Yes, I have touched on this topic several times since I've started blogging. It has been a struggle of mine. I desperately needed help in the motivation department. Feeling rotten and lacking energy just wasn't motivation enough.

We joined the YMCA a three weeks ago. Since then, I am actually getting regular exercise. I have found that I am motivated by taking classes. The family has the option of taking the classes with me, or of working out in the machine area, or swimming, or playing basketball. We've all had a great deal of fun with this, and I am feeling good again. Now my goal is to get those aging, flabby muscles of mine back in shape.

This time spent exercising has been good for the whole family, but there is always a catch. I haven't had time to blog. Life is give and take, isn't it? Until we get our schedule figured out and it becomes routine, I fear I will not be spending much time here in blogland. I miss it already, and look forward to my moments posting and commenting. First and formost are my responsibilities as wife, mother, and teacher. Then I get to blog.

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For some time, our family struggled with diligence. I take responsibility for this sin. I am a poor teacher on diligence in many areas. My attention span and memory are both short, so my ability to get side-tracked is limitless. But over the years I have improved due to God's training and correction in my life. There is great reward in diligence, the biggest one for me being Less Stress. My difficulty was in teaching diligence to my children.

One of my greatest struggles with homeschooling has always been keeping my children on task and holding them responsible for their lack of diligence. We struggled for years with messy rooms, undone school work, uncompleted chores, because I lack the follow through to see that they were doing their work. As I came to see my sinfulness in this area, we as a family would address it and discuss ways to change. Slowly we have made progress.

This school year, my daughter has really struggled with getting her schoolwork done on a timely basis. She was always getting behind. My husband and I timed her work, made schedules for her, kept at her to do the next task, but it was torturous for all of us. She lacked motivation. We were not the motivation she needed. And when she did complete the schoolwork assigned, her chores would be left undone.

Then something inside her seemed to click. She says she doesn't know what it was that motivated her to get her responsibilities done, but she did it, once, on a timely basis. And since then, she has done so well. I think she realized that having all that stuff done released a load of stress and allowed for free time that she enjoyed.

She still doesn't know why she started being diligent, but I am so relieved that she did. I am less frustrated with her. And she has the free time to explore different directions she didn't have time for before. She has started a mosaic project, helped with gardening while it was warm, worked on editing projects to earn $$$, practiced her soccer techniques, all without the guilt of knowing her work wasn't done. The house has been cleaner, her room has been neater, and her attitude refreshing and motivating.

Diligence provides freedom. Through diligence we are able to attain that time of rest that we all need. Personally, my goal is to be very careful not to add too much to my schedule so that I am able to complete my work. Then if I don't get it done, I know it is because I have allowed myself to get distracted.

Prayer is a big part of diligence. If I allow God to lead all my activities and responsibilities, then I know that I will be able to accomplish them. He will not give me more than I am able to do unless His plan is for someone else to pick up where I left off. If I pray about each thing that is set before me and listen carefully, He will guide me each step of the way.

God has been leading me in some new directions lately. He has been calling me to lead some Bible studies with a couple different groups. I am stepping into this prayerfully. From my perspective it will be too much, but I must stand on the knowledge that if it is His will, I will be able to accomplish it.

I thank God for the beautiful picture of diligence that He gave me through my daughter. My prayer for her is that she reaps the rewards of diligence and these rewards keep her diligent. And that she is chastised for times when her diligence slips. Her diligence has given me the affirmation that I must remain diligent. I must abide. So although she doesn’t know why she changed, I believe God was using her as a picture to help me grow. God does things like that all the time.

Thank you, Lord.

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Why has it been so difficult to blog lately? I can say it is my lingering cold, our computer trouble, fill-in-the-blank excuse, but really I have been avoiding it. Have I run out of things to say? Do I think my voice here is empty?

Why did I ever begin blogging? It seemed that I enjoyed writing and expressing my views, but I also enjoyed the interaction with other bloggers. I am an introvert, so enjoy noninvassive relationships. I can communicate when I feel like communicating.

Another reason to blog was to share what was going on in our lives with family and friends. They could easily check out the blog to see what was going on, see pictures, etc., but I have found that my family and friends do not read my blog. They would prefer hearing it on the phone or in person.

I really don't want my blogging to be vanity. I would truly love for my voice to make an impact in someone's life. I must blog for personal enjoyment of writing, saying what is on my mind, without a care as to who reads my entries, or who posts a comment, and just pray that it is not in vain, that God will use my words for His glory.

I am also a deep thinker, looking for deeper meaning in every aspect of life. Is this just another place that I am searching for the meaning of my actions?

Has anyone else had this struggle?

Why do you blog?

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Today, I am so thankful for a flexible schedule, and yesterday, and the day before that… Our last three weeks, going on four, have been challenging. The first week I was completely prepared. Our computer went in the shop and I had the school schedule ready to go for the week, and most of the next week. Everything ran smoothly as we checked email at the library and easily worked through our school week. Week two came around with no computer. Okay, we got the work done with just a bit more effort. Then week three came. We finally had the computer back, but my husband needed to finish several projects with deadlines using the computer, so we decided to take a week off from school and catch up on some painting and decluttering that is not possible during a school week. And I also caught a cold. My daughter painted. My son read. I can’t remember what I got done, but I know I did something. This week, still no school. Did I mention that I use a computer program to schedule and record our school year? Although I was able to reinstall the software, I was not able to retrieve the backup files off the CD. We lost the whole year’s records, not to mention all that was planned for the remainder of the year.

But remember, I am so thankful for this flexible schedule. I am still not well and am able to rest while my family pampers me. I am able to change our school schedule so that we can complete all we need to accomplish for the year. God even gave me peace about losing all my records on the computer. I have them on paper in case the law comes knockin’.

So what makes a flexible schedule? Allowing God to have control of my time. Because I trust that God will accomplish all that He has planned for this family, I don’t have to get stressed out when my planning gets put aside.

Jas 4:14-15  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  (15)  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

There is a balance to flexibility. I must plan our schedule to have order rather than chaos each day. As a child of God, I must seek His plan first to be able to plan for my family, and when events change, I must be diligent to continue to seek His plan so His priorities remain my priorities.

Thank You, Lord, for teaching me that flexibility is good, and that Your plan is perfect.

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Lately we’ve been struggling with keeping one of our kids from getting behind with assignments. It seems that no matter the approach we take, our student falls behind. It always seems to be the same subject that gets left behind, so I’m sure there is some procrastination involved, but I also know the heart of this child and this problem is adding great, unneeded stress. This is not a good thing.

As my children grow and mature, their interests and gifts become more obvious in all they do. What a balancing act to teach them all the essentials, yet inspire them to explore their gifts with creative freedom. Many days I would love to through out all the “essentials” and just allow the kids complete freedom, but I know human nature. We would all get busy doing things that are not so important and forget to pursue the things that we never had time for before. And I cannot forget how God has used the “essentials” to give me lesson after lesson about Himself (yes, God can even be found in a grammar lesson).

So how do I find this balance between my children completing their unwanted assignments, and having the time to explore their heart interests? I am once again reminded to pray. That is so key to homeschooling. We get into such a routine that I forget to pray until things are no longer going smoothly. Perhaps God is reminding me to pray more for my children, to seek even more diligently the direction He has planned for their lives, to seek the answers to our homeschooling glitches. Sadly, I would seldom get on my knees in fervent prayer if my life ran how I envisioned. I am so grateful that my God reminds me that our relationship is two-sided. He wants me to pursue Him in all things as much as I want Him to pursue me. Actually, He desires me even more.

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These verses really struck a chord with me today:

2 Peter 2:6-9 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly; (7) And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (8) (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds); (italics and bold print added by me)

Lately I have been struggling with my heart hardening towards the "street people." I think it has much to do with becoming a part of Yolanda's life. From experiencing firsthand the deception involved with a life lived on the streets, I have become disgusted with the lifestyle. I've grown weary of seeing it. I see the same people day after day living in their own filth. I see the same faces standing at the same corners begging for money; and later I see them stumbling down the street. 

Lord, I am vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked. 

I don’t see Yolanda anymore. She’s moved elsewhere. I still pray that God captures her heart. I pray that our family’s involvement in her life may have shown her a glimpse of real love, free love.

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Both the kids had Halloween parties last Friday. Their costumes were so fun I had to share.

I must say that I did hesitate about posting this because of the controversy of celebrating Halloween among Christians. The verse most often quoted for the not participating in Halloween is:

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Okay, I've gone canning crazy. I love the recipes from Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. The things I've been canning use no vinegar. The vegetables are pickled by natural fermentation. We've already eaten a several jars of kimchi, pickles, and green tomatoes. They were all fabulous. Since they are fermented, they all have a fizzy rich taste that just doesn't happen with vegetables pickled with vinegar. We love them, so guess what the family is getting for Christmas gifts? I canned 18 jars of good stuff in 2 days. Talk about a marathon.

Below from left to right:  garlic, kimchi (Korean sauerkraut), green tomatoes, salsa, sauerkraut, beets, cucumbers.

I have a love for God's beautiful creation. He has created such a variety of foods for us to enjoy. What I really found amazing was not only the aromas that came from pounding some of the vegetables, but the huge variations in color and texture. The pattern in a sliced beet is art. The depth of its color is insurpassable. God was so intentionally creative for our pleasure. He loves us so much that he makes the smallest detail of his creation just simply stunning. This is not even touching on the flavors.

I think God was very intentional with all He created. If we were to really use his bountiful foods as He intended, we would have very little waste. Take raw milk for example. I buy a gallon of cow's milk each week from a local farmer. We don't use the whole thing, so whatever I have left at the end of the week I throw out, NO. By the end of the week, raw milk begins to taste a little "cowy," so I set the remainder on the counter for 3-4 days at room temperature. The milk naturally separates into curds and whey. After straining the whey from curds using cheese cloth, I have two very usable, consumable products. The whey I use in pickling and as a drink (which has removed the arthritic stiffness from my fingers). I substitute the curds in all recipes calling for cream cheese. One of the family favorites is to blend the cream cheese with raw garlic and a bit of flax seed oil for a fabulous "cream cheese" garlic spread. 

Thank you, God, for your perfectly delicious foods that you created for my pleasure and enjoyment. I think I'll go eat a pickle now.

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When I became a Christian, I think the most overwhelming thing was the vast and extreme love I received from my Maker. I was amazed by this love. Since that time I am repeatedly in awe of the liberty I have in Christ to be who He created me to be with no pressure to conform to others’ values and appearances.

Liberty is defined as freedom from restraint, in a general sense, and applicable to the body, or to the will or mind. The body is at liberty, when not confined; the will or mind is at liberty, when not checked or controlled. A man enjoys liberty, when no physical force operates to restrain his actions or volitions.

As a Christian and a homeschooler, I am free not to follow suggested guidelines, not to test my children, not to worry about whether my children know what they are supposed to know at every given point. I am free not to worry, not to rush, not to compare my children with each other or with other children. I am free to raise my children differently than how I was raised without calling my parents’ way wrong. I am also free not to judge other homeschooling families that do things differently than our family. I am free not to judge families that choose not to homeschool at all. Can I just say that this freedom is quite freeing?

So what do I do with this freedom? I love. I seek God’s direction. I care less about academics and more about the hearts of my children. I give up my agenda when I see God leading us elsewhere. I prioritize and say no to good things when they are “too much.” I move and change.

As we work through another school year, let me remind you all that you are free too. I encourage you to seek God in all things and He will guide your family’s academics, extra-curricular activities, relationships, and your daily adventures. I challenge you not to be discouraged in setbacks to your schedule. Seek God in discouraging moments as well. What is He trying to tell you? And above all remember that you are unique, as is your family. Seek God in how to best teach and reach your family. And do it all in the love of our precious Savior. We are free indeed.

Can I just add that I have no idea why this last paragraph has a larger font than all the others?? I tried to fix it, but I am free to leave it looking goofy.

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My son turned 10 last week. He received his dream come true for his birthday, and the whole family is benefiting. Dance Praise (Christian version of Dance, Dance Revolution) is so much fun and such a good workout. The surprise to us all is that my husband is the best dancer in the house! We are all trying to beat his high scores.

Digital Praise puts out the product. I highly recommend it for those of you struggling to find an affordable way to keep the family fit (bonus is the fun to be had while exercising). It is well worth the investment.

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Summer is here and I am finding it less desirable to sit at the computer. I'm not sure whether it is summer itself, or this new place God has me.

While preparing for camp, God released in me a new freedom, the freedom to be and think creatively. Something just clicked inside me while I was preparing the memory verse highway for camp. I had a paintbrush in my hand. I was mixing colors. I was using different mediums and brushes for different effects.

When I returned from camp and caught up on my sleep, my desire was to work on the altered book. Creating the two pages was so much fun. The whole family helped me with thoughts and ideas and placement and color. I am eager to work on it more! God keeps giving me this great visuals and ideas about expressing who He is through this book. Anyway, this new freedom has also released in me less of a desire to sit in front of the computer. I think God is pushing me to live outside of my ever expanding box, not just make my box bigger.

Camp also had a serious impact on me. Since I am an introvert, it is so easy for me to find excuses to stay within my comfort zone, but I was so unbelievably blessed by giving all this up for the sole purpose of being an available, nurturing, godly counselor for these girls. I don't want to come home and keep things the way they were. While it is easy for me to keep busy and not make time or effort with people outside of my family except in blogger land, I realize how wrong this is. So while it is not my nature, I am praying for God to push me out the door of life into the lives of others even when I don't "feel" like it.

So what does this have to do with blogging? When I blog, I feel the responsibility that comes with blogging. I completely agree with Trinity Prep School's Seven Habits of Highly Effective Homeschool Bloggers. Blogging is an interactive thing, or what would be the reason for posting our thoughts and lives for others to see? If I blog, I also care about what others are blogging. So when I sit down to make an entry, I also take time to visit my friends and some other random blogs. This takes time. I have found the time invested is so worth it, but the time investment needs to be managed. If I can sit down for an hour a day and blog, but can't make it to my widow friend, Betty's, for an hour visit, there is a problem in my priorities. The easier thing is for me to sit here, so that is what I do.

Now I am on a quest to find balance in blogging. Blogging has been an incredible blessing to me. I love to write, and have found this to be a great thought-provoking outlet for this love. I also have been challenged to rethink many issues about what others have blogged. Because I am trying to find this balance, I will not be blogging as frequently, nor catching up with my friends as frequently.

God desires for us to redeem the time.

Colossians 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Ephesians 5:15-17 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

It is my responsibility to prayerfully blog rather than just do it because the computer chair is empty. I need to seek God's specific plan for my day before I whittle away my time doing what I do every day.

So summer is here. The swimming pools are open. The garden is growing. The mosquitos are buzzing. Relationships are waiting to be nurtured. What am I doing? I'm diving in (thanks Steven Curtis Chapman).

The really wonderful thing about this is that when you receive a comment from me, you will know that God specifically sent me your way!

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I've noticed that my wardrobe is slowly changing. My shorts are getting longer and I am careful how "fitted" my shirts are. God is making me more modest, or am aware that I am aging, maybe both. Anyway, I think it is a good thing.

I know that some Christians believe that proper dress for a woman is a skirt, the longer the better. And on the other end of the spectrum, some Christian women do not seem aware that they are exposing more than they should.

I am in the middle. I love feminine dress, but I do not feel I have to wear a skirt to be feminine.

Shortly after my husband and I dedicated our lives to Christ, I had a difficult time figuring out what to wear. When I shopped, I chose conservative clothing because I thought it appeared more "Christian." I never felt comfortable in them though.

Then I turned back to my old ways of dress with a longer hemline and a higher neckline added. My husband was overjoyed. Through his comments, he let me know that he was sad that Christianity was allowing me to lose my spark in creativity which I often showed through dress.

Through this experience I have learned not to judge others by how they dress. We are all in a different place in our walk with Christ. God will change the heart of every believer to express His creativity within each of us.

But judging is not the same as guiding. I am now an "older woman" to many young believers. When I see a Christian woman wearing something completely inappropriate that would lead the eyes of men astray, I feel compelled to let her know. To keep my tongue from getting out of hand, I wait for the prompting of the Holy Spirit before I speak, and have found that unless I already have a relationship with this woman, the Spirit says quiet.

Have you all had experience with this?

How have you handled the situation?

Do you find yourself becoming more modest as you walk with God?

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Mmm, that first morning cuppa joe. Then the second. Third? Fourth?

Okay, I am so addicted to coffee. I've been trying to consume a limited supply, but it is so delightfully good. Can you relate?

I am such a coffee snob. I like freshly ground, darkly roasted, good coffee. If it is not these, I will only drink the nasty black elixir in desperate straits (like I stayed up too late blogging & need caffeine to keep myself awake at church. And why is it as a general rule that church coffee is always bad?).

As with so many things, I need to find balance in my coffee drinking. I've been trying to hold off on the afternoon cup and instead pull weeds in my yard, but I've found weed pulling is even nicer with a fresh cup of brew.

If I were only so passionate about reading God's Word! I do read daily because I see the impact not reading has. When I do not read the Bible, my day is not so smooth. I am testier & not so patient. The reason for our chosen lifestyle gets fuzzy.

I've learned from experience that life is more peaceful and purposeful with a dose of God's Word each day, but why am I not all consumed by God's Word? Why am I less excited about reading than I am about my cup of coffee? Why do I have to fight my impulses to drink more in the afternoon, but don't even think about picking up the Bible again?

I love reading the Bible. I am always amazed how God speaks to me through His Word. Why then am I not addicted? Does my flesh speak so much louder than my spirit that I hear the cries for more java, but not for more spiritual nourishment?

My prayer is that God gives me a passionate heart for His Word, and that, if it is possible, my coffee addiction would be used to glorify My Lord. To God be the glory in all things.

And then we could discuss the topic of blog addiction...

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Okay, here's a question for all you homeschool families. How do you do it?

Do you have a set schedule?

Do you fly by the seat of your pants?

Do you have children whose learning styles are dramatically different from each others or your own?

Do you plan out your year?

Do you take one day at a time?

Do you find joy in your teaching?

I'd like to hear what works for YOUR family.

I have found through solving issues of frustration that our family works best on a general schedule, although we have found that each day really is quite different from the next. I have also found that I am easily distracted without a schedule to remind me what I am supposed to be doing.

Here is my dilemma (to which I am open to suggestions): I am energized by solitude, so I really enjoy my time alone in the morning. This time prepares me for the rest of the day. I spend time each morning reading the Best Book in the World written by God. And then I check email and blog a bit. And then I want to linger more by myself before breakfast, before children, before school. I've pondered why and think it may be because after the rest of the family joins me in the morning, my mind is split a thousand different ways. God has also been speaking to my heart about finding that quiet place, learning to listen to Him, quietly. I am praying and listening and learning how to do this, but wonder if it is somehow intrinsically tied to my lack of coherent thought when I am "accomplishing all my tasks."

How do YOU find balance? (especially you introverts)

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Alright, I confess. I am addicted to books. I always have a pile near me. And I never have enough time to read them all. From talking with my other homeschooling friends, I have found this to be a common theme amongst homeschoolers.

So here are my questions to all you book addicted homeschoolers:

How do you decide which book to pick up?

Do you finish every book you start?

Do you read much fiction?

Are you able to put a good book down at night, or do you find yourself staying up way too late reading just one more chapter?

How do you cope with your addiction?

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