Graduation...And Life

Well, we made it! Graduation is over. Bittersweet...I didn't cry as much as I thought I would. God is gracious. He has sustained me. I know He will continue to sustain me. It was a wonderful ceremony. I have been to a graduation ceremony from this school a couple years ago and was very moved (and impressed). Amazing...every part of the ceremony pointed to God...praising Him through it all.

I am proud of my son, of his accomplishments. Yes, I'm thrilled that he's smart, and that he was salutatorian of his class. I'm pleased that he has been surrounded these last four years with Christian friends, who encourage each other in their moments of weakness. I'm so thankful that all of his teachers are Christians who share their passion for Christ on a daily basis. But more than this, I am so thrilled and thankful that my son has a passion for Christ and that he is in a vibrant, growing relationship with his Savior.

I know these are the reasons for the satanic attacks we seem to be under so often. The devil, our adversary, is roaming about, seeking whom he might destroy. I know he can't destroy our souls (because Jesus holds them in His hands, PTL!), but he does seek to destroy our Christian testimony! That serpent of old, the father of lies constantly tempts us in our areas of weakness. He seeks to entice us continually. He promises what he cannot deliver. And I sometimes grow weary of fighting the battle.

But I am so very grateful to my heavenly Father, for He hears me when I cry out to Him. He delivers me from the oppression. He holds me in His arms while I weep. And He delivers what He promises! He promises me rest. He knows that I am weary and He gives me rest. He is my Rock and my Salvation. He is my ever-present help in times of trouble. Praise Him for He is holy...praise Him for He is love...praise Him for He is my shield! I will glory in Christ alone!

Countdown to Graduation

Wow! I know you're getting tired of hearing me say it, but....life is moving FAST! Graduation is only six days away!! I'm not ready! I was hoping to have a scrapbook of his high school years ready for display on his graduate's table, but I don't know if that will happen...I'm only finished with his junior year. I guess I might be able to make it by graduation night, but I was hoping to have it ready for the graduate reception at church this Sunday night! I guess we'll see how fast I can work on it tomorrow.

Honors Day was held at his school this past Wednesday. He is Salutatorian of his class. His best friend (who will also be his college room-mate) is Valedictorian. It's a small Christian school; there are only 12 seniors. I've been so busy with end-of-the-year activities for him that we haven't accomplished much of what I'd planned for homeschool this month with my other children. I've already warned them that we will still be in "school" after he finishes. But that's okay...learning is for a lifetime. And I'd already planned to do more reading throughout the summer anyway!

May the joy of the Lord be yours in abundance.

Life

To quote my irl friend, "When did life move from fast to FAST?" That's definitely what it feels like around our house right now. Seems like everything happens all at once! I'm ready for summer now so we can slow down a little (sort of...daughter plays softball during summer, so we are on the go, but not as much as now).

FIL continues to improve (praise Jesus!). He is doing quite well with his therapy sessions. My dh teases him, saying they'll have him running steps before they're done!

Older son's baseball season is over now; we made it to the second round of state play-offs! However, he is in that "let-down" mode, kind of moping around the house because he has played his last "high school" game ever. I can tell he's in that transition mode; he's ready (sort of) to graduate and move on to a bit more independence, yet he's not sure if he's quite ready. Understandable...I'm not quite ready yet, either! Here are some pictures of the baseball games:

He plays 3rd base.

Younger son and mom

And yes, he did catch this pop fly; I just snapped the picture too soon! Timing is everything!

Here we are stopped at a Bass Pro Shop on the way home from the games. LOL, other people are there shopping and I'm taking pictures!

There were tadpoles in this water, and I was afraid I was going to have to fish my kids out (lol)!

Life is certainly moving forward. We've been having the best time watching the birds around here. Funny how last year we studied Apologia's Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day and we didn't seem nearly as interested in the birds then as we are now! We've also had fun watching the metamorphosis of the tadpoles we collected. I've enjoyed seeing the colors appear in my yard, how everything has turned from the dull browns of winter to the vibrant hues of summer! And I say summer instead of spring because around here we experience maybe about a week of two of spring-time, then we charge right into summer! I really do enjoy this time of year! Except for the mosquitoes!

Recently, we met with some others from our home school group and learned about composting, and we were able to make our own smaller version of a compost bin to take home. Afterwards, the kids just played together and had a great time. We moms enjoyed the time of fellowship as well.

By the way, we finished reading The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Spear today. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend that you do. It is a very good book!

An Update

My fil continues to improve. He is residing in the rehabilitation/therapy unit of the local nursing home. The doctors told him he has to stay for therapy for 20 days; as of today, 5 days down, 15 to go! He is doing very well, but we continue to covet your prayers.

On a side note, he was released from the hospital on the day after the first case of swine flu was diagnosed in the state of Georgia; the patient was admitted into the same hospital where my fil was located. This pandemic has now hit "close" to home for us.

We will be traveling to north Georgia today for my son's baseball games. His team has made it through the first round of the State Play-offs, and is in the second round this weekend! It's a double-header today. Gotta love baseball!

Our Weekend

Spring is in the air! My nose tells me so (in good ways and bad). Spring Revival started at our church this morning...we've been able to spend more time outside (yeah!!) working in the yard...watching birds visit our feeders...watching the antics of the squirrels at our bird feeders...collecting tadpoles...older son enrolled in LifeSkills 101 (smile). And an update...fil continues to improve from surgery (PTL)...still in hospital...but walking some now. They are trying to regulate his blood pressure...he should be released from the hospital soon. It's been a good weekend! I'll leave you with some photos.

The cardinals are just so beautiful!

Notice his mate on the branch to the right of the feeder.

This is just funny.

Look closely to find the tadpoles...they're kinda hard to see.

Working in the yard

Life Skills 101: Changing the Oil

Son under the car

Daughter and dog had to see what was going on under there

This was worth just sitting, waiting and watching (what my husband calls "doing absolutely nothing")

Can you see his mate?

Field Trip

I have to say that I love field trips as much as my children do! And I always learn as much as they do! Today we visited a nuclear electricity plant.

Plant Hatch sits on a 2,244-acre tract that accomodates two reactor units in massive containment buildings and eight cooling towers, a turbine room the size of two football fields, a state-of-the art control room, an environmental lab, a high-voltage switch yard and substation, and a visitors center that is open to the public all year for scheduled tours. More than 800 people - including engineers, mechanics, reactor operators, lab technicians, instrument and control technicians, electricians and security officers - oversee the plant's operations and maintain its system and facilities.

testing for radiation levels

We learned how power plants produce electricity, how nuclear plants are different from most electricity-producing plants; we learned about things like fission and fusion, uranium and radiation. We learned how these nuclear plants maintain public safety. It was very interesting and pretty cool, too.

testing our knowledge (how well we paid attention

to the nice lady)

how much energy can we produce?

My Father-in-Law, Part 2

I am happy to report that we are praising Jesus from Central Alabama all the way to South Georgia! My dear fil came through his hip surgery wonderfully. God is so good! The doctors did not have to replace the whole hip, just the ball; so he will have an easier and a quicker recovery! God is so merciful! And during the surgery they did not put him to sleep completely, just an epidural, so he did not have to experience the horrible nausea that (for him) always accompanies the general anesthesia. Did I mention God is so merciful?

My dh is spending tonight in the hospital with his father. The doctors anticipate fil's release on Saturday or Sunday, followed by a 7 to 10 day stay in a rehabilitation/therapy home. Then he will stay at my sil's home until such time as she feels he is ready to be alone in his own home again. *Thank you, Jesus! You are so good!*

I am ready for my dh and dd to be back home, for us all to be together again. I don't like being apart. But I am glad that they were able to go. Thank you for praying! I am so glad we serve a God who hears us, One who responds, One who knows our needs before we even ask.

My Father-in-Law

The doctors decided not to do surgery yesterday. We're not sure why; they said his coumadin levels were in the target zone and that should not pose a problem. They just said they thought it best to wait. Some family members were a little miffed about the postponement; but I say God knows why we need to wait. He is in control and we will trust Him.

My dh decided last night that he and our dd would drive up this morning to be there for the surgery this afternoon. He felt that it would be best for our two sons and I to stay put for now. Oldest son doesn't want to miss any days at school (if he can help it) so he can exempt from finals. I am heading up a field trip for our homeschool group tomorrow...wasn't sure whether to postpone it and go on up with dh. And as for youngest son, I just knew what a long day it would be to spend at the hospital with him (the hospital is not in their hometown, so we would be just sitting at the hospital).

Now...after having said all that, I'm just not sure if it was the right thing to do. I know that all the other "stuff" we have going on is just that - stuff, unimportant stuff in the light of what really matters. It doesn't really matter in the long run if oldest son has to take final exams, if we miss AWANA tonight and a field trip tomorrow, or if youngest son is bored to tears and drives me crazy while sitting in hospital waiting room. However, dh really thinks this is what I should do and if complications arise, then the boys and I will just pack up and drive up there. Life is so hard sometimes.

Please continue to pray that all goes well with fil's surgery today.

Please Pray

Well, it's been a while since I've been here. Life sure has gotten busier lately. With three kids playing baseball/softball (lots of practices and games), along with getting things in order for my high school senior's upcoming graduation, I've not had a lot of time to spare for the computer.

Most urgent and pressing is the fact that my dear father-in-law (82 years old) fell and broke his hip. My sister-in-law called this morning at 6 am to tell me that he fell last night around 8 pm. They took him to the ER where they spent 4 hours, before they decided to send him to a larger hospital (about an hour's drive away). They had to spend several hours in the ER at the new hospital before they settled him into a room. As of early this morning, they were planning to put his leg in traction. They will have to wait to do surgery when they get his coumadin levels reversed, hopefully this afternoon, possibly tomorrow morning.

It is times like these when I wish we lived closer to home so I could help my sister-in-law. She takes care of her dad and her handicapped brother (the ones who came to stay with us for a week back in March). They do have a brother who lives closer to them, and he will drive down to be with them for the surgery. I always feel as if I am never fully able to do my part in helping out. The best I can do here on my end of the situation is to pray. I have a feeling, though, that we'll be making a trip up this weekend, if all goes well with his surgery (possibly sooner).

Will you join me in praying for him, that everything goes well with his surgery, and for his recuperation?

He is Risen; He is Risen indeed!

"He is Risen!" These were the words I spoke Sunday morning as I awakened my children on Resurrection Sunday. "He is Risen indeed!" were the sleepily mumbled replies I heard from each of them. Oh what beautiful words for a beautiful day! Reminding us that our Savior lives! That He conquered death and is sitting at the right hand of God, pleading for us!

(left to right) Will, Kate and Ryan

The worship service at church was so moving. The Children's Choir and the Adult Choir presentations were awesome! The Spirit really spoke to my heart. How much like the two Marys at Jesus' tomb I am...quick to forget what He has already told me. That I am His...that He bought me at a price...that it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives within me.

I am so very grateful that He loves me, that He saved me, and that He has given me new life. I love Easter and all the different ways we celebrated. Our homeschool group made a "bunny in the grass" cake to take to someone whose home was in the flood zone here. Our Awana kids celebrated His death and resurrection with the Easter Story and an egg hunt. The church-wide egg hunt and celebration was fun and meaningful. My family made a "jelly bean prayer" floral arrangement and Resurrection Cookies; we read the Resurrection Eggs devotionals each night. And we were able to worship our risen Lord and Savior on Sunday.

the bunny cake

Margaret and Kate hunting eggs at the Awana Easter Celebration

Will hunting eggs at the Awana Easter Celebration




My family - husband - Mike, me, oldest - Ryan

youngest - Will, middle - Kate

Easter is amazing...




Our Lord, and His love for us is amazing!

Making the Resurrection Cookies

We received this recipe many years ago when my youngest child was about 2 years old, and it has become our family's tradition to make these cookies on the eve of Easter. It's a nice, hands-on way to tell the Easter story. My family looks forward to this each year. If you're unfamiliar with this recipe, go to www.annieshomepage.com/resurrectioncookiestext.html so you can take a look and see what you think. When we make the cookies, I read the directions, my husband reads the Scriptures, and our kids make the cookies. I've posted some photos, as well.

Easter Egg Hunt at Church on Saturday

We had our annual church-wide egg hunt on Saturday, with our youth pastor sharing a very moving story of Christ's last week on earth, His death, and His resurrection.

The Easter Story, shared by our youth pastor

Kate, with the crown of thorns

Will, looking for eggs

and counting his eggs

Decorating eggs to take home

Day 12 - Empty Tomb

But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you." So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. Matthew 28:5-8

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. He said that no one had taken Jesus' body, but instead He had risen from the dead! The angel told them to go tell His disciples what they had seen, that Jesus was risen. Can you imagine their excitement? They ran all the way to tell the disciples the good news! "He is risen from the dead! Alleluia!"

Now after this Jesus appeared in person to Peter, the other disciples, and then to more than 500 people! Because Jesus appeared on different occasions to so many people - who saw Him with their own eyes and even touched Him - we have proof that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-7; John 20:27-28).

As He rose from the dead, Jesus did what no one had ever done before or since. Being both God and man, He overcame sin, death and hell. And now those things no longer have any real power over those who believe in Jesus and have His Spirit leading them. Instead of being slaves to sin and death, Christians, by the power of His Spirit, are free to obey God and do good (Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, "so if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."

Like the tomb, our hearts are empty and lifeless without Jesus. But as we repent, believe, and trust in Jesus' death and resurrection, He fills our hearts with life and the Holy Spirit. As we read the Bible and memorize God's Word, the Holy Spirit helps us obey God. God's Spirit never goes against His Word. When we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit can speak into our lives in powerful ways.

Of course, we won't always do the right thing. The Bible says this in 1 John 1:5-10. God's Word makes it clear that when we do sin, we need to confess our sins and then repent. God will forgive us based on Jesus' death on the cross.

Now, when you think of the empty tomb, remember that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. Remember too, that Jesus comes into empty, dead hearts and fills them with His Spirit, giving new life! Will you allow Him to roll the stone away from your empty heart?

Day 11 - Stone at the Tomb

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. Matthew 28:1-3

A large stone, bigger than a door and heavier than a car, was placed over the opening of a tomb to prevent grave robbers from stealing the body of a dead person, or from taking valuables that had belonged to the dead person. In the case of Jesus, the Pharisees were worried Jesus' disciples would take the body and say that Jesus had risen from the dead. In order to prevent this, Pilate had posted soldiers to guard the tomb. He even had the soldiers close the tomb with an official Roman seal on the edge of the huge stone. Pilate was sure this would keep the disciples from taking the body of Jesus because the penalty for breaking this seal was death. And the Roman soldiers also knew that the penalty for them was death if anyone broke the seal during their watch.

When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrived at the tomb of Jesus to anoint His body with spices, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, the guards were gone, and the grave was empty, except for Jesus' grave clothes! They were fearful and didn't know what to do. If only they had remembered that Jesus told them He would rise from the dead, they would have been filled with faith rather than confusion. How many times have I been like the two Marys? How many times have I forgotten His words to me?

When we don't remember God's Word (the Bible), we too, are fearful and confused. God wants us to remember His words. They give us faith, hope, joy, courage, and direction in this scary, confusing world in which we live. Words about the stone being miraculously rolled away and about Jesus' resurrection from the dead are the most encouraging and hope-giving words a Christian could ever hear!

Day 10 - Linen Wrapping

Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb. Matthew 27:57-61

Some of the Jewish leaders secretly believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but didn't want others to know they believed, for fear of being killed. The Bible tells us that both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were members of the Sanhedrin who believed that Jesus was the Son of God and trusted Him for their salvation. After Jesus died on the cross, these men could not hide their faith any longer. Joseph of Arimathea loved Jesus so much, he was willing to risk his own life by asking for the body of Jesus.

Joseph was a very rich man and wanted His Lord to be buried in a proper manner. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 53:9 "His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death..." God foretold this before Jesus was even born.

Joseph's love for Jesus and courage were really amazing! God is pleased when we love Him enough to risk the things we own, even our very lives, to stand with Him. Will you be courageous and stand with Jesus?

Day 9 - Soldier's Spear

Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, "Not one of His bones shall be broken." And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him who was pierced." John 19:31-37

The Bible tells that because the Sabbath was approaching, the Jews were anxious to remove the crucified bodies. Therefore, they asked Pilate to have the soldiers break Jesus' and the other two thieves' legs, so they would die quickly. When people were put to death on the cross, it was common for the Roman soldiers to break their legs. With broken legs, the people could not lift themselves up to keep from suffocating, thereby allowing them to die more quickly.

The soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves who were crucified on either side of Jesus, but when they came to Jesus, He was already dead. So there was no need for them to break His legs, thus fulfilling prophecy foretold hundreds of years before, "He keeps all His bones, not one of them is broken." Psalm 34:20. I remember studying this several years ago with our previous pastor's wife. When the Jewish people offered sacrifices to God for their sins, the animal had to be unblemished. In order for Jesus to be the sacrifice needed to pay for our sin, He had to be the unblemished lamb, hence no broken bones!

Because the soldiers had to make absolutely sure Jesus was dead, they pierced Him in the side with a spear. When they did this, blood and water came pouring forth. This was the proof the soldiers needed, and it is proof of His death to us, as well.

Jesus loved us so much to die this horrible death in our place! Let us not take it for granted!

Day 8 - Dice for Gambling

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says:

"They divided My garments among them,

And for my clothing, they cast lots."

Therefore the soldiers did these things. And there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:23-25

Amazing to me is how God foretells, hundreds of years before this event, how the Roman soldiers would gamble for Jesus' clothes:

"They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." Psalm 22:18

Jesus shows us what we are to do when others wrong us. He asked His Father to forgive them. This is to serve as an example to us of how we should treat others when they are mean to us, even when they hate us. We know from God's Word that we should pray for our enemies, but we are also told that we need to forgive them, just as Jesus showed us.

He's 18 Now!

Yep... it's official. My first-born son is 18 today. Happy Birthday Ryan! I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Where do the years go???" It seems like just yesterday I was bringing that little bundle of joy into this world, and now he's ready to embark on his own journey into this world! It's been a very rewarding journey for me, but it certainly doesn't feel like it's been 18 years! I'm so proud of him! He has brought so much joy to our family all these years (maybe a little bit of angst, but so much joy). I'm proud of the fine young man he is becoming. I'm thankful to my Lord that Ryan is walking with Him...that his heart is following Jesus. These are bittersweet days for me, and my emotions sometimes get the best of me. I hope he understands that on those days when I am the "mean momma" on his case all day long, it's on those days that I'm holding on to the years gone by for dear life!

We held a birthday party for him here at home last night, with about 30 of his friends. Thirty teenagers in my house all at once...Wow! It was loud, but it was fun. They are good kids and I'm so thankful that the Lord has blessed him with Godly friends. We'll take him out to eat lunch today...just the family. Tonight, he'll celebrate the Passover Meal with his friends from the youth group at church.

These are good days. Did I mention that I'm so proud of him?