Can you swallow a pocket knife?

My Uncle Bill could do the most amazing trick. All of us kids could be mesmerized for hours. He would sit in an old wooden folding chair while my cousins and I would gather at his feet.  

Y'all, he could swallow his pocket knife!

I can't make this stuff up...  He would sit in his chair and in a grand, dramatic way he would choke down his pocket knife.  Us kids, would just stare at him, thinking he would just die, but instead he would cough, and hack, and up would come the pocket knife.

It was the coolest thing!  We would just watch and look at him in amazement.  The grown ups would stand around and chuckle at how the kids were so entranced by Uncle Bill.  It was magical.

It wasn't until I was a teenager that I figured out the he didn't actually swallow the pocket knife.  Actually if I'm totally honest, I think my older brother had to explain it to me (I know, Duh)

I'll admit it, it was kind of a let down.  I thought, why would he trick us, why would he let us on to believe he could do something so amazing?

But you know what...  He COULD do something amazing!  He was a cool great uncle.  We loved hanging out with him, and hearing his stories, and watching him do his trick.  He made us laugh, he kept us entertained (which was kind of a miracle).  We learned from him.  I have great memories of him and his cool trick.  I wanted to hang out there.  Truth be told, his wife Aunt Mary Helen, was a great cook too.  It was the perfect combination!

Isn't God kind of like this.  We go through really hard times, and wonder, why.  We get caught up in the let down of the moment that we find it hard to see the growth in the experience.  We grow so much during the hard times.  It's not a trick or a quickness of hands, its life.  Life at its best.  Life.  Learning.  Lessons.  

Look back at your life and pray over your hard times.  What lessons can you learn?  What friendships were formed out of those times?  What cool trick can you do because of it?

Can you swallow a pocket knife?

Disclaimer: No one was hurt in the making of this post... Do not try this at home, professionals only.

Be still

Be still....

Let me paint a picture for you.  Three boys. The seven year old is practicing guitar, the 5 year old is playing monster trucks, and the 4 year old is pushing the loudest fire truck you have ever heard.  Can you hear it. It is neither still nor quiet nor serene at my house.  Usually after about 20 minutes a fight will break out.

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God

How in the world can I be still?  How in the world am I supposed to hear God's still small voice?  The noise level around me is so loud... so, so, so loud....

Did you know that God wants to talk to us.  He wants so desperately to have a relationship with us. A relationship with open communication.

He speaks to each of us.

The Lord speaks to me in different ways.  
For example, just today I was suppose to go to Holy Yoga, instead I wasn't feeling good so I drove home.  On my way home I saw a lady walking along the side of the road.  There is no sidewalk, and the shoulder of the road is narrow.  Its a winding country road.  I drove past her.  God tugged on me.  I felt compassion, and I immediately turned around.  It was a small pull from Jesus.  I drove her to her work, just about a mile up the road, but the cool part is I was able to make a connection with her, and hopefully help her again.  A simple ride a few miles up the road.  God is good.

When I felt the Holy Spirit urge me to go to Peru for the first time was an experience!  I was sitting in church, and my heart started beating faster, my palms got sweaty, I was nervous, anxious and a bit nauseous.  Yup! That was God urging me to sign up for the trip. So, I obeyed Him and I will forever be changed.

God has also laid certain things on my heart that I just can't shake.  Themes start to form around words, or situations.  And all of a sudden I have a realization I have to act.  Starting this blog, and my speaking ministry is an example.  

Even though my everyday is loud, crazy and unpredictable, God still speaks.  I am sure that I have not listened every time, and I have missed opportunities.  I have probably missed times to share the Gospel or help someone in need.  But the best part, is that God still tries.  He has not given up on me.  He still wants me to do His work, no matter what that looks like.  

I just try everyday to put myself out there to be available for Gods work.  I don't care how that looks, or what I am doing.  It doesn't matter how big or small it is, just as long as I am obedient.  It could be teaching my 5 year old how to manage his feelings, or passing out blankets to those in need.  

Listen to God.  Allow Him to change your day, and radically serve Him!

Be still and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalm 46:10

Snow! Snow! And more Snow!

We live in North Carolina.  I have lived here my whole entire life and it is very, very rare that we get alot of snow.  In fact we are made fun of because we shut down if we get a few inches.  Milk and bread are complete necessities, and are often sold out at the stores during these drastic snow storms.

Well, this winter, we have gotten SNOW! And alot of it.  Y'all, like, ALOT!

This is like 15 feet in southern measurement!

Carter loved picking up chunks of ice...Don't eat yellow snow!

Sometimes you just gotta lay down!

Carter kept throwing Walker down and wrestling. Walker didn't care.

Tyler made about a bazillion snow balls.

I don't think Walker could see...it didn't seem to bother him!

The Sled master!

The sled was bigger than he was.

I am glad that it snowed and the kiddos got to play in huge amounts of it.  But I am ready for my flip flops and humidity.  Enjoyed it while it as here, but glad to see it go.

Fives on Friday...Weird Foods I've eaten

My husband and first born, are in Florida on a boar hunt.  I thought it would be fun to list five weird foods that I have eaten....

1) Squirrel
To some of you this is totally normal, for others you are completely grossed out.  When I was a little tom girl growing up on the farm, I would go squirrel hunting with my brother and dad.  We would have squirrel and gravy with homemade biscuits for Sunday supper.  Yummo!!!

2) Deer
First off let me state that it is deer meat.  We do not call it venison.  Again, I would go deer hunting with my daddy, and yes I have killed my own deer.  And yes, I have gotten the blood wiped on my face, (its a tradition for us wood people)... And... I just lost some readers.

3) Guinea pig
I am not talking about your pet Fifi.  I have been to Peru twice, Cuy, as the locals call it is a common thing on every Peruvian menu.  Its really good, it tastes a lot like pork.  The villagers raise cuy.   They would sometimes give it to us as a thank you for coming to their village.  

4) Ethiopian Bread
I know this doesn't sound exotic or eccentric, but have you tried it...  Its grey, kind of wet,  and spongy.  I think it is an acquired taste, which I have yet to acquire.

5) Cow heart
This is also a  delicacy in Peru.  I must admit this was not one of my favorite things.  But, when in a foreign country, you must eat like the locals.
  
BONUS-  Bear, Elk, Snapping Turtle, Rabbit, pretty much any wild game meat-  Almost every year my dad's hunt club has  a Critter Cooking.  Its pretty much anything that you have killed over the year, you cook it up and everybody digs in.  It is also a fundraiser, its a win win!


 Food is only weird if you let it be. "Weird" food is all about perspective.   Let me know what weird things you have eaten.  I would love to know, maybe I need to try something new.  Maybe you need to try something new.

Waiting...

Are you waiting?  Do you feel like you are in limbo?  Do you feel like something awesome is yet to come?

I have often felt like I was waiting for something really awesome to happen.  Like Publishers Clearing House to show up at my door with a multi bazillion dollar check, and my life would be infinitely changed.  Or possibly waiting to be "discovered" (discovered, for what I have no idea).

There are seasons in my life that I feel I have been created for so much more.  I have been made for greatness.  Aren’t we all created for so much more?  Aren’t we all created for God's greatness?  Aren’t we all made in His Holy likeness?  Should we all be waiting?

 Just in my circle, several people are in the waiting room of life.   My mom is currently waiting on a prosthetic leg  because of a recent amputation.  I have some sweet friends who are currently waiting on holding their precious boy from China.  Another friend is waiting on a home to be built.  Another is waiting for a possible move.  My family is currently waiting on answers for an upcoming life change.  Aren’t we all waiting?

Maybe we are waiting for what will happen next.  Maybe the season you are currently in is really rough, and you are waiting for the clouds to clear.  Maybe you are waiting for signs from God about an upcoming decision.  

A lot of times with waiting comes worry.  The unknown is scary.  So we, in our little human brain replay unknown scenarios as to what might happen.  Recently my husband and I toyed with the idea of moving.  I mentally packed, unpacked, painted, decorated, rearranged and lived in three different houses.  Why?  Emotions, planning, eagerness, stupidity.  Whatever you want to call, it was a waste of my time.  I wasted Godly moments to mentally plan an event that did not even happen.  If only I waited for God to fully speak to my heart, I would not have wasted precious God time.  

Waiting is hard, it can be painful, and it is exhausting.  We are creatures of action.  We want to live fast, act fast and be fast.  Who wants to wait around?  After all, look at our culture of fast food, drive thru’s and 30 minutes or less.  We want it hot, fresh and NOW! No matter what it is.  Quick conveniences make up our world.  

Think about when you are driving.  I want you to be honest.  How many of you constantly check your phone at a red light?  Who checks Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, email?  You know you do, don’t lie.  We don't know how to wait.  Even in the car!

Waiting makes us uncomfortable.  It makes us think about our decisions.  

Look back in the Bible,

How long did the people of Israel have to wait before they made it to the Promised Land?  How long did Sarah have to wait before she bore a child?  How long did Jesus have to wait before he could proclaim the greatness of the Lord?

Waiting is biblical.  Waiting grows us; it makes us stronger in our faith.  Trusting God to make decisions for us and waiting for Him.  Dependence on our Heavenly Father is grown out of waiting.  

Waiting builds up our spiritual WEIGHT.  When we are forced to wait, God builds our character.  He grows and strengthens us so that we can handle any other waits that come our way.  Our walk with Him grows deeper, and stronger, and stretches us to reach wholeheartedly towards Him.

We should think about our waiting period as a blessing.  A time that we can rely on what God is doing in our lives.  Waiting is a gift that allows us to grow in our relationship with Jesus.  It is still hard, and uncomfortable, and makes life a little stressful.   But the reward is just so Great!

Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles: they shall run and not grow weary.

Psalm 27:13-14 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living; Wait for the Lord, be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

FIVES on Friday

My handsome hubby recently had Lasik eye surgery.   So it got me thinking, when was the last time you thought about you five senses?

The FIVE senses

1-SIGHT- When was the last time you thanked your eyes for seeing?  How about thanking them for reading this awesome blog?  Have you ever thought what your eyes actually do?  I can't even comprehend how God has made our eyes able to see.  To see the beauty that He has made....

2- HEAR-  Hearing beautiful music, hearing your kiddos scream, hearing advice.  Being a listener to a friend in need, hearing the sounds of a child laughing.  Your ears help you hear happy and sad, pleasant and unpleasant.  You can hear a warning or a concern, or incredible life changing news.

3- SMELL- Smelling...OK, so I am a mom of boys.  I smell lots of different smells throughout the day.  Most of them are not pleasant.  Most of the smells are usually followed with some sort of token of accomplishment.  For example, "it" is always announced, "that was a stinky one" is usually said afterwards.  I do not have alot of sweet smells that come my way.  Bath nights are nice, soap and shampoo smell good... then the BOY smell lingers in.  My car permanently smells like feet!

4- TASTE- This is one of my favorites...I mean come on, tis the season to bake, and eat, and consume sweets.  I am a self admitted sugaraholic.  I love sweets.  The taste buds amaze me,  how each little bump can detect  a completely different taste.  Sweet, salty, sour, bitter.  One of the best things about having kids is giving a little one a lemon.  Don't you love to watch their little faces shrink up and pucker after eating something sour?

5-TOUCH- Feeling something smooth or rough.  Feeling the soft skin of a new born.  Feeling something wet, cold, hot or sticky.  Holding your spouses hand and feeling the warmth from their hand.  Giving a hug to a friend can let them know you care.  Greeting someone with a handshake, patting someone on the back, or giving a high five.

Pretty cool when you think about the amazing things your body can detect and react to.  Thank you Jesus for not making me understand how all of this works and just simply being able to enjoy it.

Just another Random Fives on Friday!

I have one last present for you

Y'all...It has been a long time since I have blogged.  I admit it.  It's not because I have been lazy, or too busy (because I can always make time).  It’s not because of not having anything to say, (if you know me, then you know I always have something to say). It's because I cannot get my feelings out.  I cannot figure out what has been bothering me.  Until now....

Christmas.  

I have been reflecting on where my heart was over the season.  Or where my heart wasn’t.  I feel that I have cheated on Christmas.  I cheated, fell short, and didn’t live up to Christmas.  Sure, I participated.  I went to Christmas parties, baked goodies, gave back…But I still feel like something was lacking.

The lacking part was not the new clothes, or the I pad.  We did not lack in an abundance of presents.  The boys got way more than they could have ever wanted.  The presents, the wrapping, the boxes the bows, all of it.  All of it is disposable.  All of the pretty is now in a trash heap, buried under the dirt.  My boys have already broken a handful of toys.  Disposable.  Trashed.

That’s where I am left.  Feeling like I have been dumped in the trash. Trash.  Yup!  That’s right.  Did I truly celebrate the season in the way that God would have wanted?   I prayed, I worshiped, I did good for others, I celebrated the Birth.  But yet, I still feel left with a need for a do over.  

Aren’t we always trying to do more?  Or at least feeling like we should.  We could never do enough for God, and we don't have to.   If you truly think about it, God’s grace for us is way more than we could ever earn.  That is a true blessing. We CAN’T do enough.  EVER.  Jesus did all that we need.  We don’t deserve it, but we get it anyway.  We can never fill the chasm because it is way too big.  Jesus is the only bridge of the gap.  He is the only one! We don't have to fill it...

We have Grace, Grace that rains down and refreshes us.  It has refreshed me over the last few weeks as I have been figuring out my emotions.  

Thank you Jesus for your Grace.  We do not deserve such love.

So what does all this mean?  Well, it means that I want to continue to bring God's love to all.  I want to continue to celebrate HIM.   Everyday is a gift from him and we should open each day as if we are opening a precious Christmas gift. 

Which way are you going to open your day?  Carefully peeling back the wrapping so tenderly as to not tear the paper.  OR, excitedly ripping the paper and tearing into the gift.  Live in complete abandonment to Jesus.  Allowing Him to guide you through your day.  That is the most precious gift of the season that we get to be with Jesus on a daily basis!

Enjoy the Christmas season throughout the year.  I am going to stop yearning for a do over and simple pray for a “do now”!