tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78372802011-04-22T00:45:40.472-04:00The Musings of a Reformed Christian Family Learning to Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christlisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.comBlogger251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1130855509607436082005-11-01T09:30:00.000-05:002005-11-01T09:31:49.616-05:00Making brownies to take to a church dinner Sunday afernoon, my daughter declared, "The way to make sure you get perfect brownies every time is to lick the batter first." No wonder my brownies always turn out----I always have been a licker : )<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-113085550960743608?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1130292047903792522005-10-25T21:53:00.000-04:002005-10-25T22:00:47.910-04:00Last week, my just turned 5 yo daughter came downstairs from her rest time and announced, "Well, I finished Moby Dick. It was really good!" Had it been a different child I would have laughed, but my daughter has been reading since she was 3--when I was trying to teach her then almost 5 yo brother. She sort of hung around as we worked our way thru 100 Easy Lessons, and by lesson 50, she had it. It took her older brother another year and a half to really master reading to the point where he will now choose to read (the new glasses helped too!).<br /><br />Now here is the shame: after asking her some basic comprehension questions about Moby Dick, which she got right, I had to confess to my husband that I had never read Moby Dick. I do not like Melville. I had to read some of his other works in college and his style about killed me. But I own a whole set of Children's Illustrated Classics, and Moby Dick is one of the titles. Now it is abridged and does have an illustration every 5 or 6 pages, but it is still about 200 pages.<br /><br />My daughter is now on chapter 16 of On the Banks of Plum Creek. It was supposed to be our next read aloud (continuing in the series from a break because we didn't own it until yesterday). But if she has read it already, I wonder how much she will be interested once we finish Elsie Dinsmore.<br /><br />Not a terrible problem to have that's for sure!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-113029204790379252?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1129835545312343702005-10-20T12:21:00.000-04:002005-10-20T15:12:25.383-04:00<div align="left">The children have been learning Holy, Holy, Holy in children's choir at church, so we thought it appropriate to reinforce it at home. At the same time, we added Nothing but the Blood of Jesus for this week also. I am thoroughly enjoying this part of our mornings and evenings.</div><br /><div align="center">What Can Wash Away My Sin? </div><div align="center">Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus;</div><div align="center">What Can Make Me Whole Again? </div><div align="center">Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">For My Pardon This I See, </div><div align="center">Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus.</div><div align="center">For My Cleansing, This My Plea, </div><div align="center">Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Nothing Can For Sin Atone, </div><div align="center">Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus.</div><div align="center">Naught Of Good That I Have Done, </div><div align="center">Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This Is All My Hope And Peace, </div><div align="center">Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus.</div><div align="center">This Is All My Righteousness, </div><div align="center">Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus.</div><div align="center">O Precious Is The Flow, That Makes Me White As Snow</div><div align="center">No Other Fount I Know, Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus. </div><div align="left">The other thing I love about this hymn is that EVERYBODY can really get into the refrain, "Nothing but the blood...."</div><div align="left"> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112983554531234370?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1129748947126864152005-10-19T15:04:00.000-04:002005-10-19T15:09:07.133-04:00We are for the first time, allowing our children to participate in Halloween. We had attended a church that help a "festival" that we went to. We decided that being new in our neighborhood and still not knowing any neighbors besides the 3 immediately around us (either side and across the street), we would go to them and meet them on Halloween and be home to meet their children as well. Truthfully, I am really looking forward to it, but not as much as my children who have begun a countdown to trick or treating.<br /><br />Lest you think I have lost my mind, I do offer money in exchange for candy they want to surrender, so there is not too much left : )<br /><br />Tim Challies has a very good discussion of Halloween <a href="http://www.challies.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1017">here</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112974894712686415?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1129223195477450972005-10-13T13:03:00.000-04:002005-10-13T13:06:35.483-04:00I think that more than ever I am keenly aware that my heart is prone to wander, and does wander. Thankfully, I have a Great High Priest Who intercedes for me!<br /><br />1. Come, thou fount of every blessing,<br />Tune my heart to sing thy grace;<br />Streams of mercy, never ceasing,<br />Call for songs of loudest praise.<br />Teach me some melodious sonnet,<br />Sung by flaming tongues above.<br />Praise the mount!<br />I'm fixed upon it,<br />Mount of God's redeeming love.<br /><br />2. Here I raise my Ebenezer;<br />Hither by thy help I'm come;<br />And I hope, by thy good pleasure,<br />Safely to arrive at home.<br />Jesus sought me when a stranger,<br />Wandering from the fold of God;<br />He, to rescue me from danger,<br />Interposed His precious blood.<br /><br />3. O to grace how great a debtor<br />Daily I'm constrained to be!<br />Let that grace now, like a fetter,<br />Bind my wandering heart to thee.<br />Prone to wander--Lord, I feel it--<br />Prone to leave the God I love;<br />Here's my heart, O take and seal it,<br />Seal it for thy courts above.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112922319547745097?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1129053624426357162005-10-11T13:59:00.000-04:002005-10-11T14:00:24.433-04:00To RC Jr. and Denise Sproul on their new son, <a href="http://highlands.gospelcom.net//journals/hsc/">Reilly Justice</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112905362442635716?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1128617765765553472005-10-06T12:38:00.000-04:002005-10-06T12:56:05.810-04:00When non-homeschooling people discover that we are a homeschooling family, it seems their first concern is for our children's "socialization." I have heard several comebacks for this from other HS families, but I usually ask them how well they got along with their siblings vs. their friends while they were growing up.<br /><br />I know that I treated my friends much better than I ever treated my brother (or my parents to my own shame). So, I point out that if my children can truly love one another, it is actually easier to love those outside of our family. If I can see my children and myself loving each other then I am confident that they/we have discovered the reliance on God to love our neighbors as well.<br /><br />That said, what do you do with extended family that you struggle to get along with? The pastor of <a href="http://www.wcpca.org">Westminster Church</a> is finishing up a sermon series on I Corinthians 13. It has been amazing and convicting. So much of the exhortation to love is glossed over. This is tough stuff.<br /><br />As well it should be. This is the Christian life here. It is about sacrifice. The whole story of Christianity is full of blood. This is not a simple, happy calling. There is bloodshed. And we are called to crucify ourselves daily.<br /><br />That said, our family is about to embark on a 3 day trip to be with extended family. Our relationship has been strained for years. We live so differently and while they claim to be redeemed, the marks of true repentance and regeneration are not there.<br /><br />So it's time to put into practice what the Holy Spirit has been teaching me for the past 2 months. Love is kind, long suffering, is not envious, does not boast, is not proud, does not shame others, is not self-seeking or irritable, does not delight in evil (or in the evil of others, ie. "Thank you God that I'm not like <em>them.</em>"), hopes in God, endures with God......love never fails.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112861776576555347?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1128607328229311022005-10-06T09:59:00.000-04:002005-10-06T10:02:08.236-04:001. All hail the power of Jesus' name,<br />let angels prostrate fall!<br />Bring forth the royal diadem {}<br />and crown Him Lord of all! { }<br /><br />2. Crown Him, you martyrs of your God,<br />who from His altar call,<br />Extol the Stem of Jesse's rod {}<br />and crown Him Lord of all! { }<br /><br />3. Ye seed of Israel's chosen race,<br />ye ransomed of the fall,<br />Hail Him who saves you by His grace, {}<br />and crown Him Lord of all! { }<br /><br />4. Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget<br />the wormwood and the gall.<br />Go, spread your trophies at His feet {}<br />and crown Him Lord of all! { }<br /><br />5. Let ev'ry kindred, ev'ry tribe,<br />on this terrestrial ball,<br />To Him all majesty ascribe, {}<br />and crown Him Lord of all! { }<br /><br />6. O that with yonder sacred throng<br />we at His feet may fall;<br />We'll join the everlasting song, {}<br />and crown Him Lord of all! { }<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112860732822931102?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1128422142955183292005-10-04T06:23:00.000-04:002005-10-04T06:35:42.993-04:00An interesting article about how TV disrupts kids' sleep (and lives) <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,171067,00.html">here</a>. This includes the reminder from the AAP that children under 2 should be watching no TV and children 2 and older should watch less than 2 hours a day.<br /><br />I am certainly not a huge fan of the AAP, but I think parents could use this reminder. I do know that our pediatrician in FL asked me how much TV my children watched at their annual well check ups.<br /><br />Yes, the TV is a convenient babysitter when you have to wash the floor or as we have done a couple of times in the past few months as a datenight babysitter (when you don't know anybody in the area, haven't plugged into a local church, and are pretty uptight about with whom you leave your children). We have let the children eat their Friday night pizza in the playroom--where our home's only TV is and we eat a quieter date dinner in the kitchen by ourselves...mostly!<br /><br />A very good read on the topic is <em>Sweet Dreams</em> by Dr. Paul Fleiss. For more info and other resources go <a href="http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBJanFeb03p4.html">here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112842214295518329?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1128175243225342202005-10-01T09:59:00.000-04:002005-10-03T07:49:12.950-04:00Or know of a missionary or FT Christian worker who could use this as an awesome way to keep people up to date on their ministry?<br /><br />Check out: <a href="http://www.ericragle.com/2005/09/30/bloggers/wordpresscom-invite-pt-2/">Eric Radle's offer </a><br /><a href="www.ericragle.com/2005/09/30/bloggers/wordpresscom-invite-pt-2/"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112817524322534220?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1128133491276144182005-09-30T22:24:00.000-04:002005-10-04T06:53:27.090-04:00Don't know how to explain the math genius, but I do know that my children will need lots of help when we begin our logic study.......<br /><br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="350" align="center" border="0"><tbody><tr><td align="middle" bg style="color:#fff774;"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: blackfont-family:Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;" ><b>Your IQ Is 120</b></span></td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#fffcca"><center><img height="100" src="http://images.blogthings.com/quickanddirtyiqtest/iq.gif" width="100" /></center><span style="color:#000000;"><br />Your Logical Intelligence is <b>Below Average</b><br /><br />Your Verbal Intelligence is <b>Genius</b><br /><br />Your Mathematical Intelligence is <b>Genius</b><br /><br />Your General Knowledge is <b>Above Average</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/quickanddirtyiqtest/">A Quick and Dirty IQ Test</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112813349127614418?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1128103069411912962005-09-30T13:42:00.000-04:002005-09-30T13:59:36.876-04:00When my husband and I first got married, we agreed that we did not want a TV for the first year of marriage. We had heard a lot of advice about taking time that year to adjust to marriage and to learn to communicate and we decided that TV would be a hindranceto that. Like most men, my husband doesn't really multi-task too well. That is, if the TV is on, you can pretty much forget any conversation or interaction. Having been raised by Deaf parents, he is visually acute and when occupied visually, not too much else gets thru. I learned this while we were dating.<br /><br />He would come to my home (my parents' home) and if the TV was on, then the night of deep conversation was greatly hindered. He is not a sport head, nor does he follow any particular commentator, but his weakness is documentaries--particularly historical ones.<br /><br />So we did quite well the first year of marriage with no TV. At the end of the year, we just sort of looked at each other and said, "Who has time for TV?" So we never bought one. About 7 years ago, a dear friend of ours bought us a TV out of sympathy. We enjoyed watching movies, but had to do so on our computer screen. That made him crazy and so for our anniversary one year, he bought us a TV. I am happy to say that the TV has never received a channel. I'm not really sure why and there have been times when I tried (9/11) but we have never been able to watch TV on the TV.<br /><br />So, yes, we are some of the few who never saw the OJ Simpson slow white Bronco chase and subsequent trial, the Monica Lewinsky trial/scandal, the 9/11 tragedy, nor the hurricane coverage as we were scrambling putting boards on our windows in FL. Do we feel like we missed something? Not really. I have never seen episodes of the shows that everyone talks about--unless we catch something at a hotel. You certainly would not want me on your Trivial Pursuit team for anything in pop culture that has happened in the last 12-15 years!<br /><br />So then today I read this:<br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">Members of U.S. households spent more time last year than ever in front of a TV set, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">according to a report released yesterday by Nielsen Media Research. And as the new </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">fall season swings into action, the rise in viewing continues - a development certain </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">to alarm those who blame the medium for contributing to obesity in children and shorter attention spans, even as the trend cheers industry insiders.<br />The study, conducted by the world's largest provider of TV and audience data, found </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">that during the 2004-2005 television season, members of average American homes </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">collectively spent 8 hours and 11 minutes per day watching TV. (The season ran </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;">from Sept. 20, 2004, to Sept. 18, 2005.) <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-te.tv30sep30,1,1802987.story?coll=bal-features-headlines">http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-te.tv30sep30,1,1802987.story?coll=bal-features-headlines</a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Oh to think of all the other things people could be doing rather than spending 8 hours a day watching TV. TV is such a solitary past time. When you watch people watching TV, they are not conversing, interacting, growing deeper......not that the internet is much better......but let's not get too personal ; )</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112810306941191296?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1128016259615121742005-09-29T13:43:00.000-04:002005-09-29T13:55:53.756-04:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Having not grown up in the church, I have no idea how the original tune to this hymn goes, but we sang the Indelible Grace version in our church in Florida, and we loved it. You can check it and many other "updated" hymns at the Indelible Grace website </span><a href="http://www.igracemusic.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.igracemusic.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> .<br /><br />Indelible Grace:<br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">"Our hope is to help the church recover the tradition of putting old hymns to new music for each generation, and to enrich our worship with a huge view of God and His indelible grace"</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">My children have thoroughly enjoyed this hymn this week. Even our 2 year old is singing, "Arise!"</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1. Arise my soul arise, shake off your guilty fears</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">The bleeding sacrifice, in my behalf appears</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Before the throne my Surety stands.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Before the throne my Surety stands</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">My name is written on His hands<br />Chorus: Arise (arise), Arise (arise), Arise</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Arise, my soul, arise.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Arise (arise), Arise (arise), Arise</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Arise, my soul, arise.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Shake off your guilty fears and rise<br />2. He ever lives above, for me to intercede</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">His all-redeeming love, His precious blood to plead</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">His blood atones for every race</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">His blood atones for every race</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">And sprinkles now the throne of grace<br />3. Five bleeding wounds he bears, received on Calvary</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">They pour effectual prayers, they strongly plead for me</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Forgive him, O forgive, they cry</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Forgive him, O forgive, they cry</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Nor let that ransomed sinner die<br />4. My God is reconciled, His pard’ning voice I hear</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">He owns me for His child, I can no longer fear</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">With confidence I now draw nigh</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">With confidence I now draw nigh</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">And Father, Abba, Father cry!<br /></span></div></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112801625961512174?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1127758776880429322005-09-26T13:43:00.000-04:002005-09-26T15:09:32.896-04:00Twelve years ago, I would have never guessed that I would be where I am today. A homeschooling mother. I shuddered to think. We were in a church with lots of large homeschooling families. Out of about 90 families, I'd say only 5 went to public school and about 10 went to Christian school. I had graduated from public school. I had actually gotten a decent education (or so I thought) and faithfully served God in the public school. I also became a Christian thru a ministry to the public schools. But that didn't really matter too much because my husband and I were choosing not to have children.<br /><br />Our pastor who married us was going thru his standard wedding homily and prayer during a pre-marital meeting when he said that he would bless my womb and pray for covenant keeping offspring; I kindly requested that he keep it out. Thankfully, he didn't listen to me, and on our wedding video, you can actually see my head pop up in shock as we are praying and he blesses my womb!<br /><br />We married and had a lot of fun with 2 incomes--we were able to be very generous and also enjoy vacations and travel, weekends at B&Bs, eating out, special gifts and celebrations.....it was good, but God wanted the best for us!<br /><br />Due to some medical anomalies that still to this day have no answers or explanations, my OB/GYN took me off of birth control. She assured me that because I had been on it for so many years (5) that it would take several months until I would be fertile and that we should simply choose a different method. By this time, God was working in our hearts and we were beginning to be drawn to the idea of being parents. But we still had so many other priorities. I was beginning my last year of graduate school, my husband had 2 more years of graduate school. This was not the time for a baby. Thankfully, God had other plans.<br /><br />The very next month, I was pregnant---and we were delighted beyond words---that's something only God could have done!<br /><br />And an even bigger blessing was that we lived next to a woman who would become my mothering mentor and dearest friend. D. and her family had recently become Christians (she several years before the rest of her family). We had the privilege of being at the baptism of the entire family--what a day. And she had started homeschooling her youngest 2 children. She let me into her life entirely. There was hardly an aspect that she didn't share with me. This was and is a wonderful picture of the Titus 2 relationship that women in the church are to have. She may have been a new Christian, but she passionately pursued God and was an amazing mother.<br /><br />She taught me so much. She worked side by side with me as we sewed, decorated, cooked, baked, played, gardened, taught, and mothered. I do believe that any good parenting I do is a direct result of the grace and mercy of God and the time and energy and the wonderful model that D. was and still is.<br /><br />Every new mother should have a D. in her life. But they do not, and not even in the church. So many of the women in the church have chosen another route. As we have visited many churches recently, one thing that really sticks out is the number of women who identify with their jobs/careers more than with the role of mother. I understand the pull, the allure, and even the financial need for this, but it is not helping the church to nurture new young mothers.<br /><br />I also have a very wise friend, Kim, who has lamented the fact that many of the Christian mothers who have sacrificed and stayed home with their children often go back to work once their children go off to college. This would be such a great time to spend that extra time pouring your life into a young mother who may not have had a Christian role model growing up, or perhaps is so far away from her own mother that she needs support, guidance, and counsel. I had the privilege of spending several years of living right next door to my mentor. When we moved to FL, I never did find that mentor replacement, though, I did have an older woman who was kind, and open and available to me, but she too went back to work full time, so I eventually didn't want to intrude on her own family's time.<br /><br />So now that I am a little further down this road of motherhood, I am seeking a young mother to mentor. I do not have all the answers, nor are my mothering skills or wifely skills where they ought to be. But I do know how to throw myself at the mercy seat, and God has graciously taught me a thing or 2 in spite of myself. And I am also looking for a mentor myself. One who has been thru the stages that I will be approaching in my marriage and with my children. A woman who has time and the energy to meet with me and mentor me and answer questions, and offer godly advice. A woman who will pray for me and be sure that I am diligently seeking God and praying for my husband and children. I pray I will find this in my own church.<br /><br />I think I met a potential mentor yesterday, but I will get to know her a little better before I share this with her ; )<br /><br />Thank you God for calling me to be a keeper of my home at home. And I pray that God will bring someone in to my life to mentor and an older lady to be my mentor.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112775877688042932?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1127756383217920172005-09-26T13:27:00.000-04:002005-09-26T13:39:43.263-04:00Church yesterday was amazing. Glorious worship, clear, truthful, convicting sermon, and a sweet 2 year old who happily joined his family for all but the sermon. He was so content to sit on my lap and snuggle (with no blanket--forgot it-- no snacks--he didn't know I had any!) It was tempting for me to just keep him with me and see if he could make it thru the sermon as well. But wisdom took over and I returned him to the nursery where he walked right into snack time.<br /><br />One of the tricks we have learned in keeping our children in church with us is to sit in the front. Now, we do not sit in the very front row, but neither does anyone else! But we do sit in the second row. The reason is simple, there are much fewer distractions--no ladies' hats, other wiggling children, sweet babies, sleeping teens or their parents--you name it. We sit up front because I want my small children to be able to understand, see, and participate in what is going on. When we were training our first to sit thru church, we sat in the back in case he made noise, but now that the older children need to sit in front, we are a little more certain of our children's ability to be quiet before we bring them in--which is why we wait until they are 2.<br /><br />So, when our youngest was being so content and quiet, it was a temptation to stay and see how long it could last. He certainly seemed as if he was going to be quiet for the rest of the service, but I wanted him to be successful the first time in. God does not give us more than we can bear, and so I too gave our youngest a way of escape--to the nursery. We also want to be sure that he does not learn that if he misbehaves, then he gets to go play in the nursery--thereby reinforcing the negative behavior with positive result. He was great, he got to play and get a snack. We will probably continue this pattern for a few weeks.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112775638321792017?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1127475539188006932005-09-23T06:03:00.000-04:002005-09-23T07:39:03.926-04:00When we moved to Atlanta and began to look for a church, one of the things we were hoping to find was a family integrated church within our denomination. We thought we were being flexible by not requiring that there be no graded classes, but we hoped that we could find something where the children were welcomed in the worship service. A great read on this topic is <strong><em>Parenting in the Pew</em></strong> by Robbie Castleman( see <a href="http://ivpress.gospelcom.net/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2340">http://ivpress.gospelcom.net/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2340</a> for excerpts).<br /><br />We were shocked by the number of churches that "dismissed" the children from age 4 thru age 12! and some simply had a separate service altogether where parents and children arrived at the church together and left together and that was it. We were reassured that they would be learning how to worship and the different elements of the Sunday service so that when they were old enough, they could fully participate with understanding. To which my reply is, "That's our job."<br /><br />We received comments at nearly every church we visited at how well our children behaved during the service. That is not to our credit, but to the faithfulness of God. Many people were shocked that a young child could knowingly and actively participate in the worship service because they had never seen it before.<br /><br />I certainly do not have the ability to concentrate on the sermons like I did before I had children. But before I had children, I spent plenty of time daydreaming or glaring at the babies and children making noise around me (Didn't their parents know there was a nursery/children's church?) I am certain that I pay closer attention to the sermon now to make sure to be able to explain new thoughts and ideas to my children, and because I am so much more aware of my sin and how much I need a Saviour and His grace.<br /><br />Keeping your children with you is not an easy task nor in the beginning one that will probably bring lots of positive attention from fellow church members, especially if you are the only one doing it. And it requires patience and endurance--and for me, both of these desperately require the grace of God. I appreciate a lot of what Robbie Castleman has to say because she had several boys close in age (much like myself) and very often was a "single parent" in the pew because her husband was the pastor. I too find myself "single in the pew" as my husband spends Sundays interpreting the service in sign language.<br /><br />Did we find the family integrated church we were looking for? Not exactly. While we did visit a family integrated church for several weeks, there were some other theological issues that we could not reconcile. And we would rather be in a church and have our children in a church where the doctrine is sound and we are the oddball parents with all the children in the pew! I am not sure how many other 3-5 year olds stay in the service, but I do know that our church only dismisses before the sermon for ages 4 &amp; 5. The 3 and under crowd stays mostly in the nursery and 6 and over children are expected to be in the service with their parents.<br /><br />I think this is a good compromise. I have heard the rationale for having a children's program--what about new/unchurched families whose children have never before sat thru an entire service or had to be quiet for a 50-60 minute sermon? I understand this and appreciate the need---which is why I would never campaign to remove the children's church program. But let's also work on training and encouraging those parents to train and model for their children, so that <em>they</em> can be the ones to bring their children to the Father.<br /><br />In our home, we talk about what the sermon topic or verses will be during the week and read them ahead of time, we talk about preparing our hearts to worship all week but particularly on Saturday night and Sunday morning, I make sure to point out any songs we will be singing, and I try to remind them of the things they learned the previous week. And let's remember too that different children are capable of different things. I do not expect my 3 year old to take notes during the sermon. I do expect him to stand when appropriate, to pray when appropriate, to sing when he can and to know something that the pastor talked about. My 5 and 6 year olds are required do all the above as well as copy the verse(s) into their copy book (I try to get this ahead of time and give it to them rather than have them copy small print of the Bible), and they are required to take some notes on the sermon. Our pastor puts his main points on the screen and leaves them there so there is time--neatness is no huge deal here as they are just now developmentally able to copy from a distance. They are also free to draw an illustration showing what he is talking about. Very often I will explain things to them in a whisper to clarify what he is saying and they are always welcome to ask questions about what they are hearing--not what's for lunch!<br /><br />So this is also a reminder for me. As we prepare to bring our youngest into the worship service, I will need a whole new dose of God's grace (and so will those around me: ) He has turned 2 and in our family that is the age that we bring them back to the church service. From birth until about 1, they are content to sit with mom quietly and nurse, sleep or snuggle. But as their independence grows, they are not always able to keep from being a huge distraction to those around them. So we put them in the nursery for about a year. During that time, we train them at home during family worship time and other opportunities, to learn how to sit quietly. Again, determining what each child is capable of doing, and setting high but attainable expectations. We teach them how to whisper, and I teach them to be still and quiet with a simple "tsst". There is lots of grace during this "re-entry" time. I hope to get them thru the worship and offering and then I may allow them to return to the nursery for the first few weeks. They may be offered a snack for the first few weeks. We even allow their blanket for the first few weeks, and as they learn and understand what goes on, these things are gradually taken away so that by the time they are 3 they too can worship God as only a 3 year old can do!<br /><br />So take heart. If you are parenting in the pew--press on! And if someone is parenting in the pew near you, extend grace and encouragement. And pray for us as we bring our children to the Father.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112747553918800693?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1127416903717183982005-09-22T15:01:00.000-04:002005-09-22T15:21:43.753-04:00We have added something new to our homeschool routine this year. The hymn of the week. It was a direct result of finding this great website <a href="http://www.virtu-software.com/projecthymnbook/">http://www.virtu-software.com/projecthymnbook/</a> I am somewhat of a musical bonehead. The only musical thing I can do is play about 20 guitar chords. So this site has taken the hymns and given some rather simple chords to use with them--just what I needed. So all week we have been singing, "The Church's One Foundation" which has turned into some great theology lessons and lessons on poetic elements also. But best of all is hearing my children singing at the top of their lungs on the swingset, "The church's one foundation, is Jesus Christ her Lord!" Can only imagine what the neighbors think!!<br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">1. The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">She is His new creation by water and the Word:</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">From heaven He came and sought her to be his holy bride;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">With His own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">2. Elect from every nation, yet one o'er all the earth,Her charter of salvation: </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">One Lord, one faith, one birth;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">And to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">3. Though with a scornful wonder men see her sore oppressed,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">By schisms torn asunder; by heresies distressed,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Yet saints their watch are keeping; </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">their cry goes up, "How long?"</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">¶5. Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">She waits the consummation of peace forevermore;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blessed,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">And the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112741690371718398?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1127329481174759562005-09-21T14:36:00.001-04:002005-09-21T15:32:11.100-04:00<div align="left"><span style="font-family:georgia;">We eat pretty healthy around here. I purged our diet of all hydrogenated oils about 3 1/2 years ago. We eat vegetarian about half the time. I grind my own wheat and make fresh bread every day. We try to eat mostly organic fruits and veggies. Even my children, when given free reign to choose a cereal to take on vacation ("vacation cereal" is one of the treats of going on vacation!) have chosen Corn Flakes and Kix after discovering how gross Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks are. We never use artificial sweeteners, and I am very particular about the brand of beef (organic, no hormones, grass fed) that I buy when I actually buy it, which is about once every 2 months. But junk still creeps in.</span></div><div align="left"></div><br /><br />We started making our own ice cream this summer. And discovered that the only thing better than homemade strawberry ice cream is homemade coffee ice cream--although truth be told, the mint chocolate chip and peach were both pretty terrific too. And of course these were made with all "natural" ingredients which include things like heavy whipping cream, half and half, and a hefty amount of white sugar. We also love salty treats. My husband swears that he could be totally content with me and a box of Snyder's Hard Sourdough Pretzels---in that order, I hope!<br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br />So we decided to go on a sugar fast. Not the children, just my husband and myself. We agreed to a two week period where we would eat no sugar of any type, not even fructose, so no fruit---ugh! How hard could it really be. I mean it is just 14 days. And we usually eat well, so it can't be too big of a shock to my system, right?<br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br />We started Monday. I armed myself with a lot of great recipes, many from the South Beach Diet and we attacked the day. By 6 am, so far so good, no cravings, no breakdown, but I had really only been conscious about 30 minutes......then the bread was done and oh it smells so delicious. But I make it with honey, so no dice.<br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br />Later, we headed to the pediatrician who proceeded to give my children KitKat bars. Have I mentioned how that is my favorite candy bar in the whole world? I have been known to steal them from my children's candy pile (from parties etc.) and never tell them. I did however survive although I found myself wanting to lick child #3's face -- only as a motherly duty, of course, because he was such a mess after eating it. But I restrained myself.<br /><br /><br />We came home and I had to make lunch on that delicious bread without eating it. I found myself wafting and breathing deeply the apple slices as I cut them for the children hoping some of the aroma might make its way into my mouth. Sheesh, it is only 1 o'clock.<br /><br /><br />And where is that chocolate anyway? I wondered if I could live with myself if my husband came home and I had to tell him that I could only make it until 1 pm before the chocolate craving took over. I needed chocolate. I guess I didn't really <em>need</em> it; Courtney Love and Kate Moss didn't <em>need</em> that cocaine either. That's me-- an addict. It was clear the dominion that it had over me. It consumed me. Would I desire to pray like that. Would I desire to love my husband and children like that. Would I desire to commune with the saints like that. To ache and long for heaven and my Saviour--to look for Him in every moment. To long for the day when we will be together forever....I shamed myself.<br /><div align="left"><br /><br />That was Monday. It was a very tough day, but I was able to resist and persevere and work on discipline in my life--which offered good object lessons for my children as they saw me struggle and resist.</div><div align="left"><br /><br />Tuesday was a little easier; today a little easier still. But I couldn't shake the idea of being an addict out of my head. So while I was at the gym this morning, we did a weight routine to a real favorite of mine--Robert Palmer's <em>Addicted to Love</em>.<em> </em>How appropriate. This song is about me, but it is my prayer to let no earthly thing have dominion over me. So I had to chuckle as I pondered the new lyrics to the song. And they would have to go a little like this:</div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Your (fridge) lights are on, but you're not home<br />Your mind is not your own<br />Your heart sweats, your body shakes<br />Another (Hershey's) kiss is what it takes<br />You can't sleep, you can't eat sugar<br />There's no doubt, you're in deep<br />Your throat is tight, you can't breathe<br />Another (Hershey's) kiss is all you need<br />Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah<br />It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough<br />You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to sugar<br />You see the labels, but you can't read<br />You're runnin' at a different OVERspeed<br />Your heart beats in double time<br />Another (Hershey's) kiss and you'll be mine, a one track mind<br />You can't be saved<br />Sweet stuff is all you crave<br />If there's some cake left for you<br />You don't mind if you do<br />Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah<br />It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough<br />You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to sugar</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Three days down, eleven to go.....</span></div></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112732948117475956?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1127216019313041752005-09-20T06:28:00.000-04:002005-09-20T07:33:39.360-04:00We have been here nearly 8 months and my children met with a pediatrician for the first time yesterday. Thankfully, we all have been amazingly healthy (except for the first grueling 6 weeks we lived here, but thanks to some OTCs and lots of prayer, we got by without having to see a doctor, primarily because we had no health insurance!) I really am a firm believer that if you take care of your body, then your body will take care of you. So we really haven't had a need to see a doctor. My children typically go only for an annual well visit to make sure everything is on track. The other reason is that we are pretty particular about the doctor we see.<br /><br />We delay and selectively choose the vaccinations that our children receive and I appreciate a doctor who understands that the parent, not the State, is the ultimate authority in a family. We also believe in extended breastfeeding (our 2 year old is still nursing). When I recently had a dreadful bout with poison ivy all over my face, I called the <em>ask a nurse</em> line with our insurance to see if I could get a prescription of something to ease the pain. She told me I had to be seen and due to the urgency of the situation (I couldn't see out of 1 eye and the other was quickly swelling, which can be dangerous with 4 young children---although my daughter was quick to point out that I still had the eyes in the back of my head!) I made an appointment. About 20 minutes later I got a call from the doctor himself who said that as long as I was sure it was poison ivy, he could call in a scrip of prednisone. Now, I have not taken any drug at all for about the last 8 years--with the exception of the flu medicine when we first moved to GA (see above). I also knew that prednisone was a steroid, so I asked him,<br /><br />"Is this safe for my nursing child?"<br />He replied, "How old is your baby?"<br />"Almost 2."<br />"Well then, I'd say it is time to quit nursing!"<br /><br />I was indignant......and it added to my list of reasons that I really struggle with traditional health care.......but I digress---<br /><br />So when another Bradley teacher recommended this pediatrician, I gave her a call and I had the shock of my life----she answered the phone---no phone menu with 26 choices, not even press "0" to talk with the receptionist. The doctor answered the phone! Major points there.<br /><br />She is also supportive of extended breastfeeding and is working on her IBCLC. She gives out no formula. There are no formula ads around, there aren't even parenting or baby magazines around. Just lots of good books for the children to read or look at and <em>New Beginnings</em> magazine (LLL).<br /><br />The waiting room is very clean with separate areas for well and sick children and has no TV--hallelujah!!<br /><br />Another important thing is that she was fine with my bringing all the children to an appointment for 2---and she let me book back to back appointments. And she is in a solo practice, which means that although she has limited hours, my children will see her every time they go.<br /><br />When it came time for the shots, she asked me which ones I wanted to do or if there were ones that we woudl rather not do at all. I told her that we were skipping the varicella (chickenpox) completely and hoped to find an infected child to expose my children to (if you know of one, please let me know!) I aked her which ones she would recommend and she was thoughtful and deliberate in her response. She suggested skipping Prevnar since my children have never had ear infections and also the MMR since it is primarily designed for children under 2 who are at great risk for serious complications due to measles and German measles. Since our child was already 2 and very healthy, that the risk of the vaccine would outweigh the risk of the disease. A thinking doctor--I really appreciate that. She considered my child individually and did not just blanket him with the AAP standards.<br /><br />She was very engaging and animated with the children and although there were tears with the shots (a total of 5 for 2 children!) she asked my permission and gave them candy---wowzers, what a treat!<br /><br />So although it takes us about 35 minutes to get there, we are thrilled that we found her. If you have friends in the Atlanta area looking for a pediatrician, check out her web site <a href="http://www.drkute.com">www.drkute.com</a> --she evens answers her own email.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112721601931304175?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1127126223282080112005-09-19T06:36:00.000-04:002005-09-20T06:26:25.116-04:00We lived in Florida for the past 4 years and have only recently moved here to Atlanta. It is odd how I lived in the same small Maryland town my entire life until we moved to FL, but I very much consider FL home--at least for now. We made life long friends and my children had lots of friends who went to our church and homeschooled. It really was a brief but amazingly fruitful time in our lives.<br /><br />One of the funnier things that occurs as a result of raising our children there for that period of time is that fact that our children always ask, "Are there alligators in that water?" Not a bad question when you live less than a mile from Lake Jesup--the nation's most concentrated alligator population <a href="http://www.visitseminole.com/tourism-cvb/media/releases/LakesAmong40ForAlligatorHarvest.pdf">http://www.visitseminole.com/tourism-cvb/media/releases/LakesAmong40ForAlligatorHarvest.pdf</a> . It certainly sounds funny, however, as they ask that question about the Chesapeake Bay, or Stone Mountain Park Lake.....<br /><br />So as my children are working through their Explode the Code phonics workbooks, they are routinely asked questions such as, "Is it fun to swim in a lake?" or, "Can you splash in the lake?" as they are working on long vowel sounds----and my children answer with a resounding, "NO!!! You might get eaten by an alligator!"<br /><br />I guess they were listening to me as I taught them as we walked along the way......<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112712622328208011?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1126985854877829242005-09-19T06:18:00.000-04:002005-09-19T06:20:33.486-04:00What is it with Star Wars and my boys? They are addicted to the whole thing. Mind you, they have only seen the original 1977 Star Wars (known in our home as Episode 4). I was never a Staw Wars fan. When the original came out, I was just old enough to think that Princess Leia was a fool not to kiss Luke Skywalker (I mean, who knew then that it was her brother!?). I did watch the other 2 of the original 3 but would never have classified them as favorites. So my boys now own Star Wars Legos and I find myself assaulted with miniature Obi Wans, sand cruisers, and light sabers left on the couch, in my pockets, and in my bed. My oldest knows just about every character from all 6 movies (remember he has only seen one!) He asks me all day about the characters and I used to feel bad about having to say, "You have to ask your father." But I am feeling better about it these days.<br /><br />As a homeschooling mother, my children hear A LOT from<em> me</em> and I am with them as they discover thousands of new things every day--from how the Epic of Gilgamesh has a flood story to the fact that you cannot successfully flush an entire roll of toilet paper in one flush. It is good that they have this special island of knowledge that only they and their father share.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112698585487782924?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1127102349267967992005-09-18T23:46:00.000-04:002005-09-19T06:21:03.110-04:00So, if you have been in the Christian world for more than 1 wedding or 1 Valentine's Day, then you know that the Love Chapter is I Corinthians 13. After searching for a church for 7 months (and visiting 9 different churches 7 of which were PCA), we have finally landed at Westminster PCA <a href="http://www.wcpca.org">www.wcpca.org</a> . And we are thrilled. Although it is further away than we hoped we'd have to travel, we were impressed by their statement on worship found on their webpage. At that point, we didn't care if they were contemporary, blended, Trinity Hymnal only, Psalms/Psalter only (we visited at least one of each)--we were thrilled that the leadership of the church had taken the time to think through then articulate what worship is. The worship is, by the way, a true blended worship, but more importantly it is God-honoring, reverent, passionate, and God-focused.<br /><br />So we came to the church while the pastor was in the middle of a series on I Corinthians. I have to humbly and embarrassingly admit that my thought was <em><strong>not</strong></em>, "Wow, I will learn how to love better and more Christ-like." No, sorry to say that my thoughts were more along the lines of, "Another mushy series on love--don't be impatient, unkind, easily angered, etc."<br /><br />I had no idea that the series would be so challenging and convicting. There have been several times in the past few weeks that I have felt backed into a corner, forced to face the hideousness of my sin and have thought, "How wretched and awful----what can I do?" But praise be to God for His immeasurable Gift!! Our pastor never leaves me in the corner!! He holds up the Cross and expounds on the Grace of God----which I need so much.<br /><br />And to think that I thought I had this love stuff down!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112710234926796799?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1126982814883668842005-09-17T14:45:00.000-04:002005-09-17T14:48:21.806-04:00<span style="font-family:georgia;">The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays, </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><em><strong>--Martin Luther</strong></em></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112698281488366884?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1126963238508408492005-09-17T09:12:00.000-04:002005-09-17T09:20:38.510-04:00So I am back. It was an interesting year.......Last August, we were living in Oviedo, attending Covenant PCA. I was teaching the Bradley Method-- <a href="http://www.bradleybirth.com">www.bradleybirth.com</a> --and we had lots of dear friends who were like minded and assisting us in our journey in grace.<br /><br />Now we are in Lawrenceville, GA. We have been here about 7 months. It has been quite an adventure. My husband searched for a new job for about 18 months. As an American sign language linguist/interpreter, he has a highly specialized skill set. He left his company in Orlando for a variety of reasons, one of them being that he wanted to work a job that didn't require so much out of town travel and overtime. He takes his role as father very seriously and with 4 little children at home, he felt that he really needed something a little more family friendly. There are other reasons too---the company was really struggling financially and had been reduced from about 25 to 9 full time employees in about 2 years' time.<br /><br />I hope to post more regularly now that our lives have settled into a more predictable routine.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-112696323850840849?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7837280.post-1091475614048711262004-08-02T15:34:00.000-04:002004-08-02T15:40:14.046-04:00<span style="font-family:times new roman;">August 2, 2004</span> <br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span> <br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I have been wanting to start a record of the things we do as a family and the things my children do on a daily basis. My hope was to be able to give them each a beautifully hand made hand bound volume as they left the nest----, "This is a little history of your growing up in our family. All the silly, wonderful, and even trying things that happened." OK, so reality check--it is not happening. </span> <br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Joey is almost 6 and there are things that I thought I'd never forget (he called candy neenee for a very long time for instance) that only get brought to the forefront of my mind by some other strange occurrence or utterance from a younger sibling. </span> <br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span> <br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">So here it is---I am at the computer every day, so I hope to keep a little log of our lives here as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7837280-109147561404871126?l=growingingrace.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04850241076069491643noreply@blogger.com1