Spiritual Coffee!

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.  Isaiah 40:31

Coffee W/ Jesus- Sanctified & Set Apart!

Galatians 1:4-5

He who gave (yielded) Himself up [to atone] for our sins [and to save and sanctify us], in order to rescue and deliver us from this present wicked age and world order, in accordance with the will and purpose and plan of our God and Father--To Him [be ascribed all] the glory through all the ages of the ages and the eternities of the eternities! Amen (so be it).

Oh Lord, I am so thankful for Paul's example.  We are never too far for you to ride in and rescue us. You are my deliverer, my redeemer, my sanctifyer!  

I am forever grateful that no matter how far I stray you never take your eyes off me.  I am forever thankful that you WOO me to your throne each morning.  As I sit and sip my coffee, I am able to bask in the presence of the Holy One.  

I bow my own plans before your throne today, and ask that you would help me to be vigilant in hearing your voice and no other.  As I sit in training all day help me to connect everything we're learning with your eternal picture.

Grief Done God's Way

My dads hands

It's been almost four months since my dad went home forever.  It still seems so surreal.  When I think back on December and even January it feels like I walked right through it without feeling anything.  It was as though I was frozen and nothing was real.

In February, I began to feel the thawing begin and I would find myself watching a movie that reminded me of him, (Sweet Home Alabama) or in the midst of parenting I'll remember something he did when he was raising me.  As the grief became more real I found myself trying to hide it.  Everyone else has moved on (or at least moved through this part) and I desperately do not want to draw attention to myself.

Just when I feel as though the sadness couldn't possibly become any heavier I feel the hands of my heavenly Father reaching down and lifting me up.  I can feel his supernatural peace washing over me, and I am reminded that this world is not our home.  Truth courses through me as the Lord gently whispers that all of us are going to die to this temporary world.  This world is fallen.  Death here is like a passport.  If we've given our lives to Jesus Christ, repented of our sins, and received his salvation, it's our passport to glory.  

Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge!  How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!  For who can know the Lord's thoughts?  Who knows enough to give him advice?  And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?  For EVERYTHING comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.  All glory to him forever!  Amen. ~ Romans 11:33-36

I will see my dad again.  He will be healed and whole.  No more cancer ravaging his body.  When my time comes I will get to stand before a holy God and throw myself before his throne.  I will worship with the angels and all the other saints who have gone before me.  This world will fade away as my permanent home becomes my reality.  


And then, I know the Lord will take great joy in reuniting us with those who have walked into eternal life before us.  He will present my dad to me for a holy reunion, one that will never come to an end.  

Paw Paw and his boys

Worshiping The Source Of My Strength!

This picture was taken on my first flight over.  My flight attendant loved that I was a first time flyer (as an adult) and made a big deal about it.  Believe it or not it actually helped to know that others were watching and I wanted to honor the Lord.  I found as I stepped out in my actions God began changing my heart. 
 

I love you, Lord; you are my strength.  You are my rock, my fortress, and my Savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.  He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.  I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. ~ Psalm 18:1-3

Boarding my flight home out of Memphis

As I sit this morning sipping my coffee and lingering with my Lord, I am overcome with such a deep gratefulness for His faithfulness.  


This past week as I stepped out in faith (though there was still fear in the beginning) and flew to Raleigh, NC, God did a work in my life that can only be supernatural.

Two of my three flights were on these tiny airplanes.  They held 28 passengers and we felt every air pocket, every bit of turbulence.

  After years of living with a hidden fear of flying God not only removed the stark terror, he faithfully replaced it with a love!  On the way home I sat in such contented peace knowing that no matter what my life is in His hands.  There was such surrender that it wasn't even a peace about saving my life but surrendering it to Him no matter what. 

Oh, to live like this on a daily basis.....

 Arriving in Raleigh with other sisters in the Lord.

He is God and He is GOOD!

New Beginnings!

Celebrating the finish of our support management training at Leigh Bortin's house.

For I am about to do something new.
    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.~ Isaiah 43:18-19

New Support Manager Team

I am so honored to have taken on a new role within my homeschool organization, Classical Conversations. 

After 14 years of homeschooling CC has refueled my FIRST love of home education!  Though I've always loved schooling my own children CC has taught me new things, practical idea's, like how to supercharge the brain to retain information so that my children can be lifetime learners. Classical Conversations has created a model of community that has helped my family walk together humbly (mistakes and all) with other families to help us better understand how to give our children the best education possible.  It brings to life Proverbs 27:17, "Iron Sharpening Iron"!

So, what do we call this new role?  Support Manager!  When my friend Lynn first asked me to consider applying I simply laughed thinking there was no way I wanted to add one more thing to my plate.   I had just stepped out of leadership and had proudly proclaimed to anyone who would listen, that this was a new season of rest. 


But.............


As she began to share the vision I was overcome by the holy spirit.  I literally sat and wept as Lynn began to weave the heart of support manager.  It's what I love to do anyway.  It's who God made me to be. 

I could hear God's voice calling me to be a part of this new work.  Not because of anything good within me but because HE is good and He lives inside me.  He delights in drawing me closer to Him through intimate fellowship.  He will use the gifts HE'S given me and equip my weaknesses so that others will see that where I am weak, "HE" IS STRONG! 

It wasn't that I didn't need to add anything else to my plate, but that I needed to remove other things that were part of a season He has brought to a close.  It's hard because my heart was knitted to those other things for so long, but I cling to Phil 3:13, "Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead."  

I'm so thankful that I don't have to understand the why's, I can simply rest in the ONE who knows my tomorrows and trust Him completely.  

There are three main aspects to my job: 

1-  Supporting the directors in my area through prayer, encouragement, training, and discipleship.  (It's a very interactive role that includes them doing the same for me!) 

2-  Sharing the Classical Conversations opportunity with families everywhere.  Though we do not believe that every family will be called exactly the same way, we do want to make sure that every one gets to hear about the unique and exciting opportunity sweeping the country and beginning a brand new journey overseas.  CC now serves and equips over 39,000 homeschoolers across the U.S. and abroad. We believe in the motto, "We're Better Together"!

3- Spreading the vision beyond homeschoolers in general.  Inviting our church and government leadership to visit our campuses and be a part of what we're doing!

This past week I flew to North Carolina for four intense days of training.  My heart was ignited like never before.  

I'll close by sharing some pictures taken during our fast-paced, fun-filled training extravaganza!

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!~ Phil 4:4-5

Classical Conversations Information Meeting!

It's that time of year!  Let the dreaming, planning, and preparing our hearts for the next school year begin!


Are you looking for:
 

- STRONG Christ-Centered Community?

-  FUN, COMPREHENSIVE & INTERACTIVE classical education?

-  Place of ACCOUNTABILITY and DISCIPLESHIP? (Proverbs 27:17)

Classical Conversations might be the very vehicle God has just for you! 

If you've always wanted to learn more about how Classical Conversations helps families (Pre-K through 12th grade) walk out Classical Education won't you join us?

WHERE: Panera Bread 4th Street (Across from Sunken Gardens)

WHEN:  Thursday March 1st

TIME:  7-9pm

WHY:  To gather information and ask questions

Child care is not provided during the meeting.   RSVP is required.  Reserve your spot by contacting Mary Arnold at: heyarnolds6@verizon.net



Please visit our website for more information: CC WEBSITE
 

Strengths Dinner Club Extravaganza!

The Lord is so good!  He is SO good.  He birthed the idea of hosting a large dinner club once a month where we spend five months pouring through our strengths. (one-at-a-time)  It was a wonderful night filled with tons of laughter, tears, and amazing fellowship. 

 Let me just say that this table was trouble.  We had two that had Responsibility/Achiever and then Achiever/Responsibility! (smile)

Beautiful ladies with tender hearts for their children and the Lord!

I cannot believe that I forgot to get a picture of our biggest table.  Especially since my beloved mama and aunt were sitting there.  Next month for sure!  

The testimonies were moving and full of God's glory!  Not about us; all about HIM!