Resolved 2011

What a blessing to be able to attend this conference with the rising freshmen at our church. I always approach these experiences with an expectant heart, and God always exceeds my highest expectations. I could not have left more refreshed by truth, encouraged by the speakers, and excited about getting to know the freshmen even more.

I thought I would include a few of the truths spoken that I pray I will never forget. 

Rick Holland - 

"Appreciation of the truth does not translate to application of the truth." 

"Boundless love covers boundless sin."

"Satan is not the captain of hell, he is the chief captive of it."

"Placing expectations  on this world that can only be met in Heaven is why we complain."

John MacAuthur - 

"True joy is tied to obedience, and obedience gives you a clear conscience."

"Living in a nation full of immorality, it is important to remember that God is still in control."

Al Mohler - 

"As we think is as we do."

"Your worldview is not revealed through your answers to certain questions, but by how you live." 

"Christ's people rarely look as holy as Christ's people ought to be."

CJ Mahaney - 

"We shouldn't be surprised by the temptation to doubt, because we live in a fallen world with active sin in our lives acting out against our faith."

"When you cannot trace His hand, you must trust His heart."

"When our grip weakens, our Father's stays the same."

"I want to keep the cross so close that it feels like it happened yesterday."

"We must remain amazed at our conversion story. There are too many Christians who think that they were chosen by God without much enthusiasm." 

"We bring God joy when we believe with certainty that He loves us completely." 

"Do not look to yourself to find certainty of the Father's love for your, because all you will find is sin."

"A first look at the cross shows me that I am unworthy, and a second look at it reveals that I am loved."

Steve Lawson - 

"None for whom He died will ever perish; He did not die in vain. He got exactly what He purchased with His death."

"If you please God, it does not matter who you displease. If you displease Him, it does not matter who you please."

Cali - Here I come!

Eeek!

Only two more sleeps (this is how I countdown) until I board a jet plane for sunny California.

Forecast...70's all week.
Humidity....non existant.
Happy and happier.

While this trip will be loads of fun, I am most excited about
the relationship building and personal growth that is bound to take place.

And, I go with an expectant heart.

I want to walk away,

with the other 3,900 brothers and sisters in Christ attending,

"resolved to live a life for Him."

Resovled 2011.

2011 Resolved Trailer from Resolved on Vimeo.

New Beginnings -

Well, in true Caroline fashion, it has been over a year since my last post.

Oh-my, do I have a lot to update you guys on.

It has truly been a full year of "firsts."

Here is a quick timeline of the highlights.

I had a song written about me (you can hear it in the wedding video below).

Benjamin & Caroline - Highlight Video from Edward Estes on Vimeo.

I got engaged.

I sold my first painting.

I bought a house with my soon-to-be hubby.

I lived by myself, which was also a first, & loved it.

I got married to the best man that I have ever met.

I went to the Dominican Republic and snuba diving (yes, snuba).

Sadly, the camera used to capture these precious memories no longer functions.

I got my first male roommate (the hubby),

and my house became a much more fun and untidy place.

I experienced the first death of someone close to me, my grandfather.

I switched careers - from 7th grade Language Arts teacher

to full time vocational ministry.

I planted my first flower garden (well, the first one actually

in the ground -flower pots in the window sill of my

college apartment doesn't count).

I had my first Christmas as a Mrs. I decorated my house,

made Christmas goodies for my neighbors, and

played "Santa" for the first time.

Although, I don't think my husband was fooled.

Oh yea, and it was my first white Christmas!

Benjamin and I made the first addition to our family, Miss Roxie Sox.

I became an aunt to the most precious baby girl, Chandler Gray.

I know it sounds silly but, if I am ever blessed with children,

I hope I can love them as much as I love her.

And that, ladies and gents, is probably the best ending to a blog post ever.

xoxo,

Caroline

Mixed Emotions

When we really take the time to sit back and reflect on the full life He has given us, we may often have mixed emotions. After entitling this piece, I thought about past experiences in my life that have given me mixed emotions. While there were many that came to mind, three stood out as solid representations of my adventurous and, at times, warped life. Childhood Mixed Emotion - If you have been around me for at least 10 minutes you have probably heard my retelling of my "bowl cut" days. While this time was nothing less than traumatizing, I love giving a glimpse into my life as a mistaken boy. Many times I was told to get out of the girls' bathroom (usually by a mean old lady), and on one particular occasion I was targeted as my older sister's "little boyfriend". I guess the cut was fitting, since all I ever wore was Umbros and Chuck Taylors (Converse) while I played Ninja Turtles with my guy friends. I was the closest thing to a boy my Dad got, and he took full advantage of this fact. Sports, trains, boat shows, and bowl cuts...what else could a young girl want? Even now, my Dad refers to my "bowl cut" days as the best I ever looked. While this comment makes me cringe, it also evokes much laughter. Ah...mixed emotions.

College Mixed Emotion - Ozzie, ozzie, ozzie! Oy, oy, oy! While spending 5 months studying in Sydney, Australia I learned more out of the classroom than in it. I have always thought of myself as an independent, outgoing girl, but living on the other side of the world, knowing no one, tested me more than anything previously experienced. I quickly realized that what I thought was faith in Christ alone, was really faith split between Him and the many Godly people He had put in my life. I had been blessed with Godly parents, friends, and leaders all throughout my life. While I understand that this is one of the purposes of The Body of Christ, I realized in Oz that I had crossed the line with the gift He had given me. For the first time ever, I had no Christians around me, and, to my surprise, was bluntly ridiculed for being one myself. Because of the ridicule, I felt like an isolated outcast. A passage that I would constantly meditate on is 1 John 4:46. "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit that lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world's viewpoint, and the world listens to them. But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. This is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception." When I think back on those 5 bitter-sweet months packed full of mixed emotions, all I can do is praise Him for the brokenness, loneliness, and hope in Him alone that He gave me. I was stripped of everything I had known...well, everything but His Word. I now know what it means to thirst and cling (literally) to His Word. Every day (and yes, I do mean every day) I would feel so alone that my sole comfort would be to sit on my bed and read the truths that He has promised me. But when I think about it, shouldn't that always be the case? This is exactly what I needed to realize; that the only One that will ever be able to truly comfort and satisfy me is Him. This truth does not change and should not be forgotten given my geographical location. My faith is not to be put in and divided among His people, but in Him alone. Pseudo Adult Mixed Emotion: Okay, I'm going to keep this one short and simple, since you are probably about to fall into a coma after the previous, long-winded story. Have you ever felt like things were falling into place, and you were starting to realize, somewhat specifically, what you desire in life?...(Oh, but I'm not done) only to be figuratively side swiped and pummeled by a 18 wheeler? I'm convinced this is an experience all should have as soon as possible in life. While it is absolutely the most painful thing you may go through, what a growing experience it will prove to be if you give it to Him. I had this exact thing happen to me not too long ago (which inspired this painting), and count it as one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Yea, it was painful, and the weakness that took over my spirit was overwhelming. BUT, His power is made perfect in weakness, right? (2 Corinthians 12:8-9) What was truly overwhelming was not the pain and the weak spirit, but the peace and hope for a future that He used to, once again, comfort my soul. This is the God who created the heavens and the earth; this is the judge of universe who sets the standard of right and wrong; this is the God of Truth; this is the eternal God who remains the same; this is the God that gave his only Son to carry the burden of my every sin. And yet, I still find myself constantly surprised by his involvement in my life. What an amazing grace.

Abstract Flowers

"Abstract Flowers" is, by far, my favorite piece that I have created. I love the distressed feel, the collision of colors, and the contrast of shapes. In actuality, this piece was only my second try at painting. It's funny how God may bless us with talents that go undiscovered until we take the plunge and dive into the unknown. I laugh at myself most of the time while painting. The process usually involves going one direction, covering the canvas with craziness, not liking the craziness, painting over the craziness with white paint, and starting all over, headed in the opposite direction...to achieve, in my opinion, a much better craziness. I know I have so much to learn with this new love, so I'm just going to try to focus on the joy it brings right now. While my paintings rarely have a pronounced spiritual message or significance, my prayer is that He receives the glory from every brush stroke and outcome. I'd like to think he'd hang one ...maybe on his big fat heaven refrigerator.