Teach Them Diligently

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
Keeping in the spirit of conviction (what a weekend, I think I have knots on my head), this verse has hit me square between the eyes. Do I really teach my children diligently? Do I really impart the most important knowledge to them? Do all our conversations revolve around the most important things?
As a homeschool mom, I constantly assess whether or not our curriculum is working for each child. We've grown and changed through the years. And we have studied the Bible, but I really had to step back and take a long, hard look at things. We recite part of this Scripture every Friday night, but I really started questioning myself this weekend on whether or not I am fulfilling this command. Am I diligent to teach the commandments to my children?
I believe that Scripture and the application thereof is the most important thing, but I've not been applying that to our schooling. Our curriculum has evolved over the last years, and continues to change each year to compliment each child's learning styles and needs. However, it's about to change once again. I'm not exactly sure about the logistics and intricate workings yet, but we are going to begin using the Torah portion as our curriculum guide. I will be pulling most/all of our lessons from the week's reading--history, science, language arts, math. My thought process is that since G-d created everything in the beginning, then all knowledge stems from creation. And since the Torah (books of the Law) contain all the information we need to live G-dly lives, then all knowledge should be taught from there.
Now, before you get your jumper in a bunch, I do understand that higher skills will need direct teaching. (I didn't loose my mind...well, any MORE of my mind, anyway.) But I will use the Scripture reading as a starting place and branch out from there.
I also am going to start incorporating more memorization.
Psalms 119:10-11  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
The Psalmist, David, understood how essential it is to KNOW His Word to keep us from committing sin. Memorization has also been proven to sharpen the mind and hone study skills.
Word studies will be the other new addition--which will also support etymology.
Proverbs 2:1-  My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
These Scriptures indicate that wisdom and knowledge is something you have to go after, seek out, find. Verbs. You must DO something--receive, hide, incline, apply. So, we begin a new chapter of schooling. We will receive His instruction, hide His Word in our hearts, incline our ear to His Voice, and apply His commands to our daily life.
~Shalom!
Matthew 12:36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Life (Re)Adjusted

For the past 3+ years, my focus has been off. Life has overtaken me and consumed my scope of vision. I just was dealing with more than I knew how to handle. Yes, I know He's the One who sustains me during trials, and HE DID, but I lost sight of how I'm supposed to be living in regards to my husband.
When my husband came home from Germany, things were different. He was different. I was different. I don't think you can go through extended separation(s) without it changing you--sometimes for the good, sometimes the bad. Hurts can be accentuated; healing can be long-coming. But God. (I had to steal it Sarah.)
This weekend, I met up with the most wonderful bunch of ladies. Most of us had never met in 3D before, right Tiff? Now, I know you're not supposed to run off and meet up with random people you met online, and I would kill severely disable any of my children who tried. But...this was a unique group. And we do know each other because we meet up EVERY. SINGLE. DAY on Facebook to talk and share our lives! But I digress.
I just had the most wonderful, amazing, Bible reading, praise singing, uplifting, encouraging, awesome weekend. And God smacked me on the head a few times. Over the weekend I had several opportunities to brag on my husband...and not just about his incredibly cute dimples.

That's when I got a big, fat lump beat on the top of my head. (Don't worry, it was metaphorical.) God gently, subtly, unceremoniously reminded me that it is those good qualities that I am supposed to be focusing on. My husband is an incredible man, and not just because he does the laundry, cleans the kitchen, takes care of the pasture and animals and vehicles, and a huge list of other things. He also has some amazing gifts from God, and I've not been supporting his gifts or encouraging him to hone them. And I've been wrong. So starting today, I'm making it a priority to uplift my husband. I'm striving this month to become (or at least attempt to be) a Proverbs 31 wife. To help move me in that direction, I'm participating in the Nehemiah Challenge. For the next 30 days, I will be joining an ever-widening circle of praying people; people who are expecting Him to perform miracles and reveal His truth to us. So join me! What's your prayer focus going to be?

When It Hits You Like a Truck

We were listening to a recording of Rabbi Ray Vander Laan while driving. He was explaining Hebrew culture and how knowing about it changes your perspective of the Bible. There are many things that we just do not understand simply because our culture is so different from the Eastern culture.
The Rabbi was talking about Paul and how it is stated in his letter to the Romans that "the just shall live by faith." Faith is what the English translation says, but the Hebrew word here actually means "faithfulness." Faithfulness to what? To His commands. (All of them.) I was listening and thinking and agreeing. Then his next words caught me. He said that faithfulness is what God wants us to pursue. He told the story of the Canaanite woman who wanted Jesus to heal her sick baby. Jesus at first refused, but she persisted. Then Jesus healed her because of her FAITHFULNESS--the SAME word Paul used. Rabbi also told about Abram. When God came to him in a vision and told Abram that he would be getting a great reward, Abram answered Him with a question about where all his children were. (I'm thinking Abram had great, big.... something to question God right after He's promised a great reward!) God took Abram out to look at the stars and give him a picture of his descendants. He was rewarding Abram because of his faithfulness and the pursuit of God--not letting go until he got what God had promised. God desires us to pursue Him that way--to continually petition Him to fulfill His promises.
At that very moment, it felt as though a truck had hit my chest. I felt physically pushed back, but not hurt. And He whispered in my ear. "My daughter," He said, "your faithfulness has not gone unnoticed."
And I burst into tears. (Did you know that tears really can spring OUT of your eyes?? Literally!!) Dimples nearly swerved off the road. The kids questioned me. "What's wrong??" I couldn't even answer. I was crying too hard.
We are (once again) dealing with a major crisis right now. Over two and a half years ago, God spoke to our family through several different people and told us that our family would be together AND completely healed. We are back together (that took 2 years,) but we are not any where near healed. And I am continually crying out to God to keep His promise. I have been feeling particularly doubtful that we will see the fruition of the second part of His promise because something very terrible happened about three weeks ago that tore our family more. I have been pleading with Him, "God! Please, heal my children! Make them whole again! You promised!" But I felt as though my prayers were falling on deaf ears. Suddenly, I was shook to my very core with His answer. He WAS hearing me! He was NOT ignoring me! He WILL answer me! In HIS time! And I very surely heard Him call me His daughter. Just as I have been pleading for MY children, so is He taking care of HIS children.
So, I will continue to petition Him. I will not let go of the promise He has made us. Faithfulness is what He desires. Faithfulness is what I desire.

The New Journey

Yes, I'm very aware that it's been a little LOONNNGGG time since I blogged and for that I do apologize. But (!) I think when I explain why, you will understand. Last I blogged was before I went to see my sweet husband where he was stationed (for two incredibly heart-wrenching years) in Germany. I'm sure you can immediately understand why I didn't have much time to blog while there. (Really, it was all the sight-seeing we did! Yep!!) We did get to visit Rothenberg and Berlin and a few other out-of-the-way places. Then incredibly HE GOT TO COME HOME WITH US!!! He even was able to fly home on the same flight. I still get teary eyed when I think about it....excuse me a moment...
Ok, where was I...oh, yes...let me back up a minute and give a briefing on what happened. Basically, he was told he had 17 days to pack, outprocess, and retire from his military career. So as of 4 March 2010, we are no longer military. (*whew* it still feels like a dream)
Now about our "new" journey together. We quickly married in Oct 2007 when Dimples found out he was going to be stationed in Germany. Since we were *supposed* to leave in January, I didn't see any point in moving from my three bedroom apartment to his two bedroom house. It wasn't that big of a deal at that time. He stayed the night at the apartment, went to work before I got up, worked on packing up his house until late then came back to the apartment. He ended up extending until May but then finally had to go on without us. The whole point of telling this is to show that we never have exactly *lived* together. Until March that is.
I kinda feel bad for Dimples. I really can't imagine how hard it is. His entire life has made such a dramatic change in the last few months. The military is all he's known--16 years of service. He's never been married before, nor had children. But I have to say, he's been a trooper. I'm so proud of him for jumping in and making the best of things.
Marriage is a great, big compromise. We've learned We're learning to give. It's really easy in the beginning when you're so in love. But after a while, it really takes some work. I've come up with some "rules" for myself that I *try* to folllow. (in no particular order)
1) Boost his ego every day. I really try hard to remember to tell him things that make him feel good about himself as a man, husband, and father. "I'm proud of you." "I appreciate you." "You're the best _______ I know." (of course, I try to fill in the blank with something good.) and my fav "You're my perfect man." Because he really is. He's perfect for me!
2) Fight fair. I don't bring up the past.
3) Tell him my expectations. I don't expect him to read my mind. I tell him, in plain English, what I want him to do. (Which doesn't mean he always listens, but...)
4) Give him space. This sometimes is very difficult for me. My love language is affection. If you're not sure what love languages are check out these sites.
http://www.5lovelanguages.com/
http://www.afo.net/hftw-lovetest.asp
My hubby's been gone for 2 years. It's really hard to get affection over the phone. So I want him next to me all the time. (And I have to say, he frequently is.) But he does get to working on stuff outside and won't come in for days. (Well, ok actually he tends to come in very late--or early depending on your perspective. After a few days of not really seeing him, I can be a little grouchy.) I have to remind myself that he still needs some space.
5) Let him be the boss. This is so tough for me. I could blame it on being a simgle mom, or the seperation, or, or, or...but the truth is I do like to be in control. I like making most of the decisions, sometimes out of habit, but sometimes out of rebellion. I am getting better about it. I think...
I might have some other rules for myself, but these are the ones that I've come up with so far. Funny, when I started this blog, this wasn't the direction I thought I was taking it. Hummm, maybe this is just what someone needed though. So, go love your spouse well.

Pennies From Heaven

I really am about to burst with the news of yesterday's events, but it took me a while to work out all my thoughts. God blessed us yesterday (well, everyday, but I'm going to tell you about the big news.) First, Justice Seeker had NO cavities! And then my mom got a new(er) van. Ok, my mom getting a new van when I'm without a vehicle doesn't sound like a blessing for me, BUT they gave me their old van for Christmas!!!
Now, to explain about all the vehicle troubles. It actually started over a year and a half ago--April 18 to be exact. I was rear-ended while sitting at a stop light, and it totaled my van. (That word "totaled" looks really weird to me. huh) I borrowed money to buy another one which I HATE to do, same year but different make/model/options (not as many as the other one, but it ran and I could kinda afford it.) The insurance company FINALLY paid a year and a half later after I fought with them over the condition of the van. They said the engine was in bad shape, and I said that it wasn't because my husband is a mechanic and worked on it himself. They said they wanted receipts, I told them to come look at my garage and 40 ft storage container with all my husband's automotive parts in it. I also told them that he's trained by the Air Force and since they're the best, (sorry Kingdom Mama!) he definately knows what he's doing and is certified.....and on and on. I finally settled for MUCH less than what should have been paid but enough to pay the loan.
ANYWAY.... In January, the (newer, but definately NOT new) van broke down (and for the life of my I can't remember what was wrong with it,) and it needed new tires. Then in June, the heads cracked (no, I don't know what that is, I'm just telling you what I was told.) And then a few weeks back the check engine light came on, and it sounded like something was going to fall out from under the car. I don't really know if that's possible, but I sure didn't want to find out. (And Dimples, if you're reading this, you do NOT have to call to explain all of the fine points of this to me. I won't remember anyway--not by choice, but seriously, it's like a foreign language to me.)
Back to the vehicles..... There is also in my possession a horribly, huge, ugly, and dirty a rather large double-cab dually. You know the old adage about the cobbler's son? Well, the same principle applies to mechanic's vehicles. As long as it runs well.....except the dually doesn't exactly do that either. We got some tires changed out on the big thing (thanks to Fearless Leader) and the batteries charged up so it would start (thaks to Fearless Leader) but it wouldn't hold a charge (by no fault of Fearless Leader.) So we (ok actually it was Fearless Leader, I just helped pull up some belt thingy for him) changed the altenator then got the battery changed. (Did you know some big enormous trucks have two (!!!!) batteries???) But PTL the one that needed changing was the one still under warranty! I was driving around the huge monstrosity until it started dying when I would slow down, and thus left me vehicleless which brings my story full circle.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU God for wonderful parents who helped fill a need! And as soon as I figure out how to publish pics in the blog, I'll show you my beautiful new van. Maybe I should have titled this "Vehicles From Heaven."
And BTW, if you're curious, Fearless Leader is 14. :o)