Eat, Pray, Love

You either love it or hate it I guess. Any way you look at it, the movie brings up some deep issues and can't be left undiscussed. So, here goes for my two cents. I heard two comments before seeing the movie; first, "it was terrible" and second, it is about "self indulgence." Okay, fair enough. Opinions. We each come with our own ball of wax or can of worms, whichever you choose to call it. So we come with IT, to the theatre and watch an actress do her thing on the big screen. I happened to read an article today on Julia Roberts' role in this film. She mentioned having her family along on the entire journey of filming on location. Quite opposite her character's lifestyle choice.
Back to the movie, Eat, Pray, Love. Should we as Christians have a problem with this movie? I say no....and here's why. The story that unfolds is of a lost woman searching for her meaning in life. In my opinion, she never truly finds it. She ends up concluding that 1) "god" lives in her and is her and 2) that she could strive for balance in her life as hard as she could, but then end up wanting more to live life out of balance.
We all sit with our ball of wax in our laps, watching the movie unfold. After "Groceries" (should we call her? I can't remember her real name) leaves her husband, and her rebound-boyfriend relationship, she heads off on a year-long journey to find out who she is. HMMMM. Starts in Italy with lots of food and wine and ponders one idea of happiness: having good relationships. She then heads off to India to get herself "balanced" in the spiritual sense. She follows a guru and seeks to make peace with herself and her past through meditation and "emptying her mind." Not such a wonderful idea, but we can talk about that later. At the end of the movie, she ends up in Bali, still trying to negotiate a new 'enlightened' way of living with herself, and deciding if she is up for a new relationship.
Okay, so I don't love the storyline, or the process this 'lost' woman goes through to find herself 'on the other side,' but I think it would be a sad commentary on Christians if we didn't think we could watch such a thing and observe the way some of the 'lost' are trying to find help. Reason being, we HAVE what they are looking for. They want peace. They want God's peace in their hearts and lives. We know the answer: you cannot have the peace of God without making peace with God.
The idea that divorce is the answer is wrong! We know better. But, our 'lost' friends do not necessarily know why we would say that. I consider this movie an opportunity to talk with people about their lives, their reality. Their dreams. Their hopes. Their wish for peace. And then we can lead them to the living water that satisfies. With Jesus, there is no end. One of the themes in the movie was that 'nothing lasts anyway.' Wrong. We are eternal beings, created for eternal purposes, and God will not be mocked; a man reaps what he sows! I pray that our lives as Christians can be light and life to those around us, searching for the WAY. I pray they will see peace in us that is present despite unfortunate circumstances. Joy in the midst of hurt. No, Jesus did not promise us a pain-free life, but He promised to be with us........in every season and situation. That's what we have to offer. The God of the Universe in us, by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Now that's what I'm talking about when I talk about peace. There's none of this "god is in me and I am god!" No, I humbly admit that I need a Savior, and I will gladly let Him guide the path of my life, rather than searching for a way to find 'balance' in order to figure out my own way and blaze my own path. How about you?

Singing in the Rain

Tonight was a HOT desert night and I was lamenting aloud that I can't wait for it to cool off! Looking forward to November, I said.
No joke, 30 minutes later we are running down our street in a downpour of monsoon rain! So happy! Thank you Jesus! We needed a cool drench. We needed a moment of refreshing. The rain brought my thoughts to our need for Jesus to come and cool us, refresh us, invigorate us and make us new. There are so many songs of the Holy Spirit, raining down on us. Come, Lord Jesus. "Holy Spirit, rain down," and "Spirit of the Living God Fall afresh on me.............Make me, Meld me, Mold me, Fill me........" and somehow "Shine, Jesus, Shine" fits as we cheerfully ran through the rain in warm gutter puddles~Fill this land with the Father's glory; Blaze, Spirit, Blaze, set our hearts on fire.........flow, river, flow, flood this nation with grace and mercy, Send forth your word Lord, and let there be light!"
I was also remembering a sweet tune from the kids' toddler days, "Lightning bugs those lightning bugs go flicker flicker flicker in the night; lightning bugs those lightning bugs God made us all to shine our little light!"
And that is my prayer for this season. I pray that I can inspire my children to know God and love God and Share God's light and life!
One perfect opportunity tonight, to thank God for the rain, to enjoy his sweet gift of refreshment, and to sing back our praises. I pray that I can be aware of eternity in the midst of the everyday.

The Pipecleaner Spider

I had a friend call the other day. She was doubting her decision to Homeschool. I dug into my years'-worth experience with the subject and gave her my best shot. The Pipecleaner spider. When I pulled out my youngest son, Benjamin, from Kindergarten at our local Public school last fall, I had similar doubts. I knew in my heart that I wanted to school him at home, but somehow my head decided to argue with me. Sometime in October, I was at the school helping out in Amberly's class and I walked down the Kindergarten hallway. That's when I saw them. The 25 posterboards filled with cute googly-eyed, pipe-cleaner spiders! Then it hit me. Benjamin missed making these cute little guys. He wasn't there to make these adorable pipe-cleaner spiders. I felt a little bad. A little sad, maybe. Like maybe I had stolen something good from my boy?

I had to shake it off and re-think why we were homeschooling. That what I have to offer is different. And better. For this little boy, anyway. He gets to spend all day with mom. He gets to learn to read up on my bed. He prays and learns about Jesus in school, every day! He catches mommy and daddy's purpose in life, because he watches; he is with us. He plays with his brother and has friends over. He eats his meals at home and helps clean up the messes. He listens to good music and he goes to plays. He loves to listen to good stories read aloud. He is writing and memorizing. He is learning good habits. He gets to build forts during the day and play with marbles and blocks. He goes swimming sometimes for recess. His teacher-momma loves him and gives him all she's got. Take that, pipe-cleaner spider!!!!

Not Busy................FULL!

Why is it that I feel like writing when my life is so full? Wouldn't it make more sense to write when I had nothing better to do? As it is, I don't have spare time. All of my minutes are taken up. No, more like joyfully surrendered to a calling. I am mom. I am teacher. Hear me roar! Well, Hopefully not ROAR. But, yes, Roar it is on some days! I have happily embraced my role as homeschooling mom, yet still struggle at times with what each day should look like. Or each hour. But I know that my efforts are not in vain. Whatever I do, I know God can use for His purposes in my children's hearts. I will just be faithful to keep teaching and training, keep loving and learning, keep challenging and helping, and HE will do the rest. The brilliant thing is, GOD is always with me. When I can't figure out what to do next, I can call on Him. My favorite song during this season has been "I need you Jesus, to come to my rescue." And He does. Day in and day out. He comes. He renews my strength and gives me his patience and peace. Fills me up with Joy so that my cup overflows. And then I can do the "full" life again. He has made me glad!

More Fun at Co-op

a little footage of the boys at work! They were painting a salt dough map that they made last week. We also did our own version of the nile at home. The kids loved making the dough. And they made it again the next day! By themselves. They made pyramids, because we are studying Egypt; and volcanos, just because! They did the baking soda and vinegar trick to make them erupt! Good times. We were so blessed to find this Homeschooling Co-0p. I heard about it from a friend of a friend, and she hooked me up with her friend! We have been enjoying field trips and social activities through the summer so we could get to know the kids, and the moms! It is really nice to have a group of likeminded people to be able to share ideas with and ask for wisdom. God has blessed us already through these new friends!

Homeschooling 2010

Homeschooling 2010-2011

We are in to our second official week! We had our Tapestry of Grace Co-op this morning. The kids are really enjoying our group!

Amberly with Devon on Cupcake

This is Amberly on the horse, Cupcake,that we are leasing for her to use in 4H. She is taking care of her, feeding, scooping poop, riding, enjoying it all! Busy busy, but very fun. Also making new friends!