Thursday, February 19, 2009

her duty becoming her delight

a few months back after stelly very transparently informed me of her dislike for her sister, i knew i had to be more intentional about having their very different worlds intersect. so, at the beginning of this year i instituted a way i thought stelly could show love to ruby and try to condescend to and serve her then 6 month old ways. it has been exciting to see their relationship develop more, especially just within the past 2 weeks. stelly is really starting to enjoy rubes, and of course, ruby adores her big sister.
it brings my heart such joy hearing their little giggles in ruby's room when they play. this morning i walked in and saw this sight. it was so funny i had to get a picture of it. no, they aren't reenacting the wizard of oz...they're just playing under ruby's crib. a new favorite game. too funny.
as always, God used stelly's need for grace to convict me of my own need to grow in love for others. so, God is very patiently helping us sinners in the owen household learn to live together in peace.


Friday, February 13, 2009

valentine's days past and present

ruby at 7 1/2 months - feb 2009

stelly at 6 1/2 months - feb 2006 (she was so sick with the flu)

stelly with her cinderella sucker from ammy and appy


our thumbprint heart cards - so fun to make but...

after scrubbing our thumbs to death, they are STILL red!!

Sunday, February 08, 2009

There was nothing wrong with it

This past week my grandpa, Jerry Neuhart, turned 72. I kept thinking about what God has done in his life over those decades. One story stuck out in my mind. It's a story evidencing forgiveness and grace and I kept praising the Lord for it through the tears of the week as grandpa's physical state declines.

My mom was pregnant with me and knew she wasn't going to marry my dad. As she talked to her dad about it, she expressed concern because she didn't know what my last name would be. My grandpa said, "Well, what's wrong with Neuhart?" That simple question showed grace and extended forgiveness after several months of a strained relationship with her. And that's what my last name was for 26 years and I was proud to have it.

Taken during our visit this past weekend

Me, my mom and gramps taken in the early 80s