left?" etc, etc. Okay, maybe the last three questions don't apply so much, but you get the idea.

Then something amazing happened. Something epic. Something awesome, thrilling, exciting, and, dare I say, miraculous. For just as Mom and Dad were finished getting their finger-prints and 'mug shots' taken, and Mom was compelling me to step forward, the instructions took a surprising and much-needed turn from boringggggggggggg to FABULOUS! I quote:

"Failure to comply with the guard's requests and cooperate by having one's fingerprint or picture taken may result in being denied entrance into Japan."

I cast a hopeful look at Dad. He shook his head, and I went back to my melancholy state of frustration. I have to admit I was still tempted. Then something horrible happened. We realized that only Mother and Father needed the mug shot and fingerprint taken. I guess they weren't too consumed by the concern that the rest of us had criminal records or something. I suppose Ishould be glad for the fact that any temptation to get denied entrance was taken away... but still, I can't help but feeling that it was RATHER rude of him to not even give me a chance to get denied. *wink, wink*

Well, so continue the adventures in Japan! Or I guess they're just beginning. Hum. Whatever. But, just in case anyone is thinking by my narration here they I am bitter for being in Japan, I just want to let you know that I'm not! I've had a couple hard days, true. Okay, several hard days. But I'm just trying to trust the Lord and remember that He has a plan. And of course trying to remember that if I live my life for Him then everything else will fall into place. Or, as Jesus said it so much better, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."