My (Big!) Littlest Brother :)

Mr. Smiley Face :)

Happy Birthday (a day late) dear littlest brother! 

There is absolutely no possible way you can be 8 years old already!!!  Where did that curly-haired little boy go!?!  Jonnie, you have grown up so fast - too fast, just like any child does.  Next thing I know, you'll probably be 16 and taller than me. :) 

I need to treasure these precious moments, days, and years that I have with you.  I am so grateful that God gave you to me as my littlest brother!  I love the sweet personality He has given you, your big hugs, your gentle and loving  demeanor, and your great smile.  You are an amazing gift!

I am excited to see what our Lord has in store for your life, what kind of man you will grow up to be, and how God will use you to advance His kingdom.  You are so special to me, Jonnie, and I love you so much!  May your 8th year be blessed.

To God be the Glory,
Love,
Hannah

Me and my Buddy... :)

Summer 2011:

Elijah and I took Jonnie out on our uncle's pond to do a little fishin'. 

Love Jonnie's "squinty" face in the above picture!  :)

Chasing frogs around Grandpa's pond. 

The Joys and Blessings of Little Brothers

Today, I was pleasantly and sweetly surprised by a bouquet of flowers from my two littlest brothers.  They also had my name written on the jar, two quarters :) and a carefully written note saying "I Love you".  Mama received the same. 

As I was doing some office work, the sweet aroma reminded me of my precious little blessings.  What a joy and gift from our gracious Lord little brothers are!!!  He is so good to me to give me brothers who love me so unconditionally.  I can't express in mere words how dear my brothers are to me or how much joy they bring to me each day.  Praise the Lord for brothers!  :)

Mama's bouquet. 

My bouquet. 

Me with my dear little gentlemen.  :)

Rush Hour...

...from the perspective of a little person.  :)

Jonnie Boy

Dear, dear Jonnie,

Happy 7th Birthday, buddy!  I love you so much and I hope that you have a wonderfully fun birthday. 

Wow!  How time flies!  It was just last year that you turned 6!  :)  But really, it wasn't that long ago that you were only a baby.  I can clearly remember the day that you were born and how scared I was when Mama had to have an emergency C-section.  God graciously preserved your life that day and I can't imagine life without you today.  All of these years, you've been such a sweet guy and I love that you're my "huggy buggy".  God has been so gracious to me in giving me a brother like you.  I am so excited to see what else God has planned for your life.

May the Lord use you to bring glory to Himself, for He alone is worthy. 

You are such a special littlest brother! I love you, Jonnie!

To God be the Glory,

Love,

Hannah 

Fun With the Boys

Today, Christian, Jonathan, and I were outside in the early afternoon, enjoying the glorious fall weather and I was experimenting with my friend's SLR camera!  I am still getting used to not having a flip screen and needing to use the viewfinder for all of my photos, but it is really fun to learn about such a complicated camera and to actually use it. 

Christian and Jonathan were raking the yard and I took the opportunity to get some pictures of them.  I am so thankful that they were in a cooperative mood today!  :)  I have some really wonderful brothers (if you didn't already get that from everything else I've said about them!).  I am so thankful for brothers that are such a blessing and an absolute joy to be with.  Praise God for the undeserved gift of brothers!

My Devotions and Random Photos from Today {Happy September}

Today is one of the warmest days that we have had for quite some time.  As a result, the boys are enjoying a refreshing swim in our pool.  Here are some of my favorite shots:

Elijah and Christian were playing a game together and I think that Christian was enjoying it!

Jonnie consented to jump off of the diving board for me!

And Jeremiah was kind enough to make lots of splashing for me!

Christian didn't know that I was getting these pictures,

which makes them that much cuter!

As I was doing my Bible reading this morning, I read Ephesians 4:1

"...walk worthy of the calling with which you were called."

and Philippians 1:27

"Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ..."

I was so convicted!  So challenged to actually live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ.  As I thought of the way I live my life, I was so ashamed.  I am not living as if I really love my King.  If I really, truly loved Him, my life would look so much different, be so much different!  We Christians have the highest, most holy calling of all humans, to glorify God (all humans carry out God's purposes to His ultimate glory in one way or another) and to enjoy Him forever (only Christians have this blessed privilege!).  We are to preach the good news of the gospel to all men, definitely an area that I fall far short in.

I asked myself the question "do I live my life as if I really love Christ and do I, in my words, actions, and attitude etc. always seek to glorify Him?"  The answer was an emphatic "NO".  I am ashamed of that, terribly ashamed.  Since my life's goal is to glorify God, why do I not strive to do so with every breath!?!  This sin alone, not including all of the others that I have committed, is enough to separate me from Almighty God for all eternity, but, because of His Son, my future with Him is assured.  My hope is in Christ and in His work ALONE, I will not glory in myself, but in Christ!  Christ ALONE is my hope of salvation.  His perfect life fulfilled the law, and His perfect death assures life to all of His elect.  God could have left us in our sins to perish, to bear His holy and perfect wrath forever, but in His mercy, He has made a way for sinners to come to Him, through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. 

I am so thankful, happy and blessed to be alive today, because I know that my life has a purpose and I know that through Christ, my life does do credit to the gospel, my life is being sanctified, and I am becoming more like Christ.  I know that I have a High Priest who is interceding for me before the throne of His Father (Hebrews 4:14-16), and that is hope and joy beyond words.

"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"  And let us, by God's grace, strive to live a life worthy of the gospel and worthy of the calling with which we are called.  I am not worthy in and of myself, but Christ has covered me with His blood and I am now seen as worthy and righteous before the Father.  Praise the LORD!

To God be the Glory,

Hannah

Bikes 'n' Baseball

The weather today is simply delightful, so we decided to spend some time at the park down the road from our home.  Mama, Jonnie, and I walked while the rest of the boys rode their bikes.  The park has a baseball field, so the boys love it when they have a chance to hit the ball a long way without fear of hitting something or possibly breaking a window.  I am really happy with some of the photos that mama and I got and I hope that you enjoy them as well.

Jonnie climbing in the "spider web".

Jonnie really enjoyed the spinning chair.

The happy biker.

(please click to enlarge)

Hot wheels.

Jonnie has a wonderful big brother.

What kind of infielder is that!?!

...runner goes!

The coach ...

... cheering his team on.

Elijah's trick move!

(my very first video on this blog!!!!!)