Wendy's World

Prayer

2011-04-30T00:21:00.001-05:00

I came across this as I am doing research and prep for teaching Sunday School this week. I love the image and the ideas for what to pray are good too for those times you aren't sure what to focus on and for teaching children what to pray for in a basic sense.

Great Song!

2009-11-02T16:25:00.001-06:00

This is a great song I heard recently. Hope you enjoy!

Always by Building 429

2009-06-05T00:20:00.004-05:00

This is an awesome song.

This video clip tells how/why the song was written.

Our God is faithful and never fails!

Music Recital May 2009

2009-06-01T13:43:00.015-05:00

Our three oldest children had their music recital yesterday. They all did very well. The recital was held at a new location and they were able to use a baby grand piano for their pieces this time. Fortunately, the feel of the piano was similar to ours, so the kids didn't find that to be a problem!

Thank you Mrs. Medlock for another wonderful year of lessons!

Here are a few pictures of them playing. I will be posting the videos of their performances also once the videos are compressed.

Bethany played two pieces: Never Alone and Fur Elise

Bryce also played two pieces: Fight the Good Fight and Cockles and Mussels

Kaitlyn played Oh Susanna!

Some of the Colorado Claytons were here visiting and were able to attend the recital.
Kyle, April, and Cody with Zach in the picture!

Bethany and Josh before the recital started.

Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge

2009-05-19T00:48:00.006-05:00

I have been reading through this book. I have read John Eldredge's other books and done a study with the Sacred Romance with a friend years ago.

This book is written for women and for the men who want to understand who a woman is and what their needs are....as a wonderful creation of God.

Here is a short passage to get you thinking. I may post more as I go through this..I am taking my time with this one.

From Chapter Four--titled "Wounded"

page 74 & 75--

AN UNHOLY ALLIANCE

Over the years we've come to see that the only things more tragic than the things that have happened to us is what we have done with them.

Words were said, painful words. Things were done, awful things. And they shaped us. Something inside of us shifted. We embraced the messages of our wounds. We accepted a twisted view of ourselves. And from that we chose a way of relating to our world. We made a vow never to be in that place again. We adopted strategies to protect ourselves from being hurt again. A woman who is living out of a broken wounded heart is a woman who is living a self-protective life. She may not be aware of it, but it is true. It's our way of trying to "save ourselves".

We also developed ways of trying to get something of the love our hearts cried out for. The ache is there. Our desperate need for love and affirmation, our thirst for some taste of romance and adventure and beauty is there. So we turned to boys or to food or to romance novels; we lost ourselves in our work or at church or in some sort of service. All this adds up to the women we are today. Much of what we call our "personalities" is actually the mosaic of our choices for self-protection plus our plans to get something of the love we were created for.

The problem is our plan has nothing to do with God.

The wounds we received and the messages they brought formed a sort of unholy alliance with our fallen nature as women. From Eve we received a deep mistrust in the heart of God toward us. Clearly, he's holding out on us. We'll just have to arrange for the life we want. We will control our world. But there is also an ache deep within, an ache for intimacy and for life. We'll have to find a way to fill it. A way that does not require us to trust anyone, especially God. A way that will not require vulnerability.

In some ways, this is every little girl's story, here in this world east of Eden.

But the wounds don't stop once we are grown up. Some of the most crippling and destructive wounds we receive come much later in our lives. The wounds that we have received over our lifetimes have not come to us in a vacuum. There is, in fact a theme to them, a pattern. The wounds you have received have come to you for a purpose from one who knows all you are meant to be and fears you.

**********************************************

I encourage everyone to read through this book... as well as the Eldredge's other books. They are wonderful, thought provoking and life changing...if you let God in!!

Resurrection Day preparations!

2009-04-08T12:57:00.003-05:00

I wanted to share some of the resources we are using this year to prepare for Easter...so you might have time to try them out before Sunday!

First, Passover begins tonight. I love that it is before Easter this year..it will really help us to focus on how God had a plan for redemption from the very beginning!

We were going to do a lot to celebrate Passover, but time has gotten away from me, so we will do some simple things like make unleavened bread and read through the story in Exodus and discuss how the original Passover relates to what Jesus has done for us! It is so awesome to see how God planned things out and how it all fits together!

Here is one resource that I use over and over. It is: A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays

You can find it here: http://homeschool-books.com/xcart/books/bible-holidays/

It can be purchased as an ebook, so you can get access right away! It is on sale right now!

I am using some of the ideas and recipes from it today for our Passover preparations.

There are also two great Easter recipes with stories that we usually use each year.

One is Resurrection Cookies which can be found here:
http://www.annieshomepage.com/resurrectioncookies.html

The second is for Resurrection Rolls...which my kids love making every year! I have the recipe posted with pictures here:
http://wendyclayton.blogspot.com/2007/04/happy-resurrection-day.html

A friend just shared a great story with me that we will start reading tonight and read a little each night leading up to Easter. It is called The Story of the Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke. You can find it here: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/10679 Once you are there, you will need to pick one of the links to download from.

I will post updates about how our Passover and Easter plans go!

May you have a blessed week!

Kittens, Kittens everywhere!

2009-04-08T12:02:00.007-05:00

We have had an interesting 8 months or so with two of our cats having kittens...not exactly planned!

The last litter is now 10 1/2 weeks old, so the kittens will be going to new homes soon.

Here are a few recent pictures of them. We are looking for homes for the two females. One is the smaller black kitten and the other is the Tortoise Shell (multi-colored) one.

If you are interested in having one....let me know! They are inside cats.

The dad, Shadow, with two of the kittens.

Daddy with all 3 kittens.

Dad with all 3, the black one on his back is a girl and the multi-colored one is a girl.

The two girls!

Four Things!

2009-04-02T13:36:00.004-05:00

Thought I would post this for fun...from a friend!

FOUR THINGS:

Here are four things about me that you may or may not have known, in no particular order. Directions are at the end.

Four names that people call you:
1. Wendy
2. Mom
3. Mrs. Clayton
4. Ms. Wendy

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Mother
2. Home Educator
3. HEB Bakery
4. Billing & Insurance for a counseling office

Four movies I’ve watched more than once:
1. The Sound of Music
2. While You Were Sleeping
3. You've Got Mail
4. Sleepless in Seattle

Four places I have lived:
1. Del Rio, TX
2. Satellite Beach, FL
3. Woodbridge, VA
4. Soesterberg, The Netherlands

Four places I have traveled:
1. Switzerland
2. England
3. Germany
4. France

Four people who e-mail me:
1. Sarah W.
2. Lisa Y.
3. Amber
4. MelRae

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Chicken..many ways
2. Chocolate...but I can't have much now!
3. Salads & veggies
4. Fruit..many kinds

Four places it would be fun to be right now:
1. In the mountains
2. At the beach
3. In a huge garden with time to draw
4. Traveling the country with my family

Four friends I think will respond:
1. I
2. Do
3. Not
4. Know!

Four things I’m looking forward to this year:
1. Losing a lot of weight...on the way already
2. Getting back in shape..would love to help with my daughter's soccer team
3. Some time off this summer to do things like draw!
4. Learning many new things with my kids

Four TV shows that I watch:
1. American Idol
2. House
3. Lie to Me
4. Fringe (when it is on)

Now cut and paste into your own blog with your own answers and leave a link here when you do!

SHINE Spring Ball 2009

2009-03-24T19:55:00.003-05:00

Here is a slide show of pictures from the most recent SHINE Spring Ball. My oldest, Bethany, attended again. It was a great night and the teens had a wonderful time! Everyone looked amazing!

This is an annual event hosted by our homeschool group.

Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Great books for your home and school!

2009-02-11T10:35:00.001-06:00

Usborne Books & More!

An exciting update!! Usborne Books at Home is now Usborne Books & More! They have acquired the Kane Miller publishing company and are now able to offer even more books to your family!

Visit my website and click on the Kane Miller link (in the left hand column of links) to see the books! More will be added as we go! www.heartslovehome.com

There are also many new offerings and specials on the website! Make sure to enter the drawing to win $50 in free books!!

Come explore the world of Usborne Books & More! We offer high quality, attractive books in a variety of bindings for children of all ages! Our products range from cute baby board books to huge volumes on History and Science topics that are Internet-linked for added learning depth and fun!

You can purchase products directly through my website or host a party for free and discounted items while we share what Usborne is about with your friends and family! This is also a wonderful opportunity to earn income while sharing your love of books with other people! All orders ship very quickly once they are placed.

A child's interest in reading and learning is stimulated by the lavish illustrations and informative content. There are over 1300 bright, colorful and fun titles covering activities, puzzles and a wide range of subjects for children of all ages! Many specially priced sets are available as well as unique craft, fun and learning kits.

Please contact me for additional information!

Contact: Wendy Clayton

Phone: 210-599-6598

Email: wencla2007@gmail.com
**If you email me, please make sure to check your bulk/spam folder for my reply..as messages sometimes end up there instead of your in-box! I will always reply within 24 hrs of receiving an email!**

Website: http://www.heartslovehome.com/

Area: based in NNE San Antonio, available for business in all San Antonio and surrounding areas for home shows, nationwide for web sales!

There are a number of great new books available for this year!

Please let me know if you would like to host a home show or a catalog/eshow!! If you are interested in learning more about how the business works, please let me know!! There are several sign up specials this month!

Blessings,
Wendy

The Greatest Gift!

2008-12-28T17:06:00.012-06:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

Below are part 1 and part 2 of the play the kids were in at our new church in New Braunfels!

It's about 53 minutes total with the two parts. I hope you enjoy it! The kids did wonderful considering that they really only had 2 practices before the performance!

I had to compress them in order to upload them here...but they should still look okay!

Many blessings to you and your family for the coming year!

The Greatest Gift - part 1

The Greatest Gift - part 2

The Gift of Eternal Life

1 John 5:11

Romans 6:23

John 3:16

Titus 3:4-7

John 10:27-28

This Side Up Christmas Concert!

2008-12-14T11:22:00.007-06:00

I posted some info about the concert on my other blog but it wouldn't let me upload the videos. You can see a few other pictures and info here: www.tiwacademy.wordpress.com

FYI

2008-12-12T13:59:00.001-06:00

I am going back to post pictures, etc. from that past month or more...please check below as I am trying to put them in the right date order as I go!

Hope your Christmas preparations are going well!! We are getting there...but time is running out!

Icy "Stuff"

2008-12-10T21:29:00.005-06:00

I just had to do a quick post about the interesting weather we had yesterday! We went from a high of 85 degrees around 4pm or so down to the 40's by around 9pm and around 30 degrees for the low last night! Amazing!

Here are a few photos of the sleet/ice that came down last night! We had rain and sleet off and on all night..a nice change after no rain whatsoever the past few months!

What is a True Disciple?

2008-12-08T17:16:00.004-06:00

This is a pretty awesome video/message. You have to read the text as it is in Danish.

Haircuts!

2008-12-08T13:40:00.008-06:00

My kids were waaaaay over due for haircuts but they finally had them done today!

We have a good friend who comes to our home to do them for the kids. She is a professional and does and awesome job!

I only got the first and last ones taken as the other two went really quick and I was getting lunch for the 4 extra kids who were over that day! :)

This is my youngest...he really doesn't like haircuts, but he has gotten much better over the years! He did move when she was using the clippers...resulting in a shorter cut than planned for!

My oldest getting her hair cut. Note how long it is in this photo compared to the one below after it was cut and it was being flat ironed.

The result of 4 haircuts..we could have made our own wig!

Cranberry Orange Scones!

2008-12-08T13:16:00.005-06:00

I made a new recipe this weekend for the Murder Mystery Dinner hosted for my Mystery co-op class (see my other blog for more info: www.tiwacademy.wordpress.com ).

This recipe was pretty easy to make from scratch and it tastes amazing! I plan to make some more to take to a Mom's Christmas party tonight! It fits well with the holiday season we are in as it makes use of cranberries also!

Here are a few pictures from when I made them on Saturday. See below for the recipe and link to the original site.

Here is the first tray of scones about to go into the oven.

The finished product! They were later served with the orange butter I made.

Below is the recipe which I found here: Orange Cranberry Scones

Cranberry Orange Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour
10 teaspoons sugar, divided
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup cold butter or margarine
1 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup orange juice or rose water
1/4 cup half-and-half cream
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk

GLAZE (optional)
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 tablespoon orange juice

ORANGE BUTTER (optional)
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 to 3 tablespoons orange marmalade

In a bowl, combine flour, 7 teaspoons sugar, orange peel, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs; set aside. In a small bowl, combine cranberries, orange juice, cream and egg. Add to flour mixture and stir until a soft dough forms.
On a floured surface, gently knead 6 - 8 times. Pat dough into an 8 inch circle. Cut into 10 wedges. Separate wedges and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush with milk; sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake at 400° for 12 - 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Combine glaze ingredients if desired; drizzle over scones. Combine orange butter ingredients; serve with warm scones. Yield: 10 scones.

Christmas Barge Caroling Tradition

2008-12-07T23:43:00.008-06:00

This evening we went as a family with our homeschool group to ride barges downtown along the Riverwalk and sing Christmas Carols.

This is an event we always look forward to and it is usually interesting to see how it will turn out as we end up being with different families each year and we do not practice ahead of time!

It was a fun evening and went really quickly! We stopped by Starbucks to get drinks before boarding the barges...another tradition over the past few years. We all got cold drinks though...it just wasn't cold enough for hot drinks this time!

Here are some pictures from our visit downtown tonight! We didn't make it to the Christmas tree by the Alamo tonight, but we will probably do so in a couple of weeks when relatives are in town visiting!

I also have a lot of other pictures to post and stories to tell...hope to get to back-tracking and posting a lot of fun things on this blog and my other blog at: www.tiwacademy.wordpress.com

Ok, it takes forever to upload a lot of pictures! So, the rest are in the fun slideshow below! Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Birthday Dad!

2008-12-02T14:30:00.000-06:00

Today is my dad's birthday! We have made him a cherry pie like we do every year. He has enjoyed having me make him one for a very long time! Now my youngest daughter loves to help with make them also!

Here are a few pictures of the pie making and result!

Christmas Decorating 2008!

2008-11-29T13:43:00.002-06:00

We were actually able to get our Christmas tree put up and the house decorated the weekend after Thanksgiving this year.

We didn't put everything out this year as we are short on room and we wanted to change up some things.

Here is a slideshow of some pictures taken during decorating and afterwards. I was busy with doing the lights and then helping sort ornaments and missed out on pictures of the kids actually putting the ornaments on the tree. But everyone had fun and we watched a family movie after we were done that evening.

Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thanksgiving Fun!

2008-11-28T14:50:00.000-06:00

Here is a slideshow of some pictures from our Thanksgiving Day.

We spent part of the day enjoying dinner with my husband's extended family in New Braunfels and then the evening was spent playing games at our house with the Young family.

It was a very enjoyable Thanksgiving Day!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thankful.....

2008-11-25T11:53:00.003-06:00

This is an awesome video....take the time to watch it and be thankful for all that God has done for us....

This Side Up...band leads worship this week!

2008-10-20T12:58:00.017-05:00

My daughter is in a Praise Band put together by moms in our homeschool group, SHINE.

They have done several performances before our co-op classes on Fridays, but they had their first "public" 'performance' yesterday. They were asked to do the music for a special worship service that is held at Brooke Army Medical Center. A church brought food and the band provided the music, shared scriptures, etc.

It was a great experience for all the kids and the parents involved! The kids did great and everyone seemed to enjoy the music! They have been working on Christian Contemporary/Rock Praise and Worship songs.

I was able to video some clips of their songs using my camera. The quality isn't that great, but it will give you an idea of what the songs sounded like and how they did!

They were playing in an outside courtyard, so that was also a new situation for them to deal with...especially when the birds started coming at dusk! :)

Hope you enjoy!

Be My Escape by Reliant K

Meant to Live by Switchfoot

They also finally decided on a name which one of the Band Director explains a bit about in one of the clips. It didn't get the whole description, but gives some idea of what is behind the name. She refers to 2 Chronicles 5:11-14. It is an awesome passage about worship..and ushering in the presence of the Lord through singing praise and playing instruments!!

Hosanna

From the Inside Out

How Great is Our God

Beauty of Simplicity by Telecast

Shine by Newsboys

Interesting video regarding our current Economic Crisis

2008-10-02T14:22:00.001-05:00

Worth watching!

Burning Down the House - What Caused Our Economic Crisis

Pepper's First Litter 2008!

2008-09-30T21:28:00.003-05:00

One of our cats just recently had their first litter of kittens. She is 4 years old and the dad was only about 6 months old or so at the time. She only had one kitten though! Her name is Pepper and the dad is Shadow. You will see a couple of pictures about halfway through the show with mom, dad and the kitten in the box!

This was a very interesting experience all the way around. When we realized that she might be pregnant, I estimated when she might be due based on the "signs" of pregnancy. She ended up delivering about a week and half before I had expected it so we weren't quite prepared.

We also have a situation with this particular cat...she doesn't like to be shut up in any rooms or small spaces! So she wouldn't stay in the areas/box we wanted her to in order to have the baby!

She was in labor for 2 days...it was exhausting as we waited and tried to make sure she wouldn't hide somewhere we couldn't find her, etc. She finally delivered around 6am on August 29th. I had fallen asleep and figured I would hear her making some type of noise to indicate she was delivering, but she didn't! I awoke on the sofa in the living room to the sound of the kitten crying!

Pepper had delivered her under the chair in the living room (which wasn't covered of course--making a big mess). I put her and the baby into the area we had prepared for her..it took a bit of time to get her calm, the baby warm and to get her to stay with the baby and not be freaked out! She finally settled down and started taking care of the baby. In order to get some sleep and keep her from moving the baby, we put her in the playpen we had arranged with her box and everything she needed and covered it so she would stay in. That worked for a bit and then we just put her box in the living room near the sofa so she wouldn't feel trapped.

She did move the kitten briefly into the tiny scratching post. We later moved her and her box into our bedroom so we could shut the door to keep them contained (not hide the baby where we wouldn't be able to find it) and she wouldn't feel like she was trapped. This was also to keep the daddy cat away from them until the baby was bigger.

She stayed there for about a week and a half. We started leaving the door open and she ended up moving the kitten to my daughter's bed! She is on the bottom bunk of their bunkbed. I guess it feels kind of like a box to her but with more room!

They have remained in the girls room through today..and will be for a bit longer. Once the kitten started walking well, we put the baby gate up to keep him (?) in but Pepper can come in and out as needed.

He is running, jumping and playing now! He has even started using the litter box and eating hard food...without us teaching him! He is very cute. He is being called Sam (so it would work for either a girl or a boy), but his name may be changed to Gizmo..because of his ears! We will see!

This is a slide show of the progression of her being in labor (NO gory details), up until today with a short video clip.

This has been a new experience for our family, but it looks like our other cat may also be pregnant! We will see if she will have more than one kitten!

Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Special Sale! Organized Mom's Super Set by Cindy Rushton!

2008-09-02T12:01:00.001-05:00

Would you love to spend an afternoon--or a week--with another homeschool mom and plan out the details of your school year?

You CAN! Check out Cindy Rushton's New Organized Mom Super Set!

Great ebooks
Audio Mp3's
Planning Pages

Plus! When you purchase your set you get MORE help with record-keeping, organization, and setting up your home to learn--you also get access to Cindy's Organization 911 Seminar Set and her newest seminar set, Let's Get Organized for the New School Year.
Yep! Both! Complimentary!

This set is on SALE this week only!! September 1st-7th for half off!! This is a deal you won't want to pass up! Please check it out!!

Get your set here:

Organized Mom's Super Set--click here!!

I love all the sets she offers and you are getting an awesome deal with this sale!! It is this week only....so don't pass it up!!

Great Article by Michael Pearl!

2008-08-30T11:15:00.003-05:00

I will be trying to get caught up on posting pictures and info soon, but I wanted to get this article posted today!

I just received and started reading my new No Greater Joy magazine. There is a great article (will be a series of articles) that just explains very nicely why God has always given my husband and I discernment about not getting involved in certain "circles" of homeschoolers.

Take a few minutes to read this!

You can also read the article here: Cloistered Homeschool Syndrome

And sign up to receive the printed version here: http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/free-subscription/

Cloistered Homeschool Syndrome

By: Michael & Debi Pearl

The Foger family came to stay with us one spring about 12 years ago while they were on furlough from Mozambique.

Their eighth child was soon to be delivered. Although I had just met the family, I was highly impressed by them. The oldest daughter, 19 years old, was a joyful, hardworking, energetic, blue-eyed beauty. The next, a 17 year old son, was cut in the mold of his father, dedicated, reserved, and very mission-minded. The five other children were 13 years old and younger. The family sang together with strong, forceful voices, no bashfulness among them. The two oldest children provided the instrumental accompaniment. It was an experience just listening to such a group.

They all understood and spoke two languages. The oldest two children spoke three languages. The father had left South America after ten years of mission service to move to another country, which meant learning another language. The parents still stumbled around slowly learning the Portuguese language. The two oldest children were invaluable in the new ministry, which was already showing promise.

While we sat around one evening, the mother casually asked us to pray that their daughter find a husband before they left for Mozambique in the Fall. I asked in a shocked manner, “Why on earth would you want her to marry now? She is such a blessing to you and knows the language. Surely you need her to help you with the other children.” The mother lifted her arched brows as she pondered how she would answer me. Her look conveyed her surprise at my lack of understanding. “We will be in a foreign country for the next 4 years. All that time she will be at the prime of her marriageable age. We feel it is best for her to marry an American. God called my husband to Mozambique as a missionary…not our adult children. We have obeyed God and raised them up to serve HIM…not US. We don’t add; we multiply. It is time for her to live her life.”
That next year we received a mission card with their picture. There were only six children in the picture. The mission letter briefly stated that the oldest son was in Bible school and the daughter was married.

Over the years I received their missions update. I noted that the parents were growing fatter and grayer. The children disappeared from the picture, one or two every year or so. It was sad to see the diminishing of such a magnificent family. The mission letters were filled with gospel film presentations to prisoners and villagers, church camps, protracted meetings, people getting saved, and only a brief mention of their now grown children. They would write something like, “Joshua and his wife are in Romania serving as missionaries; Peter and his wife are in Russia working with the something ministry; Sara married this year. Her husband is the pastor of a church.” And so it went.

Today we receive mission letters from their now grown and ministering children. I see their families expanding. Their joyful, energetic, blue-eyed beauty of a daughter is now the mother of six children. Her family is growing up in Cajun country. I know if I meet them I will be very impressed. I heard that they sing like soldiers…with power and command.

I am thankful for the testimony of the Foger family as well as other families that have come into our lives. They are a prototype to help us understand the problems that are arising among some older homeschooling families. We call it by different names. Today it is the Cloistered Homeschooled Syndrome. Briefly, it is the failure of the parents to understand, appreciate, and respect the individuality of their adult children. They sacrifice the individual identities of their children on the altar of their own emotional needs, making them nurse when they should be killing and dressing their own food, making them obey when they should be learning to command. They seem to think that grown children are God’s gift to them rather than their gift to God. Through letters and personal contact, we see more and more of this cult-like isolationism, parents demanding absolute allegiance to the family group, and fearing outside contact might break up their “fellowship.” Adult kids who want to launch out on their own are told that they are rebellious and disloyal and are causing grief to those who have nurtured them. Emotionally needy parents manipulate their grown children into remaining loyal to the unit. Thirty-year-old daughters sit at home acting as surrogate mothers, watching their prospects to ever be a mother dwindle.

You cannot stop a tree from growing without killing it or deforming it. Likewise, every year of one’s life up until about the age of twenty-one or twenty-two is a year of radical change and development. Some parents are trying to stop that development, clinging to their teenagers like they were six years old. We have observed the victims many times. They either flee their chains in anger, or they are slowly smothered into inordinate submission, and their personalities die as they merge into the ego of their dependent parents.

This medieval hierarchy is preached as Bible doctrine. Father and Mother as King and Queen of their little kingdom preach the divine right of Kings and parents—“Obey me without question, for it is your manifest destiny.” Their “patriarchal” status is the only expression of their significance in an otherwise disconnected world, and they milk it until their children are dry and lifeless in spirit, or until they fly away to breathe fresh air.

For over a year we have been discussing this subject, thinking about how to address it. We have talked with many young adults who are, or were, held captive, the rebellious and the subdued, those who are disciples of Christ and those who are worldly and lost. We have spoken with families who lost their children early, in their teens, and families who lost a child to the world in their twenties or later.

How did this happen? It is the old pendulum at work. Thirty to forty years ago Christian parents were losing their children to the world through public schools, public churches, and public play. The family was disconnected and dating was the norm. We rebelled against the soul eating monster and took charge of our lives. Our children would not be raised on the TV. They would not lose their virginity in a school bathroom or under the stairwell. No more evolutionary philosophy and godless history and science. We took our children home and taught them from used books and the Bible. We created culture anew, abstaining from mega churches with their youth groups and revolving boy-girl relationships. We parents became the principle influence in our children’s lives, selecting their friends and ours with care. No overnight sleeps or backyard playhouses with closing doors. Family worship and Bible study took the place of Television. Once again parents were in charge and there was hope.
It felt good to be in control of our own destiny, to not be a victim, to know that our children would escape the sin and shame that some of us had to go through before we came to Christ.

There was a vacuum, a need for leaders to arise and define what had become a movement, to clarify our journey and give us direction through uncharted waters. First, curriculum was written, then seminars. Sub-movements arose to flesh out the new culture, specialists addressing every conceivable issue—head coverings, dress, doctrine, spanking, scheduled nursing, Kosher foods and Jewish practices, and the list goes on. Books were written, some good, some not so good. Then someone pulled from ancient Chaldean and Sumerian culture, also practiced by Jews of that day as reflected in Scripture, a system of Patriarchal rule. It was the way nomadic clans were held together, a necessity of the times, but never taught by Moses, the prophets, or Christ as God’s divine plan.

I laughed the first time I hear of the Patriarchal Movement. “It will never fly,” I said, “People are not that gullible.” But they were. Daddies who were never in charge of anything, maybe not even their wives, were finally given justification for assuming the throne. Yippee!

It is now become a disease of epic proportions. We call them PDFs, Patriarchal Dysfunctional Families. The children are treated as permanent property of the parents. If they don’t marry, and many of them never have the opportunity, they remain at home as a sort of indentured servant, never rising to the status of an adult, always under authority of the head of the clan, the Patriarch Daddy. Don’t snicker. A lot of kids are hurting. And if you want to see something scary, try to conduct a betrothal with two patriarchal mothers involved. It is uggggly.
Daughter sits at home serving the younger children and doing Mama’s chores—waiting for God’s choice. Daddy and Mama hold their merchandise guardedly, waiting for a buyer who never comes.

What is pitiful is the whole process is done in hopes of getting the perfect will of God, but one vital ingredient is missing—encouraging your children to become responsible, autonomous, well educated, and experienced adults as soon as possible. You should have trained your sons to be men by the time they are fifteen, independent by the time they are eighteen. Your daughters should be capable of living apart from the family by the time they are eighteen and should be allowed to make their own life’s decisions somewhere between the ages of eighteen and twenty. Unmarried, grown (18 years old) children may remain at home; it is good if they do; but the parent-child relationship should evolve into an adult-adult relationship by the time they are sixteen to eighteen years old. Parents should have earned the right to give advice, and kids should have grown in wisdom enough to ask for it. But a parent should never invoke his parental authority on a grown kid. It is demeaning to both and akin to not being potty trained.

To teach a student to drive or fly a plane and then always make him be in the company of his parents is degrading. You teach them so they can become independent of you. Whose need is being met when a Father treats a 22-year-old girl like a child, dictating the parameters of her choices?
The glory of a parent is to work himself out of a job, to stand back and see his kids fly solo. I expected to have supplanted myself by the time my kids were eighteen. And so it was. Long before that, I began to confer with them adult to adult. I have stepped back and allowed them to make decisions that I knew were not the best choices, and sometimes I was wrong; they were wiser than I.

Space does not allow us to say more at this time. More will come later. Sit down and talk with your nearly grown kids. Ask them what they want, feel, aspire to. Don’t express hurt, and don’t emotionally manipulate them. Encourage them to pursue their dreams and support them in their effort.

In 1996, our daughter Rebekah Joy, then a 20-year-old in training to be a linguist, wrote this poem. At the time, the poem was the future; it was full of promise and hope.

There is a mighty army
Being trained to stand and fight.
A Battlefield of soldiers
Learning what is right.
A Company of warriors
That will boldly take the Word
To every tribe and nation
Til every soul has heard.
There is a mighty army,
I’ve seen them everywhere.
Most are wearing diapers
And dragging Teddy Bears.
Infants in the training
Drilled in right and wrong.
Mom and Dad are making
Soldiers brave and strong.
There is a mighty army
Trained in righteous war.
Cheer them on to victory,
Children of the Lord!

At 22 years old, Rebekah went into a remote mountain range of Papua New Guinea to study the language of a tribe who had never even seen a white person. Her 19-year-old brother, Gabriel, went for a few months, then was replaced by Nathan, her 17-year-old brother. Nathan stayed for a few months until he believed that she would be safe. She was left alone on that mountain with the unreached tribe. After two years, others came to help, and she came home.

It was her understanding of languages that gave us the information needed to pass on to veteran missionary Tom Gaudet. He is a publisher of Bibles into obscure languages. He sent out an appeal on the web for any translator that might have been working on a common language of that area. He received 14 replies. One was from a missionary who had spent 35 years translating the Bible, but when he went home he couldn’t raise the money to get it printed. Tom pulled together all the translators, had them correct each other’s work and settle on a finished manuscript. We raised the money to get 20,000 printed and shipped.

Sending a beautiful, unassertive, young woman is not God’s usual way. He was proving a point. He was making a statement to her, to us and to you. “If I can protect and use this young girl to win a remote tribal people, then I can do the same for you.”

Rebekah kept a diary of those years, which we read when she came home. We wept at her courage and resolve. We wept that we had the honor of being her parents. We published Rebekah’s Diary in 1997. She was such a regular, normal girl until God gave her the vision of reaching a tribe. A few years ago, missionaries contacted us and told us that there are now seven strong villages of believers on that mountain and that the village men proudly carry their Bibles under their arms.

Because a young girl went willingly…
Because we, HER PARENTS, didn’t say no.
Because she would have obeyed us and stayed home.
But we cheered her on to victory…
There are new names written down in glory.

Books....

2008-07-16T19:53:00.005-05:00

I have just posted the list of books I have been reading on my new blog. I hope to add some reviews as I have time for the various books. I will continue to add to my list as I go along!

You can check it out here: www.heartslovehome.com

Enjoy!

New Way to Scrapbook!

2008-07-09T18:29:00.006-05:00

I enjoy scrapbooking, although I haven't had much time to work on anything in close to a year! I mainly love taking pictures!

Ever since I bought a new digital camera in February that takes great pictures and a storage card that can hold up to 4 GB of pictures, I have been taking TONS of pictures but haven't printed hardly any of them! I do post them on my blogs, and email them to people, but I haven't done much else with them.

I have been thinking lately about looking into the options for Digital Scrapbooking instead since my pictures are already on my computer, I am always on my computer, etc. I started looking around today for sites with instructions on how to get started, what software to use, etc. I have brand new Adobe Design Standard Creative Suite 3 -- which includes Adobe Photoshop. This is an excellent program to use for digital scrapbooking! I have been playing around with doing a page to learn how the Photoshop works and how making a digital page works! I found a tutorial and a free page kit to try out at: Free Digital Scrapbooking

I will post other links as I come across them for resources for digital scrapbooking.

Here is my first digital page. I even printed it out glossy photo paper I happened to have on hand and it turned out great! I set it up to be an 8.5" x 11" page so that I could easily print it myself if I wanted to. I have been wanting to purchase a wide-format printer (I found one reasonably priced recently) the past few months but just haven't been able to. I think I will now work on saving for it so I can print out the 12" x 12" pages I make!

There are also many sites now where you would be able to take your digital pages and print them out as book in various formats...which makes for a number of options for sharing your work with others if you are doing digital scrapbooking! You can even save all your pages as images (like I did below) and make them into a movie that could be put on a DVD to send to others! I am thinking that would make great Christmas gifts for friends and family!

Happy Scrapping!

Worm Composting

2008-07-08T15:24:00.001-05:00

I just posted an update about our worm composting project on our homeschool site.

Check it out at:

www.tiwacademy.wordpress.com

Happy composting!

Summer Fun!

2008-07-08T12:56:00.010-05:00

I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted....I guess I seem to say that a lot recently! I am going to work on getting a number of posts added today on my various blogs, so make sure to check the older posts for new things!

I wanted to post a few pictures from today of what is going on as we have 4 additional children in the house all day! My best friend Sarah is out of town and her kids are visiting with us today!

Hope you like the pictures Sarah! These were all taken just after lunch as the kids divided up to do various activities.

The boys with their favorite pastime....playing PlayStation!

My oldest two playing Monopoly again!

Miss Serious showing me her nails. My youngest daughter is painting the two little girls nails.

So cute!

They were looking at the little battery-powered fan that they were using to help "dry" their nails.

Very focused.....!

Kids are such fun and do come up with great things to do in their free time! What a blessing to have such good friends and kids who love to play together!

The 7th of July

2008-07-07T23:08:00.007-05:00

My kids have decided that we must have a new tradition for every 7th of July. Wondering why?

Today we ended up sleeping in late (instead of getting up to do some school work) and then I remembered that one of the homeschool groups we are a part of was planning to go bowling today. So, considering how late in the day it already was and that I was feeling somewhat out of sorts, I decided, "Hey kids, we are going to go bowling today!". They, of course, were thrilled!

The bowling alley closest to use offers a Homeschool Day every Monday from 1pm -3pm. It is a special price for 3 games of bowling plus you can purchase drinks and some food items for way less than their normal prices (which are really HIGH!). I didn't realize they were continuing through the summer until a fellow mom posted about our group going.

Anyway, we headed to the bowling alley, and had a blast. It was pouring down rain by the time we left though. We, of course, really need the rain and we didn't mind at all! (I forgot to take the camera...)

We came home and my oldest daugther asked if they could make a cake. I said sure. So they baked the cake, then I made dinner.

While the cake was baking and while I made dinner, the kids decided to play Monopoly which they haven't played in a long time! It is so wonderful when all four of your kids decide to play together and do so nicely for an extended period of time!

Once dinner was completed, as I was preparing to leave to go help a friend with her homeschool planning, they called me down to see how they had decorated the cake.

My oldest announced to me that from now on we had to celebrate the 7th of July with going bowling, playing Monopoly and eating cake! So, I guess we have a new tradition to uphold.....! Kids are so creative!

They obviously had a great day and I was very happy about that! We will get back to our schedule in the coming days as much as we can! :)

It has been interesting to see how the kids are adjusting to mom not being so stressed after I quit working outside the home recently. The effects of my stress was apparently affecting the rest of the family more than I realized! I thank God that He loves us and works all things out for our good. He knows what we need, when we need it and will make it clear when it is time for a change...even if that change is hard.

Ballet Milestones 2008

2008-06-18T13:30:00.001-05:00

Both my girls completed their Cecchetti Levels this year and took their Level exams in June.

They both passed and my oldest will continue with her private instruction through the coming year. Ballet is very hard work and especially so when you start so "late in life" as my girls have...especially my oldest. She has improved dramatically each year and is enjoying the challenge for the most part! :)

Of course, they have an AWESOME Ballet teacher who has been working her butt off all year not only to teach the girls but to also work on her Cecchetti Teacher certification for the higher levels--meaning she is also a student at the same time as being a teacher! She is truly amazing and we all love her!

We are all VERY proud of both girls and what they have accomplished in order to pass these exams.

Girls, you are beautiful and are really developing your focus, self control and determination through your ballet work! We love you and are proud of you!

Extra review just before the exam.

"Brooke" and her friend just before the exam, but after practicing--they were already really hot!

All smiles after the exam was over! Yea!

"Annie" and her friend (who did both Level 1 and 2 exams within 2 days!) after the exam.

Neat Video and Awesome Song!

2008-05-20T15:28:00.005-05:00

This was passed on from a friend and I thought I would post it on my blog also! I have a ton of pictures to get uploaded and info to share....just haven't had the time the past couple of weeks due to various homeschool related activities, work and life!

I love this song and this is such a neat presentation done by a church. Performed by the Oslo UPC Youth Group.

The song is Who Am I by Casting Crowns.

Spring Recital 2008!

2008-05-04T15:36:00.008-05:00

The kids just had their Spring recital yesterday. Since I bought a new camera not too long ago-- I was actually able to record their recital pieces. I can record 3 min. clips. Unfortunately, a couple of them got the last few seconds cut off, but you can still get the idea! I hope to get a real digital video camera sometime!

They all did wonderfully and their music teacher is great! We have been truly blessed to have found a teacher who knows what she is doing, is very well rounded on multiple instruments, is flexible to tailor lessons to each child as needed or the direction the parents want them to go and is so very loving and patient with the children!

Youngest Daughter's Recital Performance:

Oldest Son's Recital Performance:

Oldest Daughter's Recital Duet Piece (she is the one in the white shirt):

Oldest Daughter's First Recital Ensemble Piece:

Oldest Daughter's Second Recital Ensemble Piece:

Restoring Balance To Completely Overloaded Lives! by Cindy Rushton

2008-04-27T23:05:00.000-05:00

Here's another great article by Cindy Rushton that she has allowed me to share with you! Take a minute to also check out the links to the Ultimate Homeschool Expo which starts Monday, April 28th!! Many live workshops will be hosted all week, but everything will also be saved to the Membership site for convenient listening at your leisure--plus access to unbelievable goodies, ebooks, many bonuses and doorprizes!

You just have to check it out by visiting: Ultimate Homeschool Expo Info

Restoring Balance To Completely Overloaded Lives!
By Cindy Rushton

Ultimate Homeschool Expo--starts soon--check it out!

Ever had an “unbalanced tire?” Recently, I had a tire that was driving me crazy! It made the ride horribly rough. I was wore-out just from trying to drive to town because it kept pulling me off the road—obviously in the wrong direction! Just a simple trip to town was completely stressful. My hands were blistered from trying to hold on to the steering wheel the whole way to town and back! I was certain that my car was about to blow up…that something was permanently wrong! Imagine my relief to find that my problem was from one tire that was out of balance! Easy to fix. The smooth ride only took a few moments to restore.

Ever had an “unbalanced life?” Well, the similarities are unbelievable! Talk about a rough ride! Talk about a pull in the wrong direction! Talk about stress! Sure it is easy to fix—but, oh so hard to do!

We are overloaded! Every area of our lives suffers from overload: commitments… possessions… work… information…relationships!

We are a culture that can be characterized as overloaded! We are busy. Hurried. Overworked. Stressed. Rushed. We exceed our limits. We take on WAY TOO MUCH! As my pastor says, “We write checks that our body and mind cannot cash!” Our productivity suffers. Our bodies suffer! Our vital relationships suffer. We no longer can hear God as He whispers direction, encouragement, and wisdom along our path. We miss the best! We wonder why we end our days empty and without meaning or accomplishment.

We forget what is most important—or at minimum, put it off for another day. The important seldom screams for attention, but the urgent, often insignificant, constantly screams for MORE and more! We get so busy and distracted doing the urgent and demanding in life that we lose the opportunity to impact the important, that in which we are given to leave a legacy!

So, how on earth do we get out of this rat race? How are we to restore balance? If we could restore balance, how could we maintain balance? How could we make life really count for something? Here are some things that the Lord has been teaching me this year as He has pulled me back from so many GOOD things to restore balance and keep me on the path to leaving a legacy!

SLOW DOWN!

Does that one hurt or what? We are so fast paced! We live on the “fast track!” Think of the rat race we live in: one-hour print…ten-minute oil changes…instant cameras…instant potatoes…instant MICROWAVE meals! Our homes have dishwashers, slow-cookers (don’t be fooled by the name—turn them on as you run out the door for work and have a healthy meal ready to serve at the end of the day!), microwaves, and computers! Oh, and the computer thing! Yep, I am on my computer now (at our local coffee shop—yep, priorities are nice at times!) enjoying the benefits of my blessed computer complete with its battery, cd-writer, and all of the other MUSTS that I am so spoiled with! BUT! For heavens’ sake…think of how spoiled we REALLY are! The computer age has taken over sweet little country stores! We have the Internet (which has faced the demand to have MORE instant connections—remember all of those ads this summer?), E-mail (to instantly communicate!), E-books (to instantly receive our products so we don’t have to wait for the dreaded postal service to deliver!!), E-zines, Auto-responders (didn’t REALLY think those were REAL people there all hours of the day and night??!!), Auto-processing of orders/credit cards, and don’t forget Instant Messenger—for those who find Email to be too slow! We have “Drive-Thru’s” for EVERYTHING—food, cleaners, pharmacies, oil changes, and even (PLEASE GASP WITH ME!) funeral homes! Well…that is where I drew the line! Drive-thru funeral homes! Where are we as a culture? On the fast track!

What do we do? Why not Slllllooooowwwww DDDDoooooowwwnnnnn??? I am not advocating that we STOP using technology. Rather, we should use those tools to make life easier and to make the most of our time. HOWEVER, where it really matters—relationships, home, family, homeschooling, our witness, life…where it REALLY matters, we must slow down! Restoring balance and eliminating overload is simply not possible without slowing down!

Ephesians 5: 15-16 says, “Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as the wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.” What does this look like? Well, let’s go back to Genesis 33 for a look at the life of Jacob after he completely surrendered his entire life to the Lord. “My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I WILL LEAD ON SOFTLY, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children BE ABLE TO ENDURE, until I come unto my lord at Seir.” Want to slow down, but how? Where do we begin? What can really make a significant difference? Try these:

--> Decide what is MOST important! Think over life for a little while! What is it that only YOU can do in this life? Why did God create YOU? What is your life purpose? What is it that God created YOU to do? What can go? Just as our house cannot be cleaned without getting rid of the clutter—otherwise all we are doing is shuffling the clutter around—likewise, we must take an occasional inventory to de-clutter our life! I find this to be a battle JUST as many of you probably do and trust me, this is a life principle that I really stick to! Long ago, God impressed upon my heart that if I were going to be able to truly fulfill my calling that He had for my life, I would HAVE to only do the things that *ONLY I* could do—if it were something that anyone else on earth could do, it would have to go! Still, I will go through periods of my life and begin to get overloaded again only to find when I evaluate the value of all that I do, there are things that sneak into my schedule that vie for my focus and energy! Usually that requires that I take out those really tough pruning shears again to cut back—either by delegating the tasks to someone else so I can be more productive at what ONLY I can do—or even more difficult, get rid of what is overloading me! I know that this is hard, but it is SO key! Take a deep look now at what you are doing. Is it really eternal? Is it the “main thing?” Is it essential? Can anyone else do it? Is it hindering you from the very best? Decide what is most important. You won’t be sorry!

--> Examine Your Lifestyle! Take a little while to jot down a journal of what makes up your day? Your week? Your month? Your year? REALLY BE HONEST! Do those things count? What are the days filled with: things that are really important…or lots of fires to put out? Take a bit longer to write out what you would REALLY like to be accomplishing. What do you think that a “perfect day,” if it were possible, would look like? How can you change your day to really slow it down so your life really counts?

--> Examine Your Motives! Motives will fool us in a heartbeat! Scripture is so very true as it warns us to beware of our heart. We simply cannot trust our hearts. They will lead us astray every time! What really motivates us? What drives us? If we can determine this, we can evaluate activities and obligations much more effectively! So, what drives you? Ambition? Your life call? The desire to be in control? Don’t trust others to do things? Passion? Guilt? Ego? Insecurity (Can’t say “no?” Afraid that you have no value unless you are “seen” busy?) Constantly trying to please others? Revenge? Money? Oh, I could go on and on…motives are so very deceptive and there are so many. What is your motive? What drives you to do all you do?

Busyness does not mean that we are accomplishing. Nor does busyness guarantee fulfillment. Often, busyness is the very thing that keeps us from the very things that will bring us satisfaction, fulfillment, and contentment. Busyness, given the chance, will keep us from fulfilling our life purpose!

It is all up to us! We can choose which way to go! Enjoy the journey or wait to enjoy the brief delight of the destination? A wasted, bitter, defeated life or a life full of purpose and meaning? Burn out or real accomplishment? Deep, passionate relationships or very real regrets?

Why not slow down? Relax? Enjoy the whole journey—the process getting there AND the destination! Build deep relationships! Stick to those priorities! Simplify life so you reach for the very best! Seize each moment!

REDEEM THE TIME!

Time! Friend or foe? Have enough time in your day? Or are you a truly kindred spirit, asking God for just a few good 80-hour days and the energy to use them to the fullest? Ha! I have a good feeling that if your prayer is for that one, that you will also find that God will whisper sweetly in your ear to say that the problem is not that we do not have enough time…or that we are using time to the fullest…or even that we waste time. Rather, He would say that we need to make it our ambition to redeem the time—each and every moment we are given!

A few months back, my pastor taught a series of messages entitled From Burnout to Balance. In his series, he challenged us to look at time as a great big “bank account.” He said that this account is one that we are guaranteed to have daily deposits made on our behalf by God each and every day. We each get our fair share. No one gets more. No one gets less.

Think of this awesome gift! Each and every day we are given a gift that can impact all of eternity—or be squandered away into oblivion. Each day we are given this gift without any regard to our stewardship from the day before! TWENTY-FOUR HOURS! ONE-THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED, FORTY MINUTES! EIGHTY-SIX THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED SECONDS! Deposited in our “account” each and every day!

And…with this gift, we are free to use it in any way we choose. We can waste it or use it wisely. We can make a difference---or misuse it! But! One thing is guaranteed each day with all that is deposited on our behalf—it must be used up before the end of the day…it cannot be carried into tomorrow!

We all have 24 hours put into our spending account each and every day. What we do with that time is in our hands! Will we be faithful? Will we use it wisely? Will we make it count for eternity? Will we use our gift to the fullest? Will we use our gift for what really counts?

If we want to live a life of balance, we must guard this precious gift! We must measure our time as one of our greatest resources we have to invest in this life! This requires that we go back to our precious Giver and seek HIM for how we can most faithfully invest each moment! We must let Him be the Lord of our schedule, our to-do’s, our calendar. We must commit our way---ALL OF OUR WAY—to Him from our work to our studies that we pursue to our commitments to our books that we read to the activities that we participate.

We must be careful to set a guard on our time to be sure that we do not flippantly do without thinking or take on too much that we forfeit the best! We need to purpose to really do those things that are “NEEDFUL” (remember Luke 10: 38-42?) and not just the “stuff” that we think MUST be done! We need to constantly evaluate our choices and weigh them to see if they are truly those things that help us to reach our life call.

Time…what do you think? Redeem this precious gift so our lives can be balanced? You bet!

SELL OUT COMPLETELY TO GOD'S WILL!

Does this scare you to death? Are you seeing visions of little grass huts…no electricity…bugs…complete with the stench of underarm odor?

Oh, beloved! My first image of total surrender to God admittedly envisioned life on a continent that was far, far away from all of the comforts of home. Still have no idea if there is a continent that could be as disgusting as my visions were. Sure, I trusted God for eternity, but never thought of heaven in the same way that I thought of my life on earth totally surrendered to Him!

Now, as we move into our 21th year as a ministry, I HAVE to tell you that God has a very, very good plan for us! He does not call us, equip us, and then send us to an assignment that forfeits our trust and confidence in Him! In fact, one thing that I am thrilled to say is that although there IS work in our calling, there is delight and fulfillment that cannot be found in anything else under the sun! Seeing His provision is unbelievable. Watching His anointing fall is indescribable! Plus! No grass huts so far!

Give your ALL to God! Sell out! Don’t hold anything in reserve! Abandon ALL for the call!

Scared? Just give Him a try! Take a look at Jeremiah 29 in The Message Bible. God says to us, “I know what I’m doing, I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” Oh, beloved, not only will you never, ever be disappointed, but you will find that His GOOD plan will be truly good--satisfactory for you, satisfying, fullfilling, completely sufficient!

Wonder JUST WHAT could YOU do? Too young? Too old? Too poor? Not qualified—or so you think? Well, beloved! Know that God has called each and everyone of us to function in His Body. We are the mouthpieces here on earth for Him. We are the feet for Him. We are the hands here in our community for Him! He has called and equipped each and every one of us to be a part of His Body here on earth! We each have talents, spiritual gifts, natural bents and interests, and experiences that can minister to those that are growing in the Body AND those that need to join the Body of Christ! God needs ALL of us working and functioning properly if His Kingdom—His way of doing things—will come to earth! He needs for us to be that light that shines in the darkness to bring others to Him. Just go into a dark, dark room… Light one candle… See what a difference YOU can make right where you are!

Have no idea what His plan is for you? Take a look at Romans 12: 1-2. He promises in verse two that YOU can know His good, perfect, and acceptable will for you! Yes, YOU can know that plan! How? Going back through this passage, we see how:

--> Become a living sacrifice—EVERYDAY! Completely yielded. Completely dedicated. Completely committed to Him and His Way! Giving Him our ALL! All that we are: our plans…gifts…bents…talents… ambitions… ideas… methods… techniques… fears… delights…concerns… all presented to God as a living sacrifice EVERY SINGLE DAY! If we truly desire to know the good, acceptable, perfect will of God for ourselves or our children, we must first obediently present ourselves as a complete, living sacrifice. There may be things in our lives (things that are very precious and difficult to get rid of) that must be burnt up as a sacrifice for us to be prepared to receive God’s very best OR we may find that what we bring to sacrifice before the Lord is acceptable in His sight and can return home with us (like Abraham as he willingly prepared to sacrifice his beloved Isaac). However, the key is not in what God does with our sacrifice, it is in our heart coming before Him daily, presenting ourselves and all that we have before His throne!

--> Don’t not conform to the world; but conform to Christ!! Yep! We either conform to the world or to Christ! We cannot live for one without forsaking the other! Want to know God’s plan? Let go of the world’s standards, the world’s ways, the world’s requirements, the world’s traditions, and the world’s bondage. Let go of the lies of the world! We must stop serving the world at the expense of becoming ALL that God wants for us to become! If we want to live an abundant life—a balanced life—the world’s way will never work! Only God’s way brings balance, freedom, and true, abundant LIFE that we are really searching for! As we grow in relationship with Christ, daily become LIKE HIM, we find security and LIFE! We find peace! We find hope! We find the direction that we have been looking for all along the way! We find freedom to become ALL that God designed for us to become! Talk about LIFE! We move beyond balance to abundant life!

--> Be transformed by the daily renewal of your mind! The last key to getting to know God’s plan! However, this one is SO VITAL! If we truly want to live a balanced, abundant life, we must sell out to God’s will. BUT, however much we want to sell out, unless we truly let Him change our life, we will just spin our wheels in the same ruts, never becoming all that God wants for us to become! How is our mind transformed? Life changed? This life transformation begins as we sit at the feet of Jesus. As we daily immerse ourselves in His Word, we will begin to be transformed. Then, we will soon have different priorities… different beliefs… different ambitions… and soon, we will be able to prove what is good, acceptable, and perfectly in the will of God. If we never experience this transformation, we will always find ourselves burdened under a yoke of bondage. We will always find ourselves looking in all the wrong places for direction, approval, meaning, purpose, and rest! We will constantly battle overload. We will find life bumpy and pulling us into life’s “ditches!”

God has a precious plan EVEN for you! Surrender ALL to Him! Let Him have it all! Let Him do His work in you! Don’t rush! Don’t drag around! Don’t run from it! Live EACH day letting Him have your ALL in complete abandonment! Balance will come—but, beloved there is so much more that will rush into your life! Purpose, meaning, abundant life! Go for it!

BUILD MARGIN—BREATHING ROOM—INTO YOUR LIFE!

Ever been at rock bottom? We see many of our favorite Bible characters that we get to know during good times, but I think my favorites are those that we get to see when they are rock bottom, with NO breathing room, at the point that my mother would have said, “I’ve HAD IT!” Ever just “HAD-IT?”

Imagine for yourself the grief and utter pain that Job was experiencing as he cried out in Job 3:26, “I have NO peace, NO rest, NO quiet!”

Drop into the conversation with Paul as he declared that he got to his “breaking point” in 2 Corinthians 1: 8-9, “For we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about the affliction and oppressing distress which befell us in the province of Asia, how we were so utterly and unbearably weighed down and crushed that we despaired even of life itself. Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the very sentence of death, but that was to keep us from trusting in and depending on ourselves instead of on God Who raises the dead.”

Finally, journey back to 1 Samuel as we are first introduced to Hannah at the point of utter desperation—you probably know a bit about her story. Barren. Broken. Taunted (by her husband’s other WIFE!! Who had NO problem bearing children!). Empty. Crushed in soul. Oh, let’s join her at the point that she had “HAD IT!”… “Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then, she made a vow: Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain, if you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me by giving me a son, I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you. I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline…” As she was praying, she sunk even lower as she was completely misunderstood by the priest, who thought she was DRUNK! We hear more of her heart in her reply to him… “Oh no, sir—please! I’m a woman hard used. I haven’t been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I’ve been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to God. Don’t for a minute thing I’m a bad woman. It’s because I’m so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long!”

Relate? I know that these precious vessels were crying out in the midst of trials and life events that were too much. However, I don’t think that we find ourselves at the point of desperation without first pushing limits for quite some time! We haven’t got margin to deal with the daily-ness of life—much less those life struggles, crisis situations, losses, and persecutions that inevitably knock most of us off our “rocker” into despair!

Think about it…if you are the average person in our society today, you live on fast-food, crazy hours, no sleep. You are chronically rushed (or late), overworked, exhausted, overloaded! What is the solution? Build MARGIN! Build some BREATHING ROOM! Simplify life so there is room for change…space for disruptions. How? Here are some suggestions that I am trying to implement in my own life:

--> Accept HUMAN Limitations! Can you sense how HARD that is for ME to type? Oh, here it where it gets harder, it is not MY idea, it is the Word of God too: “I have seen that EVERYTHING HUMAN has its limits and end no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent.” (Psalm 119: 96a) OUCH! If there is a battle for balance (and YOU KNOW there is!), this is one of the biggies! We ALL have limits! But, where we need more margin is that we don’t say “NO” when we face limitations! As I shared above, we “write checks our body and mind cannot cash!” The world says, “You can have it ALL!” “You can do it all!” Even the church gives the illusion that “I can do ALL THINGS through Jesus Christ.” However, the Bible is very clear that we can ONLY DO those things that are HIS THINGS—HIS WILL! WE have limits! We have space limits. We have body limits. We have emotional limits. Jesus does not give us a blank check to do ALL THINGS. Much less, Jesus WILL NOT empower us to do ALL THINGS. He only empowers us to do those things that HE CALLS us to do. He never gives us anything that is beyond our abilities and resources to do. One clear way to judge what we are called to do from those things that we are not called to do is to look at our limitations: our red lights, shut downs, overloads, crashes. We need to look at those warning signs: pain, fatigue, stress, irritability, frustrations. Our human limitations are God’s boundaries in our lives that help us to know that we are overextended and writing checks our bodies and minds cannot cash. Respecting human limitations will restore balance to even the most overloaded life!

--> Expect Interruptions! Proverbs 22:3 says, “A prudent man sees trouble coming and ducks—a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered!” If there is one thing in life that is FOR SURE, we can be sure that life seldom goes as planned. Life cannot be predicted. Just think about it…what truly messes up your schedule? Traffic? Car trouble? Delays? Crisis situations? Special needs along the way? We must plan for interruptions or our lives will constantly be out of balance, our schedules will never work, and much of life will be squandered! Expect interrruptions and plan room for them into every day!

--> Put SPACE Into Your Schedule! Ever had your PDA/Planner/Calendar/ Briefcase complain about an overstuffed schedule? Actually my planner looks so much more “professional” when it is PACKED OUT! Only I don’t handle it so well! For the last few years, I have really evaluated what I was doing that was causing me to get off my schedule and not get around to all of my to-do’s. Now, granted, some days it is ME or my darling little ones! But, overall, 95% of my schedule woes are also the culprit behind life getting just way too busy—OVER-SCHEDULING! Schedules, like daily life, only work when there is SPACE in each day! Just like we see with the life of Christ (see Matthew 5-10), our life is filled with distractions, interruptions, crisis situations. We can battle against these OR we can add margin (space) into our lives that gives us room to use these as THE MAIN THING—opportunities for ministry, opportunities for the very best lessons, teachable moments, hands-on discipleship! Not only are we able to step up to the call as it beckons us, but we are less likely to spin out of balance constantly!

--> Prune Life To Yield MORE Fruit! Several years ago, one of my dearest friends bought her DREAM land. Every time that I go to visit her, our family laughs because just driving up her driveway I begin to see a view that rivals that of the gorgeous view on The Sound of Music, thus tempting me to begin to sing—“The HILLS ARE ALIVE…with the sound of music…” The land is gorgeous. But it is more than that. It is also productive! However, at first it wasn’t. Rhea bought the land, complete with an orchard. Sound ready to go? Well, not exactly! Needing a bit of help with her fruit trees, she called in a professional. To her shock, she looked outside to find her precious orchard looking like a bunch of sticks in the dirt. Pruning began to have a whole new meaning! What looked like devastation actually was the key to those best fruit ever! Bigger fruit! Sweeter fruit! MORE fruit! I remember the year that Rhea was getting her first fruits after the pruning. It was a year that I needed that practical example of pruning just so I would have the nerve to let God loose with His pruning shears! I can’t say it was easy! It was probably one of the most challenging times in my entire life. I had lived my life pretty much just without much thought. However, God was wanting for me to yield up EVERYTHING so He could prune back all that was diseased…all that was broken…all that was zapping my strength…all that was causing double-vision…all that was keeping me from bearing the fruit He had planned from the foundation of the earth. 1 Corinthians 6: 12a says, “Everything is permissable (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things).” There are many GOOD things that God would not have a problem if I were to do them. However, those good things can keep me from producing all of the fruit that I can bear. It becomes a choice thing for me. I can choose whether I will allow Him total control of my entire life—even the schedule… commitments… my going… my doing. I am the ONE who can sit down, yield to the shears, and stay ready to bear more and more fruit. Likewise, I can also resist. But…I don’t really like that alternative!

At the end? At your limit constantly? “HAD IT?” Take a good look look at life! Check for margin! Not enough? Build margin! Create space! Watch what happens!

DE-STRESS!

Yep! Gulp! De-stress! This one got you out of whack before too? You are not alone, beloved!

Want to know the #1 complaint in our culture? What about among homeschool moms? The booger behind despair? The reason that most quit? The reason that many never begin? You have got it! The stress! The chaos! The mess! The lack of organization or ability to “keep it together.” Want to battle for balance? This little devil will give you quite a challenge!

Yep! If there is a need among the body of Christ, this JUST might be it! But, how? Here are some quick tips for restoring balance when it all gets bumpy from the stresses of life…

--> Find Your Stressors! What throws YOU for a loop? What takes you into a “nose-dive?” What “stalls” your flight? What are your biggest stressors? What causes YOUR stress? Identify the REAL culprit—HINT: it is NOT your husband (!!) or your children (!!) or God (!!). Look at your life honestly! What REALLY stresses you out? Holding onto your stress? Carrying a burden you do not have to carry? Anxiousness? Discontent? Strife? Expectations? Willfulness instead of willingness and total surrender and total abandonment? Find YOUR stressors! Know what REALLY “punches” your buttons!

--> PLAN! Plan ahead! Well in advance! One saying that always pops into my head when I think of the word plan is, “If we fail to plan, we really plan to fail!” Nothing brings MORE stress than living life without direction, without a plan, always under “crisis” management, making decisions on a moment-by-moment basis. If this is stressing you out, try to plan ahead! Plan out your goals. Plan out your schedule. EVEN the mundane things—plan out those daily routines, even going so far as to write them out! How does this help? Well, decisions are made, saving those precious brain-cells for other uses! Trust me this works WONDERS! So, plan! Plan well! Don’t wait until the last minute! Plan…then, you can settle in to go a slow pace!

--> Write it DOWN! Give your brain a rest! Talk about stressing out—our brains will stress out if we are keeping all of our to-do’s…plans…goals…heartbeats…EVERYTHING on our brain! Write it down! Not only will it help to keep things from slipping between the cracks, but it will also help us to evaluate where we have come from and where we have to go. Plus, the best yet! We will have a sense of accomplishment when we look back!

--> Watch that attitude! There are going to be some life-stresses that quite honestly cannot be changed! However, we need not walk in a life of defeat and stress! Instead, when we recognize life-stresses that cannot change, that is the time to sit right down at the feet of Jesus! Ask Him to show the purpose. At minimum, KNOW that victory is guaranteed! There is no temptation or trial that is original with any of us! Nor is there anything that we are allowed to walk in that is not first filtered through the loving hands of God. He always guarantees VICTORY! So, watch that attitude! When things cannot change, change what can—that perspective…that attitude!!

--> Delegate! What is it that makes it so hard for moms to get help? Our children LOVE to be Mommy’s helpers! We really steal their blessings when we do not delegate to them. Even toddlers can help fold a load of laundry! Don’t try to do it all by yourself! Delegate and you will find some of the stress dissipating!

--> Get enough rest! Oh! This one is soooo tough for me! But, let’s honestly look at what happens in our families when we get tired: don’t get enough sleep>get cranky>don’t enjoy life>not too great to be around> others get cranky> irritates you more>get more tired… Why not simply get that rest?? Sleep AND that rest in body, spirit, and soul!

--> Self-control! Hummmm… Such a challenge! However, we will find ourselves constantly stressed out until we learn to say “NO” to those activities, commitments, all that stuff! Bit-by-bit, they wear us down. Saying, “NO” eliminates the whole threat of stress from the onset!

--> Keep it simple! Don’t overload! We already KNOW we cannot do everything, but we have to remember this when choices are there to be made! Always look at anything new, whether an activity or a possession, judging its importance by what you are willing to swap for it. This works for everything—shoes, books, activities, commitments. Keep it simple! You can’t do or have everything, so go for the very best!

--> Give yourself a break! Don’t pick yourself to death NOR let others pick you to death either! It is so easy to focus on the negative, get overwhelmed by the weaknesses and inadequacies, and get frustrated about how far you have to go! Then, PEOPLE sure do not help! Let another person loose in your life with the license to critique you or your situation and you will be ready for the nut-farm! Give yourself a break! See this thing as a process—you will not arrive until it is all over but the shoutin’ so relax, enjoy life, and give yourself a break!

--> Find ways to fill your cup! We are each wired so very different. Certain things stress some of us that do not bother others. Likewise, certain things just fill our cup! STOP! Step back! Shift into low gear –or reverse! Do what it takes to DE-STRESS! Rest! Relax! Rejuvenate! Renew! Refill! Whatever it takes, find those things that fill YOU back up! Oh! The benefits go beyond de-stressing and restoring balance—you finally have living water to pour forth into the lives of others!

--> Make the most of EVERY minute! Cherish this time! Make sweet memories! Take time for the most important—the best things! Your husband! Your children! Your family life! Don’t let life just slip by! Look at life and decide what you would do if this were your last year…last month…last week…last day? Would you go to the park to enjoy watching them play? Would you cuddle up and read a great book? Would you take off to the beach? Why not make those things YOUR thing? Oh, and probably find that education can be EASY along the way too!

De-stress! Crawl up into the great big comfy arms of our loving Heavenly Father! Let Him hold you during the most turbulent or trivial stresses of life! Let Him restore your spirit! What you are doing is vital! Your enemy wants you stressed out, overloaded, out of balance! He is defeated! When he snarls, throws forth his darts, and lies to you, just snuggle up closer to your Lord! Give Him the struggles! Give Him expectations! Give Him every single burden! You won’t be sorry!

GET BACK TO THE MAIN THING! RELATIONSHIPS!

Remember Matthew 22: 37-40? Jesus was asked, “What IS the most important thing? The bottom line? The main thing?” I love Jesus’ ability to summarize ALL of life in ONE response! He summed up the main thing in three commands: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and body…to love others as ourselves…and obviously, to love ourselves! Do you see this? The MAIN THING…the BOTTOM LINE..THE most important thing was relationships! However, when we get overloaded, the very first thing that we skimp on is relaitonships!

Want to restore balance and get rid of all of that overload? Take a deep look at the MAIN THING! Anytime things are out of balance, take a look to see how relationships are doing? Are they being “put off” until the pressures go away? Are they quiet while the rest of the “stuff” screams, demands, and pulls you to pieces?

Ask God to constantly keep you attuned to relationships in which you are charged with ministry. Ask God to show you ways that you can love and minister to Him. Ask Him to quicken you all along the way with ideas and precious opportunities for ministering to those you are called to minister to—your husband, your children, your parents, your siblings, those that come within your sphere of influence. Cry out to Him to help you guard your time so moments do not slip away leaving a hole in this vital area of life!

SO…WHAT DO YOU THINK???

Ready to get out of this rat race? Ready to restore balance? Make life really count? Sit at the feet of Jesus! Snuggle up close! Listen for each beat of His heart! Let Him pull you back from that “stuff.” Let Him show you how to let go of those GOOD things and grab onto the very best! Give Him a chance to restore balance and set us on the path to leaving a legacy!

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About Cindy Rushton…

Cindy Rushton is the hostess of the Ultimate Homeschool Expo, the very first online homeschool convention. She is recording Preview Chats for the Ultimate Homeschool Convention RIGHT NOW! Join her wonderful guests FREE for the next weeks as they count down to the Ultimate Homeschool Expo (April 28-May 3, 2008--BUT! NEVER ENDING because it is an ONLINE Convention!). Get your ticket NOW and receive her awesome A Quick Start for Notebooking Mini-Set FREE today! Check out all of the details here:

Ultimate Homeschool Expo Details--click here!

Wordless Wednesday!

2008-04-23T10:48:00.001-05:00

"Set up" picture my oldest daughter took!

Mother's Day Tips & Article by Cindy Rushton!

2008-04-22T08:21:00.000-05:00

Another great article by Cindy Rushton!! Take a minute to check it out and also visit the links for the Ultimate Homeschool Expo! You can get a ticket and sign up for emails about the FREE Preview Chats going on this week!! You don't want to miss out!

Blessings to all,
Wendy
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50+ Ideas for Taking Care of Mom!
By Cindy Rushton

Ultimate Homeschool Expo Information!

Tired? Weary? Need some fresh ideas for taking care of mom? Feeling that push and pull on you as you balance all of the many demands in your life? Are you great about taking care of others, yet not quite so good about taking care of YOU? Has it been a long, long time since you have done the little things to just fill your cup back up? How about a few fresh ideas for filling your cup and ministering to your heart! I promise that these will be easy for you to do! Here goes:

--> Grab Your iPod and go for a long, long walk! I LOVE my iPod. I have it filled with great Praise and Worship music, teachings and workshops, podcasts, tutorials, etc. My iPod has become my “pocket pal” when I work on my chores, take care of business duties, or even get out for my walk. Talk about my best investment of 2006!

--> Laugh! Just sit there right now...laugh! Start small...just a little giggle! Then...laugh about laughing! Roll on the floor laughing! Feel better?

--> Begin a new Bible Study. Either find a Bible Study guide...or dig out Words to study on your own! For Word Studies, I LOVE my Strong’s Concordance. It helps to find all of the references of a certain word of interest. I also love my Vine’s Dictionary. I use it to look up the meanings of the words AND it also has other references for uses in Scripture. Another great help for Word Studies is my good old faithful Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. I LOVE it as a reference to deepen the studies. Usually it helps me to also find OTHER great studies to dig into also! Dig into the Word! It will feed your heart and soul during this tough time!

--> Meet a friend at the park and let the kids play while you visit.

--> Go for a drive around the city—look at the lights! Look at flowers. Look at the seasonal changes.

--> Look at photo albums. Remember the silly stories!

--> Watch the sunrise! Or, not an early bird? Watch the sunset!

--> Collect jokes and funnies! Barb Johnson...Chonda Pierce...Becky Freeman are just a few of my PERSONAL favorites! Get one of their books or videos. Then, snag some mom-time to just kick back and enjoy!

--> Chocolate! Chocolate Candy...Chocolate Bars...Chocolate Shakes...Chocolate Latte’s...CHOCOLATE! REALLY! Chocolate helps to release endorphins in the brain—plus! It tastes great to boot! So, why not grab a bit for mom-time!

--> Watch an old movie! Curl up under a great big quilt—even if you have to turn the air down COLD! Don’t forget to turn down the lights and turn off the phone!

--> Look at your old school albums! Your HAIR! Ha! Enough said.

--> Got a grassy hill nearby? Go to the top and just roll down it! Like a child! (Snowy? Get a sled! And SLIDE!)

--> Take the kids to the park—just WATCH them! They are adorable!

--> Begin a “Quote Book.” Collect quotes that encourage you to keep on, keeping on! Keep them in a special journal dedicated only to keeping your special quotes.

--> Memorize your favorite Psalm. Try out Psalm 91...or Psalm 61...or Psalm 35...or Psalm 37...Oh! Enjoy!

--> Begin a Tea Ministry. Doing for others ALWAYS lifts even the heaviest spirit. Get a tea basket to keep your goodies in...visit a shut-in...bless them. Then! Watch the blessing boomerang! You won’t be able to leave without a blessing.

--> Take the kids to a candy store—sample the Jelly Bellies...or Sweet Tarts...or Sour Gummy Worms.

--> Fly a kite!

--> Take a ride in the country. Turn up your praise music...roll the windows down...sing to the top of your lungs!

--> Watch a funny video! Elisabeth and I LOVE to watch old movies like If a Man Answers. It is one of our “chick flicks” that we always watch together. We love it! SO FUNNY! Chonda Pierce is another one of my picks. She is just totally hilarious. My children LOVE old comedy shows like I Love Lucy or The Three Stooges. Oh, you may want to watch anything! Just find something that will make you laugh hard!

--> Scrapbook! Pick photos that you MUST tell the story behind! Kick up your favorite music...spread out your goodies...and Scrap till you drop!

--> Read a biography of a GIANT in the faith! My favorites are Corrie ten Boom...Hudson Taylor...George Mueller...Amy Carmichael...Jim and Elisabeth Elliott...etc!

--> Get today’s newspaper and read the comics!

--> Get a yo-yo! PLAY!

--> Make Chocolate Chip Cookies with the kids! On a diet? Take them to someone who blesses you! Include a note of thanks and encouragement for all they do to bless you!

--> Go out and sit on your boat—watch the stars! (Oh, watch the sunset or sunrise, if you can too!)

--> Dig into the Bible and study what God says about trials...suffering...faith...death...depression...oppression...warfare...battle…

--> Read a new book! Normally ready non-fiction/how-to’s? Get a fiction book for a change! Normally read fiction? Get a humorous book! Renew your weary heart and mind!

--> Take a break and go for a long ride on a motorcycle! Don’t forget your headset and praise music!

--> Take a hike! Really! Find a nice nature trail OR go for the tough stuff!!

--> Go to the mall with your teenager! ENJOY!

--> Buy a Mp3 Player and some great praise music—turn it up! I LOVE my iPod! I have my iPod loaded with all of my favorite CDs. My favorites are Michael W. Smith’s Worship CD’s AND Hillsong’s Praise and Worship! The moment you enter into worship, you will enter into the very presence of God—so, turn it up and devour the presence of our precious Lord!

--> Pull out that old sewing machine and make some of those goodies that you have been wanting—new purse/tote...outfit...home decorations...doll clothes...etc!

--> Buy a “whoopee” Cushion...or “Bubba” teeth... At least your family will laugh!

--> Write out the funny family stories! Reminisce! Enjoy!

--> Go skating!

--> Try an afternoon of “Laser-Tag” with your teens! Get um!

--> Make Homemade Bread—KNEAD yourself!

--> Plan a regular Mommy Getaway. This is not an extra! It is essential! I plan getaways for different purposes: to just get alone with God to hear Him, to plan, to work on my homeschool and business projects, to just fill my cup back up. Decide what will fill you up. What do you need right now? Decide what will help meet that need. Gather your goodies: Bible, journal, iPod, camera (I love taking pictures of little treasures along the way), your planner, your computer/Idea Notebook, etc. Pull aside and take that time to just get-away and fill your cup back up!

--> Get a pet! My bird, Harley, has ministered to my heart MORE than I could remember! He is just SO funny! HE had the idea to “boogie” for Jesus! I had not danced for years! AND it is decent! Elisabeth’s new puppy, Pooh, is a TOTAL delight! I say all the time that she is JOY in fur! She has become my little buddy. She loves to sit with me while I work and follow me around while I am doing my chores. She keeps me in stitches. Struggling? Get a pet just for YOU...see that puppy in the window??

--> Take the day to go for a flight! Look at the whole world from a different perspective!

--> Dance! Turn up your favorite music and dance! Dance your heaviness away! Dance till you laugh! Dance in worship to the Lord! Jump! Lift your hands in praise and worship!

--> Clean out your house (only if this is NOT your struggle! Ha!). Attack those closets...cabinets...dusty bookshelves...paper piles!

--> Go out for a cup of coffee...tea...or a good old Coca-Cola! Meet your sweetheart or a mommy pal! Or...take your Bible and make it a special time with the Lord!

--> Find some silly-putty or slime—PLAY!

--> Get up earlier (or take regular breaks throughout the day!) for your quiet time! You may feel SO weak that you can barely concentrate—if so, just turn on praise music and lift up your arms in praise and adoration. Watch what happens! Make a list of your heartaches—lift them to the Father (then, hide them in your Prayer Journal—later they will be a praise record!). Dig into the Word for comfort...perspective...and hope for tomorrow! Really tough days? Well, when the Israelites had very HOT days, they had to gather MORE manna—in the heat of your battles and toughest trials gather a surplus! It will help you survive your struggle.

--> Make a quilt. You can EVEN cheat by making it on the sewing machine! ENJOY!

--> Take an afternoon to go to the movies. Get a big bucket of popcorn...a super-HUGE Coke...sour Gummy Worms (unless you are due a BIG DOSE OF CHOCOLATE!). Take your sweetheart...or a friend if you want to share! Pick a movie that will make you laugh like crazy...OR CRY your eyes out! ENJOY!

--> Ride three-wheelers! Get MUDDY!

--> Treat yourself to a leisurely afternoon (or a bunch of afternoons!) at the pool...park...or creek.

--> Try your hand at BOWLING. Take some friends!

--> Take time for tea—each day.

--> Exercise. Swim...walk...jog...hike...go skating...aerobics. Relieves stress AND boosts your health to boot.
Learn a new hobby! What have you been putting off that you have ALWAYS wanted to know? Pottery? Quilting? Flight Training? Smocking? Scrapbooking? Jewelry Making? Sewing? Crochet? Horse-back riding? Go for it! Now is the PERFECT time.

--> Treat yourself to a nice looooonnnnnngggg Bubble Bath! Don’t forget to set up your favorite music to play during your Bubble Bath. Also...be sure to fix a nice cup of tea (or a Latte!) or a nice big Coke that will last till the water gets cold! ENJOY!

--> Go to the park and just swing—HIGH!
Go get an ice-cream cone—with a double dip!

--> Do a “Promise” hunt in Scripture. Keep in a “Promise Notebook” of your very own! KNOW that they are yours.

--> Snuggle up for the afternoon to read a great book!

Got some fresh ideas? Don’t let this limit you! Let your brain GO! Find some things that will fill you back up and take care of you all along the way.

This is not an extra. This is an essential. Carve out time on your calendar today to just take care of mom!

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Need MORE Help?

How about the ULTIMATE mom-time? Yep! Check out our Ultimate Homeschool Expo! If you missed the live recording of the workshops, no problem! You can now hear ALL of the workshops at your convenience. They are CERTAIN to fill your cup to overflowing! Get your ticket here:

Ultimate Homeschool Expo Tickets--click here!

Our New Favorite Restaurant!

2008-04-20T08:26:00.002-05:00

My husband and I have been visiting a new restaurant nearby for the last couple of weeks on our "date night" before Bible Study.

This Friday, we had all the kids home (usually they are with Grandma that evening) so we decided to take them all there also. They all enjoyed the food and the fun of getting to go out with mom and dad!

Here are some pictures of the evening!

Buzzing About Our Ultimate Homeschool Expo...

2008-04-19T00:02:00.000-05:00

My friend, Cindy Rushton is at it again! I am so excited!

I have been attending her Ultimate Homeschool Expo Preview Chats. Talk about great! They are just A-m-A-z-I-n-G...or shall I say ULTIMATE?

There is truly "no stone unturned" with this convention. Every topic you could fathom is being addresssed.

Wonder what it is all about? Oh! Let me share what Cindy is doing...

For a long time, Cindy has had a vision of setting up a homeschool convention online. When she began teaching her Talk-a-Latte Online Seminars, she knew that she had everything in place to go for the dream. So, last year she gave it a try to host the very first Ultimate Homeschool Expo. It was so fantastic. But, even that event pales in comparison to this year's event. It is truly the ULTIMATE event. Now, we are counting down days until the big event!

Well, we say till the big event, but Cindy is actually offering Preview Chats featuring her 2008 speakers. Those are free each week. If you have never joined an online class, don't toss this offer! Join us--I will be there! You will love it!

Each session features a free seminar by one of the speakers. You can listen to the speaker on your computer or you can also "text chat" with other moms. It is hard to capture all of the fun in words. You have just GOT to join us! Get the details here:

Ultimate Homeschool Expo Details!

Sincerely,
Wendy

Cat Needs A Home!

2008-04-18T23:53:00.000-05:00

I am having trouble sending the pictures of this cat through email, so here they are!

Nature Study Article to Share!

2008-04-17T22:45:00.000-05:00

It's Spring! Time for Nature Studies!
By Cindy Rushton

The Ultimate Homeschool Expo--click for info and tickets!

Spring is here!

Anybody else having Spring Fever? Ready to get outside to soak up the beauty and fresh air? Oh! This is the perfect time to make up any excuse to get outside. But, what if we call it "school" as we enjoy this gorgeous Spring?

Yep! It is Spring and and time for Spring themed Nature Studies. Yep! Time for that weekly Nature Walk! Time to pull out those Nature Notebooks and begin a fresh new study. NO pressure. Just with atmosphere of fun and delight! Want some ideas that are EASY? How about some of our favorites? Let's dig in...

Trees…
• Hunt for new leaves (buds!). Mark the date for each tree.
• Look for blossoms on your tree. Describe and draw.
• Mark the date that your tree is in full foliage.
• Measure the height of your tree.
• Determine the age of the tree. Measure 5 feet from the ground around the tree trunk. Divide this measurement by 1 inch to get the approximate age in years.
• Collect and press leaves. Mount some in your nature notebook.
• Sketch your tree in watercolor or crayon for your nature notebook.
• Hunt for spring poetry about trees! Copy into your nature notebook.
• Look up Scripture verses about trees. Copy into your nature notebook.

Flowers…
• Each week take a walk to collect new wildflowers around your neighborhood. Press into a scrapbook/nature notebook.
• Sketch and label flower parts.
• Hunt for poetry about the flowers that are blooming each week.
• Find Scripture verses to copy into your nature notebook about all flowers.
• Plant some flowers outside in your yard.

Birds…
• Set out a bird feeder for birds around your home. Put one right outside of a big window so the children can watch the birds up close.
• Listen for early birds…they should be coming soon.
• Set out nesting materials for birds common to your area.
• Try building your own nest.
• Learn birdcalls and songs.
• Watch the birds as they gather materials for their nests…maybe you can see where they are building their nests and watch them as they feed their young.
• Hunt for nature poetry about the birds native to your yard. Copy into nature notebooks.
• Hunt for Scripture verses about the birds native to your yard. Copy into nature notebooks.

Insects…
• Start an ant farm.
• Begin your bug collection.

Animals…
• Hunt for animal tracks.
• Go on a night hunt for salamanders. You may want to make a home for one as a pet.
• Set up an aquarium for a frog home. Go to a local pond to collect some frog eggs—watch their life cycle! Be sure to document in your nature notebook!
• Make a chart of animal characteristics. Study how animals are classified.

Plants…
• Hunt for woodland flowers.
• Choose seeds or plants for spring planting. Start seeds now to have an early bloom.
• Grow plants from pits. (see Ideas Section)
• Gather samples from the woods of plants without flowers. (Good resource is Plants That Never Ever Bloom)
• Go on a hike through the woods. Look for tree seedlings.
• Hunt for spring mushrooms.

Astronomy…
• Keep a chart of the moon phases for a month—try March.
• Take an evening to spend stargazing.

Weather…
• Keep weather chart for the first two weeks of the season—begin March.
• Find out how rain is formed.
• Find any poems about rain for nature notebook.
• Find out about lightning. Add information to nature notebook.
• Hunt for rainbows.

Collections…
• Take a day for each of your collections to maintain. (Rocks… shells… feathers… so on.)

Seasonal Table Ideas…
• Budding branches
• Tulips
• Bird’s nest
• Fresh flowers
• Potted Wild Violets
• Dyed eggs
• Tissue Paper Butterflies
• Colors…pastels and jewel tones

Need MORE Help?

How about MORE help? Yep! Check out our Ultimate Homeschool Expo! If you missed the live recording of the workshops, no problem! You can now hear ALL of the workshops at your convenience. They are CERTAIN to give you step-by-step help to make homeschooling FUN and EASY! Get your ticket here:

The Ultimate Homeschool Expo Tickets!

Way too long.....

2008-03-16T22:57:00.003-05:00

I can't believe it has been so long since I posted! I have a ton of pictures and stories to share!!

It is amazing to me that it is already March 16th!

The past few days have been very busy with celebrating my oldest and my youngest children's birthdays! They are 6 years and 2 days apart! My oldest will actually have her party this coming Friday, buy my youngest had his yesterday.

This is my oldest daughter (on the right) and her best friend when we took them out to dinner.

This is my youngest son--holding the sword at his party! They actually do cut the cake with the sword! I have recently started working at a martial arts studio and my son is taking classes there. It has been great for both of us! The instructor behind my son is also a good friend of ours! He is great with my son in class and out!

What is even more amazing is that my oldest is now 14 and my youngest is now 8!!! Thankfully, I guess, most people see my husband and I and can't believe that we are old enough to have a 14 year old daughter!! So funny!

It has been a fun but very busy few days!! I hope to be able to get caught up on my blogging and go back to post/share some of the things that have been happening the last few months!

Have a blessed week! :)

Paul Washer--interesting message

2007-12-15T15:33:00.000-06:00

My husband came across this today. It is amazing how God places multiple things in your path to reaffirm what He is trying to teach you. I will explain more later if I can about all the "things" that I have been being taught lately.

This is long message, but worth listening to. I haven't fully researched his ministry yet--so watch/listen and do with what you would like. He shares so much truth that no one wants to hear now in this time!!

Cool Pictures!

2007-12-12T22:53:00.000-06:00

I know I haven't blogged in a while and I do plan to get "caught up" as I have a ton of pictures to share about what we have been up to, but I wanted to post a few pictures of my oldest daughter that her friend just took of her a couple of days ago. They are both 13.

Enjoy! It is amazing how quickly your kids grow up!

This is my daughter with several of her good friends--jumping!

This is her with her good friend!

Happy Birthday Hubby!!

2007-10-21T20:42:00.000-05:00

My husband turned 35 on October 16th! Here are a few pictures from our family celebration dinner with the kids. I also took him out for lunch without children this past weekend. My oldest daughter made a Key Lime pie for him for dessert and we made homemade lasagna for dinner also.

We love you hubby/daddy!

Oldest daughter making Key Lime Pie.

Making the table "pretty" for Daddy's dinner.

Homemade lasagna.

Mystery Dinner Fun 2007!

2007-10-20T21:10:00.000-05:00

My oldest daughter attended our local homeschool group's annual Mystery Dinner on Friday night. We had a huge turn out--about 80 -- 7th-12th graders. The theme this year was the Roaring 20's. Almost all the kids dressed up! In addition to the dinner this year, we also had a dad teaching the kids the Fox Trot and one of our SHINE alumni girls teaching several other dances.

Parents and alumni of our SHINE group come and help prepare/serve the food to the kids. Everyone has a great time!

All the kids had a wonderful time! We have such a wonderful group of teens!

Here are a few pictures from the night!

Ballet Milestone Reached!

2007-10-19T21:39:00.000-05:00

Both my girls have been taking Cecchetti ballet lessons for a little over a year. My oldest daughter had the opportunity to take her Level 1 exam this past week.

She, as well as the other girls from her class who tested, passed! She was very nervous for the past 6 months anticipating this exam but she did well! She spent the rest of the weekend attending all day seminar classes with various guest Cecchetti teachers. She is now exhausted and sore but she had a great time!

Congratulations sweetheart! All your hard work and studying paid off!

Here are a few pictures from exam day!

Waiting to go into the exam.

After the exam!

"Sitting Pretty"

Beautiful Ballet Painting with our 5 beautiful girls!

Make Your Own Spirulina Capsules!

2007-10-09T14:24:00.000-05:00

A number of months back, I started on the road to learning more about how to use herbs, and how to make them into tinctures, rubs, etc. At that time, I had also purchased several items that need to be encapsulated to be used easily and all the supplies to do it.

Of course, I spent a lot of time make various tinctures and rubs, but didn't get around to trying out my supplies to encapsulate the spirulina and bentonite clay that I had bought.

So, yesterday, in the midst of having 3 extra kids in my house, I decided to try it out. It was actually a very easy process and I will finish filling up my 1000 capsules on a day when I don't have so much going on! Below are some pictures of the process of filling up the Spirulina capsules. I will do the Bentonite clay later also.

You can order these items and so much more at the Bulk Herb Store. The water filter they sell is also wonderful!

I will let you know if taking the Spirulina makes a difference. It is supposed to be very good for you. You can even use it to replace food as it is a complete food.

Here is a link to some information I just found today--it even has a break down of nutrient content if you click on the various links towards the bottom of the page. It is for a different spirulina product than what I have, but should be very similar! What is Spirulina?

I will continue to share what I learn as I go along!

My capsule making "set up".

Filling the capsules.

Capping the capsules.

The finished capsules.

Labeled and stored in a bag for now.

Keeping Van for Now

2007-10-03T14:51:00.000-05:00

Well, it looks like we will hold onto our van for a bit longer. Several things came up that will prevent us from getting a new vehicle for at least another month.

If anyone is interested in it, please let us know because we will be trying to sell it in about a month!

Thanks for checking it out!

Van for Sale!

2007-09-30T19:12:00.000-05:00

We are putting our van up for sale so we can get a new one!

It is a 1995 GMC Safari Conversion Van
It is in good condition and runs well. It just has some minor improvements that can be made to it!
We are asking $2500.00 cash

We need to sell it quick, so please contact me if you are interested! wencla2007 @ gmail . com

Here are some pictures of our van.

Word Cloud 2

2007-09-18T21:51:00.000-05:00

I decided to do a new one of these. You can get your own at: http://www.snapshirts.com/custom.php

Happy 14th Anniversary!

2007-09-18T11:11:00.000-05:00

Today is our 14th wedding anniversary! We actually did our celebrating last week when hubby was off. We were able to spend a couple of days away while my in-laws watched our kids. We didn't go far, but it was a nice break!

We stayed at a friends condo for a couple of nights, went swimming and out to dinner. We enjoyed our time alone to just hang out and talk about different things without kids and interruptions.

My husband had to go out of town this morning at the last minute, so I will just be with the kids today.

My oldest daughter was kind enough to make us breakfast this morning "since I didn't have a chance to get you a gift"! Below is a picture of the pancakes she made for us. She is so thoughtful and wants to do things for us when she can. Thank you for blessing us with your thoughtful breakfast, my dear daughter!

We have had 14 wonderful years and plan to have many, many more ahead of us! We have had our ups and downs, but the Lord has been faithful to lead us through every trial growing closer through it all. We have grown and matured in our relationship with one another as well as with the Lord through the years.

Thank you hubby for all the love, patience, faith and understanding you have shown me through the years! You are a blessing beyond words and I am still so thankful that the Lord brought us together when He did!

A Rememberance of Merlyn Hirst

2007-09-18T10:30:00.000-05:00

I originally started this in June 2007 when my grandma passed on. I have just finished it. I will leave it here for a bit and then put it in the right order.
***********************************************************************************

My grandma, Merlyn, at 17 yrs old in 1944.

My grandma, Merlyn Hirst, passed away this Wednesday evening. I was able to spend a little time with her this past week before she passed away, but, oh, how I regret all the time I could have spent with her before she got sick this time.

I wanted to record a few of my fond memories of my Grandma here. She was a strong, independent woman in many ways. She took care of her 4 kids for many years on her own as my grandfather was away with work.

Her house was always the one we stayed at the most when we went to visit our extended family (my father's parents were also in the same city during that time). We always looked forward to going there to visit them. We had some kids in the neighborhood we had come to know, they had these cool mini-grapes growing along the patio posts for many years, they usually had a dog to play with and so many little things in their house that I remember from our visits when we were growing up. She always had goodies for us when we came to visit or she came to visit us.

We went on a number of trips with them--camping and RVing. I have a lot of wonderful memories of the time spent with my grandparents growing up. They have both passed on now.

Thank you Grandma for all the love you shared with us over all the years of your life!

Sermon Notes--Raising Truly Great Kids!

2007-09-16T19:13:00.002-05:00

We had a guest speaker at our church this weekend. His name is Tim Kimmel. He shared some great stories and ideas about how we are to parent our children. His ministry website is: http://www.familymatters.net/

I don't know that much about all he teaches right now, but what he shared this morning was good.

I just want to share a few of the notes I took. He is supposed to be coming again in March, I can't wait to hear all he has to share!

He shared that some of the areas he covers in his "Raising Truly Great Kids" Conferences include: an atmosphere of grace, three needs all kids have, building character in our children's lives, and where our kids are headed.

The focus verses for his talk were: Matthew 20:20-28

* We should consider the role of grace in our parenting--like God gives us grace.
* We should focus on changing/molding our children's character--not just their behavior. We want to reach their hearts for permanent change, not just outward obedience.
*Where should we aim our kids?
*How many things do you spend your time on that will end up in "heaven's dumpster"? (told story related to this)

I. Many parents have a tendency to aim their children at a future focused on success--in line with our culture and not God's Word
(What is your vision/goal for your children long term?)
(How are you prioritizing the time spent teaching your children?)

A. Measures of success in our culture

1. Wealth
2. Beauty
3. Power
4. Fame

(Think of receiving the yearly update letters in Christmas cards each year. What do people share about the most? If you look through the filter of these 4 things, you will see they are usually shown to be a priority in people's lives--even Christians. Not that sharing these types of successes is bad, but many people make these the main priority in their lives--THE things to be obtained above all else.)

B. We make a mistake when we make success our goal instead of a by-product of what we are doing -- for God and others.

C. If these are our goals, we set our kids up for tension, stress, selfishness, greed and a desire for things that can never be satisfied!

1. Middle class and up kids were born on third base but they think they got a triple and we are greasing them for home plate. (attributed to Ann Richards)

C. GOD places no value on those four things!He doesn't want us to aim our sights on any of these! (We don't need God to help us with those 4 things -- our unsaved neighbors do well teaching their children these things on their own!)

D. We may deter our children from relationships and God's plan for them (vocations) if we focus most on those four things.

E. To aim for these four signs of success/greatness, is to aim too low!

II. God's Word encourages--a different perspective

A. True Greatness--a passionate love for God/Jesus that shows in an unquenchable love and concern for others.
B. We should be aiming our children upwards and outwards at all times!
C. The higher calling is pouring ourselves out towards others.
D. He mentioned the difference in people affected by what happened on 9/11/01. Our resumes and pedigrees don't matter in the end! It will boil down to are we serving God--are we serving others?

III. The Qualities of True Greatness

A. A Humble Heart--a reverence for God and respect for others (Philippians 2:3-4)
B. A Grateful Heart--appreciation for what they are given and who gave it to them
(I Thessalonians 5:18)
C. A Generous Heart --a great delight in sharing with others what God has given you
(Luke 6:38)
D. A Servant's Heart--willingness to take action to help someone--anyone whose need you see and whose need you can meet (Matthew 25:40)
*Look at the Good Samaritan.
E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr has said, "Anyone can be great because anyone can serve."

IV. How do we teach this to our children?

A. Be an example ourselves first!
B. Make these four qualities the expectation in your home (not the exception). Teach, guide, correct and lead your children toward these qualities.

V. Kids' Questions --that will overwhelm them and they will need answers for

A. What's my mission in life going to be?
B. Whose my mate going to be? (Old saying that you are are either doubled or halved on your wedding day.)
C. Whose my master going to be? Who will I serve?

**Where are we in all this? Have we made this type of greatness a priority in our family, with ourselves, with our kids?

**Some great things to think about it! We already want to instill this type of focus in our kids, part of the reason we homeschool, but I can always use the reminder to refocus and watch our priorities carefully.

Christy - part 1

2007-09-14T21:24:00.000-05:00

I have been reading the book Christy by Catherine Marshall. This is a great book set in the early 1900's in the mountains of Tennessee. It is a fiction book, though it is based on real people and events. Really more of a historical fiction book in my opinion. I would recommend it for older teens and adults as there some sensitive topics discussed that younger children/teens wouldn't understand (or need to know about yet).

I want to share some of the passages I have come across that have touched my heart and/or made me think. I hope you will find them thought provoking also! I will do several posts with these thoughts I would like to share.

From page 95--spoken by Miss Alice--

"Christy, you have questions on your mind. I'm glad you do. Perceptive people like you wound more easily than others. But if we're going to work on God's side, we have to decide to open our hearts to the griefs and pain all around us. It's not an easy decision. A dangerous one too. And a tiny narrow door to enter into a whole new world.

"But in that world a great experience waits for us: meeting the One who's entered there before us. He suffers more than any of us could because His is the deepest emotion and the highest perception.

"Not mind you, that He approves of suffering or wills it. Quite the opposite. And He doesn't just leave us and Himself in the anguish. At the point where His ultimate in love meets His total capacity to absorb and feel all our agony, there the miracle happens and the exterior situation changes. I've seen that miracle."

****************************************

Addicted to Blogging

2007-09-12T21:14:00.000-05:00

Several friends have posted this on their blog--take take the test and see how you do!

I was a little surprised by the result, but even if I don't get things posted in a timely manner, I now am always thinking about things I can post! Plus, I do spend a bit of time each day (sometimes too much) reading local friends as well as "cyber friends" blogs.

75%

Mingle² - Free Dating Site

Seven year old's thoughts

2007-09-12T20:59:00.000-05:00

"When I am 16 I am going to make a machine so I can make a double of myself so I can punch him because he won't have any strength or fighting skills, he will be weak and puny."

--By my youngest son (7 yrs old, not afraid of anything or anyone---and loves to practice his "fighting skills" with Dad!)

--He went on to say that it would be a clone and discussed what it might be like with his 11 yr old brother. It is amazing what this little guy comes up with! His thoughts are way bigger than he is, and they always have been!

--He really wants to have his own boxing punching bag to practice on.

(No, we don't encourage him to fight, but he is always wanting to show how strong he is and practices mainly with Dad. He knows better than to do it to other kids unless he is defending himself.)

Visitor!

2007-09-12T20:48:00.000-05:00

My husband found several small frogs/toads today as he was out watering the yard. Here are a few pictures of the one in the front yard. I need to look it up to see what type it is!

Taking Great Steps Contest!

2007-09-11T19:19:00.000-05:00

A KONOS friend--Sprittibee is having a contest! You can check out the information about the contest on her blog and check out the Easy Spirit eCollection of shoes.

Check it out and join the fun!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-09-05T10:38:00.000-05:00

Fantasy Football Draft!

2007-09-03T22:40:00.000-05:00

My husband and several friends got together on Saturday to do their online Fantasy Football draft. He did it last year with a few people, this year their league has expanded to 9 teams--3 being from family in Colorado! My oldest son also has his own team. They will have a fun few months keeping up with football and seeing if their team will win!

Here are a few pictures of those who came over:

Hubby on the phone with his brother in Colorado during their draft with oldest son sitting next to him.

Hello again & cool video!

2007-08-25T19:54:00.000-05:00

Well, once again it has been awhile since I have posted. I have a list of things to post, but have been busy with getting started with our school year, working, helping others, etc. I will work this week to get some of my thoughts and events posted.

Hope everyone has been having a good summer!

Here is the link to a neat video on www.godtube.com .

It is a church skit set to the music of Lifehouse's "Everything".

http://tinyurl.com/2b56om

Have a blessed evening!

Happy 11th Birthday!

2007-08-13T20:05:00.000-05:00

My oldest son (second born child), celebrated his 11th birthday on August 2nd! We celebrated with two parties this year--one friend party and one "family" party which included extended family and some friends also.

Son, you have grown so much and are getting more mature each year! It is so hard to imagine that you have been with us for 11 years! You are a true blessing to our family! The Lord has blessed you with a mild and calming spirit (most of the time) which is why I think animals trust you when they are afraid of other children. You have shown that you are most comfortable with small groups of friends, but you are doing well with trying to get to know new friends.

The Lord bless you my "swift moving, gift of God"! He has a wonderful plan for your life!

Friend party:

Wordless Wednesday!

2007-07-25T11:13:00.000-05:00

Boys, forts and toys!

Quote of the Day!

2007-07-23T20:00:00.000-05:00

My friend and I were just talking via IM and she thought the comment I made was funny, so I figured I would post it here.

We were talking about our crazy fall schedules and fitting ’school’ in among our outside activities and commitments such as teaching classes and taking the kids to lessons/activities.

Friend: I guess - works for me… or rather… I hope it works for me LOL
Me: Yes….it’ll have to work!! We will have to make our crazy schedules work some how…praying all the way!!

Friend: ROFLOL
Me: Not funny, just true!! I have to keep telling myself “with God all things are possible!”. He is ultimately in charge of making sure our kids know what they need to know to serve Him anyway, we just need to do the best we can to allow Him to use us to reach our kids–how ever it works out!

Don’t know if you will find it amusing, but just though I’d share!

Have a blessed evening!

East to West by Casting Crowns

2007-07-23T11:04:00.000-05:00

After the post I wrote last night, I just heard this song on the radio a few minutes ago. It is awesome!

You can listen to this song on their website--it will start playing when you go to the link (don't click on the UTube button--it starts by itself).

http://www.castingcrowns.org/splash/altar/index2.php

You can pre-buy the album on their site. I can't wait to get this now!

Listen and be encouraged!! Our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west!!

Stepping Heavenward

2007-07-22T23:30:00.000-05:00

I have been re-reading a book called, Stepping Heavenward - One Woman's Journey to Godliness by Mrs. E. Prentiss.

This book was written by Elizabeth Prentiss. She lived during the 1800's. This book was first published in 1869.

This book is written in the form of diary entries starting when the main character is 16 years old and records her thoughts, trials, joys, and experiences through her life.

I am finding that the book has some thought provoking entries, so I have decided to post these as I come to them.

Katherine (Katy) has been struggling to "be a good Christian" but always seems to fall short as she does things in her own strength. This passage comes from one of the conversations with her preachers about her new found faith/walk with the Lord and her struggles in that walk:

"'Poor child!' he said in a low voice, as if to himself 'Poor, heartsick, tired child that cannot see what I can see that its Father's loving arms are all about it!'

I stopped crying to strain my ears to listen. He went on. 'Katy, all that you say may be true. I dare say it is. But God loves you. He loves you.'

He loves me, I repeated to myself. He loves me. 'Oh, Dr. Cabot, if I could believe that! If I could believe that, after all the promises I have broken, all the foolish, wrong things I have done and shall always be doing, God perhaps still loves me!'

'You may be sure of it,' he said solemnly. 'I, His minister, bring the gospel to you today. Go home and say over and over to yourself, "I am a wayward, foolish child. But He loves me! I have disobeyed and grieved Him ten thousand times. But He loves me! I have lost faith in some of my dearest friends and am very desolate. But He loves me! I do not love Him; I am even angry with Him! But he loves me!'

I came away; and all the way home I fought this battle with myself, saying, 'He loves me!' I knelt down to pray, and all my wasted, childish, wicked life came and stared me in the face. I looked at it and said with tears of joy, 'But He loves me!' Never in my life did I feel so rested, so quieted, so sorrowful, and yet so satisfied." (pgs 58-59)

*Have you ever had this struggle within yourself? Condemning yourself for all your mistakes and failed attempts to please God? Please know that once you accept God's son, Jesus' sacrifice that was made so that we could be reconciled to the Father, that He loves you no matter how much you mess up! The more time we spend reminding ourselves of how great God's love is for us--not because of anything we have done ourselves--the easier it becomes to trust Him in all circumstances, and to thank Him for all the blessings (as well as trials) in our lives!

He is there with His arms wrapped around us as a loving father cuddles his child on his lap. He loves us!!

"Dr. Cabot came to see me today. I told him about it. He could not help smiling as he said: 'When I see a little infant caressing its mother, would you have me say to it, "You selfish child, how dare you pretend to caress your mother in that way? You are quite unable to appreciate her character; you love her merely because she loves you, treats you kindly.?"'

It was my turn to smile now at my own folly.

'You are as yet but a babe in Christ,' Dr. Cabot continued. 'You love your God and Savior because He first loved you. The time will come when the character of your love will become changed into one which sees and feels the beauty and the perfection of its object; and if you could be assured that He no longer looked on you with favor, you would still cling to Him with devoted affection." (pgs 61-62)

* What a great reminder that we don't have to have it all figured out right away, but that we will grow in our understanding of God's character as we go through the years in our relationship with the Lord! We should see change and growth in our relationship with the Lord every year. We will gain a greater understanding of who God is and who we are in Him as we study His Word.

May God bless you in your walk this week as you seek to learn more about who He is!

Wordless Wednesday!

2007-07-18T15:20:00.000-05:00

Body Clutter Resources!

2007-06-28T19:20:00.000-05:00

I have been reacquainting myself with some great recipes and ideas for
losing weight.

You may or may not have heard of The Fly Lady, she has a great system
for cleaning/organizing your life/home. But she also developed a
weight loss type program for herself and has shared it with everyone! Her friend came up with menus to go along with the plan too! They have a book out that you can buy also.

You can read more about it at:

http://www.flylady.net/ Just scroll down a bit to the "Body
Clutter" Section. There are links to her new resources as well as a
link to the Body Clutter Menu Mailers (which I highly recommend--the
recipes are delicious!) and has added some new free downloads to do a "contract" for losing your Body Clutter and one for tracking your daily
"stats"--many things we don't normally think about tracking that do
affect our weight loss! It is called the Body Clutter Investigator. I
am going to start using this to help me track what I am/am not doing
each day!

Here is the link to the Body Clutter Menu Mailer:
http://www.savingdinner.com/menu_mailer/body_clutter_menu_mailer.html

Here is a link to more info about Body Clutter by Fly Lady!
http://www.flylady.net/pages/body_clutter_main.asp

Here is the link to all her menu mailers:
http://www.savingdinner.com/menu_mailer/subscribe_to_menu_mailer.html

Plus, if you look around, you will see that she has a variety of other
menus items like freezer cooking, etc. plus lots of tips!

I hope you enjoy checking out these resources! They are great!

Happy 9th Birthday!

2007-06-26T20:25:00.000-05:00

My youngest daughter celebrated her 9th birthday in June with a friend party and a family party.

She had a lot of fun and was blessed with many items she had requested. What fun is to be had when you have little girls in the house!

Daughter you are a blessing from the Lord. Always our helpful, encouraging little one. You have had a heart for the Lord since your were tiny. You have always been verbally sharing encouraging words to everyone around you. You tend to want to lead and direct, which will serve you well as you learn to do so with continued patience and love. You are changing before our eyes from a little girl to a young lady.

May God continue to lead you in His ways all your days! God bless you our "pure, babbling brook"!

Never Enough Time!

2007-06-26T20:20:00.000-05:00

I have been feeling slightly overwhelmed lately with all the "to-do's" I have on my list that I never seem to quite finish! I seem to go through phases where I am "on top" of that list and other times where I just can't seem to keep up! If only time would stop for about 2 weeks for me to get caught up....so I think to myself!

I am really working this week to get my outside job responsibilities caught up while I am also beginning to work on detail planning for the kid's school lessons for the rest of the summer and into the fall. I want to try to have things more laid out (in addition to our unit work which I always plan out) so they can become more responsible for completing their oen work each week. Especially for my two older kids, they need to realize that school isn't over until the work for the day is done! Even if that means working into the evening and missing out on "free time". I know that if we are consistent with this tactic, they will reap the benefits of being a more disciplined student and they will be able to make progress much more quickly.

To help me with this very detailed planning, I am using The Full-Year Notebook System by Julie Anderson. I have my own way of planning in general and for our KONOS Units (which is posted on www.konoskarats.com under Resources) but I am going to try out this method also to see if the more detailed layout will help us all to stay on track better despite all our activities and responsibilities that will start back up in the Fall. It is going to require some time before we start to really lay everything out, but after the work will come the reward of plans to follow and no excuses to take unnecessary breaks during the year!

You can read more about her system at: www.full-year-notebooks.com

Although I like the flexibility of being able to do what we want, when we want, as the kids are getting older we need more structure to make sure they cover the basics they need before graduating along with all the extracurricular/enrichment activities we are involved in.

I will try to give an update on my progress as I work through this system!

The Lord is faithful and I know He blesses the time we spend getting our life in order...it only allows us more time with Him!!

"The Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation." Psalm 118:14 KJV

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 KJV

Update on life....

2007-06-08T12:24:00.000-05:00

I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted! How time flies when you are busy!

As a follow up to my post about Healthy Eating/Weight Loss tips, I can say that it does help--just doing some of the tips. I lost several pounds and started feeling better as I made a point to follow what my friend suggested.

Unfortunately, this past week has been crazy and I have been staying up way too late! It won't change tonight as we have Bible Study and are always up late!

We have been busy trying to finish up various topics with school and enjoy some summer time fun with friends. It has been a busy but good couple of weeks.

In the midst of the fun and work, my grandmother because ill with pneumonia for the second time in 2 months. It caused her body to begin shutting down this time and she passed away on Wednesday evening. I will be doing a separate post about her shortly.

So, we are all still here, plugging along and trying to enjoy each other as we do so!

Have a blessed weekend!

Healthy Eating/ Weight Loss Tips

2007-05-16T22:49:00.000-05:00

I am continuing my journey towards losing my extra "fluff" after a bit of a break the past few months. I will be posting "my story" that I recently shared with some fellow homeschool moms in the near future.

Tonight, I just wanted to post the tips a fellow homeschooling mom shared with me. They will help you lose weight and get your metabolism going even before you start to watch what you eat or exercise! Some of these I knew about (and have seen them work) and some I didn't.

Here they are:

1. Eat within 30 minutes of waking up (I also drink a glass of water with a little lemon juice in it first thing in the morning.)

2. Eat small meals throughout the day when you are hungry (many people who struggle with excess weight have lost their ability to tell when they are actually hungry, this is one of the first things to work on!)

3. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. Divide your current weight in half, and drink that many ounces of water a day. You can work up to this amount over several days if needed. It will help to cleanse your body, keep you correctly hydrated (we often mistake thirst for hunger) and help you be more alert!

4. Go to bed by 10:30pm and get up at the same time each morning regardless of when you go to bed! Once again, work up to this better schedule! It will keep you from wanting to eat late night snacks and my friend explained that certain stress hormones are also secreted when you stay up late, making your body stressed the whole next day!

5. Sleep in complete darkness. Your body will actually get more rest that way and it will function correctly!

If you try some of these, let me know how it works for you! I have been working on all of them to some degree or another this week and my weight has dropped by 2 pounds! We will see if it continues. I will be working on eating healthier as I go along also. Right now, I am writing down everything I eat to get an accurate picture of how what I am eating, doing and trying out the above tips, is affecting my weight!

I will share more as I can of my progress!

Free Ebooks!! Win a Prize!

2007-05-13T18:17:00.000-05:00

Hello, everyone! I just wanted to share about this great site I found. I have already been able to download over 20 books for free!

There are all categories of books and the free book of the month (on the front page towards the bottom) is the Velveteen Rabbit.

Just go to: http://www.wowio.com/index.asp

Click to sign up for a free account on the right hand side. When you get to the part of the registration asking if anyone referred you, please enter my email address (minus the spaces):
wencla 2004 @ earthlink . net

Have a look! It is all free and you can find many types of books good for adults and children!

Clean Room!

2007-05-10T13:08:00.000-05:00

Our boys, 7 and 10 1/2 years old, share a room. They have been struggling lately with keeping their room cleaned up. A lot has to do with the younger one not putting things away when he is done, but both have some bad habits we are trying to work on.

Well, yesterday, they did a great job getting the room cleaned up with the youngest actually doing a majority of the cleaning this time! He was so proud of himself! He even cleaned out their closest!

Here are a few pictures of their progress. I know it may not be "clean" by some standards, but for them it is a major improvement and they will finish up some of the problem areas today (like the corner of clean clothes to put away and boxes--the clothes are actually done now).

Harvest Honey Cake

2007-05-10T01:17:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine has inspired me to do some baking! She has been making a new, yummy dessert each day this week!

I worked on making Banana Bread and then making a new cake called Harvest Honey Cake. The recipe is from a Pampered Chef cookbook (and one that is "from scratch"). I used mostly organic products to make it, so it was even a little "healthy" for you!

Baking is one thing that we used to do a lot of but have gotten away from doing. I want to do more cooking with my kids in the coming months so they will know how to cook a variety of items and help with meal preparations!

Here are a few pictures of my oldest daughter helping with the cake and then the finished products.

These are the apples she cut up for the bake.

New Endeavors--Studying and Using Herbs

2007-05-07T10:53:00.000-05:00

I have recently started a new quest to learn all about herbs, how to use them and how to make them into my own products to use with my family and friends.

I started my journey by visiting: The Bulk Herb Store I purchased a couple of books from them as well as well as a number of herb combination packs and the awesome water filter system they have on their site. Their prices are great and the products are also great! There is a wealth of information in the various articles on the site as well.

The books I purchased, Herbal Antibiotics and Practical Herbalism, are wonderful resources! I am trying read through and learn as much as I possibly can (of course, it is in between all my other "normal" responsibilities).

I also found a great source for containers and other supplies useful in the making of herbal concoctions: Mountain Rose Herbs They offer a large selection of organic products as well as supplies for making soap, cosmetics, herbal preparations, etc. They also have some articles and recipes you can try out.

I came across this site recently, LearningHerbs.com They offer a lot of helpful information on their site. They also have a free ecourse "Supermarket Herbalism" which shows you how to use common items you can find at your grocery store to help your family. They have a starter kit you can buy that comes with instructions to get you started with making your own products---I haven't purchased it, but it looks like a great set.

My assortment of nicely packaged herbal concoctions!

So far I have made several batches of "Miracle Rub" in various forms--a salve/rub, an oil rub and a rubbing alcohol based rub. They all actually work very well!

I have also made a batch each of the Women's and Men's "Jungle Juice". It is basically a combination of herbs to support health in men or women. They are made in a glycerin base.

I have made several other tinctures. They are "Immune Booster" and "Restful Sleep". The Immune Booster is to use when you start to have symptoms of a cold, flu, etc or even just allergies. The Restful Sleep tincture is to help with falling and staying asleep and it can also be used in a smaller dose to help children or adults calm down.

I have just finished making a batch of "The Vinegar of Four Thieves". It is to be used as a natural insect repellent on people and animals. We will see how it works this summer!

It is fun to experiment with how to use herbs. It is amazing how many "weeds" that we try to kill in our yards, are actually beneficial plants! I plan to spend part of the summer teaching my kids more about the herbs, how to use them and how to make herbal preparations to help our family and our friends.

God truly has provided all we would need to keep ourselves healthy and to help our bodies heal in the plants and trees that He created!

On love, rudeness, smiling and hypocrisy

2007-05-03T22:09:00.000-05:00

It is interesting how God will put multiple events/conversations, etc. before us that all relate to a similar theme. He usually does this to teach us something and to make us search His Word for His truth!

The past few days have been one such occurrence for me. I had been reading through several devotions at Above Rubies . Then, as I was "blog surfing", I came across a post on a blog that was talking about hypocrisy, smiling and referring to the author of the devotions at Above Rubies. The particular devotion was entitled, "The Warmth of A Smile" by Nancy Campbell. Then, a friend posted on our homeschool egroup list some comments on another recent devotion she had received. It is posted here.

I wanted to share what the Lord has taught me about these ideas. Nancy makes a statement towards the end of her devotional, "Try it dear mother. Start smiling at your children. Keep smiling at your children. Smile when you are happy. Smile when you are unhappy. Smile even when you don’t feel like smiling." The blog I came across as I was "surfing" was critical of this statement. She thought that it was hypocritical to "smile even when you don't feel like smiling".

Unfortunately, the whole point of the devotional thought is being missed. If we are walking in the warmth of God's smile (realizing how He is looking upon us), we should be doing the same with our children! God's Word talks repeatedly about being joyful whether we "feel" like it or not (1-feelings/"fleshly reactions" are deceitful and not what we are to pin our understanding on anyway). It doesn't mean we are always "happy" in the situation but we are filled with joy (2) because God is faithful even when we are not!

We need to remember to share that joy with our children! It is so easy to give lots of smiles to everyone but our own family, so it wouldn't hurt to try to keep it foremost in our mind to make sure we smile when the opportunity arises. Many tense moments have been broken by a smile or a laugh in the midst of it... "(3)laughter is good medicine". It doesn't have to be done hypocritically... but we may have to renew our minds to the understanding of how God wants us to be with our kids and others around us. Smiling at others would be done in obedience to what God calls us to do--"love one another". It may take some effort, but with God's help--asking HIM to help us realize when to share a smile, when to laugh/release our tension, etc.--we can share the joy He has placed within us.

If we make ourselves smile, even if it is only in the mirror at ourselves, it will change our mood and attitude. Try it sometime, you just might make yourself laugh! So Nancy is right in saying that smiling can change the atmosphere of our homes, and there is nothing wrong with that! We tend to take our own family for granted so much and spend more time fussing with or about them instead of seeing them through God's eyes.

I know I do this often, unfortunately. My prayer is that God will open my eyes and my heart to see my children and family as He does, even in the midst of tough or stressful situations!

Just a few examples:

1- John 6:63; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 26:41; Romans 8:1, 5

2- Psalm 16:11, 27:6, 51:12; Nehemiah 8:10; Habbakuk 3:18; Zephaniah 3:17; I Thessalonians 2:19

3- Proverbs 17:22; Job 8:21; Psalm 126:2

Happy Resurrection Day!

2007-04-08T19:31:00.000-05:00

We enjoyed a fairly quiet day at home and then with extended family today.

To start the day off, we made Resurrection Rolls together. It is a fun way to go over the details of Jesus' death and resurrection.

Here are the instructions and below are several pictures of the kids working on the rolls and what they looked like at the end. My kids ask each year for us to do these rolls, not only because it is fun, but because they taste really good!

I hope you have a blessed Resurrection Sunday! He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

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Resurrection Rolls

Here's a new twist on the Resurrection Cookie idea for Easter, both are recipes you can do with your kids/grand kids in order for them to understand the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This fun recipe uses Crescent rolls and a disappearing marshmallow!

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:
Crescent rolls
Melted butter
Large marshmallows
Cinnamon
Sugar

Give each child a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.

Read Matthew 27:57-61

1. Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.
2. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.
3. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.
4. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.
5. Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. (The oven represents the tomb - pretend like it was three days!)
6. Let the rolls cool slightly. The children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)

Now read Matthew 28:5-8

Explain: At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. No one had taken Jesus' body, but He Had risen from the dead! The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus had risen from the dead. They were so excited, they ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news! He is risen from the dead! Alleluia!

After that Jesus appeared in person to Peter, then to the 12 disciples and after that, to more than 500 people. Jesus' appearance to eyewitnesses, those who saw Him with their own eyes, would give support and prove that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

By rising from the dead, Jesus proved once and for all that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Chosen One, and the Lamb of God. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no other had ever done before. As both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell. And now because of what Jesus has done, these things no longer have any power over those who believe in Jesus and allow His Spirit to lead and direct them. Rather than being slaves to sin and death, Christians ( those who love and believe in Jesus) are free to obey God and do good ( Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."

However, we will only obey God if we listen to the Holy Spirit our helper. He enables believers in Jesus to do the right thing. It is important that we read the Bible (God's Word) because one of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us obey God is by reminding us of what He says to us in His Word. God's Spirit will never go against his Word. In fact, when we read God's Word, we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Of course, you won't always do the right thing; the Bible says this ) 1 John 1:5-10). But that is why we need to continue to confess our sins knowing that God forgives us, based on what Jesus did on the cross. This is also a reason we need to spend time with other believers in Christ so they can encourage us in our faith.

May you have a blessed and meaningful Easter!

- Author Unknown -

**********************************************************************

Preparing the "cloth" and eventual "tomb".

The wrapping of "Jesus' body" after being "embalmed/anointed" in oil and spices.

One of the rolls after baking--this one opened on it's own!

Here are the closed "tombs" after baking. They then got to open them below.

Opening the "tombs". He is Risen!

Should We Expose Our Children to Worldly Issues?

2007-04-07T23:40:00.000-05:00

This topic was brought up on my local homeschool group's moms' discussion board. I thought I would post me recent post here also.

A friend who had been teaching an Essay Writing class this past semester, brought up the question about protecting our kids but also making sure they are aware enough of the world around them, especially as they approach the high school years, to be able to answer questions that will come up on essay tests, SAT, etc. intelligently. If they have never had the opportunity to discuss various issues openly at home in light of a Christian Worldview, how can we expect them to go out into the world and share an intelligent witness to others?

Anyway, my post below is about a book I just finished reading that should be a priority to read for every parent! I encourage you to buy it and check it out for yourself!
******************************************************************************************

I have just been reading through For the Children's Sake--Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay.

This is an excellent book. She covers many aspects of the Charlotte Mason approach to learning as well as many other great ideas.

It gives you a lot to think about and ways to examine yourself to see how you are doing in the "job" of educating your children for LIFE.

The section I am reading now is related to what S.M. originally posted about making sure we discuss issues with our children.

This Chapter is-- Education: A Science of Relationships. She covers many areas in this chapter, but in the section below, she is referring to how we are teaching our children to have what we now refer to as a Christian worldview---how we look at everything in relation to the God who created this world and who is ever present--not just making things "separate" but how to truly make all of life into one complete "picture or story"--no separation between "religion" and "academics" or the "real world". God's world IS the real world!

Anyway, here is a section from this chapter, just some ideas to think about! From pages, 101 to 103.

"It is an imperative priority, as never before, to allow our children to learn to think, understand, and see the central truths quite explicitly and clearly. This is a central part of the "Christian" aspect of our education.

We were able to show the film series Whatever Happened to the Human Race to our daughter's school. Attendance was optional. The children were between thirteen and sixteen years old, from average homes. They were absolutely riveted by the ideas of who the person is and his worth, and the topics of euthanasia, abortion, old age, and so on. Discussion afterwards was lively and penetrating. Children need to consider practical issues. They want to think. They want answers. Christianity is part of that rock of reality about which youngsters long to know. They need to understand how contemporary issues fit into what the Bible says.

Have you read The Plague by Camus with a group of fifteen-year-olds? Have they wondered over the problem of evil, the human problem? In reading this novel, do they notice the fallacy of the priest's argument? 'God has willed this child to suffer.' Do they think about how different the biblical perspective is: that the suffering was unleashed by man's choice to disobey God? That all individuals, and the course of history, are caught up in this river of consequence; an abnormal world?

Do they read Brave New World and discuss the logical conclusion of the humanist view of man, his morality, humanity, and social purpose?

Can they pick up something like Time magazine, read it, and think about where it fits into the Christian framework?

Do they come home from school, or from having seen a TV program, and spontaneously discuss what is right, what is wrong?

Have they thrashed through the reasons why the Bible is true? Do they understand the fallacies of other positions? Can they remember numerous occasions when the Bible was seen to fit like a key into the keyhole of reality? Do they know about the historical and archaeological evidence? Are they amazed at how the philosophical ideas of the Bible fit into the way we find reality to be?

They should not be left with only a feeling--'I know it's true because I feel it in my heart.' That is not enough.

One morning they will wake up and you will be gone, and so will their feelings.

Do they know?

All of this is 'Christian education'.

Seeing fallacies. Understanding. Knowing the Bible. Thinking. Judging ideas. Seeking and keeping ears open. Being in touch. "

You'll have to get the book to read the rest of what she has to say!

This book will be an inspiration to all homeschooling families!

Wordless Wednesday!

2007-02-14T02:30:00.000-06:00

Dinner before caroling on the barge on the Riverwalk.

(My girls are the two on the right.)

Update on life....

2007-02-13T23:37:00.000-06:00

Well, it has been awhile since I have written on any of my blogs. I can tell you that it isn't because I haven't thought about it. It is just because I haven't made the time to do it!

Currently we are working through many activities related to school, music lessons, basketball season, ballet classes, support group duties, etc., etc. It is a busy semester but we are enjoying the activities and the kids are doing very well!

My oldest son is participating in his first season of "organized" sports. He is enjoying it and is learning more each day. His team has done fairly well so far this season (even though they don't really track "standings" for the teams). His skills are improving with each practice and game. Thankfully, he is very attentive and obedient towards his coach, unlike some of his team mates! He is seeing first hand what happens when others don't pay attention to the coach (the whole team running for 10 minutes straight!).

The girls continue to enjoy their ballet classes and the younger one has moved up to the "big girls" class for the time being. Eventually, there will be a class just for her "in-between" age group. She has done well with the change as several other girls her age have also joined in.

My youngest son, almost 7, has started his "music training". The other three have been taking lessons since last April. He started last month working on rhythm lessons which will eventually lead to him learning to play drums (probably other instruments also). He is doing very well with what he is learning and is so happy to have some time to have his own lesson! He wants to learn guitar also (like his big sister) but we will wait until he is older to work on that.

The other kids are also all doing very well with their lessons, especially the oldest two. Their teacher has been giving each of them more challenging and varied work to keep them busy and interested in what they are learning. They will have a Spring recital in April.

My oldest daughter is gearing up for the Spring Ball our homeschool group hosts each year. She already has her dress. We found the dress for an unbelievable price about 2 weeks ago. I am in charge of making all the "tickets" that we will be selling starting this Friday for the Ball. I did them last year also. I enjoy being creative in this way. I will have 100 of the tickets ready by Friday. I will post a picture of one later once I get them all together. I found this great shiny, silvery paper to print the info on. I just have to let it dry completely for cutting them apart and completing the assembly. Hopefully the kids will like them. The theme this year is "Evening in Paris". We pay for a "caller" to come and lead everyone in group and line dancing. It is a great family event as at least one parent has to attend with their child. The parents and kids all have a wonderful time dancing in a safe environment.

I have recently started reading several homeschool related books and two new books I received for my birthday. I will post more about what I am learning in a separate post.

I have been amazed recently how awesome God really is! He works in such wonderful ways. In ways we never expect and may sometimes miss if we aren't careful. I am trying to be more aware of how He is working in each of our lives and looking for those moments to share with my children what God is doing. I want them to learn to recognize that God is there with us all the time and that is a wonderful, not a fearful, thing!

I better get to bed as we have a busy day tomorrow! Have a blessed day!

Christmas Celebrations!

2007-01-03T18:17:00.000-06:00

We had a wonderful Christmas with many get togethers with family and friends. Here are a few pictures from Christmas day with just our immediate family.

My youngest received a Transformer set that he really wanted for Christmas. You can see that he can't even take his eyes off it!

Daddy gave all the kids a special gift this year---the all received a "Petey" in their own special colors. Even mommy got one! This is my oldest with hers.

Daddy gave my oldest son his "old" Playstation 2, so for Christmas he received several new games for the system. He has liked them all so far!

My youngest daughter also received a "Petey". The hat "Petey" is wearing is a gift from my Dad, her Poppa. She loves both!

We had a wonderful time getting together with all our extended family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The Lord is wonderful and faithful to His children! We are so blessed to have so many family members close by, not to mention all the wonderful friends we have in our lives right now!

I'm Back!!

2007-01-03T18:16:00.000-06:00

Well, it has been a long time since I have posted on this blog. I have been busy with many family, work and homeschool related duties the past two months!

I hope to be here more frequently to check in and give updates!

Happy New Year everyone!

Wordless Wednesday!

2006-10-31T23:05:00.000-06:00

Pumpkin Patch 2005

Friendship Bags

2006-10-30T18:42:00.000-06:00

A fellow blogger recently reminded me of something we had done about a year ago. We often see people at the intersections of the highways near us asking for money, etc. I don't like to just give out money but I came across this idea in an email newletter I receive. The information is now posted here. When we first did the bags, we followed most of what was listed at that site.

I decided we needed to make more bags to have on hand to give out as we are driving around. So, today the kids and I worked on getting 12 bags ready to hand out. Below is the list of what we included this time around.

Card about Forgiveness found in Christ
Card with info on contacting our church
fruit cup (peel top)
raisin pack
2 pks of cheese crackers
granola bar
bottle of water
beef jerky/beef stick
hand wipes
tooth towels
pack of gum
chapstick
tooth flossers
spoon
napkin
(gallon size ziploc bags)

We assembled all the items in each gallon size ziploc bag. I think these bags will hold up better than the paper bags we used last time.

Below are some pictures of what we included and of the kids working on assembling them.

The boys wanted to build with the items before packing them into the bags!

Wordless Wednesday!

2006-10-25T08:11:00.000-05:00

Sweet Kids

2006-10-24T20:07:00.000-05:00

I just have to share that my two youngest children have been playing so well together for almost the last week! Not that they don't usually, but they have been preferring to play with each other exclusively.

They have had a lot of fun with Barbie's and Barbie cars, making up and acting out stories, playing in creative ways with their stuffed animals, etc. It is so awesome to see their imaginations at work!

I have just been very thankful that the youngest has been happily occupied with fun play, rather than wanting to watch TV. He tends to really get "attached" to certain things if we let him! That is something we are working on in a big way!

I will post some pictures when I can "catch" them at play again! I forgot to do it earlier!

Have a blessed day!

This is my youngest son. His sister didn't want to be in the picture for some reason!

Helpful Devotions

2006-10-18T21:13:00.000-05:00

I had previously mentioned that I would share about several devotions the Lord had brought before me over the past month.

Just as I was getting prepared to start my new exercise and eating plan, I read this devotion . (go to the site, click on previous devotions, then choose "Just Do It".)

A friend of mine had shared about the Above Rubies Ministry and I happened to be checking out the website when I found the above mentioned devotion. You can sign up to receive their weekly devotion by email.

This first devotion I read "Just Do It" was great inspiration to go ahead and get started with my plan, not to delay any further. I even used this devotion with my kids that day after I read it.

More recently they sent out a two part devotion titled, "Resolute". You can find it by visiting the website, then clicking on Weekly Devotions for Mothers. They only have Part 1 posted but they did email out part 2 also.

She goes over 10 affirmations for you and your children to help you stand resolute for God and His truth. Each affirmation is supported by scriptures you can use to teach and affirm each point to yourself and your family.

One thing that really struck me from Part 1 of "Resolute" is the Affirmation at the end (she always includes a prayer and an affirmation for you to focus on at the end). It is a quote:

"The braces within me shall be greater than the pressures upon me."
E. Stanley Jones

It just makes me stop and think....am I building up those "braces" within me so that I can withstand the pressures put upon me from the outside?

What is/are the braces within us? As a Christian, your "brace" is God, the Holy Spirit in you! Are you building up your spirit inside by reading, studying and applying God's Word? Are you taking time to pray--not just to ask for things, but to really pour your heart out and then listen for the Lord to speak to you? The Lord longs for us to come to Him open and ready to fellowship with Him alone. This takes time... it is something we need to make a priority in our lives. Just as we would not neglect our earthly husbands, how much more should we be putting forth effort to love on our Heavenly Father!?

It is so easy to get "washed along" by the day-to-day to-do list, emergencies, etc. The time spent with the Father can supply us with so much more than we can ever supply for ourselves. The Lord will accomplish all that needs to be done each day through us, if we will let Him instead of us trying to do it in our own strength. I know this to be true and often wonder how I can get so off track and carried away by all I need to do without stopping to get filled up and ask for direction from the One who knows best!

Even little things we do throughout the day to acknowledge where the Lord is already working will build up our Spirit. It helps us to keep our hearts focused on who is actually in control of all things! It isn't us, but the Lord! We can walk in joy and peace that comes only from the Lord despite whatever is around us if we will just keep our "heart, soul and mind" focused on the Lord instead of ourselves.

The last few days the kids and I have been studying about loving and obeying our Lord with wholehearted devotion. The verse we worked on today was:

Matthew 22:37-38

Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment.

We also read from 1 Chronicles 28:8-10 which relates David's instructions to Solomon as he is passing the torch of leadership to his son. He admonishes Solomon to seek and serve
the Lord wholheartedly.

It is a really great passage.

Anyway, I hope to share more of what the Lord is teaching me over the coming days. I will also do another post soon about what we are using for our Bible time (in addition to our school related studies) right now.

May God bless you as you make seeking Him a priority in your life!

Help with Healthy Eating/Lifestyle

2006-10-18T12:03:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share about a book I received. I had put it aside a couple of months ago, but came across it again a few weeks ago as I started my new eating/exercise plan.

It is a book by Joyce Meyers, called Look Great Feel Great -- 12 Keys to Enjoying a Healthy Life Now.

It is focused on helping you to understand who you are in Christ, helping you to gain a God-given self image, and giving you little steps to move towards having a healthy attitude as well as a healthy body.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who has struggled at times with not liking themselves, their body or the way they look (whether you at overweight or underweight).

The keys discussed include:

Let God Do the Heavy Lifting
Learning to Love Your Body
Mastering Metabolism
Exercise
Balanced Eating
Water Your Life
Mindful Eating
Curb Your Spiritual Hunger
De-Stress
Right Vision
Make It Easy
Take Responsibility

*Practice What You Preach: Modeling Self-Respect for the Next Generation

I am about half way through the book and it has been helpful so far. I will share more of what I am learning as I go through it.

This was just one of the things God put in my path as I was starting out on this new adventure. I will be sharing some of the other words of wisdom and encouragement the Lord has put before me the past few weeks later today.

God truly is our Father and knows exactly what we need when we need it.

Wordless Wednesday!

2006-10-18T10:59:00.000-05:00

"I love my brother!" :)

Christian Family Holiday Planner!

2006-10-17T21:23:00.000-05:00

I can across this great Holiday Planner designed for Christian families. It is designed to help you start preparing for the upcoming holidays in October, so that the actual holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's) can be stress-free and Jesus focused!

The ebook that you can purchase includes all the directions and pages to print out to make your planning notebook. It also includes instructions, devotions and pictures for making a Jesse tree to keep your heart focused on the Lord through the busy holiday time.

I highly recommend spending the small amount to purchase this planner and devotional. You will be able to use it year after year.

I am working on setting up my notebook right now.

I have used a combination of two other planners in the past and I like certain things about each one. I am looking forward to trying out this new system for this year!

I have found that even if you aren't able to keep up with every suggestion of pre-planning, any pre-planning you do will get you that much closer to having a stress-free holiday season!

I know I will be needing that this year as we will be hosting over 20 people at our home for Christmas dinner this year!

You can find the planner here:

The 12-Week Holiday Planner for the Christian Family

You can view a few sample pages from the planner prior to purchasing here.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Have a blessed Christmas season!

New Way of Eating....

2006-10-17T20:02:00.000-05:00

It has been almost a month since I began my journey towards losing the many pounds I have accumulated over the past 12 years! I never had a problem with my weight until I started having kids. After the first two, my body chemistry really seemed to change. Though the gain has been slow over all the years, it has really added up now!

I am happy to say that I have lost 6 1/2 pounds over the past three weeks. Although I took a break for a couple of days because of husband's birthday, I am back on my new eating and exercise plan!

I realized after this weekend how much of a difference it makes to my sleep patterns, among other things, when I eat "bad" versus when I eat more healthy. I had two nights of horrible sleep both days that I didn't watch what I ate. I slept much better last night after eating better yesterday. Hopefully tonight will be even better!

I have a long way to go, but I know that if I keep at it so that the weight slowly but surely continues to drop, I will reach my ultimate goal! I long for the day that I no longer looked "puffed up".

I grew up very active and all through middle and high school never thought of myself as "skinny". It wasn't until I got married and had my first child (and especially now), that I looked back at my pictures and realized how thin I really was--so different from the picture I had in my head of myself all those years!

The Lord has really shown me that in order to succeed, I can't just depend on my own will and self control. I know that I need His help every minute to keep focused on the benefits of "denying myself" now so that I will be around to serve Him and my family for many years!

In the past weeks as I have started this adventure, He has put in my path several books and devotions that were just what I needed to help me get going and stay focused. Just like anything in life, it is much easier to give up and be "comfortable" than to push forward, leaning on the Lord to get you to your goal. Knowing that what I am working towards is in accordance to God's will also gives me more focus than I have had in the past.

The Lord is faithful and I know that I can do all things through Him who gives me strength!

The more I focus on my relationship with Him, the easier all the "stuff" around me becomes--whether it is getting school done each day, doing daily chores, or sticking to the eating plan I want to follow.

The Lord is mighty and greatly to be praised!

Fun Leader Test!

2006-10-15T23:32:00.000-05:00

What Famous Leader are you most like? Try it and post your results in the comments section or leave a link to your site!

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Too Much Information???

2006-10-13T11:02:00.000-05:00

I am posting this in response to a post by a friend that you can find here. My response was a bit long to leave as a comment, so I thought I would post it here instead!
***

I tend to agree with what Sarah has said. Even if you don’t use these words in “normal conversation”, you should have an understanding of what they mean. It will help you to understand where people are coming from when they are talking to you about Biblical things.

All these terms were “made up” by man to help explain/describe different ways of looking at the Bible, the events in the Bible and people’s thoughts about “religion” and “doctrine”. So, although using those words are not necessary for studying God’s Word or telling others about it, it will help you personally to understand various ways of looking at scripture and various beliefs. It will also help you not to feel “lost” when people bring up those words.

I do hear people using these words in ways that aren’t correct—or that don’t explain well what they are saying. They put a different meaning or more meaning into the word than it actually has. To me, that is really annoying and tells me they don’t really understand what they are talking about!

Take for example—hermeneutics—which simply put means a method of interpreting the Bible. But if you look it up here. You will see that that there are many, many different ways of looking at scriptures “hermeneutically”. So you would have to ask a person what they mean by that! Once again, it is man’s way of trying to understand and study scripture in a way they can make sense of it.

You can look up further info on eschatology and orthopraxy .

I enjoy taking the time to look these things up to understand more about where people are coming from. I am not saying that all the ideas listed on these links are “correct” but it does help you to understand what people are talking about!

God desires for us to understand and evaluate His Word from beginning to end. He always “backs himself up”. Our only “interpreter” is supposed to be the Holy Spirit. He will teach and guide us to understand God’s Word. We are to be taught by the Spirit and not by man. John 14:26 & 1 John 2:27

We should always be evaluating what any “person” tells us regarding scripture with God’s Word. It will help you to learn to discern whether people are giving you their opinion or actually sharing what God’s Word says.

Thanks for the great discussion!

First Recital!

2006-10-08T19:52:00.000-05:00

My three oldest children had their first music rectial this weekend. It was an informal event as most of the kids have only been taking lessons with this teacher for 6-12 months. She wanted them to get used to playing in front of people before making it a formal event! They will have their formal recital in April 2007.

All the kids were a bit nervous with this new adventure. My oldest was first in the line up, so she was extra nervous! They all did well! It was a small crowd of mainly immediate and extended family--everyone was encouraging of course!

The actual playing time for all 8 children was only about 15 minutes! We had a nice time visiting afterward with the other families.

The Lord has truly blessed us to be able to take lessons from this teacher who happens to be in my homeschool support group. She has been wonderful with the kids and they are loving their lessons.

We look forward to all the wonderful music the children will be learning for the next recital!

Mee-Maw (my mom) gave the kids flowers as they each finished their songs. She had my youngest son hand them out. She also got one flower for him!

This is our entertainer! (He just has to pull his socks up all the way....)

Mystery Dinner Fun!

2006-10-07T15:09:00.000-05:00

My oldest daughter attended her first Mystery Dinner this past Friday hosted by our local homeschool group. Last year, she and I both helped as servers, but this year she was able to "attend" and be part of the fun as a 7th grader.

This is an event that our group hosts each year for our 7th-12th grade children. The parents and graduated teens (of our families) are the ones who put on the event. It is always a blast!

This year the theme was Pirates of the Caribbean. We decorated with "pirate" chests with "jewels, gold and silver", "gold" coins on the tables, etc. Many of the kids and parents dressed up in a pirate theme. Prizes were given for the best costumes (voted on by the kids). They all had a wonderful time!

In case you are wondering what a Mystery Dinner is.... it is a dinner where there is a menu written using names related to your theme (pirates). The kids fill out an order card for 4 items from the menu for each of the 3 courses. They don't know what they are ordering! Utensils are included in the choices, so there is always the chance that you may receive messy food without anything to eat it with! It is always great fun to see how they react when they get their food. The food this year was Mexican themed with additional items like salad, fruit, pudding and brownies.

Here are a few pictures of the event!

My daughter in her "pirate" outfit--not too piratey but she looked cute anyway!

The whole gang!

My daughter and her friend filling out their menus!

"One Word Game"

2006-10-06T13:11:00.000-05:00

My friend posted this on her blog and now I am doing the same. Here's what I want you to do. Describe me in ONE WORD... just one word! Reply in comments section. Then you can email it to your friends or post on your blog to see what your friends say about you. I tag anyone who happens to read this blog!

Try to be nice though! :)

Ballet Fun!

2006-09-18T23:10:00.000-05:00

My youngest daughter started a ballet class this past Thursday thanks to my friend Sarah!

She had a wonderful time and now my oldest is also going to start ballet classes! I think it will be really good for both of them!

Here is a picture of her first class.