Celebrations...

There has been much celebrating around our house lately...

-there was the 4th of July picnic (that originally started with a couple families, got canceled, but then was back on with 30+ people in attendance!)...

-then there was Niyah Joy's birthday party (my sweet & adorable niece who turned 1 on July 5th...check out the cute party pics on her mommy's blog)...

-then the celebration of good reports at Ella's annual check-ups at Children's (I'll post more on that later)...

-which was followed by my birthday on July 20th (32!!!)...celebrated with a little family party (and yummy food made by my BFF & SIL), a lunch "date" with my favorite grandma and then a surprise over-nighter with my husband (and little Amelia Claire) on Lake Chelan.

Whew...parties, parties, parties. :o)
Each celebration has been a wonderful time of friends, food and rich fellowship. And each instance has been a tangible reminder of the grace of the Lord in my life and the lives of my family...
...feeling blessed tonight and thankful beyond words.

a gracious lady has gone Home...

Our hearts are heavy these days for the Harris family at the homegoing of a dear lady, mentor & friend...

Sono Harris.

We were privileged to be in friendship with her and her husband Greg Harris of Portland.  While Josh & I lived in Portland, I was able to join their church for worship on Sundays (while Josh was away). (The Harris' are sometimes best known by their children. Their son Josh Harris is a well-known author as well as the pastor of Covenant Life Church. Their twin sons Alex & Brett are the founders and speakers for The Rebelution conferences and authors of the book, Do Hard Things. These are just 3 of their 7 children.)

She was a woman full of grace. In her speech, her actions, her marriage, her friendships. Although my time to know her was short, she made quite a substantial impact. Each time I was able to speak with her, I came away with a morsel of spiritual wisdom to apply to my life as wife, mother, helpmate to my pastor-husband, friend or follower of Christ.

I had the opportunity to interact with Sono on a few distinct occasions; being in her home, hearing her teach, an email here, a phone call there...

One that truly sticks out was when she spoke at a small monthly women's meeting.  We were gathered in the living room and she shared along with 2 others elders' wives. Her topic: joy. More specifically joy in suffering. She encouraged us to fight for joy and said (paraphrase),

"Choose to focus on God as your source of joy by instructing your mind with the truths of God's eternal kingdom. Learn all you can about Him. Call these truths to mind and have joy.
Call these to mind:
1. your great salvation purchased by Jesus Christ on the cross at immeasureable expense to Himself and freely given to you...
2. the security of your eternal soul...
3. specific blessings God has given...
4. the faithfulness of God to His people throughout human history...
5. your incommensurate future (Rev. 21...seeing Him in all His glory & splendor)...
6. the honor of being counted worthy to serve Him and even to suffer for Him...
7. the incomparable beauty of the ways of His kingdom...
Therefore, have joy...a rock-solid joy that outlasts suffering, has scars and sings happy songs with tears."

 I am confident that in her final days here on earth, she chose joy. 

You can see it in her radiant face. 

You can hear it in the testimony of her children. 

She was a mentor to me even in her dying.

A woman to be praised, emulated and celebrated. 

Thank you Lord for the outpouring of your grace in the life of this woman. She has impacted many for the gospel and suffered well...with much joy. 

And now, her joy is complete...for she is with her Savior. 

Goodnight Sono.

You will be missed.