Home Grown Hearts

Strength's Based Living! Change Your Life!

Strength's Based Living!

Mary with Linda Werner at the FPEA State Homeschool Convention

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.  Loosely based on Romans 12:6-9

Last May I heard Linda Werner speak at our convention on Strength's Defined and it has truly changed my life.  Six month’s later and I am even more in love with the heart of this message.  Strength’s Defined was an introduction to Strength’s based living. 

Strength’s Based living is all about being purposeful with those talents God has given you.  It talks about stepping back and looking at who you are, who you really are.  Imagine if you quit trying and striving to become something or someone you admired and instead threw yourself passionately into who you already are?  Sounds simple doesn’t it?  It’s NOT!

Our society has programmed us to think that overcoming our weaknesses is character building.  Though I don’t totally disagree with that concept, I do think that we as  a society have given that way of thinking too much room in our lives.  Overcoming our weakness is all about “striving” and embracing our strength’s is all about “thriving”. 

Strength’s based living does not have you ignore your weaknesses, but instead it tells us to manage them.  How do I manage mine?  I look around me and take note of the people God has put in my life.  Most often, those friends who I cherish and adore are strong where I am weak, and so I include them in my management plan.  What does that look like?  Sometimes they offer words of wisdom, other times they hold me accountable, sometimes they simply listen and pray. 

If you’ve noticed I am blogging two days in a row after lots of time off.  Last weekend when I spoke to leaders at the "Leadership Tea" I realized that I had been too busy and that I love doing this.  Facebook seems to get more attention, because it takes less time and nets lots of immediate feedback, yet it's not the same thing.

Blogging allows me to put thoughts together more completely.  I can take my time and process, plot, plan what I want to say.  The truth is I've missed it.  I have come to learn after 4 1/2 years of blogging that there are seasons when I can and seasons when I can’t.  Right now, I am in a downtime schedule wise, and plan to use the next few weeks to catch up and fill my cup through blogging.

If we’re not engaging and embracing those things that fill our cups, energize us, empower us, than our cup runs dry and we begin performing as we try to pour out what we don’t own.

So my Christmas break goal is to share those things I’ve been learning this past six month’s about Strength’s Based Living.  I plan to write about my personal experiences because I think real life stories are more powerful than any how-to book.

Not only will I share my triumph’s, but I want to be real and share my hurdles as well.  It’s not about getting it right, never making mistakes, but instead this journey is helping me to live out our family motto, “Fall Down, Get Up, Fail Forward, Finish Well.”

I Give Thanks

I Give Thanks


“And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.  That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”  2 Corinthians 4: 16-18

Lord Jesus, I give thanks today for so many things.  At the very top of my list I am most thankful that you called to me and I heard your voice.  What an incredible honor it is to be your daughter.  YOU never forsake or abandon.  I thank you that you breathe peace and healing deep into my soul and that I am never a victim, but always victorious because YOU are in my life.



I thank you that when my biological father walked out of my life to begin a new life w/ a new family that you were faithful and gave me an amazing earthly dad to step in and raise me. 



I thank you for my mama.  I have so many precious memories.  The one that always brings tears to my adult eyes is when I think back to when I was a very young girl and she had just gone through a divorce after her husband had walked out of our lives.  She would sit with me while I ate dinner and not eat.  I would ask why, and she would tell me that she already had.   It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized my mom went without, so that I wouldn’t have to.  How faithful you were Lord to bring my adoptive dad into her life.  I can't imagine it having been any other way!






I thank you for my amazing husband Scott.  It seems like yesterday that we were teens working for Publix.  Every time they would call the stock boys to the front my heart would beat out of my chest.  I can only imagine how nerve wreaking it would have been if I’d known then that we would marry and have four children. (smile)  I thank you that he loves me like I’ve never been loved.  He believes in me, cheers me on, keeps me safe, protects me, takes care of me and gives his whole life to making sure that I am happy.  I pray that I am able to give as much as I get.  He is my very best friend and I love him forever.



I thank you for Brandon my first born son.  I still remember finding out I was pregnant.  I had been married for two years, but was only 21 years old.  I loved that child from the very first blue plus sign on the pregnancy test.  He has brought his mama so much JOY, so much gladness.  Lord, I believe in him and I pray this morning that you would direct and guide every part of his life.  May he grow up strong in YOU.  May he never favor in his faith and trade the things of heaven for this fleeting life.



I thank you for my Colton.  Colton was our second born, but he is our third child.  We found out we were expecting exactly three months after a horrible miscarriage.  I remember being so scared to get excited or to trust that everything was going to be fine.  But little by little, I began to bond with this child as he grew bigger and bigger inside me.  He was the only one that I worked full time with and my patients loved him as though he was going to be their grandchild.  He was the perfect pregnancy and delivery.  I thank you that he was born with learning disabilities because you make no mistakes and that is a part of who He is.  It has gotten both of us to your throne and you’ve equipped him in other area’s that blow my typically learning children away.  I love his eye for art, his ear for music, his heart for others.  I pray that He would always hunger after you.


Lord I thank you for my Seth.  Oh this child has a special place in my heart.  Once again, I entered into this pregnancy on the heels of another miscarriage.  This child came out with his own little personality.  Where the first two made me think I had parenting down, this child humbled me and wrapped himself around my heart through lots of learning curves.  He is my most academic, but also my most headstrong.  I love how much he favors his daddy in personality and looks.  I love how he is his mama’s boy.  I love how fiercely loyal he is to those he trusts enough to call friend.  I love how he loves to snuggle with Scotty and I more than any of the other children and wants to have intellectual discussions about the world around him. 


Lord I thank you for my Jacob.  My baby, my Omega.  I still remember that my progesterone levels were low and how the doctor thought for sure that I was losing him.  I’ll never forget going for that ultra sound.  I still smile as I remember Scotty meeting me at the doctors office.  He had come from work in his uniform and when I reached out to hold his hand he pretended that I was one of his prisoners and said, “Maam, I need you to keep your hands to yourself please”, “Maam, please don’t make me call back up”.  He was so good, so convincing and I can still see those patrons in the waiting room not sure whether to believe him or me. (laughing as I type)  It is this exact story that illustrates his sense of humor. It made me forget why we were there.  Then when they did finally put that wand to my belly they could hardly keep up with Jacob because he was happily jumping all over the place with a strong little heart beat.  Jacob is so much like Brandon.  He is sweet and outgoing.  He is my most positive child.  He loves life and others and never has a bad attitude.


Lord, I thank you for my Grandma.  Oh this woman is so very precious to me.  She has been my rock through everything.  When her son walked out of my life, he walked out of hers too.  I became her everything as she threw herself into helping me grow up. (and vice versa)  I love how close she is with my mom and that though her son abandoned her she gained a daughter. (to this day)  I love the example she is to me.  She is such a strong woman.  Widowed twice before forty.  Went back to school at 40 and earned her Masters degree in education.  I still remember her 3rd grade class coming in first place at the Pinellas County economics fair.  One of my favorite memories is when I had Brandon and he was only two days old.  She came up on a Friday evening after everyone else had gone home and we had girl time.  We took Brandon for a walk around the maternity wing, ate dinner together, laughed together, remembered together and bonded together.  Lord, you already know my heart.  I am so scared that I am going to lose her.  As she approaches 90, I want her to live 90 more years.  My life will never be the same once she goes home to be with you.  41 years old and I still need my Grandma.







Lord, I thank you for my friends.  One of my greatest joys in this life has been the amazing women you’ve brought into it.  They inspire me to be my best.  They believe in me long before I do.  They pray for me and encourage me in my walk with YOU.  It overwhelms my heart when we can share and relate on a “girl” level.  I am so blessed! 




Lord, I thank you for Kidney Stones....., “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 

Don’t ask why I’m including this, but the Lord keeps putting it on my heart.  I had been thinking about this over the past week because I’ve been quietly passing another kidney stone on the heels of my big one from a couple of weeks ago.  It’s been 31/2 weeks and I am feeling weary and tired.  This second one is not as bad as the one that put me in the hospital, but no stone is “easy”.  Why am I thankful? 

Because it doesn’t let me get too comfortable with my place in this world.  It reminds me that heaven is my home and only there will I live a life without any pain or worry.  I love kidney stones because I draw closer to you than when things are wonderful.  Pain breeds intimacy w/ my Savior and humbles me.  I still see your hand of blessing as you’ve given me the greatest doctors and nurses in the whole world.  Dr. Morris and his staff always make the experience less scary, no matter how many kidney stones I pass. (Over 20 thus far and still have 8 left) I just adore them and their hearts for others.




Lord, I thank you for Homeschooling.  I’m so glad I didn’t know that I was going to homeschool my children when I was a new mama.  It might have freaked me out.  Now, I cannot imagine “not” homeschooling.  What a joy it is to be with my children as they have their “aha” moments.  What satisfaction it gives me to be purposeful in their socialization.  I love spending time with them. 

I cannot even imagine my life without the incredible friends I’ve met through this journey?  We are a tight knit community and it’s a place where we can come together and support one another. 







Lord, I thank you for allowing me to serve in our support group.  You give me a place to pour encouragement into other moms.  It fills my cup so much more than what I could ever give away.  Thank you for the incredible people who I serve with.  I love them and cherish the friendships we’ve built.  Thank you for the members who’ve prayed for me, encouraged me and loved me through my growing process.  It’s all about the relationships. (smile)


Lord, I thank you for Time4Learning.  YES, I am thankful to our curriculum publisher.  Not only was Time4Learning the first curriculum that my children with Processing issue’s could thrive with, but it eventually became a part time career that allows me to use my passions.  I thank Time4Learning for hiring me to be one of their freelance writers.  I have learned (continue to learn) so much through this experience.  It allows me to offer encouragement and I get paid?  Life doesn’t get better than that, LOL;-)

I could go on and on, but I need to begin cooking and preparing for a feast-filled, memory-making day.  I lift up each of my family members and friends to you this morning and ask that you would capture their hearts to pause and reflect on you.  Lord, be with those today who may not have the money to do anything special.  I stop this morning and thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such an amazing and incredible God and I adore you Jesus.  I know that one day I will close my eyes here and open them there.  Thank you for pursuing me with your Holy love....,

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever...., 1 John 2:17-18

Speaking Engagement- Leaders Tea

This past Saturday I was honored to speak to homeschool leaders from all over the Tampa Bay Area. I was so blessed to meet so many precious women. 

Alice Paquette, who is a dear friend, partnered with Linda Oberg from Prodigy and together they blew us away with their strong organizational and detail skills.  The tea was catered by a very popular tea house called, “Miracles”.  There were finger sandwiches, Scones, Chocolate brownies, several types of tea, coffee and bottled water. 

The Lord spoke to us from Romans 12 about how He purposefully made His body, His family with different gifts and talents and how when you put us together we make a complete picture.  I loved how the leaders participated by sharing those things that energize them and assessing how much they have on their plates of responsibility.  I came home energized and “full” of JOY! 

Lord, may I never take for granted your gracious heart.  Thank you for allowing me to engage in those things that bring me great joy...., Being your daughter, a wife to an amazing man, a mom to incredible sons and homeschooling.  You are AMAZING Lord God!

Montage of Edison House Pictures!

Edison House

Field Trip To Thomas Edison's "Summer" Home

Family Field Trip To Thomas Edison's Summer Home In Fort Myers



Since this is my blog I have to share honestly from my heart.  This was a beautiful field trip.  The weather was gorgeous, the grounds were breathtaking, but I believe that a docent can make or break the "experience" and ours did. 

Our docent was very nice, but I learned a valuable lesson.  Never, never, never choose the docent who is carrying index cards. (smile)  Many of us in my group would look longingly over at the other groups as they would be pulling the kids into the presentation, asking questions, stirring excitement. 

Our docent seemed to be flustered when children asked questions or laughed together.  It was not horrible by any means, but a lesson was definitely learned.  DON'T PICK THE ONE WITH THE INDEX CARDS!

Brandon's Birthday Montage

Stacia

Dear Stacia,

As I sit here this morning my heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness, gratefulness and love.  Who would have known that when your sweet mama and I met 16 years ago that God already had a plan in place, beyond what I could ever see, ever know. 

You were only a little girl in those early years and it was my honor to watch your mom pour prayer and love into her precious daughter.  I had no idea that God was going to allow me to not only see, but be the recipient of those answered prayers many years later.

You have become such a beautiful wife, mother and friend.  You love your Jesus, your husband, your daughters and your friends in a way that draws their hearts closer to you and yet gives God all the glory.  I so admire the way you patiently pour into those around you with your love language of “Acts Of Service”.  You give, give, give and never ask for anything in return.

Friday night as I mingled with others and watched you work Brandon’s birthday I was overwhelmed with such deep gratitude.  I knew that everything going on had your fingerprints all over it.  From the games to the signature board.  You were there behind the scenes, working, planning, plotting, praying. 

What I love most is the heart behind the gesture, I know that you did it just because you love our family.  I love how much you believe in my Brandon and I am so forever thankful that you and Terry are in his life. 

An hour into the party I looked up and saw everyone having such a great time and it brought tears to my eyes.  How very thankful I am to have you in my life. You did such an amazing job planning out the details of this party that it just took my breath away. 

I LOVE YOU STACIA and I am forever thankful for the woman, wife, and most importantly (to me) “friend” and “sister” you have become.

Planning and facilitating this party was a gift that I will never forget as long as I live.  20 years from now as Brandon visits us with his wife and children we will pull out the scrapbook and STILL talk about Stacia and the memories that were made at this event.  As a matter of fact, I find myself continuing to remember more and more details as we gain distance and hindsight.  Your gift just keeps on giving.  I love Stacia Nemeth!

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."   Proverbs 31:29

Brandon's "18th" Birthday Party!

Brandon Turns "18"!?

Don't Blink
(Brandon "1991")

(Brandon "2009")

Today is very emotional for me.  We are celebrating my Brandon's "18th" birthday.  My heart goes flying back in time.  You see, we have been planning a HUGE birthday bash for him for weeks now. 

As I have been making out the guest lists, calling the Dee Jay, writing checks, planning the details, I am quickly taken back to his first birthday. It seems like yesterday that I was planning his big Chuckee Cheese party.

I had friends and family who didn't understand why I would want to spend money on something (they said) he would never remember. All these years later and I wouldn't change a thing. Do you know why....., because "I" remember.

All too soon, his days at home are coming to an end, and yet it seems like it was just yesterday that I was putting his pudgy little diapered bottom in the front of my grocery cart. Where did the time go? 

I close my eyes and can still see me kissing his little-boy boo boo's or drying his little baby head after bath time.  I remember running him to ice hockey, soccer, co-op classes, you name it. 

I will never forget going through nursing school with a young baby.  Scott worked evenings and so I would tuck him into his Barney laden bed, and sit in my great grandmother's rocking chair with a small lamp studying my Latin terminology until he fell asleep.  (I got some of my best studying done in those quiet hours where it was just he and I)

I will never forget that exact moment the Lord called me to lay aside my plans to embrace "HIS" plans.  Where I had dreamed of a long career as Florence Nightingale,He saw me as a stay at home, homeschooling mom. Thank you Lord for knowing what was best for me because it truly was the BEST decision I ever made! 

Twelve years later and I can't believe that I ever hesitated.  It has been an honor and privilege to educate my boys, and to be with them as they had their "aha" moments. 

However, as sentimental and bittersweet as those memories are I am even more proud of the young adult my Brandon has become. The Lord made Brandon who he is and just allowed Scott and I a few treasured years to help develop what was already there..., A deep love for Jesus, A deep love for others, Powerful communication skills, positivity, adaptability, humor, etc...,    What an honor it is to be his mother!

Brandon Arnold may you always feel the Love of your Savior guiding and directing every single decision you ever have to make.  Don't ever get caught up in the things of this world my son.  1 John 2:17 tells us that, "THIS world is quickly fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever!"

May you always know how much your daddy and I love you and believe in you.  It is our honor to now step to the sidelines and take on the role of cheerleader as you make your own life, mistakes and all.

Remember our family motto, "Fall Down, Get Up, Fail Forward and FINISH WELL"  It's okay to make a mistake as long as you learn from them!  I love you with my whole heart and I am so proud to be your mother!

I am going to close with a song that ties it all together my sweet son.  All too soon you will be married and beginning your family.  My prayer is that you don't every take one single second for granted because the minute you blink it's all over......., DON'T BLINK