Sunday, December 14, 2008
Are those the Rockettes out there?!?!
I could not resist adding this little photo...this is HIGH SCHOOL football in Texas...this is the drill team, I was AMAZED!!! First of all there were about a 100 of them and second they were like one kick away from auditioning for the Rockettes!!! Truly a sight to see, I really was amazed at the pageantry for the state playoffs...I mean when they say that nobody has anything on Texas High School football they mean the WHOLE experience!!! I loved every minute of it, and it was a great season!!!! Congrats to all our awesome football coaches, families, wives (way to go!! you get a special insert! :), and players!!! Enjoy the off season and cannot wait until next year!
Sharing the Victory
Just thought I would add a few pics from our end of year Sharing the Victory Banquet with FCA. It has been an amazing year and we have been so blessed. When I write on this little blog I am generally upbeat and focusing on the positive, exciting elements to our life as a family and to life in FCA. I like to focus on the positive, it is for survival sake that I protect the positive attitude within me. The reality is that it is hard work, with times of sacrifice, desperate prayers for provision in every way. FCA is no different that anything worth having is, and with that said the benefits far outweigh the cost. As a family I feel as if we have been stretched, driven and sustained in ways that a simple blog post could not adequately express. Toby and I were reminded of those Divine ways of provision when the most recent ministry reports came out for our FCA area. To give a quick background Toby was given a $300 check the night of Fields of Faith. It was given by a strong volunteer and someone that has been involved in the ministry of FCA on every level. Toby was told that God told him to write that check and we were to discern where that needed to go. Like I said praying for provision means that getting a $300 check to use to our "discernment" could mean that extra cushion we had been looking for, but God had other plans...better plans. After the event Toby shared with me what had happened and then told me exactly what I was feeling in my spirit, we have to give it right back to the ministry that God is doing here. We have to give it right back in to our FCA development fund. So we did. We left there and didn't think another thing about it....until ministry reports came out and we realized that since that gift was given to us, and then we gave it back to God in it's entirety God has raised $30,000 for our area!!!!! In Jesus Name, it was a 100 fold gift!!!!!
So yes, we protect the positive. There is too much positive to share, God knew that more than give us a little cushion that would have immediately faded we needed long term positive to carry us through. God is in the business of working miracles and through FCA we have seen His miracles in many ways. Physically sustaining us when we are weak and weary, spiritually sharpening us with new accountability and most recently reminding us that He is in the business of working financial miracles!!!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow...thank you again to all those who pray God's victory over our lives, we feel them...please keep 'em coming, we need 'em!
...two little indians....
I have been so behind in updating this little blog...so many stories to share, so little time....I have several things I plan on updating from Thanksgiving seeing as at this point there is only 12 days until Christmas!! Aghhhhh! Time flies when you're havin' fun.... 
The kids and I made some Indian headdresses and the photos are priceless..especially these that I posted. Cade is like growling, and Ainsley at the table eating breakfast..all I can say about that is a picture is worth a thousand words..ha, ha..you can't say we don't have fun!
The kids and I made some Indian headdresses and the photos are priceless..especially these that I posted. Cade is like growling, and Ainsley at the table eating breakfast..all I can say about that is a picture is worth a thousand words..ha, ha..you can't say we don't have fun!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
West Texas Weekend...
Majestic. That is all I can come up with. I really don't know how else to describe the last several days for Toby and I. We were given the opportunity to get away for a few days, just the two of us, and get some much needed R&R. An area FCA volunteer and his wife so graciously allowed us the opportunity to spend several days on their property in West Texas, 750 acres to be exact. And as I said it was majestic. It was a beauty all it's own. On first glance you might say, "It's all dead and dry and a whole latta' nothin'". But that would be on only your first glance. Because if you look deeper it could not be more alive and yes more beautiful. Majestic.The colors seemed to come alive as we surveyed the land. Beautiful browns, yellows, greens, reds and the blue of the sky - well it was just breathtaking. The air that you were breathing was fresh and uninterrupted by noise and bustle. It was free. And like I said it was very much alive. We saw armadillos, skunks, cows, the most graceful does and baby deers, a strong and illusive buck and the most dainty butterflies fluttering everywhere, we saw flocks of birds that flew in to the open field like glitter. The colors were so vibrant and opened my eyes to God's beauty, eyes that I used to have but some how lost. Well they were opened, and as Toby and I sat one evening on the deer stand and watched as the sun showcased a glory of red, yellow, orange and purple we saw a doe and her baby deer emerge from the wood like graceful ballerinas. Majestic.
No it was not dry, dead or a whole latta' nothin'. It was alive and it definitely feed our souls. It reminded us of how alive we are and how very much alive and moving God is. Much of that work is between Toby, myself and the Lord but what I can say is I have been reminded of the words in Ezekiel 37. No matter what I think might be dead, dried up and a whole latta' nothin' that is only at first glance. That life might need a second look to see just how alive things really are.
"The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. And He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry.....Thus says the Lord God to these bones, Behold I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life!" Ezekiel 37:1-2,5
I got a great chance to take my family back to Southern Nazarene University last weekend for a special Homecoming. I was on staff there from 2001-2003, a part of a great staff of Christian men and we had the opportunity to have success with a good group of great players. They retired Jason Kilmer's jersey, who to this day is the leader in career yards for any back in the entire state regardless of level. The great part about the day was the feeling of home we felt in the great things God had done there. I was a young coach who got to be around true legends of the game. When I was there, There were 2 coaches with 20+ years and 2 coaches with 30+ years of winning experience. The players we brought in were there for a reason. A number of them chose something about the university that was more of a calling, passing up offers to bigger schools. It was a great day to see all the men who had grown up in your program and to remember that season of influence there. For my family, it solidified for us our passion for a life of influence. To see so many Coaches and their wives who never stop pouring into players, families, and anyone in their path was such an encouragement.
My first head coach I coached for always said to me that Coaching was a calling. Its not something you fall into, and if you do, you'll fall right out. It is a direct walk in the line of influence.
All I can say is praise the Lord for the great mentors in my life. Men who unapologetically did exactly what they were made to do and were in obedience and in turn pointed all toward Christ. All I can hope is that the Lord continues to entrust me with those kinds of opportunities.
The Mint Green Box
We took a walk down memory lane last Saturday and went back for Southern Nazerene University Homecoming, which was where Toby was coaching football when we were first married. While we were there we decided to drive past our first home. When we lived in the house it was painted a pale shade of green, mint green if you will. So we lovingly refer to it as the "Mint Green Box", to which it is now painted a shade of brown...but it forever will be our mint green box...thought it was a fun memory to share, special place to start, hope you enjoy the pic!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Trick-or-Treat!
For Halloween the Trotter house was divided! An OSU Cheerleader and an OU Football player!! Toby and I followed suite of course...Momma with her orange power and Daddy in his crimson and cream! The pic at the top was from Cade's costume parade at his school and the one below was a quick pause in the trick or treating action!
Pumpkin Carving 2008
These are some of the pics from pumpkin carving before Halloween! This has become a family tradition and one that Toby takes very seriously! It is always a fun time together and this year was no different.
I had found some cute little Mr. Potato Head looking faces for pumpkins and Cade had a great time creating some of his own scary goblins!
Of course Mommie got the distinct honor of "D-gooping" all pumpkins of their pumpkin guts....and then the boys went to work with their creations. Like I said Toby takes his pumpkin carving experience very serious. Each year we venture to Walmart to buy the 4 dollar carving kit with stencils and carving tools...the proper equipment is crucial to the carving! 
and last year we nearly missed buying the kit...but not this year. The tradition in the Trotter house is alive and well and we had a blast together helping Cade and Ainsley create some funny goblin pumpkins and making a "happy" pumpkin for Cade.
Toby and I started this tradition before we had kiddos so after our little people went to bed we were able to create our own pumpkin masterpieces...I selected to stencil and try to carve out a kitty cat..to which I ended up loosing some whiskers, but I was proud of my creation.
Toby was at the top of his "pumpkin carving game" and carved out an incredible witch.
I think it is adorable that he gets so excited about carving pumpkins and most important that he wants us to all be together.
Monday, November 3, 2008
thoughts on my heart
I have decided to revisit a very sweet book that ministered to me several years ago. The Beloved Disciple by Beth Moore. It was a source of inspiration and as always I believe the Lord draws us to certain works to pull out of us what He means to use in your next season of life. Today is no different for me. Before the last year of my life I was in an attitude of "again today" mindset. Head down, blinders on and lets just "do life". God has through miraculous means stripped me of sinful ways of thinking. He has brought Isaiah 32:1-2 in to my life and reminded me that with Him reigning in my life I can live more than just "again today" I can as the scriptures say become a refuge, a shelter, a stream of LIVING water and like the shade of a huge rock!
"Behold a king will reign righteously, and princes will rule justly. And each (you and me) will be like a refuge from the wind, and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry country, like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land." Isaiah 32:1-2
That like I said, I have been revisiting the book The Beloved Disciple and could not help but share with you hoping to encourage you today as it most definitely encouraged me.
"Oh, beloved, isn't that exactly like Him? Jesus walks right up, catches us in the act of being - again today - exactly who we were yesterday, and offers to turn our routine into adventure. Hallelujah! Have you allowed Christ to do that for you? IF you're bored with life and stuck in a rut of routine, you may have believed in Christ, but you may not yet have agreed to follow Him. Christ is a lot of things, but boring? Not on your life!~ You don't necessarily have to leave behind what you do if He proves your present course to be His will, but I assure you He will have you leave the boredom and routine of it behind. When Jesus Christ takes over our lives, things get exciting! Consider where you are in this present season of your life. Keep in mind that even our "spiritual" or religious practices can become very routine. Also keep in mind that living in what we'll call the Great Adventure doesn't mean you don't have challenges or even times of suffering, but it means that you can "see" and take part in the breathtaking work of Christ in your life."
What a great perspective. At times I am apt to toss my hands up and just let it go, you fill in the blank to what "it" is in the phrase let it go. We are called to live intentional lives of purpose. That Christ desires to see His children live to their full potential. I heard it put yesterday that Christ is heart broken to see His children sidelining themselves! I cannot imagine the heartache I would have if Cade or Ainsley, with every potential to be great, sidelined themselves to the blah attitude of again today-. Not for me and definitely not for you. Echoing Beth Moore's heart beloved we are made for more than that. I am encouraged to pray right now that Christ reign rightly over my heart and that I step in to my potential of being the refuge, shelter, streams of water, and shade for those that according to Christ's will He has placed around me.
I will leave you with a prayer from another book that I love and have quoted before, The Signature of Jesus by Brennan Manning.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, we pray that our faith experience of you keep pace with our credal statements about you. Grace us with the courage to pray. Annoint us with the spirit of compassion that we may be poor with those that are poor, mourn with those who mourn, enter into the struggle of our generation for social justice, treat others as we would like to be treated. We pray for the courage to risk everything on you. To be with you in faithfulness. Amen
Love to you today,
Cari
"Behold a king will reign righteously, and princes will rule justly. And each (you and me) will be like a refuge from the wind, and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry country, like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land." Isaiah 32:1-2
That like I said, I have been revisiting the book The Beloved Disciple and could not help but share with you hoping to encourage you today as it most definitely encouraged me.
"Oh, beloved, isn't that exactly like Him? Jesus walks right up, catches us in the act of being - again today - exactly who we were yesterday, and offers to turn our routine into adventure. Hallelujah! Have you allowed Christ to do that for you? IF you're bored with life and stuck in a rut of routine, you may have believed in Christ, but you may not yet have agreed to follow Him. Christ is a lot of things, but boring? Not on your life!~ You don't necessarily have to leave behind what you do if He proves your present course to be His will, but I assure you He will have you leave the boredom and routine of it behind. When Jesus Christ takes over our lives, things get exciting! Consider where you are in this present season of your life. Keep in mind that even our "spiritual" or religious practices can become very routine. Also keep in mind that living in what we'll call the Great Adventure doesn't mean you don't have challenges or even times of suffering, but it means that you can "see" and take part in the breathtaking work of Christ in your life."
What a great perspective. At times I am apt to toss my hands up and just let it go, you fill in the blank to what "it" is in the phrase let it go. We are called to live intentional lives of purpose. That Christ desires to see His children live to their full potential. I heard it put yesterday that Christ is heart broken to see His children sidelining themselves! I cannot imagine the heartache I would have if Cade or Ainsley, with every potential to be great, sidelined themselves to the blah attitude of again today-. Not for me and definitely not for you. Echoing Beth Moore's heart beloved we are made for more than that. I am encouraged to pray right now that Christ reign rightly over my heart and that I step in to my potential of being the refuge, shelter, streams of water, and shade for those that according to Christ's will He has placed around me.
I will leave you with a prayer from another book that I love and have quoted before, The Signature of Jesus by Brennan Manning.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, we pray that our faith experience of you keep pace with our credal statements about you. Grace us with the courage to pray. Annoint us with the spirit of compassion that we may be poor with those that are poor, mourn with those who mourn, enter into the struggle of our generation for social justice, treat others as we would like to be treated. We pray for the courage to risk everything on you. To be with you in faithfulness. Amen
Love to you today,
Cari
ORANGE....POWER!!!
It has taken me forever to upload some of the fun we have been up to in the last month, so today I am "updating" our lives! This is a fun pic from going to Oklahoma State Homecoming! We had an unbelievable time. I LOVE going back to Stillwater and visiting Amma and Pa and of course my beloved OSU!!! Homecoming did not disappoint this year and we hit all the hot spots...had a chili cheese coney at Coney Island, viewed some incredible house decs and walked through the always beautiful Kappa Delta house, took in the Homecoming Parade downtown, and grabbed a cup of coffee at my favorite coffee shop Aspen Coffee House, had a pizza from Hideaway Pizza on Library Lawn, and walked through the Alumni Center and learned the history behind Pistol Pete (very cool)! I have to brag on my Nu Chapter Kappa Dees, we won sweepstakes for Homecoming this year with the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity (a huge victory in the life of any Greek organization on campus on many levels - philanthropy, community involvement, and of course fun!). That makes me so proud to know that something I was a part of in college is still pursuing excellence! We also got to see the UNBELIEVABLE new stadium, beautiful. And how proud I am of our #9 Cowboys!!!
And of course we had a wonderful time with Amma and Pa. It was a sweet time as a family and something that I always enjoy, and especially now with Toby, Cade and Ainsley. It is so special to share that with my family now, it was a wonderful place to go to college and the most precious friends came out of that unique time in my life. Hope you enjoy the pics and taste of OSU Homecoming! Go Pokes!!!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)