Whatever you do

I love listening to my children read, especially when they are reading the Scriptures.

This morning we were going over our theme verse for the year and starting our new Character study.  I was letting the kids take turn reading our verses and the sweet young voice that can sometimes get on my nerves so badly sounded like beautiful music as I listened to him read,

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, 

not for human masters. Colossians 3:23

"So, when you tell me to do my school work, I am really doing if for the Lord, not for you?"  he asked.

As we talked about it, my own mind wondered about how I am doing at this.  How does that happen...talking with your kids while you have a conversation secretly with yourself?  Must be a Mom thing.

Whatever I do, work at it with all my heart.  I have to admit, I'm not real pleased with myself.  I still find myself posting on Facebook things that I think will impress others, or tweeting verses or quotes I really need to take personal, but instead I post them hoping to encourage someone else.

I've got the pharisee thing down really well.

How can I instruct my kids to work for the Lord, if I am working for human masters?

I just joined a new writing team for a really neat ministry for moms (more on that later) & as I began praying about what my next article would be on I asked the Lord, "How can I tell moms anything when I am so fallen? I'm such a mess!"

His words whispered softly to my aching soul, "My grace is sufficient".

And last night as I watched my daughter sleep next to me, I read Paul's words to Timothy...

"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." (2Timothy 1:8-9)

He has called me to a holy calling...he has called me to be a wife & mom.  It is hard to do when you live 2 hours away from your husband and older kids.  But the calling is still there and he called me to this for HIS OWN PURPOSE which I don't always understand, but that is ok.

And his GRACE!  Oh his wonderful grace.

So, whatever I do, I must do with all my heart because it is for God's purpose & grace I am doing it, not for anyone else.  What a blessing it is to serve such a wonderful Lord who loves me & calls me because of his own purpose, not because of anything I have done...or not done!





 

Starting another school year

Today was the first day of school for many kids around here.  I really had not decided when we would start, but since I had all I needed for now I thought, "Why not".  Today was my 17th first day of school.

Here is what I have this year...
Morgan is a Senior
Collin is a Junior
Austin is a Freshman
Ben is 7th grade
Zachary is 5th grade
Gracie is 2nd grade
Sam is Kindergarten.

I'm at my parents house this week.  The four youngest kids are with me. Austin & Scott have been here for several days.  Ben is in Prosper so he missed out on starting his school today.

It was a mild school day to say the least.  I guess I could call it a Pinterest  school day.

First we made Gak. This blog post tells you how to do it.  Super easy! Super fun!

Then we (Zach & Gracie) had a short lesson on colors & what happens when we mix different colors together.  I found some simple color wheels to print out for them to color.  Then we made our own water color paints. I found easy direction on the Happy Hooligans Blog.

When we finished all of that I went over the books & lessons they had waiting for them in their school tubs.
And that is about all the "school" we did today.  Not really what a typical school day will look like but it's a start.

Then I had to cuddle & love on Charlie.  He loves looking at himself in the mirror.

I have had several ask how we homeschool when I am not with my older kids all the time.  Well, this is how we make it work.

I don't know if you can see the picture very well, but I got this in a text message from my son today.  He is in Prosper & had a question on his math.  We worked it out via text message! Love technology!  If they have a problem we just can't figure out, we put it aside if possible until I get back.  Many times Scott is there to help them, but there is a rare occasion when neither of us are there & that is when texting, phone calling or email comes in handy.  We just make it work.

We ended the day with yet another grab from Pinterest.

Chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes.  So good!!

How was your first day of school?


 

Stretching my Flexibility

Flexibility. Not one of my strengths.

I'm a planner.  I don't like surprises in my schedule.  I like to know what I'm doing today and usually don't stray to far from that.

My husband is a totally different story.  He loves to be spontaneous.  When we first married he would come home from work and say, "Let's go to the mall!".  That simple sentence would throw me into a tail spin.

"I can't go to the mall!"
"I didn't wash my hair today."
"I haven't cleaned the kitchen."

So on & on & on. Bless his heart.  He finally learned that I do better when I have had at least 2 hours notice before he changes my plans.

Having children helped me to learn the importance of being flexible.  Things are gonna happen that you just can't help.

Did you know that flexibility is a character trait?  I had never thought of it like that until I found it on a list of character traits to teach your children.

Here are some definitions I found.

Flexibility:

• Learning the wishes of the one I am serving and adapting my priorities to meet them. Learning how to cheerfully change plans when unexpected conditions require it. Avoiding obligations that would hinder us from taking the best course of action. (IBLP - Character Clues Game)

• Not becoming attached to ideas or plans which could be changed by my authorities. (Character First!)

• Flexibility is not setting my affections on plans or places that could be changed by those whom I am serving. (The Power For True Success)

Living with family in two different places has definitely stretched my flexibility.  The younger kids & I are usually at each house for about 10 days at a time now.  It is easier for us to travel between the two places than the older kids since they work.

I am learning to be flexible.  I never really know how long we will be somewhere.  It is hard to plan.  It is hard to make commitments. I am learning to not hold on to any plans because as soon as I do they will get changed.  I write my plans with a pencil.

Psalm 40:8  "I delight to do your will O my God.."

His will.  I delight in his will, not my own.

Matthew 6:19, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal."

  Colossians 3:2, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

1 John 2:15-17,    Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Flexibility understands that nothing is about me or what I want.  My life is all about Him!  Even in the simple things like missing dinner with friends because I am not in town or not getting to sleep in my own bed.  When my attitude gets nasty it is because I am being stiff necked, impatient, determined to make my plans work.

When I set my mind on things that are above and I set aside my fleshly desires my attitude is not only better, but I am now free to see God is working all around me.  Who am I to think my plans are better?

Below is something I made a few years ago when the kids & I studied this.  It is the "I Wills" of Flexibility. Feel free to use it.

So my journey continues as the Lord continues to reveal more and more of myself that I keep holding onto.  I am so thankful He doesn't leave me to myself.  I would surely self-destruct.




 

Happy Charlie

Charlie is 3 months old today.  So hard to believe.

As you can tell, he is a happy baby.  He smiles so easily and is beginning to belly laugh. He is a chunky baby too weighing in at 15 lbs! He sleeps all night & takes wonderful naps during the day.  He loves to have someone to look at.  He loves to be outside and he loves music.  Such an easy baby to please! 
God is so good.  I love having a newborn again.  This go around is much different than the others.  This time I have my 2 moms to help; my mom & my mother-in-law.  They are always ready to take Charlie if I need to do something else or tend to the other kids.  Living with our parents is showing to have some perks I didn't expect.