NO... I Don't Want to Deal with it... My Kids are Growing Up!

Ahhh.... I was reminded once again that my children are growing up - and quickly! This week my daughter who is a Senior in high school went to visit her grandparents. Yeah, I know... kids do that everyday... BUT I had to put her on an airplane and let her fly half way across the country ALONE! It was tramatic...I'm sure I sound like a whiny drama queen... maybe I am...

We are a close family, and really spend alot of time together. My daughters are some of my dearest friends!  Caitlyn has gone on trips before - even overseas without her daddy and I yet for some reason this time it was very difficult. I am pretty sure it was just because she went alone. The fact that she was old enough to travel all by herself really hit me hard. She is growing up. In many ways, I am so thankful. She is a beautiful young lady, with a beautiful personality and heart. She loves Jesus with all her heart, and seeks to please Him every day. I can't ask for any more. God has truly been good to me!

I am holding out with a little hope that when she is grown... God will put her somewhere near me... :) I know... I know... but one can hope...

Gratitude... Thankfulness... and no, it's not just that time of year!

It seems that God is really trying to tell me something these days... everything that I look at and study has to do with finding joy and freedom in Him. For a while it seemed as if that was elusive to me... that I was stuck in the circumstances of raising 6 crazy children and the multitude of responsibilities that accompany that... I felt and still feel at times that I am defeated, empty, and frazzled... but, I am HIS child - and He has not forsaken me!

Flash forward to my concern for my children... where is their thankfulness I often wondered... God struck my heart when I realized that they learn from example... I need to show my thankfulness - I need to give thanks to God - I need to find strength in the truth of His Word! They just might learn thankfulness and gratitude if I demonstrate for them...

 I can have freedom from the things that weigh me down... from the battle with perfectionism... Freedom isn't elusive... it is within grasp...if only through God and HIS TRUTH.

Giving thanks...praising Him... brings joy!..and not to forget that the joy of the LORD is my strength... Why has it taken me so long to put that together? I am seeing more and more things within my life that need to be addressed... God is putting His finger on those things through a study we are doing in our ladies' group... (Lies Women Believe) and through the realization today that I need to start a gratitude journal...

Pray for me, as I make a conscious effort to live a life of gratitude... of giving praise to my God that loves me and never forsakes me...

One of my favorite preachers... Dr. Finnigan in Canada!

This week I am sharing one of my posts from MomSCHOOL homeschool. So many mom's share this feeling... that I thought it would be appropriate!

Homeschooling, motherhood, being a wife … it can all be alot of stress. It doesn’t help that most of us self inflict that stress. I, for one,  am very guilty of that. I get it in my head that I have to something at a certain time, or in a certain way and if I can’t… Boy am I stressed!!! That isn’t anyone’s fault but my own. I don’t REALLY have to do those things in a set time frame, especially since I homeschool! I guess that comes from having a goal in mind that I think I should reach by a certain time. I usually let it really get to me… recently my precious Lord and even my family has been helping realize that this is not a healthy way of thinking. You see, I not only let that stress ME out… but it affects my family too!

Changing how I view my life is the first step, the second step is to change how I view homeschooling.  I must put my personal relationship with God and my family first. Any thing else is of secondary importance. If my family can’t see by my actions that they are more important than these other things… then I am inadvertently telling them that other things are more important than they are. These other things may be good – even great things. It could even be church related activities…  but if it takes away from necessary time with your family it could be too much. I have known missionaries who labored for Christ in distant lands,  but sent their children to boarding schools and lost them to bitterness and even a hatred for God. God is my strength, and in Him I find joy and peace. Yet, HE has given me my family – that is my DIRECT mandate from Him.

Secondly, I have to consciously MAKE time to cultivate relationships with those that I love. It seems like everyone is busy these days, and making time to show someone you care is even more important.  Time means so much…

Third, organize yourself. Organize your personal space, your home, and your homeschool. You can be more efficient when you can find what you need to complete a task. Organize your time – use a calendar that you can get to easily and put everything on it! Print out a calendar with important dates and place it on the fridge. Then everyone in the family can be on the same page.

Finally, make homeschooling work for you. Don’t allow homeschooling to be your task master. Yes, there should be goals and objectives and we should strive to help our children learn at their maximum potential… but that can be done without stress and worry! Make your goals, but be flexible to allow life to happen… and enjoy those different seasons of life before they are gone!

Sinfully Good?

My dear husband preached a few weeks ago that sin often starts with a look... well... this one sure did!!! I SAW it this morning, thought about it all day, printed it this afternoon, and tomorrow I will make sure that I get the groceries to make it! Then tomorrow night, I will revel in this sinful slice of dark chocolate... yummy... goodness...

Source: marthastewart.com via Jamie on Pinterest

Camp Fairview 2012

Once again, the kids had a great time at camp. It was such a blessing to see God work in their lives. There truly is no greater joy than to see your children worship God.

They say the craziest things....

Yesterday, my 14 year old daughter and my youngest daughter were swimming in our pool... When the sun went behind the clouds. My older daughter wished the sun would come back out because the water was so cold...and said to my little one..."Why did the sun go away?" My youngest, Chloe proceeded to tell her, " God sits on a chair, and that's what makes the sun." My oldest asked,"Well, where did the sun go?" and Chloe said, "God went to go get something..." Cammie, my older daughter, then asked her what He went to get...to which Chloe replied, "...a corn dog." I'm thinking we may need to do some review of our Bible lessons...

Cami my photographer!!

I know I wrote last time about how fast my children have grown... sure, it's sad sometimes... but ya know... It really is wonderful to watch these young ones grow into amazing adults. Sometimes I just can't believe what nice kids they are... of course, we have our moments- sometimes more than a moment!! but for the most part... they are really great "young" adults. I thank God every day for who they are becoming, the Lord knows my wicked flesh... and if it was left up to me I am sure that I would have messed them up! But God's grace has been so real in my life, and their lives... I am so thankful!

I just thought I'd share the great photos that Camie takes...

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him.

Proverbs 23:24

My Little Ones...

Wow! It is so true... As a young mother many people told me to cherish every moment, because I would blink and they would be grown...this week the reality of that hit home... Over the past two weeks my oldest daughter took her ACT college entrance exams, and my next oldest gave a beautiful recital on the mandolin and violin. How did they get so big so fast? Just yesterday they were playing in mud puddles and cracking eggs on the sofa... These thoughts have made me more aware of how little time we are given with them... I am cherishing every moment...thank you Lord!

Blog Carnival of Homeschooling

Check out this week's carnival of homeschooling!! I have an article in it... see if you can find it!

Click this link...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...belated...

I guess you could say that I have pretty much drowned when it comes to this blog...and... I'm sorry... I have been working on two other sister web sites, and have rather let this one down... To all my readers (the faithful few) I apologize... another New Year's resolution in the works, but I hope to do better! :)

We had a great Christmas. It was absolutely wonderful to visit with family that I hadn't seen in a year and a half. Mom, Dad, brothers in law, and sisters were all a blessing and we had a wonderful time getting reaquainted with our nieces and nephews...

What a blessing family can be...

Thanking God today for faith, family, and friends...

Grace Active

Taken from "The Valley of Vision"

Lord Jesus, Great High Priest,
Thou hast opened a new and living way
by which a fallen creature can approach these with acceptance.
Help me to comtemplate
the dignty of thy Person,
the perfectness of thy sacrifice,
the effectiveness of thy intercession.
O what blessedness accompanies devotion,
when under all the trials that weary me,
the cares that corrode me,
the fears that disturb me,
the infirmities that opress me,
I can come to thee in my need
 and feel peace beyond understanding!
The grace that restores is necessary to preserve,
lead, guard, supply, help me.
And here thy saints encourage my hope;
they were once poor and are now rich, bound and are now free,
tried and now are victorious.
Every new duty calls for more grace than I now possess,
but not more than is found in these,
the divine Treasury in whom all fullness dwells.
To thee I repair for grace upon grace,
until every void made by sin be replenished
and I am filled with all thy fullness.
May my desires be enlarged and my hopes emboldened,
that I may honour thee by my entire dependency
and the greatness of my expectation.
Do thou be with me, and prepare me for all
the smiles of prosperity, the frowns of adversity,
the losses of substance, the death of friends,
the days of darkness, the changes of life,
and the last great change of all
May I find thy grace sufficient for all my needs.

Communication is key!

Throughout life, we run into situations where we don't exactly see eye to eye with others, have personality conflicts, or even hurt by someone's actions. When that happens, humans generally begin avoidance strategies...I know I am guilty of that, too. Who likes confrontations or situations that could get ugly? Yet, time and time again I have found that if I bring the issue to the person it is with and try to talk it over... almost every time communication wins the day. Both parties are able to talk through it, and resolutions can be met.

This is obviously why the Word of God encourages us to do this. The Bible clearly teaches that if we have ought with a brother, we are to go to them. We are not to go to everyone else about it, or avoid them - we are to go to them - and talk it out. Remembering that our speech should always be "seasoned with grace."


Are you struggling with this issue today? Don't be anxious, just follow what the Bible teaches. If you are angry, are hurt, or have an issue with a brother... go and speak with him.

Matthew 5:22-24
²But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
²³Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
²⁴Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

It's Hard to Practice What You Preach...

Wow... isn't being a parent pretty difficult? I'm not too sure I would've signed on for this if I knew in advance what it would require... Just kidding... there probably wouldn't be many parents if they knew how tough it was BEFORE they had kids! I love my children, and thank God for the ways He has used my children to smooth off alot of my rough edges...(there are still so many more to go though!)...but I wouldn't trade them for anything!

Do you ever struggle with practicing what you "preach" in front of your children day in and day out?

I know I do... I am always telling them to be kind... watch what you say to your sister... apologize for being mean...

Sometimes, I stop and think... wow... I need someone to tell ME to watch what I say... and to apologize...

There is just no way that I can ever live what I "preach" to my children... except by the grace of God.

What is REAL Christianity?

The word "Christian" means "follower of Christ" or "ones like Christ." This term was used first in Antioch as the Bible clearly tells us. Today, the terms is so very loosely used to describe anyone who remotely has a connection to Christianity. So, the question on my heart is... are these people that we now refer to as Christians really anything like Christ? Do we use the term far too flippantly? I believe that most "so called" Christians aren't really like the true Christ. Perhaps more like the Americanized Christ that we've reshaped to wink at greed, enjoy entertainment in His house, the Christ who promotes a Christianized version of the American dream, and one who no longer is known for judgement and justice but only for His love.If we will read the gospels and the book of Acts we will clearly see a different version of the Messiah... a far different version than that we have made Him out to be in America.

In America, we think church has to be on a grand scale with a huge chandeliered auditorium. If we go to church, we go to be entertained, not to study the Word of God. Yet, Christ had an inner circle of 12 disciples, a few hundred dedicated followers, and thousands that would come to hear Him... but no building...no fancy speaker system, no band, no chandeliers, no choir, no special music, and he didn't even wear a suit.

We think Christ is happy for our self sufficiency, resourcefulness, and our self reliance. You know, the big house, two cars, 2.5 children...or the big church building, the large crowd, the gorgeous carpentry, the awesome choir...all meant to please us and not God. Where is the sacrifice, the dedication? The Son of Man had only the clothes on His back and even encouraged those who sought to follow Him to sell all that they had and give it to the poor.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not telling you that you shouldn't care for your family, have a job,or that you should be homeless. Yet, there is so much waste in our lives and our churches. I love America and what it was founded on, yet what it has become today is a gross deformity of what it once was. In the process, the church in America has also lost its salt. "Christians" are living lives no different from the unconverted. Our churches are decreasing in number, yet those churches abroad who daily suffer persecution are growing.

So, what is a real Christian? Are you still unsure? Read the book of Acts to find out!

Life in the Fast Lane...

...or at least that is what this feels like.

Each week ticks by like a day...

Each day feels like just a few moments...

What has happened?

Time used to seem like it stood still. Remember waiting for the bell to ring in school? Remember sitting on the porch and being "bored?"

Here's my theory...Somehow, as you get older time begins to speed up. It starts going faster and faster until... well, until you're just plain out of it.

Stand Up For What You Believe In

Ex 20:3-4 Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image...

The 3 Hebrews that were confronted with bowing before King Nebuchadnezzar's image knew these commandments from their childhood. Their convictions were not simply words they had memorized in  school but part of themselves, part of their lives. They could no more bow down to that idol than they could change their eye color. They had convictions that God had etched on their hearts.

Where is that kind of conviction today? In a world full of chaos from our homes to our churches; convictions are passe to us, but they are not passe to God.

What are convictions, you might ask? They are simply the beliefs that you live for... beliefs that you would die for. You see, these core beliefs that God has etched in your heart should become an integral part of who you are... an inseparable part of your character. Standing for what you believe (I'm hearing a veggie tale song in my head right now... :) ) in will make you the person that God wants you to be as well as someone that others can look to as an example of Christlikeness.

You do realize that our story doesn't end there... Those 3 guys stood for what they believed, and they were rewarded. Yes, that's right... they were rewarded by being thrown into a kiln-like furnace that was heated with fire seven times it's usual temperature, bound by cords, and sentenced to death. Yet, God did not let them go alone. The Son of God was there with grace to liberate them in the fire. Their cords were burnt but their clothes and flesh untouched.

Seeing this miracle old Nebuchadnezzar called them out. These men amazingly didn't even smell like the smoky furnace they just came out of. God had so honored their stand for Him that He protected them in the fire.

Thus the message for us in this modern day is to stand for what God has etched in your heart. Nothing on your heart? No real beliefs that you stand for? Oh, dear friend...Jesus has made it possible for us to stand for something - by paying our debt of sin by His sacrifice of Himself on the cross. We are full of sin and cannot stand before a HOLY GOD. He was perfect, yet became sin on the cross in our stead so that we might be washed clean of our wickedness and presented perfect through Christ in the eyes of God. Believe in Him dear friend... and He will fill your heart full of things that you will want to stand for. You'll want to stand for Him because He stood for you... Amazing love... and then when you stand for Him... He'll be right there standing with you!

"God has a way of showing His grace to the world by walking beside us through the trials that we endure." ~D. Dickerson

Daniel 3:28-30
King James Version (KJV)
28Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
29Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.

So, in the end they really did get rewarded!!

Count Your Blessings...

one...two...three...four...five...six...seven...

I've just been thinking...(really...cuz the kids are all in bed and it is finally quiet) of how blessed I am. There are seven precious people asleep in this house that God has entrusted to me. So often, I must admit that I take them for granted. They shouldn't be taken for granted.

I am frequently beset by trying to keep the bills paid, the house clean, the laundry done, and the family fed... that I forget to see what I really am doing all that for. The people... and foremost... the God that blessed me with them. Is that how it is at your house? Have you forgotten why your here? There are times that I sure do... but I am thankful that He sent a gentle reminder to me this evening.

I am going to join my family now, but I pray that tomorrow God will give me fresh insight into the reason why He brought me to this place in my life. I pray I will possess and live the knowledge that my life is for His glory. I can't wait... tomorrow is a fresh new day... "with no mistakes in it."

Top 10 for Busy Mothers

Today I am sharing a post with you that I posted over at momSCHOOL. I have changed it a bit - but I hope there's something there for you! I really love top 10 posts... for some reason they appeal to my  -condense it, and expedite it - source for knowledge!

1) Get organized.  Organize your house, your schedule, your personal time. Maximize your potential by limiting wasted time (email checking, web surfing, internet shopping, etc.) Get rid of things that add stress, and use a calendar. Download your calendar to your smart phone and set it to remind you of upcoming events.

2)Be prepared. Set goals and make a "to do" list. Prepare your grocery list before you leave, and prepare in advance to run all your errands in ONE trip per week.

3)Delegate. Chore lists are awesome. Make sure everyone in the house has some responsibilities.

4) Pay your bills online. This is a super time and money saver. Use your bank's website to pay ALL your bills with one click.

5)Make time for youself. Take an hour of two to do something that you love. Take a bubble bath and read, or sew, or draw something lovely. It will renew and refresh you!

6) Take time for you spouse. You are a team, and you must be together both in mind and spirit. Schedule a date night, go out and have a nice long talk over a meal.

7) Use your crock pot to make delicious homemade meals. Set it in the am and forget it till supper!

8) REST. Look to the Lord to carry your burdens. The Bible tells us that He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Lay your burdens at His feet, and REST in Him.

9)Eliminate things that are not necessary. This means things that are consuming your time, that you don't enjoy or that are really just a waste of time.

10) Just let it go... it really dosen't matter if the clothes get folded immediately after they leave the dryer. The dishes can get washed once a day, and the toys can get picked up before going to bed. Don't stress the little things... enjoy time with your children!

Check it out...Something NEW!!

Behind the scenes around here, I have been working on a couple new projects. Still in its infancy, is momSCHOOL. If you get a chance hop over there and check it out. If you see something that I need to add - or change - Please by all means comment and let me know. I definitely want and really need your input!