papa

It’s been rare for the doorbell to ring at our new place here in Dallas…so when we do get a knock or a ring at the door the girls go crazy! Well Wednesday was one of those days. The girls got a knock at the door and the first question for everyone was “who is it?” So…they proceeded to open the door only to find “papa” standing with his shirt tucked in, camo hat on, and a camera at his side. The girls were so excited! Apparently he and a friend traveled down to repair a broken ac unit for his friends daughter. The agreement was that if “papa” came down to help out his friend…his friend would drop him off at our place in the evenings after they were done working. Papa has to be the strongest, sweetest man in the world. I think he’s in his upper 70’s and still has the energy to keep up with the likes of Taido Chino. Those who know Taido will understand. Both men could take Chuck Norris anyday. Papa tops in at about 150lbs and works like a horse. He can do ANYTHING with his hands. Oh well, the weekend has been full of surprises and things are slowing down. I’ll leave everyone with a snap shot of what happens to “papa” when he actually sits for a moment…enjoy!!! We miss everyone back home and hope to see you soon…
In Him,
Josh

brave

I’ve enjoyed Dallas more than I thought I would. I feel brave here. I know that’s an odd way to start this blog, but it’s what’s on my heart. I’ve found myself in so many conversations with so many people of diversity. It was hard for me to imagine why God wouldn’t want to place us in downtown NLR…but now I see that He had something bigger than we had confined Him to doing in us. We have gay neighbors, neighbors from India, Asia, Mexico, and even the young engaged couple that lives together. I’ve found myslf driving home with complete strangers in the back seat of my car. And yes, I’ve even found my donut stop here. Believe it or not, I’ve lost my appetite for donuts but I still find joy in taking the girls every now and then. I stopped into a shop the other day that offers bagels and donuts and soon found myself visiting with an Asian women who was struggling in her marriage. Before I left…she shared how she and her husband have been married 25 years and how they have one son who they both seem close with. God reminded in my conversation with her that time can be the most precious gift you can give someone. I felt like I might be late for work and began to worry for a moment in the midst of our conversation…then God reminded me that THIS is what being the church looks like…taking time to listen and talk with broken people. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to face life without Christ. I just thank God that He somehow still chooses to use us to be salt and light to the world. Be brave guys…
In Him,
Josh

Ashton’s Birhtday

Hey Guys…
This is Kindell. I just wanted to tell you that my friend is coming tomorrow (Saturday the 15th). We are going to have a party for my friend Ashton. By the way, my friends name is Ashton. I got her a “high school musical game.” Ashton is coming with Mrs. Kerri, Mr. Jeremy, and Ella who is also one of my best friends. I’m going to make her a cake with very beautiful icing. I hope everyone in North Little Rock is doing fantastic. I hope we have a great time together. I love everyone.
Love,
Kindell Carr

Fadi’s

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I haven’t had as much time this week to look through my favorite cook books. I love to sit for hours and look at all the beautiful pictures. If you like pictures of good food, please DON’T check into my bunk blog. Instead, you may want to check out my good friend Alison Chino’s blog. Her blog is full of beautiful pictures and cooking ideas that will make any mouth water. However, if your into seeing funny pictures of messy kids you’ve found the right place. Natalie and I have yet to venture out much into the chaos of eating out but we did find one place that we can all agree on…FADI’S. Fadi’s is considered a Mediterranean bistro and it’s OHHHHHH SOOOOO GOOOOOD! Great salads, bread, and hummus dip that Kyah loved. If you come to visit…we’ll take you to Fadi’s…please anyone…..come visit!!! Oh well…I hope all is well in NLR. We love you guys and gals…
In Him,
The Carr’s

cuttin up

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To this day it’s still hard for me to accept the fact that I have a license in cosmotology. When I tell my life story for example, I always feel a bit akward explaining how I went to school to learn how to cut hair. With that being said…it is still part of my story and I know God uses our story to impact His kingdom. A few weeks ago Gary “my new boss” said he wanted to “Watermark” me. I wasn’t sure what this meant at the time but l now know that he just wanted to speak truth into me. He went on to tell me about a good friend of his who is very successful in the hair industry. This friend has started a ministry at Watermark where he and and the people he works with spend a day at the church taking care of women who have been subject to abuse. They cut hair, do their makeup and also take their picture. When Gary told me of this friend, he also went back to me telling him my story and he called me out on feeling ashamed of my profession. It’s been good to be reminded of why God lead me through that season. For starters I met Natalie in school. Tonight I was able to cut both of my daughters hair. I LOVE that I can spend time with my girls in this way. I can polish their nails and cut their hair…I LOVE it! Here’s the latest style the girls are ROCKIN…Enjoy!

in love with those babies

I so look forward to the day that I can fully grasp the amount of love God has for me. I also look forward to loving God fully and without any sin in my heart. As cheesey as it may sound…I can only imagine what it will be like. I know that day will surely come…thanks to Grace. But today I’m still here on this earth and in more ways than one, I’m reminded of God’d love. So…let’s focus on just one of the ways God shows His love to me…my girls. As much as I fail my girls…and God knows…I fail. I LOVE my girls. I love the way they run into my room every morning. I love the way they smile and laugh. I love watching them play together. I love Kindell’s sweet little voice when she’s talking to her little sisters. I love the way Corinne still makes my heart melt every time she prays. I love to see Kyah sleep. Even when I’ve been tested and worn to the bone, I LOVE my girls. I can only hope and pray that I leave a legacy that would point my daughters in the way their true Father would have them to go. Thanks be to Him for the gift He’s given me in my girls.

jeremy has the best smile

This is a side of “Germ” that we all haven’t had the opportunity to see before. I know most women think of Jeremy as sweet and sexy. So I’m out to prove all you lonely ladies wrong. Jeremy is NOT sweet or sexy. He has big teeth and he’s not nice at all. I thought lying about Jeremy would somehow help the fact that I just turned 30. Well, I was wrong. As we ALL know “Germ” is as sweet and “nice looking” as they come. Not to mention he’s 41 and makes me look like I’ve been sucking on a can of “fix a flat”. Next time you see him please be sure to mention how much you love his smile…enjoy!!!
Josh

First Time For Everything

For the first time in my life, I’m turning thirty. That’s right…the big 3-zero has closed in on my life and from here it’s downhill. So friends, with that being the case I thought I’d go down in FLAMES and start blogging. In some ways I can see this being a present to myself. So I propose to all those closest to my heart to raise a glass and make a toast…to blogging! So…let’s begin. My name is Josh. I have kids. They are nice. I am married to a girl named Natalie. We live in this new place called………….D…al….l….ASS. It’s still a bit hard to say because we’ve only been here a few weeks. I personally prefer not to say Texas because Dallas is NOT Texas. When I think of Texas, I think of those big belt buckles that no one person on this planet should ever wear. It’d be like me cutting off one leg, buying a bird that constantly sits on my shoulder and walking around with a patch over one eye claming to be a pirate…they’re both the exact same thing. Anyway, me and my little crew live in Dallas. The crew consist of my beautiful wife Natalie (3?), Kindell (8), Corinne (5), Bubba (this is Corinne’s stuffed frog who is also 5, he has been thought of by other’s to be Corinne’s significant other), Kyah (1) and myself. We enjoy doing most anything outside as long as it’s not 107 degrees outside…in which case it is right now so we’ve been hanging indoors. Natalie has stayed busy with homeschooling Kindell and Corinne. You can also catch her changing the occasional “g” diaper. I think the “g” stands for green. I’m still trying to keep up to code with Natalie and her good friend Alison. They constantly exchange any information that concerns landfills, diapers, babies, coupons and the effects of plastic that has been tossed into the ocean…”Way to go girls!” Kindell has recently joined the Nintendo DS club. Anytime Kindell has “free time” she chooses to play her DS. When she’s not playing DS, she enjoys playing with her American Girl doll and reading to Corinne. Corinne spends most of her time singing along with anything on the radio and perfecting her dance moves. She can move with the best. If you’ve ever seen the “fly girls” then you’ve seen Corinne…she’s fun! Our youngest addition to the garage is Kyah…she loves to eat, sleep and poop. If she’s not doing one of these three great activities, she’s doing her best to keep up with the older two. Finally there’s me…I do my best to lead, love and direct my family in the way Christ would have me do these things. In closing…I celebrate today with friends who made a trip down to suprise me for my birthday. I look forward to many more “first time experiences” in the days that lay ahead…
In Him,
The Carr’s