The way to Heaven is ascending;
we must be content to travel uphill,
though it be hard and tiresome,
and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.
Jonathan Edwards
~ 2008 Goals ~
Family Goals
1. Purpose to be home more in 2008.
2. Love one another, prefer one another, be kind and tender-hearted to one another.
(Family Verse for 2008, Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."ESV)
Personal Goals
(Revised from last year)
1. Read my Bible and pray every day possible.
(Growing in grace to do what I know I am called to do, pursue holiness,diligence.)
2. Seek out tangible ways to encourage others as often as possible.
3. Purpose and pray to eat only when I am hungry, stopping when I am full, not stuffed!
Sep. 24, 2008~ What do you say? ~
A good friend of mine, a godly woman, has come to me with a situation that I do not feel qualified to handle. In fact, I told her that if it were me, I'd be in counseling with a godly focus.
Almost two years ago her husband had a stroke during heart surgery at the age of 33 or so. He's been on disability and working part time since then. Their troubles started long ago, however. He professed to be a Christian, but seems to have fallen away, having no desire to go to church or pray or read the Bible. I know that she has some blame in all of this, too, but I don't know the whole story, just her side. Anyway, they have 3 homeschooled children and a lot of stress in their marriage.
Yesterday she told me she is thinking about a divorce. He wants to move far away and she doesn't want to. It's a long story. He wants to go be near his family. She hates his family who are all non-believers. Anyway, it is a hard situation. All I could think was to tell her to go to her church and ask for help. I've told her this for years and she never has. I don't know what else to do. She has entered into the "for worse" part of her vows and I know the Lord expects her to stick it out. The world has another opinion. I just don't think it is the answer.
16 So the poor have hope,
and injustice shuts its mouth.
17 "Blessed is the man whom God corrects;
so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
18 For he wounds, but he also binds up;
he injures, but his hands also heal.
Deuteronomy 8:4-6 (New International Version)
4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.
6 Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him.
1 Corinthians 9:24-26 (New International Version)
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
Lord, thank you for not giving up on me despite my fickle heart. I am so easily distracted from pursuing you. Please forgive me.
Lord, thank you for music that feeds my soul. I love singing to you!
Lord, thank you for the change of seasons. I am looking forward to fall's glorious colors.
Lord, thank you for giving me the courage to tell someone I love that she is wrong for telling me things about her husband that she should only tell you. I am sorry it took me so long.
Lord, thank you for the whole of creation and its beauty.
Lord, thank you that you are incomprehensible.
Lord, thank you for the Sunday Schoolers we are getting to know. Help us to show your love to them. Help me to not grow weary in doing good.
Well, I sat down a few times today to write out my thankful list. I have so much on my heart to thank the Lord for, I don't want to miss the chance to do it publicly. Anyway, a full life is on the top!
Lord, I thank you for my full life and the desire to live it for your glory.
Lord, I thank you for the clothes I found this week for the kids at resale shops. I pray we find just what we need and that I do not go over board as I am known to do when it comes to deals.
Lord, I thank you for Elizabeth George and for her writings. I have been so inspired by her. (Just finished Life Management for Busy Women)
Lord, thank you for the lessons You taught me while on vacation. Help me to implement the changes I need to make in the way I view my time.
Lord, thank you for my home. Going away was nice, but coming home was best.
Lord, thank you for my family. I loved spending so much time with them on vacation.
Lord, thank you for Laura Ingalls Wilder's wise writings. I am so thankful that someone took the time to publish them.
Lord, thank you for Your Word.
Lord, thank you for the opportunity to serve You in Sunday school, which starts this Sunday. I am scared. It can be crazy with 60 kids in such a small space. Please help me do the good I know I ought to do and not run away from this work you've sent. I know it is from you. I'd be more afraid to run away from it.
Lord, thank you for the self-control I've received. I have lost nearly 20 pounds. Thank you!
********
Now, here is a quote I wanted to share.
"As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness-just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breathe it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm. "
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little House in the Ozarks
So, Lord, I thank you for the common everyday blessings, too.
Lord, thank you for a new babysitting venture, just at the right time. Having a toddler for 4 hours will be a challenge to our school day, but, one I think we are capable of working through.
Lord, thank you for our upcoming vacation. I can't believe we will be packing up the van and on our way Sunday morning. I am so thankful for this family time and rest for my husband.
Lord, thank you for sustaining us this week. It's been a lean couple of weeks without babysitting money, but we've managed to survive.
Lord, thank you for the rain that is coming our way. There have only been two measurable rainfalls this month, which is not unusual for August. I miss the rain and the joy that comes knowing You are showering us with common grace.
Lord, thank you for my renewed health. Thank you that Trevor only seems to have a little cold. You know that I worry about these things right before a big vacation. Thank you that it is not worse.
Lord, thank you for the opportunity to serve you again in Sunday School. Thank you for providing workers. Thank you for the 60 kids we will teach each week. Please help me not be fearful of what seems like such a big job. It goes against my nature to be the one in charge. Thank you that I have my husband working along side of me. Forgive me when I grumble about 40 weeks being too long.
1 Praise the LORD!Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. 4When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever; 7 who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets the prisoners free; 8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10 The LORD will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!
This summer is almost over and I feel we've accomplished much. We are rested and ready to get back to our lessons, at leats I am. For this, I praise You.
Thank You for the 2 inches of much needed rain! I have not had to water the garden or flowers very much this summer. I know I keep mentioning the rain this summer, but after last year, I've learned not to take it for granted or grumble when the rain spoils an outdoor event.
Thank You for the opportunity to babysit this summer. It really helped make ends meet. I pray for future jobs to be as sweet.
I wish I did not let my happiness depend on my circumstances so much. One moment I am all a titter about not having as much babysitting money as I thought I would have, and the next moment I am sitting on my living room floor rejoicing over a basket full of clothes for my boys! Thank you for that blessing! Please help me remember that my happiness does not depend on my circumstances.
My weight went up a little this week, yet, I have to be thankful for this too. I cannot get to a healthy weight without You.
Thank You for the drop in gas prices. Thank You that we've broken our addiction to fast food. Those two things were budget busters for us. And it did not help my waistline either.
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
This week came the dreaded announcement of our family's bakery closing. Apparently, it was big news, making all the news reports and the paper. Even though we did not get the answer to prayer we were hoping for, I will praise You, my Lord and King. I know that Your ways are better than what I think is best for my family.
Thank You for the end of the 2 week stagnation with my weight loss efforts. Yippee! I even lost 2 pounds this week making up for the last two weeks. My 9 week total is 15 pounds.
Grace has had some accidents this week, more than usual. I am thankful that I know this will pass and it is probably related to her birthday. She has eaten birthday cake a lot this week. I need to make it a rule that we have cake for the event and toss it the next day. No one needs the cake, especially her. Thank You for this wisdom.
Thank You for the rain. I've not had to water my garden in weeks. Such a difference from last year.
Thank You for my dear husband. I am so proud of him. He's getting fit. He's making changes to eat healthier. He's such an encouragement to me.
Thank You for the opportunity to go to the True Women 08 conference in October with my mom. I am blown away at the thought of 3 days with her! What a blessing. It is hard for me to express how much this means to me. It is probably a once in a lifetime deal, like the time she and I went to Mackinac Island on a day trip. I'll cherish this trip with her.
Thank You for leading me to read Dr. Laura Schlessinger's book, The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage. It was a great reminder to me that marriages take work, even good ones. I was also reminded that I can be selfish and that I need to continue to pray about being the wife You want me to be and then get to work!
I realize that I am not alone in this. However these things have been weighing heavily on my mind this week. I can't seem to make ends meet. No matter what I do. We've cut and slashed our budget so many times. I try to use coupons. I follow frugal guidelines. I have not bought a piece of clothing for myself in 8 months and I am in desperate need of some new things after loosing 13 pounds. We spent $130 in gasoline this week and we are supposed to drive north for a birthday gathering in my dd's honor on Sunday. I have the task of calling my grandmother in Arkansas to tell her that we can't come in August because of money. And I don't know how I can drive to see my grandparents an hour away next week as I promised. And to top it off, I have to quit Weight Watchers. I knew when I started that we could not afford for me to go, but I was desperate to do something and so I went ahead hoping the Lord would make a way.
All these things the Lord knows. He tells us not to worry about them. I am casting my cares on You, Jesus. I have enough for today. Tomorrow will have its own troubles.
**Update, I really don't like being all down about things. So I have decided to look at this from what I do have. All our bills are paid. My husband has a job. I am home with my kids. We have books for school. We have food. We have mostly full gas tanks. We have family who loves us and want to see us. We have a lot of blessings!
Jul. 14, 2008~ Usually Not One to Toot My Own Horn, But.. ~
I have lost a total of 13 pounds in 7 weeks!!!!!
I am so excited. Can you tell? It all came together last week when I only lost half a pound. It dawned on me that the only change that had occurred from the previous pound+ loss weeks was that I had slacked off on eating all 5 fruits and vegetables. That's all. So this past week, I doubled my efforts to make sure I ate the fruits and veggies and I lost 1.6 pounds! I really love this new way of eating. And I feel so much better. This evening, even after VBS today, I took off on a long bike ride with my oldest son and would have NEVER done that in the past. I am a changed woman! Praise the LORD!!! With His help, I can do this. I can be the woman He made me to be.
(Music video and lyrics of Might to Save by Marty Sampson / Hillsong)
I
Everyone needs compassion
Love thats never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Anyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations
Chorus:
Saviour He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave…
II
So take me as you find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I Surrender
I Surrender…
***
Saviour He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave…
***
Saviour He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave…
***
Saviour He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave…
***
Saviour He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave…
Coda:
Shine your light and
Let the whole world see
Were singing for the glory
Of the risen King
Jesus Shine your light and
Let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory
Of the risen King
***
Saviour He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave…
IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU ALWAYS DID
YOU'LL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU ALWAYS GOT!
Dottie's Weight loss Zone
I've not said a lot about this, but I joined Weight Watchers 5 weeks ago. I was at the end of my self, so to speak. So far I've lost 11# and feel so much better. I can't imagine going back to the old way of eating. Anyway, I just wanted to let the world know that I am taking my health serious and want my outside to reflect the person I am on the inside, ultimately bringing glory to my King.
I realized tonight that I am almost never alone. Probably nothing new to homeschool moms. But, I also realized that I get recharged when I am alone. Tonight, my sweet husband gave me the gift of being alone when he took the kids to church and let me stay behind. I can't remember the last time I spent more than a couple minutes alone. At first, I thought I would just relax, but all too soon the dust started mocking me and the laundry buzzer went off jolting me back into reality. Reality is that today I was pretty low on energy and really needed this time to myself. What a wonderful gift. So even though I did some housework tonight, I still feel much better than I did. I really need to find more ways to be alone. I usually get up early enough to get my Bible and quiet time, but for some reason that is not enough. With lessons slowing down for the summer, perhaps it won't be so vital.
Our most excellent new pastor rebuked us last week for being too lazy too memorize the Word. Therefore we now have a weekly memory verse assignment. The following is this week's verse.
"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints." Colossians 1:3-4
If you'd like more information about my church, go here.
Several things going through my mind this week. I needed a place to sort them out. So here I go...
First off, I had one of those days when I truly wanted to give up on my homeschool. Actually, I wanted to leave the state! I even dreamed about what it would be like to be all alone in another state with a clean slate! But I am better now. I think it must be the time of year. We have less than 20 days to go. The weather is nice enough that they would rather be outside. I have a lot on my mind, so everything distracts me and I get side tracked too easily and our lessons suffer. And attitudes are not what they should be. I know everyone has bad days. What keeps me going is that I have not been told to stop. The Lord is the only One who can make me. I stand firm and will go forward until He says otherwise.
Friday is my meeting with the local government school to decide if Grace needs OT/PT next year. I have been diligently praying for wisdom. Right now I am not very confident about which direction to go. Grace has made amazing progress this year physically. I am certain her therapies have helped. I have talked to her therapists and they agree. However, they are leaving it up to me. My main goal would be for her to maintain and tweak some of the areas she is still delayed in. But, I am also weary of driving to school twice a week and I would like not to have anything to do with the government schools. My weariness probably should not be factored in here. So I will try not to think of that when I make this decision. The bottom line is that she probably could use the services again next year and as long as they are willing to provide them, then that is what I should do. Right? I do think that I made a mistake this week by revealing a little too much information when the resource teacher called to discuss Grace's IEP. It was the day I was ready to quit. Anyway, I told her how Grace is struggling with spelling and that may open a can of worms. I am praying that I can handle myself well during the conference. This particular teacher is not homeschool friendly. She has the attitude that only experts can teach. You know the type. Anyway, I did some assessments with Grace yesterday using the Indiana Academic Standards website and she did OK. Maybe that will appease this teacher. Why do I open my mouth? Ugh.
And then there is my sweet grandma in the rehab hospital. I can't go into specific details, but there is a family situation brewing that is making this more difficult that it needs to be. What is shocking and very sad is that this person causing the trouble claims to be a devout Christian. This person feels entitled and is mad that no one else feels the same way. Why can't we all be grown ups?
And finally, there is a business issue that I cannot speak about that is heavy on my mind. I am too sentimental. That's all I will say for now. I need to just let it go and see what the Lord has in mind, when the time comes.
Oh, there is one more thing. I gave up artificial sweeteners this last week. I feel that they are attributing to my dieting failures. I am also weaning myself off diet sodas and gum. And I need to wean from caffeine. When my coffee is used up, I will make the change. This is a huge deal for me. I really hope it makes a difference.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read this.
I wish I could express myself as well as others. Here is a blog from my friend Daisy that sums up what has been on my heart for a long time, but unable to express. Thank you, Daisy for writing this.
I struggle with finding that perfect balance between "real life" and my blog. I finally have a deeper understanding of why I crave this internet world. I think the very nature of homeschooling is isolating. I crave your feedback! I really should be craving the feedback of my LORD. Shamefully, I would rather get a comment from one of you than sit quietly and WAIT on the LORD. I am not going quit blogging. It is a valuable asset, if used in moderation. But I cannot let it get in the way of my relationships in the real world, especially with my children.
I am going to pray that I will find that balance. I know I am not alone in this struggle. Like most things in life, too much of a good thing separates us from our first love.
I am sure that I will not do justice to my Lord with the words I am about to write. And I am also sure to ramble. There is just so much to say. Let me start with a little background.
Last Tuesday night, my sweet husband got a call asking him to fill in for the current first grade Sunday School teacher at our home church, the one we left for 8 months. When we went back to the church a month ago, my husband had said he would be happy to help out if needed since we ran the first grade last year and he had all the lessons already prepared. As it turns out, It seems that the current leader is having to work every other Sunday now and so needs help. Plus, there are other helpers who are not able to finish the year due to various obstacles like moving, babies or jobs.
This last fact did not hit home until this morning when we were the only ones to show up to open up the classroom, not knowing a thing about how the class had been managed and not knowing any of the children, too. Thankfully, and but for the grace of the Lord, I was calm and really not afraid. (Or just plain stupid?) Somehow, I knew we could do it, even if it was just my husband, myself and the 50 first graders! (lol) Thankfully, we did end up having a mother stay to help and then 2 workers show up, so we were only down 3 after all.
That is all the background. What I want to tell you is how good the Lord is. He did not give up on us when we ran away and left this class 8 months ago. I now know that He called us to run this program. We ran, and the people who ended up with the job were not the right people. We are! I knew this the instant I opened the classroom's closet. Would you believe that nothing had been touched for 8 months? The materials from last year's class were still in the buckets with this year's class materials. The totes were a mess. It was obvious that the person in charge had not put their heart into this job like we did. I am not saying this to be prideful. I am not. I know this person has tried, but when it is not your calling to fulfill a job, it is not going to work out. I know this because I have been in that person's shoes before, trying to do a job I was not called to do.
What is so exciting is that I finally know! I've always thought that I was a faithful worker bee and did not have the gift to run a large classroom. "It's not my gift", I told someone just this past week. Perhaps, I knew, but did not like the gift I was given because it was not comfortable. I am stretched when I am in charge. It is sometimes painful even. And I had been fretting all week about the possibility of going back to first grade next year, as they had asked us to pray about leading again next year and my husband was thinking it was a good idea! So I went to prayer about this situation. I don't usually get such clear answers and so quickly. Well, let me tell you, today was the answer to my prayer. Who else but us? We love the children. We love the Lord. We love the body of Christ we are to serve. And we can do the job well! But I was so afraid to make this commitment again. It's a year long one with 8 weeks off in the summer. It is a job that no one can do without the power of Jesus. I was feeling so weak when they asked us. I was afraid. I was wanting to be comfortable. Oh, I can't tell you how scared it made me to think about next year!
So why was I so unconcerned about today? I cannot explain it except for it being a gift of grace from the Lord. Perhaps I saw how much we were needed and I just knew we could do it with Jesus' blessing. And there is no mistake we had His blessing because the morning went so smoothly and seemed so normal. Because we came in the name of the Lord with His power and grace! So the end of the story is this. We are going to take over this class and pray mighty things will come of our submission to the Lord. And I could not be more excited!
Thank You Jesus for changing my heart and for showing me so clearly Your will.Use us, the most unlikely of people, to bring glory to Yourself, dear Jesus!
Leviticus 20:26 says, "You must be holy because I, the LORD, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own." This blog is my place to remember this journey I am on and God's goodness to me. I am glad you are here. Welcome.
