What I wish I knew when I was 18...

My husband wrote this for a friends son who just turned 18. I thought it was beautiful.

I wish that when I was 18 , I would have had people in my life that would have made such a big deal about such an important time in my life. Truly you are at a time that will influence a lot of what happens during the rest of your time on earth. That may sound kind of overwhelming, but it's not as bad as it sounds. I'm just glad that it was only a couple of years before that ,that I had made Jesus my Savior, and was trying daily to make Him my Lord as well.
I just wish now,( and here it comes) that I had known then, how important it is to realize that:
" God has a purpose for my life"
As simple as that may seem, quite often we allow our plans or the expectations of others to influence us rather than being open to what our Maker has designed us for. Richard Warren in his book "Purpose Driven Life" says that "being successful and fulfilling your life's purpose are not at all the same issue! You could reach all your personal goals, becoming a raving success by the world's standard, and still miss the purposes for which God created you."

Remember that you are significant, you are unique, that you are the only you, and only you can fulfill the purpose of God that He has for you. I have heard many adult say they have spent their whole life climbing the ladder of success, only to find they had their ladder against the wrong wall! When all is said and done, only the words of our Lord and Master commenting on how we ran our race in this life, as He welcomes us into the next, will matter.

My prayer for you, is that you would have the wisdom to put your ladder against the right wall"

Women of Faith Conference...

I got a call in the middle of my teaching the kids at drama camp. It was my dh. He had scored some tickets to the Women of Faith Conference! It was that evening in Seattle. We would leave in three hours and spend the night with perfect strangers and enjoy the conference on Saturday! Whew! This was really stepping out of my comfort zone! Fortunately I have a crazy, spontaneous friend that miraculously was able to rearrange her schedule and come with me. It was an incredible time. The speakers were great and the music was incredible. The lady we stayed with was very nice and so hospitable! It was weird to go spend the night at someones house that my husband found on Craigslist. On the other hand, it must have been weird for our host to have two perfect strangers into her home! It was a real blessing. Unfortunately, my camera's batteries died, so I didn't get pictures. I only got the quirky picture of Becki and I, then the battery died. Anyway, I felt so blessed to get away for the weekend. My dh blessed me by taking care of the kids and getting them to their drama practice and he even cleaned my kitchen! What a guy!

Birthday sail on the Mallory Todd...

Mike and Josiah are away at an Order of the Arrow Ordeal campout this weekend. Today is Christalin's Birthday. With the wonderful help of the Starlight Starbright Foundation, we were able to take the rest of the family sailing! It was a beautiful day! The sun was shining but not too hot. We were able to have Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Juli, cousin Ryan, Uncle Davin, and cousin Madison come along too! I think our birthday girl had a terrific time! We had a picnic afterwards, and then went shopping. What more could a girl want? Of course, she really wanted Josiah and Daddy, but she was ok with having a second birthday party later with them.

Quotes to Ponder...

Here are the latest quotes to ponder... Enjoy!
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All problems become smaller if you don't dodge them, but confront them. Touch a thistle timidly, and it pricks you; grasp it boldly and its spines crumble.
- William S. Halsey, WWII U.S. Admiral


A man who wants something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse.
- Stephen Dolley Jr.


To be nobody but yourself--in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else-- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.
- EE Cummings, poet


Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
- Church billboard in Louisiana


When things go wrong don't go with them.
- Elvis Presley, rock idol


Shut out all of your past except that which will help you weather your tomorrows.
- William Osler, Canadian physician


“I never failed at anything – I successfully eliminated hundreds of possibilities.”
- Thomas Edison

If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.
~Jim Whitaker, climbed Mt. Everest


Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
~Helen Keller


Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.
- Louisa May Alcott, author

Ummmm... That's cool...but where do we fit it???

Our deer heads have arrived! The box is huge! This is from our incredible Make-a-Wish-type hunting trip that we had this past December. I can't tell you what a great time we had. The Crider's were such a warm, generous people to allow us such a terrific trip. We still talk of it practically daily. It truly was a trip of a lifetime.

Now our deer heads have arrived! They are bigger than I imagined! The box won't even fit in our living room! For now, they are sitting on the sidewalk until Mike gets home. He'll figure out where to put them!

The Homeschooler's 23rd Psalm...

My sister sent me this. I'm not sure who wrote it though. It was timely for me. I hope it encourages you too.



The Homeschooler's 23rd Psalm...

I shall not want.
He maketh me to live on less sleep:
He leadeth me through the noise of many voices.

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me to teach
The right lessons each day, for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of undone
Laundry and kitchen messes, I will fear no evil:
For thou art with me, my teacher's guides and
Answer keys, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
Of threatening school officials and critical family members:
Thou anointest my head with heavenly wisdom, my cup runneth over.

Surely educated and godly children shall follow after me
All the days of my life: and I will dwell again one day
In a clean house with the Lord forevermore.

Praise God, we do have a good Shepherd who leads us through every homeschooling problem and provides for our every need. Best of all, our Shepherd knows us and promises never to desert us when the wolf comes seeking to destroy (John 10:11-13). As we listen to the Shepherd's voice and follow Him, we are sure to receive a great reward as we reach the peaceful green pastures of Christ-like, educated children. "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (1 Peter 5:4)
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