Hebrews 12:1
......and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Psalm 42:5-6
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God......


 I hate running. Loathe, detest, abhor running. But if my bootcamp girls do it, then I do it. And I am getting better at it. My mile was 9 min 17 seconds today.
After half a mile, I was about to give up, My breakfast was churning in my stomach, my legs were itching, and my lungs were about to explode.
But as I forced myself to continue, I heard the voices and cheering and I bolted ahead in my own awkward, bent-over way. I neared the part of the path where the road curved along the brown, knotty wood fence and the voices got a little clearer and I saw the bright shirts of the runners who had finished the mile. And at that point, I knew I could make it. No more complaining, no walking, no doubting. I was going to finish this thing.
The cheering, hearing my name, seeing someone take notice of my effort, and tell me I could do it was the sole reason I finished.
   I was reminded today to run well but I was also reminded to cheer well . Running, cheering.....equally important.  My cheer may keep someone in the race. My cheer may pick someone up when they fall. My cheer may offer someone hope and that's worth a whole lot when you hate running as much as I do.

Reading Delays, Cookies and Fresh Picked Okra

So, we have suspected awhile now that Glory may have some reading delays, most likely dyslexia, mainly from the noticing of her leaving out connecting words and getting blends mixed up. Having her home lets us go at a slower pace and "get it" before we move on. It also gives me the chance to become very irritated and impatient when a sentence may take forever to read. Today, I had to remember that the process is all part of the learning and we got to snuggle in my bed while she read all about tributaries and aquifers and which two continents are connected by the Isthmus of Suez. When it was done, we made bowls of cereal and ate Chips A Hoy and then she went to create a new dress for her doll. The slow process ended in learning and quality time and I was better for it.  Glory is an intelligent, creative girl and being with her today was a huge plus. I hope I can always remind each child to be excellent at their strengths and not stress too terribly about their weaknesses.
On another note, we handpicked 15 okra from our garden yesterday and stewed them with tomatoes and quinoa. DELICIOUS!!!!!

Mercy Song

Find me, God, on my knees
Waiting now to hear you speak.
Find me, God, in this place
Thankful for your gift of grace.

I come right now to lean on you
to ask for you to make me new.
The road I walk is stained with fear
but I know you will meet me here

Your mercy calls, Your grace flows free, You hold my hand, I bow my knee
I'll call Your name until my breath runs out; I'll follow where You lead me.

Your light shines in the darkest place
I live my life to seek your face
The chains you broke are living proof that
Mercy came and made me new

July 19, 2013

Back in the Saddle...Maybe?

It's been about a year and a half since my last post. I write Back in the Saddle.....maybe? because after having Mercy, our fourth child, I wonder if I'll ever be back to anything. Haha! She is at that point where she is into everything and I am very easily distracted, so I'm learning to go with the flow and leave the crumbs that are stuck to the light switch alone. They will still be there later for me to frown upon.
Our oldest, Glory, is homeschooling this year....again...we like to play musical schools lol! and Grace and Justus are at the local elementary. Glory is needing a lot of one on one due to some dyslexia and reading delays. We are working on it and we are making progress and spending a lot of good time together. She likes it, we both need it, so there you go. Also, I did need a helping hand to take care of those crumbs, remember.
Sometimes, I get asked if I enjoy being a homeschooling mom. Or, I get referred to other homeschooling moms or homeschooling groups, etc. I think I'd rather refer to myself as a Christ-follower who just wants to do the right thing for each of my kids. Whatever that way of education is, for whatever year...so far, it's working, Ask me again after the first research paper of the semester.....and after I take care of those crumbs.