{Day 61}

Ridges form into hard gritty lines one after the other on the shell clasped tightly together.  This creature’s appearance is much like the environment it lives in with sand curves left by the outgoing swells of liquid on the beach.  A crusty exterior to protect the soft insides.  Yet often as hard as it tries to keep out what it doesn’t want in it still fails.  One tiny speck of sand barely visible to the eye pierces the soft flesh.  It rubs and irritates the poor animal who secretes nacre to wrap the pain up and take it away.  Layer upon layer of glimmering tears encase the foreign substance.  Eventually a luminescent drop of light lies in the oyster. A brilliant pearl resulting from suffering.  I have been through some pain and I know many others who have gone through far more.  Perhaps you?  We didn’t ask for it and we even asked that it wouldn’t come but it did.  Yes it was or is painful but it can turn into something incredible that only comes from the trial.  No one may ever see it but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.  God turns our trying circumstances into something that we can marvel at.  If you are in pain right now I am grieved for you.  Yet there is hope.  There is a priceless gem being formed in you if you are willing.  I always need to be reminded to not waste the difficult parts of my journey.  It is an opportunity to find great value.  A priceless treasure.

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Styled by Karen}

20 Responses to {Day 61}

  1. Karen June 30, 2011 at 8:49 am #

    Elaini, this post is particularly encouraging and meaningful to me. The little china doll jacket that you are wearing once belonged to my mother. She suffered great illness and was bedridden for most of my life. She often wondered what effect she could possibly be having on the lives of others in her closed off environment. Yet, at her funeral, the sanctuary burst at the seams with the people who’s lives had been changed over the years because of the love of Christ displayed through her to the nurses, the window washer, the gardeners, the neighbors, family friends and church members who visited …..
    Thank you for reminding me of God’s goodness and the magnificent pearl created by Him through my mother’s suffering.
    “I can do ALL THINGS through Christ Who strengthens me.”

    • M.J.A. June 30, 2011 at 9:45 am #

      Wow. That’s amazing! Everyone could see Christ shining through her.
      ~M.J.A.

      • misselaini July 3, 2011 at 6:13 pm #

        It is amazing and beautiful!

    • Deborah Koland June 30, 2011 at 1:21 pm #

      Ahhhh, Elaini, you are beautiful in my mother’s china doll jacket coupled with your dress and tights and umbrella. Seeing your post today due to my sister’s posting reminded me that I got distracted the last few days and now, THIS is the appropriate day to make my donation to your cause. I’ll send it now. In honor of my Mom, and for the work that you want to do, may God be blessed and glorified. Here’s to you, Mom! Here’s to you, Elaini!

      • misselaini July 3, 2011 at 6:17 pm #

        Thank you Deborah. I felt so honored to wear it.
        Thank you for donating. That is such a sweet reason to.
        Yes! May God be glorified.

    • Karen June 30, 2011 at 5:12 pm #

      Today my niece reminded me of a small detail that somehow slipped by me. My mother’s name was “Pearl” Irene. 🙂

      • misselaini July 3, 2011 at 6:17 pm #

        Wow. That is incredible. I had NO idea.

    • misselaini July 3, 2011 at 6:10 pm #

      Thank you Karen for sharing this. It is beautiful what one life can do and I was extremely honored to wear her jacket.

  2. Sandi Johanesen June 30, 2011 at 9:30 am #

    This is an adorable switch from what we’ve seen before! Bright and colorful – brings the color to your cheeks. Love it.
    Thanks for the picture of a precious stone – the struggles that come to bring about the beauty we love and appreciate. This journey you are on is bringing that painful awareness to the precious gems in India.
    Karen’s comment has given an even more personal meaning to your outfit today.

  3. shiloah86 June 30, 2011 at 9:35 am #

    Hey, now why didn’t you wear this one to work yesterday? It’s adorable 🙂 Oh, well, I guess I’ll just have to wait until you post these online to see them now that the busy season is over. I’ll definitely miss seeing you every day, including all of our silliness and our conversations about the Lord. And yes, the orphan girls in that picture are so cute! I hope you can raise enough money to provide many more with homes 🙂

    • misselaini July 3, 2011 at 6:12 pm #

      Well I guess we will just have to meet so you can see some of the outfits in person again. 🙂 Yes, I will miss our conversations… 🙁

  4. M.J.A. June 30, 2011 at 9:44 am #

    I love this outfit! It has that Japenese feeling.
    ~M.J.A.

    • misselaini July 3, 2011 at 6:13 pm #

      I love this one too! 🙂

  5. E. G. Garfield June 30, 2011 at 1:08 pm #

    Elaini, this outfit reminds me of the time your father went to China and brought you back an outfit similar to the one in this post except it was blue and had pants. You were 7 or 8 and we have a picture of you in it with your hair pulled back, and red lipstick on 🙂 I couldn’t imagine then that you’d be doing what you are doing now and what a beautiful young woman would emerge from that mischievous little girl. Love you and keep up the good work for your beloved orphans.

    • misselaini July 3, 2011 at 6:14 pm #

      Thanks for the reminder mom. 🙂 And for helping me find that picture! Yeah I couldn’t have imagined even last year that I would be doing this… 🙂 Love you so much!

  6. foodfashionandflow July 1, 2011 at 1:10 am #

    i absolutely love this! And your words are very inspiring…

    http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/

  7. Jason July 1, 2011 at 7:21 am #

    Love that smile! 🙂

  8. Victoria / Justice Pirate July 23, 2011 at 6:55 am #

    I am so glad that through God there truly is hope. This is an amazingly beautiful outfit.

    • misselaini July 23, 2011 at 3:35 pm #

      Amen to that! And yes this outfit was a favorite…of everyone’s!

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