We cannot wallow in despair! November 6, 2008

I have to admit that my initial reaction to learning that Obama won the election was one of despair and fear.  What will this mean for us as a homeschooling family?  What will happen to our freedom of religion?  How soon will we begin to see the ugly face of socialism?  But then my gracious Heavenly Father began to speak to my heart and remind me of His Word.

 

First, Romans 13:1-3 says “Let every soul be subject to governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.  Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?  Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.”

Now, when I read this it comforts me, encourages me and confuses me. 

It comforts me to know that it was God’s will for Obama to be elected as President for our country.  Not because I like Obama or agree with his positions in any way but because I know that my God is in control of everything and that I can trust Him.  I believe with all of my heart that He has a plan and I fit into that plan, I just have to figure out where. 

It encourages me to put teeth in my faith.  I fear that we are going to lose alot of freedoms that are precious to me and my family.  Obama being elected has lit a fire under me to be diligent in my walk and in the training and preparing of my children.  I need to be sure that we are rooted in the Word of God so that we will not be swayed when it comes time for our trials.

It confuses me because I know that good people are persecuted by their governments, that Christians obey God and follow His commands and are imprisoned and even martyred for their faith.  I fully expect that under Obama, it will be harder for me to be a Christian and to follow my convictions.  Like homeschooling and sharing my faith.  In Colorado there has already been a law passed that could make distribution of the Bible illegal.  If it is made illegal to witness or share my faith, will I stop?  If it is made illegal for me to homeschool my children will I send them to be brainwashed by the state?  No way!  Then I do have something to fear from my earthly authority but not from my Heavenly Authority.  I believe that it comes down to this, God is the final authority.  We are to respect our earthly authorities up to the point that they ask us to go against our Heavenly Authority.  At that point we have to obey God and not man.

 

Already, good has come out of this election.  I’m not happy with the results.  But it has definitely shaken me and caused me to move closer to God.  Maybe this is what is needed to shake the Church out of its complacency.  We have become so brainwashed to be politically correct.  To not judge and to be tolerant.  What a bunch of garbage!  We have let the world infiltrate our churches, our homes and our lives.  How many of us have a tv show that we faithfully watch?  How many of us spend hours on the internet, reading novels, watching tv but say we can’t find time to spend in the Word?  How many of us don’t speak up for fear of rejection?  I ask these questions of myself as well and I can tell you that my answers fill me with shame.  I had to spend a long time with my Father this morning and ask for His forgiveness.  I have realized that the world has crept into our family little by little until now we don’t have just seedlings to uproot out of our lives but large plants that are starting to bear fruit.

 

I refuse to despair or live my life in fear because 2 Timothy 1:7 says this “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  I will do what God asks me and live my life according to the Bible.  I will live my faith out boldly and I will not fear what man can do to me.  I am not of this world, I am a citizen of heaven.  I will teach my children to not fear and to live their faith out boldly as well. 

 

I pray that this may encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ who may read this.  We need to be holy and set apart.  Do not lose hope, do not lose sight of our goal.  Let us run this race so as to win it.  If you aren’t my brother or sister in Christ and you would be interested in having a beneficial dialogue, please contact me.  I will share the Truth with you but I will not debate.  The Holy Spirit is the one who will convict the world of its sin, not me.  But I have been given the job of sharing God’s Word.

And Off We Go! March 13, 2009

I’m trying not to be pathetic in how anxious I am to get going.  But I haven’t had an actual VACATION with ONLY my husband in years.  I mean, we’ve taken quickie weekend trips here and there, and we’ve gone camping as a family, but this is 5 days and 5 nights of just Neil and I.  I’m giddy.  As in, I am so ready to go my stomach hurts.   

 

It was a spur of the moment decision to take this trip.  We had talked briefly about it but had decided that we should be responsible and use the money on the house.  Later, I was thinking about it and decided that the money would be much better used invested in our marriage.  So I got on Expedia and found a reasonable price for a trip to Vegas and did it.  Then I told hubby and he was so excited.  It was fun to surprise him with it.    So in less than 24 hours we will be in Vegas.  There are a few exciting firsts for me on this trip.  I’m going on my first plane ride that I remember.  (I went once when I was in grade school but I don’t remember much of it, maybe I slept through it?)  I’m going to Vegas for the first time, and we are going skydiving together.  I’m surprisingly excited about it.  I’ve always been afraid of heights and have never really wanted to do anything like this.  But I am really wanting to do THIS.  I want to be able to say I’ve done it.  I’ve let the adventureous person in me lie dormant for way too long. 

 

I’ve had alot of fun preparing also.  I’ve taken the time to go shopping for some new clothes and really make sure I’m going to look amazing.  I put the effort into losing some weight and was successful.  I feel good about myself for the first time in a long while.  Something about knowing that my husband thinks I am hot and desirable has done alot for my self esteem.  I’m really looking forward to knocking his socks off with a couple of surprises I have in store for him.    Okay, so without divulging anything else, I can’t wait to spend some time with just him. 

 

I’ll write again after the trip and hopefully share some pics.  Maybe even video of us skydiving.

Can I get off of this Merry-Go-Round? January 31, 2009

I’ve been so busy I even forgot that I had a blog.  Then my sis reminded me and I thought I ought to update everyone as to what is happening in the life of the Himes family.

I’m working full time now at Holy Spirit Retirement.  It’s going okay.  Very exhausting work.  Still homeschooling.  Neil is going back to school for secondary education.  He’d like to be a high school english teacher.  He hasn’t decided yet for sure though.  He’ll have to declare his major next fall.

Kids are busy busy.  Becca is still in gymnastics and loves it.  James is in taekwondo and really likes it as well.  The other two boys are not involved in anything right now. 

Neil’s sister Brandy and her husband and children have moved to Sioux City.  We are all pretty excited about that.  They just got here on Thursday evening.  I haven’t seen them yet since I’ve been working.

I guess that’s about it.  I’ll write more later when I’m not falling asleep at the keyboard.  I’ll try to include some pics too.

Henna Body Art November 9, 2008

I found this Henna kit at Barnes & Noble for $10.  I thought that since I’m too chicken to go and get a tattoo, (and I doubt my husband would let me get one) I’d try temporary henna.

 

This is the part that turned out well.  Now for the other side.

 

 

Now, this side didn’t necessarily turn out bad, just not how I had planned on it turning out.  Maybe I didn’t do something right although I did follow their directions.  I tried using their pattern but when I went to transfer it to my skin, it just turned into a big blue-ish blob.  That wouldn’t come off.  

Then, when I tried to use the decorator bag that was provided in the kit, the henna mixture wouldn’t come out of the small opening I was supposed to make but when I cut the opening big enough for the henna to come through, my lines were too thick.  I got a sewing needle and dipped it in the mixture to draw on my hand.  It was a little tedious but I was much happier with the results.

 

I proceeded to try and just decorate my hand all by myself.  Then I decided to try and freehand the design that I had originally wanted on my palm.  Much to my surprise, that turned out really well.  Better than I had expected. 

 

I’d be interested to hear if anyone else has tried this kit.  If it worked or not, and what you did to make it work.

Faith – What is it? November 8, 2008

Mirriam-Webster defines faith as “firm belief in something for which there is no proof” and “complete trust”.  There are other definitions as well but these were the ones I was looking for.

 

People want proof that God exists.  While I believe that there is much evidence that points to the existence of God, I cannot take someone’s hand and say “Here, this is where God lives.  I’ll make an appointment for you to see Him.”  This is where faith comes in.  It is so hard for me when I get into these kinds of discussions.  I want so badly to be able to give them faith, to make them believe.  But that is something only God and the Holy Spirit can give.  This post is coming about in part because of conversations that have happened as a result of my last post.  I use the Bible as my guidebook and my final authority.  If you do not accept the Bible as inerrant and inspired then my arguments will appear to be weak and have no basis.

 

Heb. 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Heb. 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Romans 10:14-18  How then shall they call on HIm in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written:  “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 

 

We cannot MAKE people have faith.  There is no question of that.  But we must be obedient to Jesus’ command to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:19-20a)  This doesn’t necessarily mean standing on street corners or walking up to strangers to witness to them, some gifted ones are called to that but not everyone.  This means developing friendships with your neighbors, the people that you have regular contact with.  This means offering hospitality to those around us. 

 

I know that as a homeschooling mama it was very easy to put myself in a very protected bubble.  I just recently popped my bubble by going to work part time, and I have been struggling with the culture shock.  But these people need the Lord, and suddenly the Great Commission has so much more meaning and is so much more convicting. 

 

In my last post, I wanted to encourage my brothers and sisters to not lose hope.  We need to be spurred into action by these recent events.  The answer to our societies ills is not to legislate morality or to get the “right” person elected into office.  The answer is for those of us who have accepted God’s gift of grace and eternal life to step up and follow His commands.  When we obey Christ’s command in Matt. 28, we will see the Spirit move and convict the world of its sin.   John 16:8-11  And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  of sin, because they do not believe in Me;  of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;  of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.  Our society will change when its peoples’ hearts’ are changed.

 

These last two posts are very outside of my normal.  But these are things that are being laid on my heart to share with my fellow believers.  We need to spur one another on to good works, to do the work that God has laid out for us.  I don’t know everyone who reads my blog.  But I love every single one of you nevertheless and pray for each one of you as you live out your faith in this world that we visit.

I’m Official! November 4, 2008

Well, it took 76 hours of class time, countless hours of studying, a heart attack scare (which turned out to be just stress)  and multiple panic attacks but I finally did it.  I took my state exams today and passed them with flying colors!  I am a Certified Nurse Aide.  WOO HOO!!!  It feels so good to know that I did something like that.  Words just can’t describe how I’m feeling.  I think euphoric comes the closest. 

 

My husband totally rocks.  He stayed home with the kids 2 nights a week, cooked meals, cleaned house and did an terrific job picking up my slack.  I could never have done it without his love and support!  There were a ton of people praying for me tonight while I tested, so THANKS EVERYONE!!!!!

Are you infected? September 26, 2008

I have come down with a case of “Twilight-is”.  This is caused by reading Stephenie Meyer’s book “Twilight” and worsened when you read “New Moon”, “Eclipse” and “Breaking Dawn”.  I don’t know if I have ever been so entranced by a book series before.  I actually feel what Edward and Bella must be feeling.  I read all four books in one week, neglecting all of my wifely and motherly duties.  I find myself reading fansites, something I never would have done before these books.  I dream about these characters, think of them throughout my day and find myself wondering “what if Bella/Edward did…..?”  At first I thought I was really losing my grip on reality and that I must be in worse shape than I thought.  But then I talked to one of my friends and found that she is just as obsessed as I am.  I am not alone, there are others that are just as captivated by these imaginary people, more than I could have imagined. 

 

The movie comes out November 21st.  We have already made plans to leave the children with daddies, request the night off of work and stand in line if necessary to see this movie. 

 

I highly recommend reading these books.  You have been warned though.  Reading can lead to a severe case of “Twilight-is”. 

Hiking at War Eagle September 12, 2008

We’ve been trying to get out together as a family more often.  Here’s some pics of our latest adventures hiking.

Kiddos all together at the beginning of our hike.

 

One of the thousands of grasshoppers on the hill that day!

Food for Eyore!

My boys. Overlooking the Missouri River

Very cool katydid!

We’ve been enjoying the cooler weather.  It is still nice during the day but getting cold at night.  I love it!

Going back to school! September 1, 2008

 The time is here, the time is now….  a new year of homeschooling is upon me!  I’m kinda ready but not like I was last year.  Last year I had the entire year planned out day-by-day.  This year, I know what curriculum I’m using and I know the general pace we will be working at but beyond that…. not so organized this year. 

 

In my defense, I have alot on my plate this year.  I, myself, started classes 2 weeks ago to get my Nursing Assistant Certificate.  I love my classes, I love the studying and learning.  I love doing well and the confidence it is breeding in me.  I have class Tuesday and Thursday for 4 hours each time.  I also got a job at Holy Spirit Retirement working as a Nurse Tech.  I work the overnight shift Friday and Saturday nights.  I have been pleasantly surprised by absolutely loving it.  I love the residents that I serve.  If I can bring a smile to one of their faces while I’m there, then the whole shift has been worth it.  Between school and work, I’m finding that I have a self confidence and a sense of fulfillment that has been missing for far too long.   I don’t want anyone to take that the wrong way, because the ministry I have in my family is very fulfilling as well.  It is just in a different realm.  The other item on my rather full plate is that I agreed to watch my neighbors children for 3 hours 4 afternoons a week.  And then, of course, homeschooling.

 

I don’t know, maybe I’m crazy but for some reason I am getting more done than I have in quite awhile.  Maybe it is knowing that if I don’t get certain things done in a reasonable amount of time, I’ll never catch up.  I’m not sure what the reason is but the pressure has actually been good for me.

 

I’m taking a bit of a different approach to school this year.  I have curriculum for Math, Science and Phonics.  Language Arts and Reading I’m  going to use Five In A Row Vol.1 (FIAR)  I am most excited about the FIAR.  I found a nifty website called  HomeschoolShare.com  On this website they offer all sorts of homeschool resources for FREE!  Most homeschoolers will agree that FREE is a very good thing.    Anyhoo, my favorite thing on this site is that they offer free lapbook printouts that go along with FIAR books.  So we will be doing several lapbooks during the year.  We will do our math, science and phonics work in the mornings, before noon.  Then in the afternoon when I have my neighbors’ children, we will do FIAR.  I still need to pick up the Pathway Readers that I want to use for my oldest boy, and the piano books for all three since we decided that I would teach them to play piano this year.  But I’ll just have to pick those up as I have extra cash and work them in as I can.  I think we are definitely moving toward the schedule of schooling all year long.  I’m thinking primarily of a six weeks on with a week off rotation.

 

All in all, life is good.  I love the going back to school feeling.  I love shopping for school supplies.  I love knowing that another year of learning adventures is just around the corner.

Another Project August 11, 2008

Growing up, I remember my mom always doing something crafty. Whether it was knitting, other crafts, or even working on the house – painting, refinishing furniture, etc. She didn’t take the attitude of “Poor me, my husband never gets around to this so I might as well do it or it will never get done.” Her attitude was one of knowing that her husband worked very hard to support the family and that she wanted to lighten his load if possible rather than add on to his honey-do list. I’ve realized that this is an area that I struggle with. I tend to want my husband to do all the house maintenance and I’ll take care of the kids.

Decided today to change my perspective. If I can get it done while he’s gone, that means that there are fewer things he has to mess with and more time he can spend with us his family.  So when it was my turn for a “Blessing Day”, I told the ladies that I wanted help cutting down a monster bush in  our backyard that has been a real thorn in hubby’s side.  They came and helped and Neil was so thrilled when he came home and it was gone.

With that being a success I’ve begun a list of things that I can do while he is gone.  I love being able to bless him like this!  I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner.