Our Favorite Christmas Gift....

...arrived home today.

Our precious son, whom we have missed so much, is home.

The Lord Jesus has done a work in his life. So many of you have been praying for the Ponderosa to be reunited. Thank you.

This Advent Holiday will be like no other.

For my dear mother is not here to celebrate with the family that she and dad nurtured and reared. BUT, she is with the King of Kings, my Mighty Counselor, the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Father.

But, God has graciously given our son back to us.

This day we will all be together. Dad and Lindi; my sister, her husband, and their three boys; my brother, his wife, and their four children; 5 dogs; rabbits, horses, chickens.

This will be a year to remember. We miss. We love. We cry. We laugh. Memories are made when we are together.

(Pictures to follow)

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I have a very special man in my life....other than "Mr. Cartwright".

This man has been a strong example of Godliness. He has had the privilege and challenge of raising me. He has been through much this year and He has remained strong and steadfast in His love for the Lord.

Dad, Thank you for all you have done in my life. I am who I am because of the Lord's work in your life. You have mirrored my Heavenly Father so well as you raised me to love the Lord. I love you and am so grateful to have a Father like you.

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.

Today...

I am thankful for

~ lovingkindness showered on me by my Savior

~ the arm of my knight in shining armor holding me tight

~ truth and kindness spoken from a friend...this is not always easy to hear but necessary

~ This link to test my heart and motives as a woman who desires to be wise

~ my Father, both earthly and heavenly

~ the gift of children...most of us don't realize the dimension of this gift. So many times it starts out as a "self-focused" gift, and ends up changing us more into the image of our dear Lord

~ computers printers that can scan and copy

~ Luke 9:24-25

~ forgiveness; full and free

Bok Tower Gardens

While my Dad was visiting for Father's Day, we made a day trip and went to Bok Tower Gardens. The kids had a great time with Boompa.