Better Homes and Gardens June 2010

I loved the home of young designer, Amy McKinney, featured in the June issue of Better Homes and Gardens.  If you haven't received this issue, you may want to run out and get it.  Great design ideas and tasty recipes for the grill!

given to grace

It was one of those nights.  With my head on the pillow, I tried to muster up all the strength in my eyelids to stay awake, but I was tired from the busy day.  Honestly, my list of excuses had run dry... a forced apology spat from my lips in an effort to end our "discussion".  

I woke up the next morning to a handwritten note.
a bitter word, a blaming tone, a well-deserved hurtful remark
No.  The page was absent of all the above. 
Instead, he chicken scratched scripted a love note of grace.
The sun's morning rays highlighted his words, overflowing from a heart filled with Christ.
Handpicked flowers from the yard weighed down the corner of the paper in my favorite yellow mug.  My heart grew heavy... overwhelmed with humility and guilt for moments when I have withheld grace.   At the same time, my love for my husband grew stronger, not only because of his unconditional love but because of who he reflected.

 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases: 
his mercies never come to an end; 
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

It was on this grace-filled morning that I tangibly recognized how God designed marriage to reflect His relationship with His Church.   When a marriage is Christ-centered, you are constantly striving towards unconditional love and unity.  The amazing aspect of our relationship with Christ is that He will never fail.  I am not perfect.  Patrick is not perfect. But if we follow Christ's example, we will strive towards a marriage that is consistently given to grace.

May you accept God's grace today with humility 

and utmost thankfulness for this gift undeserving

 and may our understanding of His grace 

overflow into a life of giving grace to others.

 

last season in Cincinnati

 

This is our last season in the city of Cincinnati.  

While I am truly looking forward to the next stage of our lives in Indianapolis,

I know I will miss Cincinnati.

So for the next three months, we are soaking up all the time we can with our friends here in the city,

enjoying gorgeous downtown views, colorful landscapes, Cinci attractions and events

making memories on CCU's campus and spending the evenings walking through Mariemont...

CCU graduation

Cincinnati Christian University's Graduation Service was last Saturday!  Many dear friends, including my cousin Jen, donned caps and gowns on a sunny Cincinnati day to receive their hard-earned diplomas.  Here are some pictures from the morning graduation service:

(more to come about the festivities before graduation= 8 am Mariemont yard sale!)

 

Sadie's Senior Prom