Sticky Rice - A Poem to End the Day

My home’s a bit messy,  my world is not neat

There’s a globe on my table and rice stuck to my feet.

On my coffee table I see Bibles, a pine cone, and books,

I type on my computer because I’d rather not look.

We picked up one room, that’s enough for a day

After all, there needs to be some time to play!

We ate a good dinner, we prayed and we read

The cleaning can wait because I WANT THEM IN BED!

Ah, the quiet... no wait, they’re still up.

Could it be I’m not done yet? Don’t MAKE me get up.

I don’t need much exercise, I so rarely sit,

But the dishwasher’s running, I hope IT gets fit.

After a good rest I’ll see them again

Those beautiful smiles on my three little men.

They come carrying legos, cards, knights and swords

Although it is messy, our life has rewards.

9:00 p.m and my 3-year-old’s still talking to God,

“Ok, Jesus,” he says and goes off with a nod.

We’ll study in the morning, have art then we’ll play

It’s all in the life of our homeschooling day.

In my family room a monkey’s laid flat on the floor. He looks how I feel.

Need I say more?

Drama, Outreach and Fun! A Tribute to My Church Home

My kids were blessed to be a part of a great production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at our church a few weeks ago. After two performances, and late nights of fun and stardom and church restoration, they were more than pretty tired. Our school day finally began today at the pace a slug eats a hosta around 9:30 (or maybe 10:00). Star one, age 10, was still not dressed when he ventured

downstairs to make himself an egg. I have to say that, although we had theater jet lag, I still am in awe of how wonderful it was to get behind on schoolwork, lose sleep and have a messy house for the cause. I say this because we are blessed with a church that gives people a voice for their gifts and a place for God see his people bloom into their purpose.

Every church talks about outreach. Some do it better than others. Some wonder how they will accomplish outreach. Some wonder why nobody is coming on Sundays and some wonder how they will keep up with the many needs God’s purposes present to them. I was blessed to see how one woman’s vision has connected people with the love

of God through theater. People from all over our community were needed to fill parts in this amazing play. Kids came from the neighborhoods nearby to be a part of the “Rainbow Kids” children’s choir. Speaking for our family, experience in that area was less important than the mission at hand, and my kids were given the opportunity to grow and perform. (The fact that they actually completed an hour and a half production twice is a miracle of grace I’m still reeling from.)

What our director offered for all those who participated was not just great inspiration and direction, but unconditional love and grace. While there, each kid was prayed over twice from the heart. While the rehersals went on, the “notes” included prayers for those there, and those they knew who were the sick, and teamwork was a must.

The little kids were dismissed on time, whether rehearsal was complete or not, so they could get to bed. That was a true act of faith! Matthew 6:33 says we should put God’s kingdom first and he will meet all our needs. This was surely evident

this weekend, as a row of at least 12 kids, age 7 to 11 sat still when they needed to and performed exceptionally when their time came, with not a mistake to be found. They knew the blessing it was to be a part of such a great project and sought the autographs of the “stars” living in our community.

As I sat in the audience Friday night, I saw how this project gave kids an outlet for their passions, a place for some to escape into a world of music and friendship, where they are loved and where they know God loves them. I talked to someone in the audience who told about how this mission loved her grandson and how it helped him blossom in a world that seemed

against him. Wow! What if we all used our gifts that way? Do you have a passion for your community and a gift to share?

Outreach? It happens naturally when we love others to God. If you have it, people will catch it! So, if you don’t see

the people coming to your church and you wonder what you’re doing wrong, turn your eyes on Him and then on yourself. Every congregation is full of people with strengths and talents, and, if we spend more time listening to God and less time talking to and about him, more unconventional, inspirational, passion-directed love-overflowing ministry will occur.

If people can't see what God is doing,

they stumble all over themselves;

But when they attend to what he reveals,
they are most blessed.

Proverbs 29:18 The Message

Thanks to Katlyn Worrell for sharing her great photos with me and to the inspiring woman with the big ideas who makes it all possible - Sara Bartlett Farren.  Special thanks also to Diane Zuber who was blessed to guide the Rainbow Kids into stardom!

Headliner Award for Inauguration Day

Today I was inspired by the idea of rewarding blogs that reward others --- AND -- since I am up in the middle of the night reading blogs, thankfully finding myself  WORDLESS for once, I had to share with you a blog that perfectly exemplified my thoughts about this historic inauguration day.   Since I feel nothing I say could be more poignant than this post, I am initiating a new award.  

This award is presented to a blog that interpreted today's news in a far-reaching, life-changing way... It has truly gone "Beyond the chatter to what really matters!"

My first award recipient is Deanna's Diary

As we welcome Barack Obama into the presidency, many of us who did NOT vote for him are moving in a new direction.   As life-loving Christians, a great woe is Obama's address to Planned Parenthood on the Freedom Of Choice Act. (See my earlier blog post on this for a video of his presentation.)   So, while there are monumental achievements recognized on the part our country's views on African-Americans shown today, there are also concerns that go beyond race to life and death.  Diana's post shows a great balance between these heavy issues.

If you know a blog that has posted something "Beyond the Chatter",  one that reflects life living as a Christian in a country that uses the words "Separation of church and state" as if they were actually in the Constitution, then pass this award to them on my behalf.  Good news travels fast and worthy views need encouragement.

Did you know that the words "separation of church and state" are NOT in any of of the founding documents of our country?  As now President Obama said, we are going to recreate America!  Let's do it upon the principles it was truly founded on, not the later atheistic principles that have been adopted by our courts, who have the privilege of passing laws we don't get to vote on. 

Mommy's Learning to Read! What you can learn from a 3-Year-Old

Homeschooling is like being on a sailboat, we get to hold the schedule that directs the boat, but a big wind can take you off in another direction! Sometimes the joy of seeing my kids learn just brings tears to my eyes (pause to get a tissue), and .. once in a while the frustration brought on by my imagined disappointments brings me to my knees.  (Of course, if I’d been there in the FIRST place, I’d had a better plan to begin with... listen more, talk less.)   So, as a homeschooler, I live in a world where I am completely in control of everything that goes on.... are you laughing yet? Ug Hmmm.... Let’s start again. So, I live in a world where I know I’m not really in control of anything, but I make diligent, daily efforts to pattern the day so that we learn, worship through our daily life, keep a somewhat clean house, and cook - sometimes creatively. 

What do we rearrange our schedule for? Well, we’re certainly not reclusive, though I sometimes dream of it, and since I believe that we are called to spread the gospel and encourage others to live for Christ I have come to manage our lives around my mission of serving God in whatever ways we can make fit in. I have too many ideas and too little time! You know, that’s the blessing about being a homeschooler --- you can drop anything just to serve even more people! Occasionally, I must escape.

I’m so tired thinking about it all, that I had to start a new paragraph. Well, in the midst of all that joy and bliss, I’ve had a funny week with my 3-year-old, Jack.   Before bed, we’ve been reading a little book called “ABC Bible”. It’s one of those little gift books and has a lett

er and teeny little Bible story snippet under it. (The kind I put at the bottom of the bookshelf, because I’m sure I’ll probably never read them!) I’ve been homeschooling for four years now. My first child could read when I brought him home, my second child didn’t want to read anything until he was about 6.5.  He now reads better than my first did.

So, when child #3 discovered books, I wondered what new adventures he would bring. He’s loved having stories since about two and a half. (Yes, before that he was read almost nothing  individually-- meaning

no baby books, just a day full of listening to history, Bible and what the other kids learned). Now, he has discovered that bottom shelf and finds those little dusty books FASCINATING.

So.... I’d say here that Jack is learning to read, but instead he seems to think he needs to teach ME to read. Every night I subject myself to this. I get the ABC Bible book with Aa on the first page, then Bb on the second, and so on. As we turn the pages, he “discusses” the letters, almost scientifically...

"Ah HA, there are TWO A’s on this page, Mom. A BIG one and a little one.” Then, I turn the page. He looks at me, waiting for ME to say the letter.  If I’m right, the drama continues.  He exclaims, “THAT’S RIGHT MOM! (clapping) Good job Mom! That IS a B, and there are TWO of them.!” So, this can go on 26 times.

For those of you who think homeschooling is just something you could never do, perhaps you’d like to borrow Jack. I’m sure he’d be happy to show you how to do it with enthusiasm!

What's It Like To Be Us Today

Did we further our character and grow our faith?

Noticed a "few" attitudes early in the a.m. and got out the Proverbs for Parenting.  Added verses on a love for correction to our daily Bible read aloud, cleaned my house, taught my children, loved my husband, reviewed a Bible study to lead for my church, researched young leaders in the Bible for my husband's church report. 

Prayed for....

my husband, my Compassion Childen, my pastor, my friends, my children, myself, and Baraq Obama, and my littlest - please make him WANT to use that potty.

What happened in the kitchen?

Cereal for breakfast with blueberries and grapes, fried chicken and green beans for lunch, AND two pots of soup in the cold garage to reheat. I’d made an extra cornmeal mix yesterday, so that was ready too! A little planning goes a long way.

How did we learn?

Central America mapwork, read about the Mayan civilization, math, vocabulary with crosswords and sentence writing, cursive and handwriting for all, why do birds molt, Bible first of course - Psalm 23 and those Proverbs - later Timothy. One practiced piano and both read for at least an hour. Is journalling a subject? one asked.

What do we see?

Snow, snow everywhere. We never left the house, but did choose to get dressed today. (Okay, that was MY idea.)  I added a summer memories picture because as I shoveled 14 inches of snow off my back sidewalk I thought of my plants WAY under there.

What do we hear?

Thump, thump, on the basement stairs and a little boy voice, “Mom, I need a wittle help down here.” (How many times today?... 10) Late at night - "Thump" again... the same kid fell out of bed.

Any revelations?

My children really want to be a blessing to others. I must be careful not to sour them with my own attitude. Pour some sugar on it, honey!

Attitude check...

Fixed it early.  Challenged to keep everybody moving and remind them that morning choices have afternoon consequences.  

Laughed at...

A real "Jack" in the box. 

I’m happy that...

I see God in so many things and he blesses our days.  My husband loves God. My children smile a lot more than they did a month ago and snow is so pretty!

I am thankful for...

those who led the homeschooling movement, because without them, I’d miss the hugs, the smiles, the opportunity to hear so many encouraging words today... and the note passing... that was the best today. In school, we got in trouble for notes. Today I saw a note my oldest passed a note to his brother. It said in big letters, “I LOVE YOU JON!”