Tuesday, March 30, 2010

New Life

I am excited to finally share about my new niece! Honora Genevieve Riley was born on March 10 to my brother, Sean, and his wife, Emily. Her name is pronounced "ah-NOR-a," which was my great-great grandmother's name. Her name means "honor, dignity, integrity." Isn't that beautiful? Little Nora is doing very well and is as sweet as can be if you ask me.

Last weekend we were able to visit my brother's family in Long Island along with my parents, and we had a wonderful time together. It felt so foreign to hold a newborn again; I can't remember Micah ever being that light! It was so sweet to see Aidan and Liam interact with their little sister.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous all weekend which allowed us to spend a lot of time outdoors with the boys. Micah had a blast playing with his cousins and seemed so grown up around them. It was non-stop action with those three!

What a blessing it is to welcome a new life into the world! I always find myself in awe of God's power when I see a newborn child. To think that Nora is uniquely and wonderfully made by God, that there is not a single human being on earth exactly like her, that He knew her before he ever formed her...wow.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Palm Sunday Reflection

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed

Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

Wednesday, March 17, 2010