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School is rolling along here and as usual I'm always looking for ways to enhance and reinforce ideas and concepts that we are learning about.  This weekend I am going to work on putting together a memory box for the boys.  I'm going to get a plastic file folder hanger box thingy with a folder for each day of the week.  Each day of the week I am going to have them work on memorizing something of importance for different areas.  There are so many things that I want them to know and  think will be beneficial for them when they take college entrance exams and just want them to have as a base of knowledge to draw from.  I think I will set it up something like this:

Monday:  Work on memorizing the 50 states and their capitols

Tuesday:  Work on memorizing the planets

Wednesday:  Work on memorizing the Great Lakes

Friday:  Work on memorizing geometric shapes or some math conversion like how many quarts in a gallon type thing.

Once they have mastered whatever is in the folder for the day, which could vary for each child, then I will check them off and put something new in for that day.  So once they're done memorizing the 50 states they will work on filling in a blank map from memory.  I will also make it a spiral memory curriculum so that they will come back to previously memorized things just to further cement it into their minds.  I'm thinking this will be a good tool for them to use when I get busy with changing a diaper or I get a phone call or any other inevitable interruption that happens on a daily basis!  You have those too don't you??   It will be easy enough for them to go to the hanging folder and pull out their sheet for that day and quietly work without time being wasted.  We seem to have a lot of time that flies away because I do have two little ones around that require much care and attention.  I got this idea from someone else's blog sometime last year and have just never implemented it.  I tucked it away for just the right time and now seems as good a time as any! 

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Well, we are back from the "family reunion" and overall had a nice time.  My husband has wonderful aunts that my children love and one aunt has a huge backyard (27 acres worth) complete with pond so they had a great time outside running around.

All of my husband's extended family lives in Georgia and I mean smack in the middle of redneckville.  They are all very nice, but I had a hard time relating to them.  One cousin had a T shirt on that read: 24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case, Any coincidence?  This was a grown man and the shirt was well worn so it must be a fav.  His son (my boys' cousin) bragged all weekend about how his mommy and daddy drank and he couldn't wait until he could drink too.  The language left a little to be desired as well.  My boys definitely got to practice extending grace and mercy.  It was actually sad to see how they choose to live their lives.  It seems to be all they know.  My husband's T shirt wearing cousin invited us over to a cookout they were having.  It seems they have a "bus" that they have put air conditioning in and a TV complete with video games for the "young uns" and they drive it to the race track so the kids are contained while they race all night long.  The races had been rained out this particular weekend so they had the kids in the bus while they worked on their race car.  Thankfully, my husband declined.  Last time we went to the races there was a lot of drinking, smoking pot, and cursing that went on.  As if that's something my kids (or any kids) need to be around.

All in all we had a nice visit, but I  am glad to be home.  I am definitely a "suburban" type girl.  I can't imagine living in the middle of nowhere and having to drive 45 minutes to find a grocery store or Walmart.  I'm spoiled I guess.

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I've been tagged by Mythreesons.  I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.

1.  Players start with random facts/habits about themselves

2.  People who are tagged need to write their own blog aobut their eight

3.  At the end of your blog you need to choose 8 people to tag and list their names.  Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged and to read your blog.

Eight random facts about myself.  Ok, here goes....

1.  I was a Navy brat growing up

2.  I lived in Japan for 4 years

3.  I lived in the Phillipines for 2 years.

4. I was born in Florida and have lived here for the last 23 years

5.  We ate at the Macaroni Grill the other night and I sooo didn't like it, prefer Olive Garden.

6.  My all time favorite movie is Steel Magnolias

7.  When I was in high school I dreamed of joining the Peace Corps

8.  I hate, detest and loathe rats.  They CREEP me out completely!

Those were my eight random facts.  Now, I have to tag 8 people.  Gosh, I don't even know if I have 8 people on my friends list.  I'll do as many as I can, how's that??

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After reading another blog about making lists and using those lists to look for qualites in other people I decided to come up with one.  I really thought about this all week.  Never thought of making a list of qualities I look for in a friend.  So here goes...

Qualities I look for in a friend:

1.  Believer in Christ

2.  Keeps their word

3.  Loyal.

4.  Continually looks for ways to enhance and improve their relationship with God

5.  Someone I can be real with.  I hate when I'm around people and don't feel accepted enough to be me.

6.  Will firmly, but gently tell me when they see things out of balance in my life or areas that need some attention.

7.  Honest.  I can't stand when people lie or fluff stuff up.  Keep it real.

8.   Someone who loves their family

9.   A giver and receiver. 

10.  Someone who can admit when their wrong.

I would say those are the  top 10 attributes I look for.  I find in my life I have different levels of friendships.  I have some people I have been friends with for what seems like forever who I can't really share the matters of my heart with and others who I've known a shorter time and I feel like I can share anything with.   I've heard it said that only a few are allowed to enter the holy of holies of your heart.  Others are in your heart, but in the outer courts. 

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If I could travel back in time I there are many places I would like to go, but I would really like to go be a part of the early church the way it is described in Acts.  I would love to get a glimpse into what their giving looked like compared to ours today.  Acts 4 talks about the provision of the early church and how because of their giving out of hearts that we of one mind God bestowed GREAT POWER and MUCH GRACE on them.  Wow!  That means that because they took care of one another He allowed them to operate in miraculous power and His favor and blessing were upon them.  Giving out of hearts of love moves the heart of God.  Imagine being in a church where every need was met.  Now we have to realize the difference between true need and wants and we would conclude that some have need out of their own poor management of the resources that God has given them.  But no one was needy.  Meeting the needs of one another is what moves the heart of God.  When we are meeting the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ God's power and favor is upon us.  That priniciple is all throughout scripture yet it seems to be where we fail the most.  Why is that?  I think these believers were whole heartedly dedicated to Christ.  Their hearts were turned toward him.  The sacrifice of Jesus was real to them and they in turn sacrificed.  To many of us it's just a story that inspires us to try to live a good life.   When was the last time you heard of someone selling a piece of land or house and giving the money to a church.   We parade around in our righteousness and worship in our huge buildings and we think that we are honoring God.  I'm not interested in giving my $ to a building fund.  The Scripture says that we are the church, the living stones.  I'll gladly give my $ to the living stones.  The living stones are  where God dwells now.  We no longer have to build cathedrals to honor God.  We honor him by taking care of those he loves and by treating ourselves as the dwelling place of God. 

Sacrificial giving is what God desires.  Just as he sacrificed his only son we are called to sacrifice to one another.  Read II Samuel and see that David understood that giving something to God that cost him nothing was not an option.  It's easy to give out of our surplus, but God wants us to trust him and give when he moves us to even when it looks like we can't.  What will happen?  I believe God's power and grace would be upon us.  I think the provision of the early church is fascinating and a concept that is lost on the church of America.  I read a modern parallel of Acts 4 in my commentary that talks of how Luke would have to rephrase much of what was written if he were writing today.  He might say something like this:

"And the multitude of them that professed were of hard heart and stony soul, and every one said that all the things which he possessed were his own; and they had all things in fashion.  And with great power gave they witness to the attractions of this world, and great selfishness was upon them all.  And there were many among them that lacked loved, for as many were possessors of lands bought more, and sometimes gave a small part thereof for a public good, so their names were heralded in the newspapers, and distribution of praise was made to every one according as he desired."

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Sixteen years ago my husband and I were married.  Hard to believe it's been 16 years.  We have definitely had our ups and downs, but all I need to do is look at my husband to see how much God loves me.  Even in the midst of rebellion and making decisions with no thought of God whatsoever He still allowed me to marry a man who would love me for better or worse. 

I married a man who has a heart of gold.  He genuinely loves and cares about people and is always willing to go the extra mile to help someone.  He is a hard worker who is stable.  I never have to wonder what kind of mood he's going to be in, walk on eggshells around him or wonder if he's going to bring home a paycheck.  He is a man who lives God's word everyday.  I am thankful that he is in my life and wonder what the next 16 years are going to bring.

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For so long now I've wondered where exactly I fit in on the Christian spectrum.  I've always felt like I was somewhere on the fringe not quite fitting in anywhere. The firsti time I had a man prophesy over me he said that I have been watching a parade go by and that I wanted to be a part of it, but have always been in the crowd watching.  He told me that I was like the woman with the issue of blood that just needed to touch the hem of Jesus' robe.  I've also often wondered if that wasn't part of God's plan.  Am I really supposed to "fit" somewhere.  After all I'm only here for a brief time right?  Over the years as my relationship with Christ has deepened so has my longing to fulfill his will in my life.  On the homefront I think that I am fulfilling that role and do feel challenged daily.  On the "ministry" or "mission" front I feel bored.  I know I have a calling, but am reluctant to step into it.  Fear is the most likely culprit.  Fear of what others may think of me.  Not just others in general, but others who have known me for years and have wanted me to "conform" to their way of thinking.  I've tried to fit the mold, but when it comes right down to it I don't.  I sense that God has something for me outside of being a wife and raising my children. Gasp!  No, it doesn't mean I'm going to quit homeschooling because although it's hard I have done it long enough to see the benefits it has.

I have always wanted to work with girls (or women) who have found themselves in an untimely pregnancy.  That is the reason I went into education in the first place was so I could teach pregnant girls so their option wasn't just to quit school because of their shame.  Unfortunately the area we lived in offered no such programs, but I did have pregnant girls in my classes and I would eat lunch with them and just accept them when others wouldn't. When the girls were getting uncomfortable behind a desk most of the teachers would just deem it as their problem.  Very sad. I was even pregnant at the same time as one of my students.  My goal has always been to get my counseling degree and work with pregnant moms who have no support.  That is my heart.  That is where much of my mercy and compassion is.  That is where I believe I can make a difference.  God has been showing me that He is tired of me selling myself short.  I've buried my talents, partly out of fear and partly because I started believing the lies that I didn't have much to offer anyone except my family.   God is showing me that he has given me a story and he wants me to share it to help others overcome the shame and hurt in their lives.  God has blessed me with an endurance and perseverance when it comes to other people.  I am not a cut and run person.  When I make a friend it's for the long haul.  God wants to use that in my life.  I'm learning that not everyone wants to take the time to invest in others long term.  They will invest to get their return (recognition, feel god about themselves) and then someone better comes along and the former friends are forgotten.  So God has been showing me my worth and forcing me to accept it.  That's hard for me.  I've always been so focused on my unworthiness that this is a new way of thinking for me.  At a group last week the teacher asked us what God had asked us to do that we haven't done.  I could think of several things.  So, my first step today is to call the pregnancy crisis center and find out what I need to do to become a volunteer/counselor.  Then I will pray and let God determine my next step.

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One of the things I want my children to learn is the old lesson of giving is better than receiving.  We are not a rich family and many weeks struggle just to get by.  My children however do have two sets of grandparents who like to buy them things.  My MIL especially likes to show the children how much she loves them by how much she buys them.  I've learned the hard way to just let it go, but I still have real concerns that my children grow up being aware of ways to help others. 

My husband took 2 of our boys to the store and they wanted a gumball out of the machine.  Only 1 boy had quarters.  He decided to share with his little brother and they each got two gumballs apiece.  My husband told them that often times that's how God works.  Give and he gives back double to you. 

The next day my MIL came to the house to babysit while my husband took me to have my stitches out.  After the appt. he had to go back to work and my MIL took my boys to see a movie.  Apparently she had given my husband $100 and he had put it in his pocket.  When he came home from work the boys still weren't back and we were talking and he told me that one of his employees had come to him and asked if she could borrow some money.  Forgetting about the $100 in his pocket he kind of panicked knowing we only had $50 until next payday.  He told her that he needed to call me because I did the bills. He asked her how much she needed and she said $100.  Suddenly, he remembered that his mom had given him that money.  So he pulled it out and gave it to her and told her to keep it.  This is a woman that has been down on her luck and we've had her and her son over for dinner and different things so it wasn't just a random person asking.  Anyway, when the boys arrived home and my MIL was leaving she gave my husband a ziploc bag full of money, $300!  Wow!  It was in $1.00 bills so we didn't know how much was there until we counted it.  God used us to bless someone and then turned around and used my MIL to bless us.

 This was so timely for me personally.  I've struggled lately with spiritual principles that I haven't seen "working" and it was just a reminder from God that it is better to give than to receive.  Sometimes it comes right back to you like it did my sons and us, but sometimes it comes in ways that aren't monetary. It was a good reminder for me at a time when I had been feeling very "dry" in my spiritual walk and I loved how he spoke to my boys on their level.  They went to Walmart a few days later and put their quarters in the same machine and the machine only gave them 1 a piece.  Some would say it was just a coincidence, but I know that God was showing them that when you give with a pure heart He sees it. 

If we ask for opportunities to give God will give them to us.  Giving doesn't always have to be monetary either.  It can be a timely phone call, a card, something you don't need anymore that someone else can use.  There have been times when we've had no $$$, but God still allowed us to give.  It's easy to give out of your abundance, but harder when you don't have much.  I remember a few years ago I was in Walmart really late.  I went through the line and the cashier was very pregnant and looked very tired.  Her shirt barely covered her expanding belly.  I talked with her a few minutes about the baby coming and if she knew what she was having.  As I was driving home God impressed upon my heart to gather up all my baby clothes and take them to her.  I wasn't sure I was done having babies, but knew that God wanted me to do that.  The next day I got out all my clothes and washed them.  We put them in tubs and I called Walmart and spoke with the front end manager and told her who they were for.  I wrote a card and just told this young lady that God loved her and wanted to meet her needs.  We took them and left them for her.  I never saw her again, but I know that God has a plan and purpose for her and her baby and whenever I think of them I pray for them.   I had no money to give her, but God made sure her needs were met.   A couple years later I found myself pregnant with NO baby clothes to speak of.  God provided by giving me a little girl so none of those clothes would have worked anyway.  God didn't provide for me right after I gave those clothes, but years later He was faithful and made sure I didn't need what I had given away.  Ask for opportunities and creative ways to give and God will give them to you.  My uncle has always said that the daily bread isn't the problem, but the distribution of it is.   God's provided all we need, but He's left it up to us to distribute it.  I want to teach my children to be good distributers of what God has given us.

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The 2nd week is always better!  Things are flowing better and I've decided what to scrap and what to keep.  I've decided to discontinue wordly wise and daily grams.  Wordly Wise has been replace with English from the Roots Up and daily grams with the Grammar Ace program which is only done once a week.  We are doing alot more writing this year so that will help with grammar too.  I've also only scheduled handwriting and calculadders twice a week.  That will still give them the practice they need, but we won't be soo overwhelmed trying to squeeze everything in.  Instead of science everyday for my 9 year old we are aiming for 2X a week and that may get cut to 1X if the need arises.

As far as scheduling goes we are going to try something a little different this year.  We are going to do Language Arts on Monday and Tuesday and then math on Wed. and Friday.  I'm going to treat this like a block schedule that they do in school.  The workload will be the same, but there will be double the time to complete it .  This will cut down on fitting every subject in every day.  I've tried that with Sonlight history in the past and due to the amount of reading it just wasn't doable for us.  My voice gets tired!!

Overall we're off to a pretty good start.  Even my 5 year old who I was lamenting about woke me up asking me if a toad had an exoskeleton.  Even though a toad doesn't have an exoskeleton I thought he'd done well to even remember that word from our casual reading that I thought he wasn't listening to.

We are going camping at the end of the week with my parents.  We will be at different campgrounds, but plan to do some fun things together.  So, it's a busy week here getting school done and preparing to leave at the end of the week.  Hope all of you in cyberworld are having a blessed week!

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After all of the years I've homeschooled one would think I would be prepared for the let down of the first week.  I start out with high hopes and then find them come crashing down within the first hour.  That happened this week.  But, that's okay.  We've struggled through a long week, but overall we've done alot and I feel good about what we've accomplished.  The attitudes are starting to adjust and I think they've enjoyed what they've done.  I still need to make adjustments here and there because I am trying to fit in alot and some things are going to have to give.  I just need to seek wisdom on what to let go and when.  I tend to be a perfectionist and usually my grand plans need to be tweaked so that I don't drive everyone crazy.  One thing I decided this year was to be diligent about our timeline.  Last year we didn't do one and my boys seem to enjoy them and they are a great visual learning tool for them.  I'm also working on having more accountability for my oldest son as far as "grades" go.  He will be quizzed more often this year than in previous years just to keep him on his toes and to prevent laziness.  I also want him to be prepared when he enters college to have to store some things in his short term memory in order to pass a test.  I guess that sounds bad, but it's a reality.  I also received my Sonlight LA6 today and after looking over it think it is going to be a great fit.  They've eased up on the grammar and added more writing and "fun" stuff that even my 9 year old can do.  I won't be able to do everything, but I have lots to choose from.

One of the high hopes that I had was for my son who is starting kindergarten.  I ordered stuff for him and overall he's not interested.  He was bugging me to do school and now that I have stuff for him he's not interested.  I've decided not to stress out about it, but to do little things with him throughout the week.  It's only kindergarten for goodness sakes.  He knows all his colors, shapes, numbers, letters, and letter sounds so he's doing fine.  Maybe in a couple of months when I get the older ones schedule running more smoothly then I can start adding even more things for him.

This week started out rough, but has gradually gotten better.  It's been fun to be back in history again after studying countries and cultures last year.  My boys really like history and didn't find the cultural studies to be that enthralling.

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We're into our second day of homeschooling and all I can say is, "homeschooling is hard!"  I would love to shadow the families who seem to get it all done, have a clean house  by dinnertime, a nutritious meal, a good attitude, and who still feel like serving others outside the home at the end of the week!  I've been doing this homeschooling thing since my youngest was in kindergarten and he's now in 7th grade and it's only getting harder.  I suppose that's because I now have 4 in the house and one is a toddler.  Maybe if I were of the persuasion that if it's too hard and one of the kids doesn't like it we don't do it then it would be easier, I dont' know.  Maybe my standards are too high.  Although there are days that I wonder if it's worth it, I know in my spirit that it is.  I don't know of anything God calls us to do that is easy and in my book homeschooling isn't easy, but I know that my children are the ones God has called me to disciple.  At the end of the day I'm tired, but I do know that I've fulfilled my calling for the day and that God's grace will get me through the next one.  If anything is worth doing then it's worth doing well and educating my children is worth it and worth doing well!  If anyone who reads this finds homeschooling easy please feel free to give me some tips.

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I mentioned before that we are going to start back to school on Monday and I think that is going to happen.  I know the 4th is on Wed., but in reality holidays are work days for dad so we're always home anyway.  We can do something that night if we want to.

It's always so daunting to look at all there is to get done and where to fit it all in.  We are going to start slowly the first few weeks and add in additional things as we go.  The plan is to use Sonlight Core 6 with JF(12) and JB(9).  I am also using Winter Promise in conjunction with Core 6 so we will add in Mystery of History and a history notebook plus I ordered JB readers from WP because they were more on his level.

I am going to stick with Sonlight's LA this year because they have redone the whole program.  Both older boys will go through the Grammar Ace book and I will put together JB's dictation and other parts of his program.  I'll have to modify a bit for him, but that should be no big deal.

JR will use Apologia's General Science this year which is going to be self directed.  That is how the program is set up and I'm really trying to steer him toward more independent learning at this juncture in his education. 

JB will use the Zoology II by Apologia and I haven't quite decided how I want to do that.  I'm going to try letting him do the reading on his own.  I figure I'll be doing enough reading without having to do science too!

We still have some math to finish up before ordering anything new and honestly 7th grade looks about the same as 6th grade.  Once we've finished up what we have I'm leaning towards trying teaching textbooks for 7th grade to see if we like it before we get to the upper levels.  If it doesn't work then no harm done.  I don't want to wait until Algebra and then realize it doesn't fit well for us.  We've used Bob Jones since K and I like it, but again I'd like to start transitioning to less teacher directed material and more that he can do and figure out on his own.

After getting all that done it leaves DA who is starting kindergarten and is so ready to do school.  I ordered Animals and their Worlds from Winters Promise for him and we will continue with Hooked on Phonics.  I haven't ordered math yet, but will use Bob Jones 1st grade for him because the K level would be a waste of time.  I also have HWT for him which we used last year.

So, that's the plan.  We'll be busy, but I'm looking forward to starting.  I can only do so many weeks with no routine, it drives me crazy. 

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I got my 55 stitches out today, yay!  The reason there were so many was because the Dr. put in really small ones so the scar would look better.  My hair covers most of it and it will look better and better with time.  I'm not really worried about it, I'm just glad it's done.  We got the path report and it was a benign tumor, yay!  I'm ready to relax a little!  I can shower and wash my hair now, but still no swimming for a week.  That's okay by me.  My MIL came over and watched the kids and she took the 3 boys to the movie for a little treat.  I'm feeling cagey and wanted to go too, but my husband had to go back to work because it's a holiday weekend and he's been off for a week.  All in all I feel like everything went as well as it could have and I feel relief washing over me. 

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After a week home recuperating I'm getting antsy!  I haven't felt like doing much this week, but I can tell I'm feeling better because I'm getting BORED!  I hate that word by the way.  So, I go tomorrow and am supposed to get my stitches taken out and come Monday morning I think we are going to start school.  I think we are going to try a 4 week on 1 week off year round schedule.  Never done that before, but I think we'll give it a try.  We are starting World History and after about a month of no school I'm ready for a routine again.  This last week the TV has been on non stop and I'm ready for something more!  I'm still waiting for the Sonlight Language Arts to arrive, but I think we'll just get started without it.  We did do a science experiment today and I have a book we are going to start reading tonight and through the weekend to ease us back into some sort of academics other than Sponge Bob.  We finally broke down and got cable TV and it was a life saver for me this week, but I'm missing the rabbit ears and the limited choices.  It amazes me that we can have hundreds of channels and there can still be nothing on!  This was sort of a rambling post, but a post nonetheless.  Hope you are all having a good week.

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My surgery is over and I am home healing!  I survived!  I feel like I have been mugged, but other than that I can't complain. The Dr. looked at the tumor and said its benign, but it will go to pathology.  What a relief that was to hear!  I'm so glad this is over and everything went well.  Anyone who prayed, thank you!  I felt God's presence the whole time and just sung worship songs to him the entire time, especially when I would get anxious.  The one refrain that went through my mind the most was, " I cast all my cares upon you, I lay all of my burdens down at your feet and anytime I don't know what to do, I will cast all my cares upon you."  Simple song, but not always easy to do. 

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I was just reading another blog and it reminded me of a word God had given mean awhile ago.  We had a period of time in our church where we were supposed to just listen for God's voice.  Not say anything, just listen.  I was faithful to do this and often times got nothing.  One night, I just grabbed my journal and started writing.  These were God's thoughts, not my own and it was really cool.  I wondered if that's how the authors of the scriptures felt when they were writing. Sometimes when we are on a journery we want nothing more than to find a new path, but sometimes I think God wants us to embrace the path we are on and seek Him to find out what it is he wants us to be learning on our path.   Anyway, this is what God was speaking to me.

The steps of the righteous are ordained by God and they will follow the path I've laid out for them.  The path is of my choosing and I have chosen according to what things they need to learn to become more like me.  The paths I've chosen for my beloved will also lead them into the arms of their Father.

There may be obstacles on the path, but as you listen to my voice I will guide you around them.  The path may be dark, but DO NOT be afraid because my perfect love will cast out all fear.  The path may seem long, tiresome, and lonely, but persevere and you shall look back and see how carefully it was chosen.

No two paths will look the same for I have chosen each person's with a specific purpose in mind.  Though the paths are different  there will be opportunities to help one another on the way to their ulitmate destinations.  I'm watching not only how you walk your path, but how you help others navigate theirs.

I am not concerned with making the path easy or comfortable because that would profit you nothing.  When the path becomes treacherous is when I see how conformed to my image you are becoming.

Above all, praise me for the journey as well as the final destination.

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Okay, I'm going to try this again!  These are not in order of importance.

1.  I would like to go back to school and complete my Master's degree (only 1 semester left) and then get a PHD in counseling.

2.  One day I would like to have a sort of bed and breakfast for unwed pregnant moms or birthmoms.  It would be a place where they could come for refreshing and healing.  I would LOVE for it to be near an ocean or in the mountains with creeks nearby.  Somewhere out in God's sanctuary.

3.  I would like to homeschool all my children through high school.  This one depends on God and His will.

4.  I would like my family to find a "mission" to be involved with on a regular basis.  I want us to do something side by side for others.

5.  I would love to have enough $$$ to hire a private investigator to find my birth family.  I would like to meet them all at least once.  I have a desire to know where I come from and where my daughter is.  I feel very fragmented at times.  There is always a sense of not knowing where I belong and feeling like I don't  most times.

6.  I want to get my body back in shape with exercise, eating right, and losing weight.  Once upon a time I was quite athletic.

7.  I would like to learn Latin or Greek with my kids.

8.  I would like to one day live in the mountains.  My grandparents used to have LOTS of property in the mountains complete with creek and uninhabitated bear cave.  My grandfather died pretty young and after my cousing was killed my grandmother just couldn't bear to ever go back there.  We took all our vacations there growing up.  They had a house and another one in the works.  We always thought that property would be in our family forever.  I miss it.

9.  I would like to have an RV and travel to every state and have the time and resources to fully explore them.  We have a pop up camper, but something more extravagant would be nice.

10. I want to live my life so totally dependent on the Holy Spirit that it's like breathing to me.  I want to walk by faith and not by sight.  I want to do things God's way, not the world's way.  I want to seek after the kingdom of God everyday and not give up.

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