Clearing Off The Path

Today I heard God. I've had a bit of a dry spell lately with the Spirit. Sure, I heard the bit about homeschool, but it was more of God speaking through others to me than me actually talking to the Big Guy. Sometimes he's gotta do it that way because of my thickheadedness.

Oh, but this morning while I was in prayer, I pressed in to the spirit, and ... I met with a friend I haven't visited with in awhile! It was like old times. Sure we've "corresponded"; but today, I "hung out" with my father!
I just had to share something he told me! So, as I was in prayer, I was asking him where he had been; why do I labor over certain prayers for so long with no answer; only confusion? Why couldn't I communicate with him like I used to? As I prayed this I felt prompted to call out "Teach me your way Oh Lord" Psalm 27:11 .

This is where I saw a vision (non Charismatics might want to bolt about now) and I saw myself walking along a path. I heard God whisper " this is the path to righteousness, the path to God." I couldn't walk forward because the entire path was littered with books, for as far as I could see. I had to sweep the books off the path, then hand them over to God. As I looked down at the books I saw they were all my Christian "self help" books. Books on parenting, dieting, prayer, marriage, you name it. And then it clicked. I have been turning to these books for the answer, NOT God. I have been reading someone else's interpretation of God's word, and not going directly to the source.

While many of these books were obviously written by an anointed author, they were not intended to take the place of God's word. Many of the books conflicted each other, and even more of them conflicted God's word; yet I'd read them far more than I pressed into prayer. These books were blocking my communication with God.

So, it's time to lay the books aside. Bring out my old trusty bible. Dig out my favorite worship Cd's, and spend some time in the presence of my God. Ah, it's good to be back where I belong.

Our School Decision

Well, we've made our decision as to what we are going to do about the kids schooling next year.
We spent a good portion of the Summer praying for God's direction, and heard nothing. It was so frustrating. About half way through July, we hesitantly decided to put the kids back in school. I guess we were getting a bit tired of waiting on God. We were so unclear about our direction that we figured it would be easier to pull them out half way through the year than put them back in.
I told my friends, my family, the kids. I was even about to tell my blogger friends when I finally heard from God. I guess we should have waited because God had a different plan. We felt God told us that we were indeed to homeschool, and he sent two BIG confirmations following his word.
So there you have it. Wanting to follow God's will, we will be homeschooling next year.
Now for the confession part. I was REALLY looking forward to putting them in school. I know my kids were only in PS 6 weeks, but my house became so much cleaner, finding time to exercise was so much easier. I didn't feel like I was always running around trying to get everything done because my little mess makers were gone. I could get my hair done, go out for lunch with my husband, meet a friend for coffee. Oh, and I had uninterrupted quiet time; that was so nice.
On the flip side, while the kids were gone, I might have been off duty, but so much more was required of me during their home time. School is definitely a battlefield, and we must pray, equip, pray, talk, and pray in order to make it through. I've met some awesome Christian parents who DO make it work, but I don't doubt for a second their increased prayer labor. I have so much more respect for these families and for their children; they choose to follow God rather than the world that is literally bombarding them 7 hours a day, 5 days a week. It takes a special child, and the Holy Spirit. To try to make it through with out God's blessing, well, that isn't something I'm willing to gamble with; no matter how badly I want a spotless house and some alone time.
Now, the battle is changing my attitude. I'm finding it difficult to get excited about curriculum. I went to a homeschool support group planning meeting and just sat there and didn't say a word (those who know me, know that defies who I am.... I'm a talker, with lots of ideas, who won't shut up unless bribed with dessert ( and that's only while I'm swallowing). I just sat there thinking "I so don't want to be here". I don't want to purchase curriculum, I don't want to clean my house, I don't want to be a part of the homeschool group. Do ya think I'm pouting? I think I'm going to add "being a big baby" to my hobbies list on my profile. I even cried to my husband the other day " You know this is a huge sacrifice, 'cause the house will never be clean again (sob), and I'm gonna get SO fat (sob), and I'll have no friends (sniff), and I gonna buy flowery jumpers and shirts with doily collars (WAHHH)" this is where I fall onto the bed and bawl and my husband asks me if it's that time of month. I did however get a non consequential back rub out of it.
I finally snapped out of my mini depression enough to get the house moderately clean again, and I pulled down my huge Rainbow Resource catalog; and ripped it up and burned it! Kidding, only kidding. I haven't opened it yet, but it's on the table ( I'm taking baby steps). I am praying that God continues to soften my heart, and equip me to accomplish what I need too, regardless of my emotions.

10 Things You Can Say To Your Husband.....

Have you ever noticed that there are some thing's that you can say to your husband, that he could never say to you. Things that would cause you to freak out, have a teary fit, and unless you are an amazingly mature woman (which I am not) cut off sex for the week. Luckily I have a remarkable (and smart) husband, and not a single one of these phrases has ever been uttered to me (and lucky for him too; ha ha). I can not however claim the same honorable behavior. While most of these things have not been said to him, I must admit to a few, #s 1, 8, and 10 more than once). No wonder his nickname for me is Evil Wife (said in love of course… I hope).

10 Things You Can Say To Your Husband, But He Better NOT Say To You

1.Oh, look at your cute belly; have you been eating extra snacks lately?

2.Maybe we should wax your butt hair.

3.Ew, you need to shave your prickly whiskers

4.Time to get new pants; can you even breathe in those?

5.I think hair loss makes you look more mature.

6.Whew, how long are you going to be in there... Smells like something died?

7.Want me to tweeze your nose hair for you?

8.You take those dirty clothes off before you come in this house!

9.You just don’t clean it right.

10.I’m too tired, maybe tomorrow night


BTW... I finally cleaned my house. It took 4 hours of hard core manual labor to get it looking like normal. Whew, I think I'll keep to the everyday maintenance from here on out.

Housewife Angst

Have you ever had one of those days... or weeks where you just couldn't get motivated to clean? I keep finding "better things to do" like blogging or reading, or talking on the phone (which I am quite good at... ask Nsremom, she'll vouch for my long winded conversations).
Day one of procrastination wasn't that big of a deal. Day three I could start to see the laundry pile up..... day six, well... I'm praying that we don't get any unexpected visitors, if ya know what I mean.
Besides cleaning the kitchen, clearing the toys out of the living room, and sporadic bed making, I've done nothing. No laundry, no dusting, no kid room declutter. NOTHING!
Now that the task is so daunting, I find my motivation lacking. I'm actually thinking of changing my ways from "semi tidy" housewife, to all and out slob. Maybe I'll start watching Days of Our Lives, and pork up on Bon Bons. Oh but the little voice inside my head says "you WANT to bless you family with a clean house and warm meals, and you don't even like Bon Bons, and ever since I turned 16 (yeah pre Bo and Hope days), the show has really lost it's appeal! "
I'd really like a maid, but hey, it's not going to happen. I NEED motivational tips! I haven't been in a cleaning rut like this since my last baby was born. As most of you know, cleaning house doesn't bring a lot of recognition. I don't often hear, "wow honey, that toilet sparkles" or "gee golly, look how dust free the china hutch is!" or "hey mom, thanks for removing all the McDonald's toys from my toy box." Nope. I guess I'm feeling a bit under appreciated.
Well, I'm off to go stare at the laundry. Maybe I'll get some divine motivation and actually start a load.

Considering More

I don't know what's up with me right now, but I have suddenly developed a desire for another baby. Everywhere I look I see babies. I slow down in the diaper isle, read baby advertisements with new interest, I even have been dreaming about them!
5 years ago, we had our 4th child, and at 26 years old, we decided we "should" be done. SO my dear husband went off to "get fixed". Now at 30 I find myself suggesting to him that maybe he should get "unfixed". I think he'd be OK having more children, but the idea of getting "unfixed" doesn't appeal to him.. I wonder why????
I don't want to nag him.... but.... I want another baby SO bad!!!! He has fessed up to wanting more, but he sees an unguaranteed costly reversal operation as money unwisely spent. Ugh, frugal husbands... Yeah, can we get some divine intervention here? I'm praying he has a change of heart, but I'm not crossing my fingers. Maybe it's just a phase, and it will soon pass, but if not? Will I dream babies until I'm 50?

The Boy Kicks Butt... And I'm Proud

Today at the pool my 7 year old son got in a fight with an older boy. He shoved him a few times, then splashed him with water, then got out and told me he was ready to go home. The boy ran off ... but didn't tell his mother.

I was quite concerned and asked my son what was going on. He said " I just can't tell you mom, please don't make me." As the red sirens are going off in my head, I threatened BIG punishment if he didn't tell me why he just freaked out on the boy. His reply "I don't think you should hear this kind of thing mom, but I'll tell you if you don't get mad at me for saying it." I gave him my "you can always tell me anything" speech, and this is what he said. "Mom, that boy said he wanted to get _______ (an older girl in the pool, and a family friend) naked in his room, and it just made me so mad that he said that!"

This is where I hugged my son and told him I was proud of him for being a young man of integrity. I don't care what everyone else thinks, I'm GLAD my son kicked butt! I am proud that that kind of comment roused my normally easy going, non aggressive boy into righteous anger! Today.... my son was a hero. We need more people who are not willing to turn a blind eye to the "yuck" in our society, but to fight against it!

Tough Kid Questions

OK. I need your help. My oldest daughter is at the point where she is making her "faith" her own. No longer is God the God of her parents, he is becoming real for HER. This is wonderful on most levels, but it has it's fair share of difficult moments. It's hard to watch her wrestle with the same things that I did when I chose to "really" follow God. Many questions are arising and we have been doing a LOT of talking. Most questions are pretty typical (if God is real, why do bad things happen to Christian's, etc). I like apologetics, so I can handle most of what she asks, but she stumped me today. SO, any of you that have an answer (especially you pastor's wives) HELP!
Here it is:
"If heaven is perfect, and there is no pain and suffering, how did the angels fall?"
Thanks! ~Karlie