Friday, December 25, 2009

Hope

This Christmas, I learned an entire new meaning of the word Hope. I haven't had much energy to blog the last week as I've been in the hospital fighting another infection. As I was admitted last saturday, the first thing that came to mind was "I might miss Christmas at home", and almost immediately, I was filled with an unspeakable Hope. 

As I think today of the story of Jesus, the entire reason we celebrate, I think of the amount of Hope that kept people going before the Messiah arrived. For 400 years, they had waited and hoped that the messiah would come save them- 400 years...without any response, or even a glimmer of hope. Yet they kept hoping that maybe the next year HE would come. When Mary was told she would have a baby, which seemed the most impossible thing on earth, the angel comforts her with the thought that "nothing is impossible with God", Luke 1:37. Again, the idea of hope. Hope that it's God's work, she's in God's hands and nothing is to big or too impossible that God can't do it. We were given a savior because nothing is impossible with God, perpetual Hope that God is in control.

I've read and heard the story of Christmas for many years and this year, it took on a whole new meaning. This year, as I was filled with Hope in the hospital for the 6 days leading up to Christmas, I never once doubted that I was in God's hands. I never feared that I wasn't being taken care of, and each moment I was worried or scared, God continued to bring to mind "Nothing is impossible with God".  God continued to fill me with hope, drive out fear, and remind me I was loved. Nothing is impossible- coming home for Christmas, breathing easier, medications working, or even a cure for CF. Nothing is impossible with God.

So tonight as I finish up my IV medication and hit my pillow, I want to thank God for reminding me of that, showing us the Hope we have in Christ, and the incredible joy that comes from the simple fact that our savior was born. He was born to save and change our lives. He was born because God didn't lose Hope for his people. I am thankful for my family, who not only walked with me each step as I was cooped up in the hospital by bringing me food, keeping me company and helping me through the healing process. but more importantly kept hoping with me. They hoped right beside me- hoping that I would be home and well enough for Christmas (which I am), hoping the meds would work and we'd see this infection start to clear up, hoping that God would give me strength to fight, and hoping for miracles. I cannot express the thankfulness in my heart for a day spent with my family who loves me just the way I am,with  time to rejoice in the life we've been given and time to celebrate Christmas with such love. Wow, what an amazing day. I am overwhelmed with hope, and overwhelmed with joy tonight.
Merry Christmas, dear friends and family. I pray you are as well, filled with hope.

~Em

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Borrowing this "top ten" idea....

So a fellow CF bro, Ronnie (check out his blog!) posts top tens every tuesday, which I thought was pretty sweet! Though I may not keep the tradition of doing it every tuesday, I really liked his top-ten this week and figured i'd steal the idea (thanks Ronnie, props to you!). I do always wonder what people's most played music on their iTunes is, so I figured I'd start with my posting the top ten iTunes songs I've played most. I was kinda surprised by the list, its a mix of everything :)

Top Ten songs on my iTunes
10. 360 Degrees of You- SheDaisy
9. Beautiful One- Jeremy Camp
8. That's When I Love You- Phil Vassar
7. In Christ Alone- Geoff Moore
6. Everlasting God- Chris Tomlin
5. Your Love is Strong- Jon Foreman
4. Passenger Seat- SheDaisy
3. Amazing- Josh Kelley
2. Blessed be Your Name- Tree 63
1. The Way You Look Tonight- Fred Astaire

~Em

Friday, December 11, 2009

CF Wine Opener Event

Sunday I attended a first-time event for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation here in Orange County called the "CF Wine Opener". A wonderful night of wine tasting and gourmet food tasting :). Multiple restaurants and wineries in the area came out and showcased their food and wine for all to taste and enjoy! Plus, Brian Malarky from the tv show "Top Chef" came to do a live cooking demonstration- that was the highlight of the night :).
I had dear friends Dannah and Brynne working the event with me (though we got to enjoy the food and atmosphere so we had a blast). The event was filled with incredible people supporting Cystic Fibrosis and raised $15,000 all going towards Cystic Fibrosis Research!! Many thanks to those who worked hard to put this event on and to those attending and supporting the event, it was a huge success and tons of fun....here are a few pics of Dannah, Brynne and myself working and having fun together :)
~Em
Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirates life for me....Brynne and I selling Pirates of the Carribean mugs :)
Love you, ladies!