My Blog

These pictures were taken at Burt's Farm about two weeks ago.  It has become tradition in our family to head to North Georgia, when the air turns crisp and the leaves change color, to pick the "perfect" pumpkin.  Well, if we wait for that fall chill then we may end up without a jack-o-lantern this Halloween.  It's mid-70's to 80's here in Georgia and we're still running our air conditioning.  Fortunately, the leaves are glowing embers of red, orange & yellow in spite of summer's reluctance to flee.  


I regret that we didn't take pictures last weekend while camping in Dillard, GA.  It never really occurred to me to bring my camera.  I guess that's because it was a quest in and of itself to gather the needed sleeping bags, mats, pillows, layers of clothing, diapers, wipes, food, flashlights, and all that a weekend in the woods entails for a family of seven!  It was quite the feat (and totally worth it!)  I'm looking forward to many more camping trips as this is a newfound hobby of ours.  I've wondered to myself why we haven't often camped as a family before.  It didn't take long to figure out that
this wouldn't have been very comfortable (if bearable) while pregnant.  Thus I rest my case!


Well, this post was supposed to only take me 15 minutes (according to the friend who has encouraged me to blog).  I'm still figuring this "blogging" thing out though and I can assure you that I have spent well over 15 minutes posting & arranging pictures and figuring out text size and font.  I am a novice though, so maybe I'll eventually get the hang of this.  Otherwise, you won't be reading many posts from me!  


I confess that I am a "reluctant blogger" for more reasons than one.  Why am I starting this?  The most compelling reason is that this can serve as a "scrapbook" of sorts, since I have not been in the habit of actually printing pictures in this digital age.  If I don't have time to print them, when in the world am I going to find time to cut & paste them?  I'm not saying that I'm abandoning my scrapbooks completely.  It's just that I realized one day that there are a lot of women who scrapbook after their children have grown.  I thought to myself, "What a wonderful way to revisit memories of my children growing up!"  I don't want to deny myself that pleasure, so I'm going to just enjoy the memories we're making right now and one day I'll get them into an album.......maybe. :)

A reason that I hesitate to blog is because I sometimes struggle with "guarding my heart."  I'm not exactly sure what that is supposed to look like, but I know that I need to be prudent in what and to whom I share my innermost thoughts.  The verse, "Don't cast your pearls to swine" has come to mind quite frequently this year.  I feel that the Lord has given me certain insights that I am to ponder in my heart, not necessarily share with the world!  How can I proclaim His goodness and workings in my life without having these treasures trampled underfoot?  I don't know the answer to that question though I'm sure it will continue to be a lifelong pursuit of understanding.  

I'll admit also that while it is my utmost desire to glorify God, I also fear the judgement of man.  I would love to be able to say that I am in a place in my spiritual walk with the Lord that I only care about what pleases Him.  I don't mean that I wish to be calloused and unaffected by others.  I certainly don't think that's healthy or even desirable.  We are called to live peaceably with one another, as far as it depends on us.  It almost seems unattainable to me to love my enemies, seek only to please God, consider others better than myself, live at peace with everyone, not be easily offended, and not cast judgement.  Am I the only one who finds this difficult?  I certainly hope not!  It is a high calling to be sure and serves as a daily reminder that our only claim to perfection is in the blood of Christ.  If we boast, let our boast be in Him and what He has done on our behalf!

As I discussed starting a blog with my friend, I joked that it should be entitled "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."  In all sincerity, that is exactly what I would like for this blog to be.  Not a "brag book" or "vent fest", but a glimpse of what is REAL in my life.  Sometimes pictures misconstrue reality.  In fact, a facebook friend recently commented (on some pictures that I posted) that I must have some secret as to how my children get along so well together!  And all I    (and anyone else who knows our family) can say to that is....a picture is ONLY worth a thousand words!  So, while I'm choosing to post my "scrapbook worthy" pictures on this blog, please note that these are individual shots.  I gave up on getting a good picture of all my kids together.  There were many groans when they realized I had actually brought my camera with me.  I think I must have psychologically recalled this fact when I failed to pack my camera for the camping trip.  The "bad" and the "ugly" is so much more than pictures though.  It is the messiness of life, our failures & shortcomings, and it all comes down to the fact that we live in a fallen world and yes, we have sin.  "If anyone claims to be without sin, he is a liar and the truth is not in him."  So, if I'm going to be real, then this blog is going to bare witness to some sin.  The intent is not to glorify sin, or encourage sin, mind you, but in some way, shape, or form, please be aware that it (sin) is going to rear it's ugly head!


While "The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly" would adequately describe our lives, the winner and permanent holder of the blog name is "Hope Springs Eternal."  Hopesprings has long been our family email address, actually before Charles and I even married.  It originates from the poem "Hope Springs Eternal" and it testifies to the fact that while we journey through the struggles and pains of life on this earth, we ought to remember that this is but a temporary dwelling place.  We have hope of eternal life apart from this earth.  For those who know and love our Lord Jesus Christ, we will forever reside in His presence when we have passed from this life to our permanent home.




Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never Is, but always To be blest:
The soul, uneasy and confin'd from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.

-Alexander Pope,