Just to make you think....

So, I was approached/questioned 3 different times today...Was I being tested, tempted? I don't know...

The first thing is trying to really understand why I'm not so happy with our Nation's Leader winning the Nobel Peace Prize...I think it's mostly because he hasn't done anything to deserve it. I think he seems to be so worried with what every other country thinks of America, that he hasn't really taken the time to care for his own country in the ways he should be. It'd be like me being a personal trainer who didn't work out or eat right...How am I going to tell others what to do? Does he have a "vision"? Sure! Have I seen any changes for the good? Not just yet. Does it take time for things to change? Absolutely! Just a thought...

The 2nd thing was a woman came up to me in Wal-Mart and asked if I was going to vaccinate my children against the H1N1...NO! Travis and I have found some reasons in all our research and I don't see the benefits of it...I have never gotten a Flu Vaccine and have maybe had the Flu twice in my entire life. Travis gets it every year because the AF makes him, and every year he gets the flu! Ashlynn got the flu vaccine last year and got the flu...I'm not going to vaccinate my children! Thanks for asking anyway!

And, the 3rd thing was some Mormons coming to my door spreading their good word. This got me to thinking why don't Baptists or Pentecostals or Catholics go around door to door like Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses? Maybe they do and they just haven't come to mine?

All these things got me to thinking that we have to be well prepared to stand for what we believe in. We need to be able to spout off why we aren't vaccinating our children, why we aren't happy our President won a prize, or why we believe in the religion that we do. We need to be really grounded in who we are and REALLY know why and REALLY be willing and able and ready to share that with others.

For those who don't FaceBook...or missed it on there.

My Encouragement from God

I was sitting and reading my Bible this morning after I had decided I was going to go get enrollment paperwork from the school our kids would go to. If you can imagine that God had a message for me this morning. He directed my path to a devotional in my Bible called "Trusting when Tested." There were many references to different scriptures that all had much encouragement for me. However, I found the following to be VERY helpful today.

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 that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:2-8

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15

Needless to say, as a result of reading these verses this morning, I will not be going to the school down the street. I feel God is doing something within me. He is not trying to tear me down but make me better. Travis told me this week that when Gold is refined it gets uglier before it really shines. He thinks that is what is going on in me. I can't say I can argue with him. I feel so helpless and hopeless at some points throughout the days. But, it seems like God sends a nugget just when you need it. A friend and I talked earlier in the week about Job and how God allowed the enemy to do whatever he wanted to him to try to test his faith and after the enemy had taken everything, Job still persevered. I can only hope that God is trying to do something similar with me. And, I am sure in the end, I will come out better for having gone through this trial!

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY ETHAN MICHAEL!!!!

It's hard for us to believe that Ethan is already 6! While he has given us our fair share of battles from the beginning, he is so sweet and lovable! He is our jokester, and is always bringing laughter into our home. He is always sure to give you the best and biggest hug, just when you need it. He is our early riser, and I cherish the mornings he and I spend having coffee or an early breakfast together. He is growing so quickly, it's hard to believe just a short time ago he was this tiny baby! We really can't imagine our life without him. I am thankful for a chance to celebrate his life today! I am thankful God gave us him 6 years ago. I am thankful we have had 6 happy and healthy years together. He is such a sweet prince and we love him so much!

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September 24, 2009

Thank You!

In all my adventures and bloggings, I don't think I ever take time to thank those of you that read. For one reason or another, God has brought us into each other's lives and well here we are. It is nice to know you genuinely care about our family, our struggles, our successes, our silly times and our sad times. We feel so blessed to have each of you in our life. Thank you for your support and love! You are each special to us in your own way and we are so blessed by each individual relationship.

UGH!

So, this week the home-schooling endeavor is not fairing so well! I am really struggling again! I can't help but think that if this is what's best for my children, my family, why do I feel this way? I feel like with each passing day I am slipping farther away from who I really am as an individual and turning into a cranky, depressed woman. I keep thinking if this is what is truly best for our ENTIRE family why do I feel so lousy? Then I feel selfish because I have these feelings. I am a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts right now. I just don't know anymore. I pray almost constantly every day. I read "home-school" help books, I seek advice from those who have been doing it longer. I seek encouragement from my Sisters-in-Christ, mentors and friends. It all keeps coming back to me, I am the only one who can make this decision. I want to do what is best for my children, for my family, but at this time I don't know what that is. It is times like this I wish I had a guide book or road map for my life, that sure would make things easier! While the Bible helps, it doesn't quite say, "September 2009 Mary Beth will begin home-schooling, struggle and quit by October 2009" or "September 2009, Mary Beth will begin home-schooling, she will struggle, but will grow to love it and carry out until all 3 children have graduated." ...I'm just saying that would help me a bit today!

Ethan lost his first tooth!

Ethan had a tooth get knocked loose last year just before Christmas. It took hold and got sturdy again for a bit, but has now been loose for months! Today, Kalib and him were wrestling and it got knocked even more loose, so Travis pulled it out. He was a little traumatized! But got pretty happy once the ordeal was over!