Catchup

A year ago July,  Joel and I went to Washington to visit his family and have a late wedding reception.  I took pictures but neglected to share them! So, seeing as I have no job at the moment I thought it would only be fitting to blog them now, they'll also give you an idea of the beautiful surroundings that I now live in!

Enjoy!

Some of the yummy foods we enjoyed

Steven and Jesse

Josh and Derek

I love all the expressions!

While there that week we went up to Mt. Baker, on the way we stopped for a photo moment of Mt Shuksan- gorgeous.

Later that week Joel and I went on a double date with two of his good friends, who actually, this past June got married! Congrats again Steven and Alanna!

and last but not least some very interesting cars...

Worry

If your anything like me it's so easy to forget not to worry. This past week as Joel and I have been living out of suitcases and a few random bags of clothing at his parents house I found myself worrying more often then not. I don't even know how many countless times I found myself battling in my head to not worry. You know it's hard to stay focused when are there are so many things pulling you different directions. I was constantly finding myself stressed and feeling like a nuisance. Even though everything within me was telling me it was going to be ok, God is in control, and I wasn't a nuisance it was so easy to fall into those temptations, which are, in all reality issues of pride and sinful nature.
On the way to WA, Joel and I listen to many different books on tape (Thanks again Mom and Dad for those! They were a life saver!), one of those was the Screwtape letters by C.S. Lewis (if you haven't read them I recommend them- but do so cautiously and with prayer). The idea of the book is about two demons, Uncle Screwtape being the wise elder directing his nephew on how to turn people back to their father, the devil. It goes on in detail about thoughts and things which are meant to draw us away from God, thoughts like doubt, worry, pride, frustration etc. and them being placed their by these demons themselves. This book has been known to make people very terrified of every thought that comes in their head being from the devil, and while that is not completely true, I do believe that he does put thoughts out there for us to dwell on- it's up to us to be constantly giving them back to God.
I say all this to say that while I was having those thoughts it hit me. I hadn't been turning them back over to God, I was internalizing them and dwelling on them more then I should. While it is true that I need a job, a car and a place to live, my dwelling on them isn't going to help one bit! I decided to read through the book of Matthew again and really think about what Jesus is saying, then I came to Matthew 6.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've read those verses, but yet it seems like I am constantly coming back to them. God does have this ALL under control. We we come to Him in prayer He already knows what we need. He's got this- I just need to trust. To rest in His word, to wait.

My ramblings for the day.

And because every blog is better with pictures- a few to wet your whistle.

• I Wait For The Lord by Jeremy Camp

More Jeremy Camp music on iLike

A new adventure

As most of you know by now, my husband Joel and I just moved to Washington state from North Carolina- and we drove. Over 3000 miles later (and a whole lot of sitting) we made it! But it was quite an adventure, from baby bears crossing the interstate, to super small towns and almost getting hit by a dear we made it safely- with all our limbs and vehicle still in tact. God was watching out for us on this trip- we couldn't have done it with out him!
While I didn't take a ton of pictures on the journey (looking out bug spotted windows and quickly moving scenery doesn't help) I took a few and thought I'd share them with you!
First off, this was the route we took. We left (a) Kernersville, NC on Saturday and headed to my sisters house in (b) TN. From there we went to visit our dear friend Rebecca in (c) Lawrence KS, next stop (d) Murdo SD then (e) Sheridan WY and then 17hours straight to (f) Bellingham WA (we were tired of driving and decided to just knock it out!).



We stayed a couple days at my sisters house and a few sword fights later we were on our way. Here's a small college of our stay in TN.





We headed out again on Monday morning and made it to Missouri- then it was on to KS... sorry, I didn't take any picture there.... I have NO idea why- so sad.


From KS we headed up to the tiny one blinky stoplight town of Murdo, SD. It was said the closest Walmart was about 70miles away and the only grocery store closed at 7pm. Nice.

When we left the small town of Murdo our next destination was the ever famous Wall Drug store, which apparently got it's start by offering free ice water to weary travelers. After driving through SD I can see why that was a big deal! It's pretty, just flat. and more flat. and oh wait, nope just a mole hill, and more flat. Even today farms are few and scattered a long ways apart. Here's some pictures of South Dakota...

I must say though the whole state was not flat, the more north we headed the more hilly it got, until we reached the Badlands and Mt. Rushmore where it got somewhat mountainous. We did stop at Mt. Rushmore to take a few pictures, mostly saying we'd been there. You climb some steps see some flags and then it's the mountain! It's pretty cool in an anti-climatic sort of way. I do like being able to say I've been there though ;)

After we left there we drove a little ways and then made it to WY... next is a collage of a couple of days, I honestly couldn't tell you which state is which so I put them all together. A little of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho for you.

And finally on Thursday, after driving for 17 hours we made it to Bellingham WA. What a long day that was, but we were so glad when it was over!!

That about sums up our journey. Now for a job... ;)

Thanks for all the prayers!
Love,
Carrie and Joel

Paul and Lily

I love being able to take pictures of them as they grow up and it's amazing how fast they do!! Here are some pictures of my adorable niece and nephew!

Happy Fathers day Mike! You have two beautiful children ;)































annnd My favorite from the day... I love these two!

Memories

So often I find myself forgetting to take pictures... pictures of the beauty all around me, the people I love etc. It's hard... to make time between work and life... to capture the life of those around me. Last week I was in a car wreck, and yes I'm fine, but it made me think again about how uncertain our time here on earth is. At any moment life can change drastically, the actual car wreck took about 5 seconds and yet as a result my car is 'totalled' in insurance terms (it would cost more to fix then it's worth, it was an 89 honda accord, so that doesn't say much about the actual damage done). Life is fragile, things change quickly, people grow up and things change rapidly. I want to take advantage of my life now, before it slips away and I wonder where all the time has gone.
I wanted to share some pictures of Callie and myself yesterday. We decided it was time that we enjoy the outdoors and go on an adventuring 'photo' date. Here's a few snapshots of my lovely, growing up to fast, 8 year old sister.
Keep loving, keep focused on God, life is good.

On a more serious note:
This morning a beloved member of our church passed away, he had been fighting for a long time and today it was time for him to go home. Warren-you will be missed, your smile, your laugh, your humor. The way you always made sure to let those around you know you cared and would brag on those you loved. We won't forget you. I can only imagine you up in heaven right now dancing in front of the Lord- celebrating being with Him. You were loved by many and we'll look after Nancy for you.

Rest in Peace
Warren Glore

Our God is good- make sure you know Him.
Blessings,
Carrie