That old Girl Scout song....

"Make new friends,

but keep the old

one is silver

the other gold."

Such a simple little song that we used to sing at the end of Girl Scout meetings. Anyone else remember that? Well, it took me about 25 years to realize what that really meant. And now, as I look back on this past week, all I can say is WOW! I have spent time with more friends this week than I have the past 2 months. And not just one or two friends, I have spent time with bunches!!! I got an iced coffee with a fellow addict, spent time soaking my feet, jabbering about soy milk, and letting the kids run at the park while talking. I realized today what a blessed woman I am. I love my friends. They are so awesome. They come from all walks of like. They are social workers, emergency room nurses, college students, teachers, and some career moms. I would like to think that I can teach each of my friends something and contribute to their lives, but the truth is that I couldn't be who I am today without each of them. I am encouraged to be a better me just by being around them and soaking up their zest and zeal for life. One friend competes in triathalons...just for fun!! I can barely run a mile myself, but I am encouraged to get into better shape every time I talk to her. One friend has 4 boys and can seem to always remain calm under any stress. I am encouraged to just let go and let God everytime I talk to her. One friend owns her own business and I am encouraged to reach farther for my dreams every time I talk to her. My fellow iced coffee addict encourages me to be happy with how God made me to be. My soon to be college friend encourages me that it's never too late to finish a goal. My soy milk maker friend encourages me to think about healthier food choices for me and my family.
How can I begin to repay them for what they bring into my life? I really think about Ecc 4:9-12 when I think of them..
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls. For he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be over powered by another, two can withsatnd him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Here's to you, Nancy, LaVerne, Carol, Lisa, Polly, Annette, Marsha, Marky, Vicki, Sheri, Laura, Lisa, Lesley, and everyone else who has made my life so sweet! YOU GO, GIRLS!!!!

nothing in particular...

Well, it's done and over. My sister and brother in law came for their visit, my mother and father in law came for their visit, and my mother and father moved to South Dakota. When I look back at the last 2 1/2 weeks, I am in awe. I can't believe what was done in that short period of time.
My sister and brother in law came first. My sister is the most amazing person you would ever meet. She has an inner strength that just shines all over her face. She was the first born in our family, and as such got all the nice hair, nails and skin... :) Just kidding! She cannot be accurately described, because mere words do not do justice for my sister, my best friend. They were only here for 2 days. We had a birthday party for Aaron, went garage sale-ing, and laughed a lot. I miss her terribly.
My in laws came the next week. My mother in law has Parkinson's and has a difficult time doing anything for herself. Karl had to work, my father in law likes to tinker (and we have a house that needs tinkering), so it was up to me to take care of her. My children were wonderful! I wouldn't have been able to do this without them. They ran and got things for grandma, watched little brother, and should have a medal for putting up with a crabby mother. Karl and I slept on the air mattress upstairs, so sleep was a commodity that week.
The morning my in laws left, my oldest brother came with his truck and trailer to pack my parents up. We spent 2 days in heat of 90+ with a humidity level of 10000% moving. But, it's over.
We have been cleaning our house, fixing the floor, trying to lay the carpet (that we got back in JUNE), and harvesting the garden. I feel like I am finally catching up on my sleep. Of course, we are "scheduled" to start school next week, so I really need to get on the ball and be ready this year. Yeah, that's it....I am going on schedule....yeah, yeah, schedule....

And the Winner Is....

VICKI!!! Thanks for sharing that you hide in the bathroom, too! :) That's my "teacher's lounge" in my house.
Keep on watching as I will have lots more giveaways in the future!

My first giveaway

I saw other blogs that had giveaways on them and it looks like fun. So I have decided to host my own. In conjuction with Delightful Treasures, I am offering a 4 oz jar of whipped Shea Butter PEPPERMINT FOOT BALM. And what homeschooling mom couldn't use a relaxing foot massage? This contest is open to US addresses only, please. All you have to do to win is leave me a comment with your favorite way to unwind after a hard day of homeschooling. You don't have to be a blogger, but you must provide me with a valid email address. I will be drawing and announcing the winner on Friday, August 17th at 8pm EST. Good luck and thanks for coming!

MISSSION IMPOSSIBLE

Have you been weighing the pros and cons of homeschooling and trying to decide what to do this year for your children's education? Although the idea of schooling your children at home seems like a daunting task, you can successfully teach them. Planning schedules, purchasing curriculum, and making lesson plans may sound foreign to you right now, but God will help you if you will simply pray and ask for His leading. Not only will He send the encouragement and support that you need from homeschooling families, but He'll also show you where to get the ideas, resources, and supplies you need to complete the task.

Abraham's servant in Genesis 24 also knew about facing a huge undertaking. Under oath, he was sent out by his master Abraham to search for the perfect wife for his son Isaac. Just imagine that task, trying to find a woman that would be willing to return with a complete stranger from a foreign land to marry a man she had never met. In today's world, that would be considered "Mission Impossible!" Abraham's servant was no fool and knew the obstacles facing him. Knowing he could never succeed without God's divine intervention, this servant prayed for success and started out in faith on the long journey. Fortunately, his mission had a happy ending when Rebekah proved to be the answer to his prayers and just the woman for Isaac.

God is waiting to give you success in homeschooling too, but you must first obey His call and step out in faith. Even if you don't receive the answer to every homeschooling question you have right now, God will prove Himself mighty and guide you each day, one step at a time. As you see the Lord's divine leading and specific answers to prayer, you'll praise God like Abraham's servant. Most of all, you'll be thankful you didn't allow your doubts to cause you to self destruct before seeing homeschooling's many blessings. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

This came to me today from Alpha Omega's Daily Devotions. It really encourage me, and I hope that it does you, too.

How to Make a Pot Holder

Knit one, purl two, knit one, purl two.
This has been a struggle for me for a long time. Learning to knit is something I have always wanted to do. My cousin tried to teach me last year, and my sister tried to teach me. My hubby even tried to teach me. (yes, I have a husband who can knit, crochet, sew, and iron...and he knows how to can veggies!) I have also looked online for directions. That's been there all along...I kept trying to get someone else to show me how. I think that I may have it, but we shall see.
Maybe that's how God wants us. We go to church, have godly friends, and listen to pastors on the TV or radio. They all can try and teach us how to grow closer to God, but when we look at His Word that has always been there, we can figure it out for ourselves. Not really by ourselves, but with His help. No one else can tell us how to grow closer to God, but Him. We just need to take the time to get into the Word and prayer. Not that the other things are wrong, but we should try and have our relationship with God be ours....
I am hoping that I can make this potholder. It would be the first for me. Then, maybe I can get on that sewing machine that my daughter got this weekend.

Day #5- Curriculum

Ok...there are so, so, many choices out there for what to use. As far and as wide as the depths of the sea, is the choice for which books to use. And if you are like me, you have tried, and failed at most of them. I have a friend that owns a used homeschool bookstore where you can sell gently used items on consignment and choose new or gently used items to add to your own supply. I have spent roughly $500 this last year on items, and have made roughly $300 selling them back to her.
My oldest child runs in the other direction when I say the word "textbook" and screams when I say "curriculum". They know that any time I spend at fairs, or at the bookstore means a lot more work for them.
But, what I have found that works:

• Math U See-both of my kids really enjoy this since it's hands on and very visual
• Diana Waring History-she tells the story in a way that they can follow and understand
• Easy Grammar-only 15 minutes a day and they fulfill "requirements" to make mom happy
• Spelling Power-again only 15 minutes a day to make mom happy

The rest of the time, my daughter would rather play her music, or give her a pencil and a pad of paper and watch her create. She can take material and a needle and make some of the most beautiful doll clothing ever seen. Some day I will need to buy her a machine. Since I cannot seem to find how to do this her way in any book, we use a LOT of our school day creating. Art is a biggie for her.

My darling son, would rather play on the computer. He is trying to create his own blog (did I mention that he's only 7?). He is able to talk with his techie father in a language that I cannot understand. He would rather spend his time coming up with strategies and procedures. He is very regimented. And very precise. He goes to work with his dad and blows the other guys away with his knowledge...
So, I have learned not to sweat the curriculum...my kids are learning more than I could have ever hoped to teach them. And it's all because that's what God wants them to learn...

Day #4-If Only I Had Known...

As I thought about this topic, I had to really be honest with myself. I read other blogs, trying to come up with creative ways to say what they were all basically saying. My heart cried when I looked back at the last nine years of motherhood...all the things I wish I had known.


IF ONLY I HAD KNOWN...


...that the tea party with the teddy bears would only last a while
...that playdough was so much fun to play with
...that hiking into the backyard and finding that cicada killer was much more fun that reading about it
...that my kids didn't need to speak any foreign languages to fit in with our co-op
...that it was okay for us to not follow a set schedule
...that no one else could tell me how to educate my children best
...that all those moms in the homeschooling magazines struggle just like I do
...that admitting that I buy white bread at the store wouldn't make me an outcast in the homeschool world
...that my children would begin to grow up right under my nose and if I blinked then I would miss it
...that reading a book outloud for 5 hours instead of following our "schedule" would STILL be schooling
...that my husband was right, the kids will learn and be what God intended them to be despite what I missed on teaching them


I used to be envious of my friend, Carol, who has 3 teenage boys. (Yes, envious!!) She can take a shower by herself and not worry about marker all over the walls when she got out, she can go to the grocery store by herself, go to the bathroom without an audience, and go on a date with her husband without paying a sitter. But as I think about what I've gone through with my children, I can only imagine what she had to go through with hers as well. Sometimes, I forget that others had/have issues, too.
I still would like to be able to take a shower by myself, but I am learning to enjoy my kids.
My daughter is only 9 right now, and overnight she has started growing up. As I think about another year of homeschooling, I realize that I have spent the last 5 years trying to be like everyone else. I am not like my friends...no matter how hard I try. I have made myself miserable in the process. I wish I had known that before, that I was okay with who God made me to be. But, can we really go back?
Is it worth wishing about? I would like to change the past...to stop pressuring my children to be friends with someone just so that I can "fit in" with the moms, to stop making my children learn things that they really had no interest in...foreign languages, music "appreciation", ect...I would like to tell the person I was when I began homeschooling that only God, then hubby could tell me to do it differently. What worked for one family didn't work for another.
I wish I could tell one new homeschooling mom to enjoy the day to day...even when you are in the midst of yet another sibling brawl, up to your eyeballs in laundry and dishes, and family hounding you to put the kids in public school. I myself am there, but when I look back at what I've missed by trying to be someone else, I can't help but look at the future with a hope and a new desire to throw out the textbooks that didn't work, roll up my sleeves, take off my shoes, and run in the sprinklers with my kids...
And that is just what I am going to do....

Day #3 Getting Out There

The coffee pot is perking...the smell of freshly ground coffee fills the air. The door opens and a large, blond, mixed breed dog bounds to the back yard to take care of business. The cats begin to meow for their daily breakfast and are not the most patient. The dog comes in, full of energy from having a comfortable nights sleep on the couch and tries to toss her ball around, but settles for the kibble being dumped in her bowl. The woman sighs as she tries to tie her shoes and pour a cup of coffee down her throat before IT begins. Too late. The sleeping 3 year old wakes up, having slept on mom's side of the bed again, and wants breakfast and wants it NOW! The older son bounds down and wants to buy his computer time with his "chore bucks" ...right now. Hubby wakes up and wants breakfast...NOW. Darling daughter comes down and complains that she has to eat cereal again and wants pancakes and bacon instead. The woman fixes breakfast for her family, and drinks a cup of coffe while planning and preparing for her day. There is piano lessons, band practice, co-op, a trip to the grocery store and a playdate all to think about. The phone rings and the person on the other end smiles and says, "You should put the kids in school...what about socializaion?"

Ahh...the dreaded "S" word...

In case you haven't figured it out, the woman is ME and this has described a typical morning in our house. My children are so involved, that I wonder sometimes how it all gets done. We are involved in two co-ops this year, one for science, one for field trips. My daughter plays the piano, guitar and trumpet. She is in the local school band. My older son is involved in TaeKwonDo 3 nights a week. They play basketball, softball, and have all kinds of friends, both homeschooled and public schooled. Are they socialized? YES! Almost to the point of madness, we are so busy.
I read in a homeschooler's magazine the other day that someone was considering homeschool their children and wondered about socialization. Then, they saw some teenagers in a store, with piercings everywhere, wildly colored hair, ripped clothing that was obviously 3 sizes too large and asked themselves, "Do I really want my kids to be socialized?"

We get out there...we are involved in sports, music lessons, science co-op, movie/field trip co-op, playdates, church activities and volunteer time. Maybe the world thinks that they should be involved in a group setting of 25 peers of the same age, but I think that this is better. My kids can relate to adults and other kids older and younger. I think it's a good thing...no, it's a great thing!

Day #2-How do I Homeschool?

It's 3:30 am right now and I am laughing to myself about this question. (too many iced coffees, perhaps?) When I started out on my venture, I used ACE or School of Tomorrow PACES. For those of you who are unfamiliar with that, you set "goals" in your PACES to be completed in each subject. It's all nicely laid out for you and no planning past the goal stage really needs to be done. At that time, I was a "career mom" and my wonderful hubby stayed at home with the kids and cooked and cleaned. Made a mean meatloaf, too...
My darling daughter loved to learn at that time and since I loved to learn in school and had used that successfully, it was supposed to be just a beautiful thing. (did I mention that I actually LIKED to diagram sentences???) I would go to work in the morning, with goals all set, and come home to a kindergartner who was all smiles with having done her schooling for the day, a then 3 year old actually wanting to use the potty, and a clean house with a happy husband smiling and holding a bouquet of flowers that he and the kids picked for me.
Ok, then reality really set in. Nice dream, though, you have to admit. Mikayla really didn't know how to read as well as I thought, so she struggled with the PACES. Math just wasn't her cup of tea, and she really didn't understand how it worked with the program. Now, I didn't even look at the fact that we weren't sitting down with her and helping her out...I just relied on the program to do the work for me. After all, I used it in high school and was just fine. Oh, naive mother I was. My darling daughter was in tears daily. I couldn't figure out why she couldn't get it and she couldn't explain it to me. Thus the battle began.
About late September, we moved from Ohio to South Carolina to help take care of my mother in law, who was struggling with Parkinson's. At the time, she needed around the clock care. So, hubby went to work while I stayed home and "homeschooled" my daughter, taught my 3 year old son to use the potty, and took care of mom in law. It was long, long days for me. Daughter still couldn't read, son was scared of the spider in the bathroom and refused to go in by himself, and mom in law needed someone by her side CONSTANTLY. Hubby at work from 7am until 6pm. We shared a bedroom with our kids, since the house is so small. How number 3 got here is still a mystery... :)

Well, it's January now and I have been cooped up in this house for 3 solid months with 2 little kids, and yelling at my daughter to get her schooling done (she still couldn't read) and hollering at my son to use the potty, that the spider wouldn't hurt him, and rubbing mom in law's muscles down hourly and lifting her in and out of the tub by myself. Then, I discover I am pregnant. Again, how...I really don't know...there wasn't a lot of time to ourselves...but I digress.

Oh, what a beautiful morning! Karl told me to take a break and go with the kids to see my parents in Indiana. I drove 17 hours by myself, pregnant, with 2 little kids and our dog in a run down 1991 Pontiac Sunbird with 190,00 miles (you read that right) in snow, ice, and storms. I arrived in Indiana February 2. The first thing I did was sleep for about 3 days solid. My father took care of the kids for me. No schooling, though. The kids were on vacation, too, don't ya know? :)
About 10 days into my vacation, I started talking to God. Never seemed to have the time before in South Carolina. My heart cried with all the tension that I had been feeling and all the hormones that were going awry. I loved my in laws, but didn't want to go back. I just couldn't. Praying that I could somehow talk hubby into staying, I called him. God was working there, because Karl was the one that suggested that he move us up there. Yeah!!
So, fast forward to April. Daughter still can't read very well, but is learning. Hubby is moved up to Indiana and working at a grocery store. Son using the potty, but not by himself yet...spiders, ya know. We are living with my parents. I am a lot like my mother. Very regimented, routined. "So, put the kids in school, and you can relax and enjoy your new baby." I thought about it the whole summer. I went so far as to register my son for headstart and go to the school to register my daughter. The day before, God had worked on my heart enough that I didn't go through with it. So, I bought the PACES for the next year. Mikayla cried for an hour, begging me not to make her do them. I still get tears in my eyes when I remember my sweet little girl, with red eyes, looking at me that way. So, about 2 PACES into each subject, I just gave up. We stopped schooling altogether. I was due any day now and couldn't handle any more fights.
I met up with some homeschoolers from my church for the first time ever. I was nice to know that I really wasn't alone. One of them was talking about using "Five in A Row" with her kids. Never having heard of anything other than School of Tomorrow, I was intrigued. I took my kids to the library and began reading to them. About 50 books a day, no kidding. They had a reading contest that year and my kids took first place. Well, baby number 3 came. (love you, Aaron:) We still just read aloud tons and tons of books each day. That was all I had the energy for. I couldn't think, plan or do anything else. Guess what?!? My daughter started to read!!! By Christmas, she was able to read chapter books by herself with understanding about what she was reading!
My darling son, now 4 1/2 loved school so much that he started to learn to read, as well. And for the rest of the year, we unschooled. And our family was peaceful. Well, sorta.

Have I mentioned that I am a glutton for punishment?

I took it on myself that next fall to have my daughter in third grade, my son in kindergarten, a one year old toddler, and babysit my friends child who is the same age as my son, but missed the school cut off date by 3 days. 3 Days????? Anyway, I used "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons" for the boys (yes, I homeschooled my friend's son) and a very, very eclectic approach for my daughter. No PACES, though, to her delight. In January, my plans fell to the wayside. My friend's son no longer came as his father was able to be home with him, and I was tired. Very tired. I began struggling with depression. To the point that some days, I had to FORCE myself to feed the kids. By March, I was a wreck. Across the street from my house, we had watched a new school building built. Kinda cool, actually. Well, to see the kids using the school and playing outside for recess was veeeerrry intriguing (used that word twice now, yeah, me!) to my kids. So, I let them visit the school. I was expecting them to come home, screaming and begging me to not ever take them back. Yeah, right. They had a great time. So, without any prayer or time to seek God, I enrolled my children in third grade and kindergarten full time in school.
Are ya'll still with me?
Did I mention that I didn't seek God? My daughter came home the first 3 days, all smiles. My son showed it right away. He didn't like it. He was now writing letters backwards, and getting "Good Job" stickers for it!!! What???? After the start of the second week, Mikayla started trying to make herself throw up in the mornings so she wouldn't have to go to school. After 4 days of this, Karl and I met with her teacher and principal. I was told that my daughter didn't have any clue of what was going on. She couldn't write a sentence or spell her way out of a paper bag, and her math was around kindergarten level. She was diagnosed with possible "learning disabilities". Yet, they had just taken the ISTEP tests (standardized testing) and she not only passed with flying colors, she was a full grade level above where the other kids were. HUHH????? Remember, we really didn't do anything that helped her learn to this point except read aloud (and yell about PACES). Come to find out, her deskmate and her sat in the back of the class, and she couldn't see the board. The girls directly in front of them created issues as well, since one of them didn't speak a word of English, and the other spent all her time translating. Can you imagine the distraction??
I did what any parent in my situation would do...I told my kids to "stick with it, it's not that bad." And after another week, I pulled them out. I had had enough.
God really has used these experiences for me. And during that time, we had to move quickly due to landlord issues, and we had to move in with friends. Settling down with our own home, and knowing my children better has lead me to do a mix of planned activities, read alouds, and some self study. I like the the unschooling approach, (so does my daughter) and I like the regimented approach (so does my son). I am learning a balance between the two. It is definitely a work in progress. Each year brings new things, each month a new challenge, and each day a new hope. Dealing with the depression and looking to God for my strength, instead of myself has made all the difference. My kids even notice that I am "nice" again.

There are so many different ways to teach your kids. I think that I have used most of the major ones. What I would say that I use is whatever works for us that day. I plan and plan, but my kids teach me that the best way to homeschool is to take it day by day.
Keep coming back to hear the "Rest of the Story". (you go, Paul Harvy!)

Back to Homeschool Week Day #1

Ok...so I'm cheating and posting this a day early. I just have finally gotten in my head things that I wanted to say and wanted to get it all down before I lost it. Anyone with me on that?
My daughter is going into the "5th" grade this year, meaning she would only be in 4th grade in public schools, and we have schooled for 5 years. We were living in Ohio when she would have entered kindergarten. The area I lived in was not known for it's academic excellence and we wanted her to have a Christian education. So, we checked out the school that was connected to the church that we were attending. After jumping through several hoops and getting letters from pastors that didn't know us, since the church was so big, we went to the school 2 weeks before it started and took a tour and met the kindergarten teacher. We really liked what we saw and when the tour was over, we were ready to enroll her. However, we were left standing by the office for nearly 1/2 hour while people bustled past us to get ready for the school year. They were painting, cleaning, that sorta thing. No kidding, the teacher just left us there. We tried to find someone to let us know what to do now and get my daughter enrolled, but no one wanted to help. So we left.
Well, I have to tell you that I was very distraught. What to do? I didn't want to send her to public school and couldn't seem to get her enrolled in private school. What was left?
When I was in high school, I had gone to an ACE school and I decided that it couldn't be that bad to do it at home. I had no idea if what I was doing was legal or not, or if that was the best thing for her. But, I embarked on it anyway. I could really cheat and continue, but the rest I will save for the next week...trust me, it's better than any soap opera!!

Introspect

Well, I am sitting in our office typing on the computer and really reflecting on our upcoming school year. I am making new and exciting decisions and it's almost scary. I have never been one to step out on my own before. I ususally followed other's examples and tried to be myself in the process. What I learned is that I lost myself and who I am. Bear with me as I re-discover me. I may have talents that I never knew existed before...
I have, in the past, felt like a "failure" because I had not ever learned how to sew. I can't follow a pattern to make a square, let alone clothing. What does basting mean, really? My daughter loves to sew and can create the most beautiful and interesting doll clothes out of her imagination. I got her some Barbie doll dress patterns and she figured out how to use them within minutes. Did I mention that she's only 9? And that I couldn't understand any of the directions? Maybe I will never learn to sew.
Does that mean that I am a failure as a homeschool mom? Not in the least. Does that mean that everyone who CAN sew is an extremist and should be place on a pedestal? Not in the least.

I can bake a loaf of bread that will satisfy my family's hunger. It's not always the most lite and fluffy bread, with a moist crumb and crusty crust. Of course, I felt like every homeschool mom should be able to make a loaf of bread correctly.
I am going to let you in on a little secret. I usually buy my bread from the store...and now that the air pressure has dropped somewhat from all the shocked expressions, let me further shock you by telling you that I often buy the (here comes the bomb) WHITE. Horror of horrors!!! How could I set such an unhealthy example???? That's just who I am. I tried the 15 grain and the 12 grain and all the honey/flax options. They are nice, but rather expensive. So, I buy white. Maybe wheat if it's on sale.
For any homeschooler reading this....let me encourage you. It's okay that we aren't all alike. If we were, what fun would homeschooling be? What works for my family may not work for yours. And it's okay if you buy your bread at the store, buy the pasturized milk that isn't organic, and if you don't have a growing garden. If your kids don't play the harp, piano, or violin, you are still doing a good job. Your kids don't have to keep up with other kids, academically, physically, or even spiritually. We need to focus on what's important and let the rest go.
I think that we spend way to much time trying to compete with other families and forget what we are homeschooling for. I myself am really looking forward to this week and seeing other families and hearing what they struggle with and what they are strong in. I hope that I can encourage as much as I believe that I will be encouraged.
Afer all, aren't we all in this together?

Staples Again!

Ok...so Staples has this Teacher Appreciation Day Giveaway. And, since I am a teacher (of the homeschool persuasion), I went up and got my free gift. What a treat to get new pens, highlighters and sharpies. I am in my element just trying each one of them out. I wonder if anyone else is as addicted to office/school supplies as I am. I just adore them!
Well, Monday starts Back To Home School week. Click on the picture to be taken to the blog that has started it all...anyway, I am participating. We are supposed to blog about different things each day. Monday's topic is "What Got You Homeschooling?". I am racking my brain about that one. There were so many things that played into that decision. Which to blog about? Which to leave out? I am excited about reading other people's blogs this next week.

Maybe I'll find a compadre who is as addicted to pens and iced coffee as I am....

Necessary Items

What does it mean that God will supply all of our needs?(phil 4:19) And when we seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added? (matt 6:33)
Does it mean that God will supply us with our house? Food? Clothing? Does that mean that if we have a higher house payment than we can afford, that God will supply that money? Does that mean that we can shop at the grocery store and buy steak and lobster? Does that mean that we can go to Kohl's and buy our kids their back to school clothes?
What does it mean to be satisfied with what we have? Paul said that he had been in plenty and in want and he learned to be happy with both. How can we be the same? How can we be happy with a smaller house, older car, clothes from the second hand store, and beans and rice for dinner 4 nights a week? Does that mean that being a Christian means living in poverty while here on earth? If we make a mistake financially, are we "in for it" from God?
Personally, I don't think so. If God gives us every good and perfect gift (James 1:17), then why would we want us living in hovel? I don't think that God thinks we NEED a 42" HDTV with the newest Xbox or Wii...but that would be nice. I believe that God wants us to live within our budgets and manage our finances responsibly.
I had someone tell me the other day that my daughter should grow up believing that she is "worth it" and able to spend $300 on a dress, shoes and purse if she wants to. And at first, I started to buy into it. I went into a panic thinking that I needed to get my daughter and sons the best of everything in clothing and shoes and toys. After all, I was told, we are children of the King and should dress, walk, and talk like it. Or so I was told.
As I cried my heart out this morning, God spoke to me. In my language, in my understanding. I believe that when I get to Heaven, Jesus will have a tatoo, nose ring, and be wearing a bandana when I see Him, but I digress. God lead me to those verses to let me know that He will take care of us. My children don't need to spend $300 on an outfit (and the "I deserve it" mode is pride, pure and simple) to look like the child of the King. They are clean and their clothes are neat and fit well, even though they are used previously. God provided the need through Freecycle and second hand stores. That fit into my budget.
I don't have the biggest house, and it's definately a fixer-up, but God provided this house and I know that He will continue to provide the money to pay for it. (yes, it's through Karl's job, but we need to do our part, too). And of course, I would love the big screen TV. Who wouldn't???? I even signed up for a contest that was giving one away. But, I will be enough with just my 13" with the color going out if I don't win.
I think I have found Paul's secret. He realized that these things are just that ---THINGS. And we need to be able to walk away from them in order to get the most enjoyment out of them. Confusing, isn't it? But I have come to the conclusion that in order to really enjoy something, you need to appreciate it. And being able to walk away from it somehow makes me appreciate it all the more. Living without a TV for 6months makes us appreciate the little one that we have. Living on homemade bread and butter with cheese for dinner makes us appreciate the beans and rice a little more. Living with friends and basically being homeless for 4 months makes us appreciate this fixer upper more.
And God supplied the necessary things...maybe not the big screen TV, or the fancy house, or steak and lobster, but we have what we need. Him. And that is what's necessary.

The Countdown Has Begun

Most public schools in my area start school on Aug 20. It's still inhumanely hot outside at that time, and I can't imagine being a kid trying to concentrate when I have been playing hard for 15 minutes in the heat at recess.

We will start school the first Monday in September. Yeah, I know that it's Labor Day, but Karl will be home and we can get our homeschool kicked off this year together. I don't know if I am looking forward to it or not. I have my "plans" written out for the month already and I am pretty sure what I am going to do each week, and day. However, in the past, my lesson plans have gotten flushed about 23 minutes into the school year. I would like to believe that this year is going to be different. I have had the opportunity to meet some new, interesting homeschoolers this year and getting together with them is going to be fun. There will actually be girls Mikayla's age! In the past, they have either been way older or way younger. She is really excited about this.
I am also facing the countdown for my parents move to South Dakota. Its in 23 days. I am happy that they are moving and having new options that they didn't have before, and that they will have the opportunity to get to know their granddaughter, Reagan, whom they haven't really gotten to see much. I miss them already. It's going to be different not having them close. I am not sure what my kids are going to do. They have had their grandparents all to themselves for so long now. Aaron has grown up having "Gammie" and "Papa" right there, celebrating every milestone along with us.
August is going to be a busy month. Karl's mom is coming to visit in 10 days. I am trying to get our house cleaned and organized for a new school year, as well as trying to "impress" my mother in law. She has never seen our new house, and I want it to stand out as an amazing thing. Aaron will also get to meet her for the first time. His birthday is in September, but we are having an early party for him this year. He will be the only child that has had both of his Grandmothers at a birthday party. Remember the days when families didn't live that far from each other?
So, I know that I can make it through! I will grab that iced coffee, my Bible, my journal, my pen, and make it through. I am excited and sad all the same time. This is going to be an interesting month. I hope that I am able to convey it all to you.