Dear Mommy

Dear Mommy,

Here are pictures from yesterday's ride home.

We talked, sang songs, and stopped at Nani's favorite store before leaving town; we also contemplated a pit stop at Krispy Kreme's but decided against it considering the vast amount of sugar and the close confines of the car.

Everyone except Elena, Carolina, and Dad slept right up until Brenham (how convenient), and we did stop for a diaper change and ice cream; you will be please to know that Dom only had six licks (chocolate, pistachio almond, cinnamon, and white chocolate almond--to all of which he said, "YUM!")

We also stopped at the Naquin's to drop off the donuts for Emily (which arrived completely intact and orderly!); Dom played with Robbie and pointed to the imaginary motorcycle in their backyard, we gave him half a nectarine to bring him back to reality.

Sophie and Mia really enjoyed playing with Jimmy and his horses.

Once we got home we unpacked, had some eggroll in a bowl, and were promptly thrown into bed. Dom had his usual 6am wake up but Nani and Grandpa didn't mind, Grandpa even stayed home later than usual this morning, just in time for some almond pancakes and eggs!

Well, we're hoping to post more pictures and some video in the next few days so keep checking back!

We love you very dearly.

Love,

Elena (for Sophie, Mia, and a wiggly Dom)

The back seat after ice cream

Before the ice cream

Dom before the ice cream

Thoughts on Heavy Troubles

When the black clouds gather most, the light is the more brightly revealed to us.

It is a blessed thing that when we are most cast down, then it is that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the Spirit. One reason is, because trials make more room for consolation.

Great hearts can only be made by great troubles.

The humbler a man lies, the more comfort he will always have,

because he will be more fitted to receive it.

There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains;

no prayer half so hearty as that which come up from the depths of the soul,

through deep trials and afflictions.

Hence they bring us to God and we are happier; for nearness to God is happiness.

Come, troubled believer, fret not over your heavy troubles,

for they are the heralds of weighty mercies.

~Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening pg. 86

One

Happy Birthday, Naomi!

We can't believe it was just one year ago that

we took a trip to the Woodlands to see you.

What a day :)

We praise God for you in our lives and look

forward to many more sweet times with you!

With much love,

The Marques Family

Sleepy Hollow, NY

Part of Joanna's art portfolio for college. A pen and ink of the heart.

Elena in front of a house turned into an antique store.

Houdini's favorite spot.

So many choices!

Elena and I thought this was pretty funny :).

Bagels! Best way to cheat on the gluten free diet :).

Cozy for family worship :).

Another of Joanna's art projects.

This bridge is a short walk from the Raymund's house.

Sleepy Hollow cemetery.

Dad, Elena, and Caro at the cemetery.

Going to the movies!

Joanna, Caro, Elena, and I in front of the Raymund's house.

Inside Apple Farm grocery store.

Change

{Abby and Mia after a wet afternoon of swimming}

At all times we should commit our all to Jesus' faithful hand;
then, though life may hang on a thread, and adversities may multiply as the sands of the sea, our soul shall dwell at ease, and delight itself in the quiet resting places.

"Into Thine hand I commit my spirit; Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of Truth"
~Psalm 31:5

~Charles H. Spurgeon
Morning and Evening, page 481

This wonderful and encouraging quote by Charles Spurgeon has reminded me of a recent "light-bulb" experience in my walk with the Lord.

Very simply put, I prayed for God to change my heart about a situation, and He did.

It was a circumstance in which I knew the right response but I hesitated, and I knew that it was an important and deciding point. On the one hand, I could be very miserable and selfish or I could release, love, and move on in life, but I knew I couldn't do it on my own strength.

There was no way I could truly "stay strong and carry on" by myself,

I know because I've tried it before.

But this was a vivid time when I can clearly see His hand in changing my heart and renewing my mind. My old self would have held onto hurt feelings and let them quietly grow,

but praise the Lord I'm not myself anymore :)

So we do not lose heart.

Though our outer self is wasting away,

our inner self is being renewed day by day.

{2 Corinthians 4:16-18}

Nate's 2nd birthday

 Grain free, dairy free chocolate chip brownies instead of cake :).

 It took him a few minutes to blow out the candles.

 Pinata time!

 Even Naomi got a turn!

Happy 2nd birthday, Nate! We love you!

Faith

{National Geographic}

So, you've heard about the Frye's new addition to their family here and on my art blog, well, Wednesday they arrived home and today I got to see her.

It was so unreal.

This little bundle of joy that has been prayed for, longed, and loved little girl was in my house! I've only ever seen her in pictures on their blog, so it was so precious to see and hold her in person. I think what struck me the most afterwards was the beautiful picture of God's faithfulness and the perfect picture of a believer's adoption.

God gave Alice to the Frye's and what is so sweet to me is that from before time, it was His plan that they have her. Already, there are so many connections being made between physical and spiritual adoption floating around in my mind.

Alice knew nothing other than that orphanage, we knew nothing other than our state of sin.

Alice didn't know to desire anything else, if someone offered us eternal life with the Father, we wouldn't and couldn't know the precious value of that.

Alice have everything to gain and nothing to give in her adoption, everything we do before being saved by God was nothing more than filthy rags and we contributed nothing to our conversion.

Alice is being loved unconditionally and abundantly right at this moment by her family,

how much more does God love us?

I could go on, but I pray that you see the picture,

I mean the big picture of God's saving and amazing grace.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,

“therefore I will hope in him.”

The LORD is good to those who wait for him,

to the soul who seeks him.

It is good that one should wait quietly

for the salvation of the LORD.

It is good for a man that he bear

the yoke in his youth.

Lamentations 3:22-27

You can read the beginning of their journey (well, the beginning of the blog at any rate), and see His faithful, guiding hand in every bit of it; from infamous garage sales to special hiding places, God has shown Himself a faithful and loving Father.

Here is one of my favorite quotes, it was written after a long day in the middle of a busy process! But I find that it is in the frazzled, broken moments that show His sovereignty the brightest in a way that we cannot avoid.

So, as I felt trampled upon today, I remembered that the Lord has called us to this. He will equip us to do what He is requiring of us.

His will is the hiding place. His will is the safest place.

As we go through this storm, His will is the shelter. We can rest.

When I remembered that today, I felt the tension go.

I know that this, too, will be worked out.

This I know for sure.