Grace for the Moment....

"I assure you: Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop."

This verse is interesting...when I looked it up in different translations some of the words were slightly different. "...it remains by itself.", says it remains alone.

This speaks volumes to my life. So much of the time I am trying to avoid hurt and pain or anything that makes me feel broken and alone. Yet, in doing so I unknowingly put myself in the position to be alone. Alone doesn't feel good. When you are in a room full of family and friends and you somehow feel alone.
Maybe looking back and seeing my attitude; perhaps my sad attempts at saving my own life. I forget that the miracle of the loaves and fish occurred after the breaking.

Do we like to be broken and vulnerable?

 

 

Life has been wild for me lately. My oldest taking part-time classes at a local private school and my other four at home. Top that off with getting used to a new normal in a new home and neighborhood. Life is still moving but i am sort of just going with it. I used to be so on top of things but it seems that I have made it easy for me to feel alone. Letting go is hard. Even when it is so evident that it must happen and there is no other way to turn. Though it is not stated in this verse; it seems as if God says do this so I can give you life. A life that is unimaginable to your human heart. A life that is abundant with ME. Because after all, that is what we are looking for..... Him. I want to know Him. His word says in another place that He is near to the broken hearted. 



Starting a new school year...

A new year. A new beginning. It's like opening a new notebook, empty and ready to write on. To hold the events of the days to come. This school year is going to be interesting. We ended the year last year on a rough note. I was stressed and the kids were very frustrated. Losing our home and all of our school materials meant we had to start over but try to finish the school year at the same time. I wanted to send them all to school by the end. I thought I just needed a break. Being in a different place, that was not our own, made finishing the year really hard.

Not this year...this year I am seeking God's rest.

I am enjoying my family. I am going to remember why God

called me to homeschool in the first place.

 

So with that, I will be reading and spending more time diving into books like the one in the corner. This is an amazing book. And I plan to find others like it. Enjoy being the Me God created me to be. And realizing that my struggles are not new to HIM.

 

I am changing up the curriculum. In the past, I have used all abeka with some supplements. In another post I will talk about what I am using this year with each child.

 

I am so excited about the changes and I know my little ones are as well.

I hope you will join us on the rediscovery of God's plan for my family through homeschool!

 Here is a sneak peek into what we are doing this year :)

Life after a house fire...

On March 6, 2017, we experienced a devastating event. Something so small as an outlet sparking caused our home to go up in flames. I don't think I will ever forget that day, as my children and I stood across the road and watched our home slowing fade into a caution scene. We cried...we cried a lot and thought what could we have done differently but there was nothing.

Nothing was saved...ALL was lost.

After the fire fighters cleared out, I walked around what used to be the place I raised my children. Where we laughed, cried, and celebrated life. Where they learned to ride bikes and enjoyed wagon rides on quiet mornings. One birthday at a time, we made memories. So many memories in a home that was ours. Not a perfect house, but our home. It didn't matter how far away we vacationed. We came home to this place and tucked our little ones in.

Now all that changed. We were homeless.

In those moments, I just wanted to be alone...far away from all the many voices that wanted to tell us what they thought was best. However, I couldn't because just like I wanted to run to my mama...I believe my hubby wanted his. And that is where we landed...at my in-laws. We have been here for almost 6 months...I have had so many different emotions but the overwhelming one has been feeling all alone. Though the advice was never meant to hurt or demoralize, the enemy played it up that way. I took the bait, hook and all.

I have come to realize " I am who I am" and that is okay!!

The days are getting better! And I am so very thankful that God, through my in-laws, provided a roof over our heads during this tough transition in our lives. I am thankful that even on my crazy days my God was always there to gently draw me back on course.

I am a part of HIS plan and running the race. HIS grace is sufficient even for me. He will never leave me nor forsake me.

I have lost a lot...but I will trust in the Lord for HE is my strength and my strong tower. One who never waivers and HE will always work things together for my good.

I have come to realize "I am who I am" and that is okay!!

Grace for the moment...

Life...can lead you in so many directions. Trying to figure out which way is the best and God intended way is the key. My children are all growing so fast. My oldest started work this past week at our local Chick-fil-A. It has to grow on him,though. He is learning and moving so quickly and I can't help but think...

Have I made the most of my time with him?...

My sweet baby boy is now 16 years old and ready to take on the world apart from mama.

 

He has just two short years of school left. We have decided to have him take some of his classes at a private school this coming year and keep the others at home.

 

On another note, we have found a house! I know, I have not shared at all here but earlier this year we had a house fire that took every thing we owned except our vehicles. We have been living with my husbands parent for the last five months. I am so thankful for their kindness but I am oh so ready for our own space again..

 

Through it all, God has been so faithful to us!!

 

His word has been like a fresh honeycomb to my spirit. I discovered some things about myself that I would say I am not so proud of....I am so thankful that Love never fails!! That HE is with me always and HE is not loosening HIS grip of Grace for me and my sweet family.

 

We have a crazy set of weeks ahead of us...We are preparing for a move, lesson planning for school, cheerleading for both girls, work and school prep for Isaiah. 

 

I am so excited to see what God has in store for us as a family and individually.

 

 





Grace for the Moment....

As I drove off from the local Hardee's, My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. Let me back up and tell you why....

We were rushing out the door for church and I had not gone to the grocery store so we were out of everything food wise. I needed to do a quick run through a drive thru. Which never happens before church because I hate drive thru breakfast. I am not a fan of fast food period and I won't get on my soap box about how unhealthy it is to eat fast food, so I will leave that there. Nonetheless, we went to Hardee's for breakfast....when I got to the window to pay, my daughter said, "Mom, tell her Jesus loves her."

 

And I froze!!

 

Why? I don't know. I have prayed with people a good bit during my walk with Christ but I am different today. I have come into an understanding that I had not known before. I tasted of the Lord's love but I am learning to walk more in his love than I ever have in times past. I am realizing that HE didn't save me just because I was lost and that reason only. But that I would show HIS great love for a hurting world to those that are hurting. Perhaps my daughter saw that she needed to know that or she believed that everyone we encounter needs to encounter HIM.

 

 

In that moment, I just wanted to get to church "the safe zone for ministry" right? LOL!!

Not so!!

We are supposed to BE that Jesus encounter to those that need to know HIM.

Everywhere We Go!

 

I missed it today...."In everything set them an example of good" Titus 2:7

My daughter needed to see it lived out....and I missed it.

 

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone that believes" Romans 1:16

Where have I been....

2015 seemed to be one of the hardest years thus far for me but it ended with an amazing gift from God. My sweet Alyssa Jade was born December 4th.

She is now almost 3months. So life got a little crazy for our family. Homeschooling has been a little crazy as well but we are getting to what we can. We actually took the month of December off so I could get adjusted. It took a little longer for me to recover this time around than with my other children.

 

The children are absolute in love with their baby sister. She was a gift for us all.

Motherhood is one of the greatest gifts from the Father and I am so thankful.

Grace for the Moment....

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord," plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." You will call to me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord."       Jeremiah 29:11-14


I can't begin to tell you where I have been emotionally these past few months but this verse dropped into my heart this morning just before waking to get ready for church....

and it blessed my heart greatly!


Oh, how the Father knows exactly where we are and what we need.


I pray that this falls freshly on pliable hearts this evening as we all, mommies especially, journey toward this goal of fixing our hearts and minds on Jesus :)


Many Blessings,


Along THE Way