Dec. 9, 2007 - Contentment

Contentment

"a state of mind in which one's desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be (1 Tim. 6:6; 2 Cor. 9:8). It is opposed to envy (James 3:16), avarice (Heb. 13:5), ambition (Prov. 13:10), anxiety (Matt. 6:25, 34), and repining (1 Cor. 10:10). It arises from the inward disposition, and is the offspring of humility, and of an intelligent consideration of the rectitude and benignity of divine providence (Ps. 96:1, 2; 145), the greatness of the divine promises (2 Pet. 1:4), and our own unworthiness (Gen. 32:10); as well as from the view the gospel opens up to us of rest and peace hereafter (Rom. 5:2).

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Nov. 22, 2007 - Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday of sorts.  I have fabulous memories of Thanksgivings on my uncle's orange grove  in Florida when I was very young.  Food, family, more food, fun; it was always a great time.  Ever since then, Thanksgiving has been special.   And it continues to this day.  My family loves to have people in, feed them, make memories and traditions.  Its a blast!

This year we will be heading to my mother-in-law's for dinner.  Our niece is coming up from Georgia and we will be gathering to spend time with her and her son.  I'm looking forward to seeing her.  Olivia and I have always had a special bond.  When I first came into the family, she was five years old.  I sat down and she climbed in my lap that very first day.  She's been sitting in my lap for the past 25 years!! (Fortunately she's very thin!!)  She's had many ups and downs over her life and definitely kept us on our knees, but to me, she'll always be that little girl so willing to accept someone new in the family.   We just got the news that she'll be getting married this summer, so a wedding is in the works as well.  My prayer is that, even though she got things a bit out of order in her life, that God will use the upcoming wedding to show Olivia just how much He loves her and how there is redemption regardless of how much she chose to run from it in the past.  

So, on this Thanksgiving, I have many many things to be thankful for as always.  But this year, in particular, I'm thankful for Olivia who is a constant reminder of God's mercy and grace!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

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Nov. 1, 2007 - Yet Another Birthday Remembrance

November 1st!  (Where did October go?  Was a very quick and busy month!)  At any rate, today begins another month and brings with it the memory of my dear grandmother, Blanche.  Today is her birthday, and will be forever remembered as such even though she died a decade ago. 

I was one of the truly blessed ones that I not only had awesome grandparents, but I had them well into my thirties!  They got to see both of my children.  Since I am an only child and an only grandchild, it was very important to me for my grandparents to know my girls.  They didn't spend alot of time together because of distance and age, but they knew them; that's what counts.

So today as we begin the countdown to Thanksgiving, I will be thankful for Grandma.  For the countless days we sat at the big picture window and identified birds on the feeder.  For the many trips through her prize winning yard learning the names of plants, flowers (and weeds).  For the many Saturday mornings, I would walk across the road to help her make spinach and celery juice!  For her generous spirit that helped me (us) out year after year.  For her special way of saying "I love you" ... "aye aye" (no she wasn't in the Navy!)   For the many trips to the NC mountains!  For being rather persnickety and particular about the strangest things! For taking me to church and letting me visit her in the choir room as she  prepared to play the organ year after year.   But mostly for just loving my mother and me unconditionally ....

Thank you Grandma and Happy Birthday!!

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Oct. 17, 2007 - October 17th, The Day My Life Changed Forever

The title pretty much says it all.  Today, 19 years ago who and what I thought I was changed forever.  The life altering event???  Becoming a mother for the first time.  I will never quite understand the transformation (something only God can orchestrate I do know).  How does one enter a building very, very early in the morning (a hospital in this case) and leave a week later (after a long c-section recovery) looking at the world so much differently?  I can't explain the power of motherhood, but I can attest to the fact that it exists.  Having spent the last 19 years looking at the world through mother eyes has been the single most amazing happening of my life!  I wouldn't trade it for anything!

So as October 17th, 2007 dawns bright and sunny (much as the day did 19 years ago) I awaken with gratitude and thanksgiving to God for allowing me the journey of a lifetime ...  motherhood.  October 17th, 1988,  7lbs 9oz, 20 inches long, 9:50 p.m. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATY!!!!!!!

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Oct. 8, 2007 - Happy Birthday!!!

October 8th begins our month of festivities around our house.  Both my girls were born in October, my baby in heaven would have been born in October, Katy's best friend is born in October, my neice and great-neice are born in October ... (get the idea why October is my favorite month??)  So today ...

Happy Birthday to my baby girl ... Joy!!!   (14)
Happy Birthday to my adopted son ... Russ!!! (21)

We had birthday festivities for Russ at his folks' house last night (yummy cake) and tonight we will celebrate Joy's day with a trip to a local pizza place with family and friends (it also happens to be a fundraiser pizza deal for Joy's basketball team, so we're killing two birds as they say).  Joy's not a big cake eater, so ice cream is the desert of choice for her.  Should be great fun! 

Sometime during the day, I'll have my "I can't believe my little girl is almost grown cry" that I have on every birthday.  I'll then feel better, thank God for the gifts of my daughters and continue my day with a sense of extreme gratitude for God allowing me to be a part of the lives of these two amazing girls!  I don't think I'll ever lose the feeling I had (now 14 years ago) when the doctor told me I had another little girl.  I can't describe to you that moment.  Words just don't do it justice, but I've lived every day with that joy and amazement.   October 8, 1993, 7lbs 11 oz, 20 inches long, 10:01 pm.

Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday ....

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Oct. 2, 2007 - Basketballs and Lab Coats

I know, I know... delinquent again on the blogging front.  Has been rather busy around here.  Not an excuse, just the truth.  At any rate, I'll jump right in to all the news.

Joy made the Lighthouse Middle School Girls Basketball team!!!!!!   We are thrilled; not so much that she made the team (OK, we're happy about that too), but proud of the fact that she has spent the last year working every day to become a better basketball player.  Pushing through several injuries to elbows, wrists, knees, etc., to learn the discipline and fortitude it takes to play any sport.  Last year she tried out and didn't make the team.  She was disappointed.  I wasn't sure how things would progress from there.  Much to my delight, she decided she loved basketball and wanted to get better.  We bought a hoop for the yard, found an Upward league over the winter and a day camp this summer.  But more importantly, my little girl has learned perseverance and patience.  I pray that she'll take these basketball lessons into many areas of her life (its hard on a Momma to watch their children be stretched!)

Well the above paragraph explains the basketball part; now the lab coats.  And really, its much the same story ... different daughter.  Most of you know that my oldest Katy, is a science fanatic (putting it nicely).  She's a biology major at our local community college and will be transferring to NC State to finish up her degree.   At the beginning of the school year, she applied for various jobs around the community in hospitals, doctors offices, etc., none of which would really work with her class schedule.  She qualified for work study through the financial aid office back in August, but we heard nothing the entire month of September.  I expected a nibble on something, but the phone didn't ring... until last week.  Long story short, my daughter was offered two lab assistant positions in the biotech department and the science department.  After meeting with both, they combined the job and offered it to her!!  She begins tomorrow!!  I couldn't have asked for anything better... on campus (5 minutes from home); right there where she already is; and a maximum of 15 hours per week (paid!)  GOD is so good!!!

I continue to be amazed at God's faithfulness to my children.  You'd think after 19 years, I wouldn't be so blown away; but I continue to marvel at His plan.

Thank you Jesus for loving my children! (even more than I do).

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Sep. 11, 2007 - Theological Worldviews

We're all about worldviews around here so when Jimmy came up with yet another "find out about yourself quiz" on theological worldviews, I just had to see.  I'm proud to announce my Methodist upbringing is in tact!

You scored as a Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan

You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 86% Reformed Evangelical 79% Emergent/Postmodern 75% Fundamentalist 71% Neo orthodox 64% Classical Liberal 29% Charismatic/Pentecostal 25% Modern Liberal 18% Roman Catholic 7%

Not sure where the Fundamentalist deal came in (maybe I should retake the test!).  At any rate, here's the link if you're interested ....
quizfarm.com/test.php

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Sep. 7, 2007 - Providence

Today is the first day of Providence.  Providence is a tutorial program for homeschoolers that we've been involved with on and off since Katy was in Kindergarten.  I'm on the Board of Directors as Registrar and Jimmy starts his second year as the Civics tutor.  Joy will be taking Jimmy's class and a creative writing class this year.

This is the closest I get to getting my kids up and off to school.  I'm very thankful to Providence and all it offers, but I'm even more thankful for the gift of homeschooling these past 15 years where I haven't had to get my kids up and off to school!

Have a great school day wherever your classroom may be!

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Sep. 6, 2007 - Proud Mama

Ya know how when your child does something for the first time it evokes that "mama pride"; and how when they really, really get good at something you check that off the list of things to do with a deep satisfaction.

Today I checked something off Katy's list.  MATH!  OK, I know she graduated in May, and I know she's in college now, but Math was always a chore for us.  I knew she could do algebra, algebra 2, etc.  She just didn't know she could.  She placed into College Algebra last year and made a B in the class.  I was more proud of that B than many many A's.

Today a new milestone.  My daughter, who said she hated math for all those years, brought home her first test grade in Pre Calculus ... a 95!    All those years, I knew she could ...  now she finally knows she can!!

I'm a proud mama today!  Not just of the grade, but of the perseverance of my oldest child!!
Katy, I love you!

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Aug. 20, 2007 - 8th Grade

Today is the first day of 8th grade for Joy.   She's been doing math and reading throughout the summer, but today we begin "officially" the new school year.   I still can't believe she's in the 8th grade.  She supposed to be my baby and she's almost taller than me.  I know there's a rule somewhere that says your kids are not supposed to grow taller than their parents!  Katy did well; Joy, not so much.  In all seriousness, I'm looking forward to this year as my Joy continues to grow into the awesome young lady God is making her. 

Welcome to 8th grade Joy!!

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Aug. 16, 2007 - Entitlement

I've come to a realization lately.  I have an entitlement attitude!  The more I think on it, the more "not proud" I am becoming.  What's worse is, I'm not alone.  Most of us are thusly inclined.  I'm not sure how long it will take, but I am beginning a long, long journey of peeling away the layers of entitlement attitude disease (EAD) that I find deep within.  I spend some time on different email loops and from those I am beginning to compile my ...

EAD Checklist:

1)  Do I think that because I'm a homeschooler, my children should have the same opportunities in the public sector as those who don't homeschool?  (This is only a slight afflicition for me).

2)  Am I getting an ulcer fretting over what illegals are getting from our government when my legal children are made to work for what they have?  (But for the grace of God I could have been born in a third  world country.  Justice is ultimately in the hands of God.  We should enforce the laws, most definitely.  But true justice is not to be had this side of heaven!)

3)  Do small inconveniences (parking spaces more than three rows back, slow drivers, inconsiderate drive thru window operators, etc., etc.,) set me into a tailspin.  "I am in a hurry.  I'm in the middle of some righteous pursuit.  Don't they know my tasks are the most important on the planet today?!"


There are many, many more that I've been thinking on, but I'll stop for now.  Maybe its old age setting in, but at this stage of my life I'm really, really glad ....

that's it's not all about me!!

...to be continued.

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Aug. 15, 2007 - Faces

I met Xavier's kids yesterday!!  Their faces will be forever etched in my mind.  They were kids, just like my kids (OK, a tad bit smaller) with the smiling toothless grins.  Kids so proud to show me their artwork of airplanes.  Kids who sat and really listened to what I had to say.  (I know they listened because Xavier quizzed them afterward and they really got what I was saying).  It was amazing to sit and watch them and know that those were the kids I've been praying for every day, all summer long.  The neat thing is, they didn't know I was the lunch lady.  They just thought I was there to teach them about airplanes.  It was really something.

I grew closer to God yesterday.  Not in knowledge but in heart.  I know, now more than ever, that I'll never understand in this lifetime how much God loves us.  He lovingly orchestrates situations for us to teach us how much HE cares on a regular basis.  I looked out at Xavier's kids and felt a bit of ownership.  These are now MY kids.  I have a vested interest in these little ones!!  How much more does God see us His children and beam with pride.  We are HIS kids!  And HE has ownership!  Do our actions always deserve his love?  Oh no!!  But His love is there nonetheless, undeserved, unmerited, unearned... just because. 

Was an amazing day.  I look forward to September when I get to go back and work with the kids some more.  We are going to take the month of September and teach them about airplanes and rockets and all sorts of aviation stuff.  Then we get to watch them as we put them in actual airplanes to fly!  I can't wait!!
We're still praying about what comes after the aviation unit study, floating lots of idea; but I can tell you one thing ... this is just the beginning of our relationship with Xavier's kids!!!

Watch out for God's surprising love!  You'll feel it when you least expect it!!

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Aug. 11, 2007 - Sawing the Limb off Behind Me

I'm not one for taking risks.  I like things nice and safe and within parameters (kinda a woman thing I guess).  At any rate, I guess I left my nice safe parameters at home this morning because within a span of two hours, I procured a vendor spot at the Wake Forest Farmer's Market selling honey, Katy's homemade beeswax candles and honey glycerin soap!  I just went to buy a few ears of corn! 

Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to sell our products.  I just thought we'd start off selling here from the house, not actually out in public!!!  The honey sales have already been going well, I'm just afraid we are going to run out!  At least if we do, we have our feet in the door for the market for next spring.

So, this week will be very busy around here getting ready for our Saturday at the market, making candles, soap, bottling honey.  Not to mention an aerospace presentation to Xavier's Kids, Katy and Nooch starting back to college, and Jimmy in the throws of a deck addition project.  Throw in a parent's meeting at Providence and CAP and our week is complete.  If anyone calls the house and you get the machine, you can probably figure why.

Blessings on this not too terribly hot August Saturday!

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Aug. 10, 2007 - I Can Choose Very Well

I'm gifted.
I have an uncanny ability to make wise decisions (at least one).
I know how to pick 'em.

Of what or whom am I speaking?  The man that I married 25 years ago Jan 1, 2008!  My husband.  The man that gets up before dawn to go and work in the 106 degree heat for the sole purpose of feeding his family.  The man that comes home wringing wet every day from his labors and only asks for something on a plate for dinner (my husband is a lot of things, but picky isn't one of them).   The man whose DNA is outstanding and off the charts (how do I know?  look at my daughters!)  The man who can make me more aggrevated than any human on the planet (but that topic is for another post!)  The list is long and I could go on and on.  I won't bore you all with the details of the last 25 years.  I just want to say ....

THANK YOU JIMMY FOR ALL YOU DO!!!  I LOVE YOU!!!

   

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Aug. 9, 2007 - College!!

I think I've finally come to the realization that Katy is a college student, not a homeschool student any longer.  And the best part about that... I am thrilled!  Once again God has proven himself faithful and able to do that which we can't! 

To make a long story short, Katy had spoken to her counselor and enrolled in the classes she needed for this semester way back in July.    Well, Mr. Counselor made a mistake and didn't enroll her in the one class she wanted the most ... Biology and the accompanying lab.  Not only did she not have her favorite subject, she was short the number of hours she needed to receive her academic scholarship.  A mess all the way around.   After we realized the mistake, she spoke with the counselor who apologized but was helpless to remedy anything until today (the first day of late enrollment).  We had to wait to see if anyone dropped the course because it was full!  We prayed, she formulated a plan B and we went about our daily lives for the past couple of weeks.  Fast forward to this morning, after two hours at the college, waiting in lines and all that goes with that, she not only has the course, the lab, her scholarship AND a small credit at the bookstore!!  Praise God!!  The registration process of her first full semester of college is finished!!  (And as an added blessing,  Katy found out that she and her beloved English professor from last semester will be taking the same art class!  They are both excited!!  Mrs. Holt is a friend of Joy's current art teacher!  Small World!!!)

Classes start next Thursday so things will be different around here with everyone coming and going at different times (I went to Staples and bought a 2007-2008 school calendar and everyone has their own color marker so I can  attempt to keep up ).  

I'm looking forward to this new stage of life!

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Aug. 8, 2007 - Xavier's Kids

Who you ask, are Xavier's Kids?  I don't know their names, yet.  But they are a group of young people who some might consider underprivileged, living in government housing, parent(s) scraping to make ends meet.    I had a meeting with the Director of the Oxford Housing Authority yesterday.  Our lunch program is coming to an end and I wanted to discuss some other ways to help out.  I point blank told him that I didn't know what to call the kids because I didn't want to be condescending.  I'm no better than they, just in a different place in life.  We are trying to build a bridge to these kids, not widen the gulf.  At any rate, Xavier said that folks around the Housing Authority just call them "His Kids".  So from now on that's what they'll be ... Xavier's Kids.

We talked about many ideas from the upcoming fall and spring, but for right now we are going to use the resources we have.  Those resources?  Pilots, airplanes and aerospace education.  You see, most of these kids don't realize they can dream dreams, reach for the sky or beyond.  They know there's something beyond the walls of the apartment complex, they just don't know how to get there.  So for the next month or so, we're going to show them.  Civil Air Patrol has some of the most excellent aerospace education materials around and they are grade appropriate so they speak to where the child is in their learning.  My Squadron is blessed to have members of the EAA   (with their own planes) that have agreed to fly these kids.  The Housing Authority has transportation so we can take them to Carolina Sky Sports to watch the jumpers; we can take them to the next military air show (Ft. Bragg/Seymour Johnson) we can build and launch rockets with these kids.  Will we come out with a bunch of budding astronauts?  Who knows!  What I do know is that we will be planting seeds that may take root in a number of different ways. We are showing kids that they can do these things if they stay in school, learn to read and get good grades.    "If you teach a man to fish..."

I get to meet the kids next Tuesday on the final day of the reading class.  I can't wait!!!
I'll keep ya'll posted...

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Aug. 3, 2007 - Another One Grows Up

Its hard to believe, but yet another of "my" cadets has grown up and is flying the coop.  Dan Mullen has been in CAP longer than Katy and I so needless to say we have many funny stories from years past.  But tonight we played a scene that no matter how many times I do it, I just can't seem to get good at it.... saying goodbye.  Dan leaves in the morning for Auburn, a possible Navy ROTC scholarship and (for right now) an aeronautical engineering major.  Another one has grown up and  is following his dreams.  We will definitely be praying as he encounters college life for the first time!!

Maybe one day I'll be good at adapting to change.  But for now, I'm still learning.

Godspeed Dan!!

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Aug. 1, 2007 - No Title

No title for this entry.  Why?  Not sure what to call it for the most part.  You see, if you read my previous post, you'll know that today the son of a friend of mine left for Baghdad (via Mississippi).  I am very proud of him (and all those who choose to serve), but today I guess I'm just sad for my friend.  You see she has been bitten by the mama bug.  That dreadful critter that jumps on your back the moment of birth and follows you around the rest of your life.  No matter where your kids are or what they are doing you'll always have the mama bug.  So today (and tomorrow and the next day) I'll pray for Josh and his mama.... for safety, for peace, for God's plan.  All worthy topics for prayer, but right now I'm going to  just be sad that a mama's heart is breaking.

Please pray for our soldiers (and their mamas).

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Jul. 28, 2007 - Please Pray

For the Eaton family.

Le's blog says it all...

www.theendoftheroad.typepad.com/

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Jul. 28, 2007 - Pumpkin Butter

Fall is my favorite time of year (minus the "it's getting ready to get really cold part") and along with fall comes pumpkins.  Anyone who knows me knows that I love to decorate with pumpkins and cornstalks all over the yard, porch, wherever I can find a spot to put them.  I can honestly say that I don't do alot of thinking about pumpkins in July (other than when I plant them for fall harvest), but a friend of mine asked for a pumpkin butter recipe the other day,  so I got to thinking about pumpkins, fall (my girls will be 19 and 14!!!) and a truly beautiful time of year.  I hope the rain/sun/cool evening mixture is just right this year for gorgeous colors and yummy turnip greens.

At any rate, here's my favorite pumpkin butter recipe (thanks Mom!)...
2 quarts cooked pumpkin pulp (fresh or canned)
4 cups sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon nutmeg
Add sugar to pulp and cook about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Stir in lemon juice and spices and cook 10 to 15 minutes more..  Poor hot into hot jars and process 10 minutes.  Makes 4 pints or 8 half pints.

There is nothing like pumpkin butter on hot, fresh homemade biscuits.  Much yummies!!!!
Busy day ahead ... Saturday blessings to all!

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