Wise Words

I have been getting Elisabeth Elliot's devotions emailed to my inbox every day for about four years now. They repeat every year, and I've read them all multiple times. Though I currently don't read each and every one, I do check the topic and read the ones I think will be pertinent to me on that day. Yesterday's devotion was just what I needed...again:

God's Help for God's Assignment

Sometimes a task we have begun takes on seemingly crushing size, and we wonder what ever gave us the notion that we could accomplish it. There is no way out, no way around it, and yet we cannot contemplate actually carrying it through. The rearing of children or the writing of a book are illustrations that come to mind. Let us recall that the task is a divinely appointed one, and divine aid is therefore to be expected. Expect it! Ask for it, wait for it, believe that God gives it. Offer to Him the job itself, along with your fears and misgivings about it. He will not fail or be discouraged. Let his courage encourage you. The day will come when the task will be finished. Trust Him for it.

"For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded, therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed" (Is 50:7 AV).

Timely words for this weary mom raising and homeschooling a special needs child!

Daddy's Girl

Abby: Mommy, sometimes I think I love Daddy more than God. I try to love God most though.

Me: Yes, I know it can be a hard thing to learn to love God more than anything else. Just keep praying and asking God to help you. So do you ever think you love Mommy more than God?

Abby: No.

Harmony at Last!

The last couple of weeks my kids have just been at each other's throats: bickering, pestering, not talking nicely to each other, etc. Yesterday, I had had enough and separated them for extended periods of time throughout the day. We spent all day working on treating each other kindly and politely.


Finally, about 5:00 I allowed them to play together outside, and they played beautifully together (I think they missed each other's company when I separated them)! After a long day of squabbling, it was so refreshing to see them cooperating and giggling and playing harmoniously.

Ryan trying to lift Abby up on his feet,
a game they love me to play with them.

Parental Rights and Homeschooling

I have been putting my blogs on the back burner lately, but I really wanted to post about the new ruling that was handed down in California last week essentially making homeschooling illegal in California for anyone who doesn't have a valid teaching certificate (probably 98 percent of homeschool families).

Don't be decieved by the homeschooling "cloak" of this ruling for this is at heart an attack on the rights of parents to choose what is best for their children! We are blessed to live in a state that is currently friendly to parents and homeschooling. However, California is a bellwether state, and if this ruling is allowed to stand, it will eventually impact the rest of the country (not to mention the harm it will do to Californians).

The Homeschool Legal Defense Association is gathering signatures to petition the California Supreme Court to depublish (make it applicable only to the family involved in the case) the decision. You don't have to homeschool or be a member of HSLDA to sign the petition.

Lastly, the Lord God isn't surprised by this ruling as the rest of us may have been. He is our hope and our shield! Let us pray and trust in Him.

Today We Baked Cookies

A few days ago Ryan came up to me and asked, "Mommy, how come we don't make cookies any more?" Guilt flooded over me, and I wanted to cry. It has been months since things have been "normal" around here. I have been consumed by trying to get all of Abby's "school" done and Ryan's school done, making meals and still maintain a fairly clean house. We have also added swimming lessons for each of the kids twice a week, and then there's the zillion regular things that need to be done each week. But the hard truth is that I haven't MADE it a priority to spend some fun quality time with my kids. We used to go to the park or for walks, paint and do crafts, bake cookies and make cards for grandparents, etc. We haven't done any of that since about February, and I need to let some housework go and focus on having some fun with my kids.


Why is it one of the hardest things for me to do, sit down and play when there is laundry to be folded and dishes to be washed and floors to be mopped, etc.? I like things orderly and clean. It gives me security and peace and calm, but what gives my children security and peace is knowing they are more important the house and laundry, knowing that Mommy enjoys being with them and playing with them. So by God's grace I am going to again make them one of my top priorities and move housework lower on the list. I recently heard someone say in reference to parenting, "The days are long, but the years are short," and I know that is so true. I want to enjoy these precious years with my children and not look back and be full of regrets. I want to put feet to my convictions right away, so today we baked cookies...