Author Archives: Chayli

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“Thank You for the day that went okay,” we prayed, and it wasn’t until later that I realized we’d been given more than just a day that went okay.

Sunday was a first for us. Poorly as it might reflect on us, after being married a little over two months, we were having our first Sunday lunch company. Firsts bring jitters for me, and even though it was my family that was coming, the jitters were still there. Saturday night and Sunday morning were a flurry of preparations, of things forgotten and then abruptly remembered, of trying to figure out what to do first and what could wait. Hurry here and hurry there, but we were still late to church. ...continue reading →

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Is there light to be found in a world gone so dark?
Is there hope that can lift our hearts higher?
Is there joy in the midst of the tears and the pain?
Do we dare look for what we desire?
Is there peace in the middle of chaos and strife?
Is there life that can overcome death?
Is there love yet to find in a world full of hate?
Is there anything good that is left? ...continue reading →

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What's the end of the year without a few thank Yous? Thank Yous for the good times and the bad, for the new things and the old, for the small moments and the big ones. So many blessings, so few words. . .

Thank You, Father.

Thank You for the things that words and pictures cannot capture. . . Salvation. Love. Forgiveness. Peace. Redemption. Joy.

And for the things that can be caught and held once more in picture after picture. . . precious moments found in ordinary life, beautiful moments that make life extraordinary. ...continue reading →

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And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)

The Dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78-79)

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people. (Luke 1:68)

You've been given a gift. Don’t forget to say thank You.

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I call him Bud. He calls me Chayda. We get along for the most part, and it’s a good thing we do because we spend a lot of time together. We’re friends, but we’re not alike. He’s a boy; I’m a girl. He’s short; I’m tall. He’s blond; I’m brunette. His eyes are blue; mine are green. He’s a baby; I’m supposed to be grown up.

He’s lived twenty three months. I’ve lived twenty three years. There is so much I could teach him, so many things he needs to learn. But while I am showing him new things and unveiling the world to him, he is simply reminding me of things I knew once but have forgotten.

“Hold hands,” he says, and puts his chubby fist in mine. And suddenly instead of me simply following him around the yard, we are walking together, and sometimes I am leading him, but usually he is leading me.

I come to his house to take care of him, to play with him, to teach him. But while I am teaching him, he is also teaching me. And it is the differences between us that teach me the most. . . ...continue reading →