Accepting Who "I" Am As A Homeschooler

Kim (Olive Organized) Mary (Betty Bohemian)

Do you ever get caught up in noticing your friend's strengths and your weaknesses? Do you find yourself being tossed like waves in a storm when choosing curriculum? Do you see how something works so PERFECTLY for your best friend and then you buy it and try it and it's a dud in your home? Do you watch your friend with amazement as she plugs into activities, involves herself in co-ops, while maintaining a sense of JOY and yet you can't find time to run to the grocery store? 

This workshop was all about better understanding who YOU are, so that you can embrace your strengths, strengthen your weaknesses, and find your curriculum GROOVE! 

Our prayer was that we would all walk away encouraged and inspired to be who God made us to be!


 I love this woman!  Caroline Witsey is such a precious friend and a wonderful homeschool support group leader. 

  I relate with those moms who process through conversation and thrive in community.  We shared stories of finding success through accountability and discipleship.  

 

Kim connects with those women who need time to process and contemplate. She shared stories of finding success in routine and following a plan.

We're Better Together!

Almost time to start!

 Kim and I were so honored to have Mikael Guerra capture our talk on digital video.  It's still in the editing room but should be available soon.  I look forward to sharing it once he completes all the minut details!

He did an incredible job making sure the sound, the lighting, the interviews, the talk was captured in it's best light.  

Thank you Mikael Guerra!

Beautiful Homeschoolers!

 

 I love these Jesus-sisters God has put in my life! 

 Mother, daughter evening!

 Many women shared their strength testimonies.  I loved Michele's story of losing 82 pounds while engaging her strong BELIEF and CONSISTENCY themes!  Not her gifts....HIS!

Christa had the room in tears as she shared transparently of how God is teaching her how to use her strengths for HIS glory!  She specifically talked about learning how to focus on finishing well, even if she doesn't start off there!

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. ~ Romans 12:9-10

Classical Conversations Tutor Training!

 Tara, our director

 Melissa, fellow tutor.

 Gina, having a lot of FUN!

 Get ready for the science experiements!

Grocery Shopping Tour! ~ Brandice Lardner

I attended an incredible event today.  It was called, "Grocery Shopping Tour" and was hosted by a dear friend who used her God-given strengths and passion to help others get healthy! 

Before we began our tour I received a packet brimming with information, tips and tools.  We spent over an hour traveling through the store learning about making healthy choices, where to go to shop, and more importantly where NOT to go.  We learned about our choices falling into three categories: Bad, Good, Best! 

Brandice is a board certified personal trainer and nutritional consultant and offers a wide-range of wonderful services to help people (like me) begin to live life to the fullest through good health!

Thank you, Brandice!  It was such a wonderful experience.  I know you are probably embarrassed by all this praise but I couldn't help myself.  I'm excited to use the new grocery planning sheet you included in your packet.  

Because Brandice is my friend I want to help her grow her business and tell you about something that can change your life.  Her business is called, "Fitness Infusion".  She works through real life situations as well as online clients. 

Homeschool Strengths Dinner Club!

Friday night was our fourth Strengths dinner club!  

Connectedness

See patterns and connections in people.  Bridge builder.

Harmony

Deeply values peacefulness and promotes a harmonious home.  

Intellect

Think!  Think!  Think!  Always thinking, contemplating, processing.

Belief

Strong Moral compass.  This theme steers all major decisions.

Consistency

Fair!  This theme is able to bring equity to unbalanced or unfair situations. 

 Beautiful Jesus Sisters!

 My HEALTHY dinner choice!  

 Praising the Lord!  I did NOT eat this.  I did not even crave it.  God is good!

"For we are God's MASTERPIECE.  He created us anew in Christ Jesus for the good things He planned for us long ago!"  Ephesians 2:10

Visalus Maple Protein Pancakes!

 So thankful to my friend Cheryl who shared this recipe with me!  They were filling and FABULOUS!  Even the boys liked them.  I did not add syrup of any kind but I can only imagine how much that would enhance the maple and nuts....Oh My!

RECIPE

1/3 Cup Quick Oats (not instant)

1/3 Cup Low Fat Cottage Cheese

2 Eggs

1/8 tsp Maple Flavoring

 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

 Sprinkled Cinnamon

Handful Of Pecans sprinkled on top as they're coooking

Mix together in processor and cook over low to medium heat!

(I added smart balance)

Reading Relationally Through Luke 9.......

 Luke 9

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. ~ 23


If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ~ 24

 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? ~ 25

YES!  

My soul swells with your holy spirit as I read the truth of these words.  The world tells us to be all we can be, to seek to promote ourselves.  

You tell us that when we are last, THEN we become first!  

You tell us that we should lay down our life for our brother or sister.  

May your truths stand steadfast in my heart as I choose to chew on your wisdom all day long.  

Let me meditate on it as I drive to meet with Daphney later today.  

As I go to Publix to shop, let me be available to be your words, your smile, your hands, and your feet to those you put in my path.  Teach me to let go of my list and look around.

When I make dinner tonight let me plug into you through my IPOD and praise music!  

“Mary, if you want to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me." ~ Luke 9:23

Growing DEEP Roots!

For several years one of my New Years Resolutions was to have a stronger walk with the Lord.  I had come to a place where I was no longer feeling fully fed from simply going to church, listening to speakers on CD, attending women's retreats.



Don't get me wrong I still enjoyed all those things, and they still played an important role in my life, but there was a deep yearning in my heart for more.




The Lord brought Debbie Friley into my life at about that time.   This beautiful woman of God taught me that what I was hungering for was the "how-to" read God's word.  I was not consistent with my own quiet time because I was over-complicating it.  I had this picture in my head of sitting for long periods each morning as I lingered.  (I had four children, two in diapers at the time)  This picture of perfection kept from the Lord more than anything else ever did. Because I could never live up to it!   

Instead, I had created the habit of sporatic quiet times that were exactly what the picture in my head looked like.  They would be big and beautiful but not lasting.  In order to fill in the gaps I became dependent on others to fill me spiritually.  Though they blessed my heart beyond measure, it could never completely fill me.  I wanted MORE!



I had to learn how to become a SELF-FEEDING Christian.  The first thing Debbie showed me was that the reason I struggled with consistency in my quiet times is because I was making them too difficult.  Our relationship with Jesus should be simple.  He loves us and wants us to spend time with Him.  I learned that little bites done consistently grow me closer to the Lord than big spurts of grandeur.



What does consistent small bites look like?



Pick a book of the bible and work on reading less but being present more.




I found it's better to read one paragraph, stop, ask the Lord how that applies to your life personally, and begin a conversation with Him.  Sometimes it turns into praise, other times I'm led to repent as He reveals a sinful heart motive, other times He is simply affirming me with His deep love.



But here's the KEY INGREDIENT!



Chew On it all day long!



Make yourself go back and think about what you read while you do dishes, drive the kids places, make dinner, clean out the tub!  Talk about it with others.  If your friend calls tell her how God spoke to you.  It helps you to stay consistently connected.



The truth is it's so easy to get busy, do your quiet time, move on with your day, and completely forget about the conversation you had with God over coffee.  Making yourself chew on it helps it to grow deep roots!




The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. ~ Luke 8:14




This is what happens when we read, close our bibles and get busy!



And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, CLING TO IT, and patiently produce a huge harvest. ~ Luke 8:15



Lord Jesus, let the soil of our hearts be fertile.  Let your Word find a resting place where it can grow roots that go deep and keep us firmly planted in you no matter what this world throws at us.