Begin again.

I am so thankful that I serve a God of second chances; a God who makes all things new.

As a very close friend of mine has stated before, "God is so previous."

That He is.

The kids and I packed our bags and headed down to spend the week in Yemassee back in January of this year. It was during one of Ellie Kate's school breaks, my previous marriage was over and I wanted some family time.
We got settled in at my parents.
My mom and I caught up with small talk while the kids began playing.
My dad walked in not long after.

He was still dressed in his camouflage get-up from hunting. I think I laughed a little and shook my head. (Southern men are like kids when it comes to hunting and fishing- At least in the small neck of the woods where I grew up.)  He grinned a silly grin back at me, emptied his pockets and handed me a buckeye.  He found it years ago while hunting on one of the local plantations and stumbled across it while going through his hunting gear that morning.

He told me the story behind the buckeye. Buckeye's have been carried around as good luck charms since colonial times. It got it's name from the Native Americans because they resembled the eye of a deer. (We obviously don't believe in "luck" since we are Christians, but the story behind it is pretty neat.)
"Cool. Can I have it?", I asked. He didn't mind.
The kids and I enjoyed the rest of our stay before we headed back to Florence. We were back home just in time for school to start back up.

I hadn't thought too much more about that buckeye until a few weeks ago.

Ryan's parents came down from Ohio for the week of Thanksgiving. I always enjoy every minute with them! It's easy to see why Ryan is such a great guy. 

They were also able to stop in Yemassee to meet my parents on their way back up from visiting family in Hilton Head and Bluffton for the holiday.
We were hanging out chatting in my parents living room laughing about all kinds of things, including the fact that Ryan and I are both only children. We also thought it was kinda cool that we both spent our childhood summer's vacationing in Hilton head and probably crossed path's at some point but would never have known.
Then somehow we got on the subject of Ryan's Alma Mater.
(Ryan graduated from Ohio State University which makes him an Ohio State Buckeye.)
That's when I thought about that cold winter day my dad handed me the buckeye. I reminded my dad and shared the story with them about that day. We all couldn't help but laugh about it. Then, Ryan's dad joked about how we had a big buckeye now...which made us laugh a little harder.
I couldn't help but think this was no coincidence, and that God in all his previous and good-humored ways knew we would all be sitting in my parents living room laughing about that stinkin' buckeye story almost a year later.

As for this big Buckeye, I love this man with all of my heart.

I admire him for so many reasons:

He's a leader. He's responsible, caring and fun-loving. He's a good dad to his daughter and he treats my children the same way.
He doesn't compete with me. Instead, he is constantly encouraging me. He encourages me to write, compliments my creativity, and even allows me to hang my creepy art on his walls.

And to top it off, I get to be myself with him. I get to be the open-book version- my darkest parts revealed, deep, belly-laughing, jovial, feisty, emotions fully exposed, raw, un-edited self, because he's not just my boyfriend; he is my BEST friend.

God has given me and my kids, as well as the rest of my family such a huge gift in Ryan.

In all His goodness and infinite wisdom, long before we could see it, God began something new for us.  

Holiday fun, silly faces and lots of giggles!

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” Laura Ingalls Wilder

I did this footprint snowman craft last year with Ellie Kate for a school project and we had so much fun. We couldn't wait to do it again this year! 

We used: 

Acrylic paint on canvas for the background and their footprint.

Pipe cleaners and pom poms for the earmuffs and pipe cleaners for the nose.

Ribbon for the scarves on Ellie Kate and Hayden's snowmen and the hat on Jude's snowman.

Confetti for the buttons.

Mod Podge and hot glue as adhesives. 

*The pipe cleaner and pom poms adhere much better with hot glue

The house got a little messy but that's OKAY!

Their favorite part of the craft was getting their feet painted. My favorite part was hearing their laughter and excitement while making sweet memories.

Hands and Heart.

I strive for the truth of 1 Thessalonians 4 to be practiced in my home. 

Often times we miss the mark and sometimes there's a little bit of drama, laziness, and meddling going on around here. But in His goodness, like so many times before, God meets us there and covers us in His blanket of grace....

Just the other day I overheard one of my kids in conversation with someone. They were proudly telling all about what the other sibling did to them. 

I immediately stopped that child in mid conversation and told them that it was not okay to gossip.

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up..."   

-Ephesians 4:29

I made it a point later that night to let them know that the sin they were chatting about was between their sibling and the Lord not them and it certainly wasn't for them to be discussing with others. 

I emphasized how they would feel if someone was sharing their sins with other people. 

My last word to this particular child in all of that was this: in the end it wasn't just about doing wrong to their sibling, it was about rejecting God's truth. 

"8 If you disregard this advice, you’re not offending your neighbors; you’re rejecting God, who is making you a gift of his Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 4:8

We go over this a lot because it's something that is so easy to get caught up in. 

Truth be told, I often find myself getting caught up in moments like this too. I'm just going to open up for a minute and say this whole divorce thing has made it even easier to to get caught up in. Sometimes I really do just want to 'vent' but then I realize i'm not really venting- I'm just giving gossip a less conspicuous name. 

It's true..and so I refrain. 

These are the moments in motherhood where I'm convicted and completely humbled. 

It's my job to shepherd my children's hearts, teach them, protect them, and show them who God is.

I'm reminded that in order for my children to yield fruit, I have to set the example and live in accordance to the truth's of His word.

"But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,

    what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
    be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
    take God seriously." 

I love that this passage gives me an example of how to live and what to do, but to not take myself too seriously...
Because see while my role in their lives is vital, in the grand scheme of things Motherhood isn't about me; It's about leading my kids to a relationship with Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey God's commands.

It's not about me; It's about Him.

Motherhood continues to challenge me, humble me, and draw me closer to Jesus.
I'm thankful for all of it-
The good, the bad and the ugly; the laughter, the tears, and the 4 a.m. bed head that wants to snuggle.

My hands are full..but so is my heart.

The big snowman.

Every year for as long as I remember, my Mom and Dad have taken me to 'the big snowman' on lady's island to get a Christmas tree. They made it a tradition for me and that tradition is being carried on through my children. 

I reminisced when I caught a glimpse of the kids weaving in and out of the trees, giggling, and chasing each other while playing hide and seek. I couldn't help but feel nostalgic for the days of my childhood. 

I watched while they made sweet memories together. The kind of memories that warm your heart; The one's that money can't buy. 

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and made lots of memories! 

My ministry.

Mommy. 

I hear it countless times a day. 

It's the one thing I knew I wanted to be when I grew up. 

When I looked at my future I never really had a picture in my mind of what motherhood would look like for me but I knew that's what I wanted. 

When I was a young teenager aside from being a mommy I also wanted to be in the ministry in some way. 

I served at summer camps, volunteered for VBS, taught GA's and sunday school at my mom's church.  After I graduated highschool I served alongside others in youth ministry until 2005.

I served my last youth group in October of 2005. 

I thought my days of "full-time" ministry were over, but what I didn't realize is that it was far from over. 

I became a mommy in 2006 to Ellie Kate. 

And a mommy to this little firecracker, Jude in 2010. 

This. Is. My. Ministry.

These two precious little one's are my ministry, and ministry has never been more important to me. 

To teach my kids the gospel and to show them a love like Jesus is the most important thing I can do in their fragile little lives. 

I read this quote recently,

"I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person. So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. Because this is my call as a Christian." -Katie Davis

This really hit home for me not only as a Christian, but as a mom. 

As a mom I have a lot of great days, but a lot of bad ones too. I'm not always the perfect, sweet little mom I desire to be, but it's usually on those days that God meets me where I am and uses my failures to show Ellie Kate and Jude what grace is all about. 

And so I keep stopping, in the good and bad moments of motherhood and loving on each of my children, one at a time. Because this is not just my call as a christian; this is my call as a mother.

Family

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

I have been blessed with a family who gives selflessly to others. I do believe this is one instance where I'm unable to put into words how extremely thankful I am to call my family mine. 

My Dad's parents came down Saturday evening to keep Jude and Hayden so that Ryan and I would be able to attend a celebration in honor of my Mom's father/My grandfather, J.L. Goodwin and another gentleman, Mr. Willie Coker. 
These two men were honored because of the character, integrity, respect and honor they maintained while serving others. They both received a document signed by our Governor Nikki Haley as well as a plaque. . 

While I sat and listened to several people speak about my Grandfather Goodwin, I was encouraged. 
My favorite speech of the night was hearing my grandfather's friend Jim tell about the life-long friendship between his wife and my Grandmother. He made it quite obvious how vital their ''proverbs 31" wives were and continue to be in their successes. 
I have heard my Grandfather say the same thing so many times.

There have been so many countless ways my Grandfather has served others because he saw a need and was able to provide help. He didn't want any credit for it or to be noticed. He served these people and gave because that is his character. 
He see's what needs to be done and he does it. No questions asked.
He displays what a real man of God looks like. 

He has taught me so much in my lifetime...so much about life and faith.
He has always provided an example of great leadership and shown me how to serve my family and others. 
He instilled in me perseverance, steadfastness and how to be strong in the midst of crisis. He has set an example of being a victor not a victim. How to take what life throws at you, use it as a learning experience and move forward.

I hope I'm able to pass all of these things down to my kids.

 

I see so much of my Grandfather in Ellie Kate. She is strong-willed, a high achiever and has a true concern for others. She is a giver. 
Today I attended her school to watch her walk across the stage and receive a terrific kid award. I heard so many of the same words used for her that I heard used in reference to my Grandfather. My heart was bursting with gladness because I know that she is going to achieve great things..just like her great-grandfather.
I am so proud of both of them and even more proud to call them mine!

  

Beautiful things.

Beautiful things don't ask for attention. 

I saw this quote and it hasn't stopped replaying in my mind. 

So many thoughts dance around in my head when I consider this quote, 

but the main thought is this: 

Beautiful things don't ask for attention because they don't have to. They just are.

Beautiful things can be seen and felt all around us. Whether it's the way a woman mothers her child(ren) and/or cares for others, a piece of art, a flower growing in an odd place or the picture of grace and mercy in an undeserving life.
Beautiful things don't ask for attention...we are drawn to them like a moth to a flame. The very essence of beauty captivates us and in some way consumes us in a moments notice. 

I think we could agree that we all love looking at beautiful things- tangible or intangible. 
Beauty touches us emotionally, gives pleasure to our senses, and awakens our soul.

I've had a lot of blogger friends who choose a 'word' for the year. I've done this once before but never really stuck with it.
I don't know that this will necessarily be my 'word for the year' but for now I'm focusing on the word Beauty.
I want to seek out beauty all around me and let it consume me. I want to illuminate a beauty that comes from within.
I love 1 Peter 3 but as I focus on Beauty I want to embrace 1 Peter 3:3-4 which says,
"3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."


This part of the verse stood out to me mainly because it's of great worth in God's sight-
"the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit...",

but also because it's gives clarity,

"beautiful things don't ask for attention."

Have a wonderful weekend friends!

Below are a few photos of things that remind me of beautiful things I've seen.