Just For Fun Friday!

 

I seem to be having a little issue lately, it's called "I can't remember what day it is".  Anyone else every have that problem?  I was just sitting here on my computer, chatting with a friend and drinking coffee when I happened to notice someone say they were so happy it's Friday.  Friday???  I thought it was Thursday.....

AND, we welcome Womanhood with Purpose as a new member of the community, and today is the first day of her new Friday link-up, so after you link here then head on over to her!

Now that I know it's FRIDAY, here's our link-up party!!

Why do we do it?

It’s the time of year that I check out “The Well-Trained Mind” from the library, feverishly read books on the trivium and Charlotte Mason, and search “home schooling” on Pinterest.  Generally, the one where I think “What the heck am I doing home schooling?  I don’t have a clue what I’m doing!” 

Does anyone, really?  Does anyone know what they’re doing?  This is not rhetorical; please tell me if you do…..

Our home schooling journey began out of necessity.  When my daughter reached preschool age we lived in an area that had not ONE preschool I felt comfortable dropping my child off with.  That journey of necessity evolved into a calling that I cannot deny.  There are times when I WANT to deny it, but God has called me to do this, and so I do. 

We do not home school to “protect our children” from the evil out there.  It’s impossible.  You know why?  Because the evil is in here.  Sin is everywhere.  Does sheltering them from the world really keep them from sin?  Absolutely not, we were born with a sin nature whether we home school/public school/private school or unschool. As a matter of fact, we actively look for ways to get out of our "Christian Bubble" and teach the kids about being like Jesus in the world.

We do home school because we feel like it is what God has told us to do for our family.  Our family.  I can’t tell you what God wants you to do with yours.  We have to be careful not to make precedents out of things that the Bible never clearly spells out. 

That being said, do I think home schooling is the better route?  Well, we do home school, so I guess that answers the question.

When you home school, you get the question a lot  - “Why?”. 

I had the most interesting conversation with my neighbor over supper the other night.  He is what I would call “pre-Christian”; he’s seeking and interested, but not quite there.  He’s also very blunt.  This is the way he asked it “Amy, why do you keep these kids at home.  You see, I read Playboy sometimes, and I like Hustler too.  (At this point I’m trying not to flinch and stop the whole conversation, and wondering where the heck he’s going with this…) My parents raised me right, but I still do things I shouldn’t sometimes.  Do you really think keeping them home will make them grow up to be good people?” 

Last time he asked me why I home school I fumbled the ball.  I couldn’t explain it AT ALL.  Talk about feeling like a failure!  This time I took a deep breath, PRAYED, and then opened my mouth.  This is why we home school.

God called us to do this.  We cannot deny a calling from God.  In the formative years of our children’s life, we as parents want to be the primary influence over them.  If I don’t have to give 7 hours of their day over to someone else, then I’m not going to.  The bible says in Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and in the end he will not depart from it”.  Now, this is in the Proverbs, so it can’t be taken as an absolute, it’s more like really good advice.  If I do what God has called me to do to the best of my ability, then prayerfully (and I believe more than likely) A + B will equal C in the end.  Now, if A + B = X one day, then at least I will be able to stand before God and know that I did what was asked of me. 

My neighbor actually nodded and said he understood.  It felt like victory!

Now, if I could just figure out why we need to teach them Latin, then I may have it all together.

Off to read more Charlotte Mason, happy home/public/private schooling!

Birthday blues, and JFFF link-up

So, yeah, today is my birthday.  Do I sound thrilled?  If not, that's because this day should be marked down in history as the first birthday I have had a problem with.

Yesterday my sweet hubby asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday.  My reply? "Nothing".  Then he asks me what I want to eat for my birthday supper.  My reply? "Nothing".  Then I get a lecture about how I should be ashamed of myself and how other people have horrible sicknesses and deaths in their family and real life problems and blah blah.  Inwardly I acknowledged that he was correct, outwardly I made a not so nice gesture towards him.

This is the first birthday I am aware of my aging.  Up to 35 was no big deal.  I felt like I was coming into my own, growing up, finding myself and all that.  36?  Well, it's the downhill slide to 40.  I cannot be on the downhill slide to 40.  On the inside I am still a 17 year old girl who wonders why anyone hasn't noticed yet that I'm not old enough to be married/have children/pay taxes/have to cook dinner. 

Birthdays, for me, are always a time of reflection whether I like it or not.  This is the day that I sit back and evaluate my last year and decide what I liked and did not like, what needs to stay and what needs to go.  This evaluation is yet another reason I have not liked this day.  I feel like there are so many goals I intended to reach before HERE, and they remain a carrot on a stick.  I mean, somewhere back in the past archives of this blog I even declared to the world that I be in the best shape of my life by 35.

*Pause for laughter....(and a few tears....)*

So, what does a girl do when she's wrestling with unmet goals and inadequate feelings?  Tells her girlfriends, of course.  After 20 minutes of griping and complaining to a sweet friend today, she told me I should just set a few attainable goals for this year and go for it.  I laughed and told her that sounded soooooo easy (in a very sarcastic manner).

Then I realized, she's right.  And it really isn't that hard.  The only thing standing in the way of that is, gulp, me.  That's the hardest part, isn't it?  Getting out of our own way.

Simple

Attainable

So, I sit here at Panera, trusty coffee cup (decaf) by my side and a m&m cookie as a rebellion against my age on the plate next to me - planning simple and attainable goals.  Here's what I've got so far.

1.  Actually finish the Bible reading plan I started on January 1st.  I mean, it would be the first time.
2.  Arrive at 37 healthier than I am right now.  I'm done with numbers and sizes, in fact I plan to not weigh myself this entire year. I just want to feel better in my own darn skin.  (But fitting in those clothes in the back of my closet wouldn't hurt either)  Obviously I'm going to have to set a few more sub-goals to this one, but the main thing is health.  Overall, holistic, body/soul/mind health. 
3.  Get to know two of my neighbors.  And I mean actually know them, not just say hi across the street.
4.  Take a class.  For some reason I have been itching to LEARN something.  I am assuming that this is God putting a desire in my heart, so I'm waiting on Him to show me which way to move on this one.

As a form of accountability I will be regularly blogging my success (yes, SUCCESS!).  God may put a few more on my list as I pray through this, but for now I cross the starting line. 

As soon as I finish this cookie.
Blessings!

Now, if you're here for the link-up then it's YOUR turn!

Just For Fun Fridays!

 

Better late than never!  Happy Friday guys!

 

A new week.

Welcome to a new week.  One that is brand new with no mistakes in it.

Yet.  I mean, I have only been awake for a few hours.

We had a crazy weekend of wedding chaos.  My beautiful sister-in-law got hitched on Saturday in a perfect outdoor wedding.  I was so certain that I would be sweating through my dress (August outdoor wedding in Arkansas????) but God provided PERFECT weather and it was amazing.  Here's my beautiful family at the wedding.

 

We are squatting mostly because I have decided to NEVER wear this dress again.  The ones of us standing made me look like I had gained 30 pounds and had double EEs.  Just saying.

My son's tummy is FINALLY feeling better!  BUT, he woke up coughing this morning.  SIGH.  My daughter's cough had started to ease up, but the late nights/crazy days/bad eating of the weekend seem to have brought it right back to where it was.  With 10 cousins together constantly for the weekend (and, oh BTW, two of the others had strep throat) I am wondering who will be the lucky one to come out of this not sick. 

But it's family, you suck it up and move on.

I wanted to add this pic too, mostly because I like what it represents.  My hubby officiated the wedding, and Mamaw gave away the bride.  It was a happy/sad moment, as I'm sure we were all wishing Papa could be there for it..

 

Hope your weekend was a good one!  Have fun kicking off the new-with-no-mistakes-yet week!

Just For Fun Friday link-up!

  

Link - up day!  Welcome friends and newbies.  I hope your week has been refreshing and peaceful.  Our week has....not.  I have a daughter with a terrible cold, and a son on day 6 of a stomach bug.  Let's just say we haven't been sleeping well.  All the same, Fridays always give a lift because the weekend is here, relaxation can begin and a day of worship to bookend.  

I also enjoy the weekends because I can sit down with a cup of coffee (decaf, of course) and read through what you've been up to.  Sadly this week I haven't had the chance with all the puking and coughing - so next week I'll double up!  

It's your turn.  You guys know the rules...there really aren't any.  Link up your favorites of the week, and make sure you link back here so we can keep the party going!  Blessings!

On a Wednesday, long ago....

It was 1997. I was a junior in college, and I was desperate. A long time emotionally abusive relationship had turned into a bondage issue that I couldn't seem to get away from, and I was sinking fast. On a Wednesday night (I rarely attended Wednesday night church...) I slunk in late - quietly - and sat in the back row. Our pastor asked us to turn to Lamentations chapter 3. I remember thinking "oh great, why am I here?"
  
Funny how God never thinks that about us.

This "gone to church since 9 months before I was born" girl had never read Lamentations. I mean, why should I have? It's a random small book in the middle of the Old Testament, which at the time I steered pretty clear of.

And then he started reading.

 "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness! I say to myself "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him" The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust - there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. For men are not cast off forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." Lamentations 3:22-33

And I broke. Boy did I break. I remember the embarrassment of my tears (I am a private person) and the inability to stop. I felt like God had spoken directly to me and said "you won't be consumed by this. Seek me first, I will work this out for your good. There is grief, but compassion will come because I love you unfailingly!"

 Since that time in 1997, Lamentations 3 has been a passage that my Bible opens to on it's own, because I go there so often. I shared the last half with you, but you really need to go read it from the beginning. I'll wait.....

This passage has brought me through: emotional abuse, depression, miscarriage, infertility, lost jobs, hard marriage times, and now my panic disorder.  I share this because most of the comments or emails I get from this blog are people dealing with the same illness I am. People reaching out, desperate to know they are not the only ones, to know someone else is struggling along side them.  We are in this fight together. 

You need to know, HAVE to know "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in HIM, to the one who seeks HIM; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord".

When you feel like it may never end, like this may be YOU for the rest of your life (and wow do I know that feeling), cling to this - Lamentation 3:55-57 "I called your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: "Do not close your ears to my cry for relief." You came near when I called you, and you said...
do not fear." 

(as a side note, I wanted to let you know that I would love to hear your stories.  It's so much easier to know how to hold each other up and pray for each other if we know what to pray for.  If you would like to share your story with me please email!  piecesofamyblog@gmail.com)

Just For Fun Fridays is BACK!

 

Link up friends, WELCOME!!!  I have missed your links.  July is over, and so is my blogging hiatus.   It's been a good break, a time to sit back and evaluate what my purpose here is.  I've decided that my purpose is YOU!  You who read my random chaoticness, you are special and I want my words to affirm you and encourage you in your journey.  

I know that I am encouraged by YOUR words, which is why I love link-up day.  If you've linked up before, welcome back and thank you for enduring my exit from the blog world.  If this is your first go-round then pull up a seat, grab a cup of coffee and make yourself at home.  We don't have many rules around here, just link-up your favorite blog of the week (or month, or year...).  Nothing inappropriate, please.  I can't wait to see what you guys have all been up to!

A Caged Beast

Several people have asked me lately about The Beast.  I feel like I should update you lovely people on my mental illness issues.  Yep, I said it, MENTAL ILLNESS.  That's what it is, you know?  I'm not afraid to say it.  Call it "anxiety" "panic attacks" "panic disorder" blah blah, my BRAIN is SICK.  You either hide it from the world, or embrace it, ask for help and use your story to encourage others.  Well, BE ENCOURAGED!!!

I have felt normal for THREE WEEKS!!!  Yes, normal.  I feel like someone in AA:
"Hello, my name is Amy, and I haven't had a panic episode in three weeks".

You know what's funny?  When I'm ill I can't remember what it's like to feel normal.  When I feel normal I forget how bad it is to feel ill.  I think that's how we trick ourselves into thinking we no longer need medication a few months down the road.

God can use medication.  I don't know where the lie came from that mental issues are ALL spiritual and that we are weak if we have to resort to meds.  Some mental issues are spiritual, I am well aware of this.  I have been in spiritual depression before, there is a difference.  I think the lie came from the father of lies, why would he NOT tell us that medication is weak and that we should just pray more.  That our weakness means our spiritual devotion is not good enough.  REALLY?  Read that sentence again, does that sound like Jesus in the least?  I think not.

So, mentally ill people of the world, be encouraged!  There is light at the end of the tunnel.  I don't know if this light I'm seeing is a constant beacon, or a flashlight about to run out of batteries but I will take what I can get!  Grace for the moment!

The Beast has been caged.