Graduation

Graduation season is once again upon us in full force!!!!:)  I love the excitement, planning, and eager faces of the graduates as they complete one chapter of their life and embark on another.

Last year as I prepared to graduate I remember feeling some trepidation in the months leading up to the huge moment I would no longer be a student-but an adult:)  My brain was fighting a war with my heart and all I was ending up with was a sick stomach.  I felt like I was being pulled in two directions: One direction was to follow the paths of my friends and attend college the coming fall.
Or two: Work in the ministry while remaining at home.

Now, I had many people giving me advice and helping me come to a decision...but ultimately the decision was between me and the Lord.

About a month before my graduation I took a break from planning and just spent a day with my Dad going to different job sites for his work.  I was physically and mentally exhausted from trying to wrestle a concrete answer from the Lord, but as I sat in the passenger seat my Dad turned towards me and asked one simple question:  "Cassie, if I ask you to stay home, will you?"

It will be a year in June that I have graduated and made this decision.  I still feel at peace and am renewed every day by the Lord for making this decision.  By remaining at home I gave up something that could have been beneficial and life-altering- college is a big step.

However, since I remained at home I have received so many blessings that I wouldn't trade for anything!!  The lessons- however hard sometimes- have caused me to grow so much in the Lord!

He has taught me that in the storms of life, He is the only foundation I can cling to securely.

He has taught me that losing a loved one can either destroy you or strengthen you in your reliance and love for Him.

He has taught me that being content in an area means that I have become "settled" and I must stretch myself and get out of my comfort zone in order to be used more effectively for Him.

He has taught me that patience is waiting for His timing- not my own.

He has taught me that life is precious- and if you don't cherish it- you won't fight for it.

He has taught me that to love unconditionally means to look to His cross and hear the words "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

He has taught me that I must guard my heart in every area, to remain focused and on fire for Him.

He has taught me that I must put on the armor of God every day- but realize that the armor of God has nothing shielding it from behind.  That's because I know God has my back.

He has taught me  that only what you wait for the longest you will cherish the most.

These lessons that I have listed are only a few that have impacted me so greatly!

The choice to stay home is one that will effect the course of my life- but since I am not the designer of my life,  I have the full assurance that God has the perfect plan already laid out and is actively steering me on it:)

My Life Is Thine

Lord Jesus, I give Thee ev'rything;

Lord Jesus, but to thy cross I cling.

My Savior I humbly pray,

Receive the gifts I bring today;

Lord Jesus, my life is Thine,

My will, my talents,and my time.

Lord Jesus, I need Thee more each day;

Lord Jesus, control my thoughts I pray.

My Savior, to Thee I bow-

Come melt me, mold me, use me now;

Lord Jesus, here is my heart, 

O cleanse and fill my inmost part.

Lord Jesus, although my  flesh is weak,

Lord Jesus, it is Thy will I seek.

My Savior, my God and King.

Accept the simple gifts I bring,

Lord Jesus I am Thine own,

Come rule as King on my heart's throne.

 

Frank Garlock- Majesty Hymns

This song is one I do not know the tune to- but I loved the words:)  They gave me a renewed faith this morning as I read them and put on the armor of God once more- I pray they bless you as they did me:)

"How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God...with Thee is the fountain of life-"

Psalm 36:7,9

Funny Quote

I just had to share this quote with ya'll.  It brings such a smile to my face as I picture the scene:

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says~~
"Oh Rats, She's up!"   :)

Giveaway!

Ladies!!

Melinda from "Radiant Purity and True Beauty" is hosting a wonderful giveaway at her blog- here is the link: Radiant Purity and True Beauty
The book she is offering is entitled "Set Apart Femininity"  I could try to explain what she described the book to be about- but instead I'll let you visit her blog and read her description:)

God Bless!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day is here!! It was a beautiful service this morning at church and we were blessed by the people who were there:)

Well, this past week I have kept up on my challenge to write something every day in honor of my Mom.  I know nothing I wrote was exactly earth shattering or seemed to be amazing...but I suppose that's my personality.  It's the small things that touch me, the simple acts that make my Mom so dear to me!  I am not influenced as much by large events or big moments- but the small acts are what makes them real to me, they stay with me and create a soft spot inside of me for the person who created it.

You are such a blessing to me Mom!!  Happy Mother's Day!!!!

"It takes a mother's love

To make a house a home,

A place to be remembered,

No matter where we roam.

-Helen Steiner Rice

A loving home is a lighthouse

With children safe and warm,

Refuge from the cold outside,

A port in time of storm.

A harbor for the family,

A haven in the night,

A beacon that burns brightly,

To shed abroad its light.

When time has passed, the children leave

For shelters of their own.

May each be guided by the light,

Of love in every home."

M.M. Marshall

You are my lighthouse Mom, the harbor for our family, the beacon that burns brightly in any struggle.  Thank you for always being there, for always caring no matter what....I love you.

Known By Your Fruits

This morning I attended a ladies fellowship at my church- the theme was:  "Be known by your fruits."

When I was really little I asked my family a question: If they could choose one character or person that I was most like, who would it be?  And much to my shock- they said....can you believe it....Tigger!!  Tigger!! Of all the options out there!! (Now I'm assuming you all know the Hundred Acre Wood:)

Then recently my family and I were having fun comparing our personalities to those of animals:)  And my family decided that I have graduated from Tigger to an Otter- I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not.........

Now I do say all this with a purpose:)
With all the discussion of being known by your fruit (or personality) it made me think back to all the refining my Mom had to do in order to make me who I am today.

My Mom has always encouraged me to develop fruits in my life that will change me- even if I didn't want to be changed.

She encouraged me to have my daily devotional time, memorize scripture, and pray daily with my Savior.  Every area of my life has been touched by my Mom, she will eagerly run into whatever room my sister and I are in and share with us something the Lord has taught her.  These lessons she talks of may make her laugh or can make her cry- but her personal application has always rebuked me.

I pray that my faith in Christ will encourage my children someday as my Mom has encouraged me!!

Dreams Do Come True

Dreams become a reality in our house- that is if their reasonable:)  When I was around nine years old I had a birthday party and a small group of friends come over for the day.  One of the games we played I still remember.

This game went as follows:  Each girl was given one sheet of paper, and on this sheet of paper were four squares.  And in each of these squares you were to draw and write what you wanted to be when you grew up.  I found those papers in one of my childhood boxes recently, the scribbled drawings and childlike handwriting has certainly improved with time- but the dreams I wrote down then have become a reality now! 

One of the squares revealed the dream of becoming a writer. 
I never would've pursued a writing career if my Mom hadn't spent hours upon hours listening to me read my writing aloud, helping me edit it, and correcting my spelling.  Everyone in the house was usually busy when I was ready to read my story, but Mom would drop her work and sit down to listen to me.  The short stories I wrote then were cute and childlike- but now that I'm older my stories have grown drastically in size and number!  But my Mom still takes the time to make me realize that my dream to become a writer is a reality.

In one of the other squares I had put to be a Mom- just like mine.  I was talking to one of my friends the other night at church and she remarked how she believed that young girls seem to be born with a desire to have their own family- their own home.  From cradling their baby dolls at 2 years of age, to holding a real infant when the time came.  But before a family comes- all the attributes of being a wife and mother comes first.

  A mom does absolutely everything!!  I can't name off anything that my mom can't do!  Unless it's the obvious- like abiding snakes, rats, sharks, spiders- no woman I know can tolerate these.... these.... well I can't think of any word to describe them- so I'll call them "Shiver Givers.":)

My mom's example for me has never made me once waver in my desire to have my dreams fulfilled.  But she always makes me examine my dreams before she helps me make them a reality.  She has me turn to God, receive His blessing and then she councils me as I walk a new path.  Mothers are truly amazing!!

Storms of Life

Growing up I hated thunder storms.  The thunder would shake the house and the lightning always struck somewhere on earth each time it's light appeared. 
But my dislike of thunderstorms quickly became null and void- but only through my Mom's help.

When the thunder storms would come I would run into her bedroom and hide under some piece of furniture, my initial reaction was not to be near someone- but to hide under something. 

She would come and seek me out- but leave all the lights off in the room as she pulled up her rocker and set me upon her lap.  We would sit next to the window and she would sing ever so softly.  Every lightning strike would make me flinch and every time the thunder rolled my insides would shake.  But all I can remember now of those times was sitting on my Mom's lap and listening to her voice take away the fear.

Singing became a part of my life, and music in general became a passion of mine.  My Mom's voice- although low and quiet during the storms drowned out any other sound.

And now in the storms of life my Mom's voice is still there, quiet and firm.  Her arms holding me tight and her every word comforting and teaching me that my fears are not justified.  As long as I have my Savior on my side there is no need for worry or fear. 

I love storms now, I'll sit out on the deck and watch them come over the mountains toward us, the lighting that lights up the sky and the thunder that booms no longer terrifies me, but makes me think only of a time when my mom's soft voice and the gentle swaying of a rocker would waylay any fear.

Little Treasures

With scraped knees and dirty hands,

With tear washed faces and cheeky grins.

Only a mother could love such a scene.

After a day of work, her laundry done, her teaching complete,

Her house cleaning has left her with a feeling of satisfaction- and a few weary limbs.

Her long hours in the kitchen are wearing off as the dinner cooks comfortably.

But as she rests her weary bones finally into a chair there is a faint voice on the air,

And in tromps a young girl of nine, on her face a look a triumph,

On her feet the evidence of her escapade, and in her hands the treasure.

But mother never scolds, she leans forward and embraces her little charge, her eyes open and aglow as her daughter unearths the hidden treasure.

Only mother’s have the stamina to carry a house, their love doesn’t stop with time,

At the end of a day it is the mother who still holds her children close after a day of hard work and exhaustion. 

A mother’s love doesn’t evaporate with her child’s scrapes and disobedience,

Her love endures all time.

My Mom certainly had her hands full raising my sister and I.:)
  How I loved tramping through the woods and collecting souvenirs to bring home, and dragging my sister behind for the wild ride.:)  However my Mom was fortunate enough to raise two young girls who had no stomach for things that crawled or slithered or hopped:)  Our treasures were more simple, just pieces of creation that we came upon.

However Mom always dropped whatever she was doing to spend time with her girls, the so called 'treasures' could be a simple rock from the bed of the creek or the long icicles that melted from the roof of our barn and became our swords in battles untold:).  But she oohed and awed over all our treasures like they were rubies in disguise.

Mom's were made to share in our adventures!  And then bandage us up if any mishap occurred:)  My mom has always been there, she always reaches out for me, and even as the years pass she still examines my treasures (though they are a different kind now:) and although she no longer does the bandaging up- she certainly comforts the injured with a great deal of attention:):)

Home is Where the Heart Is

Today is the second day of my Mother's Day Challenge, the title of today's poem is called

Where Home Is

By Douglas Malloch

 
"We have a cottage by the lake,

A cabin in the hills;

And now and then the car we take

And feel the gypsy thrills

Of tenting here and tenting there,

The joy of camping anywhere.

Of "home" one night the baby spoke;

And then, the babe to tease

(For dads must have their little joke),

I asked her, "If you please,

I'd like to have you tell me what 

Is really home- you have a lot:

"You have Muskegon, by the shore,

And Estes, where you climb;

And there's a tent, intended for

A home at any time;

And there's the house we live in too-

Now, which is really 'home' to you?"

She looked at me with open eyes,

In infant innocence,

And said with something of surprise-

A father is so dense

In asking question such as his-

"Why home's wherever Mama is!"

And always it will be the same;

Her heart the home will be.

She keeps the lamp of love aflame

For wanderers to see.

However far her children roam,

Wherever Mother is, is home."

I love this poem, it is so true for me!!  When I was younger I imagined leaving home and traveling, going and seeing the Eiffel Tower, Buckingham Palace, and watching the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean.  But in all these dreams I always pictured myself returning home, there was no question- I couldn't just keep traveling around- I always returned home.  

Whenever we take trips my Mom usually stays at home holding down the fort and getting some much coveted reading time in:)  But when we return she is right at the door opening her heart and opening her arms the minute we drop all our stuff and get our warm hugs.   My Mom is truly the heart of this home, she so often opens her heart and never closes it- even when things get rough.  Mother's are God's special gift from Heaven, and since they are a gift- take care of her as she takes care of you!!

Mother's Day Challenge

Mother's day is only a week away! So this week I will be posting every day on something that I like, have been taught, or have been raised to be like because of my Mom.  The first entry is entitled:

"When Mother Reads aloud"

When Mother reads aloud, the past seems real every day;

I hear the tramp of armies vast; 

I see the spears and lances cast;

I join the thrilling fray;

Brave knights and ladies fair and proud

I meet when Mother reads aloud.

When Mother reads aloud, far lands seem very near and true;

I cross the desert's gleaming sands,

Or hunt the jungle's prowling bands,

Or sail the ocean blue;

Far heights, whose peaks the cold mist shrouds,

I scale, when Mother reads aloud.

When Mother reads aloud, I long for noble deeds to do-

To help the right, redress the wrong;

It seems so easy to be strong,

So simple to be true.

Oh, thick and fast the visions crowd

When Mother reads aloud."
Anonymous

Growing up I loved curling up in my mom's arms and listening as her voice carried me away to other worlds, she cultivated an imagination in me that to this day is unquenchable!  She made the stories real, the character's feel like real friends.  She made books more than just a decoration on the shelves to be stared at, they were alive and bursting with life and excitement!!  My passion for writing novels and plays were developed from my Mom's diligent reading of books that made my imagination soar with ideas and character's that didn't just have names to remember them by- they had voices, opinions, joys and sorrows, when they felt pain I felt pain, when they experienced triumph I felt pride swell within me, these books became friends. These stories became stories that will be taught to my children with the same excitement, joy, and love that my Mom has taught me.