Be who you are.

It just rolled out of my mouth one day as I was dropping the kids off with friends. I guess the idea had been tumbling around in my head for a while; but it quickly became an almost signature phrase of mine, and something I mean deeply in so many profound ways.

I tell the kids to be who they are, and I mean for them to be the ones God made them to be. To rise up into my expectant understanding of God's purposes in their hearts and lives. It's not that they aren't sinful and depraved; but as saved persons, they have a new nature and that's what I mean when I tell them to be who they are... it's who they REALLY are.

It's an impactful exhortation for me as an adult as well. In any given moment I can and should ask myself... "Is this who God calls me to be?" or "Is this attitude reflective of the heart in me?" I hope to choose to be who I am in Christ, for it is so much better than who I was before He began His good work in me.

As a girl who is happy beyond words to be in her new home, I want to welcome guests warmly. I want every person who comes through my door to feel like they landed in a generously feathered nest... loved, comfortable, cared for. I want each one to come to our home and do just what the message says...

(Thank you, JP... it's perfect.)

A Holiday Greeting

Blessings to you all, this month as we celebrate that special holy night...

Hello friends, Well... I finally found the camera, charged the batteries and took some good photos of the house. All these are upstairs photos, I haven't gotten downstairs yet... happy looking!

(standing at the front door, looking up to the living, dining, and kitchen.)

(from the piano to the Christmas tree...)

(a view of the livingroom... tapestry above the couch is yet to be hung.)

(refinished parquet hardwood in the kitchen ~ I love the way the sun hits it.)

(a sweet boy doing math at a table in the sunshine)

(where dining meets living)

(Christmas village and stained glass)

(master bedroom with new sidetables from Dad)