New Glasses

My sweet little Collin got glasses today. He has some misalignment in his eyes so we are trying to see if glasses will fix it, if it doesn't then we may have to look into surgery. We are praying hard that 2 or 3 months of glasses will fix the problem, please pray with us! We are trying not to worry knowing that , "All things work together for the good of those who love Him." (We're learning about HOPE in church)In the meantime though, he's in glasses and so very cute!

Categories: parenting

New and Different Challenges

It seems lately that we've passed some sort of stage mark. The kids have begun to compete and perform in so many different venues from Bible Bowl to classical Piano competitions to sports. I love it and love to watch my kids learn to handle pressure, nerves and keep self-control. They don't always win but it seems like they put up a good hard fight and most of all, are considerate and good sports. ( You would NOT believe how many kids don't say good job, nice try or know how to shake a competitors hand. Shocking! Parents - teach your kids to be good sports! It's important and it makes them and you look bad!) The funny thing is that I have a hard time not shouting out the right answer, it's different not being the competitor.

Anyway here's a few pictures of the kids events. Isn't Connor handsome in his dress-up clothes for the Classical Piano Competition? He didn't win but he got to the second round and made a good showing for himself.


Okay, I wasn't going to say anymore about teaching your kids to be good sports but I feel the need (you wouldn't believe how bad the sportsmanship is - even among Christian kids). Remember Luke 6:46 tells that what comes out of our mouths is an overflow of our hearts? Competition is included in that. When we allow our children to be bad sports it's showing that winning is more important than the people we are competing against and that can't be allowed. Matthew 22:39 says to, "Love your neighbor as yourself." At a young age, children may throw a tantrum or throw down a game piece or burst into tears when they lose. We must train them to get self-control, shake hands and say "good job' whether they win or lose. Collin was the worst at this so I once told him I would make sure he would lose every game we played until he could get control of himself. ( Aren't you glad that you are not my child?) We have continually worked with him on this (also on not over-gloating when he does win) and he has learned to be a good sport and is a joy to play a game with. He will try to beat you, don't get me wrong, but he'll shake your hand and tell you "good game" and look you in the eye as he does so. We must teach sportsmanship because it is a moral issue. God does care if we love winning more than we love our fellow man.

Categories: parenting

Called by God

These faces are my calling, what's yours?






"Your career is something you do to get paid, your calling is how you were made." our pastor said this last Sunday. He then referred us to Romans 1:1, "Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus , called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God."

I was listening but I wasn't really thinking hard on it until Scott elbowed me and said, "He talking about you, honey". I sat and thought about that for awhile. "Am I called? What am I called to?" Instantly, the answer came to me. I am called to be my kids Mom and their teacher. It may not be others calling but it is mine. I think that's what Scott was me elbowing for ( I could just ask him but ....). I think I feel so passionate about what I do and so confident that this is what I am to do that it's a good indication of calling.

All of my devotions this week have been on calling and I started each day with the thought that God has called me to being a Mom and home schooler. It's made me think of what I do in a different way, if God has called me to this then I better work at it with all of my heart. Col 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." It also gives me an extra incentive to be an excellent Mom and home schooler if I am working for the Lord. It gives me confidence and a real sense of purpose to be called and to be doing the will of God.

I hope that you know what you are called to do and that it gives you confidence.