Reading a new book....and putting it into practice!

I have always been a reader.  This past year I found that I read many more books than usual.  Today I wondered ...why? Staring at the titles on that stack of books...I realized I was looking for something in each of those books....looking for the answer to a question.  I wanted to know why...why had my heart hurt so deeply...why had I shed so many tears...why had I allowed myself to invest deeply...only to have been betrayed.  God knows....God knew....the reason.  I wanted  a neat and tidy answer to support my decision to never invest in another friendship again.  There!  I was focused on the negative....I was focused on the hurt...I was focused on the lies of three women.

I was wrong.  I forgot, no I dared not to trust God with my anger towards these women. I should have left this in his hands right from the beginning.  But I did not.  I was hurt...

I began reading, delving into great books...surrounding myself with great Christian authors.  Digging into the scripture.  While each of the books I read, brought me comfort and a closer walk with the Lord, my children and my husband....it still did not answer my question.


I found a book, aside from God's amazing word, that reminds me to focus on the goodness of God.  This book is life-changing and thought-changing.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann VosKamp.....is taking me on a journey.  A journey to forgive, to live every moment to the fullest, focusing on God's goodness!   This journey takes one to find one thousand gifts....

Planning for the New School Year: Box Day!

Everything arrived to start our new school year!
This is what we call BOX DAY!  The day the box with all new books and supplies for the new school year arrives.

So what are we using this year?

Sonlight Core 200

Apologia Chemistry

Apologia Marine Biology

Teaching Textbooks Geometry

Just to name a few....stay tuned as we begin the planning process....

My favorite planner...Homeschool Tracker!

Creative Day....

Today was creative day......thankful to have this day to create!

You see, I needed extra protection for my iPad.  The nifty iPad cover just is not enough.  Yes, I am just well a little hard on my gadgets.  :-)

Being creative, making something, and feeling productive refuels me.  It gives me a feeling of accomplishment.  If there is one piece of advice I often give to homeschooling moms, I explain the value of being creative.  Creating a wonderful meal, a scrapbook album, or even an iPad case can recharge my confidence to tackle another week of curriculum planning and teaching.

These are the pictures of the iPad case I made today.  I like the zipper pocket in the back for my little journal or notebook and my charger. 

It was not hard to make...I used a pattern I found on a blog....the link?  I won't share the link here as the author has some inherent sewing mistakes in her pattern which led me to ripping out stitches, making a call to my expert seamstress (Mom) and reworking the pattern a bit.  So just a warning to following patterns online...always read through it before completing the project!  (Thank Mom for the help!! :-)

It has been a while....

I can't believe how long it has been since my last blog post!

Life has been busy....I am learning to live in the now, versus trying to plan for the future.....yet I am the eternal planner.

What have we accomplished since September....

We finished another school year...the girls finished well!

Nick completed his first year of college...he finished well!


What is God teaching me?

That HE is in control.

That is it okay to trust another person.



What is filling my thoughts?

When we as women are hurt, brokenhearted and  mistreated....we have two choices: to openly share our heart again no matter the cost.....or to simply hide our hearts away.

Having been hurt deeply by a former friend, I find in incredibly hard to share my heart again.....God is working on that.  Seeking Joy is hard when you have been wounded by a friend you cherished.  Betrayal is a terrible thing.  Forgiveness brings freedom and joy.  :-)


What is on the horizon?  Seeking God daily to order not only my steps but my thoughts and actions!

Seasons of Change...Fall is here.

Fall is here.....seasons change. 

Seasons change all the time.  How do you handle change?  Sometimes we handle change well and well, other times....maybe we fight it.

At our home we have what we call a "new normal".  Our new normal includes having only part of our family home. Our son is away at college.  My husband is surrounded by women.  He feels a bit outnumbered sometimes, but enjoys it nonetheless!  There are less dishes, less laundry....but also less Nick.  While that may seem sad, it isn't.  We are so excited for all the changes we see around us from Nick being away and Katie learning to drive to Aimee being part of an outstanding triple threat discipleship program numerous hours a week.  I am enjoying every single minute of this new normal. And yes...I am overjoyed with my job!  I hate to even call it a job...because I love it so much. 

God has been leading us through this season of change well.  In fact, on Friday, our family Bible time was this very timely verse:

Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

What an awesome reminder!  God wants us to be strong and courageous and then promises to be with us - our protector.  I don't know about you...but I can rest easy knowing I have a GOD who is with me!

So as I am still striking a balance between work, family, home and life, I find my creative moments being inspiring and a recharge to my spirit. I enjoy decorating our home for the seasons that are limited here in Florida. In the picture above, I filled a few apothecary jars with artificial pumpkins, squash and various fall foliage.  This way I can enjoy the season, without having to dust at the decorations!  And it saves all these wonderful goodies from the cats! 

(The apothecary jars I purchased at Old Time Pottery and Home Goods.  The decorative items are from Old Time Pottery as well.)



Finding Your Joy in Strengths!

A little more than a year ago, I had the joy of listening to Linda Werner speak about strengths in a leadership workshop.  I was mesmerized....and God used this workshop....this yearning for finding my passion and strengths to lead me to His perfect plan in His perfect timing.

You have read here many times about strengths and I talk about my strengths often. It completely changed the way I viewed myself and others.  It has transformed the way I relate to those around me.  Living a strengths based life has led me to a joyful life in Him.

At that same workshop with Linda, my good friend Mary Arnold sat with me.  We learned so much together.  We learned how to be passionate about the strenghts God gave each of us.  I have had the joy of watching Mary begin a journey that has come to fruition this week....she has created an organization to support women seeking a strengths based lifestyle. 

I want to take today and this week to stand along with Mary as she launches this organization with a team of women that want the very best for you and your family. 

Strong Women Surrendered Hearts

The Place To GO When You’re Ready To GROW!

 

Find out how you can win a FREE membership!

The Joy of Cooking Something Yummy....

Today, being a holiday, I spent just a few more minutes preparing lunch.  I love to cook with my husband...we enjoy cooking and trying new recipes.

Today was Fish Tacos......I have never eaten fish tacos.

Paul has enjoyed them the couple of times he has tried them.

Today's fish tacos were unbelieveable!

Sorry no picture....but here is the recipe.  (It comes from Cook This, Not That!)

Grilled Fish Tacos

Ingredients


1 mango, peeled, pitted, and cubed

1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and cubed

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

Juice of 1 lime, plus wedges for garnish

Chopped fresh cilantro

Salt and black pepper

Canola oil

2 large mahimahi fillets (1 1/2 lb total)

1 Tbsp blackening spice

8 corn tortillas (I used flour tortillas)
2 cups red cabbage, finely shredded




Preparation



Mix the mango, avocado, onion, and the juice of 1 lime in a bowl. Season with cilantro, salt, and pepper.


Heat a grill or stovetop grill pan until hot. Drizzle a light coating of oil over the fish and rub on the blackening spice. Cook the fish, undisturbed, for 4 minutes. Carefully flip with a spatula and cook for another 4 minutes. Remove.
Warm the tortillas on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes, or wrap in damp paper towels and microwave for 1 minute until warm and pliable.
Break the fish into chunks and divide among the warm tortillas. Top with the cabbage and mango salsa. Serve with the lime wedges.
Makes 4 servings