Caleb Mac is named after our dear friend, Mac Powell of Third Day! Mac named his son, Cash, after Tim, and we were thrilled to reciprocate when Caleb came along! Caleb loves Uncle Mac and frequently asks to call him so he can see when Uncle Mac can babysit! :O)

Well, last Saturday Caleb got his first opportunity to see Uncle Mac sing live! He was thrilled and talked about it incessantly for days before...and after! Here is a picture of Caleb, Jesse, Uncle Mac and his kids Scout and Cash!










Rachel and Benji with Uncle Mac!

It's beginning to feel a lot like fall! \O/

Many of you know I am Canadian born and bred, now living in the deep south! I love living here, but the heat is another story. I can handle it pretty well the first few months, but by mid-August I am ready to rip my hair out!

I am presently, as I type, sitting on my screened-in back porch. There is steam coming off my cup of coffee and there is a slight chill in the air. It feels even better because I just got done working out and was "glowing" quite a bit! ;O)

Now, the leaves down't get as pretty down south as they do up north. If you have never enjoyed a northern fall, you really don't know what you're missing! I'll take these cooler temps, though! The air is crisp and humidity-free and we can sleep with the window open! Woo! Hoo!

So I'm off to finish my coffee, open all the windows and light my fall candles! While I'm at it, I think I'll bake some pumpkin bread! Might as well go all the way! ;O)

HAPPY FALL!!!

My baby!

Hard to believe, but my baby is playing ball! Here is a slideshow of KK's first game! So cute...but of course, I AM a tad prejudiced!

Florida Vacation

What Have I Done?

Do you ever find yourself saying yes to something and at the same time you hear yourself say the word you realize you must be crazy? Happened to me today in a big way!

I have a passion for ministering to women! I love encouraging them, challenging them, praying for them, admonishing them and giving them food for thought...often the very same thoughts I have had to wrestle through myself. I really do love it...on a small scale.

The funny thing is that I want to love getting up in front of a lot of women and speaking! Kinda hard to do, though, when you absolutely hate to be the center of attention! I prefer to be the one in the family who prays for the one in the family who has been called to speak! ;O)

Do you see where this is going? Any clue? Would it shock you then if I shared that I heard myself saying yes to being the speaker at our church-wide Ladies' Christmas Tea? Was I nuts? Did I have a brain-freeze...momentary loss of sanity? 300 women? Ackkk!

Tim always says that when you run out of the natural then you are a candidate for the super-natural! Wow! Am I ever a candidate!

So, if you think of it, would you pray that the Lord would give clarity of thought, nerves of steel and a lock on my mouth so I don't commit to anything else in the near future! Thanks!

Narrowing it down!

Well, I must admit that I always thought by the time I was 44 (the age I am now) I would have this walking with Jesus thing figured out! What a joke! At the age of 44 the only thing I know for sure now is that I have a lot less answers and a lot more questions!

On Saturday we were able to attend the Braves game and the Steven Curtis Chapman concert. Many of you know Tim is the chaplain of the Braves and he was the MC for the concert/sharing time! Because of a one hour rain delay, we were able to spend some quality one-on-one time with Steven.

Steven's 5yo daughter was killed tragically on May 21st. It has been such a painful time for them and a time of brokenness and searching. He shared that after 30 years of studying, writing songs and leading others in worship, he has had to kick to the curb much of what he thought he believed. He said the few things that are left are what he is passionate about and what he is willing to die for!

What he has found is the same thing I have been wrestling with and, while the struggle can be intense at times, the result is a freedom like never before. Much of what I thought I believed was more man-made rules than scriptural truths. Much of what I thought was really important turns out to be little more than wood, stubble and hay! There are a few absolute, irrefutable truths, but so much of the other stuff is totally subjective and varies from person-to-person.

So here is my beginning list of what I know for sure. It will not be complete, but is rather something I am going to continue to ponder in my heart and add to as time goes on. So here goes...

* Jesus is the Son of God
* He is sovereign
* He rejoices over me with shouts of joy
* He will share His glory with no one else
* He is omniscient...I am not

Will you join me? Will you begin to make a list of only those things you know for sure? Only those things for which you can find black and white evidence?

Tim says we should spend more time questioning answers than answering questions! That's pretty profound if you stop and think about it! Makes me realize afresh why He says we should be quick to listen and slow to speak!

Dear Lord, I invite You to speak to me. I am laying aside all my pre-conceived pat answers where you are concerned and asking You to show me what You want me to focus on. What truths do you want to brand on my heart? What to you want my focus to be personally and in the things I share with others! Help me rejoice in the struggle!

As a very wise friend just shared with me, right in the middle of the word wrestle is the word rest! Must mean it is possible to be at peace even in the midst of sorting it all out!

Remember Me!

When you remember me, it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart.
Frederick Buechner

We all have people in our pasts who have impacted our lives greatly and whose influence has left ripples for generations to come! I got to join my husband recently as he spent time with just such a someone!

Tim has often shared stories with the kids and me of his days playing Little League, college and professional baseball. As you can well imagine, the years were filled with many coaches and some were more memorable than others. One coach whom Tim has always referred to as an influencer and a man from whom he learned a lot is Chase Riddle! It has been said that Chase Riddle has forgotten more baseball than many men ever knew in the first place! To say that he loves the game of baseball is an understatement.

Coach Riddle himself played professional baseball and he coached and scouted at the professional level. By the time he entered Tim's world, he was coaching at Troy State University in Troy, AL where Tim went to pursue his dream of playing pro ball! Coach's sun-weathered skin hinted at the Indian blood that coursed through his veins and the stains on his jersey were evidence that he had long ago embraced chewing tobacco as a viable pastime!

Coach Riddle taught his players to be smart when they played! He taught them with integrity and wisdom and a lot of passion thrown in! Coach taught his players a lot about baseball, but he taught them about life as well. He taught in such a way that he would endear himself to his players and they would be drawn back whenever the opportunity presented itself!

On the way back from a Florida vacation, our family had the opportunity to spend an hour with Coach and Mrs. Betty. It was a special time of rekindling old friendships and forging new ones. It was a chance for our children to glimpse back into their Daddy's past and see someone who helped shape him into the man he is today. Baseball stories abounded and there were more than a few laughs!

As we prepared to leave, Coach walked out to the car with us. It meant a lot, for he was still recouping from surgery a few weeks ago and even a short walk like that was sure to be tiring. He and Tim embraced one last time and Tim got in the car. No sooner had the door closed, than Coach was knocking on the window. He apparently had one last thing to say, and he had saved the best for last!

Coach Riddle, the one who had spoken life into the lives of so many, had a final admonition. He leaned into the car and with an urgent tone, gave Tim one last charge..."I see how close your family is and how much they mean to you! Hold them close and don't ever allow anything to become more important than the time you spend with them ~ not baseball or ministry!"

Thank you Coach and Mrs. Betty! Thank you for allowing us to spend time with you in your home and thank you for continuing to be influencers of others. Thank you for making relationships paramount to everything else and encouraging others to do the same! You have left your mark and we are forever grateful!

My light bulb moment!

Being in ministry is so rewarding and I am so thankful the Lord has called Tim and I to do what we do! Being in ministry is so hard, though, and I sometimes wonder why He called us to do what we do! How is that for a double-minded wo-man?! ;O)

Seriously, though, it is so hard to pour yourself out in service to others and then have them turn around and attack you or just cast you aside because they don't like something you have shared. My friend, Sunny, helped me so much recently because she reminded me something I have encouraged others with...if a person can discredit the messenger (you) then they don't have to receive the message you are sharing!!! My how I needed to be reminded of that!

That's not my light bulb moment, though, and it gets even better! :O)

Tim and I were watching The Bucket List the other night with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It was really a very well done movie and was very moving at times. These 2 men have learned they are both terminally ill and their time on this earth is coming to a close. They decide to make a list of all the things they want to do before they die and they then set out to accomplish the list together.

At one point during the movie, Jack Nicholson has shared his painful past with Morgan Freeman and Morgan, soon after the telling, decides to intervene and devise a way to help Jack pick up the pieces of life with his daughter. Jack becomes irrate and says...

"Just because I shared my story with you doesn't mean I invited you to be a part of it!"

Instantly upon hearing that line, I felt a spiritual slap up side the head and a still, small Voice said, "That's why they get mad! They have shared their story (sometimes repeatedly), but they have never invited you to be a part of it!!" What freedom I experienced!!! It was if I was able to emotionally divorce the pain of the rejection because I suddenly understood the root of it!

Now don't get me wrong...it still stinks to give and give and give and then get shut out! No amount of realization can change that! I can now rest in the knowledge, though, that I haven't done anything wrong ~ except to maybe to care too much!!!

1 Thes. 2:1-20 (NASB-U) For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, [2] but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. [3] For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; [4] but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. [5] For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— [6] nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. [7] But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. [8] Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. [9] For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. [10] You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; [11] just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, [12] so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. [13] For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. [14] For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, [15] who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, [16] hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost. [17] But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. [18] For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. [19] For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? [20] For you are our glory and joy.

Thank you, Papa, for the assurance that you know my heart and my motives in ministering! Thank you that even when grace is not extended by others, You meet me with open arms! \O/

I am sure I could write a book on how parenting and gardening run such parallel paths! I always laugh and tell Tim that I will never need therapy as long as I have a hose and some flowers to water! Of course, the parenting part is the reason I would NEED therapy, but that is a whole 'nother post! LOL!

At any rate, I was raised in Canada and one of the things I grew to love during my childhood was lilac bushes. I must say, at the time I took them for granted and never truly came to appreciate them as I should until I moved south and found they were a novelty down here. That only served to add to my unceasing desire to own one and thus began my search to find a hardy lilac variety that could withstand the heat and lack of really cold winters down here! (These people think this is cold! Huh!)

I was eventually successful and found a mail-order catalogue that assured me if I bought their lilac bush it would grow in my Zone 8 climate. I fell for it hook, line and sinker and purchased one immediately. It arrived weeks later looking like a forlorn stick, but I trusted them and planted it! And then I waited and watered and waited and watered and nearly lost my mind with the waiting.

The first year...no blooms! The second year...no blooms! The third year...maybe a bloom! The fourth year...I'll give it 5 and the fifth year a generous 6! What I was experiencing in my parenting was repeating itself in my gardening! I was pouring so much TLC into nurturing and caring for my little bush and not getting a whole lot in return! Year after year I was left wondering if I was doing something wrong! I was approaching despair in my desire to see a healthy crop of fruit for my labours until...this year!!

I went out one morning and hesistantly walked over to my lilac bush, certain it was mocking me with every step I took. But then I saw them...close to 20 fragrant blooms ready to bust wide open! And then I heard it...Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. (Gal. 6:9)

Just as I do in gardening, I nurture and tend, pull weeds of sin and water the ground with prayer! And in due time, I am able to reap the fruit of my labours in the lives of my children. Just as I am about to give up, I see a blossom that is ready to burst forth with evidence of new life and promise of a sweet aroma!

So on those days when I feel like my parenting skills are sorely lacking and my sanity has a very short shelf life, you'll be sure to find me in my garden...listening to His still small voice as I water and wait!

P.S. That is a vase of my very own lilac blooms proudly displayed on my screened-in back porch...my sanctuary!!! :O)

Misunderstood!

1 Samuel 16:7 (NASB-U) "God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

I know this passage is talking more about physical appearance, but I think it can be applied to how situations look to someone, too. Tim often says that people see what they are prepared to see.

I have a friend who I have known for many years! I have spent a lot of time with this friend and have always sought to encourage her emotionally and spiritually. This friend is having some personal struggles that weigh heavily on her and it has saddened me to see her so upset. In an attempt to try and give her perspective and to encourage her with some things she could do, I have apparently deeply offended this friend. I have been shut out from her life and our friendship exists in brief and impersonal e-mails.

Why am I sharing this? I guess in part because my heart hurts and it is therapeutic to share my pain in writing. Secondly, because I figure maybe some of you who may be reading this have experienced situations similar to mine and we might mutually encourage one another.

Just today I was struggling with this situation and found myself full of turmoil! The Lord reminded me that, while my friend has misunderstood my attempts at encouraging her, He has seen the intent of my heart! Now don't get me wrong, I am just as capable as the next person of messing up and allowing my flesh to get in the way of His Spirit. The one time I know I offended this friend, I asked her for forgiveness. She says she forgave me, but the state of our relationship says something else.

Most days I am okay with things and don't spend too much time dwelling on what has happened. There are those days when my heart is burdened, though, and I have to remind myself that the Lord is working even when I cannot see tangible evidence of it!

I am so thankful, Papa, that you see my heart and know I have desired to help! Please forgive me for those times that I may have run ahead of you or spoken out of turn. Please keep me ever mindful of your sovereignty and, if at all possible, please restore this friendship!

A Treasured Moment!

Anyone who has kids has experienced those days where everyone is at each other's throats and you wonder if you have done anything right in your parenting responsibilities! Well, today was not necessarily one of those days, although we have our fair share. Tim and I are both a little under the weather, though, so not apt to be quite as patient as we could be otherwise! ;O)

We decided to do a scramble pick-up of the house after dinner! All hands on deck to put away anything in your line of vision. Divide and conquer! I'll take this room, you take that one...you get the picture. We had things fairly under control and Tim was worn out and had to go lie down. I was finishing up in the kitchen and asked the babies to get ready to go to bed. I got done what I was doing and went to round them up to get them in bed, but what a surprise I got!

Benji was telling Caleb a story and praying with him! Jesse was telling Hannah a story and praying with her! 10 minutes later, all was quiet and the babies were tucked snuggly in bed! My heart was tugged and and my spirit filled with thankfulness!!!

What a relief to know we really must be doing something right! \O/

As Unto the Lord...

Today is, as some would call it, the Lord's day! This title we ascribe to Sunday always gives me pause to think because don't all our days belong to the Lord? It's also the day we set aside as the 7th day, the day of rest, even though the calendar seems to think it is the first day of the week! Crazy, huh?

Anyway, I digress..Tim is gone, Rachel is at church and I am home with the other 4 ~ 3 of whom are sick with coughs! As I pondered what to do with my morning I decided to cut the grass. Not exactly restful by some people's standards, but oh so restful by mine! It may have something to do with only being able to see my children's mouths move while no intelligible sounds are picked up by my ears! LOL! Maybe it is the time I have to pray and contemplate what the Lord has been showing me lately! At any rate, I love it!

This morning there was a chill in the air and a beautiful sun overhead! The trees were getting ready to bust open and the daffodils were smiling proudly! Even the purple clover that had taken over our grass had a beauty of its own ~ until I knocked it all down with the mower! The kids all had fun playing basketball and hitting the tennis ball! All in all, a lovely morning...

I missed not being able to fellowship with another group of believers, but the fellowship I had with the Lord was sweet. I was able to pray for my family and friends and I worshipped the One Who created all that my senses took in! I sang songs of praise! My heart and mind are at rest because...

I cut grass as unto the Lord!

Congratulations, Rachel!!!

Athletics is big in our house! Tim played professional baseball and ministers to athletes! Our boys play baseball and played basketball for the first time this year. Both are natural athletes!

Rachel was never interested in playing anything when she was younger. She is not one for attention so she was always content to cheer her brothers on! Then last year she decided she wanted to play basketball and to say we were slightly shocked is an understatement! She did a great job, though, and worked hard at learning the game.

This year she has had a great year and she has even learned she is a natural 3-point shooter! She bagged 2 last game!! Yaaahhhh!

Well, today that which she had cautiously hoped for came true! Rachel made the All-Star team! Yippee!!! We are so proud of our girl and the hard work she has put into getting better! She gets out there on her own and practices like crazy and her hard work, good attitude and perseverance have paid off!

We love you, baby girl! XXOO

Why the Name?

Well, I am attempting to move my blog over here to Blogger. It seems to be a little more user-friendly which is quite important for someone like me who is not too computer savvy!

When I was trying to figure out what to name my blog, a conversation I had with my dh last night came to mind. We were laying in bed and I thanked Tim for helping me learn to think outside the box. I tend to be a little more cautious and I don't really like to rock the boat. Tim would be my opposite! ;O) I think that's what Jesus taught when He was here, though. He was always coming against the religious leaders of the day and their rules they attempted to live by. He was constantly doing the unexpected ~ and the unaccepted.

I want to live like Jesus did. I want to walk in the Spirit and do what I hear Him instructing me to do. I don't want to march to the popular beat. I want to live with abandon in passionate pursuit of Jesus Christ! In other words ~ I want to live outside the box! Care to join me?