Kartwrights in Brazil

Last Monday Our son Kartwright left for a month long mission in Brazil with a group of Impact 360 students. Please pray for him and his fellow students as they spread the good news of Jesus. Friday we were able to skype with him, and he looks and sounds terrific. I am so excited about all the Lord is teaching him, and doing in and through him. This video just shows a small tidbit of what he is involved in. He is the big guy in the baseball cap playing Jonah.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ZUVytGvd8xs

Funny

Kartwright was home last weekend for fall break.

The girls were ecstatic to have him back!

I think his personal space was invaded repeatedly.

Funny how personal space seems to grow as you grow older.

Funny how just five weeks can change things.

Funny how some things never change.

Funny how funny Kartwright is.

Life is funny.

vacation mode

We are back in paradise, and drinking in the landscape of an island that begs to be admired.

The creatures here are innately calm and not easily spooked. They seem to instinctively know that they are protected here, and safe from the harshness of other worlds. They croon and caw, with no thought to being hushed. Yesterday the girls and I witnessed a raccoon walking down a crosswalk, and across a street. He stayed between the yellow lines as if he knew the rules, and hurried home to his tree. There was a sense by us that he was on familiar territory, and was minding his own business inside the bustle of noontime plantation traffic. Last Friday we spied a bunny in the back courtyard through the sliding glass. She was foraging for food just feet from where we gawked, with no care as to our intentions, she had only her job to contend with.

Fish gather under dark bridges and ferns, stealing the bread Liza throws to the turtles. Anhingas dry their wings in the hot sea air, paying no mind to loud strangers on the cart path. Squirrels jump from moss covered live oak branches, to palm fronds, as they chase and play, only stopping for short breaks to sniff and reject the cat food offerings of a pony tailed little girl.

The dolphins bounce close to the tourist laden beaches, the ghost crabs venture out of their sandy cocoons at sunset to fight and volley. The pelican sail in formation until distracted by circled schools of dinner. The herons share space with the golfers, the falcons with million dollar mansions, and the egrets with discarded golf balls.

We live a leisure life on this our paradise, and innately feel at peace and safe . together.

The man child is home from far away countries where children are alone on scary streets to make their own way, and orphans are given a cot to sleep on but not a hand to help them cross the street. They do not feel the sand in their suits from a well spent afternoon at the sea. Or have a momma to rinse their hair in a warm bath, and tuck them into crisp sheets, blessed with words of love and tender kisses.

The castles we build here are more solid then the assurances of their very futures, and yet it is hope that we strive so to give them, as we venture in person or in prayer to their places in our world.

Because not even the cosmetic beauty of an island paradise can cloak the lack of hope that every people group feels, be they wealthy or poor, in money, or spirit. We as christians have a hope to share, and the task of sharing it, even to those who do not even know they need it. 

He was only four

The following testimony was written, and is now being shared in Ukraine by my son Kartwright. It is quite long, but I thought you might be blessed by it.

 When one of the others on this trip asked if I would be willing to share my testimony,  I replied, "sure, Why not?" I really wasn’t sure why anyone would want to hear my story, much less enjoy it. I’ve never really had anything that big happen to me. Then, when I began to look back on everything that has happened in my life, I reconsidered. Either way, I was asked to do it, so here goes nothing.

   I was raised in a large Christian family. I have two brothers and two sisters, and a very loving mother and Father.  I accepted Christ at a very early age, and that’s that. It’s not much of a testimony, but hey, that’s what happens in a sheltered home, just a nice and normal life up until now right?! Ummmmmn no….. not exactly. Don’t get me wrong, Christianity is the right decision for everyone, but don’t let anyone ever sell you into the lie that it’s easy. I’m not saying that my life has been awful or anything, it’s been great, but there have been hard times too. James 1:2-4 kinda says it for me,

 “Count it all joy , my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

 I can say confidently that each time in my life where things have gotten hard, I have grown closer to Christ. And, after each one, I have come out stronger. It’s definitely a choice, you can fall away from God, but that goes to show how much faith you had really put into this whole Jesus thing in the first place.

   I think the first trial I ever experienced, was one that was with me for 12 years, and it’s almost laughable to call it a trial now. 15 years ago my little brother was born. We named him Crockett. He had a number of diseases that made him a highly handicapped person.  So  profoundly handicapped that he couldn’t walk, talk, or sit up by himself.  We had to bottle feed him every 4 hours, and change his diaper also. He would have an average of one to two seizures a day.  They would normally be full body seizures, and they were often so intense he would flex up into the fetal position, and stay there as the seizing lasted for sometimes several minutes. Afterward, he would be so exhausted that he might cry himself to sleep, or throw up, I’m not sure which was worse. I don’t want it to sound like he was always a downer, and made everything sad or depressing. He brought us a lot of joy and laughter too.

 God really does work all things together for good, even things that seem like nothing good could come of it. For example, God taught me through Crockett to learn to laugh at things that might not be funny to most, but we had to laugh at these things or we’d cry. For instance, going to Church was always pretty hard on our family. In a family of seven it normally is, but put Crockett in that scenario, and it made things really interesting. Crockett had this thing where literally every Sunday he would do great. Bathe him, change him, feed him, get him all prettied up for Church, and he would be set, and ready to go. But the moment you placed him in his car seat, he would feel the urge to throw up. We would have one of us carry him to the car and have someone else right behind him with a towel. Right when we would sit him down, we would immediately put the towel like a bib and try to catch all the throw up, and protect him and the car. It almost became like a game, and we could laugh at this strange phenomena. Some would call that sadistic, we called it living.

 On a more practical point, I also learned how to change a diaper quicker than any human should, I can feed someone a bottle pretty well, and changing someone clothes is easy for me.  I loved making Crockett laugh. Sometimes I could find a noise that would crack him up, and he would just laugh this totally innocent laugh that would make me feel so good. However, sometimes his laughing would turn into a seizure, which would lead to tears, which would lead to throw up.  I’m painting this true, but gruesome picture for you, to make a point. Throughout the entire ordeal of,  throw up,  seizures, the diapers, and feedings, me and my family loved him. My brother who taught me more than anyone I know without ever saying a word, from the world’s eyes, couldn’t do anything, literally, anything right, and He was loved.  He was completely helpless without someone to meet his every need, and to the best of our ability we tried to provide for them all. This should be reminding us of someone, someone very familiar to us. Hopefully you and I are looking into an imaginary mirror right now. To God we are totally and completely filthy, swimming in our own wretchedness. We are so sinful, that outside of God we can do absolutely nothing right. Without God we are completely helpless.

    I have this issue, where I really care about what people think about me, especially in the church. Sometimes, I tend to do things that are not necessarily for the right reasons, but in some people eyes are great things. Anyway, a while back I read a passage out of Ecclesiastes that really kind of opened my eyes to my false ways.

 Ecclesiastes 2:11, “Then when I had considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and striving after wind and there was nothing to be gained in the sun.”

 Years ago, in another trial of our lives, my family and I were in a flood. Everything we owned was destroyed. Our house, our cars, our furniture, our clothes, my toys…. Everything GONE! And when we were there on the sight, where our home used to be, we could look at our property and see how everything had been destroyed. We saw how meaningless everything is. Most people, in the back of their minds, would be wondering  what is the point? This is like striving after the wind. My Parents however, knew what to do; they followed what the ending of Ecclesiastes tells us to do.  Chapter 12 verse 13 says

“Now here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man.”

We have to understand the only real thing we can put our hopes, faith, trust, and love in, and know that it won’t amount to complete meaninglessness, is God. Fear God. Know God. Trust God. That’s all that matters.

   When I played football last year, the coach asked me to give the guys a speech before the last game. It was a game that if we won, we could play one more game, and if we lost some of us would never play football again. So the coach wanted me to give the guys something that would get them ready for that night. I thought about it for a little bit, and decided on a story from the Bible out of one of the gospels. It's the one where the disciples are watching as the offering is being taken, and they see people come up and put great amounts in the offering bag, or whatever it was they put the money in back then. I can imagine the disciples watching Jesus and his reactions as these people put these large amounts of money in. And I don’t know, but maybe he shook his head or maybe he put on a straight face, but my guess is the disciples who had gotten to know Jesus pretty well by then, could tell he was not pleased. When a poor widow came up they had to be wondering what Jesus was gonna do. When this poorly dressed woman came up to the place to give, and dropped in just two small copper coins, they had to be watching Jesus, waiting for his wrath! But, when he (most likely) smiled, and nodded at the woman, and drew the disciples together, and then said these words, they had to be astonished:

“I tell you the truth, this poor woman has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty gave everything.-all she had to live on.” 

See, God judges the heart, He doesn't want anyone to go halfway for Him. Revelation 3:16 says,

“so, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

 I remember telling the guys when I read these verses to them, that I didn’t care about the outcome of the game as long as they gave their all. We ended up losing 66 to 0. I saw one of my friends after the game crying, and as tears filled my eyes, I gave him a hug, and I told him "Thank you". He kind of looked at me with question in his eyes, “for what?” he asked and I replied “just for giving your all”. That friend of mine couldn’t have made a huge difference in the game, but I did know that what he did give, it was his all. God cares about where your heart is at, and if you’re willing to give him your all. That’s all that matters. In everything you do you're supposed to do it for God, and do it to the best of your ability. So please don’t have regrets because you never really went out on a limb and trusted God. Think about how great it will be when we get to heaven and God points at us and says” this child of mine gave his all, and I am well pleased.”

   When I was four years old I accepted Jesus Christ as my own personal savior. I can remember it vividly. Sitting in the rear seat of my Dad’s car, I was looking at the back of my Father’s head trying to figure out how to ask him a question. My older brother was in the front. I think we were coming home from his baseball practice. I usually tagged along, so nothing was really unusual, except that I had something big on my mind. That previous Sunday our Church had communion, and as usual, my Mom passed the grape juice over me, not allowing me to get some. This of course, in my little four year old brain seemed very unfair, and I began to tell my Mom just that. I was answered with a loud “SHHHH”, and a promise to talk to me about it later. Well, it was later, and I was ready to talk about it, so I simply said, “Dad I want some of the juice at Church!” My Dad was pretty confused, but after some explaining, he got the drift of what I was saying. Dad told me how the juice was only for those who were always going to follow Jesus. Also, how Christ died for me, bore all my sins on the cross, and how if I accepted him to save me from the fiery scary place known as Hell, I could go to where God reigns, Heaven. It was a long time ago, but I think I remember being quiet for a minute, thinking over what my Daddy had just said. The juice was no longer the issue, now Jesus was on my mind, and I wanted him in my life. I told my Dad that. He nodded and said “Lets Pray.” Since then, I have tried to follow Jesus. I pray all the time that he will help me follow him, and that I won’t take the pilot seat from him, but let him lead me down the straight and narrow path. I pray that I might not be swayed by what the world offers in all of its riches and glory, and is only good for a time, and that I might see my years on earth as a dress rehearsal for what’s after this life, and to honor Jesus in all that I do. I know that now instead of looking like Crockett did in this world I am perfect in Gods Eyes, just like Crockett is in heaven today. I can’t wait to see him and hopefully one day I will see all of you there too!

He's leaving on a jet plane

The kids and I drove back to Georgia yesterday, to send this guy halfway around the world tomorrow. Yep, he's leaving on a jet plane that will take him to the uttermost, and drop him off.

This momma has done this before, and it ain't ever easy, but I know he is in the Lord's hands, and he is ready.

 

Even as I write this, I can hear him praising his Lord with song.

"with thanksgiving, I'll be a living, sanctuary, for you" he sings.

Nothing sweeter to this Momma's ears, then to hear her children praise God, folks this is what it's all about!

Please pray for my boy Kartwright while he is in the Ukraine ministering to a country hungry for truth.

upward and onward

Kartwright graduated Saturday.

He was one of six beautiful people in his small homeschool ceremony, and they all did wonderfully. I had the privilege of spending a few hours every month for the last nine months, with the sweet mommas of these nice looking young people, planning every cookie, candle , and cake for the sweet ceremony that we all enjoyed this weekend.

All of the graduates professed faith in Jesus Christ, and a desire to serve Him in college and beyond. What a blessing that is to the parents, friends, and families of these seniors.

Kartwright was asked to give the invocation (opening prayer), and did a magnificent job. Each graduate also chose a mentor that prayed for and with them and their parents, during the service. Kartwright chose his friend, teacher, and pastor. As parents we also were allowed to present his diploma to him ourselves, which I found particularly meaningful.

Many friends and family joined us, and we were so glad they did. It went so far in making this day special. I can hardly believe Kartwright is done with High School, and let me just say that the makers of water proof mascara deserve a BIG chocolate something for their part in making my day.

Kartwright has truly been a joy to "teach", and I put that in quotes as he has for so long now taught himself. I have been purely a facilitator, cheerleader, and encourager. He is a very smart guy, and is already on his way to very big things for God's kingdom.

I love you big guy,

and I am so very thankful for you, and the opportunity to educate you at home all these years. 

 I will forever be cheering you on!

If you love snakes, then don't read this

Lumberjack boy is now the snake slayer.

We have chickens, eight little laying ladies to be exact, and apparently snakes love eggs. Recently Haven, our resident keeper of the hens, went to collect eggs as usual, and found this long guy coiled up in the nesting boxes with an egg sitting on top, as if to mock her arrival. My quick and logically thinking girl child immediately let the chickens out of their cozy cabin, and locked them out. She then opened the nesting box hatch with a stick (that she had previously slammed shut when she discovered the egg eater), left open the door to the outside, and ran to the house to tell her tale of serpent sabotage.

Do you like all my alliteration??? Don't you love words like alliteration, that sound like what they are. What is the word for that???? Oh, I should know that. help me out people.

Unfortunately, the soon to be snake slayer was not at home, and night fall was looming. My sweetheart was out of town, and I was left with two girlies that were very afraid for their chicken friends. ElizaJane proceeded to remind me of how Daddy had once retrieved a snake from the bird feeder, and then proceeded to fling the slithery thing up over the fence with a pitch fork. Apparently she gives her Mother a bit too much credit in the bravery department, and has also measured my love for our feathered flock inaccurately. I explained, that I would NOT be "taking care of" the snake, not then, well...... not ever!

In the morning the snake was gone.

Fast forward a week, and guess who was back for a fresh warm all you can eat EGGstravagant smorgasbord! The snake slayer made short work of the long fellow, and if you are wondering why it looks like he has no head, well....it's because the snake slayer doesn't like to take any chances!

He makes me laugh

Kartwright needed a picture recently for something he has going on next year, so we took a little stroll around the ol' homestead to see what we could come up with. Here are a few of the out takes.

"Hello, ummmmm anybody home???"

"Am I the only one who showed up for this shin dig? Wait, are you all going to roast me, or worship me?"

This is the look I will get when he sees this post.

Cute ain't ee ?

How did that one get in here??? sorry

"Next year I will be joining the NYC ballet!

Ballerinas can wear cowboy boots can't they?"

"Or, I might be a magician"

"No, wait, how about the opera."

"Hey, is this your dog?"

"Seriously Mom, 

Do I have to wear this big yellow head dress?"

Yeahhhhhhhh, there's my boy, he is cute ain't ee?

Hoss, Ben, or little Joe?

This kid went to a costume party recently, and his nerdy Momma took the opportunity to snap a few pics of him all decked out as his favorite movie star John, the coolest dude in the west, Wayne. Kartwright thoroughly enjoys a good western, and looks so comfortable in this getup. He was totally born in the wrong era, and for the record girls, he plans to name his first two sons Duke and Cash someday, so if that doesn't suit, well, what can I say? I guess there was something prophetic about his own name!

This handsome dude recently turned 18, and has made the teenage years seem, well, not at all what everyone said they would be. I can't say enough about what a great guy he is, and although I know I am partial, they just don"t make 'em any better. I hate that he is 18, I mean really hate it, cuz that means he will soon be gone, and I can not bear the thought of not having this smiling grin around everyday! Kartwright has made us laugh from the very beginning. He had an undeniable part in helping our family cope with Crockett's diagnosis when he himself was only three years old, cope with his illness for 12 1/2 years, and then heal after Crockett's home going, all with the gift of laughter. Kartwright has a close relationship with his Lord and Savior, and seeks to please him in the choices he makes, and in his plans for the future.  He loves his siblings, and shows his sisters everyday with both physical and emotional affection. They both adore him, and worship the ground he walks on....well, almost. We are known around these parts, as Kartwright's parents, and often hear from people he meets about what a fine young man we have. People like to be around him, he easily makes friends, and is one of the most loyal people i know. He disciplines himself to work hard everyday in his school work, to buffet his body with exercise, and to spend time in the word. I could go on and on, but I already have.  I genuinely enjoy his company, and am prouder then I can possibly express here.

Thank you Lord for the gift that is Kartwright, and thank you son for all the joy that you bring me, and all those around you!

Lets have an attitude of gratitude today

I am grateful for

Kartwright

Grocery lists, to do lists, Christmas lists, thanksgiving meal lists, what would we do without lists?

lunch dates

netflix watch instantly, so easy, have you heard? no more forgetting to send those pesky dvds back.

The book Radical, read at your own risk, only if you want to be changed radically.

football

Although Kartwright is home schooled, a small Christian school near by is excited to have him on their team. Kartwright is thrilled to be so wanted, and is making lots of new friends.

Friday night was the first scrimmage, and K got his first shot as QB.

I know a lot about football, that's why I can use terms like QB real casual like that. :)

Can you see coach Nick in the background?

Doesn't it look like he is calling after them like a worried father that forgot to let them know what they are in for.

"UMMMM, uh wait uhhh, guys with the 5s listen up now."

Yeah, uhmmmmm, uh well, when you get out there uhhh, do like we talked about, and don't worry if those really big guys in the black jerseys hit yah, cuz uhhhh, I mean cuz uhhhh you'll be alright, that's why your wearin all that padding, right?, OK, now go out there and hit someone, or catch, or throw, or whatever we decided you were a doin"

I don't think he really talks like that, I just like to imagine.

It was pouring down rain now, and we were all huddled under two kinda small umbrellas.

I could only get pictures from behind.

It was pretty much a miracle that I got any pictures at all.

The game was eventually called due to lightning in the second inning, I mean quarter, and we all went home tired and soggy. It was fun though, and we are all excited to spend the next several Friday nights watching our guy play, and cheering the Cougars to victory.

GO- FAHEET-WEEHIN as they say around these parts.

Finagling by Lumberjack boy

Lumberjack Kartwright has been working in the barn quit a bit lately, and this is what he came up with! He jumped in with both feet, and made this fantastical bench from an old Queen sized Head board and foot board. He is hoping to make a little money to stash a way for the future, with his new wood finagling business.

I think it's downright fabulous myself, but then I just might be a tad biased. What do you think? No, not about if I'm biased, I think that is very obvious. What do you think of this beautiful work of lumberjacking art?

I graciously offered to "store" it for him, free of charge of course, since he is family and all, in my entry way/foyer/dinning room. Funny how it goes perfectly with my decor and all. I wonder who finagled that? I plan to make a pretty cushion for it, not that I'm taking possession or anything, just want to show it off in the best light possible.

Lumberjack boy won't let anyone sit on it, so don't come over and try it out, or you may have bought a bed bench that you never knew you wanted! That is not to say that this bench is not sturdy enough to hold three well fed Lumberjacks comfortably, just that Kartwright is a tad "attached" shall we say, to his "baby".

Can you tell I'm proud of Lumberjack boy? I must show it from all angles, or you may miss the splendiferouseness of the entire project. Isn't splendiferouse a word, I thought it was, but spell check says NO? They say lumberjacking is not a word either, but we all know that they're wrong on that one! What do they know, they don't even recognise Lumberjack boys real name! Cute idnt he?? A bit pasty perhaps....oooh we miss that sunshine....but real cute just the same!

If you are at all interested in the purchase of this larger then life, gotta have it, bench wonderfulness, just give us a shout out through the ol' net. Or, better yet, if you have an old bed that you would like made into a bench, Lumberjack would love to hear from you! Or, even if you don't want, or need a bench, but you have some other lumberjacking project in mind, he is open for business as they say.

Just in case it is not entirely obvious I would like to point out that the name Lumberjack Boy is not to imply in any way that Kartwright possesses any skill whatsoever in the area of large tree excavation, but is only the pet name that came to a loving mothers mind when she beheld said boy clad in plaid flannel.

today I linked to FUNKY JUNK, and

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