Learning to live by faith in all things. Trying to find our way and and His path for us. We jumped into homeschooling in the fall of 2010 with our then 7th grade son. Now we have 4 children schooling! We have went through many trials along the way, but our Lord Jesus is faithful and has walked us through some dark nights.
AND....the countdown begins! One week away from our study of Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson. This book is available for purchase as an ebook, on Amazon, and in most Barnes and Noble or Lifeway bookstores. Look under Sally Clarkson to find it. Even if you don't have a Kindle or smart phone, you can download the Kindle app on your computer for free here.
The schedule can be found here. We will kick-off the study Friday, July 19th, with an introduction to the book and to each other. Then, on Saturday, the reading schedule/assignments, (one chapter a week), will be posted.
I am so excited about this! Just last night, I was on my way home from the store listening to a program on the radio. They were talking about older women mentors and how we should search for them.
This was a VITAL part of the early church/early Biblical days. Community. Women helping women and growing together as godly wives, mothers, and closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. Our culture today demands far too many women to work, and far too many people retreating to the world of social media because these "real life" women are hard to find. What a wonderful revival it would be in our churches, if we women went back to these days! To not have to do this thing alone.
Many of us look up to our mom's to fill this role. That is wonderful! When I lived in my hometown, I did just that with my mom and my grandma. But now? I'm over 500 miles away from them both and feel sorely isolated. I attended a wonderful program our church put on last year called "Apples of Gold" which is all about mentoring/Titus 2 women. However, I got a bad case of bronchitis and 3 weeks of bedrest (which I modified ha ha). I am also shy about walking up to random strangers and saying, "Will you mentor me?"
So, what do we do? How have you found a mentor in your life? What do you do when you move away from yours, and although you have many by phone/text/internet, you crave that "real life" component? Share with us!
Ever have one of those days when nothing seems to go right? Yeah, I think I am getting close to having one of those years! We started this club strong with so many good intentions. And then? LIFE happened. That's the beauty of it. It's real and it's everyday life. We have gotten off track a little here. Some disturbing news, a move on the horizon very soon, homeschool planning, gearing up for another study at Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies with Melissa Taylor where I am honored to volunteer, a new baby cousin arriving with a LONG wait period, and a new niece that could come any day. Phew. That wears me out lol. So excuse the infrequent posts as of late. Yesterday, we decided to call it a day and throw some chicken tenders into the oven. I asked my son, age 12, to make his "famous" Honey Mustard. He got the original recipe off the back of a box, but doesn't remember exact measurements anymore....so, he experiments. I had him watch himself and measure each thing out so that he could type this up for you. It is really good!!
Honey Mustard dipping sauce: Hey, I'm back! And I'm ready to share my recipe with you. Here is what you need: 2 Tablespoons of mustard 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise 2 teaspoons of honey This recipe is very simple. Just mix all three together till smooth! ~Logan
What kinds of things do your kids like to make? Do you ever find them "taking a spin" on a regular recipe and making it their own?
Oh, mercy! It has been a busy month! Sorry it has been so long since I posted. Things kind of, well, got a little "Desperate" for a bit there. Ever have that feeling?
We are just 10 days away from the official start to our community and reading schedule! Hope y'all are as excited as I am!
I wanted to share a post from another blog, http://networkedblogs.com/MVZxx. Emily is giving away 3 copies of Desperate!! Head on over and look!! If you don't have your copy, or if you would like one for your friend, this is a lovely post along with a giveaway!
Can't wait to get started!
Share with us, have you had any "Desperate" moments lately?
Ever feel like a certain verse is following you everywhere? In our current Bible study, Cultivating a Heart of Prayer by Wendy Blight, this was one of the verses we reflected on. For the last four years, this is a verse that my mom quotes to me...OFTEN. Anytime I worry, she speaks it. Anytime I get upset, she speaks it.
Four years ago she bought me a plaque for my wall with this verse on it. Fast forward to a move, and it didn't get to go with us. I forgot it. So, when she came to stay with us for a couple months, guess what? She bought me a magnet with this verse on it. I have two little girls, currently 4 and 6 years old. Anything on the refrigerator is free game. They broke the magnet. I was devastated.
My OBS sister quotes this verse to me as well. Imagine my surprise when I found this GIANT picture, (see above), on clearance at Hobby Lobby. I snapped a picture and sent it to my friend. She was hopeful I was going to buy it. I did. Small plaque to small magnet to GIANT picture. Was Someone trying to get a message across to me?
We reflected some upon Mary and Martha, see Luke 10:38-42, both in this study and in our previous Online Bible study. The message was loud and clear THEN...what could I learn from it now? I thought I took some time off to be a Mary, what was I missing? I even used this example in the last teaching I did for the OBS. What am I not understanding? Why is this Psalm following me everywhere?
So, I pray and I ponder. Yes, Martha is a busy bee. Sometimes I think she gets more grief from us than Jesus gave her. I can hear the kindness in His voice as He points out her mistake. He empathizes with her. He KNOWS she is worried and troubled, and in His grace, He points out WHY she is so worried and troubled. You see, to me, she only wanted to serve her Savior--to the best of her ability. She wanted everything right for Him. She wanted the best of everything for Him. To her, Mary should have been up serving Him too, not leaving all of the work to her. In all of His compassion, He reminds her that Mary CHOSE what was NEEDED.
As I reflected on this, another verse came to mind, For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45 NKJV)
Mary CHOSE the better part by allowing Jesus to SERVE her. To minister to her. To speak words of truth into her. He knew that His life would be given for the sins of the world and He wanted to spend time speaking truth into and serving others. Just like in the story of the feet washing in John 13:1-15, Jesus told them in verse 15 that He had given them an example to follow. But notice what happened first. The disciples were SERVED by Jesus, before they were given instructions to SERVE.
There is a time for serving, and there is a time for sitting. However, can we also not worry about the "preparations" before sitting? Martha was worried and troubled about much preparing and serving...so much so that she didn't sit at His feet. How many times I have had the intention to sit before my Lord, but got busy with much preparation--routines, checklists, get out all my Bible study tools, read this devotional....oh wait! I didn't start with prayer! I read the wrong day in the devotional! I'm behind in the study. But, I better do it quietly lest I wake the children up. By the time I am finished preparing, inevitably one of the children DO wake-up. The whole "sitting" thing? Gone. Lost in a moment of worry and trouble over how it should look. This was a whole new revelation for my life, packed into two seemingly unrelated verses. One in the Old Testament, and one in the New.
Be still (Literally, in the Hebrew, slacken, abate, cease).....and know....(be aware of)
After finishing up three of my book selections for the year, I decided to "jump ship" and read some extra books not listed. Several "freebies" were announced for Kindle, and some sweet friends recommended a few. So, off on a rabbit trail I went. I tend to be drawn towards life stories, especially those with a meaning in them--living out their faith in Christ.
The first one, free for a time but now back up to $9.95 for the Kindle, has been an amazing read! I would pay the full price for it--yeah, it's that good.
You see, I have been obsessed enamored with large families for many years now. One of my favorite shows is 19 Kids and Counting, starring the Duggar family. Odd since I am an only child and that I "only" have 4 kids. Anyhoo-I have always been a fan of these shows and movies. Kids by the Dozen (which featured the Jeub family), 19 Kids and Counting, United Bates of America, John and Kate plus 8, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Yours, Mine and Ours.
The first three of these shows listed are some of the most uplifting, encouraging shows you will ever watch. I know we only see what is on TV, and families have problems that we DON'T see, yet it is such an encouragement for me to sit down and watch something inspiring. Something that prods me deep within and challenges me just a little.
I have heard of the Jeub Family before, mainly from the show Kids by the Dozen. When I saw a few homeschooling pages that I follow on Facebook mentioning this book was currently free, I jumped on it! And, let me tell you, I have not regretted it one bit!
Love in the House by Chris and Wendy Jeub is a book of encouragement. Not only does it tell their story, and includes some tips for large families, but it's central theme is love. Love for God and love for others. This isn't a modern day parenting book offering you "Ten Steps to Taming Your Child" or something promising you no fail parenting tips. It is quite simply, a book about love. Does it include "suggestions" for parents? YES! But they are not formulas promising you a better behaved child in only 10 days. It's all about loving your child. Showing grace to your child, yet disciplining them in LOVE. It is filled with Scriptures to back up their belief, one of the most important being Jesus' statement that the greatest command is to love God, and equally important, to love one another. To not "exasperate" your child (yep, this is Scriptural too!).
The Jeub's have a wonderful way with words. They have a wonderful heart for the greatest commandment--LOVE. They tell of a story of their "prodigal" child and how it was LOVE that brought them back together again. Sound similar to the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-24?
I have read both books from the Duggar Family, and am anxiously awaiting "Growing Up Duggar" by the oldest Duggar girls. It isn't due out until March of next year though.
These families share so many wonderful, easy tips. Yet, unlike modern parenting books, they are filled with grace and love. They are filled with dealing more with your child's heart than dealing with a "behavior" or "discipline" problem. They seek to turn the child's heart towards Jesus, and towards their family. Believe me when I say it--you will be blessed by these families!!!
Our "Vision Statement" in our homeschool, is this:
Philippians 4:8~ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. (NKJV)
Whether choosing homeschool curriculum, or things to watch or read, I try to remember this verse and gauge it by. To be legalistic? NO. I know how focusing on wrong things makes me feel-sad, depressed, angry, etc.--so I am CHOOSING to focus on the lovely things in life.
How "big" is your family? Have you found modern day parenting books/formulas to be a "waste"? Are you ready to LOVE your child and turn their hearts towards love?
Share some of your favorite inspirational books/quotes/movies with us!!
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet,
you also ought to wash one another's feet.
For I have given you an example,
that you should do as I have done to you.
(John 13:1-15 NKJV)
What does serving look like? Is it always front page news? Does it take you to the ends of the earth? Is it providing physical, spiritual and emotional help? The answer? Yes-all of these qualify as serving. But can it be much more personal as well? Serving those around you? Those in your own family? Blooming where you are planted and maybe somewhere else when God will open a door?
I learned a lesson yesterday in service. A big one. You see, I have been involved in some aspect of Women's Ministry for the last 2 years. I love the opportunities God has given me, and even more, I love the women I get to serve and those I serve alongside of. However, yesterday, service took on a whole new light for me.
We had a busy, fun-filled weekend. We went to some festivals and to an amazing outdoor concert featuring a favorite band of ours, Sidewalk Prophets. Late nights and early mornings made us a little cranky though. The kids and I were short with each other on those early mornings. Not good.
Sunday night, the girls were playing at the concert. We were in Alabama, and if I have learned one thing from my time "farther down South", it is this: the grass is hard, (and sparse), and the dirt is dusty--almost sand like in texture. Back home the grass is smooth enough to lay on and the dirt--well, it's dirt. Usually hard, but not like sand. The girls had on flip-flops and were spinning around and playing on the playground. We got home really late and the girls fell asleep in the car, so we tucked them in bed.
Fast forward--Monday morning. Wanting to sleep in from a late night, it was not to be so. Not by my standards anyway (lol). As my precious 4 year old crawled up in bed with me that morning, I noticed her feet. Filthy. As in, this stuff was stuck on good!! We have a quilt on our bed that is blue and white. A lot of white. I hollered for her sister and told them that we were going to wash their feet in the sink before we did anything else.
As I placed my sweet girl on that sink and ran the water, reflections began to run through my mind. As I washed her tiny feet, I remembered Jesus washing His disciples feet. How loving and kind of a gesture. The Savior, the Lord of the entire universe, kneeled down and washed His disciple's feet. What an amazing image. As I scrubbed a little bit harder, it also reminded me of how thick our sin is, how stubborn of a stain it is. Scrubbing their feet brought to mind the cleansing of our sins that Jesus, by His shed blood on the cross, did for us. As I finished washing their feet, sparkly clean again, it was a lesson to me in both service and salvation.
Service? Because Jesus came to serve. That was His life mission. To seek and save the lost.
Mark 20:27-28 reminds us: And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (NKJV). It reminded me that my job is to serve. Wholeheartedly. WHEREVER God has put me at this moment. My family is my first mission field, the ones I should serve first. As God has made available, my next acts of service are to those around me and in whatever ministry I am a part of. It also reminded me that I NEED to be served BY Jesus as well. Can't be a Martha all the time, I need to be a Mary too!
Salvation? Because as I stood there, it took a lot of work to scrub away all of that dirt and mud (from sweaty feet). As I washed, I watched the water in the sink slowly turning brown. After I finished scrubbing their feet and they were nice and clean, I didn't want them putting their feet back down in that "dirty" water lest they get filthy again. It reminded me of the cleansing power of Jesus. It reminded me of His blood. He takes us, washes away all of our sin, and doesn't want us to put our feet back down in that "dirty water" again. He promises to help keep us clean by the Holy Spirit indwelling within us. He lovingly pats us dry, as I did my girl's feet, and sets us on solid ground.
One MAJOR difference: My girl's are kids--they love to play. They will get their feet dirty again. I will have to scrub them again. And while we may mess up in our Christian walk, Jesus continually cleanses us. His sacrifice was ONCE and it was enough to cleanse our sins. No more "scrubbing" needed--that was finished on the cross. The Holy Spirit dwells within us to help and teach us.
Isaiah 1:18~ "Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool...." (NKJV)
The Blessing by John Waller:
CHOOSE to be a blessing!! What are some lessons that your children have taught you? What are some ways you have been called to serve? Share with us!!
Hello ladies! Sorry it has been a little quiet around here lately, I have been spending a lot of time in thought and in prayer. Seeking the direction not only for this venture, but my life in general. Many things have been tossed my way and lain heavy on my heart lately. They have required lots of prayer and reflection. I'm still not sure of the answers, but in His time, He will lead me in the way to go. We have also been super busy with a weekend full of fun activities with the kiddos!
As you know, the majority chose Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson as the reading for this time. This is something else that has lay heavy on my heart. Many of us long for a real life mentor, one in the flesh. Busy demands and a change of lifestyle have made this complicated at best. I am a mama in the throws of parenting--my oldest is 15, my youngest is 4. I am right there with you. So many 'virtual' friendships these days. It tugs at my heart. Being a rather shy person in real life, (around new people anyway--I trip over my tongue lol), and not wanting to 'bother' anyone...finding a mentor is a difficult subject. This book touches on that and gives some great advice on how to seek one out.
I am thankful for a lady that I met through a Bible Study at church. While we don't talk quite as much as we used to, or I would like to, I know that I can count on her to give me godly advice and lots of love. We are both in difficult seasons in our lives. She means the world to me. With all of that said, here is the 'tenative' schedule of Built on Wisdom, fondly labeled B.O.W.
The study starts July 19th. On this day, there will be a short introduction.
Hopefully, most weeks will run in this manner:
Saturday~ This is the day that I will post the book reading assignments/extras. We are doing one chapter at a time, so that gives plenty of time during the week so you don't feel rushed/miss out on real life with your family.
Monday~ Occasionally, Sally Clarkson has a fabulous series on her blog, I Take Joy, called "Mentoring Mondays." From time to time, I will link that series, or something else of inspiration for what we are discussing.
Wednesday~ In the back of the Desperate book, there is a link to a video with Sarah and Sally. This would be a wonderful day to watch that, or you can do it when you finish the chapters
Thursdays~ This will be the day to share FUN stuff! Easy craft ideas, recipes, tips, etc. for the weekend. This gives you plenty of time to get anything that is needed. This is only optional, but makes for some fun times with your kiddos!!
Fridays~ This will be the day for digging deeper. We have a Facebook group started, and if you are interested, you can like my page in the top right corner and let me know there. If not, we will still throw out some questions on the blog. Book/Bible discussions, etc. There are some fabulous questions in the back of the book.
All in all, I want this to be something that draws us close to the Lord and each other, gives fun ideas, and helps us to grow in our roles as mothers. This is part of my heart, you see. Growing in my God given role as a mother, leaning on Him to teach me how.
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