I know for many of us who have a child with either a physical or mental limitation, finding contentment can at times be difficult.  Some days it seems as if all is well and we are able to handle whatever challenges life throws our way, while the next all is in turmoil and we feel overwhelmed.  For those days when you are feeling overwhelmed, consider the following exercise:

When you begin to think to yourself that your family's lifestyle, finances, or choices are limited "because of my special needs child." Instead, say to yourself "...because it is God's will."  Because the truth is, we face no hardship that God has not foreseen and that He abandons us to face alone.  It is by His will that we live or die, have peace or hardship and through His support that we persevere. 

I have found in my own life that while God's way sometimes seems very hard, it has led me to a place of greater joy than I could ever have found on my own. 

Here are  a few Scriptures to contemplate as you consider making this change in your thoughts:

Genesis 15:19-20

Esther 4:13-14

Philippians 3:7-11

Romans 8:18-25

We love our break at Christmas and always try to take what some would think a little “extra” time.  I need the break even if the kids don’t!

Instead of just having “time off” (although some of that is good too), we try to plan some things for our break.  This year we’ll be making cookies and candies, baked goods, sewing some gifts, caroling, having the kids do their shopping for one another and throwing a Happy Birthday Jesus party.  Other years we’ve also done music concerts, plays, made gingerbread houses, went looking at decorations, did present wrapping at nursing homes, made ornaments and other crafts for gifts and more I’m sure but you have to pick and chose for each year or you’ll stress yourself out, so chose wisely!

 I’m also giving the kids a little Christmas “homework”, nothing too taxing but something that they need to get done on their own.  The older boys are working on essay’s and studying for their final in history.  The girls are going to be working on a colonial craft of their choice.  All of them will be memorizing the original 13 colonies and how to spell them.  I may throw in memorizing a quote, song or poem too, we’ll see. This helps when they say, “I’m bored”, we can easily remind them of their homework!

So whatever you do I hope you’ll schedule in those things you want to do or you KNOW what happens; they don’t get done!  Try to leave “blank” days too!  These are great for listening to Christmas music or practicing Christmas music on instruments.  Don’t forget the days after Christmas are available for things you may want to do too.  These are often much less stressful and more fun!

So what are you going to do over your break?

http://www.cynet.com/Jesus/PROPHECY/ntquoted.htm

This week we did a class for our homeschool group at our house teaching basic sewing skills while making a cute little Christmas pillow.  My oldest daughter made the sample in the picture and I made the one that we embellished slightly more with a picture.  That one is a gift for Grandma Pitts, shh don’t tell!

The girls had a lot of fun and it’s a real basic project that true beginners can do, so why not get a little home economics in this week and make a few gifts.  I put the complete step by step instructions into a pdf document for the class you can download here.

We’ve also been working on corn bags and coasters which I need to get the pictures downloaded for  so watch for those ideas in the next few days.

If you need more ideas on decorating, crafts, foods, traditions etc… for Christmas check out the Christmas Party hosted by a blogging friend of mine.  I’ll be posting this entry there as well as more probably but there are many creative ideas there already so check it out (and add some too!)

You know as the “World” and even the church around us accepts more and more I’ve often pondered as others have just why God continues to show mercy.

As I study history with my children it is so overtly apparent that God’s hand and provision was all over the early years and plans for this country yet at every turn we now seem to not only exclude but abandon Him.

We’re reminded of Lot as we think of how much we’ve grown to tolerate and wonder if we’ll ever offer our own daughters as he did, unthinkable as that may seem?  What do we allow already that God is appalled by?

These are just some thoughts that have been going around here lately.

This morning as I was reading I “found” a verse that seemed to not only speak to the “why” but also give a call to action.

Isaiah 48:9

“But for my own sake I will be patient.  People will praise me for not becoming angry and destroying you.” (NCV)

In the New King James it reads, “For My name’s sake I will defer My anger, and for my praise I will restrain it from you, so that I do not cut you off.”

Hmm…

So we should be praising Him for not becoming angry.  Are we?  It’s for HIS PRAISE that he withholds his anger…

I have been introduced to Maestro Classics "Stories in Music". These are audio CDs that introduce classic stories and music from a symphony orchestra. I received The Tortoise and The Hare. Stephen Simon is the composer and conductor and in my opinion, did a great job. I'm not one who can sit around and listen to a lot of classical music, but I do enjoy listening to a song or two on occasion. I very much enjoyed listening to this rendition, especially after the music was explained.

The CD that I received contains the narrated story of The Tortoise and The Hare, info about the story, a song, and info about the music (which is very educational). Mr. Simon teaches you what to listen for in the story.

You can get your copy for $16.98. Click here to learn more. To see what my crewmates had to say, click here. 

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion.