Today was one of those milestones parents cherish... their child receiving their first Bible (full version, not child's story book). For some time Emily has been asking for one, which lead Keith and I to plan for a personalized Bible this coming Christmas as our gift to her. Then she asked to be baptized last spring. Life was such a blur with so many emotional happenings filling our lives that we completely failed to present a Bible to her at that point... still Christmas was on the planner. Well, today she found THE Bible she wanted at a local used bookstore. She begged and pleaded to buy it as her one special purchase for the day. I was a little torn knowing we wanted to select one as a surprise for Christmas, one that would have her name engraved on it. A special gift if you will. But in her heart I could see THIS Bible was the one for her. And yet, selecting it as never used at a fraction of the cost we were willing to invest... how Biblical. It doesn't matter where it comes from or how fancy it looks... it's God's word that will fill her heart, life and soul for the days of her life.
Shortly after leaving the store I realized she is receiving this gift on 9/11/10. This Sept. 11th isn't just any ordinary Sept. 11th post-THE 9/11, but is more. For the past couple of weeks a local pastor threatened/declared to burn the Kuran/Quran which has sparked much controversy. Local churches and people spoke out against it, urging that we must LOVE our neighbor, not show hate toward them. As a result, great threats were placed on Americans, Christians, our town, etc. FBI and CIA agents flooded to our town along with hundreds or thousands of other law enforcement... truly making us a marked target. This pastor eventually changed his mind, but still, on this day she is receiving the book of truth that will sustain her in the hard days ahead and provide joy, hope and a promise to take her to eternity... on the very day that others were planning to burn and crush our Muslim neighbors.
May her heart forever be filled with His love, His truth, His glory. May she hold His truths dear to her heart and show His love and mercy in her words and actions.
Love you Emily!
-Mom
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Emily and Luke with Jan, a local violin maker.
The kids, at one of their lessons with Ms. Sarah.
Luke is focused on playing high tempo rhythms. Clearly Joshua Bell has inspired him. Emily on the other hand is most inspired by the slow, angelic-like pieces from Bell's 'Romance of the Violin'. Here she's practicing 'Twinkle, Twinkle," Suzuki's first violin piece. 
In the violin workshop, looking through the vault of violins waiting for service by Jan. Anna was so kind in showing us around the workshop.
