Seize the Day

I was looking through my late Grandma Barb's Bible yesterday, and it was such a blessing.

She had written in the front cover, saved notes and cards from loved ones, and underlined many verses. She was a loving, faithful woman who was kind to those around her, and took time to listen, care, and love.

Barbara Norman Obituary

The message that kept coming through was "You are not alone. Jesus is always with you."

That is the message that I want to share with you today

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

"You will never walk alone. As long as you have faith, Jesus will be right beside you all the way." (lyrics from a Point of Grace song)

People everywhere struggle with loneliness and depression. They lose hope, thinking that they are alone in this world, and no one cares. 

THAT IS A LIE.

The truth is that God made this world, and he sent Jesus into this world. It was a crazy plan - send him as a baby. He grew up just as humans do. Preached a radical message, brought together a rag-tag group of guys to be his disciples, and allowed the corrupt rulers of the time to murder him.

Super crazy plan.

But it was powerful. Forgiveness, grace, and actual true love are the most powerful things in the universe.

Now that I am a mother, I have a new level of understanding surrounding love that I did not have before. 

The love of parents for their children is all consuming.

Ian and I have a love that transcends cancer, depression, time, and space. We have been on the highest mountain tops and struggled through the lowest valleys. We have been miles apart, close together, and through it all love has remained. Love for each other. Love for our families. Love from God to us.

We are also surrounded by an amazing community of people who love us. It is an absolute blessing.

The above photo was taken at our wedding. We wore LIVESTRONG bracelets to symbolize all that Ian and his community had overcome, leading up to our wedding day. Our Celebration of Life!

***

If I could turn into a literary character today, it would be Eowyn from The Lord of the Rings. She is a Shield Maiden of Rohan. Fearless. Courageous. She channeled her passion, love, and skill to accomplish amazing feats of bravery!

Today, channel your inner strength, given to you by our Creator. The one who loves us yesterday, today and forever.

After all, the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.

Martin Luther King: "And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Winston Churchill: "You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory! Victory at all costs! Victor in spite of all terrors. Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival."

John F. Kennedy: "And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."

Nelson Mandela: "I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and see realized. But my lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

May the Lord Bless You and keep You. May the Lord make His Face shine upon You. And give you peace.

May the Lord Bless You and Keep You in the Palm of His Hand.

Love,

Adrianne

Learning from History

I have all sorts of ideas about ways to make this world more awesome. But then I realized, all I have to do is look back in history for the answers. 

As George Santayana wrote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have a dream

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

"When we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

                Free at last! Free at last!

                Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Really, we do not have to look any further than the words of Jesus

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Amazing Ian

Hello, lovely friends. I have missed you.

I love connecting with great people, and I am so very blessed to have a large community of excellent people who enrich my life.

One blessing that I get to enjoy every day is being married to the Amazing Ian David Law!

Is that a million dollar smile, or what?!?

As we approach our 5 year wedding anniversary, I am reflecting on how very, very blessed I am to be his wife. He is the strongest person that I know. He is extremely kind, thoughtful, and caring. He strives to "live a life of love" and he does that every day by loving his family and friends. He could write a book about how to be a loving husband and father! He is super cool. Really funny. A joy to be around! AND handsome! He really is the whole package.

Here are just a few throwback photos of the Amazing Ian.

Speaking at Relay for Life, 2009:

Team Re Mission at 2009 Relay for Life. Serious about coolness and the Fight against cancer. Our dear friend Tom (far left standing in the back row) is now watching out for us from Heaven. Tom, we will take Hope and Ezra fishing in your honor this summer. We love you and miss you.

 Now THIS is a real man. Tandem babywearing!

Amazing Race: Dad edition. This Professional Father is ready!

Family Fun at the Waterpark of America! So much fun. 

Click to see photos of our wedding! Seriously, they are amazing! It was such a joy filled celebration of life and love!

Ian and Adrianne Wedding Photos

First look: Setting Up A First Look For Your Wedding

Ian and my beautiful sisters, celebrating his 1st Rebirthday:

Bonus adorableness:

I hope you enjoyed this post!

Smile. Laugh. Then share with a friend. Ideally in person, while consuming your favorite beverage. (Thinking of you, Childers/Stalker family!)