May. 31, 2006 - Rest & Renewal
Ok, I'm back. I'm really going to make an effort to continue this journal. Sometimes I can't see any progress or growth just going from day to day without any reflection or introspection. Seeing my words here shows me that God is maturing me, moving me forward. Mostly that is demonstrated by how dorky my earlier posts sound! 
If I recognize that, I'm moving forward!
I spent last weekend at the FPEA homeschool convention in Orlando, Florida, with a new homeschool friend and my eldest daughter. We had a good time, and I think the things I gleaned from the weekend were not the things I expected to learn.
#1 I talk too much when I'm tired. I just needed to shut it down and go to bed and let my poor roommate, Crissy, go to bed, too! We had some very good conversations, but I'm afraid I did most of the talking. I'm going to work on this.
#2 The session I was most looking forward to turned out to be the most disappointing. I was disappointed that the answer I was seeking turned out to not be to my liking at all. Perhaps it was put there by God as a contrast to what did really speak to me. But I was looking forward to learning how to teach the resistant student, but was turned off by what seemed to me a harsh attitude. I have tried that--I'm trying to repent from that! (I did learn something in that session, tho! I learned to text messages on my phone! Tee hee.)
#3 I realized that when the right thing comes along, it resonates in my heart. Cynthia Tobias had us rolling in the aisles with her dry wit, but I came away with a deeper appreciation for my strong-willed children and renewed determination to connect with them. I was so weary of struggling all of the time, but I learned that I need to:
1. Choose my battles
2. Lighten up but don't let up
3. Ask more questions--issue fewer orders
4. Hand out more tickets and giver fewer warnings (more action; less anger)
5. Make sure my children always know my love is unconditional.
WOW! These really sum it up. I could see so clearly that these 5 strategies for survival could transform not only my relationship with my children but with my husband, too.
#4 I worked in the Sonlight Booth for about 6 hours over the weekend and as I explained Sonlight to people, I was reminded of how much I love and am grateful for this curriculum. I also realized it as I roamed the other vendor's booths. There is just nothing like it. I came away with a much deeper appreciation for what God has led me to.
Comments
Jun. 1, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by kleo30
Nice to see ya back at HSB~Kelly
