Jan 2, 2010 | Baby Photos, Stories, The Good Word
I was thinking of sharing an encouragement with you about the New Year, and perhaps challenging you to consider really really diving into God’s Word in a new way. Spending time in it every day, and allowing it to transform your life. But then for a couple of days I was struggling, not really able to put my finger on the source of it, but just ill-at-ease about life in general, and fearful awake and asleep. It took me a while to figure out what was really going on in my heart. I could see places where I was afraid when I didn’t need to be. I could see fear instead of faith leading my course of action. And I could see that I was ultimately struggling to trust God, and therefore trying to figure out how to move forward in my own strength.
But finally, this morning as I was reading, the true issue, the root, and the heart of the matter came to the surface. I was struggling to believe that God really loves me. Yes, we all know the words to “Jesus Loves Me” and we all remember that the Bible tells us so. But sometimes, when things are tough, when life gives you lemons, when things aren’t going your way, when your bank account isn’t pretty, there’s a snake in the grass ready to whisper in your ear…Does God really love you? And if you are caught unaware, little seeds of doubt can begin to produce big fruit — fear, mistrust, an unsettled mind, perhaps even a desire to throw out the baby and the bathwater.
But what good and glorious news I have to share with you this morning! What good and glorious news brought me to my knees, weeping in the shower? God loves me. That’s it, and that’s the truth. He really loves me. He really cares about what happens in my life. He really wants a relationship with me and He really wants what’s best for me.
It’s Greater Love than This
Do you have kids? I hope someday you do. Every day I have with the Bear inspires poetry in my heart — songs and music of thankfulness. I really, really love him. I really care about what happens in his life. And I really want to lead him and help him to learn how to live a life that will please God — where I know he’ll experience something greater than any other way of life available. But the point I’m trying to make is, I really, really love him. And the way I love that little boy, if you could put it on a calculator and add it up to some numerical value, absolutely cannot compare with the love the Lord has for me, with a thousand calculators. Just me. Little Caroline Collie from Washington, North Carolina — who has this many hairs on her head and has had this many dreams about chocolate on Tuesdays and has seen this many sunsets.
He knows everything about me. And He still loves me. And I am so glad to hold that truth in my heart in a fresh way today. It is absolutely glorious.
So if I could still issue a New Year’s challenge to you, I might encourage you to get into the Bible like never before. To spend time with your Creator and seek His face. But perhaps today, more than any of that, I just want you to know how much He loves you. No matter what you do. It’s unconditional love. He doesn’t need you. But He really, really wants you. You bring Him joy just being who He created you to be. You bring Him joy just being. His desire is for you. And He’s been chasing after you.
In the year ahead, I hope you let Him catch you. Let Him choose you. And let Him shower you with His amazing love. If you do, you’ll want to dive into His Word to know Him better and let Him change you. You’ll want to get up early and get away to be with Him. You will become a part of the greatest love story in history — the story of a loving God, and the generations and generations of people He has demonstrated His love to. In the midst of the billions, the God of the universe wants to know you. Happy New Year.
Dec 29, 2009 | Baby Photos, South Africa, Travel..ling Tuesdays
Today was supposed to be a Travelling Tuesday in the literal sense, as we had planned to head back to Gordon’s Bay on this bonnie Travelling Tuesday. Well, we actually planned to head back yesterday and take a couple of days to get home, and then decided that wasn’t such a nice way of making the trip. And when we realised Mark’s sister Lyn was flying out yesterday, we thought it would be stinky for us to all leave on the same day. So we we pushed it back a day, and now another, to get a few last errands done here in Bloem and enjoy just a bit more time of seeing the Bear with his grandparents. It brings joy to our souls! Sorry if that was a lot of info — anyway, tomorrow will be a Travelling Wednesday (for us) instead!
In the meantime, I thought I’d give you a wee review of a few Christmas highlights from our adventure in Bloem. In case you missed TT last week and you’d like to know a little more about Bloemfontein, check out this post.
We had a warm and sunny Christmas. The Bear revelled in his freedom from the bondage of clothing, and often went naked or (more often) just had a nappy on (since he’s not potty trained yet and we got tired of cleaning pee pee on the patio).
Mark’s Mom’s amazing ice cream cake dessert made a sparkling entrance…
Mark and I decorated the vintage Collie tree. We afterwards discovered we’d used the top and bottom sections (leaving out the middle section) which meant the branch sizes of the two sections didn’t exactly uhh...match up. Â I think it turned out pretty anyway.
The Bear is enjoying his new toys, and sometimes seems to wonder…Should I pway wiv dis one or dat one now?
And, as previously mentioned, I HAD BACON COVERED CHERRIES AGAIN!!! YAY!!! If you missed the discussion, check out this post for a well worth it how-to.
Tomorrow we’ll be saying bye-bye Bloemfontein and the adventure will continue as we head back to Gordon’s Bay. It will be sad to leave but we hope to be back again soon. The travel never seems to stop!! I’ll be back online with more thoughts, more shots and hopefully more general merriment soon! In the meantime, I hope the road rises to meet you wherever your travels take you next!
Dec 25, 2009 | Baby Photos, South Africa
It is good to be in Bloemfontein. As you know, the bacon-covered cherries have made my Christmas. I thought I’d share a few pics of the grandson my Mom and Dad are missing so much. I am missing them! It was AMAZING how quickly he figured out the three easy steps to prezzie time: #1 Rip paper, #2 Rip more paper, #3 Find toy inside!
The Bear is currently presiding as King of the Collie Castle…
He’s thinking about trying out as an extra for MTV Cribs. I’m gonna have to say n-n-n-o.
These were the humble beginnings of the paper ripping fest…
We got him a “laptop” in hopes that he would leave ours alone and play with his.
After the first paper-ripping session had delightful results, he started getting into it…
Thank you for the prezzies, Auntie Lorna! We REALLY like ours, and as you can see, the Bear really likes his…
The accompanying elephant became a teething toy a few minutes later. 🙂 And this was the aftermath of all the prezzie-rippin’ fun.
Merry Christmas from Bloemfontein! We miss you, G.C. and Grandpa! We’re having a good time in the southern hemisphere, but we can’t wait to be together again soon!
Dec 25, 2009 | Baby Photos, Stories
I hope you are having a wonderfully Merry Christmas! The Bear woke us up at 5:45 this morning and is already down for his first nap! We haven’t gotten everyone together to open prezzies yet, since he got up so early and then went down for a nap before everyone else was up and moving! Here’s a patiently waiting for prezzies face…
I hope that we’ll be making those bacon-covered cherries later this afternoon so that I can snap some shots and fill you in. And I hope to get a couple of pics of the Bear when he finally does get to open a prezzie or two, because I know his Stateside Grandma and Grandpa would love to see them! Hopefully soon!
In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying warm moments with family and tasty treats, and stopping every so often to thank the Lord that He came to Earth for you and me 2,000 years ago. What a reason to celebrate — God came near, and it’s the most incredible event in human history! Merry Christmas!
Dec 24, 2009 | Baby Photos, South Africa, Stories
As expected, it’s a hot and sunny Christmas in our neck of the woods right now. Beautiful. I am still sorely missing my family, but I am doing my best to enjoy the beauty and laughs of doing some new traditions over the holidays, while remembering that it’s the goodness of God that this season is all about!
Last night Mark was making these tasty South African dessert drinks (called Dom Pedros) for us and spilled most of the first batch on the kitchen floor. It was a funny moment, and I almost think we should start a new tradition because of it. Instead of hot chocolate, a tasty ice cream drink will certainly do!
One delightful tradition I’ve discovered that was an annual event in the Collie household was having watermelon at Christmas. They used to let the watermelon float around in the swimming pool to keep it cool until it was time to cut it and eat it. And it makes sense for it to be a Christmas fruit — it’s red and green! The Bear had his first taste of Christmas watermelon yesterday and I think he really likes it! Mark captured some great shots of this Christmas first. Can you guess what the little seed is that is stuck to his face from his lunch? Â Feel free to enjoy the photos, and then get back to enjoying the holiday with your family!!
I hope to get some photos of my new favourite Christmas tradition — bacon covered cherries — to share with you tomorrow! With step-by-step instructions. If you’re keen to follow along, pick up a pack of bacon, some toothpicks and some glazed cherries today!
Till then, have yourself a very Merry Christmas!
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