Off The Wagon

This is dedicated to my friend Cathy, who said I need to confess that I've fallen off the book wagon.

For those who knew I was supposed to be on a book diet, this is me confessing that I'm already defeated!  I was doing great until last Monday when I attended a gathering with some beautiful moms and young ladies.    Somewhere during all the chatting and hugging, the hostess brought out a big, beautiful book and it was like one of those scenes in a movie where all other sounds stop and there is silence as my eyes fell upon the cover - hardback no less!  (Cue the music....)

I had to touch it and hold it and read through the table of contents to see if it could possibly be something that I needed.   And, of course it was!

Now, here's where you can start laughing..........I don't even have a large family!  However, I do have a house and this book is full of great advice and "how-to's" on managing a home.   What girl doesn't need a little help in that area?   Large family or not......I figure I can use all the advice I can get on how to create a good routine, tackle the laundry mountain, and have a decent dinner on the TV trays each night.   So.....I bought it! 

And that was the beginning of the end of my book diet.

I've already confessed to my running mate Anna, who like always, greeted me with grace, all the while saying that she's still hanging in there (darn!).    And now, I'm confessing to you.

I guess I should just face the fact that I'm a junkie.   I can't help it!     I think next time I'll give up clothes or something useless, like that.   But, no more book diets.    It's just not healthy!

Good day!

Schoolroom Done!

It's the first day of 7th Grade for Collin and I finally got my schoolroom finished.........last night!

Here is where we will be working this year:

 This is our supply desk, a basket of books for reading,

white board for lessons, a prayer, the pledge, 

and the National Anthem printed out and framed.

Plus our subject tags on the left.

 

 You can see the shelves before I had the workboxes 

labeled and organized.

 Here is the other side of the room.

This is where Collin will sit to do his work. 

He can move to the couch, bed, front porch swing

or wherever he chooses to do his reading

and music.

 These are his workboxes.

Each box contains one subject except Spelling and Handwriting

and Logic and Nutrition.

The spelling and handwriting are done on the same day

(Language lessons on an alternate day, so in a different box).

Logic and Nutrition are on alternate days, but done with Mom, so I've combined

them in the same box.

 

These are the subject tags.  Each day I will hang the tags

that go along with what I want him to do that day

and as he finishes that subject he will remove the tag.

Each workbox will contain the assignments for that subject.

Today is Day 1 and I have some special things planned.  Can't wait to share them with you later!

Stay tuned..........

Forever Memories

Sometimes it takes a mother's touch to really clean a kid's room the way it needs to be!  Such was my task this week......going into Collin's cluttered space and turning it back into a nice looking bedroom!

This child of mine can be so particular about so many little, nit-picky things, yet, when it comes to his room - he's oblivious.   Although, I will say that just this week he came to me with these words - "my eyes have been opened and now I see that my desk really is messy."  Wow!  A major breakthrough!

So, in I went,  starting with the bookshelves and this is what I found:

ALL of these precious memories!!

These were tucked back behind the more "grown-up" books, so I pulled them all out and put them in a special box (but not before taking a picture, of course) to save for a time when we will all want to reminisce a little about  the times we read these special little books.

Both of my boys heard these books over and over and it was our pleasure to spend that time with our boys.   Even up to Collin's pre-teen years, David would take him through Good Night Moon, just one more time, and Collin would sit and listen.     Of course, at that point, there was probably some accents added and some additions to the words or something silly that went on, I can assure you! 

One of my favorites was "Guess How Much I love You!"   I shared so many special moments with Ted, reading this book to him.   Little Nut Brown Hare was so cute!

Anyway, needless to say......these will always be a part of our lives and a memory that I will cherish forever.

You never know what you'll find when you start cleaning your child's room.   Little things tucked here and there.

I'm glad I went in.  It was worth the trip.

I love you boys!

First Day Mishaps

I was visiting Courtney's blog (Women Living Well) and reading about her "First Day" mishaps (last year and this year) and was reminded of similar things we've faced on the first day of school over the years.

Our very first year of officially homeschooling (Ted's Kindergarten year), we were prepared to start on a Monday (of course - I never start anything in the middle of the week), when we heard a noise outside our front door.   Upon investigating,  we found our cat - Limbaugh (as in Rush) - cornering a brand new baby squirrel in the flower bed!   We scrambled around for a shoe box, rescued the baby, named him Acorn, and officially started our Kindergarten Vet Science program! 

And, every year since then, it seems the first days of school have proved eventful!

I don't know if this is such a surprise or not.   Afterall, when you homeschool, life is your biggest lesson.   The books are just tools to give you something to do when life gets slow!

I can tell you, that after 13 years (going on 14) of having my kids at home, I have thanked God so many times, for allowing me to have my boys at home where they belong, during those "life" moments, when no one wants to leave the house. 

We have schooled through hurricanes, deaths in the family, moving and moving several more times, job losses, job trips,  lost and dying pets,  and many other life-sized events.     Times when I can't imagine having to look my son in the face and say "I'm sorry your heart is broken, but I have to take you up to that building and leave you there.   Hold your tears inside, so no one makes fun of you.  You'll be fine."

I have thanked God so many times over the years, for my kids having a safe place to be, when life gets tough.

So, here goes another year of life and some book work too.

I bet I know which one will offer the most education.

You're Preaching Your Own Funeral

Last Saturday we attended a memorial service for my Uncle Travis.   His body and mind finally gave in to the savage beast known as Alzheimer's Disease.      But, although his physical body may be gone, his life, testimony to who he was, and our memories will live on.

My Aunt Susie had a beautiful service for him at the lake, where they loved to go and spend weekends playing cards, horseshoes and redneck golf.    

In spite of the extreme heat, there were so many friends who came to celebrate Travis' life and even speak about the memories they had of him and the impact he had on their lives.

 This is my brother and his girlfriend looking at some photos on the table.

 David, the boys, and a friend practicing Amazing Grace

Which we had to sing for the service

 My Aunt Susie doing a very hard thing - 

speaking about her husband

 of 45 years

 My aunt's best friend Pat, sharing about one of the last conversations

she had with Travis, where he knew that his mind was faltering.

 Travis' cousin Dale speaking about all the days they spent 

together as boys and men.

My mom talking about Travis and how she met him

and assuring my aunt that she is not alone.

Many more got up to speak and it was a beautiful testimony to the friends that loved Travis.  

I am reminded of something Ken Freeman said once, while preaching: You're preaching your own funeral.   It's a strange sounding thing to say, yet, I get it now.

The key word or phrase that was used over and over at Travis' memorial was "good man".    Everyone had a story to tell about how Travis helped them in some way.    Everyone spoke of his integrity.  

This is what it means to preach your own funeral.  You live your life in such a way that impacts people.  They either benefit from your presence and friendship or they don't, but you pretty much choose which one will be true about you.  

Travis will be greatly missed.   He was a good man.

You preached a good funeral Uncle Travis.  

We love you!

A Sweet Night

Last night I had the privilege of talking to a group of teenage girls about what gifts they are.   This is the "project" I have been working on for about a month now.   I've had to keep it a secret, which was hard, only because I usually write about what's going on in my little world, and this time I couldn't.   But, it turned out to be such a blessing and now I can actually share it with my friends!

My friend Toni contacted me about a month ago and asked me if I would be their "surprise guest speaker" at their first meeting of the new year.   They meet, (moms and daughters), during the year and study various materials, do crafts, and fellowship together.   Since I don't have daughters, Toni thought it would be interesting to bring a perspective from a "mom of boys", to their group.

The topic was originally supposed to be "what I would want in a future daughter-in-law" or "what I would want to say to myself, at that age".    I thought about this topic for a few days and realized it was harder than it sounded.  

When you think of what you would want in a daughter-in-law, then you put it on paper and speak it out loud, it can come off as unattainable.   This is not the message I wanted to bring to a group of girls.  It just seemed unforgiving in a way.    I guess my perspective is that I was not the perfect daughter-in-law, and had my mother-in-law put out a list of requirements for the perfect DIL, I would have failed!     The better side of that topic would be redemption and changes that come through Christ, but that was an entirely different talk for a different night. 

So I thought about what I would want to say to a group of young teens, just moving up into this growing season of their lives, and what came to me is this:  You Are A Gift.   I wanted them to know what a gift they are  now and that what they create in themselves now will be what they hand over to their husbands and children, in the future; the gift of themselves.

The talk went well (or as good as I could have hoped) considering I'm not a speaker, in any sense of the word!    Ugggg!  Even thinking about it now almost gives me hives!  However, I made it through and I hope they got the message behind my rambling.

What I came away with was a love in my heart for these girls.   Oh my goodness!  The beauty of raising girls in a godly home,  with godly values that shine through!   What a blessing they were!  I can't even describe what I saw in these girls, but if every Christian parent would pour into their daughters what these parents have, we would have a different world! 

I'm not saying they are perfect or have flawless futures ahead of them, but they are strong in their values and their parents are strong in their expectations and it is a good combination.

The sweetness and the hugs and the "thank-you's" I received were so heartwarming. 

It's so typical of God to send you on a mission and bless the giver so much more than than the recipient!   At least that's how I felt last night.   I may have been bringing the message, but I was the one walking away with the blessing.

So, if I had to make a list of "what I would want in a daughter-in-law" I bet I could find it right there in that room. 

Thank you girls!  You have my hearts:)

Blessings,
Mrs. Debbie

This Week In Review

Around the House:
*Trying to keep up with the One Load of Laundry a Day system, which I'm not succeeding at! I may get one load into the washer OR into the dryer OR folded and put away, but rarely do all three of those things happen in the SAME day!

*I've been faithfully working on a project for a group of people (that I can't mention) so I've been doing very little writing and it's been killing me!   Project is pretty much done.  Now, I just have to wait until the presentation is over and I can get back to living!

*We are trying to adjust to David working from home, which is not easy.   Living in a small farmhouse where everything has it's place and there is no room to spare, makes the modern-day "working from home" a huge challenge!!   We don't have spare rooms or large, spacious bedrooms where you can tuck away a nice little office.    Nope!   Any suggestions would be awesome right about now!


Around the Schoolhouse
*We haven't started with our school work due to me having to complete this project.   THIS is exactly why I don't teach Sunday School or Women's Bible Studies anymore.   I can't just throw together "talks".   I like to pour my all into them and that takes time.    All the while, my mind has been longing to put the finishing touches on our schedule, lesson plans, etc.    Not to mention, I'm ready to see Collin with his head in the books, rather than the video games (just being honest, here).

*Violin is going great though.  Collin has a great ear (just like his brother) so in addition to what he's learning from his sweet teacher, he has taught himself several songs just by ear.    Many times throughout the day, I hear the violin strings singing, and that makes me happy.   I never had to ask Ted to practice or play and look where he is now!

*He has watched a few DVD's on Classical musicians, so I guess he is getting some education.   David asked him today to sort some receipts in order by date.   After a 5 minute question session on which goes first "the oldest or the newest" and then David threatening him, he finally got the job done!   These detail people kill me!

*I heard sweet words out of the mouth of my 18 year old college student this week:  "I'm actually looking forward to studying and making progress."    WHAT?  WOW!   Music to my ears!  Hope that attitude lasts!


Out of the house
*We are going to see THE JUDDS tonight on their final tour!!  I'm so excited about this!!  I'm not one to get nostalgic about my teen years or my time in the 80's, but their music is one of the few things that makes me go "ahhhh".     I think it's more my love for "real life stories" and the dynamics between mother and daughter that has grabbed my heart for these two.   Whatever it is, I love their music!

*We are traveling out of town for my uncle's memorial service tomorrow.  I'm not looking forward to this, as it's a long drive, heat in the 100's and did I mention the service is outside!?   




On the Book Front
*I've stuck to my "no new books" campaign excellently until the Ken Freeman event we attended Monday night.    I broke my rule, in order to buy a book containing his testimony, but I wasn't sure I could find it later and I didn't know when we would get to attend another event of his.  (Sorry Anna!)
However, any other books that have tempted me over the past few weeks, have been written down on my wish list, which you can bet I will cash in, when this is all over!   I think I'm saving us some money, which is great.


*Because of this new rule of buying no more books, I'm actually reading the ones that have been sitting on shelves, waiting on me.   Right now I am enjoying "The Shape of Mercy" (fiction).    I haven't read fiction in quite a while and I've missed getting lost in a good story.    Sometimes you just need to get away!




Well, that's about it for us this week.   I'll be glad when next week rolls around and I can get back to what I love doing - writing on this blog and taking care of my home and family.  


Until then,
Blessings my friends!
Have an awesome weekend and remember this:


#1 - God
#2 - Family
#3 - Church
#4 - Work
#5 - Recreation

Pondering

"But Mary treasured up all these things 

and pondered them in her heart."

As a mom, I have thought of this scripture in Luke 2:19, many times over the years.      Afterall, a mom has much to ponder;  special moments, profound things her kids say, milestone events, what to do and when, etc.     But last night was a new moment for me; a moment when I witnessed the hand of God upon my son. 

Now, seeing Ted on stage is no longer a new event for us.   He's been playing in a band since he was in 6th grade.    He's mastered the guitar and in recent years has found his amazing voice.  

He's a rare young man, in that he has known for years what he's wanted to do for his life.   So, this too, is something we have lived with for quite a while.

But, last night as he stood on stage, leading us and an entire sanctuary full of people in worship, I felt something new - a perfect assurance that this is exactly what God has created Ted to do.

Ted has recently joined with the band Over Everest.   They are already booking events and their future looks very promising.    Last night, they were playing at a Ken Freeman event.   (If you've never had the privilege of hearing Ken, it's a must! )  Darin, the leader of the band started out  leading worship and Ted was playing lead guitar.   After about 20 minutes of worship, Ted stepped up to take the lead.

I, being a typical mom, was feeling a little nervous for him because he had a sore throat.  However, when he stepped up to the mic and started singing, something calming washed over me.   I had tears in my eyes as I felt the presence of God in that room.    For that moment it was like God was whispering in my ear "this is what I created him to do."   All anxiety fell away and I just enjoyed the worship and the revelation.

You see, it's one thing to be supportive of your child in their dreams and aspirations.   It's quite another to have that confirmed in your heart by the Holy Spirit.  

I've always known that God was going to use Ted musically.   I am seeing God's hand on him and it is something to behold.    

I am pondering it in my heart. 

You can view Ted @   www.tedslaughter.com

You can follow Over Everest Fan Page on FaceBook

A Summer Cold

Blah! 

That pretty much describes how I've felt for the past 2-3 days.  

Somehow I managed to pick up a summer cold (is that really even a legitimate name?) which has me feeling all stuffy and drippy at the same time.   

Anyway, haven't been able to function 100%, but I'm not dead either, which is a positive, right?

I've spent the past few days trying to catch up on laundry, working on a talk I have to give, trying out a new product to review, and half-way thinking about school.

My plan was to start this week with one or two subjects, easing into a full schedule in a few weeks.  However, I decided to put the entire start date on hold due to several obligations that are coming up and need to be out of the way before we can dive in.

I also didn't want to miss out on having a special "First Day of School", which would seem out of place if we had started "unofficially" weeks before.    So, we are waiting until the last Monday in August to start and we'll do it right.

At this rate it's a good thing I'm waiting.   I would hate to be on sinus drugs with a foggy brain on the first day of 7th grade!

See ya soon and don't forget......
wash your hands!  You don't want to catch a cold!

How Are You?

This is how I feel today.  

A little worn out.

How are you?

Are You Barely Hanging On?

My son TED at the Grand Canyon

This is a picture of my son Ted at the Grand Canyon.   Of course, this picture was just a joke to send back home and scare the wits out of me, but it's a great visual for how Ted was actually feeling at the time and would be feeling for the next 24 hours. 

You see, this was the 7th day of traveling on a bus full of other teens and parents, burning the candle at both ends.    Exhaustion was setting in.   

They left 7 days before, heading to Phoenix for the National Fine Arts Competition.   There they slept a little, played a little, and performed alot!   It was an exhausting week to say the least. 

However, Ted and the Worship Band came in 7th in the Nation (over 100 other bands were competing), which was huge!     Their hard work payed off!

After this picture was taken, they traveled 24 more hours on a bus that had people everywhere and by then, a smelly bathroom.  

As the hours ticked by and with every text or phone call I would get from Ted, he sounded a little more exhausted and a little more like he was going to blow a gasket.  

So, I gave him some encouraging words then I did what I, as a mom, do best.....I started praying for my son.     Every hour I would ask God for His peace to surround Ted, to calm his mind and body, so he could last a little longer.   I prayed for health and safety, but also for a soothing peace to come over him.

Finally at 10:30 he rolls up into the driveway looking like he was barely hanging on.     It was so good to see him.    I was praising God for taking care of him and bringing him back safely.

I can't imagine doing this parenting thing without my Heavenly Father by my side.   Who would I cry out to when I'm barely hanging on?   Who would I go to for comfort, when humans just don't get it?  Who else can cover a huge bus full of teens with safety and peace?   Who else can cover us in a blanket of peace when we feel we can't go another mile?

I know of only one  - Jesus Christ.   

If you're barely hanging on today, cry out to the ONE that can truly do something about it.    You won't be disappointed.

Blessings.

The Official Plan

Well, here it is......The Official Plan!   After my little detour last week,  I can confidently present to you our line-up for the 2011-2012 School Year!

 For our Bible time together Collin and I will study Apologia's Worldview Series, starting with Vol. 1 - Who Is God?  This book has multiple layers including God's word, activities, life application, and stories, all used to make clear to pre-teens and up, what we believe and why. 

This little gem will accompany our Bible time.   I love this book!  It's a beautifully written account of many of the famous HYMNS and the stories of how and by whom, they were written.    We will focus on 36 Hymns that I have chosen and learn one hymn per week.   I have chosen to do this for two reasons: 1st - these are the songs I sang many nights, rocking my babies to sleep.  When my kids were born, we belonged to a church that still sang hymns, so they were fresh on my mind.   I want my kids to know the songs that brought me comfort during those special nights.   2nd - if we don't teach our children the old hymns, they will be lost to their generation and that, to me, would be sad.   I enjoy contemporary  Christian music, as much as the next guy, but these are classics and should be passed along. 

 Now, for anyone who knows me at all, they will tell you that I detest most textbook methods of teaching Language Arts.   The endless pages of nonsense, that honestly, could be cut back by about 3/4 are mind numbing.    And let's not even get into the ridiculousness of diagramming sentences!    However, if you're looking for a just-the-basics kind of curriculum, this would be a great choice.    It is put together in a creative way, using beautiful color paintings, which are the backdrop for the creative writing assignments and the other elements are added in, one day at a time, without droning on for days and weeks!   You can see samples of this and the other levels at Queenhomeschool.com

 Apples Spelling is a great choice if you want to teach the rules of spelling.   Each week focuses on one spelling rule and all assignments are built upon that rule.   The lessons take about 20 minutes per day and are only 1 page each day.    This is Vol. 1 and they have Vol. 2 at CBD.com.

 Collin, who up to this point has informed me that Cursive is completely unnecessary, will be learning cursive this year, because I'm the mom and I said so!  But, being the softie that I am, I have chosen Handwriting Without Tears Can-Do Cursive because it's cool.    You'll just have to check it out and see for yourself.

 This is what I'm calling our Logic class.    Without incriminating my 12 year old, I will just say that we need some practice in the "Reasoning Skills" department.   The boy has intelligence, but he relies on my brain a little too much for my own good!  So, with a little practice, we should have him thinking on his own, in no time!

After debating whether to go searching for another History program (when I detoured away from My Father's World), I made the executive decision (I love being a homeschool mom) to do History in a way that comes very natural to Collin - audio cd's.     He retains an amazing amount of material and facts when he listens to cd's, so what better way to teach one of the subjects during the day?   He will listen to these, without effort, while playing Legos or drawing in his room.  There ya go!  Oh, and this particular series combines History and Science, so it's a double blessing!

 This is actually my Science choice for this year.  While at the homeschool conference in June,  Jessica and I attended a workshop by the author Sera Johnson (who was delightful, I might add!) and I fell in love with this curriculum!  It is my answer to educating myself on nutrition and better eating habits for my family, but it will also be a great way to spend time with Collin in the kitchen.   This book doesn't just teach about good food vs. bad food, it actually takes you through each major organ of the body and tells you exactly how the food you ingest affects each organ.    It's a huge wake-up call to the truth that you really are what you eat!  Yikes!    It has recipes too and various activities that can be done in a casual manner with your own child or it can be used in a group setting too.    Love it!

This little book will be just for fun.   Since Collin is taking Violin lessons, we will be adding in some music studies in the form of DVD's, cd's, and this book.    Nothing too pressing, just side stories about composers.    When he gets a little older I will require him to read the fantastic book The Spiritual Lives of the Famous Composers, but that can wait for now. 


The one thing I didn't get loaded was our Math, which is the Teaching Textbooks - Level 4.    It will give Collin a good, solid start in all the basic areas, help him with his multiplication and division facts, move up into the basics of geometry, and really touch on everything he needs to have a solid foundation in math before the upper levels.    Collin is very good with math, but I have been slow in pushing him to the next level.   This year will be a year of getting the facts down so that we can move on to more challenging concepts.  

And there you have it!  Our 7th Grade line-up.   I'm really excited about my choices for this year.   Now, I'll be moving on to scheduling and finishing up the schoolroom so I can post pictures of that before we get started.  

If I haven't said it before (which I absolutely have), I'll say it now:
I LOVE HOMESCHOOLING!

Have a great week everyone!

Thirteen Years and Still Learning

You're never too old to learn a thing or two and no matter how long you've been homeschooling you'll never have your act completely together!

If you checked in with me a few days ago and read my post on what my plans were for this next school year, then you're probably wondering what happened to that posting.     Well.......this is how it goes (and went)......

As I originally stated in that previous post, the process is usually the same every year for me:

#1 - Research curriculum in the Spring
#2 - Buy curriculum in the Spring
#3 - Put curriculum on the shelf until Summer
#4 - Bring curriculum out a few weeks before School starts and panic!

This year was no different.

However, I have learned a valuable, valuable lesson that I hope I will remember when next Spring rolls around - never wait until a few weeks before school starts to make sure you can really use what you've bought!!

As you know, I was all pumped up about using My Father's World - Exploring Countries and Cultures this year.   I've heard so many positive things about it and everyone seems to be very happy with it.    However, when I put it out on the table and really started digging through it, I had a very hard time following their method.

Now, just as there are many learning styles for the kiddos, and those styles should dictate (to a certain degree) what we choose for them, there are also teaching styles that we need to be aware of.   

If you are a very go-with-the-flow person, you might teach with tools that offer creativity and many variables.    If you are the kind of person that just needs to get from Point A to Point B, with as few distractions as necessary, then you will probably need a more straightforward approach to teaching. 

And this is what I discovered about myself this past week:  I need a simple route, easy to see, get me there without a lot of frills, kind of curriculum.

After three days of trying to make sense of the teacher's manual, the bigger picture, add the other elements that were of most importance to me, and come out with a sensible plan for a 7th grade boy, I finally had one of those lightbulb moments!   This isn't going to work for me!


I realized that MFW's method of using so many different resources was tripping me up and because of the way it's laid out - I had a hard time seeing the big picture of how all the pieces fit together.    (This is nothing against MFW.  I think it's perfect for a different kind of thinker!)

So I began to pull out anything that didn't really appeal to me or was too young for Collin, which eliminated quite a bit, including the Teacher's Manual!   This left me with the Missionary biographies, some atlases,  and his basic core subjects that weren't part of MFW.    

It looked like it might work, but I wanted to sleep on it.  Afterall, I had been at this for 3 days straight and I knew I probably wasn't thinking clearly.

The next morning I jumped right back in and realized what I had done, was eliminated 3/4 of the MFW and left myself with a study of missionaries.   This would have been fine, but I knew I couldn't hang on to this entire curriculum package, just for the biographies.  

To sum it up, I put some things for sale on FB, then took my chances and called MFW to see if they would allow me to return the items I still had.    They were very gracious (and probably pitied my stupidity) and allowed me to send back anything that was unused.   WHEW!!  Thank you, Jesus!

You know that feeling you have when you've let go of something that wasn't right?   Peace!! 
That's what I have now. 

If you're wondering what the next plan is, tune in to the next post.......

A Homeschooling Mom's Prayer

Dear Lord,

Please forgive me for my lack of attention lately.

Please watch over my family 

as I labor over these plans and books.

I know the dust is piling up

and the floor needs sweeping.

Please let the kids like fish sticks

just one more day.

Help my husband to understand this drive inside of me

to figure this stuff out.

A plan is in my head

I just have to get it into the lesson book

before I forget it.

Thank you for giving me this privilege

of teaching my kids at home.

Now give me the brains to go with!

Amen.

An Old Friend but a Timely Message

In my newly found state of "No More Books" I have found the blessing of several things:

First off - it feels good to say "no" to myself.   That may sound ridiculous, but there is something about indulgence that can be a little disgusting.   We all could use a little less self-indulgence once in a while.  At least at my house, this applies.

Second - I've had the privilege of revisiting a few old books that have been with me for years.  

Some books are like old friends; they bring you a sense of joy and comfort.   They take you back to the past, where you grew and flourished and walked through hard times and made it.  

This little book is one of those "old friends":

This book is actually a compilation of several of Ruth Harms Calkin's smaller books, put into one.   I don't think you can find her books anymore, unless they have recently been re-released, but if you ever see one, you will be blessed to own it.

What's inside of this book are little entries, written about her personal days.   She writes about her relationship with the Lord, her husband, marriage, friends, enemies, and everything else that comes to her mind and into her days.    The writings are from her heart and very honest. 

Many of her prayers/poems spoke so greatly to my heart at different times in my life.   I knew I could always open this book and be blessed by something honest, that would portray how I was feeling.  

This morning was no different.

Here's the one I turned to today:

For So Long

For so long, dear Lord

I have tried to fit You

Into my personal plans.

I've tried to crowd You in, somehow

Between my own chosen priorities.

Now at long last

I ask You to fit me into Your plans.

Mold me, teach me, use me

In whatever way will honor You.

O dear Lord

Give Yourself a magnificent reputation

In my God-planned life.

This one spoke to me in particular because of how our week has played out, so far.    After having Music Camp on the calendar for over a month now, our entire week was centered around that event.   I turned down a trip to Corpus with David, have scheduled things to do during the time Collin was at camp, and basically had an entire week of things to do.   Then, it all came to a screeching halt as we pulled into the teacher's driveway yesterday.

After getting up early, driving 25 minutes up the road, we get to her house only to have her come out to the car and tell us that she is canceling because no one else is coming.   Needless to say, I was not happy about it.   

I am proud of myself though.   I handled it gracefully on the outside, while fuming on the inside, but controlled myself, none the less.   I didn't scream what I was thinking, which was: "YOU SHOULD HAVE CONFIRMED WITH EVERYONE LAST NIGHT AND CALLED US BEFORE WE DROVE ALL THE WAY HERE!"      It was very unprofessional of her and very disappointing.   

She walked away having an empty schedule for the week, and I walked away with a very disappointed 12 year old boy who had been looking forward to this camp for a month.   Something screams "NOT FAIR" about that!  

So, I did what any mom might do to make her son feel better - I headed to Target to buy a toy.   Yes, I should have taken the money and put it back in the bank, but instead I bought Collin a new set of Legos.   So sue me!   I like to see my kids happy!

The moral of this very long story is that later that day, as I was praying and thinking back on the way things turned out, a very small thought popped into my head: one that said "maybe this is the way it was supposed to turn out."    Huh?  Could it be?

Could it be that just maybe God has other plans for my week?  Probably so.   And I'm ok with that.   I know that everything that He does, is for my good.  

So this morning Collin is still sleeping, I'm writing and looking forward to my week at home, instead of one on the road every morning.   

I have no doubt that God will show up; even if it's just Him wanting me to finish up the things I have to do around here.   My Father seems to know what's good for me; even when I try to go a different way.   That's what He does.    

Amazing, isn't He?