Health (or lack there of)

Four years ago my mom was bed ridden and very ill.  Most doctors told her there was nothing they could do, she was going to live out the rest of her days, uncertain of how many, in pain and agony.  After seeing many doctors and given no hope she finally went to see the "VooDoo doctor" as my brother and I have affectionately come to call him.  This doctor gave her hope.  He told her that yes she was seriously ill but that if she would do exactly as he said she would be better.  So after months and months of treatment she gradually got better and now feels better than she did in her 30's. 
Yesterday I went to see a doctor of my own.  I have been feeling quite unwell for some time and knew that something was very wrong.  Sure enough, I received grave news yesterday.  My thyroid is failing and is very far gone.  My liver is not handling the stress well and therefore under great stress.  I didn't know whether to cry because it was very serious or be happy because I had found out in enough time to do something about it. 
I have chosen to be happy.  I have seen a "VooDoo" doctor of my own now and she has given me hope.  She has me on quite a few remedies to help my thyroid regain control and clear out my liver and rid the yeast in my blood that has infiltrated the very blood cells themselves.  I'm looking at a year or so for recovery but she promises me more energy by the end of the week.  I'm really looking forward to that. 
I'm looking  forward to being able to run the mile and a half w/ my boys every Thursday during ballet practice, and play outside w/ my kids for more than 10 minutes before I feel like I'm going to collapse.  I'm looking forward to not having dry itchy skin, dry eyes, 100 extra pounds and the many other side effects of having a thyroid that is not functioning.
I am hoping that recovery is quick and painless.  But, as I suspect it will be long and hard as most things in life are.  But if it will allow me one more day watching my kids grow, one more day serving my Lord in the calling He has given and one more day to sing His praise here on earth then it is worth it! :)  
Here's to Health!

Movies and School

Are movies and school a good combination?  I've heard both sides of the story. 
Never ever let them watch movies for school, it sends the wrong message, it adds to the ADD debate on and on. Or, a movie can enhance, add and enrich your school experience. 

I for one loved Movie day in school.  In fifth grade we had movie day every Friday.  If you had finished all your assignments you could watch the movie that Friday from 1-3.  (unfortunately that year I think I only saw one or two movies)  Then in junior high and high school we on rare occasions got to watch a movie.  I remember Lost Boys (not sure the academic value of that choice) Gone With the Wind, Roots and a few others.  I loved, loved, loved movie day.  I didn't much care for Roots or Gone with the Wind but I loved that for a whole week we had a certain hour of the day set aside for mindless entertainment.

Which is why I have decided to employ Movie day in our school day.  Now we will of coarse be watching movies that correspond with what we are reading or studying (unlike Lost Boys which was for 8th grade science class, relevant? I think not).  Therefore, after reading the book for a week, today we will watch The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.   Here's to two hours of mind numbing entertainment for our hard work!

Free Gift

Everything these days costs something.  Is there anything that is free anymore?  Not much!  While talking with my kids about their verses for AWANA I was reminded of a free gift that I received when I was 7.   Someone loved me enough to share with me that I was worth saving.  I was worth loving.  And it spoke right to my love language of gifts. The Bible said right there that I was given a gift I just had to accept it. 

What does it cost?  It cost God his one and only Son.  It cost Christ his life.  

Isa 53:5   But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

But what did it cost me at that moment?  Nothing it was a gift.

 Ro 6:23   For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I was given eternal life through Christ!  How amazing is that? 
Now, being a Christian for gosh a really long time I know that the path through this life to reach my end goal of spending eternity with my Savior is not easy. I've had heartache, loss, and difficulty.

Mt 7:14 "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

But I don't have to bear that burden alone!  He promises to take care of me. 

1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;
1Pe 5:7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you.
1Pe 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you.

What a gift!  I am so thankful for that gift he gave me and I hope that my children through example and studying of God's Word will one day accept that gift too!

Amazed

I am always amazed at peoples reaction to me when we are out and about.  Today for instance we took my middle son to his Playball class at our church.  Upon arrival we are greated by the teachers whom both look at me and say: "Are they all yours?"   I reply, "Yes, Yes they are."  And the typical response came forth, "Wow, you must have your hands full."  Do people not realize how they sound when they say comments like "Are they all yours?"  Then we head down to the church library while we wait for Jordan to finish his class.  The librarian sweetly greats us as we enter.  I gently remind the kids to remember we are in a place for whispers.  And then we proceed to the back of the library where they keep the kids section.  We spent half an hour looking at books and enjoying reading to one another.  As we gathered our books and met the librarian at the front to check out. She ever so sweetly says, "Do you mind my asking?, Do you homeschool?"  Before I could reply my daughter states, "Yes, we do.  Mommy teaches us everyday at our house" I smiled and said "yes, we do homeschool" She sweetly replied, "I can tell" and I just smiled.  Rachel being the curious one she is asks "how did you know?" And the librarian got down at her level and said "because you and your brothers have been so well mannered and obedient while you were in my library that I knew you had to learn that at home"  She then stood up and told me that it was a pleasure having us in today and she hoped we would return next week during our stay at church because she loved having obedient kids in the library. 
I am so amazed that our culture has so fallen from what it used to be that children are now expected to be loud, disobedient and obnoxious wherever they go.  I am so blessed that I can have these precious few years at home with my kids to teach them how to be good citizens and Christians and that the effort I am putting in is recognized.  Even though I often get the "Are they all yours" remarks, the occasional comment on how obedient, or well mannered my children are reminds me that I am running my race with diligence toward the prize.  My earthly prize is that my kids will soon be adults and as adults they will AMAZE the world for God!

Outlets

This weekend I was challenged by our pastor to look at my life and see where my time is going.  As a mom of four young kids this of coarse was a very easy answer, I thought.  My kids, being a mom, a home school teacher, a wife etc etc.  However, upon further examination I realized I spend alot of time looking at blogs, diy sites, craft sites, facebook etc.  Just about anything but focusing on what is at hand. My home, my husband, my children and their school were all suffering from my lack of commitment.  I found myself in a world of self pity longing for a life of adventure and excitement.  Not looking at what I had here and now but at what I had or what I wanted.  So after a couple days of thought and prayer, I've decided to start a blog of my own and use it as my creative outlet full of my own adventures, instead of wasting my time reading about others and their adventures. 
I'm very excited! I'm hoping that through this I can encourage myself and maybe even someone else who is needing encouragement.