Spring has sprung....

In random order these events occurred this week.........



First and foremost the most wonderful event of the week........Mr. Hayden Tilley from Life is Good was saved Wednesday night. When his Mom, my dear friend, KT, called the next morning, needless to say, there were no words to explain the joy I felt in my heart. For those of you who know him, know his is the cutest, most wise, young man. He has a big heart and loves life. You can see that on his face each time he smiles! I'm so proud of him and I'm looking forward to Sunday!!!!!!! Leave him a comment today of encouragement of being a young convert!



Wow we've made it to day 79 on the daily Bible readings!! Give yourself a high five;-) I'm current now:) This week I've had to play some catch up....because as you all know...life happens and I'm just trying to keep up....which causes me to play catch up on everything from reading my daily Bible readings to folding the mountain of clothes piled in the...I would love to say laundry room, but that wouldn't be the truth....the couch would be more truthful. Am I the only one who dumps them on the couch? I figured if they can't sit on the couch for the clothes they might fold them. Advice....it doesn't work:) lol!



Sorry about the derail there.....



back to the daily Bible readings......sorry for all the .......



I'm loving the, "if you's, then you will's." Easy for me to say, sitting here not having to eat manna and offering the right animal, celebrate the right feast at the right time, etc. God's Word plainly states that if we obey the Lord, then life will much easier. He doesn't promise us a bed of roses. Trials will come, that's when we dig a little deeper in the storehouse of love. Don't disobey the Lord and take the broad road; narrow leads to the gate. We can be a successful prosperous Christian! The world doesn't teach that. Don't be deceived!



Among all the regular ball stuff and duties of being a Mom, I managed to have my singing buddies over for practice and food.





And a little fun!



For my, what is proving to be, weekly Friday post, that's a wrap! Until next time....hoping you got a little more spring in your step today!

Carrie

God's love

I almost rear ended a cop this morning, which almost started a chain reaction according to the various vehicles trying to dodge me and said cop. Then it dawned on me....it's Friday the 13th. I'm not superstitious. Just saying.

Now for what I really had on my mind.

In the daily Bible readings this morning some scripture really spoke to me. It's where Moses was speaking to the people of Israel. Moses recapped the last 40 years of wondering in the wilderness. He brought back to their remembrance just what all God had done for them. Ahh Haaa moment! I tend to want to sit back and judge the Israelites harshly for their disobedience and hard headiness, but my goodness could I, would I, have done any differently? I don't think so....hope so...but still...nay. I'm a fleshly, sinful creature and I tend to wander around in my own wilderness trying to find my way, and not His way.

Deuteronomy 4:39-40 NLT says, "So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other. If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today, all will be well with you and your children. I am giving you these instructions so you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time."

All this because He loved them.

He loves me.

Really that is all we need to know. Jesus shed His blood for me and you. There is no greater love than that!

I'm encouraged today to follow His instructions. I want my children and their children's, children to know Him. I think of my Mawmaw today. Everyday seems to bring her weaker. Only God knows how much longer we will have her. It saddens me to think of this world without her. She has followed God her whole life and made sure her family knew of her eternal inheritance.

Love and prayers,
Carrie

A calendar full of baseball and prayers

That's what I'm looking at, and will be looking at for some time now. A calendar full of practices and games, among all the other life happenings around here. Baseball has begun. I love it! Really I do. I really, really do. Who am I trying to convince-me or you? lol!!!!



Really, I do like the sport. I enjoy watching my boys play. It's the longevity of it. February until August is a bit much if you ask me. And nobody does. Just saying:-)



Flip side.



With all the technology and other things that capture our youths attention, a little or lot of outdoor activity can't be a bad thing. It seems like everyday I hear of kids being overwhelmed with peer pressure and succumbing to it. As my boys are reaching the ages where a little more freedom is extended to them, I pray even harder for them. I've never been one to say, "my kid would never do that." All I can do is hope and pray that they will withstand satan's attempts to steal their youth. My heart is heavy tonight. Will you please join me in praying for them every night through the month of March? Not that they don't need our prayers everyday for the rest of their lives, but if we could really focus on them this month. God's Word promises that He hears the cries of His people. Just pause at bedtime each night and seek God's face on behalf of our youth. Let's pray a hedge around them!



I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment of encouragement for the youth. And remember to pray.



Carrie

A day in the life of boys......

There's nothing like settling in for the, might I say, very frigid night, in my favorite PJ's enjoying a lifetime movie premiere, except for when it is interrupted with son #2 coming in to say, "Mom, I think brother is hurt." Me, "really, well, he'll be alright." Son, "no, I think you really need to come and see." Me, "Okay, but y'all better not be pulling my leg."

Uh...no.....he wasn't joking. Son #1 was laid out on the floor with blood oozing from his head. After evaluating the status of said laceration, it was deemed necessary for a little visit to the ER.

A couple of staples later, we're back home. It's after 1 am, and all is well, again. Thank the Lord it was any worse.

Do you think the next time I yell and tell them to settle down or someone will get hurt, they will listen? lol!!! Not a chance!

Carrie

Note to Self

Note to self:





Do not try to get anything on Hubby, as I did here. Believe you me, it came back to haunt me. The kicker is, I always manage to get myself back, with no help from him.





The scene:





At work. Trying to look all professional and all. When I begin to try and scoot myself, in chair, back to my desk. Next thing I know, I hit the floor, rear first. The lady, wouldn't you know I'd have a witness, in my office, trying not to laugh, is asking me if I'm okay. Yes, all but my pride.





The result:





-Ten minutes of cardiovascular workout...due to laughing so hard.


-And one big 'ole hole in wall. Yep, as I fell out of my chair the wheel to the thing went through the wall.





Moral of the story:





I have no idea, except I need therapy:) lol!!!....physical and mental!





Happy Friday y'all,





Carrie

I need to clean house

Really, really clean. Like take account of all things collected and dish the things that are dragging me down. I'm not talking cleaning my house, which the Lord knows needs it so bad, but I'm talking cleaning out the cobwebs in my spiritual house. Taking account for me. For what I'm doing, and most likely, Not doing to obey my heavenly Father.



You Daily Bible Readers may know what I'm getting to here. I've struggled reading the whole laws, sacrificing and celebrating rules and regs that the OT folks had to follow. It's been hard to focus. The nuggets were getting harder to find. But oh my how the last few days have caused me to think. And that is scary:)



Keeping the Sabbath Holy.



Ouch! No work. No me. No nothing, but complete and utter rest.



This is the Lord's day.

I go to church every Sunday. check

I teach Sunday School. check

Sing in the choir. check

And participate in just about every aspect the church offers. check



I'm doing okay with this whole Sabbath day.



I don't think so.



What God has convicted me of, speaks volumes of no, no, no, no, you are not giving the whole day to me. What am I teaching my children?



We schedule every tenth millisecond. Go, go, go, go, go! That's all they know. Have you had your children come to you on a Sunday afternoon and say, "all ya'll want to do is lay on the couch and sleep on Sunday's?" lol!! I used to. Not anymore. I've let life creep in.



I remember as a child dreading Sunday's because I knew it was going to be a boring day. Church, eat lunch and hang around the house. Man I miss those days. I remember getting outside and walking in the woods with the family. No money required. Just good quality family time.



And I wonder why I'm stressed?



What's God speaking to you through our OT's reading?



For more insight on today's word, visit with Wendy. She'll bless your heart!

Weekend of Reflection

I dedicate this post to Miss Eliza.

I was reminded on Saturday, while attending a funeral of a dear lady in our community, just how we can impact the lives of others. I love to sing. I love music. Both because of her. As I sat through this lady's funeral, memories flooded my soul. Joyful ones. They were of music. My first recollection of learning how to read and direct music was from this lady. She taught a music school each summer. Back then, as a child, I did not see any point in attending. My parents, however, saw differently. Thank God they did. Thank God she gave her time to teach us. It has been a lifetime gift.

I sat and listened to her son give a beautiful eulogy. As he described the Depression and how it shaped her life, I immediately began rehearsing scenes of those music schools. I quickly saw her standing with us and instructing us on the proper etiquette of beating time and how to sing from the diaphragm. She loved music. You could see it on her face each time she sang. I could hear her singing Saturday just like I did back then.

What I regret the most is not telling her just how much I appreciated what she taught me. I know God blessed her for her obedience to Him, but I should have told her. I hope the family knows just how much she meant in my life and how they too have been an influence. Her daughter shared the same love of music as her Mother. I know, because she taught me piano. Both are dear to me.

I'm inspired because of such a lady and I hope to do my best in sharing my love for music. What little ability I have to sing, I want to give it all to God. I want to sing for His glory. I want others to know Jesus!

Carrie

Just in case you missed this.....

I will totally live to regret this....BUT... I just can't help it. I've never been able to get much on Hubby, so when I can....believe me I take it!! lol!

I in no way have any room to talk about who could ski. Let me tell you I never mastered getting off the ski lift correctly. I'm talking shutting it down, ever time I tried to get off of it. Timing was everything to this feat, and believe me when I say it was UGLY, I was. My children begged not to ride with me. And after the up-tenth time I fell trying to get down the mountain, needless to say, all I could do was laugh. Mom called me on one such fall and she thought I was crying. I was:) Not because of injury, but crying from laughing so hard. I finally managed to get over to her my situation. Of course she joined the laugh and demanded I not try this again. Yes ma'am. I agree. This can't be good. So, after 3 trips of slipping and sliding on my butt, I called it quits.

Hubs on the other hand, went for the big slope. Through the woods, around curves, straight down one. From all accounts told, he must have been doing ever bit of 50 miles/hour, when he came upon a snow boarder who has just fallen. Seeing he never mastered the brakes, he hit the poor guy/child. He came straight out of the skis and head forward 10 or so feet, landing head first in the snow:) At least it wasn't a tree.

Colorado here we come.

Have a good weekend,

Carrie

Country Bumpkins Gone Skiing

Stressed

I guess you can tell by a few posts that I have had some stress in my life lately. Work has been a roller coaster. Lots of emotions. I'm still very thankful for my job. This is just a season and it too shall pass. I'm praying I will listen and look for what God is trying to teach me through this time. I want to do His will and not mine.



The timing on this email forwarded to me was uncanny. I usually don't open every email, but seeing the word "stress" caught my attention. Here's one that just cracked me up.



A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

That person has absolutely no stress in their lives:) lol!!!!

Carrie