I am back---been having major issues with the computer, but I think I got it taken care of.

My TEACH magazines are the best!  They always come to me when I am needing to be picked up off the floor and carried to a better place.  My Spring and Summer issuse came when I was in one of those rutts.  The stories are always so uplifting and reassuring me that I am have not been here alone, but been through some of my most trying times, while others have been as well.

In my Spring Issue this year one of the first stories that touched me was titled: Unexpected places by Melanie Chitwood.  This story touched my soul as it talks of depression and our need to hear and feel God's love.  What  a wonderfully uplfting story of a courageous mother.  Walking by faith.  WOW! 

Turning the page another story hit me---They are precious...Walking with our children through the teen years.  OK, I really needed to read and hear this story as well. I have 3 children and one more on the way to becoming a teen.  This story reassured me that having Christ in our lives is a great thing. I am so glad that my children are not testing the waters outside of Jesus.  This is something that I totally agree with....teaching our children about Jesus from very young. Teaching them about His love and guidance.  I know that this has kept me going over the many years and that it can be a huge help to teens in these trying years as well.  I may not have 10 children like this author--Laurel Diacoginannis does but raising our children to know and love Jesus is the best education I think that we can give our kids.

Ok--so I think that in some weird way every story in this issue touched me in some way.  The story of the The Ugly Backyard gave me a chuckle beacuse we moved into our home this January in the cold and I mean VERY cold winter.  Our backyard is full of rocks and I wanted to make it beautiful.  What a beautiful analgy this story gave  of beauty in the middle of a rocky hill.  Needless to say we were able to squeak out some flowers in our rock filled backyard, all planted by me and my dd5 who was amazed at her little flowers grew....although I am sure faith had a lot to do with it.

This story gave me a huge wake up call also---they all do in some way.  What's weathering you? by Jayna Pettersen.  She gave the story of Moses and his wanderings to uplift my soul in my homeschool.  1. Identify the Mirages----What illusions have you been chasing?  Are they idealistic?  Ok---so that makes one think, what changes do I need to get me to my final destination and what is that final destination.  2. FInd your bearings.  instead of wandering aimlessly and having to relearn lessons, reastablish your direction. 3. Protect yourself from dehydration.  What has been drying you up?  try to isolate the factors that get you down, map out a strategy and work on one a week.  4.  Create an oasis to water your soul.  What boosts your sprits?  celebrate the littlest blessings are the biggest reasons to celebrate.  5. Don't over water the Cacti.  Over-committed?  think of your top 5 biggest weekly commitments, go one-by-one imagining a week without them.  Which one gave you the greatest sense of relief?  This was a huge wake up call to me and a great analogy. and helped me to rethink some of the things I was doing. 

My most favorite author in the magazine is always Lorrie Flem.  She brings the realities of homeschool and family to me, letting me know that I have never been alone during my 6 years of homeschooling.  She is also a great "friend" and also make me laugh and cry--sometimes at the same time.  :)  Lorrie's quick tips --7 shortcuts to longevity made me chuckle but also realize that some of the simple things in life can be forgotten  or at least made simple.  Thanks Lorrie for helping me to realize some tips to making my homemaking and homeschooling life a little easier.

As for blogging about the TEACH magazine spring issue in Fall, well things have been just crazy since May this year.  Wrapping a 2nd year of high school (homeschooling) and then having major injuries in our household with two surgies this summer plus starting a part time job my family has been going through some HUGE changes and adjustments.  I have read and read this issue of TEACH because it has been an uplifting thing in my life, that has brought about changes and also helped me to know that I am not alone in my trials.  I am so thankful that this magazine has come into my life and so appreciative for all the nice ladies (and myabe me also, not sure) for putting it together.

Thanks so much---Debra