Family Fall Fun

The Mum. . . I think it is my very favorite flower. . . well, I really like the Hydrangea too. . . but the Mum is either first or close to first. . .

Why? I think I like it so much is because it signifies fall.

I just love fall. . .

The crisp, cool air, hayrides, bonfires, football, pumpkins, leaves changing colors, and. . . corn mazes!

A few weeks ago we took a family day and headed to Southern Belle Farms. Normally we go to Rock Ranch, but we decided to change it up this year.

The girls loved jumping on this bouncy thing. . .

Here's the family in my personal favorite. . . the corn maze.

Alec and Hanna practiced roping a cow's head. . . I guess in case we ever decide to move on a ranch one day **grin**

There were duck races. . . how do you think that went in a family full of competitors?

There was cotton pickin'

Oh, and a hayride. . . I just LOVE the smell of hay and freshly mowed grass. I think these scents take me back to my childhood. Every Halloween "Pruett" (my granddaddy) would pack his truck full of hay, and we would ride in the back of his truck and go from house to house trick or treating! I just loved it!

As we were in line to order some snacks Alec and I got a kick out of this man's . . . should I say . . . murse?

This sweet thing and I took it easy while the other 3 were in charge of getting our food.

That girl wanted a chocolate apple so badly. . . Can't you tell how much she is enjoying it?

The girls loved the corn house.

Hanna needed a bird's eye view for one of our favorite events. . .

PIG RACES . . .souee weee, s-s-s-souee weee. . .

It's amazing how someone can spray paint a couple of pigs, turn them loose, and the crowd goes WILD!!

I love my family so very much! Our time together is precious. I'm so thankful for the memories we're making!

Are Christians ANY Different from the World?

Just look at the church. . . and then, take a good look at the world.

Are they really ANY different?

Scripture clearly tells us we are NOT to love the world (1 John 2). As I've thought about this question. . . do we, as Christians, look any different from the world. . .here's what I've come up with. . .

Look at our homes. . . our homes look like the rest of the world. . . in fact, most of us . . . and I would almost dare to say ALL of us here in the United States have much bigger homes than MOST of the world. I had girl in my home from Estonia who told me my home looked like a castle. . . made me queasy to my stomach. So many in the world live in shacks, yet we think we have to keep . . . in the words of George Jefferson (remember the show, "The Jeffersons"?) .. . 'movin' on up to a deluxe apartment in the s-s-k-k-y-y-y-y'.

Look at what we spend our money on. . . we have closets FULL of clothing, yet must buy more. Sure we throw out all sorts of excuses.

**I want to be in style with the latest fashions.

**I just don't have ANYTHING that fits me right.

**I just wanted to buy a few things just to make me feel better. I've had a really tough week, you know?

** I know I don't need anything, but I just couldn't pass up this bargain.

Look at how much we spend in groceries. There are people out there starving. Mothers don't know how they are going to feed their babies their next meal and yet, we, plan our menus accordingly to the things that satisfy our taste buds more than our need for food. So many people in the world live on 1 meal a day. . . yet, here in America, we have to make sure we get the 3 meals and 1 snack in or we feel otherwise deprived.

Let's look at our relationships. . .

**Someone who may not have so great a marriage, sees a little harmless flirting as 'no big deal'. . . after all the excuse is used that we need to feel good about ourselves, then that harmless flirting may turn into much more. . . maybe then their thought life is preoccupied with the person of the opposite sex. A single person may be tired of being alone all the time, yet seeks their fulfillment in the opposite sex in order to "feel" loved. . .

What about our friendships/family relationships? We are wronged in some way or the other. Our feelings are crushed. We decide to totally cut off contact with someone who is our brother or sister in Christ. Matthew 5 clearly outlines how we are to treat our enemies. . . if we are slapped, we are to turn the other cheek. . . if our enemy makes us go 1 mile with him, we are to go 2. . . if our enemy takes our cloak, we are to give him our shirt also. If we are commanded to treat our ENEMIES this way, then how much more should we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ? After all the 2nd greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as OURSELVES! Question. . . do we REALLY do this???? As Christians . . . followers of Christ. . . "little" Christs (that's what the word Christians mean) do our actions imitate him . . . really?truly?

1 John 2:15-16 commands "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world."

Lust of the flesh. . . that is what our excess is here in America. We have God-give desires that we MUST have. . . food, clothing, shelter, and love. The lust of the flesh is when we have taken these God-given desires and have perverted them. . . we lust after bigger and better and nicer homes, clothing. Just took a look at the grocery store or in a restaurant of the gluttony that takes place. . . love is perverted when we seek to fill our love tanks outside of God's design.

Let's look at the lust of the eyes. Question. . . what do you allow your eyes to see that sets itself up against the knowledge of our God (2 Cor.10:5). . . what do you look at that offends OUR God? Take a personal inventory here.. . what shows do you watch on TV, what movies do you watch, what books do you read, what do you look at on the internet, what music do you listen to, what do your conversations center around, what activities do you partake in? Examine these things. . . sexual humor, making light of sin in a funny way, grossly partaking in sin and making it look glamorous, violence. . . anything like this in what you set before your eyes? Psalm 101:3 tells us, "I will set before my eyes no evil thing." TV in itself brainwashes us into how we treat others. We're told to 'get them back', 'cut them off', 'say hurtful things about them', 'dog eat dog', 'every man for himself'.

What about the boastful pride of life? Ever try to elevate yourself above another person?. . . ever try to make yourself feel better by noting all the things you do better than other people?. . . ever try to deal with your jealousy by just changing your mind-set and noting what you have that is better that someone else?. . . whether it be better-behaved, more respectful children, a better figure, a better job, a better home, a better wardrobe, a higher intellect, better social skills, better marriage, better friendships, more popularity, better singing voice, better musical talent, more driven, more self disciplined, being a better parent, homeschooling your children rather than sending them to school. . . the list could go on and on. . .

Sounds ALOT like the world, doesn't yet? Yet, that is the American church as a whole today. No wonder the world has no desire for Christ. We're trying to reach a lost world, yet we look JUST.LIKE.THEM. We watch the same movies, TV shows, read the same books, talk about the same things, partake in the same activites, live in excess, treat others JUST LIKE THE WORLD!!

Are we really and truly following Christ? We can't just say we are doing so in our hearts? It's not enough. (Francis Chan). The disciples didn't just follow Christ in their hearts. . . they did so with their actions!!!

Let's allow the Holy Spirit to transform our lives. Let's start looking more like Christ. Let's start living lives so that when other people see us they know Christ is in us. Let's adhere to a standard of holiness so that when a brother or sister is in sin, we can go to them and hold them accountable (it's hard to hold someone accountable when you're doing the same things). . . not because we are better than them. . . but because we LOVE them as love ourselves. . .

Let's get rid of the worldliness in our lives so that we will love Him with ALL of our hearts, ALL of our soul, ALL of our strength, and ALL of our minds!

So, what actions in your life make others see not the you in you, but the Christ in you?

133. For God's grace.

134. For growth.

135. For the Holy Spirit.

136. For the powerful word of the living God.

137. For Godly teachers who don't just talk the talk, but walk the walk.

Girl Talk

Ash to Hanna: "I'm going to marry the first person who asks me, because no one else may ask me. . .

Me to Ash: "Ash!!!! Are you kidding me? You are beautiful both inside and out. You have a GREAT personality. You have a heart of gold. Plus, baby, you need to make sure whoever you marry loves the LORD."

Hanna: "Yeah, you need to ask him 'What is the Gospel'!!!"

129. For the Gospel.

130. For being a mom of girls.

131. For honest conversations.

132. For laughter.

Something is Wrong

Something is wrong . . . when we have so little time together as a family that family time seems out of the norm rather than the norm.

Something is wrong. . . when I spend more time serving the LORD than spending time with the LORD (through prayer, study of His word).

Something is wrong . . . when I'm so connected to people via facebook, twitter, blogging that I fail to see their real needs because I allow the "Internet" to suffice for communication rather than a telephone call or a visit.

Something is wrong . . . when I'm so busy that when I stop being busy I feel somewhat bored.

Something is wrong. . . when I'm so invested in other people that I fail to see how the hearts of my own children need shepherding.

Something is wrong . . . when an article states that between 75% to 80% of homeschooled children walk away from their faith when they enter college.

Something is wrong. . . when I spend endless amounts of money on my wardrobe, my accessories, my shoes when there are starving people all over the world.

Something is wrong . . . when I have so much stuff and a home with a lot of square footage that I have a hard time keeping it clean.

Something is wrong . . . when I judge others more than I love others.

Something is wrong. . . when I go almost an entire week without calling my mama.

Something is wrong. . . when I'm so busy that the only "free time" I have at home is when I'm sleeping.

Something is wrong. . . when I allow a minor dispute over things of God to interfere in a friendship.

Something is wrong. . . when I fail to let someone know they are missed when they are out of the fold.

Something is wrong. . . when I stop putting others before myself.

Something is wrong. . . when I fail to "read between the lines" and discern what people are REALLY saying.

Something is wrong. . . when I strive to please people more than I strive to please God.

Something is wrong. . . when I tend to hold onto things that offend my LORD and things that set themselves against the knowledge of my God (TV, music, movies, books, etc.

121. For spirtual growth.

122. For a patient, loving, compassionate, and merciful God.

123. For the Holy Spirit.

124. For Godly teachers and preachers.

125. For Godly friends.

126. For struggles.

127. For having more questions than I do answers.

128. For the word of God.

Blogger Overload

My poor blog . . . probably felt like my printer did when I started printing our "Tapestry of Grace" for the entire year. . . in fact, I think I broke my printer. Oh well, to say I've been behind on blogging is quite the understatement.

I've just been so swamped with work. . . with homeschool. . . with all good things. . . with family. . . with friends. . . with church. . . with being in God's word. . .

Speaking of God's word. . . Right now I'm in the midst of teaching 9th and 10th grade girls the book of 1 John verse by verse, chapter by chapter. I literally have a commentary and that's ALL! Seriously, I spend about 5 to 6 hours a week preparing for my Sunday School class and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love those girls. I love teaching them. I love studying the Word of God expositionally (that's verse by verse). I love how much I am learning. I love how much God is changing me!

Also, I'm now leading our Grow Group. Although I am with some very spiritually mature women I feel as if we are all disciplining one another. . . so I do prepare the lessons, but other than that I'm just the leader on paper. We're currently going through "The Gospel-Centered Life." It is literally changing my life. I'm in a hard place right now, but a very good place. I probably have more questions than I do answers. . . but that's okay. . . I'm seeking, I'm searching, I'm learning, I'm struggling and, honestly, God couldn't have given me a better group of women to do this with. I always love studying the Word, but to be able to do it with my dearest and closest friends is a true gift. We're all learning so much about one another. For example, I'm the defender. We have some hiders and fakers too. (anyone going through this will know what I mean). And, to boot, we have accountability. . . you want to talk about being vulnerable. . . boy, oh, boy. . . hard stuff, but good stuff. And, scripture memory. . . we recite every week. Really holds you accountable.

I'm also taking a theology class on Wed. night. Right now we're in Trinitarianism. . . I keep telling everyone I'm the dumbest person in the class. I wrote Jon a note one day saying "I think the only gift God gave me is social skills." Another time I wrote him a note saying, "I'm sooooo sleepy." He replied, "That's because you're below the arch". There's lots of philosophy in this class and to say it is way over my head is an UNDERSTATEMENT! However, I've met a precious young couple. They are really struggling with their faith. . . . just hurts my heart tremendously. We've had them over for dinner. Jon thinks like her husband, so that is good. As for me, I can love on her, but she is way more intelligent than I. She's got some really hard questions that I really and truly do not believe there are answers for. Deut. 29:29. . . in fact, as i type this now it was a tough class tonight. I almost broke into tears for her. She left class while we were closing in prayer. I've texted her. . . yet, I haven't heard back. . .

And, I've been reading "Radical" by David Platt for quite a while now. That book has got me all messed up. Messed up in a really good way. . . but really messed up. I've gotten it all wrong. . . terribly, terribly all wrong. Praise God for His grace, and I know He's going to get us out of the mess we've wanted, the mess we've created. . . and I'm so excited about how God has/is changed/changing BOTH Jon and I's hearts. . . so excited about the things He's leading us to do. . . so excited about what the future holds.

See why I have no time to blog? I'm going to hopefully do better. I love blogging and recording down my heart, hopes, dreams, fears, frustrations, etc. I've got a few more posts to catch up on and I should be good to go again!

Chick-fil-A Field Trip

A few weeks ago some friends and I headed to Chick-fil-A home office for a field trip. What a neat experience!

Of course, the cow was there. . .

He has to be pushing for eating more chicken

A model of what the first drawf house looked like. The prices of the menu were even overhead. One cool thing is there are only about 6 people still living that were regulars in the first dwarf house. Truett Cathy honors the original prices for these people. . . for example a cup of coffee was only 0.05. Isn't that cool?

The safe where the recipe for the chicken sandwich lies. . . Alec, of course, thought he could crack the code :)

You know if Alec was trying then Ash was going to have to give it a go herself.

Hanna tried to, but she basically put her hand on the safe. She was so quick I didn't have time to snap a picture.

We got to go into Truett Cathy's office. He calls it his treehouse. The outside is surrounded by trees.

We also got to tour his car collection. . . wow!wee! is all i can say.

He even owns the bat mobile. The boys were infatuated!!!!!!

A couple of things they stressed to us was that Mr. Cathy is 1) a giver, 2) invests in other people's lives, 3) is a hardworker, 4) loves to have fun. When going through the corporate offices there was even a set of bowling pins and a bowling ball in the hall. . . very cool!

We then headed to Chick-fil-A and got a complimentary sandwich and drink and bag of chips for going on the field trip.

Hanna made some new friends!

Love, love, love this family!

Boy, do we know how to P-A-R-T-Y!!!

September is a big month for birthdays around our house. My Dad, Melissa, Hanna, and Ash all occupy the month of September.

Good excuse for a get together.

This year we combined the girls' birthday party. They got to pick 2 friends a piece to spend the night with them.

Mom, of course, made their birthday cakes.

Hanna's face cracks me up. She must be surprised that Ash can blow out so many candles!

Both girls wanted soccer cakes. . . so Mom made them a cake a piece. She's the BEST!

Next, time for presents.

Y'all know what else happens on Saturdays? College football!

Kara Jane gave Hanna a necklace that said "Best Friends". She has one part of it, Hanna has the other. . . so sweet!

Maddie gave the same thing to Ash!

Later, we headed outside to tie dye aprons. MaeMae got to tie dye an old shirt of Jon's. She was so excited she got to hang out with the big kids.

How does a very unorganized person keep things from going chaotic with permanent tie dye ink? We'd all just take turns and say "pass the bottle". It actually went pretty smoothly considering I had 7 girls around the table.

Next, it was time for "make your own pizza"

The cool thing about this slumber party. . . Hanna's 2 friends and Ash's 2 friends were sisters. It's really neat! These girls are all so.very.sweet.

By the end of the night Skyler became a snaggle tooth. I pulled a loose tooth for her.. . . too funny!

I learned that polyester does not dye as well as cotton. Our aprons didn't turn out quite as bright as I had hoped. . .but the girls loved it, and that's what counts!

It was so much fun. I ended up not going to bed until 12:30 that night, and then got up extra early because I knew I would have 7 heads (including my own) of hair to fix! I also had to teach Sunday School that morning. I ran purely on adrenaline (which just gives me such a rush). It was so fun! I can't wait until we do another slumber party. . . .the sound of little girls giggling is one of my favorite sounds in the world.

Speaking of sweet girls. . . my niece, Noelle, had been calling my Mom wanting Mama to help her plan a surprise party for my sister.

Although Melissa knew about the surprise, she was a great faker. . . maybe cause she has a Ph.D in "fake" (her words folks, not mine:))

Alec looked out for Melissa and Scott

This year I wished Melissa a happy 31st birthday. She's not 31, she's 32. I think I was hoping if I made her 31 this year, then come Jan. on my birthday I could just turn 33 again and not 34. . . wishful thinking, huh?

Mama had GREAT party games planned. . . like pin the tail on the donkey. There is a good joke here folks for this picture, but I'm just going to keep it to myself.

And, what party isn't complete without a pinata?

All the kids went head first for the candy!

What a fun day! I'm so blessed to be apart of such an amazing family! Sometimes we're all mad as spit at one another. Sometimes we all laugh so hard our bellies hurt! Sometimes we all cry for one another. . . but one thing is ALWAYS for sure. . . we love each other like crazy . . . and. . . there is NEVER, EVER a dull moment!