Clarity

There are moments in life where we realize with super duper clarity that we really have no control. Let's face it, we really don't EVER have control. However, our human brains and hearts trick themselves into thinking that if we just try hard enough or beg long enough or talk to the right people, we can somehow exert some semblance of control of the situations in our lives.

I love looking back on the moments that have given me clarity...those sweet horrible moments when I've realized God is really ALL I know for sure. For me, those moments have always lead me to Psalm 63. I have tear stains and hi-liter marks and writing all over the margin of Psalm 63 in my Bible. God is good and I trust him.

Tonight I was talking with some friends about a situation that I so wish I had control over. I wish I could wave a magic wand and get want I want. That's not how it works, though, and if it did work that way, we'd be stuck with the inferior ideas I have rather than the infinitely better oh-so-amazing plans God has in mind.

So, I come back to the clarity...to the truth that God has plans I know nothing of...to the rock-solid belief I have that God is good and He sees His people and He knows us and He chooses to give us good gifts.

Psalm 63

A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah.

¹ O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
² I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
³ Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
⁴ I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
⁵ You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.

⁶ I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
⁷ Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.

⁹ But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin.
They will go down into the depths of the earth.
¹⁰ They will die by the sword
and become the food of jackals.
¹¹ But the king will rejoice in God.
All who trust in him will praise him,
while liars will be silenced.

A new chapter...

Our family is getting ready to turn the page to a new chapter of life. For nine years, Tim has been the youth minister at FCC in Marshall. This has been our lives. Our boys have continually had this group of older siblings who have loved them and taught them (some good stuff and some not so good stuff) and played with them and invested in them. Tim and I have been surrounded by jr and sr high students who have loved us, challenged us, grown with us, worshipped with us, and laughed with us.

Starting September 27th, Tim will become a chaplain at the federal prison. In other words, he will no longer be the youth minister and we will no longer be the youth minister's wife and kids. Although Tim will not be worshipping there on Sunday mornings, our family will still remain a part of FCC.

My heart is full...it is a mixture of excitement and sorrow, hope and dread...a mixed bag of happy and sad.

I am feeling thankful today that the One who calls us is faithful. He has gone before us...He knows our every thought. I have seen His goodness, and I trust Him.

First Day of School

We have now arrived at fourth grade and kindergarten (and age 2 for Simon!). These guys get more and more fun as the years go by. I LOVE being the mama of boys. Be like Jesus at school, sweet boys. I love you.

Summertime

Some years, it seems we are completely on top of summer home maintenance. You know...the weeds are battled, the mulch is spread, the flowers are watered, the lawn is not only mowed but "weed-eatered" too. Then other years (like this one), we are doing well to just get the lawn mowed before it turns into a hay field. Yesterday, as I was hurriedly mowing the back yard before it was time to leave for a baseball game, I decided that it's ok. This year, we're more interested in baseball (both Isaac's games and playing in the yard), homemade ice cream, Rummikub, swimming, and loving on each other. I have a feeling the weeds and black plastic (the kind that appears when you never get around to mulching) will be there when we are ready.

Here's our little 3rd baseman, down and ready.

This last picture was Isaac caught in a pickle. Unfortunately, the blue team got him out. Daddy promptly went over to the dugout and reiterated the importance of not getting off of the base too far when you're leading off.

Yay for Graduating!!!!

The Wood family is enjoying evenings without homework and papers to write....well, it was just Daddy who did the homework and wrote the papers, but we're all thankful to be done with them. Yay for Daddy who graduated with his MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary!!!!!

Baseball Gloves, Crouching Catchers, and Muscle Shirts

fabulous sings of spring

A little reminder this morning...

....of His extreme love for you....

He blew out his candles three times!

The first time, he blew them out before Tim even moved his hand away. None of us were even looking, and he knew just what to do. So, daddy lit them again and we told him to wait while we sang. He did just that, but looked at us like we were crazy...singing a whole song while those blue and white sticks were on fire right in front of him. When the song was over, we told him to blow and he did, spitting on the cake as he went. When they were both out, he yelled "Adin" which, translated, means "Again!". Since he's the baby, of course we lit them again and let him blow again. Our little baby Simon is two, and, oh, how we all love him!!!

What's Up at the Woodshed...

We enjoyed a fun-filled Easter day complete with church, hunting for Easter baskets, yummy Easter dinner and a family wedding to top off the day. It was a SUPER day, and we are thankful that Jesus is alive!!!


















Now, we are LOVING having our cousins Asia and Austin along with Auntie and Uncle Dave visiting us for a few days. Oh, how we LOVE them. Check out the two coolest members of our posse....

At our house...

Outside my window...the sun is shining, but it's a little cooler than it looks. I just saw my lover leave on his motorcycle.

I am thinking...about exercising...as you can tell, I'm still sitting here at the computer.

I am thankful for...God's provision that meets us where we are.

From the kitchen...last night was chicken and bean burritos and tonight mama and daddy are going out alone!!! :)

I am wearing...VERY old shorts and a white t-shirt (I told you I was thinking about exercising!!)

I am creating...a newly upholstered vanity stool...I just did it this morning, and I'm quite proud!

I am going...with my hubby to buy a new car tonight...can I get a YAHOO!?!

I am reading...the Percy Jackson series and The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer...haha! quite a contrast!

I am hoping...our riding lawnmower is magically working when we get it out of the shed...not likely since it wasn't working last fall when we put it in there! haha!

I am hearing...Teen Titans from the living room, Ezra's cackle at the funny guy on the show, and "Amazed" by Eoghan Heaslip on Pandora.

Around the house...the laundry is saying to me, "do a couple loads today and you won't get behind...come on, do it!!!" and the dishwasher is screaming, "Call the repairman! I'm tired of watching you wash those dishes by hand!"

One of my favorite things...the smell of spring!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: We're headed to St. Louis to visit our favorite employee of Busch Stadium. We might visit the zoo and a museum or two while we're there...maybe the arch...who knows!!

A few pictures from our world...

To Asia from Ezra

I've tried three times to email this to Ezra's cousin, Asia, in Cambodia, and I tried to post it on her parents' facebook wall which didn't work either. So, we're gonna try this...

Happy Valentine's Day from the Wood family

Enjoy your day today. You are loved by Your creator in amazing and incredible ways. His mercies dump on you in much the same way Ezra dumps the sprinkles on his half of the cupcakes...large quantities, sometimes messy, but always with love.

Thankful

Feeling thankful today...

for a life I don't deserve,

for forgiveness and restoration from screw-ups along the way,

for the love God has for the "me" others rarely see,

for a loving Savior who goes before me and beside me,

preparing the way and walking it with me,

for a God who knows the plans He has for me.