Wild Onions & Flowers

A week or two ago when the sweet boy's daddy came to pick him up I knew I still needed to review the homework he needed to complete for the next session.  As I went to go round him up I found him back in the tree line with Cash.  Just the two of them....hanging out as buds, exploring, getting dirty, having fun.  As I called for him to come in I noticed as he got closer he had something in his hands.  When he finally reached the back deck, a smile was beaming across his face as he proudly displayed a plant (with roots) he had dug up and asked, "Cara, do you know what these are?  Wild onions!"  Although I was truly delighted I wasn't exactly sure what I was supposed to do with them so what does any mother do..."Let's get a container to put them in!"  The onions have brought so much delight to my heart and joy to my spirit.  They are another lesson about boys.  I love my wild onions and forever will wild onions hold a special place in my heart.

Alpha & Omega

I love this song!


I Heard a great voice out of heaven saying
Behold the tabernacle of God is with men
He shall dwell with them and they shall be His people
And Almighty God will be with them

He shall wipe away all tears from their eyes
There shall be no more death
Neither sorrow, nor crying, and no more pain
The former things are all passed away

He that sat upon the throne said,
"Behold, I make all things new"
He said unto me, "Write these words
For they are faithful and true"

And it is done
It is done
It is done
It is done

He is the Alpha and Omega
The Beginning and the End
The Son of God, the King of Kings
Lord of lords, He's Everything
Messiah, Jehovah
The Prince of Peace is He
The Son of Man, Seed of Abraham
Second Person in the Trinity

He is the Alpha and Omega
The Son of God, the King of Kings
Messiah, Jehovah
The Great I Am seed of Abraham
He is the Alpha and Omega
The beginning and the end
Son of God, the King of Kings
The Lord of everything
He is Lord

Lyrics from <a href="http://www.elyrics.net">eLyrics.net</a>

A Tribute to Mother

This is a little early since Mother's Day isn't until a few weeks away, but I was asked to share words of encouragement at a baby shower and in my reading/research I came across this sermon titled Hannah: A Godly Mother by Johnny Mac.  It is soooooo good and I would highly encourage everyone to listen to it.  In the sermon he quoted the following and thought I would post it so I will always remember the sweet tribute this man had written to his mother.

I came across an interesting one by a man named W.L. Caldwell written in 1928. Listen to what he said about mother. "Well may we pause to pay honor to her who after Jesus Christ is God's best gift to men, mother. It was she who shared her life with us when as yet our members were unformed, into the valley of the shadow of death she walked that we might have the light of life. In her arms was the garner of our food and the soft couch for our repose. There we nestled in the hour of pain, there was the playground of our infant glee. Those same arms later became our refuge and stronghold. It was she who taught our baby feet to go and lifted us up over the rough places. Her blessed hands plied the needle by day and by night to make our clothes. She put the book under our arm and started us off for school. But best of all, she taught our baby lips to lisp the name of Jesus and told us first the wondrous story of a Savior's love."

In respect to the newest child that is in my life, my sweet friend sent me this quote...
"We can't change the all the boys in the world, but we can change the world for one boy."

AhA MoMeNt!

Today I was talking with a friend about some things that needed to get done for an event we were working on together.  I just had corrective cornea surgery and she was encouraging me to stay home from the event.  As I was teeter-tottering between whether I should go or not or what I need to get done, she said to me, "Sweet girl.  You struggle with taking on too much and over-extending yourself.  I can't help you with that."  Those might not have been her exact exact words but it was pretty darn close.  The Holy Spirit pricked my ears and heart.  Wow....after all these years, that comment really struck a chord within me and I heard it loud and clear.  There was more to the conversation and I decided not to go to the event.  I have also said "No" to a few other things lately and it felt good.  During my time of recovery, which I think know the Lord uses these times to make us truly "BE STILL and KNOW HE is God!", there was a respite of a few days of my hectic schedule.  I rested, slept, and thought about Christ.  No extras.  No thoughts of this worry or that one, the next thing on the schedule, no chores, no anything else.  It was such a special time.  My mom hosted all of us at her house because she knew I can't resist the temptation to try and DO, especially in my own house.  I was so thankful for her willingness to continue to be MOM even though I am a grown adult.  Anywho, my dear friend was right...everyone around me sees it but I just keep forging ahead, for some reason thinking that there is too much work to be done...too many broken lives that need Christ.  I exhaust myself to the point that it is not really healthy because my "down time" is even more unproductive like spending time on FB, which I truly do despise, not eating healthy, not getting to bed early enough, not truly being prepared for anything until right when it matters, and the list goes on. This is a sin problem because I am trying to work out my righteousness in a way...and I can't.  It has already been taken care of.  My pastor's wife is so kind and gentle yet firm and speaks such truth when she simply tells me, "Trust Jesus Cara."  This is a common theme in posts for me over the years, but here it surfaces again.  It is interesting to think how the Lord has created me in this fashion for His glory, yet it IS for His glory and not my own.  Even when doing Kingdom work, we can tend to try and make if for our own glory and busy ourselves with the work.  I don't know if I am making any sense or even typing correctly because I can't hardly see what I am writing....so please excuse all my errors.  The bottomline is, when she told me that today, it reminded me of all the brokenness around me that I am trying to FIX and really it boils down to, "I can't help you with that."  Only Jesus can! 

My Hero

Two posts in a row....crazy! 
I love my blog for the purpose of going back and reading through my posts and looking at the pictures.  Some of my most favorite posts are the ones with my "Random Thoughts" because it is interesting to see what I was thinking 2 years ago or so.  However, my most favorite is seeing pictures or reading my notes of true affection for my hero....Scott. 

He is the guy of my dreams and continues to hold my heart. 
He is faithful to Christ and leading us to love Christ more too.
He is faithful to provide for and protect his family.
He is faithful to loving me despite my many, many flaws.
He is full of integriity!
He loves sharing the gospel to all who come in to our life.
He loves the sweet boy.

After Christ, Scott is next in line.
Our story started many moons ago and it is really weird for me to think that come this September he will have been part of 1/2 my life that I have lived so far.  Mind boggling!  I look around at so many people who are looking for love and acceptance and settle for a "quick fix" here and there and everywhere.  It breaks my heart.  Scott and I have certainly had our ups and downs, but as we continue to grow in our love for Christ, our marriage has only gotten sweeter and more precious.  He has made me understand the passage where Paul talks about husbands loving your wives as Christ loves the church.  I don't doubt his love and devotion for me and our family, through thick and thin.  We have learned more about the marriage covenant and wow....it is truly amazing.  The Lord is so good.  He truly knows what is best for us.  I am thankful.....

Because I Am Crazy

and although I DO have all kinds of things to do on my To Do list, I chose to undertake this project....

 

I found a cute little helper!

 

Don't even ask how long this is taking me since I think I am doing Kate's entire room, minus the bay window....

CRAZY!

Recent Projects...

 

There is a Season...

for every activity under heaven;
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weap and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be 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

Today, A Good Day

Today was such a good day.  We have really made a turn in our year and are now positively progressing.  Praise the Lord!  It has been exciting to study Europe and the specific countries of Norway, France, and Germany.  It was so encouraging today when we reviewed map skills and the girls knew what was up!  It has also been encouraging to see them really gaining more independence with their studies.  I have to check things over though because like most kids they try to take short cuts or not be diligent in checking over their work.  We started doing Bible during breakfast and that has helped tremendously in keeping us on track and to start our day with the right mindset.  So thankful and pray tomorrow is another good day. 

Speaking of tomorrow, I am super stoked about being able to help facilitate a Lunch & Learn event with the PCC.  The Lord is at work in bringing together a group of like-minded ladies to love on the girls.  I pray the Lord will open all our hearts towards one another so we can build one another up in Him.  May all the work, efforts, and planning be for HIS glory, not our own. 

Random Tidbits

~ How does the Lord reconcile denominations and differences in doctrines?  This plagues my mind.  Paul talks about in Philippians that as long as the gospel is being preached, it is good.  I believe in God's sovereign plan and somehow it is all part of his plan...nevertheless, I continually wonder because it is all so confusing and seems like chaos.

~ I have struggled this year with homeschooling.  I have taken on a little more that I need to juggle.  It has sometimes left me feeling completely depleted and at the end of my rope.  Thus, I have struggled with homeschooling thinking that I would love a little more time for a cleaner house, a quiet house, and peace.  Yet, the Lord then reminds me that these years will soon be over and to cherish each moment...a cleaner house is awfully shallow in comparison to investing in the girls' lives and hearts.  I will rejoice in this season, even though it is so busy.

~ This past weekend I got to spend time with some of the girls who were truly my first <3 friends and sisters in Christ that encouraged me to walk deeper in my faith.  It is interesting to see the journeys we are all on at this point in our lives.  I pray that we all put Christ first and never forget the power of the gospel message for our daily lives.

~ Speaking of the gospel, in the last 3 years the gospel message has really penetrated my heart in a way it never has before.  Some of the reasons why I can't fully disclose, but one of the biggest reasons is because I have come to terms with the fact that I am truly a sinner in the need daily for the righteousness that can only be granted through Christ.  I can't pretend or perform my salvation.  While you might be quick to agree and think "Duh!", the gospel has been cheapened by today's church "methods", "programs", and society as a whole.  My pastor reminds us that we need to preach the gospel to ourselves everyday.  WOW!  Have you thought about your need for the gospel beyond the first time you "prayed the sinner's prayer?"  If you would like to think deeper and be more challenged in this area I HIGHLY recommend the books The Gospel-Centered Life & The Gospel Primer for Christians.  EXCELLENT!  If you don't like it, I will give you a 100% money back guarantee because I will definitely pass it on to someone else. 

~ Why do I need the gospel every day?  I am inclined to be so self-centered and focused on me.  I am inclined to covet a house that is stylish and put together.  I am inclined to lose all self-control and patience with my girls as they make poor choices, mistakes, or continually do something they know drives me crazy.  I am inclined to be lazy and sleep a little longer than get up and start my day in the Word, peruse Facebook one too many times during the day, obsess over the cute ideas and new recipe ideas on Pinterest which makes me want to rearrange my to-do list to accommodate time for me to be creative, and not effectively plan/prepare for the school day/tutoring session/week.  I am inclined to cuss if I make a really stupid mistake that wastes time and energy, like driving 20 minutes before I realized I missed my exit off of 270.  I am inclined to sin at every chance presented.  Thus, I need my Savior, His Word, and the Holy Spirit to keep me in check every.single.day/hour/minute!