Oh here I am...

I (obviously) haven't been over here in quite awhile. A dear friend got me hooked on Facebook and I haven't been back. I'm thinking I really need a break from FB, and do something a little more productive w/ my free time. :)
We finished our first year of school - YEY!!!! I survived, my children survived...we'll do it again. Before Christmas break I wasn't sure if we would, but the Lord did such a working on my heart (and Seth's as well). God is so faithful! I know this can go w/o saying, but when He has called us to do something, He fully equips us, we just need to keep our eyes focused on Him.
I'm really looking forward to our next school year! Trying out the new things I've learned, the bits 'o wisdom that have been passed onto me from veteran HS moms - thanks ladies!
Well this is all for now - I have a new book I've started and would like to read some of it before my parental duties begin again. :)
Talk w/ you soon!

Advent Conspiracy...A Challenge For You!

A friend sent this to me (thank you Kelly!!) and it has created such a stirring in my heart, that I am passing it on you. I'm praying that it creates the same feeling in your hearts as well. Christmas is so much more than buying that perfect gift.

For so many years now, I've said that this would be the year we would do something "different" for Christmas. Well, due to a huge change in our circumstances, we are DEFINITELY doing something different this year - truly what a blessing and testimony this year is turning out to be!

There are so many other people less fortunate than us - they don't know Christ's redemption & love!

I'm challenging you & your families to:

1) pass this website along, encourage others to celebrate Christmas like Jesus did,

and then,

2) DO something different: get together with other family members & friends and reach out to those who don't know Christ, or those who need an extra smile, hug or encouraging word. Don't just talk about it, but DO it!!

Make this Christmas... and every one to follow - different!

www.adventconspiracy.org
**watch the video on this website - it's great!**

"But how does God provide?"

This is a question that has continually come up over the past month.

"But how? He can't just send a check in the mail."

My husband has taken a paycut and I lost my job about a month ago, unfortunately, not unlike many other people these days. As I sit here tonight watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I'm reminded once again that God works through his people and, of course, through himself (you know those weird "coincidences" or unexplainable things). :)

Tonight on the show, a Christian family is getting a new home to accomodate their 2 special needs kiddos, and another Christian gentleman with disabilities gets his coffee shop redone to help him - all with the help of other Christians in the town. I'm not sure I've heard this many people thanking the Lord on national TV and on a station like ABC (another "what Satan intended for evil, God has used for good" story).

God's provisions come in ways that we are least expecting or in ways we would not have thought of, let me share:

After losing my job, I had to call the power company to make some arrangements. When all was said and done, I asked to pay my bill. I knew it was $104 and some change, but the gentleman said "no, your balance is $7.42." After going back and forth with him, I decided to check my online bank statement (did I pay it and forget w/ all that was going on??).

Nope, someone else paid it.

I received our gas bill via email, opened it up to pay it... zero balance, and in fact there was a credit. WHAT?? I again got online and checked my statement.

Nope, someone else paid it.

My son had to have dental work done. We received an estimate for our cost after insurance from the dentist's office (which have always been pretty accurate). We decided he needed to have the work done and we would make payments if needed to.

We didn't have to - the insurance paid for the entire bill.

I've had a Costco list going for awhile now (we didn't renew our membership and I've been waiting to hitch a trip with friends). I knew FOR SURE we were almost out of oil and laundry detergent... nope, there was a bottle of oil behind the ice cream maker in the pantry and a box of detergent that I KNOW was NOT there when I looked before.

Not only does God provide for our physical needs, but he puts people (friends & strangers) in our paths to encourage & lift us up. Friends that know just when we need that hug, prayer or laugh. That stranger that shares a story that you know was JUST for you.

I'm eternally grateful for all of my wonderful, loving, caring & compassionate friends that Lord has blessed me with...

THANK YOU!!!!!

and I feel at peace, at least for the moment :) knowing that God DOES provide... I just don't always know how or what it will look like.

10 Absolutes Regardless of the State of Our Nation...

I was sent this from a friend and it really is great perspective:

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost.


**ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS STILL IN CONTROL?!**

AMEN!!!

What the Baby Boomers should have read to their children...

This fable was on my children's reading schedule for today. As I read it, I thought how fitting it was considering today is Election Day and all that is at stake:

The Frogs Who Wished For a King

The Frogs were tired of governing themselves. They had so much freedom that it had spoiled them, and they did nothing but sit around croaking in a bored manner and wishing for a government that could entertain them with the pomp and display of royalty, and rule them in a way to make them know they were being ruled. No milk and water government for them, they declared. So they sent a petition to Jupiter asking for a king.

Jupiter saw what simple and foolish creatures they were, but to keep them quiet and make them think they had a king he threw down a huge log, which fell into the water with a great splash. The Frogs hid themselves among the reeds and grasses, thinking the new king to be some fearful giant. But they soon discovered how tame and peaceable King Log was. In a short time the younger Frogs were using him for a diving platform, while the older Frogs made him a meeting place, where they complained loudly to Jupiter about the government.

To teach the Frogs a lesson the ruler of the gods now sent a Crane to be a king of Frogland. The Crane proved to be a very different sort of king from old King Log. He gobbled up the poor Frogs right and left and they soon saw what fools they had been. In mournful croaks they begged Jupiter to take away the cruel tyrant before they should all be destroyed.

(**This is the best part!**)

"How now!" cried Jupiter "Are you not yet content? You have what you asked for and so you have only yourselves to blame for your misfortunes."


BE SURE YOU CAN BETTER YOUR CONDITION BEFORE YOU SEEK TO CHANGE.

Happy Election Day!

EXERCISE YOUR GOD GIVEN RIGHT AND VOTE!

Yes, this would be a rant/soap-box post... consider yourself warned. :)
If I hear one more time that someone is not voting because they don't feel it is appropriate to "pick the better of two evils" I'm going to scream! This is a God given right and privilege in this country! There are so many other countries that do NOT allow their citizens to even calmly disagree with the government and/or it's practices (they are imprisoned or even worse: can anyone say CHINA). I've changed the quote at the top of my blog (didn't notice did ya?) :)


The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

I couldn't agree more! Do not do nothing - VOTE! For so long, Christians have stayed out of the "political arena." It is time to speak out! For so long we've willingly given up our rights; depending on the outcome of this election - they will be taken from us! NO CHOICE! (unless your the mother of an unborn child - then you will be given the choice to not be "burdened" and can have it murdered... at 4 weeks or 9 months - whichever is most convenient). We will not be able to make choices for our kiddos (vaccinations, home school, etc.); our church will be limited on what it can teach from the bible; "you make too much money - you'll need to give some of that to your neighbor" (who chooses not to work to support his family...I mean, it is his right). That is to name just a few of the changes that WILL happen come January if people (specifically Christians) do not vote.
VOTE! It's your privilege & duty!

Burdened...Called...Obeyed

About 9-10 months ago, I began feeling quite burdened & heavy hearted for my children...feeling like I was severely lacking in what I was suppose to be teaching my children about Christ, and even more so, what that looks like being "lived out." I'm not sure I've ever even mentioned this on my blog, but I'm married to an unbeliever. So, I get the duty of being my children's "spiritual leader." A very large task, I might add. I knew about the middle of the school year last year, that my son (and daughter eventually) would not be going to public middle or high school. Private school is out... but it didn't really occur to me what I would do. Then one day I felt the Lord asking me what I would do then if those 2 choices were not options... homeschool?? NO WAY! That's for crazy people... like my great friends Kelly (Paradise Found) & Kim (Praying for the Precious) - among many other friends & relatives. Over the summer I spent a lot of time praying about this, feeling like there was so much I wanted to incorporate into my children's devotions, bible teachings, etc. Then, once again, I felt the Lord asking me how I was going to continue with all of this when school started again? Would we "squeeze in" a devotion and/or prayer before school, as we're running out the door at 7:35... what about after school? after 1-2 hours of homework (yes, 3rd grade has that much homework!)? after soccer practice? WHEN?? Again, I prayed & pondered this and the only conclusion I could come up with was that it had to be a part of his schooling. Not before, not after - but a very large part OF his schooling. I literally woke up one morning feeling called to...yes, you guessed it - homeschool. It was quite terrifying! I prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed. And prayed some more. Lord, really?!?!?? Are you sure??? Home...school?? I could barely utter the word. I talked with a few friends about it (yes, those crazy ones that were already doing it). I "threw out my fleece"... about 47 times. I even talked to my son about it. I asked him what he thought about it, told him I had been praying about it and what the Lord was revealing to me... his 8 year old answer..."mom, you should obey God." WHAT??? Are you kidding me? That sounds too logical! FINALLY, I talked & prayed with my mom one more time. I told her that I just wanted a plane to fly over my house with a banner reading "Jennifer W., yes - you are suppose to homeschool starting this year. God" My mom told me she thought I already had my answer, but that she would continue to pray about it for me. The next morning I was sitting at my computer and my son comes in. He's still in his pajamas, hair a mess, building a L*ego ship (with L*ego pieces hanging out of his mouth): "Mom, I think you should homeschool me this year... God wanted me to tell you that" all just matter-a-factly. Then goes about his business. WHAT?? Was that not just my airplane flying over with a banner?
Well, as you might have guessed from the title of this post... I obeyed the Lord. We are now a part of that crazy group called HOMESCHOOLERS. We're unsocialized and loving it! :) We've just completed week 5 and I can't imagine doing anything else...ever (God willing). Don't get me wrong, it's probably one of the most challenging things I've done... but I wouldn't trade my worst day at home with my kiddos for our best day at public school.
Thank you Lord for this privelege & opportunity!