Family

Josh and I had a family-filled time last week. Tuesday we flew up to Detroit, Michigan to surprise his grandma for her 90th birthday! In fact, the entire Harwell extended family flew in from all over (Florida, Georgia, and New York) to celebrate with her. We stayed through Friday and took advantage of all the time we had with Grandpa Ernie (who will be 92 in a few months) and Grandma Lula. They are both quite sharp and active for their age! They are also both followers of Jesus, and it is so evident in their lives. They are generous, loving, and patient. They put relationships first. They have welcomed me into the family like I've always been there! I was blessed by my time with them, and I am so thankful for them. Josh's love for people, for life, and for Jesus is a reflection of the family that he grew up in.




We flew home early Friday morning in time for a quick nap and then headed to Carrollton, GA for my cousins wedding. Josh was a groomsman, and I had the honor of singing. I sat on the second row after my song, watching Joel say his vows to his new wife April, and I couldn't help but cry! (I thought one day I'd stop crying at weddings, but that hasn't happened yet!) These were tears of joy as I recalled the many times I had prayed for God to bring Joel a wonderful woman into his life--those prayers have been answered! I'm thankful we could share that day with Joel and April.



I don't ever want to be guilty of not telling and showing my family that I love them. That's why Josh and I make it a point to rejoice with them in good times (like Grandma's birthday and Joel's wedding) or mourn with them in hard times (Romans 12:15)! Don't let this day pass you by without letting someone in your family know how much you love them! Who in your family are you thankful for? Who do you need to make sure knows that you are thankful for them?

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart...." Philippians 1:3-7b