So...Help ME!

Do you have those weeks where nothing goes right? You wonder what in the world is the purpose for all this?  I was having one of those weeks.  Generally when I have those weeks I know right where to look.  I crack open my Bible.  I dive into scripture and I find some bread crumbs to lead me out of my dark place.  But, for some reason this week I didn't.  I lost all sense.  I had given up on me.  I hadn't given up on God.  I just forgot to turn to Him.  The one so very obvious place I normally find refuge.  I felt so lost.  I was questioning my homeschooling.  I was questioning my homemaking.  I was questioning my ability to breath pratically!  This really isn't much of an exaggeration.

In life we have ups and downs.  We fall in and out of love with ourselves, our situations, our churches, our routines.  Generally, I am a happy positive person.  I try my best to, no matter what, put a smile on someone's face.  At the start of this week I just didn't have it in me.  Unforseen circumstances lead us away from our home church on Wednesday night.  While visiting this other  church my husband and I had a conversation with the church's associate pastor, who had himself been a homeschooling dad.  Ironically I hadn't really wanted to be at this church that evening.  I really wanted to be home.  But, what I found was I was home.  God lead me home, to Him.  This kind man's words of love and encouragement was exactly what I need to hear.  By God's grace it was exactly when I needed to hear them.  It was a casual conversation but, boy oh boy, the Lord was speaking through Pastor Dave Wednesday night.  We serve an amazing God. One who loves us, cares for us, and comforts us.  When I  forgot to fall on Him,  He reached out for me.  He did it in the most unusual way.  It was as to say...I know you need Me...even when you forget that it is simply I that you need! 

Lord, I love You.  Forgive me for not seeking You out first.  Thank you so much for rescuing me whenever I need it.  Be with my friends all over the world who read this blog.  Help them to know your love and the comfort that comes in being one of your children.  Remind them that it is through our times of trials that we are drawn closer to you.  Thank you for guiding me home to the comfort of your loving arms.  May you bring blessings, grace, and peace to all who read this. Meet them wherever they are.  Find them, even if they aren't seeking to be found. I praise you for all that You are and all that I am because of You. 

In Jesus Name AMEN!

The Scoutmaster Becomes the Pupil

I have been blessed to be the chairperson of our local American Heritage Girls troop.  My daughter wanted to scout like her big brother, so 5 years ago a friend and I set out on a journey and got our church to charter this group.  We have had our ups and downs, but for the most part I have enjoyed the adventure. 

Well, today we had a meeting and I was to teach a portion of the sewing badge.  Laughable really for anyone who knows me well.  But, I prepared all the same and took my arsenal of sewing thingy majiggies that honestly, mostly belong to my daughter.  I need to teach some basic skills; cutting fabric, sewing on buttons, identify basic equipment, etc. So off we head to our meeting!   I got this.  NO PROBLEM. 

Well, maybe there would be a bit of a problem, in walks Little Susie Seamstress (a new recruit with an plethora of knowledge in the art of sewing).  It was clearly evident in about two seconds she was way more qualified then I was to teach this badge.  What should I do?  I will tell you what I did.  I took a seat, handed over my needle and took notes.

 I enjoyed every bit of watching this young lady spread her wings.  It was beautiful.   She explained clearly and precisely to our little girls, on a foreign to her machine, how to thread a bobbin, how to thread the machine, how to steam press a seam, and how to sew a straight seam.  Sewing a straight seam is something I am confident I had no way of showing them.  See, I had planned to bring in an expert.  Life got busy and I didn't get that arranged.  I read over the badge, said a little prayer,  and was confident I could do it and all would be fine.  It was.  God sent this sweet little angel to her first ever A.H.G. meeting and gave her the opportunity to shine.  I don't have to tell you how much the younger girls now look up to her.  She left with a merit badge book in hand and a smile on her face.  Promising before she left that she would have completed a badge before our next meeting.  She was at least two years older then all the other girls but, it didn't matter.  She had found a place to shine. 

Can you see how differently this could have gone had I stuck to MY plan?  When God blesses you with the opportunity to bless someone, do you stick to the plan or do you allow them to use their talents to bless others as well?  Sticking to the plan isn't always our best option in life.  It certainly wasn't my best option today.  Blessings to you all.

New Year, New View...NO resolutions...well

I don't like resolutions so much.  I don't feel the need to wait to do something I really should be doing anyway.  But, I admit, this year I have "goals".  My goals involve being a better me.  I am excited about my accomplishments in my kitchen this past year.  I find peace and tranquility in being in this special place.  I hope to continue my progress here.  I have found it refreshing to get back to basics.  I am excited that I know how to bake bread from scratch.  I am excited we have had jam all winter from the gift of strawberries last summer.  I am thrilled I have learned to ease belly aches and food allergies through natural means rather then chemically.  God has provided for all of our needs, so I turn to His bounty rather then my medicine cabin more often then I used to. 

My husband and I have decided to shape up our children's education as well.  We have decided to remember why we choose to home educate...to bring them to God.  So each day we will start our day with Bible.  We are adding to our Bible curriculum and making it more meaty rather then fluff!  So far, so good...the kids have been more focused and more driven throughout their day because we start our day where we should have in the first place!

We have decided to cut back...big time.  I have finally come to the realization that I am not responsible for running every organization my children are involved in.  I will NOT coach and lead everything for 2011.  My family deserves better from me.  I cannot be all things to all people.  BUT, I can be the best I can be as a Godly example to my own kiddos. 

We have decided to do more things as a family.  I think we realized, at a wedding of our friends' "little girl", that our time with our kids is limited.  We love being together.  We refuse to let other things, even good things bring us apart.  So, more time together is definitely a goal!

We are going to start building a large food storage.  We hope to be able to collect enough food, by the end of 2011, to feed us for a year.  We are going to do this through couponing.  Tips are welcome.  We aren't doing this for gloom and doom reasons but rather to be better stewards of what God has given us.  We also realize that everyday emergencies are immanent.  In this economy it is best to be prepared!

Personally, I am getting back to losing weight.  I have dropped nearly 40 lbs...I think gained back 10...and have about 40 more to take off.  I can do it!  I am challenging myself to get back on the horse!  A lot more protein and a lot less sugar!
It is a big list, but we can do it! We have prayed about it.  We feel lead to accomplish these things. One thing we know is that through Christ ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!  So, with continued prayer and his guidance these are very do-able goals!

I welcome comments, encouragement, criticisms, helpful hints, suggested resources, and tag alongs.  If anything I have mentioned hits home or strikes a cord...jump in the boat and help me paddle! 

Oh and of course, HaPpY NeW YeAr!!!!