Courage

"Trees" that H made from weeds in the yard

I visited with my mom today while the rest of my gang headed to the NHRA Nationals.  It is now late at night and I received a text that they are on their way home after a fun time.  I'm glad.  I had fun too. 

A couple of times today the subject of discouragment came up.  I had two seperate conversations with two people, but both revolved around the notion of children being discouraged by teachers and how that affected the children as they grew and later once they became adults.  The discouragement faced for both students centered on their creativity, one with painting, the other student their writing.  

I came home tonight and decided to blog on this idea of how in life we are guided so much by the feedback we receive as children and how much of what we do as children is for the first time.  Our young years are a time when children are so tender and oftentimes teachers are not encouraging of the efforts put forth on the firstfruits of their students.  How many times do teachers point out the wrong thing instead of finding something good and complimenting it, nurturing it and watching it grow?  Pointing out the wrong brings with it a desire NOT to reattempt in an effort to avoid more bad feelings.  Our creativity is very personal and judgment upon it is subjective. 

 en·cour·age

   /ɛnˈkɜrɪdʒ, -ˈkʌr-/ Show Spelled[en-kur-ij, -kuhr-] Show IPA

verb (used with object), en·cour·aged, en·cour·ag·ing.

1.

to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.

2.

to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.: One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.

3.

to promote, advance, or foster: Poverty often encourages crime.  

 

 

I am a mother, teacher and leader.  I admit that I do not always encourage as I should.  I discourage more often than I'd like to admit.  As we begin yet another schoolyear (I have a Freshman this year and two middle-schoolers!), I pledge to remember to encourage more.  I will concentrate on finding something good about everything--especially the first tries in creativity. 

In a Pickle

It is good to be back in the blogging community.  I just read a couple of my favorites and am now inspired to restart mine.  I've taken a break over the summer to spend some much needed time with family.  My sister and her family were home from Mexico for a little over a month.  It was pure joy to spend some time with them and sad to see them go last week.  It's been such a long time since I've  blogged, that I am a little unsure how to even get pictures from my camera/phone.  I'm in the middle of an update to some software that I use to assist me in retrieving photos from my phone.  I'm not always sure it really is easier.  (note that it is now a day later and I've finally figured out how to get the pictures)

This year I took on the position of Administrative Director for our homeschool group's drama.  This year we are performing, Cinderella:  The Enchanted Version.   Yesterday and today were auditions.  So begins the LONG drama season.  (Actually I've been working on this since May)  Performances are at the end of October and beginning of November.  Whew! 

In the middle of this, I made freezer pickles yesterday.  I haven't done that in YEARS and it felt good!  The boys have been (half-way) tending a veggie garden for a merit badge they are working on for Scouts.  I say "half-way" because between being gone so much for the summer visits and the water bans, the garden has gone a bit wild.  We have harvested cucumbers and one tomato so far! 
Here are the photos of the pickles.  I can't wait to try them.  I think that C may be the only other member of my family to appreciate their goodness.  No one else likes the onions!


Mutant cucumber from friend's garden. 
It's two cucumbers from same stem.
Notice the size next to the deck of cards!

"Taco Salad Bowl" of cucumbers in brine to soak overnight.

5 Quarts of Freezer Pickles!

Not Lacking Anything

The Rock

I've just finished the third session of the Beth Moore study, James; Merchy Triumphs.  First, I LOVE to study the Word, especially Beth Moore style.  Second, last week we focused on trials and temptations and some of the opening lines of James, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4.  (I have to stop right here and tell you that I typed those verses from memory.  Yay!  I'm trying to memorize the book of James.) 

This week in our "homework" and in our group discussion, we spoke about how our personal trials had become blessing.  Yes, you read that correctly.  I personally keep a journal that includes many of my cries to the Lord, triumphs, joys, my fears and failures, the trials that I've fallen into, some trials that were my own doing...we all experience these things to greater or lesser extent.   I mentioned that sometimes I read past enteries in my journal and in so doing, I can see God's hand clearly carrying me, providing for me and preparing me for THIS day and how my trials can be used for blessing for others.  The entry I just happened to read today was this:

December 5, 2009

Here it is, the eve of our first anniversary.  Some may say the last night of what is a magical year since it was the first year.  Newlyweds.  I think it's been nothing short of a miracle that we are still standing after this first year--don't know that I'd describe it as magical.  We started out with my torn ACL during our honeymoon, followed by being abandoned by omitted during the holiday, B losing his job and pension, being put under a microscope for the adoption process, losing friends who didn't agree with the timing of our marriage, a 6 week vacation across 2 countries in a pop-up trailer, an adoption, death of Shawn, Aunt Betty's cancer, Grandpa Jones' death, job search, trying to sell a house, trying to blend our families has a few rough patches--but better than most.  But we also had much rejoicing and some of those times were the same as the trials.  The adoption, the six week vacation, pulling together as a family while I was down before my surgery, during the surgery and healing process, learning to homeschool and being a stay-at-home mom again, being able to have 3 children, meeting and making new friends, having B home so we all could really learn and adjust to each other--love each other.  I was going to say that I wouldn't trade any of it, but that wouldn't be true.  Some of it has been extremely difficult and I haven't yet seen how I can use those things for the Kingdom yet or how they've strengthened me.  I guess it's not for me to decide or see--not now anyway.  I will say that I wouldn't trade my husband for another to have gone through any of it.  God knew that we needed one another, that we sincerely do complete one another when we stand together with our Lord.  I love him and appreciate him like no other.  Thank you, Lord, for this gift of marriage with B, my Adam.

I can tell you that many more blessings have happened since that entry.  Some more trials have come since then too.  But one thing I know for sure:  God loves me and blesses me through these times. Today I know something I didn't know the day I wrote the above words, I may have just blogged this today for the Kingdom. 

(The picture above was taken today by MomII.  We visited my hometown and I couldn't leave without showing her THE rock!) 

Yarn Along

I've given up on the Excel books.  I never really tried too much after cracking the books to help me through one of the workbooks I had to update.  B says that he'll walk me through trying to set up some worksheets later.  I've been given the task of putting all schedules for our homeschool group's drama production into Excel, so I must learn.  I've avoided Excel like the plague for years.  Should've known that it would infect me sooner or later.  But, I did check out these other books and videos from the library this week.

Hubby left again this morning for another week in Texas.  The kiddos are still at home with me this week, so I'm sure we'll be finding some other fun things to do as well.  As you can tell from the photo, I am knitting again.  I am working on my April (yes, April) M1 for Mexico project.  I've seen many hats being made, so I am concentrating my efforts on mittens.  Hopefully I'll catch up on my goal of having one project per month until October. 

I'm also sewing much more.  I'm not the kind of person that likes patterns, so much of my projects have been more from the internet, but I found the ReSew book and I'm planning a trip to Goodwill and cleaning out closets for T-shirts.  MomII and I took a trip to Hobby Lobby this weekend and she bought me an early birthday present of material for the wrap skirt I'll be working on.  I hope it turns out.  I'll post pictures if it does and just lament about it in a post if it does not. 

Jan Karon is one of my favorite authors and when I saw In the Company of Others I had to have it.  I realize now that it is the second book in a set and I somehow skipped the first.  Guess what I'll be hunting to read next? 

The Front Porch Tales reminded me of my front porch pictures and I wanted to see what this book was all about.  So far, very good.  It is a complilation of several short stories that the author has collected over his lifetime and shared as if just swinging on the porch sipping lemonade with you, his guest.  I like the brevity since I can carry the book with me throughout the house and it makes it easy to get a story in between tasks or doesn't frustrate me if I'm interrupted while reading since I really will be finished in one more page. 

Enough writing about what I will be doing.  Now on to the doing....

Bath Salts & Watermark Cardigan

While the family was away, I was able to play.  I am officially hooked on Pinterest now and I tried my hand at a few projects a couple of weeks ago.  Now I get to share them with you! 

The first project is for the ladies of our upcoming study of James: Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore.  I am really excited to get started on it.  I've had to "hide" my book so that I won't start ahead of everyone else.  Anyway, I'm helping to organize the study at our church and it is my privilege to put together "goodies".  With no parameters I found myself swamped with ideas and having a difficult time choosing something.  I happened across some crafts upcycling fridge magnets used as advertisements by covering them with material.  Great starting point!  Next ran across canning jars at the store and I thought that making bath salts and putting them in the jars would be fun too.  I married the two ideas and this is what I came up with!

I didn't have magnets to upcycle, so I purchased adhesive backed magnet roll.



Magnets "baked" in the sun for a few minutes to allow the paper and adhesive to lay down and fuse. 
The while around the edges is a glitter paint that dries clear.

Jars are filled.  Magnet labels on top and leftover material torn into strips for bows. 

 My other project was also inspired by Pinterest and I did use both of the instructions that I found there.  I used the Watermark Tee Tutorial and the Front Tie Cardigan Refashion Tutorial from Pinterest.  Here are the photos of what I came up with.  The kids like the project and I think that I may try these again, in part or in whole, with my family this summer. 

Waiting for the gel to dry.

After dying and waiting again to dry.

Finished cardigan.  I need to have a full length mirror for
placement of the ties next time.  It's hard to tell when I'm pinning
withouth seeing myself at the same time what it will
look like.  It is very comfortable.

Well, summer camp is quickly approaching and hubby is away more and more for work, so maybe I'll have more creative projects to share in the future!

Happy pinning and crafting!











Post Vacation

Kids with Williams

We survived the first week after vacation.  Above you can see the smiling faces of those who went to Florida.  B took no pictures while he was in Texas, but he was working much and playing little.  I'll post more of my stay-cation another time because I had a few projects up my sleeve. 

The first full day back for everyone was H's twelth birthday.  We played it low-key since everyone had had much traveling the days before so we just had dinner out and then cake and ice cream at home with family. 

I can almost count his freckles!

Friday was a day of rest at home.  Saturday the boys had a Scouts fundraiser at Red Bridge Park.  The annual pancake breakfast.  We didn't stay for the parade this year since Mamaw and Papaw came to visit right after the breakfast for their special time with H to celebrate his birthday. 

Fun time working with friends.

With the record high temps this week, the kids have had fun in the water.  Squirt guns, water balloons, hoses, lake, boating.  I found a huge chunk of foam in the backyard yesterday.  This morning I asked B why it was in the backyard.  He said that H had fished it out of the lake.  I grumbled back that then H could fish it into the trash today.  Then he told me that H had been "surfing" on it while fishing.  I smiled and began to envision H balancing atop this ugly piece of trash pretending to deep sea fish.  No more ill thoughts popped into my head, only fond memories of how H has always been resourceful with finding playthings.  It is good to see the world through his imagination. 

Happy summer!  Praying that you too can enjoy it with kid-like imagination.

Sin Pie

Bye Bye Pie

Often times God speaks to me in illustrations, life examples or somewhat of a living analogy.  This morning I threw away the last pieces of the chocolate pie that were left over from my ladies' movie day.  On the surface I realize this doesn't seem throwing away pie could possibly come from God, but it does--for me.  He is THAT amazing to talk to us as individuals and be personal and intimate with each of us and knows exactly how to say something so that we understand and know that it is Him talking.  Today, when I was obedient to throw out the pie, a flood of thoughts washed over me.  Hopefully I can relay them well because as soon as the pie hit the trash can, the first thought was that this moment was "bloggable". 

I struggle with my health as it relates to weight.  The food I eat, the water I drink, the exercise I get.  It is a daily battle for me to keep everything in balance.  Different days take on different desires, or I exhibit different strengths or weaknesses.  I can't seem to do everything right all of the time.  Over-indulging or not exercising or not taking care of my body for me is sin.  About eight years ago God led me to some Bible verses.  The first is James 4:17, which says, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."  I know that if I kept the pie, I would eat it and that it is not good for my body to have the pie. 

For others, keeping the pie and eating the pie is not sin.  Their bodies can handle it better or they are not tempted to eat three pieces a day.  I fall into the camp of feeling this struggle is not fair.  I mean, who NEEDS alcohol to survive?  An alcoholic stays away from the bottle.  Now, I am not saying that the struggle is easy for them.  It is not easy.  But, I must eat to live.  I have to deal with this area of sin in my life everytime my body needs nourishment, I have to make a conscious decision to do what is right.  I live with four others who do not face the same struggles as I do and they have to live with me, and I with them.  That sometimes keeps food around, sin around, that I have to look at over and over again.  Sometimes it keeps special treats away from them.  It makes the verse, Romans 12:1 take on stronger meaning or a real physical meaning for me, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship."  But I am encouraged in this verse, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."  1 Corinthians 10:13.  Notice that He does not keep temptation away from me, nor does the verse say that God doesn't give me what I can't handle.  He does allow me to be tempted.  He does allow the devil to make things difficult for me.  Translate to:  He does not take chocolate off the earth and sometimes it will sit in my refrigerator in the form of chocolate pie.  But, He gives me an out.  This morning, the out took the form of the trash can. 

I find the 1 Corinthians verse encouraging also because the first part says that what I go through, others experience the same thing.  Support!  Empathy!  Grace! 

I am beginning to feel as if this entry should be a series!!!  I could go on and on. 

1. The consequence of sinful things.  GIGO Effect.  (Garbage: Pie puts weight on the hips and cholesterol in my arteries but Good stuff:  Smoothy equals good choice and gives me fiber to flush out bad stuff.)
2. Helping others with their burdens.
3. Removing the plank (sin/pie) from my own life before I can see to help my brother with his splinter.
4. The sin was my own making.  I baked it.

I don't know if this blog was supposed to help anyone other than me, but if so, know that you are not alone, no matter what your pie is. 

Salud!

Breakfast of Champions in Jesus.  ;^)