Day 17. A Favorite Art Piece

I'm not terribly into art, I am not an artist at all! I draw stick people. I admire people that can draw and paint...I have siblings that can, and my mom is a wonderful artist. I didn't get that gene! =) 

 I have always liked the art piece below:

George Washington praying at Valley Forge. 

These two, I remember liking as a little girl. We had them hanging in our house. 

Day 16. A Song that Makes Me Cry...

I am not much of a "crier" when I listen to music. This song is very inspirational...and has ties to my favorite quote. Twila Paris is very emotional in this song, and I think I might have gotten teary when I saw this clip. (This was done a LONG time ago...in the early 80's I would say...)

Day 15. A person I admire.

A person that I admire...

Boy, I didn't think this would be so hard...I have so many people that I admire. My first thought would be my parents-but I think you have rather gotten that over my postings, and I don't know how much more I could add to what I have said.


Today I am going to concentrate on Timothy. Timothy is my second oldest brother who is currently in Ghana, West Africa. He has been there for 14 months, and will be there until November of this year-for a total of 2 years. I guess what I admire, is that he has so willingly thrown himself into his task. The place he lives 3/4 of the time has no electricity or running water. He has to take cold bucket baths all of the time...(which would be torture for me...I like my hot long showers)...He teaches school to unruly little children, and does well. I admire that he cooks his food over an open little brazier...I admire that he has pushed through sickness, loneliness, and the heat of Africa to bring God's word to people there...

I love you Timbo!!!!!!!

Jill and Timothy in Africa...a week ago. =)

Day 14. A Vacation I would like to take.

I would love to travel the World. I think if there would be a vacation I would like to take...it would be a tour of Europe. I really want to go to France, England, Germany, Austria, and Slovakia. My family is European, and the countries I mentioned (with the exclusion of France), my family came from. We are also Maltese, so going to Malta would be awesome. I would also love to go to Australia. 
Unfortunately, traveling costs a lot of money...so maybe I should settle with a trip out west. =)
Cheers!
(I am heading to stay with my family for the weekend!)

Day 13. A Guilty Pleasure.

I love ice cream... It is my comfort food, if I have one. After I moved to the city, and times I didn't have anything to do-or I missed my family...I would eat ice cream, often a whole thing of one of the two flavors below. Good thing they are only two cups! I love all kinds, but the two pictured below are my favorites. Too bad they are limited edition flavors... I have been known to eat...well you don't want to know how much, and though I have never done it, I say I could eat a whole half gallon of ice cream (actually they don't sell half gallons anymore. I think they are 1.75 qts.). I realized though that ice cream will make you gain weight if eaten in large quantities...so yours truly hasn't been eating much at all. I could count on one hand the times I have had ice cream in the past months. There's nothing wrong with eating ice cream...just now when I eat it...i feel like I'm putting pounds on. =)

What is your guilty pleasure??? =) Oh, and go enjoy a big bowl of ice cream and think of me! =)

Day 12. A Song that I want to be played at my wedding...

This one is fairly easy for me. I have tons of songs picked out, here is one I will have at my reception:

Cinderella- Steven Curtis Chapman

Now, I really don't know how to dance...and maybe my dad doesn't either...but I really want to dance with my Daddy to this song at my wedding. I think it would also be special if my brother(s) would perform it as well. Since it is a long-er song, I have this thought that at some point in the song-we would invite other dads to dance with their daughters...what do you think? Of course I will work out all of the details... =) The biggest detail right now is for God to bring the right guy along. =)
  I also like, I'll Take Care of You (by SCC), Household of Faith (Steve Green) and Cherish the Treasure(Steve Green)...and that's all I'm telling for now...you'll have to come to my wedding to hear the rest! =)
Have a great day...

Day 11. A photo of me taken recently

Here are two pictures of me that were taken recently...

Me...about a month ago.

Me...and two Tigers. Alex Avila on the left and Magglio on the right. This was taken last week. 

Other things going on...Annie turned 18 yesterday...and here is my verse today: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9. 

Day 10. A photo of me taken over 10 years ago...

Sorry I skipped a day, my sister Jill came home from Africa yesterday...so I was too busy catching up with her to blog. =) She was gone for over three months, so we are so glad to have her home!!!!

Here are 2 photos of me taken over ten years ago...

Cheers

Day 9. A Photo I Took

Melody, Elijah and Phoebe-taken this Fall

Rico-my baby horse I took this a couple of years ago. He has grown since then!

Day 8. A Thank You letter to someone who has changed my life.

Dear Daddy and Momma,


You are the best parents in the WORLD!!!! I love you both so much, and appreciate every moment that you have taken to instill in me a passion for God, the World and life. I know that I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for you. I know that there have been times throughout the 21 years of my life that there has been a little stress in our relationship, but I think that really, no other person in the World (save maybe 12 other Smithies) has a better relationship with their parents. 
I love you both, and thank God for you!!!


-Emily

Day 7. Five Things I can NOT live without...

1. God..."and this is life eternal that we may know Thee-the one true Father and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent."


2. My Family...can't live without them!!!!


3. Food, water...


4. Music-if I couldn't listen to it, I would be singing it. =)


5. I would say chocolate, but I haven't been eating much of it right now...so I guess I have found that I can live without it... =)  So I am going to say...computers...I think I could live without them...but they sure come in handy! ;o)






Have fun!

Day 6. A moment I wish I could relive.

Boy, I am having a hard time with this one. I feel like there are so many moments that I have had that were wonderful, and that I didn't really take the opportunity to enjoy them. I always wanted the next "big thing". There are also moments from when I was young that I wish I could remember more clearly... 
 I guess one thing that I remember from when I was young, that I wish I could do again would be this:


Almost every day when I was younger,I remember my dad would come home from work. Around the time we knew he would be coming up the road, someone would be posted at the window to watch for him. As soon as someone spotted him(and the weather permitted) everyone would run down the driveway to meet him, then we would all pile into his car and he would drive us up the driveway then we would all hop out of the car and have big group hugs. It was a very special thing. Now my younger siblings do the same thing when I come home.
 Another thing I did when he would come home at night was I'd run up to him, grab his hands and jump, he would hoist me up and onto his shoulders in one motion. I'd then twist myself around and flip backwards off of his shoulders and onto the ground. I was around 4 or 5, but I remember it so clearly and I loved doing it. Sometimes I wish that I was little and could do it again (just once), or pretend that I was "stuck" in-between a space next to our washer and the wall. No amount of tugging from my brothers could free me from that spot. My daddy had to come to my rescue. (Am I silly?)


Maybe, I guess the moments I could relive was when all of us children were living at home, and we were so happy together(we still are happy-just not together). At this moment the 4 oldest are all in various countries and places, and it would be so nice to eat dinner-all of us together and then gather around and read a bed-time story. I am thankful that we are serving the Lord in the different places that He has called us, but sometimes I just miss my family...and maybe reading between the lines of this post...you can tell that I am missing them tonight. 


"I love you Smithies...Daddy, I wish I could get a big hug right now, and Momma, sit next to you on the couch and rest my head on your shoulder...I would love to have everyone busy around me and listen to their laughter and silly stories. I would love to have everyone gather around at the end of the day and share their "happy things" and then pray before we went to bed. I love you all and am praying for you."


Well, folks...that is my post of the day. Maybe it doesn't really fit the requirement for the title, but...here you go.


Saying all that, I am very content in the place that God has called me, and I am truly making it my one of top priorities to make the most of every minute, every day for truly "there is a wonder in the here and now". 

Day 5. A Favorite Quote.

There are so many wonderful quotes out there. I love cute, sweet ones by Winnie the Pooh, I like patriotic quotes given by our founding fathers and former Presidents, I like inspirational quotes given by godly men and women who have walked the Christian walk before me, I like "quippy" quotes as well. 
The quote I am choosing, has been my favorite ever since I can remember. Actually, I think I was about 4 or 5 years old when I read it, and heard the story of the man who said it. 


"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep-to gain what he cannot loose."


Jim Elliot was a young man who gave up everything to follow God. He left his family to be a missionary in the jungles of Ecuador. His bride to be followed him out there and they were married. They had a baby girl. He and 4 other young men had heard about a tribe of people in the jungle who were head hunters, and anyone that every tried to enter their "part" of the jungle were killed. They felt like God was calling them to bring the gospel to these people, the Aucas (now called Wadoni). They followed God's call and paid the ultimate price with their lives. Several months later Jim's wife Elizabeth took their young daughter and went with another young women to the same village. The villagers had realized that these people were not going to hurt them, and were sorry that they had killed the men. For them it had always been "kill-or be killed". They became Christians, and today these same people are spreading God's word to other parts of the jungle to other people that were at the same place they were not too many years ago. 


This quote is very much like the Bible verse that says "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." 


When we give something that we cannot keep, our money, our security, and maybe even our lives...That all could be taken away from us in the blink of an eye...If we give it for something in exchange, in Jim's case it was the lives of that whole tribe of people and beyond- imagine the joy and prize that he has in heaven. Jesus did the same thing, he gave His life-so that anyone who believes in Him-will have salvation! 


Anyway, these are some of my ramblings...I hope you were encouraged, and that you gain something from this post. I would encourage you to to read a biography of Jim Elliot, he is one of my heros. They actually made a movie about the men who were killed. I have not seen it yet, it is called End of the Spear. 


Since it is Martin Luther King Jr. day...I'm going to throw in a quote from him. "If a man hasn't found something worth dying for, he isn't fit to live."


Have a great day!!!

A Favorite Television Program....

I must say that this wasn't quite as tough to choose. Right now the Smith family's favorite shoe is Sue Thomas F. B Eye. This series is based on a true story and the life of a deaf woman named Sue Thomas. Sue suddenly became deaf as a little girl, she learned how to read lips and got a job at the FBI reading lips for surveillance. She has a hearing dog named Levi. The show is now on DVD and can be purchased here: www.suethomasdvd.com.

I have attached the opening of the show below.

Here is a funny clip from one episode. It has been titled "Levi shoots-he scores".

It also currently airs on Gospel Music Channel(GMC) weekdays from 3-4. Another thing I should mention is-the actress that plays Sue Thomas (Deanne Bray) is also deaf and reads lips. Also, the real Sue Thomas is seen on the show playing another character a couple of times in different episodes. 

Day Three...A Favorite Book

Wow, another tough one. You are talking to a girl that reads a minimum of 250 books a year. I always say that I "eat" books! Once I read four 400 page books in 5 hours (one afternoon).



I  tend to read mostly "story" type of books. Historical fiction and non-fiction. My dad gave me this book  called "Captivating" and I read it. I wouldn't say that this is my favorite book-but it is an amazing book. I read it when I really needed it's message and therefore-it will always be a special book. It is for women young and old, and I would highly recommend it. Written by John and Stasi Eldrege. 


Another series of books that are extremely good-and are on my favorite list would be The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. These are based is Rome and the surrounding areas after the death of Jesus. Very powerful books!!!


Another great book- For One Moment. I loved this book when I was a young-er girl, and it still a favorite. A young boy growing up in Germany, becomes a teenager at the time of Hitler's rise to power. He is swept away along with thousands of other enamored young people. Dealing with hurts from a broken home and a father's seemingly betrayal he rises to the top, but...I won't tell any more-you'll have to read it for yourself! =) It is by Christmas Carol Kauffman. 





Other great authors that I read would consist of Karen Kingsbury, Patricia St. John - Oh you HAVE to read her book called Twice Freed-it is the greatest book and DEFINITELY on the top of my favorite list!!!!!

Day 2: A Favorite Movie

A favorite movie-once again a difficult choice. I think right now my favorite movie is The Great Escape. If you have never seen it-you HAVE to!!! I think it has all of the elements for a perfect movie...drama, excitement, humor, sentiment, sorrow...and the best motorcycle chase I have ever seen!!! =) I have posted the trailer below so you all can watch it. 

If you like WWII, or an action-packed movie-here you go! My family really likes it!

See you tomorrow!!!

-Em

Day 1: A Favorite Song

Thanks to Bethany, I have discovered how to post videos to the blog page!!! Thanks girl! Now asking Emily Smith for a favorite song is like...asking the moon to shine during the day, or it to snow in the summer...or something like that. I have SO many favorite songs...It was nearly impossible to choose a song. I decided on two! =)

When Love Takes You In- Steven Curtis Chapman

SCC is one of my favorite singer/songwriters. I have tons of favorites that he sings...but I decided on this one to share with you all.  

Amazing Grace- IL Divo...

Anyone that reads this and knows me will smile. I love IL Divo-and whenever I hear this song...it gives me the chills! The song itself is amazing, and coupled with these gorgeous voices...and the bagpipe...WOW!!!!



God bless, and I hope you are encouraged by these songs!

-Em

30 Day Challenge

I am going to start something that I think should prove to be quite interesting here on my blog. Bethany @www.asheracres.blogspot.com started this...I think it will be fun! I will definitely motivate me to write something on this blog more than once every three months or so! =) I'm off to work out at the gym-so I'll be back at do Day 1 when I get back!

Day 1: A favorite song.

Day 2: A favorite movie.

Day 3: A favorite book.

Day 4: A favorite television program.

Day 5: A favorite quote.

Day 6: A moment you wish you could relive.

Day 7: Five things you couldn't possibly live without.

Day 8: A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life.

Day 9: A photo you took.

Day 10: A photo of you taken over ten years ago.

Day 11: A photo of you taken recently.

Day 12: A song that you want played at your wedding(or was played).

Day 13: A guilty pleasure.

Day 14: A vacation you would like to take.

Day 15: A person you admire.

Day 16: A song that makes you cry.

Day 17: An art piece.

Day 18: A time when you felt passionate and alive.

Day 19: A talent of yours.

Day 20: A hobby of yours.

Day 21: Something you know you do differently than most people.

Day 22: A website.

Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered.

Day 24: A movie no one would expect you to love.

Day 25: A recipe.

Day 26: A childhood memory.

Day 27: A physical feature you love.

Day 28: A scar you have and it's story.

Day 29: Hopes, dreams and plans you have for the next 365 days.

Day 30: A motto or philosophy. 


-Emily

A new post

Hey Peeps! 

I just bought a new camera...a Canon T2i. We got about a foot of snow last night, so decided to venture into the chilly outdoors and snap a few pics! Hope you enjoy them!

Stay Warm!!!

-Emily