Detours, Destiny and God's Sovereignty

I love inspirational quotes form encouraging people. I often look up quotes from my favorites because I love to receive a blessing from another fellow -believer. Lots of times, someone else has been there done that and may have just the word I need for the day. Today, I was seeking a word of encouragement  so I hit up several of the pastor types that I follow. I found several that I liked and copied in my journal for future reference, but one really stuck out to me. It was a quote from Tony Evans about the sovereignty of God.

 "God's sovereignty  says that things are under control even when they feel out of control."~ Tony Evans

I've felt that out of control feeling may times through out life. But I'll have to be up front with you I used to dodge the sovereignty of God thing, crazy I know, but I didn't understand it.

As defined by Christianity.com, "Sovereignty of God, as ruler of the Universe, has the right to do whatever He wants. Further, He is in complete control over everything that happens."

AND I know that definition is true~ I believe it. Several years ago, a fellow teacher approached me on my very first day back to teaching school after suffering a miscarriage. I was still raw with emotional and physical pain from it. She said to me that my miscarriage was the sovereignty of God at work. She said it so flippant, that I simply wanted to sock her in the face rather than hear her "encouraging" words to me. Her whole sovereignty of God message to me was a bitter pill to swallow. A word to the wise or a a side note....the best thing to tell a woman after a miscarriage is this 'I love you, I am sorry.' and do it all with a hug whether she is a hugger or not....and other than that say nothing.

Now, years later I can appreciate and cling to God's sovereignty. He is in control! Praise God He is in control. He's got it when everything looks and feels like a mess. He has a plan it says so right in the Bible in Jeremiah 29:11-13. He has more than got it going on.  The Bible says in Romans 8:28 That all things work to good to those who are called according to His purpose.

I'm learning to trust. I'm still learning that I have absolutely no control over anything, although many times I find myself wanting to fix it and or try to gain some kind of control, although fake control. I just can't do it. I can't control a thing. Praise God I am not in control.

As I look at the major and minor events of my life- major or minor He is still in control. Praise God He is!
Hindsight always show how HE is (present tense) at work. and at work for the good. I can see the good out of crazy events....a changed major in college led me to better educate my kids as a homeschool mom. Who knew I would be a home educator back in 1988 when I changed my major, GOD DID. I have 4 kids, but two of those would not be in my life had I not had two miscarriages...There are many more events but you get the picture.

How thankful I am for the sovereignty of God...just another big word meaning Jesus Take the Wheel.

End of the year program

Shek's end of the year program was last week. There were recitations of various poems, speeches and the like from each of the students. There were also some songs as well.

Shek chose to recite an exerpt from a speech by Tim Tebow. It was about Success and Passion. He is glad that recitation is behind him. Can you believe school is almost out?

Mother's Day 2014

Yesterday was Mother's Day. We celebrated with the whole family on Saturday night with supper and Mothers day gifts and photos....

All the moms in the family with all offspring

All four kids insist that they are my favorite. We all know Daddy is my favorite. 

Then at Church, one of the gifts for the moms was to get your photo taken with your family. I was excited, because my whole crew was with me. I was determined to get the photo taken even if we waited forever or were late going into the gathering. The line moved fast and we weren't late...we even got a seat near the front. I liked the photo so much that I added it as my blog banner and my facebook cover page. Thanks PCC for the family photo. We're all smiling and our eyes are all open. 

I am thankful to God for my family.

A new College graduate in the family.

This weekend the family headed up to Nashville to see Zach graduate. I can't believe he has finished college already...time surely flies. We are so proud of him, he graduated in 4 years and even graduate cum laude. 

Belmont is such a beautiful campus. A great place to take photos and enjoy just being outside.

We made it in time for the baccalaureate service, and took the opportunity to take a few photos with Zach in his cap and gown.

Zach and Emily

Zach with his friend since 6th grade. They met at a Homeschool Music Co-op. And have remained best of friends forever. Zach was excited that Spenser traveled to Belmont to  see him graduate.

The next day we were up early for the graduation. Doors opened at 830, we were there waiting and knew which row Zach would be sitting on so we sat across from his area.

The processional

Shek thought that long wooden thing looked like a large pepper shaker.

There's someone I know!

Pomp and Circumstance

There's someone I know.

The President gave the best commencement speech I have ever heard. He took song lyrics from various songs and strung them together to make an awesome speech. It was awesome.

She called out

Zach's entire name....and cum laude...

Karlie snagged this photo. Mine was blurry. 

Zach with the grands...

There were a lot of people to walk across the stage. So someone took a little nap. She did wake up in time to see Zach walk across the stage.

Zach with the grands

A photo of that very expensive piece of paper.

 Zach stands outside the tower with his brand new degree.

We are soooo proud of you Zach! 

We can't wait to see God's awesome plan continue to unfold for your life. 

The annual trip to the Berry Patch

When it's close to tax day, our family always starts checking for the strawberry patch signs to appear. AND the patch is usually ready around tax time. There was a few days delay this year. There were no fresh berries at Easter, but the patch opened the next week. We finally made the trip this past Monday. I didn't think I had enough time to have pick them, but the kids love, love, love to pick and it really only takes moments to fill a bucket. There's always so many berries to pick and with four of us filling the bucket it takes about 10 mins.

I was so glad that we went and picked the berries this Monday, as the weather has been raining and windy since then.  It's finally spring...because the Berrys are in the Berry Patch.