It’s been a busy month and I’ll try to post an update sometime this weekend. In the meantime, help me celebrate Lindsey’s birthday! We are so proud of her and thankful that God is using her in NC as she teaches and as she serves Him at Elevation Church. Happy Birthday Binzo Baby! I’ll see you in a few weeks!!!
It’s amazing how life can get in the way of well…life. I have been busy with work, church, One Voice and a Life Transformation Group I am leading. The past month has been exhausting physically and emotionally.
I am learning how to “let go” as a Mom and that isn’t always easy. I want the best for my children; I love them so much. Letting go of them to what seems like the “unknown” is often difficult. I know God is in control and that He is watching my girls, but the human Mom in me still needs/wants to see that her children are taken care of; that there is stability and security. Yes, again, I know all those things are provided in Christ, but my humaness gets in the way sometimes.
A few weeks ago I went to a Women’s Retreat. I had registered for it long before I began my “motherly” struggle. When I arrived I knew God had something to say to me while I was there – even if it was just ONE thing to release me from the emotional struggle I was in. That one thing was this…“We become paralyzed when we live in the “what-ifs” for our children…” That was EXACTLY where I was – paralyzed and fearful because of the “what-ifs”. I am still learning to let go, but I am not a teary, stressed out Mom [at this moment anyway ;o) ]. All three of my girls are in HIS hands and even though it is scary for me at times; I have to trust HIM and them.
We have had a few new families check out the church in the past few weeks. That is encouraging. One Voice is coming along, although the drama portion is going so much differently than previous years. Guess I’ll have to spend a lot more time praying about that one. We are also using a different auditorium this year, so I am having to rethink blocking and logistics. Oh well, that’s what keeps the brain functioning.
It is apple season here and I was given a box and a half of apples Monday, so I spent Tuesday canning applesauce. I canned 9 quarts. John helped with some of the prep work. It reminded me of the first year we were married, living in an apartment that was a converted motel room. I picked apples and then canned 24 quarts for my new husband. We had to store them in boxes under the kitchen table – of course that’s where the pots and pans were too. When I told John I had forgotten how much work it was to can applesauce and then said, “I can’t believe I made 24 quarts for you 30 years ago. I must really love you.” His comment was, “You had fewer responsibilities then, so had more time…” (Wrong answer – LOL). I told him, ” I had you, that was plenty of responsibility!” He smirked and replied, “Go clean up your kitchen…LOL” My sister loves my applesauce – too bad I can’t send her some. Sorry Melodie.
The leaves are changing and I love the colors. I got a few pictures last week and hope to get a few more next week. This weekend is the Sandwich Fair (not to be confused with a fair of sandwiches – it is in the town of Sandwich). We hope to go for a bit tomorrow and then see John’s brother and his family for supper tomorrow night. I have Monday off, but John does not…soooo…I plan to spend the day doing things just for me – figured I deserve it. I am grateful for all the things God is teaching me as I continue on my faith journey. Enjoy your weekend.
Here are a few pictures of the foliage and the applesauce.
Reflection in the marsh across the street from the house.
Mt. Chocorua and Chocorua Lake
Colors around Chocorua Lake
The “Fruit” of my labor.
I know it has been a LONG time since I have posted. School is in full swing, One Voice is up and running, Hilary has been in and out while looking for work, I have been to a couple of women’s events, church things…you get the picture. For the most part these have all been enjoyable though. There are some things that God has been teaching me and I really want to share them with you because it is scarey and exciting at the same time, BUT right now I am way too tired to write what is on my heart and mind. SOO, I’ll leave you with a picture I took on my phone while John and I were at Kittery Trading Post on Friday. Have a great evening!
John and I headed to Pittsburg, NH today. He’d always wanted to go, so now we can say what is and isn’t there. The lakes are beautiful, but there isn’t a lot there. It’ll be a great spot for him to go camping/fishing with Mark next year. We drove up Moose Alley past 3rd Connecticut Lake and didn’t see a single moose – they must have been on vacation. Anyway, we enjoyed being together and talking and the weather was gorgeous. I only took a few pictures.
View of Francis Lake.
Flowers on the bank of 3rd Connecticut Lake.
I know God is always at work, we just don’t always recognize it. I had the privilege to go to a Living Proof Ministries Simulcast this weekend in Meredith. The details of how I found out about it and it all worked out were definitely a God thing. I told John I was going alone because I needed to be lost in a crowd and have God speak to me. I will admit to having never read a Beth Moore book and not really knowing what to expect. After my Friday night and Saturday morning experience, I will be buying books and attending more seminars. You can check things out a Living Proof Ministries.
God is working through the Life Transformation Group I am a part of. It’s interesting learning from each other as God speaks to us through His Word. God is also working in Hilary’s life. The past 6 weeks have been quite a ride for her, but God is working and growing and stretching her. You can learn/read more about what God is up to in her life here if you are interested. This photo was taken last week and it totally captures her joy in the Lord.
Hope you are finding JOY in HIM today!
Yes, I am still here; just been preoccupied (no, blessed) with family time. John and Katie have arrived in Philly and she’ll move into EU tomorrow – can’t believe my baby is a Junior in college. Hilary has moved back in – no full time work yet, but God is really working in her life and it is exciting to see and hear all that is happening with her. Lindsey is ready for her 4th year teaching in NC – she has kids tomorrow.
Last week was spent with teacher workdays. I will admit to not looking forward to hearing the keynote speaker on Thursday morning – wasn’t crazy about her books (Please Stop Laughing at Me! and Please Stop Laughing at Us!). I understood why we were asked to read them and agree that we need to approach bullying in a variety of ways; I just didn’t care for her books or approach.
God had a GREAT surprise for me! I walked into the afternoon workshop where music was playing in the background and it sounded like we were going to have a party! Little did I know that Anne Marie Taylor was going to usher us into a celebration of children in a way that would excite us all for the beginning of school. Little did I know that I would be face to face with the light of Jesus in a fellow believer that was totally illuminating the room and captivating all who were listening. She was wonderful! I knew I’d like her when I heard her say “y’all”! She is the 2008 SC Teacher of the Year and the first Special Ed Teacher to have that honor. In talking with her at the break I discovered what church in SC she attends and that she has recently taken on the position of Children’s Ministry leader part-time. Woo Hoo! Through music and many other activities she reminded us to celebrate everyone with all they bring and to serve to lead. As I have thought about those two things this week I have realized that they apply to all we do with people in church too. SO, I’m going to work on celebrating and serving…
Today was the first day of school and I was blessed to be with kids that I love and am looking forward to all God has in store for me at OCS this year. To all other teachers, blessings to you as you start a new year.
John and I went to his company’s annual party last night. This year they had it on the Mount Washington. We left from Weirs Beach and cruised Lake Winnipesaukee from about 7-10 PM. I was handed a camera and designated the photographer (no, I didn’t bring mine because I didn’t want to lug it around – the cute little Nikon Coolpix I was handed fit nicely in a pocket). The food wasn’t that great, but the music on all floors was good. The sunset was gorgeous.
View from Weirs Beach – taken on my phone so not the greatest photo.
Another one taken with my phone, but I really liked it.
This afternon we went to MA to pick up some of Hilary’s “stuff” and have supper. I am ready to have her home for a bit – I have missed her.
It has been a LONG time indeed since I posted anything here. We have been to NC and back with a 2 day stop in CT. We had a WONDERFUL visit with dear friends from Shiloh while in Union County before we headed to Blowing Rock. We enjoyed time with my family and then a few days with John’s family. Since being home I have gotten some things done around the house that were on my “to-do” list, but time with family has taken precedence – the dirt and chores will wait. We have finally had more than 1 day with no rain – this is Day 5! I have had extra Eastern University Juniors at the house since Wednesday. They have had a blast together. I am down to 2 plus Katie now and they are all at Old Orchard Beach right now. Tomorrow the extras will leave to go back to PA.
Things in the church are about the same. John had challenged them before we left about some “Life Transformation” Groups. He talked about it more Sunday and explained that he would not be setting up the groups, they were to “organically” find their own groups. Well, they did such a good job a few of the guys he was going to ask are already in a group. Right now I have just one person in mine, but that is fine. The purpose is to have each person in the group really searching the Scripture for what God is saying to them. Each person in a group will read the same chapters during the week and then the group time is for discussion of what God impressed upon each one. For whatever reason, God wants me to start in Ephesians, so when my group starts, that’s where we’ll be.
SoulFest was good, although hanging out there all day is not my thing. I enjoyed the concerts and seeing some people, but let’s just say going a second day for 9 hours was a labor of love to my husband. Casting Crowns and Third Day were really good though. We basically saw Hilary long enough to hug her and that was it since SoulFest was the BIG event of her job all summer. Today is her last day of the summer internship, only God knows where she’ll be headed next. I know she’ll be home for a little while anyway.
I go back to work the 18th with workshops through the 20th. The first day with kids in the 24th. I love my job! I do wish I’d had a few more days to just digiscrap though – didn’t get very much of that done at all. Below are some photos from what’s been happening. Some photos are a bit blurry because we were on a train.
John and Lindsey on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, Bryson City, NC.
John really liked these floating houses on Fontana Lake.
Going over the trestle over Fontana Dam – I really liked the texture on the bridge.
Kudzu “towers” – a Southern staple.
John, Mom and Lindsey on a bridge at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
Part of Nantahala Outdoor Center. I want to go back there sometime, it is so cool to watch all the rafters come down through all the whitewater.
Melodie joined us for a week and it was her night to cook – I think Wonka thought he was supposed to help – maybe be the food tester for the king…
She makes a mean bruscetta and peach pie – yum! Thanks Melodie!
When in the mountains we all spend a lot of time reading. Mom did a good bit of reading, but John had us all beat with 7 books in 2 weeks!
Lindsey getting after her Dad for spoiling his supper…
2 plus 2 bonus points for this picture. John, Lindsey, Me and Melodie.
My garden when I got home. I need to get a new picture because the vines are climbing everywhere.
I’m not sure when she took this, but I love the photo my friend, Kristin, took of me and John at SoulFest.
Either I am intently worshipping at the concert I’m listening to OR I’m trying to figure out how the heavy metal, head banger sounds coming from the Inside Out Tent are really considered music ;0).
Off to digiscrap. Hope you are having a wonderful summer.
John and I have been in NC for 10 days now. We spent time with Lindsey and Melodie in Indian Trail and Matthews. We were TRULY blessed to be able to see many of our dear friends, no they are”family”, at Shiloh at a VBS dinner they were having. No matter where we have lived or will live, God blessed us with these loving folks and we are so grateful. We have been in Blowing Rock for a week. We’ve enjoyed time with Mom, walks around Bass Park, The Maze and Boone, side trips to who knows where, just for the fun of it. We visited our friends Jim and Nancy Lee at their church (Calvary) in Lenoir. We have shopped, OK, correct that, I have shopped with Lindsey at Southpark in Charlotte and King Street in Boone. John has taken many bike rides on Highways 221 and 321 and the Parkway. I made him promise not to tell me how fast his speedometer said he was going. After his first ride he told me he remembered what I said, so he didn’t let himself go over 30+mph…geesh! We took Mom to Bryson City to ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. We really enjoyed watching people whitewater raft at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. I will post pictures of that trip at some point. We have made one trip to Cornerstone, the most wonderful Christian bookstore around. We usually make several trips there. This time we got more music than books, but we still got a few books. John has already read 3-4 books and is reading another one right now. He even found one about Adoniram Judson in a pile of books here. I have read one of the 2 books I have to read for school and have been organizing photos on my computer so that digiscrapping will be much easier and faster (at least that is the plan).
I have so many memories here. It is a place I have come and have loved for as long as I can remember. There are memories of going to camp, of times with my Dad, of digging the water line that comes to the house by hand. Side trips down roads that I had no idea where we’d end up. Memories of trips with my girls, especially to the gem mine. Memories my daughters have made here – of friendships they have made here. This has always been a place of peace; a place where I could just relax once I walked through the door, a place where God speaks to me. Oh how I long for God to bring us back South so that I can visit this place more often.
Lindsey and I saw a T-shirt that I just might have to buy. I discovered that the quote was by John Muir. I looked him up online and found this quote as well, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and give strength to the body and soul.” This is that place for me. The T-shirt had this quote: “The mountains are calling, and I must go!” I am so grateful for the peace I find here, but more grateful for the peace I have in Christ. I hope you are enjoying peace today.
I can’t believe how long it has been since I posted…life has just been rolling along. Here’s a quick update since the last post…
Hilary turned 22 on 6/11…
and that is a typical “Hilary” face. Katie (my “baby”) turned 20 on 6/21…no more teenagers in the house.
That’s my girl… (can ANY of them make a “normal” face for a picture? Oh wait, that IS normal for them…)
I am done with school for the summer – I had a GREAT year and I do miss my kids, but am enjoying playing around the house – even if it has only been a few days. Friday I was adding trellis net to my garden and a man stopped by to ask about the garden – even wanted to come back and take pictures! Who would have ever thought…so here is what the garden looks like now…
Sorry – the sun was in the wrong place for a good shot. The cilantro is growing so fast I’ve attempted to make salsa twice. The first time was so-so…last night it was so hot you’d think a rattlesnake had bit your throat…but John kept eating it. Katie’s boyfriends Mom, Bobby, makes the BEST salsa, but so far she’s not sharing the recipe…oh well, with the cilantro “crop” it appears I’m going to have I’ll get lots of practice making it…maybe one with mango or pineapple should come next…hmmm.
Lindsey had a week long visit with her cousin, Erin, from CT. Here’s a shot of the two of them enjoying being together in uptown Charlotte.
and in the Blue Ridge Mountains…
And Lindsey alone – I like this picture…
We also went to Shara and Jake’s wedding at Geneva Point…I have “borrowed” 2 pictures from Lacy M. since I didn’t take any…thanks Lacy…
I LOVE this shot…
and love this one too. They are special people and God has blessed them with the gift of each other. I “borrowed” the pictures because they have to do with what has been on my heart since their wedding.
Jake’s Dad spoke at the start of the wedding so that Roger, Shara’s Dad could give her away and then perform the ceremony. He talked about Roger not giving Shara away, but that it was a changing of the guard. I was captivated by that thought, I guess because I have 3 daughters. I know Shara and Jake had high standards for whomever God had for them as a mate. I applaud them for that and for not settling for anything less than God’s best – no matter how long the wait. I watched these two during the wedding and pictured different acts of love/kindness I had seen them do for each other. I felt that this really was the changing of the guard and that Jake was more than up for that task. I could sense his belief that his God given job was to care for, protect,and “guard” Shara for the rest of his life. I am so happy for them and believe God has great things in store for them as the “Jamesons”.
As I continued to reflect on the “changing of the guard” I thought about my girls. I want and always pray for God’s best for their lives. I have prayed for years for God’s perfect, godly man for them, if HE chooses for them to marry. I will admit to being a bit unsettled as I think about there some day being a “changing of the guard”…Will “he” be ready to guard my daughter? Will he be willing to give up everything to protect and care for my daughter? Questions I probably wouldn’t typically think about at a wedding, but hey, I now have daughters ranging in age from 20-25…
THEN Proverbs 4:23 popped into my head. “Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” NIV. I did an online search and found these translations/paraphrases. “Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.”God’s Word translation. “Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts.” TEV. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” NLT. The paraphrase that really grabbed me was “Above everything else, guard the affections of your heart; the emotional attachments you make determine the course of your life.” CWR (click the link to learn about this one – I had to look it up…) WOW!! That really brings it to life for today, doesn’t it? I pray that my girls, nieces, nephews, “adopted college kids/graduates”, and other kids I have “adopted” over the years heed that verse. I’ve added to my prayer for my girls and their futures…now I want to be able to sit at their weddings (whenever those may be) and through my tears (and I know they will be there) believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have followed Proverbs 4:23 and that the new “guard” has God right there with him.
And I guess that is more than enough for tonight.
