Time to raise our SWORDS!

Not only is it time to raise our swords but it is time to figure out what we have truly placed our faith in. What do we believe? As my mother says "This is where the bear met the tree."
There is a man in Miami Florida claiming to be the Second Coming of Christ. He wears a batch with the number 666 on it. His followers have tattooed themselves with 666. He says that it shows their distaste for organized religion. Unbelievable. There is a verse screaming at me right now. "Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many." Mark 13:6. This man in Florida has over a million followers. Another passage in Mark 13 is verses 21 and 22 "At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect-if that were possible" This passage goes on to say in verse 23 "So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time."
This is one of the many reasons we have to know what God's word says. We can't be ignorant. We can't look at this man and for one minute say "oh, could this be Him?" Even if people around us are asking that question we must raise our swords, which is the Word of God, and say "NO! No this is not Jesus." Mark 13:26 and Luke 21:27 (other gospels say this, but these two I know say it word for word) tells us how Christ will return "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."
I just want to encourage you to get into God's word. Jesus is returning. I personally believe that I will see it. I have had thoughts over the course of being a mom, that I will not have any grandchildren. That is how close I believe it is but let me be clear ... that is my opinion. The Word tells us that Christ doesn't even know when He is returning. That only The Father knows. Keep going in Mark, scroll down to verse 32, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." So I am no one to say that I know when. I have one eye towards the heavens and one eye on earth. Another words, we are raising our boys to be mighty men of God, hard workers, strong husbands and great fathers. I pray for their future wives and children ... because I don't know when Christ is returning.
Please be encouraged. I know that when we, the Body of Christ, start talking about His return it can cause some fear and anxiety. Don't let it. There is so much to look forward to. Beyond our wildest dreams. Eternity with our Father ... what could be better? Like the psalmist says in 84:10a "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; ... "

Here is the link to see the web cast http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2928479
In the beginning of the web cast it refers to the bones found that James Cameron and his friend (name escapes me) believe are the bones of Jesus, his wife Mary and their son Judah ... AGAIN we have to know what we believe! That's another blog entry though.

Until we meet up again ...
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! (Philemon 3)

Your grace is sufficient song

I found a link for you all to listen to the song I was talking about.
http://www.shanebweb.com/lyrics.html
Look for the Clean album. Then click Audio. You can't play the whole song but you'll get the idea of the melody I had playing in my head. :)
God is sooooo good!

God has turned it around.

Today I realize how broken I am. Mind you, this is not a new revelation! The first 5 minutes or so of waking up were fine but it went down hill from there.
I haven't felt good in over 3 weeks. I am going to the doctor on Monday. I'm hormonal. My house is a wreck. I'm not done unpacking. Some of my boys seems to have forgotten how to talk to me in a respectful way. I feel like an utter failure. It's been a rough morning. I can hear my girlfriend telling me that this is all just an attack from Satan. :) She and I have our first Titus 2 meeting, that we are co-leading, coming up this Thursday! I can hear her saying "You said he would doing this."
I snapped at the boys all morning. I know I broke their little hearts. Before they left, with my husband, we were good. I apologized for my mood. Gave them big hugs and kisses. Smooched all over their sweet little faces. They told me they forgave me and that they love me. So I sit here ... crying and broken. I read Beth Moore and her daughter Amanda Jones' blog. You can find the link on the right, LPM blog. I read the PMS ... Please More Spirit entry. You'll find that back in February. Yes, I do need more spirit. Especially today. After I picked myself up off the floor in total submission and repentance, I said to God "Please quicken me to remember that the moment I jump off course." He instantly played for me of a beautiful song. It's still playing in my head right now and it prompted me to write this entry. It is a song that I am sure you have heard but the version in my head is from Shane and Shane. From their Clean CD. Here are the lyrics. I am going to see if I can find a link to have you actually hear them sing it. Enjoy and be blessed.

Your Grace Is Sufficient
Your grace is sufficient for me
Your strength is made perfect
When I am weak
And all that I cling to
I lay at Your feet
Your grace is sufficient for me

His grace IS sufficient. Please More Spirit. The Bible tells us that He lives inside of those who call upon His name. He is active and living inside of me. I need to let Him work. More of Him and less of me. I truly need to lay everything at His feet. He is big enough to handle it all. He is mighty enough to save me. He loves me. He cares for me. God is so merciful and kind. My Heavenly Father wants me to be obedient, to be happy, to be kind, to be faithful, to be gentle, to be careful with my tongue. He wants the best for me, He wants me to live Christ-like. I wouldn't give my morning 2 cents on that. But His grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect when I am weak. Boy, am I weak. I am thankful that God forgave me. I am thankful that my boys forgave me. Today is a good day.

My heart is not in it

The previous post was inspired by a conversation that my hubby and I had. I was upset about my lack of discipline and schedule. I was upset that I couldn't get everything done that I wanted to. I couldn't school the boys and unpack and keep up on the normal daily house chores. Laundry is at its all time high, dishes are always in sink, bathrooms were at least cleaned, I felt bad about my look. You name it ... it was coming at me. I told Bo how I had felt that God wasn't really answering me. He (God) was giving me great ideas but not the 'how to'. I needed HELP! Well, my husband imparted such great wisdom to me. It took a while to settle into my brain but it instantly resonated with my heart. It's been about a week and I feel that I understand with my head enough to be able to share it with you. Of course you might not get it because sometimes what my head and heart understand my mouth and fingers can not put into words. Is that something that just happens to me? Anyway, basically what Bo said to me is this ... God has answered me. He has given me clear instructions. I just don't really want to put the effort into it. Like God has said to me that I need to start my day sooner. I need to get up before the boys and have some quiet time with Him, Bo and myself. In that order! :) But I don't want to go to bed earlier. I don't want to get up earlier. Oh my head does but my heart says "Let me sleep! Let me stay up and decompress from the day!" Well there probably wouldn't be a need to decompress so much if I prepared my day better. Amen? Another thing we talked about was homeschooling. I know that God has called this for our family. Before I even had our first boy I knew that God had called us to homeschool. So what the heck was my problem? My heart. My heart isn't in it. I believe with my heart that this is for us. Even when my mind says "Put them in school because this is too hard or put them in school so you have some time to yourself!" My heart says "Not on my watch!" Because my mind just wants to escape. But my heart not being in it is more the day to day routine. The doing it well part of our school day. See, I may have lost you with that. I know what I mean! :) My course of action for this, for my heart not being where God is calling me is this ... PRAYER, PRAYER AND SCRIPTURES! I am going to sit down and find scriptures that I can use in my battle. Every day to every moment I am going to ask that for less of me and more of Him. I'm praying for God to change my heart towards all that He has told me to do. God does not want my obedience to be accompanied with complaining! After all He is after our heart. If my heart isn't in it then am I truly being obedient and am I receiving the best from Him that I could be? I doubt it. It's just like with my boys. If I ask them to take out the trash and they do but are grumbling all the way, Am I pleased with their obedience? Not at all. It's the same with our Heavenly Father. I'm reminded of the whole 'cheerful giver'. God wants us to give but cheerfully. Again, a heart issue.
I pray that this all makes sense to you. Please keep me lifted up from time to time. I'd love any verses that you may have for me. Let me know if you have ever faced this, faced where God revealed to you that your heart wasn't in to something. Let me know what you did, what your prayers were and scriptures you relied on.
God Bless You!

Blessed by an amazing man

I'll tell you what ... I am so blessed by my husband. He is an amazing guy. He makes me laugh until I am either crying or wetting my pants! He makes me feel wonderful and special. He is forever telling me that I am a great mom and wife. Even on the days that I am freaking out. He doesn't ever lord anything over me. He works so hard for our family. Every day he gets up and busts his butt for us. Never complains, never considers it anything but pure joy to provide for us. He loves our boys more then anything. He will let things go that he should be doing, like paper work for our business, just to hang out with us. He never makes me feel bad or silly for asking him for things. Even if it is just a dollar candle, he will cheerfully tell me to get two! My heart is overwhelmed by his kindness. Not just with our finances but with him. He could easily withdraw from us. He could easily put his work over us. He could easily do something different but he chooses us. He is my provider, protector, my rock, my best friend and my soul mate. He is just an awesome man. I enjoy everything about him. He never ceases to amaze me. God has blessed me beyond words.

I love you Sweetheart!

By George, I think I've got it!

Or at least I am pretty close. I can't tell you how long I have been praying that I could come up with some sort of schedule. I've never been one to handle a strict schedule. I don't want to schedule my laundry for only Tuesday mornings or schedule a time to read a book. However, I have felt my life/mind spinning out of control. I was getting nothing done while doing everything. Am I the only one who has gone through this? Man, it is hard. The whole year that I have been praying for a schedule, praying for some kind of clarity to my day. I had felt that God was telling me to give my day over to Him. To seek Him first and the rest will fall into place. O.K., so I did that but things still were not getting done. Like if I did the house work then I didn't do school. If I spent my day with school then I didn't get any house work done. There had to be a healthy, normal balance that would work for me. I kept praying. I kept seeking God first. Learning a lot on my journey to finding the right schedule for my family. Just nothing to do with a schedule. Or so I thought. Finally I asked God "What the heck am I suppose to be doing?!" ... "Why can't I figure this out?!" ... "Life is not this complicated!" ... "Women have been doing this for centuries!" He was silent. "Hello?! Are you gonna answer me?" One day He did. One day I was sitting at the computer playing online, Free Cell to be exact. Things needed to be done like packing for our move, snuggling with my sick boys (they all had a cold), making dinner, you name it. I had no energy. I was disappointed that I couldn't get done the stuff I needed to do. Of course I had played 5 or 6 games of Free Cell and won 4 or 5 games (just in case you were wondering :)). That was when God said something to me. He said "If you weren't so selfish with your time you would have time to do the things you 'need' to do." Excuse me ... What did you say? Ouch ... that hits deep. He was right. I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off (because I was lazy and selfish) complaining that I didn't have enough time when He had given me enough time. I just had not been a good steward of that time. It took me a few days of letting that sit before I repented. It was a mighty big pill to swallow. But let me tell you something! Since I have truly repented and truly gave my heart over to seeking Him first in ALL things, my days have been fruitful. I now have a schedule that I can work with. I'm still fine tuning it. Monday will be our first 'official' day with it but I am confident that it is the right schedule for me and my family. I am very excited. I'm feeling very free. Even though I haven't started the official schedule we are getting things done in a timely manner and at the end of the day I don't feel bad that something didn't get done. Glory!
Now, in a few weeks I am off to tackle my weight! :)

Peace

We have moved into our new house. It is wonderful. Our neighbors are great. Every one is so friendly. It is so amazing that we own a house! It is still hard to believe.

The boys have had no problems settling in. Each have their own room. It's neat to see their personalities come out. I think for my oldest is makes him feel more grown up. I was watching him put his stuff away. I was amazed at how old he looked. He just turned 9 but there he was listening to his radio while putting away his clothes. I had a bit of a 'flash forward', I could totally see him as a teenager. It's funny too that when we leave to go somewhere he closes his bedroom door. This house has been such a dream come true.

Our cats have a kitty door to their room. That was pretty funny teaching them. It was like trying to teach a baby to walk. But they have figured it out. Our turtle is in the 'cat room' too. He is doing fine. We put a screen on top of his cage. From time to time we would catch the cats drinking his water (gross) but we figured that this would be best because we wouldn't be able to see them as quickly. It stresses Rocky out when they do that. He hisses loudly. So, no more hissing.

Well, that is pretty much it. :) I know I haven't blogged in awhile ... this is why. I am still unpacking. Little by little I am chipping away at stuff. I have started school back up and my kitchen is completely done except I have some clocks to hang up. :) Need some nails and a hammer.

A friend of mine sent me a card. In the card was a verse that my hubby and I think is perfect so I am going to share it with you. This verse really speaks to us about our new home.
Isaiah 32:18 "My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."

Glory to God!

Written so well

I found this blog http://www.thesacredeveryday.com/journal/ . This is a wonderful blog. There is an entry that is written so well called "Peace isn't a place". I was so touched by it that I wanted to share it you all. I hope you enjoy it.

Let's pray her home!

I wanted to ask y'all to pray for a wonderful family that I know. They are in the middle of adopting a precious little one. They are waiting for a Certificate of Abandonment (COA) to be signed. This isn't the only thing they need but it's the next thing.

Anyway, I wanted to bring this to every one's attention. I know I have people from all over reading this blog. Which humbles me! I know that y'all are on fire, Bible reading, New Testament believing children of God! I'm asking you all to stand with this family.

To read more please go to their site,
www.bestofthewests.blogspot.com

Everyone has a testimony

A dear friend of ours has come this weekend to visit. He brought his little boy with him. What a cutie. Of course I feel old and realize that my boys are getting older because when I last saw his son he was 2 1/2. Now he will be 4 in a two months! Boy do kids change a lot during those years.
Anyway, I was listening to our friend talk to my husband. He has been dealing with a lot of things. I could hear the pain, the fear, the confusion and the anger in his heart. I thought to myself that he would have an awesome testimony. He just needs to fall into the Savior's arms.

I was thinking about our friend's testimony when I realized that I am now looking at every body as having a testimony. It's true. Having that in my heart has caused me to look at everyone differently. I no longer see just the clerk at the grocery store or the mom with a bunch of kids in tow. I see precious people who have a testimony. They have a story. God has delivered them from something. God has moved in such a way that they will never be the same.

Then I thought about the people whose testimony hasn't been written yet. Like our friend visiting. God is knocking on the door to their heart but they haven't answered Him yet. That's what I really notice. I have another friend who is not saved. She is so precious to me. We grew up together (basically). I look at her life and think "Man! What an awesome testimony to God's grace and mercy!" Sadly she doesn't see that. She doesn't see how He wants save her from eternal death. How He protects her and her child every day. She leaves it all up to chance. She makes decisions based on her wants and desires. I know that if she would give Jesus a little wiggle room into her heart she would be forever changed. She would be an amazing spokes gal on how God can clean us up and make us pure.

Just like our dear friend who is visiting. His marriage is non-existent. But I know there is a God in Heaven who created marriages. I know there is a God who loves him (and her) more then any human can. I think about where they could be in five years if they would lay down their pride and pain and take up their cross. What an amazing testimony of a pure unconditional love from our Heavenly Father.

So my point to all this is this ... look for the testimonies! Everyone has one. Reflect on yours from time to time. God loves to hear them. Tell them to Him. You two will laugh and cry and just be besides yourselves over them. Plus doing that will reaffirm your faith! I try to do that once a week. Really. I sit with the Lord and say "Remember when ... Remember that ... Boy I didn't think I would ever learn but then this happened ... " and so on. We have a great time remembering my testimonies. Plus I realize I am ready to share it in public when I can say it to my Father with out crying, feeling ashamed at what I did or who I was, or putting myself to much into the miracle. After all it's about Him.

Well, in closing I say this ... Remember that everyone has a testimony.
Also ... remember yours ... share it as often as Christ leads you to.

Be blessed!

Dems Fightin' Werds!

Exodus 15:3a "The LORD is a warrior ..."

Read it again.
Say it out loud.
Say it like you mean it!
THE LORD IS A WARRIOR!
Dems fightin' werds!
(you have to say that with a southern draw :) )

Let me tell you something. God is a mighty warrior. He will fight for you in your situations but you have to get out of the way. You have to be on your knees in total submission to Christ. He opposes the proud. 1 Peter 5:5. If we are puffed up about ourselves, if we think we are some thing that we are not then God will deal with us. On His way to the situation He will stop and take care of His own. He will discipline us. God has no tolerance for pride. His will for us is to be humbled under His hand, His authority. If we are not then we can expect nothing less then some chastisement.

Some times I look at my circumstances and think "Are you going to deal with this/them?!" My precious Lord says to me "Are you going to get out of my way?" Perhaps you feel that God isn't moving quickly enough? Do you feel that He isn't taking care of some things? Here are some things to consider.
1. Are you looking at the world's time table?
2. Do you have some conceived notion as to how it should and when it should turn out?
3. Are you standing in His way?
Those can be so quickly dealt with. First realize that God doesn't work with our man made time. He does things when He does things. It's not a matter of God dealing with the circumstance. He is dealing with people. He is dealing with His kids. God is about relationship. He wants to make sure that we will learn from 'it'. Plus it's a matter of Him being glorified. Another thing is that God rarely does something the way we think. Our minds can not comprehend God's way. So in my opinion it's useless to have our many ways of handling a situation. We are only stepping into something that we have no business being in the middle of. If we are proud about something, if we think that our way is the only way, when we won't let go and let God then He will hold off deliverance. We see that time and time again in Scripture. Lastly and most importantly, we need to repent. It is sin to be prideful. It is a sin to stand in His way.

God is the warrior. We have been called to be warriors but we are called to fight along side Him. Not fight on our own. We are called to fight the good fight. We are called to fight what is important to Him. Not our own agenda. If you find that there are some fights that are going on for a long time you might want to ask yourself and God these questions.
1. Is this a battle worth fighting?
2. Has God called me to do battle on this?
3. Am I fighting a human or am I fighting the real enemy?
4. Is there any unbelief in my heart?
5. Am I being prideful?
6. Where have I not bowed down to God on this?
Ask these questions. Then, once you two talk, ask God to give you His heart. Ask Him to show you what He wants from you. Once we have submitted to His authority, fight the fight given to you, love the people in the situation, despise the true enemy (Satan), AND in His timing ... we will see VICTORY!

Now turn to your situation and say your fightin' werds!
THE LORD IS A WARRIOR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I am so excited to see what God has in store for us!

Full-Fledged Christian

Someone I know said to me the other day that I was a full-fledged Christian. What she meant by that was I am bold about my faith. I stand on my convictions and I stand on the Word of God even if it reveals that I am sinning. I speak often about Christ's return. I try and encourage everyone to dig deeper in their walk with Christ.

I thanked her for her high thoughts of me. Then added that it's because God and I go way back. :)

Later in the evening that conversation came back to me. I believe the Holy Spirit asked me some important questions concerning that talk.

He asked me these following questions:
Am I so bold when I am not sure of the other person's faith?
Do I find it easier to preach to the choir then to proclaim God's goodness on the street corner?
If I didn't live in America would I be so 'full-fledged'?
When the time comes for me to give up my body for Christ, will I do it willing?

My heart skipped a beat. I have always been an "end times girl". I am raising my children to follow no one but Christ. To never denounce Him. We have had talks about Christ's Second Coming. How life may be like. What we would do and how we would behave. My boys know that there may come a day when they have to choose between life here on earth and Christ. They know that they are to always choose Christ. Even if our lives are threatened.

The questions God asked me made me take a second look at my heart. No, I am not so bold about my faith when I am not sure of the other person's. Yes, I do find it easier to preach to the choir then talk about God to a lost person. I don't think I would be so bold if I didn't live in America. I am thankful that God has given me America. I am free. I can disagree with you. I don't have to like your views and I can freely and openly disagree with you. Heck, I can even have a debate with you about it. I don't have to hide my faith. I don't have to hide my face. You get the idea. Anyway, on the last question ... YOU BET! I have always had the resolve that I would not deny Christ. I can remember a conversation my mom and I had when I was 10. We were reading the Bible together. She paused and asked me "What would you say if men came in here and pointed a gun to my head and ordered you to denounce Christ?" Instantly the gift of Faith empowered my spirit and I said that I would not denounce Christ. She would have to die. I still, 20 years later, 3 boys and a husband later, know that I wouldn't denounce Christ.

I now realize after God and I talked, that even though I wouldn't deny Who He is, I'm not so sure I wouldn't whine and complain about the torture. Would the pain be so unbearable that I simply blame Him for it? Or would I hold my head up high and consider it pure joy? Would the words of Paul ring in my ear "To live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21) Would I ask God to forgive them? Honestly, I pray so. I pray I will be like Stephen.

Acts 7:55-60 NIV
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he said this, he fell asleep.

Whew! Can you imagine that?! Seeing God and Jesus looking down at you. People rushing at you to kill you because you believe in God. Asking the Lord to receive your spirit. Then ... asking God not to hold your death against the people who are killing you. Powerful stuff.

Well, with all that said I leave you with this ...
Don't just get through the hard times with Christ. Learn to stand firm on those times. Create a history with God mixed with great times and 'learning' times. I tell you what, it's hard to imagine leaving some one who never leaves nor forsakes you! Hebrews 13:5b

Be Blessed! Walk in Peace! Walk in Christ's freedom!

Mary Did You Know?

There are only about a handful of Christmas songs that I enjoy. Here is one of them. Enjoy!

BTW ... Turn up the speakers :)

http://www.bonniesplace1.com/Marydid.html

Just wanted to share!

So my mom had my boys last night. She takes them around her neighborhood looking at lights. She remembers that she doesn't have any milk at her house so she stops at 7-11.

My youngest says to her "Grandma you should buy the milk Mommy gets." My mom asks why. He says "Because the milk she buys never runs out!"

HA HA HA!! Isn't that so funny? He is so cute.

Did you see Him today?

I was just wondering ...
Wondering if you saw God today. I did.

I saw Him in the bright sun,
I saw Him when my boys were having fun.

I saw Him land in the back yard,
I saw Him here and not far.

I saw Him in my husband's eyes,
I saw Him in the words of the wise.

I saw Him here all day long,
I saw Him gentle and I saw Him strong.

I saw Him laugh and I saw Him smile,
I saw Him enjoy my company for awhile.

I saw Him when I kissed them good night,
I saw Him in their rooms as they tuned out the light.

I see Him here with me as I sing,
Glory, Glory to my King.

Oh for crying out loud!

Every so often something happens that causes me to step back from myself. Tonight was one of those times. I acted in a way that I haven't in a while. Someone in a dark colored corvette did donuts right by our house. I got scared. I went in our bedroom and prayed. I even cried. Then I became angry. That's the thing that I shouldn't have done. I turned my emotion into anger. Why? Because back in the day that is how I protected myself. Silly, I know but it's the truth. So then once I fell at God's feet, I apologized to my family. I apologized to my King. Picked myself up and dusted myself off.

Praise Him!

Then I tripped again.

I was reading some other bloggers. Homeschool bloggers. They have it all together. They are doing cool science projects, making homemade cookies, helping their husbands, loving their 100 kids, serving God in every way, and so on. Some of that may be a bit of an exaggeration . But none the less I started to feel overwhelmed and not to mentioned, condemned. Started thinking that I have been homeschooling for 4 years. I started when my oldest started Kindergarten. I still don't know what I am doing. Still not sure where we are going. Every day poses new questions with very little answers. My only assurance is that God told me to. Boy do I hold on to that with both hands! He specifically said "Keep them out of the world for a season." Both my husband and I feel that we are to keep them home until 8th grade. So, I know that God and my husband, along with me want this. It doesn't make the day any easier though.
O.K. back to the awesome homeschoolers and their blogs. I have had this tugging feeling that I just may be an unschooler. For those of you who may not know what that is I will try to explain. *THIS IS MY UNDERSTANDING AS OF TODAY :)* An unschooler is someone that views education as part of life. Unschoolers are not time restricted or defined by age/grade. Basically you let life tell you what you learn and when. If your 2nd grader wants to learn fractions then you teach fractions even though the state says they shouldn't learn that until 4th grade. Now with that being said, I have been praying for a schedule, some thing so uncommon to unschoolers. I have been pushing worksheets and timed lessons, again uncommon to unschoolers. I say this because I have been driving myself nuts. The boys are fine. They don't care how I do it as long as we do it so they can continue to play. So as I am reading the blogs God says to me "Be anxious about nothing but pray about everything." To which I say "Yeah but why can't I do this? Why does it seem so hard for me but no one else? Why is it that I am praying and begging for things to change and they will for a time but not forever? Every week is a struggle!" Then once again I find myself reading an article about unschooling. Then I felt in my spirit (which by the way is usually how God talks to me) God saying "Because you are doing it the way you think it should be done. Not the way I have called you to do it." Oh ... oh ... oh, I see ...
So, I went to the library's online catalog and put on hold some homeschool books that talk about unschooling. Maybe I can get a better understanding of what it is, what it looks like and if that is the way I am to do it.

I'll keep you posted. :)

I do know that if I am faithful to do what I think is best while I am seeking God's will and direction, He will be faithful to me.

Merry Christmas

This poem was sent to me by a very cool mama! She had received it from her homeschool Yahoo group but I think all can walk away with something.

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the home,
Children were still studying for their test on Rome.
Mom was planning, she had just an hour,
To teach 'one more lesson' before their night shower.
A whole week of vacation, the children were thrilled,
But Mom saw the lesson plans, and the blocks were still filled.
"Can I stop for a day, much less a whole week?"
Just the thought of time off made me shudder and shriek!
Would they remember anything, would they fall behind?
"Lord, I need your help, just give me a sign!!!"
Then out on the sidewalk, I saw my four boys,
And I heard them say, "it's not about toys."
To the neighborhood kids, they explained Jesus' birth,
And how through Jesus, not toys, we gain our worth.
At that point, math and spelling and learning to write,
Meant little to me as I had lost the sight
Of what teaching at home was truly about.
Then I sat at my desk and began to pout.
The pouts turned to sobs, "Lord what have I done?
It's not about grades, but to follow your Son!"
"Please guide me and show me my job is to teach,
and turn them to you, and of Jesus I'll preach."
Now we'll put away books and not open them 'til later,
We'll focus on Jesus, our Lord and Creator.
It's His day and so we will all celebrate,
I'll never mention the words "behind" or "we're late".
So, Thank You, Lord, for blessing me,
With such a great husband and family.



Merry Christmas!
Enjoy your family!

Trim the tree

Merry Christmas!
We have finally gotten the tree and decorations up. Bo and the boys are going to do the outside tomorrow. The boys want to put lights up outside. So being the cool parents we are, said "That would be awesome!"
I love this time of year. Yes ... money is tight. Yes ... crowds bother me. Yes ... the house has more clutter BUT it's Jesus' birthday!!

I know that December wasn't part of the 10 month Jewish calendar and I know that some believe that Christians took over some sort of pagan holiday where they worshipped the winter moon (or the sun or something) but that doesn't change the fact that He was born. We can fuss about all that stuff or we can marvel at the fact that "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (emphasis mine)
Jesus is that child ... that son!


I know that y'all have your trees up and your homes are decorated. I pray this holiday season is the best yet! I pray a blessing over your families and homes. I pray that God shows Himself to you in new ways this coming year. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

I praise His name for His son.

12-11-76

Well! God and I have started another decade!

I wonder what things we will do? How much joy, peace, sorrow, grief, excitement, fear, happiness, and any other emotion you can think of, are we going to have these next 10 years? My 20s are over and I feel great. I actually feel like I have caught up with myself. My 20s took me on a quite the roller coaster ride. I truly do wonder what journey lies ahead.

I know God is looking at me and thinking I haven't seen anything yet! GLORY!

Sing with me ...

Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! I have turned thirty! Happy Birthday to me!