not to be

Each year I always say that the weather does not change for good until after October and I am right! (Just like most other times) All during the month of October we start to get a "taste" of fall - but it is all really a hoax.....just a mean trick to get us to empty the closets and drawers in a panic because "winter is coming!" It happens EVERY YEAR......we get a week of cold weather (in the 60's) and I freak out - hauling the kids to the store in a frenzy trying to buy something that resembles pants, long sleeve shirts, and shoes with socks. Just about the time I gather a few things for everyone - it happens: A week of 90 degree temperatures! So here we are in the middle of it with today's high - 94. Really it is not too bad unless you are running a mile in it as the kids were this afternoon at PE - but lucky for them it was off to swim team afterwards. Yes - I said swim team! Outdoors! So while the rest of you are welcoming your first snow - we are still swimming! For now we are still saying goodbye to summer (because we love it too much to let it go) - enjoying what days of fall we do get - and preparing for that harsh winter ahead of 70 degree weather! It is a rough life of pumpkins mixed with palm trees - but it is fine with us. We can still play football, watch the World Series, and start to eat chili and pretend it is fall!

AN AFTERNOON FOOTBALL GAME

The huddle

The hike

The throw from the all-star quarterback to....

his star pupil......little wide receiver sister!

finally fall

Fall is finally officially here - just in time for the rest of you to begin experiencing winter! Time to wear jeans and sweatshirts and enjoy hot drinks! The kids have one more week of swim team - today it was only in the 60's and they froze! We are looking forward to our "outside time" now!

mind set

"Most people live unprepared for death. But those who are wise will go to a reliable source to investigate what's on the other side. And if they discover that the choices they make during their brief stay in this world will matter in the world to come, they'll want to adjust those choices accordingly." - Randy Alcorn in "Heaven"

I am determined to spend more time actively seeking Heaven - which also translates to setting my eyes on Christ. C.S. Lewis observed, " It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth 'thrown in': aim at earth and you will get neither."

It seems each day I struggle so with the details......meal preparation, laundry, housecleaning, bills, ironing - phonics, handwriting, math, history, language arts - swimming, PE, the dog, shopping.........components of this life. The rush and hurry of day to day details robs me of the joy of a life yet to come. Oh, how I want to combat this!

' Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.' Colossians 3:1-4

prayer

From Terry L. Johnson's "When Grace Comes Home":

Prayer can change me by.....

1) Bringing me to the posture of spiritual prostration before God. Prayer is not primarily intercession, but praise.

2) In addition to humbling me, prayer changes me by building my faith.

3) Prayer changes me by cleansing my soul. A God-centered approach to prayer leads inevitably to the confession of my sin.

' What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.'

James 4:1-10

Girls and Books ~ GAB!

One week ago Madison and I hosted her literature club at our house. It was a pleasure to work together with this competent and organized young lady to host her friends and provide education, fun, and fellowship. She amazes me! One of the privileges I enjoy about homeschooling is the extra opportunities to do things alongside our kids which give them rich experiences and memories. Our book club is about about training these precious girls to become generous hostesses, loving friends, diligent planners, and critical thinkers.

This month the girls read "Little House in the Big Woods". Madison desired to have a theme based experience so she chose activities, foods, and decorations which matched the details of the book. We made butter, baked "Laura's heart shaped cakes", made Ma's clove apples, and experienced "molasses on snow candy". Madison made a "general store" (which I failed to get a picture of!) with sewing materials, school supplies, and various types of food on display. The girls snacked on foods that Laura and her family enjoyed on a picnic while in the town of Pepin.

Oh how the girls enjoyed this book! I had to cut their sharing off and move on to the next question every time! It was interesting to see each girls' understanding of the theme, plot, setting, and worldview of the book. We discussed the author, historical fiction, and the 5 parts of a story. I was impressed with how prepared and well read each young lady was as well as with their eagerness and ability to share with the group.

The girls' kindness toward one another especially touched my heart. Many of them were meeting for the first time, yet as they worked together in pairs and threes to make the cakes or shared about themselves at the table I could see their desire to get along and enjoy one another's company. Notably cute was the girls' excitement to present Madison with her "hostess" gifts - most of them homemade with love and hope of blossoming friendships.

It was a great day! We are looking forward to next month!

~ Working on the cake/cookie making ~

~ Three new friends working together ~

~ The whole group ~

~ Mess in the kitchen with happy girls in the background! ~

~ Such diligent workers! ~

~ Very excited little sister with big sister ~

~ Molasses on snow candy ~

to make holy

How are those who are saved to make progress in the Christian life? What is the way forward What can we expect? What must we do to grow daily in the love and knowledge of Christ?

These are questions I've been contemplating this week. Why is it that even though I am in Christ and have the benefit of the Holy Spirit do I still struggle so much with my sin? Maybe I never really understood how much there was to overcome ( the weight of my sin).......maybe I never really took it to heart when Jesus said, 'apart from Me you can do nothing' (John 15:5) . ONLY as I am united to Christ can I amount to anything spiritually - and apart from Him I never will.

I think the problem is that I am a prideful - "do it myselfer". Even though in the back of my mind I have always known I cannot live the Christian life in my own strength - I most often try to and end up failing. Frequently I am not consciously drawing upon the Holy Spirit. I need to actively ask God for the strength to accomplish what He calls me to do.

It is comforting to know that the process of sanctification is just that, a process! Johnson in "When Grace Comes Home" says it is a day by day process of growth in grace. Sanctification is also warfare. I must 'put on the full armor of God', take up' my armor, 'be alert with all perseverance and petition' (Eph. 6:11-18)!

It is encouraging to know I am not the only one grappling with myself. Paul talked extensively about it in Romans 7 and then Galatians 5:17 says, 'For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things you please.'

This is expected to be difficult.....I will never escape conflict, struggle, or hardship until I am in glory - 'Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.' (Pil. 3:12)

Ha! Something this "realist" can grasp! I just have to press on - the goal is perfection but I am not going to make it in this life. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I can press on toward the goal. I will continue to have hope and 'work out my salvation' - I will endeavor, battle, and fight.....because I am good at that! And I know that God is at work in me.

outlook

Perspective is everything. Most people have heard the saying about the glass being "half full". Well I am historically a "glass half empty" type of person. Merl says it is pessimism or negativism. Often I call it realism - however this would not fit all circumstances. I have been reflecting lately on my attitude and trying to improve mine. This week's reading from "When Grace Comes Home" by Terry L. Johnson for small group at church was on outlook so I was again challenged:

"Those who are certain that what happens happens by the hand of God look at life differently than those who don't. They have a distinctive outlook. The conviction that 'God is the author of my circumstances' enables the believer to live life with unparalleled peace and joy." This is because of:

Sovereignty and gratitude: "You can be grateful in every circumstance in life because your circumstances are the means God uses to save your soul."

Sovereignty and contentment: My life verse has always been Philippians 4:13 - 'I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.' Most of the time I took the verse out of context - or prayed it for my own good......though now I am looking at it in a different light - or really challenging myself to BELIEVE it. "I can be joyful and content through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians by Tracy :)

How was Paul content 'in any and every circumstance.'? Johnson says, "Christ is in it. It is His will for the Apostle Paul to be in the circumstances he is in. So He strengthens him for the tasks which he is called. If you believe Christ is sovereign, that He has called you into the circumstances you encounter, then you should be content. (gulp)......Contentment requires that we not only know that God is in everything, but that we trust Him as well......The sovereign God who is Goodness itself has called you into your circumstances. It is not an accident. It is not bad luck. These are His purposes for you. Believing this and trusting God is the key to your peace and contentment."

Sovereignty and hope: "My very weakness is the opportunity for God to demonstrate His power."

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME

Johnson states: "I can live with adversity. I can have peace amidst turmoil, joy amidst suffering......I can conquer defects in my character. I can gain victory over my anger....All the flaws and failings of my personality, all the hardships and imperfections of my environment, all the conflict and dissension in my relationships can be overcome because we serve a sovereign God. In Christ Jesus we are 'more than conquerors,' says the Apostle (Rom 8:37)."

I guess the sky is the limit.