written by Lysa TerKeurst, shared with me through Amy Morris
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
Devotion:
I don't want to raise successful children. That's a shocking thing to read, and a shocking thing for a mother to type. So, let me clarify.
I used to define success according to my child's report card. Good grades and academic achievement would surely equal a good child with great potential in this world. But then several of my children wound up being average students with average grades. Though we carted them off to tutors and spent many a late night at the kitchen table helping them, they remained average. And I remained concerned and frustrated.
One report card day I found myself facedown in the fibers of my carpet crying and wondering, "Where have I gone wrong as a mom?"
I dug into Scriptures. I begged God for wisdom and discernment. I prayed for God's perspective with each of my kids. Finally, one day it dawned on me - what if I simply chose to embrace the natural bent of each of my kids as God's way to protect them and keep them on the path toward His best plans for their lives?
What if my A student needs academic success to prepare her for God's plans while my average to below-average student needs to be steered away from a more academic future? What if my sports star kid needs that athletic excellence for his future assignments by God, but my benchwarmer kid is being protected from getting off course by her lack in this area?
And that's when it finally dawned on me. My job isn't to push success for my kids. My job as a parent is to recognize the unique way God created each child and point them to Jesus at every turn along their journey toward adulthood. Yes, I want my kids to learn and thrive and grow up educated, but it's not a flaw in me or them if they don't have straight A report cards and trophy cases full of sports medals.
Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (NIV).
I am challenged to ponder these words, "... in the way he should go." Are we training our kids that the "way he should go" is to chase worldly achievement or to chase God? Whatever they learn to chase as a child, they will chase as adults. Therefore, we must be challenged to honestly assess the way we are pointing them to go.
My daughter, Hope, is one of my average students. She has also warmed many a bench in the sports she's tried, and can always be found hiding on the back row of the stage during school concerts. Using the world's benchmarks for achievement, Hope wouldn't be seen as a child positioned for success. But God...
This past January, my 15 year old Hope, shocked me when she announced she wanted to go to Ethiopia with some missionary friends of ours and live in the remote African bush for the summer. Yes, she may not have trophies and straight A report cards but she does have a heart of gold. And because she's not entrenched in sports and academic pursuits that could have created obligations for her summer, she was free to go to Africa. Free to chase God in a really big way.
One of the first e-mails she sent me from Ethiopia read, "Mom, I've fallen in love with the AIDS orphanage children. They rushed at me when I held my arms out and I tried with all my might to hold all 30 of them at once. I love it here."
Now, don't get me wrong. I do expect Hope to return to her studies this fall, give 100% effort, and finish her high school career having done her very best. She will most likely then go to college. But she probably won't be delivering the valedictorian address or wearing the honors cords and medals. She'll be the one with a vision of a dying AIDS orphan pressing against her heart ready to chase God's plans to the ends of the earth.
So back to my original statement, I don't want to raise successful children. It's true, I don't. Though Hope's sister coming behind her is an A student and can always be found on the front row of school performances - we don't chase after success for her either. I trust God that she needs those things in her life for the plans He's unfolding in her life. We train with that bent in mind. But, we don't chase it. Just like Hope, we point her in the direction of God at every turn and pray like crazy.
I stand by what I said and I'll say it again, I don't want to raise successful children. Because--- raising God-honoring adults who will set the world on fire for Christ is just so much more rewarding.
Dear Lord, being a mom is a really tough job. Please help me, teach me and show me how to define success for my kids. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
My Very Tired Husband
Clint, Brandon, Amanda and I spent Wednesday picking everything up in the yard, barns and the lowest room of the house.
We had to move all of the animals too.
We also moved all of our vehicles except the pickup to a lot up the road from us.
We had to sleep around the tide cycles as the baby allowed us.
We didn't lose anything, PTL!!!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Prayer Request--Flood
We'd appreciate your prayers as we prepare for potential flooding that could equal or exceed Hurricane Isabel levels. We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best! God is good even in the midst of the storm and we know we will see His Hand in this event too. We've worked all day and are feeling tired, but have much more to do still. So, we need you to pray we keep our energy levels up and that we will prioritize our tasks correctly. We are stretched thin and there is always the potential for injury when working fast and hard like this. Thank you!! Our God can control this storm with simple words and we know He will provide and protect us.
Matthew 8:23-27 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Matthew 8:23-27 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 09, 2009
Homeschooling is Going Great
We've really been in a good groove for the past few weeks. I know I haven't posted in a while, so I am trying to catch everyone up here. I do very little e-mail any more.
Hannah <10> is standing without support sometimes, so I know we'll have a walker before long. She's vocalizing a lot and says "Mama" and "Da!" The time change threw her for a loop for about a week. She was waking up 2-5 times a night. Clint and I have experience to know the rough nights are quickly past and now treasure those precious moments in the wee hours of the morning with our baby girl. Clint will often carry her back and will take an extra few moments just to enjoy her sleeping on his shoulder while he prays over her future.
Emily <2> is in that stage where she has discovered she can take her clothes off. She's taking them off quite regularly! Hannah has been watching her and has taken hers off a few times too. Every time I turn around, I am seeing white-tailed dear! Trying to keep her busy and HAPPY while I am working with another child seems to be my greatest challenge right now. Emily is just as I sensed she was going to be in the womb...a pistol! She is full steam ahead and such a delight to everyone who knows her.
Bethany <6> is reading so well ....in spite of her missing front teeth! She's doing more and more things on her own and is such a big help around the house now! She's not as shy as she use to be and usually has a lot of questions to ask visitors.
Caleb <8> is not a little boy any more and has long ago left behind a lot of his old friends like Tow Mater from the Cars movie. Caleb is enjoying the computer and has several favorite games. He still likes to catch every critter that moves on the farm and he has my way with animals.
Joshua <10> is all about the Star Wars! He is so much like Clint was when he was little. Joshua has a nearly photographic memory which is proving to be to his advantage in school work. For spelling words, he stares at them a little while and then he can see them in his head when test time comes. I can see him looking at the image of the word in his mind.
Amanda <15> and Brandon <17> are doing well on their studies for college testing.
Amanda is still beading and enjoying doing various crafts. She's learned so many skills over the years that I had to learn as an adult. I feel like she will be well prepared to take care of her future husband and children and manage a home no matter what she feels God calling her to do. Amanda has a GPS tracking phone she wears during the day to prevent her getting lost during another sleepwalking episode.
Brandon is contemplating a career in the computer industry. He's been writing his own programs, making computer games and has picked up some interesting skills. He's no longer coming to me to learn something, but I have gone to him recently for an issue!
Clint had more time off from both jobs over the summer and fall, but he's trying to work more now so we can pay off the medical bills, build up a little savings and get the rest of the Christmas presents purchased.
I am not going to be selling soap or books any longer and am looking forward to clearing off the shelves in my office and using some of the space for our home canned produce. My birthday is coming up and I asked Clint for something special I have been wanting to do for years now. We'll see if everything works together!
Finally, here's a quote shared by friend Marla:
"In this country, when the birth rate dropped from 4.0 to 2.1 between 1900 and 2000, the average square footage of homes doubled in size. Such statistics betray the real values that have settled into the hearts of men in the modern age who, evidently, have come to love dry wall and mortar more than children." ~Kevin Swanson (from "The Second Mayflower")
Sadly, the attitude against children is so prevalent in our society that even the church sounds like the world. Should we, as Christians who believe God when He says children are a blessing, foster bad attitudes in others when we say things like:
"I can't stand the two I have."
"I can't wait until they leave home."
"I couldn't stand being with my children all day long." (Btw, that says more about your lack of parenting than anything else.)
Using derogatory terms for children-"rugrats" Should we equate the precious gift of children to vermin?
Shouldn't we with our words, attitudes and actions value the things God values? I encourage you to look beyond the struggles and see how very blessed you are to have children and to honor God for that gift with the words you choose to use.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Hannah <10> is standing without support sometimes, so I know we'll have a walker before long. She's vocalizing a lot and says "Mama" and "Da!" The time change threw her for a loop for about a week. She was waking up 2-5 times a night. Clint and I have experience to know the rough nights are quickly past and now treasure those precious moments in the wee hours of the morning with our baby girl. Clint will often carry her back and will take an extra few moments just to enjoy her sleeping on his shoulder while he prays over her future.
Emily <2> is in that stage where she has discovered she can take her clothes off. She's taking them off quite regularly! Hannah has been watching her and has taken hers off a few times too. Every time I turn around, I am seeing white-tailed dear! Trying to keep her busy and HAPPY while I am working with another child seems to be my greatest challenge right now. Emily is just as I sensed she was going to be in the womb...a pistol! She is full steam ahead and such a delight to everyone who knows her.
Bethany <6> is reading so well ....in spite of her missing front teeth! She's doing more and more things on her own and is such a big help around the house now! She's not as shy as she use to be and usually has a lot of questions to ask visitors.
Caleb <8> is not a little boy any more and has long ago left behind a lot of his old friends like Tow Mater from the Cars movie. Caleb is enjoying the computer and has several favorite games. He still likes to catch every critter that moves on the farm and he has my way with animals.
Joshua <10> is all about the Star Wars! He is so much like Clint was when he was little. Joshua has a nearly photographic memory which is proving to be to his advantage in school work. For spelling words, he stares at them a little while and then he can see them in his head when test time comes. I can see him looking at the image of the word in his mind.
Amanda <15> and Brandon <17> are doing well on their studies for college testing.
Amanda is still beading and enjoying doing various crafts. She's learned so many skills over the years that I had to learn as an adult. I feel like she will be well prepared to take care of her future husband and children and manage a home no matter what she feels God calling her to do. Amanda has a GPS tracking phone she wears during the day to prevent her getting lost during another sleepwalking episode.
Brandon is contemplating a career in the computer industry. He's been writing his own programs, making computer games and has picked up some interesting skills. He's no longer coming to me to learn something, but I have gone to him recently for an issue!
Clint had more time off from both jobs over the summer and fall, but he's trying to work more now so we can pay off the medical bills, build up a little savings and get the rest of the Christmas presents purchased.
I am not going to be selling soap or books any longer and am looking forward to clearing off the shelves in my office and using some of the space for our home canned produce. My birthday is coming up and I asked Clint for something special I have been wanting to do for years now. We'll see if everything works together!
Finally, here's a quote shared by friend Marla:
"In this country, when the birth rate dropped from 4.0 to 2.1 between 1900 and 2000, the average square footage of homes doubled in size. Such statistics betray the real values that have settled into the hearts of men in the modern age who, evidently, have come to love dry wall and mortar more than children." ~Kevin Swanson (from "The Second Mayflower")
Sadly, the attitude against children is so prevalent in our society that even the church sounds like the world. Should we, as Christians who believe God when He says children are a blessing, foster bad attitudes in others when we say things like:
"I can't stand the two I have."
"I can't wait until they leave home."
"I couldn't stand being with my children all day long." (Btw, that says more about your lack of parenting than anything else.)
Using derogatory terms for children-"rugrats" Should we equate the precious gift of children to vermin?
Shouldn't we with our words, attitudes and actions value the things God values? I encourage you to look beyond the struggles and see how very blessed you are to have children and to honor God for that gift with the words you choose to use.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Carman Concert
Thank you Beverly for the tickets!
We so enjoyed the Carman Concert at Living Waters in VA Beach.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Hannah 10 Months
Hannah loves to get a blanket and crash on the floor in the middle of the day now.
We couldn't find girl sleepers, so we bought blue anyway so she'd be warm!
I do not know how she sleeps with all of us around, but she does it. If we don't move her, we either block access to the room, someone sits next to her, or we set a little table over her so no one steps on her.
Who cares what the weather is when you can nap?!
She is wearing 18 mos to 2T sized sleepers at 10 mos.
She's like all of our babies-solid and tall.
Sonlight Clearance Sale for Christmas
This was sent to me via e-mail: "Sonlight is having a big clearance sale on books and toys for Christmas. They even have Homeschoolopoly for $8! http://www.sonlight .com/christmas. html"
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Offerings of Interest to Local Homeschool Families
Thank you to the Manson's for passing this along to the local homeschool group:
Lowe's and Home Depot both have free kid's building workshops on Saturday mornings.
Home Depot is the first Saturday of the month and Lowe's is two Saturdays a month.
Here are the websites. Lowe's has one this Saturday.
Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/ stores/servlet/ ContentView? pn=Kids_Workshop s&catalogId= 10053&soreId=10051& langId=-1 (copy and past entire url)
Lowe's: https://www. lowesbuildandgrow.com/
They suggest grades 1st - 5th.
October Hymnfest - Virginia Beach - October 24, 2009
Kempsville Presbyterian Church 805 Kempsville Rd.Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. Free.
Offering will be taken.
KPC presents a good Old Fashioned Church-wide Hymnfest. The Celebration Choir, KPC Orchestra, the Faithful Men, and others fromthe Worship and Arts department have been working on a few outstandinghymn arrangements. There may even be a few surprise guests. But the greater part of the evening will be dedicated to congregational singing.
Event website: http://www.kpc.org/calendar/hymnfest.html
===============
Virginia Symphony Open Rehearsal - Newport News - October 30, 2009
Ferguson Center for the Arts
Christopher Newport University 1 University Place Newport News, VA 23606
(Please, park in the parking garage behind the Ferguson Center)Friday, October 30, 2009, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $5, for all ages.
Tickets for the Open Rehearsal can be purchased on site at the door or ahead of time.
Call the Box Office at 757-892-6366. If you plan on purchasing tickets at the door, please e-mail cgreen@virginiasymphony.org, or call 757-213-1403 to reserve your seat.
Lowe's and Home Depot both have free kid's building workshops on Saturday mornings.
Home Depot is the first Saturday of the month and Lowe's is two Saturdays a month.
Here are the websites. Lowe's has one this Saturday.
Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/ stores/servlet/ ContentView? pn=Kids_Workshop s&catalogId= 10053&soreId=10051& langId=-1 (copy and past entire url)
Lowe's: https://www. lowesbuildandgrow.com/
They suggest grades 1st - 5th.
October Hymnfest - Virginia Beach - October 24, 2009
Kempsville Presbyterian Church 805 Kempsville Rd.Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. Free.
Offering will be taken.
KPC presents a good Old Fashioned Church-wide Hymnfest. The Celebration Choir, KPC Orchestra, the Faithful Men, and others fromthe Worship and Arts department have been working on a few outstandinghymn arrangements. There may even be a few surprise guests. But the greater part of the evening will be dedicated to congregational singing.
Event website: http://www.kpc.org/calendar/hymnfest.html
===============
Virginia Symphony Open Rehearsal - Newport News - October 30, 2009
Ferguson Center for the Arts
Christopher Newport University 1 University Place Newport News, VA 23606
(Please, park in the parking garage behind the Ferguson Center)Friday, October 30, 2009, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $5, for all ages.
Tickets for the Open Rehearsal can be purchased on site at the door or ahead of time.
Call the Box Office at 757-892-6366. If you plan on purchasing tickets at the door, please e-mail cgreen@virginiasymphony.org, or call 757-213-1403 to reserve your seat.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Little Emily, Big Drink
It just had ice in it, but she was happy to get it.
She carried that big cup around for hours. :-)
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