Tuesday, July 27, 2010

always ready

The morning started out as our summer mornings do. It was a warm morning and we ventured out early, wanting to enjoy a walk before the sun became too intense.

My little one always seems to find herself snuggled in close as I carry her in the ergo. The boys will sometimes ride their bikes and sometimes I'll push a stroller. Today I found myself pulling two little girls in the wagon and I had two little men that were walking with me. There was a flurry of conversation around me.

We talked about all that we were thankful for. We talked about how hot we already were. What we wanted to do today. I was thankful these little ones were there to talk to.

And then the question was asked. It seemed to come out of nowhere. Yet, as I sit here now, I wonder if the question has been pondered for a while.

You see, there is an upcoming trip. A trip filled with much excitement. A trip that will include a plane ride...

Mom, what happens when you are on a plane and it catches on fire?

Oh Lord, help me.

I did not want to just leave the conversation alone.

Oh Lord, be at work here.

Well, my son, that is one reason why we pray. We pray for the pilot. That he would be full of wisdom and alert. We pray that the Lord would protect us and keep us safe. That He would help us get there safely.



But, my son. That is also why we have to make sure that we are always ready to meet Jesus. If the plane was to suddenly catch fire while we were over the ocean, there is probably nothing that could be done. That's why it is so important that we believe in Jesus. That we love Him. That we walk with Him. We don't know when it might be time for us to go to heaven.

Silence. Stillness.

Remember, the story we just read in our wisdom book? The story of the boy who always said he would start walking with Jesus when we got older... What happened? Remember how he was being foolish and he ended up dying before he had a chance to surrender his life?

That's why it is so important for us to always be ready.

Do you understand?

The conversation continued. More questions were asked.

My heart ached... Oh Lord. Speak to their hearts right now. Let your grace fall on them at this moment. To hear You... Let this moment not be wasted.

And Lord, help me to always be ready to speak of You. Help me not to be too tired or too frustrated.

Let Your grace continually fall... let it drop like rain.


My doctrine shall drop like rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.
Deuteronomy 32:2



Saturday, July 24, 2010

Eleven Years

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. Song of Solomon 6:3





Eleven years ago a boy and a girl said, "I do".

Eleven years ago we began this journey.






There is no one else that I would rather be walking with




I love you more today then the day we said, "I Do". Thank you, my love, for choosing me... These years have been amazing and I look forward to all that is to come.





Friday, July 23, 2010

fixing my eyes

It is certainly vain to hope that you can induce your children to fix their affections upon another world, while yours are fixed upon this.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

finding a rhythm

Maybe it is the time of year, maybe it is the fact that we do in fact have five little ones right now, maybe it is just that season of life... I don't know, but all of the sudden the questions seem to be coming. Questions on homeschooling and how we do it with five children.

The questions have been good.

It's caused me to slow down and share our journey. To stop and ponder. To reflect on His goodness.

I want to bring those thoughts here... I want to record what we are doing and what works for us in this season...

:::

Part One - living a song
:::


Instead of a schedule, I like to find a rhythm for our days.

I started doing this as a young wife. Even then, we would do laundry on Monday nights and Racquetball on Tuesday nights. The routine changed in the coming years as we brought a sweet little boy home from the hospital one day in March. Our routine...the rhythm of our days...seem to change at each season. Even now, it looks so much different then those days as a new mom with a toddler and baby, our days look different then when we first started homeschooling and our days find a different rhythm during the long summer months.

I find a rhythm and that's where I thrive.

We know when chores get done and what chores need to get done each morning. We know what time school starts. We know the flow of school...

I know that I do laundry on Monday and Thursday. I don't try to do laundry on Tuesday when we clean... I don't get stressed because I'm trying to do everything on one day and I don't get stressed because I am just putting it all off, planning to do it tomorrow or the day after.

For me it's a knowing and an understanding. And in that, we find order and peace.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

living a song

Maybe it is the time of year, maybe it is the fact that we do have five little ones right now, maybe it is just that season of life... I don't know, but all of the sudden the questions seem to be coming. Questions on homeschooling. And how we do it with five children.

The questions have been good.

It's caused me to slow down and share our journey. To stop and ponder. To reflect on His goodness.

I want to bring those thoughts here... I want to record what we are doing and what works for us in this season...



:::

It all starts with Him.

Mornings in the Word, maybe reading a verse as I sit down to feed a sweet little girl, listening to a sermon filled with the gospel as I do dishes. Filling my mind with His Word. His promises.

Walking in prayer. Praying as I fold laundry. Crying out to Him as we go on a walk. Oh how I desire, to be in constant communication with my Father.

We need Him and that's where I want to start.

I know that it is Him that has called us as a family to homeschool. I am not entering this journey blindly. I know there will be hard days and hard seasons but I also know that this is the best thing for our family. So, I cling to His promises.



When I am weak then He is strong.




I want to, I have to, there is no other choice, it is my desire... and so I Walk with Him... Cry out to Him... Stand on His word... and let Him fill.

It's a daily journey. It's an hour by hour journey.

But He is faithful. Oh so very faithful.

Friday, July 16, 2010


For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. And they shall spring up as among the grass as willows by the water courses.
Isaiah 44:3,4




Oh Father, pour Your water upon us.

Sail Boats


The boys had this vision for a sail boat. They would make it with Grandpa and then take it to the lake to sail it...

The boats were made and painted...


and ready for their first voyage.



Oh, how I love summer days. You're able to step away from the regular routine and embrace moments and days of creating...


Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Quilt Squares and fun projects


We pulled out the sewing machine this afternoon and got to playing. Faith and I worked on some invitations for a little tea party but we still wanted to do something with some fabric.

My Mom has made each of her grandchildren a baby quilts and for Alaina's quilt she had some extra squares. We found the squares and started sewing...