Mar. 13, 2008
the joys of homeschooling
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Lately I have been so thankful for this life that God has led me to. We have always home schooled. I have never had to withdraw my children from school, or undo any damage that was already done. My oldest, a 15 yr old dd is a delight to my soul! She has always been a blessing to me and her younger siblings. I thank God daily for her wonderful example to them, her obediant, easy going ways. She willingly studies the things she needs to, and spends a lot of free time studying what interests her. She is preparing to spend 6 weeks this summer on a mission trip to India, a 5 year dream coming true for her. The next in line is an 11 year old daughter, who loves to play outside with the littles and is full of creative ideas. To look out the window and see an indian tee-pee village in the back yard, all my extra sheets and blankets going out the door. She has no problem playing with her 6 year old sister, spending special "best friend sister time." To hear my children bickering over who gets to read the books they just discovered on a shelf in DH's study, classics I had tucked away. I giggle as I hear them fighting over Oliver Twist, which is now a new favorite. Who but a home school mom can enjoy such a moment? My littles who awaken from a nap to see the same smiling faces they saw before they went down, all ready to play and laugh and discover together the next mess to make. These children, the best of friends, content to be here in their own home, with me!! When I grow discouraged, because I haven't done formal spelling (again) this year, or another day went by that the 6 year old didn't do any formal studies, I remind myself.......... My children all love Jesus. My children all love each other. My children all love me. Everything of real importance seems to be in place. |
Mar. 10, 2008
complaining?
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Oh, I am so cranky! Actually, maybe cranky isn't the word. Just emotional, given to crying outbursts and feelings of loneliness. How can I feel so lonely when I am surrounded by all these children? John is home from Africa, but working a lot. Sometimes I feel like I have no friends. Last night we had a flying squirrel in our bedroom. Thank God for a good cat. They have been living in the attic and we know we need to get them out, but it's just one more thing to tackle, one more problem area that needs attention. Another thing requiring money and time, of which there is never quite enough. I wonder if a pastor's life is busier than most men's, or if they are all the same. Weekends are never free, until late Sunday afternoon, and he is out most evenings. He is home during the day a bit, and has some flexibility if need be, but he is still out most days, and when he is home he is usually studying or dealing with phone calls or emails. Oh, God, forgive me for complaining. Actually, I don't mean it as a complaint, exactly. I just wonder if other woman feel about the same. I suspect they do. There are a million little projects that never get done, and after a while you realize it needs to be laid down before the LORD and left there. I guess those things just aren't that important. God bless you as you work towards contentment, as I myself am working............ Brenda |
Mar. 4, 2008
Why do I have a puppy?
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My mother bought some rugs for my kitchen. She is such an angel. They are long runners to go in front of the cabinets, where the wood floors have all the finish worn off by the all day use we give them. They are from JC Penney, polypropeline braided rugs, that are supposed to be easy to clean with water and soap. She brought one in and laid it on the floor so I could check the color, (one she intended to take back to her house,) and the puppy promptly peed on it. Oh well! I had the chance to check out exactly how easy they are to clean!:o) Dear husband John will be home Thursday from Malawi. We miss Daddy!! I don't know how those military wives do it. My heart goes out to them........... Today I was really appreciating how adorable my children are. They are truly attractive kids. My little Lydia is so pretty. 4 year old Isaac is a doll. I have had to force myself to slow down and appreciate them, there is so much to do, and I don't want to neglect the important things, though I know I so often fall into that trap. Does anyone know what kind of maternity pants to buy that won't fall down? I am so uncomfortable with everything I put on my body. I finally pulled a huge pair of overalls out of my closet that I don't usually wear until the final weeks, and have been wearing those around the house. They look ridiculous but I am happy, (except for my underwear, that is another story!) I like skirts, but the ones I have for maternity are all too tight already. I am so tired right now, but it isn't yet bedtime, I still need to go outside and feed the outdoor wood furnace, among 100 other things.............God, be my strength!!! Many blessings to you and yours. |
Mar. 1, 2008
Less is more
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Does anyone else spend hours cleaning up stuff they never use? I have tackled some big projects with John away. The basement and the attic. We don't have a garage at this point, so our basement ends up with more than it can handle. My laundry is down there too, and it gets to the point I can barely stand to go down there! We have a squirrel problem in our attic, so all the clothes I keep up there that weren't in covered bins ended up with little droppings and nuts and seeds. I also tend to save way too much stuff. So much of it I never use. I can get so down on myself, but I can't be the only mom with a large family that has these issues!! Do you have days when you look at the toilet and you can't believe it's in YOUR house? Well, on a positive note, I scrubbed two of our three toilets today. I used a pumice stone and scraped out the ring that has been in there for over a year, and most of the brown stuff up under the rim of the toilet. I had heard of using the pumice stone ages ago, but this is the first chance i have gotten to actually do it, and it works wonders. Then I scrubbed out my shower, which has been completely neglected. I don't wear my glasses in the shower, so it is extra easy to kind of squint at it and pretend it isn't so bad. My poor husband! At least he goes to Africa twice a year, I can make it a treat for him and let him come home to a clean shower. Maybe if I can keep on using the shower spray it will make a difference............. Believe it or not my house is generally picked up and tidy on a daily basis. I hate clutter and keep it out of the main living areas, but it's those hidden areas that I neglect. Truly, God is so good to me. Toilets to clean, a house to keep. People I love and get to have with me all day. Give me a heart, God, that can fulfill all these responsibilities in a way that glorifies you........ |
Feb. 29, 2008
dealing with the day to day
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My dear husband John is in Malawi, Africa for a couple weeks. Checking up on the feeding center, and doing conferences for native pastors. The job of feeding the outdoor wood furnace has now fallen to me. When it is a blustery 3 degree morning, I really start to miss the man! It has been up around 100 degrees where he is, and it is so hard to imagine............... The baby is kicking and wiggling and showing that she is alive and well. There was that brief disappointment when they told us at the Ultra sound she is a girl, but God's will is so perfect for us, disappointment can't live for long over such a thing. I have 2 healthy boys, and Lord willing will end up with 5 healthy daughters, what more can a woman ask for? Well, come to think of it, I ask the LORD for a lot of things! I was asking for one more son, but perhaps the story isn't over yet............my prayer is usually that this brood of mine will all love and serve the Lord, glorifying Him even now in our humble little home in the woods. What good is life if we can't do even that? And yet so often I fail miserably, in things done and left undone. Thank you God for your grace, for I am so far from all I wish I could be. Though it is bitter cold, March is just about upon us, and the delicious thought of spring. My chicken coop stands cold and empty outside, but we are planning on making it a busy place again, with new laying hens and the addition of meat birds this year. Too much empty freezer space downstairs, needing to be filled. So much work to do out there, cleaning it out, but my real concern is doing something to help with the mud problem. There is such poor drainage out there, puddles form. Not a good situation for poultry. I am watching my friends 2 little ones today, in addition to my own, so this is a miracle I am blogging! But now someone is awake from a nap so I must go. May God draw you near, and give you whatever it is you most need from Him today. |
Feb. 7, 2008
home
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There is no place like home! After traveling for 3 weeks, home is so appreciated. Why did I ever look so forward to leaving in the first place? At home I am content, I feel whole. thank you God, for home. |