My Georgia Life

#1 Everyone carries a little fear. (or a lot) #2 The choice is, do we feed it, or release it? IV and I just started teaching the 9th and 10th grade Life Group (a.k.a. Sunday School) at our church. I'll admit I was a little nervous the first Sunday.  I hadn't been around high-schoolers in a long time, and I suddenly felt very old, and very uncool.  BUT, I had a grand feeling that this was just where the Lord wanted us to be.  So far, I think I'm right.  It's fun, and we're all learning a lot. My first realization is that I'd forgotten the weight and worries kids carry over things that seem really unimportant to me now.  I know I was the same way, and it made me think about all the weight and worries I carry still that simply will not matter in a few years (or tomorrow). Why do we fear?  Why do we doubt God? He loves us.  He's with us. ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I wil...

#1 Never give up reading Scripture...even the passages you've read a hundred times over. #2 You'll always find something that you may have missed before. Unreasonable Grace I've read the same Scriptures to the kids as part of our Christmas countdown for the past three years.  I use the Advent booklet by Ann Voskamp as a guide.  It basically walks us from Adam and Eve to the birth of Jesus in 27 days. (It starts on November 29.)   This year I discovered a common thread throughout the story that I never noticed before.  It has to do with the preservation of the line of Jesus when all reason would have ended it time and time again.  It starts in the beginning... Adam and Eve :  They ate from the forbidden tree, God could have killed them then and there and started over, but he didn't.  He allowed them to live (for a while) and multiply.  Grace. Noah :  He was spared when the Lord saw fit to wipe out everyone else.  He ...

Once again I looked around my house and said, "Yep. Kids definitely live here."  (See Part I here .) Have you spotted any of these signs in your home? "Peter Rabbit" graces your butter dish: The stack of books beside your bed contains at least one story of the Berenstain Bears ...and Goodnight Moon (of course). A potty chair is part of the seating arrangement in your living room.  (I know...that's kinda gross.): Some Christmas additions... Thomas around the Christmas tree: 50% of your Christmas tree ornaments are made of foam...a.k.a. modern day construction paper: I don't even know...who does this?  Obviously someone short: And then finally...yes, this is actually still happening a year and a half later.  I know someone's gonna say I'm going to miss this one day.  We'll just have to see about that. : I love my children. God's good.

*UPDATE as of 12/29/2013:  Due to several factors I've decided to postpone this plan til the end of summer for a fall marathon.  I'm going to focus on my 5k time for the spring.  I just found this great article to help me reach my goal: Solving the 5k Puzzle .  I'm not sure this is the exact plan I'll follow but it's a good read anyway.  Also, this whole change of plans is a good reminder of Proverbs 16:9, " The mind of   man plans his way,  But   the   Lord   directs his steps."   Story of my life. #1 I've completed two marathons. #2 I said I would never do it again both times. #3 Pain is (sometimes) easily forgotten. So...here's the plan. (For my reasoning on posting this publicly scan to the end.) I'm starting my new year's fitness push early this year.   I'm not really sure if I'll run a marathon or not, but I like this plan because it's only three days a week and incorporates a speed workout, tempo run, a...

Galatians 2:20 , a photo by skeeler5995 on Flickr. #1 I am not a psychologist. #2 Nor do I wish to be. Control. "If I could just get my diet under control I think I would feel a lot better." "If I could just get the mess under control I think my home would be a happier place." "If I could just get my children under control then I wouldn't have to yell and fuss at them so much." These are thoughts I've had in one way or another over the years. I don't think I'm alone in this. When I'm succeeding at any one of these points I do feel at peace...for a very short while. When it all comes crashing down again it's like I can feel the darkness of defeat creeping in. I don't know if it's what the beginning of depression feels like or not. (See #1.) I just know that I don't like it. These times when I realize (or remember) that I actually have no control can either be depressing or a re...

#1 You think you have patience? #2 Take this two minute (approximate) test to find out. #3 I've been practicing a while, and am far from mastery. :)

#1 My family is my work. #2 My family is my vacation. #3 My work = my vacation???? "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:17 This is one of the verses I have to have in my mind and heart when I re-enter the homeschool scene after a week away.  I haven't exactly been on vacation lately but I did spend some extra time in Tennessee with my family for my Papaw's funeral.  The whole family gathered to say goodbye and to honor him.  He was dearly loved by all.  The kids and I spent the whole time soaking in the love. When it was time to come home, I was sad to leave my family and the restful pace I take when I'm there.  (There are a lot of helping hands that make this possible. :) )  I miss Tennessee.  It seems like I miss it more now that we're planning to settle in Georgia for a while longer.  That's the way things go though.  ...