A Mom's Journey

My Blog 3rd Blogiversary!

Yesterday was my blog's third anniversary, and in the busyness of our lives I didn't get it posted.  I've been thinking about this, some bloggers have give aways to celebrate their blogiversary.  I understand that entirely, in blogging I've been given way more than I've gave.  People have blessed me over and over with encouragement, prayers and kind words.  But I'm thinking about a give away at a different time.  I'll get to that at the end of my post. 

But as much as I enjoy blogging I'd walk away from it tomorrow if I thought it came between my relationship with God, my husband, or my children. 

Blogging is fun and connecting but it isn't my all and all.  I believe for me that it is important to constantly review how I am spending my time.  So over the past few months I've had times where I haven't blogged because it wasn't something I felt I should be doing.  I can also become prideful when I'm blogging.  I get this "look at me, I am doing so and so, how great am I" attitude. Another form of this sin for me has been my attitude of not having the newest or greatest thing to say, than why say anything at all.   It is during those times that I am convicted of this sin and back off from blogging.  

But, my main purpose for blogging is to have fun and to connect.  Sometimes it is connecting with our family, sharing what we are doing in our home(schooling and other stuff).  I want to have fun blogging.  I never want blogging to become work.  I want to enjoy sharing, connecting and the encouragement that goes with blogging. 

I am grateful for all of the great friendships and wealth of information I've been blessed with in blogging. 

So as I enter my fourth year of blogging, I've decided on a different kind of celebration.  This is one of more importance to me.  On October 13th I will celebrate my 21st year as a Christian. 

On October 1st I'll anounce a contest to celebrate the best day of my life.  The Lord has done great and mighty things in my life and I want to share with others some resources that He has blessed me with. 

~~Looking forward to His path for me on this journey, and huge {{{{Hugs}}} to anyone who reads my ramblings blog,

~Cleaning Out My Homeschool Closet-Giveaway~

Valerie at Christian Printables is hosting a great contest.  She has some great things she is giving away, I recommend checking then out.
I have a few things that  are doubles in our homeschool classroom closet.  So I've decided to join in. 

Here are the rules, leave a comment telling which item you would like to win, you can put your name in for all four. The contest will end at midnight of September 14th.  On the morning of September 15th, I will put everyone's name in a basket for which book they would like to win.  My daughters will choose one winner for each book. Each winner will also receive a bottle of Bath and Body works antibacterial hand soap.  I will only ship within the United States and to Canada.

Here are the four books I'm giving away. 
Finding the Answers, a Rod & Staff Preschool Workbook



Corduroy by Don Freeman

This book is beloved by all of my daughters, it is in great condition.

Little House in the Big Woods

Scholastic~29 Spanish Alphabet Mini-Books

These would be great to make up for a Spanish lapbook! 



Thank you for joining in the fun! 

~Blogger Friend School Assignment #100~

Assignment #100-"Oh, What a Feeling"


Our Assignment: Take time this week to write about YOU and your feelings of trials and triumphs with homeschooling.  Touch on when you first heard about the concept of home schooling and whether you tip-toed into the idea or just jumped in and never looked back.  Share your schooling as a child and how you compare it to what your goals are for your children.

_______________________________________________________________________________

It has been 10 years since we got our first computer and subsequent connection to the world wide web.  I had never thought much about home schooling until then.  The WWW unlocked a door to a lot of things about being a christian wife and mother that I had never even thought of.   As I joined Proverbs 31 groups on Yahoo, I was given a dream that I never would have imagined prior to 1998, the dream to school our children in our home.  God and I had a few hurdles to jump toward the finish line of actually being able to school in our home.  Even for a time the dream was dormant, and I did not pray about it. But the Lord in His faithfulness of love and graciousness continued to move and orchestrate the timing for us to begin home schooling. 

Jennifer's public school was ok,  not so great.  Kindegarten was fine, but then I placed her in a multi-age classroom for 1st and 2nd.  The learning style was more community like, and I thought that this would be somewhat like home schooling.  There was a girl that picked on Jennifer, and I was trying to be the "good" Christian by ignoring it.    Also they taught reading only using whole language, Jennifer has had to work hard to get her reading up to speed.  The third grade was a wash, but a lot of fun for her.   By fourth grade, I had placed her in a traditional classroom, and she did well academically.  I try not to be a public school "basher", they are what they are.  Jennifer wanted to be home schooled, and we began in her fifth grade year.  It was my dream come true. 

Since beginning to home school I have had ever emotion under the spectrum.  There have been points of elation, watching our daughters grow in knowledge and wisdom.  But there also has been some very low points.  But through it all the Lord has been faithful.  Faithful to soften hearts, to make home schooling possible in our home.  Faithful to change hearts, so they are moldable to learning from their parents, not "teachers".   Gracious to provide financially and to give abundant peace, joy and love through this journey. 

I am so "into" home schooling our daughters and the goals I have for them,  I seem to have some memory loss.  Until sitting down to writie this I had forgotten about public school, and its goals.  I  only know what our goals are within our home school.  Goals to see them grow in their relationship with the Lord, to know God as their friend and trust them every day of their lives.  We desire them to be equipped servants, to serve others and Him in whatever capacity He wills. 

Through all of these emotions and feelings the bottom line for me is that I can not trust in them.  I have learned that there will be good days and bad days.  But each moment I can trust Him.  He is faithful to strengthen me, to stabilize me, and to guide me as a wife and mom. 

There are so many verses that I could share.  Verses that have given me peace, joy and hope. This last week I wrote out thess verses to be our memory verses.

PSALM 32: 8-11

   8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. 9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, {Otherwise} they will not come near to you. 10 Many are the sorrows  of the wicked, But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him. 11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright  in heart.

I appreciate this assignment and the focus that it has provided.  I look forward to reading other classmates assignments over the weekend.

God Bless you all as you home-educate your precious blessings.

please join me in prayers and fasting

My health has been getting worse and worse. I am on many medications for it. Many pain meds, I do not like taking them. Recently it has gotten so bad my doc referred me to the pain clinic. My appointment is not for another month. But  I dont want to go. I am 37, I feel like I have so much left in me, I am not ready to add more legal drugs, I am just not ready to go that way. I have been doing much praying about my health issues and how to get better. I have also been working with a sweet holostic doctor and my regular doc. After much praying I think I have my answers, actually I know I do. Tomorrow I will be fasting for myself, along with 1 or 2 family members who are joining. I would love to have more join in. After that I am doing a detox and coming off all pain meds. I know I will have a rough few days. I do not know how long it will take to complete. I will be adding more exercize, and with any luck start going to the Y again to swim several times a week. . I have already been on heavy duty pain meds for a long times. Dont want stronger. So I am hoping praying that the vitamins and supplements from the Holistic doctor will help. I have prayed lots and hard about this and feel strongly this is my answer. I just need to be strong enough to do with out the pain meds until the rest of the plan kicks in and my body heals. Heavenly Father has let me know I can heal, and live much better by following this doctors advice. He is a very sweet kind, caring doctor. He is A Priesthood holder who I have lots of confidence in. And has a very sweet loving giving wife who supports him in his work. So I am asking for more prayers from you all. Please pray with me that I can be strong enough to suffer from the pain I will have while waiting to be pain free, and that Heavenly Father can help life this from me, and for his will to be done. I feel kind of weird asking for such direct selfish prayers but I also feel I need them, and I know the power of all your combined prayers in unreal.
I will try to keep you all updated as I go along, but it will depend on how I am feeling. My mom will do most of the caring for my kids if need be while I sleep it off if I am not up to dealing with life and the pain.

                                   School update

The kids are doing good in school. They will continue in their schooling while I start my healing journey. The programs they are in make it simple for them to do even if I am focusing on my health. I will be able to help my younger ones, as well as my mom will. And hopefully we will be able to go on some fun awesome fieldtrips soon! We have wante to but with my health it has not happened. I am hoping it will soon. The kids are over all doing good. Growing fast, to fast, I cant keep up in their clothing!  They have been making wooden swords with some friends recently.  Not sure where I sit with that one!                  I am still not working. I have been looking. I have filled out so many applications its unreal. I am feeling a little panicked over bills and living expences and all that and knowing how I am going to make it all work at this point. I am sure it will somehow, no idea how. But something has to happen. The van is in the shop and has been for over a week so I cant even go job hunt outside the house right now. Thats ok, I need to handle the health issues first. But I would preferre to work at home. I do need to find a way to cover bills though. I only feel right in asking the Bishop for so much, and I am way past that.   Well I dont want to start sounding whiny  Its late and we have EMS at 5 am! So I better head to bed. We would love to hear from family and friends. Write or call you know how to reach us                                                        Luv the Huffins

The Temple Is about Families "When you come to the temple you will love your family with a deeper love than you have ever felt before. The temple is about families. . . . It extends to parents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, forebears, and especially our grandchildren! This is the Spirit of Elijah, which is the spirit of family history work; and when inspired by the Holy Ghost, it prompts the turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. Because of the priesthood, husbands and wives are sealed together, children are sealed to their parents for eternity so the family is eternal and will not be separated at death."Richard H. Winkel, "The Temple Is about Families," Ensign, Nov. 2006

First Day of School 2008

~Reflections From My Heart~

Posted by FaithfulGrace
5:57 PM, Sunday, August 24, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

"For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that is in you as well".  2 Timothy 1:5


I shared last week that the Lord has been working within me to change me for our school year.  I have needed to take a look inside.  This has shown me some attitudes and behavior that I had to repent and be forgiven for.  To many times over the last few years, I have acted without faith but instead in fear.  Fears that are unfounded and not edifying to the Lord or my family. 

We only have five years left and Jennifer will be graduating from our homeschool.  I don't know what the future holds for her, but I know that it is our passion to see her leave our home with a sincere faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This faith is not only to be taught, but caught by the example and role model. 

I am blessed beyond measure to have a husband that is always modeling this faith to us in our home.  He is a great leader and wonderful father.  He wrote our homeschool vision statement. 
 

Our Home School Vision School

  Our vision for our home school is to provide a Christ-centered, Biblically based education for our children.  

This will be in a loving atmosphere. 

The environment in our home will be safe and fun. 

All done to the Glory of God and according to His Will. 

We will teach, equip and educate our children to reach their full potential in Christ.  Not bound by the ways of the world but free to live out God’s Will for their lives. 

We will prepare them for life long service to God and their family. 

Also, leading them in the commandment to love the Lord their God with all of their heart, mind and soul. 

We promise to provide them with all of the tools and opportunities for an excellent education, both in knowledge and wisdom.  And their educatin shall prepare them for secondary education if the Lord wills.

END VISION STATEMENT

I have been deliberately neglectful in sharing our curriculum choices for the new year.  I believe that each one of us should make our own decisions for our families.  These decisions must be bathed in prayer and a knowing of our children.  I will be putting them on the sidebar, as time allows.  

Our year is going to be spent a lot in the Word of God.  When asked what was their favorite parts of our last year of school, they would say "reading the Bible together".  Jennifer loves the book of James, because we read it over and over together.  Elizabeth loves the story of Creation, because we read it over and over together.  I am not going to put time limits on this time.


In all of this I feel incredibly inadequate and rely only on Him.  

 

Thoughts on service, and turning life over to Heavenly Father

Posted by mom
7:36 PM, Aug. 18, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

I have been thinking lots about service. I used to be able to do so much Service. It was not always something big, sometimes it was small things, usually it was small things. But I know the blessings were awesome, and The rewards were so much greater on my end than for the person I did the service for. I miss doing service. Due to my health and the hecticness of life I have almost stopped. That really bothering me. I do not like. it. I want to be able to do more, even if its small. So I am looking for small ways to do service. I am also reminding myself that service comes in many many ways. As I start my day it will be with my prayers, also asking for small ways to do service for someone.                                          

                                                        Simple Daily Acts 
"Serving others need not come from spectacular events. Often it is the simple daily act that gives comfort, uplifts, encourages, sustains, and brings a smile to others. May we always find opportunities to serve."

Seminary started today also. I ended up taking the kids. Several reasons for it, mostly I thought about it I decided that if I put out the effort, Heavenly Father will make it so I can do it. And just Maybe my Health will improve, if I make the extra effort, he will bless me for it. I know he will. So I am taking the kids, I am using the time to read my scriptures! I read a lot this morning and loved it. I felt good for doing so. I was able to focus.  I would hope that you all remember that no matter what the trial, pain, income,work, marriage issues,children,household issues Heavenly Father can bless you and carry you through the trials. Ask and Ye Shall Receive.      As the kids and I face our everyday trials we try to hang onto the Gospel and each other. Some days it feels impossible, I struggle, I feel like giving up. I know the kids do also. But We keep on going. I keep following the teachings of the Church, Following our Prophet! He is such an awesome man!  Well my baby E says its sweepy time and wants me to rock her and I cant miss out on that! So I am off to rock my baby while I can. I love and miss our friends. Would love to hear from you! Oh and I have a certain bubba that would like to talk to an uncle in a nearby state about some guy things if your willing! Let me know if your up for it!

"When you come to the temple you will love your family with a deeper love than you have ever felt before. The temple is about families. . . . It extends to parents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, forebears, and especially our grandchildren! This is the Spirit of Elijah, which is the spirit of family history work; and when inspired by the Holy Ghost, it prompts the turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. Because of the priesthood, husbands and wives are sealed together, children are sealed to their parents for eternity so the family is eternal and will not be separated at death."Richard H. Winkel, "The Temple Is about Families," Ensign, Nov. 2006

Conversation with two of my boys this morning

Posted by Stephanie
1:00 PM, Aug. 18, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

This morning my two boys who are 11 and 9, were telling me about a show they watched yesterday, a documentary about lions.   Joshua says "Tommy cried at the end".  Tommy says indignantly "no I did not........well it was so sweet".  LOL  Something about baby lions and their mother.  I am laughing but I am also touched.  I am so glad that these young men still have their tender feelings in tact.  Even if it is over baby lions.  lol

Revival

Posted by FaithfulGrace
8:01 AM, Thursday, August 14, 2008 .. 7 comments .. Link

I apologize first for my lack of blogging over the last month.  I just haven't felt like writing or sharing much.  The Lord has had me in a season of reflection and repentance for some areas in my heart that needed cleaned up.  I'm grateful to Him,  that doesn't even seem like enough words, for He is so faithful in His loving mercy and grace despite my unending list of short comings. 

I appreciate all of your sweet comments,  I've been reading blogs but hope to start leaving comments again.  I have a plate full as we start our new school year.  I'll try to post on our new year later today, or tomorrow.  But my weekend is packed.  I'm thrilled with what He is going to do throughout our school year in 2008-2009!  I know I say that and proclaim it each year, but this year is going to be life changing for us all.

On to the topic of this blog post.  I wanted to title it Todd Bentley, but didn't want Google to pick that up.  The above title is less prone to be picked up.   

Last week I walked into the family room while my husband was watching TV, after the children were in bed.  There was a man on the TV, yelling, no screaming.  Instantly I knew it was Todd Bentley, and I said to my husband, "Oh that must be Todd Bentley".  I sat and watched for a few minutes.  I said to my husband "Why does he have to scream?"   Then we began to discuss passionately proclaiming versus the sleeping church.  Finally I said, "Well even Benny Hinn doesn't scream like that.  Todd Bentley is just off."   My husband agreed and I went to bed.  

Several times I've wandered and prayed for the people that have been involved in this "revival" at Lakeland.  But I've thought little more of it.   Until I read this today in my Google reader.


TEST REVIVAL WITH SOUND DOCTRINE

(Author: John Piper)

Lee Grady, the editor of Charisma, one of the main charismatic magazines, has written a lament and critique of the Lakeland "revival" which is now in a tailspin over the leaders announced separation from his wife. Grady's summons to pray for the church and and our nation is right, and among his commendable questions and observations are these:

• "Many of us would rather watch a noisy demonstration of miracles, signs and wonders than have a quiet Bible study. Yet we are faced today with the sad reality that our untempered zeal is a sign of immaturity. Our adolescent craving for the wild and crazy makes us do stupid things. It's way past time for us to grow up."
  
• "True revival will be accompanied by brokenness, humility, reverence and repentance—not the arrogance, showmanship and empty hype that often was on display in Lakeland."
  
• "A prominent Pentecostal evangelist called me this week after Bentley's news hit the fan. He said to me: "I'm now convinced that a large segment of the charismatic church will follow the anti-Christ when he shows up because they have no discernment." Ouch. Hopefully we'll learn our lesson this time and apply the necessary caution when an imposter shows up."

Charismatics will not be the only ones who follow the Antichrist when he rises. So will the mass of those who today in thousands of evangelical churches belittle the truth of biblical doctrine as God's agent to set us free (John 8:32).

Discernment is not created in God's people by brokenness, humility, reverence, and repentance. It is created by biblical truth and the application of truth by the power of the Holy Spirit to our hearts and minds. When that happens, then the brokenness, humility, reverence, and repentance will have the strong fiber of the full counsel of God in them. They will be profoundly Christian and not merely religious and emotional and psychological.

The common denominator of those who follow the Antichrist will not be "charismatic" it will be, as Paul says, "they refused to love the truth."

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Our test for every Lakeland that comes along should first be doctrinal and expositional. Is this awakening carried along by a "love for the truth" and a passion to hear the whole counsel of God proclaimed? 


END ARTICLE

May we labor as homeschooling parents to teach our children the sound doctrine found only in the Word of God, so that our children may not waiver in the winds of our changing world.

~~~~~~ A New school year ~~~~~~

Posted by mom
5:11 PM, Aug. 13, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

Yup we are starting up again! I am excited. We are adding to our normal route. I am using K-12 for Sir N. and Chubby! Sir N will be using their 1st grade, and Chubs will be officially in K!! I cant believe it. They are both excited. They will do lots of hands on stuff. Plus we will keep doing what I have at home and want to add on. I have many many projects,books and other things we will use, still ec-lec-tic!  Bubba and Loo are using a different program, along with my approach. I am excited for them, so are they!  Nanna and Boo are also working on a different program, along with my approach! It will make for a different year this year.  The kids have done some testing already. But our 1st full day will be Monday! I am thinking of doing something fun to Celebrate after the book works are done, Park or zoo. We will see. Oh Seminary also starts Monday! Boo and Nanna both will be going! YAHHOOOOOO! Well I dread getting up so early but we will manage. It goes from 5:45-6:30, YUCK. I wont be able to take them for the 1st month due to my health. I have a ride set up for the 1st month. Hopefully by then I can manage to do it. Not sure how my health will improve but somehow it has to.

Its been a rough couple of weeks. Nanna has had a bad time. She was hospitalized for depression and then went manic in the same week and almost ended up back in the hospital.  She needs lots of prayers. Her doctors are treating her very intensively now, hopefully we can keep her home. Its been scary. I am not putting all the details here, if anyone wants to know more email or call me and I will tell you. I just dont want to put it all out there.  The kids are all ok. Stressed, and on edge due to the events of the past week or so. They will be ok though. Their therapist and psych is working with them. Sir N is doing awesome these days. They are all growing so big! They are in need of clothes, and we are still in need of school supplies and with me not working I am unsure how it will all work out but somehow it will work out.  Hopefully I am working again soon.

Well Its time to head off to take kids to mutual tonight. We love and miss all our family. Hope your doing good. Would love to hear from you all.

 

 

The Temple Is about Families "When you come to the temple you will love your family with a deeper love than you have ever felt before. The temple is about families. . . . It extends to parents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, forebears, and especially our grandchildren! This is the Spirit of Elijah, which is the spirit of family history work; and when inspired by the Holy Ghost, it prompts the turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. Because of the priesthood, husbands and wives are sealed together, children are sealed to their parents for eternity so the family is eternal and will not be separated at death."Richard H. Winkel, "The Temple Is about Families," Ensign, Nov. 2006

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