Is Jesus real to us? What does our life show?
This video asks that question of a man, but since I am a women,I wanted to ask some questions of women? Is He real or is He plastic?
Do we say to ourselves, "I know that show is kinda raunchy, but it is SOOOOO FUNNY!" ( 3 "I will set before eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me." (psalm 101:3)
or how about "I would love to teach my kids about God and stuff, but seriously, I am so tired at the end of the day its the last thing on my mind, besides isn't that the churches job?" (Deuteronomy 4:9 (New International Version)9 "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." ALSO Deuteronomy 11:19 (New International Version)19 "Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.")
Or even "I know the bible says to be kind and gentle, and submit and stuff, but seriously, He could not have meant that for me, I mean, I'm not in one of those Mormon cults or something, I like to express my opinion."
( 1"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands.."1 Peter 3 emphasis mine)
Is Jesus real or plastic?
workboxes!!!
OK so all of you who read this who are NOT homeschoolers, let me just bore you for a second and talk about something that has revolutionized my homeschool day. Workboxes are all the talk on every homeschool blog out there. It was the invention of a homeschool mom who was trying to solve some of the problems that arise in a typical homeschool day. Things like "when will we be done?" or "how many more subjects till art?" (interject whining voice). I deal with this issue and the other issue that this solves and that is bouncing back between two or more kids, trying to help them with their work. So the workbox idea is simple, get cubbies or shelves and buy 11 or 12 small bins or boxes and label them 1-12 or by picture depending on what you prefer. The child starts at the top and works their way down. I have tweaked this system to work for me since I am too cheap and broke to buy the book on how to do it the way the lady intended, however, just having the basic idea is working for me. I use clear organizational drawers I got from Walmart. I am new at this so I am sure that my system will get better and better. OH and by the way, I have learned kids love to know what to expect. Now my kids know exactly how many subjects are left until we are done, and they also look forward to seeing what is In the drawers since I will change it up a lot. Ireland is so excited that we will be having art again! Here are some pictures of some things in Ireland's drawers (boxes, whatever).
(p.s. if you notice a sticky note on the books, they say "Do with Mom", those are the subject's we do together)
So as you can see, its very basic,yet amazing in the way that it motivates the kids, and ME for that matter. I was going to put some pictures of Jacob's drawers but my computer is acting funky and not letting me put more pictures, so I will do another post with his.
long time no write
Wow, I can't believe how long its been since I have a had a minute to write on this. Things have been crazy busy, but they have also been GREAT so I am not complaining. I had a wonderful time in California visiting my family. I always love seeing them, but it was especially nice seeing my new nephews. They are so adorable and I love them so much more than they will ever know. But it's been a whirlwind ever since I got back home. Unpacking, organizing, laundry, work work work. Did I mention our hotel gave me and my daughter LICE!!! Totally sucks. Its completely gone now, but that was a horrible experience to say the least. Other than that, I have been really excited about planning this new school year, and watching my husband grow into the most amazing man of God I have seen. As far as schooling goes, we are trying all new stuff this year, so I am thrilled to see what is in store for us. On top of that, little Jacob will now be joining me and Ireland in the "school room". He is such a big boy and loves to let his sissy teach him what she knows (which she is more than happy to do). He is already starting to read words on his own and we haven't ever really started a curriculum yet! He has done some letters workbooks and watched the "leap frog letter factory" video a thousand times, but he just has a knack for it I guess. He is a very eager learner and should make an excellent student for me.
About me bragging on my hubby being awesome, well I just can't help it. It is so like God to answer our prayers in the coolest ways. I have been praying for Jake for a long time to be the spiritual leader in our house, to love God, spend more time with the kids, hold his temper with me and a million other wishes I desired to see fulfilled in my husband. What does God do when I pray these things? HE TELL'S ME I need to change. What in the world is that all about?!?! I don't need to change, I rock! He is lucky to have me! Right? right? No answer. God then whispers in to my heart....
"Valerie......have a gentle and quiet spirit......be still and let him alone". WHAT???? There is nothing gentle or Quiet about me Lord. And why should I leave him alone? I hold this family together!
"No Valerie, I DO"
OK yes Lord, I know you do BUT
"No Buts Valerie, Be STILL"
Fine. I will shut up
"Good"
So I shut up. And you know what? The most amazing thing happened......My quiet, hold everything in, husband started talking to me. He wouldn't shut up, he just kept talking and talking and sharing and sharing. Who was this man? So I did what God asked, I shut up and listened. I didn't tell him all the thoughts in my head that said, "well actually Jake...." or "I don't think you have thought that through"
Or my personal favorite thing I like to spew on him "Well in my opinion..."
Nope I just kept Quiet and listened. Then he started searching God more and reading the bible more, and praying more, and it was an amazing thing to watch. Then one day this week I sat back and realized we hadn't fought in at least a week.
Was my behavior THAT much of a problem?
"That's what I have been telling you Valerie all along"
ohhhhh, thanks Lord. I'm sorry Lord. I should have listened a long time ago.
The Lord is awesome, my husband good, my kids are being shepherded. What more could a girl ask for?
Born Again.
Do think its possible to be born again? Do you think its possible to Feel born again over and over and over? I believe we are born again in Christ. However today I FEEL born again (again). I love that the Lord answered me in my distress. That He heard my cry and turned his ear to me. It's so simple. One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Psalm 116. In it, it states, "I love the Lord for he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me I will call on him as long as I live." That is exactly what he does over and over for me. Here are some lyrics to a song I just CANNOT sing enough. When It comes on I just close my eyes and lift my face to heaven. Put's into words how I am feeling now.
Today I found myself,
After searching all these years,
And the man that I saw,
He wasn't at all who I'd thought He'd be,
I was lost when You found me here,
And I was broken beyond repair,
Then You came along and sang Your song over me
Chorus 1
It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time,
In my life
Verse 2
Make a promise to me now,
Reassure my heart somehow,
That the love that I feel,
is so much more real than anything
I've a feeling in my soul,
And I pray that I'm not wrong,
That the life I have now,
It is only the beginning
Chorus 2
It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time
It feels like I'm breathing
It feels like I'm moving
For the very first time
For the very first time
Bridge
I wasn't looking for something that was more,
Than what I had yesterday,
Then You came to me,
Then You gave to me,
Life and a love that I've never known,
That I've never felt before
Final Chorus
It feels like I'm born again
It feels like I'm living
For the very first time
I'm living for the first time
It feels like I'm breathing
It feels like I'm moving
For the very first time
I'm living for the first time,
In my life
Can you feel that? That song is amazing. God is so good to me. He truly is abounding in patience. I cannot believe how easy it is sometime to forget how far he has brought us. Think back to your life before.......I can remember the sadness, the loneliness, the sin, the filth, the drugs, the cigarettes, the alcohol, depression. OHHHHH but now, it is as that song said, it feels like I'm living for the first time in my life! Nothing huge has happened to change my circumstances. God has just simply whispered to my heart "My beloved, remember where you have been, think now on where we are together, and this is just the beginning. We only have forward to go from here." I can feel His sweet breath on my cheek as He reveals His truth to me. My depression is simply my heart always wanting to be in charge, and being sooo impatient that I mistake waiting, for abandonment. I am not abandoned by God, I am waiting on his perfect timing. I am not abandoned by friends, I am waiting. Thank you Lord, for revelation.
what can I say...
What can I say about why haven't I updated the blog? lack of inspiration? lack of time? Too busy feeding the hungry and adopting the orphans? Nope. None of these. Sadly its that ugly word, nobody likes to say or admit. I'm depressed. There I said it. Whewwww I feel much better. OK not really, but I thought it might make you feel better if I wrote that. ha ha. What exactly is wrong with me? I'm not sure. I think it could be a mix of things. Hormones....possibly. But I think more than anything, its loneliness. Yes, I'm the girl with a thousand friends and nobody she really feels like she can talk to. Its depressing even to write that. I know there are people with serious problems and worries and I know I have no reason for feeling like this, but I can't seem to shake it none the less. There are several contributing factors that God has raised to my attention that are not helping the situation. One is Jake and I have "friends" but lack of real fellowship with others. He has a job, but is not truly happy at all with it. I have a home but long to fill it with noise and laughter of people and ministry, yet every door to make that happen keeps closing. I long to have another child and to bring many more children into our family, yet I haven't been able to conceive. I long to adopt but things keep getting in the way, doors keep shutting, and money is too tight to adopt overseas. My husband and I are growing in the Lord (him more than I), but we cant seem to find a ministry. I know this looks like a long list of complaints, but in reality its just things that I know we are personally feeling and dealing with. Its hard to be in a state without close family and friends. We have friends, but I guess we are looking for something more. You know the kind where you can call them up anytime and say "hey, whatcha doin?" and they answer "nothing, wanna come over and visit?". The friends that just stop by for a cup of coffee or an evening walk. The friends that just like being with you, and praying for you. Friends that wont judge you because you don't watch t.v. or because you want more than a couple kids. Jake has longed also for friends. Please pray, that we would have answers from God in some questions we are asking Him. Please also pray that this heaviness of depression and loneliness lifts soon. Thanks sooooooooooooo much! love you all.
