REHERSAL DAy

Hello, all, from PA!!

Most of our out of town guests (Floridians) are arriving today.....
It will be a busty time for those needing tuxes, etc!!

God blessed us tremendously, and I was able to get the bowls, candles and roses ($4 dozen) for my table decorations for the dinner! The banquet supervisor at the country club is lending me her personal mirror tiles to go on the bottom. My roses are pink,. red, orange, yellow, purple and white....we will do the petals a little later this morning.

The bride is getting nervous, and up to this moment (the day is still young) we have only had one complication to preparations. Today the bridal party will decorate the church and reception hall (tables only there).....the church and hall are within a ten minute drive!!

I have my bags arranged for our guests (donea t 5:30 this morning) and do n ot believe we are lacking anything.

My niece arrived late yesterday and the girls and I have had a grat time with her!

Pray that all goes well and that all grandparents, etc. remain well...some are in poor health (the brides grandfather was a well known preacher, but suffers from a tyoe of Parkinsons that is taking his life slowly each day!!)

Than ks for you prayers and love.

You are in my prayers, also!~!!!

WEAtHER

I relaize this is from someone that may not share our beliefs in the Christian arena and our desires for raising godly children, however, there is some truth to these observations.....and herin our desire to homeschool for God's glory.......



Controlling the Weather

While teachers can have a lifelong effect on the way students think, psychologist Haim Ginott has focused on a more immediate aspect of impact: the creation of a positive or negative physical and emotional environment that can determine the quality of a child's life.
"I've come to a frightening conclusion," he said. "I am the decisive element in the classroom. My personal approach creates the climate. My daily mood makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. It is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or dehumanized."


Yet as profound as this observation is for professional educators, it's even more so for parents. A parent's power to create the daily climate and lasting environment in which a child grows is so awesome it must be used consciously and responsibly.

Since our daily moods make the weather, we should try to shield our children from the thunder and lightning of our frustrations and anger. Instead of the dark clouds of cynicism, fear and depression, we should discipline our own emotions and give them the light and warmth of love, hope and good cheer. Conscious efforts to be positive, enthusiastic, and supportive can have a huge impact not only on the emotional well-being of our children, but on their ability to experience the joys and pains of childhood in healthy and constructive ways.

Michael Josephson
www.charactercounts.org

GOD'S GRACE

GOD IS IN THE MIRACLE BUSINESS!! HE ALSO ANSWERS PRAYERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD!!

If for no other proof in the world, the birth of a child should dismiss the arguments of even the biggest scoffers!! CONGRATULATIONS MY FIREND JACKIE AND BRIAN AND ELENA!!

On to my other ramblings:

My son will be marrried in five days. WE have not had the moment to moment working on a wedding, plans, excitement, etc.So, in a way, even though we are preparing, I do not have that time with my son to be a part of the excitement....I will have approximately 72 hours to get into that crazy mode. I explained that to him in a conversation last week. He does understand....
It is a crazy thought, but I will be a mother in law to another daughter who certainly has been trained well above and beyond my capabilities, because she has been a Pastor's wife for over thirty years!!

I know that God's unfailing love is what brings us to walk in faith!! His grace takes us where we never thought we could go to!!

I was thinking otday that we give our children wings to fly, but clip them, and use the training process to reveal the reverence and character God desires from His children. We allow them to fail in small areas, while they are near so we can lovingly guide them to right thinking in the Lord. You see, we cripple them if they grow up and only hitchhike on our convictions, because it must be a real walk in their lives; knowing the will and love and ways of our Lord. Then, this bond and relationship allows them the freedom to grow to an adult and make godly decisions.
We sometimes as homeschoolers think our children are more advanced in that walk or second guess ourselves as to their readiness to step out on their own, be it college, seminare, or in a job.

My one statement to you would be: Has the God that you have loved and entrusted the care of this child to you and who DOES love them more thatn you ever could failed you EVER?? then, why would He be less of a guide and comfort to them when you are still bathing that child, his life and his walk to your Lord in prayer??? Let's not cripple them, let's move our trust toa different level!!

You may think I a preaching, but I am the choir hearing this to myself, too!!! You see, I am still in this process, and know how easily my flesh gives in to doubt and fear!!

If I have learned ANYTHING in my life this past year, it is that GOD'S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT! HE provides in ways and answers beyond our heart's cry!!

TRUST.......BELIEVE.......LET GO..........LET GOD

ANOTHER Q&A

RANDOM FACTS


Never in my life have I: Bungee jumped

High school was : Spent in Tennessee and Florida and traumatic

When I'm nervous : I babble and sweat

My hair : Keeps God busy numbering the ones I lose/keep

When I was 5 : I walked to church in the snow

.When I turn my head left : I see sunbeams peeking through the windows

I should be : Cleaning house and packing

By this time next year : I will have only one teenager under college age in my home

My favorite aunt is : Helen, a teacher who trains college students who have had other careers to teach children, especially in literature. She LOVES children's books and we have been known (Helen, Miriam, Rachel and I to read a book and cry together!!) She also loves tea and tea rooms!

I have a hard time understanding : God's unfailing love and grace.

You know I like you if : We have long introspective conversations.

My ideal breakfast is : Granola bars and yogurt, and of course COFFEE (lots of it with cream!!)

If you visit my home town : I would reminisce with you and share where I lived, etc. and my
"other hometown", Tampa, I would show you where I was baptised in the lake, attended
church, worked, got married, where I lived before and after marriage and the stories
about life around town!!

If you spend the night at my house : We would be up late eating chocolate and laughing (isn't
everything funny after midnight??

My Favorite blonde is : Rachel

My favorite brunette is :Miriam

The animal I would like to see flying besides birds : walrus (that would be funnier than a pig!!)

I shouldn't have been : Away from God at any time in my life

Last night I: Let my daughters/hairdressers try a "wedding hairdo"

A better name for me would be : I don't know--Pat is easy to remember and spell...you give me
one you think appropriate

I've been told I look like: Sally Strothers (yes, in my younger years by my MIL who passed
away thirty days before my marriage!!)---I was young once!!

SHE's BACK!!

No, I have not driven off the edge of the earth....I am home and my feet have been running and my brain working overtime since I returned!! Hubby says we girls can NEVER leave for two weeks at a time again......think he kinda missed us....or was it the homecooking???

Thanks for your prayers for my Mom....her surgery was rescheduled for the 23rd , because she was dehydrated. The Dr. said she could have suffered kidney failure or had to be on dialysis had they proceeded...the high levels were detected in the pre-op bloodwork.

We had a WONDERFUL time at the Wilds....the preaching was convicting, the MUSIC WAS PHENOMENAL....the Spirit was unsurpassed........love the singing!!! GOD AND I TIME WAS GREAT....the games were funny....the fellowship with staff and sponsors was soo uplifting. We all had a common bond because of our love for the Lord and our desire to see Godly children live for the Lord. And, to live out the commitments made there. The encouragement for daily devotions and right living is such an encouragement !! We all have been renewed in our walk!

Tennessee and North Carolina are sooo beautiful!! The waterfalls, the lush green foliage......
We stayed with a friend for a couple of days that had a pond and each of the girls caught trout that were about 5# each. (one was a little bigger than the others, which may have only been four #....THEY WERE BIG FISH)....we filleted them and froze them, and will enjoy a fish dinner with Dad this week. They also had a stream on the property (rather large), and about 15 species of birds and chipmunks. The flowers were abundant, and there were swings both by the stream and on a hill overlooking the pond. We just marveled in its beauty.

I cannot say enough about southern hospitality!!! It abounded there!

However, I did not forget yall!!! I prayed and am praying for you and the needs I know you to have!! God has blessed me with great Christian friends!!

Hello, again...

Well, camp is over and many have been saved and made decisions.

This was an unusual group and MANY needs represented.

The girls and I are staying a couple of extra days.

Please pray for my mom, as she will have angioplasty on Tuesday morning.

I am unable to post from all computers, so this may be the last one for a few days.

You are and have been in my prayers.

Blessings to you!!

In God's Country!!

Hello, all!!

I am at the WILDS along with about 1500 other people/campers/sponsors/and workers!!

I pray all is well with you....

You can see the looks on the faces.....you see all the needs.....you hear the prayers of the sponsors.....and the desires of those workers whose ministry is with those needing the Lord!

Keep praying....and there is one mroe kid coming next week that also needs your prayers greatly!!

May you be blessed greatly today!!