Livin' Large - Homeschool Blogger

PREPARING FOR MONDAY

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:53:00 -0500

I thought I'd blog a little tonight. The computer is running a little faster tonight. Mom doesn't have high speed . I didn't know that dial-up was sooo slow. Any who... I am trying to get into a routine. I would like to find some homeschool mamas with lots of children (most of my children are not school age) to mentor me. My biggest struggles are sleeping too late, too much tv, not enough structure, schooling without loosing control of the little children, consistancy, etc. I might need to use another curriculum, or something that would work better for me. Any advice? Well, I'm going to pray for direction. Anyone up to the task of being a mentor? Let me know.

HELP! NEED HELP UPLOADING PICTURES

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:50:01 -0500

I want to upload pictures of the baby. They are on cd. How do I do this?

TAKING A BREAK TO WRITE

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:50:00 -0500

Hi everyone. It seems like forever, and it has been. Here is an update of my life. The baby is 9 weeks old. We are still staying at my mother's house, which is quite hard for me. I try not to yell at my children, and I like to allow them to have fun and explore. My mom has a different philosophy. I will write more about this soon, hopefully. Also, mom's interenet is sooo slow. I've really never seen anything like this before, so it is hard to log on, write and read blogs.

After six natural births, I had a c-section this time, and recovery was difficult for me. Now I am feeling much better. Today was a good day, we did math all day. The weather in this part of the world was beautiful, so we played outside all afternoon.

"Homelessness" is helping me to become content in all situations and circumstances. Though the outcome will be good, the going through is sometimes painful. I guess I'll just have to walk it out (my faith that is).

WHAT BABY SLING DO YOU LIKE!

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:44:00 -0600

As we approach the birth of our 7th child, I am in need of suggestions for a great sling. If you have used a sling that was easy to use and comfortable, please share that info with me.

I will post soon about the goings on in our lives and schooling. But just a note, we've been without a home since the end of October. We've stayed with friends and family. As of now we're at mom's. Keep us in your prayers.

Thanks

IN A PLACE OF QUESTIONING...

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 13:29:00 -0500

I'm in a spot right now. It isn't a bad spot, but it is a spot none the less. I have been a Christian a while, but I have always had an issue with faith. Maybe it was my childhood with a non-existent father who lied so much and made many promises that he never kept. I don't know, but what I do know is that I have the I'll believe it when I see it attitude, at times, with the promises of God. I mean did he promise it or were they the writings of someone else that had just experienced Him move in their life. See that changes the certainty of the promise, at least in my mind. Because there are things that I consider a promise, but just don't happen with everyone. For instance, the scripture that says, I've never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging for bread. Well, I have seen the righteous forsaken and them and their seed begging for bread. I mean, with all the homeless or destitute paople and families, are we to assume that none of them are in Christ? That doesn't work for me. That is not to doubt what David said in Ps. 37:25, but it happens.

Or take healing for instance. When you are sick or healthy we stand on a myriad of healing scriptures. But the truth is that it doesn't work all of the time. Sometimes people are healed and sometimes they die. It is not given that just because I believe or pray that you will be in health that you will be in health. How do I reason that away.

How would I pray for safety for my family and stand on Psalm 91, and then something awful happens to someone in my family. How would I make sense of that. I know Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." But so is chance or a lottery ticket, for that matter. How do I explain to my children how they can pray and have faith in God, but it doesn't turn out like the scriptures say. Yes, I know how I have anwswered their questions before. Well, God is able to do what he wants and can choose to do what he wills. But that doesn't work for me---not really, so I doubt if that works for them. That kind of thinking puts a little clause or footnote in my mind in regards to His promises. It would go like this, He can do all this plus some if He wants too. This reasoning doesn't help my to have certainty in His actions or know how to cast my cares on Him. See, I can give it to him, but I have shakey faith that he will handle it. I don't doubt that he can. The doubt lies with will he do it.

I'm just thinking things out. I know that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So, I plan on studying faith with the hopes of operating in it, because right now, where I am, if I have some need I fall into fear and worry. I know I can't fix it, but I don't know if He will do it. So here lies the problem that needs to be worked out in my mind and heart. I know some poeple will think this type of thinking is crazy, but I believe that many people have had this cross their mind once or twice. I want to just be able to trust God with everything, so for me it will take a little extra to make that happen. For years I've said what I know is "right" to say. I've prayed a way that would seem that I was in faith with no fear, but it is not the time to hide any longer. God knows where I am, and I want to walk victoriously on this earth with full conviction that God does what he says.

Oh well, I know I need to go, but it feels so much better to get that off my chest. In the midst of me feeling this way, I came across this blog that helped me to regain a little focus. Pray for me as I walk this out.

Sad News

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:55:00 -0500

Today, as we returned from our vacation, I received some very sad news. My friend Marsha from drewsfamilytx, is mourning the loss of her 3 year old son. Please read more about it here .

I sit not knowing what to think or say, but I will pray for her. I don't know her personally, but my mommy heart connects with hers right now. This really teaches me to cherish every moment for none are promised. This teaches me to love more, fuss less and not to sweat the small stuff. I miss too many of life's GREAT MOMENTS like this. Please pray for Marsha and her family,

LOTS OF GOINGS ON!!!

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:09:00 -0500

It has been busy, busy, busy around here. My husband and I have started a homeschool group, and we are hosting a Cowboy Camp for homeschoolers at a local ranch. It has been awesome. I will post pictures and more information about what we've done at the Cowboy Camp soon.

We've had 2 birthdays in my house in 9 days. I now have a 1 year old and a 4 year s old---WOW!!! Where does the time go?

In Chicago there have been 3 or more shootings of young children in 5 days(all recently graduated from 8th grade). One of which was someone in our family. He was my husband's uncle's brother's grandson. Now that might seem down the family tree a little bit, but it really isn't. Jeremy went to church with my hubby's family and mine (even though we don't go there). He spends just about every holiday with us.

My father, who I never really saw growing up, is very ill and has recently been put in a nursing home for rehabilitation. I'm dealing with the reconciliation of feelings toward him, but my daughter says her greatest prayer for him is that he will accept Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. To that I say, AMEN!

My sister in law's mom is on a ventilator and she might be faced with making a difficult decision. Another one of my sister-in-law's sister's husband recently died. My mother went to the eye doctor recently for a routine exam and was given a severly, bad report about her eye condition, but God is still God.

Though there is death, sickness and many things that can bring fear into your life, I choose to meditate on this... Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dyeing around you, these evils will not touch you. Psalm 91:5-7

Yes, we are still going to the new church. I am nervous about saying that I enjoy it and that I think it is God, so instead I'll say this, "I will watch and pray and be still." In the midst of all of that, I'll enjoy the place that I'm at and see what God is doing.

Well, I'll post pictures really soon. I'd do them tonight, but I'm not good at all of that yet, so it takes me a long time to do that, and I'm very tired (birthday for the new 4 year old and Cowboy Camp in one day)!.

FOUND A CHURCH, MAYBE?

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 00:39:00 -0500

Most of you know that we left our church 3 months ago. Well, in those three months we went to visit a couple churches and decided that was not going to work for our family. We didn't want to keep going to different churches every week, because we wanted some stability for they kids (there's 6 of them age 9 and under). So, for three months we have had "church" in our living room. We decided that we'd do this until God showed us otherwise. Well, He did.

Saturday evening, I was going to pick up some Freecycle things. A friend of mine had told me that some people who had been in our small group went to a church that they really liked. Well, my Freecycle pick up was in that city, so since I was passing the street of the church, I thought I'd drive by and see its service times. Well, I did, but across the street were three people standing outside what seemed to be a church.

Reluctantly, I drove across the street to talk to the three people. They were the Pastor and two elders of this church. I asked them what the name of the church was and they said, "Well, as of tomorrow it will be called..." They began to tell me Sunday would be their first service, and that they were renting the church from the ministry that was across the street (the one where I'd just been looking at the service times). They were wonderful people, so I asked hubby what he thought, and he said, "Let's go!" So that is what we did.

Today, we went to the service, and it was very nice. It was almost scary. My husband, who had said that he probably would never sing in a church again, actually sang there today, even though we knew no one. The children did well, and the service wasn't too long, though it was longer than what we'd been acustomed to over the last two years. After service they had a reception. We stayed and talked and asked a lot of questions about their beliefs and mission. Needless to say, we plan to go back next week. We don't know what God is doing, or even if this is it, but we are willing to go along for the ride, again!

The funny thing is that when I talked to my friend this week ( I mentioned her earlier), she asked if we'd found a church. She said they had, but it was by their house which is quite a distance from mine. I told her that I didn't want to travel to church, because I'd end up not going. I also told her that I knew a lot of the churches in the area and didn't think they were what we were looking for. Then I jokingly said, "It would take God to create one!" Funny, it looks like that is what He did!

Unitl Next Time,

Weblink Education

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 23:07:00 -0500

My friend Val has done it again. She runs a blog and a yahoo group, as well as, a monthly newsletter. She's a wife, mother and certainly a friend. I'm not sure how she does it all, or how she organizes everything that goes on in her life (maybe she could write that in the newletter or do a e-seminar on that..hint).

Now she has developed a homeschool teacher resource called Weblink Education. Well, she wants all of us home educators to know about it, so she's even having a contest. I must say that the contest isn't why I'm posting about this. She has done hours of work so we don't have to. She recognized a true need and followed her call to help and encourage homeschoolers, and she presses ahead to complete the task.

See, I can't do what Val does, and I don't have to, because we are fittly joined together, all of us. That is special. Let's support Val in her efforts, as well as, other moms who are opening doors for us in the homeschool arena! Thank you VAl for you hard word and for hearing God's voice and obeying Him! Congratulations Val and thanks a million!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take a look at Val's new baby!

HOW WILL I BE REMEMBERED?

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:28:00 -0500

How will my children process , in their minds, me being their mother. Will they think I was always too busy cleaning, washing, rushing, etc. that I couldn't play with them? I can't remember the last time I sat on the floor and played with anyone. I don't think I've ever played dolls with my 9 year daughter. Now I must admit that as a child I didn't like to play with dolls. But that was only because I didn't have anyone to play with.

Will they remember a rigid, quick tempered fuss box that wanted perfection instead of allowing for inconvenient mistakes and mishaps? Will they think I was fun or too tired to go outside? Will they remember the potty training battles? Or will they think I tenderly trained them?

Will they want to be with me when I'm old? Will they sit and talk with me when I'm old, or will they be busy with life? Will they play cards with me or go outside with me when they are tired? Do they know I love them? I'm mean can they see God's love for them through me loving them? Will I be able to tell that they love me when life makes me the one that needs them?

Just things I'm thinking about tonight. But I will say this, I think I have some things I'm going to change. One thing is that I must spend time with them (not just watching tv). I don't actually think I know how to play! I mean just to sit around and play. I can play board games, but I'm talking about dolls, cars and superheroes. You know. I used to do fun crafts. Now I just clean or talk on the phone way too much!

Oh well, I'm just thinking out loud. Thanks for listening.