Kristy Dorminy

Mack is the only child of ours to attend the school he is about to graduate from. I feel a bit like an outsider at this school since Mack didn’t even start attending there until he was a sophomore. Couple that with Mack being a male (obviously), and I don’t get much information. Everything is “not that deep.” Questions are annoying to him. And he leaves each morning saying, “This is so dumb; I can’t wait for this to be over.” Senioritis at its finest.

But today was a “Senior Run” after their graduation practice. Molly and I went to watch and cheer for the seniors as they ran and high-fived the younger students.

Mack and a friend are pushing another friend in a wheelchair. I prayed the kid wouldn’t be jolted out as they hit the speed bump! It was a sweet little moment, and I am glad I didn’t miss it.

See it would have been easier to take Mack’s advice and not bother to attend because, again, “it’s not that deep, Mom.”

But even that morning on a long walk I sensed God taking me deeper with Him. Asking me if I was willing to let go of some fine and good things for more of Him. I have been asking Him to show me what is true about some circumstances, this season of my life, my health, my grief, my kids, my marriage…all of it. He is the source of Truth, and I know He is willing to help me replace the lies I believe with His truth. And I want to hear it, see it, know it, experience it, live in that truth. He will help me know what is that “that deep” and what “isn’t that deep.”

On the same walk I listened to a podcast by Christy Nockels about a song she recently wrote, “Be Where Your Feet Are.” I loved the podcast, even though I shed some tears and am experiencing opposite emotions from her, despite the fact that we are in a similar season.

I needed the reminder to slow down. Pay attention to whoever is in front of you. Enjoy this season because it will be over sooner than I can imagine. I really, really needed that reminder. The tears told on me.

Just now I was scrolling through my photos from today and was struck by this photo I took. At the time I genuinely only took it because I like the blue toenail polish and wanted to send the pic to Josh at work. He has too many serious things to consider all day—a random photo of my blue piggies would be a good distraction. LOL!

How appropriate that on the very morning that God was helping me to slow down and “be where my feet are,” I would snap this silly picture.

Be where your feet are—it isn’t complicated, but man oh man, is it deep.

I Corinthians 7:17, The Message Translation:

“And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.”

Molly tries to write songs on a regular basis. I love them all. So I thought I’d start posting them here with her lyrics. Enjoy this one about intimacy with Jesus! Just click the link below:

https://youtu.be/vMTF-QDeN4c?feature=shared

i wanna dance (april)

i wanna dance

your hand in my hand

no tension between

it’s just you and me

oh i wanna dance

and i wanna learn

the twists and the turns

and each time i spin

i catch a glimpse of Him

oh i wanna learn

i wanna dance with you dance with you

keep hand in hand with you hand with you

in each spin i see

nothing more do i need

but only to dance with you dance with you

i want to know

deep down in my soul

that your love is enough

even when i grow up

oh i want to know

you’re all i need

and i’m truly complete

for all of my days

so i’ll walk unafraid

cause you’re all i need

i wanna dance with you dance with you

keep hand in hand with you hand with you

in each spin i see

nothing more do i need

but only to dance with you dance with you

all i see is green around me

this is all i want

dancing with the one who sees and

understands my thoughts // knows my every thought

you’re not scared to spin me round

or be seen with me, the fool

you love me more than i could know

so i dance and dance with you !!!!!

So much has been going on around here lately. Since today is a rainy Monday, I thought I would try to update here.

First off, Mother’s Day was yesterday. Molly and Mack were here, but Ruby was still in Virginia, so I was blessed with these flowers from her. Lovely! and thoughtful.

Mack received this awesome award at the end of the year Track Party. I am so proud of him.

I also attended one of his track meets and watched him throw the discus. There is a lot going on at a track meet!

We went to Senior Chapel where there were some awards given out and a prayer time for the grad and his parents. A sweet memory.

Mack has chosen to attend Cape Fear Community College and transfer into UNC Wilmington next year…unless by some act of God he gets to attend before then. But I am proud of his good attitude and excitement for the next season.

Rolo got a new haircut by a groomer that actually knows how to cut a Lagotto Romagnolo, so that is exciting! She seemed please with her new cut and blow out. Don’t worry, she is back curly now.

She also loves her new spot in front of the window. She was sitting on our couch like a cat and ruining the cushion, so we had to adjust.

I asked Chat GPT to make Rolo into a human and gave it some descriptions of her personality…lol!

Josh found himself twenty minutes from Mount Rushmore, so he made the drive and snapped a photo, sent it to our family group chat and we all laughed. Mack didn’t even know Josh was out of town, so once he confirmed this picture was real, he was laughing.

Molly wrapped up her semester at Liberty and is now home for the summer! She also sang at a local church for Good Friday and Easter. I am so glad she will be around for the next couple of months! She is a very helpful young lady and lots of fun…plus, I get to hear her playing piano and singing regularly.

Ruby also wrapped up her semester and will be living in Lynchburg and working. She turns 21 in a couple of weeks!!! Crazy. And if all goes as planned, her senior year at LU will begin this fall. She is taking photos for graduates and couples and making some money. I love seeing her photos!!!

The yard has been so beautiful this spring. These are older photos, but it just keeps getting better and better. The hydrangeas are also starting to peek out—a nice blue this year.

Mack is working at AutoBell and will be picking up a lot more hours this summer!

This is my group of friends that also are in the Bible study I host…minus sweet Sara and Stephanie who couldn’t make it. But we decorated frames and clutches with seashells. Everyone is so creative! I cannot wait to gather regularly with them in the fall.

We had a painter come and paint our guest room, the kitchen and cabinets, and our back sun room. He did a great job. We also replaced the mirror over the fireplace with this painting by Maggie B. French, a local artist. I love the colors!

Irvin sent this photo of me at a shower with my mom and Josh’s mom. So sweet…I am so glad to have this photo. I miss them!!

He also sent this one. LOL! We were going to be getting rid of this nursery chair that we used for all three of them, and I said I wanted a photo of me with them in the chair. Not everyone was happy about that request. But what a sweet photo!!! Hands were full and so was my heart….these little boogers have grown me in ways I never imagined. Motherhood brings you closer to God in such a unique way. It still does even though they are now 18, 19, and 20 years old. Love them so.

Mack and Brooke’s schools had their prom this weekend. One Friday night and one Saturday night. Somehow these events exhaust me, and I’m not even the one dressing up and going out.

Mack’s prom was first and one of the dads took some amazing photos!!!

Then Mack got a haircut on Saturday morning and picked Brooke up that evening for round 2.

They ate at a fun restaurant in Uptown CLT. So glad they had a safe, fun weekend! And so glad I had a nap today after church.

Only four more weeks of Senior Year!!!!

What does it look like to pray with such boldness and strong belief for God to turn a situation around completely? To see a 180 in your life or in the life of someone you love?

There are a couple of things going on in our circumstances I would like to see “turned to the contrary,” as Esther 9:1 so clearly puts it. This verse is speaking to the decree which Haman sent out declaring all the Jews in all the provinces be killed. After many days and a lot of dramatic ups and downs and “only God” moments, the decree “was turned to the contrary, so that the Jews themselves gained the mastery over those who hated them.”

The Message translation says, “tables were now turned.”

The Amplified Bible says, “it happened the other way around.”

Other translations say, “just the opposite happened,” or “quite the opposite happened,” or “the opposite occurred.”

I think of Joseph’s betrayal by his brothers that turned into blessing for those same brothers and a whole nation.

I think of Moses surviving the decree for all babies less than 2 years of age be killed and then leading Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness and receiving the Ten Commandments. What a turn of events.

Or what about David, a shepherd boy, taking down the giant Goliath! Not the way anyone saw that going.

And, of course, the greatest reversal was Jesus being killed brutally on the cross, buried and left alone for three days, then resurrection came!!!! Victory over death.

All of these situations “turned to the contrary” because of the power of God—His Sovereign rule over all and His providence or ability to “see to it” that things happen the way He deems best.

God can change any circumstance in an instant. He can heal. He can provide. He can protect. He can change a heart. In an instant if He wants.

Yet so often it is the process of wrestling in the unknown and unsettled parts of life that builds the relationship with God we all desperately need. The faith-building seasons of living faithfully, going to God with doubts and staying close to Him to watch Him work when He sees it is time to work—these are the seasons that grow us and mature us as Believers. So today on my walk I was, in one breath, asking God to turn a certain situation to the contrary even now. Then, with the next breath, I asked for patience to trust the process and know God is still working even though it could take a while. There is a tension there. Am I just not believing enough? Throwing all my faith behind this change I think needs to happen? Or do I need to trust that the change will happen in time? And it might take a good amount of time. I am not just trusting the process, but I am trusting God who rules and overrules the process.

As a song I have been listening to says:

“So bury me down in the hidden place; I won’t despise, I won’t fight the darker days. I’ve heard the healing is worth the wait. Let it take the time. Let it take the time it takes.” (Sean Curran “Let it Take the Time it Takes”)

Here is a link to listen in full:

https://youtu.be/Q2SN1muIjbk?si=HygFlEFkoXbdkIJC

So I will pray bold prayers AND AT THE SAME TIME trust God to take the time it takes to do the work He knows will last in my life and in the lives of those I love the most. Good things take time.

And speaking of good things that have taken some time!!! Here are some photos of our Esther bible study group. The Lord has knit together a sweet group, and I am grateful for each of these ladies!

The Edisto Bungalow was good to us yet again. A week of fun and sun in March? Why thank you very much.

It’s safe to say there is no place I’d rather be than on the beach. Any beach will do really, but Edisto has a special place in my heart.

We enjoyed an evening in Charleston too!

The girls have a million and one more beautiful photos but they didn’t share them with me.

We also managed to snap a few family photos.

Super grateful to God for His provision for making a trip like this happen! And to Josh for being so generous and loving to all of us. Loved making all the memories!!

This week we are at Edisto Beach with our girls and seven of their friends. It has been a very lowkey start with some good food, fun games, a little bit of sun by the pool and on the (very windy) beach one day, then some good rest because of rain the past two days. However, more sunshine and temps near 70 are on the horizon, and we will be here for it.

Josh and I have been enjoying long walks together too. I brought my weighted vest. Wearing a weighted vest has many benefits—increases endurance, can get your heart rate up quicker, and also helps build bone density, something older women, in particular, need to be aware of!

I also carry around in my heart and soul concerns for my kids and for Josh. I have a lot on my mind and can feel the stress sometimes in my chest, which I am working on with deep breaths and journaling, praying and trying to chill the heck out. And it struck me that the vest is sort of a representation of some of these things in life that I am carrying around.

Oftentimes I just want to cast my cares/burdens on the Lord and be done with them forever. But in reality, some of the burdens are mine to carry—with the Lord.

Matthew 11;28-30 says, “Come to Me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

So it is fair to say that the goal isn’t to carry nothing. There is something to carry even if you’re the learner with the yoke on your neck. But with the Lord, the burden isn’t going to take you under or knock you off your feet. You will go at His pace and His pace will be what is best for you. He will help you carry the load and teach you all along the way.

Much like the weighted vest is good for my physical body even though it makes moving more challenging, my burdens I carry with the Lord are intended for strengthening my faith and trust in Who God is. There is rest to be found even in the extra weight when I go to God with all of it.

This morning I was running a little short on time as I finished up my Bible reading. Ladies would soon be arriving for Bible Study, so my written out prayers would have to be shortened to a list.

I wrote “Ruby.” And next to Ruby, “You know.”

I wrote “Molly.” And next to Molly, “You know.”

I wrote “Mack.” And next to Mack, “You know.”

I wrote “Josh.” And next to Josh, “You know.”

God does already know. He knows alllll about allll the things I bring to Him regularly for each person in my family. He knows how I carry so much of their cares and concerns throughout each day. Right or wrong, a mom really can take on too much of what their kids are going through. And usually for me it is wrong. I mean, I should and I do very much care about the details of my kids’ lives. I pray for them (right). I worry about them (wrong). I encourage them (right). I get frustrated and sarcastic when no one seems to take any of my advice (wrong). I challenge them to stay in God’s Word (right). I stay up too late trying to figure out what is best for them (wrong).

The truth is God loves them more than I love them. God knows them better than I know them. God’s plans for them are better than my plans for them.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

And Romans 5:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”

He is a Giver. He gives so we can have eternal life. And what exactly is eternal life? In John 17:3, Jesus says, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

Wow. Knowing more of God, knowing Jesus. This is where life is. And this is what I want most for my kids!!!!!! So I took my pen and drew an arrow from Know to You beside each of their names.

Lord, what I want most, What You want most and what will bring life to each of my kids is if they KNOW YOU. Know You as Savior, yes. But know You more and more in a growing, maturing faith that brings You glory and points others to You. Oh, You know the list of requests I pray for each of them. but more than that is the invitation You offer all of us to KNOW YOU. This is where the life is!

This morning was our fourth gathering for Esther Bible Study by Kelly Minter. Only six of the 9 were here today because schools were closed due to inclement weather—of which there is actually no inclement weather. But I am glad we decided to gather in my living room on this cold February morning. It does my heart good to see other people—especially beautiful ladies that I respect and love so much. Each of them has a story. Each of them approach our time in their own way. Each of them have a kind spirit, and I am alway encouraged after time with them.

I walked back in the kitchen after everyone left and began my regular straightening…putting up the tea, closing up the honey, pouring out the creamer, etc. And I decided to snap a picture of the mugs in the sink and add it to my album of “Things I am Thankful for.” Truly, seeing the mugs and spoons sitting in the sink made me smile. They represent people. Friends. Sisters in Christ. Encouragement. Bright spots in my week. Thoughtful ladies, caring ladies, kind ladies that I am blessed to have in my life. I couldn’t see this eight plus years ago when we moved here. But with taking the next right step day after day, month after month and year after year…..the faithfulness of the Lord shows up in the faces of friends. He has been with me all along. His presence has made all the difference.

We decided to go see the girls on Friday since Mack had the day off from school. We only stayed one night, so it was a whirlwind, but I am so glad we made the quick trip.

We started off at Molly’s house and waited on Ruby to get there after her class. Then, we went to Ruby’s apartment for a little bit, did some shopping at the mall, went to their favorite Mexican restaurant, then met some friends back at Molly’s house for crumbl cookies and ice cream and a game. They were a nice, funny group. Molly definitely has a gift of bringing people together, and I love her for it.

Saturday morning Josh and I had breakfast together, then went to Kroger to grocery shop for both girls…I felt like we were on a game show shopping a new store from two lists and keeping them separate and trying to do it efficiently. But we did it! Then, Josh filled up their gas tanks and took everyone to lunch. We also paid rent for each girl while we were there since it was Feb 1. So while it was a costly 24 hours, it was a sweet little visit. We headed back to CLT so the girls could get ready for a surprise engagement party. Ruby’ room mate got engaged on Saturday, and we are super excited for them.

We had specific topics to discuss with each girl. It’s just easier to talk about important things face to face, so I am thankful we made progress on those things. And Mack is still unsure of where exactly he will choose to attend college, so we also wanted him to see Liberty once more. To be continued on his next step!

I didn’t take a lot of photos…but I did enjoy the time together! And Josh and I stayed at The Virginian, which was a much better hotel than we have stayed in previously.

Five more weeks until Spring Break when we will see them (and 8 of their friends!) at Edisto Beach.