July 7, 2008 - another update

It's been two weeks since my last post?!  Goodness - I left you all at VBS!  Let me catch you up. 

VBS was wonderful!  Over 800 kids each day (yes!) - and a week filled with JOY, hard work, and fun!  Truly one of my (our) favorite weeks of the year.  And I must say that our church ROCKS with VBS - it'd be hard to do any better/bigger!  Not to brag tho...ha,ha.  And Jacob thoroughly enjoyed helping with the Pre-K class --- those little kids loved him!  And I was so proud of him - the adults he was helping actually took him out to lunch one day!  And Jen's favorite part (as always) was the crafts --- one day she made a beautiful cross.Her teachers, on more than one occasion, commented on how "funny" Jen is in class - apparently she felt quite comfortable and entertained everyone.  That goes with the fact she has been at this church since she was 1 year old!  And my favorite part of VBS was sharing with thirty 12 year olds that Jesus gives us the power to tell others about God --- the message of how when we accept Christ, we also receive the Holy Spirit - equipping us with a counselor, comforter, and a mighty power!  And that with the help of the Holy Spirit we are able to be BOLD for Him and spread the Good News.  A great lesson!

Then the next week Jacob got sick (put 800 kids together and there's sure to be germs) - and then we celebrated the 4th!  Fun!  Our cul-de-sac got together for icecream and watermelon - as well as the infamous Jacob and his fireworks show!  Yes, my son puts on the grandest-pyromaniac-driven display of fireworks this side of our neighborhood -- it's his once a year claim to fame. He doesn't look like he has a cold in this picture...perhaps it's another kind of sickness .We had movie day on Saturday - Jen and I saw "Kit Kittredge" --- IT WAS INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL!  I would have to rate it a 10!  It was so good - Jen proclaimed it to be the "best American Girl movie ever!" --- it really was good.

And this morning Jen left for church camp.  She left.  First time to go.  She's all the way in another state.  Without me.  Can you tell I'm trying to get used to the idea of her being a.w.a.y.???  It just feels strange.  And do you see her expression?  After the group prayer she and her friend gave hugs, then clasped hands and walked briskly to the bus...my baby has gone to CAMP.

Hubby is away on business...so you know what that means?!  Me and Bubby together - just us - for an entire week.  
Check back often to make sure we're both still breathing.
Ha.
Just kidding.
We're actually looking forward to our week together.  The bookstore, Starbucks and our local trails will be the venue.  I will be honest and say that I'm trying to figure out how to connect with this 13 year old boy of mine...you know, sometimes I just shake my head and just can not figure him out.  But I guess I'm not supposed to.  He's waiting for his growth spurt - he's anxious to be taller, and I'm waiting for his heart spurt (know what I mean?)...sigh.  So I remind myself that way before Jen came along he and I did just fine together...just the two of us.  And I smile, remembering.
Thank you Lord...I know there is a special reason for this special season of time together this week. 

And remember that Bible study we're doing at church?  "Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit" - man, it is so good.  Even for my third time to go through it, God's word is fresh and new for me.  The applications are so good, so needed.  This week's chapter is on anger.  I have been reminded that how I respond to my children, my husband...those I love the most...is so very, very important.  If the phone rings I will most likely answer politely - why not the same response to the ones I love?  In public I will be accommodating, eager to help or listen - am I this way with the ones I love?  Or do they get the leftovers? Do they get frustration and exasperation in my voice, my actions?  Oh how my heart desires to demonstrate a meek and quiet spirit to the ones I love the most...they deserve it.  I'm memorizing James 1:19-20, Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

* 1 Comments * Post A Comment! * Permanent Link

June 23, 2008 - Power!

Vacation Bible School starts today - our church is doing Group's curriculum "Power Lab" --- can't wait to see what God has in store for us this week! 

Here's Jen ready to be a "mad scientist" for Christ at last night's Kick-off!

 

Have a blessed week my friends!

* 1 Comments * Post A Comment! * Permanent Link

June 18, 2008 - summer study

Have you ever done something purely out of obedience to God?  Like you really didn't want to do it - didn't feel like you could or had the time - but knew you were supposed to do it?  Not knowing the full picture - or what it would all entail - but knew that you were supposed to say....Yes. 

Obedience always brings blessings.  Always.

Two years ago I discovered the Titus2.com website.  A girlfriend of mine and I decided to order the Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit Bible study.  This book drew me closer to God and made me more aware of who I am as a mama - and the kind of mama I needed to be for my children.  The kind that only God could mold and shape.  This study revealed things to my heart that needed change - behaviors, attitudes...pride and selfishness...areas of my life that I had clung to and all the while wondered why there was so much mayhem in our homeschool life.  This study was the tool God used to begin a work in me that I pray will never cease.  A desire to reflect Him.  A desire to have a meek and quiet spirit.  A desire to die to my SELF each day and allow Him to go ahead of me in ALL things.

Last summer I felt the nudge to present the study to our ladies at church.  But I never did anything about that nudge.  The thought just got buried.

But then gradually over the last few months God begin to place ladies in my path who had questions about homeschooling, or frustrations, or both.  In my mind I wondered why they would ask me...then His voice whispered to me that they were asking me so that I would be the one to encourage them...I was to be the one to point them to Him.  Again I wondered why me?  Because He has shown me marvelous things...and because He has begun that good work in me...things that were first revealed to me in the Bible study.

So I said Yes.  Yes, Lord.  I presented the study to our Education Minister and waited.  In "my" mind I figured it wouldn't be approved because it wasn't a common study - or there wouldn't be a room to meet in - or not enough response. 

He said we could do it, but could we maybe change the name? (he wanted to make it "available" to all the ladies) ---  I told him that I really felt that we needed to let the homeschool moms know there was something just for them - that there was a need.  But I left it in God's hands and waited.

It was approved. 

The books ordered.  We ordered 12 for the discount.  In my flesh I figured we'd never have that many ladies come.  I had no idea what God was up to.

The first night there were 11.

The second week 13.

Tonight we had 16.

Wow.

Sixteen women of different backgrounds, different stories.  Some of the ladies have toddlers...a few have children in public school...and others are homeschooling --- yet we all share a common bond: our LOVE for our children and the desire to be better mamas!  The desire to love our Lord with all our heart, mind and soul --- and to reflect that love to our children.  We desire to be made stronger in Him - by His strength - to empty ourselves before Him daily, so that He may fill us up. 

I stand amazed.  Thankful.  Thankful that God is patient and continued to nudge me even when I tried to have things according to my own timetable.  Thankful that I am a part of such an amazing group of ladies -- I've made so many new friends! 

* 3 Comments * Post A Comment! * Permanent Link

June 15, 2008 - another plug for MFW

Disclaimer:  The following post is not meant to be boastful.  Just picture me flat on my face with arms outstretched to the heavens in thankfulness!

When God leads you to something, well, it's gotta be good!  If you've been reading my blog for anytime at all then you all about our year with My Father's World.

We had a really, really good year!  Spiritually, academically - all of it.  The curriculum was a perfect fit for the kids - and me!  I especially loved the recommendations for math and language arts - and Exploring Countries and Cultures rocked our world!  Every detail was a blessing. 

Just to be able to say "we've had a good year" is awesome!  The icing on the cake though was when I received their standardized test results in the mail this week.  I know, I know - I'm not supposed to take the results personally, or use them as a true analysis of their learning --- BUT I am supposed to use it as an overall gauge of their academic year compared to previous years, AND look at areas that maybe we need to work harder on the next year. 

I admit I was nervous when I saw the packet in my bundle of mail.  I set it aside as I read the other letters first.  And I prayed that I would not react.  And I counted my blessings.  And just when the enemy tried to put thoughts of inadequacy in my head, God showed me what HE the ALMIGHTY is doing in and through my kids!  May God be glorified!

BOTH kids did BEAUTIFULLY on their tests --- in fact, I wept as I read over the results.  Tears of Joy!  Especially for my Jen - the difference between this year and last was AMAZING.  I know without a doubt that our switch to My Father's World had A LOT to do with that jump in scores --- and it is all the confirmation I need to continue right along with what we are doing.  Jacob has done well consistently over the years, but even he made a significant jump this year!  (His scores made me scratch my head a bit in wonder of his 13 year old self --- he really was listening!)

I realize that curriculum alone doesn't determine a child's success - and certainly isn't the only measure of their growth.  But when you tie every element together for MY family over the past year - well, there is great confirmation, and great peace.  It is a wonderful feeling to know that what we are using for "school" is a perfect fit.  The beauty of "My Father's World" is that it goes so far beyond "school". 

My friends, if you are struggling within your curriculum - or are just starting out and don't know where to look, I highly recommend "My Father's World".  Our experience is a testimony of embracing the company and all it offers completely - trusting God for the results - and reaping many, MANY blessings. 

* 2 Comments * Post A Comment! * Permanent Link

June 15, 2008 - Catching Up!

I have realized that summer is precious in more ways than one.  Since we started homeschooling THREE years ago I find myself waiting to do major household chores for when we are not "in school" --- to keep from being distracted as well as keeping me in the "it can wait mode" - which is a good thing.  However, once the grades are sent off and the desk cleared away - once SUMMER has arrived - I go into major project mode!  But even with the projects, I find myself more laid back (an oxymoron?) and sleeping a little bit later...reading a little bit more (for me)...and playing a whole lot more.  Summer is a good thing, don't ya think? 

So here's what we've been doing for the last 3 weeks...of course you already know about the BIG SHOWS at the end of May (which were FABULOUS) - but since then I have de-cluttered cabinets, dusted bookshelves, reorganized 4 closets, found a $15 potrack and redesigned it to fit over our stove top- love it! - I purged the house for Goodwill; have taken on photography clients (to raise money to purchase Bibles for the kids at the orphanage in Honduras); trimmed bushes (and, um, butchered a couple of trees - sorry Hubby), moved bricks and other debris in the backyard, planted flowers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers; started a Bible study at our church using Teri Maxwell's Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit (wonderful study - check it out!); sent Jacob to M-fuge camp in Charleston, entertained Jen for the entire week Jacob was gone, celebrated Hubby's birthday, rearranged Jen's bedroom,  and...........today is Father's Day!  WHEW! 

Some random pictures...
Here's Hubby reading a birthday card from my sister (something about talent when riding a bike?!)

Sending Jacob to camp - he was SO ready to go!  He was packed and had his suitcase in the kitchen the day before.  He has gone to church camp since he was in 3rd grade and absolutely loves this week of the year.  This time was different tho - he was further away, and well, just older - more independent.  I missed him a lot. 

The traditional picture of Jacob and Jenna before he goes to camp...she's always pulled out of bed and goes in her pj's (this time it was at 6:00 a.m.!)

Jen with a friend in the backyard - this was a fun day because the friend now lives in Georgia and we don't get to see her very often. 

I couldn't believe she did this!  Wow!

My dog Raider. He loves hanging with me outside - no matter what I'm doing - and is great company!
Milo the cat.  I feel obligated to post a pic of him, because I did one of Raider.  He loves Raider.  But he and I have a love/hate relationship.

One of my favorite times of the day is first thing in the a.m. on my back porch.  Coffee, my Bible, the sound of birds (and cars, but I try to tune that out) and the beautiful view of the birds flitting around our yard - I love that.

Beautiful Jenna at the Discovery Center here in town (this was during the week Jacob was gone - she was in party mode the entire time - every day was full!)  Discovery Center, pottery, playdates, slumber parties (2), a day at the river, shopping for her room... it was ALL about Jen this week!

FATHER'S DAY!  We gathered almost all of Hubby's race t-shirts (been saving them since 1997!!) and sent them to Campus Quilts to be made into a special memorable quilt just for him when he's relaxing on the couch.  He was totally surprised!! 

That's it for now...I don't have many projects left to tackle - but I'm sure I'll come up with a few before August 4!  We have VBS next week, and Jen is going to church camp in July (her first time!!)...still lots of summer left - yeah!

Hope you are each having a great summer!  Blessings to you and yours!

* 1 Comments * Post A Comment! * Permanent Link

June 8, 2008 - a random moment

Jacob casually told me yesterday that he has decided what he wants to "be" when he grows up.

Either go to culinary school and be a chef/restaurant owner -
OR
a sniper.

I told you it was a random moment.

* 3 Comments * Post A Comment! * Permanent Link

<- Last Page * Next Page ->