Heart for Christ - Gratitude on my 12th Anniversary

I sat on the beach watching my cute husband as he watched the manatee herd come almost all the way up on shore. Our 3 boys were wrestling in the surf a little ways down the beach and I was digging for sea shells - one of my all time favorite pass-times.

My heart just sang with gratitude. We were walking the beach just down from the very spot I sat at the age of 7 - 8 - 9 and on up. It's the place where I first began asking God to give me a husband who loved Him. I prayed for my husband then. I asked God to protect him - wherever he was. I asked the Lord to touch his life and grow him into a fine man of God. I asked Him to let us live near my beach. (It's mine in my heart)

This weekend was our 12th year anniversary. I'm so grateful to know and love Mark. I'm so thankful that he loves me - even though he knows me well. He constantly looks for the good, and continuously overlooks the "not so good".

He is a fine example to the 3 little men in my life. He shows them daily love and respect for their mother as he supports me and points them toward Jesus.

Some people talk a lot about Christianity. I'm so grateful today for this man of mine who is walking the walk.
He's leading by example. And there are 3 little guys paying close attention.

So often I try and feel as though I fail in training my children. I'm so grateful for a husband that is steadfast! 

I'm so thankful for God's faithfulness to the work in my husband's heart. I cannot think of a finer example for our little boys - and that totally works for me! 

I want to teach my children to pray for their future spouse's - wherever they may be. 

Thank You Jesus! Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband- I'd choose you again and again. 

#1000 Gifts:

*Answered prayers of a little girl
*husband who leads by example
*12 years of marriage
*All my little men
*time on the beach I love
*family time
*spontaneous homeschool lessons in nature
*my gifts from the sea (special sea shell treasures I just know God left there for me)
*singing to Jesus on the beach
*steadfast heart for the Lord (my husband)

Linking with:
Miscellany Monday  Better Mom  Modest Mom  God Bumps Welcome Home  The Wellspring
#ifellowship Seeds of Faith - Thought Provoking Thursday - Hear it on Sunday  Bigger Picture Moments
Soli Deo Gloria From My Mountain View Titus 2's Days  Raising Mighty Arrows -
Good Morning Girls - 1000Gifts   Thankful Thurs Kids in the Word what works wed

A day in the life - homeschooling our boys!

As a family of 3 boys - I like to keep things moving a bit. They don't like to write - or sit still (or be quiet and listen) but they are required to do some of each. We are relaxed homeschoolers, bordering on unschooling, but we start each day with Jesus and the pledge of allegiance and some desk time. 

We haven't confined our school to one room in the house - we use the family room area (pictured above) and dining table if we need to spread out info for a project or lapbook. We use the kitchen open area for art and other projects - and spend plenty of time in the kitchen doing "cooking 101" which includes planning meals, budgeting, and shopping. We go over kitchen safety and nutrition as well as measuring and other kitchen science. 

 We have more of a "routine" than we do a strict schedule. An average day would go as follows: Wake up and cuddle in mommy's room - breakfast - computer time. Get ready for the day, cleaned up and meet at the "school area". Do Bible time and pray together. Take turns holding the flag and say the pledge.  Then, depending on what day it is - I will read out loud from our Apologia Science or Trail Guide to Learning (which is full curriculum other than math) from Geography Matters for History - Paths of Settlement. I use it for most of our reading, social studies, geography, history, spelling and vocabulary. We do math every day.

 Depending on how I'm doing in the mornings (I have RA and mornings are tough) makes a difference on when we actually start. Sometimes it's easier to just start a little before lunch - and then finish up after lunch.

We try to get outside as much as possible to explore God's creation. My boys are big fans of bug collecting.

The boys help me run around and clean the house each day. We have age appropriate chores - such as emptying the dish washer, taking out the trash, putting clean clothes away and doing some laundry. They take turns running the vacuum cleaner, dusting, and fight over who gets to clean the sliding glass doors with the squeegee. I try to focus on getting one major thing done a week along with general cleaning. 

Several times each week we will either then go meet with friends, go to the beach for a swim and to collect shells, go to the pool, or (when it's a little cooler here in Southwest Florida) go for a nature walk. 

We have quite a few museums within reasonable driving distance and plan regular field trips. 

Living near the beach and on the water has provided us with a unique outlook that fits right in to our lifestyle of learning. We never cease to be amazed at God's beautiful creation and get excited about learning more about how things work. We try to never take it for granted. 

We most always have dinner at home as a family - usually we participate together in planning and preparing it. The boys love their daddy time - he works hard so we can enjoy our homeschool life. In everything we study and learn - we look back to the Creator and give Him the glory. We are surrounded by natural beauty which makes a wonderful platform for learning - but mostly for admiring the handiwork of our Maker.  Reading and writing and arithmetic are all very important - but our number one goal is to teach the boys to live for the Lord. 

God's Word is the foundation of our homeschool. 

Homeschool at the beach - is a rough life - but someone has to do it! 

(I'm so very thankful we can - thank you Jesus!) 

#1000 Gifts 

* sandy toes 

*supportive homeschool daddy 

*sunsets that take my breath away 

* boys excited to learn Bible verses 

* family time in nature 

*getting back to a more steady routine 

*hearing the boys prayers change as they get to know the Lord better

*brothers supporting and helping each other 

Linking with - Holy Spirit Led Homeschool , The Imagination Tree , Creative Family Fun ,
  Camera Phone Friday,   Collage Friday, ihomeschoolnetwork Mommy Teaches  Miscellany Monday  Better Mom  Modest Mom  God Bumps Welcome Home  The Wellspring #ifellowship Seeds of Faith - Thought Provoking Thursday -
Soli Deo Gloria From My Mountain View Titus 2's Days  Raising Mighty Arrows
Good Morning Girls - 1000Gifts   Thankful Thurs Kids in the Word

7 Tools Book Club - Preparing the way

 Our Mission is to prepare them (our children) to fulfill the God-ordained places in this world – their occupational calling, their calling as future spouses and parents, their calling as citizens, and their callings as Christians.” -pg. 20

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isaiah 30: 21

“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness…but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 38:8-10

In our family - we've decided that time is one of the main factors in training and preparing our children to lead the life God has for them. Each of them has special gifts and character traits God intends to use for good in this life. It's our job to nurture and encourage them. 

God puts families together in various ways - through birth and through adoption are the ways He chose to put ours together. As parents, we need to believe that He gives us the resources and abilities we need to nurture and train our children to serve Him. 

  “Train up a child in the way he should go,

 and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 

We lead by example. Our children are ever watching and listening to the way we handle life's challenges. When the going gets tough . . . they see to Whom we turn for direction. When others don't see . . . they do. Our children know our hearts and they follow our lead. 

By investing time in our children, by leading a good example and continually turning to the Lord - by listening carefully to their needs, thoughts, and desires - and loving unconditionally  we can show them Jesus. 

We prepare and teach them in many ways including discipline, responsibility, accountability to God. We teach obedience to God, and personal relationship with Him. We lead the way by digging in and sharing the Word with them. 

We can't be afraid to admit when we are wrong, and to ask them for forgiveness. We must be quick to forgive and quick to point to Jesus. We must open our hearts and share our failures, not be (or appear to be) something they can never live up to. 

We must remind them in word and deed that God has a plan for their life and expect them to live up to that potential. We must encourage and build them up. 

God has placed our children in our homes because we have what it takes to train them. If we only lean on Him - seek His truth for them and rely on God's Word and the Holy Spirit to  guide us- His plan will be fulfilled in our families.  

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3: 5-6

Linking with #ifellowship Seeds of Faith - Thought Provoking Thursday - The Better Mom
From My Mountain View Titus 2's Days  Raising Mighty Arrows - Good Morning Girls

   

                            

Proverbs 31 - week 9 - Wisdom and Kindness

"When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness" Prov 31: 26

Everyone cannot speak with wisdom every time they open their mouth. I am the first one to step forward to tell you that there are plenty of times where the "cat's outta the bag" before I shut mine. But the wise gain wisdom from God's Word and by seeking godly counsel. The bottom line though, in all the counsel in the world - is to be the Word. 

No matter what something may look like to someone else - you know what is best for your family. If you seek His face, if you are on your knees before the King of Kings - you can lead your family the right direction. You will stumble - there will be hardships and detours - but God is faithful. 

We have a situation in our home that is a culmination of several "problems". We have continually taken them to the Lord - as a matter of fact - they must be taken to Him daily and sometimes moment by moment. 

No one else knows what is best for our children or what they need - like we do. No one else knows what is best for your children or what they need - like you do. Trust those instincts that God gives and follow His lead. Again - seeking godly counsel is wise - but God's Word and the Holy Spirit must be the final say so!  

It's easy to be wise when things are hunky dory - it becomes more difficult when the waters are murky. Instruction with kindness after seeking God's face is the only way to get through some of life's tough times and is the way to approach life in general. God's love will show you through. 

1 Peter 4: 8 "Above all, love each other deeply, 

because love covers a multitude of sins" 

There will be times when you feel you have failed -  I know I have and I struggle with not being enough for my family. But you know what? God says I am. In all my weakness, in all my failures - God has put our family together and I am qualified to be their mother. 

If you put your trust in Him - if you gather your strength from Him - He will carry you through the fire. If you've made mistakes - you can turn and run to Him - the ultimate physician. This is what a wise woman does - this is what the Proverbs 31 woman does. 

Psalm 55: 22 "Cast your cares upon the Lord and He will sustain you;

 He will never let the righteous fall." 

We have challenges in our home that most will never fully understand - they will never see what we are faced with on a daily basis or understand what our family has been through. This battle is the Lord's - the victory is His. We will seek Him and wrap up in His grace. 

We will stumble - but we will NOT fall. 

can I get an AMEN? 

Our family Bible memory verses this week:

  II Timothy 2: 23- 24 

 ^"But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.  And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all,

able to teach, patient,"

*if you have struggles within your family and need support and prayer - please feel free to contact me via email with "prayer" in subject line or comments below and I will promise to join you in prayer- kellidparker@yahoo.com  

*please consider joining Amanda and I along with other bloggers in the next online book club -

 7 tools for Cultivating your Child's Potential - by Zan Tyler

And I count my blessings . . . 

#350 - special friends who love us 

#351 - encouragement 

#352 - God given resources to seek His wisdom 

#353 - grace, mercy, love beyond my comprehension 

#354 - progress 

#355 - God given strength when I have none 

#356 - praise music 

#357 - Holy Spirit - guidance 

#358 - Pastor's John Cross and Ed Young 

#359 - precious hearts of my children who are learning to seek Him 

Linking with #ifellowship Seeds of Faith - Thought Provoking Thursday - The Better Mom
From My Mountain View Titus 2's Days  Raising Mighty Arrows - Good Morning Girls

   

                            


*the link to the 7 tools book is an affiliate link - thank you for your support - I only recommend those that I believe in whole-heartedly from my family to yours! 

Week 8 - Strength and Dignity

I'm teaming up with Amanda Pelser @The Pelsers to bring you the Prov 31 study group

for the ebook from Good Morning Girls

Proverbs 31: 23

"Her husband is respected at the city gate, 

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land" 

We don't have a city gate these days - but it is my job to support my husband in his endeavors so that he has the freedom and encouragement to be all he can be. I am to encourage him as a husband, father, as a man, and in his business and interactions with others. 

I want to make a difference in his life - to be good enough to him and in a way that makes him want to be the best man he can be. You know what? I can see how my attitude towards him effects him on a regular basis. The more I honor him in our home the more I see it in him. 

I don't want to pretend that I, my life, or that my husband is perfect. We are human and each come with all  that entails - life's bumps and bruises and such. I do want to encourage others (as I learn and grow along with you) to be the women God has called us to be. It isn't my job to point out the faults of my husband - but to focus on and see the good in him. 

He is a caring, gentle man who puts his family first. He is a hard working, intelligent individual who seeks God's will for his life - and I am blessed daily by having him as my husband. 

There was a time in our marriage when I could only see the negative. I was angry and hurt and I am certain I was making him miserable. God convicted me of this and I began to focus on the good. It was difficult at first to find it, so I started simply "thank you God that my husband doesn't beat me" (um, yeah - I was that far gone). Then it got easier, as I sought daily to thank the Lord for him. Gradually, I forgot what had been so terribly upsetting in the first place. 

Our husbands aren't perfect. If we are not there to lift them up - to encourage them - who will be? 

As I focus daily on my blessings and on the positive in my husband - it becomes much easier to live a joyful life. My relationship with the husband God intended for me is blessed, and all that is reflected in our life throughout the community - hopefully in a way that will encourage others. 

I want to be the crown for my sweet husband. I want to bring him strength and dignity. I want to be the woman God has called me to be. How about you? 

Proverbs 12: 4

"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown" 

From GMG site:

Week 8 Challenge: Ask yourself this question this week “What can I start doing that will help my husband be the man of influence, God is calling him to be?” Also focus this week on giving your fears over to God. Mentally pray each time a fear pops in and give it to God. Instead of focusing on the fear, thank God for something instead and realize that YOU have a bright future with God…..one that will bring you joy and laughter “at the days to come!” Remember whose daughter you are and allow God to cloth you in His strength and dignity!


counting to 1000 Gifts and beyond- #340 - #349: 


* A husband who loves me - really loves me
* A husband who cares about what God wants from him 
* A fine example of a man - for our sons 
* God's conviction in my heart and life 
* Opportunity for improvement in myself 
* Family time 
* Open communication
* Beach blessings 
* Powerful sunsets 
* Sharing our home and our beach with special friends 

Linking with #ifellowship Seeds of Faith - Thought Provoking Thursday - The Better Mom
From My Mountain View Titus 2's Days  Raising Mighty Arrows