Romans 8:31-37 (The Message)

 31-39So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

   They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
   We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

My teen daughters and I were talking about friendship recently. They are in turmoil over not developing close friendships with some girls. After listening to them tell about the on again, off again attitude toward friendship that teen girls have, I was thinking, "If feelings can be so fickle, why do you want that in your life?".

It's perfectly fine to have one or two close friendships. A gob of friends isn't necessarily always healthy. One can get into a lot of trouble in this type of setting.  My husband puts it best, "There are things that you'll do with a group of people that you wouldn't dare do on your own."

We can teach our children about what's valuable in friendships and how to choose your friends wisely. But, when it comes to wanting to belong, a lot of the teaching goes out the window. So, heartache is almost certain to follow.

I guess the next step in guiding our daughters (all of our children) is to focus on their leadership skills and ability. To teach them that they don't have to compromise who they are or their values to fit in. If anything, they should want to stand out and be known for doing what's right; to be a shining example. Who says that they have to follow? My husband claims that in high school, he was the peer pressure. His peers say him as a stand-up guy, stepped up their game and didn't talk about the "crap" that guys usually talk about in the locker room. They knew that he would call them on it.

I know that as MOM, I may seem stupid to my daughters and I have absolutely no clue what I'm talking about or how they feel. Number one reason is that I was never homeschooled and I don't know what homeschooled girls go through. I'll give them that; only the fact that I wasn't homeschooled. BUT, the people/teen girls are the same in any setting: public school, private school, co-ops and homeschool. Girls are shunned everyday and it has nothing to do with school affiliation.

My girls have to know that : 1)They can't please (nor should they strive to) everyone. 2)They should strive to be the best that God designed them to be.

I hope that this is an open dialogue between my girls and I as they get older and wiser. They do confess sometimes that I make valid points. We'll see.

I know that teens have opinions and feelings about things. I know. I’ve been there. But never did I raise my voice or talk in a disrespectful way to my parents.  What are some ways that we as parents can instruct and disciple our teens in expressing themselves while still being respectful and honoring?

It is now Basketball season in the Nellums household. The kids are playing with the Impact league through our church.

 Aubrey is playing on an all girls team.  She is the oldest on her team. I think she likes it that way.  They had their first game tonight and they won big time. I'm a very pleased momma.  The score was 37 to 9. I think that it's going to be a good season.

Austin and Josiah were on seperate teams to begin with because of the age range. After seeing Austin's team practice we knew that Josiah is just as (if not more than) capable than some of the fellas on Austin's team. Besides, their scheduled games conflicted with each other. It would be difficult to be in two places at one time. Austin's coach allowed Josiah to be on the team. We're glad to see the brothers play together again. I think that they have this "knowing" between them of what the other is going to do during the game.

Little Miss Sydney is cheering for the basketball teams. She finally gets to do it!! She has done so well with learning her cheers. I'm excited to see how she brings it. LOL!

Lord, thank You for the ability that my children have to play the sports that they enjoy. Grant them protection and guidance in every play and cheer. Bring to their remembrance that while they are playing they are still representing You. Help them to be pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' name. Amen.

YaY! It's now 2009. But, what did I do with 2008? Did I hit any of my goals? Did I grow in my walk with God? I know good and well that I didn't lose any of the weight that I desired to. I must get real... I didn't put forth any effort. Sad to say, I know. Did I do better by my children concerning their education? I feel that I fell short, but no guilt. I can't afford it.

My only option... Press On. There is hope and most of all mercy from my Heavenly Father. I get a new chance; a new beginning.

Yes, the goals are set again for the new year, but I refuse to condemn myself over falling short of any of them. I determine to live each day to the fullest and on purpose. The opportunity for my purpose to flourish everyday may be different than what I imagined. That's why I ask God to guide my path everyday. With Him leading, I may be led to or from something that I wouldn't have seen on my own.

Praise God for new beginnings and mercies everyday!

22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 24 "The Lord is my portion", says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"                             -Lamenations 3:22-24

I decided to do this contest that was put on by a fellow-blogger(Sagerats). I thought that it would cool to answer these questions. If you want to participate, go Here.

1.  Why did you start a blog? To inform family about what was going on in our family day to day, or occassion to occassion.

2.  What did/do you hope to accomplish with your blogging? Originally it was to keep family up to date. But now, it's to focus more on homeschool issues and growth in my faith and encouraging others in their faith.

3.  Have you found that you don't post as much as you did when you started?  I think that I post a little more now than I did when I started. From my original intent of the blog, our family was pretty boring and I didn't have much to report.

4.  If yes, why not?

5.  How important are comments to you? I like to know that someone is interested in what I have to say.

6.  Do you ever find yourself wishing people would not always leave comments that agree with you? No. I like hearing from like-minded people any day

7.  Do you comment on other people's blogs a lot, sometimes, or very little? I do sometimes.

8.  What determines why you don't post a comment on someone else's blog? I get hung up too often on thinking that I need to leave a profound comment when sometimes I just need to say "thank you" or "great post". (Something I need to work on. lol)


9.  What determines why you do post a comment on someone else's blog? When I have just as strong a conviction as the blogger and have something that I think is valid to share.

10.  Do you have more than one blog?  Where? Just one blog for me right now. I have thought of starting another, but haven't determined what would set it apart from the one I do have

11.  Do you read random blogs either off of random blogger or friends lists? All the time. I meet new and cool friends that way.

I have been pouring over different homeschool learning/teaching methods. The ones that are most appealing to me, Charlotte Mason, Eclectic, Delight-Directed, and the like, are not what my children are desiring.

I know that anything forced is not enjoyed and we will all be miserable. They want the structure of a textbook education. I feel though that I can incorporate Charlotte Mason's method of using living books into our homeschool day.

My head is swimming with excitement of the wonderful choices of living books for my children. The start of 2009 is going to be great as I hunker down with the children in the evening to share the classics with them by reading aloud to them; from the youngest to the oldest.

My home is empty on Christmas day because we are all "back home" with our families. We tried to stay home for Christmas one year after we moved away, but we were absolutely miserable.

My husband and I are from the same town with our families living only minutes apart. We are basically Highschool Sweethearts. AWE....

We start Christmas morning at my mother's house with my daddy, three siblings and a brother-in-law. It's tradition that we eat breakfast there. By the time we get to my husband's family's home at lunch time, we are extra stuffed. But, guess what we do anyway...eat, yet again. We wrap up the evening at my aunt's home with more food and plenty of laughter.

Christmas Day in the home of family is joyous and chaotic at the same time. With all of the children opening their gifts, there is a lot of oh-ing and ah-ing going on. The Aunts and Uncles and Grandparent's faces light up with delight more than anyone else’s. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family that enjoy sharing everything that they have.

This morning as I was browsing my bank's online site, I came across something that they call Extra Rewards. I had heard about it before, but quickly forgot about it (I had too much on my brain).
I signed up for the rewards and found that we had already accumulated a lot of points.
We qualify for all kinds of gift cards; from car rentals to day spas to Disney World to retail stores.

Many of you may be getting rewards from your banking institution, but if you haven't checked in to yours, I highly encourage you to. I know that many banks have different programs, so happy hunting.

Lightbulb Moment!! (More like a Holy Spirit moment)

This ties in to God's blessings for us. There is so much that He wants us to receive but most of the time I am too busy or self-absorbed to ask for it.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks the door will be opened.  Matthew 7:7,8

Lord I pray that I will not forfeit any blessing that you have for me, Your child. Lord let me always be found pleasing in Your sight, for You withhold no good thing from me (Psalm 84:11).  Amen.

This year has been filled with wander and trials. No matter what, God always blesses us.  Our family has adopted the following verse this year:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Homeschool Share  www.homeschoolshare.com

Currclick  www.currclick.com

Cindy Downes  www.oklahomahomeschool.com

Homeschool Library Builder  www.hslibrarybuilder.com

Homeschool Highlights  www.hshighlights.com

Donna Young  www.donnayoung.org

A to Z Teacher Stuff  www.atozteacherstuff.com

ABC Teach  www.abcteach.com

Homeschool Launch  www.hslaunch.com

Homeschool with Index Cards  www.homeschoolwithindexcards.com

The Homeschool Mom  www.thehomeschoolmom.com

Homeschool Curriculum for Life  www.homeschool-curriculum-for-life.com

Homeschool Helper  www.homeschoolhelper.com

Cindy Rushton www.cindyrushton.com

Barbara Frank Online  www.barbarafrankonline.com

Notebooking Pages  www.notebookingpages.com

Lifestyle Homeschool  www.lifestyle-homeschool.com

The Homeschool Lounge www.thehomeschoollounge.com

Heart of Wisdom www.heartofwisdom.com

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine www.theoldschoolhousemagazine.com

Homeschool Enrichment Magazine www.homeschoolenrichment.com

My friend, Leah Courtney, has started a new blog called the Courtney Six and it's starting to look really good.  Today is her "open house" and like any other open house, you hope to have lots of visitors and well wishers.

She is also running a giveaway. The rules are easy and the prizes are wonderful!

Give her a visit and say hello for me.

Today is my first participation in Cafe Chat and the subject is one that I'm glad to ponder.

Lately my prayer life has been consumed by mainly one thing. This in turn means that other areas in my life that still need prayer are suffering.

While I'm asking God to make my children obedient and respectful, my asking Him to make me obedient to Him (so that I can be an example to them) has slowed down, or dare I even say "ceased".

While I'm asking God to work in my neighbors heart to act more like Him, my asking Him to help me be more Christ-like is nill.

As I'm reading through the scripture to point out something for others' conduct, I put aside reading the Word that is to me.

I may go as far as to say that my motive for some prayer is not pure. So, I guess that I don't pray for a pure and clean heart.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.              

~Psalm 51:10

My fellowship with God this week has been more intimate and intentional. The bitter/sweet of it is that it has been trials that has gotten me more to that place. The more I seek God's Word for guidance to fix a certain situation or relationships, He leads me to Words that correct me.  I'm cool with those moments because I am striving to be more like Him. It's hard to swallow sometimes, but i'd rather receive correction or forewarning now than after an occurance of disobedience; then the consequences could be much greater than I want to bear. 

All Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action), so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.                                           2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AMP)

Heart of Wisdom CONTEST: 20 Free Ebooks $300.00 Value!

The Heart of Wisdom community is hosting a most wonderful giveaway. The value of the gifts, in terms of the vast knowledge, is incredible!

The  Heart of Wisdom curriculum is one that I'm sure that I will use for years to come.

Stop by and see what they have to offer. You will be blessed.

With a home as full as ours, it’s a shame that we don’t cultivate the various talents and gifts that God has blessed us with.

Our oldest (daughter) would be a wonderful debater (I haven’t told her that yet).  Even though dad and mom’s rules win every time, she presents an argument anyway. Maybe we can help her mold that into something productive.

Our second oldest (daughter) is very hands-on and lyrical. If she’s told not to touch something, guess what happens next! The things that she wants to get into, the money hasn’t been there to provide the opportunities, like acting, singing, pottery, painting, guitar, and several other creative venues.

Our next born (son) is into sports all the way around. He favors basketball and football. He has named several colleges that he would like to attend for both basketball and football.

We haven’t figured out yet what the younger threes’ passions are yet. Their only interests are playing and having fun; which at this point is perfectly fine!

I have a few passions that I would love to pursue, but I’m not in that season of my life yet. It’ll come. Until then, I make the most of this season.

My husband and I have goals and passions that we want to fulfill together to help married couples; to be mentors.  God has opened doors for us to be able to minister to several friends in this area.

The more I live, the more I see that I want to do or be involved in.  Learning and developing ones’ self should be a never-ending desire.

I am so practicing taking every thought captive right now. I usually don't have a hard time not saying what's on my mind, but the thoughts sure are there. I tend to hold it inside for a little while and then I find that it's only helpful and beneficial for me to "vent" to God about my frustrations or the things that I want to say to others.  My prayer journal is full of those moments.

"Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.  Depart from evil and do good; seek, inquire for, and crave peace and pursue (go after) it!"   ~Psalm 34:13-14

To learn more about God's Word concerning the Fruit of the Spirit, click here to visit Heart of Wisdom.

Memory Verse: I Timothy 4:12-13 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Intro: Quality is Job #1 (Ford)

Assignment: My family and I rarely do anything apart from each other. We don’t really have quality time together because all our time is together. We feel like the more special moments are when we have dinner together or when we worship God together. For this assignment, tell how you and your family spend QUALITY time together.

Our family at Stone Moutain, GA

Our family at Tweetsy Railroad (Boone, NC)

Our family at Crowders Moutain, SC

It's so cool to be recognized.  I enjoy being a part of BFS. It has challenged me and has reminded me to keep my life light and simple.

Thanks to all that stop by to say hello and to encourage me.

Blessing,