The Cranky Noble

My children had some fun!

Stop And Consider!

I have not had much time to blog the last week.  I have really been struggling with putting together this next school year.  Yet, in my weakness the LORD is pulling it together.  I continue to learn that I must have a good plan with so many little lives to minister to.  So I keep reminding myself that “the plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” (Proverbs 12:5).
Here’s a little blurb from my handwritten journal;

“School has been so hard to figure out this year and money is SO tight.  I feel stressed about everything I need to order.  I hate to waste any money on a bad or wrong school decision.  One of my favorite places to search for needed supplies has been Currclick.  I even found a nice Pre-K handwriting program to download for free.  Alia, Joeliana and even Aiden (5 yrs) are really excited about starting school, but for some reason (?competition, delayed?), Corbin will have nothing to do with any of it and he tells me so.  He practically cries out “I’m NOT doing school.”  He is so stressed about it, and since he is only 6, I’m not pushing anything.  I’ll just look for “hidden” opportunities that show up.  I just want him to “enjoy” learning, not be stressed by it.   Printer has given me problems and of course that’s been stressful since I needed to make copies for each child.  

Garett is doing good....loves the McGuffy readers - praise the LORD.   Not to sure yet on the math.

Kiana - a BIT of a perfectionist.  She will not do anything that she can’t do perfect.  And her handwriting is PERFECTION - like art.  She hates math...so not pushing that to much.

Landon - the brilliant one...that child listens and narrates EVERY DETAIL.  Amazing in math. 

My desire - to bring in more nature study.

1st priority - the Bible and teaching them about the LORD.

Oh dear - trauma in the kitchen...Caresse says there is not roast juice for the gravy.  Gotta go...”

Well, not long after the kitchen was cleaned up, Kiana was playing around with her camera.  Caresse wanted to watch a movie, but Steve and I weren’t in the mood...it was almost 9:00 and we were both so tired.  

Very suddenly a thunderstorm began to roll in from the west.  It was a “perfect” lightning storm.  

So we stayed up, opened windows where the rain didn’t come in, cozied up together with blankets and watched the most wonderful thunderstorm pass over us.  Kiana had fun trying to “catch” a picture of the lightening, and Caresse pulled out her video camera.  The boys and I stayed warm in our blankets, with Garett squealing that this was the best night of his life and he would never forget it. 

 (ALL pictures by Kiana...pretty good, huh?!!)

These Bible verses are perfect for the awesome time we had last night - “Keep listening to the thunder of His voice and the rumbling that comes from His mouth.  Under the whole heaven He lets it go, and His lightning to the corners of the earth.  After it His voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, and He does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard.  God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things that we cannot comprehend.  ... stop and consider the wondrous works of God.”  Job 37: 2-5, and 14.  


So wasn’t that nice?  God heard my desire and gave us some nature study last night!!!  

Checking My Passion

"Christ did not die to make good works merely possible or to produce a half-hearted pursuit. He died to produce in us a passion for good deeds. Christian purity is not the mere avoidance of evil, but the pursuit of good."
— John Piper (The Passion of Jesus Christ: Fifty Reasons Why He Came to Die)

“The pursuit of good”... what am I pursuing? 

 

I am going to be asking this of myself.  There are many voices that tell me, as a wife, mother, and woman “good things” to do.  But I am going to “check” myself with prayer and Scripture.  

 

I pray that my little blog encourages others to pursue what God has created them to do.  We should not “copy” each other, or try to be like anyone else.  We will bring glory to HIS Name as we live the life HE created us to live.  Non the less, I do want us "to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

So today, I ask you and myself to think about what we are pursuing. 

This Turned Out Good

I have shared how much I love the new IKEA that just opened in Denver.  We bought these wood boxes to help organize my school and I let the children paint them for me.  They liked putting the little foam stickies on that I picked up at Hobby Lobby too.  The children loved the project and we had several extra boxes left over. So they painted one for themselves and are using them in their closets to keep their personal things organized.  
That’s what I call a Good Thing...inexpensive boxes; fun project for the children; organization! 

How Does The Wise Man Live...

...and make decisions?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

It will be  healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Prov. 3:5-8


I have contemplate this verse often as I have been putting together this year’s school ideas.  It has been one of the hardest years for me to “get it together”.  This verse has been helpful to me as I seek the LORD and confess any pride in thinking that I can do anything without His leading and His wisdom.  I’m getting excited about the journey that the children and I will walk this year. Yet I do wonder still how it is going to come together.  Trust the LORD, acknowledge the LORD, and fear the LORD.  
Today I recommit again to walking this past with My God, because I know that His love and faithfulness is sure.  

Sunday Snapshot-Remembering When

Birthdays are such a celebration...and a remembrance...

of a year of growth, accomplishments, learning and seeing the LORD leading, guiding and teaching us.

For a mother, birthdays are an especially precious time in the moments of our lives as we contemplate the amazing privilege that God has given to us to minister to our little darlin’s.  

Alia turned 7 and it is amazing to me the journey she has walked from scared little toddler to the happy, shining little package of music and love that she is.  I am so thankful to the LORD that He chose me to mother her.

And this little darling turned 18 last month. EIGHTEEN years old - wow.  She has grown into one of the most beautiful women I have ever known. Her name means purity, and nothing sums up this little beauty more than that!  Again, I thank the LORD for giving me this child, for the honor to be her mother, and for the journey that we will yet walk together.

You can join the Sunday Snapshot fun by going HERE.

I’m Just Not Ready

I am NOT ready for summer time to end.  I hope it sticks around for a while.  Different, and good things, have kept us so busy this summer and I have missed summer outdoor lounging with my children.  Kalyn took these cute pictures one day while I had to be in town.
I’m asking God for a little extra “summer”, knowing that here in the Rockies September normally brings cooler weather.  
On the other hand, September brings me one stop closer to Noelani and Clive...Yes, “Clive” is Asher.  We had the opportunity to ask the children through a message if they wanted new names.  Noelani said yes, but Asher asked to keep the American name that the orphanage had give to him.  So, if he chooses, we will give him the name Clive Charles.  Clive is a great name and I like it, so it’s all good with me.  What a journey!!!
Happy Summer to you sweet family and friends!