|
I had mentioned in an earlier post the idea of feeling understood, as a homeschool mom and in general in my relationships. Here is what I read in a devotional the very next day after pondering and writing that thought. From God Calling, A.J.Russell, "Your motives and aspirations can only be understood by those who have attained the same spiritual level. So do not vainly, foolishly, expect from others understanding. Do not misjudge them for not giving it. Yours is a foreign language to them." |
|
I just "sneaked" in a two minute science lesson with magnets and trains! The curriculum we use has a lengthy script and set of experiments to do but I could not hold my son's attention to it for too long. So I simply took advantage of his being around his train table and showed him how the trains can pull or push with the magnets that are on them to keep them connected. Boom, lesson over. I also realize how much he already knows and has learned before we even get to a lesson. Science is easy at this level (K). Will it continue to be like that? |
|
I have found so many of you here in homeschoolblogger that I would LOVE to have as my next door neighbor. My heart just aches and I am teary as I write this. I just feel such a lack in relationships in general in my life right now. Part of it is me and my own thoughts and feelings towards others. Part of it, I do sense, is God wanting me to be near Him more and not look to people so heavily. There is no lack, in reality, of people for me to reach out and call and touch. So what is it? Feeling misunderstood? I have chosen the homeschool path and that can bring feelings of not being understood totally. So that may be it, not feeling understood. And when I am reading into your life as a homeschool family, I feel that understanding, a connection. Do any out there sense a difficulty in your region in relating to people? I have heard over and over that the county I live in is a "hard" county when it comes to relationships. (and that is true) Yet I have also heard from others that the Southern regions tend to be easier in that regard. Let me know what you think...... |
|
I did not realize that that phrase came from the Bible!! Ecclesiastes 10:20 (NLT) Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts. And don't make fun of a rich man, either. A little bird may tell them what you have said. (!!!!!LOL!!!!!) I have been reading and meditating on Ecc. the past few days. It actually helps me overcome my depression. The conclusion of Ecclesiastes: Fear God and keep His commands. So despite the fact that everything (material) is meaningless, God wants us to enjoy our lives. That is done the best when in relationship with Him. "For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from Him?"
|
|
King Solomon has been my cure for depression, in years past and now. Simply put whatever we do apart from God is meaningless. It all turns to dust anyhow. Enjoy it for what it is now but focus on eternity. God has put eternity in our hearts. You would think the book of Ecclesiastes would send you down in the depths of despair but it actually does the opposite. The man who had it ALL in life just sets you straight and says it's nothing apart from God. What we have to enjoy COMES from God. But do not let the temporal rule your heart. Lord, as I train my children and tend to my home and husband, help me to keep eternity in my heart and not get bogged down by the temporary things. |
|
Just found a good quote: We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee. I feel better now. A friend called. I stayed positive, and we had a good talk. Not that I was dishonest about how I feel but I focused outside myself and the good things to talk about. Thank you Lord. And I "visited" my friends in Zambia to be reminded of ALL that I have. We complain about our prices and food, God help us, they NEED just basics! We really are soooo blessed. Have a blessed day! |
|
I have emotional pile up day today. That's when I feel everything and try not to think about it b/c my thoughts get jumbled. ( any female will totally relate to this) So how do I handle this? Well, would you like me to list all the piles in my head? No, I will spare you. Instead I will focus on the right, just, lovely thoughts that God's word tells me to do. First, I am thankful that on this rainy day the kids are contentedly playing. The house smells like banana bread and chocolate cake. My husband is able and willing to do his job and do it well and is also excited about ministry opportunities. We are credit card debt free!! Now that is a biggie and I am surprised at my lack of excitement there. I like what our pastor said years ago, Feelings need to get saved!! No matter how I feel right now all will be well! We saw the movie the Flying Scotsman recently about the man who won a bike racing record years ago. He suffered from bi-polar disorder. I am not saying I have that but I can recognize every month having the low feelings and then the high point feelings. My best remedy is to think about and "virtually visit "my friends in Zambia. What they do on a daily basis in raising their 40 kids is a great lesson on perspective. http://www.cmhzambia.org Then I will go do some needed shopping online knowing I am helping children around the world as well! This company is sponsering the SIFA African children's choir now here in the States from Uganda. They may need more concert dates if your church would like to ask them in. Check it out! http://www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/45659 aka as doughgirl shop. Have a blessed day! |
|
The little bears have not had Kool-aid in years. They just had some (leftover pre-school project). I believe they are experiencing Kool-aid hysteria! They have become little maniacs! All for the sake of learning about things that dissolve! Does the coloring also get this reaction from kids? |
|
I have just visited www.homeschoolblogger/mummy2kynan/513347/ and her story about great customer service! It has inspired this story: When DH and I go on a date we try to find a nice place to sit and snack and talk and NOT be bothered! So one time we had a chance to be in a quaint little town with lots of options. We started out at a small diner that we have been to before but this time we regretted it. No one was around to serve consistently, (we should have been warned when there was a HELP needed sign on the front door). The cook and waitress were arguing and the meatball sandwich had a meatball "rock" in it. OK, we still had time to redeem the date so we went along to find a nice place for dessert. Found a nice cafe serving chocolate delacacies (SP?) for horrendous prices but looked like a nice atmosphere. The owner hounded us the whole time to ask how we liked her "out of this world chocolate". My choco. covered strawberry, not berries mind you, just one, for 3 or 4 bucks!!!! It was customer service overkill! So we had one extreme to the other! Our favorite place to date now is Wegmans. This is a grocery store in our area that has a cafe where you can choose your own food from a food court and go sit and enjoy, no one to bother you!! To me that is great customer service, let me decide then leave me alone!!! I do enjoy a nice restaurant but that's not in our budget right now. And yes I do like when someone can serve us and help in a purchase but I guess I have "space" issues. That's another post...to be continued.... |
|
I finally had a chance to see Amazing Grace. Great, great story. I especially love true inspiring stories. DH needed to hear the message in the movie about serving God in the marketplace, in the giftings he has been given. For Wilberforce it was his role in politics. It's not either/or, (ministry or market) it's using what God has given you right where you are at. For me that's my home and DH and the little bears! |
|
For the past two days the 2 bears and I have been creating clay castles, complete with a moat filled with alligators! I took pics but I need to download them on a different computer then learn how to get them on this blog. Now the dragon has morphed into I do not know what and the castle has been mashed to peices. So this is how we entertain ourselves while DH works hard in the techie world. Praise the Lord he has full time work again. It is a temp assignment but a good agency to be connected with. We had time with him in the past two months but he had to be focused on job hunting. Now he works the 2 jobs and we barely see him. Where is the balance? The little bears are excited b/c tomorrow we visit Aunt B's church. That is also where the possible new job in the far future may be. It's a 2 hour drive. DH and I do our best talking when on a road trip! Check out the dollar stores, they are now selling off VHS movies. I noticed the rental stores, at least Hollywood, is now all DVD. We purchased Joseph King of Dreams right before Easter for just a $1!! I love when the little bears enjoy a good Bible story over and over. Ok enough rambling, little bears need hand washing now after clay time! Blessings! |
|
I enjoyed the homeschool minute newsletter's theme today about laughter. Our family has been through too many season's of stress. Sometimes we just want to go get a funny movie and forget it all. (Mr. Bean's Holiday is a good one!) Any other recommendations, old and new? I really enjoy that every day I get a good laugh with my children. Just a few minutes ago we enjoyed ice cream sandwiches. I had to laugh when my daughter's sandwich did a slow motion dive downward to her plate! I especially love to hear their giggles when watching silly animal antics in movies. Thank you Lord for the joy in the midst of stress! |
|
We had a nice time at Grammy's for Easter. It did get a little crowded with unexpected company. I really did not know they were coming so I did not communicate the b-day thing for my daughter. Oh well, they blessed us anyhow. MORE barbies and STUFF! I am not being ungrateful just venting the STUFF frustration I have all the time with having too much of it! Spring cleaning time is coming!! Well a BIL presented a job opportunity to DH and we have been in la la land thinking it over. There really are no cons to the situation. In fact all PROS! It would be a full circle for my DH b/c we would be moving into his old growing up territory. Many details need to be worked through in the next few weeks. Still waiting and praying through.... |
 |
|
I added a template in the last entry of a store that was created by the founder of Power Mall and Together We Can Change The World organization. They are doing some awesome things to help orphans in Uganda and non-profit organizations. If you need added funds for your own family or organization this is definiltely worth looking at. http://www.mypowermall.com/biz/home/45659 Also if your church would like to sponsor the children's choir from Uganda, also check this site. Blessings! |
 |
|
Today we prepare for Resurrection day tomorrow at Grammy's. Aunt B. will be there too, my husband's sister. The 2 little bears just love her! It is a simple, small gathering. Most holidays are that way for us now b/c of family tensions in other parts of the family and my side being non-existent. I am ok with that. I like small homey celebrations. My son is just like me too. The less the crowd the better. I was like that growing up, felt lost in the crowd. Anyhow today I bake a b-day cake for dd bear. She is turning 4 in April but we usually celebrate at Easter b/c she was born on Easter Sunday 4 years ago!! That was the best Easter EVER! I joke with my friends who came to coach and pray with me through the birth. I gave them time to eat b-fast and enjoy Sunday service (one friend was doing a dance) and had dd bear by 2:30 then they left to enjoy their families!! Good timing! We did not do egg decorating but had fun hiding nuts through the house as a lesson about seasons and squirrels! And we learned about nutcracking! I am looking forward to warmer weather and coming out of hibernation! Blessings! |
|
It's been awhile since I've posted. Well, this week I get a feel for unschooling. We are on Spring break from cyber schooling. So, it is relaxing. I am not so sure I could do the unschool thing b/c of my lack of discipline. Even with cyber school structure I am behind schedule. I can hear someone saying now to me that with traditional or unschooling you never are really behind anyhow, right? It's your own pace? But I fear I would never accomplish enough. I was just questioned by my dad, the world traveler, (see previous posts) If I will continue this homeschool thing? I just keep saying, one year at a time. And really I think I will as long as I feel this call to do so. We have been truly learning since DH lost his full time job how to be Holy Spirit led. We will most likely be leaving our church of 12 years and moving on to not sure where yet. it will have to be Holy Spirit led. Anyone out there part of a House to House church? We are praying on that. There is a town near us that has 3 things that pull us towards it, but the timing is not right yet. One of those "things" is the House to House churches in that area. Well, I am off to greet my friends in comment world. Hope to hear from someone as well! |
|
|
|
I just discovered this site on someone else's blog. I registered and am to send a postcard to a mom in Finland. I love this! I then will receive a postcard from others in exchange! My son loves mail and we have been studying continents. This is such a neat way to learn about other places in the world! postcrossings.com Go for it! Have a blessed day! |