Posted in Weekly Wrapups

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With the Lord:

I often wonder why the Lord brought us to this area.  My husband really dislikes it, but I am truly amazed at what I’ve learned… or actually noticed… since coming here.  I’m experiencing a strong desire to work in some type of inner-city ministry.   For several years, I’ve had a nagging interest in working with disadvantaged women who are motivated to change the circumstances of their lives. 

In Arkansas, I wanted to volunteer to work women in a battered women’s shelter, but the timing was not right as they were changing management at the time and I had an infant and homeschooled.  Now that we’re in Tennessee, I’ve worked with a Christian child/family services organization as a mentor.  That assignment ended in March, but we’re still in touch.  It was rewarding, but I sense that I need to do more.  Lately, I’ve learned about many different charitable organizations that exist in Memphis that provide beautiful services to the public.  I’ve been inspired by these organizations and wonder what the Lord is telling me.  I don’t know how or when, but I think I will be answering this call in some way… in some place… at some point in my life. 

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

– 1 John 4:11

As Wife/Mom:

Rachel has been involved in missions work these two weeks.  Last week, she worked with the Memphis Work Camp group and this week is Mission Trip.  Sarah has been busy with tennis clinics, match play, and lessons.  It’s looking like a very busy, and very expensive summer where tennis is concerned.  It would totally SHOCK you to know the amount of money some parents spend on their kids’ tennis activities!  The coaches try to impress upon me the need to invest so much into her training if she really wants to be “good” enough to compete with these other kiddos who are on the courts 20-25 hours every week.  Unfortunately, the coaches are right.  However, we don’t have that kind of money or the desire.  Sarah may not agree with the “desire” part, but I do believe there is more to life than spending your entire childhood on the tennis courts.  We’ve decided to take it one day at a time and one lesson at a time.  We’ll just wait and see what the Lord wants for her and this tennis interest.  If this is of Him, He will provide everything she needs.

Another federal application has gone out for my hubby.  This one looks like a great match for him, but only the Lord knows.  This time though, I will not worry… I will not stress over it.  Just like with Sarah’s tennis, if it is for him, it will happen.  I’m determined not to let my husbands shaken faith shake mine.

In the Schoolroom:

It’s summer!!!!  We finished our school year on June 5^th.  Rachel still has a few lessons in Alg 1 to complete, but that’s it.  What a year!!!  There were lots of lessons learned, but I sure wouldn’t want to go through that again.  (For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, we placed the older girls in public school the first part of the year.  It was a very long 13 weeks.  You can read about it here.)

Now, I look forward to next year.  I’m contemplating Rachel’s schedule again.  She is so confused about her future.  I keep telling her that she should expect to have it figured out before finishing 12^th grade.  At first, she was so sure she wanted to pursue a career in the arts.  Now, she’s totally flipped sides to science… medicine even.  I gotta give it to her… she’s got high hopes.  I know current struggles do not reflect her true abilities.  I also know that many who struggle with high school courses often do very well in higher education.  However, I know her and she has no clue.  Therefore, I think we’ll stick with a standard core and do Apologia Chemistry next year.  It will be tough, but I know she can do it.  Also, I think we’ll go ahead and tackle two credits of foreign language.  She says she wants to take Italian.  When asked “why”, her response was “in case I ever travel to Italy.”  LOL  Her second choice was French.  I’m thinking, foreign language programs are very costly, so I’d like to use it with the other children as well.  The most practical language to learn in the US by far is Spanish, so that is my recommendation.  Of course, If I say "right", Rachel will say "left".  She doesn't want to listen to reason, so I may have to make her do Spanish I and II.  *sigh*

Sarah’s plans are pretty set.  I don’t plan to change anything there.  I’m still a little nervous about the relaxed approach to TruthQuest, but at the same time I’m excited about praying and letting the Lord lead us in our studies - just the Lord and a study guide.  I can’t wait to see how it all turns out.

At the Workplace:

The summer term is in full effect.  I seem to have a wonderful group of eager learners this summer.  They’ll need all the zest they can muster during the quick, intense summer term!  We’re already approaching mid-term.

On the Exercise Mat:

I’ve not done so well here.  I’ve been a bit despondent these past couple of weeks.  I don’t know why, but it’s been the case.  That’s why I haven’t posted in over 2 weeks.  My good friend told me about a program she and her sister are doing called the 50 million pound challenge.  I think I’ll check it out and give it a try.  I definitely need a sense of community and accountability in this area of my life.

From the Bookshelf:

I recently checked out a couple of Christian fiction books from the library written by Lyn Cote.  The first book from “The Women of Ivy Manor” series, titled Chloe, was very good.  It’s a story of a young debutante in the early 1900s and the effects of "The Great War" (WWI) on her life and everyone in her family.  Now, I’m reading book 2 titled Bette which takes place after The Great Depression and into WWII. 

I purchased The Power of a Praying Parent last week and plan to start it after finishing the fiction books. I really need to get back into personal scripture study.  I can feel the effect of letting that slide.

Have a blessed week,

~Karen