For I the Lord love Justice

"Life is a series of thousands of tiny Miracles." -Unknown

 Justice even from a young age had a way of warming his way into people's heart. He did the minute I saw him. His big brown eyes and thick brown hair and his strong personality. As he got older he grew more compassionate and very considerate of others. His love for exploring this big world has also made his heart to serve others overseas or even here bigger with every step he takes. I love sitting and listening to him talk about where he would love to go visit and he's even tried getting me excited for a terrifying trip I'm making later this year.  His heart is super caring and generous. And often times I find myself looking up to my little brother. What older sister looks up to their younger brother or sister? Story I remember of Justice and I is a tale I tell: One day some of my siblings  were playing down by the creek behind our house and I was playing with Justice (he was almost 3 then) my mom asked me to run and fetch everyone for dinner and Justice wanted to come with me...Well he was a chunky heavy kid and I was a petite thing..But instead of saying no I picked him up and carried him with me. When I got down there I yelled at them to come up but they didn't. I had put Justice down and told him to stay there but he followed me so I once again picked him up but I tripped and he went rolling down, I had caught myself but couldn't manage to catch him. Seth heard me scream as he was coming up and saw Justice rolling down laughing... (what kid does that?) he caught Justice and scolded me, then told on me that I climbed down with Justice and I again got scolded. But Justice ran up and gave me a kiss and said "I love you forever (Quote from his favorite book at that time) and I knew that even though that incident had occurred he still loved and trusted me... I never went down near a creek after that.

Whenever I see my little brother Justice I wonder how lucky I am to have such a cool little brother.  At such a young age he trusted me and looked up to me in a way that even when I failed at something he still trusted me and loved me in a way I never would have been able to love myself. He is loving even to this day and I absolutely love how much love he gives to people. 

God is Satisfied

Anyone can find the dirt in someone, Be the one who finds the Gold." -Prov 11:27 

Bethany Joy -"House of Fig", "Joy"... Sometimes I feel bad that someone amazing doesn't have a really cool name until I started doing what Kelsea Nichols does, by taking their name meaning and trying to intertwine it with their personality. With Bethany, she's joyful and she makes her home a joyful place and always welcoming. I bet there has been figs in it a few times in the years I've been her cousin. But as you search deeper into her name, Bethany comes from the Hebrew name deprive of Bett'eina which is "Greek for God is Satisfy," So having your name mean God is satisfy overtakes house of fig...There's a lot you can say about Bethany...For starters she's a strong leader, she knows how to take charge of something and she does it with care. She's also a very careful planner, every detail is thought through before it's released. She's a good listener, even if sometimes you feel she doesn't listen she's able to repeat back what you said back to you. She's also a peacemaker and avoids creating conflicting problems but always has a solution to fix ones she comes across.( usually involves me angry at her time to time) I mentioned that she was a careful planner, Let me rephrase that even better...She's  great party planner, she creates a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. She makes you laugh, Laughs with you rather at you. She also has such a servant heart that I could ask her to do or help me with anything and she's happy to help (If they aren't unreasonable requests) Her heart for the lord reflects in every aspect of her life. Joy for the Lord and to serve him is something I see her deeply doing daily and it's encouraging and beautiful. She's beautiful inside and out...

Though I didn't grow up spending time getting to know her when I spent more time tormenting her and my sister Moriah. These last few years have shaped our relationships and made me ever so happy that I have such a wonder person as my cousin in my life. God does look at her and is indeed satisfy with her. 

My Angel in Heaven

After Death there's beauty and though there is much sorrow there is so much joy and happiness.  And heaven is rejoicing along with those on earth. From at a such young age Angels were the most beautiful creatures created. I believed that as a human leaves earth they because this beautiful angel where they are given the perfection they had to wait for on earth. So when God called them home he welcomed them with open arms and gave them a person on earth to protect. Years went by and I still questioned whether I believed that there's such thing as "My angel in heaven." When I lost people in my life it was the hopes of someday seeing them again that made me cling to. But then I started feeling the comfort of someone was looking out for me. That God gave me my Angel in heaven.  My Angel in heaven was maybe someone that I once loved dearly or maybe someone I get to meet one day. Most people wouldn't agree with me on this while most people who's form of grieving makes you see life in a different way may take comfort in knowing they have a Angel in Heaven. So as death is a beautiful and devastating, grief may come in many forms that the healing process is different for everyone. As mashed together as this sounded, I take comfort that God's given me a special gift, "My Angel in Heaven."

Love Unstoppable

"Love is never wasted, for its value does not rest on reciprocity." -C.S Lewis

Lukas or Lu as many call him has been one of my favorite people for as long as I can remember, though I don't really do favorites. Even from such a young age he has always felt like God's way of protecting the ones he loves. Josiah and I a few months ago talked about how Lu was the keeper or guardian of  people. how he doesn't let evil harm the ones he protects.   I don't know if most people agree with me. He's one of the sassiest people in my life (I know he would want me to admit that he's sassier than me but I'm still certain he lacks being sassier).  Whenever Lu and I have a conversation someone is always trying to out sass the other. He has Jesus's heart, he's compassionate and gentle. I remember conversations where sometimes I'm not careful with my words and he firmly but gently reminds me to come at different approach with my words. Another thing that came to my mind about Lu as I was writing about him and processing, is that he's a man of integrity. I often used to think only two people in my life held such integrity but as the years have gone by, he has held such integrity makes me almost jealous I could turn green.

For the 19 years that I have had the privilege of having him in my life. I am so proud to say that he's like another big brother that I hold a high respect for. Love his heart for the Lord and how seeing his relationship with the Lord makes me want such a deep love for God. 

Unstoppable and Beautiful

"No Beauty shines brighter than that of a good Heart." Unknown

I just love name meanings, I find that Moriah's name meaning is pretty amazing in Hebrew. "Seen by Yahweh." Such truth to this name meaning. She has been seen and loved by Yahweh since the day she was born. You know there's something about her that makes you love her the minute she is placed in your life. I've had the privilege of being her sister. Yeah we never really got along when we were younger. We were as opposite as opposite comes, There was a time period that I thought I couldn't stand her but that thing that kept me drawn to her wasn't love. Don't get me wrong love is great when you have fully experienced it. But it was something else that kept our bond from breaking. It for me was Perseverance. Moriah has a lot of Perseverance, has from a young age. Most people look at it as determination but it's perseverance that pushes you to finish the race. She has a lot of that for people. When we would fight and we both would say stuff to each other that we didn't mean or maybe we thought we did at that time, I was determined to milk my hurt and pain but she was quick to forgive. Even if it meant quick as in weeks of not speaking (and we shared a room together) she always was the first to say sorry and meant it, me? I struggled with forgiven and refused to say it, I still struggle with it today but we're talking about Moriah and not me.

Strange how lucky I am to have her as a sister, to have her love me unconditionally and know that even though her heart was stole by someone else there's still room in her heart for her family and friends. 

When Pooh Met Piglet

"I feel there is nothing more artistic than loving people." -Vincent Van Gogh

Ashley has been one of my longest childhood friends. Granted there's a few more as well as her. My friendship with her is better than sweetness. She challenges you, She has a amazing talent of creating art with her hands. She's also a great listener and supporter. She has no problem being dorky as well but her dorkiness makes you laugh. What she sees as failures in her own life, you look and see inspiration. She's a strengthener and an encourager.  My greatest memory with her was when we both were 11 years old. She and her family had returned home from living out of Oregon and started coming to true vine again. My oldest sister Cecelia ran our girls group and we (the girls) took turn bringing snack. Well that night was Ashley and Jessica's turn. As the evening was finishing up and we were all slowly leaving, Ashley had a tin of the leftover chocolate chip cookies and I came up shyly (Was super shy back then) and asked her for one, She instead struck up a bargain with me. "If you pen-pal with me I'll give you the rest of the cookies." There was like 7 left, I wasn't really allowed sweets so I couldn't take them home with me. But I agreed to be pen-pals with her and through that I got to know Ashley more. We never really hung out much even when we went to the same church, girls' group and I occasionally saw her. But as we got older and I broke out of my shy shell, She became one of my closest friends, even when I moved an hour away our high school years.

There are some people placed in your life where they are may not be present but they've made an impact in your life that you carry safely hidden and can glance at it so often you feel connected.

Bringing Goodness

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone the waters to create many ripples -Mother Teresa 

Anya's name is from the Russian word of Anna also derived from the Hebrew name Hannah. The Hebrew meaning of her name means gracious or Bringing goodness. In the Berber language it means Rhythm or Melody.  What a really cool meaning behind your name. Anya  my little sister who does bring goodness wherever she goes. Her humor can make you laugh and laugh until your sides hurt. She's hardworking, Smart and very competitive. In the last few weeks I've gotten to know more about my little sister more than I ever have in the 18 years we've been sisters. I've respected her in many wonderful ways. I've watched her grow in these last few months She's funny and quite delightful even when sometimes she drives you ultra crazy but then you can't help laughing with her as she says or does something funny. But no one has the heart of gold as she does.

When Anya was little she was this little headstrong, strong willed child that knew what she wanted and wasn't going to let anyone change that, as she grew she became more tender but slightly tattletaleish. As the years went by and more siblings prevented her to be the youngest she lost her little headstrong, strong willness and became more tender but in a mother bear type of way with people. She loves to serve others more than herself. She loves to make people laugh as I've mentioned twice. And she's not afraid to be straight forward with anyone and beat anyone if needed, though she hasn't ever done so. She has smacked me a few times which I probably never deserved and have smacked her back but that's siblings' love language. All in All Anya keeps you accountable, excited and lighthearted. Love that's she's my little Sis!