3 Peas in a Pod...

Aug. 11, 2008 - deep breaths...

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."-2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Satan is a deceiver. We must never forget that! I am starting to stress about school starting (we are going on our 3rd year, but more of 2nd officially) and if I'll be able to do it, will I be able to do it better, will I have too much on my plate, can I stick to a schedule,...am I good enough to do this???? Well, I'm not able to do this on my own, but God is my refuge and my strength. He has equipped me to do this job that He has called us to. So what does He need from me? My faith, my trust and my commitment...and hope. My sweet friend Terri wrote a post that spoke to me greatly, and probably all of this, just about life in general. "Chip away" her husband tells her. "Don't make it so complicated" my husband tells me. "Just do a little each day, but do something each day."

Dear Lord help me to stop believing the lies and to see through your eyes. Dear Lord, set my day, set the schedule, that I follow your plans and not my own. Lord, help me in my unbelief, trusting that You will guide me. Father, I pray you'll bless our efforts and shower us with your spirit of peace, joy and love. Thank you for the opportunity again to homeschool and to teach these precious children you blessed us with. It is not about me, it is about You Lord! You are Great and Mighty and oh so worthy of our praise! You are my rock, my strength and my refuge and I can't do this without you, Lord. Looking forward to our schooling Lord and thanking you in advance for the great plans you have and your merciful and grace filled help! Thank you Lord! I love you! Amen!

Jul. 15, 2008 - silent prayer...hope

Most precious Lord,

You know my heart. You know every nook and cranny of it. You know my selfish heart, my preocuppied mind, my sinful nature, my lazy tendencies.

But Father, I am comforted by the hope that you know my innermost being. You know of my capacity to love and for you to grow me beyond my sinful ways...not because I am capable of doing it on my own but because you love me and you care to show me. Lord, you check my spirit, You give me fresh eyes and ears to see and hear through You and not my own ways.

Lord, my heart flip flops on what I think I want and trying to hear you and what you want. Father, but I praise you mightly for you are taking this selfish heart and making it swell for what I see before me. Lord forgive me for pushing the little arms away when I was trying to fix something, not realizing I was missing a most precious gift of love. Father, I'm so grateful you showed me quickly, with a look from another, a sadness in my spirit but a gentle love of truth that allowed me to repent and ask forgiveness of a little heart that is so quick to forgive and love. Father, may your grace and mercy cover these little ones, this family, this husband. May your grace and mercy cover my mistakes. Father, may your grace and mercy cover me, teaching me, helping me, forgiving me...loving me.

Father, may I be a light for you. May your love be evident through me, breaking through the life that was once dead but is now alive, only because of your saving grace through the gift of the blood shed on the cross by Jesus Christ.

Thank you Lord, that you take me as I am, sinful, filthy, blemished and all. With you, I am washed white as snow, not because I deserve it, but simply...because you love me. Lord, teach me to love. Forgive me, when I fall so very short because I don't want to give. Forgive me, and thank you for reminding me that our days are numbered, that my days are blessings, filled with Your blessings, that I humbly have the opportunity to be part of. May I love with the fullness of Your Spirit, with Your Heart...goodness is in me, the fruit of Your Spirit, for You are my Lord and Savior.

Thank you Father, I love you, thank you for yet another chance, and for your Grace, your Mercy.

You are Mighty!

Love,

your daughter:), in Jesus most precious name, Amen.

May. 6, 2008 - perseverance...

Today I read a daily word from Joel Osteen and Victoria and it addressed growing, continuing to learn, stretching, not doing "just enough" or for me, "good enough." The Lord desires for us to persevere and endure to develop character, that we may reach the places and peoples and lives He desires and has planned for us...the calling He has upon our lives.

"Therefore since we have been justified through faith..." He's called us and we've believed and asked Jesus into our hearts, admitting our sins, failures but knowing only He can save us...

"...we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope and glory of God..." Grace and Hope, a life filled with Life...

"...Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope..." We learn to trust and rely upon Him, seeing His growth in us and bringing us places that we never thought possible (physically, mentally and spiritually)...

"...and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." (Romans 5:1-5) Oh, how precious...we're never disappointed by the Lord. We may be disappointed by situations, people, ourselves...but handing it over to the Lord, and waiting on Him and hoping through situations (for His ways are not our ways), produces this character He desires for us, growing our faith and love for and by Him.

As my sweet friend says, it like working out, you sure don't want to go, but after you've done it you never regret the exercise! We never regret what the Lord has brought us through, because with Him and on His path there is glory to Him and joy for us. When we veer from the path, it is those things we regret...but He still is faithful, to care, guide and direct our paths, with forgiveness and unconditional love. Praise the Lord for grace and hope!

I later read this great post at Study in Brown, speaking to me, in connection with persevering, as to why we are homeschooling, the hope of the calling on our children's lives..

Dear Lord, help me to grow in the knowledge of you, persevering with the faith and hope you've given me that my heart and actions may be pleasing to you, praying Lord that these gifts would be instilled in our household and in our children, that we may never stop until the end, that you may say, "well done, good and faithful servant!" -(Matthew 25:21) In Jesus' name, Amen

God bless you and your day!

Bree

Apr. 6, 2008 - New Site...

Hi All!

Check out this new website- it looks great (I'm needing to have some time to do some clicking:) but being able to have homeschooling info on one page---good stuff!

She is also having a drawing for a gift certificate for Amazon-

Have a blessed Sunday. Praying you're remembering and loving the Lord with you're whole heart, who loves you more than you could know:)

hugs!
Bree

Apr. 1, 2008 - love...wifely roles

I just read the articles linked here.

Please read them-
There is something to be said about our treatment of others, and first and most importantly what the Lord tells us about love. Love is not conditional. Love is selfless.

"Love is patient and kind."-1 Corinthian 13:4

Love can be hard but it a choice, showed with actions that will show straight through to the heart behind it, be it good or bad. We can't love the way we are commanded to without the Lord. It is a daily laying down of our pride and selfishness. It is a requirement though, to live a life that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father, and living a life filled with true joy, that your Father will say,

"Well done my good and faithful servant"-Matthew 25:21
"This is my command: Love each other."-John 15:17

Other amazing verses:
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."-Proverbs17:22
"He who finds a wife finds what is good..."-Proverbs 19:2
"She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life."-Proverbs 31:12

The Lord's word tells us that it is good to be a wife. That we are a blessing to our husbands. He tells us this because He knows we can be a blessing to our husbands. If we allow Him to use us, we can be the wife He knows we can be.

"Create in me a new heart, O God."-Psalm 51:10 TLB

This means we must lay our own wills down to follow the Lord's will. In this way we can bring our husband's and the Lord good, and be in the Lord's will with His blessings. Being outside of His will brings an inner grief and a loss of His abundant blessings. God gives the strength to endure, persevere and find joy. Please, remember I say this of my own opinion and it is important to be safe and seek help if needed. God provides for all and we are humans and fall. We will face sadness, disappointment, loss...but He will carry us through, and we are accountable for how we act during all times...

"When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need- words that will help others become stronger."-Ephesians 4:29

We can however, find hope and comfort in His strength, which is made perfect in our weakness. He invites us to set our worries and burdens at His feet, for He will carry us through.

"My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you."
-2 Corinthians 12:9

God bless you. Praying you will find joy and strength in His word with an open heart, that if it is convicted, praises, it is not condemned! Amen!

Bree

Mar. 25, 2008 - ...some thoughts :)

Sooo, first and foremost-ALWAYS save your draft mid stream! Oh, I know right now many of you are relating--you have that great post, the words just spilling out, you're so excited, you think how you're almost done, you know you should've started school half an hour ago but you are on a roll and almost done...and then it happens, that last sentence, you just wanted to add a link to that one name, no, no, not link to it, noooooo.
But alas, you click on that little arrow on the top left of your screen, hoping, praying all those words are still there...and all that's there...your sweet title...ahhhhhh (and you know you try to click back and forth a few more times, just hoping you've some how done it wrong...it's okay my friend, denial is hard

)
Oh, can you tell I had an issue (some issues!) with this---I had to call a friend for comfort after I sat and stared at the computer, and my sweet children kept asking, "mommy what's wrong?" with such looks of concern...oh, am I laughing at such silliness. Well, I can say I knew to "save" but I was just too plain ol' lazy to click on that button, knowing I'd have to click on "another" button to open it back up and finish it- yep, no sympathy here.

Anyhoo, I do have a blog with blogger and I sure do like that it automatically saves, but I really like my blog here with homeschoolblogger too. I've found such great blogs and it seems more of the small town, then the big city of blogger, where you may or may not find a great blog with like interests. It's the best of both blog worlds

.

So I'm thinking this is my post for today, sorry no excitement:) Sometimes it 's good to read something light-hearted and just plain ol' silly.

God bless ya!
Hugs!

Bree
"You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God." -Ephesians 2:8

Mar. 20, 2008 - food for thought...

I just happened upon this blog and thought this post was a good reminder...

God bless!

Bree

Mar. 10, 2008 - A fly...

I saw a fly today!!!

Well you make think I'm a bit off my rocker (no comments those of you who know me!) but seeing a fly today meant (at least to me) Spring is coming!!!

I shared we're in our sweet New England town, and in our sweet New England town about 100 precious inches of snow have fallen (with more to come Wednesday?!)

Oh, now I'm not complaining because :

1. I did ask God to fill up our well

and

2. I was born in CO and have great memories of childhood sledding and snowmen- thus, having our boys enjoy all of that has been PRICELESS :)

However, the sliding down the hill driveway, praying another car isn't coming...well I could do without that!

So, I say...yeah for Spring! Thank you my dear Lord for bringing us through these past few months, providing for our outrageous propane bills when so many haven't been able to. Thank you Lord for preparing us for a season we've thought was the "norm" and we've now come to find out that it has been much worse.

This might be a peek at how He truly means we can do all things through Him. With Him, there are still hard times but He brings us through the season, warming us with His rays of sunshine (even through the windows), allowing us to hear the chirp of a bird when the ground is still gray and frozen, sending a fresh breath of His breeze, carrying the scent of new beginnings (with a hint of that precious salt water) while still bundled in coats, gloves and hats...

...and even that tickling sight of a fly, who in a few months I'm going to try to remember not to complain about :)

Have a great amazing beautiful day. Praying you're seeing His sunshine...His love in all that is around you.

"I labor, striving according to His power, which mightly works within me." -Colossians 1:29 NASB

Bree

Feb. 20, 2008 - Emergency to do List!

Today's To Do List:

1. taxes

2. laundry

3. sweep/mop

4. organize school room

Emergency To Do List: COMPLETED

1. Laughing & sledding with the boys outside

2. Reading Magic School Bus at nap time

3. Homemade hot cocoa with mugs the size of their heads

Our dear Lord allows enough time for what He needs done. Thank you Lord for showing me what was your priority. Trying to balance a home, school, marriage, family, work and sanity can be beyond overwhelming! But today, the Lord used my sweet friend to remind me of what was important (and why I was so cranky!) God had given me my cup. Right now my cup is filled with His love...for me...and to be shared. He has given me enough time for household duties (which truly blesses my husband), work (where we're able to do school-wow!), financial matters and the other things that need to be done. I then need to make a choice how I will use that time. Lord, help me make the choice pleasing to you, not the choice that is only pleasing to me...for in your will is where I want to be.

May you enjoy, and find joy in your home, marriage and family...let go and let God..

God bless you! He'll show you His priorities if you ask, and I can testify to the fact that He'll give you joy in doing what He wants done (like scrubbing that dish for the dinner that will bring your family together where laughter will be shared or finishing something your husband asked you to do and seeing how he feels loved by your respect and commitment...)

"Anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me." -Matthew 25:40

"God is being patient with you...He wants all people to change their hearts and lives."- 2 Peter 3:9

Feb. 12, 2008 - Rowing...

"He went into the hills to pray"-Mark 6:46

...from Max Lucado's "Everyday Blessings: 365 Days of Inspirational Thoughts"

(from April 26 page)

"What does Jesus do while we are in the storm? You'll love this.

He prays for us....

So where does that leave us? While Jesus is praying and we are in the storm, what are we to do? Simple. We do what the disciples did.

We row....

Much of life is spent rowing....Getting out of bed. Fixing lunches....

More struggle than strut."

Here I am rowing, and the phone rings (because I have a technologically updated row boat :) )...and this new sweet friend I am getting to know, calls letting me know how her healing is going (she's rowing her boat with one arm in a sling- I should complain!) and the laughter she brings...it makes the rowing so much easier:) Sometimes, we focus so hard on our rowing we forget to look out across the water... or close our eyes and have sweet memories... or best of all, look up and feel His sweet rain upon our cheeks, knowing the rain, the waves, the storm will pass. Storms can be big or they can be the looming clouds...just there. Sometimes our hearts are heavy and honestly, times I'm not even sure why. Terri as you put it, that "funk"! I think of sludgy muck hangin around (is that visual for you!) When this time comes, we have a choice to make...do we get covered by it and run to the fridge (I am a comfort food girl at heart), do we crawl into bed, do we withrawl into our caves....or do we keep on rowing?

My hearts prayer...dear Lord, keep me rowing, move my arms, strengthen my legs, fill my lungs (my soul) with new breath, give me fresh eyes to see, fill me spirit with laughter, Lord draw me near...dear Lord, keep me rowing!

Laughter... what a precious gift....Jesus...what a most precious gift. Thank you Lord.

"Have faith in God, " Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone...does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

-Mark 11:22-24

Believe, love, laugh, cry, rejoice...and wait on Him, that His perfect will would be done. For you are more precious to Him than the finest of gems, you are His creation filled with His spirit, held in his arms, adored by his heart, loved by your Father and Creator.

If you haven't experienced that personal relationship with Jesus, oh sweet one, surrender your heart and allow Him to start moving and healing in you, allow Him to fill that unexplainable void you have..it is simply that place that is waiting for Him. Allow yourself the peace and forgiveness (and restoration) that only He can give. Come before Him with all of your stuff and say,

"Jesus here I am with my mistakes, here I am with all the mistakes I'm still making. Dear Lord I can't make it right, I need your help. Forgive me for doing wrong, forgive me for my sins, forgive me for being a sinner. The bible tells me you love me, because you created me, and you are just and right to forgive me for my sins when I ask. (1 John 1:9) I'm asking Jesus. Forgive me. Please come into my heart and help me to live a life that is pleasing to you. I trust and know you will teach me how to live a life that is pleasing to you. Please show me the freedom only you can give and give me the strength to continue to learn and love you. Jesus, come into my heart. Save me. Forgive me. You died for my sins (John 6:29,40,51) and rose from the grave (Matthew 28:5-6). Jesus you are the Son of God. (1 John 4:15) You are the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) In Jesus name, Amen.

Sweet one, if you have prayed this prayer- bless you! You are saved. Find yourself a good church home that believes these things (that has sound doctrine.) Seek help and support and read God's word- the bible. I personally use the NIV (New International Version) bible, because I find it is easier for me to understand the language, but there is also the KJV (King James Version) and others. Take it one step at a time, find other Christians to mentor and give support to you and trust in the Lord, He will guide you and lead you on a path to freedom and forgiveness. He did all of these things for me, He'll do them for you:) I was 23 when I asked Jesus into my heart. You can be 6 or 96, it is never too late and never too much to be forgiven. God bless you!

more information/prayer links: here, here (click on looking for peace with God) here, here

*Please leave me a note of your testimony, your prayer, your salvation...

Feb. 11, 2008 - listening...

Things are coming along with school. I have begun babysitting at our local YMCA Mon, Wed, and Fri from 8-11am. It truly has been a blessing and a gift from the Lord. I am able to bring in a bit of extra income, I can bring the kids (which allows us time for school and the boys get to play pool and ping pong), and we get a tremendous discount on our membership. God is amazing! It has required some extra planning on my part but the Lord has been so faithful in these steps.

School wise, we've been experiencing some complaining (gee-do any of you have that in your home?!) We are following the classical method for the most part but I'm thinking of trying to intergrate some unit studies. I've sort of been doing this the past couple of days and it seems the boys are staying more interested (me too I have to confess).

Nothing too exciting here. God is working on my heart (praise the Lord!) but with that, I think I'm needing to just sit and listen. I have His peace...He is so very good...

Bless you in your home and in your day. May His peace be with you and your heart filled with His joy, the joy through the storms and the quiet. God bless you!

Jan. 28, 2008 - another name?!

Yeap, I've changed it again:)

This was my first blog, started as a place for thoughts and prayers, then it went to My Heart Will Rejoice, which later moved to blogspot and now here we are! This is our homeschooling blog (yeah!) and it is about our 3 sweet boys, school, family and the Lord ---so, our 3 Peas in a Pod :)

Bless you!

Jan. 24, 2008 - Week 3!

Yeah-we've made it to week three of homeschooling! How silly I feel saying that!

You see, our homeschooling days before our move this past May consisted of here and there, a bit of this and that, TV and trips so "mommy could get out of the house." Don't get me wrong, all of these are okay if that's what works for you, but I know for me personally, my doing these things were honestly, just me, trying to avoid the whole commitment of homeschooling.

Again-those things I mentioned are NOT the avoidance of homeschooling---my reasoning for doing those things were MY avoidance of homeschooling. I am so very aware and grateful for all the ways we can all homeschool and teach and spend time with our children-it's awesome!

So this is why I am excited about week 3 of our new homeschooling! We have been consistent in doing our work 4 days out of the week and generally about the same amount of time every day. We don't have it down yet as to what we are doing every day, or at which time but we are doing something everyday and staying pretty consistent with Math and English; Science, History, Art and Spanish have made about one grand appearance each!

We are following the classical method- The Well Trained Mind (Susan Wise Bauer). I love it but really need to do some more (okay, a bit more than some) reading and scheduling--ahhh, I am overwhelmed so easily that I tend to just not do it at all (hmmm, doesn't get too much accomplished there!)

Thus, I have a prayer request for some planning and clarity to what is going to get us into good schedule. I've heard it take 30 (or is it 21) days to make something a habit...but I imagine that is the same thing for those 21-30 days

Despite those things, God is shining through and I am praising Him everyday for His grace, allowing me another chance to homeschool, an answer to why He wants us to school, and the beautiful gift of seeing our sweet boys everyday, learning and enjoying eachothers company! HIs grace is sufficient... :)

Here is a list of what we are currently using: (Our 3 boys are ages 3.5, 5 and 7)

Singapore math, Phonics Pathways, Abeka Blue Backed Speller, readers, Abeka Science Reader 1, Story of the World, First Language Lessons, Discovey Kids Chemistry set, Abeka manuscript workbook, cursive handwriting, Rosetta Stone Spanish (online from the library!), art (I'm winging it so far!), Dolch sight words list, Mudpies to Magnets, the ABC's (I'm making up some preschool things-sort of!), music (soon hopefully), some dictionary work with spelling words, Bible...

Like I said, we have been reading and doing math consistently, and the rest of things have made brief appearances...but I am okay with this because we'll eventually get it:)

Have a great wonderful, blessed night! His Peace with you!

Jan. 18, 2008 - A new year...

Wow! It has been quite awhile since my last post!

We have started homeschooling-yeah! We decided to let the boys finish out the semester (until Christmas) at school (public) which we feel was a good choice. I used this time (at the request of hubby) to try an organize our school room and order/prepare what we were going to need.

The holidays went really well. We were able to visit with family and friends in Virginia (who we miss dearly!) and then come back to a foot of snow (the boys were quite happy!)

I have to give God praise here- my boys have had an amazing heart toward school at home. I'm grateful that we took them out of school because of our own personal convictions and not because they were having a hard time. We were truly blessed by their teachers-they have a love for their children and their jobs. Their classmates were great and we were happy with the school. Thus saying this, the boys have really amazed me at their attitudes towards homeschooling, being that they do miss their classes and friends.

God has been so very faithful in our walk here. He brought us through the summer of much change and now here we are... homeschooling, I'm back at home and my dear hubby has just been given a promotion at work- I am AMAZED at how all of this is unfolding- Lord you are knocking my socks off! The Lord has also given me fresh eyes for school and shown me the reason why were doing this. I wasn't sure before why we were homeschooling. Our friends were and we "knew" it was the right choice but I didn't really know why "we" were doing it..what reason did God want us to do it? He answered.

I'm loving my Lord. I'm overwhelmed, I'm grateful, I'm in awe..and I'm so excited about what is to come. I know the summer is coming and we've discussed if I'll have to work. At first I started stressing but I know the Lord is going to take care of us- be it me still at home or me having to work--I know it will be good either way, because it will bring us somewhere He wants us and closer to Him-AMEN!

Have a blessed evening! May your family be filled with love, your heart with joy, and your eyes be refreshed!

God bless you!

Bree

www.myheartwillrejoice.blogspot.com

Nov. 19, 2007 - PRAISE!!!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus"-Philippians 4:6-7

WE ARE HOMESCHOOLING AGAIN!

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!!!

My friends the Lord is SO FAITHFUL and amazing! Give it to Him in prayer and wait-He does miracles! But you have to leave it at His feet, and He will give you the peace to leave it there and accept what plans He has:)

Bless you, may you be encouraged in your walk and any requests you may have before Him, may your heart be at peace, in Jesus name-Amen...

You can check out previous posts to read about our homeschool journey to public school...and now back to home! Also on my other blog- www.myheartwillrejoice.blogspot.com

Have a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving!

Bree

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Nov. 19, 2007 - blog

Check out my other blog-seems to be my primary:)

Hugs & God bless!

Bree

Oct. 24, 2007 - prayer...

Dear Lord, please help me not to miss the gifts you've placed before me. Forgive me for comparing and desiring more than what you've placed before me. I pray for contentment, joy and peace. I pray to be a light for you to my husband, my children, my family and those you place in my path. May my heart be in line with yours, for this is the place that is in your will. Dear Lord, please forgive me for my attitude of righteousness and stubborness. I thank you Lord for your mercy and grace and thank you for your Word and your Holy Counselor:) Dear Lord Jesus, thank you...thank you...thank you for the miracle of a new life in you. Thank you for a new day. Bless you....

In Jesus' precious name, Amen..

"Lord, the feeling of guilt gets a bad rap, but sometimes it is a divine nudge, directly from you, that can help me take positive action. Please enable me to respond with energetic obedience. Amen" -Marilyn Meberg, The Women of Faith Daily Devotional

"Whoever heeds correction shows prudence."-Proverbs 15:5

"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:33