me and my guys
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May. 17, 2008
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Earthquakes, Cyclones, Hurricanes, Tornados...
Have you all noticed that the destruction from natural disasters has been unbelievably out of control in the past few years? I think people are becoming desensitized to these horrible events because they are happening so frequently. Please don't forget to keep these people in your prayers, including here at home (USA) where tornadoes have ripped threw so many communities including ours here in Louisiana.
Not to mention the thousands left homeless and in need of food and water! I cant seem to wrap these numbers around my head! I was in Hurricane Andrew in Florida and it was devastating to say the least, I was also in hurricane Katrina here in Louisiana , and Troy lost his job and income over night. We knew then how very blessed we were just to be alive, to have a home and our family, no income was no problem as we knew the Lord would provide.
What has transpired in these two country's and over the past decade around the world is frightening! Not frightening as in I am scared, God has not given us the spirit of fear, disheartening is a better word as I just hurt to see so many people suffering. My heart just breaks to see so many scrambling to find loved ones, a mother searching in rubble for her 6 year old boy. My heart physically hurts for them.
I am not writing this for us to get into a debate as to "why and how" this is happening to the world around us but more so for us to pray. I am sure many of you are already praying for these people in such turmoil. They have lost everything , pray that they would come to know the Lord (if they don't already), that their hearts may be comforted in him alone.
Dear sisters let us pray! Let us keep these people in our thoughts and prayers and where we can give , let us give! We as mothers have such a heart for those in need, for children, it is in our nature to nurture and want to "fix" those that are broken. We can not change what has transpired but we sure can storm heavens gates on their behalf.
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May. 17, 2008
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Curriculum For Sale
Posted By
Valerie (SoCalVal)
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May. 16, 2008
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Miracles Happen Pt 1 Shw and Tell
Posted By
Encouragement Along the Way
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It seems I have been writing this all week. How do I put into words Miracles performed by God? I am so inadequate. After all I am simply the conduit God chose to use and words just seem to fall short.
For nine years I have been praying for God to heal my knees. The Arthritis pain had made it necessary for me to get shots every few months just to be able to do the most simple of tasks. I cannot recall the last time I could get on my knees to pray or get on the floor to play with my grandchildren. Nine years ago I was told I would need my knees replaced, but they wanted me to be on the other side of 50 first.
God never does anything haphazard or by coincidence. So this year when I had a couple of episodes when I could not walk at all I knew the time had come to Surrender. The doctors would ask what I had done. The first time was stand up out of a chair. The second time simply woke up. Three shots in four months, said now is the time to surrender my will to God’s.
Surrender was the word that came to the forefront whenever I prayed. Surrender the choice of my surgeon to the Lord. Surrender the timing to Jesus after all so much has been accomplished in the last nine years in Knee replacement. Surrender my idea of God restoring my feeble knees to God’s way of giving me knees that will not wear out. God is my Great Physician and I trust Him to met my knees His way. So I surrender.
As I surrender, I discover a few things about knee surgery. It is kind of like being pregnant, everyone has a horror story to share and all at once I am surrounded by Job’s companions. If I had gone straight from the doctor’s off ice to the operating room this would have been so easy. I had such peace, I knew it was time. But God had a different idea. He wanted to make certain my peace was in Him alone.
Each tale of pain and failure chipped way at my peace. One person said this is ten times more painful than anything you have ever experienced, even childbirth. After each tale of whoa came the pronouncement,” but once it is over you will be so glad you did t!” I reminded myself over and over that there is no fear in love and Jesus loves me perfectly. I had waited nine years. I know this is the right time.
Even the timing of my surgery was perfect. Because of the snows we had had in January, our Bible Study was a week behind. We needed that extra week. We had the closing luncheon with everyone but returned the following Wednesday for one more class. The next Wednesday, May 7 would be my surgery. I surrendered to the timing, to the surgery, to the doctor.
When Pastor Larry announced we were going to have a healing service concern filled my heart. I had been to churches all over the USA and usually the show that followed that announcement had us finding another church. Balanced teaching on healing is hard to find. It usually takes on a circus televangelist atmosphere and I wanted no part of it; Besides God was going to heal me, that is why my surgery was scheduled.
I was so blessed listening to Pastor Larry teach about Jesus healing the sick. My heart relaxed as he spoke about what healing is and what it is not. When Pastor Larry told them not to throw out their meds until after they saw the doctor, I relaxed. I had had too many girlfriends toss their lithium at the pronouncement that they had been healed to dire consequences. Perhaps this would be balanced? When Pastor Larry reminded the congregation of God’s Sovereignty I praised the Lord and began to pry for those needing prayer.
Since my healing was just ten days away, I didn’t see a need to go forward for prayer. Imagine my surprise when I turned to Mike and asked him if He wanted to go forward for prayerwith me. I knew the Holy Spirit was asking me to surrender to Him, to trust Him. Coming out of the Charismania of the 80’s I had continently placed the Holy Spirit in the corner of my heart. Surrendering to the nudging of the Holy Spirit had us standing in line waiting for prayer. But prayer for what?
(I can only type a little at a time, so hopefully part two will be done by next Friday) in the meantime, head over to Canadagirl's blog and see what everyone s up to this week.
Thank you for all your prayers. You are dearly loved. |
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Friday, May 16
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Show N Tell
I'm an Aide in a once a week homeschool class for kindergarteners and first graders, and one of their classes is Spanish.
The teacher had drawn pictures of animals on the board, and was working his way through the Spanish names for them. When he got to 'fish' he gave them the word for a single fish. Then he added the word used for more than one fish.
At that point this little fellow excitedly raised his hand and seriously asked, "What's the word if there are no fish?"
The teacher looked over at me, I smiled with a shrug, and the teacher said, "Well, I guess we wouldn't be talking about fish, then, would we..."
I just love these kids!
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May 16, 2008
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Can I put out an entry before breakfast is done?
How's that for a new title? 
I have a few minute window while the kids are finishing their breakfast before our lessons begin that I thought I would try to squeeze out a quick entry.
First, thank you all for your encouragement on my last post. I have since made it private, because truly it was a sad and depressing post, but something I needed to get out at the time. If you read it, thanks for your encouragement, if you didn't, don't worry about it, you didn't miss anything.
I am doing much better. I had been dealing with some other spiritual issues and beliefs and last night it all came to a head. Paul and I sat up and talked and prayed until 1:00am, and I feel like a break through happened. I won't say everything is great now, but I do feel like I got some things talked out and worked through. Now I am tired, but the Lord is my strength and He will carry me through. As we were falling asleep last night, well early this morning, I said to Paul, "I wish I could wake up tomorrow and all my issues would be gone." He said, "Yea, I would like to wake up in heaven too." 
Through all of this, I have been quite excited about a couple of things, first, I have stepped up with a few different ministries, and so far all of it has involved the computer.  I am just such a computer geek, and I love to work on the computer, hence the reason it's so hard to be without my laptop. I'm going to be taking pictures during the whole week of VBS at our church and making a slide show from them. Plus I am working on some other computer related things too with VBS. And, this is still in the beginning praying, lets see what happens stage, but I might be working on my first web site.  Yep, helping to build a website for our homeschool group. Well, the site is being built by someone right now, very simple. Then I will probably take it over and add and continue to build on to it. I am so very excited and nervous about it. But it's something I've always wanted to try, and I'm excited I might get my chance. I so wish I could put the link out on my blog so you can all see it, but our town is small, well Idaho is small. And I think it would be to much personal info out there. It's not like I can say I live in Chicago, which is so big no one could find me anyway. So unfortunately you won't be able to see my work, good or bad, but I will tell you all about it, if it happens.
And finally, as I can hear the kids finishing cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast and I have to get moving, laptop update. They have fixed it and mailed it out yesterday and we should get it around the 21st.  Yes, I feel all of those emotions. And I still won't be excited and say, "Yes, it's fixed and I have my laptop", until it's in this house and I'm using it. Mainly because I had to mess with the plug for so long that I wonder if I messed up the plug itself. And that even though the power box on the laptop works, the plug itself might not. And if we have to get another plug it's around $100. Yes, I know, expensive, but I have to make sure we have the right voltage plug so it doesn't ruin the laptop. And if the plug is messed up, I don't know where we would get the $100. So, all that to say, I am curbing my enthusiasm until it's here, I have tested the plug, and know it all works.
OK, well, I went a few minutes over and it's lesson time, so I need to get going. We have a very busy day planned today, so I don't know when I'll be back on. But I'll try to catch up on blogs sometime today. Thanks again for you encouragement and love. |
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May. 15, 2008
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Got Milk?
Posted By
tracy dixon
Got Milk? I do. Tisha has been doing really well this week. She is up to 12 to 16 oz at each milking. I am so proud of her. She is doing really well on the milk stand too. She does kind of get on it backwards though. I lead her to it and she goes to the side, then I have to teach her how to lift her legs and step up, I help put her head in the stachion and lock it, then I have to go around to the other side and help her lift her behind up, Its kind of funny. but Ill take it. At least shes not butting me all over the place. I like this new personality of hers. Cocoa still lays at my side with her head in my lap or shes behind me with her head on my shoulder looking over. Shes just too funny. So today while I was doing other things after milking Tisha, we got Cocoa on the stand and Dakota prettied her up some and pretended to milk her too so she wouldnt get so jealous. Then we praised her too for being a good girl. We will continue to work with her so next year she should just hop right up there when its her turn to be milked. Tisha will do a whole lot better too the more we work with her.
We are almost done with school, next week we will just be taking exams. Then were FREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Probably we will turn this house upside down to try to find my phone. Were gonna do spring cleaning, get ready for gardening and canning. We will be spending more time outside everyday.
Maybe Ill have a chance to get caught up on some reading I was doing. So far its up in the morning, get breakfast, go to the barn and milk and do chores, come back up, do school, clean house, fix supper, go to games, help coach, come home, eat, go milk again, clean milking equip., take shower, tuck everyone in, go to bed, with a few extra things in between here and there. Whew, Im tired by then.
Well its time to tuck the boys in now and seperate them from fussing. Their arguing back and forth under the bed in my room. Why you may ask, because, dad is out of town this week and their keeping me safe by camping out in my room in their sleeping bags in the floor. Ha! So time to go play judge and juror now.
Hope everyone has a nice Friday. I know we will. |
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May. 15, 2008
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what a week
Posted By
Encouragement Along the Way
I can't believe all the Lord has done this week.
Your prayers were answered in ways I never imagined.
I have so much to share wth you and tryin to put it into words is not easy.
I love you all so much and know it is your prayers that have me so blessed right now.
physical therapy was easy while I was doing it but so hard once I was home. I could use prayers on that. pt is mondays and thursdays.
I miss you more than words can say.
(((((((hugs))))))
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May. 16, 2008
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Need Financial Help With Buying Curriculum?
Posted By
Valerie (SoCalVal)
I wanted to pass some wonderful information onto you ladies. Many of you have heard of this great organization, but maybe some have not. It is called The Book Samaritan. This great organization provides free curriculum to those who are in need. They also take your used material as donations to help others!!! Isn't that great? Here is a snipit from their website:
We want to help.
We provide books and curriculum to families who have financial
needs. If you have budgetary constraints that are hindering your
ability to provide your children with the best possible curriculum
choices, please let us help.
Homeschoolers help us, too!
We recognize that for those homeschoolers who are more financially
secure, our services are not necessary. If this applies to you, we
thank you for not requesting materials. Instead, we humbly ask that
you consider a donation of your used curriculum. We rely on your
help!
Feel free to pass this information on to those who you feel might benefit from this organization. Their web-address is: http://www.booksamaritan.com/ |
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May. 15, 2008
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Public Speaking
I have to speak tomorrow at an AARP meeting and I can't believe I am so nervous! I have spoken in public many times but it was usually pertaining to homeschooling or foster care/adoption. I wasn't really nervous speaking about those topics because I feel like I "live" them and can speak easily from experience and from the heart - but tomorrow is a little different.
We had a group of AARP folks come to the home where I work for their day of service. They brought cookies and visited with the elderly who live there. They liked what they saw and toured our facility and private cottages. They loved it so much that they wanted someone to come and share with their entire group about our facility. And my boss thought I would be the perfect person to do it (what is he thinking!!!!!!!)
I feel that our philosophy is truly unique but I am afraid of representing something that is not my own - my own idea - my own business - you know what I mean?
But,
because I thought they never really would contact us again - but they did
and
because my boss was planning on going with me - but at the last minute can't
I know that the Lord wants me to do it. So, I am resting in His peace, and counting on His direction. I am praying that I convey the message He wants me to send about our facility that truly operates to honor Him through honoring the elderly.
It sure makes me thankful though, for all the public speaking opportunities, speech, and debate classes my boys have had through our local homeschooling community! No matter what they do in life they will need to be able to speak in public. My boys aren't great at it, and neither am I, but I know that practice makes better. So, I'm going to look at tomorrow as more practice. |
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May. 15, 2008
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The Smart Thing to Do
Posted By
Valerie (SoCalVal)
From the daily devotions of Pastor Greg Laurie at Harvest Christian Fellowship in California. I just LOVE this pastor!!!
| "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?" |
| — Romans 6:16 |
Whose slave are you? Maybe you believe that you are your own person, the master of your own destiny. But in reality, each of us yields or gives ourselves to someone or something. We are all slaves of someone or something.
I want to be a slave of God. The apostle Paul wrote to believers, "But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life" (Romans 6:22).
This word "slave" was translated from a Greek word that would have been readily understood in that culture. It referred to a slave who had been bought off the auction block and was then granted freedom. In other words, the master would purchase that slave and then set him or her free.
Slaves who were so thankful to their masters for such a compassionate gesture and wanted to voluntarily serve them would be designated as a "bondslave," meaning a slave by choice. The grateful slave was not a slave for pay or a slave out of fear, but a slave by choice—a loving servant.
That is what Paul said he was, and that is also what we ought to be.
Whose slave are you? You're either a slave of God or a slave of sin. The choice is up to you. You can either yield to sin and pay the price and live a miserable life, or you can yield to God— giving Him your gifts, time, and future— and live life to its fullest. It's the smart thing to do. |
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