Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Pictures that Speak A Thousand Words

This week's top ten is all about pictures speaking volumes. I had difficulty narrowing it down, yet I feel each one I chose was worthy. Although I might add that the brevity of each picture and how it affects each person may be different. That's the beauty of art. Don't forget to read BecKyle's list as well!



1. Amidst whatever could have been happening, look at that joy. Marry your best friend.. that's all I have to say about that.

2. This is an image of a little boy hearing for the very first time.

3. "All Equal"

4. The second I saw this image, fantastical and magical thoughts flooded my head. I could look at this picture and imagine for hours.

5. Titled "Pressure for Perfection"

6. How glorious is God? Each and every snowflake is unique.. .this just overwhelms my heart with praise.

7. Lest we forget that freedom isn't free.

8. To me, this photo speaks of just how big the responsibility of being an older sibling truly is. Those are my little sister and I's hands. Each time I see it I think of how much she looks up to me and how often she is watching me. That's not an opportunity to be taken lightly or for granted.

9. This woman's name is Corrie Ten Boom. If you don't know her story, look it up...then you'll understand just why her smile is truly worth a thousand words.

10. This is Laminin, the cell adhesion molecule. Basically what that means, is that "t" shaped thing right there is literally what holds us together. Any clue as to what it's also shaped like? The cross. Such is the reason why I feel this is "Top Ten" worthy...Jesus Christ holds us together.

Tuesday's Top Ten PLUS Ten: Reasons I Want to Emulate My Mother

If you weren't already aware...I have a pretty wonderful mom. And this week I would like to dedicate my list to her. So here are the top ten reasons why I want to emulate my mother. Be sure to read BecKyle's post as well!

1. She seeks Jesus
All of the other reasons revolve around this in one way or another. I want to emulate my mother for her heart that is constantly seeking Jesus.

2. Hardworking
If I listed all of the things that my mom does, it would be so extensive you would get bored. I don't even know if I could make a complete list. A mother's job doesn't end at 5 o'clock, or start at a certain time each morning, because it is continual. All day and all night, she is responsible for a large number of things, and diligently works at them. I admire her hard work.

3. Love
Any guesses as to who taught me how to truly love everyone? Who showed me what it means to have a heart for the lost, those in need, and the least of these? It was my mom. Looking for an example on how to love like Jesus did? She's your gal.

4.Cooking Skills/Parenting Skills
I know how my parents met, but sometimes I think my dad must have tasted her cooking..because if the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, than she wouldn't have had trouble there. She is complimented on it all the time, and there is good reason. Skills like that don't just appear, and we're all pretty thankful for it :) And about her parenting skills..she knows her stuff. She has been taking care of and raising kids for quite some time: starting when she was a teen and it hasn't stopped yet. Through 6 kids, countless foster, several grandkids, and watching others, she has seen it all. I want to be like that one day.

5. Perseverance 
This lady does not give up. Not as in stubborn, but as enduring. For example, she has been overexerting an injured arm for 6 weeks. Yesterday she went to the doctor (see how it took her 6 weeks? She's hesitant about using hospitals...as she should be) and they told her she needs to basically "baby it" for 6 weeks and it should get better. But that means she can't do many things she usually does...things that she's been doing for 6 weeks even though they hurt, because she had responsibilities. And that is just one example.

6.Selfless
Herself is the last person she worries about. She meets so many others' needs before thinking of her own, and that is something special. My mom is a wonderful example of how to be selfless.

7.Giving Heart
Going along with selflessness, seeking Jesus, and love...my mom has a very generous and giving heart. It reminds me of "The Giving Tree", and more importantly Jesus, because she gives when nothing is reciprocated in return, and that's what true giving is.

8. Patient
If you've ever met me, or my other siblings, you'd know that whoever is our mom must have a lot of patience...and she sure does. I see my mom practice much patience on a daily basis, and it is an example to be followed.

9.Willing
Everybody knows that one person who always shows up to things, happy to work, or is joyful even in doing menial tasks. That's my mom. She does what needs to be done and doesn't make a fuss, she is simply willing to do whatever needs to be done.

10.Calm
Whether it be a life changing event, or the child that stripped their clothes off for the umpteenth time in the middle of winter, she is amazing at being calm in situations.

Bonus...11. Home Remedies 
My mom has a knowledge of how to do so many things on her own. Whether it be making our own laundry soap, to cutting down doctor trips...she frequently makes things from scratch. But the most important detail of that (and one I'm excited to start learning) is home remedies. Being able to not just grab a bottle of Tylenol or go to the doctor..but figure out what is going on, and use more natural ingredients to help fix it. While her knowledge is extensive...she definitely is a "Coconut-Oil-Eating-Theives-Rubbing-Momma" but who wouldn't be after learning of their uses :) Anyways, point is..if anything is wrong with me, I'd ask my mom before I'd ask a doctor, and I'd be greatly surprised if she didn't have something to at least ease it.

Now I'm not trying to make my mom out to be perfect. We are all sinners and we all fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3.23) I would just like to acknowledge some commendable qualities of my mother, because there are many. Plus, she's beautiful...see?

Faith's Faith

My little sister is one smart cookie. That girl blows me away every day, and despite her age, is teaching me as well. Her and I work on Bible lessons together, and it's exciting to see Faith understanding, remembering, and even applying! But out of the realm of organized lessons, she is the teacher sometimes. And something of recent that she has taught me, is child-like faith. In Mark 10 some children are trying to get to Jesus, but are rebuked by the disciples. Jesus's response is such in Mark 10:14-15 "But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.'"

One of Faith's friends has recently gotten an injury, and so we pray for her together. But what stands out to me is her trust and faith. We will be asking God to heal this friend, and after she says "Amen" Faith will say something along the lines of "Nanny, she feels better!". She trusts that when she asks for something, God will grant it to her. Now I'm not saying that we should expect Him to answer immediately (delayed gratification is a good thing) and we definitely should not expect it will always be "our way" that He brings about an answer...but we should always remember that He is listening, and have trust in Him to take care of it.

Having faith like a child bubbles down to their complete trust. I also want to point out that by "child-like faith" I do not mean to say immaturity, or lack of growth. Those are not good things to be content with, but many qualities of the heart of a child are contrarily good to have.

Children believe without hesitation who provides for them. If a child is taught that God created everything and is in control of their lives, they will most likely believe it (because even to children, God is the one who grants understanding). Children are very mold-able and impressionable. Sometimes we lean on our own understanding, or don't accept things we can't fully understand, instead of resting in the fact that God's got it all under control. In Isaiah 40:12 it tells us that God holds the entire universe, all known existence, inside the palm (or span) of his hand. Um wow. Yet we are constantly reverted to the thought that we know better than God, or think we are the ones in control. Ever feel convicted or dumb just hearing that? I certainly do. We should be like this..in Proverbs 3:5 Solomon says "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding". That is what I think of when I think about having faith like a child.

I think it is safe to say that Faith will continue teaching me things without intent..after all, she does it quite often! I'm very thankful to be her big sister, and I pray that God will use me to teach her as much as she teaches me. It's a fun thought to imagine (Lord willing of course) her being 10 or 15 years older, looking back on documented things of her childhood.. and I sure hope she is okay with me using her example all the time. I do it pretty often :) So if you're reading this, future Faithy, thank you. I love you to pieces and I'm blessed to be your "Nanny".