Lift Up Your Hearts

Emily, I just read this, while I was looking for r...

2012-02-13T10:21:29.516-08:00

Emily, I just read this, while I was looking for recipes. Now having new, different recipes doesn't seem that important, as long as there is food. You are a beautiful soul and a wonderful wife, mother, friend and woman of God. I really didn't know the details of how your new normal is, thanks for sharing and I know you and Alif and the kids will get thru it all with God's help and one step at a time! Love you! Prayers being said for you and your family!

I hate that your new normal is so hard. I hate th...

2012-01-30T02:00:17.290-08:00

I hate that your new normal is so hard. I hate that your heart hurts for what has been taken away. I love that you have not lost your focus and your love for the One who can keep you through this. I wish I knew you in person and I wish I could give you a huge hug... but for now I want you to know that I have been and will keep praying for your precious family. For your new normal to start to seem less new and more normal... if that makes sense. LOVE AND HUGS!

What a fantastic idea! I've seen a few of my ...

2012-01-30T01:50:59.094-08:00

What a fantastic idea! I've seen a few of my friends signing up for "fast-food free February" on facebook... I'm not that brave but I do regularly do a fast-food free fortnight to get us back on track.

I got the kids a new devotional book when we were away and they are really enjoying it! I should have got a new one for myself too, one that isn't fluff and girly stuff like I usually end up with because that's what most of the women's ones are... Still, it's never too late to start getting back on track.

I'm catching up... and I'm crying... and I...

2012-01-30T01:42:22.673-08:00

I'm catching up... and I'm crying... and I know things get better than this in this story that I wish you didn't have to be living through but I am still crying at this wonderful thing our God did!

thank you also for putting this out there. I almos...

2012-01-22T07:28:34.173-08:00

thank you also for putting this out there. I almost used this same word in an important essay!

I am blessed that you shared this with us. I want ...

2012-01-19T05:43:02.956-08:00

I am blessed that you shared this with us. I want to say to you this morning that I love you and your family. We may not know each other. We will never meet. But your in my heart and my prayers. I ache and know your heart when you say you want to go back. Please feel my love all the way from Louisiana.

I have so much sympathy for you dear girl. You hav...

2012-01-18T21:46:27.501-08:00

I have so much sympathy for you dear girl. You have endured much with so much poise. I will continue to pray for your whole family as you deal with the stresses that come your way. I will pray for God's perfect peace to envelop you. Remember, one day at a time. And one day...one very special day...we will all be together in paradise with perfect bodies that will never wear out and that is a beautiful thought.

Sweet Emily, it hasn't been that long since yo...

2012-01-18T20:42:47.625-08:00

Sweet Emily, it hasn't been that long since your "new normal" began. The way you're feeling is totally normal. Just like with any loss/grieving, it will take time to heal. We don't really ever let go of the past & rest in the present when we've lost something or someone....but in time, we learn to cope with the present a little better, and even accept it. Praying for you, friend!

I still pray for you, Emily. If there is anything ...

2012-01-18T18:49:12.224-08:00

I still pray for you, Emily. If there is anything we can do to make it easier, please let us know...

Oh, Em, I must be very naive....I had no idea that...

2012-01-18T16:17:26.309-08:00

Oh, Em, I must be very naive....I had no idea that there were still so many struggles. You are an awesome woman of God, and I learn something about His love for us in every one of your posts. Thank you for sharing your heart!

I love your goals! Thanks for posting!

2012-01-05T18:08:41.713-08:00

I love your goals! Thanks for posting!

Happy New year!

2012-01-02T18:34:31.138-08:00

Happy New year!

I shop about every week and a half to 2 weeks. I l...

2012-01-02T18:33:10.426-08:00

I shop about every week and a half to 2 weeks. I love a planned menu. :)

First, I love that right off the bat you're ha...

2012-01-01T20:10:05.002-08:00

First, I love that right off the bat you're having S'mores for breakfast! LOL Awesome!

Second, I need a few recipes. These sound good. Please share when you have time:
swedish baked potatoes
croissant poppers
chicken stacks
caprese grilled cheese

And third, you are doing great! My kids would feel like they lived in a fancy castle at your house! ha ha! They get very little variation for breakfasts & lunches. Supper is our only meal that changes much.

Looks great Emily. I love the Zuppa Toscana and th...

2012-01-01T14:16:51.293-08:00

Looks great Emily. I love the Zuppa Toscana and the Traders pizza. Yum! Great job!

What is a SMASH journal??

2011-12-30T21:04:11.543-08:00

What is a SMASH journal??

The swiftness with which our bodies and lives can ...

2011-12-29T09:31:08.705-08:00

The swiftness with which our bodies and lives can change is literally just a single heart beat, sometimes less. It is so hard to grasp that life will never return to "normal" but to have a new normal where you appreciate those single breaths for what they are, life, is pretty amazing.

Good thoughts for you and your family. It's quite a journey.

Wow Emily. What a beautiful post. Thanks for shari...

2011-12-26T15:18:36.656-08:00

Wow Emily. What a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing your reality. Real life sure is tough.

I totally get what your saying about wondering if ...

2011-12-25T19:51:08.186-08:00

I totally get what your saying about wondering if it will always bee like that...but also have the differences are fading into each other. When my first baby was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and I had to start sticking his fingers 8 times a day while he screamed and count all meals and give shots that he cried and begged me not to do, I wondered the same things. It is hard to have something HUGE thrown on you. I have been reading your blogs...your doing so well. I am in awe of you. I am so happy he is still here. Your right, you have him and that is all that matters.

Ah, Emily, such beautiful perspective. I think we ...

2011-12-23T20:46:36.135-08:00

Ah, Emily, such beautiful perspective. I think we all need a reminder to thank Him for what we do have...in the midst of whatever trials we face. Praying for you and your family this Christmas!

Bless you, Emily. Merry Christmas to you and your ...

2011-12-23T16:15:34.227-08:00

Bless you, Emily. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.

I love seeing this glimpse into your heart & m...

2011-12-18T17:17:04.201-08:00

I love seeing this glimpse into your heart & mind, Emily! You have a real gift with words. Thank you for sharing...can't wait to read more! -Dee Dee Jessee

I have been catching up on your blog. Your words h...

2011-12-17T20:21:53.543-08:00

I have been catching up on your blog. Your words have humbled me.

can't wait to hear more! Praise the Lord for J...

2011-12-16T18:01:50.163-08:00

can't wait to hear more! Praise the Lord for Jason and Meagan. They are top notch quality. As are you, my dear. Hugs.

I continue to pray for your family, for strength a...

2011-09-29T18:27:03.569-07:00

I continue to pray for your family, for strength and encouragement to just keep going. Praying for more and more days where the swimming is a little easier and fewer where you feel like you are slipping under. Hugs for you, sweet friend. xo