The Old and the New

In my life this (past) week…

Last weekend we got to "try out" the new gymnasium that was purchased for our church youth group/homeschool group. In a word, it's A-w-e-s-o-m-e! It's huge, and comes with all the trimmings, and it's a special place for our young people to get together and fellowship, away from the pressures and annoyances that this world can bring on. It's a blessing that words can't convey....it's just.....cool. Really really cool!

In our homeschool this week…

Last week was our spring break, so it was a time of pure laziness for Bub, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Now we're back to school, gearing up to finish our last 40 plus days til summer break. I think I'm as excited as he is! I'm already looking forward to choosing a new curriculum(s) for 7th grade. What we did this year worked well, but I'm ready to move on to something new!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Don't take a break every other week, because those days just get tacked on to the end of the school year. We've already extended our school session about 3 weeks past what I had anticipated at the start of the year.

I am inspired by…

The people around me who work so silently and diligently behind the scenes, to get the job done. I noticed Saturday at the grand opening how different ones were "working", doing little things behind the scenes, and I see their witness of "serving God by serving others."

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing...

The biggest news in town is the state (of Kentucky) rivalry coming to a head at the Final Four basketball tournament this weekend. The two biggest teams in the state, not to mention in the country, is all you see on the news. At least it's the headliner anyway. On a personal note, I am preparing to get another vehicle sometime in the near future, so I am not going too far from the ranch until then; my car is just not up to long drives these days. For that matter, it's not even up to long hills!

My favorite thing this week was…

Since this is just the second day of the week, my list is short, but I did enjoy a good friend coming over yesterday and hanging out with us while we watched "the" basketball game....after all, it's always more fun to cheer in public! ;-P

What’s working/not working for us…

Sugar. I'm wanting to cut it out of our diet. Working on it, not completely successful, but am making a gentle stab at it.

Questions/thoughts I have…

There has been confusion and questions, in the wake of recent happenings with a dear friend of mine, a friend who chose to make a radical move to a new standard of living, and a different view of doctrinal/spiritual beliefs. I have had several people come to me and ask either how I am doing (which I dearly appreciate), or how am I handling the situation, or what do I think about it, etc. This is one topic I am not shy about, and haven't been shy about voicing my thoughts/beliefs; either to my friend herself, or to those who have concerns about the impact it has on others. Someone said something yesterday though that summed a whole lot of it up in my mind....they said that maybe this whole scenario (I would use the word "mess", but I'll try to stay positive) could be a good thing, because it forces those affected to decide where they stand and what they believe. It's important, especially as time is marching on, and closer to the end, that we know not only where we stand, but why we are standing there. Is it because our families do? Because our pastor says so? Because it's "just what we've always done"? Or because God has given a spiritual revelation to us in our heart, showing us His Truth, let go, let come what may...

It's something to think about.

I’m reading…

Dark in the City of Light, by Paul Robertson. He is a Christian fiction author, and this is only the second book I've read by him. The first one I loved, so I hungrily grabbed up all the other books he had written for my collection. This second one I'm reading, however, is a bit tedious. It takes place in France, and is taking place at the time that Napoleon was Emperor. Not my favorite time period to read from. I'm halfway thru the book, and am determined to finish it, but I have to admit it's a bit exhausting.

I’m cooking…

I made a "boston butt" yesterday, and man oh man, was it good. I baked it for twelve long hours in a 225 degree oven. When I took it out, it was so tender it just slid off the bone and pulled apart so easy. I toasted the buns, slathered on some barbecue sauce and the grazing was on!

I’m grateful for…

My job, that I love. The opportunity to work from home. Being able to homeschool my son. I used to dream about what it would be like to be a stay-at-home mom, and thought without a husband, that would be impossible. The Lord made a way for me to hold down a full-time job and be a stay-at-home mommy, and I feel so very blessed!

I’m praying for....

So many things....where do I begin? Dear friends, out of fellowship with the Lord; family members that still don't even know the Lord; my son and I to draw closer to the Lord, healing for sick friends, direction and guidance on personal dilemmas....so many things...

Things I love...

Little tiny babies, after their baths, when their skin has that baby soft scent, that smells so tender and sweet.

A photo to share...

A couple of weeks ago, Bub and I had the opportunity to go see our very favorite college basketball team practice for the NCAA tournament. It was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I got to share it with my Little Man!