Today is going to be a day of running on coffee. Ms. Kathryn came down with a fever right before bed last night. Of course that meant she had a difficult time sleeping, so she slept most of the night with me holding her. I was really praying she would wake up fever free, instead she woke up with a fever higher than during the night.
She is so good natured, even when she is sick and not feeling well. The big challenge is just trying to homeschool the boys when I have a cling-on. It's a good thing she is still light enough that she can still fit in her sling which allows me free hands.
Hopefully we can get outside for some fresh air later. It is suppose to be in the 60's today. I am so ready for nice weather. Winters are getting harder and harder to get through each year.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
It's not a circle it's an oval
As we were doing math this morning I was giving Tannin directions and I mistakingly said, "Draw your marks inside the circle." With a serious little face he looked at me and said, "It's not a circle, it's an oval". He was right, it wasn't a circle, it was an oval.
Tannin's correction this morning was minor and easy to accept. However, it isn't always so easy to accept a correction when we are wrong. Sometimes we let pride get in the way, rather than see our error and apologize if necessary, we become defensive and escalate the situation.
Learning humility is a difficult lesson but one that we will reap many benefits and blessings from, especially as role models to our children. It's ok and I believe even important that our children see we that are not perfect. Maybe even more important is they see their parents admit to their mistakes, seek forgiveness when needed, and strive to do better.
As parents we often find ourselves living the motto "Do what I say, not what I do." Maybe we should instead live by the motto "Seek what I seek, and strive for what I'm striving for".
Tannin's correction this morning was minor and easy to accept. However, it isn't always so easy to accept a correction when we are wrong. Sometimes we let pride get in the way, rather than see our error and apologize if necessary, we become defensive and escalate the situation.
Learning humility is a difficult lesson but one that we will reap many benefits and blessings from, especially as role models to our children. It's ok and I believe even important that our children see we that are not perfect. Maybe even more important is they see their parents admit to their mistakes, seek forgiveness when needed, and strive to do better.
As parents we often find ourselves living the motto "Do what I say, not what I do." Maybe we should instead live by the motto "Seek what I seek, and strive for what I'm striving for".
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Romans 8:28
So many times I've told others going through difficult circumstances that our God is an amazing and incredible God and that what Satan means for evil, if we allow Him, our God will use for His good. I have clung to Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose". With all the evil and bad things that happen in this world it is so incredible to have hope and faith in our Heavenly Father that He can work good through ALL things; not just some, but all.
I think the hardest part of believing in Romans 8:28 is we aren't always allowed a heavenly view of these circumstances while on this earth. Sometimes the answer is apparent and immediate, other times we may wait days, months or even years before see His plan and some of us may never see the plan until we get to Heaven. But beloved can you imagine seeing it for the first time without the blinders of this earth, but to see it from the Holy's eyes. While it may at times be difficult to wait and to suffer on this earth we have to remember that this life is temporary and His peace and strength will sustain us through the most unbearable of situations.
I'm often reminded of the story of a mission named George Smith. George had been in Africa for a brief time when due to violent circumstances was forced to return home. He left behind one saved woman and intended to return but died before he was able. Years later a group of missions discovered the area George Smith had been. They not only found a copy of the Scriptures George had left behind but they met the saved woman and through the providence of God they discovered more than 13,000 saved men and women. Imagine the view George had from the heavenly's as he saw what his circumstance produced. What he must have viewed as failure on this earth our Heavenly Father used to bring thousands into His arms.
Recently while working on homework from Esther, a Beth Moore study I'm currently involved in, I felt that God was showing me exactly how He has taken something that Satan meant for my destruction and is using it to further His kingdom. I've never been able to see any good come from the Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) that Drew suffered. I've trusted God and I've given it to Him and asked Him to use it for good, to glorify Him. I always assumed that someday I would speak to young parents about the dangers of SBS or work with families who have been victimized by SBS, and maybe someday I will, however I've recently seen just how God has used this to glorify Him. We are a Christian homeschooling family because of Drew's injury.
Due to the difficulty Drew has had in the public education system we felt after years of prayer that God was calling us as a family to homeschool. At first I thought I was hearing Him wrong, but before long it was undeniable that this crazy notion was not so crazy after all but a call from God. So we are not only educating our children in the basics of math, language arts, science and so on, but we are daily educating them about God. It is so incredible to watch them grow and to know that God is guiding us and is going to use this homeschool opportunity to raise up hearts for Him. Our God is an amazing and incredible God.
I think the hardest part of believing in Romans 8:28 is we aren't always allowed a heavenly view of these circumstances while on this earth. Sometimes the answer is apparent and immediate, other times we may wait days, months or even years before see His plan and some of us may never see the plan until we get to Heaven. But beloved can you imagine seeing it for the first time without the blinders of this earth, but to see it from the Holy's eyes. While it may at times be difficult to wait and to suffer on this earth we have to remember that this life is temporary and His peace and strength will sustain us through the most unbearable of situations.
I'm often reminded of the story of a mission named George Smith. George had been in Africa for a brief time when due to violent circumstances was forced to return home. He left behind one saved woman and intended to return but died before he was able. Years later a group of missions discovered the area George Smith had been. They not only found a copy of the Scriptures George had left behind but they met the saved woman and through the providence of God they discovered more than 13,000 saved men and women. Imagine the view George had from the heavenly's as he saw what his circumstance produced. What he must have viewed as failure on this earth our Heavenly Father used to bring thousands into His arms.
Recently while working on homework from Esther, a Beth Moore study I'm currently involved in, I felt that God was showing me exactly how He has taken something that Satan meant for my destruction and is using it to further His kingdom. I've never been able to see any good come from the Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) that Drew suffered. I've trusted God and I've given it to Him and asked Him to use it for good, to glorify Him. I always assumed that someday I would speak to young parents about the dangers of SBS or work with families who have been victimized by SBS, and maybe someday I will, however I've recently seen just how God has used this to glorify Him. We are a Christian homeschooling family because of Drew's injury.
Due to the difficulty Drew has had in the public education system we felt after years of prayer that God was calling us as a family to homeschool. At first I thought I was hearing Him wrong, but before long it was undeniable that this crazy notion was not so crazy after all but a call from God. So we are not only educating our children in the basics of math, language arts, science and so on, but we are daily educating them about God. It is so incredible to watch them grow and to know that God is guiding us and is going to use this homeschool opportunity to raise up hearts for Him. Our God is an amazing and incredible God.
Monday, March 1, 2010
He's waiting
Where is God? I cried out to Him, I opened His book and read it, I even went to church. Why didn't He answer me? Where is this peace He promises?
I knew who He was because I grew up in a Disciples of Christ church, was dedicated as a baby, went to Sunday School, Youth group, was baptized; I knew all the stories, knew what it meant to be saved - but I never lived it. It was kind of like saying that I know tylenol will relieve my headache and then taking a skittle instead.
But back to the beginning, even though I'm not sure when the beginning started. I had been unhappy for as long as I could remember. I never liked myself, I felt like I always messed things up and made people mad more than happy. I guess I never really felt loved. Don't hear me wrong, I was loved, I just never felt loved.
Growing up was hard for me. I wasn't comfortable in my in own skin so it was almost impossible to be comfortable or happy anywhere I was. I had never fit in much at school. I had a few friends that I associated with, but was never really close to anyone. My home life was difficult, Dad and I fought a lot. He loved me and showed that love the only way he knew how - he provided for me and his discipline consisted of a strong hand and belt. I never saw love in that. The more I desired his approval the less I felt it was there.
In 5th grade I felt the best way to cope and find control in my life was through the identity of bulimia. I was fortunate that my eating disorder was discovered early and my parents put me in St. Francis hospital for 3 months of in-patient treatment and then 3 months of out-patient treatment when I was in the 6th grade. From that point on it felt as if my life spiraled out of control. By the time I was in high school I continued making destructive choices. It was as if I went from one thing to the next, always hurting myself and those close to me in the process.
When I was 16 I found myself pregnant with my oldest son, Dakota. Dakota was born October of my senior year. Despite having a baby my senior year I maintained a job and a high GPA. I was fortunate to be able to keep him and graduate high school with my classmates. While things looked like they were good inside I was dying.
When I was 20 my life literally changed over night. I was married, Dakota was 2 and Drew was just a few months old. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in May when Drew had a seizure and quit breathing. To make a long story short after weeks of testing I was told by a callused Dr. that my baby was a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome. He had 3 major brain bleeds, a fracture in his wrist and rib and blood on his retinas. Not only was Drew's future unknown but my now ex-husband was the likely suspect.
Over night my children were taken from me, I was told that the man I had vowed to spend my life with had abused our son and because my mom was their foster parent I couldn't be within 500 feet of her when she was with my children. I was utterly alone and very depressed. I wasn't sure that life was worth living. Mom would call and Dakota would be crying and begging me to come get him and all I could say is "Mommy can't" and I would cry myself to sleep.
I begged God to give me peace. I promised Him everything I had if He would just give me peace, and yet it never came. It took me a year to get full custody of my boys back. And during that year I felt more distant than ever from God, I started to question if He was really out there.
But there was this strange feeling that he was pursing me. I can't fully put my hand on it now anymore than I could then. I just had this sense even as I doubted His existence that He was patiently waiting for me, longing for me to come back to Him and be in relationship with Him.
I eventually started going to church again; reading my Bible, doing book studies and asking our Pastor a gazillion questions. Over the last 4 years my faith has grown at an exponential rate. Today I have a faith that brings me an overwhelming peace and a personal relationship with God that is more real than anything I have ever known. My life isn't always easy and it is far from perfect, but through my relationship with God I am changed forever. I never want to go back to living a life without Him in control.
Even after I discovered that relationship and felt His presence in my life it always bothered me why when I cried out to Him I didn't feel Him so many years before. During a nightly Bible study a few months ago God answered this lingering question for me. I was reading First Samuel chapter 1.
The gist of the story is that Hannah was childless, and she prayed and asked God for a son. She promised God that if He gave her a son, she would give the child back to Him when the child was weaned. When God searched Hannah's heart He knew her to be faithful and true and blessed her with a son, Samuel. And when Samuel was weaned she gave him back to God and Samuel worshiped God.
Wow, that is powerful. As a mom I can't even imagine how hard that must have been for Hannah to leave Samuel at Shiloh. And then I thought back to when I asked God for peace and all the promises I made Him. And I knew instantly that when He searched my heart He knew that I was not faithful and true. He knew that I didn't want a relationship with Him, I just wanted a quick fix.
He never left me, He was there all along, I was the one that was absent. I didn't want to to change my life; I just wanted an easy out. It wasn't God who failed me; it was me who had failed God.
I don't know where you are on your spiritual walk, but what I do know is where God is. He is right there next to you. He is waiting for you to give yourself to Him no strings attached. Not so He can fix your problems, but so you can experience the greatest, most true relationship you will ever know.
He'll take every step but the last one. But don't think you can just give Him the leftovers, or the easy parts of your life. He wants it all, the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. He's never left, He never will and He'll never force you to choose Him.
You may be able to fool those around you, but you'll never fool God. Is your heart of this world, cause if it is you won't clearly hear His voice. Stop and listen, God is calling your name. Will you answer?
I knew who He was because I grew up in a Disciples of Christ church, was dedicated as a baby, went to Sunday School, Youth group, was baptized; I knew all the stories, knew what it meant to be saved - but I never lived it. It was kind of like saying that I know tylenol will relieve my headache and then taking a skittle instead.
But back to the beginning, even though I'm not sure when the beginning started. I had been unhappy for as long as I could remember. I never liked myself, I felt like I always messed things up and made people mad more than happy. I guess I never really felt loved. Don't hear me wrong, I was loved, I just never felt loved.
Growing up was hard for me. I wasn't comfortable in my in own skin so it was almost impossible to be comfortable or happy anywhere I was. I had never fit in much at school. I had a few friends that I associated with, but was never really close to anyone. My home life was difficult, Dad and I fought a lot. He loved me and showed that love the only way he knew how - he provided for me and his discipline consisted of a strong hand and belt. I never saw love in that. The more I desired his approval the less I felt it was there.
In 5th grade I felt the best way to cope and find control in my life was through the identity of bulimia. I was fortunate that my eating disorder was discovered early and my parents put me in St. Francis hospital for 3 months of in-patient treatment and then 3 months of out-patient treatment when I was in the 6th grade. From that point on it felt as if my life spiraled out of control. By the time I was in high school I continued making destructive choices. It was as if I went from one thing to the next, always hurting myself and those close to me in the process.
When I was 16 I found myself pregnant with my oldest son, Dakota. Dakota was born October of my senior year. Despite having a baby my senior year I maintained a job and a high GPA. I was fortunate to be able to keep him and graduate high school with my classmates. While things looked like they were good inside I was dying.
When I was 20 my life literally changed over night. I was married, Dakota was 2 and Drew was just a few months old. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in May when Drew had a seizure and quit breathing. To make a long story short after weeks of testing I was told by a callused Dr. that my baby was a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome. He had 3 major brain bleeds, a fracture in his wrist and rib and blood on his retinas. Not only was Drew's future unknown but my now ex-husband was the likely suspect.
Over night my children were taken from me, I was told that the man I had vowed to spend my life with had abused our son and because my mom was their foster parent I couldn't be within 500 feet of her when she was with my children. I was utterly alone and very depressed. I wasn't sure that life was worth living. Mom would call and Dakota would be crying and begging me to come get him and all I could say is "Mommy can't" and I would cry myself to sleep.
I begged God to give me peace. I promised Him everything I had if He would just give me peace, and yet it never came. It took me a year to get full custody of my boys back. And during that year I felt more distant than ever from God, I started to question if He was really out there.
But there was this strange feeling that he was pursing me. I can't fully put my hand on it now anymore than I could then. I just had this sense even as I doubted His existence that He was patiently waiting for me, longing for me to come back to Him and be in relationship with Him.
I eventually started going to church again; reading my Bible, doing book studies and asking our Pastor a gazillion questions. Over the last 4 years my faith has grown at an exponential rate. Today I have a faith that brings me an overwhelming peace and a personal relationship with God that is more real than anything I have ever known. My life isn't always easy and it is far from perfect, but through my relationship with God I am changed forever. I never want to go back to living a life without Him in control.
Even after I discovered that relationship and felt His presence in my life it always bothered me why when I cried out to Him I didn't feel Him so many years before. During a nightly Bible study a few months ago God answered this lingering question for me. I was reading First Samuel chapter 1.
The gist of the story is that Hannah was childless, and she prayed and asked God for a son. She promised God that if He gave her a son, she would give the child back to Him when the child was weaned. When God searched Hannah's heart He knew her to be faithful and true and blessed her with a son, Samuel. And when Samuel was weaned she gave him back to God and Samuel worshiped God.
Wow, that is powerful. As a mom I can't even imagine how hard that must have been for Hannah to leave Samuel at Shiloh. And then I thought back to when I asked God for peace and all the promises I made Him. And I knew instantly that when He searched my heart He knew that I was not faithful and true. He knew that I didn't want a relationship with Him, I just wanted a quick fix.
He never left me, He was there all along, I was the one that was absent. I didn't want to to change my life; I just wanted an easy out. It wasn't God who failed me; it was me who had failed God.
I don't know where you are on your spiritual walk, but what I do know is where God is. He is right there next to you. He is waiting for you to give yourself to Him no strings attached. Not so He can fix your problems, but so you can experience the greatest, most true relationship you will ever know.
He'll take every step but the last one. But don't think you can just give Him the leftovers, or the easy parts of your life. He wants it all, the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. He's never left, He never will and He'll never force you to choose Him.
You may be able to fool those around you, but you'll never fool God. Is your heart of this world, cause if it is you won't clearly hear His voice. Stop and listen, God is calling your name. Will you answer?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
New School Room
Well Drew and Tannin had been wanting to sleep in each others rooms every night so I finally decided that I would put them together in Drew's room and make Tannin's room a school room. It was a long process last weekend but it is almost complete. Saturday we will get the table to go in there and then we will be able to use it as our official school room. The kids seem to be really excited about it. It is so fun to see them excited about learning. They are already spending a lot of time in there with the books and learning toys.
We've also been looking at curriculum for next year. We have decided that what we are using this year isn't working for anyone. After much thought and prayer we have decided to go with My Father's World. I'm really excited about it because I think it will give the boys more opportunities to do stuff together as well as to do more hands on and less of the mundane paper and pen exercises.
One of the greatest joys of homeschooling is the ability to be flexible and try new things. I've never been so excited for a new school year to start, but it is safe to say I'm anxiously awaiting next August!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Do not be afraid
As my appointment with the endo approaches tomorrow morning I would normally be afraid right now. Preparing myself for the worst, anxiously awaiting the news that would change our lives forever. And yet I'm not. I know that when I lay down tonight I will sleep sound and will go to Champaign tomorrow and regardless of what I find out I know that I will be fine.
God has surrounded me with His peace in so many ways. Through friends and family, through His word, through our quiet times together and through the Esther study. In fact Esther was postponed last week because of the weather so our message last night came a week late. But the message is very clear, "Do not be afraid, I am in control". Knowing that He is in control and believing that He is in control are two very different things.
Do you know what the most repeated command in the Bible is? Most people guessed it had something to do with loving our neighbors or be kind to one another, surely it has something to do with the 10 commandments. Actually it doesn't, the most repeated command in the Bible is "Do not fear/be afraid". God says this hundreds of times in both the Old and New Testament.
I don't think that God is saying we should never be afraid, but I do think that He is saying that we should not let our fears rule our lives. Beth Moore had an awesome fill in the blank lesson last night. If _________, then God. Take whatever fear is ruling you and put it in that blank. Nothing you can come up with can trump God. We serve a mighty and good God that cares for us so profoundly that over 2000 years ago He stepped down from His throne to not only be with us but to save us. No matter what fear you have God will provide the strength and the courage needed to overcome it.
I personally never realized what a stronghold the evil one had on me when it came to my fear of something happening to me and leaving my children without a mother and my husband without a wife. But by saying If I die, then God, it puts it into a perspective that I can manage. I know that my God loves me and cares for me enough that even if I got the worst possible news He would carry me through and would provide a way for my family and I. He must have known that we would have a lot of fear ruling over us, so much that He tells us over and over and over, "Do not fear/be afraid".
God has surrounded me with His peace in so many ways. Through friends and family, through His word, through our quiet times together and through the Esther study. In fact Esther was postponed last week because of the weather so our message last night came a week late. But the message is very clear, "Do not be afraid, I am in control". Knowing that He is in control and believing that He is in control are two very different things.
Do you know what the most repeated command in the Bible is? Most people guessed it had something to do with loving our neighbors or be kind to one another, surely it has something to do with the 10 commandments. Actually it doesn't, the most repeated command in the Bible is "Do not fear/be afraid". God says this hundreds of times in both the Old and New Testament.
I don't think that God is saying we should never be afraid, but I do think that He is saying that we should not let our fears rule our lives. Beth Moore had an awesome fill in the blank lesson last night. If _________, then God. Take whatever fear is ruling you and put it in that blank. Nothing you can come up with can trump God. We serve a mighty and good God that cares for us so profoundly that over 2000 years ago He stepped down from His throne to not only be with us but to save us. No matter what fear you have God will provide the strength and the courage needed to overcome it.
I personally never realized what a stronghold the evil one had on me when it came to my fear of something happening to me and leaving my children without a mother and my husband without a wife. But by saying If I die, then God, it puts it into a perspective that I can manage. I know that my God loves me and cares for me enough that even if I got the worst possible news He would carry me through and would provide a way for my family and I. He must have known that we would have a lot of fear ruling over us, so much that He tells us over and over and over, "Do not fear/be afraid".
Monday, February 8, 2010
Thank you Dana @ Except for Mondays for this fun award. I love your blog!!
7 (interesting) facts about me:
- I gave my life to Jesus Christ and am blessed through Him everyday.
- I love homeschooling my 4 children even though people look at me like I've lost my mind (and sometimes ask me that) when I tell them about it.
- I haven't bought a new out from a department store for me in over 3 years. I seem to only shop at Goodwill or will occasionally buy a clearance shirt at Old Navy.
- I am starting a juice fast today. They are good for physical and spiritual needs. I'm looking for both.
- I hate strict schedules. I have a hard time sticking to plans they usually change at least 3 times. It drives those around me insane.
- I have a passion for people. I love people and desire to make a difference in others lives.
- I hate materialism. The happiest people I know are blessed with family and friends and could care less about keeping up with the Joneses next door. The trouble with the rat race is even if you win you are still a rat.
- Dana @ Except for Mondays (I know you nominated me but I LOVE your blog)
- Dana @ Gateau - Cakes by Dana
- Olive Jude @ Jude's Blog
- Pastor David @ Your Pastor Dude
- Wendy@ The Short Story
So here's what you need to do:
- Thank the person who nominated you and copy the award in your blog
- Link the person who nominated you for this award
- Share seven interesting things about yourself
- Nominate seven fellow bloggers and add the links to their blogs
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