Oh how the years fly by

I had pretty much forgotten about my blog. It was in researching how to make a website for out new foundation, that I found my old blog. I think I will try a bit harder to keep it updated! I am no longer a homeschooling mom. I have pretty much graduated all my students. I am very proud of the young adults they have become. It might take me a while to remember how to do all the blogging stuff, but I am sure it will come back to me eventually.

A long sabatical...

Wow! Time flies!  A lot of changes have happened in the last two years.  I now have a college student, a 10 grader, a 9th grader and a 7th grader.  Our lives have been focused on schooling.  I pretty much have forgotten about this blog.  I think Facebook has taken a bit of the time I had to write on my blog.  I hope to start blogging more often.  However, right now, we're doing school, so it will have to wait!  See you later!

Word of the Year

So, I have been really leery to have a word of the year this year.  Last year I had "intentional joy".  It was one of the hardest years of my life.  I was scared to pick a new word. 

The word "Hope" kept coming back to me.  I was afraid of what that could entail.  I still didn't want to claim it, but after several confirmations I decided to go for it.

Yesterday, I was drinking tea from my new travel mug I got for Christmas.  I had originally bought two mugs for a wedding present for my nephew and his wife, but then decided I should find something else for their wedding.  I ended up giving one of the mugs to my dh and the other to me for Christmas.  I just wrapped them up and didn't think anything about it.

Fast forward to yesterday, as I was drinking my tea.  I looked at the mug more closely.   Guess what the mug says?  "Hope"  "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  Isa. 40:31"

Sweet unexpected blessing...

I had something like that happen to me the other day. I was at the Dollar tree looking at Christmas ornaments and this little old man came up and asked if I was Norwegian. I said, yes I am. He then proceeded to sing me a Norwegian song set to the tune of O Christmas tree. It had 5 verses! He sang it loud and clear so everyone could hear! I had a hard time not crying, as my dad was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and would have loved to learn the song and chat with the man. I wish my kids had been with me that day, but it was sweet none-the-less.

Our Christmas Cards this year...

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Wanna see something cool?

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We were working with a group for an art project for Seattle Children's hospital. they are going to auction it off. http://youtu.be/1J5Hktupd8Y?hd=1. It was a lot of fun. I thought the video was really cool. You get to see my whole crew too.

What my mother did and does for me that I still do for others...

My mother is a prayer warrior.  No matter where I was as a child, or young adult, I could count on her prayers.  I remember being on a youth group trip to the ocean and nearly drowning. After being in the rip tide for 30 minutes I had no strength left.  I opened my mouth to take a breath of water and join my beloved Jesus, but God had other plans. God performed a major miracle and transported me 500 yards in an instant to our youth group leader who carried me out of the ocean.  It was exactly at that time that my mother knew something was wrong, and was praying for me.  When I got home after the weekend she asked me, what happened at 2:43 p.m. on Saturday?  God knew I needed my mother's prayers.
    When I was at Bible college, I know it was my mother's prayers that helped me get through exams and illness.  When I was a missionary in Israel, my mother set a time to pray for me everyday.  Even today through my children's illnesses and hospitalizations, I know my mom's prayers are with me.  It is a comforting thought to think back over the years and see what God has brought me through.
    I am endeavoring to be a prayer warrior like my mom.  When people share their troubles with me, I might not have all the answers, but I can pray!   I am trying to teach my children to pray for others as well.  God wants us to be in daily communication with Him.  This is not just for dramatic, life threatening things, but the simple everyday things as well.  Finances, Health, Relationships, God is concerned with every aspect of our lives.  Prayer really does change things.