"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed... Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are acheiving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

-2 Corinthians 4: 7-9, 16-18

Monday, February 13, 2012

Atlanta!

Every year my dad travels down to Atlanta in February to visit my Godfather (Tony) and his wife (Johnna), and to help out with some DIY projects.  This year my mom decided to join him, and since we are five-ish hours away in Charleston we decided to plan a visit.  I arrived on Tuesday with Maddy, and we settled in very quickly.  Maddy really enjoyed reading with Grandma and playing with "Rose", their patient, aging, sweet kitty-kitty (as Maddy referred to her all week). 

Maddy enjoying storytime with Grandma...

...and playtime with Rose on the kitty bed.

Thursday we visited nearby Calloway Gardens, where we all admired the beautiful butterfly exhibit and Maddy got to feed some chubby goldfish.  Maddy has taken a great interest in butterflies over the last several months, so this was a really exciting and unexpected field trip.

Maddy admiring the butterflies hatching out of their coccoons.  This was so cool!

Thank you Johnna for sharing this beautiful place with us!
 It was so beautiful there, reminding me through and through of how God is "in the details".  Just like each individual butterfly, He creates us with beauty, uniqueness, and perfection (even though it doesn't always feel like it; rest assured, He created me exactly how He wanted me, flaws and all!).  And although our lives are so delicate, fragile and short here on this earth, while we are here we are given the opportunity to soar to great heights through Christ and showcase the inner beauty God has placed within us for all the world to see.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." -Psalm 139:14


I ended up having to visit a local Urgent Care clinic for a nasty sinus infection (bummer!) Friday, but Ben arrived later that day which of course perked me up and by Saturday I was tasting again and thoroughly enjoying Johnna's amazing culinary skills.  Saturday the boys worked on projects around the house, Ben helped construct a railing for Johnna's mother and Papa (my dad) built a stepstool for Maddy to take home for use around the house... it's already been wonderful!

Cat-napping. (Notice Rose at Maddy's feet...If she had only known Rose was snuggling up to her, this nap would've been much shorter!)
Maddy and Tony (aka "Duck")

With Grandma and Papa before we had to leave
We all had a great visit with Tony, Johnna, mom and dad... who knows, maybe it will become an annual tradition!
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