tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72612795595498797732024-03-26T20:42:26.342-07:00Faith in RealityWrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.comBlogger366125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-36163167849801031032024-03-26T20:40:00.000-07:002024-03-26T20:41:53.521-07:00Eternal Perspective<p> Eternal Perspective. </p><p>This phrase is the best definition of my point of view in most of my conversations. And often, my opinions and views differ from others, but it isn't ignorance or denial as many people assume. (There are times where my point of view is fallible...I'm human.)</p><p>My opinions often differ because I tend to view arguments and situations from an eternal perspective, from the ideals and desires of God that I have learned and absorbed through my time being in the Word and studying it.</p><p>There is no issue or cause that I do not take an eternal perspective to interpret. You've seen me do it here before. I will learn of something new and take time to mull it over and determine what stance I will take. I can often see both sides of the issues presented, but there are more than just the two sides. There is a bigger picture, an eternal and spiritual influence within every issue and decision we face.</p><p>While we as Christians are to fervently love one another, Jesus loved without authorizing sinners to continue sinning and He loved in spite of sin, knowing what a sinner could not understand without first coming to Him.</p><p>Having an eternal perspective means seeing sin for what it is, loving the sinner and sharing the Lord with them. So, when someone brings up social justice, or some other controversial issue and argues a specific point, I don't see it as black and white. I see the spiritual warfare happening to influence both sides. And then I bring it to the Lord in prayer.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-57366377070758262822024-03-26T20:17:00.000-07:002024-03-26T20:17:42.922-07:00The Parable of the Minas<p>This past Sunday was Palm Sunday. Most all of us know that story. Our pastor taught on what happened just before Jesus' triumphal entry. I hadn't heard a teaching on this passage before and I hadn't realized it was just before Jesus' triumphal entry. Knowing that made a lot of points click for me.</p><p>Luke 19:11-27 is the parable of the minas. It is similar to the parable of the talents, but different with a different meaning. </p><p>Verse 12 says "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return." (NKJV) The nobleman is Jesus.</p><p>Verse 13 he gives his servants ten minas and said to them "do business till I come" other translations say "occupy till I come".</p><p>Verses 15-20 is the servants telling the nobleman what they have done with the mina they were responsible for. Each servant received the same exact thing: one mina. There is ONE GOSPEL. </p><p>Each time the servant shares what they did with the mina, the nobleman rewards them based on their responsibility. Being faithful with little means they were entrusted with more responsibility.</p><p>Lesson: Live the gospel & proclaim the gospel. Be good stewards of the gifts and abilities that God has given us. Be a good steward of your finances, your time, and the resources God has given you.</p><p>1 Peter 4:10 "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (reading this whole passage is good too if you want to delve further into it).</p><p>Minister to others with the gifts and abilities that God has given you. </p><p><br /></p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-1057909411992291242024-03-15T21:05:00.000-07:002024-03-15T21:06:59.969-07:00Homeschooling & Romans 5:2-5<p>Motherhood was always my easy-to-identify ambition. Homeschooling in motherhood was never even part of my girlish imaginings! This year I will graduate my firstborn. God has enabled me to customize her education since she was a 5th grader. It has been a blessing and an honor to be involved in her upbringing so intricately. </p><p>Romans 5:2-5 "Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of<span> </span>salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love." (NLT)</p><p>Paul is speaking of Salvation in this verse. I feel it also fits our homeschooling journey as well. We began homeschooling because of our faith/convictions -and purely out of faith that God would lead us because we didn't know what we were doing! </p><p>Being a parent that homeschools adds an immense weight of responsibility and dedication to your plate.</p><p>As parents we are called to teach our children, and to some families, that includes outside help from the public/private school system. Nothing wrong with that. God's plan for each child and each family is specifically tailored to that child and family.</p><p>For our family, God very clearly brought us to homeschooling when our girls were still in elementary school. It wasn't something we had planned on or even considered prior to God presenting it to us as our only viable option.</p><p>Homeschooling is an undeserved privilege in my mind. It has afforded me the honor of being present in my children's lives with an inside look at what they deal with. I know their strengths and weaknesses, I see their growth and maturity in their struggles, and it constantly brings me to my knees in prayer -begging the Lord for wisdom and discernment to know how best to handle each situation as it arises. God has been faithful throughout the years, and He continues to be.</p><p>Rejoicing in problems and trials is never the easy, or even the first, reaction. But as I watch my children face their challenges, I rejoice in them because I know how their endurance, character, and hope in Christ may be strengthened. I am blessed to walk alongside them, to pray with them, and to see the Lord move.</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-20765266592658020902024-01-16T20:50:00.000-08:002024-01-16T20:50:56.494-08:00New PerspectiveAfter looking over last year's minimal posts, it was obvious to me that it was a challenging year. My perspective was inward and life was mentally exhausting.<div><br /></div><div>The Christmas vacation with my little family was good for me. I was able to unwind and relax. Postponing one of our celebrations suppressed much of my normal drive to clean and organize in the new year. I said "yes" more frequently to my littles asking for mommy to play, and we enjoyed each other.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was very good. God has also pulled me into Him and my perspective away from myself and my own internal struggles. Very good, indeed. I feel refreshed, and cautious too. I know these seasons ebb and flow.</div><div><br /></div><div>The struggles haven't disappeared or greatly changed much. My attitude and perspective has. </div><div><br /></div>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-41376031966523151482024-01-02T20:23:00.000-08:002024-01-02T20:23:07.195-08:002023<p>2023.</p><p>A blur.</p><p>Many painful and challenging private moments. Many beautiful and precious moments too.</p><p>I had to look back at the pictures I have taken because I truly can't remember how the year was.</p><p>I am thankful that it is over. I am happy to move forward.</p><p>Pictures of my family and the memorable moments we had together bring joy to my heart. They remind me that even in the difficulties of life, God gives joy.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-22602621091133641112023-10-03T20:30:00.001-07:002023-10-03T20:30:49.181-07:00Over-extending Myself<p> Speaking of over-extending myself...hahahaha!</p><p>My older kiddos have been desiring more fellowship with friends and getting out of the house to do things. I didn't really know how to go about doing this, but God does!</p><p>I tried joining some homeschool teen groups on social media, but my girls kept declining to go to the events because they didn't know anyone there...</p><p>Then I learned of a new group for our local area and I've been attending the mom's meetings once a month. I really enjoy these ladies and love that not only are they local, but they are like-minded families. We will start getting together for their events this month as a school thing. I am hoping the kids will make some friends in this group.</p><p>And, because God is good, He knows just how to reach my girls. A group on social media started a Coffee House meet-up for teen girls and moms. We went for the first time, it was the coffee that gave them the incentive to go, but afterwards they both said they were glad to have gone!</p><p>I'm thankful for these new people in our lives, but also trying to guard myself, because now we are part of three different homeschool groups in addition to youth group and AWANAs.</p><p>We have some time to play with, because school doesn't take a full day like public school, but I need to leave space for time to be home and the life things like grocery shopping, housework and appointments.</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-74386479665265020382023-10-01T21:08:00.001-07:002023-10-01T21:08:45.794-07:00Mental Overwhelm<p>There is so much I want to think about, to plan and prep. All things that would help me to be more organized and prepared for the busyness of life.</p><p>But my brain is overwhelmed. It needs to unload the burden and decompress.</p><p>Friday, I learned that one of my homeschool mama 'friends' was in the hospital with her two-year-old son because his bloodwork came back with bad news. Leukemia is the expectation of the doctors. He had to have a bone biopsy and a blood transfusion because his numbers were so low. Thankfully, he was able to be discharged and sent home Sunday. He has an appointment with the oncologist to review the results this week.</p><p>He is her baby, youngest of four. He was born with downs syndrome and apparently bloodwork is a routine check for babies like him. My compassion for them went into overdrive and all I could do was think about how to be the best help for them. </p><p>My heart is to serve others and I know myself. I know that I can easily over-extend myself in helping. I have to balance my desire to help with my commitment to my own family. That makes it hard. I call her my friend because we go to park days together and we chat, along with the other mamas that are regular attendees. We aren't especially close at all, other than we are two of the few mamas with little ones still. I save my son's clothes to pass down to hers.</p><p>I don't know what the future holds. I can't imagine being in her shoes, although I understand cancer well enough to relate to the logistics of what she is dealing with. I will walk alongside her as best I can as her fellow sister in Christ.</p><p><br /></p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-82367816870464002322023-06-10T20:54:00.000-07:002023-06-10T20:54:00.400-07:00Living the Journey"...but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5<div><br /></div><div>I watched my daughter live out the words of this scripture. She recently gave herself a challenging goal to achieve. We supported her and prayed for her. We took the role of on-looker and cheerleaders as we let her journey this adventure.</div><div><br /></div><div>Her anxiety reached new heights and she struggled to meet the requirements that came up along the way. Still, she pushed herself to continue. She struggled through each step until she had persevered to the finish line.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, reaching the finish line didn't end with the kind of success she had hoped for. We are so proud of her. She let herself be vulnerable. She didn't let challenges stop her and she never quit, no matter how hard it got. She didn't achieve the results she hoped for, but the lessons and the maturity she developed along the way are priceless!</div><div><br /></div><div>We had discussions about trusting God with the outcome, and just living the journey He gave her to live. We talked of open doors and closed doors, and accepting them. And when the worst thing that could have happened did, she wasn't devastated or crushed. She was thankful for the journey and the many things she learned along the way.</div><div><br /></div><div>She learned more of who she is, what she likes, what things fit her personality and abilities best. She learned more about trusting her Lord and Savior. She learned some new skills that can be used in other situations. She watched and felt God show up for her, even if the outcome wasn't the one she wanted.</div><div>She practiced perseverance. She developed character, and that character showed her hope in her heavenly Father.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-61126761170929869032023-06-04T20:57:00.000-07:002023-06-04T20:57:23.398-07:00Lessons in Faith<p> Through my husband's battle with cancer, I learned to finally choose to trust in the Lord for my future.</p><p>Through my unexpected pregnancy, I learned that God doesn't have to ask my permission. He is in control.</p><p>Through homeschooling I learned that pride is also self-sufficiency. True humility is surrender and submission to God.</p><p>In parenting I learned to give my best each day and trust that God gave my kids the mother they needed most in me.</p><p><br /></p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-30460765562133428232023-06-04T20:47:00.000-07:002023-06-04T20:47:00.079-07:00Decompressing<p> This last week was crazy busy with lots of driving around. I did it to myself of course, but I stretch myself thin for my kids quite often. I signed up my first grader to attend a free sports camp at a local church. He was so excited and loved it. I didn't think it would be a big deal, but then we added on an interview for my daughter one morning, and we had friends come over another afternoon, and I had to split my grocery shopping into two days in order to be where I needed to be on time.</p><p>I did have the sense enough to let my fellow park-day mommas know that I wasn't going to make it. I could have tried, but it would have overloaded my stress handling capabilities.</p><p>This weekend was a lot of traveling as well. First for a fun event of celebrating my sister's graduation, and the second day was full of being a mom's taxi. Tonight is a "work night" for me, but I needed to decompress badly. When I get overwhelmed mentally, I withdraw inwardly looking for escape and a quiet place to clear my head. Hard to do with a busy family life.</p><p>Tonight, I turned on some instrumental music and just typed up the events in my brain and sorted out what it was about them that caused the fog in my head. Turns out, confusion over emotions and boundary issues are the majority of my mental overwhelm. It was nice to have the time to write it out, go back and look at what I wrote and problem solve why I felt what I felt and how I wanted to deal with those emotions. Very helpful.</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-71756335286355360112023-05-23T20:59:00.001-07:002023-05-23T20:59:58.342-07:00Tomorrow is not Promised<p> I grieved for lost tomorrows last night. As odd as that might seem to you reading this, it isn't an anxiety thing. It is me, as a mama, loving with all her being and accepting that my children are not mine. They belong to the Lord, and I will treasure them however long He chooses to allow me to enjoy being their mama. It is accepting that our tomorrows are not promised here on earth.</p><p>And I hurt at the thought of potentially losing anyone I love so dearly. My heart's desire is to walk this road that God has placed me on. Whatever happens in our future is His to command and His to direct.</p><p>This all stems from my daughter's love for her Jesus. She wrote the most beautiful poem last night and it hit my heart like an arrow through a bullseye. She wrote of heaven and her joy in being with her Lord. God out-did Himself in creating her heart. She astounds me with the way she perceives spiritual things.</p><p>From her childhood she has strongly desired to be with her Jesus. It has always been a little disconcerting. Raising her has challenged my own perceptions and understandings. I didn't imagine that having children would change me in this way. She belongs to Jesus, in a unique way and however He uses her life to glorify Himself, I only pray that I am able to accept and submit to His will, to obey His leading even if it is hard. I pray for her, that she will find confidence in her relationship with Him- that she will recognize His voice and follow Him wholeheartedly.</p><p>From her poem, and experiences with her...how would you live life, how would your choices change if you only had weeks or months to influence this world for Christ? That is where I am. I am looking at where God has placed me and what I can do to live out this calling to the best of my ability, seeking Him first and submitting to Him in all that I do.</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-8005541222741070242023-05-22T23:51:00.000-07:002023-05-22T23:51:10.866-07:00To be Held<p> Natalie Grant sings a song called “Held”.</p><p>It is a beautiful song of grief and the loving arms of the Lord in the midst of pain.</p><p>Tonight I grieve what may come. Perhaps it is just emotions, and yet, I sense that God is in this, loving me in His perfect way that only He can.</p><p>I hear the melody of “Held” in my mind as I mourn and surrender to the Lord, what His will may be. I pray for protection, for healing of the pain, and the ability to walk in faith, to walk in obedience.</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-52248368293745215152023-04-28T23:16:00.000-07:002023-04-28T23:16:32.332-07:00Pondering a Question about my Past<p> My dad asked me today if I would have still gotten married as young as I did if he and my mom hadn’t moved away that year. I told him probably because my hubby was going away to college in the fall. I want to explore that thought more. </p><p>I love my husband and I treasure the life we have built together. I don’t wish that were different. Maybe pieces of it, but not if it meant changing what we have today.</p><p>We got engaged in my junior year of high school. I knew it was going to happen when he told me he had a surprise and made me close my eyes as he drove us to our date that night. I remember being nervous.</p><p>He had said he loved me early in our relationship and I said it back to him. I knew I loved him more than anyone I’d ever loved before. We hadn’t followed God’s will in our relationship, so I worried that our relationship as a whole was outside of God’s will. Now I know it was just our behavior that didn’t follow God’s will.</p><p>We started dating at 15 and 17. I had never had a real boyfriend before. He was so handsome and funny. I loved being around him. We flirted like crazy…over-the-top, ridiculous flirting. It was so much fun! He joked and played, and I reciprocated. We simply had fun together. We could talk for hours on end and still want to be together and talk longer after time was up. The first time we ever broke my curfew was because we were talking and lost track of the time. We were talking of marriage within months of beginning to date.</p><p>We were so close, so fast, people talked about us. We were bullied and rumors went around about us. We received a lot of criticism and negative comments about our relationship. The negativity in addition to my own self-doubt filled me with uncertainty. I desperately wanted to do what God’s will for me was. And that is what made me so nervous of the proposal. I was scared that all those naysayers were right, and I was acting apart from God.</p><p>I wish that I would have had confidence in myself and in the truth of our relationship. That is where my youth and immaturity came at a disadvantage. How much more I would have enjoyed and treasured that proposal and our wedding planning! Instead, I spent countless nights stressing over the what ifs and questioning everything I felt and thought. When I finally got down to the nitty gritty of all my worries, I knew without a doubt that I loved him. And that was the reason I said yes. That was the reason I didn’t follow the naysayers. I love him with all of me. I always have and always will.</p><p>We chose to get married the summer after I graduated high school. He was going away to go to college. My parents were moving to another state. I didn’t believe in living together unless we were married. So, we got married. The timing just made sense, even if we were terribly young.</p><p>If my parents hadn’t moved, would we have planned our wedding for later? Possibly. I don’t know for sure. We still would have spent all of our extra time together and talked on the phone constantly. I really couldn’t say. We might have gotten married anyway, just to be together. On second thought…we may have planned our wedding for later that same year to be on the anniversary of when we first started dating. We considered that before we knew my parents were moving away.</p><p>What would I have changed?</p><p>1. Followed God’s will for our choices early in our relationship.</p><p>2. Held onto confidence in what I knew to be true. Taken less stock in what other people said.</p><p>3. Insisted on our original chosen date for our wedding, even if that meant a justice of the peace wedding rather than the pastor who only married us because he knew we’d do it whether or not he was the officiant (he even told us this). </p><p>4. Had more fun planning our wedding to represent our personalities better. I would have liked to sing or at least walk down the aisle to our song. I’d skip the lunch part of our reception and just have simple cake and nuts/dinner mints.</p><div><br /></div>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-45066535082631636042023-03-10T21:42:00.001-08:002023-03-14T19:46:27.500-07:00Sorting out the past, truth from fiction<p> With the death of my former boss, I debated internally whether or not I wanted to attend her memorial service. I would have gotten to see some of my much-loved friends from those years of working together. I also would have had to see people who have hurt me deeply.</p><p>Blogging was closure enough for me and was the only coping I needed in dealing with the news of her death. I expected more emotional moments, but I feel at peace with my relationship with her and how we last parted ways. </p><p>I took it to the Lord in prayer about whether or not I wanted to go. Ultimately, I had more peace in leaving the past in the past and not attending. The purpose of her service was to honor the life that God gave her and the work she did for Him. My attendance, for me, wouldn't be for that purpose. I honored God's work in her in my own way here on my blog, and that was enough.</p><p>In my prayer time, I also asked God to heal some of those wounds. He revealed some truths to me that I needed to hear. </p><p>We are studying Philippians at church, and our pastor went over a passage in chapter 2, and some interesting pieces of the study really stood out to me. The theme of the first few verses is "Unity through Humility", speaking of the relationship believers should have together. Verses 3 and 4 say, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."</p><p>It hit me because when I first took on the challenge of becoming director, I entered that role with a sincere humility. I knew that it was a role I wasn't experienced enough for and that it would require divine intervention for me to accomplish. When I interviewed with the church leadership, they barely glanced at my typed list of goals for my role as director. My heart to be a servant leader, my heart of humility was viewed as a tactic to gain the job. </p><p>God was revealing to me that there was already selfish ambition and sin already present. His coming judgement was not caused by my failure.</p><p>He also reminded me that no leader is present without His allowing it. My stepping into the director role wasn't me stepping out of God's will as I once thought. </p><p>It wasn't my responsibility to fix the problems and make it all work either. When God removed me from that position, He was saving me from myself and from the damage it was causing me.</p><p>I recognize that while I started my role in humility, the severe spiritual battle that was waging was more than I could handle on my own. I started out depending on the Lord, fell into depending on others and myself, and suffered the consequences of that failure. I wonder if I had stayed in tune with the Lord, if I might have recognized His work in removing His blessing and bringing judgement on the church. Would I have left sooner? I'll never know.</p><p>What I do know is that He has answered all of my prayers perfectly. His answers aren't always what I think the options are, and that is so wonderful. His ways are not mine, they are so much better. They are exactly what my spiritual walk with Him needs for me to continue to grow and mature in my faith. I praise Him for this!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-65072905632821825572023-02-07T20:59:00.003-08:002023-02-07T20:59:20.632-08:00HSP- Highly Sensitive Person<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/highly-sensitive-person-brain/">The Difference Between the Highly Sensitive Brain and the 'Typical' Brain (highlysensitiverefuge.com)</a></p><p>This is a pretty good website with several articles about being an HSP. I definitely see myself as one, and am inclined to think that my dad is as was his dad.</p><p>Many of these traits can present similar to ADHD. I wonder if they are intertwined somehow. HSP isn't a medical diagnosis. It is more of a personality type. Interesting to consider.</p><p><br /></p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-33515665847840268342023-01-29T20:40:00.000-08:002023-01-29T20:40:26.332-08:00Farewell to a fellow woman of faith<p>I just learned that my former boss of 13 years passed away. </p><p>Of all the possible feelings, I mostly just feel acceptance. Other feelings may pop up as my brain processes the information over the next several days, if past experience counts for anything.</p><p>She was a good and loving boss. </p><p>She drove me bonkers.</p><p>I appreciated her greatly, yet she stretched my tolerance and my patience on a daily basis.</p><p>She cared for others with the full love of Christ. She knew no strangers and never acknowledged any subtle boundaries of others at any time. You had to be direct or your boundary wasn't perceived. Her extroverted personality was oblivious to the passing of time or other responsibilities that needed her time and attention too.</p><p>I learned much from serving under her. I was grateful for her constant support and fighting for better wages and more respect for her employees. She did many things that made her very loved by her staff.</p><p>She was pushy and loud, yet never missed a chance to witness to anyone and everyone who crossed her path. Every interview she conducted included the gospel message and a heart-to-heart with the unsuspecting interviewee. She had the privilege of praying the prayer of salvation with many parents who brought their children to our childcare center.</p><p>Her final two years as my boss, myself and her administrative assistant served as her hands and feet, her mental stability, and we ran all aspects of the business with her at the helm delegating everything possible to us, with the exception of the personal interactions she was so gifted in.</p><p>Several times in our time together, we thought God might be calling her home. Her health was always in question. More times than I can remember, I was with her at the hospital or racing to get her some orange juice because her blood sugar had dropped incredibly low again.</p><p>Never a dull moment. </p><p>I remember a bible study that she led, a verse about how wide, how deep, and how far God's love was. It was her heart's prayer to experience God's love and share it to that degree. Finally, she gets to experience it live, and in-person. I can see her joyfully praising her Lord and Savior with all of her being up in Heaven.</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-31533010970299292472023-01-13T22:23:00.000-08:002023-01-13T22:23:34.055-08:00Proverbs 31 Woman<p> This chapter can be intimidating when viewed through broken lenses. I think it is a beautiful portrayal of a woman who strives to be her best for the Lord. A portrayal of a regular woman, not a perfect woman on a pedestal that we have to try to emulate, but an honest, down-to-earth description of the ways she strives to do her best and be the woman God has created her to be.</p><p>As I read verses 10-31, again -one of many times in my life I have laid eyes upon this passage and pondered it, I found myself looking at it in a different light. I jotted down some paraphrases of the verses and here is the message I found the Lord sharing with me:</p><p>1. Her husband's heart trusts in her. She does him good and not harm. (this speaks to the relationship between this husband and wife)</p><p>2. She uses her skills and hard work to provide and support for the needs of her family that God has given her responsibility for. (the gifts and talents God has given her, for the specific needs she is responsible for)</p><p>3. She travels as necessary to feed her family. (she goes the distance, puts others first)</p><p>4. She rises early to meet their needs. (like feeding them a nutritious breakfast)</p><p>5. She uses her resources to further the benefit to her family and she follows through to see something to fruition.</p><p>6. She works on herself and doesn't give in to laziness, or give up on her efforts when the going gets tough. (her character, her relationship with the Lord, all areas of her life)</p><p>7. She's not afraid of hard work and works alongside others. (doing what it takes, humbly)</p><p>8. She is gracious and generous with what she has.</p><p>9. She is not afraid, she knows the Lord provides...He gives her strength and dignity.</p><p>10. Her words are wise and kind.</p><p>11. She is a woman who fears the Lord.</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-11108010363446481682022-10-18T20:28:00.000-07:002022-10-18T20:28:18.835-07:00Middle-aged. Mid-life Crisis?<p>The comic strips often portray a middle-aged man impulsively purchasing a brand-new car and going off on some wild and crazy adventure, while everyone around him shakes their heads and calls out "mid-life crisis".</p><p>Mid-life crisis can mean something different to everyone. It causes one to look at their lives and consider things like joy, purpose, worth, impact, etc. It causes one to consider where they are and where they are going. </p><p>You've been an adult for so many years now, and you have an uncertain, yet limited, number of years to come. It's natural to consider these things in life. Although, for those who are less likely to ponder, they may not understand those feelings of discontent and uncertainty about life and choices they make.</p><p>These past couple years have been a struggle for me. Demands on my time and my energy outweigh the time and energy I have for myself. It is part and parcel of being a mother of four, with one being in the toddler years. It is easy to lose yourself in the busyness of life. I needed to find me again. To be more than just mom, cook, and cleaner.</p><p>My prayer journal often consisted of me asking God for help, guidance, and direction in one way or another. He always comes through, and He always meets those needs in one way or another. But it does require a heart that is open to Him and looking for His leading. If I hadn't written those prayers and been able to re-read them, I would have missed noticing some of the unique ways that He answered my prayers.</p><p>My husband got tired of hearing me comment that I longed for some time to myself, time away from the kids. He couldn't comprehend it because he would, in a heartbeat, jump at the chance to be home with the kids day in and day out, rather than having to spend his time and energy on work. </p><p>Finding the right way to express myself was important. He needed to understand that although I love being a stay-at-home mom, that doesn't mean that it isn't hard. It doesn't mean that I don't love our kids. It doesn't mean that I'm taking his hard work for granted (so I can be home with them). I was just losing myself in the day to day demands, and my ability to keep it up was diminishing.</p><p>We had a good heart-to-heart conversation where we both were able to express some things to each other and explain misunderstandings. I had been stuck in my struggles and didn't realize my hubby was also dealing with some of his own struggles. Once we were able to reach that place where we understood each other, it made a world of difference! </p><p>It only happened because we have made a commitment to each other and to the Lord in our marriage. We have kept our hearts open to the Lord's leading, and also to each other. Having the hard conversations can be difficult; and being patient to wait for the right timing is important too.</p><p>I have changed some of the things I was/wasn't doing, and he has too. He makes a point to help me find time for myself. Whether intentional or not, he has also taken a more active role at home when he isn't working. I sure see him and appreciate him for it! God has put a good team together with the two of us when we can communicate and share compassion for each other.</p><p>As my little guy is outgrowing his toddler attitudes and developing more independence, I am finding it easier to carve out bits of time for me here and there. I've added a devotional for my own personal growth and I take advantage of any shopping trips or mom-taxiing as well. Sometimes I will send the boys to play in their room for a few minutes of peace and quiet. </p><p>Finding time for me is a work in progress. It can't come at the cost of others in my life, but it does mean making some changes, communication, and being real. I'm enjoying having the opportunity to do these things.</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-10697063971275631412022-10-18T19:57:00.000-07:002022-10-18T19:57:01.029-07:00Giving ought to be Fun!<p>It's the time of year for making Christmas wish lists again, and while mine looks super boring and practical to some... I am excited for it. They are all items that will help make my life easier or my home more enjoyable to me. </p><p>Last year, my hubby insisted I put something on my list that was just for me, for "fun". I came up with a bath pillow because I like hot soaks. Baths are often my only alone time in a day, and that is only if my little guy doesn't escape his sisters and beg to play in the water. At least he has learned to shut the door behind him. lol! I wasn't surprised at all to receive that pillow, and I use it on occasion.</p><p>That's the trick to Christmas wish lists. To make sure you have enough variety of items that are in the price range of those who want to gift something, and to have something that they will feel good buying for you. It seems a little silly, but who doesn't want to enjoy giving when they give?</p><p>I know that I do! My nieces have reached the age where cash is the best gift. But I hate just giving a boring card and the expected cash. I try to always have something fun to add with it. One year was fuzzy socks. Another year, I hid individual bills in balloons in a huge box. Then I gave them little tin boxes with "million dollar" candy bars and taped the cash on the back of the candy bars. Just to bring them a smile and for me to have fun too. Something fun, something unexpected. Birthdays and holidays should be fun!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-32707742091442457262022-09-27T20:08:00.001-07:002023-06-10T21:04:23.809-07:00Changing up 1st Grade Handwriting: Flexibility in Homeschooling!<p> I was given a curriculum published by Memoria Press for teaching phonics and handwriting. It is a very thorough program with lots of handwriting practice and can also be used in a classroom setting. I liked it a lot and thought it was just the right thing for my first grader's handwriting needs.</p><p>He hated it. So much so that he began to refuse to cooperate for his lessons. A big red flag for me. I want my kids to learn to love learning. I forget sometimes how different my kids and I are. I like writing. I have always enjoyed the flow of pencil on paper...my son, not so much. He was even refusing to write in other areas too.</p><p>As a result, we took some time away from handwriting because I didn't want it to become a source of contention between us or a learned resistance.</p><p>Instead, we did several hands-on activities that strengthen the motor skills used in holding a pencil and controlling small movements. He loved those so much, and he asked when we could continue his language arts program from last year, Language Lessons for a Living Education by Masterbooks.</p><p>This past week we started using his program from last year, it has writing practice built in, but not enough for his needs, in my opinion. So, we are continuing to do those fine motor skill activities and have started a new handwriting program, Learning Without Tears, suggested by a friend of mine. It is more relaxed and geared towards his development level. </p><p>The new handwriting program has some manipulatives to help learn how to form letters (mainly review for him) and he had fun playing with those. </p><p>I also considered another program called A Reason for Writing, but when he looked at the two different workbook samples, he chose the Learning Without Tears program. I don't expect it to be his favorite part of school, but I think it will be simple enough that he can manage and won't develop such a resistance to it.</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-55075181416064338402022-08-30T21:01:00.000-07:002022-08-30T21:01:19.588-07:00Homeschool Update<p> We are 3 weeks in and finally finding our groove. It's been a mental challenge to figure out how to fit it all in and what each child needs. Thankfully, after taking the first few weeks to get the older kiddos familiar with their class requirements, they are starting to be more independent so I can focus on our younger kiddos. Here is what we are working on right now:</p><p>11th Grade: Our wonderful oldest is not currently college bound, although that possibility isn't completely ruled out. So, we are still taking transcript requirements into consideration when planning out her year. Becoming an author is her current career goal. </p><p>Knowing her strengths and weaknesses, we made the last-minute switch to a different math curriculum for her. It is a simpler math program that will ensure she has the basics mastered while taking up less time from her day than the math program that her siblings are using.</p><p>We also made a huge leap into a new program for her language arts. She is taking a Creative Writing course online through Young Writer's Workshop. It is absolutely amazing and has brought more excitement and motivation into her dream of writing for a career. She spent two hours of her own time working on this one subject today!</p><p>9th Grade: Our wonderful second child is college bound. She has a career in mind but hasn't fully decided. She's got time!</p><p>For her, we are working on meeting transcript requirements and challenging her to push herself in her studies. Speech is a challenging class that she is slowly coming around to, and her math is where she simply excels. She is nearly finished with her Algebra 1 course and will complete or be close to completing Geometry by the end of the year if she continues at her current pace.</p><p>1st Grade: Our wonderful third child! His math program recently added a mastery challenge to each lesson in order to encourage kids to spend the extra time needed to truly master the concepts. He has just embraced the challenge whole-heartedly. He will not move on to the next lesson until he has achieved the math mastery! It has slowed down his progress but solidified the concepts he is learning. He will complete 1st grade math before Christmas.</p><p>Language Arts is the class we are still figuring out. He is currently working on handwriting. He gets bored with it, so it is challenging to get him to spend the effort to write neatly and learn to form the letters the correct way. I will probably end up changing what we are doing because I don't' want him to learn to despise writing. I just haven't figured out what to change to yet. Thankfully, he is reading quite well with little effort, so I am not too worried about that part of it!</p><p>Preschool: Our wonderful youngest! He is busy learning many life skills right now. We're settling into a routine with school and I'm finding ways to include him in our learning at his level. He does a lot of the same things his older brother is doing, just a bit more simplified. </p><p>Naps are limited, he actually stopped napping over summer break, but with the busyness of the school day, he will take a short nap, and that helps to give me some one-on-one time with his older brother. When naps end, we'll create a new routine. :)</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-7899190822251252372022-07-26T20:55:00.000-07:002022-07-26T20:55:00.289-07:00Prayer Journal<p> Diaries and journals, things of girlhood that have followed me into my adult life. They have been such a help.</p><p>In early elementary school I tried keeping a journal. I never knew quite what to write and felt strange just recording my life for an unknown future generation. Those entries are short and sporadic.</p><p>As a teenager, I began journaling to God. It felt good to be writing to someone who was reading my words and actively caring about my cares of each day.</p><p>I have a box full of prayer journals now. I prefer spiral bound, hard cover, with thick, lined paper. I can still find them for less than $5 at Ross and sometimes Walmart.</p><p>My journal keeps me grounded. I can vent my troubles, praise God for His answers to prayer, thank Him for His involvement that I recognize, but didn't necessarily ask for. </p><p>On occasion, I go back and read through previous entries, and I can see how He has been working and where my attitude has been. I can see where He has answered prayers in ways that I might not have recognized otherwise. It helps me adjust my perspective and recognize patterns that might need changing.</p><p>My prayer journals increase the benefits of my walk of faith. Writing my prayers keeps my mind focused on what I am saying to God and minimizes the bunny trails my thoughts can take me on when I am praying without pen and paper.</p><p>It especially helps me as a mom. My kids interrupt my prayer time, and I can set down my pen and manage the current situation and return back to where I was to finish my conversation with God.</p><p>A few years ago, I was reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."</p><p>After that, I usually start my prayer journal giving thanks for something, even when it might take me a bit to come up with something I can be thankful for. It helps my attitude and keeps my heart humble towards God.</p><p><br /></p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-73851705699029018252022-07-26T20:35:00.001-07:002022-07-26T20:35:30.088-07:00Failures (written last week and posted to be real)<p> Tonight I fight the mom guilt, discouragement, and overwhelm. </p><p>Today was disrespectful kiddo moments, a bug-ruined bell pepper in the garden, tummy troubles from something I ate, and mom guilt over my kids' emotions. </p><p>I know I am not a bad mom, but when it feels my efforts are failing, guilt and discouragement comes easy, and the thought of not good enough hits harder.</p><p>I cope by spending my work night taking a much needed hot shower, taking it easy on the homeschool planning, reviewing my plans for grocery shopping tomorrow, and taking a little time for me to watch some brainless videos and listen to uplifting music.</p><p>Next I will go to bed.</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-4884020647768373622022-07-17T19:44:00.003-07:002022-07-17T19:44:28.954-07:00Surprising<p> I am truly surprised at how satisfying and fulfilling it is to grow your own food. What started as a means to an end (feeding my family better), has accomplished so much more than ever imagined.</p><p>It is relaxing to spend time in the garden, inspecting the plants, caring for them and watching them grow and mature.</p><p>There is so much more involved in gardening than simply planting, watering, and harvesting. There is bug identification (friend or foe?), plant diseases to watch out for and treat, pruning (knowing where, when and what to snip), all the various methods of supporting vertical growth to pack more into our space...</p><p>I was a bug catcher as a kid, so using my bug app on my phone to identify all the critters in our garden is fun. We have California Glow Worms that look like tiny lightening bugs, parasitic wasps, lady bugs, leaf cutter bees, ants, leaf miners, cabbage moths, flea beetles and lots more that I can't remember the names of.</p><p>The kids love to help me water and end up soaked at least every other day. They like to learn about the different bugs and see the food growing in the garden. It was my baby this year, next year, now that I have a better idea of what is going on, I will involve them more in the process.</p><p>We have harvested a handful of strawberries, three cucumbers, radishes and one zucchini. We still have at least two more months of harvesting to come!</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261279559549879773.post-21958328257603136142022-06-19T20:58:00.002-07:002022-06-19T20:58:48.774-07:00Growing a Garden<p> Last year I worked with my hubby on our garden, he has always been the garden person in our family. I just went along with it...</p><p>Suddenly, I am the gardener. This year it is my baby! I researched and have totally made it my own. Instead of row gardening like we usually do, I am trying out square foot gardening.</p><p>Row gardens are plants in rows, with a walkway typically between each row, kind of like a farmer has.</p><p>Square foot gardening is more of a grid-type of garden, usually used in raised beds, but ours are still in-ground. You plant according to the square foot, anywhere from 1-9 plants per square foot. You can fit in a lot of produce in a smaller space that way.</p><p>We are growing: </p><p>tomatoes (staking them and pruning them to a single stalk): cherry, roma, and slicers.</p><p>herbs: parsley, oregano, cilantro, sage, thyme, rosemary, basil</p><p>cucumber</p><p>squash: zucchini, summer squash</p><p>beets, carrots, onions, radishes</p><p>peppers: mini red, green bell, and jalepeno</p><p>leaf lettuce</p><p>broccoli</p><p>watermelon</p><p>They are growing wonderfully after a cold spring and delayed planting. We had a lot of wind so I couldn't acclimate them from indoors to outdoors, and they suffered for a bit after they were planted outdoors, but now a few weeks later, they are growing well!</p>Wrapped in His armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17280140683043515153noreply@blogger.com0