Homeschooling - it's a marathon

It's a marathon, not a sprint.

A good definition of life; an even better definition of homeschooling.  Each year is a new leg in the marathon and this leg is finally drawing to an end.  We're winding down the last few subjects and looking forward to summer break.  The kids and I have an ongoing discussion about how's more excited - mom or kids....while they strongly disagree, I'm pretty sure it's me.

This year has been about perseverance.  They've tackled some things they've not done before and seen them through until the end with (mostly) great attitudes.  Makes my mom heart glad.  We've worked on character and attitudes...things that can't necessarily be tested in the traditional sense, but will certainly be tested in the school of life.  They've struggled through situations and seen God at work.  They've learned first hand the meaning of ministry and setting healthy boundaries.  They've grown "in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52).  Academics aside, that's why we homeschool.

But homeschooling isn't just about the students.  Oh no!  I think there are times the teacher learns more than the kids.  In this case the teacher learned to persevere as well.  See, I'm a big picture thinker.  Please don't bother me with details.  Just ask Mike.  He's the detail guy in the relationship.  I come up with the ideas and he asks the questions.  I don't really care about the questions - I just want to jump in and make my idea happen.  With homeschooling, I can see the big picture of what I'd like us to accomplish in a given school year, but it's only by God's grace that I'm able to follow through with the details...with the every day, day in, day out stuff that makes up the big picture. Talk about stretching and learning perseverance.  Whew!

So as we near the end of another year, we may not be sprinting across the finish line, but as one of my kids likes to croon, "Every day I'm shufflin'".  We'll just keep moving, however slowly and I know years down the road we'll cross the finish line and be better for having run the race.

Gluten free - here we go!

So I finally sat down today and began to tackle the whole gluten free thing.  Connor is out of town for the week so I've had some time to try and wrap my brain around it all. 

Small brain + ginormous changes = slightly in denial

I think one of the things I've been struggling with the most is that after years of enjoying cooking, suddently food is not fun anymore.  I love cooking for my family and friends.  It's relaxing and nothing says closeness like sitting down around the table together.  Problem was I had visions of us sitting down over a plate of raw veggies...not very appetizing OR fun.

So I started out my research today with a list of websites various friends had recommended, but as of two hours later I haven't made it past the first one.  Turns out a new friend has her own gluten free website.  My fear began to melt away as I read her blog.  I can do this!  I can feed my family healthy, gluten free meals without breaking the bank and still enjoy cooking!  My printer is busy dishing out pages and pages of what just might be some new family favorites.

I'm still on the verge of tears, but now it's out of gratitude for answered prayers rather than from feeling totally overwhelmed. 

Thank you LORD for the strength and wisdom to make the changes our family needs.

Sunday morning praise

Praise the LORD!  How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!  The LORD is rebuilding Jerusalem and bringing the exiles back to Israel.  He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.  He counts the stars and calls them by name.  How great is our LORD!  His power is absolute!  His understanding is beyond comprehension!  Psalm 147:1-5

Gluten free - it's a game changer

You just never know what life will throw at you next. 

We discovered this week that son #2 has some food sensitivities, mostly to gluten/wheat and also to dairy.  The dairy should calm down once we give his system time to heal and then we can reintroduce it a bit at a time.  The gluten/wheat however is a game changer.

I've vacillated the past 24 hours between "OK, we can do this!" and crying puddles of tears.  Tears because I'm feeling overwhelmed, but mostly tears for what it means for his life.  Yes, we'll get it figured out, but right now it seems there is just a whole lot of stuff he can't eat.  The can'ts are outweighing the cans.  Right now food is NOT fun! 

During one of my "We can do this!" moments yesterday there was also thankfulness. 

Thankful it's not something worse. 

Thankful we're not facing a life threatening illness. 

Thankful for family and friends who have been so supportive. 

Thankful that no matter what we face, our God is already there. 

He has a perfect plan for this young man and I trust Him to use these twists and turns to shape his character; to make him more like Jesus, the author and perfecter of his faith.  We can only be strengthened when we're tested.  Isn't that what we want for our kids?  To have their character strengthened so they can stand strong when it counts?

So here we are...we're facing a trial and we have a choice - joy or sorrow.  Our flesh certainly tends toward sorrow (hence the puddles of tears), but by the power of the Holy Spirit we can choose joy. 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

LORD, produce in him perseverance, using this game changer to bring him toward maturity in You.  Strengthen him as you prepare him for the perfect work you prepared in advance for him to do.  

This may be a game changer, but thankfully Coach still has a plan.

Jesus in the bathroom

Canton, Texas claims to be the world's largest flea market.  Believe me people, it's true.  You can find everything from estate sale junk to live turkeys in a bag (yes, I said LIVE) to actual treasures and great deals.  Yes, Canton really does have it all.

Yesterday some friends and I made the hour and something trip.  Armed with cash, sunscreen and an adventurous spirit, we set off early to claim our treasures.

Of everything we experienced, tasted and laughed about, its something rather odd that sticks out in my mind.  The friends were great, the corn dogs, fried pickles and ice cold Dr. Pepper were amazing (yes, I ate all that and loved every stinking bite!) and I did come home with some pretty cute stuff, but that's not what struck me the most.  No, it was a trip to the bathroom that stands out among yesterday's memories as amazing.

Let me set the stage by saying it was hot in Canton yesterday.  We're talking 95 and humid hot.  On one particular potty stop, we were greeted in the restroom by the paid attendant.  This lady smiled continuously as she directed traffic through the large facility, held doors for people, showed ladies how to use the paper towel dispenser and told everyone she saw to "please have a nice day". Not the "how many more times do I have to say that until my shift is over" sort of greeting. No, I could tell she really hoped you had a nice day...she meant it. 

As I sit here writing, I'm wondering what sort of attitude I would have if I were a restroom attendant on a hot day at the world's largest flea market....ummm, probably not so good.  Happy restroom attendant lady was living out the truth of Colossians 3:23-24 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

I don't know if this lady knows Jesus, but my guess is she does.  She was using her small piece of real estate to impact as many hot, tired, deal seeking travelers as possible.  She was using her gift of encouragement in unlikely surroundings and she made a difference.

LORD, let my light so shine that others may see you...even in the bathroom.

Vacation coma

My poor, neglected blog hasn't been getting much of my attention lately.  Life has a way of crowding things out...things that aren't essential to existence anyway.  At some point soon I hope to write about the wonderful cruise vacation we took last week.  I'll probably even throw in some pictures.  They will most likely be pictures of us eating since that's what we seemed to always be doing.

But that time is not now.  Between the recent "spring forward" (whose bright idea was that anyway?) and what I affectionately call "beach brain", I'm not feeling the creative love.  Until those creative juices start flowing again, I'll leave you with a few pictures of the things this land lubber is missing the most...besides having someone pick up my stateroom, make my bed and feed me continuously for seven days.

A love worth celebrating

Valentine's day is a funny sort of holiday.  Meant for expressing love, it stands out in my mind for other reasons.

Many years ago, before I met my hubby, his Dad was diagnosed with cancer....on Valentine's Day.

1973, when Mike was six years old, he was diagnosed with diabetes...on Valentine's Day.

2007, standing in the wrapping paper aisle at Wal-Mart, I got the call we were moving to Texas...on Valentine's Day.

2011, while out running errands I received a call that my sweet friend Tami had been diagnosed with breast cancer...on Valentine's Day.

Connor mentioned yesterday that he'd just like to skip this day all together.  I honestly don't blame him.

On the other hand, in each of these instances we have seen God's love in miraculous ways.  We've seen bodies healed of cancer, lessons learned through living with a life long disease and a wonderful new life in a new place.  While each situation seemed devastating at first glance, each has become something He has used to mold and shape us in His image.  Each one became an expression of His love for us as He guided us along the path...His perfect path. 

So as we celebrate a day set aside for "love" I am reminded of a Saviour's love for me.  A love that took Him to the cross.  A love that pursues me.  A love that envelopes me through each struggle, reminding me that no matter what news today may bring He's already there.

That is a love worth celebrating.