Thanksgiving in Many Ways

First of all... I can't believe it has been so long since I posted.  Yikes... it suprised me. 

Secondly, I want to give thanks for the many blessings in my life... even if it is a bit belated.  Sometimes, life just kinda gets you caught up in its whirlwind and you don't even notice that time has just flown by!

I am so thankful for all of God's blessings on my life. I am thankful for salvation for through that Jesus has given me access to my heavenly Father. I am thankful for prayer and the Word of God  - Scripture - the means of grace in my life. I am thankful for a husband that loves me - that WILLS or CHOOSES to love me even when I am so unlovely. I am thankful for the children God has given me - a quiver full - the arrows that I am to shape, form, and aim for God's glory. Psa 127:4 "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth." I am thankful for a home, clothing, and food, for the ability to pay our bills and take care of the children that God has given us. I am thankful for a job, as well as a job for my husband. I am thankful for a church that preaches the truth, worships the Lord, and exhorts the saints of God.

...Thank you Lord for your blessings on me...

Finding Contentment in Difficulties

Contentment is a choice, not a spiritual mystery...
                                                     ... an act of faith.

Faith that God has given all that He wants for us to have at this present time. You ask why would god want me to be in the difficult situation that faces me now? or Why would God let our family suffer in these circumstances? or even Why would He neglect us?

So many times, we (I) waste precious moments asking God to change these circumstances believeing that happiness or contentment will follow, but what we don't see is that God uses these situations to prepare us to be better used by Him.

Can we ever change anything in our lives by desiring or even coveting it? Can a man who wants to be taller add an inch to his stature? Never. Yet we can be content by stepping out in faith and accepting what God has for us as He gives it to us each day. If we adjust our expectations to match HIS SUPPLY - contentment is sure to follow.

I have asked myself these questions this week...

• Do I want more than I can have?
• Do I ask for more than I need?
• Do I strive for more than I can do?
• Do I expect mroe than God promises?

Sadly, I had to say yes to some of these... I am praying that God will help me to expect only what HE GIVES... and thus experience true contentment.

The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places: yea, I have a goodly heritage. Ps 16:6

Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Proverbs 30:8

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us therewith be content. I Tim 6:6-8

Secrets... and Confessions...

Yes... it's true... I have made a confession.  My dirty little secret is out.  Curious?  Jump on over to this blog that I write for each week and find out!

Generation Misdiagnosed

I was recently reading an article that nearly made my blood boil.  Researchers are now saying that there are nearly 1 million children in the United States that are misdiagnosed with ADHD.  Boy, did I see that coming.  In the early nineties, when I was teaching in school this was so common.  Although our school was a proponent of natural rememdies, I had many children who were treated with ADHD drugs.  Many of them were truly discipline problems even WITH their medication.  Often I could not tell a difference between their behavior on the drugs or off the drugs. (which by the way, leads teachers to suggest higher doses and on and on)  But now, a decade later we are trying to rein in a horse that has run free for way too long. What damage has already been done to the previous generations that are now trying to function as adults?

The other article that I read stated that often the issues associated with ADHD can be resolved with play, "green" time, and excercise.  The studies cited in this article mentioned that children were tested with no play time - with play time indoors - and with  playtime outside.  Which do you think responded better?  I can only imagine that you would answer - play out of doors.  It is so true - children are created to discover, to learn through play, if we take that from them - WE are the ones causing these issues.  Here's the kicker - guess what teachers in schools do to children who are misbehaving?  They take away their playtime - the time they need outside to release their energy - to discover - and to play.  You see, a vicious circle ensues.  Misbehavior, no play time, more misbehavior, teacher diagnoses child as ADHD, child put on medication, misbehavior...  What did we do 100 years ago when there wasn't ADHD?

Just go play outside...

Busy, Busy, Busy

Wow...isn't it amazing how exhausted you get when you are constantly going?  This past week has been very crazy... well, crazy good!  We had a youth meeting at church, and then our Bible conference  - along with a family in the church moving across the country, and another moving in. Every day was alot of going, and working... and we are truly exhausted. The children actually slept 11 hours last night. That spoke volumes to me.  They were (with all their amazing energy) as tired as I was!

Through our exhaustion, weakness, and business - God was still so good to meet with us. I can truly say as so many others have before, "a river was running through my soul." We serve an awesome God, that is so good, so loving, and so just.  I deserved nothing - yet he picked me up out of my sin - set my feet upon "the Rock" - and no, He didn't just leave me there - He continues to care for me, love me, and make me more like Him.

So tired... but so blessed!

Carnival of Homeschooling on Homeschoolbuzz

This week's carnival of homeschooling has a lot of great posts. I appreciate these "collections" of helpful and inspiring posts about homeschooling.  Take a minute and read a few... it just may give you a great idea, or inspire you in some way!

Homeschool Blog Carnival

Thoughts from Archibald Alexander 1772-1851

I have been reading an article written over a hundred years ago entitled "Thoughts for Young People." Yes, some of it is outdated, but some of it is ever so relevant... for today... and for me...


Here's a snipet...

Permit me to suggest the following brief rules for the government of the tongue. Avoid talking too much: "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin" (Pr. 10:19). If you have nothing to communicate that can be useful, be silent. Think before you speak ...Especially, be cautious about uttering anything in the form of a promise without consideration. Be conscientiously regardful of truth...Never speak what will be likely to excite bad feelings of any kind in the minds of others. Be ready on all suitable occasions to give utterance to good sentiments, expecially such as may be useful to the young. Listen respectfully to the opinions of others, but never fail to give your testimony - modestly but firmly - against error. "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt...Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers" (Col 4:6; Eph 4:29).