That's my girl...

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. I Timothy 4:12

  Emily with U.S. Representative Tom Rooney (Fl-District 16), Hendry County Commissioner Karson Turner and Hendry County Supt. of Schools Rick Murphy
Congressman Rooney's Local Swearing-In Ceremony, Punta Gorda, Florida, February 18, 2009 (more photos here)

My Emily is a beautiful example of I Timothy 4:12 if there ever was one.

  Lighthouse Beach, Sanibel Island, Florida February 18, 2009

She is the daughter I don't deserve. Seriously. If Emily had been my best friend when I was her age, what pain, misery and sin I would have avoided had I chosen to emulate her godly example and to pay attention to her wise-beyond-years advice - how much more mature I'd probably even be today.

My beach tote was stocked with writing paper, pens and camera supplies - Emily's was her Bible and Francis Chan's Crazy Love. See what I mean?

Emily's not perfect. We have our moments (algebra anyone?), but I'll no more list her imperfections any more than I'd expect her to write about mine. She could, though. She's constantly humbling me with her maturity and my lack thereof, and I've come to appreciate the times she calls me down (politely) - when I've been whiny or gossipy or thoughtless.

Twenty-five years ago my mother gave me a small frame with the words "Always my Daughter - now, too, my Friend" cross-stitched around a tiny red flower. You can be certain that when the time comes for Emily to leave Pollywog Creek to pursue the dreams God has planted in her heart for the future, I'll be tucking that framed verse in with the things she takes with her.

 
More photos from Sanibel Island here

Project: Coffee::Good Morning

Hazelnut cream beans and Sweetwater Organic Good Morning Blend

My favorite afternoon coffee pleasure comes from fresh ground hazelnut cream flavored beans, but for breakfast this morning I ground Sweetwater Organic Good Morning Blend. The Sweetwater website description states: "Good Morning (Medium Roast) Harmonious Breakfast blend of new crop Central and South American shade grown beans in a Full City Roast. Sweet, milk chocolaty and bright, with a smooth, nutty finish. 100% USDA Certified Organic, 60%+ Rainforest Alliance Certified™, 50%+ Smithsonian Bird Friendly, Shade Grown."

The Sweetwater blend is new to me - a wonderful gift from my brother in law who lives in Gainesville (the home of Sweetwater) and knows of my affection for coffee. Thank you, John.

It was chilly and rainy on Pollywog Creek today. Tomorrow promises to be even colder, but dry and sunny - a perfect day for coffee and books and a quilt and a nap on the backyard swing. It was two weeks ago, that I last mentioned coffee and books in the same sentence. Our lifegroup was just beginning to read Unpacking Forgiveness by Chris Brauns. We have now read through chapter 3, and I must say the discussions have been lively and good.

Emily and I are reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Life-changing. Emily introduced me to the teachings of Francis Chan a little more than a year ago, and now that I have an iPod, I subscribe to his podcasts(go to media and then "get a sermon") and listen on my walks around Pollywog Creek. His recent series entitled "Living a Life that Matters" is outstanding. Both Crazy Love and Unpacking Forgiveness were reviewed by Tim Challies and are on his list of "Top 8 Books of 2008".

Emily just finished When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan by Peggy Noonan. I read this Reagan biography years ago and loved it. So did Emily. Emily has decided that she wants to read a book by or about all 44 United States Presidents. Do y'all have any suggestions?