The Porter Crew

  In the last post I wrote, I made reference to the song "Broken Hallelujah" and to the story that God is writing in our lives. At the time I was writing, Ryan and I had already been made aware of some hard news, and the Lord was calming our anxious hearts and giving me the words to write which would hopefully encourage others that God is in control of our lives.
    After serving as the head baseball coach at ECS for the last four years, Ryan was told that he was not going to be the head coach next year. Even though this has been hard news, God has truly blessed us through it all, and even though this is minor in comparison to other peoples' trials, God is good, and He is giving us peace and encouragement when we need it. We are praying and seeking the Lord to open the door where He would have us go and close ALL doors where He would not have us. This is truly a lesson in trusting Him, and we are praying for grace to do that!!
    So what is next? We really don't know! Ryan still has a teaching position at ECS for this next year, so the Lord was gracious in allowing that cushion! When I look at our house and think of all the things I would need to do to get our house ready to put on the market and move within 2 months -- I literally start shaking inside! So, that's another way people can pray for me!! Ryan was given permission to send out his resume without a breach of contract, so we will start doing that soon. I know if God calls Ryan to another place, then He will give us the grace to make the move and sell our house. I try not to think of all the goodbyes and the uprooting, because again, He will provide the grace we need when and if the time comes. IF Ryan does stay and teach next year at ECS, he would be able to teach Maggie and possibly coach her in basketball, so there are definitely positives to staying!
    In the above hymn by William Cowper when he writes of the clouds we dread breaking with blessings on our head, I truly know what that is like. We have been overwhelmed by the love and encouragement and prayers of so many friends. I have felt unbelievably blessed by the Lord's Spirit and by His people who have and are reaching out to us. After talking to Maggie about possibly moving -- since she would be affected more than the others -- she thought a while and then said, "You know it's really neat to think that God knows where we are going to be next year and we don't. It's kind of like an adventure!" And I feel the same way -- it's a roller coaster ride, and I get really scared on roller coasters, but when it's all over and I am shaking from adrenaline, I almost always say, "Let's do it again!"

Maggie and best school friend Laura Beth Baker on their way to the last spring basketball game

Sillies!

May 12, 2014 -- Celebrating Cat's 6th heavenly birthday with sno-cones, one of her favorite summer treats

Headed to ballet recital -- so excited about the make-up!!

Meredith and sweet friend Harper Farmer

FINALLY -- after keeping several types of cocoons for MONTHS now -- our first polyphemus moth has emerged

Wings outspread

    I have always loved music, and I have always wished so badly that I had a a beautiful voice. One reason the Lord may not have blessed me with a gorgeous voice, I'm sure, is because of my pride. Would I point people to Christ or to myself if I had the voice of an angel? At least I know when I do have a heavenly voice, I will use it to worship and glorify my Lord. But because I don't have that voice on earth, I love music! Music has a way of capturing the cry of my heart at times. Currently, there are several songs that not only have beautiful accompaniment, but the lyrics echo the prayer that is inside my heart at times. One song is "Broken Hallelujah" by The Afters. I'll post the lyrics below, but if you haven't heard it, pull it up on Youtube or some other site and listen.
  This past week as I was remembering my sister's life and her death, as well as other things, the Lord seemed to let me hear this song at just the right times. When I think back to what Catherine went through in her illness and how she truly desired to point to Christ through all the sufferings, I am convicted by how little I praise the Lord through the trivial, mundane, day-to-day struggles that come my way. None of my larger trials to date light a candle to what Catherine and others have gone through or are going through, but I again am reminded to let my light shine before men, even when I am frustrated, tired, overwhelmed, worried. The beauty of the gospel is that the Lord is made strong in my weaknesses. His grace abounds where my strength fails, and He makes beautiful things out of the ashes of my sin! I pray that I would remember His promises day in and day out, and that I would always sing Hallelujah!!
   Another thing I love is stories! I have always loved to read, and I long to write a book of my own, but like my singing voice, my writing voice is just not there (except for this little blog). At our church's women's retreat that focused on prayer this year, I picked up a book by Paul Miller entitled A Praying Life. Everyone should read this book! God has used it to convict me and encourage me, and there are underlinings, stars and exclamation points throughout every chapter I've read. Maggie is reading it a little at a time of her own accord, and I will probably go back and reread it after I am done. Along the lines of the broken hallelujahs and the major and minor trials that come our way, Miller writes in the chapter "Praying Without a Story," "When the story isn't going your way, ask yourself, 'What is God doing?' Be on the lookout for strange gifts." I have found myself recently praying for what I want rather than what God wants -- for many things!! Yet as Miller points out, living in God's story requires that I "1) Don't demand that the story go your way. (In other words, surrender completely.)
2) Look for the Storyteller. Look for His hand, then pray in light of what you are seeing.
3) Stay in the story. Don't shut down when it goes the wrong way."
Ouch!! I am that typical first-born female who wants things a certain way, and I try to control my kids, my husband, and God! But God in His mercy does not give me what I deserve. He continues to write His beautiful story of grace in my life, in Ryan's life and in the lives our children. Things don't always go the way we want them to go or the way I dreamed they would be. But again, as Miller reminds me, "When confronted with suffering that won't go away or with even a minor problem, we instinctively focus on what is missing ... not on the Master's hand...If you watch the stories God is weaving in your life, you will begin to see patterns. You'll become a poet, sensitive to your Father's voice." And He is a much better storyteller than I could ever be!!

"Broken Hallelujah"

Greco-Roman Day at ECS. These are a few of Maggie's close school friends

Maggie's braid wheel that I spent an agonizing amount of time on and which hopefully she will appreciate one day : )

Spring Break trip to Kentucky; Mammoth Caverns

Louisville Slugger Museum

Of course, Will had to have a picture in front of the Pirates jersey

Maggie in front of Babe Ruth's bat

Kentucky Derby Museum

Churchill Downs

Creation Museum

Replica of the printing press

Beautiful spring day at Shelby Farms back in Memphis

Pre-season scrimmage

Maggie practicing the long jump; she was ok at this, but the 7th graders were much stronger

Discus-throwing; Maggie discovered she had an arm after the first meet. She came in 5th place in the regionals -- competing agains 7th and 8th graders -- and had a personal record of over 64'

The baby turtle we rescued on a street and kept for a weekend before setting him free in a friend's pond

Maggie's new look for the next 18 months

5th place in region -- look at the competition!