Random thoughts on the way to KY

I’m way past due for a blog update. I know we all have the same 24 hours in every day, I just haven’t mastered how to best use mine – a challenge I’m afraid may always be a thorn in my side. Facebook doesn’t help. Now, when I do have a free minute to unwind, it seems like I recline in front of the tv to watch a program we’ve tevoed (How in the world do you past-tense tevo??) and open up my computer to my Facebook account. It wouldn’t be so bad if I just didn’t have to know what’s going on in everyone else’s world. It’s so fun to have a pulse on all your friends (old and new!), but it can really be a mindless way to eat up time. I guess it all comes down to discipline, or lack thereof. I’m usually pretty disciplined, but I have a way of avoiding a disciplinary mindset on the little things. Unfortunately, a lot of little things can add up to a BIG thing….a problem. Once I know I have to take a disciplinary action toward my own shortcomings, I can’t justify my actions any longer and I have to purposefully make a plan to get out of my quagmire…move my mountain…slay my giants. Well, I guess I’m there. I’m gonna have to purpose to cut out “fluff” and respect the parameters of TIME. I can so daydream if I’m not careful! All that to say, sorry I haven’t posted a new blog recently – no excuses, other than lack of discipline and creativity. I’ll try to be better at it. We’ll see how that new mindset for discipline works out.

Bill’s and my lives have been rather busy and eventful. We continue to put lots of time, effort and love into the CR ministry at Heartland. The people there are loved by God and loved by us – they’re SO GREAT! When I see one of them get their breakthrough to freedom and healing its like God has blessed me personally, and he has! CR’s a big blessing in our lives. We’ve had some other milestones recently: our 25th wedding anniversary was on April 28th. All I can say is “Praise God”! He gets credit for that one because it’s his miraculous power that kept us together and keeps us going. He’s such a good glue for stick-to-itiveness!!! No, you won’t find that one in Webster, but you know exactly what I’m saying. We have also been on a complete “health” re-haul for nearly 6 months now. We go to the greatest physician – Dr. Mitchell of Kolbaba and Associates. He’s a chiropractic physician and has great insight into nutritional health. It’s helped us anyway. Bill was really not well and had some major issues with his health. We decided to tackle the “monster” together and make drastic lifestyle changes. For those of you that know how Bill loved to cook and how we both loved to eat, you will be amazed at the “bareness” of our cupboards and fridge. Bill’s signature dishes (so well known by so many of you!) have not graced our kitchen, much less our lips or hips, for over 6 months now. Now, THAT’s amazing! Chicken Marsala, Pasta Fagiole, and Pasta with Filetto sauce are sorely missed, but will not “rise again” in this household. Well, maybe on an occasional holiday or special occasion, but not as a weekly staple! One of these days we will post some pictures so you can see the changes for yourselves. That’s been a great adventure for us and we’re much better off for it.

Our one and only “SPECIAL” child, Kristen, is graduating from the University of KY this weekend with a degree in Elementary Education. We’re so proud of her. I’m actually writing this blog in route to KY – good way to use car time! (It’s a little hard to drive at the same time though…LOL!) Yes, Bill is driving as I “unload”. We so appreciate continued prayers for God to open the right doors for a job opportunity for Kristen. We’re praying for 1st grade in a school of His choice anywhere from Lexington to Louisville – or in between.

As most of you know, Bill’s book has officially hit the market. “They Called Me White Jesus” is a project that was birthed in answer to prayer and what we truly believe is God’s direction in our lives. It’s only a response to what God has done for us, a declaration of his faithfulness and our gratefulness. The wonderful thing is that God will do just as much or more for any one of you. He loves you just as much as He loves us. Take him at His word and believe Him…OBEY Him….He will prove to be faithful. I promise!

What’s been interesting in this entire book process is watching the nature of people. We know that God opened the door for this book and we are just being obedient in telling others how faithful He is. He even brought a publisher to us – amazing, really, when you think about it. So all we want to do is finish well on the assignment. That’s sometimes easier said than done. Just like following God, promoting a book takes some active participation. While it may be a blessing to just have a book “out there”, it’s paramount to get as much exposure as possible to “spread the good news”. Because it is good news! God’s work in our lives and the testimony of His character in our lives is evidenced in the book. It would be silly to give birth to a baby and then do nothing more to help it to grow and flourish. That’s the way I feel about the book, but it’s been a process to get there; a difficult one. It’s hard to “promote” something that is considered “yours”, but that’s where my breakthrough finally surfaced. I was reminded by God that this book is not ours, but “HIS”. We want to promote it for His glory, to tell of His goodness and to fulfill the purposes He has in allowing us to share it. I feel that it will encourage people, give them hope in their relationships, demonstrate the importance and wonder of prayer, and, most of all, glorify the Great God that had His hand on it all! I can’t keep quite about that! I must CELEBRATE it and not apologize for doing so. So, all the misgivings I’ve had in the past about the Facebook networking to get the word out, to “promote” it, if you will, is no longer a concern for me. When God calls us to do something, I believe He calls us to do it well. He wants us to let our lights shine, not HIDE them under a bushel! I’ve gotten the revelation on that point, but not everyone has. Sometimes I wonder why God didn’t send out the memo! (Oh yes….He did write an entire book once, didn’t He?…LOL!) Here’s what I mean by people not getting it though: I wonder if others might feel the same way I first did about the whole “promotion” thing because of the way they are re-acting (or not, in some cases) to the release of the book. I’m wondering if some may think we are not being humble enough by continually talking about the book, by trying to get the word out so others can experience His love as we have. In my “humble” opinion, I feel we could have gotten more help from some in the promotion of the book; those that have the influence and the vehicle to make a big “splash” in the ocean of potential readers, and for whatever reason have chosen not to do so…YET. I’m not sure why that is, but only God can and will open the right doors and we still trust that He is our best “promotion”. Yet, I will still pray that He gets that memo out to others so they can assist in the facilitation! It reminds me of the scriptures where God talks about hearing prayers when they were first prayed. He dispatched his angels immediately in response, but they were “delayed” by the enemy. They did battle for “21 days” before they could come to the aid of the one who prayed. I believe in that reality and I believe God can carry out His plans, even when the enemy throws up road blocks or delays.

Well, we’re driving through Louisville now….this is a great way to pass the time….but I feel like I’ve just emptied out a storage bin of ideas in all shapes and sizes that have been stored away in my mind and heart for some time. The good thing about finally posting is that I have lots to say….The bad thing about finally posting is that I have lots to say! The obvious conclusion of it all is that I could have a touch of ADHD, but let’s just call it creativity….the artist in me doesn’t really care to worry about proper grammar and sentence structure tonight, so if you’ve made it this far in the post…my apologies....I know its totally RANDOM, but it has been fun. Until next time….Carolynn