the work and the effect

The work of righteousness will be peace,

And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.

My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,

In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places,

Though hail comes down on the forest,

And the city is brought low in humiliation.

Blessed are you who sow beside all waters,

Who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.

Isaiah 32:17-20

save your marriage: guard your tongue

my husband and i have been married since 2002. we will celebrate our 10th anniversary this year. so, while i'm no expert in marital bliss, i have some experience under my belt and i have a good idea of what works and what doesn't. 

this is my best marriage advice for you, ladies:

talking bad about your husband feeds bitterness, resentment and icky ugly feelings towards your husband. bitterness, resentment and icky feelings could lead to ugly actions. and those actions could slowly tear apart your marriage.

bite your tongue if you ever find yourself in a man-bashing session with your girlfriends. or complaining about him to your mom, your sister, your neighbor, or your children. guard your tongue. retrain your repartee. filter your banter. save your marriage.

find something positive to say about that man of yours; defend him, praise him, and love him, even when he isn't within earshot.    

"When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness." 

Proverbs 31:26 NIV

"Homes are made by the wisdom of women, but are destroyed by foolishness." 

Proverbs 14:1 GNT

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 

2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

"...each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." 

Ephesians 5:33 NIV

first day of school pictures!

First Day of School {K & 3rd Grade}

{socialization}

the waterpark is only open for a few more weeks this summer, but the textbooks will be open every day for the next 10 months. 

there was only one thing to do to kick-off the school year in style: FIELD TRIP!

 

{homeschooling is awesome}

around here lately: in pictures

the dining room is Radiator Springs. 

the coffee table is Legoland.

at least 3 times a day.

 

Adventures in Odyssey devotionals are serious business.

but she is totally in her element working hard and learning about God's Word.

party planner in the making. she did this all on her own. 

she also did this all on her own: fresh fruit ice cubes and pops. refreshing! 

this just opened. less than 3 miles from where we live. Lord, help us. {wink}

God is good.

and that's some of what's been going on around here lately!

the most important thing for back to school {printable}

list-making, lesson planning, supply shopping, goal-setting, laminating, schedule-arranging, book buying, school room organizing...i've been preparing for the 2012-2013 school year. i suspect you have, too?

amid all the back to school craziness, the most important thing we can do in preparation is pray. 

we believe in the power of prayer. pray over the classroom. pray over the books. pray over the plans. pray in the morning, during the afternoon slump, and every night before sleep. pray diligently and continually for the children, for the teachers, and for the schools.

even if i don't buy another notebook, if i don't sign up for another class, if i don't sharpen another pencil, or scribble another lunch box note... if i don't do anything else, if it's the least i can do, praying is still the most important thing to do.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

i pray these 5 scriptures:

this will set the tone for our home, our school, our lives. i want my children to learn these promises, to pray them, to trust God for them.

as we prepare for a new school year, the most important thing we can do is pray.

personalize this printable for your school year:

download the free printable school year prayer

photo credit

what to do when you find the treasure

she was wandering. it was getting late, she could tell by the sun's dusky glow. if she was brave enough, she'd admit she was lost. she kept going, determined, but with no real destination in mind. maybe she was escaping.

she crossed through a stranger's field on her way to anywhere. distracted by the noise in her head, it jarred her when she stubbed her toe suddenly on something hard. not the throbbing pain, nor the fact that she was trespassing, stopped her from stooping to see what it was that got in her way. she had no where else to be.

it was a box. weather and time had unburied it from beneath this stranger's field. when she was sure she was alone in the vast quiet farmland, she peered opened the box to find glowing, glittery, precious treasure. the most captivating beautiful treasure she'd ever seen in her whole life. she was mesmerized, and also the happiest she'd been in a very long time.

but the box wasn't hers. she couldn't just take it, and she knew she couldn't afford to buy this box and it's contents from the land owner. she had to put it back and find a way to get that treasure. quickly, she covered the box with dirt and grass, making sure it was well hidden. her heart raced, she was full of joy.   

through the darkness, she skipped excitedly until she found her way home. not a minute did she stop thinking about that amazing hidden treasure. had it been there all along? can it truly be mine? who else knows about it? 

what she did next surprised her: she sold all of her possessions. she sold the things she had collected over the years. everything. stuffed it all into bags to be carried away. those things, that baggage, meant nothing compared to the treasure she knew was out there. she sold it all and didn't look back as she set off toward the buried treasure that she still could not afford to buy.

this time when she got to the field, she was definitely not lost. with cold coins jingling, weighing down her pockets, she went straight to the little barn to find someone. a few kind words, a bold request, an exchange, and a handshake later, she was dancing across her field in bare feet, joyful, heart full.   

she wanted the treasure, so she bought the field. 

buy the field. say yes to Jesus. 

the kingdom of Heaven is well worth it.  

                                                                                                  #1000gifts

around here lately: HCPA '12-13 Curriculum

we kinda sorta not officially started school already. it was the last week of July, it was 110 degrees (no lie) and we were getting antsy. we pretty much threw routine out the window May through June, and it was super fun and relaxing, but by late July i could tell my little ones were starting to need some structure in their day. me, too.

so, we cracked open the books and started easing into our school year without much fanfare. we will call it official, with a kick-off breakfast and first day of school pictures, on Monday, August 20. 

this year at HCPA (Hall College Prep Academy) Big Girl (age 7) is doing 3rd grade work and Bubba (age 4) is beginning Kindergarten! this is our fourth year of homeschooling. both kids are also enrolled in a few classes at a local church that is offering elementary courses for homeschooled children. i'm looking forward to meeting other homeschooling families in our community! we will continue using many resources from Master Books, reference books on our bookshelves, our modified workbox system, and my custom lesson plan notebook.

our curriculum book list for 2012-2013
(you can read here our curriculum choices for Big Girl's Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd grade, and Bubba's PreK.)

Big Girl's 3nd Grade Year:

• Math- Singapore Math 2B and 3A
• Language- Easy Grammar: Grade 3
• Reading- Wordly Wise 3000 Grade 3, independent reading chapter books
• Writing- EIW All Things Fun & Fascinating
• Handwriting- Horizons Penmanship Cursive 3 and Happy Handwriting Scriptures
• Spelling- A Beka Spelling and Poetry 2, and weekly vocabulary words from My First Dictionary
• Science- Elementary Earth Science, Physical Science, Physics, and Chemistry (Tom DeRosa and Carolyn Reeves), BJU Science, hands-on science experiments, and caring for our class aquarium!
• Health/PE- Fitness & Nutrition, Stretch-n-Grow
• Bible- Wrong Way Jonah Study (Kay Arthur & Janna Arndt), daily devotionals
• History/Geography- Our Father's World
• Art & Music- open-ended, child-guided, possibly guitar lessons

Bubba's Kindergarten Year:

• Math- BJU Math K5
• Reading- Explode the Code 1 & 2, plus daily read-aloud
• Writing- various resources for handwriting practice
• Health/PE- Fitness & Nutrition, Stretch-n-Grow
• Bible- Adventure Bible devotionals and memory verses
• Art & Music- open-ended, child-guided, weekly drum lessons

being able to teach my children at home is such a blessing, even on the days when i threaten to drop them off at public school... [smile.] Big Girl reassures me on the tough days that she loves to be homeschooled and wouldn't have it any other way. Bubba melts my heart when he tells others proudly: "i go to homeschool." we are all very excited about another great year of homeschooling!

DaySpring Back to School supplies are on sale now!

you have already defeated them

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] 

and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], 

because He Who lives in you is greater [mightier] than he who is in the world. 

1 John 4:4 AMP

He already knows

source

it was 9pm when i reached under the kitchen sink for the dust cleaning spray and a rag.

it didn't matter that i was in my pajamas and running on 4 hours of sleep. the side table needed to be cleaned. the semi-major home improvement project that my husband took on earlier in the day left quite a mess, and was still unfinished. i could feel myself fraying. the late night and dusty house were taking it's toll. but wiping up some of the dust, i knew, would make me feel better.

i sprayed the table and moved the rag methodically across the wood. dust flied and my mind raced. i could taste the complaints and bitter words on the tip of my tongue. i restrained and refocused on the dusting. forcefully, through grinding teeth, my angry thoughts became desperate prayers.

Lord, i'm tired. i know this is part of the plan, but God, it's exhausting. it's trying. Father, thank You for everything. thank You for aligning everything just so, for Your perfect timing, and for all the blessings in the waiting. i'm trying so hard to be patient. Lord, show me Your way. let us live according to Your will. i love You, God, and i trust You in everything. i will not fear. i know you know my heart. i am not afraid of the future. my hope is in You. i will not be shaken. You are with us. 

what i wanted to scream say: THIS IS ALL WORTH IT, RIGHT, GOD?

but i didn't. i whispered amen, wiped the table clean, put the dust cleaner back under the kitchen sink, and rested in knowing: He already knows.

every headache. every heartache. every trial. every fear. every anxious thought. every nightmare. every doubt. every hope. every dream. every desire of my heart. every victory. every triumph. every light at the end of the tunnel. every blessing rained down. every hundred-fold return. every narrow gate. every prayer i never mumble. 

He already knows. 

i rest peacefully and i realize it wasn't cleaning up the dust that made me feel better at all. it was the moment i made to transform my thoughts and renew my mind. it was all God, using the dust to get me to seek His mercy. how 'bout that? He is so clever. He knows me so well.

and it was just a few hours earlier when the shop owner handed me a handmade plaque with Jeremiah 29:11, "a gift for you," she said. how could i forget that this is no coincidence?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

goodness gracious...He already knows.

and for that, i am only thankful.

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 

So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:30-31

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;

His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5

#1000gifts

just a house on a hill

realtor: "my client would like to make an offer on your house."

me: "okay, that's great..."

realtor: "i wanted to apologize for not getting back to you with feedback after the showing. there was just one comment that she made...you see, i'm a faith-filled man, a believer and a follower of Christ. my client, however, isn't. she doesn't go to church and she told me she isn't a believer. when i was showing her the house, we saw the scriptures in every room and the crosses on your walls. and when we left, the one comment she made was that she felt a real peace when she was inside your home. the kind of peace that only comes from God."

and i am more thankful for that one comment than i am for the offer on the house. 

we have been praying for an offer for a long time. but for even longer, and until forever, our family prays to be a light in this darkening world. a light that glorifies The Light.

sometimes we are put in dark situations and low places where we are tested to be light and love. armed for a battle and strengthened by sheer faith, we go and "let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven." and then we come back to our home, where we write scriptures on our walls and hang crosses in plain sight. but all we are is obedient...loving the Lord with all our hearts, teaching His ways to our children, talking of them when we sit in our house, writing them on our doorposts and gates. He knows we need this. reminders. unashamed. fuel to our lamps. 

You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. 

Matthew 5:14-16

we literally went public putting our house on the market, open for others to come any time. we completely trust God to send the right people at the right time. someone from the shadows walked through this, our house on a hill, and in a matter of moments, it was confirmed that our lamp isn't hidden..."it gives light to everyone in the house." she liked what she saw, she liked what she felt, she couldn't deny the light, and she wanted to live there. with the kind of peace that only comes from God.

Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. 

Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. 

Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 

Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”

John 12:35

(Personalized Lamp Framed Canvas by Jones Design Company from DaySpring)

*updated to add: this offer did not turn into the sale of our house. and yet i am forever thankful. it was not in vain.