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Tears are the materials from which God weaves the brightest rainbows.Max Lucado
Mar. 1, 2007
On the Drawing Board... 
I'm about a week behind in the assignment right now and still have a few I missed that I want to post. But BFS assignment #19 was to show pictures of your children's artwork so I thought I'd post a few.
DS11 is in his second year of painting classes.
 DS16 is in his 6th year of painting classes. DD8 is just starting a latchhook rug. DS11 showing off one of his paintings at our annual artshow.
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Feb. 16, 2007
Share Your Love and Bloghopping Fridays....
I became a member of Blogger Friend School quite by accident when I read a post titled "My ABC's" at Heidi's blog. I decided it would be fun to write my own post along the same lines. I later found out that it was a Blogger Friend School Assignment from Tamara at Training Hearts. She invited me to join and I did. To date she has posted 18 assignments, and due to time restraints, I have only participated in about 7. Yesterday, when I received a very encouraging comment from Mom of Neb, I decided I wanted to be a part of "Sharing the Love" and encouraging others.
This assignment got me excited about a theme I began back in May of 2006 and haven't posted to since October. The theme is BlogHopping Fridays. If you don't know what blog hopping is just click on the link in the previous sentence or click on my BlogHopping category in my sidebar to read some of the posts.
The assignment was to visit the blog of three of your classmates and tell them you are praying for them and then list three things that you do to show love to your neighbors.
I want to start by listing three things we do to help neighbors in need:
1) provide a meal for someone who is sick or in need.
2) shovel a path in the winter, rake leaves in the fall, or mow the grass in the summer
3) bring them a fresh quart of strawberries when we pick them in July
The first blog I visited belonged to AngelHeart. Her first post included a link to find your birth verse. She then listed the birth verse for each member of her family. My birth verse by the way is
Psalm 4:3 NIV
Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him. |
Isn't it awesome to know that we can cry out to God anytime, day or night, and He will always hear us, and answer us in a manner which we cannot begin to fathom.
The second blog I decided to visit belonged to Faithful Grace. Her post was a book review for the book Kite Runner. She begins by saying that she is very particular about what she reads, stating that she evaluates every book by the verse Philippians 4:8 whatsoever things are pure, lovely...thing on these things. She goes on to list some great authors and then gets to the nitty gritty of the book. It is not one I've read before, but based on her glowing review, I will have to put it on my list of books to read for the future. I believe this is the first book my son had to read before entering college this past fall.
After my visit at Faithful Grace's blog, I ventured over to visit with Victorious. Isn't that an awesome user name. In fact all of the ladies I visited with today have awesome usernames. But isn't in comforting to know that we can be Victorious in Christ. I can Do all things through Him who gives me strength. On her blog, Victorious asks for advice on science curricula for high school. In her post she states that her son is interested in electronics but her umbrella school will not count it as a science. Any help or advice you could give her I'm sure would be greatly appreciated.
Even though the assignment was to visit three blogs, I continued hopping around and accidentally came upon the blog of Java Mama. I really enjoyed reading her blog. It is beautifully designed and was a blessing to me. She is also in need of prayer as she is expecting her third child soon, a little girl to add to her two boys. Her post about her sons prayer thanking God for bougars was humorous. You can also enter her pole and vote for you favorite name for her daughter.
I've enjoyed Blogger Friend School and many of the assignments. If I haven't been able to participate I have at least enjoyed reading the posts of others. I have met some new friends along the way and hope that in this post you may meet a new friend as well.
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Dec. 31, 2006
Resolution begins with R...
2006 was a spectacular year. I have so much to be grateful for and God worked in so many miraculous ways. Yet, most of the time I was too busy to take notice of the smaller miracles He gave me on a daily basis. Back in August I started my month of praises posts and have continued for every month since taking special notice of the big and small ways in which God met with me every day.
However, 2007 has the hope of new miracles, and blessings and personal growth in God and here are just a few of the ways that I hope to grow and experience God in a more personal way.
1) Rediscover - I want to rediscover the wonder and awe of God. Did you ever notice how everything awes children, from a tiny bug on a leaf to a gorgeous sunset. Everything is new to them and they take joy in it. In November I had the pleasure of attending a women's retreat. I rod in a bus with just three other women and our youth pastor. There was one woman in particular. She is about 10 years older than me I would guess but newer in Christ. She just noticed the spectacular sunset on our ride in such an excited manner that you couldn't help but enjoy it even more. I want to rediscover that wonder and be contagious in sharing it with my children and anyone else who will listen.
2) Re-examine - I plan to re-examine my priorities and prayerfully consider what is most important. What is it that God has called me to first, second, third and so on. First, he has called me to a closer relationship with Him. I can only accomplish that through daily reading and meditation of His word, and talking to Him. I usually keep an open line of communication open with God. I talk to Him several times throughout the day. You know...Oh thank you God for that beautiful sunset...God I can't handle this please help me...I'm so tired, Lord, please give me strength...yet I fail to spend a set apart time of quality conversation with Him. Conversation is a two way street we need to pray and then sit back and listen for Him to speak to us. You can read one of my conversations with God from an earlier post where I first started putting this into practice but haven't been very faithful at it.
3) Romance - The second priority God has put into my life is my husband and my marriage. Therefore, I plan to find ways to romance him more often. Neglect of my husband is probably one of my biggest failures. It is truly one area in which I know God wants me to be more attentive yet I'm still unsure how to do that. I plan to use the 30 day challenge from Revive our Hearts as a jumping off spot and adding my own ideas as God supplies them. I've found that God usually gives the best ideas, because He knows my husband far better than even I do and He knows the secrets of His heart and just what it is that he would like from me.
4) Relish - The third priority God has given is five wonderful children ranging in age from 4 to 19. I don't know where the time has gone. I want to learn to relish each and every moment I have with my children. When they were babies that was easy. I thought my second child was going to be my last because my husband really only wanted one child to begin with. Therefore, I enjoyed the sleepless nights alone with my baby, nursing him. I spent time holding him even when he was asleep. And this went on with my third, fourth and fifth child because each one I believed to be my last. However, as they've gotten older, it's been so easy to just let them go off and do there own thing while I do mine. I plan to make special time to read aloud to them more, play games, go for walks, or even just enjoy more the times we spend working together and be less critical of the job their doing and just appreciate them for what they can and do, do willingly.
5) Reorganize - I need to reorganize my schedule to meet the everchanging needs of my family. DS15, started a hospitality program this year at a local vocational school. Trying to schedule homeschooling around his schedule has been next to impossible and has been seriously neglected. Though I have appreciated the very relaxed atmosphere of unschooling, I also recognize the need for some organized learning with my children. Therefore, I wil re-institute the "dreaded" schedule, though it will be more relaxed than in the past and we will probably school more into the summer to catch up on some things we missed.
6) Roster - While this week of vacation has been a great blessing and I've been able to get a lot cleaning caught up, I know that next week I''ll be back to driving my son to school and trying to keep a school schedule with my youngest three. Therefore, I need to create a roster of cleaning projects that need to be done so that when I have a free half-hour, or ten minutes, instead of wasting the time, I can look at the list, find a job that might fit into that time span and work on it. It will also be available as my children have spare time and need something to do besides play video games or watch movies. I'll call it my "one small square foot of cleaning chart." I actually started this in November when I was trying to get the house looking nice for the holidays. I chose one small corner to clean. It turned into a day long project because it happened to be the corner where my husband keeps all the photo albums etc. However, I loved the new look of the corner so much that I then tackled the corner where my desk and computer sit. That ended up being spread out over several days, but again was well worth the effort. So, while I don't always have time to clean a whole room, I can clean a small portion and know that God is pleased with my effort; for though my house be messy, it's really what's in my heart that's important.
7) Rest and Relax - My favorite way to relax is to take walk with God. Therefore, I hope to get back into the habit of walking three times a week, whether outside in the morning as I used to or at the gym while my older son works out and my younger ones play in the playroom. This is also when I do my best intercessory praying as well as get my best ideas from God because we are there alone with no interruptions or distractions and I can focus totally and completely on Him.
Happy New Year!
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Dec. 15, 2006
Mary Did You Know...
Posted in Blogger Friend School
This is so awesome. I was just reading the blog at TrainingHearts and she was asking that we share our favorite Christmas song, Bible Verse or Quote. I sat and thought about it for a couple of minutes while listening to my favorite radio station. I realized that my absolute favorite Christmas song is Mary Did You Know...written by comedian Mark Lowry. I did an internet search for the words and just as soon as the words came up on my screen and I copy and pasted it into my blog, the radio station I was listening to began playing the very song. It was soooo cool!
Mary Did You Know?
That your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
has come to make you new;
the child that you delivered
will soon deliver you?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby,
you kiss the face of God!
Oh Mary did you know?
Oh Mary did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear
the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
the praises of the Lamb.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
is Heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping child you're holding
is the great I Am!
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Nov. 12, 2006
Getting Connected...
This weeks assignment from Training Hearts Blogger Friend School is to take a deeper look into my spiritual life and the warfare that I am individually facing. I'm supposed to seriously think and then blog about a situation in my life where I know that the enemy is attacking me and challenging my spiritual growth.
This was a hard assignment for me because it is very personal. However, I feel compelled to share. I had the opportunity to attend a women's retreat last weekend. The theme of the weekend was Get Connected, with a session being devoted to one of three sub-themes; Get Connected to God, to yourself, and to each other. I realized that the area I struggle with most, spiritually, is getting connected to other believers and allowing them to know the real me.
In the first session, Get Connected to God, we were encouraged to spend some quiet time dialoguing with God. Not just praying, but also listening to what He had to say. We were told to write down whatever came to mind. Following is a dialogue I had with God after I got home and it really explains my struggle better than I could otherwise.
Oh God,
I don't like being vulnerable. I've spent years building this little shell I live in so that no one ~ no one~ can penetrate it. I can't ~ don't want to ~ open myself up and let others see the real me. I like it that people think I have it all together and yet sometimes it is so lonely. Sometimes I yearn for just one other person to really share my heart with. But my hearts been trampled on so many times. You ~ oh God ~ are the only one who has never trampled on my heart. You are the only one who knows everything about me and loves me anyway. Your grace is sooo amazing to me. Your love is truly astounding. Why can't I feel as deeply as others? Why did I come home from this retreat disappointed in a sense? You didn't speak to me in any profound way. I still don't know why I was there. I felt like I was being selfish leaving my family to fend for themselves ~ and for what?
Connie, Connie, Connie ~
You didn't release all your expectations and just let me work. You were expecting a "burning bush" experience ~ something truly dramatic but I want you to see Me in everyday types of situations. When you see a flower sprouting in the spring ~ I want you to know that I put it there just for you. When a soft breeze gently brushes your cheek, I want you to feel my touch. I long to talk with you, to walk with you. Lean on me and I'll protect your heart. It is in letting others know you intimately that they can see my power in you, the perfect workmanship of my hands. You are my masterpiece and I made you for my treasure. You are the apple of my eye~ Behold I stand at the door and knock ~ won't you please let me in? I love you and want to have true, daily fellowship with you. Release all your fears to me, I will never let you down. I want to do for you so much more than you could ever hope or imagine.
Father ~
I long for that type of relationship, but I don't know how to cultivate it.
Connie ~
Read my word and focus on my promises to you.
But Father ~
I don't always desire your word. I'm easily distracted. I can't always understand or remember what I'm reading. I just don't know where to start.
Connie ~
Just obey ~ read my word ~ I'll give you a heart to know me and I'll help you understand and remember the things that you need for each day ~ each moment of each day.
So Lord,
Where do I start?
Dear Child,
Just open my word and start reading. It will change your life if you'll but faithfully read. I love you and my words tell you just how much I love you. It's my love letter to you.
So I did. I opened my Bible and it happened to be Ezekiel 47 and thought to myself what will this teach me. The last verse did speak to me. It was Ezekial 47:12 "They will bear fruit every month because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.
It just reminded me that Jesus is the living water, without him I cannot bear fruit. I need a daily supply of living water or I'll wither and fade as I had begun to do.
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Oct. 25, 2006
Pumpkin Prayer...
Another assignment in the Blogger Friend School is to share some fun and delicious ideas of what to do with pumpkins. Above is a prayer we used in our children's ministry one year. Below is a story you can tell to children to teach them about the security of salvation in Jesus Christ. Check out Karen's recipe for soup cooked in a pumpkin. While you're at it don't forget to check out the recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies at SheriLynn's blog and a recipe for pumpkin playdoh Here.
THE PETER PUMPKIN STORY
Theme:
When the light of Jesus, shining through us flickers and goes out because of sin in our life, Jesus’ death can restore that light.
Materials:
One pumpkin, ready to carve, sharp knife, candle for inside of pumpkin, matches
Procedure:
Have children offer their suggestions on how to carve a face in the pumpkin. Proceed to carve a mouth, nose, and two eyes. Insert the candle and light.
Story:
"Now let’s pretend that this pumpkin is one of our friends. Let’s name him Peter Pumpkin. Pete Pumpkin is in (pick a grade or class that matches your group) like us."
Peter woke up one morning bright and happy and ready for the day. His light was shining and he felt good. Let’s see what happens Peter’s day.
"Oh, Peter!" cried his mother, "Did you remember to brush your teeth this morning?" "Yes, Mother," Peter lied. He really hadn’t brushed his teeth, but if he stopped
to do it now, he’d be late for school! So Peter lied. Peter’s mouth wasn’t shining quite so brightly any more. (Put the mouth piece from the pumpkin back in the mouth hole)
So Peter went on his way to school. He felt kind of bad lying to his mother, but he wasn’t going to let it spoil his day. When he got to school, some of his friends were
playing with the toys already. Peter went over, too, but they had already started using the ones he wanted. (you can adapt this to be art supplies or whatever matches
your group) Peter wanted the toys too. When one of the boys left, to go talk to his teacher, Peter took the toy. Oops, there goes part of Peter’s happy face. (insert eye piece)
Continue with similar stories for the remaining parts of the pumpkin face, each time, inserting another piece until the whole face is back in place. Watch what happens to
the light.
"Peter’s light has gone out. His face is all dark and sad now."
(Relate this to sin in our lives.)
"There is a way for Peter’s face to get bright and happy again. It’s the same way that our sin can get taken care of. Do you know who helps our sin?"
With the answer of "Jesus" --carve a cross into the other side of the pumpkin. Pop out the face pieces again, and light the candle.
"With Jesus in your life, your light will never go out. The Bible tells us that Jesus is our light and that when He shines through us, our sins are forgiven and His love shines through instead!"
Relate how we may still sin (at this point put the pieces back into the face, except the cross) but with Jesus, the light will not go out--He is with us always!
Use your "Christian Jack-O-Lantern" at home and shine the cross out the window on October 31st. A witness for all the passers-by!
(originally from *Karen Schuster, Redeemer Lutheran--Flint, MI)
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Oct. 19, 2006
Panning for Gold...
Training Hearts has started something called Blogger Friend School in which each week, on Wednesday, she posts an assignment for all those who are interested in participating. Last week it was to share the ABC's of your homeschool. You can read mine HERE. This week she titles her assignment Panning for Gold She states "Being a Blogger Friend is all about sharing our treasures." So here are my internet treasures for you to glean from. Hope they lead you to some new and helpful sites.
Timberdoodle,
~A charity website that you support ~ New Missions~Favorite Graphic site to get graphics for your blog or other things A favorite site that offers homeschool freebies ~ HomeschoolEstore
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Oct. 15, 2006
My ABC's...
I love alphabet books. I don’t know why, but everytime I see one at a booksale I’ve got to buy it. I’ve got the Ocean Alphabet, Eating the Alphabet, A is for Annabelle, The Caribou Alphabet, Alphabet City and many others. So, when I saw Heidi’s post on My ABC’s, I was intrigued and decided to try to write my own, in rhyme, like one of my Alphabet books. Hope you get to know us a little better through this exercise and hope you’ll post your own family ABC’s for the rest of us to read. Allergies are what we share
To cats, and dust and pollen in the air.
Beachcombing with the family
Is always a fun activity.
Camping in the great outdoors,
Roasting hotdogs and eating s’mores.
Dinosaurs come out to play,
When four year old gets his own way.
Easter gardens are fun to make,
And so is the edible easter cake.
Fourteen years we’ve homeschooled now,
And fourteen more we have to go.
Gardens galore adorn our lawn,
To which the deer are frequently drawn.
Hope is the town in which we live,
And the state of being Jesus gives.
Ice cream is a tasty treat,
To cool us from the summer heat.
Jesus is the cornerstone,
Of our family and our home.
Kayaking we would like to learn,
A skill for which we’ve begun to yearn.
Lee, Leon, Lee-Ann you see,
Make middle names for children three.
Missionaries have come to be,
The interest of son number three.
Nature studies intrigue us all,
Give us hikes, you can keep the mall.
Orange clothes we’ll soon put on,
As hubby hunts with our dear sons.
Picturesque the mountains look,
From my favorite window nook.
Questioning the world around,
Is how all our learning does abound
Rainbows from heaven are God’s gifts,
He sends, my spirits to uplift.
S starts the names of 1, 2 and 4
Then N and J, there are no more.
Thailand and Tijuana make
Mission trips we’ve been able to take.
Ultimate goal of this dear one,
Is to have her family emulate the Son.
Volunteering many a day,
Is how son 15 prefers to play.
Wit is never far away,
When working, riding or at play.
X – cellent, to train our kids
Learning the way our Savior bids.
Youth Ministries we are a part,
Sharing with children what’s in our heart.
Zealous for our Lord and King,
Praises to his name we’ll sing.
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Get your own calendar
Sharing what God is teaching me in hopes
of encouraging others.
Tomorrow is another day, with no mistakes
in it yet."
Anne of Green
Gables
Psalm 40:17
But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord
thinketh on me. Thou art my help and my
deliverer.
Isaiah 49:15b-16a
I will never forget you! See, I have you
engraved on the palms of my hands.
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in
me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But
take heart!
I have overcome the world."
Psalm 68:19
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
Psalm 77:19b-20a
Though your footprints were not seen, you
led your people like a flock
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the Plans I have for you", declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Psalm 30:5b
Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro thoughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee
Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalm 139:17-18
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God!
They are innumerable!
I can’t even count them;
They outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up in the morning,
You are still with me!
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