paris mountain.

Since our plans to go to the lake were discontinued because of all the rain, we improvised and dedicated a few hours of this Labor Day to hittin' the trails. This go 'round: Paris Mountain. Melly even joined us on this feat, and she provided lots of entertainment along the way! We chose not to do anything too strenuous this time, considering we will be jumping right back into our usual routines tomorrow with no day of rest like we usually have, but we still managed to climb a few steep hills while on the loop. I was intrigued by the Sulphur Springs Trail, a hike totaling around four miles, because of Mountain Lake and its dam. There was no end-of-the-trail-treasure, which was actually wonderful, because we were simply just hiking to be out in creation. We had lots of time to talk about Jesus and share stories of His faithfulness over the past few days and continue to get to know each other. I hope I never get tired of spending time and making memories and discovering new things about the people I love most.

Today was so good for my soul.

"A journey is best described in friends, rather than miles."

-Tim Cahill

let's hear it for LUKE!

This handsome fella celebrated his second birthday in true Mickey Mouse style, as did the rest of us! Our Phillips-family birthday party tradition is easily one of my favorite things on the planet, and it's extra special anytime we get to have one in honor of one of our too-precious-for-words little ones. Steven and Laura have the, hands-down, cutest guy I've ever seen, and I'd totally be lying if I said my heart didn't melt into a thousand pieces every time he points to me and says "Anna!" Lucky for us, they've got another little dude who should be making an appearance around the second of December, and I am stoked to meet another Thornton soon! It was the best Sunday afternoon simply because it was time spent making memories with the people who matter most. Plus, there was cake and ice cream!

happy birthday, LUKE!

the sixth year.

This was the last picture I ever took with this beautiful lady. It's so hard to believe it's been six years since she left this world to go be with Jesus in the next, and I'd be lying if I said the pain of losing her doesn't still exist. I don't think you ever get over this kind of sorrow, but you do learn to cope. I am at peace with her no longer being here with us because I know where she is. I know she's sitting at the feet of Jesus, worshiping him constantly. She slipped away into eternity to be greeted by her Creator and Father early on August 28, 2006, but her memory is so real that, sometimes, I pick up the phone thinking I might call her and see if I can stop by.

I praise Jesus for giving me the opportunity to love someone so deeply at such a young age. One day, I'll be a mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother, just as she was, and it is my most heartfelt prayer that I grow up to be just like her. Even her wacky sense of humor beckons me. If I'm half the woman that Ma was, I'll have lived one heck of a life.

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."

-Kahlil Gibran

melly's twenty-first.

First, there was dinner at her apartment in Anderson, complete with most of her best friends and all of her family. Surprises were abundant, along with smiles and laughter. Dinner + cake + fellowship were enjoyed by all, and we all hoped it would be an evening that the birthday girl would remember for a lifetime. She got her hair fancy-fied, put on her tiara and sash, and grasped her wand in one hand while holding her beverage book in the other. She. Was. Stunning. And we were all so proud to be there for her on one of the biggest nights of her life.

Then, we made the short trek to Earl Street to enjoy some twenty-one-year-old drinks at Tavern Under the Bridge. She was the center of attention, as she very well should have been, but more importantly, she was a champ. Us Henderson girls were made to be tough, and she proved, once again, how true that statement really is. I'd gladly forsake my grandma-esque rituals to experience this night over again; what a treat it was to see the one who usually does all the treating be the one receiving all the treats!

  

Here's to you, Melanie Elizabeth Henderson, and how incredible your next three hundred and sixty-five days will be. We love you, and we love being loved by you!

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."

-Marion C. Garretty

two stellar women.

Meet my baby sister, Melanie, and my best friend, Whitney. I'm beyond thankful for them on any given day, but on days like today, my thankfulness grows to an entirely different level. Ladies and gentlemen, today is their birthday! I wish that everyone could be blessed by their friendship and love, because they're that good at giving it out unselfishly. Melanie (better known as Melly) and Whitney (better known as best friend not bestie) are seriously two of the most incredible people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. And, lucky for me, I not only know them, but I get to walk through this life carrying them in my spirit every single day and hugging their necks whenever I get the chance. The Lord gave me more than I could ever possibly deserve by granting me a front row seat into their lives, and I pray that there never comes a day when they're not by my side. The endless love, wisdom, and encouragement each of them give me on a daily basis is the source of so much of my joy.

Happy TWENTY-FIRST birthday, Melly!

+

Happy TWENTY-THIRD birthday, best friend not bestie!

How perfect is it that these two gals share the same birthday? Honestly, this is one of my favorite days of the year for the simple fact that I praise Jesus for them even more than a typical day in the life of me, which is an outstanding amount. The Lord broke the mold when He created these two lovely ladies, who just so happen to be my very best friends, and I could scream it from the mountaintops on any ordinary day, especially on a day devoted completely to them.

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God."

-Philippians 1: 9-11

caesar's head.

Round three of our new tradition was another enormous blessing. Not only did we spend four hours surrounded by my favorite gift from God, but we also had two new recruits join us! We had the pleasure of being accompanied on this adventure by TJ's mom and oldest sister. It was a treat of the best kind, and I am already anxious for the next time they come alongside us in this monthly outing of fun. Wouldn't it be awesome if we could get more and more people interested in our little ventures each time until we've got a posse of folks committed to each other and to the Lord's handy work? I think that would be beyond awesome, and I am believing it to be true even as I write these words. I don't think you can truly appreciate something until you've spent at least a little time with it, and it's my hope and sincere prayer that Jesus would put a fire in other people's souls to want to go out and experience all the sights and wonders for themselves.

There is so much magic and beauty out in the world, even in our backyards, and all of it is just waiting to be explored and traveled. I hope I speak for multitudes when I confess that I want to see it all. I won't see much of any of it, however, if I don't go out, open my eyes, and saturate myself within it. Even when I really feel like I can't take another step without collapsing, I chant over and over to myself that the Lord is my strength. He is the one enabling me to do things I never thought I could do, and He alone is my strength and my refuge. When I keep my gaze on His glory and His grace, there isn't a thing in the world that I can't accomplish.  Whether it be the mountain I'm climbing on the trail or the mountain I'm climbing in my life, I have been granted the strength to overcome it. All I have to do it claim it over my circumstance, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

My encouragement to you is to simply run your race, whether literally or figuratively. A good thing to bear in mind is to always remember who you're running your race for, because that's what will determine the course of your steps and the fruit of your labor. Live your life to the fullest, and never forget the One who blessed you with it. Live your life as an offering to Him who gave it so that you might use it for good, not evil. Live your life in such a way that endless joy and perfect peace pour from your countenance and seep into the lives of those around you.

Live your life so that others will be encouraged to live their own.

"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things."

-Henry Miller

hugs and kisses.

Today was filled with lots and lots of those. Tackle hugs included, as well. Most of them occurred while tears were welling up in my eyes, but my heart was welling up even more so with thankfulness. That's what I spent most of today doing: simply thanking Jesus for the opportunity to love someone (or, in my case, someones) so much that my heart hurts when they're no longer with me. Yes, some of my tears were indicative of sorrow, but the majority of them were just pure joy pouring from my eyes. I may not make the most money and I may work way harder than I get credit for, but that's okay. I get to help raise children up. I get to encourage and inspire and get their brains churning and introduce them to new, unique ways of doing things. I get to teach them about life, all the while striving to help them preserve their innocence. I get to love them harder and harder with each passing day, and that, in itself, is the most rewarding thing I could ever ask to spend my life devoted to.

Folks, allow me to introduce you to the toughest day I've ever had to face as an employee at City Kids Child Development Center. The day that the kiddos who have been here with me since I began working here celebrated their last day with us. Big school awaits them, and, although I mourn, I am so proud of everything that I am confident they will accomplish throughout the years. It will be an honor to intercede on their behalf for years and years to come.

We even had a veeeeeery special visitor stop by for a while! They love them some TJ, that's for sure. I can't say I blame them. :)

"Those blessings are sweetest that are won with prayer and worn with thanks."

-Thomas Goodwin