2/6/08—This morning I took a walk down our road, and past the lots that some people have been clearing. They are doing this, just for the pines—to sell for pulp!

Those tall, beautiful, whispering pines have been my friends since I was a child. They have whispered their songs of God’s love to me since I was young. Now they are gone!! All that is in their place is scarred land. Only a palm or two are there, and one tall spindly pine sways in the breeze.

That is how my heart feels. That is what a broken marriage and divorce do. They rip out the trees of love, trust, respect—and leave ugly scars in their places.

Thankfully, Jesus is willing to come in and replant those trees, and assist us in cultivating them with His own blood and tears. If we allow Him, He will heal us.

Oh, Lord Jesus, please come and heal my children’s hearts, and my heart. Amen.

1. How many children do you have / homeschool?--4/4
   
2. How long have you been homeschooling?--We are in our 11th year
   
3. Have they always been homeschooled, or did they ever go to public/private school?--My oldest went to preschool at the Lutheran preschool; went to 5th grade in a Seventh-day Adventist church school; has homeschooled the rest of the time; my second went to Kindergarten at the public school (but came home in March); attended a Seventh-day Adventist church school for 3rd grade; has homeschooled all the rest of the time; the younger two have only ever homeschooled.
   
4. Do you plan on homeschooling until graduation?--As long as that is how long the Lord directs me to, yes!
   
5. Do you belong to a co-op?--No
6. Do you school all year long, or use some other schedule?--We basically school year around, usually taking December and July off.
   
7. Do you use textbooks only, or do you like to supplement with other materials?--We use mostly unit/theme studies, as well as real-life experiences.
   
8. Are field trips included in your school plans, or are they just family time?--Both!
9. Do you and your kids do crafty stuff together for school time?--Actually they do crafty stuff with my mom, during school time!!
   
10. Would you consider everyday household life stuff ‘home ec’?--You bet!
    
11. Do you have any advice for new homeschoolers?--Try not to get overwhelmed with all the choices there are available, as far as curriculum is concerned. Relax, have fun, and just enjoy your children, especially while they are young! The time goes by soooo fast!!
    
12. Do you have advice for homeschoolers with little ones under foot?--Try to get one on one time with your students, while the little ones nap. Have your olders take turns entertaining the younger ones, while working one on with in turn with the older ones. Have special toys or activities available for the younger ones.

This year has been almost as rough as the year 2004 was!

In January and February, he had cataract surgery done on both eyes. So I was his official chauffeur for a few weeks! That, along with transporting my mom when she needed to go somewhere. Oh, and did I mention, Steven still has Speech, and Physical Therapy? He was discharged from OT sometime last spring/early summer, though!

About mid-February, we finally found a house that looked like it would actually fit our budget! The kids, my mom and I were getting excited at the prospect!! And I was beginning the process of applying for financing, etc.—Dan never would even go look at it. Instead, on February 22, he moved out.

Sometime the first week of March, he called from California! He never stopped by to say good bye to the kids!! He just packed up, quit his job and moved clear across the country!! Imagine the hurt and confusion the kids have been going through this year!!

In March, Mom, Dad and Jennifer again spent time with my brother, Norbert and his family—during Rebecca’s spring break. And the boys and I again went to the Civil War Reenactment.

Some time in February or March, my dad’s brother, Harold, passed away. Then in April or May, his other brother, John, ended up in the hospital, as did Uncle John’s two children, Arnold and Marietta. Marietta had gone in for intestinal surgery, and developed an infection—and contracted the Super Bug. She was gravely ill; the doctors honestly gave her a 0% chance to live!!

My dad was named the Medical Surrogate for both Marietta and Uncle John, which meant he had the authority to make the medical decisions for both of them. So he spent all summer, from June through…well, even now…traveling to Avon Park, Florida, to care for their affairs. My cousin also has a farm up north of Nashville, which my dad has been spending time to prepare for sale. So he has been running ragged for months now!!

The children and I went to Laurelbrook, for alumni weekend, the first weekend of April. Mom and Dad went to Wisconsin Academy Alumni the last weekend of April. My niece, Cory, graduated the beginning of June. My folks took Timothy with them to attend that.

April 21 was a high day for me, and for Timothy and Jennifer! They took the step of committing their lives to Jesus, by being baptized! Oh, how happy that made me! I just cried!

Mom and Dad were supposed to spend a week in Williamsburg in April. They were supposed to go to Wisconsin Campmeeting in June. There were a few Maranatha projects they had wanted to attend. But they had to cancel all these things.

The children and I weren’t able to go many places, either; Child Support didn’t start up until October. Imagine going 7-8 months with no income!! Eek!!!!—Believe me, I sent out my resume and applications to numerous places, but God did not open any doors. I just kept praying. All I heard God saying to me was: Be still, and know that I am God. And you are right where I want you for now, homeschooling your children.

So, when the new school year began, we started in on our schoolwork, just like we usually do. This year, Daniel and I are “Rowing” our way through volume 4 of Five in a Row. He is in second grade this year!

Timothy is in tenth grade and Jennifer in eighth grade. We are working on various unit studies this year. I still need some items for the kids’ math curricula…but for the most part, God has provided in a mighty way.

Steven still has speech therapy twice a week and physical therapy once a week. His speech is improving little by little. When he had his annual audiologist appointment, they recommended he be evaluated for a hearing aide. So, we will see soon if a hearing aide would be beneficial to him!! This year we are doing preschool and kindergarten activities.

Labor Day was a very sad day for all of us. Mom’s cat, Vickie, was found to have kidney failure. So, as sad as it was, she was put to sleep on Labor Day.

Mom and Dad went to Andrews University the end of September, for Mom’s 50^th class reunion from college. They had a wonderful time, and were able to relax. Before they went to Michigan, they said their good byes to Uncle John. That Sabbath, while they were gone, we received the call from Hospice that he had passed away.

On October 25, I was served with divorce papers. I had 21 days to turn in my response. And the kids and I had 45 days to take a class, Kids in Divorce Situations (which we ended up having to take on Sabbath, December 1).

In November, Mom and Dad went to Door County, Wisconsin, to spend a week relaxing—which they so desperately needed! They also visited with some of my cousins, and saw my aunt Esther, my dad’s remaining sibling.

They had just gotten back home, when one of my cousins called to say that Aunt Esther had suffered another stroke, and her systems were shutting down. That following Sabbath, we received word that she had passed away. My dad lost three siblings this year; each one passed away on Sabbath; and I was the one who received the message first each time!

The children and I had another little break. We went to the Empowered Living Ministries Family Campmeeting, at Camp Kulaqua, on December 6-9. It was a wonderful, spiritual blessing! It was also painful, emotionally. They promote a strong family, the husband and father being the spiritual leader of the family, and making his wife and children top priority. It hurt, since we are a broken family.

God is still near. Now He is the Husband and Father of our family. I pray that my boys will grow up to be the men of power that the Hohnbergers talk about.

I also pray that the Lord will soon see fit to bless us with a house. I have several work-at-home ideas, if only I could get us into a home! But I also pray that God will give me a spirit of contentment. I desire to say like Paul: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11, KJV.

Today, two hurricanes hit land--on the same day.

Felix walloped Central America's remote Miskito coastline and Henriette slammed into resorts on the tip of Baja California as a record-setting hurricane season got even wilder Tuesday with twin storms making landfall on the same day.

Atlantic and Pacific hurricanes making landfall on the same day is unprecedented, according to National Hurricane Center records dating back to 1949. (from the Weather.com site)

Today didn't start out very well--and really didn't improve throughout the day.

Mom received a phone call from my cousin, Pete, this morning. He told Mom his brother-in-law's son had committed suicide. Now, I didn't know this distant cousin--but I feel so badly for my cousin, Doris, and her family. Please remember them in your prayers.

Then this afternoon my mom, daughter and I took Mom's cat to the veterinarian. She isn't a young kitty; she is 17 years old. But she has gotten so thin, she is a skeleton with fur! And she has gotten so lethargic the past few days; it's like she is fading away!

Well, her kidneys are failing! And she is very dehydrated! So, mom was faced with the decision of whether or not to have her put down.--For now, she is receiving IV fluids, to clean some of the toxins out. We plan to bring her home for the weekend, when Dad will be here--mainly just to let everyone say good bye to her! Then the vet will put her down--most likely.

This is my children's first experience like this. My daughter is "cat crazy" and is heart broken over this! And of course, my mom is, too!!

This is our sweet, precious Vicki.

Please pray for us over the next few days, as we anticipate the inevitable. Thanks!

We enjoy watching birds. In fact, we enjoy it so much, we have several bird feeders, woodpecker seed bars, etc., up, including three hummingbird feeders!! It is more entertaining than watching TV--and definately more relaxing and peaceful!

I have been looking all over for a life list for birding. I really didn't want to have to create my own! Tonight I came across a wonderful website, which has just what I was looking for, sort of, anyway. So, as I am typing this, my printer is printing off lists for my mom, my older two children and me. I'll print copies for the little guys, too--if I have enough ink! LOL

Go to Bird Checklists by State & Province And, enjoy!!

I just thought I'd share a little of the style of homeschooling we follow--for the most part anyway. We are pretty "relaxed" in our homeschooling, especially at a younger age (i.e., Daniel's and Steven's ages). But even at the ages of my older two, also.

We learn each day through real life experiences, such as cooking, pet care, plant care, household chores, even shopping trips!  

 Daniel watering the plants the kids had planted earlier 

 Daniel watering Grandma's houseplants, etc.

 Daniel giving Cody fresh water

Daniel brushing Cody

Cooking in the kitchen

Raking and hauling leaves

Filling the birdfeeder with seed

Steven helping Jennifer check her blood sugar 

Steven helping Jennifer with her shots

A couple weeks ago, Daniel and I explored the book, Roxaboxen. It is a great book, about how creative kids are with imaginitive play. It sparked some great imaginitive play for my boys, and they created their own "Roxaboxen."

Daniel is using Five in a Row, volume 4, this year. I am looking forward to it; it will be all new and fresh for me, since I never had the opportunity to use volume 4 with the older two. So, we should have lots of fun! And maybe the rest will join in for the ride!

July

Roxaboxen (Arizona)

August

The Raft (Wisconsin)

The Gullywasher (Southwest US/Mexico)

September

Higgins Bend Song and Dance

Grass Sandals (Japan)

October

Pumpkin Runner (Australia)

Arabella

November

Cowboy Charlie (Missouri & Montana)

Mailing May (Idaho)

December

Snowflake Bentley (Vermont)

January

Hanna’s Cold Winter (Budapest, Hungary)

The Hatmaker’s Sign

February

The Hickory Chair

Angelo (Rome, Italy)

March

Albert

Then again, we may just "play it by ear"!! LOL

Well, I am not really sure how this year will go. It is hard to know whether or not I will be working out of the home, working from home and homeschooling, or just what.

I have been sending out applications and resumes....knocking on doors, so to speak. But God hasn't opened any so far. Instead, He seems to be saying, "Just be still, and know that I am God!" So, I wait--and prepare as if I will be homeschooling anyway.

I have started with the youngest, and am working my way up to the oldest! So I will post my plans for him first!!

Dr. Raymond S. Moore passed away Friday, July 13, 2007, at the age of 91 after having suffered a massive stroke on Father’s Day. He is survived by his wife Bernice Reid Moore; brother Charles and two sisters Loraine Webster and Helena Reid; son Dennis Moore; and daughter Kathie Moore Kordenbrock, her husband and three sons.

Over the past several decades Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore (deceased) were known and loved as homeschooling pioneers. Together they authored numerous books on homeschooling. Raymond was a missionary, a world traveler, lecturer, author, educator, and a consummate gentleman. His highest goal was to serve God as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. His family and friends knew him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend.

Two memorial services are planned in celebration of his life:

August 11, 2007, 4:00 p.m. Tentative
Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church
Portland, OR

August 18, 2007, 4:00 p.m.
Central Seventh-day Adventist Church
Sacramento, CA

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Raymond S. & Dorothy N. Moore Memorial Scholarship Fund at Weimar Institute, Weimar, CA

“…for them that honor Me I will honor…” I Samuel 2:30

It is at times like these that our hope of heaven is so sweet.

Here is a picture of Timothy, Jennifer and me, taken Sabbath morning, the day of their baptism.  See how much they have grown!!

Compare their height to this photo taken January 6, 2007!

April 21, 2007 was a very important day in the lives of my oldest two children. They were baptized!!

It was a lovely day; it dawned sunny, with numerous birds welcoming the Sabbath morning. In fact, we saw a pair of quails in our yard, and a Pileated Woodpecker visiting the composte pile. And we saw a Bald Eagle fly over head on our way to church.

It was really neat to see the baptismal; there were rose blossoms floating on the water!

Yes, there were tears in my eyes much of the morning, but at least I didn't bawl the whole time!

Here are some pictures of the glorious event. Along with Timothy and Jennifer, two other young people took this big step.

Jennifer's class sang, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus."

Jennifer's class singing

Jennifer and Pastor Tracy

Timothy and Pastor Tracy

Lacey, Scottie, and Pastor Tracy

With their gift baskets

It is my intention to write something here every week; even once a month would be nice! But, hey! I guess once a quarter would be good, too!! LOL!

So, it seems I am always trying to play catchup!! So, here comes another series of posts, with the intent to do that catching up!

These days, I seem to wake often, with that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach, feeling panicky and like I can't breathe. Some mornings when that happens, I lie there, repeating over and over, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee." Also, "My God shall suply all your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Things seem so confusing, like there is no way out, like I am enclosed in this tiny cage, and there is no way out! All I see is a wall of doors!!

A couple weeks ago, I was talking to the Lord about this, on my early morning walk (I still take those, every now and then! It ought to be every day, though! LOL!). I was telling Him, all I see are doors, closed doors, and no way out!!! I don't know what to do! I just want to give up!!

That morning, after I got home, I checked my email, and had received an email newsletter from Empowered Living Ministries:

Dear Wendy,

There it is, right in your face--a door that seems to be continually locked. You can't avoid it. You can't get around it. You can't get through it. It's just there, staring at you. It culd be a serious financial situation, a home burned to the ground, a marital separation or a divorce proceeding. It might be cancer, a loved one in a coma, a lawsuit or the death of a dream. Everything you try seems to fail. The doors simply do not open.

I don't know what your closed door might be--your issue, your situation, your need. Perhaps you are in a crisis that requires nothing less than a miracle. You pray over your locked door. But you haven't yet received an answer to your fervent prayers and petitions to the Lord. You might be tempted to feel that both the windows and doors of heaven shut. The heavens seem like brass and your prayers bounce right back at you.

God can open shut doors! Christ refers to Himself as HE THAT OPENS AND SHUTS DOORS! (Revelation 3:7) The synagogue of Satan suggests that God has shut every door and that He has lead us to a dead end, the He is indifferent to our dilemma. They suggest He isn't worthy of worship and faith.

But believers keep on trusting, waiting patiently for their God to put the key in their door and open it. His way of doing that surprises us. He doesn't always reverse our financial diffuculty or rebuild our house or repair our marriage. Faithful believers sometimes die, lose a lawsuit, or have to accept the death of their dreams. But God has the uncanny ability to take an irreparable situation--a shut door--and use it to open to us a whole new experience.

God holds the key to all shut doors. He hears your cry. He knows the timing, the very hour, to open your door. So never give up! Never doubt! Stand on His promise that "He will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) He assures you as you face your locked door, "Lo, I am with you always." (Matthew 28:20) He will not fail you. Hold on to Him! He cares for you!

Those doors are still all closed. I still don't know which one He will unlock and open for me. But I am determined to cling to Him, and wait on Him.

May this be of some encouragement to someone else, as well.