Adventures in Homeschooling... and life!

I have had high fevers around here for nearly 2 weeks. I am talking 103 and 104 degree fevers. Add to this headaches, runny noses, bloodshot eyes, upset tummies, some other yuckiness that lasts about 6 days per child and you get a wonderful formula for the unexpected. This includes late nights and early mornings. Homeschooling this week has NOT gone as I would have planned. It doesn't take much time to figure out that I am not in control. God is! This sure does take a huge weight off my shoulders. I figure if He owns a cattle on a thousand hills, then He's got this. ("For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills." Psalm 50:10)

Do you ever have this? Your plans get totally derailed? In addition to the sickies last night my truck broke down when I was on my way to take Jamie to church for Bible study. Normally I would get angry, but for once, I didn't! Kara Faith definitely taught me how to trust my days to my Creator. I've had 4 of 7 children very sick over the last 2 weeks, derailed plans with homeschooling, and a broken truck, but I'm not worried. God's got this!

Help From the Lord

I don't have any great words of wisdom right now. Life is going by at a recklessly fast pace with lots of crazy diversions. We have one unhappy teenager's car which is broken at the moment and may be quite costly. We would appreciate prayers for a reasonable bill and the ability for said teen to pay it. ;) Chauffeuring an 18 year old around isn't making this mom's life any easier. Hopefully, a lesson will be learned for all of patience and moderation.

In church on Sunday a wonderful young man, David, led worship. He read Psalm 121 and it greatly encouraged me. I thought I would include it here. Enjoy!

Psalm 121--My Help Comes From the Lord

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;

he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.

Hurting and Hope

Sleep is elusive. Between our puking Jack Russell and cute Eden in our bed, I am awake in the wee hours. Since Kara's diagnosis I awake at odd hours and my thoughts click on and I can't seem to turn them off. We are hurting. Hurting and wishing for things that may never be. Hurting for there have been things done and said. Sometimes I don't even know what to do with myself. I have taken it to the Lord in prayer and await His response to my grief, my sorrow, my pain. And I believe He answered with this: "but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Sweet little babies,
it’s hard to understand it ‘cause we’re hurting
We are hurting
But there is healing
And we know we’re stronger people through the growing
And in knowing-
That all things work together for our good
And God works His purposes just like He said He would…
Just like He said He would… (Glory Baby by Watermark)

Coming Late January 2010...

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139: 13-16
Wow! Some days that is all I can say... I choose to focus on the sovereignty of God. He knew all of this, that I would be a mother to so many, before I was born. I think He must have a huge sense of humor because I am really not doing this very well. We need prayers for provision more than ever. Please bless my husband in his endeavors to support our family--especially in this downturned economy and tenuous political time. I am currently 11.5 weeks along. I don't feel too terribly bad. I really could use more help. Too bad Jamie is gone for the summer. He loves to cook and does our family cooking when I am feeling sick. This ultrasound was from my 1st appointment. It looks like Dr. M wants to do another C-Section as it would be my 3rd. Also, please pray that some would have a kind word instead of criticism as my life is more challenging than ever and I don't want to deal with strife and others' negativity right now.

The Long Haul

Graduating our first homeschooler this past week has caused me to think on things. There are 6 dear ones behind her. Currently, my youngest will graduate high school in 2026 and I will be 57 years old. Life is an adventure. God has given me so much! I am richly blessed! At first, I think of the long road ahead. Everyone has been asking me if I am relieved after the graduation. Honestly, I cannot say that I am. I am proud of Celeste's (and my) accomplishment. I am excited for what comes next. I am contemplative. Relieved, no. Thankfully, God's grace is there every day of my life and I can do all things through Him. It is awesome to think on what great things God has for us and what the future holds. I am thinking on this verse today:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

May God's grace be evident to you today and may you lack nothing in Him.

The nature of Jesus Christ

I am currently participating in a Beth Moore bible study called, "Believing God." This particular verse impacted me tonight during my study time.

Colossians 1: 15-17
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (NIV translation--bold print my emphasis)

First of all, let me say that God is Sovereign. He allows the current government that we, as U.S. citizens, are enduring. My concern is that Christians are concentrating too readily on the gloom and doom purported by the media. While this nation's economy (among other things) is not a rosy picture, may I suggest that we can trust God to move mightily during this time in His own way.

Secondly, "all things were created by him and for him." The chief end of man is to glorify God. I am asking myself, "What am I doing on a day to day basis that glorifies Him?" Consider this point carefully and move to meet its challenge.

Third, "in him all things hold together." Hold fast to this statement. In difficult times, in uncertainty, in sickness, in trial, let us hold to God's promises and pray fervently, believing in Him who has the power to accomplish anything. I am letting God hold me together and trusting in the Hope that he has given me for my future. Amen!

Fight the Freedom of Choice Act

Today is the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Please go to Fight FOCA and sign the petition. In addition, get involved and contact your state representative and congressman.

"Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created man in his own image,in the image of God he created him;male and female he created them.
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." Genesis 1:26-31

The beauty of a quiet spirit

God spoke to me today. He told me to be quiet (silent, actually). This was in regards to a matter of heart that I am having. If you know me, you know that is very hard for me to do! In being obedient to Him, I saw immediate fruit from my action. God is so good! After bringing 7 children into this world, my brain can be mush, so the Lord was so good to lead me to scripture, too. 1 Peter 3:1-7 is scripture that challenges us to be better wives and helpmates to our husbands. This is always a good thing. Marriage and parenting is a sanctifying process. Sanctification can feel like trial by fire sometimes, but I am reminded that I am always to glorify Him in all things. (Even when being quiet is the last thing I want to do!) My hope is that this verse blesses you. It is confirmation of God's amazing love. That He would not leave me, but be there and encourage me in the smallest of life's happenings.

"but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:4

Recents

On Sunday, our family television stopped working, but luckily Stu's dad had an extra one laying around. It can be a useful tool--especially when one wants to take a shower! Then, less than 24 hours later, my oven pooped out on me... I was making fish sticks for the kids for lunch. That's kind of hard to do when you open the door to cook them and it's cool as a cucumber! Luckily, we only needed a new baking element which was $40. Hubby picked one up. Yay! Celeste is having issues with one of her grades from college. We're trying to get that ironed out. Jamie has been sick with a cough and had a fever all weekend. He is a bit better with no fever, but Dan, Max, & Tommy now have fevers. Oh well! That's our week, so far! I know it will get better.

Also, Stu's mother, Sara, is still in ICU. She may move to Hospice soon. Please pray for her. Thank you!

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thess. 5:16-18

Low Places

A "picture thought" I'm sharing with you...

Max feeding Joshua. He's a good big brother.

Being transparent...I'm feeling quite down right now. My life has many huge mountains and I can't see the other side at all. It's an effort to just get through the day. I'm trying to think on this verse today: "And those who know your name put their trust in you,for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10

Revelation

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Rev. 7:16-17

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Rev. 21:4

Two good songs that inspired me today: No More Pain by Point of Grace and Lean on Me by Kirk Franklin...

Fewer words

Me babywearing Joshua.
Josh peeks out of his sling.

It has been a busy week here. What week is not? There's been football games, church events, homeschooling, appointments, but best of all is a ladies' fun night tonight and I get to be with the big people. Yay! At times I just need a break. Tomorrow I'm going to do some scrapbooking, too. Life is...well, life--right now. Not too much I can say about that. Phil. 2:14 says, "Do all things without complaining or arguing..." That pretty much sums it up and it's what I'm trying to do. So, lately, I'm a woman of fewer words. Life is challenging. Thank goodness there's Jesus!

Fay

The hazards of living in Florida... Tropical Storm Fay is brewing over us. She is marching very slowly across the state and will pass directly overhead during the night hours. We have been waiting for this thing all week. It's about time! Jamie was out of school today and he will be tomorrow, too. (They use the schools for shelters, if needed--for those of you not living in hurricane land.) Too bad I'm not in college anymore...I could have a hurricane party, or in this case, a tropical storm party, ha ha! We'll have to play games tonight and I'll get to snuggle with my hubby. We're not going out. Having Cheesy Rigatoni for dinner. YUM! Check my recipe blog for that recipe. It's our favorite. See you on the "other" side of the storm.

"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." Matthew 7:25

Psalm 100

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations."

(ESV translation)

Renewing our strength

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the Everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40: 28-31

Please join me in praying for Nattie, a fellow member of Women at Home (sidebar). She has inoperable stomach cancer, is a single mother of 2, and needs your fervent prayers.