merry christmas.

Merry Christmas friends,

The Lord came to us as a baby, to be our King, our friend, our guide and our rescuer. Let our hearts rejoice in the wondrous night, some two thousand years ago, when hope was born unto us, for us. May today be filled with laughter and full hearts that are continually pondering the eternal weight of this special day.  

Fondly from Florida, 

Emily 

p.s.We'll talk about why Plant by Water has been lacking in updates later.

a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.

Hey friends, 

I was walking to work yesterday and I saw a pumpkin laying in the middle of a parking spot on a busy street. Undoubtedly, it was put there by an unruly teenager who was certainly nearby watching with much anticipation for the next car to park and smash it. Kids these days, sheesh. If you know me at all, you know that I love pumpkins and can imagine that seeing this abandoned guy made me a little sad. As I was getting over the sight of the forgotten October mascot I started to think about how quickly things change. 

Just a little while ago the world couldn't have been more excited about fall and pumpkin in its many forms; in muffins, in coffee, in oatmeal, in ice-cream, in pie, in butter, and in mac & cheese (that one was just me). The time came and went just like that and in a few short weeks, the pumpkin frenzy was quickly forgotten and it was all "Christmas is here! Tell your friends." The orange gourds were soon replaced with twinkling lights, decorated trees and sweet songs being sung.  

You see, as much as I love pumpkins and I really, really do, there is something undeniably wonderful about the Christmas season. I wasn't happy to see that pumpkin laying in the road but it reminded me that there is a reason we get excited about giving gifts, decorating our homes, and gathering with our families and he came in the form of a baby. Jesus being born is a pretty big deal. And by pretty big, I mean the biggest. deal. ever. So when we say it's the most wonderful time of the year...really, isn't it? 

Have a great Tuesday! 

Fondly from Portlandia, 

Emily 

super sweater sunday.

Howdy friends! 

As the days creep closer to Christmas, festive gatherings seem to be out in full force. Last week, the church that I have been going to in Portland, Mars Hill, had the brilliant idea to have a Christmas Sweater Sunday. Everyone wore their Christmas best and after the service there were photo booths set up so you could get portraits taken. A grand time was had by all! 

I am so very thankful that in just a few short months I have been able to find a great church, people who were so welcoming, and a community of friends that have been nothing but generous and sincere. Friends aren't always easy to come by so I feel pretty blessed that I have found so many great ones here in the North West. 

Fondly from Portland, 

Emily 

p.s. I'm also getting really excited because THIS GIRL gets here in exactly one week!!! (That sentence really deserved to be in all caps.) It is going to be awesome. 

  

the holidays, portland edition.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 

I went to the tree lighting downtown this weekend. It was rainy, my socks were wet and I was freezing but it was so worth it. Even though it was only the day after Thanksgiving, it felt like the appropriate kick off to the Christmas season. When you live in Florida most of your life, I think it can be hard to get into the holiday spirit because it doesn't necessarily feel like Christmas. You can dream of a white Christmas all you want but the reality is you will probably still wear shorts on the twenty fifth day of December. These are just the facts.

Even though it is still November, the holidays seem to be in full swing around these parts. We sang some Christmas songs in church yesterday and last night I saw a tree strapped to the top of a car that I can only assume was taken home and decorated beautifully. The holiday season is really good at giving me a perpetual warm little feeling in my heart and I welcome it. 

Fondly from Portland, 

Emily