The God Who Sees

If I were to be honest, the question that plagues my mind is not "Does God exist?" Rather, in the darkness of my selfish wanderings I often ask "Does God see me and does He care?" Along the same lines, I don't question God's intervention in the big areas of my life. I feel very confident that He has placed me in the right family, given me a (wonderful) husband, and directed my many steps thus far. The problem I face is finding him as I sit behind a slow driver, misplace a valued item, or struggle to pay an unexpected bill.

Last week while Greer was taking swimming lessons, I was privy to an experience that left me calling out a resounding "yes" to the question "Does God care?" and reminded me that God's love goes before me and hems me in from behind. Let me share the story with you...

The class of 7 and 8-year-olds that followed Greer's class had just begun and the students were sitting on the edge of the pool. One of the participants, we'll call her Sarah, came around the gate. She was late and her mother dropped her off before going to find a parking place. Sarah walked around the pool to join her class, but before she could get all of the way to them, they began oohing and aahing over her new bathing suit. One girl shouted out, "WOW! I love your new bathing suit. The colors are so pretty!" Even the boys joined in with compliments. By the time that she had arrived at her position, everyone had given their unanimous approval of her new suit.

Not such an uncommon experience you might think, until you learn that Sarah is about 50 pounds overweight, and is probably not used to getting complimented on her appearance. I joined most of the onlookers in being excited that a group of children who are more likely to tear others down with their words, had elevated this little girl to walking on the clouds.

About that time her mother entered the gate unaware of what had just taken place, so I shared with her the class' approval of Sarah's new bathing suit. She told me that they were late because Sarah had refused to put on this new swimsuit, and it took the convincing of her great-grandmother to get her to wear it. Ding-Ding-Ding A light went off in my head. HE SAW. None of those children knew that the lime green tank with cut outs on each side and fluorescent peace symbols throughout had brought Sarah such a sense of embarrassment, but the God of the universe chose them to remind this little girl that she was indeed the object of his delight.

The lesson for me that day- God's delight is not reserved for those that have it all together. God's delight is not reserved for those that wear the right size or have the large bank account or have the right personality. God sees all of life's seemingly mundane events and orchestrates them to prove that He is The One Who Sees. My response is to turn from staring at what clouds my view (the problems of life) and to gaze into the character of the God who loves and delights in me so that I might be privileged to love and delight in Him. Even today I needed this reminder to lift me up from the focus on self that has trapped my thinking. Thank you God for opening my eyes to your glory and helping me see!

Fort Hill Dentistry

Monday, June 21st was one of the proudest moments of my life. My brother, Mark, and his wife, April, had the ribbon cutting and open house for their new business, Fort Hill Family Dentistry. I have been so privileged to live nearby and see all of the work that they have done to see their dream come to fruition. It is amazing to see all the details they thought out and their research into all the equipment. Can I just tell you how much I am looking forward to falling asleep in one of those comfy chairs while I have my teeth cleaned (for free)?

As Chad and I have embarked on our Chick-fil-A journey, we have started really observing what it takes to own your own business. Mark and April have been such a model to us of how to love our community. When they moved back to Clemson last year, they jumped right into building into the people around them. I cannot go anywhere with these two without April seeing someone she knows! It is wonderful! The best part is that their actions aren't for the purpose of "building" a business or to get customers; it is to impact their community with the light of Christ. Thank you Mark and April for being wonderful friends to us, for letting us share in your joy, and for demonstrating how God longs to use people for His glory!

Mark and April in front of the sign

Their office in downtown Clemson, SC

My mom and Greer reading in the office

Greer sitting in "Uncle Marky's" office chair

Ribbon Cutting with Clemson's Chamber of Commerce

Mark's J. Crew pose

Luke and my Aunt Karen at the Open House

ps...If you live in the Clemson area, be sure to schedule an appt! The title above is a link to their website.

Lake Day

This past weekend we had the privilege to spend some time on Lake Hartwell with Chad's boss, Herb, and his wife, Karil. We had so much fun and enjoyed a delicious picnic on the boat! We feel so blessed to get to learn about operating a Chick-fil-A under their leadership.

Here are some fun pictures of our time together.

Luke is waving despite his heavy eyelids! He loves to sleep on a boat!

Chad, Luke, and Greer

Chad and Greer tubing

Back to the brave girl that she used to be...

This summer Greer has started shrinking back from many of the things that she previously enjoyed out of fear. It took some convincing to get her to tube (OK, and in the water), but once she did- she loved it. She and Chad swam around the boat so many times! It is also so very interesting to add learning to go in the lake to our potty training lessons. :)

I hope her motivations aren't an indication of my life to come, but to reveal the "how"- all credit goes to Herb and Karil's son, Christopher. He made the water look much more appealing. (**and he is at least 15 years older than her!)

Happy Berry

Good News! The Tidds are still alive! We have been so busy with life over the past 3 months that I hardly have time to sit down and blog. Here is my attempt to reconnect with the world.

Last week we went to a local farm, The Happy Berry, and picked blackberries. I had a blast with my camera, and here are some pictures of our time there.

An after shot of the fruit of our labor.

Greer sampling blackberries

She may look happy, but keep in mind that she is in the stroller. She had a breakdown, and was sent to sit down for a while. When I went to check on her, she heard a rooster and was caught by the camera while imitating his "cock-a-doodle-doo."

A before shot. Greer is either tired or giving Chad directions. It could be either.

Greer and Chad are picking together.

I should have taken pictures of the fruit of our fruit. Over the past week I made blackberry jam and a blackberry cobbler. So very yummy! This weekend marks the beginning of blueberry season, so you can expect me to be there! I can hardly wait!

Mother's Day Idea

Here is a giveaway that I want to share. I was given one of these beautiful necklaces for Christmas, and I think all the moms I know would love one (or a gift certificate). You can enter here to win a gift certificate.

Running Music

Chad and I have been trying to spend more time recently exercising. He started Cool Running's Couch to 5K plan at the beginning of the year, and encouraged me to start last week. I have been really needing some time to be alone and process life, so I decided to give it a try. We went to the park yesterday, and took turns running and watching the kids at the playground.

For a self-professed "non-runner," I am really enjoying this. It might have something to do with the way running makes me feel like I can escape life for a short time. I am finding that one of the keys to enjoying/surviving a run is having the right music. On my "to-do" list is to make a new running playlist, so I thought that I would ask for some recommendations. Any ideas?

And I Return

I am returning after two months of a blogging break. So much has happened that I hardly know where to begin. If you have a blog you probably would agree with me, blogging is much more about getting your feelings out than having anyone read what you write. There is something so beautiful about a catharsis.

Since I last wrote we sold our house, moved (yuck for that process), and have begun building roots in Clemson/Seneca, SC. Oh, I forgot to mention that my valiant husband resigned from a fabulous job and started another great one at Chick-fil-A in Clemson. Our intention in moving here is to give Chad the opportunity to learn everything he can about Chick-fil-A and God-willing be launched into operating his own store in a mystery location one day.

Currently, Chad is spending his days working in the Chick-fil-A kitchen and making runs to the storage unit on my behalf. I have been getting settled into a new home and life AND helping my kids do the same. We have been really enjoying meeting so many wonderful new people and reuniting with many friends that we have known for years. In case you were wondering, Clemson really is God's Country!

I want to tell the story of our home selling for those of you that haven't heard it. It is pretty incredible how God provided for us and affirmed our desire to become a part of the Clemson CFA family. We listed our house the first week of January. We had a few showings every weekend and had a few repeat showings during the time that it was listed. At the end of January, we were trying to make a decision about CFA and knew that we couldn't move forward until our house sold. It was the same weekend that we got an offer on our house. The kicker- we had to be out in 3 weeks because the buyers had sold their house and needed somewhere to go, too! So...we had to find somewhere to live in Clemson. Thankfully, my aunt invited us to live in her basement. It has been incredible! We get to see the sun rise over Lake Keowee every morning, take Jeep rides through the country, and hike as a family frequently. The kids and I are also able to take advantage of all the wonderful family events that the Clemson CFA offers. The lake is a physical reminder of the refreshment I feel when I reflect on what the Lord has done for us already.

Chad and Greer at Whitewater Falls

Cuddle time

Greer and I making some dairy-free cupcakes!

A Clemson Baseball Game

Greer, Luke, and me at Issaqueena Falls