Finding Wings

A few weeks ago the kiddos and I went to a friends house and spent the day at her beautiful property. The kids had a blast...and so did their mom! Late in the evening I went for a walk along her creek bed and as I looked into the flowing water- I spotted this shell (see above) it reminded me of an angel wing.... I smiled to myself...I had found wings. There are soooo many scriptures pertaining to wings in the Bible. I love the sweet, simple gift from the Lord reminding me that He's my protection and shelter. He's the joy the causes my heart to soar. I picked the shell up out of the water and just held it. It was one of those precious moments when you know that the Lord was quietly whispering words of strength, love and mercy to your heart. Simple as it was- it was truely a divine gift. I went home and pinned the shell to my corkboard- and it was then that I realized all the other "wing" things that had been pinned to my corkboard. I wasn't MEANING to have a "theme" they were just items that were special to me....and I smiled. The Lord knows our hearts better than we do!

May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. Ruth 2:12

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings Psalms 17:8

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings Psalms 63:7

Gabe resting at the end of a long day of work and play. He didn't know I was taking the picture.

What a catch!! Our friend has a pond and Jakey was SOOOO excited to catch this "fish" ;)

This is "HAPPY" my friends dog soaking up some of the first warm rays of spring. She's such a sweet dog.

Well, I'm going to go to a photography class today and try to exercise my "wings" :) Whether you're in the place of your life that you need the shelter of his wings, the protecting wings of angels or are spreading your wings to fly....may you shine all your light!

-Cass

A Simple Woman's Daybook Post

A recent picture I took in Greensboro

I am Thinking: I should be working- not blogging. :)



I am Thankful: For provision....from the most unlikely of sources. God truely works in mysterious ways.



From the Kitchen: I am slowly thumbing through my new cookbook by Ree Drummon called "The Pioneer Woman Cooks" I love the pictures, stories, quotes and ....Oh yes, the recipes! :)



I am Wearing: flannel pants and fleece hoodie...and I'm still cold!



I am Creating: A grocery list. bleck.



I am Going: Grocery shopping. Double bleck.



I am Reading: Marriage on the Rock by Jimmy Evans.



I am Hoping: To go pick up my new ballhead tripod mount tonight!! Oh yay!!!



I am Hearing: Jake humming and grunting as he builds a blanket tent.



Something You May Find ONLY at My House: Lady Templeton our pet tortoise is hibernating in my daughters bedroom with a decorated shell.


From my Journal: A little quip from my last entry, "Words that were like cold water on a dreamers pillow. I feel like a Jane Austen novel coming to life."



From my Heart: My heart is ready to let go and move on with my life- and yet everyday- my mind has to remind my heart that we're moving forward.

From my Bible: I have found such solace in Psalms 144:8 recently.

Like A Herd of Turtles

My son Gabe worked with my cousin Billy about a week ago, and came back home with a number of new sayings....one of them has really stuck with me (and Gabe). They were supposedly at a stop light behind a granny driver, and Billy said in a wry tone, "And were off! Like a herd of turtles".

That saying kind of sums up my New Year to date. We're off...running-full steam ahead, but there's little distance to measure for all of my sweat, action and effort! I crack up picturing a herd of turtles at the races....but, I'm simple to humor like that. ;)

There's a lot going on; however, I don't think much of it would make for a very interesting blog. Currently, my life can be summed up in short statements and bullet points.

• Christmas was delayed by 15 days for my family due to my parents being in Mexico on an extended missions trip. So, we just "had" Christmas on Saturday.


• Last night was Rebekah's first violin recital of the year. I wonder if every mother there thought their child was the best? I know this one did. :)


• Baby Howie has cut a tooth. Can I even begin to express how much I love him?


• Gabe was of the misunderstanding that electives are "free subjects" and were subject to his desire to do them or not. It wasn't anything that a healthy dose of being grounded from EVERYTHING hasn't cured. I'm amazed at the miraculous turn around and to see how GOOD he is at business math/accounting!


• Playdoh. It's on my table all day everyday...with rollers, pokers, cutters and squeezy-things.


• I have some upcoming photography expeditions on the calendar


• I have two Christmas gifts that I've yet to mail off (shocking, right?)


• I have my thank you cards spread out across my desk for my bday and cmas gifts...I'm so pathetically behind on everything
• My birthday was a week long celebration....family and friends are SOOOO wonderful. I had four "out to eat" birthday dinners!! Two of them with the same two people!! It was just soooo good the first time we did it again!

Shine All Your Light,

Cass

Wrapping It Up

Being the chronic procrastinator that I am- I'm here on the 1st day of the New Year still wrapping and packaging Christmas presents...celebrating my birthday (which was 12/27) and trying to make an agreement with the IRS for LAST YEARS taxes. *LOL* Isn't it funny how the things that we CAN put off we do....but God forbid if my FB status goes un-updated for more than 24 hours.

I've been reflecting on many things this past week. The last year has been a tremendously hard one for me- the struggles have caused me to grow and spread my wings. I'm feeling like I may be okay for the first time in a very long time.

I don't know what the New Year will hold for me- but I do know this- in spite of my struggles, trials and shortcomings- and no matter how the next year unfolds....God is ALWAYS on time. ;)

Life is More Robust With Children

My children are gone to Mexico on a missions trip...

My Christmas tree has been standing undecorated and judgementally naked in the corner for 2 weeks. My house is quiet and my washing machine has only done one 1/2 load of clothes all week. I have learned to have sympathy for the lonely senior citizens that call my business and want to keep me on the phone for long periods of time to chat and listen to a friendly voice. I feel like one of those old people today. I would make friends with anyone that would listen.

It's snowing- but the kids aren't here to make it seem as magical and fun. It seems cold and messy.

I decorated the tree last night. Children make that seem worthwhile and fun too. It was lonely doing it alone. I also made 3 dozen cookies...and for once- my cookie jar has stayed full for more than 24 hours! I'm not complaing nor whining....I'm simply observing. Life is so much more "robust" with children. I keep finding myself talking outloud....but no one is here to reply...and mind you they rarely do respond or reply...but it's odd to speak and realize I'm the only one here.

Four children take up 95% of my life. Seriously. Do you know how odd it was to get up for church Sunday morning and be ready a whole hour early!!! LOL. I cooked dinner Monday night and fried FOUR porkchops! It's a habit! I'm sick to death of porkchops! LOL.

The lonliness can be good too....reflections of the past year, the growth and lessons...and the quietness of a house sure makes me appreciate the festive atmosphere that children create.

It seems like with all this spare time I have recently inherited....I would be lightyears ahead on the whole Christmas planning, purchasing and preparations....but, it's the farthest thing from the truth!!! Christmas just isn't Christmas without little ones around.

Life is so much more approachable when you look at things under the influence of childrens chatter and enthusiasm!!! I hope I find the spirit of the season in the next few days and will have everything done and ready and festive for the kids homecoming from the mission field!!!!

I heart faces-Autumn Beauty Photo Challenge

This weeks photo challenge is Autumn Beauty. I couldn't help but think of the pictures my 13 year old took last week. ;)

This week is going by slow....and I can't wait for the weekend....but I started the week thinking about the weekend. :)The funny thing is- I don't have ANY plans for the weekend! LOL.

Jakey has been full of funny sayings this week. Today he said, "Mommy, if there are bulldogs- are there also buffalo dogs?" ??? Where does he come up with this stuff?

Gabe is still floating around on cloud 9-twitterpated to the gills.

Sarah completed Wilton's Cake Decorating Course #2 today. I'm soooo proud of her!!

Rebekah and I found out that our two fave music artists are doing a joint show next weekend. Amazing! :) Too bad we can't be there.

The Place of Many Bridges

Jacob at our Autumn Campmeeting's Hallelujah Night bonfire.

Things have been chugging along here at a nice pace.I feel like I'm standing in a meadow of many bridges....each bridge leading to another chapter of my life...one that I can put off by not crossing that bridge. I may just stand in this pleasant (though static) meadow for awhile. The bridges lead to change...and right now, I'm just standing...content to be emotionally stagnant.

Our Autumn Campmeeting was one of the best in several years, in my opinion. Our Hallelujah Night (during campmeeting) was great. The kids had a lot of wholesome, old fashioned fun.

Jakey poses in his "Soldier King" costume. Not many of the children dress up at our Hallelujah Night, but Jakey wanted the costume so much...because it had a sword! :)


Here's a picture of my Dad in his shop helping Jacob (not my Jake- another Jacob) and the younger children work on their derby cars.

Jacob in all of his dirty-face glory beams about winning 3rd place in the derby race.


Aside from church- I live under a rock. However, my sheltered little domicile has had a lot of activity under it lately. My son has a girlie friend. He walks around in a twitterpated daze. He has a perpetual cheezy grin pasted across his face. He'll be sweeping the kitchen with a grin...and I know it has nothing to do with my choice of broom doing a superb job. Gabe informed me through his love-glazed eyes looking through rose colored glasses that I've NEVER felt the way he feels. I just smile at him....and secretly wonder if I'll ever feel that way again? I wonder if that bridge even exists.

Speaking of being in love: Today is Friday, which means that I have baby Howie. His weekly visit is the perfect ending to my work week. He smiles at my goofiness...my funny, squeaky words like " Howie-Zowie- Aunty Cass' baby-ka-schmammy." He understands me...and we grin foolishly at eachother. He's a bundle of happy snuggles that smiles in his sleep. Who could resist such pure love?

Jakey went to school with the big kids today. My mom is the teacher of our small private church school and he wanted to do preschool with 'Momert' (the Grandkids call her Momert...long story). Of course, my mother- the most giving, tireless, wonder woman of the world said- SURE! What's another child to look after and teach?
So, Jakey went to school- with a packed lunch and his little alphalfa style cowlick sprayed down. It was a test run for next year....and yet, I still got all teary eyed. I'm glad Howie was here....because I think I would have outright cried. I can wait for next fall. I don't want to cross that bridge either.




Autumn is quickly leading into winter. I have my favorite cookbook, "The Pioneer Woman's Winter Cookbook" out on the counter...tabbed with favorite recipes to make.I also have a Christmas list growing by the day of things to start purchasing.

THis weekends plans include going with my friends Dale and Robin to Hill Billy Hideaway. Its a little country restaurant that serves "Homestyle Southern" foods and has country and bluegrass style gospel singing and comedy on Saturday nights. It's my grandpa's favorite- and I have a feeling I'm going to love it too. I really can't wait.
On Sunday we're having an all out birthday bash at my sisters. We're celebrating FIVE birhtdays at once with a birthday dinner of Martha Stewart propotions!

I've made a deal with one of the men in our church to come and blow all the leaves off my yard (way tooooo many to rake!) in exchange for a homemade lasagna. :) Bartering is what it's all about these days!

My KAH girls had their award ceremony last Friday night and performed a skit acted out directly from the text of Proverbs 31. They were awesome....very well done...very creative! I can't wait to share the video! The girls have completed the Proverbs 31 badge...which was a whopper of a project! It took us over a year!

Pray for us. My children will be going to Mexico in December. I have some big decisions that have been put into motion, and some bridges that are better off left uncrossed.

Shine all your light,
Cass