Baby news!

November 22, 2011 | Just me

I’m taking most of the week off from the Internet this week except to post a pic of a beautiful baby girl who entered our lives on Monday evening. Jane Erin Eller, my third grandbaby and second granddaughter made her grand entrance into the world and into Gramma’s heart.

So I’m hanging out with this precious gift and my other grandchildren and children. I hope you have an amazing week and I’ll be back on Monday!

I will share a couple of pics with you of Jane (my newest) and Elle, my 16 month old grandbaby.

Have an amazing Thanksgiving, and don’t forget to pause and give thanks for the things that mean most to you.

I appreciate you!

From Suzie, a girl whose heart is full, full, full!

See you then.

Suzie

Baby coming!

November 21, 2011 | T. Suzanne Eller

My grandbaby Jane is on the way! I’m sitting at the hospital, excitedly waiting for her arrival.

We’re adopted

November 17, 2011 | Faith: Knowing Christ, Family: Nurturing Family

Luke is 5 months old. For those of you who aren’t familiar with his story, we found out a few days before Luke’s birth that he would join our family. He was placed in Melissa and Josh’s arms a couple of days after his birth, and for that we’ll always be grateful.

He’s a funny little guy. Okay, scratch the little part. He’s a hoss. At 5 months, he’s the size of most 10 month olds. He also has a huge personality. He loves nothing more than being surprised and his laugh delights us. Last week I had Luke overnight and when his mom and dad came to pick him up, he snuggled into his mama’s arms and then gave her several sweet open mouth baby kisses.

When I think of Luke, I think of the verse in scripture that speaks of adoption. How we have become sons and daughters of God by Christ’s selfless act on the cross.

When Luke became a member of our family, he received everything we have to give. Our love, and lots of it. Our material goods. An extended family who couldn’t imagine life without him in it.

I can’t imagine loving a little boy more, but if I love Luke this much, how much does this say about God’s love? He chose you and me to be His, to give us His name. To give us all that He has to offer — but in a God-sized measure. (more…)

What you are saying. . .

November 15, 2011 | Books, Faith: Knowing Christ

I just wanted to let you know that I started using your book Making It Real: Whose Faith Is It Anyway? with my junior high sunday school class.

I cannot tell  you how much their eyes have opened to making faith their own in the two weeks we have been discussing it. They really impressed me this week, especially in discussing how their feelings effect how they feel about God and their faith.

And I admit that it has opened my eyes too. I appreciate the thought you put into the book and making it easy to put steps into action. My kids were especially hit hard by the question: How often do you talk to your best friend each week and how often do you talk to God?

So I just wanted to let you know that we are enjoying your book and growing together as a class. Learning our faith, and becoming disciples for God.

From Suzie: Thanks, Stephanie. I love that you took the time to drop this note to me. Reviews on Amazon or notes like this encourage me so much, and I’m grateful. Please tell your students Suzie said hello, okay?

Penciled in the Margins

November 14, 2011 | Encouragement for Today, Faith: Knowing Christ

If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome! In the devo today I shared how God pencils in the margins of our lives. He changes us!

Recently I was picked up at the airport by a woman. She had a frazzled day. She raced through traffic to pick me up. She apologized for the cleanliness of her car (which resembled mine at home, exactly!), and then we zoomed into city traffic.

“Tell me about you,” I said, hoping to put her at ease.

And for the next half hour, she did.

When we made it to the hotel she apologized again. This time for taking the entire time to talk about herself.

“I loved hearing your story,” I told her. And I did. Her story filled me with encouragement. It showed me all over again who Jesus was, and is. (more…)

To live free: when you are anxious

November 11, 2011 | Feelings: Intentional freedom

I don’t know why it hits, but sometimes — out of the blue — it does.

It’s not outright panic. It’s anxiousness. My heart speeds up. Breathing is suddenly something I’m conscious of. Fear hits.

And it comes at a time when I’ve prepared, I’ve prayed, and I am anticipating what God will do. It happened this past weekend. I was just about to step up on stage and there it was. Fear. It didn’t make sense, but it didn’t make it less real.

Have you ever experienced that same anxiety? Maybe for you it’s about parenting, or your marriage, or where God is leading you. You have done the work. You are prepared. And then anxiousness hits and you start to doubt.

I had only moments before I took the microphone and stood in front of a church. I closed my eyes and reminded myself of a few truths.

One, God promises that I won’t be alone.

Two, I had done all I could do. It wasn’t about me, but about trusting God and His power. His immeasurable power.

Three, the success or results weren’t anything I could control. I could simply be faithful.

And last? Greater is He who is in me than he that is in the world. I acknowledged where fear came from, and who was greater than fear or anxiety.

My heart slowed down. My breathing eased. And the words came. . . (more…)