Glory

"We grow in glory so that we might assist others in doing so; we give our glory to increase theirs."
(The Sacred Romance by John Eldredge, p. 158)

I've been reading The Ransomed Heart, a collection of devotional readings from John Eldredge's works, and that line caught my eye the other day. It kind of reminded me of one of my favorite quotes, "The glory of God is man fully alive" (St. Irenaeus). I've really been trying to apply that in my life lately, praying daily that God would help me to be more alive. I know that would give Him glory, but I forget that by doing that I can also help others. When we become more alive ("grow in glory"), others see that and are also inspired ("to increase theirs"), and both of those--together and individually--definitely are the glory of God.

Along those same lines, I read this morning:

"Somehow, we human beings are never happier than when we are expressing the deepest gifts that are truly us... God created us and our gifts for a place of his choosing, and we will only be ourselves when we are finally there."
(Quoted from Os Guinness, The Journey of Desire by Eldredge, p. 152-54)

Maybe that's part of being more alive? Finding our gifts, our passions, our deepest heart's desires; and living in them.

What are your gifts? Your glory?

Megan & Andy

Some of you might remember seeing Megan and Andy's engagement pictures... Now you get to see the wedding!

Every little detail about their wedding was perfect and beautiful. At the ceremony, each guest was given a really nice, hand made program, a pretty little box with chocolate covered almonds, and the most detailed and pretty directions to the reception that I've ever seen! Then, at the reception, they had gorgeous roses for centerpieces, coffee bean filled candle holders, deep chocolate linens, a pretty menu with fun trivia on the back, and ribbon-tied boxes with yummy chocolate rice crispy treats. So many details were just so beautiful!

One of the things I thought was great was that they came up with a creative way to dismiss people to get their food at the reception. The first people who could get their food was anyone who had read an entire, unabridged Jane Austen novel (Megan just got her Master's in English). Then anyone who has served in the military could go (Andy is a Lieutenant in the Air Force). Then anyone who had changed the diaper of anyone in the bridal party was next... And so on. How fun!

There were so many great things about the day, but best of all for me was getting to see a great friend unite with a fantastic man, and start their lives together. Megan and Andy--I wish you all the joys that marriage can bring you!

Corey, Jeremy, and Aedan

I had lots of fun taking pictures of my friend, Corey, with her son, Aedan, and hubby, Jeremy. (I posted a few previously, which were taken with my Holga.) Corey and Jer are such great friends to us. They came down and visited us recently, which was awesome. All of these pictures were taken back in Michigan though.

The romantic couple:


Some family shots, having fun on the beach:

Then lots of little, photogenic Aedan:

In this one, he was walking in circles around me trying to get really close to the camera. Talk about hard to get a shot! I thought this was pretty cute though.
He loves freighters.

I

Michigan!

So I know I said I'd tell more about my wonderful time back home in Michigan, and now it's over a month later and I haven't said much at all! Time flies... But I still want to fill you in!

One of the things I got to do was have a family picnic with Matt's siblings and numerous neices and nephews at the beach. We swam in Lake Huron and ate yummy Michigan hot dogs (I'm partial to a brand there... it's the only kind I'll eat!). The lake was actually quite warm, which was awesome. This is my favorite snapshot from that day--our adorable nephew, Nathaniel:


Isn't he CUTE!? :)

I also got to spend some time with my Mom's dad's side of the family. My mom and I headed up to Mt. Pleasant for a family reunion. It was on my great-uncle Frank's farm. We did a tractor ride all through the fields, watched Uncle Frank try out the pop-pop boat he made, ate lots of good food, and just had a great time laughing together. I love family!

Here's Uncle Frank and me:



This is my great-aunt Florence. She's in her late nineties and is such a godly, wonderful example.


Uncle Frank and Dan (his son) with their pop-pop boats. Uncle Frank made is by hand with mahogany wood. He's so handy--he makes all sorts of strange inventions and toys all the time!



Mom and Grandma getting ready for the tractor ride:



Gotta love those suspenders! My family roots are SOOO country!



And last but not least, me and my cousin Katie. She's like a sister to me and I love getting to see her!



I love family so much! I was so blessed to be able to spend so much time back home.

Keep an eye out for my next post. I'll have more pics of Corey and her family to share!