He called her Hephzibah

Happy New Year! If you would like to be added to the list to receive a monthly reminder about our devotions, please contact me: emfwlr@outlook.com This first painting in the 2024 is dedicated to my youngest brother, Isaiah.  I don't have children of my own, but if I did I would want them to be like you.  Isaiah, you continually remind me of the Lord's loving kindness and I am so very grateful for you.   “Come now, let us settle the matter,  says the  Lord . “Though your sins are like scarlet,      they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson,      they shall be like wool." -Isaiah 1:18 I have been sitting with a blank screen for days trying to figure out something to say.  To be honest, it's made me rethink this whole devotion a month idea.  My heart feels empty and my hands struggle to type.  I was planning to talk about God's amazing forgiveness.  Yet, when you've been touched by evi...

I am so glad you're here & I'm so excited for us to journey together through the 2024 scriptures and calendar paintings!  Lord willing, on the first of each month I will post a devotion that dives deeper into the scripture on your calendar page. *You do not have to own a calendar to follow along! *I send out email reminders with a link on the first of each month.  If you'd like to sign up, you can do so by sending me your email address  here ! Since we have some new friends joining us this year, I wanted to take this opportunity to also introduce myself!   My name is Emily.  Jesus rescued me from death and has brought me through a fair share of heartache.  I have all brothers, lots of fish, and a pup named Winnie.  Winnie is an ESA & therapy dog, so she frequently accompanies me to the doctor.  From 2013-2021 I was an elementary school teacher, tutor, and reading specialist.  I worked with the best kids and I miss them every day. In 2...

The calendar. Wow. Can I just say…WOW. It started off as a fun way to raise money for medical bills.  It turned into a community when the Lord would not relent that the devotions would go with the paintings.  It has been so fun and so encouraging to hear the different ways God has used this little 2023 calendar. In January of this year, I knew I wanted to try to create another calendar for 2024.  So I started off strong with completing the January 2024 page a whole year in advance.  Then life happened and I didn’t get February done like I planned.  But for the next six months whenever I could steal little moments to paint I did so- sometimes with the calendar in mind and sometimes just for fun.  Then summer came and I hit a wall.  You might remember that July’s whale never got his devotional.  So instead of Christmas in July, how about we have July in Christmas? This has been the hardest post to write.  I have wrestled with what to say or not...

To be honest when I first picked a verse for this month's painting I just wanted something that spoke of giving thanks because of Thanksgiving.  So I picked the verse in a hurry and didn't pay much attention to the context.  Then I read the entire chapter...wow! Right here at the very beginning of the chapter we are told "let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story."  If you are redeemed, what is your story?  Have you told it before?   This psalm is going to breakdown God's redemption into 4 categories:  1. Those who wandered in desert wasteland 2. Those who sat in darkness 3. Those who walked in rebellious ways 4. Those who went out on the sea in ships Before you read this psalm with me, pause & ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Pause. Reflect.   What do you notice? Pause. Reflect.   What do you notice? Pause. Reflect.   What do you notice? Pause. Reflect.   What do you notice? Pause. Reflect. ...

  The 2024 calendar shop is live!   I'm excited to share these new paintings with you!  I am also excited to be offering a little more than just calendars this year.   The Lord has not wavered, so I am also excited to announce that the devotions for each month will continue!  You can sign up to receive the devotion even if you don't buy a calendar. Click here to check out the paint shop!

More often than not, I'm tempted to let my hope die.  It could be from brain injury frustrations or just life events.  Regardless of the source, God is always there ready to empower us with His Spirit.  So on this cloudy pumpkin picture, we have Romans 15:13:  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Approximately 4 months after my brain injury, a dear friend was diagnosed with cancer.  Our journeys have looked different, but in the middle of her health falling apart she never gave up hope.  So, the final dedication in the 2023 calendar is for her.   For Katy Jo,  my friend who kicked cancer's butt and demonstrated what it looks like to let Jesus carry you through the worst of days.  His light radiates through you.  Thank you for inspiring me in my own health journey to never lose hope.  The words below are written in entirety by...