Out of the Mouths of Babes

I won't even get into not posting since November.   What I have to share is just so precious, it trumps any lame reasons.

Serge and I got the pleasure tonight of babysitting our sweet niece and nephew.  We played for awhile, went to dinner, bought Oren a birthday present (only 4 weeks late), watched a movie and then got ready for bed.  I tucked them in and read them a story that included silly voices and faces by Aunt Carrie and giggles and shrieks from Emma and Oren.

Then the sweet, humbling part of the evening.

After singing them a few devotional songs and hymns, I told them about one of my favorite songs, "Make Me New" and why I like it.  I explained that its about asking God to help you when you've made bad choices and how he can change you.  After singing it, a few jokes, hugs for Emma, hugs for Oren and hugs for Turtle, I promised one more song.  I sang one of Serge's favorites, "Pierce my Ear", as I gave final kisses and tucked in any loose sheets or blankets. 

I paused next to Oren and said goodnight and this precious child said, "Aunt Carrie, those songs meant a lot to me.  One time I saw about this boy who died and went to Heaven and came back.  And, um, those songs just meant a lot to me."

With a tear in my eye, I gave that sweet boy an extra forehead kiss, told him that I love singing those songs because they help me tell God what I'm feeling or thinking.  He agreed, then promptly changed the subject as only a child can do.

I leave you with the words of "Make Me New", with my prayer to be that God make me new with the innocence and preciousness of a child.

"Make Me New"

Make me new, Lord Jesus,

Make me new.

For it seems that in so many ways,

I'm not enough like you.

Take this weary vessel, I am in

and mold me once again.

Take my life, take my spirit,

make me new.

12 Dates of Christmas

Thanks to my love-love relationship with Pinterest, I just had a great idea.  I came across a pin that led me to this wonderful post.  The author gives a tutorial for a "date-of-the-month" gift for her husband which she so adorably titles "The 12 Dates of Christmas".

As I sat here thinking of what fun dates I could plan for Serge, I decided (for now) to dream up 12 fun Christmas "dates".   So far I have come up with:

1.  Picking out our Christmas tree.

2.  Seeing the lights at a local decorated area.

3.  Baking and decorating Christmas cookies or a gingerbread house.

4.  Watching a Christmas movie of his choice.

5. Coffee/hot cocoa and people watching at a cute coffee shop.


6.  Driving around town looking at Christmas lights.

7.  Going to see the Nutcracker (ok, so maybe more for me.....but isn't having a happy wife a good thing?!?)

Looks like I have more planning to do.  :)

What would you add to your list?

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Hi all!  I'm back. :)  Life has just been too busy and sadly, not that exciting as I've transitioned into a new school year.  I've had a lot of thoughts and ideas for posts swirling through my brain, just haven't been able to put them down on paper, (you know what I mean).

One thought that has been on my mind lately has to do with my personal search of waiting mothers in the Bible.  I decided to read through Genesis again and was pleasantly surprised.  One thing I love about God's word is that no matter how many times you've read a book or chapter or even verse, God can reveal something new to you on each reading.  Maybe you have matured in the faith and can now understand the deeper meaning of an idea, maybe you have matured in age and identify with a different part of the story than you did when you were younger, or maybe you just never noticed certain words, or verses before.

When I think about the old covenant and reading through the Old Testament, I think about God as the "God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob".  What I noticed and connected to on this reading of Genesis was that these three man's wives { or at least one of their wives ;) } were "barren" and needed God to intervene for them.  These men who were promised:  "your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 28:14) were given wives who could not immediately give them children. 

I have always know about Sarah and Rachel desiring children and waiting for God to hear them and provide a child, but I never paid attention to Rebekah's story. "Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived." (Genesis 25:21). When I came across this the other day, I was shocked.  I reread the verse a few times, asked Serge if he remembered this, smiled and then thought, "Ok, God. I hear you!"

These women, the wives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who were meant to be the mothers of the descendants as many as the stars of the sky could not provide children when they desired to.  They needed the LORD to intervene and open their wombs.  They (and their husbands) had faith to know their prayers would be heard, faith to know their prayers would be answered, and faith to trust that the promise made to them would be fulfilled.

Thank you, LORD for showing me these women of faith.  Thank you for showing me fulfilled promises and prayers.  Thank you LORD for a husband like Isaac who prays for me.  Thank you LORD for your words to read and connect to. 

Trust

I have been very convicted lately that I have not been fully trusting God's plan for my life and for our family.  Every time I uttered or even thought the words, "it's not fair", I was doubting.  Every time I tried to take control and make my own plans, I was doubting.  Every time I felt devastated and forgotten, I was doubting.

What I've been convicted of is that I was living my life as to my wants.  I was feeling saddened and depressed when my (our) plans didn't work out.  But, God doesn't want (me) us to take control of our own lives or plans, he wants us to die to them.  God wants us to act like our brother, Jesus, and die to our own desires and sinful life.  If we died to be raised again, then our new life should be lived to God and his glory.

Romans 6: 10-11 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Read this whole chapter, it's great!!)

My new prayer:  Father, please help me trust your plan for my life, no matter what.  Please help me find joy and strength in your plan, no matter what.  Please help remove my unbelief.

If you feel so inclined, please pray that for me, too.

Charleston

Ahh, Charleston.  What a gorgeous city and what a wonderful time we shared there!  I am so glad that Serge planned Charleston as our second stop, because I am not sure I would have left it to go to Savannah.    Please enjoy our favorite pictures from the trip.

Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.  I did not realize it was a fortified island.

This is a shot from the ferry boat we used to reach the fort.

A picture I took walking down King Street.


 

On our last morning we toured the U.S.S. Yorktown.  In one corridor I asked Serge a question and he didn't answer, I turned around to find this. My adorable husband had climbed up the escape hatch to check it out.  

Lord, help me when we have boys like him.  ;)

More macarons.  I may need help.  Raspberry and chocolate.  Yum!!

My favorite picture.  Just one of many charming views in Charleston.  

I think we are going to hang this in our home.

Now, for the pictures of our home away from home, The Vendue Inn.  Serge chose this place because of it's fantastic amenities.  We loved it!  We will definitely stay there again someday!

My handsome hubs in front of the Vendue.

They still use real keys.  How quaint!

Our room.  Serge did good!  Doesn't it look like a magazine shot?

They turned down our bed each night and gave us Charleston chews.  Cute, right? 

 

What really made Serge to pick the Vendue?  Milk and cookies served each night at 9.  :)

Our complimentary breakfast!

I love this picture!!  The Vendue has bikes available for personal use.  

We went on a bike ride along the river on our last afternoon there.

Relaxing in style.  The robes were so comfortable, we wanted to bring them home.

 

 A picture of us at the Vendue before venturing out for dinner.

Savannah

I am so incredibly blessed with a wonderful husband.  I think he could tell that I had been down and was near a breaking point, so he planned a secret trip for me.  I had no idea that we would be spending 2 days in Savannah and 2 days in Charleston.  We had such an amazing getaway. We had a chance to see the sights, eat, eat and eat again and spend quality, uninterrupted time together.

I wanted to share some of our favorite photographs and experiences in Savannah.  A city with a lot of southern charm, delicious food, and beautiful scenery.  Enjoy!

 One of our first stops, Savannah's Candy Kitchen.  When in Savannah, you HAVE to 

try their amazing praline samples.  We left with a few piece of saltwater taffy.

Serge with his hoecake at Paula Deen's restaurant, Lady and Sons.

Full and happy after lunch. 

 Delicious macarons from a cozy little french restaurant.

One of my favorite buildings.  I took this picture from the trolley tour 

while the guide was describing the serpentine staircase. In more modest times, men and women climbed segregated staircases.  That way, when a woman cleaned her boots before entering the building, a man wouldn't be able to see her ankles.  We've come a long way. ;)

 The Six Pence Pub.  

As seen in the movie "Something to Talk About" with Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid. 

Inside view of St. John the Baptist Cathedral

Our view from Huey's on the River.

Possibly my favorite meal of the entire trip happened at this little restaurant facing the water. 

Beignets with a warm praline sauce.

  Let's take a moment to appreciate this rich, flaky, buttery breakfast.  

*moment of silence*

In the words of someone else who visited Savannah, "That's all I have to say about that". 

When I Look to the Hills

I hope my last post didn't seem too downhearted.  After many prayers and tears, (and a long talk with my Mom) I woke up this morning feeling hopeful and joyful. If you offered prayers for us too, know that they helped, and please, please, know, that we appreciate them more than words could ever say.

I think all of us have times when we feel we down and discouraged.  Sometimes on life's journey we feel like we are stuck in the valley, the low place between the mountains.   But, even if we are struggling in a valley time, between mountaintops, we aren't alone.  We aren't abandoned or crushed, we have a place to look for help.  A song has been on my mind all day, and I just had to share it.  I think it's based on....

Psalm 121: 1-2

 ¹ I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
         From whence comes my help?
 ² My help comes from the LORD,
         Who made heaven and earth.

I found this song years ago, from the Zoe Group.  

 

"When I Look To The Hills"

When I look to the hills,
When my eyes turn to the hills,
When I am in the valley, Father,
I look to you, when I look to the hills.

And where do I find help?
Help to see me through?
Father in You, O Lord,
My help comes from you.

When I look to the hills,
When my eyes turn to the hills,
When I am in the valley, Father,
I look to you, when I look to the hills.

And where do I find strength?
Strength to see me through?
Father in you, O Lord,
My strength comes from you.

And where do I find joy?
Joy to see me through?
Father in you, O Lord,
My joy comes from you.

And where do I find help?
Help to see me through?
Father in You, O Lord, 
My help comes from you.

My help comes from you.