Things sure have changed here on Walton's Mountain

School is back in session. I guess you can tell by my long absence from blog-world. TJ and I are at it again, busier than ever before, due to some changes to the schedule that are not necessarily in our favor. But, God has led us to it, and He can certainly see us through it. Matt is enjoying his new position as high school director at Dumas. Other than the general grind, there is one thing that's been looming over Matt's and my heads recently.


We've faced our first bout with religious persecution as a couple. Because of our stand for Christ, some people close to us said some truly hurtful things to us last weekend. It came as quite a shock to us, because these people have never shown this attitude toward us before. I guess their "true colors" are shining through now. Basically, they believe that I have corrupted Matt by marrying him and leading him to Christ. They believe that his current behavior (going to church faithfully, praying, serving God, following biblical truths, etc.) are a direct result of his association with me, as if I've inducted him into some kind of cult.

Matt was told, "Ever since you married Carrie, you're different than you used to be. She's changed you." Matt's response (God bless him) was, "No, Carrie hasn't changed me. Jesus has." Yes, this situation was an incredible shock and painful at first, but now we see the real reason. Those people don't know Christ. I am praising God right now, even as I type this, that God used my Christian witness (humble, weak, and flawed as it may be), and the light of Jesus shining through me, along with the Holy Spirit to convict the hearts of these lost people. How wonderful to know that I can be used by God in His service! I am continually amazed that His word has such power.

I am asking you first to pray for these dear lost people that they might find Jesus precious to their souls before it's everlastingly too late. Please pray for us also that God will give us the words to say and the courage to say them when it's time. They are currently not speaking to us, but I believe God will open a door for us to witness, and when that time comes, we want people praying for us that we might have speaking grace!

My Sleepy Boys

I just had to post this picture of my two boys. We have two cats, Louie and Ella. In the pic is Louie sleeping snuggled next to Matt, who is also sleeping. Sure wish I had a video of this, because if you had been there you would've heard both man and cat snoring LOUDLY. I couldn't hear the TV over them!! I finally gave up and started snapping pictures until Matt woke up and griped at me for taking pictures of him while sleeping. He really didn't want me to post this, but it was just too funny to pass up.

Things are going well 'round here. Getting everything ready for school has been somewhat smooth. I got lots of work done in the days I went to my office last week. I'm excited to get the year going. It's always nice to get back into the groove of things.

My spirits have been so lifted as a result of turning the fertility situation over to God. I am continually amazed at His provision. Ah, the blessings of life. I couldn't ask for a better cat . . . oops . . . I mean husband. ;-)

What does true friendship mean?

Someone hurt my feelings today. I have learned today that not everyone who claims to be a friend really has true and honest intentions. Sometimes people are self-serving in their devices, and I was on the receiving end of that today. I'm a very trusting person, though, and my feelings are tender sometimes. I won't go into much detail, because I don't wish to gossip, but I'll try to be as clear as possible about the details I will reveal. I will call the person who hurt me Friend A and the person he talked about Friend B.

Friend A told me that he had a discussion with Friend B about me. Friend A told me something that, had it been true, would've broken my heart. But, as it turns out, Friend A twisted the truth about Friend B, and colored the situation differently from reality. My feelings were hurt all day, until my husband said gently (at about 9:00, when he was ready to go to bed), "Good gracious, why don't you stop griping and call Friend B? Just ask what happened. Friend B will tell you the truth!"

So I did. And guess what? My husband was right. (I hate it when that happens!) Friend B told me the truth, which was very different from what Friend A told me. My fears were put to rest by Friend B, and the world looks rosy again. When am I gonna learn not to freak out until I know the whole story??

My question for today is this: what does true friendship mean? This is what I believe; feel free to comment about your thoughts on friendship.

*I believe true friends can trust each other to be honest, even when it's not so easy.
*I believe true friends care and are concerned about each other.
*I believe true friends cry with each other and laugh with each other.
*I believe true friends can depend on one another.
*I believe true friends can forgive each other.
*I believe true friends are loyal to each other.
*I believe true friends know all about you and like you in spite of all they know.
*I believe true friends are blessings from God.
*I believe "Friend B" is a true friend.

To those of you who have become "true friends" to me, thank you. You are blessings from God.