My Space, My Place

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I love finding hidden commonalities with new friends over the internet. I found one with my fellow blogger, Ashley Hales. We both signed up for the Clumsy Blogger course in hopes to not trip over inconspicuous power cords and such anymore in this world of blogging. I know it helped me and it put me in touch with Ashley and her site, Circling the Story. I say we have a commonality because we both like to share stories of others.  As Ashley said, “All our stories matter. Story begets story.”

Yes.

Today, she’s allowed me the privilege of sharing my story. My story of finding joy in the mundane tasks of cleaning house and feeding my family. It took me flying 9,000 miles away from home this summer to realize it, but I’m thankful for the lesson none-the-less.

Thanks Ashley for allowing me to share my story!

Here’s a glimpse, and be sure to view the whole story HERE.

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Essentials Every First Year Homeschooler Must Know

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Imagine you’ve arrived at an intersection. On one side a smooth, paved, super highway with elegant, easy turns and architectural overpasses awaits you. This road has mile markers indicating how far you’ve traveled, exit numbers so you don’t miss a turn, and crystal clear GPS tracking to equip you for the inevitable question every parent gets, “Are we there yet?”.

Then imagine beside it, a back road pulled straight from the latest country song. At least it looks like a road. Paved in dirt, overgrown with weeds and fresh four wheeler tracks catch your eye at first. To travel down this one you might hit the ditch, get bit by a snake, or even get lost. Road signs? Mile markers? GPS signal? Not a chance.

Welcome to the decision of whether to homeschool or public school.

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6 Truths that Will Transform Your Marriage (Part One)

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Unlike birthdays, anniversaries don’t come around every year without some effort on our part. I mean you just have to survive for 365 days to celebrate your next birthday! Marriage, on the other hand requires hard, intentional work from two people if you want to celebrate another year. An anniversary is a perfect time to reflect on the past year or years and remember the lessons learned and celebrate the victories won.

This year Adam and I celebrated 16 years of marriage. Sixteen years. That seems like a long time to me because we were only 16 when we met.  We’ve basically grown up together.

I don’t know where you are. Maybe 16 years sounds like a lot or maybe you have that grin on your face that says, “You just wait! Sixteen years ain’t nothing!”

Either way, I think you’ll find something of interest in today’s post.

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When Doing Big Things for God Went Bad

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I don’t know if you noticed or not, but last week crickets were chirping rather than words being posted here on this blog.

“Did she finally run out of words?” you may have wondered.

Oh no. It wasn’t that. It’s the continual battle I have with what to do with these words! I’ll admit it again – I can have BIG dreams and as I posted last time, I easily grab the wheel of life and steer the ship myself when I think God is taking too long.

The question “Are you satisfied in ME?” really challenged me. I didn’t want to take it lightly and brush it off too quickly.

Honestly, I felt the prompt in my Spirit to stop publishing posts for a week and just listen. So I did. Then as a family, we read the story of Jehu.

Jehu could be classified as one of those “Yay-Hoos” for the Lord. Even the way he was anointed King was crazy. Read for yourself:

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When Are We Truly Satisfied?

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“If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the leisureliness which ought to characterize the children of God.” Oswald Chambers, Utmost for His Highest Aug 5

Somehow last week I started charting my own course, trying again to control my destination. I think it started by cramming way too many writing assignments into a space already jam packed with house remodel projects, laundry, time with friends, and keeping all my thoughts and priorities in correct alignment in my head.

Plus, I dropped off my daughter to an overnight church camp for the first time! Pre-teen camp. Since when did she turn into a pre-teenager? And where did she get this bravery to spend 4 days at a camp without knowing anyone else there very well?

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Writings While I Wait

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It was a beautiful, warm, summer day. A pile of dirty dishes stared back at me from the kitchen sink. A melody played on the radio nearby. I turned it off. I was tired of songs, yet tired of silence too. Tired of thinking…and praying, honestly, for my prayers were not being answered the way I wanted.

Instead of spiraling in my emotions, I called a friend. My closest one. The one I can not talk to for 6 months, then pick up the phone and pick right back up where we left off. Thankfully, she picked up. Fighting back tears, I shared my story with her. I shared the struggle going on inside of me. She said, “Ya know, it’s funny, this conversation reminds me of the book I’m reading this summer called Anything .”

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And the Winner Is….

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Two weeks ago I posted a Giveaway – 5 Ways to Win a $30 Spa Gift Certificate. The drawing closed last night and we have a winner!! To make it official, I had 2 fabulous little helpers eager to draw names. And the first prize goes to….

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SHAWNA TUNNEL!!!  Whaa-hooo! Shawna is expecting her 3 child soon, so I’m sure a pedicare or manicure will be much appreciated! If you see her out and about today, be sure and congratulate her!

Now, it’s Mackenzie’s turn to draw…

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And Mackenzie drew Lauren Bohannan!! Lauren is practically my neighbor and I was able to deliver the card and CD to her door this afternoon. Lauren has 2 beautiful daughters and I’m sure some time to the Spa will be refreshing…not to mention the music.

20150728_135624To both of these moms I want say this: Thank you for pouring into the lives of your children and husband. The work you do and the heart behind it may never be noticed by others or complimented on, but our Father in Heaven sees all that goes on. Continue serving your families as if you were serving the King….because you are. I hope this $30 Gift Card is just a small token of thanks for what you do! 20150728_171208

I feel like the coach who wants to give both teams a trophy, one for winning, the other for trying. Thank you to all who participated, I hope to do more fun Giveaways like this in the future!

When You’re Running Into the Son

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It was one year ago that I felt this prompt, this whisper in my spirit to set the alarm for 5:30am, actually wake up, lace up my jogging shoes and meet the Lord on the back roads for a morning jog. I ignored this prick for weeks, and finally, to see if I was just hearing things, or if there was any validity to my thoughts, I decided to do it.

As I warmed my legs up that first morning I prayed as I made my way to what would be my starting point. I prayed for God to show me something in this quiet time with him. I didn’t want to just exercise physically, but also spiritually.

I surrendered every part of the run I could think of, down to where to go and how far. Could He, does He lead in details such as that?

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Pros and Cons to 6 Common Home School Curriculums

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So here it is: My take on the curriculum that I have tried this far. I will share the pros and the cons from my experience using what I have tried.

One note before we begin. So much of what works and what doesn’t depends on your personality and the personality/learning styles of your children. If this is you first year of homeschooling, your focus this year is to identify how your child learns best, what his or her strengths and weaknesses are, along with you and how you best steer this ship of learning. Somewhere in the middle you’ll find something that will work. Hopefully this will give you some guidelines.

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