Help! I'm Being Held Prisoner in a World of Sin! - Homeschool Blogger

We Did It!

Sat, 17 May 2008 22:26:00 -0500

Last night was my very first teen party in our house. I know it sounds crazy, but after Becca invited all her high school friends to her house for a Disney movie marathon party, I got a bit nervous. I've never entertained in this house before. Yes, it's huge, of course it can hold plenty of people, but how would it work? Where would they sit? What would I feed them? How many will come? Do I know how to be the mohter of a high school kid? Perhaps I'll embarrass her. Perhaps I'll embarrass me!

But Friday did arrive, and we got the house picked up, made a bit of snack food, researched pizza joints and found one that sold $5 pizzas and sat down and waited for folks to arrive. It was slow-going; at first, they arrived in dribs and drabs. Then suddenly, there was a whole bunch of people hanging out in our front hall and on our porch. We did invite them inside, really, but they liked the porch. (Who could blame them? Our porch is very likable.) Then Rebecca informed me that they were getting hungry. I was gone for 15 minutes to pick up the pizza and-- (Jim was here--we really didn't leave them unattended.) when I got back, there were significantly fewer teens on our front porch and none in the house. What had happened? Did I offend them by not feeding them soon enough? Were they so hungry they had to go and forage for their own food? Turns out there were a couple of Mormon missionaries knocking on doors in our neighborhood. Rebecca's chums waited for them to approach our door, but when they crossed over to the other side of the street and crossed the railroad tracks, these Jesus-loving kids decided to chase them down and introduce them to our Saviour. And they would not be deterred from their chosen task. Not the arrival of pizza, the begging of partying friends nor the starting of Disney movies could draw them back. Finally it got dark, and they re-joined the party. I am still picking up the random tracts they brought home. The watching of Hunchback and Hercules was a great success, though the talkers got shoo-ed back out to the front porch. The last group left after midnight--does that mean we passed the test?

I was nervous about my first high school party, but really, how nervous should I have gotten about 20+ teens coming to watch Disney movies and convert Mormons? Her friends are fun, and I think we did ok. Now they want us to open the pool so we can have a pool party. Anyone know how to open a pool?

God does love me!

Wed, 5 Mar 2008 12:52:00 -0600

You might read this and think that the inspection must have gone very well and life is lovely and all is well. Well-you'd be wrong. Actually, I was running around Monday feeling quite certain that God must hate me. After hearing nothing all day, I got a call that the contract had fallen through. Apparently there is quite a lot of waterproofing that needs to be done. And since that time, we've heard quite a bit of speculation about all kinds of things--such as, the people were trying to find as much wrong with the house as possible so that they could get us to drop our rate further, etc. All speculation aside, something has not smelled right with this whole deal. And now that I've lived two more days since Monday, when I was simply a sniveling puddle, I could almost tell you that I'm glad it's fallen through.

Blessings:

-Before we were given this horrible offer, we didn't know what our rock bottom price was. Now we do.

-I've discovered through much of this that I'd forgotten what Jesus said, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." I'm not sure I've ever understood "wise as serpents." Now I'm beginning to get it.

-I'm recognizing God's hand in my life again--for instance, our realtor has misplaced the packet that I sent her on our house--it has EVERYTHING--all the manuals, receipts, etc. for everything regarding the house. She was sure she never had it. God helped me find it--in the trash bag in the car. I was able to come out with a date and signature for its delivery.

-My friends are WONDERFUL!! They have held my hand, sent me hugs, commiserated and prayed with me through this whole thing. I am experiencing His love through my friends in such a special way.

-Sometimes I just whine to friends when things are bad. But sometimes they are bad enough, that I know I just sound whiny, or I know that nobody else should have to bear the burden I feel I would be placing on them. Then, I find myself at my Lord's feet in a way I am not otherwise. I'm afraid that sometimes my unwillingness to get out of myself and lay myself at His feet leaves Him with no choice but to allow difficult circumstances to lead me there. And there is such a beautiful sweetness in sitting at His feet.

-I finally have "the peace of God" again--I think my will was really getting in the way. I know what _I_ want. And suddenly, I wanted it more than anything else. Now--I don't think the house we're looking at here is outside God's will. And I do want it desperately. BUT I don't want it more than my relationship with Him. AND I know that God knows what's best. I don't. I will trust Him to guide us to the right place. If this "dream home" of ours isn't it, so be it.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me your peace. May I be able to use this situation to witness to others as to your goodness and mercy.

Crisis of Belief

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:17:00 -0600

Ok--I feel like I'm standing here naked to be revealing this much, but I feel like this is really a turning point in my life, and I want to get it out here. Here goes--a couple of weeks ago, I realized that it's not that I don't trust God. It's not that I don't believe He's capable. It's that I don't actually believe that He loves me enough. I do believe that He loves me enough to save me. FINALLY I am no longer struggling with assurance of salvation. BUT--knowing that I don't even deserve salvation, I certainly feel like I don't deserve anything beyond that. I seem to function along the lines of--don't look for great--you don't deserve it and God always does those cool, miraculous things for other people.

Clearly, there's an issue with my identity in Christ. So--I've been really praying to understand who He is, and who I am in Him. And to remember that even if I was the ONLY ONE--He would still have died for me. I am not an add-on to His plan. Which means that He loves me in my daily life, too.

I pulled out a great book by Brother Lawrence called The Practice of the Presence of God. I LOVE this book. I love what I'm learning about basking in His presence and Practicing being in His presence.

I think, too, that I am not recognizing what He HAS done for us. Did he sell our house in two days? At above list price? To buyers who waived the inspection? Um, NO. BUT He has sustained us through this time. He HAS kept us from buying the wrong house--twice--in the last six months. He HAS kept our dream house on the market, and brought it to a price where we could afford it. And today, He gave us a snowblower for $20!!!

Two weeks ago, I won the HSB contest for The Grammar Key. That was really when this whole crisis of believe started--I was shocked that I even bothered to blog a comment to enter the contest, and I was certain that I would never win.

Still, I'm nervous about our inspection on our old house--by these picky buyers --who are bringing in a structural engineer! Please know--I don't actually think there are problems with the house. I just happen to know that the pickiest of inspectors can find and advise buyers whatever they want....But I TRUST that He loves us enough to provide an honest and trustworthy inspector who will do a thorough inspection and that the buyers will not nickel and dime us with ridiculous repairs. 'Cause we're a little short on nickels and dimes right now.

And THAT is the ugly truth of where my heart is right now. BUT I know that God sheds light on areas so that He can cleanse them and draw us close to Him, and I can't wait to really feel like He cares about even the littlest things in my life.

Time to Blog Again

Sat, 2 Feb 2008 08:43:00 -0600

It's true. I've not blogged in a long time. No particular reason except that I'm stretched in a thousand different directions. AND I've discovered Facebook. Where else can I get in touch with friends I've not talked to for 20-30 years? Where else can I play simple on-line games with friends I don't get to see anymore. Where else can I quickly update people on my mood and life, without having to worry about my grammar and my wordsmithing?

And so--I've been absorbed into the world of facebook. But I don't know that it replaces the good old blog. There is a notes feature that I thought i might use as a blog spot--but I'm not sure...so, I'll try again.

My fall motto...

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:34:00 -0500

...why go to Walmart and spend money on a costume when you can make your own for twice as much???

This year, Bubba made his own robot costume, "Robo 2000" and Magoo is going to be--are you ready? Paint. The punkie will be wearing her own OSU cheerleader costume. (a clothing gift from Grancma and Grandpa last year--nothing to buy. Woot!) Anything OSU is actually a health hazard in this area--it could get her mugged... :)

I'll

A bit predictable?

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:28:00 -0500

So in his new job as plant manager, Jim has to thoroughly understand all the processes that are run in his plant. One thing they have have him doing is "fixing" the batches that come out substandard. So whenever (and I mean WHENEVER--middle of the night, five times a night...) a bad batch is run, he gets a call from the plant, they give him the quality control numbers, he writes them down, plugs them into a calculator, does some math and advises them on what to do to get the batch back "in spec."

So the other day he got a call. The guy starts to give him the numbers, and Jim says, "Hang on--let me get a writing implement." The guy at the other end yells, "Hey, Chuck--you owe me $5--he said 'implement.'"!!!

And that's my funny for today.

Unless it's also a funny that the Punkie saw the kitchen garbage can without a bag, went to the cupboard, got out a bag and put it in...now if only the REST of the family could do that...

Paper Bag Leather

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:20:00 -0500

Ok, Maggie posted this on the All American History yahoo group. A great group--here's a link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AllAmericanHistory/

I really want to do it and I'm afraid I'll forget it. I figure if I post it on my blog, I'll always know where it is, right? LOL. And y'all can benefit, as well. So, thanks, Aunt Mags!!

This is a great recipe to use in turning brown paper bags (like the
old grocery bags) into a leathery-feeling paper for projects. It is
remarkably durable. My friend used it to make "leather" Indian vests,
"leather" mini-tee-pees and we've used it to make book covers and maps
that appear to be old.

Ingredients
2 parts glycerin (available from drug or large Wal-mart type stores)
3 parts water
brown paper bag

Directions
1. Mix glycerin and water. Set aside.
2. Take brown paper bag and get it crinkly-wet (not soaked) with
regular water.
3. Let the bag dry completely.
4. Sponge on glycerin/water mix until bag is wet again.
5. Let dry.

Use for your project!

btw - glycerin runs about 3 - 4 dollars for a 4 oz bottle last I
checked. You don't need a lot. One bottle should be plenty for several
bags.

Have fun--let me know how it goes!!

Michigan Update

Mon, 8 Oct 2007 13:34:00 -0500

We’re thriving here (well, so’s the local plumber—we’ve had him out three times, I think…or four, I forget—nothing like a house that’s been empty for a year. ‘Course, it’s only $80 to snake a sewer pipe here! Speaking of cost comparisons—my overdo library moves were 5 cents a day-- instead of the buck I pd. In Pgh.—I was afraid my fine was going to be $8 and it was only 40 cents. SCORE! But I digress…)

Rebecca’s doing well—she likes her classes and is making some nice friends. Her team had a volleyball tournament on Saturday, so I really got a chance to get to know the girls a bit and meet some moms. All the girls are great—such a treat to have so many nice, homeschooled girls all in one place!

The boys are loving scouts, and I love Jeremy’s all-home-school Tiger den. The pack is fun and well organized. They’re doing football and soccer, and enjoying the sports. I won’t mind when that’s over, though!

There’s a lovely AWANA program at our church. Nothing says God loves me like seeing other people diligently care for my children. It almost brings me to tears each week when he walks in that big room and looks a bit lost, then a leader quickly comes over, puts an arm around him and guides to his spot. Now if only he could get past the looking lost part…

Even Bethany is content—she finds her way around the house, LOVES playing in the yard and walks right into the church nursery—often without crying. She’s discovered “Nemo” and “ishies” and she loves to sing E-I-E-I-O. Her favorite animal is a cow—aided, I’m sure, by our favorite haunt, “The Spotted Cow” which has the cheapest and best ice cream around. She loves to go to “COW!” and get “I-NEME”. We love to indulge her that way…

Still praying for a house sale…

Magoo's question of the day...

Mon, 8 Oct 2007 08:35:00 -0500

Magoo: ...Does your blood turn black when your heart turns black?

Me: What makes your blood turn black?

Magoo: Sin

Wow.

Swap A CD

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:55:00 -0500

I love SwapACD.com I love that I can get rid of CD's I never listen to and swap them for someone else's CD's they never listen to. All for not very much $$! So, thanks to SwapACD

I got Paul Simon’s Graceland in the mail today. This is probably one of my all time favorite CD’s. It got lost in the GCC scene shop after a busy weekend building sets for I have no idea what show. I am so thrilled to own it again, lo, 18 years later!!!! (I can’t believe how big that number is. Really—it’s best not to talk about time, I’ve decided.)