Sick Days

It's such a blessing to homeschool my children, but as in everything, it has its challenges. Being sick, for one. I was up about midnight sick for the rest of the early morning hours. I got to sleep for a couple hours, woke up and helped the kids with breakfast and went to the couch. Then I ended up sleeping till eleven. I felt a little better, but still had a terrible headache and was pretty weak. Needless to say, school did not work out today. I had Connor practice his drums, they all read for a half hour, and they did some math and handwriting. I did get all the homework for the week graded, but I still have a TON of laundry to get caught up on. I hope the weekend brings me some renewed vigor to start next week off well. :) How is everyone else doing starting off the new year?

Going All the Way With God

That was the sermon title Brother Eddie Bumpers gave tonight at Broadway. Boy, I thought he hit it out of the park this morning, but it was a whole new playing field tonight.
He preached out of the book of Exodus, when Moses was called back to Egypt by God and how Pharoah kept refusing. He made so many good points that made this totally amazing story that I've read dozens of times come alive in a new way and be so relevant to my walk today. Brother Eddie warned us to not fall into compromises in our faith journey, and called out 4 specific compromises the devil tries to get us to make. He also pointed out the order in which God pointed out to Moses the steps Israel was to take. They were to sacrifice, then serve, then celebrate. It was God breathed, and I'm so glad I got to hear it.
My heart is still so heavy with all that has gone on last year, but I'm trusting my Father to walk beside us as Kelly and I take our family down a new and unfamiliar path. I'm scared, yes, but more excited than anything. I shed more tears tonight, humbled by the very presence of the Lord and what He was impressing on my heart. I want to step up my game. I want to be a sold out follower of Christ. I want to lead a life full of joy and peace. I want that for my kids, my husband and myself. I know I've been ineffective through this trial for the cause of Christ. The Refiner's Fire has probably not seen such a stubborn piece of metal. :( But I'm praying for God to make me more malleable this year, to let the Holy Spirit bend me and shape me in the way the Lord needs me. It's so hard, but so necessary. And I know the pain is worth it all if it draws me closer to Jesus.
So will you join me in this prayer? Will you ask God to make you more submissive to the Holy Spirit's directing this year? Make you more malleable? The fire will only get hotter the more we refuse to bend. And the outcome is pure perfection when we let him mold us to His image. It's a work that only He can complete, and He'll work on us up to the very day He takes us home. But I know walking with Christ is the most abundant life we can have, and I want more of Him. I pray that you do, too.

Happy New Year!!

Well, I do believe we ended 2011 with a bang - and I mean that literally! :) Living out in the country can bring all sorts of excitement, regardless how secluded you THINK you may be. Apparently, our neighbors across the way wanted to celebrate by shooting rifles from their back porch! LOL We didn't mind, it wasn't a big deal, just a little unexpected. As I said, we live in the country. We don't see our neighbors often, and we have a lot of woods surrounding our place. So to hear all the sudden racket made me jump a bit. All our friends had already left, and we had sent the kids on to bed after the ball drop in New York. Truly a big bang to send 2010 out right!

We had a great time visiting, eating, playing games, and watching our kids have a ball with all their pals. Our friends, Rian & Heather and Jason & Steph, came over with their crews to celebrate together. Eleven kids total between the three families, and let me tell you, it's a PAR-TAY when we are all together! :)

Hope you all had a blessed 2010, and I pray 2011 is even better. God bless!