The Hipster Homemaker: 2013

We've read it, recited it, heard it, sang it. We've pinned it, memorized it, chanted and amen-ed it. But this week, I finally GOT it. Isn't that what revelation is? Finally SEEING something that you've been looking at for a long time?

The fruit of an apple tree is, you guessed it, an apple. The tree doesn't have to pray to bear fruit, doesn't have to fast to bloom, doesn't have to chant to reap. It just has to do what it was created to do, BE an apple tree. Soak up the rain, bask in the sun, and allow its roots to run strong and deep in the place where it is planted.

The same goes for us. In order to bear spiritual fruit, we must be what we were created to be, SUPERnatural. We have to soak up the Holy Spirit, bask in the presence of our Creator, and allow ourselves to become rooted where he has planted us. I love being flesh and blood, love the taste of food, the smell of freshly cut grass, the feel of my children's skin, and the sound of my husband's voice. I'm in no hurry to see these physical things pass away. But, the good news is, I'm not waiting for the "sweet by and by" to enjoy the spiritual and eternal part of me.

When Yahshua went to sit at the right hand of the Father, we were not left alone. The Comforter, the Helper, the Teacher, the very spirit of the Creator himself came to ABIDE in us. Not as a visitation, but as a habitation. Through him, I have open, unique, and direct communication with the Father. When my eyes and heart are set on Him, I finally begin to bear fruit. When I find myself lacking patience, I don't go to the most recent best-selling book on the subject, I go straight to the Father through the Holy Ghost. I remember that before I was flesh, I was spirit. And long after the flesh is gone, my spirit will remain.

And The Worst Blogger Ever Award goes to...(drum roll please)...Yours Truly.

I blame Mark Zuckerberg. After nearly a year of ignorant bliss, I decided to take another sip of the Facebook kool-aid. After about a month, I remembered why I had gotten off in the first place. Basically for the same reason I don't watch The Bachelor, or Jersey Shore...or Days of Our Lives. Too much drama, too little time. In the course of a few hours I saw a "feminist" insult a man by comparing him to a teenage girl, a hateful man preach about unconditional love, grown men squabble like children over college football, and the irony goes on and on. No amount of cute baby pictures or offers for free stuff could convince me to stay.

Anywho...I'm back to what I love most. BLOGGING. It's so wonderfully one-sided. After all, the ones who matter the most are on speed dial and Lord knows I love me some texting. But for the rest of you, I've missed you...just not enough to get back on....ever. So enough about you, let's talk about me.

What has the Woods clan been up to? School, garage sales, school, birthdays, school, music practices, school, laundry, and some more school. Only 4 more weeks! And you can put a fork in this home-schooling mama, because she.is.done. Time for the beach and the bays and the creeks and the springs! And a big 13th birthday bash coming up in a few weeks! Last summer we stayed busy but we missed the daddy while he was squirreled away in an office somewhere studying for the bar. But this summer the whole family is in for some adventure.

But let's get caught up, here are the highlights from the last couple of blissful social media-free months.

~had a fabulous Valentine's Day with my two men, while our girls partied Nan style with tea, scones, and friends on the farm.

~had a seriously fun time with my sisters and Mom pickin' our way through Alabama (pics of some of my finds coming soon...)

~spent an amazing weekend in Seaside with my love for our birthdays. Fish tacos, the beach, farmers markets, bicycles, books, music. Had the most fun talking music and ukeleles with the owner of Central Square Records, and holding Christopher's hand as he chatted up Kyle of Dread Clampitt about overdrive tones and Tube Screamers (insert shoulder shrug here).

And that about gets you caught up...doesn't sound like much, unless you can read all that laundry and homeschooling between the lines. Look closely, it's there. Trust me.

Let's wrap this thing up with some images from our Resurrection Sunday celebration. We couldn't have asked for a better day to celebrate such an amazing event.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

What better way to celebrate the life that Yahweh has given us by His spirit through the sacrifice of his son than to spend the day enjoying that life together?