While I Wait for the King

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Fridge thief

Isaac has taken to drinking Parmesan cheese.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

1. I homeschool with a bigger picture in mind. I am not an organized person by nature. I may never be. But I don't homeschool to win scholarships for my children, to raise mini Christian politicians or to stick it to the man. I do it because I love my children, and I see the bigger picture of WHO not WHAT I want them to become; of WHO, not WHAT I want them to love and follow. 2. I cannot compare myself to others. I cannot wish I was anyone but who I am, nor can I wish my children were different. They are who the Lord crafted them to be, uniquely shaped beings who were chosen to live and grow in our home. 3. Although I cannot be a different personality, I can continue to strive to be more like Jesus. He is a God of order. Chaos can be tamed. I can grow, and I can encourage my children to grow to be more like the one we serve. 4. I enjoy my children. The days may be long, and I may fail to complete my agenda for the day, but they are beautiful, respectful, loyal, compassionate and kind. They have joy. It is my job allow the Lord to use me to create an environment that facilitates their becoming more peaceful, joyful, loving, patient, kind, good, faithful and self controlled. 5. The world, and many around me, view success very differently. No matter how busy and smart our peers may seem, this is not the direction that we have chosen. I am beginning with a specific end in mind. I trust the Lord has prepared a way for us, and one of busyness and anxiety is not part of that way. 6. If, at any time, something isn't working, I reserve the right to change it based on what I believe the Lord is saying is right for my child. I will not be mastered by any curriculum or agenda that is arbitrarily set and may not be in our best interest. 7. Homeschool is not public school. It will never look like it. I cannot try to recreate it in my home because the two are fundamentally different. I am preparing my children to follow Jesus and to be responsible, self assured, and confident adults. This is accomplished in many ways and may look much different than a child sitting in a desk for 7 or 8 hours straight. That is OK. 8. I am blessed to be able to stay home with my children and teach them. I teach them with my actions, my words, and with what I surround us with. I should thank the Lord every day for this amazing opportunity, and plead with him each morning for the wisdom and strength to do it well. 9. Although Geoff isn't home during our school day, he is an integral part of the success of our homeschool endeavor. His knowing, approving, and even teaching the curriculum is not only something that I want, it is something that I need. His wisdom and insight into each of our children is invaluable. 10. We need the support of our extended family. We value it. Their encouragement and support are pivotal, through prayer, words of encouragement, and financial blessing. 11. I need to be more diligent in praying that the Lord surrounds us with like-minded families that we can grow and fellowship with.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Yesterday was a much anticipated visit to Chrystal Peaks Youth Ranch. My sweet Annie, with her sensitive heart, just loves horses. Everything about them. At home, Annie is clumsy, hyper and insecure, but at the ranch, she comes into her own. The horses love her, and she walks around like she owns the place. I am so blessed, as her mom, to see her thrive in a place where she feels so secure and at home. I hope she is able to spend many amazing hours at Chrystal Peaks as she grows into a woman. Love you Annie!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

To Everything, There is a Season

It has been, I'm afraid to say, 3 years since I've written anything here. I just spent the last hour or so reading my old entries, and to some extent, gazing into the mommy brain haze of long ago. The last few years have been fraught with trials, growth, regression, anxiety, triumph and change. So, life I guess. As I sit in the quiet humidity of a warm, thunderstorm laden evening, I am wondering where the time went, and also, where I went. The last few years have been a blur of raising small children and fighting a host of personal demons. I have been humbled. I have cried many tears. I have felt oppression, sadness, loss and at times, joy. The hallmark of these past few years though has been the forceful hand of a loving Father humbling me and teaching me to walk what I have been so good at talking about. I am an anxious, paranoid, self-indulgent, weak, naive, lost and stupid child, most of the time. I really thought I had lots of answers. I have realized, again, that I only need one. Jesus. My thoughts are not lofty, my words are not pious. My SH*T is certainly not together. I know that I am a daughter of the King, that he gives me great worth, but it has been a very long time since I felt it. Please, Lord, revive me, soon. Remind me of who I am. Pick me up and use me again. I have been humbled and brought low, but I know the plans you have for me. In the mean time, while I wait for the King, I will try to be faithful in the little things you have for me. The doing of dishes, wiping of noses, changing of sheets, and losing of weight. The nothings that are the everything of life.

Annie is a yellow belt!! I'm so proud of her. It wasn't easy for her, but she pushed herself and stuck with it. Love you Annie. <3

It's been far too long since I've blogged. I suppose I've been profoundly distracted by Facebook, which is a poor, illegitimate substitute for the thoughts and feelings that can be conveyed via blog. Please allow me to introduce my sweet Iko. He is now 9 months old and is performing such amazing tricks as: waving, clapping, copying words and walking along the couch. He is a very active, loving, smiling, laughing ball of joy and we are so blessed to have him. It is my hope that I will be back to blog soon, unencumbered by other "social" distractions.