A Happy New Year and a Happy New Blog!

I hope this blog finds all you doing well and enjoying this New Year!  I am writing you from a very cold and snowy Northern Ireland.  But, I have to admit that the snow makes the cold worth it.  Just this morning, I looked out our window to see tiny flakes of shimmering white falling from the sky, and once again was reminded of God’s absolute creativity.  What a beautiful way to be reminded that we serve a magnificent God.

Tanner and I had a wonderful Christmas season.  While we were sad to be away from home and our families on Christmas Day, we were able to celebrate Christmas in our own unique way this year.  As many of you know, we are currently living on campus at Belfast Bible College, a small school in Northern Ireland.  We didn’t have much room in our house for a tree, so we improvised and made a “Paper Tree.”  I know that is a bit of an oxymoron, but we were simply trying to maximize our space and watch the budget.  I have included a photo just to show you how stunningly beautiful our tree was!  On Christmas day, we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast together, read the Christmas story, opened our gifts and then went on a walk.  Now, I have to admit that going on walks and being active on Christmas day isn’t really how I grew up celebrating!  I am a “snuggle by the fire and eat some more food” kind of girl . . . but I embraced the athletic Richards side of the family that I married into and went on a pleasantly slow saunter with my husband on Christmas Day!  We walked to a park nearby, and it really was quite beautiful as we had a white Christmas here in Northern Ireland.  

 

 

A few days after Christmas, my Mom, Dad and two younger sisters arrived in Dublin.  Wow . . . it truly was such a blessing to spend a little over a week with the here in Europe.  Family is such a blessing, and Tanner and I were so excited to see our family when they arrived on the 28^th of December.  We spent the first few days of our trip here in Northern Ireland, and then we headed to London for New Years Eve.  Tanner and I were in downtown London on New Years Eve!  How cool is that?  We heard Big Ben strike at Midnight and watched the 8 minute long fireworks show over the river.  We were able to visit the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey.  Stevey and Shaoey thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Royal Family’s crowned jewels!  Pretty cool.  Mom and I ventured to Harrods just for fun, and it was absolute madness.  In the UK, there are tons of big sales during the week following Christmas . . . so you can imagine how crazy Harrods was on New Years Day!  I felt like all of London was crammed in this store trying to snag a good deal . . . which is hard to do in Harrods because everything is quite expensive.

 

 

From London, we headed to Paris via the Eurostar train . . . the train that takes you underneath the English Channel via a tunnel.  Stevey and I played Cinderella puppets for most of the ride while Tanner and Shaoey battled each other on the Nintendo DS.  France was amazing as well!  It was cold, but we had a wonderful time venturing around on the subway, trying to find our way to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame.  We also saw the Grand Opera House, which is where the Phantom of the Opera is set.  Stevey Joy wanted to know if she could quite her ballet class and come take lessons at the Grand Opera House.   How cute is that?  I don’t doubt that she will someday steal the hearts of thousands with her beautiful dancing!  She is quite graceful.  And Shaoey, she hung on every word during our tour of the Louvre.  She is so into history!  She absolutely loved getting background information on all the paintings and statues.  I am confidant that she too will change the lives of thousands with her amazing intelligence and deep compassion for others.  I have the most amazing sisters in the WORLD! 

 

And my parents . . . they are absolute jewels.  Their guidance and care has blessed me, and I will forever be inspired by their cheerful generosity and loving-kindness.  We shared many encouraging conversations together, conversations that further motivated Tanner and I on this journey together . . . the journey that currently has us half-way around the world.  Sometimes, I wish I could return home just for a few hours simply to experience the comforts of home.  However, I am completely certain that God wanted us in Northern Ireland for this season.  Tanner and I have both experienced growth . . . academically, spiritually, emotionally and relationally.  I am thankful that God knew what we needed this year.  And, I am grateful for our families who have supported our decision to spend this year abroad.  While it was certainly sad to see my family go because I absolutely adore them and had a blast travelling Europe with them, Tanner and I left encouraged and energized for the next semester of school. 

 

Thank you for your continued prayers for Tanner and me.  This wonderful Christmas celebration and time with my family came on the heels of a rather sad few days for me.  This holiday season was quite difficult in light of Maria not being with us.  And, as I reminisced on my own journey of grief, I couldn’t help but think of my many friends who watched their first Christmas season come and go without a certain loved one around the tree.  While I really don’t understand God’s ways most of the time, I am so thankful that He gave us a gift, the gift of Emmanual, God with us, over 2,000 years ago.  And now, no matter how dark and slippery the journey gets, we believe in a God who saw it fit to dwell among his people and ultimately die so as to save us into eternal relationship with him.  That is the good news I choose to cling to as 2010 begins to unfold.

  

  

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Anne from Northwest Pa]

Happy New Year!!

Your holidays sound perfect as was the visit from your family! All the pictures are GREAT but I really like the last one ;) it's a keeper!

[Jess :)]

What an amazing post, Emily. I'm so glad that your mom, dad, and sisters were able to come and spend time with you and Tanner. What a BLESSING!

May this coming year continue to bring blessings to you and Tanner. :)

[Tanya Robinson]

Emily,

Beautiful writing, as always, but then, it's because of the beautiful heart behind it! Praying on for you and your family! May God continue to bless and sustain you!

Tanya (& Corinna)

[Christine Gordon and Family]

So blessed by you sharing your tender,PRECIOUS heart. Honored just to read of your special family time in Europe. You and Tanner are blessed in the ways that matter most....in relationships with God, each other, and your families. Thank you for taking the time to point me to Emmanuel in 2010 even as you ache for your sweet Maria.
LOVED your paper tree-just what God predestined for both of you! Truly, a Christmas you will never forget!
On July 14, 2001 we lost our firstborn baby girl Cassandra Grace.....her twin Geoffrey thankfully survived.....it is always bittersweet. Missing her....yet finding comfort in knowing our Lord loved her even more than we did.
Praying on as you, Tanner and your families "SHOW HOPE" to the world. Thank you for ALWAYS reminding us that there is "more to this life" and that "we are not home yet."

With Hope just north of Boston where we went sledding tonight!
Christine Gordon and Family

[Emily]

Thank you for sharing, Emily... It sounds like you had a beautiful Christmas season.

And by the way... the picture of you and Tanner at the Eiffel Tower? Stunning!

[Paige Betterton]

Very encouraging to read Emily! I prayed you would enjoy your time with your family and that you would breathe them in while they were there! Enough to see you through till you get home! The paper tree was gorgeous by the way...

[Kathi]

Emily, your beautiful and poetic words brings inspiration to all. Thank you for sharing. Continue to keep us updated with how you and Tanner are doing. God bless and keep you safe.

[Tina Thompson]

Blessed by reading your blog this morning....

~Thank you!

[Alice the Brit]

wonderful post to read ... living vicariously through your posts :) keep the photos coming :)

Alice the Brit
in Florida,
which is actually cold right now!!

[Vanessa Schaecher (from Nebraska)]

So good to hear from you! Sounds like you had many moments of happiness this Christmas/New Year. I loved your paper tree! We had one too one year when my brother & I were little and we couldn't afford a "real" tree. But it didn't matter because it was still special & those memories hold a place in my heart even now. :o)

Still praying for you & Tanner!

Vanessa:)
From Nebraska

[lori in nc]

Thanks for sharing from your heart!! You are such an amazing young lady and I know your parents are so proud of you! I pray for much peace and happiness in 2010 for you and your family...

Lori Oakley
NC

[Diane]

What a blessing some of your family could come for a holiday! We too as a young married spent time away from anyone else we had known. It is a Great time of bonding that you just don't tend to do when you are in familiar surroundings. Studying at a good Christian college to boot!!! I know you will be blessed for a life time by your year away.
Your Christmas reminds me a little of your Dads "Christmas is all in the heart" I know That song helped me keep the right spirit more than once.
I agree with others! the pic of you and your husband at the tower is beautiful!!
I pray 2010 is a very blessed year for you and Tanner.

[Georgia Boone]

Happy New Year....Great to hear from you and the pics were an added blessing.
You are right about God knowing what is best for us...the good and the bad! He stretches us and then stretches us some more. He is Sovereign however and sometimes that is hard to remember.

Will pray the rest of your time away goes fast but that you will have even more blessings in the time left.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Georgia

[okphmom]

You do have a gift for writing . . . and a spirit that shines! Keep going - your inspiration and insight was clearly meant to be shared!

[aunt j]

happy new year emily & tanner.thanks for the update.sounds like amazing things are happening and will continue to happen. i heard from the girls how much fun they had and could hear the excitement in their voices.thanks for the update once again. u r in my prayers always.. love you guys

[claudine t in md]

http://lynnettekraft.blogspot.com/2009/11/day-anna-entered-heaven.html

Hope I'm not misunderstanding God's heart. Thought the above link might help u along. Someone who truly understands.

[Julie]

Your blog is such a blessing! Brought tears to my eyes! Thanks for sharing!!

[Cheryl Pooler]

I love following your blog and pray that God will continue to guide your ministry together. Life is really exciting here in Waco these days as Baylor makes headlines with both men and women in the Sweet Sixteen!

[J McLain]

I just love that you have an Elf on the Shelf book, lol.

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[komik oyunlar]

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