NYC What is it About You?

Through a few miraculous events and God's generous provision, at 34 weeks Adam whisked me off on one final trip to New York as just the two of us... There are not many places in the states we love more than the city. 

We rode the train there and back and made our only "goal" to expose ourselves to as much art as possible. We rested, ate, walked, visited galleries, and enjoyed a simply exquisite trip together.

Instead of writing about the fabulous time we had, I'll just let the story be told through his photos. Thank you Adam for documenting our trip with such fantastic images. I will forever treasure this trip in my heart.

It was beautiful... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Arts and My Beatrice

Because of my mother, I have a passion for the arts. Oh, I pray, Beatrice might share this same love.

Today I had the opportunity to watch 29 children perform in a production that I was blessed to choreograph. What joy it brought me to see their smiles as they created living art. For the past six weeks I have also been able to teach the beauty of ballet to 3 & 4 year olds. How splendid it was to see their eyes sparkle as they danced their own versions of famous ballets such as "Sleeping Beauty" and "Petrushka".

Our Lord is the ultimate creator, all we must do is look around to see the "performances" that surround us. The thunder of His storms, the songs of His birds, the light of His sunsets.

My husband and I share this artistic passion, and for that I am so fortunate. Beatrice, may you grow up surrounded by beauty! A most favorite quote of ours is by Jerram Barrs, and it reads:


"Our work in any field of the arts will be imitative. We will be thinking God's thoughts after Him—painting with His colors; speaking with His gift of language; exploring and expressing His sounds and harmonies; working with His creation in all its glory, diversity, and in-built inventiveness. In addition, we will find ourselves longing to make known the beauty of life as it once was in Paradise, the tragedy of its present marring, and the hope of our final redemption. All great art will contain this element of being an echo of Eden: Eden in its original glory, Eden that is lost to us, and Eden restored."


How appropriate this statement is after my earlier post this week. This world in which we live is tragically marred, and here I am, longing to know the beauty of what once was. May the art I create always lead back to Eden! Sweet Beatrice, may you long for the day when Eden is restored. 

Third Trimester Thoughts

Praise the Lord for His goodness! We, Beatrice and I, have arrived safely in the Third Trimester!

What a beautiful pregnancy it has been so far. I have learned so much already, that I simply cannot wait to see what motherhood has in store for me.

To document the beginning of my Third Trimester, my dear husband captured these simple photographs.

My precious girl, I cannot wait to meet you.

Beatrice Elise - Behind the Name

My sweet girl; I pray such things for you. May you be a "bringer of joy" to all you meet. 

We have always adored the name Beatrice. Adam's grandmother bears the same name; and she has been most instrumental in his life, to honor her would bless us beyond measure. I also grew up reciting Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing with my dear friend, Brooke, and I have always admired the strength and poise of his Beatrice. 

Then came the trials, the dark days and nights... upon realization that we were expecting we revisited names with a desire for them to reflect our true gratification to our Lord and Savior for his mercy. We have been through so much and this child, this gift has truly brought us joy. 

As you might have read, the Lord drew me to 1 Samuel even before I knew of my pregnancy. Then after this miraculous discovery, I began to ask the Lord, as my mother had for each of her children, for a prayer for my child. I was again led to 1 Samuel. This child was given to God by his mother, and as a result grew up in a beautiful communing relationship with his Heavenly Father. In a time where the land was filled with darkness and not many were able to discern the Lord's voice - Samuel heard, and he followed. 

The prayer that the Lord has given me for Beatrice is as follows: that she might be sensitive to her Savior's voice and that she would always know His calling on her life. That she might not aimlessly strive for worldly success, but go forth confidently, aware of the gifts she has been given and using them to serve and glorify her Lord. That her life would be her Father's and that they would share a tender and sweet love. 

We have also wanted to acknowledge my dear mommy in some way in our daughter's name. The more we have pondered, the more it has been made clear, that we should select a name she chose for her own daughter. My middle name, Elise, she chose, and after re-reading its meaning, well, it's perfect.

The meaning of the name Beatrice is: Bringer Of Joy

The meaning of the name Elise is: Consecrated to God 

So my, Beatrice Elise, may your life be a reflection of your name. We love you. 

Here are a few photos Adam took to beautifully document 20 weeks of pregnancy. 

Our Third Anniversary... Through Adam's Lens

I am fortunate for many reasons to be married to my precious husband. He is a man earnestly seeking the heart of Christ, committed to growth in our marriage, he bears a tender and loving heart, he serves others as Christ would... and he is a true artist. There are times that I am awe struck at the simplistic beauty of the story he is able to tell through the lens of his camera. 

So, dear ones, here is the complete story of our third anniversary as seen through my husband's skilled eye. No words - for you will experience the true emotion, I am sure. 

Beatrice, may you know no day without beauty. I love you, my sweet girl.