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When a Father Loves His Daughters

June 13, 2014 by Edie Wadsworth 20 Comments

In honor of Father’s Day and in honor of the little girl who changed my world, this is a repost from almost exactly a year ago, when I traveled to Nicaragua with Compassion to meet my little Diana. If you’ve read this post already, scroll to the bottom and see what Diana got for her 7th birthday!

Diana is her name. She hasn’t left my mind much for the past few weeks. Her name means “divine.”

I met her on a little dirt road in the middle of nowhere and didn’t want to let her go. She smiled a nervous smile and held tight to my neck. We were both afraid to let go.

I’ve known for a week that today would be the magical day. I felt like I’ve been waiting for Christmas. And love comes in the flesh in ways we can’t always understand.

We walked to her house, hand in hand, and met the rest of her family. Despite the prayers and the imagining what it would be like, I couldn’t have known what was just beyond those pieced together curtains. I ducked low and nearly fell trying to climb down into the what they call the kitchen.

Claudia, Diana’s big sister, was bathing the 2 year old in a wash tub. The little mama dried Mary Cruz off just like a pro, careful to wipe her little eyes and wrap her up tight.

We sat on her cardboard bed and made fast friends over Hello Kitty and hair bows and hand games. Time stood still for me today. Those two hours will feed me for years to come.

Little sissy sat shy behind us and finally decided that maybe the hair bows were worth the risk to meet the crazy woman with the yellow hair. There’s something about Southern women and babies that you just can’t come between. I may not speak Spanish but I’m fluent in hair accessories and they are love in any language.

We spent an hour getting to know each other—playing legos and baby dolls, braiding hair, and painting nails. Southern girls, in training, I tell you!

Diana’s father Roberto peeped around the corner from the back side of the house, where he had been working.

He had kind eyes and spoke gentle when he talked of his family.

From the moment I met him, I adored him. She is the first child I’ve met with a father in the house. And her father loves her. That does something permanent to a little girl’s heart. He works everyday, collecting and selling recycled trash, doing his best to support his wife and three daughters. He pilfers through junk and waste and brings it back to their home to clean it up and see what can be salvaged. I told him that I was so proud of him— for taking such good care of his family, for loving them enough to go to work for them everyday, for walking his daughters to school, and for saying yes when Compassion offered to enroll his daughters in the program. I thanked him for not giving up and for having the courage to stay.

And that’s when the dams broke.

I could barely talk. My eyes are full of tears as I write about him now because I want to hug him again and tell him he’s brave for standing up for his family in a culture where most men would have left. I told him that I grew up in a house without my dad and that I hoped he knew what a gift he was giving his girls. Diana looked up at me with love in her eyes, not sure why I was crying, but wanting to comfort somehow. I wasn’t the one bringing the gifts that mattered today. His grace always turns things upside down.

I just knew that I would visit her and want to bring her home with me. But what I learned today is that she is home. She lives in ramshackle lean-to with no indoor plumbing and cardboard for a bed. But she is home. She is surrounded by parents who love her and who are giving all they have, day in, day out, against all odds. Their little shanty isn’t water proof and they hope that someday they will be able to do some repairs so that the girls don’t get wet when it rains. They have hopes and dreams, that it won’t always be like this. They want a better life for their girls but they are a family and we were so blessed by their commitment to each other.

My little amiga, Diana.

I can’t wait to see what grows from the fertile ground of a Father’s love, planted firmly in her heart.

I’ve often wondered whether it really makes a difference. What can $38 do for a child a half a world away? It won’t even fill up my gas tank.

Today, I know the answer.

A few hours after my heart was wrenched from my chest at Diana’s home, I spent the afternoon with her at the Compassion Center.

I haven’t been at a place more full of joy in a long time.

I saw her as she sat and listened to the story of the woman at the well.

I saw her eat a bowlful of nourishing rice and chicken.

I visited her class and did the hokey pokey with her in Spanish.

I boogied with her at a traditional dance festival. (Don’t worry, mamacita’s still got moves and they may well be even better in Nicaragua!)

I read her file and saw the picture of her when she graduated from kindergarten.

I looked at her medical papers and saw the free care she received when she was sick.

I saw a list of things she’s been given so far, such as school supplies, birthday gifts, and a school uniform.

I saw that $38 a month changes everything in Diana’s life.

$38 has built a bridge from a man-made lake in Bean Station to a dusty road in Managua.

$38 has broken my heart a hundred ways to Sunday.

But this day will shine a like a beacon in my memory—the day the Father brought His daughters together, to show them both how much He loves them.

I thought I was bringing the gifts today.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

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There are many of Diana’s friends who need sponsors. I would be so honored to work and pray alongside you at Center NI-186, Arms of Love. Let’s sponsor as many as we can. I love you all and I promise you that what may seem like your way of caring for a child in need is really Christ’s way of caring for you. He’s always works crazy like that.

Thank you in advance, for bringing love in the flesh. You remind me so much of Him.

My other posts from the trip…….

A Good Place to Start, Nicaragua Day 1

When a Father Loves His Daughters, Nicaragua Day 2

Open My Eyes, Nicaragua Day 3

Obediente, Nicaragua Day 4

I’ve Got You, Nicaragua Day 5

Home

And a video of my favorite memories……

The girls and I have been writing letters back and forth to Diana this year. With Compassion International, you can write your letters and upload your photos all online, so it’s never been easier to speak life into the heart of a child. We sent her a birthday card with some birthday money and this is the note and picture that we received in return. Talk about tears that wouldn’t stop…..

Diana and her family thank you so much for the birthday gift. The Compassion center was able to buy her a mattress and a host of food items that their family needed. She is so glad you are her sponsor.

I pray you know today how much you are loved by your Father. I spent about 30 minutes on this podcast hoping to remind you!

Summer Reading for Tweens {and their parents}

June 9, 2014 by Edie Wadsworth 77 Comments

“No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.” C.S. Lewis

This may seem like a regular post, but it’s not. This is a community post, where I start the conversation and you jump in with your awesome two cents!

I LOVE talking books with you because you are the smartest, most thoughtful readers in the world. I’ve included my best books for tweens list but by the end of the day, I hope to have a list just as large of books you love for your tweens. I’ll add it below mine and link to you to give you credit!

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The kids and I all headed down to the dock yesterday with one goal in mind—to sit by the water and read. It was too windy for boating and we were too lazy for swimming, but the weather was perfect reading. (I’m not sure if there’s bad weather for reading!) The best part? Discussing our books at random intervals throughout the afternoon. One of the best ways to spend your summer is inside the covers of great books. Since my girls are on the cusp of being teens, my time to influence their reading is quickly disappearing. But, for now, while they’re still here, this is one of the best ways I can teach them—by letting the great books teach them.

Here’s what I recommend with my whole heart—no matter what age your kids are, read aloud to them. The sitting, the snuggling, the words, the birds chirping in distant trees? It’s all magical and it doesn’t have end when they can read to themselves. Absolutely the best memories I have with my kids (other than nursing them) is reading aloud with them. If you haven’t been in the habit of this, it will seem awkward, both to you and your 13 year old. But read on through the awkwardness and the magic will start to happen, I promise. Here’s are some of my favorite books to read aloud to tweens….. [Read more…] about Summer Reading for Tweens {and their parents}

Weekend Grace [6.7.14]

June 7, 2014 by Edie Wadsworth 7 Comments

It was the week for some awesome summer house tours. I didn’t do one this year, but here’s a peek at last year’s summery pics. I can’t do a new summer tour until the hydrangeas are in full bloom. Obviously. This photo also reminds me that the bust of Aphrodite needs to wear the #mamatried hat for summer. Of course.

From the tour, my favorites were— Melissa’s,

Myquillin’s, of course,

and Ashley’s—one of the most colorful and creative homes I’ve seen!

(You can find a full listing of the tour participants at any of the above blogs.)

Heather came up with this GENIUS and adorable way to organize your desktop. You don’t even want to know the level of sheer folder organization I’m capable of. It could be a late onset spiritual gift.

I’m speaking in Asheville in August (8th and 9th) at the Becoming Conference and some of my favorite people in all the world will be speaking too. It would make a great (cheap) getaway for you and some girlfriends. I’d love to meet you there. Register before it gets filled up!!

Lastly, lifestyle bloggers like myself occasionally take some heat about the one-sided portrait we can sometimes paint of beautiful food, beautiful spaces, and seemingly perfect lives. I need beauty in my life, not because I’m perfect, but because I’m so desperately broken. Beauty is our teacher. Beauty woos us, draws us to the Maker of all that is good and true. We were created for beauty. It’s the air we breathe. I’m so thankful for the artists and creators who, in the image of their creator, share the work of their hands with the world, reminding us that the beauty is in the giving, always. I talk about why it’s so important here.

Happy June Weekend, beautiful people!

{Flourless} Monster Cookies

June 6, 2014 by Edie Wadsworth 35 Comments

There’s a good chance that a batch of these monster cookies will be made in my kitchen every weekend from now till the end of August. Why, you ask? Well. There’s two good reasons. The first reason is—these are the signature cookies that my beloved 12 year old makes and when someone else offers to make food around here, I do NOT, I repeat, I DO NOT interfere. The second reason is really four reasons wrapped into one. These are the quintessential party/energy food when you live on the lake and your days and nights and meals get all mixed up, because a) they can pose for breakfast in a pinch, what with all the oats and peanut butter, b) they can pose for lunch in a pinch, what with all the oats and peanut butter, c) they can pose for dinner in a pinch, what with all the oats and peanut butter, and d) they make the perfect middle of the night snack when the sky is too bright with stars to even think about sleeping.

All in all, this is a survival cookie. That a 12 year old can make. That tastes almost exactly like a beautiful summer hike. Only better. That freezes perfectly well. That could well save you from having to leave the lake too soon on a perfect summer day. And? No gluten is employed in the making of these cookies, in case you’re trying to stay away from flour. Add them to your weekend to do list and you’ll see what I mean. Also, this week? I was shy a whole jar of peanut butter and substituted the rest with Nutella and I must say, THIS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED in the event your find yourself in this desperate situation. Or even if you don’t.

What you’ll need:

1 stick of softened butter
1 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1—16 oz can creamy peanut butter
3 eggs
4 1/2 cups oats
2 t baking powder
1 cup M & M’s
1 cup chocolate chips
1 t vanilla
pinch of salt

What you’ll do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cream butter and sugars well
Add eggs, peanut butter and vanilla and mix well again
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well
Scoop them with a cookie scoop (or drop them with a spoon) onto an lightly greased cookie sheet
Bake for 11-13 minutes at 350
Let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring
Or eat them warm off the pan, which is usually my preference!

Go visit my recipes page for more tried and true favorites!

Also, I just started a podcast series on Creating a Life You Love so head on over and join the fun!

{Flourless} Monster Cookies

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

1 stick of softened butter
1 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 —16 oz can creamy peanut butter
3 eggs
4 1/2 cups oats
2 t baking powder
1 cup M & M's
1 cup chocolate chips
1 t vanilla
pinch of salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cream butter and sugars well
Add eggs, peanut butter and vanilla and mix well again
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well
Scoop them with a cookie scoop (or drop them with a spoon) onto an lightly greased cookie sheet
Bake for 11-13 minutes at 350
Let them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring

Summer’s Dawn

June 2, 2014 by Edie Wadsworth 14 Comments

I get all philosophical and teary eyed in June because it’s just so undeservedly beautiful. I was made for June. We’re soul mates. June stirs up an ache in my soul that only Lewis has ever accurately described.

“In speaking of this desire for our own faroff country, which we find in ourselves even now, I feel a certain shyness. I am almost committing an indecency. I am trying to rip open the inconsolable secret in each one of you—the secret which hurts so much that you take your revenge on it by calling it names like Nostalgia and Romanticism and Adolescence; the secret also which pierces with such sweetness that when, in very intimate conversation, the mention of it becomes imminent, we grow awkward and affect to laugh at ourselves; the secret we cannot hide and cannot tell, though we desire to do both. We cannot tell it because it is a desire for something that has never actually appeared in our experience. We cannot hide it because our experience is constantly suggesting it, and we betray ourselves like lovers at the mention of a name. Our commonest expedient is to call it beauty and behave as if that had settled the matter. Wordsworth’s expedient was to identify it with certain moments in his own past. But all this is a cheat. If Wordsworth had gone back to those moments in the past, he would not have found the thing itself, but only the reminder of it; what he remembered would turn out to be itself a remembering. The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing. These things—the beauty, the memory of our own past—are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.” C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory [Read more…] about Summer’s Dawn

Fresh Tomato Tart

May 29, 2014 by Edie Wadsworth 22 Comments

NOTHING says summer like fresh tomatoes. Can I get an amen? And if it’s not summer where you are, please consider moving to my good state. We’d love to have you! Fresh tomatoes may be my favorite thing in all the world. I’ve got about 7 different varieties in my garden as we speak and if that weren’t enough, I live in the tomato capitol of the South. We drove to a tomato farm on the other side of the lake last week after church and have been in hog heaven all week. I’ve had tomatoes in every possible combination. I made this fresh tomato tart while our company was here last week and it was everything I ever dreamed of. [Read more…] about Fresh Tomato Tart