school of suffering

Have you ever suffered?  Been through a hard time?  I heard a minister say one time if you aren't going though a storm or just came out of a storm - you better hang on because one is on its way.  No one knew suffering like Jesus.

Isaiah 53:3-5

3 He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.

Like one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

A lot of times it feels like we are going to the school of suffering.  We have acquired many degrees - loss, pain, sorrow, emptiness, anger, disappointment...and the list goes on.  Sometimes it seems that once we are finally ready to graduate from the school of suffering, we are sent back for another degree.  

We must remember, even through our suffering, that God is Always GOOD.  

Psalm 34:8

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him

And everything he does, he does with you in mind.

James 1:2-4

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

linking up with lovely ladies @

Fingerprints

THE FINGERPRINTS OF GOD

Steven Curtis Chapman

I can see the tears filling your eyes
And I know where they're coming from
They're coming from a heart that's broken in two
By what you don't see
The person in the mirror
Doesn't look like a magazine
Oh but when I look at you
It's clear to me

Truth:  Pregnancy makes you cry a lot.  I cry going down the road, in the shower, at church, watching tv...just any good reason to cry.  Not because things are so bad so much, but because things are so good.

That I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece that all creation
Quietly applauds
And you're covered with

The fingerprints of God

I am twelve weeks now and I read today that the baby now has fingerprints.  FINGERPRINTS!! Amazing!  The uniqueness God has in plan for this little person already in place.  His hand at work.

Never has there been and never again
Will there be another you
Fashioned by God's hand and perfectly planned
To be just who you are
And what He's been creating
Since the first beat of your heart
Is a living, breathing
Priceless work of art

We could all stand to hear these words at least once a day.  We should tell our children. And praise the Lord that you are the only you there will every be.  I often wonder what the baby will look like, if its a Girl or a Boy.  If she/he will look like me or Matthew?  What will she/he like and not like?

And I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece that all creation
Quietly applauds
And you're covered with
The fingerprints of God

Just look at you
You're a wonder in the making
And God's not through
In fact, He's just getting started! 

Whether 12 weeks old in the tummy, 27 years old, 51 years old, or 79 years old....God is still working us....but we can see His fingerprints every where we go, in everything we do, in every mirror that catches our eye.  We are covered in the fingerprints of God.

;

God's Handiwork

Ephesians 2:1-10

¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I am God's handiwork - ME.....Karrie. He has created me to do his work, am I?  Today, my prayer is to do his work, share his love, forgive, bless, comfort, serve, sacrifice, and live that others may find him, not only today but everyday.  His Grace is free for all.  "All of us"  have lived for the cravings of the flesh.   I see his handiwork often but not so much in myself.  Open my eyes LORD.

linking up with some wonderful ladies

Three Cups of Tea

“The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die.” Haji Ali - Three Cups of Tea

 Last Thursday, school was closed due to icing and Owen and I had a quite day at home.  For Christmas, our administration purchased every teacher a copy of the book Three Cups of Tea (young readers edition).  We were instructed to read the book because we are going to do a school read next semester.  I am always resistant of required reading, its just not my cup of tea (no pun intended).  So, I thought well now I'm the teacher and I can't be a slacker.  I opened the book and began.  And before I knew it I was in tears and couldn't set the book down.  Three hours and several tissues later, I finished.  This man, Greg Mortenson, is now a hero of mine.  He was not special, he didn't come from lots of money, he wasn't seeking his own fulfillment, he was just a regular guy who gave up everything for something he believed in.  This kind of humility is something we should all strive for.  Greg sets out to hike a mountain and gets lost on the way.  He befriends a village in Pakistan without the things we often take for granted such as education.  He then makes a promise that he will come back and bring them a school.  The book tells of this magnificent journey into an unfamiliar culture with an unfamiliar language.  He later builds schools in other villages and other countries and he continues to serve a poverty stricken area with the basic needs of food, water, and education.   It really made me think, what I am doing to make a difference?  If he can do all this!  I am looking forward to reading the book with my students, and hopefully not crying to much in front of them. 

 http://gregmortenson.blogspot.com/

 http://www.threecupsoftea.com/

http://www.penniesforpeace.org/

Asalam-o-Alaikum (Peace be with you)

My 30 before 30 List

I don't make resolutions and I've always wanted to make a bucket list, but I feel there is so many things I don't know about that I just couldn't make a complete one, so if it can't be perfect, then why do it?  Well, with that being said, back in December, I read a post by Jonathan Acuff at Stuff Christians Like, which is one of my favorite blogs and it lead me to write a 30 before 30 list.  This year I will turn 28, this means I only have 2 and half years to complete the items on my list.....lots to do and so little time....story of my life!

Here goes:

1.  Have a beautiful, healthy baby.  (Even if I'm the only one who thinks its beautiful)

2.  Read through the entire Bible.

3.  Build a porch on the front of the house.

4. Take Owen to his first day of Kindergarten.

5.  Start something to further my career.  (Masters or National Boards)

6.  Learn to cook new things.

7.   Spend more time with God and less time with distractions (stole from John, but it was so good)

8.  Walk/Hike with Matthew to the top of Stone Mountain, NC. (he's never been to the top)

9.  Pray more.

10.  Be a better gardener with a bigger garden.


11.  Learn to can food and make jelly.


12.  Help Matthew and Owen build a tree house.


13.  Be a better advocate for my students and their learning.


14.  Go to my grandmother's house in Canada.


15.  Spend as much time as possible with my two great-grandmothers.


16.  Help co-direct a successful Vacation Bible School.


17.  Go on a mission trip or two.


18.  Go on a family vacation every year.  (make Matthew go)


19.  Teach Owen to shoot a basketball.


20.  Reach out to more people in my community.


21.  Give more - money, time, prayers.


22.  Have a monthly girls night.


23.  Get a sewing machine and learn to sew.


24.  Blog and get better at blogging


25.  Read as many books as I can


26.  Vacuum once a week.   (maybe)

27.  Pay off debts.

28.  Start a work out plan and stick to eating it.


29.  Call my friends more, just to see how they are.


30.  Hug my son, baby to come, and husband every day and tell them how much I love them.

certainty

Searching for a sure thing in our world is not so easy.   But we often live our lives like everything is sure.  We will go to work, our kids will grow up, even if we don't want them to, the sun will set, the seasons will change, and so and so forth.  We will go to bed and wake up with all the wonders of a new day before us.  My heart ached for Edie over at lifeingrace.  I literally sat and cried in class while my students worked as I read the story.  I have prayed and will continue to pray to for her and her families healing.  These scripture have often given me hope in times of uncertainty.

Paul said in Ephesians 1

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

All though there are things in life that we don't understand and we didn't expect death, sickness, loss, and tragedy we can be certain of God.  And most of all we can be certain of our eternity.  

Romans 8

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

I am thankful that I do know where I will spend eternity.  I am certain.

Looking Back at 2010

in review.......

ME!

taken by Owen

I Love You 

 happiness

 

    

Still Laughing... 

"Moma, is this snake real?"  

 

 Winter Wonderland 

  Birthday 

notice there is no candle :) i love this picture!

  

Friends 

  I Was Inspired...   

Spring Fever   

Travel or Vacation   

Summer Days   

A Day In My Life   

 

All Smiles  

 

Autumn Harvest   

 

Family   

Celebrate!   

Let's Do It Again...  

 

I Miss You

everyday my pa (jan 6 1931 - may 24 2010) and granaw (may 31 1933 - may 10 2003  

Beautiful   

Dress Up   

Macro  

Holidays   

My Favorite   

Don't Ever Change  

Just Because...So There!   

Hopes and Dreams

2010 blessings abounded

1.1.11

2011

I have taken a little break from the blog for the past two weeks.  Christmas came, it was wonderful.  Sickness came, it was relentless, tiresome, and exasperating.

But today, today is a new day, I am already out of my pajamas, this is a change already.

I have never been good at resolutions, I mean I have good intentions, but not so much follow through and they always have something to do with weight.  

This year my "sister" will get married, I will have a baby, my best friend and I are directing VBS, my son will start Kindergarten, and God will give us blessings and trials and guide our paths every day. 

These things I can resolve to soak in every moment of and cherish the people in my life. 

2011 is going to be exciting.

Happy New Year!

Baby Blessings

Scared

Nausea

Memory

Discomfort

Restlessness

Excitement

Thankful

Joyous

Loved

Happiness

As this journey begins, the nervousness and excitement grows.  A baby changes everything.  A baby once changed the world you know.  I often think of Mary.  How she must have felt, yet knowing that she felt some of the same things we all feel as we carry and deliver a baby.  I think I would love to sit and talk with her.  Share a cup of coffee and stories of babies.  

I suppose its good to be sick, that means the baby is growing and doing the things it should be.  I read that nausea is common at 8 weeks because the baby never stops moving.  I will embrace this sickness and be thankful for God's blessing upon us.

Luke 1:28 - 33

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,  and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

 Holiday Colors

 Owen and I made paper garland on our snow day Monday.

Winter/Holiday Icon

My Nativity

 A Tree

Our Christmas Tree, grown in Ashe County, NC

 Quiet

Peaceful Animals

My Favorite Color

Red!

And some beautiful apples we put in treat bags in my Sunday School class.

Friends vs. Acquaintances

I think facebook should change their friend request to acquaintance request.  I have found that true friendship is rare and precious.  Throughout my life have overused, misused, and just plain  out wore out the phrase “best friend.”  Don’t get me wrong I have some best friends, I have some friends, and I have lots of acquaintances.  The older I get the more I see and value the friendships in my life.  Some friends you don’t have to talk to every day or even every week, but you could call or visit tomorrow and it would be as if you were together every day.  I have some of those and love them dearly.  But others if you don’t talk for a while, when you do talk, it’s awkward and different and you wonder, were we ever really friends?  And then there are some you talk to every day or if you don’t hear from them in a couple of days you think something’s up.   In my life I would say the big difference in a friend and an acquaintance is they know me deep down.  They know my fears, my goals, my faith, and my family.  Acquaintances are those who know your name, they may even know where you live and what kind of car you drive but that ask you how you are doing, but don’t remember your answer, and even if you said you were good and you weren’t, they wouldn’t know the difference.  Or even more importantly you may ask them and not really care what they have to say.  And then there is my friend Jesus, you know there was a time when Jesus was just my acquaintance.  Oh, I knew His name, where he was born, His mommy and daddy, I could tell you his whole life story, but He didn’t know me because I never  told Him and I never knew Him because I didn’t ask to.  You may know Jesus, but you aren’t truly experiencing Jesus until he knows you.  Tell him your fears, your goals, your faith, and your family.  Tell him everything – Call him your best friend.

2010 has not many more days and I am frantically buying gifts and addressing Christmas cards, it has occurred to me that I need to work hard to be a true friend to those who are a true friend to me and to be a even better friend to Jesus.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

In My Home

the Christmas decorations are out

this came from my grandma's
 

Its Beginning to Look Like....

 we are going to be stuck at home 

my driveway

 Sweet Treat

 Candy Canes

Time

wish i could freeze time right here

Everyday

we play, we build, we grow

the difference in a day.

Tuesday, November 30

A normal day.  I wake up.  I teach.  I go home.  I play with Owen, ask him about his day.  I cook supper.  We get ready for bed.

Wednesday, December 1

A not normal day.  I wake up.  Kids I teach are wild.  I go home and have son and nephew.  No supper.  Church play practice.  Come home go to bed.

December is here.  The rush.  The busyness.  Fast paced.  Bright lights.  Go here.  Go there.

Let us not forgot the reason for the season.

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21