This summer our daughter Leah babysat our daughter Heather’s girls, Leah’s nieces Annabelle and Violet. Heather had assigned them daily chores, and Leah would take them to the swimming pool, the park, or for an ice cream cone. They enjoyed time with Aunt Leah!

Leah’s nieces Violet & Annabelle

Leah’s nieces, Annabelle and Violet

This fall my husband Ray is teaching an EMT class at his work, and he wanted Leah to take it (he has had our whole family take it to learn the practical skills).

This past week, she took the all-day CPR training and passed the test the first time! Way to go, Leah! Ray and I were so proud of her.

Leah is continuing to take her violin lessons. She also asked for a mandolin and is teaching herself to play that, a guitar that her sister Heather gave her, and a keyboard that her friend Moriah blessed her with to learn how to play keyboard and piano. 

Leah at keyboard

Leah continues to work on her graphic art. Below are two of her more recent pictures. She likes to draw eyes. She is amazing to me!

Leah’s art is very personal to her, so she doesn’t really want to share it with me or others. I hope one day she’ll have the courage to display (and even sell) her art. She’s drawn more that she won’t let me post here!

I’ve tried to encourage her that God has given her a gift to share with the world. Recently my friend Denise came over, who used to teach art at the Christian school for six years.

She looked at Leah’s graphic art and the watercolor painting she has been dabbling with, and Denise said to her, “You have a gift from God, Leah. Not everyone can do this.” She, her husband Clayton, and I tried to encourage Leah to sell her art on Etsy.

What is your gift(s)? Are you using your gift(s) or hiding it? Remember the parable of the man who hid his talents. (Matthew 25:14-30) Don’t hide your gifts; let them shine!

eye Copyright 2015 Leah Jones

Hill Copyright 2015 Leah Jones

Leah had her hair trimmed last week, and it looks great. My stepdaughter Eden is getting married September 30, 2015, and Leah and her sister Heather are getting their hair styled in “Victory waves.”

I can’t wait to see what it looks like and our three beautiful daughters all dressed up for the wedding! Eden’s colors for her wedding are champagne pink and white. Heather and Leah are the bridesmaids, and Annabelle, Violet, and Eden’s baby girl Piper are the “flower girls.” I’m shopping this week for my “mother of the bride dress,” hopefully on sale! 

Leah’s new hair trim, September 2015

Leah is also enjoying her new niece, Piper Elizabeth Raine. You can read about Eden’s labor and delivery and see the pictures here. 

Leah and her niece Piper

Leah and Piper

Piper Elizabeth Raine Gooch

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