Christmas Celebrations at Birchman

The Music & Worship Ministry presented the 11th Annual Christmas at Birchman Celebrate the Savior twice on December 11th and once on December 12th & 13th.  After the four performances there were just over 5400 people who attended and 34 people came to know Christ as their Savior.  (Check out pictures from Christmas at Birchman 2010.)  Unfortunately, we chose not to attend the last performance at the last minute due to a busy week.  A decision we now regret.

Sunday evening, December 18th, was Christmas family night at Birchman.  (The following was previously written about in the last post.)  Our pastor & his wife, Dr. Bob & Mrs. Deborah Pearle, and our Minister of Worship/Music & his wife, Phillip and Angela Griffin, hosted all the children in attendance up on the platform.  They sang Christmas carols; Deborah Pearle read We Believe in Christmas By Karen Kingsbury; and Dr. Pearle closed with having the children help him build the manger scene while telling them about Jesus' birth.

On Christmas Eve our family attended the Christmas Eve Candlelight Lord's Supper, which was a completely silent service.  (Yes, silent.)  Once you entered the sanctuary you were asked not to speak, enter with a bowed head and reverent heart, and begin worship the moment that you were seated.   Not a word was spoken during the service.  Only the organ played and the order of service and scripture verses were printed on a bulletin. 

On Christmas morning Dr. Bob Pearle read the Christmas story from the gospels and as he read the children reenacted the Christmas nativity.  It was beautiful. 

Enjoying Birchman Baptist Church

Wes, Katherine, Sebastian and I are enjoying our Birchman church family.  The kids have made friends and are involved in Sunday school,  RA's (Royal Ambassadors) and GA's (Girls in Action).  Sebastian is learning the RA Pledge and once he's memorized it he'll earn his vest.  The first night he attended the class was building race cars.  An older boy (who turned out to be in Katherine's Sunday school class) helped Sebastian build his race car. Sebastian was so excited when I picked him up that night.  The next week his class raced their cars.  He won his first race and lost the second, but he had a great time.

Katherine is enjoying her GA class too.  In October they studied how God tells us to help the poor.  She learned about the ministry of a WorldCrafts^SM artisan group in Southeast Asia. Shel also discovered how she can make a difference through WorldCrafts.  Her GA class hosted a WorldCrafts party in December where ladies of the church were invited to come and learn about the WorldCrafts vision and purchase handcrafted, fair-trade products from artisans spanning the globe. The girls provided the snacks. 

Wes and I love our respective Sunday school classes too.  God has used the ladies in my class to teach me so much already.  God is convicting, challenging, growing, and molding me.  Some weeks it's hard to hear, but oh what a blessing when I receive it!

Last night was Christmas family night at Birchman and it was such a blessing to see our pastor & his wife, Dr. Bob & Mrs. Deborah Pearle, and our Minister of Worship/Music & his wife, Philip and Angela Griffin, host the children up on the platform where they sang Christmas carols; Deborah Pearle read We Believe in Christmas by Karen Kingsbury; and  Dr. Pearle closed with having the children help him build the manger scene while telling them about Jesus' birth.  It was evident that the Pearle's and Griffin's adored these children and once again gave me another reason to be thankful God brought us to Birchman.

Sebastian is the kid in the blue sitting in front of the monitor.  Katherine is sitting next to him, but you can't see her.  She's in front of the girl in the red.

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine; do Thou befriend us, Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, Seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou hast promised to receive us, Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us, Grace to cleanse and powerr to free:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to Thee.

Early let us seek Thy favor, Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior, With Thy love our beings fill:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou has loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still.

Words: Dorothy A. Thrupp

Finding a Church Home

One of our priorities since moving to Hurst has been to locate a new church home where we could unite in fellowship with a local body of believers to worship and serve the Lord.  We knew we'd have a large selection as there are many wonderful churches throughout the DFW area.  All we needed to do was follow God's leading to the one where He'd have us be apart.

Wes and I had made a mental list of several congregations we wanted to visit and discussed what was important as we searched for a congregation to join.  We knew we wanted to be apart of a congregation who had strong biblical teaching in every area of the church and was aligned with the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention. 

The first church on our list (and one we didn't consider a real possibility since it would be the farthest from our home) was Birchman Baptist Church in Fort Worth.  We decided to visit Birchman, because we had some friends who attended there and we knew many SWBTS faculty & students attended as well.  Wes was also personally acquainted with the pastor, Dr. Bob Pearle.

Our first visit to BBC was on Sunday, September 18th.  As we arrived that morning Wes and I planned to attend a couples Sunday School class, but when we walked down the hall where the kids classes were Katherine noticed a sign on the wall with a name she recognized as a friend of her dad's, Dr. Malcolm Yarnell.  The sign displayed the information for Dr. Yarnell's Sunday School class.  I knew then Wes & I were headed for different classes that morning.

I decided to attend the one of the ladies classes co-taught by Dr. Yarnell's wife, Karen, since she & I had met once.  I had no idea when I entered the classroom that morning I would leave holding back tears, because I longed to be a part of this class where the Bible was taught and taught with knowledge and passion.  It was apparent I would be challenged each week not to be laid back in my walk with the Lord, but be challenged to grow and flourish.

After Sunday School I met back up with Wes and the kids.  As we each chatted about our Sunday school class it was apparent that Wes and I loved our classes and the kids enjoyed theirs as well.  We looked forward to the worship service.

On this particular Sunday BBC was kicking off their BOLDCOURSE Discipleship.   BOLDCOURSE is church wide focus on reading the Word of God, mediating upon it, praying for each other and interceding for the lost around the world together, in a unified effort, every single day.  It's a challenge and process of discipleship that is measurable, effective, and useful in helping you and your family grow in Christ. *

We left that day knowing God could grow and teach us at  BBC, but we knew there were other congregations we wanted to visit and believed we'd find one closer to our home than BBC.

Okay, if you're still reading this rather long and wordy post you've already figured out that we ultimately united in fellowship with Birchman Baptist Church in Fort Worth.  We did so Sunday, and if you follow me on twitter or facebook you probably read my tweet about it.  We did visit a couple other local churches, but we knew God was leading us back to Birchman.

Over the next couple weeks I'll be sharing about some areas Wes and I felt were important to our family when choosing a church.

*Description taken from http://www.boldcourse.org/vision

Be Still and Know

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.

I am the Lord that strengthens thee.
I am the Lord that strengthens thee.
I am the Lord that strengthens thee.

(Words: Anonymous, Based on Psalm 46:10a)
Copied from the Songs of Faith and Praise Hymnal

Be still, and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10 a (ESV)

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart

Rejoice always, 
pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

A Few Psalms for November

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down 
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, 
you know it altogether.
Psalm 139:1-4

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
keep watch over the door of my lips!
Do not let my heart incline to any evil,
to busy myslef with wicked deeds
in company with men who work iniquity,
and let me not eat of their delicacies!
Psalm 141:3-4


Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!
I have fled to you for refuge!
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
For your name's sake, O Lord,
preserve my life!
In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
Psalm 143:8-11  


(ESV)

Give Thanks

This month Wes and I are focusing on teaching our kids to be thankful to God.  During our meals we each tell something we are thankful for and during our prayer time we thank God for the things we mentioned.

As we begin the month of November and many of us begin focusing on the Thanksgiving holiday I want to impress on my kids that we need not be thankful because of a holiday, but because in the scriptures David gives us that example.

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.  I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.  Psalm 9:1-2

God Give Us Christian Homes

God, give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master's will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty Thy love hath wrought;
God, give us Christian homes,
God, give us Christian homes!

Words: B.B. McKinney (w.1949)

September Verse

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6: 33 & 34 (NASB)

Bow the Knee (Chorus)

Bow the knee;
trust the heart of your Father
when the answer goes beyond what you can see.
Bow the knee;
lift you eyes towards heaven
and believe the One who holds eternity.
And when you don't understand
the purpose of His plan,
In the presence of the King,
bow the knee.

(Chris Machen & Mike Harland)

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

Jesus, Jesus, How I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
'Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I'm so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.


Jesus, Jesus, How I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

(Words: Louisa M.R. Stead)
 

Overwhelmed

Wes begins the ninety-one hour Master of Divinity degree program on Monday, August 29, 2011, at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  He's taking thirteen hours this first semester and one of those classes is elementary Greek.

If taking thirteen hours wasn't enough pressure we've added moving and an uncertain employment future into the mix.  Wes and I know God is leading this move and our future, but there are days we struggle with the uncertainty and all the "what if's".     The last couple days have been filled with the struggles of uncertainty.  

I've been asking God for special encouragement for our family during this transitional and uncertain time.  Since Wes announced his resignation we've received cards of love and encouragement from family and friends.  Today two very godly and encouraging friends surprised us with a knock on our door.  We hadn't seen each other in several years, and I think I would have burst into tears when I opened the door if I hadn't been shocked to see them.  Oh what a special blessing and an encouragement they were to me and our family.  God overwhelmed me once again with his love for his children.

This morning I awoke with a heavy spirit of uncertainty, but this evening I lay uncertainty at the feet of Jesus and cling to the Almighty Father.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6 & 7  (ESV)

D6 Home Educators of Southeast Oklahoma

Today the kids and I attended our last D6 Home Educators of Southeast Oklahoma meeting.  I was so excited for our group this year as they've grown and were making some changes.  D6 is becoming more organized and starting to offer specific classes such as Creative Writing; Music; Arts & Crafts; Book Club; and possibly Spanish.  D6 is apart of the 4-H program and already working on projects for the McCurtain County Fair in September.

Last week Sebastian and I attended our D6 Mother & Son dinner held at Roma's Italian Restaurant in Idabel.  I enjoyed my date with Sebastian and the other mothers and sons. Next week is the Daddy & Daughter banquet, which is where the moms and sons prepare & serve dinner for the dads and daughters.  This occasion is a little more formal as our girl group is a little older than our boy group. We moms plan to get a more formal dinner with the sons in a few years.

I'm thankful we could still participate in the first couple events and were able to help plan out an incredible year.

We'll miss our D6 friends and wish them the best year ever!

Thoughts, Emotions, & Reflections

I'm up uncharacteristically early today, because I can't sleep.  My mind is busy making lists of the many things I have to do over the next couple weeks, and I'm dealing with a variety of emotions as our family prepares to move.

I'm excited for the opportunity for Wes to attend seminary and the opportunity this affords our family.  I'm looking on with great anticipation of what God has in store for us during this next chapter of our lives.

As I look forward I also reflect on the chapter of life we're closing. 

It was in Valliant

  ~where Wes began his first pastorate. 

  ~where our TBC family loved and supported us.

  ~where Katherine & Sebastian will most likely consider their first home as they were 3yrs & 9 months when we moved here.

  ~where Katherine at three years old sat in church on a Sunday night listening to her daddy preach about Jonah and whispered to me "How does my daddy know about Jonah?" 

  ~where Sebastian began walking and talking.

  ~where Katherine & Sebastian raced down the driveway in their  little tikes cars and later on tricycles & scooters.

  ~where Katherine and I made her first emergency room visit.

  ~where K & S began loosing their baby teeth.

  ~where K & S learned to swim.

  ~where God carried me (and my family) through a physically & spiritually difficult situation.

  ~where Katherine attended kindergarten & first grade at Swink Public Schools.

  ~where K & S were apart of TBC Christmas programs & Vacation Bible School.

  ~where I discovered my passion for VBS and for training VBS leaders.

  ~where God placed in us the desire and opportunity to homeschool our kids.

  ~where God provided the opportunity for Wes to finish his bachelor's degree.

  ~where my beautiful daughter, Katherine, stood before the church and confessed her need for a savior and her faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord and was baptized.

  ~where our family made many wonderful memories with  the wonderful people of Trinity Baptist Church.

I'm excited and saddened all at the same time.  I treasure the memories of our time in Valliant, and I will leave with some awesome friendships.

Proverbs 2:1-15

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,

making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;

yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,

if you seek it like sliver and search for it as for hidden treasures,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

he stores up sound wisdom for the upright, he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.

Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;

for widsom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

discretion will watch over you,understanding will guard you,

delivering you form the way of evil, from men of perverted speech,

who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,

who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil,

men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.

Proverbs 2 1-15 (ESV)

1 Peter 3:8-12

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.  
For "Whover desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue form evil and his lips from speaking deceit,
let him turn away from evvil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."


(ESV)

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the van things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Words by Isaac Watts

1 Peter 5:8-11

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.  To him be the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.

*ESV

Proverbs 4:20-27

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.  Let them not escape from your sight, keep them within your heart.  For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.  Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.  Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.  Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.  Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.  Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.   Proverbs 4: 20-27 ESV

My Favorite Graduate

Congratulations to Wes on graduating from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science with a major in Religion on May fourteenth, Two Thousand Eleven.

To see more pictures check out Graduation at The Kenney News.

The End

Tonight my husband, Wes Kenney, took his last college exam.  The kids and I are very thrilled and excited for him to be finished, but no one could be more relieved (and happy) as he.

Tomorrow I will take the kids to stay with my dad so Wes and I can make the journey on Friday to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, for Wes's graduation on Saturday.

Wes, 
We love you very much and are so very proud for you!
Debra, Katherine, &, Sebastian

Verses of Scripture from 1 John 1 & 2

I'm reading through 1 John and wanted to share some of the verses of scripture as they are the verses God is piercing my heart with as I read them.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.   1 John 1:5-10


Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.  By this we may know that we are in him; whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.  1 John 2:4-6


Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.  Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.  But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.   1 John 2:9-11


Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.   1 John 2: 15-17

Best Choice for Our Family (and It's Okay if it's Not the Best Choice for Your Family)

As a homeschooling parent I hear:
   "Wow, I don't know how you do it!"
   "I could never do that!"
   "You must have more patience than I do."
Here's my answers:
I don't have patience and yes, you can do it if it's the best decision for your family!

Wes and I do it, because God has given us the responsibility to teach our kids.  Currently, Wes and I believe the best way for us to obey God in that is to homeschool.  We don't know whether God will continue to lead us to homeschool until our kids graduate high school or whether He'll lead us to place them in a private or public school next fall.  We evaluate each year as to what God is leading us to do.

This week someone mentioned to me that if I would put the kids back into school (as if they aren't in school now) I could have the freedom to go do things with Wes during the day. 

Wow!  I should place my kids back in public school so I can have the freedom to do what I want.  Hmm.  I don't think so!

Now, I  believe the person who made that comment to me was well intentioned in saying it would make it easier for me to do certain things, and I'd have more opportunities to do things if I didn't have the kids with me all the time.  That is true, and there are occasions where it is inconvenient for me to have the kids with me.  It is especially hard since the kids are too young to stay home unsupervised, and we don't live near family.  Thankfully God has provided wonderful friends who have been willing to help out when those occasions arise.

I know it would be easier and less stress if I placed the kids in public or private school.  Trust me when I say I would enjoy having 7 hours every 5 days of me time; however, that is not what God has called me to at this point and time.  God doesn't lead everyone to homeschool and that's why there are other resources for education as in public/ private school systems.  God has called each one of us to a specific job and some are called to be teachers in those school systems.  I thank God for those teachers and pray for the local school systems as they have an important task in educating those children God has placed there.

I support educating kids no matter whether it's by public, private, homeschool, or other means.  I don't think those who choose to educate their kids differently than I currently do are wrong, so please don't encourage me to change what I know God is leading me to do because you don't understand, like, or agree with it!

My Desire

This morning my heart is heavy as I pray to be the godly wife and mother God has called me to be.  This is what I desire most.  It is also the biggest challenge I face daily. 

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1 & 2*

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Ephesians 5: 22-24*

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  You shall love the Lord you God with all hour heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sighn on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of you house and on your gates.  Deuteronomy 6:4-9*

My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.  Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.  When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.  For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are they way of life.  Proverbs 6:20-23*

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4*

For me to be the a godly wife and mother God has called me to be I must be first be one of His children.  I must have recognized my need for a Savior; desired a relationship with Him; and responded in faith & repentance.  For me to have a relationship with Him I must spend time getting to Him through reading His Word and talking to Him in prayer daily.  For me to teach God's truths to my children requires me to teach them with my words and show them with my actions.  I can't speak and show God's truth if I don't first know them myself and practice it in my life!  As Vickie Courtney puts it in her book Your Girl "Practice what we preach and preach what we practice." 

My desire is to be the godly wife & mother God has called me to be and it is a work in progress!

*The Bible (ESV)

Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  
2 Corinthians 1:3-4  (NIV)

And Two Days Later...

God was still encouraging and convicting me as Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day:

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Deuteronomy 6:6 & 7.
 

Doubt? God Answers!

Yesterday I lacked motivation all day.  As the hours passed I got cranky, because I was letting the day pass by and not doing anything productive!

At 3pm I knew I had to get the kids school lessons accomplished for day before we went to church at around 5pm, so I made them stop playing and come into the dinning area for school lessons.

They complained.

I got upset.

I was frustrated and knew we (I) had wasted the day, but I was taking it out on them as if it was their fault.

Then it got better.

Sebastian & I snuggled up in my bed and read a story or two while Katherine did her lessons on the computer.

And then, it unraveled again. 

I asked Sebastian to get his handwriting lesson out of the drawer and begin working on it, while I assisted Katherine, who had a question about her lesson. Sebastian couldn't find his handwriting lessons, which frustrated me.  I was asking him to do the same thing he does everyday, but yesterday he could not understand that I wanted him to pull out the 3rd blue drawer, pick up the two sheets in that drawer,  and do those two handwriting practice sheets while I helped Katherine.

No, I didn't respond as the kind, loving, respectful, non-frustrated mom.  Instead I used harsh words.

Why can't you do what I've asked?  This isn't hard, Sebastian!  I need you to listen to what I've asked and do it, so I can help your sister.  I can't help you both at the same time.  

Sebastian did finally understand and do what I ask, but the damage from me was already done.  I saw it on his face.


As I began to help Katherine I snapped at her, because she wanted me to help her with an answer on her quiz.

I wasn't being a good teacher or mother.  I wasn't honoring Christ with my words or actions, and I knew it! I felt like a failure, and I questioned whether or not God wanted Wes & I to homeschool the kids.  I doubted my ability, their ability, and just about everything else I could think of!

This morning I received an encouraging newsletter in my inbox from homeschoolhelper@homeschoolingtoday.com that was exactly what I needed after the day I'd had yesterday!

God used scripture from my devotion today and the article Considering Homeschooling? Fear Not! by J.J. Francis to calm all the doubts I had yesterday about homeschooling. 

Yes, God provides wisdom, strength, and encouragement when we need it when we seek Him.

Haunted Questions of Today

So today I feel like a terrible mom and teacher.  I'm frustrated and worried.  I'm wondering if Katherine & Sebastian are where they should be academically.  I wonder whether I'm actually teaching them anything productive.  Are they really learning?  Am I a teaching them anything correctly?  Where are they compared to their friends in public schools?  Is Katherine still above average as she was when she attended public school?  What level is she on now?  Am I pushing Sebastian enough with his reading?  Is he building a strong foundation? 

Why am I doubting so much today?  Why am I so caught up in comparing myself (& my family) to others?

Today I'm discouraged and struggling.

I realize the problem is my lack of focus, self discipline, and structure.

I'm asking the Lord to draw me closer to Him and teach me how to be more disciplined with Him and with my family.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God, my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not,
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me!


Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.


Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!


Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me!

Words: Thomas O. Chisholm
Music: William M. Runyan
Copyright 1923 Renewed 1953 Hope Publishing

Katherine's Baptism

On Sunday, February 6, 2011, Katherine stood before the church and confessed her need for a savior and her faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

This morning, February 13, 2011, Katherine followed in believer's baptism.

Rescued

Katherine had something amazing happen to her. 

On Sunday, February 6, 2011, Katherine stood before the church and confessed her need for a savior and her faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.  She will be baptized this Sunday.

As her parents, Wes and I have prayed for the time when she would take the knowledge she's possessed about Jesus and realize her need for a savior and desire a relationship with Him.  We are thankful that God drew her to Him and she responded in repentance and faith.

Passion for God

God used the message below (via facebook) to speak to me.

A woman after God's own heart is first and foremost a woman who has in her own heart a deep and abiding passion for God's Word.  And her children are to receive the first-fruits of this burning personal passion.  The Bible speaks twice of "the law" or teaching of the mother (Prov. 1:8, 6:20), indicating that you and I as mothers are on assignment from God to teach His Word to our children.  We cannot impart what we do not possess, so it is vital that you and I nurture a fierce passion for God's Word and wisdom in our own heart.


 I was challenged & convicted concerning my passion for God and His Word, and the important responsibility God has given me as a mother.  My prayer is that this will challenge you to be more passionate in your relationship with Christ and passing that passion onto your children as it did me.

Amused and Very Blessed

I'm amused at how God places people in our lives to grow our relationship with him.  Several years ago God placed two extra special godly women in my life who have challenged me, prayed for me, cried with me, and always told me the truth even when it wasn't what I wanted to hear. 

Now these women are not perfect and nor do they claim to be.  They don't want me to desire to be like them.  They desire for me to be more like Christ.  They desire to see me grow and mature in my relationship with Christ.  They love me just the way I am and yet they continue to remind me to look to Christ.

I don't have the opportunity to see these women much these days, but they are still a great influence in my life.  When we call one another one of the first things they want to know is how my relationship with the Lord is and if I've been staying in the Word.

I love these two ladies and thank God for bringing them into my life.  These two women hold a special place in my heart and it matters not the physical distance God has placed between us. 

Thankful

I have been reading Joanne Heim's blog A Simple Wife since the end of November 2010.

On January 11, 2011, Joanne suffered a major stroke. Joanne is 38 years old!

Joanne and her husband, Toben, have two daughters, Audrey (12) & Emma (10).  I cannot imagine what they are going through, and I ask you to please pray for the Heim family.

Each day Toben list praises and prayer requests (A Simple Wife), and yesterday he ask prayer for Jeremy & Heather Noce, who are friends of friends.  Heather had an aneurysm / stroke a few weeks before Joanne, and they are in the same facility now.  Jeremy & Heather have two children 4  & 7.

As I read about Heather and Joanne my heart aches for their husbands and children.  My heart aches that these mother's are not able to put their kids to bed tonight or walk into their kids room to give them a big hug.  My heart aches for all the things I get to do with my kids today that these mother's can't.  My heart aches for all the mundane task like cooking dinner or doing laundry that these two moms would love to be doing today.

I hurt for these women and their families, and yet through their lives God is teaching me.  He is using their story to work in my life.

So tonight I will pray for these women and their families and thank God for the answered prayers for Joanne's health.  I will thank God for the opportunity to be a wife & mom.  I will thank Him for allowing me to be with them today and not in a hospital.  I will thank Him for my current health and my family's health.  I will keep in mind only God knows what tomorrow will bring, but He will also be the one to get us through it.

Inspired

Here is my favorite resolution and one I make every year:

     I'm not going to make a resolution!

That is a resolution I make & keep every year.  It works out nicely!

I still hold to that idea, but I was reading over at Owl Creek Cottage, and through her post Not the End I found myself reminded that it is good to have goals.  If I don't have a goals I won't desire to grow and learn more, so with that I decided I'd set some goals and start the process of working towards those goals. 

One of the goals I have set for myself is to be more intentional about reading.  This is new for me as I was NOT the child growing up that always had a book in her hand.  There were books I enjoyed reading as a kid, but I wasn't known as a book worm.  I had those friends who ALWAYS had a book in their hand.  They read at every spare moment they had.  Well, that just wasn't me!

Thanks to my father-in-law, Verne Kenney, who has shown me through the years how important it is to continue to learn, and for my sister-in-law, Julia Peterson, who has inspired me to be more intentional about reading this year at A Year of Reading Regularly, I am setting a goal to read two books a month.

I have plenty of books on my bookshelf that I've planned to read for a while or books I started and never completed to keep me reading for several months. This will be a challenge for me, but I'm excited to begin this goal of reading more.

Now, it's your turn!  Do you have specific goals for this year?  If you do, then leave me a comment and let me know what it is.  I'd love to hear about it.

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay!
Mold me and make me, 
After Thy will,
While I am waiting,
Yielded and still.


Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord,
Wash me just now,
As in Thy presence 
Humbly I bow.


Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, Help me, I pray!
Power, all power 
Surely is Thine! 
Touch me and heal me, 
Savior divine.


Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being Absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit
Till all shall see
Christ only, always
Living in me.
(Words: Adelaide A. Pollard & Music: George C. Stebbins)

This song has been on my mind this week, and I wanted to share it with you.  Sometimes it's nice to read the words of such a great hymn as sometimes when we sing it we don't pay attention to the great words of truth we're singing.