The Weekend in review:
Bryan is finally home. All week last week, while he was in Florida, I decided to have a "theme" for my week: "Empowering Grace". What does that mean? Well, recently I listened to some awesome teaching on the topic of grace. It was interesting to me, because the idea of grace coming from a God of the universe sounded ridiculous to me. Why? What does that even mean? Well, I'll let you do some research later if you are wondering the same thing, but one way that Christians, and only Christians who have the Holy Spirit, receive God's grace in the form of empowerment. That would be God allowing us to make it through difficult or impossible situations with out falling apart. That moment when you think "ok, I'm done, that's too much", that's when God's grace takes over the situation. It's kinda like that drive home late at night, and when you pull in the driveway you realize you don't even remember the last hour on the road....
So, knowing that I was going to be pulled in every direction through a VERY busy week with no daddy to come to the rescue at night, I decided I was going to choose to go into the week relying on "Empowering Grace".
To sum it all up, my week went perfectly well. Everyone was tired, but of course everyone was abnormally well behaved and larger amounts of housework were accomplished. I don't know what else to say, except you should try this sometime (optimally every day :)
Ok, so lots of other things have been going on. We're being tried financially, and in many other ways. We're taking things one step at a time. There are some things I don't talk about on my blog because I don't want to set it to private. But change seems to be on the horizon, AGAIN.
We are now attending services at Mars Hill, at the Federal Way campus. I have been talking about this for weeks, and probably driving everyone CRAZY. But seriously, it's good. Even if you aren't looking for a change or a church, I highly recommend clicking on the link I included here and just enjoying some good teaching.
Tah-dah! Happy Monday!
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/religionsaves/grace
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
I have several friends that do regular "thankful" themed posts on Thursdays or other days of the week. I'm going to use that idea today to post a few things I am deeply thankful for this week.
1. Friends. Remember a few months ago when I wrote a post on "friendship" and different phases in life. So, it's not that anything has really "changed". I don't really have a bosom buddy or a bff. BUT, God has really put some awesome people in my life, in just the right areas, and just the right ways. I wouldn't be able to maintain a bff type relationship, and nor would I want to with a hubby, three kids, and home. I can't stretch much farther. SO instead over the past 6 months or so I have become aware of the friends I have, who also are in the same position, and have learned how to maintain some really healthy relationships with out feeling drained. Through this realization I have realized I really "love" some of these girls! You know what I mean. I miss them if I haven't seen them in a couple weeks, and I really love their interesting personalities and lives. If you are reading this and you are wondering if I'm talking about you, I probably am! ((hug))This is what friendship looks like during motherhood, CONGRATULATIONS! haha
2. My husband. I always love him, but right now I am so proud of him and blah blah blah. I'm not good with the mushy love stuff. But you when you see real growth in your spouse, as a person, AND as a Christian it is sooooo wonderful. (no I'm not trying to say he had maturity problems before, but we got married at 19 for peet sakes)
3. My kids. They are... I dunno, I'm pretty affluent (ha! I meant "affluent with words!" when I went back and read this I laughed cause I'm broke as a joke!) but I can't think of a word to go here. Bryan has been in Florida all week, and not once have I wished to be aways from the homschool, potty training, fussing, and fiascoes. I have been able to really see them clearly this week. I'm TOTALLY exhausted, and completely awake and energized at the same time.
4. The most important one I saved for last. So anyone who is still reading and wants to know WHY in the world I'm so chipper, here it is. I have given up "religion". I mean it. It wasn't right for me. I have left all the rules behind and decided that I want to live my life differently. "What?" "Really?", you're thinking.
Jesus did not come to earth to give us rules, he came here to take all the man made rules, bureaucracy, legalism, hypocrisy, and Pharisaical crap and shove it right back in the face of man and Satan (the one who wants to use rules and bs to scare you away from Jesus). I am so happy because I have chosen to stop going through with "commitments", "rituals", and "superstition" that had nothing to do with the man Jesus or anything that he stood for. So I'm back to basics. I don't want anyone to think that I am saying that the church I belonged to or other churches like it were "wrong" or evil in anyway, but I think Satan was using the repetition, shallowness, and circular thought patterns that were lacking in biblical study and deeper thinking, to make me tired, let down, bored, and distracted. So there it is, you heard it here first. I'm done. And what I have already planted in place of that mess is totally changing me. Change is really scary even when it's good, but man you would not believe the stuff that has been happening around me since I made this commitment. People around me are changing, acting crazy, and weird stuff is happening. Love you guys, and I hope you have already experienced this at some point in your life. If you haven't I hope you start doing your own research. Listen to that voice, and that feeling in the pit of your stomach. Life on earth can be so much better.
1. Friends. Remember a few months ago when I wrote a post on "friendship" and different phases in life. So, it's not that anything has really "changed". I don't really have a bosom buddy or a bff. BUT, God has really put some awesome people in my life, in just the right areas, and just the right ways. I wouldn't be able to maintain a bff type relationship, and nor would I want to with a hubby, three kids, and home. I can't stretch much farther. SO instead over the past 6 months or so I have become aware of the friends I have, who also are in the same position, and have learned how to maintain some really healthy relationships with out feeling drained. Through this realization I have realized I really "love" some of these girls! You know what I mean. I miss them if I haven't seen them in a couple weeks, and I really love their interesting personalities and lives. If you are reading this and you are wondering if I'm talking about you, I probably am! ((hug))This is what friendship looks like during motherhood, CONGRATULATIONS! haha
2. My husband. I always love him, but right now I am so proud of him and blah blah blah. I'm not good with the mushy love stuff. But you when you see real growth in your spouse, as a person, AND as a Christian it is sooooo wonderful. (no I'm not trying to say he had maturity problems before, but we got married at 19 for peet sakes)
3. My kids. They are... I dunno, I'm pretty affluent (ha! I meant "affluent with words!" when I went back and read this I laughed cause I'm broke as a joke!) but I can't think of a word to go here. Bryan has been in Florida all week, and not once have I wished to be aways from the homschool, potty training, fussing, and fiascoes. I have been able to really see them clearly this week. I'm TOTALLY exhausted, and completely awake and energized at the same time.
4. The most important one I saved for last. So anyone who is still reading and wants to know WHY in the world I'm so chipper, here it is. I have given up "religion". I mean it. It wasn't right for me. I have left all the rules behind and decided that I want to live my life differently. "What?" "Really?", you're thinking.
Jesus did not come to earth to give us rules, he came here to take all the man made rules, bureaucracy, legalism, hypocrisy, and Pharisaical crap and shove it right back in the face of man and Satan (the one who wants to use rules and bs to scare you away from Jesus). I am so happy because I have chosen to stop going through with "commitments", "rituals", and "superstition" that had nothing to do with the man Jesus or anything that he stood for. So I'm back to basics. I don't want anyone to think that I am saying that the church I belonged to or other churches like it were "wrong" or evil in anyway, but I think Satan was using the repetition, shallowness, and circular thought patterns that were lacking in biblical study and deeper thinking, to make me tired, let down, bored, and distracted. So there it is, you heard it here first. I'm done. And what I have already planted in place of that mess is totally changing me. Change is really scary even when it's good, but man you would not believe the stuff that has been happening around me since I made this commitment. People around me are changing, acting crazy, and weird stuff is happening. Love you guys, and I hope you have already experienced this at some point in your life. If you haven't I hope you start doing your own research. Listen to that voice, and that feeling in the pit of your stomach. Life on earth can be so much better.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
I feel different. I mean, I really feel different. I hadn't been doing a consistent "bible study" in while. On top of it we have been doing some searching as far as finding a new church home. God kept calling me back to a certain place. I spent MONTHS waiting for Bryan to start coming around. He was just so blah for a while. Then one day, through nothing that had anything to do with me, he started investigating this church online (the same one I had been thinking about). We started listening to the sermons that are available online together. Then I started listening to them every morning,and during the kids nap time. We happen to have some friends we love that already attend this church, and when we told them we will be there next weekend (when Bryan gets home)and would like to visit their community group, they're happy response has only made it that much more natural.
I'm SO happy Bryan and I are both growing as people again and God has really lead us in the same direction. I'm so so so glad for how different I am feeling inside because of how much I have been learning. There was nothing "wrong" with the church we were attending before, but we were getting ZERO out of being there. It just wasn't right anymore. After trying to make it work for about a year we were both just getting farther away from God, His will, joy, and so much more. I was so on fire just less than a year ago, but I was so starved that all I could do was try to make it through each day.
I don't want to talk about the names of the churches, because I'm not trying to promote anything. I'm just saying that if you are tired, bored, complacent, etc in your spiritual growth; maybe it's because you need more. Man can not live on milk alone.
As a result of all this, I have noticed that I have been a much more purposeful mother. I have been more cheerful and content. I have been able to keep my house clean (yes ladies there is a connection there).
While Bryan is gone this week, my goal is to stay focused, keep learning, keep up the clean house, and spend some time in quiet (he was home for a record 6 weeks strait and I was going crazy). And get lots of exercise (which I will be needing lots of prayer for)
This is gonna be a revival.
I'm SO happy Bryan and I are both growing as people again and God has really lead us in the same direction. I'm so so so glad for how different I am feeling inside because of how much I have been learning. There was nothing "wrong" with the church we were attending before, but we were getting ZERO out of being there. It just wasn't right anymore. After trying to make it work for about a year we were both just getting farther away from God, His will, joy, and so much more. I was so on fire just less than a year ago, but I was so starved that all I could do was try to make it through each day.
I don't want to talk about the names of the churches, because I'm not trying to promote anything. I'm just saying that if you are tired, bored, complacent, etc in your spiritual growth; maybe it's because you need more. Man can not live on milk alone.
As a result of all this, I have noticed that I have been a much more purposeful mother. I have been more cheerful and content. I have been able to keep my house clean (yes ladies there is a connection there).
While Bryan is gone this week, my goal is to stay focused, keep learning, keep up the clean house, and spend some time in quiet (he was home for a record 6 weeks strait and I was going crazy). And get lots of exercise (which I will be needing lots of prayer for)
This is gonna be a revival.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Back in Business
We had a nice long spring break from bookwork and most homeschool stuff. We relaxed, spent time enjoying each other's company, and also attending some meetings with the school to plan for next year.
Now break is over, and it's time to pull up our bootstraps. I'm guessing we will have about 11 weeks of school left before we're ready to go into summer mode, but it really depends on the pace we keep. Aiden has one more phonics book, which he just started today, that he needs to finish. Also I want to reach our goal of over 50 sight words (we use flash cards) so that he will well exceed the Kindergarten expectations. Once we have done those things we will still work on reading and phonics through the summer, because if he should return to public school at all he would be well ahead of the expectations. He struggled to keep up in the reading/writing areas in the past, so being on par would be a great step in the right direction.
Spring has really arrived at our house, rain and all. We worked on our back yard all week. We're almost done with our little patio makeover. My parents recently sold their house and have downsized between their two condos. We are inheriting a FABULOUS natural gas grill, patio furniture, lots of potted plants, landscaping tools, and more. We are so excited to have the outdoor living space we always fantasized about. I am soooo stoked to start my summer cooking and grilling, and have a very pleasant place to entertain friends on summer evenings. Thank you so much mom and dad.
On a similarly related note, we will be having a garage sale including my parents extra furniture, some of our extra stuff, and things from our neighbors in our culdesac. If you are into garage saling come check us out. It will be next weekend, Friday and Saturday. Or if you have things to sell just let me know, we are happy to include anyone.
As a product of helping my parents out with this garage sale we will be inheriting their washer and dryer set and getting rid of ours, so if that is something you need let me know.
Again, on a somewhat related note, we are also getting a big garage fridge/refrigerator from my parents. I am sooooo excited because it has completely changed the way I grocery shop. I have been able to stock up on things I didn't have room for before. All those tips I have gotten from my awesome bargain shopping friends are finally paying off!! Thank you thank you Missy http://www.areyouthere-god.com/ and Jen www.thriftynorthwestmom.com and so many other ladies who post your awesome shopping adventures. So if you are wondering what I've been doing? No, I'm not a pro yet, and I'm not particularly organized with my coupons, BUT I have been using fliers to plan my shopping ahead of time. I go to at least three different stores and get what I would usually get, but only where it's on sale. Our meals have gotten so much better! I have been getting some great deals on meat and am ready for the grill. It's been fun. Three cheers for bogos!!!
Ok, so thats about all the info I plan to overload you all with today. As the weather improves I hope for some playdates, some gardening, and a grand finale to this backyard project. Happy Monday :)
Now break is over, and it's time to pull up our bootstraps. I'm guessing we will have about 11 weeks of school left before we're ready to go into summer mode, but it really depends on the pace we keep. Aiden has one more phonics book, which he just started today, that he needs to finish. Also I want to reach our goal of over 50 sight words (we use flash cards) so that he will well exceed the Kindergarten expectations. Once we have done those things we will still work on reading and phonics through the summer, because if he should return to public school at all he would be well ahead of the expectations. He struggled to keep up in the reading/writing areas in the past, so being on par would be a great step in the right direction.
Spring has really arrived at our house, rain and all. We worked on our back yard all week. We're almost done with our little patio makeover. My parents recently sold their house and have downsized between their two condos. We are inheriting a FABULOUS natural gas grill, patio furniture, lots of potted plants, landscaping tools, and more. We are so excited to have the outdoor living space we always fantasized about. I am soooo stoked to start my summer cooking and grilling, and have a very pleasant place to entertain friends on summer evenings. Thank you so much mom and dad.
On a similarly related note, we will be having a garage sale including my parents extra furniture, some of our extra stuff, and things from our neighbors in our culdesac. If you are into garage saling come check us out. It will be next weekend, Friday and Saturday. Or if you have things to sell just let me know, we are happy to include anyone.
As a product of helping my parents out with this garage sale we will be inheriting their washer and dryer set and getting rid of ours, so if that is something you need let me know.
Again, on a somewhat related note, we are also getting a big garage fridge/refrigerator from my parents. I am sooooo excited because it has completely changed the way I grocery shop. I have been able to stock up on things I didn't have room for before. All those tips I have gotten from my awesome bargain shopping friends are finally paying off!! Thank you thank you Missy http://www.areyouthere-god.com/ and Jen www.thriftynorthwestmom.com and so many other ladies who post your awesome shopping adventures. So if you are wondering what I've been doing? No, I'm not a pro yet, and I'm not particularly organized with my coupons, BUT I have been using fliers to plan my shopping ahead of time. I go to at least three different stores and get what I would usually get, but only where it's on sale. Our meals have gotten so much better! I have been getting some great deals on meat and am ready for the grill. It's been fun. Three cheers for bogos!!!
Ok, so thats about all the info I plan to overload you all with today. As the weather improves I hope for some playdates, some gardening, and a grand finale to this backyard project. Happy Monday :)
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