Come visit me there!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Grace.
We've been lied to.
The truth has been exposed but denial runs rampant.
When requests are made, I don't want to fulfill them.
So glad my heavenly father doesn't feel that way about me.
I need Jesus....my heart is so hard.
I pray for grace to abound so the Truth will be known in the heart of my child.
The burden isn't upon me.
Will our child see grace in us?
Will our child see Jesus?
Will our child thirst for Living Water?
Praying for my child's heart tonight.
Praying for confession and forgiveness.
Grace....it changes everything.
The truth has been exposed but denial runs rampant.
When requests are made, I don't want to fulfill them.
So glad my heavenly father doesn't feel that way about me.
I need Jesus....my heart is so hard.
I pray for grace to abound so the Truth will be known in the heart of my child.
The burden isn't upon me.
Will our child see grace in us?
Will our child see Jesus?
Will our child thirst for Living Water?
Praying for my child's heart tonight.
Praying for confession and forgiveness.
Grace....it changes everything.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Making the switch (?)
Seriously considering switching to WORDPRESS.
Kind of scared.....
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Columbus Day 2011
All the public schools were in session today, but our little private school had the day off. We spent it doing a myriad of things around the house and about.....
First, Mitch went to the doctor to learn he had an ear infection of great proportions which meant his next stop was the pharmacy at Publix. He has been suffering from the infection for probably a week - and kept our kids all weekend so I could go to Atlanta for our denominational women's conference. He taught SS, preached a sermon, clothed, bathed, and fed our kids with joy. I surely married a wonderful man.
Today for lunch, some new friends from church came over and chowed down on some Italian food with us. She even brought her homemade bread.....which I lathered with butter.
Then, Luke made banana smoothies for the first time. Yeah, he might just be a chef one day.
.
Andrew worked on his STAR WARS Lego set and read a book for school. He would have been outside if it hadn't been raining.
Abigail put puzzles together on the floor with Rapunzel, Belle, Cinderella, and Jasmine.
Later, we visited Chrissy and Chad and helped them paint the living room in their new house. I think Chad's gonna have to apply a second coat.
I'm looking forward to being back in the classroom tomorrow. The 12 little girls God has given me are really a treasure to spend my mornings with. Although there is NEVER a quiet moment in the classroom, I love how excited they are to memorize God's Word, sing songs of rejoicing, and find Christ in all the things they learn.
Wurd....
First, Mitch went to the doctor to learn he had an ear infection of great proportions which meant his next stop was the pharmacy at Publix. He has been suffering from the infection for probably a week - and kept our kids all weekend so I could go to Atlanta for our denominational women's conference. He taught SS, preached a sermon, clothed, bathed, and fed our kids with joy. I surely married a wonderful man.
Today for lunch, some new friends from church came over and chowed down on some Italian food with us. She even brought her homemade bread.....which I lathered with butter.
Then, Luke made banana smoothies for the first time. Yeah, he might just be a chef one day.
.
Andrew worked on his STAR WARS Lego set and read a book for school. He would have been outside if it hadn't been raining.
Abigail put puzzles together on the floor with Rapunzel, Belle, Cinderella, and Jasmine.
Later, we visited Chrissy and Chad and helped them paint the living room in their new house. I think Chad's gonna have to apply a second coat.
I'm looking forward to being back in the classroom tomorrow. The 12 little girls God has given me are really a treasure to spend my mornings with. Although there is NEVER a quiet moment in the classroom, I love how excited they are to memorize God's Word, sing songs of rejoicing, and find Christ in all the things they learn.
Wurd....
Friends
Hanging out with you is a highlight of my week!
...So glad you are at WPC.....love you all!
Jennifer just walked out a few
minutes before we took this picture.
We love you, Jennifer!
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Just another afternoon at the beach
All week we've been saying, "This time last week, we were at the beach." We made some wonderful memories, all of which our children are still referring to everyday.
Building sand castles while singing hymns out loud to herself....something I'm thankful for.
Andrew's name means BRAVE.....he didn't hesitate to pick up this amazing creature and show it off to the camera.
A sweet memory made....fishing in the shallows with Dad.
This jellyfish was dead when we found it so we scooped it up with our net and placed it farther up the beach so we could examine it closer.
Mitch and Andrew were in the ocean fishing but we were able to snap this shot to prove that I really was a part of this trip.
Building sand castles while singing hymns out loud to herself....something I'm thankful for.
The kids found a live crab on the sand and were fascinated by how it moved and waved its claws in the air.
Andrew's name means BRAVE.....he didn't hesitate to pick up this amazing creature and show it off to the camera.
A sweet memory made....fishing in the shallows with Dad.
This jellyfish was dead when we found it so we scooped it up with our net and placed it farther up the beach so we could examine it closer.
Mitch and Andrew were in the ocean fishing but we were able to snap this shot to prove that I really was a part of this trip.
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
A public water display
Water is everywhere in Florida....even at the Destin Commons. The kids loved being able to play in the fun squirting fountains, jumping around trying to catch the pattern and avoid getting water punched. It was pure joy to watch them play and laugh together.
Monday, October 03, 2011
They are wild in the U.S.A.!
Just a gator and her babies that we spotted in Alabama during a pit-stop toward Florida this past week.
Until college, some friends might know that I thought all alligators in America were only in zoos. That all changed one day when I parked my car in a restaurant parking lot in Orlando in front of a fence with a sign that read, "For your safety, please DO NOT cross fence line. Live alligators live in this creek.".....WHAT!?!?!?!?
Yeah, I've been edumacated since.
Until college, some friends might know that I thought all alligators in America were only in zoos. That all changed one day when I parked my car in a restaurant parking lot in Orlando in front of a fence with a sign that read, "For your safety, please DO NOT cross fence line. Live alligators live in this creek.".....WHAT!?!?!?!?
Yeah, I've been edumacated since.
Sweet treat
Thank you for my sweet surprise treat last week that you left on my desk, Joie! I have enjoyed spending my mornings and lunch time with you at school and I only regret not doing it sooner....like 7 years ago when we first met!
Vacation DAY ONE
We just returned home from a lovely quiet family vacation. Every family needs time away and we are so thankful for some sweet friends who blessed us with their place down on the panhandle of Florida, along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. There was never a boring or dull moment spent, even if it included sleep - or rest in various other forms.
Day One kept us busy on the sand.....seriously! We spent ALL DAY on the beach until it was time to shower for dinner. We swam and spotted dolphins, built sand castles, started and finished reading a book, caught hermit crabs, dug moats, and sat on our bums!
Day One kept us busy on the sand.....seriously! We spent ALL DAY on the beach until it was time to shower for dinner. We swam and spotted dolphins, built sand castles, started and finished reading a book, caught hermit crabs, dug moats, and sat on our bums!
Friday, September 30, 2011
We are all family
I'm at Jennie's house everyday. I pick up her children from school and then, once I get them home, I sit for a while and we let our children play together (most of the time, that makes a house full of nine kids). Jennie has begun to refer to my brood as her "second family" and calls us that as we walk in the door every afternoon. Last week, after greeting us at the door with, "Hello, my second family!", Luke replied with direct eye contact and a smile and said, "Yep, we are in the same family. We are all in the same family."
Wow......he's getting the gospel.
He's understanding community.
Jesus is gripping his heart.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Jawan's Taco Soup (via Maja)
Since Fall is here and the weather will be cooling off a bit, I thought I'd post one of my favorite soup recipes. Melissa is always emailing me for it since she is in a different state every year and misplaces her recipe card. Really, I just think it's an excuse she gives to email, text, or call me....and I love it! What was I talking about? Oh, yeah.....soup. No one in my family likes onions or large chunks of tomato so you'll find none in my recipe...but you can always add them if you'd like!
EASY TACO SOUP
Ingredients
1.5 lbs ground beef, drained
(1) pack Ranch dressing
(2) packs taco seasoning
(1) 29 oz can tomato sauce
(1) 29 oz can water
(2) cans of shoepeg corn
(2) cans of black beans
Procedure
Brown, drain, & rinse beef.
Add tomato sauce & water. (After emptying sauce, refill can with water)
Drain/rinse both corn & beans - add to pot.
Add Ranch & taco seasoning.
Heat & stir!
Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese, and corn chips.
This recipe makes a lot of soup so it's perfect for eating half now and freezing the other half for later. YUM!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The front row
I don't have to sit near the front if I don't want to.
...but I want to.
Sitting on the second row helps myself and my children to worship. It gives them a direct visual line to watch their dad preach, the pianist and violinist play, to see the community they have been given, to see the sacrament of baptism with clarity, and to watch communion be administered and valued.
Sitting on the second row also means that the congregation gets a great view of me disciplining my children. There's a sweet couple that sit behind us each Sunday and I've often turned to them after the service and said, "Carol, I apologize for the squirming and constant bulletin dropping on your feet", to which she's always replied, "What a blessing those children are! I count it joy to be able to watch your children worship, no matter how often I have to bend over and pick up their things. If I didn't, we wouldn't keep sitting behind you all!".
Today, as a closing hymn, we sang "In Christ Alone". Although we sing this song often, the words still grab my heart and remind me of my desperate state. How merciful and gracious is the Father!
...So, the congregation got to see the snot and tears flow from my orifices as I sang with my family this morning.
Praise God!
...but I want to.
Sitting on the second row helps myself and my children to worship. It gives them a direct visual line to watch their dad preach, the pianist and violinist play, to see the community they have been given, to see the sacrament of baptism with clarity, and to watch communion be administered and valued.
Sitting on the second row also means that the congregation gets a great view of me disciplining my children. There's a sweet couple that sit behind us each Sunday and I've often turned to them after the service and said, "Carol, I apologize for the squirming and constant bulletin dropping on your feet", to which she's always replied, "What a blessing those children are! I count it joy to be able to watch your children worship, no matter how often I have to bend over and pick up their things. If I didn't, we wouldn't keep sitting behind you all!".
Today, as a closing hymn, we sang "In Christ Alone". Although we sing this song often, the words still grab my heart and remind me of my desperate state. How merciful and gracious is the Father!
...So, the congregation got to see the snot and tears flow from my orifices as I sang with my family this morning.
Praise God!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Because numbering my random thoughts wouldn't make any sense
Abigail has had a deep raspy cough for the past two days....and it's getting worse. When we got home from school this afternoon, we sent the boys to their grandparent's house for some quality time and dinner while I got to stay home and snuggle in the bed with my sweet daughter.
When she woke, she turned over to me and said, "I like sleeping with you, Mama, 'cause you're always so warm."
Yep, I am extremely hot-nature'd. Fortunately, the thermostat for the rooms on my hallway at school is located in my classroom. All the other teachers are welcome at any time to stick their head in and adjust the temperature - but for the most part, I get to choose where I want to settle in the 70s. I freeze out all the teachers, I know. "Thank goodness for sweaters", I tell them.
God has brought several new families to our church, most with young children. There have been 18-20 kids on average each Sunday - the halls are filled with laughter and beautiful noise.
In my preschool class at school (you know, the one with 12 girls and zero boys), we have been studying the country of Canada. My little girls know the three seas surrounding our northern neighbor, the colors and design of Canada's flag, and that English and French are the nation's languages. It's been neat to watch these little ones show interest and retain the information from day to day. After coloring the maple leaf and sticking the Canadian flag on a straw this afternoon, I couldn't resist sending a text pic to Coralie. Then, as a class, we prayed for Canada and for Abigail's friend, "Mackerdoodle". Even though most of my students had no clue who we were praying for, but because this little friend was dear to their classmate's heart, they bowed their heads and listened as Abigail prayed out loud. Wish I had had a video of it.....dang, where's my tissue?
During the summer months (which meant time off from work), I cooked at home almost every night. Now, I'm challenged to get a good meal on the table before two soccer practices, one ballet rehearsal, and errand running. I have no idea what to set out for tomorrow's dinner but I'm thankful for our school spirit night at ChickFilA this Thursday evening!
Tomorrow afternoon I will leave my four year olds and travel across town to teach basic photography fundamentals to 17 year olds. I am so nervous.
I really enjoy deep conversation. You know, the kind of conversation that makes you think, makes you grateful, makes you wonder and sit in awe, makes you worship.
As I type right now, it's raining....hard. The thunder is loud and the lightening is lighting up the whole house. Everyone is asleep and I am sitting here by the window listening to Matt Kearny sing through my Spotify account. Bliss!
When she woke, she turned over to me and said, "I like sleeping with you, Mama, 'cause you're always so warm."
Yep, I am extremely hot-nature'd. Fortunately, the thermostat for the rooms on my hallway at school is located in my classroom. All the other teachers are welcome at any time to stick their head in and adjust the temperature - but for the most part, I get to choose where I want to settle in the 70s. I freeze out all the teachers, I know. "Thank goodness for sweaters", I tell them.
God has brought several new families to our church, most with young children. There have been 18-20 kids on average each Sunday - the halls are filled with laughter and beautiful noise.
In my preschool class at school (you know, the one with 12 girls and zero boys), we have been studying the country of Canada. My little girls know the three seas surrounding our northern neighbor, the colors and design of Canada's flag, and that English and French are the nation's languages. It's been neat to watch these little ones show interest and retain the information from day to day. After coloring the maple leaf and sticking the Canadian flag on a straw this afternoon, I couldn't resist sending a text pic to Coralie. Then, as a class, we prayed for Canada and for Abigail's friend, "Mackerdoodle". Even though most of my students had no clue who we were praying for, but because this little friend was dear to their classmate's heart, they bowed their heads and listened as Abigail prayed out loud. Wish I had had a video of it.....dang, where's my tissue?
During the summer months (which meant time off from work), I cooked at home almost every night. Now, I'm challenged to get a good meal on the table before two soccer practices, one ballet rehearsal, and errand running. I have no idea what to set out for tomorrow's dinner but I'm thankful for our school spirit night at ChickFilA this Thursday evening!
Tomorrow afternoon I will leave my four year olds and travel across town to teach basic photography fundamentals to 17 year olds. I am so nervous.
I really enjoy deep conversation. You know, the kind of conversation that makes you think, makes you grateful, makes you wonder and sit in awe, makes you worship.
As I type right now, it's raining....hard. The thunder is loud and the lightening is lighting up the whole house. Everyone is asleep and I am sitting here by the window listening to Matt Kearny sing through my Spotify account. Bliss!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Captured my own...finally
On our drive home through rural parts of Georgia Saturday afternoon, we saw a sign for a covered bridge. We took the quick right and jumped out to explore. This was finally my opportunity to capture a few cute photos of my own kids.
Adorable!
I tell them everyday that they mustn't grow up.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Just recent pics
I love this little girl. So glad I get the honor of spending every moment of my day with her.
They hang out every afternoon together after school while I clean up my classroom. They take turns doing what the other wants to do.
We are doing a unit study on the country of Haiti. She loves looking at the picture of the people and culture life in the book.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Fall kickoff
The fall season brings many changes to schedules in our lives. Sports, clocks, weather....and small group! Our church is growing and it's exciting to see the need for more room, more small groups, more Bible studies, and more conversation. God has brought many Army families to our congregation that are actually going to be in town for 2-3 years - they've even bought houses! Also, a Korean PCA church has begun meeting in our facilities so we now have Korean friends (and food!) that we see weekly and get to fellowship with over food and other events.
Our children are watching, listening, and learning to walk in grace through relationships, too. I told someone last Sunday that I remember seven years ago when our children's Sunday school class consisted of just three little ones (two of which were mine) - guess how many kids were in SS this past week? 18! There are now three children's classes and it seems that Children's Church will now require a third helper. Adult SS is packed with college students, new parents, empty-nesters, and those in an older generation. I am encouraged to see friendships form between the women of all ages as we realize how much we need each other.
Our children are watching, listening, and learning to walk in grace through relationships, too. I told someone last Sunday that I remember seven years ago when our children's Sunday school class consisted of just three little ones (two of which were mine) - guess how many kids were in SS this past week? 18! There are now three children's classes and it seems that Children's Church will now require a third helper. Adult SS is packed with college students, new parents, empty-nesters, and those in an older generation. I am encouraged to see friendships form between the women of all ages as we realize how much we need each other.
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