Astonishing Truths

I forgot how busy our days can get when we devote ourselves to a full school schedule.  It has been refreshing to be back on course though.

We began Tuesday with our morning math and language arts.  The new novelty is the large park only a few blocks away... recess was an adventure!  ((And I left the camera at home!!!! erg))

Our afternoons are sloooowly settling.  We actually got to some science today and here I must stop and praise God for church friends and the A-Beka curriculum for science.

 I have never purchased full curriculum... to pricey.  Also, I like to think I can do it all.  However, as my kids get older and we step farther into our calling as missionaries, I have begun to wish and pray for a good curriculum where all I have to do is review the lessons (prepare), present the material (teach), and help with work and questions (tutor).  But still... it is pricey!

Enter a wonderful couple from church.  They homeschooled both of their sons with the full A Beka curriculum.  Both children are now full grown men with jobs and one of them got married this summer... they approached me after church one day and asked if I wanted it!  ENTIRE textbook sets for all subjects from 9th through 12th with some text books from 7th and 8th .  I was speechless.

There are no workbooks, but the texts are a fine start!  (I have a request out to A Beka for their catalog so I can see how much consumables are)

Why am I taking time to brag on this company and the way in which God used a couple from church to bless me?  Because the blessings keep coming. 

Today, Ashley and I were going through the chapter on the human body.  At one point I felt like I had transitioned from a middle school text book to a cozy room in a church bible study!  When a SCIENCE text book tells you, "but Science and Physics can't explain the spirit and the soul", when it goes on to quote 2 Corinthians and ask you to compare and contrast Paul's words regarding the church and the body... you know you have found a gem!

I know there are other great, biblically based science textbooks out there.  But I had to share how my spirit was blessed today by this one!

May you revel in simple blessings of astonishing truths today!

"All Aboard!"

I signed up to start doing reviews for a woman and magazine that I absolutely admire... the woman is Lorrie Flem and the Magazine is TEACH

My first review isn't until next week and I don't want to spoil the surprise, but I can say that, as I have unpacked and resettled into this new environment, God has used TEACH to truly inspire me. 

It isn't easy living under someone else's roof when, for 19 years I have been completely independent.  Ok, maybe not completely.... I have been blessed with a darling husband for most of those years!  But I have always determined where things go, how things run, and when the goings-on of a house happen. 

This is strange.  Very humbling.

Lately TEACH has prompted me to really think about my relationships and how I approach people in my life... especially my husband.  I can tell you that God and I spent some serious time together on Saturday.  I had to drive around the block to find seclusion. He held me as I cried.  He listened as I poured out my heart.  And He answered when my sobs finally grew silent. 

God reminded me that life isn't about me.  It isn't about human effort or anything we can obtain.  It is more about humility in adversity.  It is about sacrificing of ourselves in order for God to be glorified in the moment.  I was reminded...

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6-7)

He spoke to me simply and said, "are you really praying about EVERYTHING?"  God can give us strength through the small trials and the large.  It doesn't matter what the situation is, even something as simple as, "God, please help me to speak with love" (When I truly want to yell in anger!)  He showed me where I was more concerned with my human efforts and the results of those, than with what HE can and wants to do through me and submitting completely to His cause.

I am becoming like a steam locomotive now.  No longer slowly chugging to pull away from in front of the station, spinning wheels as I work with great effort to pull forward.  I am finally picking up momentum and while my  pressure  is not quite steady, the rhythm is developing and I feel confident that with God's grace.... and much prayer, my journey in this new place will soon be underway.  All I will have to do is enjoy the scenery!

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16)

May you find momentum in Christ today as you pray through your travels (and challenges) in life.

I'm BACK!!

We finally transitioned 11 years and 6 people out of our home.  It was a tearful yet exciting departure.  Contemplating all of the memories while looking ahead to all the possibilities God is drawing us towards... it was hard to stay sad!

Our last day of major moving and cleaning provided an opportunity to view just one more of God's beautiful creations from our window:

Icicles!

We will miss the lovely vistas we have enjoyed right from our living room window...

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We will also miss the sled hill in our back yard...

 ... and building snowmen for neighbors who need them :-)

 

Even though these winter pleasures won't be right out our door... they are still close.  We live only a few blocks away from one of the nicest parks in town (which also contains a VERY nice sled hill AND ice rink!).  I won't have to explain to the kids all the time why we can't go to the park with the swings and slide 'today'... and I hope to go often so as to get some exercise myself!  

But even more than these simple treats are the eternal rewards we see becoming possible.  The opportunities to minister in a larger community while exposing our children to more diverse experiences fill us with excitement and anticipation.  

May you find excitement and anticipation in the transitions of your life this year!