I got a brand new name

So this week has been one of the most exciting weeks in a long time! For the past 9 months I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of a sweet little boy who I get to call nephew and he gets to call me aunt. What a joy it was to be able to be there at the hospital. I don't think there has been another time in my life where my emotions went from anxiety to joy to fear to tears so sporadically. As I drove from Mount Pleasant, SC to Augusta, GA the miles seemed to get longer and cars were getting slower! And unknown to me my little buddy was waiting on me! My dear sister-in-law might tell this story a little different after the hours she spent in the delivery room...

We are going to be the best of friends...

 I was able to stay in town for a few days and what a joy it was to snuggle on that sweet little baby! Though it's only been a few days I am also thrilled and overwhelmed as I watch my brother begin this journey of fatherhood. Jeremy has always loved so hard and cared so well for me. He is the one who took and still takes the duty of "guard" when it comes to me going or doing anything. He has also been right there with Dad about dating rules, things I wear, etc. Luckily for us all Jeremy and Erin had a son first and not a daughter. Jeremy is going to be a wonderful daddy! What a joy it was to watch him hold and sometimes just stare at his sweet boy. 

Not only is Jeremy is daddy, Jamie an uncle, or me an aunt, but Mom and Dad are now grandparents! They are beyond excited to be in this season of life! I think both and I do been both  of them have been eager to become grandparents. Neither of them could stop smiling while in the presence of Colt. Mom and Dad are going to spoil this baby way more than even I have been spoiled (if that's even possible)!

They are smitten 

Since being back in Charleston I find myself just thinking of Colt often. Good thing I took a ton of pictures! I have enjoyed just scrolling through the photos. This boy is so loved and probably if possible already very spoiled! 

As life is just beginning for this little guy I am praying that the Lord will draw Colt to Himself. That Colt will come into a relationship with the Lord at a very young age. That he will be able to flee all ungodliness and worldliness. That the salvation from the Lord through Jesus Christ will be his protection and strength. I pray that he will see and understand that even in what seems like innocence he is guilty of sin. I pray Colt that your worship will be unto Jesus for he is imperishable but things of this world will perish. 

What joy being an aunt has already brought me! I am looking forward to the years the Lord blesses me to live in this new identity of aunt! Thank you Colt for throwing me into this new position! 

Just having a little fun with Jojo...

I told him wearing birthday hats and celebrating birthdays are the best :)

 I just can't get over this sweet face and that great hair!

Happy Easter (reflections from Easter Sunday)

A phrase that carries more weight than many many people even know! A day that brought so much joy and also confusion. The women who saw the empty tomb and the angel were fearful. Some of the apostles doubted it was truth. Christ had told them many times before that he would die and on the third day be raised to life. So why were they locked in that room? Why were they living in fear? They didn't understand...today we know the entire story...(well at least most of it, we are still waiting in great hope of the second coming of Jesus)  so how can we still everyday forget?! Why aren't we waking up every morning and saying "happy Easter! He is risen indeed!"? This happy we speak of and tell our children is it based on finding and dying eggs, getting a basket full of candy, toys, games, etc, and gathering around a table and feasting on a delicious meal OR is it based on the simple but most wonderful of truths that Jesus Christ is no longer dead but ALIVE! What were you more excited about this morning, seeing your child's wide eyes as they searched their basket full of goodies or was it the opportunity to stop in pure joy and rejoice the Risen King! Those two words Happy Easter say so much but are we diluting them to carry the meaning that the world knows or are we standing firm on the top of mountains and sharing we no longer mourn our Jesus for He has victory over death!

I too realized Easter morning that right after Jesus arose and went and had shown himself to those who were dear to him (and many others) He told them to "go".  So I ask myself and you, what you are doing with this good news today and tomorrow? Each and every believer was given a mission. To go and be where you are called to live/work and teach the good news of the gospel and make disciples. Let the resurrection push you into pure joy and missional living all for the glory and worship of our king.

happy Easter every day! 

Matthew 28:1-20 

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting?"
1 Corinthians 15:54-55

 A little Easter from my table! I love spring and the new life that comes with it!

A little family joy on Easter Sunday 

"The Gospel for Real Life"

Well I just decided that I am going to try and give a summary of the books I read. One for myself and two for you! I hope that you might pick up one or two of the books I am reading and read them for yourself!

I literally just finished and put down a book that I read as a Sophomore in college and now have reread with girls on campus at Charleston Southern, The Gospel for Real Life: Turn to the Liberating Power of the Cross...Every Day. 

Wow! This is been so good and so refreshing!  I have been reminded yet again of the importance of the gospel! Reminded to remember the atoning blood of Jesus. Reminded that yes this gospel brought justification but this gospel must be in every part of my day. every decision. every thought. every action. Reminders like this should be at the forefront of my mind. "I am accepted by God, not on the basis of my personal performance, but on the basis of the infinitely perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ." 

This book progresses through the riches we are offered in Jesus, the need for Jesus' death on the cross, our sin and how we are completely justified through Christ, an understanding of reconciliation and our new position and identity with God, how we are in a process of sanctification, and ends with the truth that the Gospel is about God and the world...not me.

So now what? Well with the power of Christ within me I will lean into Him! I will rely on him. I will trust Him. I will live dependently of Him. And I will share the unsearchable riches I have received through Jesus with the world! When I fail to do this...because I know I will...I will turn my face to Him in repentance. Every day turning to the liberating power of the cross because what I know for sure is that I cannot do life on my own I have a great need for my great Lord and Savior!

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.    Ephesians 3:7-10