Legacy

 

Two and a half weeks ago one of the neatest men I've ever known went to be with Jesus. After a grueling four month battle with cancer, his life was cut way too short and his time on this planet with his precious family came to an end. 

Keith Borne is my best friends daddy. When anyone mentions someone being Larger Than Life I picture Mr. Keith. Cajun to the core, sweet Mr. Keith's laughter alone lights up a room. When that man talks, folks listen...and not just because he's hilarious. A powerful attorney, Mr. Keith's greatest accomplishments were not in the office. Though many in Lafayette, LA knew him for his successful career...I didn't.

I knew Mr. Keith because of the way he loved his little girl. When I met Claire in college, one of the first things she told me was about her Cajun family. Every other story I heard contained a hilarious antidote her dad had used to soften life's circumstances. When we talked about her ambition to do well in school it was attributed to her incredible father's encouragement. Every time a crass joke came out of Claire's mouth we remembered what Mr. Keith ALWAYS SAID..."the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." His baby girl is so much like him in so many ways!

A few days before he passed away I wrote a letter to Claire and Mr. Keith. I shared with them how much their relationship affected people...namely me. Watching the way one father loved his little girl showed me Jesus. No matter how large/loud/hilarious/successful/hardworking Mr. Keith is...what's spoken louder than anything else about him to me is the way the he has abundantly/gently/sacrificially loved his daughter.

It was epic. The kind of relationship people write stories about. I dream of marrying a man one day who loves my girls the way this one loved his. I'm convinced that much of the reason my best friend trusts and obeys Jesus is because of the provision, support and love her daddy displayed to her every day of their lives together.

A week before his death, God gave Claire the sweet opportunity to talk to her daddy about forever. They wept over the song below. Mr. Keith knew that it was Christ's blood that covered him and gave him heaven. I'll never forget how graciously he went to be with our savior.

Because the sinless savior died, my sinful soul is counted free. That God the just is satisfied to look on him and pardon me.

Thanks for showing me that kind of love, Mr. Keith. Thanks for teaching me about Jesus. I tell you what, I will thank God always that I was so blessed to know you, FRIEND!!!

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there the risen Lamb
My perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I am
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God!
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Mr. Keith's Obituary

Claire's Blog

My Last Trip Up North

A comment on my last post suggested it's clear that this blog has been slow rollin' for a few months. So twice in one week ought to convince people I'm still alive and kicking and this blog hasn't died... 

Tomorrow evening I'm headed to visit some very dear friends in NYC. That's right...I'm fleeing the fires to see another spot where rain is not a thing of the past. I'm so stinking fortunate to have good friends that live in such cool places...in part because I can convince my good friends from this cool place to travel with me to visit them. 

That said, in honor of my trip to the Big Apple this weekend...and the 10th anniversary of September 11, I thought I'd finally post photos from my April trip up north today. 

It's pretty incredible what God's done in my heart for this city. When I visited for the first time five years ago, I'd have told you it was great, but I had no real desire to even visit again. I'm an outdoor, green landscape, fresh air kinda girl. 

Since then several of my best friends have made their home in NYC. As I've prayed for them and heard  stories of how God's using them there, he's changed my heart. Though I'm not sure I'll ever live in Brooklyn or Manhattan, something stirs in me for this city. When I get to visit I am excited for the work God's doing there. I'm now passionate about the arts, the stage, and the corporate world there. 

Over and over in my life...God proves he's in control of even what makes my heart race.

Alright so looking through these photos, it's insane to think how much life has changed for me in the last five months. For one...I'm an aunt. Sad Rachel won't be joining us tomorrow, but so so glad to know my precious little bug - Maggie Beth!

 

 

I'm not sure I mentioned....my friends are kind of a big deal. While we were there, I visited Broadway Dance Center where Megan works and we also enjoyed a night at the Gershwin to see Katie in Wicked. Yeah you read that right, I have ridiculously talented friends. Megan nearly runs BDC (yep the one seen in the movies and on shows like SYTYCD) and Katie sure is the lead in Wicked. It was SO SO fun to see them both!

June 23, 2011

 

Well, life has felt pretty full lately, but I'm super excited to share these with y'all. Maybe I'll become a blogger again after all.

June 23, 2011 my life changed. I wish there were a way to adequately articulate what it's been like to become an aunt, but words fail me. Maggie Beth Welch is probably my favorite person in the world. I love her so tiny little features. I love her squirmy noises. I love the way she raises her eyebrows when she's waking up. I love how her eyes are turning more blue by the day. I just love so much about her!

That Thursday evening I had the distinct pleasure of being in the delivery room while Maggie Beth came into the world. Not only was I fascinated by the start of a new life on this planet, I was so overwhelmed watching my sister and brother-in-law start a family. Seeing these two fall in love with their precious daughter the last few weeks, has put skin on Jesus for me.

The way Rachel and Charlie bless and take care of Maggie Beth is humbling to watch. Almost equal is the way they have shared her with their loved ones. 

It goes without saying that I'm a family girl. No one trumps those I consider family. Rachel and Charlie love, accept and call so many people family. It's almost like the Lord gave them Maggie, not only to show Rachel and Charlie how much he loves them, but for Rachel and Charlie to show others the love of Jesus by sharing their little family with others.

There have been more visitors to the Welch home in the last few weeks than ever before. When others have brought them meals, my chef of a brother-in-law has cooked a side and invited them in to hang out for the evening. 

In short...no doubt, I'm not the only one who knows Jesus better because of the Welch FAMILY.

To my precious MB:

One day I hope you look at these pictures and have even the tiniest understanding of how much you are loved by your Aunt Jess. You've made my world better, sweet girl.

Due to her high-risk pregnancy, Rachel and Charlie had their fair share of doctor's appointments in the last nine months. They were so thankful when Dr. Nash was able to be there for the delivery.

Itty Bitty Teeny Weeny

Here's a teensy tiny glimpse of what's to come.

This little punkin' has changed my life in the last four days. You can call me the proudest aunt on the planet!

Margaret Elizabeth "Maggie Beth" Welch

Born Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 6:32pm

6pounds 11ounces, 19 inches

AJ - aunt jess

In my New Year's post, I mentioned that one of my very favorite moments of 2010 was a secret.

Well, the word is out now, so I can officially share with you, internet, that my secret favorite moment of 2010 was in October, when my sister and brother-in-law told me I'm going to be an AUNT!!!  I wish it were possible for me to articulate how exciting the news was for me.

Of course I am excited to be an aunt....but I think one of the things I'm most excited about is watching Rachel and Charlie be parents. I am just so confident they're going to be the best mom and dad ever. And that day I wept at the thought of getting to be so close and see the whole process unfold.

The following couple months were super tough. Staying secretive about such exciting news isn't easy for me.

So Tuesday when they found out the gender of their sweet baby and invited a few friends and family over to reveal, I was BESIDE MYSELF! I'd seen parties like this before, but never had I been so invested. The day felt extra long for me.

So here's some documentation for you about the second of many SPECTACULAR moments for me in the life of this sweet baby:

Dad and Mom!!

We were greeted by these beautiful treats upon arrival.


Guests waited patiently giddy, cupcakes in hand, for the signal to take a huge bite...






Hayley and Michelle dressed for the occasion.




When all lights were go...we took a bite and discovered that...

IT's a GIRL!

Everyone celebrated.


...then they ate their pink-filled cupcakes.


When all was said and done, friends enjoyed looking at some of the first photos of my favorite niece. Trust me, there will be MANY more!

I don't know how I'm gonna contain myself for four more months, baby girl. I never knew how much I could love somebody that I haven't even met yet.

HB, B-I-L!

He's a part of my family AND one of my very favorite people...

So you'd better believe Charlie gets a birthday post...even if it is a day late (it's how I roll).

And since it's probably tacky for me to tell you his age I WON'T... That'd be rude. 

But I will post 35 ridiculous things that show up when you google brother-in-law.

1. A hilarious brother-in-law song

2.brother-in-law cavemen

3.An amazing brother-in-law poem

4. A brother-in-law knight

5.A fantastic brother-in-law greeting - really?

6. A president and his brother-in-law

7.A You're special, brother-in-law link

8. A brother-in-law couch-potato

9.Another amazing pbrother-in-law oem

10.A "You have a big heart" brother-in-law card

11. brother-in-law rabbits?

12.  Another you are SPECIAL brother-in-law card  

13. brother-in-law Bears

13.A "You're a star that shines bright" brother-in-law song

14.Brother-in-Law Ln.

15. I'm not making it up -  this actually came up when i searched brother-in-law 

 

16. Another awesome brother-in-law poem...I did not write

17. A homeless brother-in-law

18. This awesome happy guy

Ok...so it turns out there aren't 35 ridiculous google links about brother-in-laws...just 18.

But, in case you were wondering, this is what should show up if you google "the greatest brother-in-law there ever was":

no...for real.

Thanks Was Given in 2010

Thanksgiving is one of my very favorite holidays. Time with friends and family never fails to be super fun and memory filled.

This year was no exception.

The following is a brief photo montage of the day we gave thanks. There were 24 in attendance at this year's meal. The guests were all ages. There was lots of food, some football (WHOOP!), a little rain (thus the indoor feasting) and lots of laughter.

Below you'll see that we don't do just turkey for our Thanksmeal! :)

Schmarden!

All sorts of kids and babies these days.

Love this little one!

And, my siblings...the children whisperers.