To Everything There is a Season...

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pick that which has been planted; a time to kill and a time to heal…a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance….a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to lose and a time to seek; a time to rend and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Saturday morning, Emma Catherine Velotas was baptized at Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church.

Emma’s mom Mary is my cousin. I was Mary’s Maid of Honor when she and Jimmy were married almost 4 years ago. We have been very close ever since we were little girls and I am so excited now to have Emma a part of our lives. She was an angel during the service. I can’t wait to see the professional pictures from the church.

Emma Catherine Velotas

Emma’s beautiful cake to celebrate her baptism I love having Jimmy as my fousin (fake cousin). From the time I met him I knew that he and Mary were meant to be and I am so glad that he is a part of our family. There are so many things that I love about Jimmy, he is very kind, has a great sense of humor and will do anything for his friends and family; but I have to admit that one of my favorite is that he is Greek, which means he can cook and I get to enjoy delicious Greek cooking either from him or going to the Greek Food Festival every year! Hummus is a personal favorite but I really l love it all!

Little love from Grammy and Grampy
Brooke and John (Jimmy’s cousin and Emma’s godparents) hosted a delicious lunch for the guest of Emma’s baptism in their neighborhood . I don’t have any pictures of the service. I was caught up in watching the service and traditions that went along with baptism that I never took any, however, Mary did have a photographer and I will post pictures from him later to give you any idea of the many different traditions associated with infant baptism in the Greek Orthodox church.

While we celebrated Emma’s life through her baptism this week, our family is also walking through a valley. My cousin Robert passed away Thursday morning. We all love Robert very much and he will be so missed by all of us in the years to come. Robert loved being at the lake for the 4th of July and I will always think of him from now on when I am celebrating with family and friends. He also loved to torture his little cousins growing up at Mammaw's house. I remember many summer afternoons banging on Mammaw's door for Robert to unlatch the screen so that we could come inside. Love and miss you Robert!

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Robert with Blair, Kathleen and Rebecca just after his December wedding.

A final celebration of Saturday was the wedding of Michael and Alice Moss. Spending time with friends on a beautiful early summer night was just a reminder to me that God is faithful. He holds us during the hard times and gives us opportunities to still see Him at work around us. I am so thankful that my hope and joy are not based on the temporary things of this world! My heart can be full of God’s love and a joy from Him even when I can't imagine where it comes from.

Alice and Michael's wedding was at Oxmorr Valley Golf Course. It was the perfect setting for an outdoor wedding. The weather had been a concern earlier in the day but turned out beautiful for the ceremony. Their reception was held in the clubhouse. We enjoyed the reception and dancing on the porch of the clubhouse overlooking the golf course as the sun set. Congratulations Michael and Alice and Best Wishes!

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13

The GAP girls celebrating Michael and Alice’s wedding with Steve.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Moss

May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand. --Irish Blessing