Tunes Tuesday :: Giants

We all have those 'giants' in our lives, things that stand in the way of dreams that people say will never be able to come true, and sometimes we even doubt them ourselves. And sure, maybe some of them will never happen, but the truth of it is, each and every one of them could. Because we have a God with whom everything is possible. Sometimes these things we're holding onto, dreams or whatever, don't happen because God doesn't allow them to, maybe they aren't a part of His plan for our lives. And that's something hard. But I think a lot of times our miracles don't happen because we don't step out and fight those giants. Friends, we are not alone in this fight, and everything is possible for the One we are fighting with!

I just love this song, it is so catchy and it holds such truth! :)

Francesca Battistelli - Giants Fall

Everyone's telling you
To let go of what you're holding to
It's too late, too far
You're too small, it's too hard
Throwing water on that spark
Living deep inside your heart
With oceans of reasons
The things you're not seeing
But oh, maybe they don't
Know what you know
That you're not alone

[Chorus:]
Don't you be afraid
Of giants in your way
With God you know that anything's possible
So step into the fight
He's right there by your side
The stones inside your hand might be too small
But watch the giants fall

We could really live like this
Can't you imagine it
So bold, so brave
With childlike faith
Miracles could happen
Mountains would start moving
So whatever you may face

[Chorus]

Ask and believe
You're gonna see
The hand of God in every little thing

[Chorus]

Miracles can happen
Anything is possible
Watch the giants fall 

What about you? What giants are holding you back from things you believe can happen in your life?

blessings, friends!

love Emma

Meet Me & 31 Days {!!}

So now I've been blogging for a little while, and I've realized that because my family is such a huuge part of my life I need to mention them, but it's also kind of hard to mention them sometimes because of the vague anonymous way that I've set myself up here. It's also hard being real and honest at the same time as being vague. When I first started, I hid behind the idea of the scary internet and I didn't want to give anything personal away here.

But now I'm going to take just a wee step forward, and introduce myself a little more. Not completely {this is a wee step, after all}, but more than I have in the past.

So you probably knew, my name is Emma. yep. I've got 5 younger siblings, 1 brother and 4 sisters, and I loove it! :) I'm 17, and working my way through my last year of high school, at home {I've been homeschooled all my life :)}.

At this point in my journey I absolutely love being homeschooled, although for a while I would've given anything to go to school. I love to read, and bake {maybe a few recipes coming up here sometime in the future? :)}, and I love love love kids!

My family is totally awesome, and I really like hanging out with them. Here we all are, this picture is from last year. 

Dad, Livvy (9), AK(11), Yah-yah(15), Moocho(15), Mum, Bella-Boo(5), and myself :)*
{ages are current, not at the time of the photo ;)}

I guess that's really what I can think of to share for the moment.

And now for my exciting announcement!! :D

I am doing 31 Days this year!!

I think I first heard of 31 Days two years ago, and I followed Ann Voskamp's blog, and the Nester's, and Emily Freeman's. Last year a found a whole bunch of new ones that I have mostly followed since. I am so excited for this year, and I decided that this year, I would join in and try and write something.... so please join me as I write for 31 days {I hope lol} on Celebrating Life. 

This series is largely inspired by Shauna Niequist's book Cold Tangerines, and I caaaaan't wait to share what I've been learning about celebrating all of the beautiful things in life!

Anyone else doing 31 days? let me know so I can follow! :)

blessings,
love emma

*nicknames ;)

Tunes Tuesday :: let's dance

ya know, sometimes you just need to dance. this week was that week. and this song, was the song.

Hawk Nelson - Elevator 

Feelin' tired of feelin' nothin'
Feelin' stuck in the mud and I'm over it
So far down, lookin' around
And I don't know how I'm gettin' out

But hey, hey, hey
I hear You tell me not to stay, stay, stay
The door is open every day, day, day
It takes me to another place, place, place

Like an elevator
Can't stop 'cause Your love is liftin' me up
Like an elevator
I've never felt like I'm feelin' tonight
Straight off the ground, we'll never come down
Can't stop 'cause Your love is liftin' me now
Like an elevator
Like an elevator

Way up high, like I'm flyin'
And I'm finally feelin' so alive
You and I, to the sky
Gonna blow the roof off from the inside

So hey, hey, hey
I hear You tell me not to stay, stay, stay
The door is open every day, day, day
It takes me to another place, place, place

Like an elevator
Can't stop 'cause Your love is liftin' me up
Like an elevator
I've never felt like I'm feelin' tonight
Straight off the ground, we'll never come down
Can't stop 'cause Your love is liftin' me now
Like an elevator
Like an elevator (Woo!)

Here we go!
Here we go!
When we gonna stop?
No one knows
Everybody up
Get on board
You know you wanna come along for the ride
So let's go
Everyone on the flyest train
Never gonna be the same
I'm feelin' so fantastic
This party's everlastin'
So grab your friends
Push all the buttons
Ain't gonna stop until we get up to the top floor
Top floor
'Cause there's no way that we can feel more
Feel more
Here we go!

Like an elevator (elevator)
Can't stop 'cause You're love is liftin' me up
Like an elevator (elevator)
I've never felt like I'm feelin' tonight
Straight off the groud, we'll never come down
Can't stop 'cause You're love is liftin' me now
Like an elevator (elevator)
Like an elevator (like an elevator)

Whoa, hey, an elevator 

ever feel like you've just gotta dance? 

maybe, even if you don't think you do, just turn on the song and start dancing. by yourself, with friends, or family. just try it? :)

love emma xoxo

Linking up with Chantel :)

Today...

...Today, I am enjoying 

the colours beginning to change, 

the bright sunshine coming through my windows,

that my school stuff for this year is not finalized so I don't have much of that to do at this point,

cleaning the kitchen, 

taking the little girls to the park,

don't forget to enjoy the moments, doing whatever you are doing today. each moment, the present, right now, is a sacred holy gift from God. 

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." ~ Colossians 3:17

love emma xoxo

Tunes Tuesday :: cornerstone

When I first heard this song at church, it was back in the stpring, and I did not like this song. It sounds just like a hymn I grew up loving, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less. The lyrics to most of the verses are the same, but they changed the melody and that bothered me. so. much. :P

Fast forward several months... I love this song! :)

We sang it at church on Sunday, and I have had it stuck in my head ever since then. I know there is a point where even an amazing song gets annoying when it is stuck in my head, but one thing I love is when I get a great worship song stuck in my head and sing it all the time for a couple of days and I really begin to ponder the lyrics and what it means.

Like the first line {two lines?} of this song:
my hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I find that all too often my hope is built on things that are far less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. Things like the weather {seriously. far too much.}, and my family and friends, and my activities for the day. And the list goes on and on. I guess by the grace of God that's something I need to work on. 
 

Cornerstone - Hillsong

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When Darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all
He is Lord
Lord of all

Christ alone
Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless stand before the throne.

I pray that this song will encourage you today, and to think about what your hope is built on. Anyone else find their hope built on things that are not Jesus' blood and righteousness? 

love Emma

Linking up with Chantel through Jack of All Trades :)

Blue Sky & the Clouds

This morning I went to sit on the porch for my morning time with God, as I often do. When I went out there today, the sky was dark and heavy with clouds, the wind was raging, and trees were shaking from the wind. There was a little patch of thinner cloud down by the horizon to the east, and I could see a little hint of the forgotten sun.

It was chilly. I wrapped my blanket tightly around my legs, and tried to wrap both my hands around my tea mug :) I spent a beautiful time with the LORD this morning, reading from Psalms, Zechariah, and Colossians. I prayed for many things, including an MAF family who I met yesterday.

do you know how hard it was to keep the pages from blowing lol?

 And when I finished, I continued to sit out there, looking around me. And what I saw, was behind me, there was a little patch of blue sky, and as I watched, the wind pushed the clouds, and the blue sky expanded. The wind pushed those dark clouds right out of my view, until all I could see was a brilliant bright blue sky, with a few light fluffy clouds illuminated gold by the sunrise.

And it made me think. It made me think of days where I am all overcast. When my temper is short, my brainspace is cloudy, and I am not doing well. And then, sometimes, even through all that, I can hear the LORD telling me to come to Him. To lay it all at His feet and let Him blow the clouds away. Sometimes I listen.

And when I do? It starts with prayer, maybe a little Bible reading. A little blue sky creeps out. Turning my thoughts away from myself. Those heavy clouds start to shift a little more. Giving thanks and praising the LORD. Those clouds are running for dear life as the blue sky chases them away to take over. And suddenly, look at where we are compared to where we were before.

It continues to blow my mind, how God can turn a day around.

If you're having one of those days, turn to Him, trust Him. If you let Him, He will bring out that blue sky ~ just for you!

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
    extol him who rides on the clouds;
    rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
Psalm 68:4

blessings, friends!
love Emma

on a slightly ironic note, now that I'm finished this post, I looked out the window, and what do ya know? clouds again. with a little patch o' blue sky in the corner, slowly growing. some days are a battle, and those clouds will just keep coming, but don't let them stay there!

 Linking up with Elizabeth and Chantel

Tunes Tuesday :: stronger

Good morning peoples! :)

Today's song is Hillsong's Stronger. This is one of my favourite worship songs and it is relatable no matter what life is taking you through, and no matter how you're feeling. When I'm in a bad mood, or worried about something, this song is a reminder that Jesus is stronger than any of that. Sin is broken, and He has saved me! He is LORD of all! This is a cry for the LORD to be glorified, and for healing when I'm broken, and when I'm celebrating life, this is adoring and praising Him.

There is love that came for us
Humbled to a sinners cross
You broke my shame and sinfulness
You rose again victorious

Faithfulness none can deny
Through the storm and through the fire
There is truth that sets me free
Jesus Christ who lives in me

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all

No beginning and no end
You're my hope and my defense
You came to seek and save the lost
You paid it all upon the cross

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all

So let Your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher, be lifted higher
So let Your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher, be lifted higher

So let Your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher, be lifted higher
So let Your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher, be lifted higher

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all

(x2)

blessings on your day!!

love Emma

Hello September! {Goals}

The last weekend of summer was certainly quite hot here in Ontario, but now it's getting back to a more normal September temperature - nights around 8-12 C, and days warming up to perhaps 20-22 C. Personally, my favourite kind of weather!

Me, I have this thing where I love all the seasons soo soo much... and my favourite season is often the one that we're in, until about the last week or two of it, then I'm ready for the one that comes next. And so, right now fall is my favourite!! (except truth be told, I never want summer to end. but I don't think that has as much to do with the weather as the pace of life and lack of school lol).

Although I am already noticing that it is dark when I am getting up. Bleh. :P

I thought I'd set some goals this month... so here goes.
-run at least once a week, hopefully more like two or maybe even three times. it doesn't have to be fast, and it doesn't have to be long, it's more about getting out there.
-get my room organized being gone so much at the end of August pretty much led my room to be a dumping ground of my stuff. need I say more?
-spend {at least} 20 minutes in prayer every day praying is something that so often gets pushed to the back burner I find. And I can totally tell the difference between periods of my life when I pray a lot, and a little. I believe that prayer can truly bring us closer to God. and I want that.

Anyone else have any goals for this month? :)

blessings,
Emma

Tunes Tuesday :: how I love you

The other day I was running and I decided to finish before I got home, so I still had a ways to walk. This song came on and I walked down the road singing, with my hands in the air, worshiping. It was beautiful to my soul. I love songs that are just pure adoration of the LORD. This song is all about loving Him with no barriers or complications.

 Simplicity - Rend Collective

I come in simplicity
Longing for purity
To worship You
In spirit and truth
Only You

Lord strip it all away
'Til only You remain
I'm coming back
To my first love
Only You

You're the reason I sing
The reason I sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
And forever I'll sing
Forever I'll sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You

I come with my broken song
To You the Perfect One
To worship You
In spirit and truth
Only You
Only You

Give me a childlike heart
Lead me to where You are
Cause I'm coming back
To my first love
Only You

You're the reason I sing
The reason I sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
And forever I'll sing
Forever I'll sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You

How I love You
How I love You
How I love You
My first love
[x2]

You're the reason I sing
The reason I sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
And forever I'll sing
Forever I'll sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You 

is He the reason you sing? 

blessings,

love Emma