Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - Up a Tree

Sunday was a lovely day of celebration. My parents attended service at our church, and then we met at my house for a turkey dinner.  My oldest son and his girlfriend joined us. The meal was delicious and the conversation lively.  Every one left around 2:00 and the kids and I were to enjoy a peaceful afternoon.  My husband had to work, but was home early. This made the day especially nice.

 The kids had taken the dogs for a walk and the house was quiet.  At this point I have to say that I think our cat has an identity problem. We have never had an outdoor cat so her behavior is new territory for us. Left to her own devices, she usually stays within the perimeter of our home.  She does the usual things I would expect from a cat, chasing birds, catching mice and lizards and leaving them as ‘gifts’ at the front door, and other cat like things.  But she has an appetite for dog food and whenever the kids take the dogs for a walk she follows beside them as if she, too, wants to go for a walk.  We really didn’t see a problem with this because she follows the dogs closely and always comes back with them.  Well Sunday there was an incident that has put an end to her walks.  My son was walking his dog and got about half way around the mile long block when another dog confronted them.  He had picked up the cat in one hand and had the leash in the other when the other dog expressed his distaste for them being in his territory.  My son dropped the cat that proceeded to take off and shot up a tree.  Not knowing exactly what to do he ran home and frantically told the story.  He went back to the site, asked the dog owners to put the dog up, and tried to coax the cat out of the tree, but with no results.  He even climbed the tree beside it trying to reach her, but she was very uncooperative.  By this time the sun had begun to go down.  He returned to the house and I told him to wait a while and that I have never seen a cat skeleton in a tree, so I was sure that she would come down.  About half an hour later, my husband suggested that I go see if I could get her down.  So armed with her container of cat treats, my son and I headed over to the scene.  There she was, sitting on the thinnest twig about 20 feet up. (wish I had the foresight to bring the camera) I couldn’t believe that she hadn’t fallen.  After about 15 minutes of trying to entice her with treats, I knew that we were going to have to do something drastic.  So we returned home and got our ladder.  My husband thought we were nuts and was very frustrated by the whole situation.  Now picture this, it’s now dusk, we have our ladder sticking out the back of our Tahoe, and we drive half way around the block to get a cat that thinks she’s a bird out of a neighbor’s tree.  If our neighbor’s didn’t think we were crazy before, I’m sure they do now.  We tried to be quiet, but my son had never extended a ladder before, so discretion was out of the question.  After he finally let me show him how to do it, we put the ladder against the tree.  By this time we had drawn a small crowd.  Some of the neighbors had come out to offer their advice as to how to achieve the desired results. In the first attempt the ladder was too short, but after extending it a bit more, my son was able to pry her from her perch.  Needless to say, now when the kids walk the dogs, she is to be put in the house.

You may wonder why I decided to share this bit of comedy in our lives.  While the events of the evening were unfolding, I saw an image of how our walk in life can be compared to the incident.  Sometimes we are like that cat, thinking everything is normal as we go about our daily lives.  Then all of a sudden, a big dog enters in and chases us up a tree, leaving us nowhere to go and helpless.  The things that would usually bring us down from our perches have no affect. Outsiders offer advice and help, but they fall short of what we need. Then the Father extends the ladder of  His Word, and it almost reaches us, but we fall short of understanding.  Finally, after trying again, His wisdom reaches our hearts and we are rescued and brought safely to the grounding of His plan.  Sometimes, like that crazy cat, something in our lives shakes us up to keep us closer to Him and in the safety of His direction.

 Psalm 16:10-11

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

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Thursday, November 29, 2007 - Blogger Friend Award

Posted in Meant for Encouragement

 

My blogger friend Laurie at Teacups in My Garden has honored me with The Blogger Friend Forever Award.  I so appreciate this kind recognition of the friendship that we have established through our blogs.  I would like to pass this on. 

Drum roll please….

I pass this on to Kellianne at Hilltop Academy who gives me a never-ending supply of warmth and encouragement through her comments and her blog.

Next, for sharing all her life experiences, poetic talent and simply awesome hospitality I’d like to show my appreciation to Ann Marie at Song of the Sagebrush.

I’d also like to recognize my new friend Heidi at Reviews by Heidi  for all her kind words and positive input.  I respect her opinions and she lifts my spirits with her visits and her blog.

Finally, I want to give due recognition to Stacy at By God’s Grace.  She has been such a blessing in my blogging life with her sweet comments and honest postings on her blog.

Some of the bloggers who I would have loved to give this award to have already been blessed by other friends.  I want to add my acknowledgment of how valuable their friendships are to me.  This community of homeschool families has been such a source of encouragement, motivation, and support. 

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Thursday, August 30, 2007 - On Resting 2

Posted in Meant for Encouragement

Yesterday I wrote about my revelation about resting.  My friend Lori at Kuriosity by K,  asked if I had any suggestions as to how to keep the Lord’s Day as the Lord’s Day.  This provoked me to seek out some answers.  As I was searching Scripture for insight, I came across many commentaries that seemed to address the issue of working on the Sabbath.  Instead of posting the full commentaries here from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible you can read The Commandments of the First Table , He Justifies His Disciples for Plucking Corn on the Sabbath , Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the sabbath , The disciples pluck corn on the Sabbath , Jesus defends his disciples for plucking corn on the Sabbath day, The infirm woman strengthened  and so many others, if you wish. 

  

My understanding of these is this.  For six days we are to tend to our worldly business and desires but one day is for the sole purpose of honor to Him.  On those days we should refrain from the tasks that take away from our enjoyment of God’s mercy. It includes those things that make that day a burden of activity not essential to the health and well being of those we look after and ourselves.  Heavy-duty chores and those tasks that cause us stress and frustration should be saved for the other 6 days, but those things necessary to maintain order and peace within the household are permissible.  Anything that allows us to receive His blessings is in agreement with keeping this day hallowed.   Things that permit us to bring Him His due honor and glory are acceptable.  It is my belief that besides strengthening our faith and understanding of His Word, we need to use this day to strengthen our relationships with others. Spending time in fellowship with friends and family can bring us closer to Him and His design for our life.  Having learned this, I have purposed in my heart to take one day a week for the sole purpose of resting in Him, spending time to strengthen my relationships, taking some ‘do nothing’ time to appreciate all of His creations, and focusing on getting closer to Him.  I’m not saying that I will not be doing those things that are necessary for the smooth running of my household, like cooking and picking up, but the bill paying and heavy duty chores will have to wait for the other 6 days. 

Joshua 24:15

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

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Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - Light at the End of the Tunnel

Posted in Meant for Encouragement

At church on Sunday we had a couple of guest speakers who both gave insight into worlds I can only imagine through their words.  The first was a mother of an autistic boy.  Her description of autism was that it is like being in a long dark tunnel with a tiny light at the end.  She is trying to help her son reach the light. She stands strong in the knowledge that God has great plans for her son.  Her desire is that he will someday reach the light and be a testimony to God's awesome power. She was seeking support through prayers that God will equip her and those that interact with her son to be able to lead him to the Light. 

The second speaker was a man who used to be a Shiite Muslim from Iran.  He told the congregation that his life before accepting Jesus was like that of the autistic boy.  He felt that he, too, was in a tunnel trying to reach the light.  He told of how he worked hard to please Allah, but was always left feeling empty and alone. As his testimony went on, he explained how God intervened in his life many times and how He made it possible for him to come to America.  He confirmed my thoughts about why other countries view us the way they do. The only references to America that they have are what they see on TV, just like our views are molded by what we are shown. He said that he believed our religious beliefs where like those portrayed in The Godfather, where no matter what we did, we would go to church, confess our crimes, be ‘forgiven’ and then go out and do it again. How sad to be viewed that way!  A Christian family befriended him and explained salvation and Jesus to him.  He had trouble understanding how, even though they hardly knew him, they loved him and showed him love.  He never felt that kind of love before.  After going to church a few times, the Spirit touched his heart and he accepted Christ.  He had reached the light. 

Although both speakers are on different paths, their stories are not so different than so many others.  We have all been in the darkness and because someone loved us, whether they knew us or not, we were led into the light.  Our greatest desire should be that the Light shine through us in everything that we do, from our most mundane chores to our greatest aspirations.  Our testimonies speak loudest through our actions.  We shine brightest in what we do, illuminating the path towards the one true Light.  Shadows of darkness cannot survive in the Light.

John 8:12-  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

1 Peter 2:9-  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

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Thursday, August 9, 2007 - Busy

Posted in Meant for Encouragement

 

August is shaping up to be a busy month so far and we are only 9 days in.  Between school, outside activities, working on my notebook pages and planning for a vacation in a couple of weeks, my mind has been whirling.  Even while I sleep, the thoughts about the day’s events and what I want to do wake me.  I wonder why my mind works this way.  I have always been driven by an invisible deadline.  Yesterday I finished the last of my notebook pages, but when I tried to convert them to PDF’s, a few pages messed up.  Now I will be trying to fix the problem.  Before we go on vacation, we have to get new tires and get the bees out of the camper.  School is moving along smoothly, but my daughter is still challenging the reasoning behind the different methods of learning we are using this year.  I feel committed to post, but there are some times I just can’t think of anything to say worth someone reading.  Now, mind you, I’m sure this sounds like I am complaining, but quite the contrary.  I am grateful for all these situations.  They keep me on my toes and expand my thinking process.  I believe that God uses them to challenge and stretch me, to strengthen and mold me into someone He can use.  It’s all part of the learning process that continues in our lives forever.  I thank God that He has such value in me that He continues to bless my life with opportunities to praise Him and see Him at work. 

 

2 Timothy 3:14-17

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

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Thursday, August 2, 2007 - A 'Duh' Week

Posted in Meant for Encouragement

This week’s schoolwork has proved to be quite lacking. After taking a few weeks off, it seems the kids have forgotten how to think for themselves. Math has been a complete disaster and they are definitely not putting their best efforts forth.  Sometimes I find it hard to distinguish between the ‘they just don’t know this’ and the ‘they are just being lazy’.  They both seemed to be dressed in the same costume.  There are days when I wonder if I am doing right by them.  I become short tempered and frustrated when I know they should know something and they have showed me in the past that they do.  Then there are the good times when I see and hear the learning taking hold of their minds.  For the most part, those are the kind of days that we have, but when I have days like the ones we have been having this week, I begin to question my methods.  What can I do different to make them want to learn?  How can I get them to understand how important it is to their futures?  They only see today.  What is the answer?  I am comforted to know that this is not a road I am walking alone.  Talking with others who teach children reassures me that there are the ‘duh’ moments just as there are the ‘ah’ moments and we have to walk through each one equipped with the fact that we are doing the best that we can.  So despite the fact that this has been one of those ‘duh’ weeks I know there is light at the end of the tunnel and the ‘ah’ times are yet to come.

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Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - His Paint

Posted in Meant for Encouragement

The painting of our classroom is finally finished.  I really don’t like to paint.  I’m not very good at it and no matter how many showers I take and how hard I scrub, I find reminders of the job for days afterward on me.  But I really love the newness of fresh paint on a wall.  It reminds me of how it is when we turn to our Father.  We are renewed and our hearts have a spiritual freshness, a clean slate if you will. We are free to decorate it with the love and care that He has provoked us to. The holes have been filled in and the scuffmarks of life have been covered by His grace.  The specks of ourselves may remain for a while, but when we scrub at them with prayer and meditation on His Word, they eventually are removed and replaced with His love.  It takes hard work but the end results far out weigh the effort.

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Friday, July 13, 2007 - Our Homeschool Budget

Posted in Meant for Encouragement

I wanted to share some of the things we have done to keep our homeschooling budget to a minimum.  The first year we homeschooled, I went nuts.  I had grand visions of what I wanted to teach and bought all kinds of books and workbooks and kits and whatever else you can think of.  But then the reality of time kicked in and I realized there was no way in the world we were ever going to get to everything.  We ended up with quite a bit that never got used. When the next year rolled around, I sold those things on e-bay and used that money to get what I needed for that year.  This time I had a little experience under belt and had planned more carefully.  I bought only what we needed.  I have been selling my used editions and using that money for the following year ever since.

At first, just about everything I bought was brand new.  Now I hardly ever buy anything new.  I start looking on e-bay in January, when some homeschoolers reach the same conclusion I had the first year, we can’t use it all.  I don’t mind having to erase if it means I get the items at a very reduced price.  I also go to a used curriculum store, tons of tag sales throughout the year, Goodwill and other thrift stores, and library book sales.  I keep a list of what I am looking for making my hunt for good books focused.  It’s amazing what great deals I have found.  When I do need new items I compare prices from 3 places; Rainbow Resource, Christian Book Distributors, and, would you believe, Wal-Mart on line.  When the catalogs come in, I use them as reference books, not only for price checking, but also for the descriptions of the product.  While perusing my catalogs, I make a “wish list”.  Then I research the items. The Rainbow Resource catalog is an encyclopedia of curriculum insight.  Also, a lot of company sites have sample pages for you to look at to see if the product is for you.  This aids in deciding if that book will fit your needs.  I wait a while before placing any orders, because what strikes my fancy one day may not be what I’m looking for the next.  This also helps me not to spend unnecessarily. 

Then there is my favorite money saving source of all; the Internet.  There is so much offered out here, that some ambitious homeschool moms can school their children with only an Internet bill and the price of an ink cartridge a month.  I use whatever free resources I can find that fits our needs. 

With the help of some experienced homeschool moms, I have learned a lot since my first year and I continue to learn. I know that these ideas are not original but I hope that I can pass these lessons on down to others so that their school budget doesn’t break them.

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