 Every year our state home schooling association hosts a family camp at a church campground not too far to our north.  It is always a wonderful time of Christian fellowship and encouragement. This year was no exception.  Although, the sudden drop in temperature, did hamper our efforts a little. Most of us were not prepared to go from 80 degrees to 30-something in a few short hours.  It was mosty just a great adventure, though, and something for the kids to talk about.  I especially love to hear the men encourage one another in their devotion. They are just so much more practical and straight forward in their testimonies to one another.  From sharing what the Lord has been doing in their lives and churches to cheering on their favorite team in the blink of an eye!  |
I am determined to spend more time reading books and less time reading snippets of them on the internet. Snippets are good, especially when there is little time for reading, but I'm really craving some good books right now. I'm starting with this one. It seemed fitting, since a friend challenged me to give up caffeine, starting today. |
 There are many things on my mind today...I read an excellent sermon by JC Ryle~"Are You Regenerate?" Here is just a snippet, it is rich stuff: The Regenerate man is a holy man. He endeavors to live according to God's will, to do the things that please God, to avoid the things that God hates. His aim and desire is to love God with heart and soul, and mind and strength, and to love his neighbor as himself. His wish is to be continually looking to Christ as his example as well as his Savior, and to show himself Christ's friend by doing whatever Christ commands. No doubt he is not perfect. None will tell you that sooner than himself. He groans under the burden of indwelling corruption cleaving to him. He finds an evil principle within him constantly warring against grace, and trying to draw him away from God. But he does not consent to it, though he cannot prevent its presence. In spite of all short-comings, the average bent and bias of his ways is holy—his doings holy—his tastes holy—and his habits holy. In spite of all his swerving and turning aside, like a ship going against a contrary wind, the general course of his life is in one direction—toward God and for God. And though he may sometimes feel so low that he questions whether he is a Christian at all, in his calmer moments he will generally be able to say, with old John Newton, "I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world—but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am."* And here is the sermon in it's entirety. Later, I listened to Martha Peace's testimony. She recently spoke at a women's conference at our old church in California. They have been generous to post the audio. This afternoon, I thought I would begin trying to gather materials about the Reformation. Our church has an annual 3 day conference and I want to lay a little groundwork here at home. I will post some links for anyone that's interested as soon as I confirm that what I have found is good stuff. I was somewhat bemused when I read this article about the Reformation and Halloween. I wish we had been better informed about Halloween before we had children. But at least we know now.
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A young mother was asking me about homeschooling this morning. She is wanting to try teaching her soon to be 5 year old at home, but feeling inadequate and intimidated. She was trying to understand why we do it, and how.
I had to explain that the reasons we started are not the reasons we continue. Those first ideas seem a little silly now.
 Once we took this huge step of faith, God just began to shower His grace on us. Our family is not the same as it was then. Relationships are deeper, and stronger. My children are more imaginative and creative learners. They are learning life skills by doing and caring for others, because they are living their days in the social unit designed by God--the family-- not in some man-made institution. 
My only regret about homeschooling is not doing it sooner. |
 For at least four hours or so this morning, I thought it was Wednesday. This caused me to dash around madly trying to get out the door to a 10 o'clock appointment, that I was actually a full twenty-four hours early to. Oh my. I will be that much more prepared for it tomorrow. That is if I manage to remember that it is not Thursday.  I wonder if it has anything to do with this little guy? I wonder if I will have any brain cells left intact by the time I finish my baby rearing years?  |
 The rain is pouring down outside, little ones are sleeping, and the older kids reading in their rooms. Except for Parker who is in the porch swing with a blanket, enoying the storm. We have been struggling with the flu and he is the latest victim. I'm grateful that the babies are over it now and on the mend. And me as well. I hope it will go easier with my older children and husband. They are off to a milder start.   We have had a very busy and somewhat disorganized summer and not much time for fun, but are looking forward to Fall and several fun activities and trips that are in the works.  The highlight of our summer was a visit from Teenager. In March, shortly after Micah was born, he had called to tell me that he was tired of living in rebellion, had been humbling himself before the LORD and had now put his faith in HIM. I did not share this, because I needed to see for myself that his conversion was real--to see evidence of his faith. It gives me great joy to say that it is very real. God has given HIS grace to this family in abundance. There are not words to express my gratitude, really.  It was even harder to say goodbye at the end of our visit, but the reasons for our tears were so much sweeter. We began lessons again the third week of August. My goals for the year are fairly simple: to develop better habits in myself and my children and to start preparing my oldest two for whatever comes next. I'm startled to realize how quickly that day comes. |
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There are going to be THREE MORE True Woman conferences in 2010! Samantha and I are so excited and wanted to tell everyone. This was the best christian conference I have ever been to and even beats any of the smaller retreats I have been to hands down for spiritual renewal. It's hard to even explain what a great environment that was. You had to be there, but there was such a sweetness about it. We met Jenn4him and Mama Karen in person there, too. They are lots of fun and were so sweet to drive us around since we were car-less.  Okay, here's an example--there were 6000 women there and when they handed out the box lunches, I didn't spot one frown in the crowd or hear a single grumpy comment from anyone around me. Not that anyone had reason to be upset. I think it took them less than 15 minutes to get a lunch in everyone's hands. It was very well done. I'm just sayin', though. You know how these things can be! But even better was the time we spent in prayer. There is just something about joining in prayer with that many other women, and knowing you all have the same struggles and frustrations. |
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This morning as we were all waking up Parker ran inside to tell us that a tree had fallen across the driveway. We were astonished, since yesterday was hot and sunny. So we questioned him, disbelieving, as to whether or not he actually meant a TREE. He was so certain, that we went outside with him.  There actually was a very large tree across the driveway. It was dead and rotten, eaten from the inside by some colony of insects.  The amazing thing was that it fell right where Jim has parked his truck for several nights now, only last night he pulled farther forward.  The tree fell diagonally between our two vehicles. Had it fallen an inch further to the right OR the left it would have hit one of our vehicles and done substantial damage.  Had the tree been even a foot longer it would have come in contact with the house and probably done some minor cosmetic damage.  To add to the strangeness of the day...on returning from picking Kyle up from Boy Scout camp, DH found a BOA CONSTRICTOR stretched out across the bottom of the driveway! I wonder where that came from??? |
 Last night we went out to visit our 13 yo son at Boy Scout Camp. He seemed tired, a tad bit homesick and extremely dirty, but also just a little bit more grown up.  This is one of those growing experiences that you know is good for your children, but is awfully hard for their mothers. He is on track to earn three merit badges by the end of the week, which I understand will give him a good start. We are new to Boy Scouts and still learning.  I'm very thankful to have the troop we have here with committed leaders. DH is looking forward to getting involved as soon as he settles in. |
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I know I fell off the blogging wagon, but we are just so excited to have DH home and trying to squeeze too many things into our days. I think every member of the family had a running list of things "to do when Dad comes home" including Dad. There have been lots of projects started, some finished, many board games played, a few discipline issues addressed and tons of maintenance problems around the house taken care of. It feels soooooo good to feel semi caught up. And best of all--Micah is sleeping in his own bed and Caroline is potty trained. All of this in one week! God sure knew what He was doing when He designed the family. It works so well and is so sweet when things are as they should be.  Yesterday we felt caught up enough to go blueberry picking.  We went early while it was still cool and picked 2 gallons.  I froze three gallon size ziploc bags full.  And washed a colander full for immediate baking and consumption.  The end results were greatly enjoyed.  The kids promptly went out to investigate the progress of our blackberries. I guess I need to look up some more recipes. |
