Zachary Ryan

My oh-so-sweet little nephew arrived this morning at 6:25am!

8lb. 14oz

21 inches long.

And oh-so-handsome.

36 hours of labor (my sister is some kind of superhero).

Ava couldn't stop being excited to meet him.

"We're going to see my new baby!"

She loves him.

Her favorite part was holding Ryan. 

(That was my favorite part too.)

 Lucy gave him lots of kisses.

 My dad with his grandchildren. 

(Looking all at the same time is always optional. Besides, isn't it better to get the real moment?)

Lucy wanted to touch the baby. She was very gentle.

My brother Titus is missing, but otherwise my family and our kids!

And folks, with his eyes wide open, the man of the hour:

Welcome to our family, Ryan!

I love you.

Whirlwind of Grace

This week has been a whirlwind of emotions.

People have made decisions I find to be completely wrong. They have disappointed me, and I believe hurt God. I know things are not as they should be, but God has shown me ways to truly love these people and hold nothing against them. He has shown me how to show grace.

One of the men at church gave his testimony last night. Something that was shared with him during a particularly hard time in his life was this: "What is the point of having a God if you will not trust Him?" That hit me about 3 different ways. Ultimately, I have to trust God in this situation, in every single aspect of it. He has shown me how He longs to give grace.

I was blog cruising this afternoon and was stopped in my tracks by this woman. Her take on grace was exactly what my heart needed today. God gives us grace no matter what, because He loves us. He has shown me how He unconditionally distributes grace.

I'm calling this week Grace Week.

Life has seriously been a whirlwind of grace, and I cannot help but praise God and thank Him for showing me this!

Teach me, Savior

We sang this song in church today. emphasis added is mine, on the parts that really struck me. Let your heart hear what this says, and reflect on the grace of God...

O teach me what it meaneth,
That cross uplifted high,
With One, the Man of Sorrows,
Condemned to bleed and die!
O teach me what it cost Thee
To make a sinner whole;
And teach me, Savior, teach me
The value of a soul!

O teach me what it meaneth,
That sacred crimson tide,
The blood and water flowing
From Thine own wounded side.
Teach me that if none other
Had sinned, but I alone,
Yet still Thy blood, Lord Jesus,
Thine only, must atone.

O teach me what it meaneth,
Thy love beyond compare,
The love that reacheth deeper
Than depths of self-despair!
Yes, teach me, till there gloweth
In this cold heart of mine
Some feeble, pale reflection
Of that pure love of Thine.

O teach me what it meaneth,
For I am full of sin,
And grace alone can reach me,
And love alone can win.
O teach me, for I need Thee,
I have no hope beside—
The chief of all the sinners
For whom the Savior died!

O teach me what it meaneth
The rest which Thou dost give
To all the heavy-laden
Who look to Thee and live.
Because I am a rebel
Thy pardon I receive
Because Thou dost command me,
I can, I do believe.

O infinite Redeemer!
I bring no other plea;
Because Thou dost invite me
I cast myself on Thee.
Because Thou dost accept me
I love and I adore;
Because Thy love constraineth,
I’ll praise Thee evermore!

Words by Lucy Bennet, 1908

Music by Hans Hassler, 1601