Well, today our butterflies have finally emerged. What a miracle of nature to behold! We didn't actually see them emerge, but there is still one to go. Maybe we will catch it in the action!
Were you someone who broke out of a cocoon to become something completely new and beautiful? I was before Christ found me. I was bound by fear, loneliness, hopelessness, and helplessness. But Christ spoke, and in a moment, in a millisecond of time, I was transformed into a new creature. My colors changed, my behaviors changed, my friends changed. Just like the butterfly...When it becomes a butterfly, it no longer looks caterpillar. It is metamorphisized. It doesn't crawl to get around anymore, but soars from flower to flower being exactly what God made it. It doesn't hang around caterpillars anymore, but it hangs with other butterflies.
Even nature cries out and testifies of His greatness and goodness!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Too much
Is it just me, or do we seem to always have too much stuff? My children and I purged their rooms this morning. Two bags of trash are what came out, along with a bag to give away. Ughhh! I feel like we are constantly fighting against the clutter monster. And I feel (and know) that we constantly give away unused things, like books, clothes, toys, etc. But the monster always seems to grow!!!!!
Spring cleaning is on our agenda...We have cleaned out our storage area under the house, resulting in another pile of unused items for give away. We put them by the road and luckily almost 100% of the usuable items have been scavenged by some lucky person who will use them. The rest (mostly broken things, construction trash) will be carted off today by our friendly trash men.
100 years ago did trash men exist? I don't know for sure, but I surely don't think so. That's because the average Joe had less than a handful of outfits of clothing, minimal furniture, books, toys, etc. And they recycled everything! They always found a way to reuse items...I try to get back there and never seem to find the way. Have you?
Spring cleaning is on our agenda...We have cleaned out our storage area under the house, resulting in another pile of unused items for give away. We put them by the road and luckily almost 100% of the usuable items have been scavenged by some lucky person who will use them. The rest (mostly broken things, construction trash) will be carted off today by our friendly trash men.
100 years ago did trash men exist? I don't know for sure, but I surely don't think so. That's because the average Joe had less than a handful of outfits of clothing, minimal furniture, books, toys, etc. And they recycled everything! They always found a way to reuse items...I try to get back there and never seem to find the way. Have you?
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Caterpillar Update
Our caterpillars have started hanging from the top of the jar they came in. One has developed its chrystallis. It is really cool to watch their transformation.
My son and I went biking about a week and half ago and came upon some puddles filled with tadpoles. We scooped them up into our empty water bottle and brought them home. I think there are about 3 left, but we are watching them grow and change also. I guess our science theme for the spring is metamorphasis. Picked and chosen by Him!
As for life, I am just living it in His grace. Doing life with my family, to become what He wants us to be. And, yes, we have our "days" where we struggle and fall, but we press on. His amazing love is THE thing that causes me to want to go on. Even when I fall, sometimes into what feels like to be the deepest of pits, His love reaches in and is even deeper still. He is my night in shining armor, my rescuer, my deliverer, protector and lifter of my head. He is the only reason I have to live and breathe. He is mine and I am His!
My son and I went biking about a week and half ago and came upon some puddles filled with tadpoles. We scooped them up into our empty water bottle and brought them home. I think there are about 3 left, but we are watching them grow and change also. I guess our science theme for the spring is metamorphasis. Picked and chosen by Him!
As for life, I am just living it in His grace. Doing life with my family, to become what He wants us to be. And, yes, we have our "days" where we struggle and fall, but we press on. His amazing love is THE thing that causes me to want to go on. Even when I fall, sometimes into what feels like to be the deepest of pits, His love reaches in and is even deeper still. He is my night in shining armor, my rescuer, my deliverer, protector and lifter of my head. He is the only reason I have to live and breathe. He is mine and I am His!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Caterpillars
Our caterpillars are here!! I was actually getting a little worried that they would never arrive. But today, our friendly mail carrier delivered a small box, cotaining a jar with our caterpillars. The bottom of the jar contains about three inches of a brownish substance that is their food. You don't do anything with them, just watch until they have attatched themselves to the top of the jar and when they have all hardened into their next state, you transfer them into their butterfly habitat and wait for the "big change"! How exciting to me!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Update on Life
Well, we are winding down on this school year...only 28 more days to go...GA requires 180 days documented attendence.
Last week, we had a field trip on Friday to a place near us called Sawnee Mt. It was a 1.6 mile hike to the top of this "mountain." It was worth every step, with a spectacular view of the countryside for a reward at the top.
Monday, we had a mini field trip, letterboxing. We went to a place with hiking trails that had 5 letterboxes on the property. After 2 hrs, we had only found 1! Kinda disheartening for me and the kids....
We have been doing our first "official" unit study the last two weeks. The subject- owls. I felt like our science work for the rest of the year should be from animals found in the Bible. I let my ds pick 2 animals. He picked owls and bears. We should be completely done with the owl in another week. We are still waiting on our owl pellets to arrive in the mail. We are also going to make an attempt at lapbooking with the owls.....Do I have the patience?
In April, we should be receiving our caterpillars in the mail also. This gives me a chance to segway into my next subject- thrift stores. A couple of weeks ago, I went into a local Goodwill and saw one of those
caterpillar kits- the ones that are supposed to come with a coupon to mail so you can get them in the mail-----Well, I spotted one, it was $2.32, and it contained everything it was supposed to, even the coupon! I was so excited!
Today, I went to another local church thrift store today, to just browse. I found an old "Hangman" game (1988 Milton Bradley). I have found many old games that are quite educational there. My son and I played and he amazed me at the words that he came up with....7 and 8 letter words. And I was worried about his spelling.... The game was $1... I found another logic game called "Rush Hour". It was $2, brand new in the box. I had wanted to buy one of these games, but didn't want to pay...There are so many other things I can do with $10-12. Like go to thrift stores and buy 6 or 7 games for the price of one!!!!
I'll close with this...I believe God led me to those games today...The bible says that , "He supplies all our needs according to His riches..." He love me and my kiddies and knows things that can help them learn and have fun. And....because He is God, He knows where to find them (Hee! Hee!) ....I started out today to run errands and had talked myself out of going to the thrift store...But as we got nearer to it, I felt God say, "Just go, even just to browse." He is my sweet Abba Father.....
Last week, we had a field trip on Friday to a place near us called Sawnee Mt. It was a 1.6 mile hike to the top of this "mountain." It was worth every step, with a spectacular view of the countryside for a reward at the top.
Monday, we had a mini field trip, letterboxing. We went to a place with hiking trails that had 5 letterboxes on the property. After 2 hrs, we had only found 1! Kinda disheartening for me and the kids....
We have been doing our first "official" unit study the last two weeks. The subject- owls. I felt like our science work for the rest of the year should be from animals found in the Bible. I let my ds pick 2 animals. He picked owls and bears. We should be completely done with the owl in another week. We are still waiting on our owl pellets to arrive in the mail. We are also going to make an attempt at lapbooking with the owls.....Do I have the patience?
In April, we should be receiving our caterpillars in the mail also. This gives me a chance to segway into my next subject- thrift stores. A couple of weeks ago, I went into a local Goodwill and saw one of those
caterpillar kits- the ones that are supposed to come with a coupon to mail so you can get them in the mail-----Well, I spotted one, it was $2.32, and it contained everything it was supposed to, even the coupon! I was so excited!
Today, I went to another local church thrift store today, to just browse. I found an old "Hangman" game (1988 Milton Bradley). I have found many old games that are quite educational there. My son and I played and he amazed me at the words that he came up with....7 and 8 letter words. And I was worried about his spelling.... The game was $1... I found another logic game called "Rush Hour". It was $2, brand new in the box. I had wanted to buy one of these games, but didn't want to pay...There are so many other things I can do with $10-12. Like go to thrift stores and buy 6 or 7 games for the price of one!!!!
I'll close with this...I believe God led me to those games today...The bible says that , "He supplies all our needs according to His riches..." He love me and my kiddies and knows things that can help them learn and have fun. And....because He is God, He knows where to find them (Hee! Hee!) ....I started out today to run errands and had talked myself out of going to the thrift store...But as we got nearer to it, I felt God say, "Just go, even just to browse." He is my sweet Abba Father.....
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Nurse Mommy
Yes, I am playing "Nurse Mommy" today. My dks had a dentist appointment this morning, but woke up with 100+ degree temps. They weren't feeling up to par yesterday either, so come sick days in our home. I don't enjoy my children being sick, but today I don't have to have my teacher hat on.
How many hats do you have? I feel sometimes that I have way too many! Mom, wife, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, chef, teacher, maid, singer, small group member,
church member, spiritual leader, spiritual mentor, coop assistant, choir "secretary", my husband's secretary, childcare worker, etc.
Whew! I get tired thinking about all those things. I have been praying lately that God show me the things to keep and the things to let go. Somehow, my plate is completely full, or actually running over. I know His burden is easy and light, but I know some of my "burdens" I took on without getting His opinion! I march on, knowing that keeping my word is what I have to do in some situations. Others, I have the ability to either drop completely or cut back on my commitment to them.
Anyway, Life is life, but is so much better when we let God order our steps. When we order them, we can become weighted down. When He orders them, we can walk in freedom, run in freedom, dance in freedom. Lord, I long to walk in only the steps you have ordered!
How many hats do you have? I feel sometimes that I have way too many! Mom, wife, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, chef, teacher, maid, singer, small group member,
church member, spiritual leader, spiritual mentor, coop assistant, choir "secretary", my husband's secretary, childcare worker, etc.
Whew! I get tired thinking about all those things. I have been praying lately that God show me the things to keep and the things to let go. Somehow, my plate is completely full, or actually running over. I know His burden is easy and light, but I know some of my "burdens" I took on without getting His opinion! I march on, knowing that keeping my word is what I have to do in some situations. Others, I have the ability to either drop completely or cut back on my commitment to them.
Anyway, Life is life, but is so much better when we let God order our steps. When we order them, we can become weighted down. When He orders them, we can walk in freedom, run in freedom, dance in freedom. Lord, I long to walk in only the steps you have ordered!
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Can you put a cost on this?
My dh and ds had a guys day out today. So, my dd and I took the same opportunity. She had already planned last night to wear a pink shirt, brown skirt with her pink cowboy boots. This morning she asked me if I could match her. I had the pink shirt, but only a brown pair of dress pants. So, joining in with my daughter in her excitement, we went out as twins. At her request, we went to a pet store and to the mall food court to eat. She asked if she could ride the carrousel. I said, "Yes!" Then she asked if we could buy a treat. We bought a cookie sandwich (filled with frosting, Yum...) Then we went in Old Navy and I found a cute, modest black skirt on clearance. I got so much pleasure blessing my daughter with all these things. Is this how my Father sees me? Does He long to bless me?
YES!!!!!!!!!!
Matthew 7:9-11 says, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish will give him a snake? If you then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!"
Thanks you Lord, for how much you love me and want to be with me and bless me, like I love my children and want to bless them.
Cost of meal at the mall: $10
Cost of ride: $1.50
Cost of 2 cookies: $4
Cost of skirt:$4
Cost of time spent alone with my daughter: PRICELESS
YES!!!!!!!!!!
Matthew 7:9-11 says, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish will give him a snake? If you then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!"
Thanks you Lord, for how much you love me and want to be with me and bless me, like I love my children and want to bless them.
Cost of meal at the mall: $10
Cost of ride: $1.50
Cost of 2 cookies: $4
Cost of skirt:$4
Cost of time spent alone with my daughter: PRICELESS
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