Sorry for the lack of posts lately. The reason is twofold, really. 1) I can't find the charger to my camera, so I can't get all of those great pictures onto my computer to share. Blast me!! 2) I really haven't had much to say.
But this brings me to something I've thought a whole lot about lately. It's a trend I've noticed for a while. I'm sure this will not be a surprise to anyone reading this post, but it's still something to evaluate within your family life. Has anyone noticed just how much of a role technology and social media play in our world now? I mean, of course that sounds like a dumb, "Captain Obvious" type statement. But have you really thought about it lately? I have.
It is amazing how quickly and easily I get sucked into the mind-numbing process of surfing the internet, scrolling through Facebook, and filling my mind with everything...but nothing. It's quite scary, really. There once was a time when I didn't always have this tumor, I mean cell phone, with me as I traveled from room to room in my home, or from point A to point B, in fear that I might miss an all important...text message. I can remember going on youth trips when I was in middle school and high school, playing silly games, singing at the tops of our lungs, and...talking. Now, I observe our students on youth trips, even short ones, not really knowing how to relate and communicate with one another without huddling around an iPod or cell phone to watch videos.
I have caught myself many times in conversation with someone sitting right in front of me, but not having the slightest clue what we just talked about because I was preoccupied with something on my phone.
I thought the other day that I might need to start setting the table
with one extra place, for my iPhone, since it joins us for every meal.
I think about the importance of how we start our day. Far too often mine has started with picking up my phone, checking for messages, checking my email, and checking my social media.
When I really contemplate these realities, I can't help but wonder how much celebrating is going on within the ranks of Satan's army. I mean, how many people are walking around with a false sense of intimacy because they know more and more information about their "friends" on Facebook, but they never take time to connect with those actual people they come into contact with every day?
How many families fail repeatedly to engage one another on a level deeper than "How was your day? Fine? Mine too" because they instead each retreat to their separate corners of the house to play games on their phones, text message friends elsewhere, surf their social media groups, play video games, or watch TV?
I could go on, but I think my point is almost made. I will go one step further, though. How many of us actually take time to sit, to seek the Lord in prayer, to meditate? Do we pray for our children earnestly, or do we just hope really hard that God will give them good lives? Do we pray for our spouses with purpose, or do we just throw up a prayer here and there that things will go as we want? Do we really know the Lord's voice?
I have taken some steps to make changes in my life. I will share a few. First thing in the morning, I do not look at the internet, check my email, or play on any social media until I have spent time with the Lord. I must get and stay in the habit of seeking Him and praying over my family and friends on a daily basis.He must be Lord of my day.
Another change I have made, and this is just a personal change, is that I do not have the computer on/out when Kate is awake. We rarely turn the TV on, too. I took Facebook off my iPhone. I don't want my daughter's memories of me being always preoccupied with technology, failing to connect with her consistently throughout the day.
One last change I will share is that I put my phone on silent sometimes. It feels so good to have it on silent and forget about it in the other room.
I share these thoughts because maybe someone else needs to hear it, too. I know not everyone falls prey to technology like we have, but I think it is prevalent enough that most of us need to evaluate and reevaluate on a consistent basis the role it plays in our homes. For the sake of marriage, family, and our personal walks with the Lord, this is vital. Let's be different, not for the sake of "not being like everyone else," but for the sake of glorifying Jesus Christ and pointing others to hope in Him!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The Story of "Us"
I saw this on another friend's blog and thought I'd play along. Plus, I don't think I have our story written down anywhere, so this will be nice to have. Here is the (brief) story of Trey and Kara:
In August 2006 mom and I loaded up my tiny Corolla and drove from Atlanta to Fort Worth, TX. I was going to start my first semester of seminary. We arrived in the early evening of Tuesday, August 12. That next day I was at the RAC (seminary's gym) talking with a friend from college when he walked in. Yes, Trey, the tall, handsome lifeguard :). I remember watching him walk through those doors and thinking "I'm going to marry him." It wasn't like a declaration or even a hopeful desire. It was more like a peaceful thought deep in my spirit. I would say it was the Lord. I told mom and my sister later that day that I had seen the most handsome man at seminary. I called from friend Natalie that day and told her I'd seen my future husband. We jokingly referred to him as that for the following week.
I didn't really see Trey for the next week and a half. But on Friday, August 18, I was visiting a girl I'd met in the admissions office. Her friend, who had been on a date with Trey earlier in the summer, told me I needed to meet Trey. Little did I know she was just using me to go see him, but I guess it worked out in my favor! She wanted to drive over to see him, so I agreed we could take my car over there. But lo and behold, when we came to my car...the back tire was flat! Here I was, all the way in Fort Worth, with my dad states away, and I had no idea how to change a flat tire. The girl said "It's ok, I'm sure Trey will change it for you," so off we went to the RAC. We walked in the pool area, and Trey says that at the moment he saw me, something changed inside him. He knew I was different. I walked up to him and said "Nice to meet you, I'm Kara. Can you change my tire?" And thus began this beautiful friendship. We spent so much time together over the following weeks, and I wondered often whether or not he shared my feelings. Finally, on October 6, we became an official couple when...a German kid named Sasha (pronounced Zasha...little red headed boy) looked at Trey and asked with his very thick German accent, "Is she your girlfriend?" Trey looked at him, looked at me, stammered a little, then said "Uh...ya." Yes, that is right; my tall, confident man awkwardly informed me that I was his girlfriend. And of course, I agreed :)
We dated until late February 2007, at which time we broke up. I was the one that instigated the breakup, needing some time to be alone with the Lord and figure a few things out. Shortly after our breakup, Trey told me one night that the Lord had made it clear he needed to "let me go." He promised me that night that he would not push himself into my life, but that he would be waiting for me on the other side. We set a date in August to get together and decide if we'd start dating again or go our separate ways for good. We did not communicate or see each other at all during this time.
During the breakup, the Lord worked many great things in mine and Trey's heart. These things are best shared over a cup of coffee and not on a blog, so I will save them for private conversations with friends. While I was growing and being shaped by the Lord during this breakup, Trey was saving for a ring. In June he called my dad and asked for my hand in marriage. Mind you, we were still broken up at this time. Dad gave Trey his permission, not knowing what I would say. Somehow, my family managed to keep this a secret from me.
Fast forward to August 16, the day of our date. At this point I had the peace of knowing Trey was the one I wanted to marry. Earlier that week a friend had said "What if he proposes?" I said "Are you crazy? He can't propose! You don't just go from being single to being engaged!" Or, maybe you do. Because when Trey picked me up for that date, he walked me to a bench on campus, got down on one knee, and proposed right away. And I said YES!! A photographer happened to be nearby preparing for a shoot, and when she saw what was happening, she captured it on film! Here are the shots.
So here we are, 3.5 years of marriage, two dogs, and one precious baby girl later. What an adventure this marriage has already been.
I leave you with a song that excites me every time I hear it. It is "Who Are We Fooling" by Brooke Frasier. I love, love, love the lyrics to this song. They are such a beautiful word picture of the marriage relationship. Trey Holmes, every day I am honored and humbled to be tethered to you in this tangled knot called marriage. May we only get more and more tangled together as the years go by!!
In August 2006 mom and I loaded up my tiny Corolla and drove from Atlanta to Fort Worth, TX. I was going to start my first semester of seminary. We arrived in the early evening of Tuesday, August 12. That next day I was at the RAC (seminary's gym) talking with a friend from college when he walked in. Yes, Trey, the tall, handsome lifeguard :). I remember watching him walk through those doors and thinking "I'm going to marry him." It wasn't like a declaration or even a hopeful desire. It was more like a peaceful thought deep in my spirit. I would say it was the Lord. I told mom and my sister later that day that I had seen the most handsome man at seminary. I called from friend Natalie that day and told her I'd seen my future husband. We jokingly referred to him as that for the following week.
I didn't really see Trey for the next week and a half. But on Friday, August 18, I was visiting a girl I'd met in the admissions office. Her friend, who had been on a date with Trey earlier in the summer, told me I needed to meet Trey. Little did I know she was just using me to go see him, but I guess it worked out in my favor! She wanted to drive over to see him, so I agreed we could take my car over there. But lo and behold, when we came to my car...the back tire was flat! Here I was, all the way in Fort Worth, with my dad states away, and I had no idea how to change a flat tire. The girl said "It's ok, I'm sure Trey will change it for you," so off we went to the RAC. We walked in the pool area, and Trey says that at the moment he saw me, something changed inside him. He knew I was different. I walked up to him and said "Nice to meet you, I'm Kara. Can you change my tire?" And thus began this beautiful friendship. We spent so much time together over the following weeks, and I wondered often whether or not he shared my feelings. Finally, on October 6, we became an official couple when...a German kid named Sasha (pronounced Zasha...little red headed boy) looked at Trey and asked with his very thick German accent, "Is she your girlfriend?" Trey looked at him, looked at me, stammered a little, then said "Uh...ya." Yes, that is right; my tall, confident man awkwardly informed me that I was his girlfriend. And of course, I agreed :)
We dated until late February 2007, at which time we broke up. I was the one that instigated the breakup, needing some time to be alone with the Lord and figure a few things out. Shortly after our breakup, Trey told me one night that the Lord had made it clear he needed to "let me go." He promised me that night that he would not push himself into my life, but that he would be waiting for me on the other side. We set a date in August to get together and decide if we'd start dating again or go our separate ways for good. We did not communicate or see each other at all during this time.
During the breakup, the Lord worked many great things in mine and Trey's heart. These things are best shared over a cup of coffee and not on a blog, so I will save them for private conversations with friends. While I was growing and being shaped by the Lord during this breakup, Trey was saving for a ring. In June he called my dad and asked for my hand in marriage. Mind you, we were still broken up at this time. Dad gave Trey his permission, not knowing what I would say. Somehow, my family managed to keep this a secret from me.
Fast forward to August 16, the day of our date. At this point I had the peace of knowing Trey was the one I wanted to marry. Earlier that week a friend had said "What if he proposes?" I said "Are you crazy? He can't propose! You don't just go from being single to being engaged!" Or, maybe you do. Because when Trey picked me up for that date, he walked me to a bench on campus, got down on one knee, and proposed right away. And I said YES!! A photographer happened to be nearby preparing for a shoot, and when she saw what was happening, she captured it on film! Here are the shots.
I leave you with a song that excites me every time I hear it. It is "Who Are We Fooling" by Brooke Frasier. I love, love, love the lyrics to this song. They are such a beautiful word picture of the marriage relationship. Trey Holmes, every day I am honored and humbled to be tethered to you in this tangled knot called marriage. May we only get more and more tangled together as the years go by!!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
What a Month!
Kate is 8 months old now (tomorrow), and boy what a wild month this 8th month of life has been! The growth and development she has gone through has left me excited, exhausted, and a little sad that my baby girl is growing so quickly! This has definitely been a month of "firsts." Kate crawled on her hands and knees for the first time. She clapped her hands with us for the first time, and she does that a lot now. She pulled herself to the standing position for the first time, and now she is trying to walk while holding onto the couch. Oh, and she cut her first tooth! Yes, I know, I posted a few months back that Kate had her first tooth coming in...but that was not a tooth. But her new tooth is definitely a tooth, and it's so cute!
So where are we now? Well, we have an active little 8 month old, for sure!! She crawls and squeals and "growls" and stands all the time. She loves to play. She also loves to be held. When Trey or I sit on the floor, she crawls up to us and wants to pull up and hold onto us while standing. One of my favorite things Kate does is when she stands on her tip toes like a little ballerina. What cute little twinkle toes she has, and what chubby, strong little legs. I just want to eat her up!
This is the first time I caught her standing up.
And here is the first time she pulled herself up in her crib. Nap time has never been quite the same as her pre-standing days!
My heart.
Kate loves to crawl in and through things, so I gave her this empty diaper box to play with. She absolutely loves it!
Anytime I come sit down to watch her play, she abandons whatever she's doing to come be with me. I love this precious girl!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Crawling
Kate has been army crawling for about a month now. She's gotten up on her hands and knees more and more lately, rocking back and forth, sometimes taking a little step or two, then falling over. Today, I look down at her on the floor, and she's crawling on her hands and knees as if she's always moved this way. I caught it on video right after that, briefly. Wow how quickly they change!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Canton Update
I realized I haven't put an update in a while on how life is going in Canton, other than all things Kate...which, really, is what everyone is most interested in :). But I figure I will give a little update on our life and ministry here in Canton, along with a few ways you can pray for us!
The Lord really has been blessing Trey's student ministry in our church. For a while we had about 8-10 students on Wednesday nights. We were maintaining that core group, and Trey and our youth volunteers were pouring into them and discipling them. Over the last few months, though, we have seen rapid number growth in our group. This past Wednesday night, for instance, we had 31 students. The only explanation we can see is that the Holy Spirit has blessed this ministry and is drawing students in...many of whom are not Christians. I asked Trey the other day how many he thinks are actually saved, and he said maybe about 1/4...and that might even be a liberal estimation. How cool is it that these kids are choosing to come to church on Wednesday nights and to hear the gospel week in and week out. Most of our students do not attend church on Sundays because their families do not come to church. Our church has a huge age gap of families with teenagers. We have a thriving children's ministry and a thriving senior adult ministry, but that middle age group is largely missing as a result of a church split many years ago. We are slowly rebuilding, though, and this is where we are also seeing God's blessing. So if you feel the Lord moving you to pray for our church, here are some ways you can do so:
- We are currently searching for a pastor. Our previous pastor, who Trey came in under, has retired from the pastorate. He came out of retirement to pastor our church after the split a few years ago, and he helped bring about much healing and direction to a broken body of believers. We are now searching for God's man who will provide leadership in this next phase of our church's life.
- Salvation!! Like I said previously, many of our students are not Christians. Pray for the Spirit to soften their hearts and to enlighten them to the saving grace found in Jesus Christ. Also, pray for the spiritual growth of our students who are Christians. Ask the Lord to deepen their faith and draw them into strong relationship with Him.
The Lord has blessed Trey, Kate, and me in our family life, too. I am so thankful to be a stay at home mom. We know this is God's best for our family at this time, and while it takes great sacrifice in some ways (especially financially!), it is worth every bit of the sacrifice. Me being home and not working has also allowed me to get more involved in our church and in making friendships with other women. Here are some ways we covet your prayers for our family:
- We are beginning the process of looking for a home. We aren't sure at this point if that means renting a home that's a little bit bigger or buying, but we have outgrown this little parsonage we're in. We are so thankful for our time in this home, and we will stay in it as long as possible, but we are also looking to the future and settling down here in Canton. I specifically am praying for a home with 2 bathrooms...because just 1 bathroom gets a little bit crowded at times. Ha!
- Friendships. We have already made some great friends, but we are wanting to find a friend group that we can do couple things with on a more consistent basis. We get plenty of family time, and we go on our regular dates, but we would love to have some friends to double and triple date with, too. I am involved in MOPS and am also looking forward to some play dates in the near future so I can establish and deepen friendships with other moms.
Thanks for reading, my dear family and friends abroad. Love you!
The Lord really has been blessing Trey's student ministry in our church. For a while we had about 8-10 students on Wednesday nights. We were maintaining that core group, and Trey and our youth volunteers were pouring into them and discipling them. Over the last few months, though, we have seen rapid number growth in our group. This past Wednesday night, for instance, we had 31 students. The only explanation we can see is that the Holy Spirit has blessed this ministry and is drawing students in...many of whom are not Christians. I asked Trey the other day how many he thinks are actually saved, and he said maybe about 1/4...and that might even be a liberal estimation. How cool is it that these kids are choosing to come to church on Wednesday nights and to hear the gospel week in and week out. Most of our students do not attend church on Sundays because their families do not come to church. Our church has a huge age gap of families with teenagers. We have a thriving children's ministry and a thriving senior adult ministry, but that middle age group is largely missing as a result of a church split many years ago. We are slowly rebuilding, though, and this is where we are also seeing God's blessing. So if you feel the Lord moving you to pray for our church, here are some ways you can do so:
- We are currently searching for a pastor. Our previous pastor, who Trey came in under, has retired from the pastorate. He came out of retirement to pastor our church after the split a few years ago, and he helped bring about much healing and direction to a broken body of believers. We are now searching for God's man who will provide leadership in this next phase of our church's life.
- Salvation!! Like I said previously, many of our students are not Christians. Pray for the Spirit to soften their hearts and to enlighten them to the saving grace found in Jesus Christ. Also, pray for the spiritual growth of our students who are Christians. Ask the Lord to deepen their faith and draw them into strong relationship with Him.
The Lord has blessed Trey, Kate, and me in our family life, too. I am so thankful to be a stay at home mom. We know this is God's best for our family at this time, and while it takes great sacrifice in some ways (especially financially!), it is worth every bit of the sacrifice. Me being home and not working has also allowed me to get more involved in our church and in making friendships with other women. Here are some ways we covet your prayers for our family:
- We are beginning the process of looking for a home. We aren't sure at this point if that means renting a home that's a little bit bigger or buying, but we have outgrown this little parsonage we're in. We are so thankful for our time in this home, and we will stay in it as long as possible, but we are also looking to the future and settling down here in Canton. I specifically am praying for a home with 2 bathrooms...because just 1 bathroom gets a little bit crowded at times. Ha!
- Friendships. We have already made some great friends, but we are wanting to find a friend group that we can do couple things with on a more consistent basis. We get plenty of family time, and we go on our regular dates, but we would love to have some friends to double and triple date with, too. I am involved in MOPS and am also looking forward to some play dates in the near future so I can establish and deepen friendships with other moms.
Thanks for reading, my dear family and friends abroad. Love you!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Christmas
Christmas 2011 was the best Christmas yet. I never knew just how much more meaningful that time would be once I had a child of my own. Trey, Kate, and I were in Canton for Christmas weekend. We spent time with his family Christmas Eve, had our own little family celebration Christmas morning, and then grilled steaks with his parents that afternoon after church. It was very restful time. Kate and I then flew out early Monday morning to Georgia. We spent almost 2 full weeks there. Kate got to meet my Aunt Jenny and cousins for the first time. We shopped quite a bit, ate some delicious food, and spent wonderful family time together.
What is my 7 month old up to these days? Well, crawling all over the place. Her favorite thing to do is crawl wherever the dogs are and try to chew on their tails! She says "mama" whenever she is tired or hungry, and babbles all other sorts of words at other times. We are still nursing, but she also takes solid food twice a day now. She is such a delight to watch as she grows and discovers the world around her.
What is my 7 month old up to these days? Well, crawling all over the place. Her favorite thing to do is crawl wherever the dogs are and try to chew on their tails! She says "mama" whenever she is tired or hungry, and babbles all other sorts of words at other times. We are still nursing, but she also takes solid food twice a day now. She is such a delight to watch as she grows and discovers the world around her.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Thriving Family
Last fall a friend of mine told me about a free magazine from Focus on the Family. I do enjoy reading good magazines, and I especially enjoy anything free, so it seemed like an ideal situation! The magazine is called Thriving Family. There is an online version and a hard copy. I don't particularly like reading things online, so I get the hard copy in the mail (like I said, for free).
What prompted me to share? Well, the magazine has excellent, uplifting articles that challenge me in my faith in Christ and encourage me as a wife and mommy. The most recent issue has an article on fun, cheap, creative dates, and I wanted to share the article. Click here to read the ideas that readers suggested. Trey and I especially liked the "drive in movie" date and the "rooftop" date.
It's easy to subscribe...you can read the online version, or if you want to get it in the mail, like I do, you just call and give them your information, and you will start to receive the magazine. It's so great! Click here to get the info on subscribing.
I will update soon on all our holiday fun. I just got back in town Sunday haven't had the chance to do much blogging. We will also be going on our "H" date soon; I know you're all waiting with bated breath to hear what it will be. Trey (who is planning this date) says we have to wait for better weather. More later!
What prompted me to share? Well, the magazine has excellent, uplifting articles that challenge me in my faith in Christ and encourage me as a wife and mommy. The most recent issue has an article on fun, cheap, creative dates, and I wanted to share the article. Click here to read the ideas that readers suggested. Trey and I especially liked the "drive in movie" date and the "rooftop" date.
It's easy to subscribe...you can read the online version, or if you want to get it in the mail, like I do, you just call and give them your information, and you will start to receive the magazine. It's so great! Click here to get the info on subscribing.
I will update soon on all our holiday fun. I just got back in town Sunday haven't had the chance to do much blogging. We will also be going on our "H" date soon; I know you're all waiting with bated breath to hear what it will be. Trey (who is planning this date) says we have to wait for better weather. More later!
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