Travels- Greece

(iphone pic)

So... I expect adventure to be waiting behind this short bend in the road! I feel almost giddy yet at the same time unprepared. We'll be leaving for a two week cruise in Greece tomorrow. Right now I can't even imagine tomorrow and the excitement of it, over the mounds of shoes and clothes. I can't picture it but this I can feel- An overwhelming sense, of God's abundant mercies toward me. I shouldn't be going on this trip... I know that. Despite the countless obstacles that kept being thrown before me (major dip in my health), I have also watched over and over again this past week as God has answered my prayers and the prayers of my precious friends, that He would grant clarity to the decision of whether I should go to Greece or not.

Let me just say this, I'm an explorer, a lover of experiencing new things and my Father knows that.
I felt Him place His finger upon this love within my heart and keep it there for a month or so. I knew why. He wanted to watch and see me trust Him, trust Him with this fondness for travel, trust that He knew what was best for me. Recognizing this idol and letting go of this so called "dream trip", was painful. Mortification took place. But then when I surrendered, and gazed about me, I was (actually) shocked that God knew exactly what He was saying when He wrote- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.".
I felt this, the peace that passes all understanding, reigning within my soul and it overwhelmed me.
A contented heart knows such joy having placed its future into the hands of the God of joy.

My intention for this post was to let you know that I'm going to try and blog a couple of times during our travels, (no promises!) but I couldn't keep my lips from bursting forth praise to my God who gives to His people what they deserve not. I shouldn't be surprised by His goodness but with the little faith that I contain, He has yet again caught me in wonder. I'm crying as I write this because you need to know that my awesome God is AMAZING!!!

Photo Shoot- H Family

 

I know I say this a lot but every time I get to meet a new family and take pictures for them, it makes my week!! So yeah this Saturday was definitely a success. I made friends with a two year old, sang the ABCs(I haven't done that in forever), built a castle out of grass clippings and bottle fed a twin. I was in heaven!!!

a mother's wishes

Every year we ask my Mom what she wants for her birthday, and every year she always responds with- "Oh, I don't care, what do y'all want to do?"

And each year we have to question further, to find any answer at all. I guess mothers never get to think about what they want to do. This time, after reflection, she brought up that she would enjoy a picnic and afternoon walk with her family.

Of course! why hadn't I thought of that before!!!! :)

Yummy food and family. It was perfect!

So that morning, I pulled out a few random jars and bottles from our collection, the burlap, and a couple of candles. Hunting around the yard, I found much to my dismay, that our flowers were running thin, but I did find a few buds still lingering from summer. 

A few turns around the kitchen counter, a few dishes washed, and it was all complete. 

And here's the delicious, happy results... VOILA!!!!

We all have our dreams, our wishes, things that makes us smile, and things that give us joy. For a mother it's to be surrounded by her family. Her dream is to look each one of her children in the eye and smile in confidence that God has made Himself ruler and King over each heart. Her wish is to know that all is well in her home, physically, and spiritually. She finds no greater joy than to know that her children are

  walking in the truth. (3John 1:4)

My mother sacrifices so much, lives so selflessly. She makes motherhood glisten and sparkle. Delighting in submission, she is perfectly content to be about enriching her home. 

 I so admire her passion for continuing to learn more about God. She's not satisfied with what she knows, she desires to see the passion deepen. Besides, I don't know many women who could keep up with my "world changing" father!!! She makes him a success, working behind the scenes, unnoticed yet extremely powerful. 

Oh and maybe you didn't know this (or maybe you did), but I'm an extremely high maintenance, difficult, complex, inconvenient daughter. My mom has committed the vast majority of her time these past two years to helping me get well. Studying, taking me from doctor to doctor, joining me on my crazy diets, taking the time to try and get creative with my food options, doing her best to make the weird food taste good, driving me up four hours every week (lately) to Nashville for IVs and staying over a couple nights so I can do them in repetition. Then, she graciously responds time and time again to friends questioning her about the decisions we're making for my treatments- "Do you feel like she has gotten any better? Have you considered finding a new doctor?". I've never once seen her complain... no she finds it her greatest joy to sacrifice herself for her family. She hasn't just been here for me, helping me through it physically, she's walked along right beside me emotionally and spiritually as we've learned to trust the Lord with the results regardless of what the outcome seems. 

Maybe you can't see it, but I can. 

The reflection faint, but growing clearer-

Christ. 

His humility. His compassion. His pouring out of himself. 

Oh God, make my heart soft and tender like my Mother's. Calm and quiet under raging storms. Humble and submitted towards the paths you set before her. Her life, so steadfast and selfless.

If I could only have half the self-denying heart my Mother has!!!

 Father, make me this!