Packed, Prepared, & Pooped

Packed:

We made our list (several times), checked it twice.

100 stuffed animals.

106 cards from Hope Point families for their child, who they pray for daily!

Bibles, counseling books, commentaries, children's books.

Technology for the fingertips.

Generous gifts from those who are blessed for saris for over 200 women.

Of course, personal clothing & items.

= 500+ lbs.

Prepared:

to love on tons of children, encourage our brothers & sisters serving faithfully in hard places, share the hope of Jesus, build up our sisters in Christ through Bible teaching, prayer, & worship, spread joy through simple acts, love on tons of children- did I mention that already?!

Pooped:

Before exhaustion takes over...Good Night! Pray that all four of us will get good rest on the long flights!

I am learning...

We made a prayerful decision last year to homeschool our daughter for her sixth grade year.

This, to me, is such an incredible year of turning from childhood to adolescence ~ what an opportunity to have much one on one time. This fleeting time of girlhood is beautiful.Of course both my daughter and I had our own ideas of what this time would be like. I can honestly say that both of us had expectations from that "fairy tale" spot in our imaginations. And with honesty I can say that we have had our share of disappointments already.

Our time together is more than books, schooling, making the grade (which I am praying we both pass!) sandwiched into working full time, making the office hours, being on the school board, caring for others, encouraging other ministries and a slew of other responsibilities.

Our time together has so far been filled with laughs, tears, tons of girl talk, reading God's Word, praying together, asking hard questions, directing a young girl into what it means to be a young woman of God. Her heart is special, I am thankful to be her mom. God is teaching me to hold her loose in my hand, she is His.

We are both learning a ton from this year of homeschool, much of it not taught in books.

I am learning to savor moments.

I am learning to not wait to say that I am sorry.

I am learning that the one thing better than a good book is reading that good book with someone else.

I am learning that God's ways are always better than my own.

I am learning that my attitude affects others.

I am learning that children can teach us a lot (I already knew this one, but worth writing)

I am learning time slips away quickly.

I am learning that I am still not good at math.

I am learning that I have forgotten much of what I once knew.

I am learning that I should have never stopped giggling like a girl!

I am learning...

these are a few of my fav~or~it things

snuggling

the warmth of a bonfire on my face

the crackling of a fire

the kiss of the wind with a fall breeze

a sweet squeeze of the hand

leaves falling toward me as I drive through the country

an "I love you" out of no where

the smell of a pine tree

whistling of a tea kettle

giggling of children

sound sleep breathing of my husband, a calming rhythm

birds singing before the sun is up

the critters of the night, quite a symphony