Aug. 18, 2008 - Life, homeschooling, and all the other stuff in between......
This year is our 2nd full year of homeschooling, well actually 2 1/2 years because I took them out of public school and finished their education at home. What a journey it has been! Never did I think this was what the Lord would call me to do. I just wasn't sure as some of you may have been about homeschooling. Now I know. It's wonderful and trying all at the same time. But I want you to know that I try to never forget to thank God for helping in all areas it takes to do this job. One income is tough as we all know! But even in the trials that come our way, we know to bring these children up in Gods word, that is what we are to do. Our days seem so much different now, as I look back on those "public school" days. Our attitudes are better, our walk with the Lord is stronger, our family is ONE. My marriage is on course, and with these blessings, I have another blessing to share. My parents live with us, I am an only child so we always knew they would live with us some day. We have been together for almost 2 years, and it works! I thank God he keeps me healthy and strong to be a caretaker for them. They are easy going, sweet, wonderful parents and He has allowed us to be able to do this. My husband is one GREAT guy!!!
Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them. JOHN 14:21
Isn't it wonderful to know we serve a wonderful, forgiving King!!! He reveals himself to us daily and all we need to do is stop, be still, and listen. How hard to do is this while trying to be a mom, wife, daughter, friend ,and all the other good stuff that comes in between. But I've learned in my own life to turn off the tv, radio and just listen. Now for this girl that has been somewhat of a challenge considering how much I like this flesh part of life. After a good three months now, it seems I have no want of the tv, and only the radio on occasion. Isn't it wonderful how He reveals His will, in His time, and all we have to do is turn down the noise!!
Everyday I've been trying to put some reading into a book " The One Year Book of Christian History" and its very similar to a daily devotion as it takes each date and gives you an account of someones life and what they did. For tomorrow August 11, it is in regard to the hymn "Rock of Ages" which was written by someone who knew he would soon die. His name was Augustus Toplady and he was born in Farnham in Surrey, England, 1740, the only child of a major in the English army who was killed in battle before ever seeing his son. His story is a great one and if you get a chance check this book out, or even the story about this fellow who wrote "Rock of Ages" one of our most popular hymns. I know we as a family always enjoy these stories of hope, encouragement, and praise, hope you do too!
So far this week has gone really well, we are starting to get our groove back. C has really picked up with his reading and I am so happy!!!! A ,well she just goes with the plan no problems. We will be picking up our extra stuff in a few weeks, so I'm just trying to prepare for that. With the price of gas I am going to have to do many errands on just one trip to town so that will be somewhat hectic. I am really getting excited about fall coming up, it is my fav time of the year! I love everything about it! Well, enough about that, I need to get back to planning for tomorrow. So until next time.....
Well tomorrow is our last day of "summer". We start back to school Friday, it will be a short day so the kids can get back into the groove. Okay your right, so mom can get back into the groove!!! I'm looking forward to starting back our co-op also. Just a bunch of great ladies that I get the opportunity to visit with and the kids get to hang out and learn with their friends. Okay a couple of praise reports, we just had a very big scare regarding my sister in law, but after the initial "kick in the stomach" we all came together as a family and just gave it to the Lord and stood on His promises. The prognosis is not cancer (she is 29 years old), praise the Lord, but there are some things that will need to be done. Another praise report to tell you is about me, as you may have read in my earlier post, I have had an issue with my breathing, turns our it seems be panic issue going on, so the dr tells me. Well we all know that basically is fear of the unknown. This has gone on for almost 8 months now, I've had to decide about meds the dr seems to feel will help, and this has been a battle in itself. Because other than not getting my breath at times, I'm good to go, feel great. But the Lord has shown me through this trial, that I don't truely have my trust in Him. Now I do trust Him, I guess there is just always that little back up plan I seem to always try to make ready. He has revealed to me the need to trust fully. I must say I wish it was easy for me, I'm not sure why I worry so much, and fear things, ultimately I know He is the one in control. But He's still working on me, and I am trying to dig deeper in the Bible, in my trust, and in myself to be what He needs me to be so that I can be His instrument that He may use how He sees fit. Not just homeschooling, but in all areas and people that I come into contact with. So many hurting, lost people and they need to see someone sure of who they are in Christ. It's been a journey, to say the least. I still pray for complete healing and that I can use it to His glory. Okay, last night to stay up late, so I'm going to take full advantage!
Just a quick note to just praise the Lord this evening! I have had so many answered prayers this week its so wonderful and awesome! The Lord is so good, and I just thank Him for remembering me and mine. So if your searching or seeking tonight, I just want you to know that He is listening. Just talk to Him. Yes some prayers get answered, some not right away, and some not at all, but with a little growth along this journey we start to understand that sometimes when we trust, even without understanding somethings, that He hears and that He knows just what we need, when we need it and IF we need it.
Jul. 21, 2008 - Thinking on some hard things, but most importantly counting the blessings....
Tonight I feel so caught off guard of late. You know that feeling where nothing is falling in place, nothing is adding up. I just feel "off". I've been really getting into the start of the next school year and looking forward to it, and I count my blessing this opportunity is mine. But the other "things" are whats up and has put me in such a tailspin. My best friend since I was 13, and I'm now 40, has decided she is a deist, believes basically in God but feels Jesus was just a prophet. She said after her study of things this is where she feels satisfied in her religion. I love her, I don't judge her, its not my place. She respects that I fully believe God , Jesus died on the cross for my sins, rose on the third day, and there is a trinity, there will be a rapture. In my heart after we speak on these matters, I'm not confused, I know what I believe, I just feel like she has been mislead. She finds it offensive that Christians (she says she was one) say that if you don't believe on the cross and what Jesus did that she will go to hell. Which she really questions heaven and hell. Believes in no angels, and believes that all you need to do is be good to others and do the right things, which I also think as Christ does, that we should love our neighbor, not be judgemental. I am not a confronter, never have been, but I feel so sorry that I am not a good witness to her. Her mind is made up. I try, I pray, but in the end, I just am not strong enought to address some of the issues she can bring up. Now for a blessing, I'm healthy, my family is healthy and my husband has a job that supports us so that I can homeschool, my marriage is solid, I can attend a church of my choice, I can read my bible, I am free to make my own decisions. I do not want to offend people, I can only say that for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Sorry this post is all over the place it just seems the craziest things have been going on and all I want to do is make sure that I address every thing in the way Jesus would. I thank God he is so patient with me. But I thank Him so much for that faith He has given to us, to just let go and trust and believe.
I have been homeschooling for 2 years now, and it is the best decision that I have ever made. I have been blessed with a supportive husband and family. A is 9 and C is 7, we love every minute that the Lord gives us, and now we are blessed to have my mom and dad living with us.
we are starting to get our groove back. C has really picked up with his reading and I am so happy
!!!! A ,well she just goes with the plan no problems. We will be picking up our extra stuff in a few weeks, so I'm just trying to prepare for that. With the price of gas I am going to have to do many errands on just one trip to town
so that will be somewhat hectic. I am really getting excited about fall coming up, it is my fav time of the year! I love everything about it! Well, enough about that, I need to get back to planning for tomorrow. So until next time.....
