Hero

Bouncing atop his shoulders, this giddy little dirty blonde haired girl, picking fruit from trees along the way; talking about every historical detail; learning about life, caring for others and seeing the utter joy in my heroes eyes.

This hero is my Papaw.

The man who I never knew worked;

I always thought he made a living off of being a Father, Papaw & a friend to all,

 I thought this because - I was right.

Even though he had a job and supplied for his family & so many others he truly knew what it meant to make a living, by receiving his pay, the kind that makes you truly happy...he was paid by deposits into his heart of love and gratitude from those he served on a daily basis.

He is a man I will never not look up to, and a day doesn't go by that I don't smile at him above.

His journey to me is still a beautiful one, and so worthy of thanking God for the incredible impact he made on my life.

My Papaw will forever be my hero.

Happy Mothers Day Mom

The rush flows to my heart as swiftly as a gust of wind before the tears well up in my eyes.  This has become a common sense for me these days.  Usually brought on by the growing up of my sweet babies.
See, for me these are tears of happiness, mixed with pride and joy & usually a dash or two of fear.
My baby girl is entering her senior year, my oldest son is entering his first year of high school, while my youngest boy approaches his very last year of middle school.
These milestones get me every single time, and this Mother's day I can only pray to provide the kind of comfort to these sweet babies of mine that I always received from my Mom; and to this day... still do.
There's always been a warmth about her, in the best of times, and especially the worst of times.  I  can only pray & strive for her gift of compassion to flow through me,  so my children will experience the same kind of love that cannot accurately be described into words.

Mom, I love you like that!!! XOXO

Love Always,

Me

Believing

Their misunderstanding does not equal my failure.
I raised them right, I taught them, gave them the basics.

The questions are hard for me to hear,
the questions of why do we pray when I don't even believe come out of the child I taught to believe from the day she was born.
The very girl who taught me to believe the moment I found out I was going to be her Mommy.
How could this be?
I knew better, I know my daughter better, and God knows her even better than I do-
so with all sincerity I tell my girl that I know she doesn't mean that-
from the deepest of her being she knows God exists.
Earlier that same night my son was asking "What if this is like a big fake, and God isn't real?"
I felt loaded on with doubt from those I love so much, who I desire to know the same love I know in Christ.  The One who set me free years ago from all doubt.

As I cry out to God, wanting to know why!?
Thoughts began  racing through my mind about all the vacation bible schools we missed, the church services we decided to sleep through-
and as all the negative floods my weary, confused mind- I immediately know this isn't God
He doesn't teach me out of guilt.
He tells me their misunderstanding isn't your failure, it's your opportunity!
He reminds me that questions are okay,
and I pray for Him to help me with the answers.
It is in this moment I need to believe in not just Him, but also BELIEVE and hold tightly to what He can do!

"Though it Costs all you Have"

I just love when Gods word just leaps off the page and jumps straight into my heart, at the core of my understanding. Just like a light bulb,  but even clearer.

Proverbs 4:6-8, "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you." (NIV) 

I was reading Proverbs 31 this morning, as part of my daily routine, and I came across this lovely verse.  In the verse the words "Though it costs all you have" stood out- I asked myself  Why would wisdom cost all you have? The next line reads- "get understanding".  

In order to understand what is wise God knows I'm gonna have to get rid of a piece of my own understanding, maybe even a huge chunk of it.  
Sometimes that feels as if I'm getting rid of a piece of me, and He knows how hard that can be. Getting past the point where I realize, that the piece of me I hold so tightly to is such a distraction from seeking Him.

But He says to me...

"Keep reading Heather--- when you cherish wisdom she will exalt you, hold onto her and she will honor you. 
It's gonna take all you have to let go and let Me, but you will understand. 
In the midst of that understanding you will be protected, and watched over without a doubt.
Remember this, and teach this to your children, for they have a lot of questions about how they will hear Me when they call."

Just a Little Stay-Cation

A few days of some much needed family relaxation, plus not too far away from home, equals just the perfect trip for us.

My hubby and I getting ready to go on Xelerator at Knotts, if it wasn't for him I could have never done it!!!  That ride is absolute craziness!!! 

Our beautiful Hotel View of the parking lot- lol 

This year Shianne got to bring a friend along, they had a blast!

The girls trying their best to copy the famous photo.

My handsome boys.  They are the greatest!!!

Picture Taken as we drove away...

Our Beautiful Lunch Spot on the Pier

The Pelican that liked to pose... 

My Blessings!!!