What's Your Impact?

Throughout your busy day, are your thoughts constantly wrestling with the multitude of philosophical questions plaguing society? I grapple consistently with so many topics bouncing around my overactive brain.  Perhaps, my obsessive tendencies cause me to return to these questions, or perhaps I just want to know the answers.  The world gives us one answer to life's questions, but God gives us a much different answer.  His Word tells us:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9

Where is Home?

Where is HOME to you?


Where are your roots?


Hmmmmm....


These are questions often asked.


Makes me think and wonder...Where is my home?


Do we have a home? or a hometown?

A Different Kind of Resolution

A new year brings new beginnings and fresh starts.  Each January my hub and I sit down and compile a list of goals.  Every year I hope to be thinner, fitter, smarter, and wiser.  I strive to be a better wife and mom.  I hope for big accomplishments and attain a few.

But the reality is every year I have just about the same body I had the year before. I'm just about as fit as I was the year before.  I've read a few more books, seen a few more museums and checked a couple more items of the bucket list of life.

Ultimately, my life goal is to be a Proverbs 31 woman. At the end, I hope it can be said, as in Miss Rumphius, (with God's help and guidance) I've done my part to make the world a little more beautiful.

This year rather than taking the same approach to goal setting, I'm going to proceed a bit differently and go back to basics. Thinking about the new year and setting goals, I was impressed to consider Exodus and the 10 Commandments.  A fresh look at these well known Commandments offers guidelines to everyday living in 2012. After each commandment, I'll insert my own personal application.

1)  YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME

No other gods before the One True Holy God.

My resolution:  Do not bow to the god of materialism, the god of security, the god of comfort, the god of gluttony/food, the god of obsessive behavior, the god of money, the god of health and fitness, the god of busyness, the god of perfectionism, or any other god that would take first place in my life over GOD.  I shall be loyal to God.

2)  YOU SHALL NOT MAKE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE

Worship shall be directed to God alone.

My resolution: Continuing to develop, know and worship God will be a daily part of life.  I will continue to  share God's love with our kids.

3)  YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD IN VAIN

Speaking God's name shall be done in respect and with honor.

My resolution: When I speak of God, I will honor His goodness and blessings He's placed in our life.  One of my favorite sayings will still ring true, "God is Good All the Time!"

4)  REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY AND KEEP IT HOLY

Honoring God by slowing down and resting.

My resolution:  This is a hard one for me.  Taking time to slow down feels like wasting precious hours.  It will be hard to take time to slow down, rest and allow time for God to speak, restore, and rejuvenate, but as a commandment, I realize it must be important.  I will rest.  When I don't, please remind me of #4!  Seeking accountability here!

5)  HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER

God has blessed me with great parents, grandparents and in-laws.

My resolution:  I will respect and honor my parents, grandparents and in-laws.  They were placed in my life by God.  I will cherish family history and strive to learn more about our forefathers who were so instrumental in making us who we are today.  It is a goal to begin an ancestry study this year.

6)  YOU SHALL NOT MURDER

Have reverence for life and respect those around you.

My resolution:  I will continue to support organizations who work to support and honor life.  I will continue to support organizations like Childcare Worldwide that seek to save the lives of children around the globe.  I will be open and consider opportunities God places in our lives in which we can support those who are seeking new beginnings.  I want to encourage those around us to succeed.  I want to be a dream encourager not a dream killer.

7)  YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

Marriage is sacred.  I don't know if there has been a year in all our married life that we've seen more marriages of Christian couples blow up.  It's heartbreaking!  My hub and I have discussed this and it saddens us.  When we married we made a covenant commitment before God until death do us part.

My resolution:  We will stay married.  I know that sounds strange, but with so many marriages falling apart I think it should be announced we will commit to make this marriage work with a Christ-centered focus, and open communication.  We will do this because it's a commandment, and also because we have a history, three beautiful children and there's nothing in this world worth blowing it up.

8)  YOU SHALL NOT STEAL

I will not take what doesn't belong to me.  I will work diligently.

My resolution:  If I didn't work for it, and it wasn't a gift; it's not mine.  I think this also applies to time.  There are certain hours in the day that are designated to our kids schooling.  I will not take their hours for my own.

9)  YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR

Be truthful.  Reserve judgement until all the facts are known.  No gossiping.

My resolution:  My words shall be used to build up others and not tear down or wound.  Be a source of encouragement.

10)  YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR'S POSSESSIONS

Do not be jealous about what someone else has or what they've earned.

My resolution:  It is my desire to be content.  This is hard when we live in the land of the O.C. or better known as the OH WOW!

Although I see many around us with more and better, my heart shall be content with what we have.

Although I see those around me lifting more weight and doing more pull-ups, I shall be content.

When I see a gal with beautifully manicured eyebrows or a wonderful Brazilian blowout, I will be content with my home blown hair and self-tweezed brows.

When I see cute, thin yoga-momma in her Lululemon's, I will be grateful for my curvy figure- I hear curves are making a comeback.

I will appreciate and compliment others on the blessings they receive and I will refrain for wishing for more.  Contentment.  It's a good thing!

And lastly...

Love this year as I've never loved before.  

As commanded in Luke 10:27

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Happy New Year!

Heartfelt Gratitude

I'm speechless...if that's possible.

This has been a year of thankfulness.

Even though I'd like to think I know myself pretty well, it's amazing how God continues to reveal aspects of inner thinking continually.  Just when I think I have most things figured out...I realize I don't.  One area I've realized He may be working on is the ability to receive graciously.

A few night's ago, as I was driving home from a friend's house, I was thinking on this last year and the generosity of family and friends.  I was overcome with overwhelming gratitude, but also a sense of overwhelming indebtedness!  Tears streamed down my face as I thought on recent gifts we've received.  Christmas may have brought on more emotions than normal, but I realized although I'm so grateful for the gifts, I also have a hard time receiving them.

I spent the last few days since the tearful drive trying to unpack the reservations I have with receiving.  Why is it so hard?  Why do I feel indebtedness along with gratitude?

Here's some of what I came up with:

1)  Receiving is difficult when I feel I didn't earn it.  I have a strong work ethic and value earning what is received.  If I didn't work for it, I have a hard time accepting it.

2)  I love giving. If you're familiar with the 5 Love Languages, giving is one of the ways I show love to others.  I love pouring out on others, but having others pour out on me is difficult.  I honestly feel bad for those giving.  Maybe there's a sense I don't feel worth the gift.  There are a number of stories of times I'm sure my parents could share of loser boyfriends taking advantage of an extravagantly giving girlfriend.  I think I've tried to justify this over the years, but deep down I think I internalized, I wasn't worth giving to.

3)  Keeping it even.  Like most people and family members I tend to keep it even. By keeping the giving even, no one feels left out.  I spend $25, you spend $25. Even! This type of giving allows all recipients to leave on balanced terms.  But, when I give a $25 gift yet receive a $100 gift, I feel awkward, and unbalanced.  The $25 gift, although nice, pales in light of the $100 gift.  When this happens to me I feel like a loser, baby!  Now, if I gave the $100 gift and received the $25 gift, no problem.  This practice is okay in my world.

4)  Payback.  When receiving an extravagant gift I feel like I need to write up an I.O.U.  When my hub and I purchased our first home two family members loaned us some money to complete the purchase.  We both felt so indebted, within the first year we had paid back both parties.  One family member said, in all their years of giving/lending we were the only ones to pay back.  I loved that.  I never want to take advantage of an extravagant giver.

5)  Remember when... Lastly, I think I have a hard time receiving because I never want to have a gift held over my head.  In tough times, I never want someone to say, "Remember when I gave you ____?"  In a sense I don't want to feel owned by someone's giving.  Maybe it's pride?  Who knows?

This whole experience has caused me to once again reflect on salvation- the most amazing, free, no strings attached GIFT of all! When I was 8-years old I accepted Christ.  My world was full of faith and I wanted to have a relationship with Christ, although I did not understand what this meant. Through my teen years and early 20's I ditched much of my faith for the world.  The result was a BIG, tangled mess of a life.

In my mid-twenties my relationship with Christ got back on track.  I recommitted my life and began the slow journey back.  I strongly believe God allows growth at a rate which you can handle.  I had a lot of learning to do and a lot of dealing with my "stuff."

I think the hardest thing I dealt with accepting was grace.  I didn't allow myself much grace and could not imagine a Holy God pouring out grace on such a wretch as me.

A memory from about 20 years ago that is etched in my mind was the night I REALLY understood and embraced this salvation Christ was offering with no strings attached; no expectations in return; nothing to be earned; just a free gift!  I had just finished an evening class at Bible Study Fellowship.  I don't remember what we were studying or what the lecture was even about.  All I remember was going to my car; sitting in the driver's seat; and being hit with the enormity of the gift Christ poured out on me.

I had this vision of Him saying, "Bring it;  all your heartache; all you sin; all your stuff you don't want the world to see or know about;  Bring it!  I will take it.  I willingly take your sin and shortcomings so you can be clean.  I have made the sacrifice.  Release it."

Up to this point, I don't think I truly understood the sacrifice Christ made for me. Yet, in my car I sensed Perfect Jesus so lovingly letting me know He died for my sin so I could be free from the heaviness and the burden of it.  I couldn't imagine how he voluntarily would take on my yucky sins when he was without sin, but He promises to do so.  There was nothing more I could do to earn freedom from this sin.  I could not work my way out of it.  I just needed to receive it!


Ephesians 2:8-9 reads,"For by grace you have been saved through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, so that no one can boast."


The Bible tells us salvation is a free gift; not a gift through works.


For a gift giver; who does not receive well; who thinks all gifts must be earned; this is a concept that is really hard to embrace.


Over the years I've accepted God's gift and embraced it with gratitude, but this Christmas I feel like he's wanting me to learn to accept gifts from others.  It's a strange thing and really difficult.


A dear friend, who has been so generous, recently said to me something like, "This is your time to receive the gift."


Although difficult, I am trying.  Breaking the faulty thought processes attached to receiving is hard.


I'm hoping 2012 brings new lessons to learn, but for today I will be filled with gratitude!

Thank you Mikey, Mom, Dad, Gommer P., Gommer Wally, Grandpa Wallace, Jama, Suzie, Denise, Jennifer and John, and my three amazingly giving children!

Where to begin...

My brain is swirling with too many thoughts and ideas for posts.  My camera is filled with food photos of recipes to share, but there's just not enough time in the day.

This blog is primarily a journal so I can pass down family history, stories, ideas, recipes, and examples of God's goodness witnessed.  I don't want to ever take anything for granted and hope to teach our kids that God is GOOD ALL THE TIME!

Yesterday I was feeling down, in despair, and destitute- actually quite pitiful.  The word that came to mind was RAW.  I know on the blog, and in life, I may seem upbeat and cheery, but there are times when I feel like the scales are tipping to the side of uncertainty, "What do we do now?"  It's at these moments when I realize I'm not in control. God has a plan.  He's making me and molding me into the person He desires me to be.  Reliant on Him, rather than reliant on self.

This has been a tough year on us.  Like many Americans, we've been hit pretty hard with the economic downturn.  Living on one income is difficult.  Unexpected expenses can really rock the financial boat.  We've had a number of unexpected expenses arise.  I feel like we've had a financial earthquake and the aftershocks keep rolling in.  I wonder when it will end, but I'm afraid to even ask.

Through all of this God continues to teach us lessons.

The Stuff Doesn't Matter

In 2007, my hub was offered a job position in Southern California.  We had a comfortable life in the Pacific Northwest.  We had a lot of friends, a GREAT church, a wonderful community, newly built custom home, a view of majestic mountains, everything we could dream of.  I remember walking our property talking with God.  I didn't want to move.  I loved all we had.  I loved the comfort and security.  I sensed Him asking me, "Do you love this house, more than you love what I have in store for you?  Do you love this property more than the plans I have for you?  Do you love that view more than what awaits?"

These are tough questions!

At that time He gave me the following verses:

Genesis 12:1

"Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you."

Hebrews 12:1  

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,"

I like how The Message rephrases it too:

Hebrews 12:1-3

Discipline in a Long-Distance Race

"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"

I knew God was asking me to jump out of the comfort zone and head to a new land with new adventures in store.  He was dealing with my heart and my stuff.  I took to heart, "throw off anything that hinders."  I had a lot of sentimental stuff hindering me from moving.  We began to move things out, but that was only the beginning.

Even after paring down, we moved to SoCal with A LOT!  I really felt for our poor movers.  Over the last couple years we've thrown off probably thousands of pounds of hindrances, but there's still more to be done. I'm giving away and selling so much.  It's freeing!  And I've realized so much of it just doesn't matter temporarily or eternally.  It's cluttering up our house, my heart, and our family freedom.

God, Where Are You?

Over the last six months or so, I feel like I've been in a boxing match getting knocked into the rings, finding strength to get up only to get hit again. God's blessed us with amazing resilience, but it gets exhausting.  I can't tell you how many times I've had "Job" moments.  Now there's a man who went THROUGH it!!

Over the last few months we've lost friends to illness, our cat died, we've had financial strains, broken bones, dental issues, and we're looking at being transferred once again.  We're living in a state of uncertainty.  I've noticed anxiety creeping into life again.  Living in the moment has gone out the window while my mind is preoccupied with worries about how this is all going to work out.  Since I'm such a control-freak, I'm so quick to try to grab the reins from God thinking He has NO IDEA where we're going.  I'm just like the Israelites during the Exodus.  You'd think I'd learn something along the way, but apparently I haven't grasped the concept yet!

I'm reading Beth Moore's Breaking Free right now.  Could there be a more perfect book, besides the Bible, for me to read?  I'd quote the whole book because it's that good, but that would make for one HUGE blog, so I'll keep it short.

"God surpasses our dreams when we reach past our personal plans and agendas to grab the hand of Christ and walk the path He has chosen for us."

"His Word, 'is a lamp to my feet.' meaning a guide for the steps I'm taking right now.  His Word is also 'a light for my path,' meaning a guide for my immediate future.  God's Word sheds light on our 'present' path and our immediate future so we'll know what steps to take, but for further instruction we'll have to walk today and check again!"

God does know where we're going.  He hears the cries of uncertainty and reassures. He's been consistently revealing himself through His Word, other books, sermons, and my kids.

Listen to the Kids

I may not have mentioned it yet to day, but our kids are awesomeness!  They provide great perspective and wisdom continually.

Yesterday, when I had the look of a stressed out mom, our oldest son said to me, "Mom, this is just like Soul Surfer.  When Bethany lost her arm and thought she had lost it all, she went to Thailand.  God gave her perspective in her situation.  Mom, you just need to check your perspective."

Oh my word!  Was that my precious child who just spoke these amazing words? Love Him!  The wisdom of youth is priceless!

I had lost perspective.  He guided me back on the path.

Last Thoughts...

When the Israelites were full of doubt in their weakness Moses reassured them,

"Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.  The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you;  you need only to be still."  Exodus 14:13-14

So, I will be still, or as The Message reads, "keep your mouth shut!"  God has a plan. He is the potter, I am the clay.  Sometimes this molding process can just be a bit uncomfortable.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Psalm 8:1-2

LORD, our Lord, 

   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

   You have set your glory 

   in the heavens. 

² Through the praise of children and infants 

   you have established a stronghold against your enemies, 

   to silence the foe and the avenger. 

Once a month I volunteer at our church nursery.  It's my opportunity to hold babies and enjoy the wonder and amazement only seen in the eyes of children.  I love it when they look at a Cheerio with complete interest and abandon or, when over the raucous of kids playing, they hear music and start bouncing to the beat.  I especially love it when they look up with big, innocent eyes and whisper in a faint voice something VERY important, perhaps even earth-shaking.  The wisdom of children should never be overlooked.  I've found they're privy to the truths the aged have adulterated.  I was reminded once again to listen to the children, for from their innocence they still know the truth of our Creator. 

Yesterday as the children were arriving, leaders were greeting, entertaining and inviting them to play.  Some of the younger ones began to cry.  I usually hold the crying babies until they're settled.  While holding them I watched the older children who were excited to see the array of toys, puzzles, play-dough, books, and friends.

Shortly after arriving, a little two-year old girl, named Faye, walked up to me.  She had sparkly blue eyes and very short, slightly curly blond hair.  Faye wanted to tell me something.  I squatted to the floor, and listened intently over the drum of racing cars and battery powered toys.  My ears were straining to make sense of the language of this precious two year old.  I felt like I needed an interpreter.  I looked at her and asked her to repeat.  Faye delivered her message again.  Again, I couldn't understand.  I started to offer suggestions for what I "thought" I was hearing.  Patiently, she repeated herself again, and again, and again.  My brain was working overtime, trying to decipher the two-year old English.    Finally, I was beginning to put it together.  Faye began to smile at this persistent 40-something.  She was being understood.

Faye said again, "JESUS IS POWERFUL!"

Oh my word, Faye, your are right!  What an amazing collection of three words!

It doesn't get much better than that!

Jesus knew I needed to hear those words that morning.  He knew the delivery would come from a precious two year old.  He knew I'd listen to a 2-year old.

So many times we look to the "intellectual" or "learned" men to explain the truths of the universe to us, but often all we need to do is look in the eyes of a child to remind us what is REALLY important.

So today, my reflection will be on the following verse.  May my words be pleasing to the Lord, as Faye's were.

Psalm 19:14

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart 

   be pleasing in your sight, 

   LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Handling Criticism...Not One of My Strengths

Hello.  My name is Kimberly, and I'm People Pleaser.  I wish I could say, "I'm a recovering people pleaser,"  but that's not the case as of yet.  I've worked on Boundaries, recovery and the like for years, but the people pleasing is a flaw that I'll probably take with me to the grave.

If you follow this blog, you may know I was recently defriended on Facebook. Honestly, the rejection from the defriending really threw me for a loop.  I tend to be the type of person who is loyal to the end in friendships, often at my own expense.  I don't like friction and will choose being agreeable rather than making waves.  Some people have no issue expressing their displeasure to your face, but I'd just about rather experience another root canal than confront someone who intimidates me.  Hurting the feelings of another makes my heart hurt, so I avoid.  I know this isn't being honest about your feelings with others, but sometimes being this kind of honest is just really hard.

I found a great article on being a people pleaser.  If you're unsure of what constitutes a People Pleaser, check out these signs:

Signs of a People Pleaser

• Someone who says yes, even when their mind says no.
• Someone who is devastated when they think someone doesn’t like them.
• Someone who would rather feel personal pain than displease another.
• Someone who cringes at the first sign of friction.
• Someone who is willing to fail in the name of pleasing another.
• Someone who has lost their own sense of unique personality and belief.
• Someone who is not willing to speak up for themselves.
• Someone who loses sleep over the slightest altercation with another.
• Someone who feels out of control when they think another human being may disagree with what they’re doing.
• Someone who starts to see their desire to please others as a separate part of themselves.  Separate from the rest of who they are as an individual.

Sadly, despite all the efforts to break out of and overcome this disease of people pleasing, one glance at this list causes me to once again realize I continue to be held hostage by the reactions of others.  

I told my sweetheart the other day, I wish more people would criticize or knock me down me so I could toughen up  a bit.  I remember when I worked selling real estate I had to learn to deal with rejection.  It was very hard at first.  I remember not being chosen for various jobs.  At first I'd wonder, "Why didn't they choose me?"  As time went on, I began to roll with it all.  Sometimes, I'd get bent, but overall I felt what was meant to be happened.  

This morning I was working on my Bible study and once again the story of Mary and Martha was the topic of examination.  Why does God always bring back Mary and Martha?  I can't seem to escape those two sisters.  Perhaps I haven't yet learned what I need to learn from them.  

The study question was focusing on John 12:3

New International Version (NIV)3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume

Precious Mary, here she is, once again choosing the right thing to do.  She took the perfume (pure nard), which was supposed to be her dowry, and poured it on the feet of Jesus.  This was a big deal!  This perfume could have held her future.  She was sacrificing possibly her most valuable earthly possession for her Savior. Unbeknownst to her, she was preparing Jesus for his burial by pouring this perfume on him.


She was honoring and living for Christ, at his feet.  Precious. Oh, how I wish I was Mary!  But just when I think I may have a Mary moment, I realize I'm a Martha.


While Mary was pouring out this expensive gift on Jesus, the criticism began. Judas piped up, criticizing her.  The Bible doesn't tell us what Mary did right then.  I want to know what the expression on her face looked like.  Did she look hurt?  Did she start crying?  Did she look up at Jesus and seek his protection?  Did He give her a reassuring look?  Did He look at her with approval?  Did Mary feel like she was defriended by one in Jesus's inner circle?  Accusations started pouring out regarding her actions.  

I love what Jesus said to Judas,   

"Leave her alone..."

This is music to my ears!  Jesus is our Protector!


There are times in life when accusations and unkind words will come our way.  I love that fact that I can turn to the Bible and find answers for the brokenness I experience in everyday life.  I know that in those pages I can find people who have walked sinful lives, just like me, and found sweet forgiveness.  I can find people who struggle with the same life stuff I struggle with.  I find real people who are rejected and broken.  I can also find people who are restored and made whole.


In my defriending, I learned one reason (I'm sure there were more) I was defriended was because of my pro-life stance.  I guess if I'm to be defriended for loving the unborn, that's okay.  I will always stand for LIFE, because I know my God loves life!


I can't help but wonder, even though Jesus told Judas to leave Mary alone, if she felt the sting of the words from someone who was in the "inner circle."  Judas was one of Jesus's disciples.  At this point, they didn't know Judas was going to betray Jesus.  Jesus knew, but the rest of those present might have been thinking, "Yeah, Mary!  What are you doing?"


I wonder if Mary had a moment wondering if she had done the right thing?  I wonder if Mary anticipated her actions would be pleasing to Jesus, but criticized by the others present?  I wonder if she went to Martha afterward and discussed the event? Did she wonder if she did the right thing?  Afterward, did Mary want to crawl under a rock and say, "I'm never going to go out again.  I can't handle the criticism and rejection."


I wish we knew more of what Mary was thinking.  What I do know, is we know what we were supposed to know of Mary.


I guess one thing I've learned through all of this may sound cliche:

"You can please all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot please all the people all the time." 

That's the way it goes.  No matter how hard we think we try, we won't please all the people all the time.  And that needs to be okay.

Nothing New Under the Sun

What has been will be again.

what has been done will be done again/

there is nothing new under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:9

This morning during our Bible time we read about Elisha prophesying to the future leader of Syria, Hazael in 2 Kings 8.  God allowed the prophet, Elisha, to see Hazael's evil heart and the murderous plan he had to kill the ruling Syrian king and then take the throne.  In seeing Hazael's future, Elisha also saw what the Syrian king would do to the Israelites.  I thought to myself...Syria.  Israel.  Conflict. Nothing new under the sun.

In the book study classes I'm teaching, one class is reading The Drinking Gourd (also included Follow the Drinking Gourd) and the other class is reading Out of the Dust.

In Follow the Drinking Gourd a family of slaves is risking their safety and their lives to reach FREEDOM.  Others assisting them working on the Underground Railroad are risking their lives and safety to help the slaves reach FREEDOM.  FREEDOM is valuable!  FREEDOM is worth risking your life just to attain.  I tell our kids and the students in my class to never take FREEDOM for granted.  It is lost all too quickly and is hard to gain back, just look at history...Please!

Having the FREEDOM to homeschool is such a gift!  I'm thankful for everyday that we live in a country where we can homeschool, but I never take it for granted as the right can be taken away.

On a quick search I found at least 39 countries where it is actually illegal to homeschool.  Included in the list are:

Germany, Greece, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Croatia, Georgia, Iceland, Netherlands, Spain, Lithuania, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, Cuba, Greenland, Guatemala, Turkey, Brazil, and China to name a few.

Freedom is such a gift and if we truly examine history when people want for a change and turn over personal rights and freedoms to leadership or government in hopes that they'll be taken care of...they lose.  Remember, nothing new under the sun.  Just ask the Israelites what happened when they wanted a King and then make your way down the history timeline.

Before I leave the topic of slavery, let's not fool ourselves and think it's no longer around.  Just as evil is alive and thriving, so is slavery.  In fact, according to International Justice Mission,

More children, women and men are held in slavery right now than over the course of the entire trans-Atlantic slave trade: Millions toil in bondage, their work and even their bodies the property of an owner.

This is an outrage that it still exists.  Nothing new under the sun.

In the Out of the Dust book study we're all getting a glimpse of what true poverty, tragedy, and desolation look like.  The people who lived through the Depression and Dust Bowl experienced hardship I don't think any American now knows unless they lived through it in their youth.  We are a blessed and spoiled people.  We don't understand the hardship experienced in the 30's.  My heart aches for what Americans during this era experienced, but what amazes me is their willingness to work hard (for meager pay), persevere, and be strong during this tough time.  I've watched many videos from survivors of the Dust Bowl on Living History Farm. These were tough times!  What the farmers of Middle America experienced caused me to think on the plagues Egypt experienced.  In addition to dust storms, those in the Dust Bowl saw drought, destruction, grasshoppers eating everything, including their clothing, famine, then day turning into night, death, disease, etc.

Finally, thinking on the poverty of the era.  The families we're reading about in Out of the Dust basically lived in extreme poverty, yet if someone stumbled onto their doorstep, or if a baby was born, they continued to find ways to give.  If we turn back to history, God tells us, "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."  Give to the poor, don't expect someone else to take care of it.  God's command was to us, the individual.  Doing without, scraping by, being creative in providing for yourself and your family is nothing new and in this process give some of what you're blessed with to someone else.

There are many other correlations I've seen through our learning, but these were the few that have occupied my thoughts.  Disunity, strife, conflict, poverty, slavery, greed...nothing new under the sun.

I cannot close on the negativity though.  I also believe that faithfulness, truth, perseverance, hard work, honesty, humility, surrender, obedience, giving, compassion, kindness, and sacrifice are nothing new under the sun.  We each just need to make a choice where we're individually going to invest ourselves.

Book Study: Out of the Dust Week 3

Week 3- Spring 1934 and Summer 1934

Last week we introduced an art project, self-portraits.  In our hour long class, many students were only able to make it through the drawing of the face, so we  will continue working on this project this week at the end of class.

Review assigned Out of the Dust Study Guide pages from Progeny Press.  

This was a really tough week for readers.  Learning of the devastating accident Billie Jo's family experienced created a heaviness for the class.  I had one student tell me while her mom was reading, she began to cry.  Crying is a good thing.  As readers we're grieving along with the character.  In a sense, we've come to know and have grown attached to Billie Jo.  We've gotten a sense of the hardships she experienced with her family in Oklahoma during the 1930's.  It was difficult to read of yet another difficult time for this young girl.

Through reading a chapter like this the door is opened for discussion on dealing with unexpected accidents, death, and grief.  As an additional activity, students may research the grieving process more thoroughly.  This discussion also invites readers to examine the way the different characters handled the situation:  Billie Jo, her dad, the ladies who came to help.

Because of the heaviness of this week, I decided to make something that would lighten the mood a bit before students left the class.

Billie Jo talks of apples just about every week.  This week we learned of her mother's apple trees failing due to the harsh dust storms and weather.  Since it is apple season, I made Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze  (recipe following) and gave each student a copy of the recipe.  

The Bible verses from this week covered everything from speaking words of encouragement to a Biblical view on conservationism and environmentalism.  They are as follows:

Bible Verses for Out of the Dust Spring and Summer 1934

Proverbs 11:9

 ⁹ With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
   but through knowledge the righteous escape.


Proverbs 12:25
 ²⁵ Anxiety weighs down the heart,
   but a kind word cheers it up.


Proverbs 16:24
 ²⁴ Gracious words are a honeycomb,
   sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.


Proverbs 17:9
 ⁹ Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,
   but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.


Proverbs 17:22
 ²² A cheerful heart is good medicine,
   but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.


Genesis 1:28-30 

²⁸ God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
    ²⁹ Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. ³⁰ And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Psalm 8:6-8

⁶ You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
   you put everything under their^[a] feet:
⁷ all flocks and herds,
   and the animals of the wild,
⁸ the birds in the sky,
   and the fish in the sea,
   all that swim the paths of the seas.

Leviticus 25:1-7

The Sabbath Year

 ¹ The LORD said to Moses at Mount Sinai, ² “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the LORD. ³ For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. ⁴ But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. ⁵ Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest. ⁶ Whatever the land yields during the sabbath year will be food for you—for yourself, your male and female servants, and the hired worker and temporary resident who live among you, ⁷ as well as for your livestock and the wild animals in your land. Whatever the land produces may be eaten.

Leviticus 26:34

³⁴ Then the land will enjoy its sabbath years all the time that it lies desolate and you are in the country of your enemies; then the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths.


2 Chronicles 36:21

²¹ The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah.

Matthew 18:21-22

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

 ²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

 ²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.^[a]


Mark 11:25

²⁵ And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Colossians 3:13
¹³


Matthew 7:1-4
¹ “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
   ³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?


Ecclesiastes 9:11
 ¹¹ I have seen something else under the sun:
   The race is not to the swift
   or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
   or wealth to the brilliant
   or favor to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all.


Luke 13:1-5

Repent or Perish

 ¹ Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. ² Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? ³ I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze
Makes 9 X 13 Cake

Apple Cake Ingredients:


3 cups all purpose flour
2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 eggs
1 cup canola oil
2 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups finely chopped apples
1/2-1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)

Brown Sugar Glaze:

1 cup packed light brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoon heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 9 X 13 rectangular pan  Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.  Stir with a whisk to mix everything together.

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs until light in color and foamy.  Add the oil and vanilla and mix well.

Add egg mixture to dry ingredients and stir until flour disappears.  Do not over mix.  Add apples and nuts (if using).

Pour batter into prepared pan.  Bake 40-45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

After removing cake from oven, make glaze.

Brown Sugar Glaze

Combine brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and heavy cream in saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Cook 3-5 minutes.

Spoon hot glaze over the hot-from-the-oven cake.  Let the glazed cake cool completely before serving.

Dreams Do Come True

This is what JOY looks like!

Yesterday I saw a dream come true.  I witnessed a beautiful friend marry the man of her dreams.

Following the wedding, as we were walking by she peeked out this window.  Seeing her reminded me of Portuguese women whom I saw leaning out windows of white-washed homes on narrow cobblestone streets when I lived in the Azores as a child.  It was a common occurrence to see a single woman leaning out an open window while the man who was courting her would be in the street below.  (Notice, my dear friend's man is no longer in the street below).

Courtship.  What does it look like and what is it supposed to be?  There are many books written on the subject, but what I saw in the relationship of this precious couple over the last year offers a great definition.  Hope, commitment, determination, sacrifice, love, and most importantly a Christ-centeredness.

Just over two years ago, I met this kind-hearted, gentle young gal while volunteering at a summer Vacation Bible School week through our church.  Following our week of VBS, two of the gals and I formed a Bible study group.  They were both single and wanted to meet with an "older" mentor.  God had placed mentorship on my heart, but I wasn't sure who I was to mentor.  He figured it all out!  Our group of three grew to four and we've been meeting consistently for the past two years.

In addition to the bride, here are my other girlies.

Over the last couple years we've done many studies and had many conversations, but one of our most commonly discussed topics is being a single Christian woman.  We're currently doing a study on Falling in Love With Jesus.  It's applicable to both married and single women.  It's written by a married woman, Dee Brestin, and a single woman, Kathy Troccoli.  It's been a great book to remind us of our First Love and to seek after Him.  Daily, I gain nuggets to cling to as we are all continuing to grow in our relationship with Him.

Although it's been many years since I've been single, I know there are times it can be tough. Life can be tough married or single, but we're reminded God has a plan.  We cling to that!  In Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message) God reminds us, "I know what I'm doing.  I have it all planned out- plans to take care of you, not to abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."

We all need that reminder now and again.  He knows what He's doing.  He has our future planned out.  Sometimes it's just hard to be patient.
I've been so incredibly blessed by these gals sharing their hearts and lives with me.  I think of how much each of us has grown through our struggles, achievements, heartaches, and joy.  I especially love how God has knit our hearts together for such a time as this.

About a year ago, I told my gals, I hoped to see them walk down the aisle.  God is faithful and we've seen his answered prayers.  I'm so excited for what lies ahead for our precious newlyweds. 

Our newlywed gave us the book, Ocean Star, awhile back.   Here's The Ocean Star Blessing for my girls.  It is written by Christina DiMari.

Today, may you now your are a Star that is Designed to Shine.
Always stay connected to your Source of Life &
May the Living Water make you whole.
Always travel with a pod of people who bring out the best in you &
May you be protected from those who would destroy your Dreams.
Always remember your Heart is the wellspring of life &
May it be guarded by Truth and filled with Peace.
Always hold on to your Rock when the waves of adversity come &
May you be surprised by Pearls of encouragement along the way.
Always Look Up when choosing which way to go &
May the Bright Morning Star light your path.
Always believe in the infinite possibilities that are born of Faith &
May you use your gifts to Shine Brightly for others.~

Trying to Find Crazy Love Through a Baggie

The Baggie

I have a large gallon-sized baggie in the car.  The kids brought it home from church a couple weeks ago.  It is filled with hand sanitizer, snacks, personal hygiene items, and a Bible verse.  We prayed concerning the baggie asking God to allow this simple gesture of giving to bless someone.  We've been carrying it around for over a week now in the hopes of finding someone who may be in need. 

I'm going to be quite honest for a moment.  Don't pass judgement.  Thoughts that run through my head might be familiar thoughts that run through the minds of many Americans.

Before we had the baggie in the car, it seemed daily we were coming in contact with homeless people, or maybe they're just people with signs trying to look very pitiful.  To be quite honest they kind of annoy me.

One guy who sits at the post office is probably in his 20's.  He holds a sign that reads something like, "My wife and child are in a motel please help."  He actually used the word "Motel."  Motel just sounds bad.  Motel makes me think of dirty and gross.  It makes me think bed bugs and cockroaches.  Hotel sounds like a much nicer place.  Hotel sounds like crisp, white sheets and continental breakfast.  I wish he said his wife and child were in a hotel.  I wouldn't feel so bad for them.  I really wanted to go up to him and say, "Join the military, be a man and get a job."  I wondered if he really did have a wife and child in a motel.  Okay, maybe I'm heartless, but I'm being honest.  He looks workable.  When I see him, I'm dropping off packages of items I've sold on ebay.  I don't make a ton of money, but I do what I can to help our family out.  I'd pick weeds or clean toilets if it would help our family out.

Then there's the guy by the gas station who holds the sign, "I WANT BEERS."  That's honest.  I'm not giving him any money.  We heard a representative from The Lighthouse Mission speak a few years back about people with signs wanting money.  He cautioned us not to give them money as the money given might buy them their last drink.  He also told us there was help if they truly desired it, but they'd have to get cleaned up.

There's another lady at the post office who has her young child in the stroller.  She just says, "Peeese.  Peeeeeeeeeese."  I feel for her and her little one.

There's another guy at the post office I kind of like.  He's always looking for plastic and glass bottles to return for the deposit.  He's always got a smile on his face.  I overheard him talking with another guy one day.  They were talking about tough times.  Yes, we are in tough times.  We gave him food.

Then there are the people we see in front of grocery stores collecting money for the homeless.  I don't really like that they sit in front of the grocery store.  To be honest, I'm not sure about the motives.  We've seen them collect money, then put it in their own pocket.

In front of one of the major shopping areas in our town there is a guy who stands in the median and then comes up close to your window.  Pressure.  I feel like he invades my space.

So at what point do I look them in the eye, show compassion and give.  A huge part of me is reminded of the gypsies we encountered in Italy.  Okay, I was told they were gypsies, but can't confirm.  All I know is there was trickery, deception and theft going on.  We were told to beware.  In public places they would offer to sell you a magazine and the next thing you realize, you've been robbed. 

I just finished reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  A couple things stand out.  The book is about living a Christian faith that is sacrificial, loving, giving, different.  He calls Christians out from living lukewarm lives just giving God your leftovers into a faith that is surrendered.  He challenges Christians who think they're living a healthy faith and compares them to the Laodiceans, "who thought they had everything until Christ told them they were poor and wretched.  They were all about declaring, 'Look, we are healthy, have good families, or we go to church every week.' Obviously, it's not what you advertise that counts; it's what you are really made of."

He continues, "God's definition of what matters is pretty straightforward.  He measures our lives by how we love."  Furthermore Chan states, "True love requires sacrifice.  And our love is shown by how we live our lives; "Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (p. 119 Crazy Love)

I love.  I love the orphans.  I love kids.  I love to give to organizations that help kids who are impoverished, destitute or who need support.  I love Childcare Worldwide.  They're a great organization that genuinely helps children survive and thrive.  I like giving to Childcare.  I'd sacrifice for Childcare Worldwide and orphans.

But am I willing to sacrifice for people who annoy me?  Do my actions show Christ's love?  My compassion meter doesn't go off when I see those mentioned earlier.  I'm being honest.  It's honesty Wednesday.  Are those folks just looking to take advantage?  I don't know.

I think back to one Thanksgiving when our small group collected and gave a large Rubbermaid bin full of food and household items.  We were all so excited collecting items for a family in need.  I had visions of a family that would be blessed and grateful to receive a healthy Thanksgiving meal.  (Maybe I've watched A Christmas Carol one too many times).  I was in charge of delivering the goods.  The address I was given was to a room in a Motel.  Yes, it was a dirty, gross motel.  I knocked on the door.  One person answered.  I introduced myself and told them I was from the church.  I glanced around the room and there were people laying on the bed.  The room was stuffy and stinky.  Fresh air was greatly needed.  I smiled and told them I'd return, but might need some help.  They all just laid there.  I went to the car and carried the bin inside.  Still they all just laid on the bed watching me.  I dropped off the remainder of the items and left.  No thank you.  No nothing.  I drove away thinking, "These folks took advantage of giving."

Later, when discussing the matter with others at church the consensus was, "Yes, they may have taken advantage, but we have NO IDEA how Jesus will use this time to bring about His Glory."  God may have used this as a seed to bring those folks closer to him.  Maybe they had no hope to even get off that bed or no joy to smile and greet someone.  We don't know their circumstances, but I need to trust that some good came from it.

So now the challenge for me is from page 118 of Crazy Love, "How would my life change if I actually thought of each person I came into contact with as Christ--the person driving painfully slow in front of me, the checker at the grocery store who seems more interested in chatting than ringing up my items, the member of my own family with whom I can't seem to have a conversation and not get annoyed?"  I'd like to add the person I come in contact with in the median or in front of the post office holding a sign wanting something.

Strangely enough, since we've had the baggie, we haven't run into anyone.  I've got the eagle eye out wondering who might need to be blessed with a baggie of hygiene items and snacks and we haven't seen anyone. 

Lastly, I'll share this quote from Crazy Love,

"But God doesn't call us to be comfortable.  He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through."

Where would you be if you went out of your area of comfort and sacrificed, waiting for God to come through?

The Lightning Bolt

Easter is almost here.  Many people across the country will flock to churches for their biannual visit.  Others will steer clear and mention, "If I stepped foot in a church, I'd be struck with a lightning bolt."  This lightning bolt thing has got me thinking.  Lightning Bolt?  God?

We are enjoying the last few pages of the final Percy Jackson book in the Rick Riordan series.  These books have been great read-alouds.  The kids and I have learned quite a bit about the characters in Greek mythology, their strengths and also their weeknesses.  We've learned about gods, demi-gods, monsters, and mythological locations.  One thing I've learned is the lightning bolt belongs to Zeus.  The premise of the first book was about the missing lightning bolt.  It had to be returned to Zeus or war would ensue. 

As I think about God, our Creator, who loves us with and everlasting love, I'm having a hard time linking coming to Him and being struck down by lightning.  I found a verse in Matthew 28:3 mentioning lightning describing Jesus's appearance after His resurrection.  "His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow."  In Revelation 4 we're told there are "flashes of lightning and peals of thunder" which are symbolic of the awesome power and majesty of God.  The lightning described here leaves us in awe.  The sight of Jesus should stop us in our tracks with a jaw-dropping, "Wow!"

If we truly seek out God's character and the character of Christ we don't find the angry lightning bolt hurling actions of mythological god, Zeus.  In turn, we find the welcoming love found in Luke 15 in the Parable of the Lost Son.  In this story, the son requested and early distribution of his share of his father's estate and inheritance. He left for a distant country and squandered the wealth with wild living.  He lost everything.  With nowhere to turn, he decided to humbly return to his father's home to hopefully work as a hired man. 

As the son approached his father's home, his father sees him in the distance.  His father was FILLED WITH COMPASSION for him.  He didn't take out his slingshot and try to aim it toward his son or send out his servants to send the son away.  He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him!  Surprised, the son said, "Father, I have sinned against you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son."  His father then told the servants to prepare for a great feast and celebration.  He exclaimed, "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;  he was lost and is found."

This story describes what I think God does when we leave the self-centered, out-for-our-own-interests life and return to Him.  As I told the kids what I was blogging, they informed me that in the culture of the father in the Lost Son story, it would have brought humiliation on the father to "run" to his son.  It was unheard of to do such a thing, yet he risked the humiliation.  God cares so much for each and every one of us, there is no need to "save face."  He embraces us when we humbly come to Him.  True compassion.  No lightning bolts.  Just a celebration for a child who comes home to his/her Father.

Some Mornings are Just Great

Some mornings I wake up, drag myself out of bed and quickly head to the coffee pot for a little caffeine pick-me-up. Such a day is not filled with early morning joy or enthusiasm.

Today is a different kind of day. The kind of day I love! I wake early and feel completely rested. The kids are still asleep and the house is silent. The quiet is so wonderful! I tip toe around so as not to make a sound to cause the littles to stir. I open my Bible study and have a 1/2 hour of uninterrupted "quiet time." And to top off a great morning, the study for today is so compelling! Love it!

I'm currently finishing up Believing God by Beth Moore. It's a great study...some parts are eye opening and encouraging. Others are convicting and challenging.

Today the study was entitled, "One Believing Man." A brief story of the life of D.L. Moody was described. D.L. Moody was an uneducated man, but set out to be a man who was determined to live a life fully and wholly consecrated to God.

He had an amazing life establishing schools, street missions, soup kitchens, and other charitable organizations.

One thing Beth revealed in her description of this amazing man of God is that he was "Teachable."

She writes, "One characteristic of this believing man impresses me most: Dwight Lyman Moody was originally uneducated but his unceasing teachability produced a scholar of scholars. Early in his ministry Moody had little use for grace theology. Then a man named Moorhouse visited Chicago and had a transforming effect on him. Moody invited the former pickpocket-turned-evangelist to preach while he was away. On learning that Moorhouse taught God's love for the worst of sinners, Moody retorted, 'Then he is wrong.' Having heard the sermon, Moody's wife, Emma, suggested that Moorhouse could back up every word from Scripture. When Moody returned to church the next sunday morning, everyone had a Bible."

She continues, "I am impressed by D.L. Moody's willingness to receive constructive criticism and go forward with such zeal that his weakness ultimately became his strength. Beloved, sometimes our hearts are right, but our doctrine is wrong. What fruit is produced when we agree to be teachable...and perhaps even say we were mistaken!"

How powerful!!

It is my desire to have a teachable heart. To learn more and more about the heart of Jesus and to grow in his likeness.

I recently read Sacred Influence and so much about being a godly wife was revealed to me. Life is a process of continuous growth. As Christians we should consistently be striving to have the heart of Jesus. To love what he loves, and hate what he hates.

I hope today continues in the great way it began...the sun is shining, I'm convinced it'll be GREAT!