Seasons

As I write this entry, it is sweltering at 11:45pm. I was happy with the week or so of extreme summer we had in June. I was looking forward to skipping the misery my family suffers as the temperature rises and our house holds on to it like bricks in an oven. No such luck! I am usually happy with each season, and it usually fades into the next, just as I am tiring of the one I'm in. This year, the weather has been like a super ball, bouncing uncontrollably all over the place. Do you find times when your life is like that? No matter the careful planning, something always disrupts where you decided to be?
I think God does that to us, purposefully, so we will hopefully learn to depend on Him for all our needs. Do you ever think about how patient He is with us? We seem to need to learn the same lessons over and over again, while He patiently shows us what He has in mind. I am very thankful for His patience. I have tried Him, I'm sure! Each day, I wake up knowing I have another day to learn from Him, to get guidance from Him, and I make a concerted effort to obey His commands, and listen to the soft whisper of his voice.
We are starting another school year at home. I am blessed to be able to educate my son at home, to give him the best materials, that are Christ based-so he has every tool to be a Godly man who can make a difference in his world. We are in our second year of high school now, and it's getting more hectic and a little harder for me to get my schedule situated-especially with my business doing so well.
This is an interesting season for me in my homeschool adventure. It won't be long before I am finished. Can you imagine, being done? It's an exciting, yet sad thought. I have spent 13 years designing, instrumenting, creating and teaching my precious boy, who is rapidly becoming a man. I am now considering all that he has learned. Did I cover everything he will need to be learned, wise and ready to face the world? Have I given him a heart for our loving Father? A relationship with God that he will relish in and continue with as he goes out into the world? The tools to defend his faith, and the courage to be bold about what he believes?
As the heat of summer wraps me in an uncomfortable blanket, that somehow relates to how I am feeling as I make what I feel may be the most important decisions regarding the rest of his schooling here at home.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
I trust that the Lord is directing my heart and my mind as I make these important choices for Sam's education and beyond. God said that the most important thing I can give my children is a character for Him. I do believe I have done that, and will continue to do so. He also said that He would fill in any gaps that Sam's education may be lacking. I hold onto that promise, because I am quite sure I've missed something.
As I look forward to the arrival of fall, I realize I am in the fall season of homeschooling. I am treasuring this time-it will be gone all too quickly.
As you begin your school year, hold fast to the promises of our King. He will walk beside you every step of the way. Guide you in your choices, and protect your children's hearts. I am a thankful woman, knowing I am not doing this important job alone.

Jesus is Enough

It's obvious I am busy by the lack of writing I get accomplished here. Daily, I feel the presence of my precious savior as I run errands, tackle projects, clean house, care for my family, spend time with loved ones and take care of the menagerie of animals that live with us. I am blessed-truly blessed. I have so much to be thankful for, and knowing that it has all been given to me by our amazing God, makes it all the more precious to me.
I have a bounty of friends, that lift me up, make me laugh, keep me on the right path, care for my heart and enrich my life each day. Each friend has a different way of interacting with me, that helps me to continue to become the woman God created me to be. What an amazing treasure, and gift from my Father!
Even though I struggle with severe pain each day, I know that He walks beside me and gives me the strength I need to complete my day's tasks. Do I enjoy being in pain twenty-four hours a day? No, but I know that God let this disease happen to me for a reason, and that's a good enough reason to continue to deal with it and be the best I can be. There are so many more people that suffer far worse than I. That knowledge makes me even more grateful that this is all I do have to deal with daily. He will not give you more than you can handle-such an amazing statement. Sometimes, I feel like He's given me too much and I feel sorry for myself. In those times, I let myself wallow for a short time, then pick myself back up and continue on this glorious road that He has placed me on. I can usually see much growth in my walk and my relationships when I keep my eyes upon Him.
Jesus is enough. Three small words that mean everything to me. I cannot imagine one day of waking without knowing He is there and ready to be my instructor, my guardian, my Father, my friend, my disciplinarian, my heart.
"In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I will give thanks, daily-to an ever-faithful, loving, perfect God.

Lovely Spring

Oh, how I love this time of year. Everywhere you look are signs of new life. Buds on the trees, flowers blooming, birds chirping and the most delicious smells meet me as I walk out into my front garden. What a beautiful gift the Lord has given us with Spring. The dreary time of winter is over, the sun warms our hearts and our attitudes. I think the beauty of the flowers is what gets me the most excited. All the gorgeous colors, shapes and variety of plants are amazing. I spent the last weeks longing to get my hands in the rich soil and lovingly play with these beautiful floral creations of His. I am so blessed. I am able to spend this next two months doing what I love for work. Creating gardens of beauty for others, and teaching others how to create their own is fabulous to me. I am teaching a field biology class and am learning as much as the class is while we explore God's magnificent world. I am creating my own classification book with photographs I've taken, identified and then placed in a Creation Camp scrapbook.

Another wonderful part of spring for me is looking towards the end of this school year, and planning for next year. I love this time! Creating a lesson plan, gathering all the supplies together, writing Unit Studies and deciding what we will do, gives me such a thrill. Sam will be in 10th grade this coming year. I have been working on this plan for most of the year. Tweaking, bending, and exploring his options. This is probably the last year that we will school completely at home, so I am careful to make sure I've covered everything correctly, and am adding in anything that I really want us to do this next year before he starts taking those outside steps to independence. I have found that God still drives my little yellow bus, and I am so thankful to be able to rely on Him to guide me on this journey. It amazes both Sam and myself when all the eclectic things I have Sam doing combine to travel one path. What a gift it is to be able to teach our children. I'm sure there are many days you all feel as I do-not feeling the gift thing! Yet, He gives us new energy each day we ask so that we may continue on this amazing quest of knowledge. I can say I have learned a tremendous amount, just in getting Sam's lessons arranged and ready for him. I have about two and 1/2 years left, and I know it is going to fly right by, and before too long-he will be receiving his diploma and moving on to the next step in his walk with our precious Lord.

Spring-a new beginning, that arrives over and over again. It takes my breath away each and every time, as if I've never seen it before. As I stand amongst His glorious creation, I cannot help but be amazed by the thought He put into every detail when He painted the earth upon His canvas. Thank you Father, for your beautiful gift.

Joy

I am in an interesting time in my life. I have one son left at home who is 14, and 5 out in the world, married, and 4 of them with children. Two of those boys I acquired when they were adults, but I love them just the same. I can still remember the time each one of the four that I birthed came to know our precious Lord as their own. What joy filled my heart as each of my young boys accepted Christ and grew in their special relationship with Him. One of my acquired boys accepted Christ a few years ago, and that was an amazing answer to many years of prayer. Now, as I share Jesus with my grandchildren, it is again amazing to watch them learn who He is. "I have no greater joy that to hear that my children walk in the truth." III John 4 To know this joy! My heart soars like an eagle as I see my child grow in faith and understanding of our precious Lord. I now have the blessed priviledge of seeing some of my grandchildren come to know Jesus too. It is so amazing to be able to introduce a little one to who Jesus is and how much He loves each of them. At times, I feel my heart could burst with joy.
I have been working with Jordan this past year in learning more about Jesus and who He is. He has gone to church with us a few times and we always spend time talking about Jesus and praying to Him. Jordy has learned to pray by following our lead. He will speak the words as I do, and proudly shout amen, when we are finished.
Yesterday, he prayed for our nightly meal. He began, "Jesus", and to my surprise and absolute glee, he did the entire prayer time himself. He thanked Jesus for our food, for our fun, and asked Him to watch over each of the family members, one by one. He ended by telling Jesus how much we love him. Tears fill my eyes as I relay this most precious moment. Thank you Father for letting us be witness to our children's eyes and hearts opening in wonder of You.
Lexi is two and is learning about Jesus now too. She loves to pray. Closes her eyes so very tightly and repeats what we pray. I love watching her as she grows in her love for Him. She loves praise music and will sing loud and proud as she dances around the room.
There is no more important job in our world than to introduce our young ones to our most amazing, loving God. To have my children/grandchildren walk in the truth, does bring absolute joy to my heart.