A couple of days ago we had a history lesson about Monks in India who lived in the Ajanta Caves. The monks made Fresco Paintings that were discovered AFTER the monks stopped living in the caves. These paintings are now a tourist attraction and people visit and somtimes touch the paintings. The paintings are tough and have lasted many years even with all of the visitors.
Our project: We made pictures of our own and hung them on the wall in the hallway. Every time we walk by them we are supposed to touch them. We are going to observe how long our paper pictures will last from all of the touching... will they last 1500 years like the Fresco Paintings??? (It's been 48 hours and they are still up- very crinkled, but they are still hanging.)
Here are some pics of when we first hung them:
Also, yesterday I took a pic of each of the kids doing their school work. I am VERY excited about Ethan's cursive writing. He had a weird backward slant to his printing that we've been keeping an eye on but somehow his cursive is beautiful and slanted forward the way it should be. :)
Everybody falls sometimes,
Gotta find the strength to rise
from the ashes and make a new beginning.
Anyone can feel the ache,
You think it's more than you can take,
but you're stronger, stronger than you know.
Don't you give up now the sun will soon be shining,
You gotta face the clouds to find the silver lining.
I've seen dreams that move the mountains,
Hope that doesn't ever end even when the sky is falling,
I've seen miracles just happen,
Silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new,
That's what faith can do.
It doesn't matter what you've heard,
Impossible is not a word,
It's just a reason for someone not to try.
Everybody's scared to death,
When they decide to take that step,
Out on the water but it'll be alright.
Life is so much more than what your eyes are seeing,
You will find your way if you keep believing.
I've seen dreams that move the mountains,
Hope that doesn't ever end even when the sky is falling.
I've seen miracles just happen,
Silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new,
That's what faith can do
Overcome the odds when you don't have a chance.
When the world says you can't it'll tell you that you can
I've seen dreams that move the mountains,
Hope that doesn't ever end even when the sky is falling,
I've seen miracles just happen,
Silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new,
That's what faith can do, that's what faith can do.
Even if you fall sometimes, you will have the strenght to rise...
WHY do I have such a hard time keeping my priorities straight?? There are so many things I need/want to do and I'm not getting any of them done. I am blogging right now so that's good. I have been wanting to blog.
I'm going to put some of the things out there (here) so maybe someone will ask me about it and I'll finally GET THINGS DONE/STARTED!!!
1. I really want (need) to start a Genesis study. I am about to just do it with Mike. I'm not saying it's bad to just do it with Mike but ...I was hoping to get some ladies to do it with me but I'm having a tough time getting it together. Too much STRESS in areas of my life right now that I can't think sometimes.
2. I really want to come up with a plan for the basement. It's a MESS. It's mostly the kids playroom but as they are getting older their needs are changing and so our the needs of our family. I want to sit down and sketch out my plan and then do it. What will be the best use of that space?
3. I really want to clean out my jewelry armoire. Not a big deal but I feel SO unorganized. It's time to get rid of some things- this is true for many areas of my life/home.
4. I want to re-evaluate my daily schedule, GET IT BACK UP ON THE FRIDGE, and make sure to PEN-in our family devotions time. IF IT ISN'T ON THE CALENDAR IT WON'T HAPPEN!!
Something you can be praying about- Abigail has expressed the desire to be baptized. I don't know when, or how, this will happen but I want to keep it fresh in our minds. I am trying hard to encourage her in her walk with the Lord. Such a tender-hearted girl, very sensitive towards God and his word.
My friend, Kendra, starting doing this a while ago and I enjoy reading how she answers these each week. I am able to know her in a different way and know how she is feeling by the way she completes each thought. I decided to join her and give my own answers. You may learn something new about me but mostly I'm hoping to learn something about myself as these entries start adding up and I am able to look back and read things I had written in the past.
For Today: January 25, 2010 (Today is also the birth & death day of Mike's Mawmaw. We miss her.)
Outside my window... it's cold with a few flurries and I hear some sort of vehicle driving down Clime Road
I am thinking...about so many things and feeling unorganized. I need to make a list.
I am thankful for... my parents & sisters
I am wearing... a white t-shirt, white with pink flowers pj pants, yellow funky-patterned socks
I am remembering...Mike's Mawmaw who died on this day in 2002. She was a real kindred spirit and woman of God that I hope to be like.
I am going... to have a productive day of school tomorrow
I am currently reading... Shepherding a Child's Heart (Tedd Tripp)- will I ever finish this? I need to sit down and make myself do it.
I am hoping... to have my taxes filed TOMORROW!
On my mind... Should I act or should I wait? Would it be helpful and is it right for me to do it or should I step back and leave it up to God? Should I try something else to be sure? (Three different topics)
Noticing that... there is a chill in the air and I should probably get out of bed and turn up the heater.
Pondering these words... I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains, Hope that doesn’t ever end, Even when the sky is falling, And I’ve seen miracles just happen, Silent prayers get answered, Broken hearts become brand new, That’s what faith can do
From the kitchen... Lime angel food cake bars, poppyseed chicken & noodles
Around the house... a sea of laundry, unswept rugs, 5 sleeping children, 1 sleeping husband, 2 sleeping cats, lots of quiet
One of my favorite things~ music: I sure do miss singing. I haven't had the priveledge of being in a choir in a few years. I haven't sung a solo since November. I am no longer a worship leader. My arm longs to direct a song. :( There are so many songs that point me towards the Lord and focus me and that help me to worship God and I love sharing them with others. I feel sad that I am unable to use this gift (and like it's wasted) and I don't see any opportunity to use it any time in the near future. Frustrating.
For more Simple Woman's Daybook information and to join us, see the blog created by the initiator of this great idea!
So, it is no surprise to anyone when I tell you that I am overweight. I blogged a few weeks ago about my weight issues and how I highly recommend Tae Bo to everyone. I will not go through that again.
Let me tell you that I know I am STILL overweight and have a VERY LONG way to go. This blog is basically just an update on my progress.
I have been doing Tae Bo for 10 1/2 weeks now. I kept renewing my fav Tae Bo video from the library (Total Body Fat Blaster) and other people were reserving it so I used Christmas gift money to purchase my own used copy off of Ebay ($8.50- includes my shipping) which came with another Tae Bo video- Fat Blasting Cardio. Now I can alternate. I must confess though that I still love my original fav.
I also joined an exercise group at church that meets Saturday mornings. The only time I've gone so far they just happened to be doing a Tae Bo video- The Believers Workout. It was a GREAT workout and hopefully Mike is getting it for me for my birthday. I saw it for $5 at Lifeway. That's a great deat.
Anyway, last Monday I was feeling a bit discouraged because the scale wasn't moving much. (I've lost 8 pounds in 10 1/2 weeks). A friend suggested I start measuring a few places on my body to see a more accurate picture of what is going on. Here are the results of this past week:
Lost 1/4" off each arm
Lost 1" off my waist
Lost 1" off my belly
Lost 1/2" off my hips
Lost 1/2" off each thigh
Lost 1/4" off each knee
The week before Christmas I had TBN on in the living room waiting for my niece/nephews to come over for a few hours. Beth Moore was on and she just happened to be speaking about our struggle with weight loss and how often it consumes our minds and gets in the way of doing things that God wants us to do. We might start avoiding situations and people because we are worried about our bodies and then missing out on something that the Lord had intended on using us.We need to be free from this bondage. Every workout should be done with a praise attitude.
I will confess that a few months ago I didn't do two things I would have normally done because I was ashamed of my body and what others might think of me. I am very sorry and disappointed at what the Lord might have wanted me to do or say had I been in those two places.
Over the last 10 1/2 weeks I have not only been working on getting my body back in shape but also working on my mind- filling my mind and heart with God's words and promises. I want to be used in any way the Lord sees fit and I want to be available to do whatever it is no matter what my outward appearance looks like.
My favorite song just came on my youtube playlist- Rushing Wind by Keith Green. (It's on my playlist on my blog page also- but you can't hear it if you are reading this through google reader.) I will leave you with the lyrics:
Rushing wind blow through this temple blowing out the dust within Come and breathe your breath upon me I've been born again.
Holy spirit, I surrender Take me where you want to go Plant me by your living waters Plant me deep so I can grow.
Jesus, you're the one who set my spirit free Use me Lord, glorify your holy name through me
Seperate me from this world, Lord Sanctify my life for you Daily change me to your image Help me bear good fruit
Every day you're drawing closer Trials come to test my fate But when all is said and done, Lord You know it's been worth the wait
Jesus, you're the one who set my spirit free Use me Lord, glorify your holy name through me
Rushing wind blow through this temple Blowing out the dust within Come and Breathe your breath upon me For I've been born again.
Monday, January 11, 2010
First I need to say thanks to a few of my friends. :)
KENDRA MCEVOY- thank you so much for introducing me to Google Reader. It sure is a time saver. I follow so many blogs that it was time-consuming (and annoying) to have to go to each persons blog to see if they had posted something new. I just entered everyones blog into Google Reader and it tells me whenever someone has an update. LOVE it!!!
CARA MILLER- thank you for introducing me to MyLiveSignature. I love to try something new now and then. I had lots of fun choosing a signature. This was the most asian-looking one I could find. Maybe I'll upload my own some time using an asian font from another site. For now, this one is good.
Okay... to the blog. Yesterday I had to stay home from church because Abigail was sick. I hated to miss church because my Sunday School class is super and also I wanted to hear the second part of the message in the worship service. :( At least Mike was able to fill me in on what I missed. I can borrow a recording of the Sunday School class.
Chase stayed home with us also because he has been dealing with an ear infection and is still too snotty to go in the nursery. I had Chase in the walker so he could walk around while I was taking care of things. Abigail and I heard a loud noise and I ran out into the hall to see that Chase had pulled the little table over. The Bible fell onto the walker (landing perfectly), the picture fell to the floor, and the lamp just barefly stayed on top of the stand. Here is a pic after I secured the lamp:
I think his face looks a little worried. :) He seemed shocked at what he had done and saddened when Mommy said, "No, no."
Here's a pic after I told him it was okay. I love his smile and his big blue eyes. AND I LOVE how the Bible landed so nicely onto the tray.
Ethan wanted me to post a pic of him, Blake, & Ali being burritos. We have had an area rug that Mike's parents gave us when they got a new one. It was worn out when we got it and over the years we've had all kinds of stuff spilled on it. The fringe on two corners was coming off from years of vaccuming and from our cat Lilia attacking it. I was very appreciative of the rug but have been trying for a few years to get a new one. So we FINALLY were able to get a new rug. The morning after we got it the kids didn't want to sit on the furniture but only lay on the rug. Here is a pic of them being burritos (or pigs in a blanket) on the new rug.
Well, yesterday we started a NEW Science Curriculum. We have tried 2 other sciences in the past. Both were very good but I HATE SCIENCE and so finding a science that I don't mind teaching has been the challenge.
We decided to try the Answers in Genesis science curriculum. Our first day was a success. We were learning how to know if something was alive or not. The kids had to go around the house and pick an item and ask certain questions about that item to see if the item was alive. They all wanted to go alone instead of with partners but Alison & I went together. After we found our 6 items and answered the questions we came back together to share with each other our results. Here are a few pics:
We also had a fun time with history. The kids love it. That is another subject I don't like teaching. Thankfully we have great books that make it interesting even for me. :) These pics are of map work.
There are worse things for sure but still it is difficult when you make a major life decision that you KNOW is God's plan for YOU and someone that you love and trust tells you it is NOT God's plan and then turns on you. Broken relationships are HARD for me. I can't stand to have people upset with me and I often want to try over and over again to make peace... sometimes just making the situation worse.
Well, I have been dealing with something like this for some time now and I am constantly having to check myself- get rid of bitterness, forgive, let go, etc. Just when I think I have done so completely the wound is reopened and someone pours salt on it. Just before Christmas I was once again struggling and had to spend much time with the Lord in order to let it go. I can't say it enough- the way you handle yourself in times of hardship is a testimony. Sadly whatever you have said over the past YEARS is called into question when you handle yourself very badly.
Anyway, this blog is getting long. I was under control as far as my struggle goes but then last night I DREAMED a dream- almost reliving my entire ordeal. :( I know it wasn't real and that it's the devil at work but it is very hard. Today I want to cry and scream and FIX IT! But I can't. Nothing I say or do will fix the broken relationships. Nothing can take back the hurtful things that have been said- the lies and accusations. This is a situation where no matter how much I defend, people will believe what they want. Ears & hearts are closed.
I am leaning on God's words today-
Deuteronomy 5:33
Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.
Mike & I are walking in the way the Lord has commanded us. We have felt his hand leading us every step through this trial. Doors are open and we have heard his strong voice speaking to us. In fact, sometimes I hear his words so clearly that I'm almost shocked. The exact words he needed me to hear are reaching my ears and into my heart.
I feel wonderful and am excited about the ways the Lord is calling us. Still, I long for the peace that comes from reconciliation. Until then I will rest in the peace that only the Lord can give me.
