someone has been sick in our house. Well, only 3/5 people. 2/5 of us have managed to escape all the cold/flu germs floating around.
Today, Heath got half-way to seminary and had to turn around and come home. Twice this past week, my son was sick with a stomach bug, and once this past week his baby sister was.
My middle child and I have managed to stay healthy and strong. I really think it has something to do with how much we like our vitamin C. Kaitlyn drinks orange juice everyday, and I drink grapefruit juice everyday. Plus, the children and I do take vitamins. But I think that extra boost of vitamin C in either the 100% juice form, or eating the fruit really does help boost it up an extra bit.
So, have you had any vitamin C today? LOL!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
I'm High On...
RUNNING! It's true. There's scientific proof that many runners experience what's referred to as a "runner's high" because of the release of endorphins in your body. Some runners claim to have a euphoric experience. Well, I don't know if I've ever experienced anything quite like that, but I do know I have more energy! I feel stronger! After I get done w/ my workout I feel re-energized! I do mine in the afternoon. This is the part of the day I always struggle with being tired. So, instead of napping when my children do, I run!
Anyone who knows me may possibly be laughing at the thought of me running. But, I am really enjoying it! I get on my treadmill 4-6 times/week, and I warm my muscles up and just take off (well, not literally) I always manage to stay on the treadmill!
Since our move 20 mos ago, I really struggled w/ loneliness and isolation, and I began to put on some weight. My weight has always been a struggle for me, so to be adding to my already existent problem, was only causing more fatigue, disappointment, and honestly, a bit of depression.
Are you blue? Are you needing to get healthy? Are you needing to shed a few pounds? Get on some running shoes and just take off! Well, maybe you should try walking first, and see if you would like to speed things up a bit!
I started walking faithfully. When I built up to walking for 20-30 minutes, I began adding 1-2 minutes of running here and there. Now I can run for 15 minutes w/o having to stop and take a breather. This has taken me about 3 mos. to build up to this. What I am enjoying about running is how many more calories I can burn in a shorter amount of time compared to walking. I think it's helping me be a better manager of my time...LOL!
*please talk to your doc first before starting any new exercise program:-)
Anyone who knows me may possibly be laughing at the thought of me running. But, I am really enjoying it! I get on my treadmill 4-6 times/week, and I warm my muscles up and just take off (well, not literally) I always manage to stay on the treadmill!
Since our move 20 mos ago, I really struggled w/ loneliness and isolation, and I began to put on some weight. My weight has always been a struggle for me, so to be adding to my already existent problem, was only causing more fatigue, disappointment, and honestly, a bit of depression.
Are you blue? Are you needing to get healthy? Are you needing to shed a few pounds? Get on some running shoes and just take off! Well, maybe you should try walking first, and see if you would like to speed things up a bit!
I started walking faithfully. When I built up to walking for 20-30 minutes, I began adding 1-2 minutes of running here and there. Now I can run for 15 minutes w/o having to stop and take a breather. This has taken me about 3 mos. to build up to this. What I am enjoying about running is how many more calories I can burn in a shorter amount of time compared to walking. I think it's helping me be a better manager of my time...LOL!
*please talk to your doc first before starting any new exercise program:-)
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Ladies and Gentlemen...
Tyler and Kaitlyn love to put on puppet shows! One day when we had completed our school activities for the day, Tyler decided he wanted to make a puppet. He began dashing around the house like a mad-man looking for glue, googly-eyes, scissors, paper, and anything else he thought he could transform into a puppet! Of course, Kaitlyn joined right into the middle of the fun.
When they were done with their creations, I was in for a BIG treat. A puppet show! Tyler is an excellent little speaker. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the puppet show!" The only thing we need to work on is to teach them the puppets are the only ones meant to be seen during the show, not the puppeteer!
Kaitlyn was right in the thick of the action. It's so neat to hear Tyler and Kaitlyn dialogue back and forth.
During these moments, I realize that homeschooling is soooooo much more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. It's about taking advantage of these creative moments, and letting your children express the wonderful creative people God made them to be!
Puppets in Progress---------------------------------------On with the Show!
Monday, January 15, 2007
Joy in Suffering
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
Trials = suffering = pure joy? What? That does not make sense! How can I consider it pure joy when I am suffering through trials?When I keep my eyes on Jesus, and fill my mind with scripture and sing praises to Him, that's how my focus is shifted from suffering to joy. Joyfully pressing on and persevering is the only way to become more mature and complete (Christ-like).
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (emphasis mine)This Scripture teaches me that everything I'm seeing and experiencing now is only temporary. The unseen is eternal (rewards in Heaven). Keeping my focus on eternity rather than the temporal world I live in now, also helps me stay focused on serving my Savior joyfully.
I know in the past when I was going through a "testing of my faith," it seemed as if it would never end. Even now, as I feel up to my neck and about to drown in trials and tribulations, I find myself crying out and asking "when will this end, Lord?" I like what John Piper said in his book, "Let the Nations Be Glad!" about 2 Cor. 4:17-18. 'The reward promised seems to be in response to the suffering and a specific recompense for it. Thus, one of the aims of God in the suffering of the saints is to enlarge their capacity to enjoy His glory both here and in the age to come." (emphasis mine)
My husband and I have been tried and tested through our journey through seminary. We've been tested in the area of our finances, family-size and family members, and challenged to stand firm for the convictions we have. Yet, even though this has been one of the most trying times in our ministry, we have been incredibly blessed, grown, stretched, and seen God glorify himself and advance His Kingdom more than ever! I think that's what John Piper was referring to when he wrote, "...one of the aims of God in the suffering of saints is to enlarge their capacity to enjoy His glory both here and in the age to come." We're going to suffer. God's word tells us to prepare for it and not be surprised by it (1 Pt. 4:12 and 5:9).
One of my consistent prayers has been, "God I know what I believe, but help me to study and know why I believe what I believe (convictions). I want to be able to stand firm against the devil's schemes (Eph. 6:11). I want to always be prepared to give an answer to the hope which I am called to (1 Pt. 3:15). May the things that break your heart dear God, break mine as well."
Perhaps this is why at this time in our lives, God has placed us here. In a place to serve where we are constantly defending God's Word and our convictions. So I can come out more mature, complete, not lacking anything. (Js. 1:4)
Trials = suffering = pure joy? What? That does not make sense! How can I consider it pure joy when I am suffering through trials?When I keep my eyes on Jesus, and fill my mind with scripture and sing praises to Him, that's how my focus is shifted from suffering to joy. Joyfully pressing on and persevering is the only way to become more mature and complete (Christ-like).
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (emphasis mine)This Scripture teaches me that everything I'm seeing and experiencing now is only temporary. The unseen is eternal (rewards in Heaven). Keeping my focus on eternity rather than the temporal world I live in now, also helps me stay focused on serving my Savior joyfully.
I know in the past when I was going through a "testing of my faith," it seemed as if it would never end. Even now, as I feel up to my neck and about to drown in trials and tribulations, I find myself crying out and asking "when will this end, Lord?" I like what John Piper said in his book, "Let the Nations Be Glad!" about 2 Cor. 4:17-18. 'The reward promised seems to be in response to the suffering and a specific recompense for it. Thus, one of the aims of God in the suffering of the saints is to enlarge their capacity to enjoy His glory both here and in the age to come." (emphasis mine)
My husband and I have been tried and tested through our journey through seminary. We've been tested in the area of our finances, family-size and family members, and challenged to stand firm for the convictions we have. Yet, even though this has been one of the most trying times in our ministry, we have been incredibly blessed, grown, stretched, and seen God glorify himself and advance His Kingdom more than ever! I think that's what John Piper was referring to when he wrote, "...one of the aims of God in the suffering of saints is to enlarge their capacity to enjoy His glory both here and in the age to come." We're going to suffer. God's word tells us to prepare for it and not be surprised by it (1 Pt. 4:12 and 5:9).
One of my consistent prayers has been, "God I know what I believe, but help me to study and know why I believe what I believe (convictions). I want to be able to stand firm against the devil's schemes (Eph. 6:11). I want to always be prepared to give an answer to the hope which I am called to (1 Pt. 3:15). May the things that break your heart dear God, break mine as well."
Perhaps this is why at this time in our lives, God has placed us here. In a place to serve where we are constantly defending God's Word and our convictions. So I can come out more mature, complete, not lacking anything. (Js. 1:4)
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Christmas 2006
Christmas 2006
This is the pic that was sent out in our Christmas Newsletter this year. I do not remember how many pics I took before I actually got this one. In every other picture someone was not looking at the camera. If they were looking at the camera, their eyes were closed. So, this is as good as it gets with our children.
Heath and I sang in our Church's Christmas Contata. The ladies all wore black dresses, and the men wore tuxedos. I asked someone to take our pic, since we don't have many opportunities we are dressed up and looking this good!
We enjoyed Christmas at home with the children. We did not travel out of state to visit family back in MO. It's nice to be home so you can begin to make your own family traditions with your little ones.
Our baby, Lauren, was sick with a horrible stomach bug. So sad. She slept off and on Christmas Day, but she did manage to stay awake and happy long enough to enjoy unwrapping her gifts.
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