Crabtree Falls

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go on a camping trip. My oldest daughter is in the youth group at our new church and they were going to Crabtree Falls for a 3 day-2 night camping trip. The problem was that they had had close to 20 girls and only 1 female chaperone! The rest were Men and boys so they were fine. I made the decision to go with them and help to chaperone the girls.

It was a wonderful weekend in the mountains of Virginia, but it was cold! I believe the temperature was in the upper 30's the first night and in the lower 40's the second night, bbbrrrr!!

The challenge for me was the day that we decided to climb Crabtree Falls. It was a two hour hike UP the mountain and a one hour hike back down. I happen to be quite out of shape right now and I knew that this was going to challenge me and it did.

I made the decision that I would climb all the way to the top of this mountain, no matter what! Apparently, this is the tallest water fall east of the Mississippi river. The interesting part of the falls was that it was like steps, it came down in different tiers. I took pictures of the different tiers as I climbed up, any excuse to stop and rest.

The bulk of the group flew up the mountain in record time (probably not even looking at the scenery!). There were four of us who were slower and we were called the caboose of the group. I will tell you that I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest and the air was so thin there! I was drenched with sweat and I was dizzy at times, but because I had 3 others with me we encouraged one another and I/we pressed on toward the mark.

Finally, we made it to the top of the falls. I was so proud of myself! I had set a difficult goal and I had obtained it, even though it was difficult, painful, and I wanted to quit.
Here is a picture of my daughter and I at the top of the mountain. Victory is so sweet, when the journey to get it is met with difficulties. As I floated down the mountain, I was on cloud 9! I felt like I had accomplished great things on that day. I felt like I could do anything.

I wonder if this is why God allows us to encounter trials along the way? 1Peter 1:6-7 says: On that day you will be glad, even if you have to go through many hard trials for a while. Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns.

If you are going through a difficult trial right now, be encouraged the victory will be worth it if you don't quit, just press on toward the goal!

Positive Words

What kinds of words do you speak over yourself, or maybe over your family? There is an interesting verse of scripture in the book of Numbers 22-26 it says: The LORD told Moses, "When Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel, they must say: I pray that the LORD will bless and protect you, and that he will show you mercy and kindness. May the LORD be good to you and give you peace." There is a lot of power in the words we speak. We have the ability to speak blessings or curses.

A few years back, the Lord gave me a prayer or blessing to speak over myself every morning. I have now begun to speak this over my children, as well. My husband loves it and suggested that I share it with you. You can use this one, or write one of your own. I simply prayed about it and then tried to use promises from scripture. Here it is:

Today I will praise the Lord with my actions and words.

I will do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit.

I will regard others as more important than myself.

I will present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.

I will not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of my mind through God's word.

No corrupt word will proceed out of my mouth, only those words which are good and pleasing.

Everything that I do today, in word or deed, I will do in the name of the Lord, remembering to give thanks in every situation because all of my steps are ordered by the Lord.

I will be anxious for nothing but bring everything to God in prayer and petition, for my God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

I will be gentle in spirit because a soft word turns away wrath.

I will be slow to anger and quick to forgive as God forgives us freely.

I will love with a God like love in all circumstances.

Praise be the name of the Lord! Amen.

Being Sensitive

Have you ever been involved in a car accident? About three years ago, I was driving my SUV on the narrow country roads where we live, when a full-size pick-up truck with extended side view mirrors was passing me in the other lane. Apparently, there wasn't room enough for the both of us, because we smashed side view mirrors! What a tremendous noise it made, CRASH!!!

Thankfully, I was in the SUV alone. We both stopped and exchanged insurance information, even though neither of us filed a claim. It was a true accident in every sense of the word.

What happened afterwords was strange. For the first month or so, every time a pick-up truck drove past me, I would grit my teeth and close my eyes! Yes, I realize that closing your eyes is not the best thing to do, but it was almost involuntary. I was expecting to hear that load blood curdling CRASH again. After the first month with no more incidents, I was able to keep my eyes open, but I still cringed. At some point, maybe three months or so afterwords, I stopped anticipating another crash and I began to relax on the back roads again.

Recently, I gave up the television for a period of time. I felt the Lord calling me to spend some extra time with Him. After I felt released from this, I began to watch the T.V. again, like I used to, only everything had changed. I began to see the evil in the shows that I used to watch! I was repulsed at what I was seeing!! Even the commercials were shocking to me. Had everything changed in the short period of time that I had abstained from T.V.? NO, I had just become sensitive to the evil on T.V. again. Unfortunately, I had previously been numb to sin.

The Word of God tells us in Philippians 4:8 Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things. I believe that the reason we are told to think on good things is to keep us sensitive to the sins that are around us. If the enemy of our souls can desensitise us to sin, then he has the chance to tempt us. Let's not give him the upper hand!

Fireproof the Movie

On Sunday I went to see the movie Fireproof with my husband. What a terrific movie! I was amazed at the fact that it portrays salvation in a simple yet understandable way. This is Hollywood we're talking about! Yeah for God!

One of the overall themes was that you never leave your partner, especially when you're in a fire. What a sobering reminder, that when the fires come (and they will) that's when you press in and stay with your partner.

The movie showed how loving with a God-like love is one sided (sacrificial). You don't expect anything in return for your love. I really had to stop and think, am I loving my husband without expecting anything in return?

And in the end, sacrificial love, unconditional love, that's what prevails and wins! What a feel good movie.

If you haven't seen this movie yet, GO TO THE MOVIES! I think that every couple needs to see this movie. And for those of you whose hubby's are hesitant thinking it's just a "chick flick", let them know that there is plenty of suspense in the movie! At one point I was shaking it was so suspenseful!! Also, there is a website you can go to for study materiels, etc.: http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/

One side benefit was that after the movie, my sweet husband and I had a chance to talk about our own marriage and we discussed ways that we could improve things! Any movie with those kinds of results is a 10 in my book. You know, I have a good marriage, but any relationship can be improved. I believe we should constantly be challenged to improve our marriages and keep them alive and healthy.

Have fun - don't miss out!

Led by the Spirit

I feel as if the Lord is trying to teach me to become completely let by the Spirit. Asking God for guidance on the big things is something that I've always done. Asking for guidance on every decision, well that's another story.

With all of the small decisions to be made I am usually quick to answer and slow to remember to ask God for wisdom. The older my children become, the more I am finding a need for total dependency on God and the Holy Spirit to direct ALL of my paths.

Life has gotten so hard over the past few weeks. We've been working through character issues, and being overwhelmed with our school load (co-op can be burdensome). There has also been the transition to our new church with all of the new activities and possible areas to serve in. And lastly, finding time to write. It seems that my plate runeth over right now! What's a mother to do?

I even had a crazy dream the other night. In my dream, my whole family was attending college. I had spent many hours preparing each child for their specific classes. We had done tons of homework and I had even helped each child pick out the right clothes. Then I had to walk them to their classes on campus. At 8:25 am I dropped off the last child and realized that I had neglected to do any of my own homework and I was still in my sweat clothes and a whole campus away from my 8:30 class!! I woke up in a full sweat!

I decided it was just another anxiety dream until my Friend, Chatty Kelly, suggested that the Lord could be trying to tell me that I am not setting aside any time for me and what He wants to do through me. Hmmm??? This makes sense. How then, do I come up with more time for me?

This is where I need the Holy Spirit to help me. I can't make time, but God can! He can guide me daily to show me when I need to take time for my things. I will tell you that after doing it wrong for 41 years, this is a hard habit to break. I am certainly a work in progress - I would love to have your prayers right now.

The hardest thing for me to figure out is this: In putting others first, how do you justify taking time for you? Caring for my family and friends is a full-time job! One that I usually enjoy, knowing that God is calling me to write, this is the part I'm struggling with. Oh Holy Spirit, please lead me today and every day!!!

Living History

As a homeschooler the term, Living History, has become a part of our vocabulary. Because of our flexibility and small class size, we can travel fairly often to experience history first hand (well, maybe second hand!). (The above is a picture of the first Governor's Mansion in Williamsburg.)

We had one of those opportunities last week as we travelled to Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown. They were hosting a homeschoolers event and we had special hands on classes and tours! It doesn't get much better than this when it comes to learning about history.

One of our favorite tours, was this tour of Historic Yorktown. Here, we are being taught how the farmers lived. My oldest daughter is being taught how to turn the flax plants that the farmers would have grown into thread to use for sewing clothes. This was such a fun tour!




The tour guide showed us how the farmers were living and then explained to us why they would have even considered going to war against the Europeans. She really gave it 100%!




Next we were living the life of luxury as we toured the Indian's long houses in Jamestown. My 6 year old is enjoying the many furs that they had for bedding! She told me that she wanted to be an Indian, she reads every book about Pocahontas that she can get her hands on.



Then we learned how the Native Americans made their canoes. They would carefully burn a large tree trunk and then they would scrape out the ashes with oyster shells. We are given the opportunity to try our hand at scraping.




Here we are able to get onto one of the boats that they first brought over to America. We learned that they didn't have much space, and they had a 10yr. old boy who would clean out their chamber pots! YUCK!



Here's a picture from inside this very small boat. I don't know how they could stand being aboard this ship for six months!






Now we had to become soldiers marching into war.








The armour that they had to wear was very heavy! Glad we've come so far with technology today.







Of course, no trip is complete until you've cleaned the place up!

If you haven't been to Williamsburg/Yorktown/Jamestown, Virginia, I highly recommend that you take the time to visit. It is really fun to live in the moment of history.

Apples or Oranges

Luke 10:38-40a And as they went, it happened that He entered into a certain village. And a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving.

I was reading in Luke for my devotions today, when the last part of verse 40 really struck me. I've heard teachings on, "are you a Martha or a Mary" many times before, but this time God showed me something.

Martha was the one who received Jesus into her house (heart). I had never noticed that before. Then, the last phrase, 'she was distracted with MUCH SERVING' got me thinking about my own life.

We are attending a new church that is close to our house. On Sunday they had an extra page in the bulletin, a list of ministries that needed volunteers. As I read over the list, I just didn't feel the Holy Spirit prompting me to volunteer. I wondered if I was in tune with God or if I had shut my ears, until I read this verse.

God has a very specific calling on my life right now. Knowing this, I can test each area of need within my church to see if works into this ministry. If not, maybe I need to let someone else fill the need.

God doesn't call us to be busy for Him, He calls us to bear fruit. I believe that Martha was a christian, but she got caught up in serving which didn't produce the fruit in her life God had intended for her. She wasn't balanced.

I am not going to volunteer at this time, and I have a peace about it. How about you? Are you distracted from your calling because of too much serving? I believe that distraction is a key tool used by the devil to keep many of us too busy to focus on the specific calling that God has placed on our lives.

Not volunteering can be difficult, especially if you are in a small church. There may be times when you need to step up and fill in until the Lord can raise up someone else. Just be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit - He will always lead you in the paths of righteousness.