Prophetic

Josh and I sat on the porch last night. We got to talking about the food I used to make.  Cinnamon Streams, tortellini, tacos, spaghetti, grilled cheese and soup, corndogs.  The easy peasy foods.  Josh wanted to read some stories from this blog.  Ohmystars! We laughed until we cried.  Especially over this one.  

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Nack

Nathan "I hab a nack? I hab a nack? I hab a nack? I hab a nack?"

Mom "Nathan if you say the word snack again you are going to your room for a timeout."

Nathan "I hab one? I hab one? I hab one? I hab one?"

And this one.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Typical

Nathan "Can I have a snack?"

Mom "Nathan, we just ate lunch."

Nathan "Yay, time for lunch!"

Mom "No, we just ATE lunch."

Nathan "Oh. Can I have a snack?"

There were so many comments over the years that said," one day you will talk about these days and you will laugh and laugh."  Indeed. 

She Did It!

 

Our daughter Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science today!

What a journey it’s been:

Military basic training right after high school

Two years at the University of MN–Duluth

A 9-month deployment to Kuwait

Returned to Duluth, then endured a serious car accident

Took a semester off to heal

Transferred to UW–River Falls and finished strong!!

Well done Sarah!!

Now heading to grad school at UW–Eau Claire!

See You Soon!

Lyle David Brooks

January 24, 1959  -  March 13, 2025

I had just become a moderator on Jill Stanek's blog Pro Life Pulse and Lyle was a commenter. Obama became president for the first time. I had a speaking engagement for a group of prolife college students. I told my story of abortion regret and God's forgiveness. When I got back from that trip I posted the video of me telling my story on Jill's blog. Later that day, my husband asked me if I knew a Lyle Brooks. I didn't. He had put thousands of dollars into my PayPal account! What? Why? I emailed him to ask. He emailed back to say he had been struggling after the election. Knowing what it might mean for vulnerable mothers and their babies. He had watched the video of me telling my story. He said he was moved. That I was crisp, direct and lyrical in my telling. That in the face of the political landscape I would share something so deeply personal. He said that if I could keep going, he would do everything he could do get my story out there. And so he did. He paid my way to The March for Life in Wash D.C. in 2009 where I was part of the documentary, Life After Abortion. That video has saved countless lives from abortion. The trailer for the video on YouTube has a comment from 2 mothers who chose life! Thank you Lord! Lyle became a man who stood by me and cheered me on and told me to KEEP GOING CARLA! He told me that the world needed my story. The story of Carla and her daughter Aubrey who died via abortion. Since then I have kept going! Still speaking and standing as a witness to the evil of abortion. And Lyle heard me. He understood. He was always there. He knew what I went through and what God had done in forgiving and healing me. I was beyond grateful to learn of his conversion. His coming to Christ! God be praised! He wrote about Aubrey and I on his blog and although I have yet to find that post I remember how proud he was to be my friend and tell me to Keep Going! I had a mom blog forever and Lyle was always there under a fake name with his dry humor and wit. He made me laugh so much!! I have spent the last couple of days reading his comments on my blog. Laughing until I cry and crying until I laugh. He seemed to enjoy my antics in the prolife movement and the antics of my 4 children that I blogged about.

We lost track of each other for a time but I found him still busy, still helping women. He shared with me about Hyperemesis Gravidarum. I was blessed to be able to bring precious resources and hope to several mothers in my area who were struggling with HG.

I never did get to meet Lyle in person but I can't think of a better place than heaven to catch up with him!

I will keep going Lyle with all of the love and support you gave me. The memories I have of you are a blessing to me.

I am so happy for you!! I am so sad for us! 

Well done, good and faithful servant! ❤️

Love, 

Carla

Clearwater, FL!!

 

Finishing Strong!

From Patrick
She's writing her final four case reports! After completing the education, exam, and supervision phases, she's almost officially certified as a Biblical Counselor. She started this journey years ago, and life took its turns. But just over a year ago, she regrouped, made a plan, and took an exam prep course that got her motivated-and she finished strong! I've been amazed at her diligence and resilience through this rigorous process. Her compassion and care for others shine so clearly, and she's incredibly effective with God's Word. Her teaching background stands out as she thoughtfully develops counseling plans. I have so much to learn from her! God has used every part of her journey to shape her into the image of Christ. Nothing has been wasted.  
It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway-I'm incredibly proud of you, Babe! 

From my BC Supervisor
And Carla did really well. She is a great counselor...loves God, His Word and the ladies with whom she meets

Biblical Counseling Certification

UPDATE
Patrick and I started the Biblical Counseling Ministry at our church home, Faith Community in 2014. I have been counseling since then. Always wondered about becoming certified. But I was sick for 6 years, covid hit and my youngest cherubs asked me to homeschool. We did that for 2 years. Ben Prince went to heaven and we have been walking  with his family. ONE YEAR AGO this week I started watching the training videos for certification with 2 other friends. Wrote the Theology exam and Counseling exam from Feb-June 2024. Submitted them and passed Theology! I had to expand on 2 counseling questions. I did that and resubmitted.  PASSED!! Found a supervisor who I have met with on Tuesdays for an hour online since September.  I have 4 counselees.  I need 50 sessions of supervised counseling.  I have 43 sessions down!! 7 to go!!  I have 3 counselees to see this week and 4 scheduled next week and I will hit 50 sessions!! Praying that I finish strong. The finish line is in sight! Thank you Lord for all that you have taught me in this process!  It has been an absolute joy and blessing to counsel from Your word and watch You work in people's lives!! All glory and honor and praise to Him!! 
I never thought I could do it or should do it But God Knew.

Sunset over the St. Croix

I took this photo on February 1st, 2014. 11 years ago.  God be praised for how He paints a sunset! Gloryous!

Birthdays!!

Nate turned 21 in November. Tim turned 19 in January. Josh will be 28 next month. Sigh. It makes me happy sad.
The mancubs just keep growing!  I am grateful to God that they enjoy their siblings as friends.  
 

Merry

 

Christmas Eve

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Faith Community Church.  GLORYOUS!

Cookie Decorating 2024

 

Merry Christmas 2024!!

 

Holiday Cheer

 Clicking my heels as I Christmas shop with Patrick.

59 Years Old!!

 

13 YEARS!!

 

Top photo was my momvan new to me in 2011.  Last 2 photos are of the love bestowed on it by the 2 youngest Streams!!

Congratulations Sergeant Stream!!!

 

Always Learning!

I have learned something in the past 12 years of subbing with little people. I cannot sit "criss cross applesauce."

College Bound!

 We have a freshman, a junior and a senior in college!!

The Great MN Get Together!

Patrick's and my 34th year at the MN STATE FAIR!!

I DID IT!!

It took me 4 1/2 months to write the Counseling and Theology exams for certification in Biblical Counseling!! But I did it!  I submitted them and had 2 revisions.  

I revised them and submitted again and I PASSED!! 

Next up-50 hours of supervised counseling!  Thank you Lord!

Happy Birthday Sarah Beara!

Baby girl turned 24!! 

Hiking!

 

30!!

Our 30th wedding anniversary was celebrated in Door County, WI on July 30th, 2024!! WE HAD THE BEST TIME!!
We did all of the things and thanked God for 30 years of marriage!!

Happy Birthday Patrick!!

 My man turned 55!!  Catching up to me although he will never really catch up to me. 

Just Do It

 "We need to soak this in before winter comes to kill us."

-Carla Stream(Jim Gaffigan actually said it. All credit to him)

BABY BOY!!

 

TIMMA GRADUATED!!

 

The last Streamer did it!! So did his parents!! WhoooHooo!!