Going deeper...

The devotion hit me hard today... oh, nothing I didn't already know but something I was reminded of(as my husband so wisely said) when things are right in front of your face it is hard to see them or to have a more Christ-like perspective. So after a heavy weekend of trials I pray a prayer that within minutes is being read in my devotional almost word for word. I love how God works. Constantly reaffirming who He is and what He has done for us. I feel really sorry for those who miss that blessing and go through life feeling lost, abandoned, and empty. I am reminded daily to pray for those who don't know Christ in a personal way. So in the midst of work issues, an accident, personal attacks(sometimes feels constant) and feeling yuck from too much consumption of things I don't consider real food anymore I refocus on the perfect light in my life Jesus. He was there this morning in the falling flower petals, in the fog that covered all of the business of people and He is the word that comforts my soul. Circumstances are in flux, the world whizzes around you and everyone has a personal perspective that can cause conflict and pain. It is comforting to know that God never changes His mind or His promises. This year I think my theme song is "Turn your eyes upon Jesus". I am reminded often to refocus back to Jesus. 
Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Dreaming like Thoreau

Sometimes when life gets a bit crazy I tend to dream a little more. Those who know me know I have a secret(ok, not so secret) wish to live like Heidi! Yep, high in the mountains, in a little cabin, feeding the animals, eating fresh cheese, drinking raw milk, and singing to the birds and bees. Ok, maybe not the singing part. The whole idea of living simple and being debt free is so appealing to me that my dreams almost always go there. Here are a few of my favorite sites if you want to dream of having your own little cottage or cabin in the woods too. Maybe you need ideas for in-law quarters or for a college age child.
Tumbleweed Houses
 Tiny House Blog
Sheldon Designs
Shelter-kit

Cherish every moment

This post isn't really profound or greatly informational but it is a reminder to enjoy all that God has blessed you with in your life. Still reading the book "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are" by Ann Voskamp... have been trying to finish it for months and I am having a hard time picking it back up. I find it an emotional read and I don't like to cry. But I did make it to the part where she starts to write down 1000 things she is grateful for. Now that is something we can all do and the lists will all look very different. Why don't you start today! Here are a few photos of somethings I am truly grateful for in my life.

Moments to enjoy God's creation together

colorful food

farm fresh eggs in many colors

for a husband who shares in my dreams

family adventures

For my beautiful children

Doing little by little to get a job done...

So as the rhythm of life flows different seasons hold different work. Homeschooling is one of those that we try to do different tasks throughout the school year so the load is spread out. That concept can be applied to many areas of life. The one task for homeschooling that we do this with is their portfolios. Our state requires it and our school district wants to see it every year. So we start at the beginning of the year setting up their binders, making dividers and adding their first samples. As the year goes on we can pull a few samples to add so by the end of the year we have a nearly completed portfolio. This would be great to use with a journal you build over time or an area you are learning about that will grow as you gather information. We have used this idea to set-up pretty binders(clear pocket binders that we add scrapbook paper to) to collect patterns, recipes, herbal information sheets, craft instructions and ideas. Spreading the work out over the year(or years) makes a task more doable. Notebookingpages.com has some wonderful downloads to make your job easier for homeschooling. If you join their Treasury you get beautiful dividers, themed notebook pages for history, geography, nature study, art, composers, science, etc. A wealth of work already done at your fingertips. They also have a a lot of freebies to check out if you have never used their pages before.
"Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world." - Joel Barker