~ About Me ~
Hi, welcome to my blog. I will be sharing our experience as we homeschool 5 boys - our struggles, trials, prayers, and blessings. There are many challenges along the way for any homeschooler and I hope you are encouraged by what you read here. We use Sonlight and My Father's World as our main curriculum. Thank you for stopping by and comments are welcomed.
Jan. 31, 2008 - A Long Cold Day in the Gould Home...and Other Ramblings
Good morning blogger friends! It is polar here in Michigan! I am looking forward to spring. Yes I know we have a LONG way to go. *sigh*
Last night we had to cancel small group because the roads were terrible. On our way home from an appointment we slipped around several times. Yikes! I'm glad dh was driving! Our van is great on the winter roads but I still do not like to drive on them.
My dear husband just left for a day full of adventure. He won't be home until tonight around 9. He is in for a long time. Somehow I think mine may be longer. We usually go rollerskating on Thursday but he has the van so we are stuck at home....with no where to go. I am secretly delighted (sh...don't tell anyone ). We may actually finish ALL of our school work today. Thursdays are a crazy day because of skating but also the middle two tag along with dad to prayer time and practice at the church. I will probably call one of the worship team members to see if they can stop by on their way to practice so they can hang out at the church with dad...oh yeah and one of their friends. This evening after dinner my MIL and I are taking the younger 2 to the children's museum. It is a surprise! They have been asking to go for weeks now. I thought today would be a good day since it is SO cold outside (did I mention that already?).
Friday and Saturday night I get to go to a women's leadership conference here in Grand Rapids. Kay Arthur is the key note speaker. These are the workshops I signed up for:
Session I
First Choice: The Unique Role of a Pastor's Wife
Second Choice: Boundaries in Ministry
Session II
First Choice: Reflecting God's Glory
Second Choice: Becoming a Strong Woman of God
Session III
First Choice: Developing a Women's Ministry
Second choice: Leading Others to Spiritual Maturity
I really want the first choice options but I am sure whatever workshop I participate in will be wonderful. I am attending because I feel I could use some guidance in different areas and also to be encouraged in my role as a pastor's wife and in women's ministry. I have led several women's studies and feel that is where the Lord has led me to serve in our church. (Besides the role of a pastor's wife which I feel is where my priority is.) I have a burden for the women in my church and in the neighborhood where we serve. I long to see them be free from their past (the pain, shame etc.) so that they can serve the Lord and their families. I pray the conference will give me some more guidance in this area.
The desires of your heart are wonderful!! What a blessing you are to your husband, your family and the women whose lives you touch. God will bless your desires.
Burrr... You are tired of the cold, too, huh? I keep offering to move south, but my hubby isn't taking me up on my offer.
Therefore encourage one another and build
each other up... 1 Thessalonians 5:11b
Aug. 21, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Iris at Sting My Heart is focusing on peace today. Everyone longs for peace - peace in their homes and in their countries. As Iris pointed out one definition of peace is: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Another definition, which encompasses the above definition is: Strong's Concordance 7965 - Hebrew Shalom ..... A word study in the New King James version for SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.
I am so thankful for the peace of God. It is more than being free from conflict on the outside...it is true freedom from conflict on the inside. So many times we appear to be cool, calm and collective but inside our emotions and thoughts are raging. I am so thankful that we, as believers, can have shalom even in our inner being. When the storm is raging call on your Prince of Peace and He will quiet you with His peace. Thank you Jesus for that peace...it is a strong testimony of your work in our lives.
I am also thankful for my MIL and her sister. They have offered to take the boys for a day so that I can have some time to myself.
I am thankful that my dh's new job is going well. The Lord has given him peace, wisdom and strength each day.
My prayer for you:
The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace (shalom). Numbers 6:24-26
Sonshine over at Glimpse of Sonshine presented me with this award - Thank you for your kindness!! It was not easy to choose only 5 blogs for this award because I enjoy reading so encouraging and informative blogs. Blessings to all of you...and keep on writing!!
Now I must:
1. Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material, and overall contribution to the blogger community, regardless of the language.
2. Post the name of the author and a link to his or her blog so everyone can view it.
3. Each award-winner has to show the award and put a name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award.
4. The award winner and presenter should post the link of the �Arte y pico� blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. Please post these rules.
I nominate the following blogs for this award(in no particular order!)...
Tiany at Less of Me~More of Him: a beautiful blog plus homeschooling and homemaking resources
Stacy at By God's Grace: love her cute graphics, worship music & her willingness to be real about life and give God the glory
Dee at Boys 'R' Us: fellow homeschool mom of all boys; enjoy reading her humorous posts about life with all boys
Song of the Sagebrush: enjoy her poems & posts about her life on the ranch; brings me back to the simple way of life
Shorty Bear's Place: love to read her Thankful Thursday post; a beautiful heart that loves the Lord
"Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You..."Jeremiah 32:17
I am thankful there is nothing to difficult for our God. If He can create the heavens and the earth through His great power then we can be sure He is able to accomplish mighty things in our own lives.
I am thankful for my husband, who has worked tirelessly this week training in his second job and continues to accomplish work in the ministry. I am thankful for his dedication to the Lord and to his family.
I am thankful for my children. They are each a unique gift from the Lord. They may bring challenges into our lives but they are also a huge blessing.
Thank you Iris for hosting the Thankful Thursday meme. If you would like to know more head on over to her blog and check it out. You will not be disappointed.
). We may actually finish ALL of our school work today. Thursdays are a crazy day because of skating but also the middle two tag along with dad to prayer time and practice at the church. I will probably call one of the worship team members to see if they can stop by on their way to practice so they can hang out at the church with dad...oh yeah and one of their friends. This evening after dinner my MIL and I are taking the younger 2 to the children's museum. It is a surprise! 
They have been asking to go for weeks now. I thought today would be a good day since it is SO cold outside (did I mention that already?).