My New Toy!

 I had such a wonderful birthday celebration this year.  My friends and family were generous with their time and love!  One of my lovely gifts was a gift card to Amazon.  Because of this I was able to finally buy my coveted keyboard for my Ipad!  I have waited almost a full year.

I love my Ipad.  It's so much easier to take places then my laptop, but I hated typing on the screen.  I just wasn't very good at it.  I did my homework and ended up going with the The Kensington.

 The keyboard is a tad bit smaller than the one I use with my laptop, but it has in no way slowed down my typing.  The only tricky key is my shift which is much smaller.

 This case has super-duper velcro to help hold the screen in place.  It also has a stand.  It folds up easily and is a cinch to carry in your purse or bag. 

If you have an Ipad 2 or 3 and want to add a convenient keyboard check out the Kensington:  AMAZON   The pricing has gone up since I purchased.  Still a great price though!

 

Last Day Of Classical Conversations For 2012!

One of my favorite parts of our last day was that the Challenge A class was given free reign on choosing their final writing project.  I choose to do a Story Starter with my class.  This is one of my all time favorite homeschooling books for new writers!

We then invited the parents to join us at the end of the day for a presentation of their Story Starters!  I loved listening to all of the creativity the Lord has given each student.  The only sad part for this mama is that her Colton was home and VERY sick.  He missed the last day. 

Mrs. Ulrich's Essentials Class

I have truly enjoyed watching Mrs. Ulrich (Terri) have a blast with her Essentials class this past semester.  She is such a beautiful example of mentor/shepherd.  

I was recently talking with a friend about Classical Conversations.  She asked me if I ever dreamed about homeschooling on my own again.  Truthfully, I will have moments when I look at my bookshelf and see some of the fantastic curriculum sitting there not being used and find myself beginning to go down that road for all of two minutes, but then the Lord pulls my heart back to reality.  

I (this is not true for everyone) am a much better homeschooler when in community.  I thrive with the accountability and relationships.  As I look at the pictures when blogging each week I realize that on my own I might have lots of good idea's, but truthfully we often never got to them.  Community gives me the follow through.

Honoring Our Host Church

 "Blessed are they who serve the Lord.  He will not forget your work and the love you have shown HIM as you have helped his people." ~ Hebrews 6:10

We absolutely LOVE our host church!  Faith Covenant has been such a beautiful example of what true Godly hospitality is all about.  This picture is of all the directors honoring two incredible women who make our entire experience INCREDIBLE!!!

 

On my right is, Mary Lou. (Pink Shirt)  Mary Lou always has a smile on her face and a heart full of grace.  Our community has almost tripled in size this year and Mary Lou is the one that is responsible to make sure the church is always put back in order.  She is one of the hardest workers I've ever met.  She truly makes us feel like it is a pleasure to have us each week.  Even though it makes so much more work for her.  This is someone with a true heart for Jesus!  She inspires me!

On my left is, Debbie.  Beautiful Debbie, is Faith Covenant's secretary who acts as our liason with the church staff.  She always has a smile on her face, a gracious greeting, a kind response.  She also makes us feel wanted and loved.  We could not do what we do every year without these two amazing ladies and all of the FCC Staff!  

Thank YOU, Faith Covenant Church!!!

Thanksgiving Celebration

Thanksgiving Community Celebration!

My Strengths twin, Dee Dee Larreau (Woo, Communication, Positivity) and I not even realizing we were taking the exact same picture at opposite ends of the table! (Ha!)  I love this woman! 

Something new we did this year was purposefully schedule our Challenge lunches so that we could truly celebrate together!  

I love seeing my little Jacob's face peeking out as he mingled in with my Challenge A students!

My most treasured sista' fellowshipping with Debbie and Mary Lou!  

All of the food was amazing, but my absolute favorite was this Butter Cake.  It literally melted on your tongue.  I went running over to Christa to make sure she got some and her face lit up!  This was HER dessert!  I picked it before I even knew she had made it.  It was AMAZING!  

Christa, can you bring one of these with our Chicken Pot Pies the next time you make our family dinner. (Big Grin)

Challenge III!

Beautiful Lynn and Kimberly enjoying lunch together with the community!

Beautiful Brenda, our Challenge I Director!

My zany class posting with colored tin foil on our nose in celebration of the season!  Goodbye 2012.

Bittersweet!

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands." ~ 2 Cor 5:1 

 This is the very last picture I ever took of my dad.  I cannot believe that it was just a year ago that we went to my parents for Thanksgiving never realizing that it would be our final goodbye.  

It's been a crazy year.  It's odd how memories sneak up at the weirdest times.  A TV show, a red pick up truck, just looking at my brother who looks just like him.  

This Thanksgiving is bittersweet!  My heart is sad, yet at the same time I rejoice!  Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth....

 

My dad has been whole and healed for almost one full year.  After all the time he spent going through chemo, radiation, losing his strength, his appetite, and his independence I know that he wouldn't trade where he's at for anything!  

I'm reminded that there is VICTORY in death for the believer!

Happy Thanksgiving, dad!  I know you are living out Psalm 84!

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven's Armies.  I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord.  With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.  Psalm 84:1-2

You Have Been Redeemed!

 

This post is a compilation of my quiet time in Zephaniah and a most excellent sermon given by Darren Kinney at Gulf Coast Community Church.  The Lord so moved my heart as I listened to this message.  My hands could not move fast enough when taking notes.  It is a JOY to share what HE showed me! 

 

I pray you are as encouraged as I was when you read through the scriptures below!  My prayer for all of us is that we are reminded of who we are,(In Him)  and even more importantly who HE is! 

 

Can anyone relate to this thinking?

(Please note that the quote below was taken from a book, but for the life of me I cannot remember which one Darren said he took it from?)

 

There are days when it seems to be going so slowly and you do not feel like a new creation in Christ Jesus. You are painfully aware of the lingering corruption in your soul, or haunted by memories of some past sin, or feel a pain from some old wound. 

Shame sneaks up and whispers this is the real you.....Guilty!  Corrupt!  Violated!  Damaged!

 

The enemy seizes the moment of weakness to condemn and accuse you, pointing to the not yet completeness of your healing, as evidence that you aren't who you thought you were. 

 

Oh He would have you believe that your past sins are what define you, instead of the NEW creation that you ARE!  He may even plant the seed of doubt about God in your mind.  How can you believe God heals?  You aren't healed, look at you!  God doesn't love you.  You haven't lived up to his standard.  You're commitment to your faith is pitiful.  God's angry!  How can you approach him today? 

 

THEN.......

 

There's a voice that breaks through these relentless lies.  There's a conquering voice that breaks through the lies, condemnation, and utter desolation!  Put your ear to God's word and listen to THAT voice!    Become ever so familiar with THAT voice.  

 

 

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, 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 5:1-5

 

Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!  The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy.  The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.  On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.  The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He WILL take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” ~ Zephaniah 4:14-17

 

And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” ~ Galatians 4:6

 

"For the Lord your God is living among you. HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE!!! He will take delight in you with gladness. With HIS Love, HE will calm ALL your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs!!!" Zeph 3:17


You have been Redeemed and Forgiven!

 

 

As my sweet friend Debbie always says, we don't have to work for the victory.....we work from the victory!

Operation Take My Life Back!

My birthday present to myself?  It's called OperationTakeMyLifeBack!  

Mary’s destination is destruction, her god has been her stomach and her glory is her shame.  Her mind has been on earthly things. But, Mary's citizenship is heaven.  She eagerly awaits her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Who by the very power that enables Him to bring everything under control, WILL TRANSFORM her lowly body so that it will like HIS glorious body!  Phil 3:19-21

The Lord has graciously and tenderly been beckoning my heart to walk in HIS love FREE from ALL idols.  There is one idol I struggle with above all others.  Food!  It's my friend, my comforter, my constant companion.  Truly I turn to food more than Him.  I do have moments of getting it right, but more moments of self-indulgence.  I don't have any plans other than: 

No more dieting!  No more plans!  No more programs!  At least not at this time.   Just daily choices I need to make that move me towards holiness or the worship of an idol called food. 

 

Today has not been perfect but it's been prayed over and purposeful! 

 

Today's Dinner Choice comes from www.skinnytaste.com and it was A-MAZING!  

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

But one thing I do-- Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead.  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Phil 3:13

Birthday Blessings!

The Big 44!

 My birthday week started on Tuesday at Classical Conversations!  Such sweet friends!

They stole my ipad and then began a photo shoot!

FRIDAY

(Actual Birthday)

My Christa took me out to Chili's for my birthday celebration!  It was a wonderful time of conversations, laughter, and shared friendship. 

I was so thrilled that Lynn was able to drop in!  It totally blessed my heart.

One of the joys of getting older is that this past year is that I came to realize I absolutely cannot read without my handy dandy reading glasses.  It truly became a reality after a fun little visit to the eye doctor.  The running joke is that I can never seem to find my glasses, so Lynn bought me the cutest bedazzled glasses holder, ever.  

 Tradition!  We always see a movie on my birthday!  It was GREAT Movie!

FRIDAY NIGHT WITH THE GIRLS

My best birthday gift, ever?

And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! Isaiah 30:18