Posted in My Thoughts
As I read through my devotionals
today I can’t help but think God is trying to tell me something. Two out of
three talk about taking that very important “quiet time” out with Him. Of
course I pray, many times a day in fact. However, I am really having a hard
time learning how to sit quietly and still and just listen. Now this has been
on my mind for about two weeks even before reading these devotionals. Hmmm,
maybe He was speaking to me about this subject before today? Here are a few
tidbits from two of the devotionals I read today;
The road to heaven can get rocky and the
burdens of everyday living often seem far too heavy for our feeble frames. On
our trek toward God's perfect future, we must occasionally stop ourselves on the path to again hear
Jesus' quiet words:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Come to me. Get away with me... walk with me...
watch how I do it... Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and
lightly" (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message). With this in mind, not
only does the prospect of heaven enliven our days, but the journey with Christ
as Companion becomes one of joy.
As Jesus’
popularity grew, crowds followed Him through the streets, the hills, they
gathered along lake shores, screamed His name, touched His cloak, and even
climbed trees to catch a glimpse of Him. Everyone wanted a piece of Jesus, as a
mentor, teacher, friend, judge, healer, and most importantly, a Savior.
How did He divide His time? His Heavenly
Father was His first priority - Jesus always made time for prayer. Despite a
busy, demanding schedule, He seized solitude. Undisturbed, quiet meditation gave Him the spiritual strength and
direction He needed to carry out His responsibilities. We need to do the same.
A daily quiet time is crucial. While everyone wants a piece of us, we must first give
a piece to God. In return, we'll receive His peace and joy. As the Holy Spirit
energizes our lives, we can effectively manage daily priorities such as our
family (feeding, clothing and bonding with our kin are part of that iron clad
for better or for worse vow). Next, we are responsible for any employment
obligations, followed by regular maintenance of healthy friendships.
Now, believe me I desperately want
this “quiet time” with Him. I need to figure out how to make it happen. I need
to make this goal my top priority. Maybe
some of you would be willing to share with me how you manage to fit this most
important task into your daily lives. Do you wait until your hubby is home so
that he can assist the children? Do you wake before everyone else and devote
this quiet time in your home to Jesus? Do you wait until everyone has gone to
bed? Do you have your children have quiet time during your quiet time? I would
greatly appreciate any ideas. I will try to let you know what I work out and how
I make it work.
Posted in My Thoughts
I have been tagged! This one is a bit different than last time. So, here it goes...
1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.
"in God’s sight is far greater than the sum of the strengths of"
2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch?
A stack of used A-Beka books that I am getting rid of
3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
“ Meerkat Manor” on Animal Planet
4. Without looking, guess what time it is:
7:00 am
5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
6:53 am
6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
The refrigerator and now the air conditioner too! Everyone else is sleeping right now 
7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
Yesterday evening about 6:45pm. I was going to church!
8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
Hmmm, my coffee cup as I filled it up 
9. What are you wearing?
Blue jeans, a blue t-shirt, and socks
10. Did you dream last night?
I can’t remember any at this moment if I did.
11. When did you last laugh?
Yesterday, while watching our new kittens!
12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Directly in front of me is a long window looking out to the backyard, to the right of it is a calendar. On the wall to the right of me is some of the kids art, a book shelf, and a large world map. Behind me is 3 bookshelves, and a dresser with “Chompers” aquarium on it, and a dart board just above that. LOL
13. Seen anything weird lately?
I live in base housing, I see something weird every time I look outside. 
14. What do you think of this quiz?
It’s different, I like it!
15. What is the last film or video you saw?
Um, my husband and I watched “Left Behind” a few nights ago.
16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
I think I would talk to my husband about going to another country and living in the mission field. I think I might have my tubes “untied” too! LOL
17. Tell me something about you that I don't know.
Oh boy! Hmm, I am a very new “liver” (not believer, because I have been a believer for as long as I can remember I just chose not to live the way He would of liked) of God’s word!!
18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt, or politics, what would you do?
I would want people to know how lucky they are to have our military defending their lives and freedoms instead of being so judgmental and critical of George Bush and his decisions. Just be grateful he is here leading our country. Stop for a minute and truly put yourself in his shoes.
19. Do you like to dance?
Um, not where anyone else can actually see me. 
20. Comment to George Bush:
Thank you!!
21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
Hmmm, how ‘bout Ashlynn Christine!
22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
Um, I guess I would go with Jonathan Daniel!!
23. Would you ever consider living abroad?
Oh yes! I think it would be an amazing experience!
24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
Oh my goodness! Well, I know what I *don’t* want Him to say. LOL
Ok, I'm supposed to tag 5 more people; ButterFly4Him, Cre8iveMom, hskubes, Rysmom
Posted in My Thoughts
The following is a copy of an
email I sent. I thought there are so many stressed-out parents due to this
topic maybe I can reach more of them this way…
Ok, I have been reading the emails of concerned moms and just
keeping quiet but the fact is that I have been there. It used to be like
pulling teeth to get my DS to read. I tried all the same tricks but
was still left feeling inadequate as a mother because my 7, 8, even 9 year
old son *strongly* disliked reading, and would have never dreamed of reading
for fun...sigh. Well, somewhere I read to just leave it alone. Everything will
happen in due time. I figured "what do I have to lose?" So I stopped
shoving books at him (well ok sometimes I just couldn't help myself, but I did
it *a lot* less often) and trying to bribe him into reading (yes, shamefully I
admit that I even resorted to bribery in those desperate times). laughing but a
bit embarrassed.
Ok, blah blah, so one day he actually (10 years old by
now) picked up a book (by his own freewill) and started reading!! Now this
book was not at the top of my "i wish you would read" list
(Harry Potter) however, he was reading, and by his own choosing, during
his own free time!! When he first started he would read a few pages at a
time maybe a chapter, but he would skip all over the place in the book(he would
start reading a book smack in the middle, then chapter 2, then chapter 15). Oh,
it used to drive me crazy but again I thought "well, at least he's
reading". Eventually, he began actually reading the book in order, but
this was a long exhausting process.
My dear son now 11, has read every Harry Potter book out
(numerous times), as well as the Narnia series, Wally Mc Doogle and others. He
loves all kinds of books but yes Harry Potter still is his first choice by far.
He wakes up grabs his book and breakfast and reads, when it's break time he
reads, sometimes even during outside play time he reads (outside), and the few
nights a week that they may get T.V. time you'll find him "yep you guessed
it" reading!!! He is going crazy waiting for the release of the
next Harry Potter book. Now, he has resorted to reading them
backwards LOL. He has acquired a love for reading far beyond what I had hoped
for, but IN HIS OWN TIME!!
Well, I'm sorry ladies this turned out to be much longer than I had planned. I
just hope that someone can release that breath they're holding and know that
every child learns, develops, and matures in their own unique time.
Posted in My Thoughts
I was
tagged!!
Rysmom Tagged me. So I am supposed to tell 6 things about myself huh… hmmm…..
1. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 9 years this
July 4th. 
2. I began my parenting journey at the young age of 16. I am not
proud of some of the choices I made as a young lady, but as far as my children
are concerned I wouldn’t change a thing. 
3. 10 years ago I would have never imagined that *I* would be home
schooling my children. Now, I can’t imagine not doing so. 
4. I strongly desire more children, sadly though just as strongly
as I desire to have more, I know that my husband does not, and we cannot. (I
made the choice to have my tubes tied when I was pregnant with my third child) 
5. I gasp when I hear someone say that they have lived “here” for
five years or more. (“here” being anywhere) 
6. I am teaching myself how to sew and just started making a quilt. 
Well, I hope that was kind of interesting. Now I tag ihopeyoudance• ButterFly4Him• Cre8iveMom• hskubes•. I know some
of you have already been tagged so you don’t have to do it again.
Posted in My Thoughts
Wow, it has been a trying day. I quit smoking today. I am very glad I did, but that is not making it any easier. I have had my fair share of temptations today, but have handled them well. My house is exceptionally clean, hehehe. This verse is so fitting..
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
This is true. He is providing me with much to keep busy (a way out). He is a fair God and he will not tempt me past what I can handle. I have spent much time in prayer today for strength and will power. Our God is a gracious God, anything is possible through him.
Well, besides catching up on spring cleaning I have purchased a wonderful new curriculum for our family, Konos. I have plenty of planning to help keep busy (not because it has to be done but because I will go crazy if it’s not *that* organized). I am having such a great time planning our days I can’t even imagine how much fun we will have once we get started. It is magical when you find something that gets you so excited about learning and teaching your children. Surely, as with anything we will have our ups and downs, and this is where I will reflect on our days. I will share our greatest experiences as well as our hardest falls, and everything in between.
This will be our fourth year home schooling. Every year I think “now I have it figured out”! Maybe I will be right this year. In my experience, there is no greater privilege than to home school my children, and also nothing more frustrating. I so enjoy spending my hours, my days, and my years learning next to my amazing children, but there are days they keep me wondering. J
Stay posted to experience our joys and struggles of not only home schooling but also living!
Sep. 22, 2006
The Bible
