Family Work Days

Yesterday dear hubby began the process of laying wood floors over at our daughter's house. The children are always right my grandpa's side which leaves little room for me to help. They are all so precious and love spending the time together. I know it will look wonderful when completed. Today we are supposed to have warm weather in the 50's which will make the work go easier-windows will be open and the nice breeze will fill the rooms. I'm so excited that soon daughter and her family will have a brand new clean living,dining and kitchen area. As for hubby and myself, we like nothing more than working on projects with our family.

Have a wonderful fun filled weekend.

Fun Food

Many years ago my family started cutting back on fast food in an effort to be more health oriented. Finally the only fast food restaurant we would visit was In-N-Out burger because they made everything fresh; you could actually watch them cutting potatoes for french fries. We got really spoiled by this restaurant and if you've ever been to California you will understand. When we moved to Colorado our search for a good burger began. We have tried many restaurants and none can compare to In-N-Out. However when our dear California friends were here visiting with us, their daughter who lives in Vail, took us to a chain restaurant called Noodles &Company. It is not a hamburger joint but it has become the only place I want to go for a quick lunch. We fell in love with this place. I try to avoid carb's on a regular basis but this place can satisfy anyone. The dishes are inexpensive-generally $3.50 for a small dish and $5.75 for large and the variety is simply amazing. We've eaten there four times now and my favorite is the Japanese Pan Noodle; dear hubby has had Pesto Pasta, Butter Noodles with shrimp and today he tried the Noodle Stroganoff with beef. Today I tried Pasta Fresco, basically fresh tomatoes, garlic, spinach, onion, noodles in a vinaigrette sauce. This would be a great place for kids as well due to how reasonable the prices are. I had never seen this restaurant prior to moving here and don't know if they have them in other states but I can tell you that the pasta is fresh as are the other ingredients. The only problem I've seen is trying to get a table because they are always so busy. So if you have one near you and haven't tried it-go try it. If you are Italian and make your own pasta this might not impress you but I love it. I just have to limit how often we eat there.
What is your favorite restaurant and why?

Family History

I grew up in a traditional Irish Catholic family. All of my grandparents immigrated from Ireland so I am second generation American. My heritage was something that was always a constant-whether verbal or non-verbal. I think probably the Catholic part was emphasized more but none the less the Irish was always prominent. I grew up on tales of the old country much like children of other immigrants. The stories I was told we not merely stories but I believed every bit of them.
So one of the traits of being Irish is that I am very gullible. I was always extremely proud of being Irish and often, in my youth, looked down on other people who didn't have a lineage to speak of. I still can't believe how horrid I was at times! God's grace certainly changed me. By the time I had children of my own, my Irish ancestry was important but had taken a back seat to my Christian ancestry. My lineage was in a Jewish Carpenter named Jesus and that was all that mattered.
Every waking moment and breathe I took was consumed with learning more about His love letter to me and teaching my girls about Jesus and His Word. From the time they could sit for stories our stories were from the Word. When they were in school, we would walk to school singing children's praise songs. At night they would drift to sleep listening to Psalty, GT&the Halo Express, the Music Machine or other tapes.
When my side of the family got together there was always lots of fun and jokes that went on. You see, somewhere in southern Ireland is a castle-or so legend tells-that is named after my maiden name. I haven't been to Ireland yet but have been told, it is right next to the dump.
There were lots of teasing about the stories I grew up believing and we always laughed til we cried. I love my heritage and hope someday to get to the Old Country and visit, see the hills my grandparents were from but I love my Heritage more...my lineage in Him. I still love to sing praises with my grandkids whenever we are together and I pray the memories they have of me are ones that touched them for Jesus.
Tomorrow is a special memory day for me and I'll be sharing more of the stories I grew up on.

Winter White

Saturday evening the snow began and lasted through late yesterday afternoon. We didn't get much more than a few inches but it was heavenly. We've had a normal winter for this area; a bit of snow here and there that lasts for a few days. Last year was heavier than normal but not as bad as two winters ago when there were back to back blizzards.
We are blessed to live in an area of Colorado that isn't hit with snow as much as the Rockies. For those of us still adjusting it is perfect and we love it. I so appreciate all wheel vehicles though; yesterday we dropped my car off at the shop for repairs and we got a rental car. Cute little car-a Malibu but dear hubby said it felt like he was on a roller skate driving it. There was no traction whatsoever and I am thankful we were able to park it in the garage where it will stay until we take it back. At least hubby's car is all wheel drive, otherwise I probably would be housebound until the roads were clear.
The beauty of the snow thrills my heart and make a reflect on several verses from one of my favorite Psalms.

"Purify me with hyssop and I shall be clean; Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow."
"Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
"O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Thy praise."
Psalm 51:7,10,15

Photo: A lake in our area...

Serving

Yesterday one of the main points of our sermon was on serving God and that we don't need to be a preacher, a missionary or doing great things in the world to serve Him. It is in the little things that we serve God. It doesn't matter how others respond, it is for Him. It doesn't matter whether others deserve the things we do, we do it for Him, He deserves it. Whether we are living with parents and serving them but are still treated wrongly, we do it for Him and for His glory. If we live with a spouse who doesn't know Christ, it shouldn't matter how badly they treat us if we are serving Christ. I am not advocating abuse or endangering the life of children but we continue to love and serve because we are loving Christ. If we work in a job and the boss is always horrible to us, we serve Christ by working at this with all our hearts.

In all of our lives we have those around us that don't deserve kindness, forgiveness, mercy but when we live that, we are serving our Lord. We have our own mission field, we don't need to go someplace else to serve or to teach or minister~the Lord wants us doing these things right where we are. A pretty basic principle but one that we need to be reminded of on a regular basis.

Be blessed this day!

DIY

My husband is an original do-it-yourself kind of guy. It started back in our college days when he was taught to lay cement, specifically aggregate. From the time we bought our first house we did all our own projects-you name it, we tackled it. It helps that he is very gifted in woodworking and in building. When I was 8 mos pregnant with our first daughter I remember being straddled over wet cement as we evened it out and fearing my belly would certainly end up in the wet goop. While we lived in that house we laid yards of cement, built fences as well as overhangs, put a new roof on the house with our two young daughters sitting next to us the entire time. Once some of the neighbor gals, who were friends, told me very nicely that I needed to stop because their hubbies were looking at them wondering why they didn't do all the things I would do.
So it should be no surprise when I got so excited that new hardwood flooring is being delivered to my daughter's house across the street today. I felt like a kid in a candy shop! This means that this weekend we will all begin the process on pulling up old awful carpet and next week begin laying the hardwood with them. Yippee! Of course I may not be as involved physically as I once was but I'll be there just the same, probably watching the grandkids. I'm also looking forward to painting once we get our house.
Have a fun weekend, whatever you do!

Embrace Life

With the title of today's post my subject could be on pro-life which I am an adamant supporter of, however it isn't as you will see.
Almost four years ago I was blessed to hospice my older sister during her final seven months of life while she battled cancer. It was definitely one of the most difficult times in my life but also one so very precious and so filled with the grace of the Lord. Even as I write this and remember back to those days, the tears come. At the time I choose to focus on the particular day and not look forward for I knew what lie ahead and in order to walk through it I had to embrace each day as it came. I am not saying I didn't stumble, for I did, my girls can testify to that but I couldn't think about "how long" she had, it was simply too painful. Having lost our mom when I was 21 and still a brat(sorry to be blunt but it was true), my sister stepped into the role quite easily. Her battle with cancer had started almost eight years earlier and she outlived the statistics, she was such a warrior. When that dreaded final prognosis came from her oncologist, I remember sobbing and sobbing. A change came over her personality, knowing each day could be her last, a new softness and mercy came into her. I truly believe it was the Lord's refining that changed her those last few months. I well remember her looking at me that day, after the doctor's appt., telling me how much she loved me and then using the analogy of a going on a train ride-she'd just get there before the rest of us. Oh, how I miss her. During those days, she got quite adamant with me about not crying all the time, not being sad and just enjoying the time together we had.
Several months into her final walk, we spent the night together~she would get up in the night and want to have ice-cream and visit because she couldn't sleep. As much as my spirit was desiring this, my flesh was weak and I remember getting so upset with her cause I was so tired.
So as sisters can, we would drive each other nuts at time although I'm sure she was much more patient with me than I was.
One of our favorite expressions during this journey was "Whenever possible embrace life" and one of her favorite songs was "I hope you dance". When I hear that song now it still moves me to tears. I remember hospice telling me it was a gift to be able to walk through my sister's last months with her and at the time I thought "this is not a gift". Afterwards I knew it was and I'm so thankful my dear hubby agreed to have me quit work to help her.
A short year later, I helped a dear sister in the Lord walk this path with her husband. I wasn't as involved because I was back to work but I was blessed to be there the night he went home to glory.
These two events have made me look at life differently, to cherish every day and to try to embrace all that we face.
Many people today are facing such difficult trials; job losses, cancer, uncertainty for the future
and I know it isn't easy while you're walking through it but know there is One whom desires to take your hand and if necessary carry you. Take His hand today.

Motherhood

I have a passion for motherhood. Even as a young child I can remember that being my sole desire for adulthood. This passion was not born out of having a wonderful example in my life but like many passions that develop it was born out of a lack in my heart.
I was a "surprise" child born into a very Irish Catholic family; my mother was 39 yrs old and a working woman. This was during the time when woman were always homemakers and children were born in their youth. I had an older sister and brother who were blessed to have our mother at home while they were young. As a child, I never understood the whys behind my mom's needing to work and it was truly a need. There were many friends around me who had their moms home so I did witness many normal relationships; I just didn't have one. My mom was not in the best of health and by the time she got home from work each day, she simply did not have the energy or patience to deal with a active child. My dad worked in a grocery store and his hours meant he was often out of the house in the evenings, thus leaving the burden of caring for me on my mom. My moms' parents both died while she was young so she didn't have a strong example of mothering either. During this era mother-daughter relationships were not like they are today. Mom and I were never close; I resented her working and I was alone so much I resented not having siblings to play with. As I got older, I went through years of rebellion with my mom but my dad and I were extremely close. My mom tried her hardest with me and one of my biggest regrets over the years was that I did not treat her with honor.
When I was 21 my mom suddenly had a stroke which led to her death. I can honestly say it took me many long years, probably ten, to work through the complexity of our relationship and repent of my sins against my mom. When I came to Christ many years ago, I realized for the first time that He was using my childhood to make me into the mom I am today-and back then it was quite a bit of work He had to do. I truly missed the closeness that I saw other mothers and daughters share and I poured myself into my daughters, working on that relationship with them.
Throughout my married life I have been so blessed but having such a tight bond of friendship with my two girls. If there is one thing I could pass on to others it would be to cultivate those family relationships whether it is mother-daughter, mother-son, father-mother, sister-sister, sister-brother, brother-brother. It is easy to get caught up in the business of life and have surface relationships with others but having a deep bond will bless you. Share what's on your heart on a regular basis, be it your hopes and dreams, or trials and concerns. Open your heart to those you love for you never know when you might not have the chance again. There were so many things I wish my mom and I could have shared and I didn't have that chance.
When my girls were in high school, a homeschooling family that we knew experienced a tragedy that impacted our family. The mother and daughter were having a disagreement about something and although they were very close the daughter left for her job without saying goodbye and giving her mom a hug. On the way to work that summer day her little VW bug was hit and run over by a Costco truck, instantly killing the teen. The shock waves rippled through our community and the grief for that mom. She would never have the opportunity to hug her daughter again and say I love you. That summer day my family and I began a simple ritual that has become a pattern for life-whether in person or on the phone when we are saying goodbye we always tell the other that we loved them. I am so much richer by the lives of my girls; they are my best friends.
Is there a relationship that needs the balm of the Lord on it today? Prayerfully consider how you might reach out to that loved one, even if it is just in prayer.
Blessings on your heart today.

Blessed Assurance

As we enter into a new day, a day that will possibly change our country as we know it, I reflected on times in my own life when there was only one thing to hold onto. That one thing was the certainty that God was in control~yesterday,today and forever.
In 1989 I lived in Cupertino Ca. and one October day my life was changed in an instant. We experienced the Loma Prieta earthquake. Although I was a California girl and had lived with earthquakes my entire life, this one was a major quake. I got through it but experienced what doctors call Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. I know that the anxiety I experienced was nothing compared to what our Vets go through after serving our country in war but any unexpected vibrations of the floor or loud noise panicked me. The only thing I can say that gave me comfort, I found in the Word of the Lord. Here was my verse from that time:
"God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns." Psalm 46:1-5

Many years later, after our girls were raised and adults I went back to work at a bank. One Saturday our bank was robbed and I was the one who was held up. It was very traumatic for me and for the remaining years I worked there I would be working during two more robberies.
Again, the Lord graciously gave me comfort in His Word. Here is the verse from that time frame.

"I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely." Psalm 16:8,9

As I pondered the magnitude of today's inauguration this song of old came to me again reassuring me that God is on the Throne.
Blessed Assurance
Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine!
O what a foretaste of Glory divine!
Heir of salvation purchased of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Written by a blind gal named Fanny J. Crosby in 1873

There is so much uncertainty in our world today; many are facing life threatening health issues, many are facing great losses due to our troubled economy while others still face situations that seem helpless. You, dear reader, may be facing the greatest trial in your life but take heart there is One who longs to help you~all you need to do is cry out to Him this day to save you. He is Faithful, He is trustworthy, He is merciful, His grace in new every morning and if you cry out to Him He will help you for He alone is able to save you. His name is Jesus; run to Him for He is waiting with His arms opened wide. He loves you so much He died for you.

A Windy January Day

Blessings to you dear friends. The month has flown by; it's hard to believe we only have two weeks left. We have been enjoying the beauty of bright, clear sunny days with lots of wind. It looks like spring but in reality, spring is a long way off. Years ago when some friends moved from California to Colorado I remember them telling us they experienced a lot more wind than we ever had in California. I can testify to that! Anyway, I'm dreaming of spring time and planting trees, flowers and herbs with possibly some vegetables. Of course we haven't found a house yet but it never hurts to look towards the future. The last number of years we were in California I worked full time and just didn't have the energy or time for a garden. Now that we are retired I can't wait.
So today my oldest daughter, her hubby,their gang, my hubby and I went over to our local park to fly kites. I thought it would be so much fun and daughter and I both took our cameras.
No sooner had my dear hubby gotten our kite out of the car when it took off~and proceeded to break away from the string and blow through the parking lot into the bushes. So much for flying kites and getting pictures-it is much to windy for that.
How is your weather today? Are you enjoying it's beauty, whether it is snowy, icy, bleak or bright and sunny? We all have been blessed with the Hand of God creating a magnificent handiwork for us~so take time today to enjoy, even if it is from inside looking out.

Forsaking All

A dear friend lent me a book this week by author William MacDONALD and although at first it seemed rudimentary there is deep truth in the pages. I may have read it years ago but it isn't striking a bell with me so I'm now using it in my quiet time. I have just started it but look forward to reading through it and gleaning truth, meditating on it and applying it to this simple heart.

Two such prayers that I hope to really study today and glean depth from are below; may they bless your heart as well.

"Lord, let me have no will of my own or consider my true happiness as depending in the smallest degree on anything that can befall me outwardly, but as consisting altogether in conformity to Thy Will". Henry Martyn

"Father, let me be weak that I might lose my clutch on everything temporal. My life, my reputation, my possessions, Lord, let me loose the tension of the grasping hand. Even, Father, would I lose the love fondling. How often I have release a grasp only to retain what I prized by "harmless" longing, the fondling touch. Rather, open my hand to receive the nail of Calvary, as Christ's was opened, that I, releasing all, might be released, unleashed from all that binds me now. He thought Heaven, yea, equality with God, not a thing to be clutched at. So let me release my grasp." Jim Elliot

Wow, that prayer by Jim Elliot was answered in his death at the hand of a primitive people; taken while bringing the gospel to them.

These are not prayers easily spoken and quickly uttered but ones that cost the most-and render the greatest reward.

Grounding and Growing

When I was a young wife and mom, a new christian and a woman hungering for friendship I joined a woman's bible study at our church. The studies occurred every Thursday morning from nine to noon throughout the school year. The first part of the morning the pastor taught on one particular book of the bible, then we'd break for coffee and snacks and from 10:30 to 12:00 individual classes geared at teaching skills pertinent to keeping a home were given. As I recall there were at least 2 dozen classes ranging in topics such as knitting, quilting, cookie, arts and crafts, bread baking etc.
One year I signed up for Grounding and Growing, foolishly thinking it had to do with gardening. A close friend and I took the class and there were only three of us in this group. This was a fairly large church and class size often was in the 10-20's. We found out quickly that it wasn't on gardening, except in gardening our souls. The focus was entirely spiritual and taught memorization, study habits for time in the Word and prayer. The years I attended this church were wonderful times spent with gals who were mature Christians and gals like me that had a hunger and thirst for righteousness. I remember how I missed the classes during summer but many of us would get together for park days once a week to continue building the fellowship.
I was blessed to be surrounded by godly women who gently took me under their wings to teach and lead me. These are such sweet memories for me and also my first friends who homeschooled. I think my life and my daughter's lives would have been totally different if it wasn't for this special group of sisters that nurtured me. It has been a very long time since I've heard from most of them; one I still keep in contact with and she and her hubby are dear friends of ours. Most of us moved out of the area and made new bonds of friendships but these ladies will always hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to seeing them in Glory and joining them as we lift praises to our King. Who is your someone special that has impacted your life for Christ? Are you still in contact with her? If so, write, call or reach out and give her a hug today just to let her know how much she means to you.
Blessings.

Thankful Thursday

Hello dear friends, I can't believe it's Thursday all ready~how the days fly by.
Many of you have followed the ongoing health issue of my granddaughter we call Peanut-our little Mackenzie. This week their entire family drove down to Children's Hospital and met with the doctor that performed all of Peanut's tests in December. I know daughter and her hubby were so thankful to meet with the doctor and try to ascertain the best course of action for their little girl.
Mackenzie is now almost two and has had health issues from the age of 5 mos. She suffers from GERD, commonly known as Acid Reflux disease and with that comes another condition called Sensory Processing Disorder.
Many prayers have gone up for little Mackenzie and she is the sweetest little girl; we say she's little because she is very small for her age.
The results of the tests came back and we are pleased that there were no life threatening issues.
God is so good! Having said that our little one continues to have issues with losing weight and eating problems. The tests indicated she does not have Celiac disease so that was also good news.
Mama will now have to enroll her in an Eating clinic so she can learn how to eat better. That sounds so funny to me, to have to teach a child to eat but when you've had GERD and sensory issues eating does not happen naturally. I told my girl I was more than willing to give up some of my fat for little Mackenzie but unfortunately it doesn't work like that. Someday, when all is said and done, we will all look back on this and smile but right now it has been a long journey Kim and their family have walked through. It isn't over, in fact probably means one more day per week that they will have to schedule appointments with therapists etc but we are so thankful that
Mackenzie is not seriously ill. Now if we could just fatten her up a bit.
So to all who have prayed for her, thank you can't even begin to cover the gratitude I have for you in my heart. May you be richly blessed!

Stick-Together Families

One of my closest friends over the years has been a constant inspiration to me. She has nine children and homeschooled them all. Although she now lives several states away and I haven't seen her for a number of years, we are bound by the heart. She sent me this poem that one of her children found in a homeschool reader. I love the sentiment it evokes.

Stick-Together Families

The stick-together families

Are happier by far

Than the brothers and sisters

Who take separate highways are;

The gladdest people living

Are the wholesome folks who make

A circle at the fireside

That no power but death can break,

And the finest of conventions

Ever held beneath the sun,

Are the little family gatherings

When busy days are done.

There are some who seem to fancy

That for gladness they must roam,

That for smiles that are the brightest,

They must wander far from home.

That a strange friend is a true friend,

And they travel far astray,

And they waste their lives in striving

For a joy that’s far away.

But the gladdest sort of people

When the busy day is done,

Are the brothers and the sisters

Who together share their fun.

It’s the stick-together family

That wins the joy of earth,

That hears the sweetest music

And finds the finest mirth.

It’s the old home roof that shelters

All the charm that life can give,

And oh, weary wandering brother,

If contentment you would win,

Come you back into the fireside,

And be comrade with your kin.

-Author Unknown

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

A Lovely Award
Karen at Homespun Simplicity has given me the Proximidade Award. Thank you so much, Karen!This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are extremely charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their award."
Those who richly bless my life with their blogs:
Carrie at Our Journey
Kim at Joyfullness in EveryDay
Amy at My Tudor House
Linda at Colorado Farm Life
Rissaroo at Anerissara
Pam at Smiling Grammy
Prairie Chick at Prairie Prologue
Paula at Rose Cottage By The Lake

Woodworking

This last year hubby and I decided to have a homespun Christmas~making all of our presents.
It was a wonderful time for both of us; I made quilts for the children and families and my guy made cheese and cracker serving trays as well as cutting boards. He has always been extremely gifted in wood working and is actually teaching our two grandsons this art. I always take photos of quilts I make as a history and visual record of patterns I've used. So it seemed only natural to take one photo of this tray and post about it.
It is inlaid with purple-heart and walnut woods and took him many hours with designing, cutting and gluing to get it the way he wanted. It does have a small round quartz bowl that is for dips but this picture was taken while in the process of drying. I was so proud of him I could just bust! Some friends have said he should market these but because of the time involved he couldn't possibly recoup what it cost him. For both of us those things we make are a gift of love; mine are by no means perfect, his are but it was the love behind it that made it fun. I'm so proud that he is teaching his grandsons valuable lessons, not only in wood working but also in giving.

More Reflections on Homeschooling

After all was said and done I was asked to speak with a group of ladies about my homeschool experience. It was a small group of homeschoolers and there were several of us that were asked to share. One question in particular that I recall was "because I started in homeschooling our daughter's in jr. high and high school did I feel they missed out on anything and did I regret homeschooling?". My answers are still they same-No they did not miss out on anything academic or social because of our choice to pull them out of school and I never regretted for a single moment our homeschooling. Yes, I wish we started off educating them at home because I had to go back and reteach the fundamentals. Our homeschooling was probably one of, if not the richest times in my life. I still see so many benefits our girls received in their lives from it and most of all the bond we have today is deeper still because of all we have done together. Some of the ladies who shared at this meeting actually were so glad to be done with teaching their kids and I found this so very sad. But I have always loved teaching and still often find myself doing it with our grandkids. I've known many homeschoolers and while they may know their children and enjoy the child-parent relationship, I can honestly say that next to my husband our girls are truly my best friends. Many have told me that our family unit, our closeness in proximity and in time spent together, is unusual and I for one am so very thankful that we are so close. That's probably why I am so drawn to the simpler, plain life because to me it epitomizes a tight close bond of family.
My daughter's were able to experience life set apart that they wouldn't have if they were in school; they were able to partake in learning things that are character building in a way they couldn't have if in a restricted classroom environment.
Today I have to be very careful because I am very much against public schools and so I find myself having to button my lips if talking with others.
I know many enjoy the school systems and flourish in it but for us the simple truth is that we loved learning at home.

Reflections on Homsechooling-part two

While we lived in Cupertino, dubbed Silicon Valley, our two girls did attend public school. I can tell you every day was bathed in prayer and before school we spent time in God's Word. When the time came to move I had decided that even if it was my heart's desire to homeschool them that my submitting to my husband was more important. I never lost my fervor for it and continued to be an advocate. As we began to look at moving out of the area to a smaller city and slower lifestyle we wanted our girls to enjoy their childhood and be little girls, for time catches up with children soon enough. My husband got a transfer up north, an hour outside of San Francisco to the Agilent plant in Santa Rosa. Because I was so active in the schools, volunteering and serving on different committees we were able to choose an elementary school nearby where both girls could go. After going through a major earthquake in San Jose, having our girls together at school and nearby was a high priority. Although the school was a good one and ranked high there were still things that grieved my heart. When our oldest daughter was in sixth grade the school did some testing for learning disabilities which ran in our family. By the end of that school year we had decided that the school system could no longer meet her needs and we enrolled in a christian school's Independent Study Program. This was such a miracle in and of itself. That first year of homeschooling we only kept our oldest at home; I wanted to settle in with her and get a handle on the schedules, books, learning styles etc before attempting to homeschool both girls. Dear hubby was still not 100% behind it and wanted to take each year as it came, watching to see how it would go and how the girls would do. Each year the standardized testing came back with phenomenal results showing academic growth in all areas. What strikes me the most about this journey was that the Lord took something that the world looked at as a negative(our daughter's learning disability)and used it to answer our prayers. His grace was so abundant during these years~not that it was always smooth sailing but He led us each step of the way. When my oldest first came home she was a non-reader but I was able to find out her passions-at the time it was horses-and teach reading around that area. We were also blessed at the time to be able to lease a horse and give the girls riding lessons. Beyond that though the primary focus of all our schooling and learning was the Lord and His Word. I wanted every subject to have a spiritual application and I kept stressing that our girls needed to give it their best, whatever they were doing as unto the Lord.
There continued to be much prayer on my behalf that the Lord would bless our efforts and hubby would see how this choice was the right one. One of the greatest achievements that our oldest attempted and successfully put together was hosting, with her future husband, a conference for highschoolers given by Eric and Leslie Ludy. This was the first of many conferences they hosted and for a 17 yr old to put together a conference for 200 youth with advertising on the radio, papers and at churches astounded me. I'm not sure I could have organized such an event as an adult. Needless to say after both girls graduated dear hubby said he wished we had started when they were in Kindergarten. He is an advocate now and does whatever he needs to do to help our girls homeschool their children. One of the biggest blessings for our family was capturing our daughters hearts. When children go to school it is easy for them to foster bad attitudes and as parents we don't always see them. When at home you can see a problem and deal with it immediately. Many have asked me if I think that God wants everyone to homeschool. I have only walked this journey of faith in our family but yes, I do believe that the Lord's perfect will is for parents to educate their children at home. Is it always possible? No there are situations that make it impossible and in those circumstances if a parent truly seeks God's heart and will on the matter I believe He will guard the children. As a young christian mom I remember saying I didn't think I could homeschool our girls because one of them had a very strong will. A dear Titus sister looked at me and said "that's probably the reason you should homeschool her". Am I still an advocate-100% and I would be disappointed if my daughters and their hubby's choose to educate out of the home but what others choose for their families is between them and the Lord. Today my daughter's continue to demonstrate the organizational skills they learned from homeschooling in their homes and the lives of their family.
If this is something you desire but are unsure of due to learning difficulties please feel free to contact me by email.
Noreen
werhis3@gmail.com

Reflections on Homsechooling

When hubby and I were first married we lived an area of California dubbed "silicon valley"-it was the area booming with computer growth etc. Although we were raised in Palo Alto this is where we started our family and lived for 12 years. I was blessed to be a stay at home mom as were most of the ladies in our neighborhood. It was a surprise when one of the neighbors who had become one of my dearest friends, pulled her two grade school children out of the Christian school they attended to homeschool. At this point in time, homeschooling was still an unknown phenomenon. At the same time another dear godly friend started homeschooling her children. She had a big family; at the time I think she had five which seemed "big"for the times we were in. When both families started to homeschool our daughters were still preschool age. I was a preschool teacher and so I hammered these dear sweet sisters with every question I could come up with. They were gracious and patient with me and explained all the reasons they were homeschooling. It seemed that a group of ladies in my life who had older children were all deciding to go this route for their kids education. I waited and watched and began to see the fruit of their labors in the lives of their children and in their families. I was convinced; our two daughters instinctively knew that this was the right thing to do and preceded to tell everyone that they wanted to homeschool. Dear hubby had other thoughts on the issue, mainly that he wasn't sure the long term outcome would be beneficial. The girls and I began to pray about this and I became an advocate for homeschooling. It would be many years before our prayers were answered and in a way we didn't anticipate but as I look back I can so clearly see the hand of the Lord in this and see how we were prepared. Needless to say, our girls did attend public school while we lived in this area of California. God is so faithful and loves to bless us. It's amazing to see how seeds can be planted and watch how they are watered and tended. I'll share more of this story tomorrow. Blessings on your day.

Yesterday hubby and I began our search for a home to purchase. We met our Realtor and viewed two houses; the second one was a definite possibility. I am asking the Lord to lead dear hubby and so am letting him take the role of finding a home that the Lord has without my jumping ahead and controlling where we end up. I've done that too many times in my life and know that the only place I want to be in where the Lord chooses. Although we are anxious to be in our new home, we are taking our time looking. So many have encouraged me that what the Lord has for us may not look like what I think it should but again my motto this year is TRUST. So I have turned over my desires and hopes and am waiting to see what comes about. It will be so fun to watch as this search unfolds. I am already praying for the house and the neighbors and the ability to be good stewards of all the blessings He gives.

A New Hunt

A little over a year ago dear hubby and I joined the rest of our family and moved from California to beautiful Colorado. The reason was simple~the Lord was leading us here. He began to reveal His plan to both of my daughter's and their husbands that this was the place He wanted us. Each couple had been praying about a potential move and where they were to go. Our Father is so faithful, He led each couple separately but undeniably to move to this area of Colorado. So within a few months we had all prepared for the move and made it. There was only one glitch-our home didn't sell due to the poor housing market in Sonoma County. So we leased it to a nice family who absolutely love it. Now that we've been here a year we've decided we really need to purchase a home of our own. We are very hard on homes and with two dogs and having 7 grandkids over, we can be really rough on a house. We did try to buy one house but we came in second; so today we are beginning our search again. It is difficult to find a house that meets all our criteria but with the Lord on our side, nothing is impossible. It's exciting to think about actually painting color on walls as we are so tired of white walls. It's also fun to think about planting....but lest I get ahead of myself I need to take a deep breathe and see what looks feasible. My motto is Trust in Him who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than I desire.

A Symphony In White

Winter has made its way to our area. I love the snow and the beauty of seeing it on trees-it is pristine and takes my breath away. This year our snowfall hasn't been as much as last year but experiencing the beauty of new fallen snow still inspires me. We don't have trees this thick here in northeastern Colorado but I love the look of frost and snow on our trees none the less.
I've heard from a friend in northern Washington that they got 2' of snow before New Year's and it hasn't stopped snowing since. I'm so thankful that I don't have to brave the cold unless I want to and I can sit with a cup of tea and just enjoy the weather. I love living in a state that has four distinct seasons; not that Ca. didn't but our winters are so much more beautiful. Wherever you are today may you find beauty that inspires you.

Fabulous Friday

The first Friday of the New Year makes me think of yesterday, look at today and gaze to tomorrow. Yesterday many took advantage of the sales but for the most part hubby and I stayed home. My back has been acting up a tad and kicked in my sciatica so I wanted to baby it and not make it worse. I haven't had a bout of sciatica in 12 years and I really don't want to get as bad as I did back then. So although I took it slow and easy, I did sit and work on hubby's quilt a bit. We ran a couple of small errands and during the day my back was fine. Last evening our girls and their families came over; we put on a Little House On The Prairie movie for the kids and the adults played Mexican Train with dominoes. It was great fun to be together bringing in the New Year....quality family time is what we enjoy the most. By the time everyone headed home we had 7 little ones very tired and ready for bed.
Today my back and hip are acting up so I've taken the Advil and put on a topical Camphor rub so will probably just stay in. There were more errands to run but they can wait til tomorrow.
Having dealt with my back before I know what to do and what not to do so I plan on babying it!
Tomorrow we are supposed to get snow; it's been almost 2 weeks since our last snowfall so I'm ready to enjoy a quiet day of just watching the beauty of it. Have a great weekend. Blessings to you and yours.