Our New Homeschool Blog

Kingdom Academy is up and running. Check out my new design by clicking the button below. It was created by Judi at Doodlebug Designs. There are still a few typos on a few of my entries but the last week has been so hectic I haven't had the time to fix them.



Thank-you all for the prayers for my brother. He is doing better physically but mentally and spiritually please continue praying for him. I want to see him FREE and serving the Lord with all his heart soul and mind!

Happy Birthday Sky

I'm thankful that we celebrated her birthday last night in between runs to the hospital. Today there would not have been time. God knew. He was prepared. He took perfect care of things.

I just wanted to say, Happy 13th baby girl!!!

Prayers needed

My brother was driving one car and a 17 yo girl the other. There is a place down the road from me where there is a weird hill. Coming from one direction you sort of pop up over the hill and there is no way to see if someone is turning right past the hill. Coming the opposite direction all you can see is the hill, you can't even see head lights at night. My brother was turning the girl was coming over the hill and they hit head on.

They had to cut my brother out with the jaws of life. They air lifted both of them to an equipped hospital. The accident happened around 9:30 Sunday night. The airlift location here just happens to be in my back yard *literally*. I did get to be with him before they got him on the helicopter.

My brother's most severe injury thus far is facial lacerations. He had to have around 7 hours of surgery with a plastic surgeon. He is awaiting an examination from the ENT to look at his nose. The great news is that there is no brain contusions, bumps, swelling or bruising and his neck, spinal cord, back, lungs and stomach are fine.

I spent time with him before he went into surgery. Let's just say the whole ordeal was shocking and draining.

God's hand has already been seen in this many times. The fact that she came out with minor bruises and abrasions is a miracle! My brother too is a living miracle. There have been many accidents and deaths at this location and we are praying that the county will step in and DO something to make this area safe.

Pray that my brother's face and body continue to heal and pray the same for the other victim. Pray that the Lord keep His hand upon my brother leading him closer to Jesus.

Catching Up

Our thanksgiving was a wonderful but oh soooooo busy. We left on Tuesday and went to my mother in law's. Thursday we went to my mom and dad's. We had a wonderful time, then we left and headed once again back to my mother in law's. My father and mother in law just aren't able to do what they once could, so the girls, dh and I stepped in and done chores, cleaning and the cooking. We celebrated thanksgiving on Saturday and didn't return home until late Sunday.

I was so wore out. It was exhausting hours and work but we had such a wonderful time. We managed to get our school done this week, you can view details here at Kingdom Academy, we cleaned our home and put up our Christmas tree. Oddly enough, we needed a tree this year but funds just aren't there. I had purchased Meadow a little pink tree for her room a month or so ago and we all decided to put it out and prayerfully catch a nice tree after Christmas on clearance! So we have a pink Christmas tree!!!

Are you ready for Christmas? I can't believe there only 18 more days! I'm no where near ready. I have barely anything done but this year will be smaller than most. That isn't neccessarily a bad thing. We have so much to be thankful for. The girls haven't really asked for much. That makes it hard. It's funny because in years past I've always felt overwhelmed with their lists, knowing I'd never be able to fill them all, but this year, with them asking for nothing it makes it hard on a mom to know what to get!

I'm trying to slow down. The one thing I do not like about this time of the year is the busy-ness of it. I want to embrace every moment with my family. I want to have nights that we can actually spend together. I do not like it when we over commit ourselves and HAVE to be somewhere every night of the week. To me Christmas is a time for family to be together, especially your own. Mom and dad and their children. Family is important. Don't you agree?

I haven't had a lot of energy, I'm a little worn out so this weekend I stayed in. It's been nice to have the time to sit, to think, to read and do the little things that needed to be done. I also got a lot of much needed rest.

Friday night, Heaven, Sky, Jessica (Sky's friend) and I all piled up in my bed and watched a movie called The Family Stone. We ate popcorn, Hershey's, Kit Kats, Twix bars, Milky Ways, Gobstoppers and Twizzlers. (Just for the record, I don't like Twizzlers) There is some language and issues in the movie and I'm not implying in any way its Christian but it was very good. We all laughed so hard, only to be left in tears at the end. This is one of my favorite movies. It was the most fun I've had since I can remember! I love girls night!

Meadow and her friend Christopher watched the new American Girl Movie called Kit Kitteredge, while enjoying the same treats we had. I watched it with her again later and I can say this is a movie to recommend. It really touched Meadow. It was about the depression and how people lost their homes and such. It opened her eyes to the economy, how we have bills, and I believe it helped her to have a better understanding of material things. She asked me if I would *let* her have a typewriter and I said, "Well, would you want one?" And she said, "Not if we don't have the money." I thought those were precious words. It was impacting. If you haven't seen the movie, do!

Give Away at Sheltered Not Shattered

This give away is also for a pair of Polliwalks hosted by Margot at
Sheltered Shop. Go on over and join the fun! You'll find lots of goodies at her place. :)

(Did I say Meadow really wants these shoes?!?)

More giveaways

Gina at:





is doing another fabulous giveway! I have already won a creative artsy clip board set from Margot at the Sheltered Shop. Thanks Gina!

Among other great giveaways, Gina is giving away a pair of Polliwalks. I had never heard if them before but Meadow seen them and it was love at first site! Now she is insisting on a pair! Check out Gina's place for great things!

Another Give Away at Clan McLeod

Gina at:





is doing another fabulous giveway! I have already won a creative artsy clip board set from Margot at the Sheltered Shop. Thanks Gina!

But this next give away takes the cake for me. It's a new blog design by Judi at:





WoW, How generous of these ladies. If I happen to win this one, I'll be using it for a new make over at our ministry blog:






Judi is currently working on a design for my new homeschool blog that I haven't exactly announced yet called Kingdom Academy. You are welcome to pop on over and see what we are all about and I'll be sure to let everyone know when the new design is complete. I'm so excited! If you are in the need of new makeover yourself, be sure to visit Gina for an opportunity to win a new blog design from Judi at Doodlebug Designs!

Blessings From the Lord

Tony came home today and needed to talk to me. The look on his face caused my stomachs to do flip flops. With all the talk of economy and layoffs I've just sort of tried to push it out of my mind. Everytime I read or hear about it I pray but when the thoughts of "what will do?" came I just bound them up. I figured honestly, there was no sense in worrying because that wouldn't fix anything and I've had a lot on my plate lately.

So..Tony's boss man called him to the side and told him he needed to talk to him. He was laying off every driver but 2. He hasn't had to lay anyone off in 15 years. Tony has only been there since May this year, and other drivers have been there for years so Tony pretty much figured he was going to be one of the ones let go. Then his boss man told him that he was one of the 2 he was keeping. What?! Tony is loyal and he lives his faith in Christ and his boss knew that my husband wasn't someone he wanted to lose. God found favor on Tony today and he still has his job. PRAISE GOD!!!!!! He will be on shorter time (4 days instead of 5) but his boss is doing every thing he can to help us out. His boss is even going to give my husband the week of Thanksgiving off, so that can be his waiting week in case he has to let Tony off a week for Christmas, this way he will be able to draw unemployment. (He was going to be off 1/2 that week anyway.) How gracious of his boss to do this!

I'm just moved beyond words.

Thank-you Abba Daddy, for taking such good care of us and for allowing dh to keep the job that brings him home to me at night. I would have been saddened to have lost our family time over the holidays if dh would have had to have gone back over the road. Lord I love you, and there are no words to express my gratitude. I praise You and give You all the glory. I know that You had your hand upon us. I lift up to you all of the families who are going through this, I ask that You lead each employee who was laid off to the right place. Lead them to You Father, and show them You are the Provider! In Jesus name, Amen.

God is in Control

I want to share something that a close friend of mine shared with me last week. I pray that it will help you to view things that happen that we don't understand and often make us question God in a different light.

I have a close friend, she and her husband have three children and are devout Christians. This friend helped to lead me to homeschooling. They struggled to make ends meet like many families with one income do. Things got really bad and she had a choice, her choice was to either go to work so that they could keep their home or continue homeschooling and lose it. At the time I had the hardest time understanding her decision. She chose to continue homeschooling and that they did lose their home.

That was several years ago maybe 4 or 5. She never understood why they had to lose their home, it was such a sacrifice for them. BUT the one thing she knew was that God had called her to homeschool and she could not disobey that call. Last week she called me, she said, "Jen, the Lord finally showed me why we had to lose our home. We found out that another couple bought it and the woman became very sick (just like she and her son had while living there) they discovered that behind the walls of that home, there was thick black mold growing. Had we stayed it might have cost us our lives, and had we discovered it, which I don't think we would have, we wouldn't have had the money to fix it."

I was stunned. Even though it looked so bleak and hopeless to us, and we questioned why God would let them suffer so, I mean they were good Christians and were speaking blessing over themselves. How could this be?

Now we know. He had saved their lives. He required that they suffer a small amount to save them from disaster. He protected them and had their best interest in mind. He knew all along. I wonder how it made God feel to know that we were questioning Him?

What I learned through this was just to trust in His plan no matter what. Nothing takes Him by surprise and if we can remember this through trials and tribulations I believe that this will strengthen us and remind us to praise Him in the storm, to rejoice through trials and persecution.

James1:2-8

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

7x7

I just read about this today at Angie's blog Bring the Rain. I love it when God lines things up in my life. When He is speaking to me or showing me new things they have patterns and I see His focus in many different areas of my life. This week the girls and I have been focusing on praying for persecuted Christians and churches, nations who have no bible to read printed in their own languages, the ministries God is using to provide them with His word, and giving in general, being a servant, giving from your heart, the different ways we can give. Since we have started My Father's World its redirected me and my focus and for that I'll be eternally grateful. We have developed the sweetest habit of starting our homeschool days off with prayers, singing hymns and reading the bible. Our prayer time has gotten longer and longer, I love how when you spend time with the Lord constantly He leads you how to pray more and more. My heart has been praying for the girls more and then I visit Angie and read about her 7x7 prayer. Thank-you Lord for teaching me how to pray. Join us if you'd like, for the prayers visit Angie and grab the button.

A Quilt Give Away

Dana at the Old Red Barn Co. is giving away three quilts and let me tell you they are simply beautiful! Head on over there and check out how to get your chance to enter in!

Food for today

Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long. . . .
Guard my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope is in you. (Psalm 25:4-5, 20-21)

Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil,
to take part in wicked deeds
with men who are evildoers;
let me not eat of their delicacies. (Psalm 141:3-4)

Storm Warrior/Spiritual Soldier

This has been the theme of what the Lord is teaching me lately. I'm trying to slowly absorb all that He is revealing to me because I want it to stick. I'm going to share some of what I'm learning. This first part is actually from a book I'm reading titled "Storm Warrior" by Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda.

Quote

The Prayer of Transformation

Together with our church family, Mahesh and I had gone to see the movie The Passion of Christ. The scenes of Jesus' trial, agony in the Garden, arrest and crucifixion were powerfully imprinted on my mind. As we came home I was overcome with a desire to go to the mountain of prayer. A fresh sense of the depth of God's love lay upon my heart as I recalled Jesus' sacrifice. I went out for a prayer walk.

The night was clear with stars overhead as I turned down the road leading out of our neighborhood. Tears streamed down my face as I was caught up in the reality of the splendor and spectacle of Calvary. My heart was captivated afresh by the intervention of great love that promises ultimate triumph over sin and the grave!

Replaying the scenes of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, I paused on the portrayal of His rising after His prayerful agony. Having folded Himself body, mind and spirit into the Father's hand, it showed Jesus standing and taking a single step. As His sandaled foot met the earth it came down upon the head of a serpent that had been lingering nearby during His travail. The skull of the snake cracked and was crushed under Christ's heel-all because of a simple step on the path of obedience to the Father.

The reality of that power of Christ welled up within me as I walked along. I began to worship Him and pray in my prayer language. The moment I uttered the first sound I could see with spiritual eyes the presence of a mighty gathering army of the Lord's hosts in the air overhead. An army was mustering to the cry of my heart. It was like the story of Elisha and his servant as an opposing army surrounded the city where they stayed. There were two armies, but the servant with natural eyes only saw one. He panicked and though all was lost. But the man of God replied, "No worries!" He prayed that the servant would see with true eyes, and ranks of spiritual warriors of light that had gathered on their behalf came into view: "And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (2 Kings 6:17)

As I walked along praying in the Spirit I, too, beheld them-angels and saints that have gone on to glory all mounted on horses coming from the heavens! They were ready to overturn the forces of darkness on the word of my prayers.

In that moment I realized that I was an ambassador for the Church in this generation. God was listening for the voice of His bride-and was ready to answer when she called! I was a vessel of incense, pouring out many prayers formed in the watches of the night by prayer groups around the world. As I was carried along with a heavenly gathering behind me, I thought of the soldiers serving on foreign fields in the global war on terror. Suddenly I saw a flash of light. I discerned that it shot in an arc from where I was walking over to a military base on the other side of the world where someone dear to us was serving. I felt that the prayers going up for him were being answered and that a breakthrough and time of refreshing was coming. It seemed that many prayers of many watches were suddenly being poured out for answers.

At an intersection in the road I heard the sound of several huge tractor trailer trucks roaring up the highway. I turned to discover that it was not trucks at all. I saw the effects of a fierce wind barreling down the valley toward me. In a moment it was upon me. Leaves and debris intermingled with stinging bursts of rain came from all directions. I could scarely stand in its force. The gusting wind and rain and flying debris seemed the only rebuttal the prince of power of the air could make to contradict prayer being loosed in the name of Jesus and the power of His blood! I began to laugh in triumph in the face of the wind and rain.

I pressed on in the wind storm and realized only later how dangerous that could have been. I was too busy singing Scripture to notice. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because He has anointed me to preach good news!" I sang. "This is the year of the favor of the Lord! This is the day of vengeance of our God!" When it occured to me there was no other person or vehicle out on the street, I wondered if I should turn back. But then I saw something else. Before me in a vision on either side of the sidewalk were two great looming trees. As I moved between them words from the book of Jude came to mind. I saw those trees as symbols of two evils sinking their ideology into the hearts and minds of a new generation of young Americans.

The unction to uproot those trees and deliver the young generation was so strong I called them by name: "You twice-dead trees of perversion and rebellion, I pull you up out of the heart and soul of America by the root." As words from Scripture came to mind I reached out and "uprooted" each of the trees in succession. I bound the powers of deception and seduction rampant in the secular culture invading our college campuses. At that instance there was a huge cracking and crashing sound, and every streetlight for blocks in every direction suddenly went black!

By now I was drenched. With rain whipping my face, I made a "visor" over my eyes with my hands and distinguished a single pair of headlights creeping along the road.

The car stopped beside me. "Mom?" It was our daughter Serah who had come out in the storm to look for me. Grateful to be out of the elements, I got in the car, and as we turned for home I began to tell her about my unusual experience. Just as I was recounting the crashing sound of the trees in the vision, our headlights illuminated an astounding fight. There, lying across the highway, were two gigantic upturned trees. The crash I heard as I "uprooted" the spiritual trees trying to take root in a new generation was the sound of those two enormous trees being ripped out of the ground in the wind!

When we finally reached home I recounted the story once more to the rest of my family. The telephone rang. It was the young soldier I had prayed for when I say the arc of light go to his military base on the other side of the world.

"How are you able to call? What's happening?" I asked. "A little while ago," he said, "the power on the entire military base shut down. We got permission to come outside and use our cell phones while they try to restore power to our station."

I knew that God was giving us a sign to reinforce our belief that prayers in Jesus' name are mighty. They are heard on high. They are attended by angels. They shake things in heaven and change things on earth.

The next morning we went out to see the aftermath of the storm. Blocking the highway lay the two trees, each measuring more than seventy feet in height! In the months that followed we began to see powerful breakthrough and transformation in the lives of young people we had been interceding for. These children of believing parents began to turn away from darkness and back to the Lord and His plan for their lives. The roots of bondage were broken.

Blessed and Broken
Storms in our lives, including the troubling events of our day, are meant for our transformation into the image of Jesus' glory. Pain is not meant to snuff out our lamps; pain is the oil that makes the flame burn brighter. Saint Francis Assisi is quoted as saying,"And in dying, we behold His glory." It is the eternal law of redemption.

Sometimes the breaking is voluntary, as Jesus showed us by laying down His life in obedience to the Father. (skipping to page 113) And there are times to allow God to break us and give us out to others. If you have fasted and rebuked, confessed the Word and persevered and your circumstances have not changed, look again to see how this trial can make you bread for the hungry. When you coorperate with God's breaking, you can smile at your betrayer, welcome him and call him friend. That does not mean that he will destroy you. Rather, the destructive events in life can become the hidden agenda of God to transform us. In all God is "working together for our good."

At the end of his life Paul wrote, "I am already being poured out as a drink offering." The Lord allows storms that break us with a purpose of knitting us closer to Him.

End Quote
Taken from Storm Warrior written by Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda, pages 109-113. This particular story is written by Bonnie Mahesh.

Can we say wow! This story spoke volumes to me. I love that the Lord is so in control. Often times we get so caught up in life that I believe we tend to begin to think that He isn't there, or He isn't helping us, or answering our prayers. BUT He knows, and He has a greater purpose.

My prayer right now is that I can learn to hear His voice clearly. That I can be used by Him. That I will be obedient and not grieve the Holy Spirit. That I can die to myself each and everyday and life solely for Christ.

If this book is something you feel you would like to read it can be purchased here Mahesh Chavda Ministries. I have read The Hidden Power of Speaking in Tongues, The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting and now Storm Warrior. I learned so much from them and hope that one day soon I'll be able to visit their church and hear them bring God's word in person!!!

Homeschooling Week 3 Ending

This week went pretty well. Our work load lowered some from the first two weeks and I have to admit I was very grateful. I kept up but the pace was pretty stout. I had read it would slow after week 2 and week 3 definitely let up. We were able to take Wednesday and go skating with the homeschool group. We all had a really good time.

Our hymns thus far are My Father's World, O For a Thousand Tongues (I added it in early), and My Country Tis of Thee or America as it is also called. We will be adding The Lord is My Sheppard on week 5.

The girls are memorizing James 1:1-8 and I'll test them on Monday. So far they can recite through 5 without stumbling!

We are studying the Indians, England, Spain, Pioneers, the New World and such. The girls actually made wigwams and they turned out really nice. We are reading from several books, including Story of the World 3 (I just ordered the cds so it will cut down some on my read aloud load), Exploring American History, In God We Trust, & Building a City on a Hill.

I didn't think I would enjoy reading pieces of several books but the way MFW ties them all together its like reinforcements and it really sinks in. Plus these aren't boring history facts. I love having them put in somewhat of a story form. I'm learning so much!!! I am also reading Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims and from American Pioneers and Patriots. The girls keep begging for more Squanto and I really like American Pioneers and Patriots. The last book we are adding in is from the Daughters of the Faith series and its called, Almost Home a story about Mary Chilton. Today my voice gave a little from reading so much out loud but I didn't want to stop!

We don't have as much reading everyday, but we do read a lot. That is one of my favorite things, reading aloud, I usually just don't make enough time for it, so I really love how My Father's World has this included in our school day. The three of us pile up on the couch together while I read. Then the girls do an art picture of the person we have studied. I am so impressed with the pictures they are creating. We usually have music once or twice a week while doing art, and this too is another favorite of mine. Not so much with the girls but they are learning a lot about Franz Shubert.

Sky (7th grade) then works on her own completing TT math, IEW, Phonetic Zoo Spelling, and Apologia Science. Of course I'm nearby as she works here in the living room with me. (We schedule all projects and labs with dh in the evening and I make sure to read her science to her after she has read it that day as reinforcement too).

While Sky is working I do Meadow's SSRW or PLL, Spelling and Science and then we are through for the day. I try to encourage Meadow to look through her book basket during breaks but she doesn't show much interest after all of the other school we've done.

I grade Meadow each day and grade Sky at the end of the week, then I read through my lesson plans for the upcoming week and make necessary copies among other preparations and I'm done!

I've never ever schooled this way before. Not ever. I've always been so laid back. Its hard work but I have to admit I'm taking more pride in teaching the girls and we are accomplishing so much more. Our days aren't forced or overloaded, just very full and satisfying.

We finished the entire 3rd week. I feel accomplished.

Things to Live By

Tonight we had our protege class with my Pastor. I really enjoyed it and thought I would share a bit of what spoke to me boldly. These are all in reference to serving our Lord Jesus Christ and being a living sacrifice for Him.

1. Every act of obedience shortens the distance to anything you are persuing.

2. What you fail to master in your life will eventually master you.

3. You will never conquer what you refuse to hate.

4. What you can tolerate you will never change.

5. You will never outgrow warfare, you simply learn to fight.

6. Warfare always surrounds the birth of ministry.

7. Patience is the weapon that forces deception to reveal itself.

8. The atmosphere you permit is the product you produce.

These things really spoke to me. We had a lot of discussion on these and it really helped to open my eyes. I felt very convicted too. The Lord is leading me, I don't know where, but I feel it. He is training me, feeding me, preparing me. I have decisions to make. It's time to move.

Give Away at Clan McLeod

Join the fun in celebrating Gina's 31st birthday!

Learning

(This was written a few days ago, I'm just now blogging it here.)

You know ever since I've made the decision to move on life has just been lighter. I'm smiling and living and thinking about things other than taking my temps and knowing what day it is. I didn't think it would be this easy to move on, but I'm glad it has. It feels like its been a lifetime but in reality its only been 2 weeks. I've been seeking the Lord and asking Him to guide my steps and reveal some of His plan for me. I'm finally to this place where I'm ready for anything. I want His will in my life and not my desires. It has been a prayer of mine for some time and I'm happy to have arrived.

One thing the Lord has been dealing with me on is reading my bible. I read a lot of books, study books by others who have read the word and what they have gleaned from it, daily verses and studies that way but not just opening the word of God and spending that quality time in it you know?

So....the night before last, the house was all settled, much as it is tonight. Everyone sleeping but me, up, not sleepy, and enjoying the temporary silence. So I decided to read the bible. Strangely enough my bible was missing from my bedside. I have several, I keep one in my bible book bag, two by my bed (a KJV and the message) and more in my living room. Well the two I usually kept by my bedside were no where to be found, so I go into my living room to choose one from the shelf. I come across a bible I use to love, one that has commentary from Max Lucado. I bring it back to bed and I pray, asking the Lord to lead me in where to read. I allowed the bible to fall open and I began to read....

I couldn't believe my eyes, what? You've got to be kidding me right? No, I'm afraid not...

I was on the first page of Samuel.

Now you've got to understand something, over the last 5 years I have been in many different churches and services where Hannah was preached. I've been in services where it was spoken over the congregation that any women in the house struggling to conceive would conceive, DO NOT DOUBT, it is coming. I have read Samuel many times, 1st and 2nd. I even went through a period of time that I thought I would actually name my son (if I ever had one) Samuel because it means that I asked God for him. So it was incredibly ironic to me that on this night of all nights, in this time of all times that I would open my bible to this particular scripture.

I began to pray, and I asked God, "What in the world are You trying to tell me Lord?" I laughed out loud. I then spoke to myself and I told myself I said, "Jen, you are in a good place, you are feeling joy and your family is loving having you home, you are NOT going to allow yourself to return and go back down this road. Your Father loves you and would never tempt you, mock you or hurt you, He only wants what is best for you and He is trying to tell you something, so read and don't think too much."

Well that isn't so easy to do but I began reading.

Twice in the first part, the thing that caught my attention was, "The Lord had closed her womb." Twice, I read that.

"Yes Lord, I see, You have closed my womb. Satan isn't robbing me, You are the giver of life and death and You have chosen to close my womb." Wow, I had peace with that. I was actually glad to realize that it truly was the Lord and not the deceiver. I don't have to fight this battle any longer.

I kept reading. The commentary was about not giving up on your prayers. Persistence, persuing continually, no matter how long it takes, pressing in. "God are you wanting me to stay steadfast in this prayer?" I'm not so sure. I didn't feel strongly one way or the other so, I kept reading.

I get to the part where the Lord speaks to Samuel and Samuel not recognizing the voice of God goes to Eli and asked what he wanted. Eli replied, I did not call you. The Lord speaks to Samuel a second time, and Samuel again thinking that Eli had called him rose and asked Eli what he wanted. Again Eli replied, I did not call you. The Lord speaks to Samuel a third time and again Samuel thinks its Eli and again Eli tells Samuel he has not called for him. Eli realizes at this time that it is God who is calling Samuel and he instructs Samuel to reply to the voice of God, "Speak Lord, for Your servant hears."

The Lord gave Samuel some prophecy for Eli about his sons because Eli's sons were vile and Eli had not properly restrained them. Samuel did not want to give the prophecy to Eli because it was so bad. The Lord said their sin could not be atoned for. Eli told Samuel not to hide anything from him or more would come upon him. So Samuel told Eli.

I stopped here and I began to think and pray. I really felt strongly in my spirit that the Lord was trying to speak to me. Much in the same way that He was Samuel, and I like Samuel am not recognizing Him.

So friends, I'm asking you to help me pray. Pray that I will hear and recognize what it is the Lord is trying to tell me. Ask the Lord to reveal it to me, to open my heart, my eyes and my ears that I will not miss it or be turned aside or confused.

I'm excited. Not because I believe its about having a child, but because the Lord is trying to show me something and I want to please Him. I want to be used of Him. I long to please Him. Asking for nothing other than His will for my life.

Speak Lord for your servant hears!

Homechooling Is Going Great

We are using a variety of things. I have several *favorite* things and the first one is My Father's World which is a small unit study that includes Bible, History, Science, Music and lots of read-alouds. We are using Year Four, Exploration to 1850. One of my favorite things about My Father's World this year is that we are studying old hymns and their history, who wrote them and how they came about. We begin each morning singing praises to our King and then move directly into the bible study. We are studying James and doing a lot of memory work. I'm very excited about what I see transpiring in the girls even in such the short time of a two week period.

The first hymn we are studying is actually called My Father's World. It was written by a young man named Maltbie Babcock. We have studied how Maltbie was a very well liked young man, he was very talented in most anything he done, including music and sports. He stood up for what he believed in and he confronted others when their language or behavior was not appropriate. He was very aware of the beauty of God's creation and he spent a lot of time enjoying it. Observing the wonders of this world is how he came to write the song My Father's World.

I had never heard this hymn before and I have very much enjoyed becoming aquainted with it. I found a neat little book called Hymns for a Kid's Heart that includes a great version of My Father's World. In the My Father's World curricula they add a new hymn every two weeks. The girls and I decided to add a new hymn to our studies this week. Meadow chose 'O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, written by Charles Wesley. Charles was also homeschooled, and his mother used the Bible as their text. He wrote over six thousand hymns in his lifetime! I thought it a good idea to go ahead and cover all of the hymns included in this book, even though it only has three of the hymns studied in My Father's World.

Once we finish in prayer we begin our history. I love doing history as a family. I love studying U.S. History. I didn't pay a lot of attention to it when I was in school so I missed out on a lot. The girls don't love it as much as I do but they are learning and remembering so much. They are both creating art pictures several days a week of what we cover that day. They are drawing explorers, ships and other things. These make for a beautiful notebook.

Then we break for lunch and come back to work separately. Sky is using Teaching Textbooks grade 7 for math. It has truly become a huge blessing in our home. She can work completely on her own and the program even grades each lesson for me. You can see examples of how it works by visiting the link. She is using Phonetic Zoo for spelling and this has proved, thus far, to be a wonderful hit. I love finding things that make my job easier and learning more fun for the girls. For science Sky is using Apologia General Science. My Father's World has conveniently created a schedule that makes Apologia General Science easy to implement in our studies.

Sky is also using the recommended curricula from My Father's World for English and Writing. I have another Writing program that I hope to move her into soon but just getting started out I haven't had the time. I will be sure to share when we do.

Meadow is finishing up Sing Spell Read and Write with only a few more steps to go. This program has been my all time favorite for teaching kids to read. Its catchy and loads of fun with the music, games and prizes. We have also moved into Primary Language Lessons and Spelling by Sound and Structure by Rod and Staff. Somedays we have enough time and stamina to complete all of these and other days we alternate. For math Meadow is using BJU Math 2. I used BJU Math with Heaven all the way through school and I love it. However since finding Teaching Textbooks once Meadow reaches the fourth grade level we will be switching over. Teaching Textbooks is just to easy and fun and I have to say the price is much better than BJU's dvds.

I'm hoping to add in God's History of Art and Rosetta Stone Spanish as funds allow. Our days are full and eventful. I feel so accomplished when our work is complete. I praise the Lord for leading us back home and for continuing His work in me. I look forward to sharing more of our days soon!

The Zoo

Our field trip with my dad Wednesday was great. We had a blast and I was very impressed by what the girls learned. I must be a woman of few words today. I'm on a schedule and I only had time to load pictures. Hope you enjoy.

The Play Date

Meadow met a girl while in Christian School that she really bonded with. The little girl was pulled out of Christian School the day before I pulled Meadow. I have ran into her new friends mom several times and the last time we exchanged phone numbers. She called and we set a play date for the girls.

We met at her house this morning at 11 and the girls had a ball. We ate lunch and I got to help care for a little 3 month old baby boy. I think I've made a new friend too! I talked with Meadow's friend's mom for hours. The time didn't cross my mind until it was almost 4 o'clock, wow! So we were late getting home.

It was fun and I look forward to getting together again. :)

Unplanned day

Today instead of schooling as we had planned we attended a funeral. My bestfriends grandmother passed away Friday and today was her funeral. It was so sad. Her grandmother had not been sick, she was still driving herself and was completely in her right mind, which is wonderful that no one had to care for her before she went home to be with our Father, but her death was so out of the blue and unexpected. I think that situation alone, having no time prepare, made it a lot harder. My friend's daddy had passed away years ago and her mom is divorced and remarried. In a lot of ways this was an end to this side of the family for her. We had lunch with her and her family after the funeral and then we went to her house and had a nice long visit. We didn't get home until 7:30 tonight. It was a long day but it was nice to be able to take the girls and be there for my friend. Homeschooling enables you to live more of your life together. Tomorrow we have a play date planned and Wednesday, my dad is taking us to the zoo!

A great school day

It's been a little rough getting back on track. I'm such a planner and being on such short notice threw me a bit but we are getting the hang of it again. Today we finished everything up in record time and we got chores done, the only thing waiting is dinner. Which I'm headed off to take care of now.

I'll share more about what we are using soon, when time isn't so limited.

Today was a good day. I love homeschooling, after seven years it is a part of me. :)

The Valleys are Full of His Grace

The Valleys Are Full Of His Grace

It is not on the mountaintops
of gigantic breakthroughs

where we learn to live for God's glory.

But rather,
it's the valley of the mundane trenches

where we live out our everyday story.

And it's there in the ordinary
that we seek what is higher
and where we humble our hearts before Him.

For it's walking by faith
for our own unique issues

and seeking God as each one begins.

It's learning to pray without ceasing each day

and not giving up when answers don't come.

And it's learning to praise God
through good times & bad
and not just when a victory is won.

It's learning to endure the hardships of life

while realizing they all make you look up.

And it's learning to live with the stresses of the
day while drinking from sovereignty's cup.

It's living with the things that challenge your

beliefs yet cause faith & certainty to swell.

For it's not the " great times"....but rather the

adversities that create the faith-stories we tell.

And we'll never enjoy the breakthroughs and
successes still we've struggled
with every challenge to face.

For there's victory on the mountaintops
to relish for the moment
but the valleys are full of His grace.

(Not sure who the author is.)

Trying to move forward

The Christian school that we had sent the girls to just didn't work out for us. So we are heading back into homeschooling this year. Not at all what we had planned but God knew. I'm waiting on Sky's school to get here so we can begin and Meadow and I are schooling away with what I had on hand from last year. She has new things coming too but I want to finish up where we had left off first.

I'm doing well. Trying so hard to change my focus even though I REALLY do NOT want to. I'm back on my diet and I'm working out and walking. Trying to occupy myself and not think so much about having another child and taking care of the girls that the Lord has blessed me with.

Pray for me to have direction. I want to pleasing to my Father. I can't wait to begin posting about our school days! I'm so excited!

Pain

Last month when the red stain showed I found myself naked on my knees in the shower with scalding hot water pouring on my back, in the dark, while I cried out to God with moans that came from the depths of my soul.

Pain.

Sometimes its so hard to bear.

The door opened and closed, I heard the shower curtain pull back, and my husband stepped in and slid down in the floor, into my darkness with me.

He wanted me to know I wasn't alone.

My oldest daughter is getting married in May.

My middle daughter is turning 13 in December.

My youngest daughter is 7.

I turned 37 last month.

This week my husband, Tony, asked me to wait until today to do a pregnancy test and he asked that we do it together. I don't know why that makes it harder but it does. It's sort of something I've always done alone. Sometimes it feels better to be alone so that you can deal with pain.

I peed in the cup and dipped the test in for 20 seconds. This month I purchased the digital kind that simply reads, "Pregnant or Not Pregnant." No games, no lines, no guessing.

As we laid together in the bed that I had climbed back into surrounding myself with mounds of comfort in my blankets, he asked me if we could pray. Yes, I told him, we can pray. He laid the test aside and He asked the Lord to hear our cry, to answer our prayer.

It touched my heart.

This month was a faith month for me. I've spoken life over my womb almost everyday. Here is a copy of a post that I saved in a draft on day 20.

I just have to confess this, I feel pregnant. I can't explain it but my stomach is feeling anything but normal. I know I'm over analyzing every feeling I'm having but I just had to say it! I feel pregnant!

As I laid in bed listening to my husband cry out to God for us, deep inside, I knew the answer already. I knew it yesterday when I purchased the test. I knew it was pointless but I had to carry on through the motions.

He lifted the test and we read.

Not Pregnant.

Our finances are drained. We aren't going forward with another month. I would if I had the money. I would go to the ends of the earth, no matter what the procedure and no matter what the cost if I could. We just don't have the sources. I will spend the next year or better paying for the treatments we have already had.

I know in my head all I have to be thankful for. But in the moments of despair I do feel as though God hates me.

I read that.

I read it again and I know how untrue it is. I know nothing could be further from the truth. I know His love for me is so great that He sent His Son to die on that old rugged cross to save my soul.

I have prayed for His will to be done and no matter what that is I have to be willing to accept it and move on.

I am most positive in the tomorrows to come I will find joy.

Meadow just came up behind me, clueless as to what I am going through, put her little arms around me, and said,

"Mommy?"

Yes Meadow.

"I love you."

I love you too Meadow.

Those are the sweetest words and I praise God that I get to hear them.

Today, I will have to go through the motions.

I need to focus so that I can Breathe.

Just breathe.

I'm finally feeling better

I'm so glad. Thank-you all for praying!

I'm so sick

I've had a virus since Friday. I spent the day with diarrhea and vomiting, it was severe I might add. Sunday I thought I was better, I was weak but went to church. We had a long good day, but as soon as I got home I knew I had pushed myself too far, my stomach was achin and rolling. I've been up all night again, no rest and very tired.

Prayers are appreciated!

Let me just say this

I Miss Homeschooling!

I'm here

I've just been very busy and honestly haven't had a lot to blog about. I thought I would mention that my sil hasn't asked or let me keep Aiden in two weeks. I was looking at my pictures of him below and I really miss him. I'll bet he's growing up a storm. She mentioned that I may be able to keep him Monday. I hope so. I love having him here. He is such a doll!

The girls are faring pretty well in school. Sky has had a few incidents with two different girls and I have to admit it concerns me. After homeschooling for 7 years I'm in no way use to this and therefore have no experience in how to deal with it either. So far both situations have worked themselves out but I'm not a happy momma. I'm seriously considering bringing them back home the next school year. Of course its too early to be making these decisions now.

Things at church are going really well, I LOVE teaching my class. Tonight they all greeted me with so much love and excitement. They depend on me, and that feels good. They listen to me, and that amazes me! I love sharing Jesus with them. We are getting in gear to start the Christmas program and I'm praying about whether or not to help with this.

How are all of you?

Our Hamster

The day before yesterday I noticed that Sandy (Sky's hamster) didn't have any food in her cage. So I opened her little cage and filled her bowl. I really enjoy giving her fresh fruits and veggies and how some nights she'll eat them out of my hand, but this night I was too tired, so I just filled her bowl and went to bed.

The next day Sky comes to me to inform me that Sandy is missing. She wanted to know if I had accidentally left her cage door open? Oh dear, yeppers, that would be me. I told her that Sandy's food bowl was empty and I was going to lecture her about that and Sky reassured me that she had filled Sandy's bowl that morning and that she was NOT going hungry. Oh dear.

Sooo...Sky pulled out her hamster book and read about how to catch her. The sad news is that they don't offer much hope in finding them. We put food out last night for her in Sky's room. Sky slept with us last night, yep, you heard that right, she slept with US! She was too freaked out by the idea that Sandy might climb the bed covers and sleep with her. So this morning when we enter the room, the food is gone.

Well I guess that is a good sign. At least we know she isn't too far off. Then around 11:00 o'clock this morning, Sky comes and gets dh and I and informs us that she can hear Sandy chewing behind her huge homemade American Girl dollhouse. (Did I mention that dh was totally against getting a hamster?) Of course dh orders us all into Sky's room, he wants this hamster caught! Inside I'm grinning so big. (I'm thinking, "only in my house!")

So I get a peach, um...I'm not sure if hamsters like peaches or not but its the only fruit in the house and I know Sandy loves fruit. Dh gets on one end of the dollhouse and I on the other, both of us armed with fresh pieces of peach.

Sandy goes to dh and takes a bite off of his peach only to run back to the center of the dollhouse where neither of us could reach her. Hmmmm Dh has a brilliant idea of getting the broom, so Sky, (terrified of the hamster) goes to get the broom. I put a small box on the floor, on my end of the dollhouse, with the peach inside and dh take the broom and scoots Sandy out from the other side and PLOOMP, into the box she goes!

Yay!!! We got her. I dumped her from the box back into her cage and made sure I closed the lid. Whew!

The thing is, are we going to keep her?? I don't mind cleaning her cage or feeding her out of my hand, but I can't seem to have enough calm to hold her. Sky is so afraid of her she won't hold her and I don't want Sandy to bite us. Dh of course wants Sandy gone. This episode was too much for him...sooooo

Do any of you ladies want a hamster?

Things went well

thanks for your prayers! I truly felt and appreciate them.

We don't really have any big plans for the weekend. Sunday is my birthday and one of my best friends Kimmie is going to take me to see the new movie,"The Women" I'm so excited! I've watched a trailer of it online and it looks so funny and now is a good time for me to experience some humor. :)

Heaven is on a date with Matt tonight, (which is typical) Meadow is staying with her little friend Nikki, and Sky is in the late process of trying to find a friend to come here since she has the house to herself! Dh is in the bed early. I had a nap so I'll be a night owl again tonight! Ugh, so much for keeping schedules! :)

How about you? Plans for the weekend?

I Covet Your Prayers

tomorrow. 9/26/08 Thanks sistas!

Manic Monday

The girls are doing so well in school. Some days I'm so busy and others it seems I haven't a thing to do. Heaven and I went shopping and found her wedding dress, slip, bra, tiara and veil. I cannot believe my little girl is getting married. I believe earlier this year I was posting about having empty nest syndrome because she was going to be leaving for college. Now she will be attending the local community college for a couple of years before having to transfer out to finish her degree to teach English.

I have been debating what to do with myself, although I'm not 100% sure that I won't be homeschooling again next year, you just never know. I didn't start college at the Christian School as intended because of the classes. I thought it was a program that I could get a teaching certificate and a bible degree in so that I could teach in any Christian School but this one was bible classes only and wouldn't benefit me anywhere but there. I will be substituting though, actually I'll be teaching 4th grade tomorrow. I do love teaching. I wish our church would buy land and build a fully functioning Christian School. (I'm praying)

I have been contemplating going back to school to take the RN program. The thing that gets me is that I'll need at least 3 semesters of math and science before I can even apply to our local nursing schools. It will take me 4 years to finish, and that is if I passed all classes each semester and I passed the HESI test at the end of each semester. Here, even if you pass the semester, if you fail the HESI you must repeat that semester until you pass the HESI. I have a friend that failed the HESI twice and it took her an extra year to finish. That is a long time and a long commitment. Especially due to the high demand. I'm almost 37 and they only accept a limited # of students each year with a portion being given first to those just graduating and those that are already LPNs. I'd hate to take 2 years of prerequisites only to have to wait even longer to get in.

I investigated attending our local Tech College, the one I graduated from before, I could finish a degree in Medical Assisting in about a year. This would be my fastest option but I called several local Dr.s offices and they don't recommend it. In our area MA's aren't hardly used at all and I would have to travel to have a job. I'm an hour away from three different larger cities that would employ MA's so I'm hesitant to go that route also. Pay start out isn't that high either and with gas prices I just don't see the benefit.

Decisions, decisions.

That and trying to plan a wedding. I really haven't a clue where to start. Right now the big question is where? They want an outside wedding and not a typical church wedding so that greatly limits me. Pray the Lord show us the perfect place to hold a wedding in this beautiful county we live in.

Other than that all is well on the homefront. Oh, other than Roxy. She will be one in November and she still is NOT potty trained. She is in a crate and she is being taken outdoors, I also have pee pads down inside and she uses those too, BUT she still continues to poop and pee in the girls bedrooms. I'm getting to my wits end with her. We all spend lots of time with her, we even took training classes and I've read two books. Nothing is working. I've contemplated trying to find another home for her. That breaks all of our hearts but we just don't know what else to do. sigh...

I knew it was coming

Matt proposed to Heaven today! I just got the phone call. I knew it was coming because Matt had requested to have dinner with Tony last week and he asked Tony if he could have his daughter's hand in marriage. Tony gave his blessings, even though we do feel she is really young. I believe a late spring/early summer wedding is planned. I have so many mixed feelings , but at the same time, I'm really happy for them. Well, not much time, just wanted to share the news.