Kristy Dorminy

When Rolo was having some hormonal issues last year, it became quite apparent she and I were walking similar paths in mid-life. I didn’t think about this when we got her back in 2017, but as dog years go, here we both are in mid-life. She has moved a little faster than me in getting here, but recently our similarities were on full display.

The girls came home from college graduation and brought all of those blasted blue bags filled to the brim with all manner of stuff. Stuff, stuff, and more stuff. I had the pleasure of helping them go through every.single.bag. We had to decide if it was something to keep, pack for their next adventure, donate or trash. And I am not sure I can properly tell you how miserable it is to go through someone else’s stuff.

Ruby slept downstairs for a while. Mack and Molly were upstairs. Then, Molly left and Ruby moved upstairs. They stay up later than we do. They move around a lot and shower at oddly late hours. They come and go on no set routine. Or at least no set routine of mine or Rolo’s.

We love having the kids back under our roof. It’s fun and lively. There is laughter and extra shoes laying around. Extra cars in the driveway. More laundry piles and later nights.

It’s wonderful.

It’s also exhausting.

So Rolo was quite anxious. She was so happy they were here. She gets the zoomies when they pull up. She seems to enjoy them at first. Then, she started pacing and hiding and panting. At bedtime we would get her bed ready, turn off the lights or tell the kids to turn off the lights when they were ready to go to bed, and then we would go to bed. Well, Rolo was all messed up. She would huff and puff in annoyance when they stayed up watching a movie. Then, she would go upstairs to Molly’s room, then downstairs to her bed, then back upstairs to Mack’s room. Then back down. She would convince Molly she needed to go out and get a treat in the middle of the night. We never take her out in the middle of the night. Ruby blocked the stairs to keep Rolo in her own area, but Rolo wasn’t having it. She would bark and cry and whine horribly. This went on night after night. I tried calming treats. I walked her in the evening to try and tire her out. Nothing was working.

So I asked the World Wide Web what the heck to do with this dog! And it started becoming clearer that Rolo and I are the same. From the internet: “Dogs are remarkably good at sensing household energy. She may pick up on all the new activity and emotion and is responding by staying on high alert.” Huh! Me, too!!!

Rolo’s breed is highly people-oriented. So at first she’s like, “Yay! All my people are together again!” Same, Rolo, same.

Rolo also thrives on predictability. She operates best when life feels orderly and predictable. Same, Rolo, same.

Rolo feels responsible for everyone. She likes when her pack is together, so when they’re scattered all over the house, Rolo is on high-alert to make sure everyone is ok. Same, Rolo. Same.

Rolo’s age is also now a factor. Routines are comforting. Change feels bigger than it is. Recovery from excitement takes much longer than it used to.

Same, Rolo. Same!

I was feeling the weight of all of the kids back under the same roof. More groceries. More schedules. More laundry. More conversations. More decisions. More people I love scattered between bedrooms and future plans. My heart was stretched—in a good way, but my nervous system sort of needed some room to breathe.

I love the togetherness. I do! And I crave my quiet routines. Both can be true.

And now Ruby is in Tennessee. Molly is in South Carolina. Mack is currently out of town.

Rolo has stopped pacing and checking every bedroom. I have gotten the house back in order as well as gotten some extra rest.

And I miss them terribly.

I rearrange my schedule, my routines, my home, my expectations and my heart for the kids. I love them. And love usually disrupts.

Rolo doesn’t understand internships or college graduations. She doesn’t realize the girls are gone for quite a while now—not even sure how long. And because Mack likes to annoy Rolo on purpose, she doesn’t worry over him like she does the girls.

Rolo just knows her people came home, but now they left again.

Same, Rolo. Same.

We usually have amazing cakes for Ruby’s birthday because she is the only one of our kids who likes traditional cake. But this year she asked for a simple cookie cake! I guess she has the right to change her mind on cakes! 🤣

Ruby has always been a real joy to parent. She’s very loyal and has a strong mind and great communication skills. She loves her siblings and will also put them in their place when necessary.

The birthday girl has gotten a facial today and got her nails done! She got lots of clothes and a few pair of shoes and a shark dryer with accessories. And I’m cooking baked ziti for her birthday dinner! I’d say she’s having a good day. We love our baby Ruby!! Happy 22nd birthday!

I cannot believe these girls have graduated from Liberty University. I thought high school went by fast! This was so, so quick. And I am beyond proud of both of them.

They each had their unique journey through college. Friendships made, some kept in tact and some broken. Ruby pressed through academic challenges and a few “major” changes and still resolved to finish in four years. I am so, so proud of all of her effort and adjustments. Molly wanted to quit every single semester. She was never sure if this was her path, but she figured out a way to finish early, so she could get her degree and keep moving. I am so, so proud of her.

Ruby has been a loyal friend. She has opened her apartment almost every Tuesday night for girls to come over and hang out. They all looked forward to that time together. She worked at a local store in the mall that is so, so cute! So proud of her for that consistency and hard work. She got complimented several times by the owner for her written “end of day” interactions with customers. And she helped with social media her last semester.

Molly had a blast meeting people and pulling people into the fun any chance she got. I am sure it sounds like bragging, but I cannot tell you how many notes she got from people about the impact Molly made in their lives over her time at Liberty. She had parents (especially of freshman girls) tell her that her inclusivity and kindness was a game changer for their daughter on Molly’s hall. And she was ever the Commons Room Game leader, or so I heard.

Ready for photo overload???? Here we go….

We stayed at The Virginian and enjoyed walking to breakfast and couldn’t believe how perfect the temperature was! Not hot or humid one bit.

The commencement service began technically at 7:00pm, but they wanted you in your seats at 5:30 when the graduates walked onto the field. The gates opened at 3:00, so we got there close to that time, snapped some photos along the way to the field and couldn’t believe how crowded and challenging it was already to find a seat! But we did make it to a seat in the shade. We were there until about 10pm.

Did any of us four notice the open door behind us? No. No we did not… but Josh noticed when he came down immediately. lol

What a weekend of celebration! So proud of these girls. I know the next open doors of adventures will be amazing for them! Truly excited to see them continue to walk in all the purposes God has for them. My heart could burst.

May is quite a month, isn’t it? And though it hasn’t seemed as stressful or full since my kids aren’t in regular school anymore, I have batted away a cloud of sadness that seems to want to settle over me. A real “down” attitude is attempting to make itself at home, and I don’t want anything to do with it. I have too many wonderful things going on right now—important work to do in my home, Mack is home this summer, my girls are graduating college in a couple of days and starting amazing internships, and on and on. So I took some time to try and deal with the source of the blues.

First of all, there is Mother’s Day. And while Josh and the kids have always been so sweet on this day year after year, I am not a fan of Mother’s Day. I am not sure why, but I also know I am not alone in this line of thinking. But more than my personal feelings about the day, there’s the fact that I no longer have a mom here to buy a gift for or send a card to or tell her how much I appreciate all she did for me and how much she means to me. Add to that the way she died, and it’s a mix of emotions no one reading this is ready for.

Trust me on that.

My mom’s birthday is May 12–that’s today. She would be 71 years old.

Then, May 20 is when she died, sending shock and confusion through every vein of our family. As many have said, “Suicide does not end pain; it only passes it on to those left behind.” So this date, this time of year, awakens something in my mind and body that I wish would just stay quiet. It’s a triple whammie of dates that won’t be ignored.

Good thing I am in the book of Ruth and reminded of God’s very good plans even when our lives are affected by tragedy and loss and uncertainty. Even when our families change forever, like Naomi and Ruth’s family. The “night” comes, but so does the morning.

Naomi heard about Ruth’s day of gleaning in Boaz’s field, sees how he took care of them, and remembers he is a close relative. She gives Ruth instructions for letting Boaz know she needs a redeemer, as God had set up in the rules years before. God put provision in the Mosaic Law—the widow was to marry a brother and their firstborn would carry the dead brother’s name. Ruth chose to commit herself to the God of Israel, so she followed through with Naomi’s instructions and trusted God’s provision.

Ruth goes to Boaz in the night, lays herself at his feet and then asks for his covering. Basically asking him to marry her and take care of her and Naomi.

Boaz is not put off by her way of approaching him. He actually says he will do for her all that she asked! But there’s one major hurdle—there’s a closer relative, so Boaz has to offer the land (and Ruth) to him first. “Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning. So she lay at his feet until the morning….”

Ruth waited in the dark, in uncertainty, in silence. She couldn’t resolve this on her own. She actually had nothing to do at this point but wait. Boaz could be trusted though. He was a man of integrity and was going to be sure to settle the matter the right way. Yet, I am sure the waiting was not easy for Ruth. She had thrown herself at Boaz’s feet and asked a vulnerable question and then had to wait for an answer, for resolution, for next steps.

The night was real, but it was temporary.

This is true for whatever darkness you may be sitting in. Maybe there’s a situation in your life where uncertainty lingers. You don’t know how it’s going to turn out! You’ve been tasked with waiting. Can you wait with hope because you know God’s amazing care for you? Do you believe that God is working while you rest in Him? Naomi, ironically, is the one who speaks hopefully in Ruth 3:18. “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today.”

This song has underscored this truth for me. The Lord’s mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. I can trust Him in whatever waiting season I am in, no matter how long. The Lord will settle the matter.

https://youtu.be/7r0x4UMekkY?si=kk3BIAbTFdA9q97f

Continuing in my study of Ruth, I am struck by the characteristics of God that are revealed through Boaz. We meet him in Ruth 2:3-4. Ruth “happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.” I love how the Lord’s providence shows up. Boaz greets his workers with “The LORD be with you!” He is CHEERFUL. He asks about Ruth, wondering who she is and where she came from. He is a NOTICER. He approaches her and implores her to stay in his field and keep close to his young women who are working also.This shows him as INCLUSIVE. He promises her PROTECTION when he says he told the young men not to touch her. He promises her PROVISION when he says to take water from what his men have drawn. Boaz is CARING and KIND and THOUGHTFUL. He sees to it that Ruth is cared for above and beyond her wildest imagination.

At mealtime Boaz says to Ruth, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” This gives a picture of Jesus as He offers us the bread of His body and His blood on the cross. Boaz SACRIFICES for Ruth and SHARES and SERVES her, a foreigner. Ruth gets back to gleaning and Boaz instructs his young men to let her glean even among the sheaves, not just what happens to be left behind and even tells them to pull out from their bundles and leave it for her to glean. He says not to reproach her or rebuke her. Wow. So he is GENTLE, SCHEMES GENEROSITY, SHOWS GRACIOUSNESS and continues to GIVE ABUNDANTLY.

At the beginning of Ruth 2, Ruth is telling Naomi she needs to go to a field and glean so they can eat. She is wondering who will show her favor? I imagine she had no idea how her day was going to unfold. She found favor in God’s sight when He providentially brought her to Boaz’s field. It didn’t matter that she was a Moabite. Boaz had integrity and lived to please the Lord. His character reveals this much. And I am sure I barely scratched the surface of the ways He points to Christ through his dealings with Ruth. It’s a beautiful thing to meditate on. His invitation for her to stay in his field speaks to us today as Christ invites us to come near to Him, stay near to Him, look to Him for provision and protection and grace and mercy. He offers what we need and more.

I’ll end with a quote Alistair Begg used in “God of the Ordinary”:

“[Naomi] appointed Ruth to continue her attendance in the fields of Boaz (v.22): ‘Let them not meet thee in any other field, for that will be construed a contempt of his courtesy.’ Our blessed Saviour is our Goel; it is he that has a right to redeem. If we expect to receive benefit by him, let us closely adhere to him, and his fields, and his family; let us not go to the world and its fields for that which is to be had with him only, and which he has encouraged us to expect from him. Has the Lord dealt bountifully with us? Let us not be found in any other field, nor seek for happiness and satisfaction in the creature.”

—Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible

It’s worth some thought. Where are you? How did you get there? Do you see the favor of God in your life? Are you humble and grateful? Are you staying near to Him? Going to Him alone for satisfaction and provision and protection? And like Ruth, are you sharing with others the abundance God has given?

One of the most captivating stories in the Bible is found in the book of Ruth. Not only are the actual words and language beautiful, but the heart of Christ revealed in Boaz is striking. But I don’t want to rush ahead to the good part. That’s what I normally do, which has caused me to miss much of the richness of this book.

I’ve read Ruth many times over my years, but there is something about it in this season of my life that has captured my heart and my mind. I find myself thinking about it all throughout my ordinary day.

The story takes place “in the days when judges ruled.” And the people were “doing what was right in their own eyes.” I imagine some similarity between then and our current days. Overwhelmingly, people live following their feelings and not listening to God. As a believer, I hope I will stand strong on God’s Word and stay connected to Him in a world that is far, far away from following after the one true God. I want to only follow His voice, but this world is quite noisy and broken. Sometimes I have a fleeting thought that maybe God has given up on all of us— I mean, who could blame Him? So maybe this ordinary family of dad and mom and their two sons, simply made a decision to go where food was. This decision may have been made out of panic and fear that God had forgotten about them, but it could have been made out of sheer logic. Bethlehem, which ironically means “House of Bread,” was experiencing a famine. So Elimelech did what I imagine he thought was best for his family and went to where they could eat. Now I am no scholar and I don’t know all the theological reasons of if he should have stayed, but they went to Moab. And as Alistair Begg says, “Our foolishness cannot set aside God’s providence.” Whew.

Elimelech dies while they’re living in Moab. Now, Naomi is in a foreign land with her two boys and becomes a widow. So heartbreaking, but at least she has her boys!

Life goes on in a million ordinary ways. The boys meet girls, they fall in love, they get married, and they continue on in their ordinary lives.

Until one day the two sons also die. This leaves Ruth and Orpah as young widows. More heartbreak! And Naomi must feel more alone than ever.

Heartbreaking circumstances happen quickly in these first few verses of Ruth. There is a move, a death of a husband, loneliness and fear. Eventually, there were two weddings and many years of life lived. Then, the deaths of two sons and grief that likely can’t be put into words. Yet, these are not unheard of circumstances. There is nothing new under the sun, after all. Decisions had to be made. Losses didn’t make sense. Eventually we see some relationships strengthen and others fall apart. Bitterness makes itself at home in a heart. Common to all man. It’s what most of us have going on. Ordinary life. Heavy hurt. Putting one foot in front of the other even still.

These three ladies were faced with unimaginable loss and likely hopelessness and loneliness. Did God see them? Was He moving on their behalf? What would their lives look like going forward? How could God redeem such loss?

Alistair Begg shares in GOD OF THE ORDINARY, “When God is at work, even something that seems hopeless may be the doorway to fresh starts and new opportunities.” So no matter what life looks like for you in this season, keep your eyes open to His miraculous ways. Ask God to stir up within you joyful expectation even for that circumstance that seems way past hope. He is always, always working.

Personally and on a much simpler scale, we had a situation we were dealing with that tempted me to worry and succumb to discouragement. Ruby is moving to Tennessee for a ten week internship very soon. We shopped apartments that we would have to rent furniture for and those would be over $4,000 a month. And we had to commit to four months. Well, we didn’t like anything about that prospect. So I began searching Airbnb and reaching out to female owners. I didn’t at all feel comfortable with Ruby living near some random man, so any option with a male owner got marked off the list. I found a lady with two daughters Ruby’s age that had a separate apartment over her garage and a ten minute drive to work. We communicated and it all seemed to be going in a good direction. She called Josh and spoke with him about it as well. But she hadn’t sent a lease even after I reached out. I was getting nervous, but she seemed like everything was going to be fine. Until Ruby saw on instagram that she had sold her home!! I reached out to her and sure enough, she was moving, “but the man who bought my home is accepting all of my Airbnb commitments.” Ummm, no. That won’t work for us. So it felt a bit like scrambling, but I was also praying God would help us. I had just read and studied this part of Ruth and felt certain God noticed us and was fully aware of what we needed. After some help from a friend and a few texts and phone calls, we were able to sign a lease for a pool house—so yes, Ruby gets access to a pool—owned by a sweet couple who are a grandma and grandpa. It’s twenty minutes from her office and seems perfect. I thanked God for His provision and protection. I thanked Him for noticing our dire situation and for helping me not panic, but to pray. He is faithful. We are grateful.

He notices you. Do you notice Him working in your life?

Take a listen to my current favorite song:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dBRYxdxRMD4&si=CXS9RmbrTZPvDmj_

I remember an old pastor defining greed from a verse or two in the Bible as “more to want.” Being greedy is sometimes sneaky. We keep something we should give away. We want something, give no thought to anything spiritual, and we just buy it. We click on an ad, we peruse Etsy out of boredom. “Add to cart, add to cart, add to cart”—what’s the harm?

I am guilty of greed. And the past few weeks I could tell my greed had a root of restless discontent, and I wanted to figure out why. Why did I find myself looking online at homes for sale in Charlotte? Why did I find myself looking at beach houses we could not afford (not to mention Josh doesn’t even like the beach that much)? Why was I shopping online and curating outfits and trying to find ‘just one more graduation dress option’? Why in the world would I not be UNBELIEVABLY GRATEFUL for this beautiful life God has given me? I have my health. My husband has his health. My kids are all healthy. That in itself is amazing and should keep me grateful forever. Then there’s this beautiful home I get to live in on this quaint street in this beautiful city where my husband has the perfect job for him that he enjoys and gets paid for generously! And my days are spent caring for the house and the family and going to the gym and meeting friends and having friends over and walking my cute little dog and planning for when to see my kids next. I have food to eat a plenty. And plenty of clothes and shoes to last me the rest of my life.

So I just decided to tell myself to stop it. Stop being greedy. Stop looking for what’s better and stop wishing it could be yours. Stop being ungrateful.

And start being grateful. I used my words to express my gratitude to God for all of His provisions. I told Josh how grateful I am for his hard work and provision for our family and asked his forgiveness for being a greedy wife—how discouraging that could be to him. And I started snapping some photos of beauty around me that I am grateful for. And it has felt so good. It gives your mind much more room for things that actually matter! And isn’t that just what the enemy wants to do? Clutter our minds with temporal things and desires so we don’t put our mind’s attention and heart’s affection on eternal things. I hope you will fight back when you sense discontent and greed creeping in to strangle gratitude out of your life.

I Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain…if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”

Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied.”

Luke 12:15 “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Psalm 73:25-26 “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth I desire besides You…”

Amen.

I thought we had appointments with sun, warmth, laughs as a family, sharing updates of our lives, good rest and restoration. But that’s not what happened. 

Instead, the underside of my pinky toe had an appointment with a sharp branch that took all the protective skin off and left me limping and bandaging it up and wearing tennis shoes the entire time. The sun missed the memo, as did the warm temperatures, and we spent most of the time on the beach in sweatshirts and using extra towels as blankets. I won’t even start on the many ways the hotel fell short. It was comical by the end of the stay. 

Not having these “appointments” left me grappling with disappointments galore. It was like I couldn’t shake myself out of feeling like the whole shebang—our effort to plan this time, pay for this time, prepare for this time, look forward to this time, and did I mention pay for this time?—was a colossal waste. 

Disappointment can be a doozy to deal with. Some of my disappointment is more like grief. Grief that certain things are no longer the way they used to be. Some grief that the way I thought it might look isn’t how it actually looks. Our family is changing and each person is growing and maturing in their own way, on their own path. The girls are about to live apart for the first time since Ruby went away to college her freshman year. Molly joined her the very next year, so they have enjoyed close proximity, and they know it’s been like stolen time. But this summer, things change. Mack will be coming home for the summer—an adjustment for him and us parents.

There used to be simpler times when we shared our lives more easily and freely. Time and distance are barging in and there’s nothing I can do about it. 

It’s totally normal for families to change. It’s good and right. But that often includes tensions, awkward conversations, even healing conversations,unmet expectations and giving each person room to become who they are meant to become. 

So I have to admit that yes, I had expectations of this trip that were not met. But I also have to admit God is sovereign over all of that and had His own expectations for this trip, and I’m listening to Him. What does He want me to learn? What is He asking me to notice about my family? How is my role changing and what new role am I supposed to take? Do I really believe He cares about all of my thoughts and feelings and disappointments? Can I tell Him even the seemingly shallow thoughts that roll around in my mind? Does He have a path forward for me after I’ve pouted and been a brat? Does He understand my griefs and hurt feelings even though to others it seems to fall flat? 

One thing I heard clearly was from my Bible reading (that’s where the clearest communication from God is, after all) 

I Peter 4:8 says,

“Above all, love one another fervently. For love covers a multitude of sins.”

Here’s how The Message translation puts it:

“Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything.”

So if I left our little trip asking what to do now, then I got some instruction…Love deeply. 

Relationships take work and effort and lots and lots of grace and forgiveness. 

I’ll share some fun photos from the trip. But just let them be a reminder that pictures you see (especially scrolling through Instagram) don’t ever tell the full story. There’s sometimes fuller joy you can’t see. More authentic intimacy you don’t pick up on in a photo. Or hard conversations taking place in the background. Hurt feelings. Disappointments. This is also called LIFE. 

We had dinner after attending a Good Friday service at Mack’s church.

One of many Boombalatti trips!

We went by Mack’s apartment

Easter baskets for the kids

The girls and I sat outside and talked before they left for Virginia. It was a healing convo we all needed. Well, at least Ruby and me. lol. (Just kidding, Molly)

I missed them immediately

The rest of our time on the beach can be summed up with this photo:

Here are some treasures I brought back from Wrightsville Beach—and lots more treasures in my heart I’m still sifting through.

But can someone remind me to only go to NC beaches in July?🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣I need the warmth and sun only!

One night that did not disappoint was the last night when we attended Mack’s baptism. We are so happy to see Mack walking with the Lord.

We love Mack and are praying God pours wisdom into Mack’s life and gives him clarity of purpose as He walks out his life in the Lord!

Got him a new bible for the occasion!

Hope everyone’s April is off to a great start🌺🌷🌹🌸🌼🪻🌸💐

We made plans to gather for our last Wednesday morning bible study, Body&Soul by Lisa Whittle. Some of us made more sneaky plans than others, so imagine my surprise when I saw birthday cakes for me and for Emily and gifts galore making their way into the house! Sneaky, creative girls!!

These were no ordinary cakes. A delicious almond and buttercream icing cake for Emily and an amazing homemade cake by Nicki for me. Evidently they figured out I like apples and pecans, so Nicki made up her own recipe with home made caramel and icing and toasted pecan and it was DIVINE. I’m not exaggerating. Josh’s words when he tried it? “This is in insane.” It was seriously so good and made with so much love and creativity I cannot even begin to tell you!!

I had intended to talk about our last week of homework and mainly wanted to focus on the love of God. He loves us so very much. Lisa was asked by a friend, “When is the last time you felt loved by God?” And she said it took her way too long to remember and have an answer to that question.

I spent a long time thinking about how I would answer that question too. Sometimes, and quite unfortunately, I can see other people’s lives and think God loves them more than me. Or at least He seems to have shown it to them in very personal ways.

And yet. I know how ridiculous that sounds. Of course God loves me and has shown me in a million ways. It’s just that I can way too easily focus on why God probably doesn’t want to help me, or I just feel like I’m overlooked by God and my concerns just aren’t worthy enough for His attention. All lies, and I know that.

So we were going to read Psalm 103 and focus on verses: 14-17.

“For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,”
‭‭

God has such great love for His children. It lasts forever and ever and ever.

I bought a lot of flowers for us to make our own bouquets as reminders that flowers are beautiful but they are temporary. They won’t last, but God’s love for us will last. We can always count on His love.

And we did make bouquets but not before each of my friends spoke such life and love into my heart. They shared what they love about me and what they pray my next year looks like. And then we all got to do that for Emily, whose birthday is Friday. It was so, so special. And what a tangible way to be the love of God to us!!!! That time was way more effective than any devotion I could have shared! As my friends spoke life into me with such loving words, it was like God was saying “yes” in my heart to all they were saying. God loves me, and He showed me through my friends.

And then the beautiful creations they made were amazing!! I loved sending them out with something they can look at and enjoy for the beauty the flowers give. But as they begin to wilt and lose their color and life, I pray they remember what never wilts or loses its life is the love of God. It truly is from everlasting to everlasting.

The day could not have been any more sweet. Thankful for friendships God has given me here in Charlotte! One of my friends brought me a birthday balloon on Wednesday morning because she remembered me sharing that when I turned 40, I was new to Charlotte and had no friends so I bought my own 4-0 balloons and had my kids take my picture. Lol! Sort of sad, but what a difference 9 years and a faithful and loving God can make! The answer to “when’s the last time you felt loved by God?” is fresh on my heart.

Just dropping in to document Mack’s last teen birthday! Cannot believe our “baby” is in his last teenage year. We enjoyed the weekend shopping and eating and celebrating him.

He’s had a great year and is growing spiritually which is a blessing to my heart!!! It’s hard to not place most of my focus for Mack on productivity and academics—both important parts of life to be sure —but without a strong spiritual foundation, it’s just hay and stubble. Thankful for the foundation God is laying in Mack’s life.

(Side note—I’m always 30 years ahead of Mack. I brought him home on my 30th birthday! So that means I’m in my last year of my forties now. Wowza!! Crazy how time flies.)