This past week.

This is the last week of my life in a blog:
Thursday- lost my voice.
Friday- still didn't have a voice...couldn't even answer phones at work.
Saturday- Woke up actually feeling sick, but cleaned all day because my in-laws were coming into town and staying with us.
Sunday- Still feeling yuck, but happy to have Mom and Dad DeVaney staying in our home! Had a great Easter and saw Soul Surfer! Great movie! That night, I got pink eye...in both eyes.
Monday- Had the day off from work in order to be with my family. Needed the day off anyway due to being ill.
Tuesday- Still had pink eye. No work for me. Still enjoying my family.
Wednesday- Back to work. Hardly slept at all that night.
Thursday- Parents leave to go back to Costa Rica. We are so sad. Also, Michael leaves the Office, and that is sad as well.

A week later, I'm finally feeling normal again....for the most part. :) I have slept so much better and I actually feel like my body is healing.
In other news, Josh and I were left on Thursday feeling alone and somewhat bored, in a quiet house, thinking "well, what now??"
It's funny after having guests in your home how normal life becomes so exciting....and then, when everyone's gone, you are forced to go back to normal. ugh.

Honestly, we are finding ourselves really asking the Lord where we're supposed to be.
We need a church. We need a fellowship where we can be a family.
We've tried numerous churches in the area and have found ourselves becoming more and more frustrated.
I know a good change is coming, but I have no idea when, where, or how.
I guess as long as I know it's coming, I can be content for now.

More than bunnies

This is one of my favorite pictures.
I love this man. I love what he did for me. I love that he accomplished the ultimate goal and he did with love....and joy.


For once, I don't have a whole lot to say.
Except that my heart is full of gratitude and praise.
He is so worthy of ALL my praise!!!


I'm rescued, washed, bought at a price, and loved- despite what I've done or will ever do!
I'm LOVED!!!


I was on his mind the whole time.
And I'm blown away.
He loves me! REALLY loves me!!!





This is my other favorite picture.
Oh his forgiveness.....that willingness to love, no matter who I am or what I've done.

Thank you Jesus.
Thank you for finding me and saving me.
You have my heart forever.

Lighten up Francis!!

Josh always says this to me: "Lighten up Francis!!"

He always says it jokingly, when we're having those fake, sarcastic arguments that only end in smiling.

But that ridiculous phrase has me questioning myself.

Do I really need to lighten up???

The answer is a loud, resounding YES!!!

Let it be known that today is the day that Emily DeVaney puts her foot down and proclaims, "I WILL lighten up!!"

It's time to laugh at myself again. Time to enjoy the silliness of life. Time to stop being such a neat freak and the one who has the controls.

Time to enjoy my husband's jokes and time to make jokes of my own.

It's a new day!!!

Do you need to lighten up???

Spring Time!!

Lately I have been in a clean EVERYTHING, de-clutter, get creative, hands-on mood. And I'm LOVING it!! At this moment there are bags waiting to go to Goodwill, a house completely cleaned, a blanket being crocheted, an old rocking chair that has been touched up, a guest room that has been re-designed, and another room waiting for a new look. And I'm blaming it on spring time! :) There's something so fresh and new about spring. The days are beginning to stay around longer, the air is still somewhat cool, and winter is gone. I think the Lord not only designed Spring as a time for new life, but also a time for a fresh start. In the midst of all the creativity and freshness, Josh and I have decided to start a business. We are very excited about this and are sure that Jesus is going to bless our creativity as one. It is a wood-working business, where Josh will build country style furniture, shelving, and home pieces and I will "finish" them with a bit of paint or finish. It is just in the beginning stages and our minds are popping with ideas and concepts!! Very exciting!!! In this season, I am also finding out how much I absolutely love my home! Even though we only rent, I'm finding that my place is and should be at home. I love verses in Proverbs and well....all throughout the Bible really....where it describes the woman's place in her home- to keep her family fed, raise her children, create an atmosphere that is loving and honoring of her husband, and to allow peace and joy to reign. This is my dream. But for now.....I have the weekends to create, love, enjoy, and inspire. Ladies, enjoy your homes and enjoy this Springtime!! Men, you do the same! :)

Real or Kinda Real??

It's a been a while since I've written on my beloved blog.
Honestly, I'm scared to.
Writing in my journal is safe....no one sees it.
But writing on here....ANYONE can see it.

I just finished reading "Choosing to See" by Mary Beth Chapman.
One of my favorite things about this book was how "real" and honest she was.
She was completely open about how she was feeling, how she reacted (good or bad), and everything else in between.

I don't know if I will open up completely in this blog. I don't have much time to.
But here's a little snapshot of what my next blog will include:
-Desperation
-Missing my Daddy
-My heart breaking for a friend
-The Word of God AND
-possibly a little venting.

And in all of that, I will try to be real as I possibly can.

Peace

Wow! I didn't realize how long it's been since I last blogged.
So much has happened and so much has been learned.

Josh and I had originally planned to start looking for a house toward the end of the year in order to be in a new house by January.
That was OUR plan.
Can I just say that God is so "other than" us?!
AND so good!

Long story short:
We decided to go look at this house because it was the size we wanted, but rent was WAY cheap.
So we looked at it....along with another family.
I gave up instantly. I just knew the other family was going to apply and get it.
Three days later- the posting pops up online again.
We call the realtor, fill out the application, put down the money, and move in three days later!

So quick, so perfect, so GOD.

In the midst of the moving craziness, emotional ups and downs, and adjusting ONCE AGAIN, I know a season of peace and joy are right around the corner.
I know it. I can sense it so strongly.

And I'm happy. :)

Sweet Freedom

Quite often I flash back to living in California, and I re-visit the year or so when I got to lead worship.

I mean REALLY lead worship.

I was trusted. There was no one waiting to grab the microphone from me. There was no one telling me when "worship time" was up.

There was no one telling me to stand still, quit screaming, or sing on tune.

I was free.

I could lead fellow worshippers in "Oh Praise Him" for a half hour.

I could scream, cry, and my personal favorite- DANCE- all I wanted!!!

Oh, to express my heart, the deepest parts of my heart, to my God.

To my God who is SO worthy of the highest praise!

My feet couldn't stand still!

HE DIED FOR ME!!!! HE SAVED ME!!!!

My heart feels as though it may pop with praise!

I need an outlet. I need to me again!

Not that leading worship is the only way to be me....oh, but I loved that time.

The praise was so unhindered, so loud, and so pure.

I'm ready for a time, a new time, where sweat pours down my face once again, my feet hurt from dancing, and the song is madness as I gasp for air to belt out note after note.

Even if it's in my bedroom for now, Oh Jesus, let it be.

Set me free.

"Make a JOYFUL NOISE oh you people!! Shout unto God with a voice of triumph!"