He is Everything!

The King of Kings who rules this earth rules my heart and mind.




Despite the heartache I feel at times, there is One who is my Prince of Peace.




The darkness invades the world around us, but the Light of the World dispels all.




When I am in need of Someone to comfort me, I can find assurance in my Wonderful Counselor.



Without my Redeemer, I would have no hope in this life or the one to come.



The incarnation brought us the gift of Emmanuel, God with us. This is when true life entered the world.

My Savior was born, died and rose again three days later to redeem me and adopt me into His family.

The Anointed One sits down at the right hand of my Abba Father and makes intercession for me.

There is no other name like Jesus. Those who believe in Him, He will in no wise cast out. Those who love Him, fear Him and keep His commandments.

Born From My Heart

Our life together did not begin in the normal place. There were no nurses around or machines beeping. I met you, dear son, in the middle of the local airport. You were placed in my arms from the arms of the one who birthed you. And from her, exuded love; love for you. So much love that she made the hardest choice anyone is asked to make.

There have been times in our life together that it seems almost impossible that I did not birth you. For the love that flows from my heart is so deep and wide and strong that I question, "What can possibly make the difference?" I did birth you, just not from my womb.

No matter what has happened in the past couple of years, the love I have for you, son, remains strong and in tact. Nothing you ever do or say can sever this. I know you are working through all sorts of thoughts, feelings and wounds that bring forth pain. But know that I am here...always.

Dad and my prayer for you is that you stretch those wings and soar with your Heavenly Father directing you wherever you turn.

He has ordered your steps from the moment you were conceived to the moment you were carried off of that plane. From the time you took your first steps to the day you asked me why you were so different from us. From the the first fish you caught to the first test you took. From the decisions you made that have brought about consequences to the day the Lord took your beautiful Gran home to be with him. I know that news hurt you. And now even as you walk about the campus of Agape, He is with you. He is working all things out for your good.

I love you, "Hoss". But your Heavenly Father loves you more.

Big Brother

Big Brother...that's what he is.

A picture of protection.

The wonder of growth and looking way up to see someone you love.

As we visited "Hoss" last week, his littlest sister was never far from his side. If we were walking her hand was in his. If he was sitting, she was in his lap. If he was eating, she was right there with her arm in the crook of his.

We pray that as "Inger" grows older, she will look to her brother for help, encouragment, and spiritual direction as well.

More importantly, may she see her Heavenly Father's ability to hold her just as close. For He truly does hold the whole world in His hands.

Home Again!

The Ponderosa arrived home safely on Sunday night around 11 p.m. We had an amazing time with "Hoss", and he is making such great strides....we hope to have him home sooner than later.

The scope of emotions that one experiences during a trip like this one is monumentous. We were elated to spend time with him, yet dreading the ride home.

For those of you praying for "Hoss" and the rest of the "Cartwrights", here are a few specifics:

1. "Hoss" has a whole lot of boys at Agape with him, many of which are bad examples. He asked specifically for courage to do what is right, going against the current of bad behavior.

2. We need wisdom on when the right time to open the doors and bring him back.

3. Healing for all the hurting hearts here and in Missouri. "Inger" was next to "Hoss" the entire 4 days we were with him. She cried immediately when we started to leave. She has woken most nights since we left the ranch dealing with her emotions at night. There are many tears flowing from all of us.

Come back to see some pictures in the coming days.

First Memories

(To those of you who know we really aren't back from Missouri yet, I scheduled this to be posted before we left. I couldn't let this day go by.)

Today 17 years ago, God graciously brought my love into my life.

We had been friends for a couple of months. I was facing an important and uncertain surgery that could have had a possibly serious diagnosis. This servant-leader of mine invested in so much of my life at that time, helping me to keep focused on the Lord and trust Him for the outcome. After my surgery, he visited me every day in the hospital as well as at home.

Then the turning point came. As I was recovering at home one evening, "Mr. Cartwright" came over. I thought this was to be a very normal visit; Bible reading, prayer and just chatting. As we finished up reading, he presented me with one single red rose. (Along with the rose, he handed me a cute plush rendition of Barney the Purple Dinosaur....I don't tell too many people that, so please keep it to yourself :)

I knew then, that this precious young man would be my husband one day. (Back then I wouldn't have used the word young....there is 8 1/2 years between us...but as we both age, I definitely would say we were much more full of youth!)

I am so thankful for this precious gift. He makes me feel cherished and special. He gives of himself so freely to his family. He is such a hard worker both at his place of employment and our abode.

I love you so much, "Mr. Cartwright".

Gone For A Few Days

The Puebla Ponderosa is headed to Missouri for a few days to visit "Hoss".

Please pray for us as we reunite as a family, though it be for just a few days. We need wisdom from the Lord as to when our beloved should come home. Please continue to pray for his heart to be tender to the Lord and for healing for his soul.

Basking in the Son!

As "Inger" finished her pattern block assignment my thoughts meandered to the likeness of a believer's life and the sunflower.

Did you know...

•A sunflower only requires 90 to 100 days to grow.
As a Sonflower are you growing or stagnant?

•A single sunflower can have up to 2000 seeds.
My friend, are you producing seed? Are you sowing seed? Do you see the task of being a seed sower as a burden or a passion to produce more Sonflowers?

•A distinguishing quality of the sunflower is that its flowering head tracks the sun’s movement.
Are you tracking The Son's movement? Does your life reflect one that relies on the Son for growth? Do you know that without the Son you would become dried up, lifeless, and useless?

•Growing sunflowers is a great way to attract birds to your yard.
Do we ,Sonflowers, attract others to the seed we have sprouted? Do people see you and want to be near you? Are you reflecting the Son?

•A sunflower head is made up of 1,000 to 2,000 individual flowers that are joined together to a base. The large petals that are found around the edge of a sunflower are individual ray flowers, these do not develop into seeds.
This is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ. Is there unity in the Sonflowers around you? Are you dependent on the strength of other Sonflowers to be encouraged in your growth? For without each other we would not be the Sonflowers that the Wise Creator made.

My Music Man

"Little Joe" and I had the privilege of spending two days this last week in Brandenton, Florida attending a band festival. Several Christian Schools get together once a year focusing on four to five orchestra performance pieces. They hire Christian professional conductors to lead the performance. Friday, it ends with a beautiful concert. Although I homeschool, we are part of a homeschool band and the Suncoast Festival invites us to attend. This has been a blessing each year. "Little Joe" did a beautiful job.

A Gift For Dad

Many of you know my dear Mother went home to be with the Lord this past spring. So many emotions have accompanied me throughout the recent months. I am still missing her, yet time does ease some of the pain. There are so many days that I still want to call her and talk to her. The tears have inched their way further from my lids, and when they come they aren't daily anymore.


I still have the gift of my Father, and am so thankful he is alive and well. Seeing him alone and wanting companionship caused a different sort of pain inside me.


So, our Gracious God has provided him a friend, companion and as of today, new wife.


Many people hear this news and their eyebrows go up in questioning...and if I could read their minds, I might hear, "Wow, so soon?" or " That is too fast!" But I am so happy for my dad. Lord willing, he has many more years of serving his Savior and what better way than with someone the Lord has supplied as a friend and fellow slave in Christ. No one will ever take the place of my dear mom, but it is a blessing to have a new friend and older Godly woman in my life.

Dad and Lindi,
We pray the best for you as you seek Christ in this new relationship. We love you and are eagerly waiting to see you soon. May all your aim be focused to Christ and serving Him the rest of your days. Praise God for all He is doing in all of our lives.

Pondering This...

I Can Do It!

"Mommy, come look and see.....I can do it."

These words came through our back window, sailing through the air from the swing set.

Minutes before, unbeknown to "Inger", I had heard another conversation....

"I don't need to push you. You already know how to pump. You can get yourself going because you are five now. Jump on the swing, lean back and kick your legs out. Lean further back. Reach forward with your feet. You can do it...keep going. Push. Pump. Lean back."

Then....

"Go, 'Inger'; go 'Inger'; go 'Inger'!!! You're doing it."

She did it. Daddy's encouragement helped her soar. She flew high.

Encouragement. I hear my Heavenly Father give me that same word. "You can do it....with my help. You have the Word which I have given you."

Philippians 4:11-13 "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Abounding Thankfulness

Tested By Fire

So many of my posts of recent date have been on the subject of trials and spiritual endurance. For this is what my life consists of at this juncture.

The Bible often reminds me, though I am being tested, all this is for a reason.

Do you know your faith is more precious than gold?... for gold perishes. Genuine faith endures forever. And the more that faith is tested, the more that faith proves to be true and blameless.

I can take a few minor tests here and there. But when the fire and heat get too close, I am tempted to panick.

My life over the last year has been red hot...the coals are within inches and the heat seems to take my breath away at times. Yet, the Sovereign Blacksmith is ever close. His presence is felt in a way that is more tender than before. He promises that as I trust in the unseen, He will be faithful. He will not let me burn. My faith will bring praise, glory and honor when He comes back to take me home.

1 Peter 1:6-7

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.



Trust.



Faith.


Small words that take much action.