An Undivided Heart

Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  (Psalm 86:11)

So many things are pulling at my heart, some good, some not, but I am called, just as every believer is, to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength—all of it!  God has been incredibly faithful to me and I am learning to rely in Him in every situation.  I want my heart to be completely whole, without even a tiny piece divided, but I can’t do this on my own—only in His strength can I learn to love God completely.

Father, teach me to trust You and rely on You—You are faithful!  I admit my heart is divided and distracted.  Create in me a pure heart that is whole and teach me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Battling Weariness

This is our school verse. Not because we are prone to finish strong. Quite the opposite. I chose this verse after much prayer for our homeschool because I are prone to become weary. I am prone to give up and I am prone to move on to something else and something new- especially when it comes to curriculum! I have this verse on the wall above our school room where I can read it over and over- praying it takes root and changes me.

*Let us not become weary in doing good....  I have a choice and a responsibility. I can choose to not become weary and I have a responsibility to ensure I'm ready and prepared to stay strong. I can make an intentional decision to keep going when its hard. I can make choices ahead of time that will help me endure. I must be steadfast in my choice that what I'm doing matters. I must go to bed early enough that I can wake refreshed and rested and ready to begin the day. I must be prepared ahead of time and stick to the plan most of the time. One of the joys of homeschooling is the freedom to dig deeper when something sparks an interest and we can chase the learning. But I have to be prepared and disciplined to get us back on track when we wander too far. It is much better to avoid becoming weary. Once weariness sets in, it can be almost impossible to get that determination back. I must not allow myself to become weary in doing good. 

*for at the proper time.....  This is God's time and not mine! I may think I know the proper time and I can spend hours planning and scheduling, but God is the only one who knows the whole picture and knows the best time- I must trust Him!

*we will reap a harvest.....  I desperately want to see my children become the fullest and best of all God has planned for them. I do not want them to be unprepared or unexpecting of what lies ahead. My prayer for them is that they walk with God, trusting Him and loving Him all the days of their lives. God has a plan for their lives and it is good. I just have to trust Him!

*if we do not give up!  I must keep going if I want to reap my harvest. God will bless my efforts to keep going even, no especially, on the days when it is hard to keep going. I cannot do this in my own strength. I cannot teach them what they need to know and I cannot ensure they get it all done. Our homeschool journey depends solely on God. My job is simply to not give up!  

So how do I not give up when its hard?

Prayer, prayer, prayer! I cannot be what I'm supposed to be and I cannot do what I'm supposed to do without the strength and direction from God that comes from spending time with Him. I must pray for my family and for our homeschool!

And pray in the Spirit on all occassions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. (Ephesians 6:18)

Father, thank You for the gift of spending this time teaching and guiding these amazing blessings You've given me!  Thank You for choosing me to be their mom.  Teach me, strength me, and equip me for this journey You've chosen for us and keep our focus on ou!  In Jesus' name, Amen!

Wildlife Refuge

May 2013

We took a family field trip to the Wildlife Refuge and we had a great time! We saw 9 alligators up close and personal and lots of beautiful birds and wildlife. It is a 4-mile beautiful drive through the marshlands. We also visited the visitor center where we learned about the salt marshes and some history of Savannah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disney World 2013

 

 
 

 

 

 

G's 11th Birthday

It just doesn't seem possible that G is 11! What a wonderful, funny, and considerate young man he is becoming. We are so incredibly proud of him and so grateful for the joy and laughter he brings to our lives! We celebrated his birthday at Fun Zone with the Pettit's and Nana and Mr. Grandpa.  We love you G!

Fun Zone with friends :)

Nana and Grandpa came too from NC!

Garrett and Micheala on the tea cups :) 

A New School Year Begins!

2012-2013  August

I can't believe we are already beginning a new school year! Garrett is starting 5th grade and Connor is going into HIGH SCHOOL!! It seems like yesterday we were getting ready for Kindergarten! I am so proud of the young men they are becoming and can't wait to see what God has in store for them this coming year as we prepare for what God has for them in life. 

 This will be a very busy but exciting year and every day will be an adventure!

Gearing up for Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012

We are getting ready to celebrate Christ's birth this year. The cookie recipes are out and the tree is up. Most of the lights are on the house and the wreaths are hung. Everywhere we look, it's definitely beginning to look like CHRISTmas!

Christmas 2010 brought many blessings including a new sister-in-law and a new home. After celebrating the joyful season in our home of Weaverville, NC, we headed south to begin our new adventure in Panama City, FL.  We rang in the New Year of 2011 in Panama City Beach watching the fireworks over the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, excited for what the year would hold. We had no idea the ups and downs and trials and struggles that soon awaited us, nor the blessings, new friends, and miraculous healings that would accompany them, but all the while surrounded by God's comforting presence, provision and protection.

Christmas 2011 was a celebration of life and miracles. With deeper faith and renewed strength, we celebrated the most important life ever to live, the Lord Jesus, and also were so very grateful that our family was all together and all healthy! All things are in God's hands and He definitely knows what's best, and we are so grateful that His will was to let us keep Connor here with us!  Christmas 2011 was truly a joyous celebration of life!

Christmas 2012 is almost here and we are now in Savannah, GA. God has blessed us with a beautiful new home and a new exciting adventure. We are having a wonderful time decorating and beginning this Christmas season ever mindful the real reason for the lights and garland- Jesus!

We picked out our tree last week and it is decorated with lights and ornaments and its beautiful! Garrett made our first batch of cookies today and made snowmen, trees, ornaments, and gingerbread men- we had a very sweet time together. We also went shopping today for someone we will probably never meet this side of heaven, but pray he is blessed and feels loved this Christmas season. Most importantly, we pray he knows Jesus and will spend eternity learning to worship Him!

I will post Christmas pictures soon. For now, I'm just enjoying looking back and remembering all that has happened in the last few years, the good, the tough, and the amazing! We have no promise or guarantee of our next breath. It is so important to cherish our time with our loved ones and enjoy every moment. Then, one day this world will fade and we will stand face to face with the Savior whose birth and death we celebrate, and we will stand before God to give an account of our life. I am so thankful for the birth and death of Christ for it is only through Him that I am not condemned. Only in Him will I spend eternity in the presence of God in peace and love. Thank You Jesus for Christmas!