My Bible Memory verse this week: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth." -Job 19:25
Mar. 3, 2008 - 17 - Running like crazy!
Sorry for my absence last week. Life has been "good" busy and I'm in a lull at this moment. Here's what has been happening in my neck of the woods:
- Work
- I played hookie from my own school work last week (shhhh don't tell) so this week I need to remain focused and disciplined to get my assignments all done.
- family dinner on Sunday - it was awesome with the weather being spring-like.
I have been waiting for my high school transcripts to come in the mail so I can submit our plan for homeschooling - well finally today it came in the mail. I'm thinking I'll get my thoughts and plans finalized over the next few days and then drive the paperwork to the Board of Education. This was I will be sure of someone physically taking my paperwork and eliminating the "lost in the mail" excuse.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your relationship with God? Well, I sure have been and it's been making me feel smothered. I was feeling very determined and driven towards establishing a routine of spending time in His word and in prayer, but now I'm feeling pressured and like I'm letting Him and myself down for not getting to all things I want to accomplish in a day. Maybe I've hit a lazy streak which is completely NOT me, but I need to cut loose and relax some or I'm going to go crazy.
I hope to post again soon. Work and kids are keeping me very busy so I won't promise to be here everyday, but I would like to get back into a posting rythym. So how's everyone else doing? What's going on in your world?
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Feb. 22, 2008 - 16 - Updates
WOW, a lot is going on here! This is a brief update on things in "our neck of the woods"...
- The "new" blog project is coming along. I've got the designer lined up and we are hoping to press forward by next week. This process in itself is labor intensive, but in the end it will be well worth the wait.
- I've come to a huge decision! With many events leading up to this, and the purpose for this blog journey, I have made the final decision to homeschool our three children!! I'm very excited about this as it has been weighing on my heart and mind for sometime. I am currently in the process of putting together the necessary paperwork for our county and hope if all goes well to be officially teaching in my home no-later-than April 1st. I've chosen the curriculum - Horizons - from AOP and I will be receiving some samples in the mail next week. I'll keep you all posted as things are happening. I thank all of you for sharing so openly your journey's as well.
We are also in the midst of more winter weather - ice, snow, freezing rain. I never thought I would be so excited at thought of spring coming, but I can't wait. This also means we are one season closer to my husband coming home - this alone is what I have been praying for - my husband's safe return.
I hope each of you has a wonderful, family-filled weekend.
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Feb. 18, 2008 - 15 - Something new
I wanted to share with you two verses this morning that were put before me over the weekend. They spoke to me so much so that I have decided to proceed with a new project that has sort of already been started.
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." -Eph. 2:10
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:21
Without revealing too much about this new blog/site, I will tell you it's going to be an awesome ministry of bringing families back to the center of what makes them special - time spent together in love and worship!
Stay tuned as I will be sharing more and more over the next few days or so leading up to the big "opening"! I hope everyone has a blessed and fulfilled week - glory be to God!
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Feb. 12, 2008 - 14 - Teen Ministry
A beautiful Sister in Christ, Elisa, just announced on her site that she's been led to start a new ministry just for Teen girls!
She has also put out the call to her readers for their support and prayer over this new adventure. If you are feeling the Lord speaking to you on this matter, contact Elisa at her blog to learn more about how you can contribute and stand up for young women and teens everywhere! "...instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." -Eph. 6:4
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." -Eph. 4:1
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Feb. 11, 2008 - 13 - Week's Agenda
Before I get into our agenda for this week I want to share a scripture that was put before me today during my daily reading:
"To you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake." - Phil. 1:29
The devotion goes onto to say that "Living for Christ often exacts a price". How true is that? It was like these words were sitting on my heart today that how many times we as Christians must pay a hefty price for being believers and lovers of our Lord and Savior! And sometimes we might feel like we are the only ones who are suffering or hurting, but to stop and think about all the pain and suffering Christ endured for our salvation - we don't know suffering like that!
The final words of this days reading were: "Those who live for God can expect trouble in the world." There is trouble all around us in our world today, but so long as we remember we live for Christ we can rest assured where the end of this life will take us - are you Heaven bound?
Our Agenda this week:
Monday - Work, family dinner, baths, and quiet tv time.
Tuesday - Mail package to DH, Work, kids with Grandma
Wednesday - Mom does weekly homework, housework, laundry, grocery shopping
Thursday - Work, kids with Grandma
Friday - Pay bills, housework, family dinner
I hope everyone has a blessed week!
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Feb. 9, 2008 - 12 - Power of Prayer!
Have you noticed how powerful prayer is or can be? There is no doubt that in my life alone prayer goes a long way towards my open relationship with God - I pray, HE listens and responds according to His will and desires for my life!
A wonderfully, amazing, bloggy-friend and vessel for the Lord's word has a site as part of her ministry that is especially for sharing your prayers (and praise) with other Sisters in Christ @ Speaking Thru Me: A Prayer Blog
Ladies, if there is anything on your hearts today, tomorrow, or anytime, please realize and know that others are here for you to help lift you up, and your prayers, to our Heavenly Father - all you have to do is ask!
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Feb. 4, 2008 - 11 - More Than Rubies: laziness
This is something I can relate to; really relate to! I am the total opposite of lazy; I am so anti-lazy that I seem to have no tolerance for those who are. Unfortunately my children are young yet and have not accepted the "non-lazy" policy that I find works for me.
Our hardest task to accomplish thus far is cleaning up. The kids find it quite alright to pull out each and every toy they have and leave them all around the house for me to fall over and the dog to eat. I do understand that being 6, almost 5, and 4 is tough in itself, but I really need some help keeping our small home clean and organized so I don't want to run out the door screaming!
I also have another issue - I have a slight case of OCD (obsessive, compulsive disorder) and what that means is my house has to be really clean at almost every moment. HARD to do with kids and dogs and no husband here to help me. I just really like things in their place; put away, not on the floor.
To learn more about "More Than Rubies" head over to Kris' blog and leave your link.
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Jan. 30, 2008 - 10 - Wednesdays Heros
I've seen this type of posting before at MamaBugs, but today I saw the link that directs you were to get more info! This is an awesome weekly posting that I hope to continue. Our nations troops will always hold a special place in my heart as my DH is an active-duty Army soldier (currently deployed to Iraq); I am and will forever be thankful and supportive of their efforts and sacrifices to keep my family safe and FREE! God Bless you ALL.
SSgt. Justing R. Whiting 27 years old from Hancock, New York 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group(Airborne) January 19, 2008
Staff Sgt. Justin R. Whiting, a Special Forces medical sergeant sustained fatal wounds when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive devise 16 kilometers south of Mosul, Iraq. He is survived by his mother, Estelline, of Colorado Springs, Colo., father, Randall, of Hancock, N.Y., sister, Amanda, of DuPont, Wash., and brother Nathan of Dover, Tenn. For more information on SSgt. Justin Whiting, you can download this PDF file.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.
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Jan. 28, 2008 - 09 - More than Rubies: Way to busy!
I'm excited to have found this weekly meme At Home with Kris! Just the very thought of being like the Proverbs 31 woman makes me shiver.
And just like Kris, I too feel the stresses of being "over committed" and recently posted on the very subject. I've got a part-time job which is such a joy since I haven't been in the work force for over 6-years; I'm a part-time student working towards my B.S. degree in Communication Studies; and most importantly I'm a wife and mother. But I also do so many other little things that most likely if I put some serious thought into would prove to be simply a waste of time and energy and taking away time from the main focus in my life - my family!
Even though He has led me down a very specific path in my life, I have yet to embrace that tasking for just what it is; my personally calling. Why am I fighting this? What do I think I'm gaining from adverting from His plan?
I love having revelations like these; that's the main reason I started this blog! I don't think I'll ever be a reflection of the Proverbs 31 woman, but if I can strive to respect the life I have been given as much as she did I will be on the way towards pleasing the Lord for following his exact plan for me.
To join this weekly experience and meditation, please click the banner above; what an amazing journey this will be!
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Jan. 25, 2008 - 08 - Over Committed
Another important thought in my journey towards possible homeschooling is that of the commitments that are currently on our family. As I'm sure you've gathered from other posts, my husband is active-duty military and deployed thus making me the sole parent in our home at this time. In order to maintain my sanity and increase our monthly income I have taken on a part-time job which I enjoy very much! We save money on daycare as my Mom is our care provider while I'm at work. Once my husband returns from his deployment, our monthly military income will drop by approximately $600-$800; that's a huge deficit to our family of 7 who will be maintaining 2 households until hubby leaves his duty station in Germany (May or August of 2009). More than likely this cut in monthly income will require me to take on a more full-time position thus taking me away from the home most of the day.
My concerns for the success of homeschooling our children is really starting to stack against me. I have the fullest confidence that the Lord will provide for our family whatever we need to survive, but I've got to be able to pay the bills for our home in order to sustain our family. So I guess what I'm thinking is this adventure might have to be postponed until we are united with hubby under one roof sometime during the summer of 2009. However, I am still not convinced that the public school system has what it takes to really teach children; life lessons, about our loving God, and how to be a valuable member of society.
Dearest Heavenly Father, I am at a crossroads in my thoughts on providing the best learning situation for the children You gave me! I so want to guide them towards a life lived for You and a valuable home life full of love and learning. I ask that You guide me towards the answer You would have me find so I can begin the next chapter in this journey. In Your son's precious and holy name I pray. Amen.
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Jan. 23, 2008 - 07 - Saying Goodbye
I've got a sad heart tonight. My 69-year old Grandfather passed away tonight due to complications from pneumonia and emphazema (sorry for the spelling). It was sudden, but not at the same time; he was not in good health for the past few years. However, saying goodbye to a loved-one is never easy no matter how much advance warning you might have.
Dear Heavenly Father, tonight my heart is hurting; hurting for Grandmother who had to say goodbye to her loving husband; hurting for my Father and Aunts who had to say goodbye to their Father. I know that our days on this earth are numbered , but it is still hard to say goodbye. I pray that You will be with our family as we grieve the loss of a life here on earth; touch my Grandmother with Your loving hand and guide her closer to You so she might feel some comfort in her hours of pain. In Jesus' precious and Holy name I pray. Amen.
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Jan. 21, 2008 - 06 - Perfectly Unproductive!
What a weekend! I had a full (3) days off work and I accomplished absolutely nothing; except for making it to Church on Sunday I didn't even leave the house!! And the kids were pure obnoxiousness (is that actually a word?). We don't have much of a "routine" around here outside of mealtimes and bedtimes; otherwise we just seem to do whatever. This system isn't working anymore, nor has it been for sometime, but being the sole parent in the home (hubby is deployed) wears on a person and their ability to uphold a firm standing! I really could use some advice on reigning in the "troops" and gaining some sort of order in the chaotic madness we seem to be in. This is yet another concern I have for homeschooling - can I keep the order and system between "me and them" enough to have focus and peace in our home?
Lord, I am looking to You for some true guidance and understanding. My home is in chaos and WE need You to intervene and show us how to refocus and come together for the good of our family! Through Your word and Your amazing love, I know we will find a way to get back on Your path. We ask that you put Your loving arms around us and remind us of our place with You. In Jesus' precious and holy name I pray. Amen.
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Jan. 20, 2008 - 05 - It's cold outside and Sunday School praise
Oh, my, goodness it is some kind of cold here in the mountains of West Virginia! I think the high today was 25'ish and the low tonight is down in the teens and single-digits; YIKES!! Our little home here is not exactly well equipped with the best heating possible. However, we are blessed to have a roof over our heads and warm blankets on our beds and love for each other that far outweighs being a little chilly!
And to top things off we headed out to our first Sunday School/Church trip in longer than I care to admit on the coldest day of this winter so far. The kids had a wonderful time in their Sunday School classes and my Mom and I enjoyed singing at the contemporary worship and hearing a wonderfully time message by our Rev. To top things off I ran into a few familiar faces at Church; one lady and her son who come into the bakery where I work and a man in the National Guard whom I met during my husband's first deployment.
Lord thank you for this day; a day of peace and praise and time spent with those I love. I'm so glad I can rely on You to make my days the best they can be; it is with You I find strength, renewal, and a love unconditional. In Your sons name I will forever pray. Amen.
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Jan. 19, 2008 - 04 - Getting their attention!
I'm sure I'm not the first person to say this, but my kids are "difficult" when it comes to staying focused (on anything except the tv or computer). We are a digital family - i.e. tv, movies, video games (age appropriate), and computer/internet. I have most recently realizing the error in letting this happen and now I'm not sure at all how to change things!
My older son is 6 and quite a genius on the computer and at most everything really. One of my main concerns with him in public Kindergarten is that he is not being challenged enough which, in my opinion, is why he is "rambunctious" in class. The younger two are just that, young and keeping their attention is difficult as it relates to their age.
So my next question or aspect of homeschool consideration if you will is "how do I get and keep their attention" long enough to get through lessons? And how do correct this terrible monster that I've created by allowing them so much "electronic" freedom?
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Jan. 18, 2008 - 03 - Making the decision...
I am still very much in the "investigative" stages of deciding whether to homeschool our three children.
Here are some questions that I keep going over and over in my mind:
- Which curriculum or teaching style is the best for us?
- When would be the best time to start? I'm leaning towards next school year since my son will be finished Kindergarten in June.
- Am I really capable of "educating" our children?
- What type of support groups are available in my local area for homeschooling families?
- What are the "regulations" in our state for homeschool education?
As you can see I have quite a distance to go before coming to a true decision on this subject! I will continue to pray and ask God for his guidance on this subject as I have no doubt that He already has His plan!
If anyone reading this blog has any suggestions, tips, resources, or advice PLEASE leave me a comment or email @ homestylemom[at]yahoo[dot]com. I'm sure there are so many of you out there that will have lots of information to share that will encourage me in the journey!
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Jan. 16, 2008 - 02 - Have to start somewhere
I forgot to mention in my first post that I stopped into the local Christian book store and came home with (2) beautiful books for the kiddies. They are both a beginning place for introducing God into our daily lives as a family and I am hoping they enjoy our one-on-one time each day!
The first book is Growing & Learning Day by Day: A Devotional for Young Children by Betty Free. The book is laid out so you read a new devotional and verse each day along with a short prayer. The second book I chose is The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes by Kenneth N. Taylor. The illustrations are very vibrant and the words are so kid-friendly.
Prayer: Lord I ask you to touch our family in a way that is truly You! I pray that you will touch these young minds and show them how a life lived for You is the only life worth living. I ask that you strengthen me as I guide them on this journey; it is truly Your will and way in the works here. In Your Son's holy and precious name I pray. Amen.
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Jan. 16, 2008 - 01 - New Beginnings
Hi and Welcome to my new blog here at HomeschoolBlogger! This is a new adventure for me as I am investigating the idea of homeschooling my 3 younger children. Currently my 6-year old attends public school Kindergarten and my (2) 4-year olds are home with me and my Mom while I work part-time. The children's father is active-duty Army and presently deployed for the second time; so I am the sole provider of all things for the children. Unfortunately we are an "unequally yoked" family (something I am working and praying to change) and the decision to make God the center of our family and education is a decision I have been praying over and contemplating far too long!
So this is a journey; a journey of faith and learning - understanding. I am hoping to soak up so much great and helpful information from the families here who are already committed to both the Lord and homeschooling. I hope you all will be forthcoming and supportive as I enter this "Faith Filled Journey".
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Deciding to raise children as instructed by the Bible is a challenge fit for any family. Homeschooling is another challenge all together; one which deserves my fullest attention.
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