Summer Time Fun ~ For Moms

            Summer time is full of lazy pool side days, sleeping in, rest and relaxation! Right?!

            For many moms summer is being out of a normal routine: staying up late with the kids, vacations, VBS, visits from family, camp, and general busyness of nice weather and long days.

            As we try to navigate the summer months how do we stay plugged into the Word of God?  How do we stay consistent when we feel the awkwardness of an unpredictable calendar?

            First, let us let go of too high of expectations. I think often moms feel like if they don’t get at least 30 minutes of quiet time in God’s Word, then it’s not “officially” a quiet time. But moms, that is simply not the case! At times a few verses can be used to encourage or illuminate your heart in a very special way.

            Second, find a reading plan that works for you. If you think you’ll just sit down and read wherever each day, you may find less likely to read because you simply don’t know where to go in the Word. So find a passage or a book of the bible and focus on that this summer. (Make sure your summer reading plan is DOABLE! If you know you’re going to be busy then don’t tackle “reading the New Testament in 30 days! You’ll get too behind and then not feel like you should even try to keep up!)

            Third, be creative! Do you have a Kindle fire, iPod, smart phone? All of these have apps to download the bible. Some (from what I’ve heard) have reading plans you can download and check right on your phone! (I still have a stupid phone! ) Or keep a copy of God’s Word in your swim bag, your mini-van, or your go everywhere 31 Tote bag! This way, when you get time, you have the Word with you.

            Fourth, challenge yourself to be in the Word every day! (I like to challenge myself…so it may not work for all of you.) Challenge yourself not to read your summer novel until you’ve read the bible that day. Or don’t check FB until you’ve filled up on God’s Word. May work for you! I’ve challenged myself to not miss a day of reading the bible in 2012…I’ve not miss yet!

            Whatever summer looks like for you, I encourage you to stay tethered to the Word of God. I pray that being in God’s Word becomes more of a delight than a duty and this summer you’re in God’s Word every day!

            Happy Summer!

Our reason to home educate

When someone comes to me wanting to know about homeschool their own children I normally say to them first, "You need to establish your philosophy of education."

In other words, "Why do you want to homeschool? What do you hope to gain from homeschooling?"

There can be two motivations for homeschooling.

We can homeschool out of fear.

Fear driven homeschooling is very much focused on the externals that we want our kids to be sheltered from. This can look like a great reason to homeschool. But at the core: control and fear is what is driving the parents heart to homeschool. And ultimately it is pride.

A homeschooler that is driven by fear and control can be: fault finding, critical, self-righteous, quick to blame, compare themselves to others, and have a false sense that homeschooling will produce Godly children. They can feel like homeschooling is THE only way Christian parents can responsibly educate their children. 

Then there is the faith driven reason to homeschool. Which is where we feel like we're motivated to homeschool. We feel like homeschooling is in obedience to God for our family. 

So why do we homeschool?

Before we had children John said, "I want to raise warriors for God's kingdom."

That is our long term vision with raising our boys.

We feel like homeschooling gives us the greatest opportunity to have intense discipleship with our boys. And this is our main reason for homeschooling. 

We hope to win their hearts, train them in the ways of God, give them selfless hearts for service to others, a grasp of the scripture at a young age, train them to be men of integrity, impart Godly wisdom and not worldly wisdom, give them a love for learning and reading, prepare them to protect and provide for wives, prepare them to be God honoring dads, prepare them to be leaders in the church, and model to them in our family and marriage the beautiful picture of the gospel.

With this as our focus we feel like the best way we can do this is through home educating our boys. 

Of course there is absolutely NO way we can do any of this apart from the grace and goodness of God. John and I are in prayer often that God will give us wisdom for us accomplish what He is asking for our family. We remain under His mighty hand, seeking His face, and relying on Him to guide and direct. 

We know that we will remain faithful, we will sow and water, but God will do the growing!

The Good, the bad, the ugly

This past week motherhood has challenged my sanctification!

Training, re-training, being consistent, praying, training some more, refocusing, praying, training, and more training.

This has left me worn to the core! Tired, worn down, angry, and just want to bury my head.

Then a surprise, unexpected property tax bill, which had me in tears in the Aldi parking lot.

We've tried so hard to cut cost, live in a way to honor God with our money, save, not overspend. Just when we start feeling a bit ahead, this rather large jump in our property taxes.

As I reflect on the past few weeks God has been busy moving, shaping, and surprising me. He has given me the desires of my heart. He has opened new doors of ministry. He has given me health. He has blessed me with an amazing husband and marriage. He has given me these three most amazing sons!

So why do things knock me off course? 

Why does the curve ball throw me?

The curve ball is meant to keep me daily, moment by moment trusting my good, faithful, powerful God!

So that is what I'll do....turn on a little worship music, get back into the Word, and put my focus back where it belongs...on the eternal and not temporary! 

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 2 Corinthians 4:17

Summer Reading List

If you're like us, you've been enjoying summer like weather in the middle of March. Of course it just gives us a taste of summer! If you're looking for some books to put on that summer reading list, can I suggest some I've been reading:

Do you struggle with overeating? This book is a great book to help you understand what we should be craving. She gives practical advice in dealing with the sin of overeating!

This book has been so helpful in helping me understand emotional maturity. The author lays out 7 areas we are either emotional infants in or emotional adults. If you want to understand yourself better or if you want to have a really good tool in dealing with other people this book is for you!

Paul Tripp is one of my favorite authors. I picked up this book again and was reminded about the power of helping people in need of changing...starting with myself!

I have my copy of True Woman 101 and will be working through this 8 week bible study this summer with a group of ladies!

Have you experienced Gospel Wakefulness? Does the gospel keep you enthralled daily? Great book! 

 This book will help you with the basics of the gospel! Great for a new believer or someone who's been in church for years!

Are you wanting to understand biblical counseling vs. Christian psychology then this is a must read! I couldn't put this book down today!

Good Hair Day

Today I have had a good hair day!

Why does this matter to you?

Well, my sister offered to watch my three boys while I ran to Wal-Mart. I got ready and my hair turned out great! I put on make-up and a fun shirt! I felt put together...amazing!

I shopped ALONE! No kids pulling on me and my hair looked good (at least to me..okay before I sound vain most days my hair doesn't get done. When I do my hair the boys will ask: Are we going to church? or Are you going on a date with dad? So get the idea, I don't do my hair often!)

I have had days where I've shopped with three boys in tow, them pulling on me, tugging for something or fighting over something. I feel frazzled and frustrated.

Then I see a woman with no kids in her cart, her hair is done, she looks put together, she has no stains on her clothes...and I think, "That woman has got a secret...and I want to know what it is! She looks like she doesn't have a care in the world!"

So walking around Wal-Mart today I thought, "Oh funny...I am that mom!" Of course it's not a secret and I have cares, but know the One who carries my cares. 

Moms don't we do this all too often? We look at other women. Maybe they are thinner than us, or they have nice hair. Maybe they are kid-free or just look like they've got it together. Chances are she's got struggles, pain, frustrations, and who knows maybe is was a freak accident her hair looked so nice that day!