Family Blessings

Well, with my last post finished, I feel much more apt to start blogging more regularly... :)
By the way, have you ever taken time to notice how many smiley and winky faces there are in the New Testament?! We've been going through John at church, and between John and the Apostles....wow, have I gotten some smiles!!

The first Sunday in August, our family escorted Daniel down to WSU where he'll be making his new home for the next 2 years, as he finishes up Pre-Med, before going to Med School to become an osteopath. I liked this picture so much, I just had to share it...

Friday, we had our Client Appreciation Banquet, and I wanted to share some photos from it....it was SO beautiful (albeit, windy!) outside!! Samuel and Rebekah sang 'Put Your Hand Over Your Heart' (Whitney Phipps), with Josiah bringing our flag down at the end, and me accompanying them... If you haven't heard the song, look it up. It is so impactful.

It was so windy, Esther had to hold my music for me!

I don't get to dress up very often, so this was a fun evening to be able to do so. Thanks to David for all the photos.

I realized I forgot to post our 'grand finale' family reunion photos in our my July post, so here they are now... I just love my family!!

Most of the Pinkerton Clan (minus my 2 aunts' families and a cousin)

Our last official family photo for a while

I am so grateful for my amazing family. The older I get and the farther I go, I realize more and more how very, very blessed I am to not only have the amazing, Spirit-filled parents I have, but also such close friendships with my siblings. That is we all hold very dear and want to nourish into the second generation as well.

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

~ 1 Corinthians 13:13 ~

A New Chapter

The end of each year is usually a time of reflecting on the previous year's happenings, and wonderments at and goals set for the next year. I kinda see life like a chapter book, with some chapters being  bigger and more life changing than others.

As 2013 wrapped up, I remember contemplating what goals I would set for 2014: ones like a mission trip to Belize, marrying my best friend off to my cousin, working at my dad's office, continuing work on the ranch and at home, and continuing my projects and community service.

One thing though, never even crossed my mind...and that was a relationship. 

I was quite content being single and honestly loved it. But somehow, that all changed, and the funny thing is...I was completely clueless. I've always believed God answers prayers, and have seen first hand God answer and work miracles in mine and others' lives, and so it should have come as no surprise when He answered my heart's desire of last summer and fall to blind my eyes to those (or one) pursuing me.

Anyway, I suppose I shouldn't hold you in suspense any more... Last year, after having gotten back from the Philippines, I started spending time with my brother David and his friend as they did lots of projects together, and little did I know where that would lead.

Slowly Alex unknowingly worked his way into my trust and a true and deep friendship was forged, which grew through our working and corresponding on the Christmas play he directed at our church last Christmas, of which I was his assistant and also main actress.

In February, he talked to my dad and started being mentored by him, while entering an 'intentional friendship' (later turned 'intentional relationship') with me, where we prayerfully sought to get to know each other in a deeper way.

On July 11th, after much ado and an amazing 'dinner hunt', leading to The Melting Pot where I was greeted by 12 white roses, sparkling apple cider, and a card with my name on it, Alexander, with the blessing of our parents, officially asked me to start a courtship with him where we'd continue learning about each other, and discerning God's will, with the intention of marriage (to which I agreed). =)

God is so gracious, and I am unspeakably blest, not only by this amazing, God-fearing man turned best friend, who is pursuing my heart and God's best, but by God's preparing me over the last few years especially for these moments.

I guess this would help explain my frequent absences over the past few months and vague explanations of what has been happening in my life, and I hope this makes up for it. =)

4th of July

Though this is an exciting time in my life, I do not want to want lose sight of my First Love--my King and Redeemer, who without, my life would be destitute of all hope, joy, peace, and true purpose. 

"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."

~ Philippians 1:9-11 ~

July's Jubilants

I can hardly believe July is over. It was wonderful, crazy, so full of changes and happenings that I'm still trying to process it all!! Of course, the first day was my birthday, and boy, was I in for a surprise!

I had told my family that I really wanted a surprise party, and after a partial-surprise party the week before (while I threw one for my Grandpaw), I figured that was as good as it was going to get. Well, I was proven wrong, when they pulled a 110% surprise party on me, complete with decorations and even an out-of-town guest!! What memories!!

I was so surprised, I screamed.. :)

July 4th was wonderful as well, with a small gathering of family and close friends.

Hamburgers!!! Mmm...

July 11th was specifically significant too, which you can read about in my next post...

The Murillo's left  towards the end of July, leaving a hole in our home and lots of memories to treasure. However, we had almost no time to contemplate the hole, with our family reunion happening the week after, and my, what fun that was, especially seeing cousins that I haven't seen in years!!!

All the girls

My sweet friend Hannah!

Another happening that is bittersweet is the adding of 2 little brothers, gone to be with Jesus in June and July: Phinehas Aaron (meaning 'Proclaiming God's Word: He is my Help') and Jason Eliezar ('Healer and Bringer of Light'), bringing the total of my siblings and I to a blessed 26, for which, each one I am unspeakably grateful.

Another thing that I'm really excited about is completing my quilt with the specific help of my dear Aunt Nancy and Oma, as well as many of my cousins, aunts, and even uncles, who helped tie and sew binding on!! What memories were made...

Most everyone got in on the fun!

Even Uncle Gary and Uncle Jim.....

...and my Papa! =)

With so many happenings here in July, I'm glad August is here, bringing some reprieve from the business, though scattering most of my family around the US for a couple weeks. God is so good.

"This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever."

~ Psalms 118:23-24, 28-29 ~

"Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things."

~ Joel 2:21 ~