Cap and Nana got a new puppy.

Gingernut fell head over heals.

But, really, who wouldn’t?

Goodnight,
Mother of a puppy-lover

We made it to Louisiana…and I am going to boast a little bit here. We made it in record time. We made a 850.46 mile trip in 13 hours. Yes folks, you read that correctly. We made a 15 hour trip in only 13. Whoop-whoop!
No speeding was involved while I was behind the wheel.

When we set out I decided to download some comedy podcast to keep me awake when it was my turn to drive, and I stumbled upon the Christian Comedy Chicks.

I found myself laughing out loud at times, so loud in fact I was afraid I would wake the sleeping peeps in the truck.

The Chicks are Jessica Ramirez and Laura Mae Poore, best friends who joined forces to make a powerful touring and radio comedy duo. But they are more than comedy. They are encouraging and uplifting and real and I was hooked after the first fifteen minute podcast.

They got me from Anderson, South Carolina to somewhere in Alabama. Then from Philadelphia, Mississippi to Ruston, Louisiana.

You can check ’em out  on their facebook page or on their website. 

You know your friends love your kids more than you when not only does one of them dress up like Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles because they were on your daughter’s birthday party guest list but when she goes to the mall to ride the carousel…on Saturday…that would be the Saturday before Christmas.

Webster’s dictionary defines a disciple as one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.

Jesus’ definition of disciple is much more complex. It has more depth, more dimensions than just the teaching of doctrine. 

So how does Jesus define disciple? 

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!” Matthew 10:24-25

A disciple is one who “[goes] and [makes] disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that [Jesus] commanded [them]….” Matthew 28:19

“Whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:35

“Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 2:17

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.”  Mark 8:34-35

Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them [the disciples] “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:36-37

Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:41-45

Jesus to the disciples, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” Mark 11:25

“In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Who ever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you…Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge and you will not judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give and it will be given to you.” Luke 6:27-31; 36-38a

Explaining the parable of the sower Jesus said, “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.” Mark 8:15

“Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lamp stand, so that those who come in may see the light.” Mark 8:16

When speaking with the Samaritan woman, “But an hour is coming, and how is, when the true worshipers will worship the Gather in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

After washing the disciples feet Jesus says to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. for I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” John 13:12-15

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” John 13:21

These are only a few of the ways Jesus defines a disciples. There are countless parables and other teachings in the gospels, not to mention all the teachings found in the Old Testament and letters written to the churches. 

I am learning so much about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. As I crave more and more of Him, I learn more about Him and the beauty of living in His richness.

So, what have I learned so far? 

Jesus is calling me to be a forgiving, loving, humble, obedient, serving, worshiping, full of His light, bearing fruit, merciful, following, teaching, baptizing, self-denying disciple. 

And that is only the surface. 

I can’t wait to learn more. 

And then to begin to be transformed by the Holy Spirit to look more like the One who saved me. 

MacKenzie

I awoke with anticipation and excitement. The day had finally arrived. The day in which I would meet The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond.

The day started normally – other than the excited butterflies zooming around in my stomach. Right before lunch, however, I noticed evidence of superhuman strength lying on the office floor. What could it be, you ask?

It was…it was…

 my glasses. My new glasses…broken. Just in case you can’t fully appreciate the damage caused by brute strength, I’m providing you another angle.

One guess who did it. Here’s a hint: his name starts with a C, ends with a B and has an L in the middle.

This was not a good sign for my day.

But I would be defeated. Not today. No, not today. 

After lunch my adventure began. I went to pick up The Fierce Beagle and we were off…well, almost. We had to drop the baby beagles off at her mom’s house. Then we had to go back to the Beagle’s house. On our way to get gas the Beagle realized she forgot her phone…back to her house went. Finally we were able to get gas. And one last stop back at her mom’s to drop off something and off we went!

Luckily, there were no incidents on our trip down. We were so happy to have some time in which we weren’t wives and moms, only worrying about ourselves. It was the first time in a long time we could carry on conversation without a baby on our hip or a child needing help going to the bathroom and eat wherever we wanted without worrying if there will be anything for the kids to eat or whether it’s too girly a place for our husbands. This doesn’t happen often, so we reveled in it.

Upon arriving at the mall, the Beagle, who is more knowledgeable about the world of books and signings, suggested we go buy our books and get our line number. I was given number 158 and the Beagle was given 163. Not too bad. We had to be back at 5:00 – an hour before the signing started.

We went in search for a Christmas gift for Gingernut  and then hunted food. For we were ravenously hungry by this time. The BBQ Fritos, Dove bar, and Arnold Palmer tea on the way down had done little to nothing to curb our appetite. So after much searching, we settled on The Tavern at the Mills. It was a great choice.

 I had brisket with mashed potatoes and veggies. As PW would say, it made my skirt fly up. The brisket was so tender you hardly needed a knife. The vegetables actually had flavor and were cooked to perfection.

The Beagle had pulled pork, fries, baked beans, slaw and a salad. The fries…the fries were amazing. I know this because she generously shared one.

It was getting close to 5:00 and it was all I could do to not go find the waitress, put my money in her hand and tell her to hurry it up because I had somewhere to be.

We raced back across the street to the bookstore, where they had already started calling numbers to line people up. Luckily our numbers had not quite been called, but we barely made it. As we made our way to the back of the store to join the other fanatics in line we noticed a very long line that started at the customer service desk and stretched out the door. The Beagle noted, “Those people are waiting on line numbers.” Good call Beagle for getting our numbers early.

We found our spot in line a little after five and stood for the next hour and a half almost in the same spot. It really wasn’t so bad. Number 158 may sound bad but compared to number 400, I was in good shape.
Here’s our view from where we stood, waiting for her arrival.

Finally, finally, we heard screaming and clapping. As I caught a glimpse of her I began hitting the Beagle in the arm, I’m sure leaving her with a big fat bruise this morning.

There she is….AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!! I began laughing like a hyena, except that I don’t think hyenas snort. I couldn’t stop. But then the line didn’t move for almost 30 minutes and I my excited, nervous laughter calmed. Then finally, finally, we began to creep forward.

This is me rounding the last bend before I will actually be able to talk to her! AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!

We decided that the Beagle would go first and I would take the picture. The Beagle, one who thrives under pressure and doesn’t have to lock up any form of crazy like me, spoke of pecan pie. She and Ree had a lovely little chat about it.

Then it was my turn. Before I begin with my interaction with Ree, allow me to tell you what I wanted to say to her.

Hi Ree. I first heard about your website from my friend Shannon when we were in Italy. We made the apple skillet cake one night at her apartment and I was hooked! And now we have a whole group of people who come over for Sunday lunch and 8 times out of 10 we eat something that is from you. 

Here’s what actually happened.

I smiled like an big fat idiot because I could do nothing else. You see, my brain ceased working the moment we made eye contact.

Ree: Come close and we’ll get a picture.

I say nothing!!

Ree: Thanks for coming.

Me: Thanks for coming to Charlotte. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ree: Do you live in Charlotte?

Me: No, I live in Winston-Salem

Ree: By the end of this I am going to know the entire geography of North Carolina

Me: Blank stare, smile, and no words

Ree: Thanks again for coming.

That’s it folks. THAT….IS….IT!!! My mind went blank, absolutely blank. Here this woman was who I have wanted to meet for about five years talking to me and I SAY NOTHING!!!

But I do have a picture with her.

And I do have a signed cookbook.

Dignity…oh, no…there’s none of that left. But I can live with the picture and cookbook until next time when I will totally redeem myself.

Still trying to find my voice and brain this morning,
MacKenzie

How do we celebrate Christmas? To answer that question I would like to share two things that we are doing differently this year in efforts to celebrate Christmas instead of celebrate all the things that go along with Christmas.

1. We are doing our best not to give in to the consumerism of Christmas. It’s hard though, isn’t it? Every time you turn on the TV, there is a commercial for something that is on sale…be it a TV, car or that flying fairy toy, the commercials suck you in making us feel that in order to have a really great Christmas we need to buy these things and stick a big red bow on them. The stores…oh, my the actual stores! Everything is pretty, glittery, glowing, shiny, and cheaper than normal. The aisles are so jam packed with toys and clothes and KitchenAid mixers that you can hardly get down them. I wonder if they do this so you’ll put one in your cart in efforts to just get down the aisle?? Jen Hatmaker wrote a great article about this very topic. In it she writes what she and her husband do in efforts to avoid overspending, and after Paul and I read the article we both agreed we should give it a try this year. Our kids will get four gifts from us this year: something they need, something they want, something to read and something to wear. That’s it minus a few things from the Dollar Tree in their stocking. Why? Because over the past several Christmases, even before the kids came along, we overspent and got so consumed with buying gifts that we lost sight of the true purpose behind Christmas in the first place. Jesus was an afterthought. Never again, folks. We don’t want our kids to be all about “getting” and not about “giving”. We don’t want Jesus to be an afterthought for them.

2. We are not “doing Santa”. It’s a hard thing to get away from because…well…he is everywhere. He’s on TV, Coke cans, shirts, in songs, in parades, at the mall. You could argue that Santa has become more prevalent at Christmas than Jesus…and I think you would be right. It is not that we think Santa is bad, but we want our kids to know why we even have Christmas in the first place. I want them to celebrate with praise and adoration the God who loved them enough to leave his high priestly robes to put on the ordinary clothing of man. He loved them enough to sacrifice himself. He loved them enough to send His Spirit to dwell in them. So, no, there are no gifts from Santa Claus this year. We also don’t want our kids to one day look at us and say, “So, if Santa isn’t real, then what about Jesus?” How do you explain that we lied concerning Santa but not Jesus? No thank you. I’ll just skip that if at all possible.

We want our family to focus on Jesus and giving, not Santa, getting gifts, and spending lots of money that forces us to live above our means.

We will talk to them about the actual St. Nick and share the historical story.  A man of generosity.  A man who saw needs and gave gifts out of compassion.  If you want to know more about the real story of St. Nicklaus and how you can lead your family this Christmas season to create a culture of generosity and not a culture of greed and materialism, check out this article here.  This new mindset has been freeing for our family and we’re sure it can be for yours as well.  

A couple of days ago Paul asked me to read a blog post about Elf on the Shelf. The writer of the blog spent the entire post more or less condemning other moms who make their Elves do naughty things, like take all the ornaments off the shelf, tear up the toilet paper, or throw flour all over the kitchen floor, and making other moms feel inferior or like bad moms. The post was humorously written, and I laughed quite a bit. And admittedly, I have felt the same way at times.

I’ll be the first to admit that I stopped looking at Pinterist because it made me upset that I don’t have the money to make all the cute, easy to make crafty things on there. It also created feelings of jealousy because I am unable to create things that after seeing it you think, “Well, that’s obvious.” I have also been guilty of comparing myself to other moms that seem to have it all together. You know, the ones who can refinish a $10 cabinet they found at a yard sale, make everything at their kids’ birthday parties from scratch, clip coupons saving their families hundreds of dollars, and feed a baby…all at the same time.

I have been thinking about all this for the past few days and I have come to a few conclusions.

1. Women who seem to have it all together will more times than not tell you they don’t. The thing is they are not putting all their junk out there for people to read about. They are only putting the good stuff. And that’s perfectly okay. But nobody has it together 100% of the time. Nobody.

2. Women who make their Elves do more creative things than move from one shelf to another (I can hardly remember to do that. As I type this I remember that I forgot to move the little dude last night. Maybe I can move it before anyone notices him in the same spot), who can create something out of nothing, who homeschool seven kids with a smile on their face everyday and never seem to need a break…those women aren’t making me feel jealous or envious or inferior. I allow myself to feel that way by comparing myself to them. Let’s be honest, that’s where those feelings come from, right? Comparing. And we women are oh so good at comparing ourselves to one another. There have been many articles written about the battle of the moms going on. We compare our kids, our marriages, our homes, our creativity or lack thereof, our jobs, our everything to one another. Why? Why do we do this to ourselves? It does nothing but hinder relationships and at its worst, end friendships. Again, I ask why?

Over the last several months everything I knew, or thought I knew, about discipleship has been stripped away. This journey, that will last a lifetime, has been both troublesome and exhilarating.

It is troublesome because I realize how much I don’t know, but more troubling and important, how much I don’t do. Discipleship is not only about knowing God or things about God or how God has called us to live. It is about doing something with that knowledge. In James 3, we learn that faith without works is dead. He’s not saying that our works save us but rather that true faith bleeds out in how we live our lives. What does it matter if I hide His Word in my heart if it never leads me to not sin against Him? And not doing what He has commanded me is just as much sin as doing something He has told me not to do. There are things left to be learned…knowledge about being a disciple that I don’t have but am longing to learn. However, I am realizing now that I can know everything there is to know about being a disciple but if I am not actually being a disciple, then I am not truly living as Jesus has called me to live.

It is exhilarating because I am drawing closer to God. I am approaching the Scriptures in a different way. Lately, I have been more open to what God would have me learn from His Word than I have been in a very long time, and oh, the joy I have found the past few days as passages leap from the page and speak to my heart. I want to have His Word on my heart, to meditate on it throughout the day.

My heart is craving Him in a new way. I am no longer satisfied with knowing about how to be a disciple.

I want to be one.

As I sit looking at some pictures of my grandfather memories begin to stir. I try not to let my memories lead to thoughts that bring sadness and eventually tears. It’s hard not to though. I imagine it’s hard for most of us who have lost people we love. We want to hold on as long as we can to them. To some piece of them. That’s why we keep pictures and items that belonged to them or that they gave us.

Have you ever noticed that if you ask a friend about the person that died in their life they will sometimes go on and on about him or her? It’s nice though when people ask, isn’t it? Don’t we want to talk about them? If we know that we enjoy talking about our loved ones who have died, no matter how long ago it may have been, why do we cease asking others about their loved ones who have died?  Sure, we ask for the first couple of weeks how they are doing or about the deceased but after that we generally forget about it. I am as guilty of this as the next person.

Why is that?

Do we assume that after a few short weeks our friends are ok? Do we think the pain of the loss they have experienced have lessened in the matter of a 30 days? For some it takes months maybe even years to move through the grieving process. For others only weeks. But no matter how long it takes I am becoming convinced that people will always have some size hole that will never be completely filled. It might heal somewhat but there will always be a scar there and at any moment it could come a little undone.

Because we don’t forget it can be hard when people stop asking how we are doing or allowing us the freedom to talk about the person who died. But again, don’t we want to talk about them? It’s a way of remembering them. Of not forgetting those little details that make us smile.

My grandfather had a smile that could put you at ease and his eyes would twinkle. He gave really good hugs as well. And I think he was a good-lookin’ young man.

 

He loved Christmas time. He wanted us all together. And together we were. He’d point out Santa Claus on the weather map during the 10:00 news and usher the grandkids to bed. He also liked the house to be hot during the winter. Not warm. Warm was not good enough. It would be sweltering. We’d all be sweating and he’d be putting more wood on the fire. I sometimes have thought my brother-in-law was going to pass out from a heat stroke.

Tom was a hard worker. Nobody could ever accuse him of laziness. He did several different jobs during his lifetime. One allowed him to travel through Asia.
He liked cutting the grass, working in the garden, and babying his chickens. He did not like helping my grandmother and great uncle with their dayliles. He loved his church. He liked coffee, Wheel of Fortune, Raisin Bran, sweet tea, ambrosia, Ford Rangers, reading and his recliner. He wore Old Spice cologne. He gave me my first vehicle. His old green Ford Ranger. To this day it is my favorite vehicle I’ve owned because every time I got in I smelled Old Spice and thought of Tom.
More than anything Tom loved his family. He had this ability to make you feel special to him. I think it’s because we were special to him. At the funeral I was thinking about my siblings and cousins. I realized that we each would probably say we had a close relationship with Tom. None of us will ever doubt his love for us.

Who have you lost that you sometimes yearn to talk about? Let me know, I’d love to hear about them.

Thanks for listening,
MacKenzie