Sunday, May 13, 2012

Legacy

The past month has brought some of of the happiest moments of my life as well as some tremendous moments of loss. On April 21st, we celebrated the life of my grandmother Millie Bourne Cervera (NaNa). Two days later, Ashley and I found out that we would be welcoming a beautiful baby girl in September, Piper Helen Cunningham. God used these two life changing events to challenge me to think about legacy and how the women in my family have shaped the next generation by simply honoring the Lord in word , deed , and example. I am thankful for the legacy left by these women.

Helen Bourne ....



Great Grandmother Bourne (as we called her) was my NaNa's mother. I was only able to visit with her once when I was very young and would have loved to have known her better. She was a tremendous women. In her life, she had eight children, one boy and seven girls! She raised all of the children on a tobacco farm in Maryland where she worked daily. My favorite story about Great Grandmother Bourne is told by my Daddy Vince ( NaNa's lifelong mate).  When he was ready to ask for my grandmother's hand in marriage , he went up to the Maryland farm to talk to her father. After having a conversation with NaNa's father, he got his answer. "You will have to ask her mother." :). I have no idea what it would be like to raise eight children and work daily on a farm. One thing is for sure, she had tremendous strength and resolve. 

She dresses herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. - Proverbs 31: 17

Millie Bourne Cervera...


"Your grandmother was the most beautiful person I have ever known, inside and out." I heard this phrase several times during and after the celebration of my grandmother's life. My response was, "Yes, yes she was." NaNa truly was a strikingly beautiful women. I remember as a little girl sitting in her bathroom and watching her put "her face" on. I remember thinking that when I grew up I hoped to be half as lovely. As beautiful as she was, her most wonderful qualities were found within. She was a women of grace, dignity, and strength of character. I learned so many things from her during the twenty-six years that I knew her. She was a wonderful wife who honored my grandfather every day, never speaking ill of him. She was joyfully submissive, caring, and loving. A wonderful wife. She inspired her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to be people of character and excellence. In her final days she often told me how proud she was of me. I wished that I would have told her, how proud I was of her. I wish I would have said what a tremendous honor it was to be her granddaughter. 



Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. - Proverbs 31:28

Sandy Cervera Reid ...



NaNa and Daddy Vince had three daughters. My mother, Sandy Cervera Reid, was the middle girl. On this Mother's Day, words can not describe my affections for my mother. She is the most tremendous woman I have ever known. When I was a little girl my daddy used to say, "If you grow up to be half the woman your mama is, you will be doing good." Now, as an adult, I know that statement to be very true and unattainable. I can not imagine being even half the woman that my mother has proven to be. I believe that the greatest strength of my mother's legacy is her servants heart. I have heard it recently said that a serving spirit is the very essence of Christ's presence on this earth. I immediately thought of my mother. She considers every other person more important than herself. She goes out of her way to make wonderful things possible for those who she loves and those whom she has just met. She and her sisters cared for my grandmother everyday so that she could stay at home and live her last days with dignity. She has also told me about several instances where she has driven many miles to transport young adults to various testing centers so that they could take their GED and have a chance and a better life. These examples go on and on and span over the years of my life. I am so humbled to call her my mama. 

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. - Proverbs 31:27.

So on this Mother's Day I think of the legacy of the great women in my family and reflect on the words of this familiar song ...

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love, enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace,
who blessed Your name unapologetically.
I want to leave that kind of legacy. 

God, I pray that I will daily honor you with my life in word and deed so that I can leave a legacy. I want my baby girl to see, just as I have seen by these women, that it is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Sweet baby Piper...

Happy Mother's Day!







Monday, September 5, 2011

Outer Banks '11

This summer we enjoyed a week long vacation to North Carolina. One of our favorite stops was the Outer Banks. Here are some of our favorite moments.

Ashley surfing in Rodanthe, S-turns surf break.





We celebrated our anniversary one evening at a great little restaurant called Brine and Bottle. They had some awesome decor and an AMAZING view! Blue mason jar lights... oh, I was in LOVE! It was my favorite night of vacation.




When the surf went flat, we went stand up paddleboarding. We saw TONS of dolphins. One swam right under my paddleboard. Such a cool experience!


We had an amazing time in OBX! Hearts and prayers are with them as they recover from Irene.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Oh, this man ...


The hippie. The free spirit. Lots of things have been said to describe my husband of six years. However, as I reflect on our marriage, words to describe him and how I feel about him have escaped me.

I think back on how he has loved me. At sixteen, he asked me to be his girlfriend. At twenty, he asked me to be his bride. At twenty one, he married me and took on the responsibility of a wife and family while most young men were pumped to take their first sip of beer. In all those years of courtship, he never wavered. Every day he was respectful and clear on his intentions to court me in a Godly way.

Since that faithful day in 2005, he has worked and gone to school to support us. He never complained. Every Sunday, he took our little family to church. When we moved to Charleston, we found a church before we found somewhere to live. His commitment to the Lord matches his commitment to his family. He has truly loved me as Christ loves his church.

So, even as words escape me, I know that I am immeasurably blessed to be married to Ashley Cunningham. I thank the Lord daily for the blessing that is my husband.



Happy Anniversary, Beloved.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Feel the Burn

Well hello and happy summer! My summer projects so far have been cleaning out the garage, closets, and the attic. Nothing that deserves a post! However, I have to share an awesome discovery that I made this week!

One of my summer goals is to shed 15 pounds. I have been hitting the gym or running almost every day. I wanted to add a second workout to my day so I went looking for a workout video (lame... I know). I did some research and stumbled upon Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred




It is a  20 minute workout that can be done in any small space. After my first workout, I was dripping sweat and on the verge of tears my body hurt so bad. The best part... it is only $9.04 at Target! I am in love!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

New items that make me smile.

Here are a few pics of some items I recently rescued from a yard sale and antique clearance event.


Pictured above is my sky blue door. I put a pic on facebook because lots of people had been asking to see it, but here is the story. They have had this door in my favorite antique shop for almost a year. It was CRAZY expensive and so all I could do was look. I almost took the plunge several times, but could just never do it... it is a door after all :). Then one day I walked in, and of course walked over to admire. To my glee, a sign on the door said 70% off. I asked one of the salespeople if this wonderful news could be true! He said, " Well, yes maam, we just couldn't move it. Not a lot of people are in the market for a 7 1/2 foot blue door." I kindly told him he had never met me and took it home that day! :)

No great creative plans for this one. It is just sitting against the wall in my bedroom. But it is so awesome, that's all I needed to do!



Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year, Daniel Island yard sale day!!! Not only do I always spend this day with one of my favorite people, Kara Karnes, I get to go to the largest yard sale event I have ever seen!!! I always go with a budget, so I do not bankrupt my little family. Yesterday, I spent my entire budget at the first house. But, it was worth it!

Pictured above is my purchase ( plus two other antique trinkets- not bad on a $60 dollar budget). I am not sure exactly what it is... neither was the seller ( she picked it up somewhere in North Carolina). But one thing is for certain... it has LOTS of personality... and I like that. This piece is currently in my bedroom. I think I will put a little lamp on it and use it to hold the books I read in the evening.

My bedroom is such a fun place to be now with my new salvaged items. I think I will sit in it today while I mark report cards ... that may make it less painful! :)
Blessings to you this week my friends!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Beautiful Sunday

Today was such a GREAT day! I loved every second. I spent it with my favorite person, Mr. Cunningham (as my 4K kiddos call him.) It was his birthday! We spent our morning drinking coffee, laughing, and singing Jack Johnson.

When the sun came out, so did we! We worked in our little gardens and marveled, once again, at the coming of Spring and its beauty!

 Views of my tulips and hydrangeas beginning to come to life!
 
 



















Got to love the foot shot! Our herbs are coming along. I am standing over the oregeno... it's my favorite... I am anxiously waiting!


Daffodils are surrounding my favorite birthday present. They are almost ready to bloom. It is going to be SO pretty!

 We spent our afternoon and evening at the beach with Ashley's new "baby." He got a vintage surfboard a few days ago for his birthday and he has been waiting for just the right day to try it out! I am so happy that the waves came on his birthday. They were perfect, and the beach was beautiful.





Thanking God for today for the beauty of creation and the blessing of my sweet husband!
Have a great week friends!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

These are a few of my favorite (NEW) things!

Wow! It has been a long time friends! I am committed to being a little more regular on my blog entries. In fact, it is one of my many resolutions for this new year. So here is the first of, hopefully, many 2011 blog posts!

I have been a busy bee around the house. I feel like I nest like crazy in the winter. I am like a hoarder grabbing little things that make me happy from every thrift and antique store I see. Here are a few of my favorite finds over the last month...


This was my sister's bed when she was a little girl. My mom gave it to me after Katie got married, because she wanted another double bed to accommodate our growing family! This was perfect because I wanted some additional sleeping options and sitting room in my office. So, I killed two birds with one stone and made it into a daybed. My mom and I made all of the pillows. It took us a long time but it was such a fun day! I love that lady and my new bed!


This little goody came from the Charleston holiday market. A sweet little mountain man was selling some of the most beautiful hand crafted items. I wanted to take home everything he was selling! When I asked him for his email to inquire about future purchases, he responded, "Oh, I don't have one of them computers." Priceless!  I may never see him again but I will cherish this little purchase for a long time!

This is a little showcase of some of my thrifted items. The vase came from a thrift store on Rivers Avenue $.99. The old fashioned indoor shutter came from an antique store clearance section for $2.50. This table sits in our bedroom. All of the Willow Tree items were gifts from very special people.

Okay... this has to be my favorite. This is an old barn door from my favorite antique store. I am not sure what I am going to do with it yet. Isn't it fabulous!


My latest obsession ... old glass bottles. Here are some of my favorites from my ever growing collection!


I rescued this amazing window from the bottom of a stack at the Habitat for Humanity Restore. A little paint and sandpaper, and this baby was ready to hang. It looks so fun in my bathroom!





These oversized coffee bags are my latest find. I got them FREE at a local coffee shop Ashley and I ride our bikes to on the weekend. They are awesome and my mind is racing with possibilities. Any suggestions... send them my way!

Thanks for reading and sharing with me the happiness found in the little things.
Grace and Love
Lisa