Friday (Re) Focus - My Story - Part 2

Last week I shared "my story" up to the time I met and married Calvin. Today I'll pick up there.

Calvin and I married in 1997. In January of that same year, Calvin became the youth Pastor at our church. In 1999, we had our first child. In 2004, I changed careers, from hair dresser to banker. In 2005, we had our second child. All of this was very...normal.  Just life,  adjusting to marriage, adjusting to different stages of ministry, adjusting to parenthood. I enjoyed leading Ladies' Bible Study, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and leading Children's worship. God had changed me. I wanted to serve Him and lead others to a relationship with Him. My relationship with Christ changed everything about who I am and even in the early stages of my journey following Him, I wanted to share what He'd done in me. 

In January of 2009, I started this blog. Initially, I just wanted somewhere to record my thoughts on ministry, being a pastor's wife, and what not. Life was rocking along just fine. God was growing me. He was showing me all the many ways He is active in my life and in the lives of those I love. He showed me time and time again that prayer is powerful and that He is acutely aware of the goings on in my life and in the lives of others.. I thought I had it all together, serving God and doing all the right stuff to show others how to live good, Christian lives.

The last week of January 2009, I was diagnosed with cancer.  I recorded most of that journey here, so I won't go into detail, only to say that I was and am thankful that God drew me to himself years before this event. He grew me and revealed himself to me in so many ways up to this time that it was natural to lean into him when I started this journey. In April of 2009, I was officially "clear" of cancer and began the follow up monitoring. Slowly, my voice recovered and I began teaching, singing, and doing all the things I'd done before cancer put a bump in the road.

In the summer of 2011, I was diagnosed with cancer again. I recorded less of this journey here on the blog. I required radiation along with surgeries and I was not as positive going into the whole thing. I was upset, even angry, that God would allow this to happen again. Looking back, I see that it was necessary. Up to then, I put a limit on my trust. I'd trust God with something, but on my terms, within my time frame. This second bout with cancer pushed me beyond those limits. I truly had to give up all control and completely trust that He knew best... even if "best" was me permanently losing my voice. This was huge and took a long time to happen, but this second bout with cancer allowed me the opportunity to really see how God moves in the midst of seriously uncomfortable circumstances. It allowed me to see how God works through my hardship to bless others. The second time I had cancer, I learned to be available, open, and willing to share His love...even when I was hurting.

I thought that cancer would be my "battle." I thought that I would forever return to that point in time when God walked me through the cancer valley. I didn't realize that this was only preparing me for yet a deeper valley.

I'm not going to camp out here, only long enough to mention that I tried to end my life in the summer of 2017.  I spent 18 months working my way out of that valley... by far the deepest and darkest valley I've ever known. I shared most of that journey here over the past 2 years. 

Today, I see God's fingerprints all over my life.  There are all sorts of little things that come to mind that I will write about later. Today I just want to say that as I look over my life, I see God everywhere. He prepared me for each of the valleys I've traveled through and He never left me. He allowed situations and circumstances that stretched my faith. I feel sure that He will continue to do this, as it brings me closer to Him.

It is natural for me to follow Him. It is natural for me to love Him. He saved me, in every sense on the word. He gave me life. He gave me purpose. I want others to know the love I have found in my Savior. I want others to know that there is a God and that He loves them. 

Christmas is in a few days. What a perfect image to end today's post with. Mary and Joseph had a plan for their life together. God upset that plan and turned their lives upside down. Thank goodness he did! God provided the way to save the world through them. 

I want my heart to be like Mary's. I want to willing serve Him however He chooses to use me.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38

Big Hugs

K

I mentioned before that I want to hear your story. That hasn't changed. You can share in the comments or via email. Thanks to those who have shared via email. I appreciate your trusting me with your stories.  I won't share those who have not given me permission to do so. Thanks again!

Thursday's Thoughts on... Snow

I live less than 3 hours from the Gulf of Mexico, smack in the middle of the state of Mississippi. We have 100+ degree summers, which are the trade off for only needing a coat and gloves a few days a year. Winter is mild. Snow is rare. Very rare.

Snow Fascinates me.

It's quiet. It's peaceful. It falls gently, silently. It slowly makes the barren, lifeless, boring winter landscape sparkle as if covered with diamonds. It stills the busy-ness of the world with an audible hush and covers all the earths imperfections with a pure and unblemished blanket of white.

Makes me think of Jesus and what He has done in my life.

He quiets my fears, covers my imperfections, and makes my plain-ness sparkle like diamonds as His love radiates from me. He envelopes my fearful heart and quiets my anxieties with an audible hush, leaving only the peaceful quietness that comes from being covered in His love.


Just my thoughts...
K

Wednesday's Weekly Recipes - Cole Slaw

The thing that separates this recipe from others is that the cabbage and carrots are shredded SO fine. I love it so much! (Compliments of South Your Mouth)

INGREDIENTS:  
 1 head of cabbage, finely shredded
 1 carrot, finely shredded
 1/2 cup mayonnaise
 1/3 cup granulated sugar
 1/3 cup milk 3
 tablespoons white vinegar
 3/4 teaspoon salt
 1/2 teaspoon pepper


 INSTRUCTIONS: 
  Add shredded cabbage and carrot to a large mixing bowl; set aside.

  In a smaller bowl, combine remaining ingredients and mix well.

  Add mayonnaise mixture to cabbage and carrots and mix well.

  Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Enjoy!
K

Tuesday Tips and Tricks - Traveling To and Fro

My kiddos are old enough now that traveling is no big deal, but I do remember the scheduling required when I wanted to travel with them when they were little.

Of course, you can limit your car-imprisoned-interaction with your kids to things like
"I'm the parent, that's why."
"You should have peed before we left."
"We will get there when we get there."
"Be Quiet." 

While the whole "I'm the parent, you're the kid and I don't want to be in this car any more than you do... so be quiet" might insure you a mostly quiet car ride... it isn't much fun... for anyone.

Here are a few kid friendly traveling tips that most parents (except for the newest ones) have figured out. Maybe they will help with your holiday travels. If you have others, please share in the comments!

Let them sleep. If you have little bitties, or if you have grumpy older kids, your best defense may be to travel while they sleep. I have often left late or left really early so that mine would sleep most of the way. My Christmas trip is about 6 hours, so if I could work it out so that they slept the first (or last) 3-4 hours, I could manage the rest.

If sleeping isn't an option... or if your trip is longer, maybe these ideas will help.

Give yourself enough time. I started enjoying my trips home when I stopped limiting the drive time to the exact number of hours that the GPS said it should take me. I give myself enough time to stop along the way. Few families enjoy being rushed, even if a few members do.

Stop along the way. Last year we stopped at Enid Lake. Nothing spectacular or life changing, but I'd been passing the exit to Enid lake for about 30 years and wanted to see what it looked like. We enjoyed getting out and stretching our legs and the scenery was pretty. It only set us back a few minutes and... well, we ENJOYED it.  There is an outlet mall along our route as well. If the timing is right, we may stop there this year.

Pack snacks and drinks. I saw the cutest thing on Pinterest.  Have I done it? Nope. (Have I done anything I've pinned? Prolly not.) But I might. Maybe this year. Maybe not. Who knows? I do take snacks tho.... just not packaged as cute as these.

Sing. 

Play games. The Alphabet game gets brutal with my bunch. There are tons of games to play in the car. You can find some for the littles here. Some for older kids and adults can be found here.

Tell stories.  Tell the kids about the day they were born, how you met your spouse, things they did when they were little. Share your favorite childhood memories or stories about your siblings (especially fun if they are going to be seeing them at your destination)

Just talk.  I will never forget, once I was talking to my older child about what he wanted to be when he grew up. He gave me a long and thoughtful answer. I then asked my younger child. She promptly replied "I'm gonna be a frog."  The car is a great place to find out why they like their best friend, who their fave teacher is, what their top 10 favorite foods are, etc.

It's all too easy to miss the opportunity to enjoy your family on road trips. How many other opportunities do we have these days where we are together got multiple consecutive hours with no distractions? Take advantage of the time!

Much love and big hugs!
K