Curriculum in, school starts tomorrow!

I received the kids school curriculum in the mail today, and I am so impressed with its quality and morality.
In the box were McGuffey Readers, Reading workbooks, Writing workbooks, Math workbooks, Penmanship workbooks, History books, Science books, reading books, coloring books, Preschool books, flash cards, and a catalog from the company they came from.

I am so impressed with the science book, called “Patterns of Nature.” It has a scripture at the beginning of each lesson and a series of questions for comprehension, just what Ethan needs! There are also nature readers, things like flowers, trees, frogs, lizards, snakes, butterflies, etc. I know the boys are going to love them!

The reading, math, writing and spelling books are progressive in nature, building up to a great vocabulary, legible handwiting, and strong math skills when the series is finished.

I began Ethan on level 2 math, since he struggled so much in 2nd grade last year. His workbooks begin very slowly, but build quickly. They are very repetitive which is exactly what he needs.

Elijah’s books are all 1st grade. He is going to do just great. They all begin with handwriting, something he is very poor at, so I know that by the end of this year, his handwriting is going to make a vast improvement.

Melody will begin with simple line drawing and letter tracing. She has some coloring books, which all have Bible stories to read along with each page. She has some little readers about morals and good behavior, and I know she is going to love the time we’ll be spending cuddled up reading them!

Wondering where I got such great curriculum? Check it out at Keepers of the Faith.

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Luke 1: 37

For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.

I love this verse especially when people are trying to find God. Another scripture says, “If you seek Him, you shall find Him, when you seek Him with all your heart.”
I believe that God’s word, the Bible, is Truth, and everything else in life must be measured by the Truth. If you seek Him with all your heart, you shall find Him and only Him. He has promised it in Luke 1:37, “…no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.”
What powerful truth! If I am looking for God and diligently searching for him, I will not be satisfied until I find Him and Him alone. What surety to know that satisfaction will not come from the things of this world, but only from a deep connectedness with the One who created it all!

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Psalm 139: 23-24

Search me thoroughly, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

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Evil defined:

marked by anger, irritability, irascibility.
threatening or causing pain.
the effect of prior misfortune and pain.

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Ugly Honesty

Okay, I’m gonna just be open and honest so that anyone reading can get the same, or similar blessing, that I received this weekend.
I wouldn’t normally be so open with you, except I think God is calling us to be open and honest with one another so we can begin to heal.

Last week I was struggling greatly in my walk with the Lord. I hated everything about my life. I hated my children, the new baby, and especially being trapped in the life of “Motherhood.” They tie me down. They restrict my freedom with God. They frustrate me to no end. They whine, they cry, they are defiant. I was ready to leave them.

Thursday night was the beginning of our annual Camp Meeting at our church. I did not go. Friday night, Ronnie took the kids, but I did not go. I was so tired of being with the kids, that I could care less about taking them to church. I just wanted to be alone.

Then, Saturday night came. It was gonna be this Bishop from Nigeria speaking. Bishop Mon Igbinosa preached about Rebekkah and how she willingly left all that was familiar to her to go marry a 40 year old man she’d never met. She just trusted that God was in control of her life.

The sermon was great, but it was the altar call that really, truly affected me. His call was for those who wanted to renew their committment to God. To be revived. Ronnie went down first, and I was surprised–he is the strong one right now. After most everyone was at front that was going up front, I finally surrenderred to God and went forward.

The Bishop started on one end of the line, and I was the last one to be prayed over. I listened while he prayed over Ronnie, and I began to weep as he prayed exactly what Ronnie needed. This told me that he had a goo link with the Holy Spirit, but it scared me because I knew he would be able to see to my heart.

When he got to me, the woman before me was slain in the spirit. He cupped his hands around me face. He began to rebuke the evil inside me. I was broken and crying uncontrollably. My crossed arms lifted themselves up in worship to God. I could hear myself crying through his microphone over the speakers, and then I just let go. Yep, for the first time in my charasmatic experience, I was slain in the spirit. I laid there and wept uncontrollably.

Then a sweet peace and calm came over me. I began to grieve for my children who I had been mean and hateful to over the past week or two. I began to grieve for my husband who just didn’t know what to do for me except pray. I began to grieve for my unborn child who I have not felt yet, and just wanted it to die.

My heart was changed, and I released that evil that was holding on to me. When we got home, Ronnie and I annointed our house with our annointing oil (everyone should have a bottle!) and prayed over it. We removed some items that did not belong to us and prayed over each of the children.

I have asked forgiveness from all the children and have been in much better spirits. I am journalling again, and believing that God can do ANYTHING! I know He has me here in this moment, in this home, with these children and this husband for such a time as this. I know He has great things in store for me, and that He is filling me up completely with His strength and His purpose.

I pray you have gained something from the truth of this post. Please feel free to comment.

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Just when I thought…

Just when I thought that little tropical storm might linger a while over the area, I was wrong.
I was blindsided this morning with steamy heat, and not the good kind.

It is so hot, again, outside that frying and egg on the sidewalk may be a great science experiment for the boys!

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Rain Rain Everywhere

Most people in the Houston area are so sick of the rain they will gladly take 100+ degree weather, but not me!
I am certainly glad that God sent that little Tropical Storm here today. Her name is Erin and she is warmly received by me and four children.
It’s just a rain maker, no threat of high winds or anything, but it sure did cool things down. About 20 degrees difference than yesterday. Woohoo! Thank you Erin, and thank You Jesus!

Now, we are preparing for that big ole’ storm out in the Atlantic, due to reach the Gulf by Tuesday of this coming week. But I’m not worried. I’ve seen hurricanes come and go, and if it gets too big, I’l go!

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Moving…Moving…Moving!

No, not houses, just furniture!
This is what I do when I am bored, or whenever the fancy strikes.

I am rearranging downstairs in preparation for the new school year to start.

I’m changing my office into my sanctuary. That means no computer, a new sewing machine, my art easle, and other necessary items for creativity.

We have two living rooms, so the first will be the living room et al, and the one next to the kitchen will be the new school room. Preparations are blooming with books, cabinets, and frustrated children.

Only a couple of weeks to go til we get school underway and in full swing. I have done a few mini school weeks this summer just to keep them prepared and in season. Just waiting on the curriculum to arrive.

Upstairs will remain mostly unchanged, except the computer will go back in the master bedroom, and the big tv will move down stairs.

So, Beloved, if you are reading this post, you have some heavy lifting to do when you get home!!!!

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T. D. Jakes Quote of the Week

“You are only truly successful when you are doing what you were created to do.”

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I Timothy 4

But the Holy Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach.
Through the hypocrisy and pretentions of liars whose consciences are seared,
Who forbid people to marry and teach them to abstain from certain kinds of foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and have an increasingly clear knowledge of the truth.
For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away or refused if it is received with thanksgiving.
For it is hallowed and consecrated by the Word of God and by prayer.
If you lay all these instructions before the brethren, you will be a worthy steward and a good minister of Christ Jesus, ever nourishing your own self on the truths of the faith and of the good Christian instruction which you have closely followed.
But refuse and avoid irreverent legends and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them. Train yourself toward godliness, keeping yourself spiritually fit.
For physical training is of some value, but godliness is useful and of value in everything and in everyway, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.
This saying is reliable and worthy of complete acceptance by everybody.
With a view to this we toil and strive, yes and suffer reproach, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, Who is the Savior of all men, expecially of those who believe.
Continue to command these things and to teach them.
Let no one despise you or think less of you beccause of your youth, but be an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
Devote yourself to public and private reading, to exhortaion and to teaching and instilling doctrine.
Do not neglect the gift which is in you, that special inward endowment which was directly imparted to you by the Holy Spirit by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you at your ordination.
Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them as your ministry, so that your progress may be evident to everybody.
Look well to yourself to your own personality and to your teaching; persevere in these things hold to them, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

(I Timothy 4, The Amplified Bible)

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