The Ripple Effect

It can be so tempting in this world of digital communication to feel like we are isolated or that our actions don't impact others.    As we scroll through Facebook or check out updates on Instagram, we can feel so disconnected, even from those we call "friends." We can feel overwhelmed by how everyone else seems to have their lives together while we flounder.  Text messages and emails don't quite convey our tone of voice correctly, and we can hurt each other without even realizing it.   When we reduce our lives to status updates and news feed stories, we lose so much of what gives life its color and depth.

Recently, I have been made aware of just how deeply our actions can affect those around us.  Sometimes we go through life and forget that every decision we make has a ripple effect.    Maybe we have plans to meet a friend but we just get too busy and don't show up.    Perhaps we think we will just skip worship this one time and no one will notice or be affected.  Perhaps we make an offhand comment that we think is funny, but is actually hurtful.    It's important for us to remember that every single thing we do affects someone. 

Recently, my family has suffered from the loss of a close friendship from someone who has ended almost all communication with us and our church family.  There have been many tears shed, prayers prayed, and messages sent to try to encourage her to return to the Lord.   She has made decisions that she believes only affect her, but they have rocked our world.  I have seen my daughter devastated by the loss of a friendship.   I have cried many tears over the situation and have felt somehow responsible for not being a better example and influence.   We have all struggled to make sense of the situation and it has colored every part of our lives for weeks.   It has made me sad for choices I have made in the past without considering who else might be affected.   It has also encouraged me to make sure that my actions in the future can have "good ripples" instead of bad.  At the same time, I have seen our church family respond in an amazing way, and their actions have also had a ripple effect that has been far-reaching. 

Earlier this week, our local schools started dealing with various threats of violence.   Police presence was increased, faculty and staff were on high alert, and tensions were palpable among students throughout our area.   On Wednesday, my husband's school was directly threatened.    As I sent him off to work that morning, we stopped and prayed for safety for him, for wisdom for the leaders of the school system and for my peace of mind as I let him go.  Throughout the day I texted him to check on him, and he kept responding that all was fine.   I started to feel a little silly for being worried, but I couldn't shake the feeling.  A little after lunch time, a friend sent me an update that the school was on lockdown.  A few minutes later, she called and told me that people at the school were texting and reporting that shots had been fired in the math pod...which is where my husband works.   My blood instantly ran cold, and I felt a strange buzzing in my ears as the store spun around me.  However, my 11 year old was with me at the checkout, and he was watching my every move.  I remember telling my friend thank you and that I was shopping with my son but to keep me posted.  I didn't want him to know what was happening.   I took a few deep breaths and started texting friends to pray urgently.   My son asked if something was wrong, and I didn't want to lie, so I just said, "maybe."  Within minutes friends were sending me photos of an alleged gunman in the school, teachers barricading their classroom doors, and texts reporting gunshots in the math pod.    I knew better than to call my husband in case this was true, so that I didn't give away his location if he was able to be hidden from the chaos.  So, I sent him a text and prayed.  A sweet Christian sister kept texting me calming messages and prayers, and posted an urgent request for other Christians to pray right then.   I felt like I couldn't breathe, and I struggled to keep my focus as we checked out at the store and loaded items into our car to take to the church pantry.   Finally, after what seemed like hours (but was only really minutes), my husband texted me that all was okay.   Nothing had happened.  Kids had fabricated the threat, the photos, the videos, etc.   There was no shooter, no danger, no immediate threat.   There HAD been a lock down because of some suspicious activity near the school, but all were safe.   I wish I could explain how I felt at that moment.   Of course, I felt great relief, and I struggled to keep my composure.  I also felt frustration that I had been afraid in the first place, after studying that morning on giving my fear over to God.   Under the surface, though, I felt a simmering anger.   How could someone think it would be funny or cool to spread these kinds of lies?  How could they start the social media melee of pictures and videos that were not even legitimate?   Somehow, I managed to keep my composure until my husband pulled into our garage that evening.  Then, as I ran out to greet him, I couldn't hold it in any longer.  I cried from relief and fear and frustration and anger until I had no tears left.   When he told me the students were being prosecuted, all I could think was that I wanted their punishment to be that they had to feel what I felt when my friend called and told me there was a shooter.  For one minute, I wanted their hearts to freeze within them.  I wanted them to feel the room spin and their blood run cold and their lungs struggle to fill with air.  I wanted them to understand how I felt when I thought I was going to have to tell my kids that Daddy had been shot.   I wanted their world to be rocked like mine had so they would understand that every action we take has a ripple effect that stretches beyond the obvious.      In those moments of anger, though, I thought about how God must feel when we do things we shouldn't.  When we sin against Him, I wonder if His anger at sin ever makes Him wish we could feel what He does.   Does He ever just want to shake us like I wanted to shake those students?    It made me want to do even better to follow Him so that I never make Him feel that way.   It made me really think about how my actions affect others.   It made me want my "ripples" to be good ones instead of tidal waves.   

While these have been negative examples, I have also become aware of good examples of the "ripple effect."   My son loves to lead singing at worship, and has encouraged other reluctant men of the congregation to take on greater roles in leading worship because they have seen someone so young with a heart to serve God.   My daughter has started babysitting for a church family and has chosen to read Bible stories to the little girl to encourage her and her parents.  They, in turn, have been a blessing to us as our friendship has deepened.   An older member of our congregation has really taken my son under her wing and made him feel special just by little actions that have "rippled" through his life and encouraged him.   A simple letter from a Christian sister brightened my day when I was struggling.   A faithful mother in our congregation has taught her children to be servants and encouragers, and they are constantly uplifting those around them.    Sometimes we think to do good we have to do "big" things.  In reality, though, we just have to be the single drop that starts the ripple effect, and before we know it, the lake is full of ripples working together to make waves.    May we always consider our words and actions so that "As we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). 

Running the Race

Life has been crazy the past few months (okay, years).   Between homeschooling, my job as a travel agent, teaching Bible class, keeping house, and being a Christian, a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a friend, sometimes I get overwhelmed.   Add to that the hard things my kids face in this life and the obligations my husband has to his job, to camp, and as a deacon, and life can be stressful at times.   For years I have struggled with various health issues (physical and emotional at times), and this year I felt like something had to change.    I have been working on fueling my body with good foods, supplements, hydration, etc. for a long time.  Mentally, I have been steeling myself against anxiety with Bible study, projects that stretch my brain, and journaling.   I have strengthened some friendships and ended others that were toxic. 

Enter: running.   Keep in mind that by running I really mean jogging just fast enough that I'm not walking.   This girl isn't going to win any prizes for speed in her lifetime.   ;) 

A few months ago, I decided that I needed to set a reachable goal that would be challenging but doable.   In this life that sometimes feels so out of my control, I needed something tangible and measurable that I could accomplish simply by gritting my teeth and going for it.   Something that, when all was said and done, I could grab on to and say that I had done what I set out to do.  So, I boldly announced to my family that I was going to train for and run a 5K on Thanksgiving Day (the Turkey Trot).   I ambitiously set out the first day to see what my lack of fitness level was so that I could chart my progress and know my starting point.  I was on fire for my new goal! 

I started my very first jog with the intention of making it a mile.  I had been working out at the gym and doing things that I hoped would make a difference.  Immediately, I hit my first obstacle.  After only  2/10 of a mile my asthma flared and I was huffing and puffing.  My heart rate was through the roof, and I had only just started.  My goal of 3 miles felt so overwhelming and so impossible.  I felt like everyone else must be so much better at this than I was, and I was certain that even intense training would not help me reach the finish line.  As quickly as I had begun, I became overwhelmingly discouraged.   My inner voice was mocking me "What made you think YOU could be a runner?  You will fail at this like you have failed at so many other things in the past.  Just quit."   Thankfully, the voices of my husband and children chimed in just in time.  "Great job!   That's 2/10 farther than you had run before!   You got this and we will help you!"   Frustrated and tearful, I walked until my breathing was more normal.  Then, determined, I attempted jogging again for 1/10 of a mile.  Then I walked.  Then I jogged.  Repeat.   That first workout totaled two miles of mostly walking with a little "wogging" (jogging at the speed of a faster walk) thrown in.   But I did it, no matter how pathetic it was.   

A day or two later, I tried again.    This time my first attempt was 4/10 of a mile.   Better, but still definitely not what I wanted.   I got a little farther before the obstacles appeared, and this time I was better prepared to deal with it.   I knew from the previous time that my breathing WOULD slow down, my heart rate would stabilize, and I could tackle it again.  I was ready with positive self-talk.   I knew where to turn for encouragement. 

As time progressed, I worked my way up to a mile and a half at a snail's pace.  I started feeling confident that maybe I could reach my goal.  Instead of "if," I began saying "when."   I had a schedule, a plan, and a routine.  I began to look forward to the workout because it was a chance for me to succeed at something I put my mind to.  I began to share with others my goals and my improvements. 

And then...I came down with a nasty upper respiratory infection that turned into acute sinusitis, bronchitis, and possible pneumonia.   Walking down the hallway from my bedroom felt like running a marathon.  Climbing the stairs was impossible.   Going for a run was out of the question, and I had no idea when I would again be able to attempt it.   As I felt sicker and sicker, I didn't even WANT to run again.   My confidence waned and I felt like I had been set back more than I could ever overcome.  The obstacles seemed insurmountable and I resigned myself to, yet again, failing to meet a goal I had set for myself.   Towards the end of the illness I had a follow-up at the doctor and I shared my frustration with her.  "Any time I try to get a workout schedule going, I end up sick or hurt and can't continue it.  I'll never be in shape.  I'll never be a runner.  I just can't."  Immediately, she stopped me mid-sentence.   "Wait right there.   You can absolutely do this.   Everyone faces obstacles and difficulties.  Your biggest enemy right now is yourself.  Tell yourself you can do this and you can.  Trust me.  I've been there.  I was running a race one time and suffered a terrible illness/injury.  I just knew my race was over.  I allowed myself to heal and then started back from square one.  My body didn't let me down.   I was stronger than I gave myself credit for, and I made it.  You will, too." 

So, I "got back on the horse," so to speak.   As I slowly recovered my strength, I laced up my running shoes and started back to my workout routine.   The first few runs felt forced and unsteady.   I had lost some progress, but I persevered.   Slowly, I stretched my distance and my endurance, and within a few weeks I felt confident and determined to run the entire 5K distance.   I had my doubts, but I silenced them the best I could.   I also recruited my husband to run with me, even though his fitness level far exceeded mine.  We dropped the kids off at their tae kwon do lessons and got started.  The first mile was brutal.  I was ready to give up with each step, but I stubbornly pressed on.   At the one mile mark I had a burst of energy.  I was doing it!  I was running!   My husband kept a one-sided conversation going to distract me (I certainly couldn't talk AND breathe at the same time), and we had energetic music playing in the background to keep our pace.   The 2 mile mark came and went and I still felt good, but at the 2 1/4 mark I felt like I hit a brick wall.   I expressed my concern, and my husband cheered my progress, validated my fatigue, and kept pushing me forward.  "You can do this.  I am with you every step of the way.   We are doing this together."  So, I kept on.  I didn't want to let him down.   Step by step, we made our way down the trail.   Step by step, we inched closer to my goal.  Step by step, we put the obstacles behind us and kept our eyes on the goal.   As we passed the 3 mile mark, I could see our ending point ahead of me.    It was no longer an abstract place somewhere in the future.  It was there, just ahead of me, and I was going to make it!  I dug deep and put everything I had in to those last few yards and crossed the finish line.   Stunned, I felt my eyes well up with tears and I had a lump in my throat.  I slowed to a recovery walk and struggled to catch my breath from both the exertion and the excitement.    I had done it!   I had set a goal and reached it.   I had run the race I set out to finish.   I felt overwhelmed with thankfulness that my body was in a healthy enough state to make this trek.  I immediately breathed a prayer of appreciation for the blessing of a godly husband who encouraged me past an obstacle and helped me reach my goal. 

I know that, in the grand scheme of things, a race is so insignificant.  While it feels really big to me in this moment, it is temporary and has no eternal or spiritual significance.    However, as I have started this life as a "runner" (I am still SO slow), I have seen so many parallels to the Christian race. 

1.   I  started out on this journey on fire to follow this path and to run a 5K race.   I was motivated, prepared, and excited.  I couldn't wait to head to my first workout.  I had the right shoes, the right gear, and the right attitude.   I had read so many articles, talked to so many people who loved to run, and I felt like I knew what was required.   I was going to be a runner!   Aren't we that way when we first learn and obey the gospel?  We can't wait to tell everyone about it.  We can't wait to start this race.   We know the right things, we study the right things, we are armed with our Bibles and our motivation and our plans. 

2.   Obstacles happen.   Just like I started strong that first run and then hit the wall at 2/10 of a mile, we start strong as new Christians and, inevitably, obstacles happen.   Maybe we share our new life with a family member who discourages us from following this path.  Maybe friends ridicule us.  Maybe we become ill and have to miss services and time with our church family.  Maybe we try to serve and are criticized.  Obstacles look different for everyone, but they do happen.   Our adversary is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.    (1 Pet 5:8).   He will put stumbling blocks and detours in our way.   It's not a matter of "if," it's a matter of "when."

3.  It can be overwhelming.   Just as I felt overwhelmed with the enormity of the task before me when I started running, I can remember being overwhelmed as a new Christian with how much I didn't know.  I remember talking to my now-husband and thinking that I would never have half the Bible knowledge that he did.   I felt like everyone was so far ahead of me on this race and that I could never catch up.  I felt slow and clumsy in Bible study, just as I did when I first started running.  I learned to take it in small chunks, improving slowly day by day.   Sometimes I got ahead by leaps and bounds, and other times it seemed like baby steps.   It wasn't until years later that I could look back and see that I was farther along the path than where I started.  Now, I can hold my own in spiritual discussions with my husband and can help encourage him the way he encourages me.

4.  You can't do it alone.   We need each other.  We need support.   We need encouragement.   Don't discount the importance of Christian friends to help you along this path. 

5.  We don't HAVE to do it alone.   When I finally ran a 5K distance for the first time, my husband assured me constantly that he would be with me every step of the way.   That was such an encouragement and so motivating to me.   On a much grander and more significant scale, God promises to be with us every step of the way as a Christian.  He will never leave us or forsake us.   My husband does his best to keep his promises to me, but sometimes he fails.  My God, however, keeps EVERY promise He makes.  Without fail.  Every time.

6.  Our inner voice doesn't always tell the truth.   My inner voice wants me to quit or take the day off all the time.  My aches and pains want me to sit on the couch.   Luckily, I am not defined by that inner voice.  The way that seems right to me won't get me where I need to be.  Likewise, there is a way that seems right to men, but the end thereof is death.    May we always focus on the voice of the Savior, the Shepherd who leads us.  His voice speaks only truth (John 17:17).  He will never mislead us.

6.  Keep your eyes on the finish line.   One thing I have discovered as I have trained is that, if I look down at my feet or a step or two in front of me, I get overwhelmed and anxious.   I feel like I am making no progress, I start to focus on my heart rate or my breathing, and I feel like I can't make it any farther.  I quit easier and struggle more.  However, when I keep my eyes on the finish line, I am able to cover ground easier and quicker.   Wasn't Peter the same way when stepping out to walk on the water towards Jesus?  When he focused on the Lord, he was able to do the unthinkable.   But, when he focused on the waves, he began to sink.    Keeping our eyes on eternity can help us stay on the right path.

While I am still very slow at running, I am constantly improving.   I am not giving up.    Step by step, I am plugging along toward my goal.  My speed doesn't matter.  My endurance does.  I AM a runner.  While I will never finish first in a race, I WILL cross that finish line victorious.

The same is true for my life as a Christian.   Sometimes, I feel like my growth and progress are so slow.   But growth is growth.    Some days I spend a lot of time with God's word.  Other days I feel like the time I spend is so minimal.  But, every minute in God's word is another minute of growing and learning.   Step by step, I am plugging along toward my goal.  My speed doesn't matter.  My endurance does.  I AM a runner with a goal of eternal life.   I press on toward that goal with my eyes on the prizes.  I am looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith, and I WILL cross that finish line victorious.

Why I love Digging Deep (and hope you will, too!)

Every August at Polishing the Pulpit, a new "Digging Deep" Bible study put together by Cindy Colley is released for Christian women.  The new study always begins on September 1st and runs a full 12 months (until the next one is released the following August).   Each year's study has a central theme or focus, such as "Sanctification," "Authority," "Shadows," or "Glory."    The study can be used as a stand-alone study (which is available in a bound edition or in a free download), or participants can take advantage of weekly audio podcasts, a monthly video podcast, and a Facebook group full of other "diggers" who offer accountability, study help, and encouragement. 

The "birth" of this study has a pretty amazing story all of its own, which you can hear about in Cindy's instructional video on her family's website. (If you want to watch it, I can provide the actual link).  Having now completed all 8 previous studies and having embarked on this 9th year's study, I can see so much evidence that God has blessed those involved in this study through the growth realized from being entrenched in His word and digging through Scriptures.   Do you have to do Digging Deep to be a good Christian?   NO.  Do you have to do Digging Deep to go to heaven?  NO.    Do we have to study His word and be about His business?   YES.  For me, this study has been a huge help in my personal Bible study and evangelistic efforts, so I wanted to share with you why I, personally, choose to follow along with this study (and a few reasons I "don't").

1.  First of all, I love Digging Deep because of its intense focus on the inerrant word of God.  While there are sometimes articles referenced about a particular topic of study, most of the content of the study is strictly based on Scripture.   We are challenged to read the text itself, straight from Scripture, and to apply what it says to our own lives so that we can be busy about the Father's business.   Each month of the study is saturated with verses, passages, chapters, and even whole books of the Bible to read, consider, and meditate on as we grow in the knowledge of the word. 

2.  It's difficult.   That might sound like an odd reason to love a Bible study, but I love that it pushes me beyond my comfort zone and challenges me to learn new methods of studying Scripture (like word studies).   It keeps me from getting in a rut with my Bible study, because I can't just read a passage, answer a question, and move on, checking off boxes as I go.  I have to really THINK about the Scripture to uncover the answers to the author's questions.   I can't get complacent, or I get behind quickly!  I have to keep Bible study in the forefront of my mind and as a daily focus.   

3.  It's "easy."   I know, I just said it was difficult, and now I'm saying it's easy.  By easy, I don't mean there is no challenge.  I simply mean that it is laid out in a structured fashion and builds on itself from one month to the next, so there is continuity.    It is divided into months and into questions, so it is easy to follow along with what comes next in the study.   I am easily distracted, and this keeps me focused.

4.   It's free, if you want it to be!  While Cindy offers a bound version of the study for purchase if you desire such, she always makes sure that the full study is available online as a free download.  This makes it so easy for me to invite others to study along with no monetary commitment on their part. 

5.   There is supplemental material.   The monthly video podcasts,  the weekly (ish) audio podcasts, and the Facebook support groups are so helpful in completing the study.   They supply an accountability factor that isn't present in a lot of other study materials.   Also, it's so encouraging to know that so many sisters are studying the same thing I am at the same time.    And, it's always nice to listen to or view the podcasts to make sure I got the "right" answers, because I don't often "think like" Cindy, so sometimes I'm not sure if I went in the right direction.

6.  It builds relationships.   Cindy encourages people to study this in group settings, as well as in personal Bible time.   In my congregation, we have a small group of ladies that gets together to discuss the material once a month.  The relationships we build through this are so special to me.    It can also build relationships within families.  When my 10-year daughter asked to join the study 3 years ago, I'll be honest...I didn't think she could/would stick with it.   3 completed studies later, she's still going strong!  She and I have bonded over the study in a way we wouldn't without this avenue.   Also, members of the Facebook groups often encourage one another.   Some of my "Digging Deep" sisters have become some of my closest friends as well.

7.  It leads souls to salvation.  Not because of the author, not because of the format, not because of any of the participants, but because it is a study of God's word, and God's word has the power to save souls.    A couple of years ago, a young lady reached out on the Digging Deep Facebook page searching for answers and for someone who could help her.   I "just happened" to see her post, and she lived nearby, so a friend and I met her for coffee and started studying the Bible with her.  2 years later, she and her husband have obeyed the gospel and are faithful members of the kingdom who are raising a young child to love and serve the Lord.   Just this week, her mother, who had fallen away, decided to obey the gospel and is our new sister in Christ!  God is SO good, all the time. 

8.  It helps us put our faith into action.  James says in no uncertain terms that faith without works is a dead faith.   The monthly "practically speaking" portions of this study give us real, tangible ways to put our faith into practice beyond the walls of our home.   It keeps us from having stagnant faith and forces us to be active.  My teenage daughter recently converted a friend because of the confidence she obtained from the study. 

9.   I can't make excuses.   There are "deadlines" for the study each month if you want to fully benefit from the podcasts.  There is a "deadline" for finishing the study if you want to be part of the "awards" ceremony at PTP.   Group discussions take place on scheduled dates, so if I want to be able to contribute to the discussion, I need to make sure I'm completing my study.   Also, I have several friends doing the study who hold me accountable, AND a teenage daughter who expects me to finish. 

10.  This is NOT why I do Digging Deep.  I DON'T do Digging Deep because I think the author of the study has all the answers. She is just a Christian like the rest of us.   The Author of the Textbook, however, does.     I DON'T do the study because I think I am a better Christian than someone else.  Quite the contrary...I do it because I know I have areas where I need to improve, and time spent in the study of God's word makes me a better Christian personally than I was before I spent time in study.   I DON'T do Digging Deep because we get a prize at PTP.   I don't like being the center of attention, and NO material prize or blessing can even compare to the spiritual blessings obtained through diligent Bible study.     I DON'T do the study because I just have all this free time.   I do the study because I need to remember to "redeem the time."   I DON'T do Digging Deep because I think it's the only study that will get you to heaven.  ANY study of God's word is profitable, as long as we are studying in some way.   I DON'T do Digging Deep because finishing the study is any kind of badge of honor.  I do it because I want to finish THE course and hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." 

This has been lengthy, but if you have stuck with it this long, I hope that you are encouraged to do your own personal Bible study, no matter what form it takes!   If you choose Digging Deep, great!  I'd love to help you and be a study partner.  If you choose a different way to study, I'd love to hear about it and learn from your endeavors.  If you start Digging Deep and decide it's "not for you," find something else that is, but study! Remember, you don't have to "finish" any particular study to grow in the knowledge of His word, but you do have to be busy learning and growing from His word.   We are never finished in our study of His word. 

Juice Plus Review from a Skeptic

For a while now, I have been investigating Juice Plus as a possible addition to my health regimen.  My cousin has used JP for a long time, and we had talked about it throughout the years, but I was skeptical.    I have had so many chronic health issues and have tried so many different things to alleviate the symptoms and improve my health that I have become harder and harder to convince when new options present themselves.   However, this is the year that I turned 40, and I was finally so fed up with feeling sick and tired all the time that I knew something had to give.    Reluctantly, I agreed to have my family try JP for the required 4 month trial period.    Our family of 4 lives on a single teacher's income, so making room for anything like this took some heavy duty maneuvering of our budget and resources, but we were pleased to find out that our children could receive the product free with our adult purchases.    I signed up to be a "distributor" so that I could receive a little bit of monetary return on my investment while I tested the waters.

Once I placed the order, I couldn't wait for our capsules to arrive!   I had heard so many testimonials about how JP had changed peoples' lives for the better and had improved their health.   I doubted the effect was quite THAT remarkable, but still I felt a glimmer of hope as I waited.  Would this be the catalyst to better health that I had been striving desperately to find for years?   Could it finally help me combat some of my chronic pain?    Could my husband, who cannot eat a single fruit or vegetable except green beans finally absorb some of these critical nutrients?   Could I help my children avoid some of the health issues that have plagued my family?   While hesitant to hope for too much, I couldn't help but hope a little.

Our capsules arrived and we broke in to them eagerly.   We were so ready to try this!   We opened the first bottle and were shocked by the odor that met us.   I'll be honest...they stink!!   :)    However, we counted out our capsules, took a big drink of water, and went on with our days.   We did this faithfully for weeks and then months.   (I will add one caveat here.  My son had a reaction to the fruit capsules, so he currently is taking veggie only.  We hope to add the fruits back in once we get some other things sorted out).    For a while, it was difficult to know if anything was happening with these capsules.   Every time I would swallow one, I would stop for a minute and imagine that it was working its "magic" in my body.    Yes, I know it's not "magic," it's nutrition, but I was hopeful for some kind of change.   More than hopeful...desperate. 

As time went on, people would constantly ask me how I thought it was going and whether I noticed any differences.  At first, I had to say no.    Here we were taking these capsules and life seemed to go on as it always had. 

But then....    I noticed that we had gone through the entire spring without a major sickness.   Typically spring is our rough time for our family.  It is not unheard of for us to pass stomach bug through our family 2 - 3 times per spring.    Most spring seasons land me in bed with a serious case of bronchitis and asthma.   My husband, who is a school teacher, typically brings home at least one chest cold, and my son is always sick.   However, other than mild colds for both kiddos, we skated through spring the healthiest we have ever been during that time of year.  Was that because of Juice Plus?   I hadn't changed anything else in our routine.

I have IBS - severely.    Suddenly, my digestive issues were GONE.  Not just better, GONE! 

Fast forward a few weeks and I started getting all kinds of comments on how long my hair had grown.  I hadn't really noticed it, but it had!  For the first time in years my hair had grown LONG.  And, even better, I wasn't losing handfuls of hair each morning like I had been for the past 8-10 years.   My hair was staying put and was healthy and strong and long.   Was this because of Juice Plus?   It was the only change I had made.

I suffer from chronic pain issues daily.   Every. Single. Day.   Sometimes it has been so painful that just getting up and starting the day has brought tears to my eyes.   Gradually, I began to notice that the days I had severe pain were outnumbered by the days I didn't have pain.  For the first time EVER.   Juice Plus?   I have no other explanation!

Growing up, I played the piano and was never allowed to keep my fingernails long.  As an adult, I have always wanted my fingernails to grow out, but they have always been brittle and have broken easily.   In the past few months, I have found myself having to trim them often because they have been growing TOO long and not breaking.  Could it be the Juice Plus?   What else could it be?

I have struggled with blood sugar issues since I was a teenager.   Since starting Juice Plus, my blood sugar levels have stabilized quite a bit. 

When I visited my dentist last month, he was amazed that my gum recession and gingivitis was COMPLETELY gone.   Not just improved, GONE.

Last week I went to the eye dr complaining that my fairly new contacts (that I got just before starting JP) were not working well for me and things didn't seem clear.  She retested me, and my prescription had gotten BETTER in both eyes. 

My husband has had improved reflux and digestive issues since starting JP.    His vision prescription did not worsen this year, even though he, too, has passed the 40 mark.  His blood work at his last dr's visit was great. 

My daughter's skin has cleared up significantly.   She has more energy than before and her mood has improved.

My son has been able to eat some foods he couldn't previously, without the severe digestive issues he suffers from. 

I have been able to cut back on allergy medicines for myself. 

We are sleeping more soundly and waking more refreshed. 

Prior to starting JP, I had to have a nap EVERY single day just to function and make it through the day.  My energy level was subzero. My house was a disaster because I hurt too bad and was too tired to take care of it.   Currently, I can power through my week without needing that daily nap, and I still have energy at the end of the day to work out at the gym, to spend time with my husband, to work on projects that have been neglected too long, and to read, sew, or do something else I enjoy.   Add to that the fact that I have started jogging again (after putting it aside for 8 years because I couldn't muster the energy), and just this week I ran a mile and a half without stopping. 

My husband has dealt with a benign skin cyst for as long as I have known him, he has tried all kinds of things to get rid of it or at least shrink it.  Just last week, it finally cleared up "on its own" out of the blue.  I joked with him that "it must be the Juice Plus," and he agreed!  He is even more skeptical than I am, but we both have no doubt his body finally decided to detox itself from this foreign cyst and to heal his body from the inside out.   Put good in, get good out! 

Last week I participated in a JP-sponsored clean eating plan called Shred10, where we "shredded" bad habits in regards to food for 10 days.    My scale moved down for the first time in a long time, and my energy level rose.  I thought at the end of the 10 days I would be chomping at the bit to get back to my "old" food choices, but I plan to continue many of these habits for the long term.

People are still asking me if the Juice Plus is working.   I have to say yes!   I have fought with this and have tried to come up with some other possibility for why all these changes have happened, and there just isn't one.   I have been actively trying to improve my health and that of my family for years.  And not just the casual "oh, I'll skip ice cream today and do a couple sit ups," but the passionate, all-out, researching and trying everything kind of attempts.   Even our doctors are believers in it and want us to continue taking it.    We all feel so much better and have had a healthier spring and summer.   I can't explain these improvements in any other way.  Nothing else has changed in our daily regimen.   We just ordered our 2nd 4-month supply, and I'll update some more as we go along! :)

Do you have questions about Juice Plus that I can help answer?   I'm still learning, but I'd love to learn together!  Also, if you want to do your own 4-month trial period, I can help you with that, too!   Won't you join me and improve your health, too?

When the devil went to High Rock

The devil went up to High Rock,
He was looking for joy to steal...   MINE

Every summer for two weeks, High Rock Bible Camp comes to life with the sights, sounds (and , if  I am being honest, smells) of dozens of teens and pre-teens from area churches of Christ.   And every summer (since 2001), my family has been a part of one or both of those weeks, as well as quite a few of the retreats held in the spring and summer.   It is a highlight of our walk as Christians, and Jeremy and I both come home so refreshed and re-energized after our time there.    It is such a blessing to be part of the staff there and to watch the campers grow and mature in their faith. 

However...

Every summer, the devil reminds me just how well he knows me, and how much he wants to trip me up as I walk through life as one of God's children.    After all, he is a roaring lion seeking to devour!  1 Pet 5:8  A few weeks before camp starts, I start to feel overwhelming anxiety about anything and everything related to camp.    I start to worry about leaving my house for 2 weeks.   I stress about leaving behind a mess.   I wonder if my kids have the right number of clothes to get through the weeks.  I worry about leaving one or both children behind with the grandparents while we are "in the middle of nowhere" and difficult to contact.   The weeks before camp are a flurry of activity - planning, cleaning, washing clothes, filling in gaps in our wardrobes, and so on.    By the time we are ready to leave, I am always a basket case -- in tears, almost constantly fighting panic attacks, and feeling so inadequate to perform the roles I will be given at camp.   I start thinking that camp doesn't need me.   That God doesn't need me.   That I shouldn't serve in this way (or in any way!)   I allow criticism from others and my own unrealistic personal standards to mess with my mind and discourage me from the joy that should be found in serving as staff at High Rock.  The devil knows me.  He knows how to feed my anxieties.  He knows how to make me so busy getting ready for camp that I forget why we serve there to start with. He distracts me with unimportant things in order to remove my focus from the only ONE Who matters.   He plays with my emotions and insecurities until I almost talk myself out of going.  Sometimes I feel like I can't even breathe.  It is paralyzing.

Every.  Single.  Summer. 

I always know it is coming, and I know in my head that it is just the devil fighting my desire to serve God faithfully, but without fail, he works his way into my mind and my heart, even if only in small segments.   It seems that no matter how many precautions I take against him, he still slips up on me unnoticed.

BUT GOD.

BUT GOD knows me even better than the devil does.  He created me!  He knows everything about me.    (Psalm 138:23) He has given me His word, which reminds me constantly of His faithfulness.   He knew that words would be my love language, and He gives them to me in abundance.   God knew.  God knows.

BUT GOD gave me a husband who doesn't allow me to be swallowed up by my doubts and fears.  He gave me a man who would constantly push me to be a better servant for the Lord.   He made sure this soulmate of mine was the perfect complement to my weaknesses and perfect protector of my heart, mind, and spiritual well-being.  God knew.  God knows. 

BUT GOD blessed me with two children who love camp and love the Lord.   The day before we left for pre-teen camp, Jeremy and I had a very stressful day working through some "wrenches" in the well-laid plans.   We were racing through Sam's just before they closed in order to obtain last-minute supplies, and our younger child looked at his daddy and said "This is my favorite day of the year!"  My husband was stopped in his tracks and asked "Why?"   Our son replied, "Because I know that tomorrow is camp, and I just love camp!!!"    This, from a child who has suffered ridicule from another camper every year at camp.   This, from a child who struggles to cope when he is tired and overstimulated.  This, from a child who had every reason to NOT want to be at camp, and he was so excited he couldn't stand it.   It was a wake up call for me to remember that camp is a place for joy and growth and fellowship.   God knew.  God knows. 

BUT GOD knew that others would need me.   When I went to teen camp, I felt as though I had no purpose for the week.   I was struggling to find my place and my purpose, BUT GOD.  God knew that a camper would need someone to ride to the hospital with her after an injury.   BUT GOD knew that several campers would need life advice and a shoulder to cry on.  God knows.

BUT GOD knew that I needed this boost.   Spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, I needed a boost and the encouragement.    I needed to be around other people who "get it."   Other people who wouldn't push against what God says and who would inspire me to do better and be better.   God knew.  God knows. 

BUT GOD knew that powerful things would happen at High Rock and that I needed to be there to see them.    God knew that my 13 year old daughter would fearlessly study with a friend who questioned the plan of salvation.  God knew that another young lady would help my daughter in the study and that they would convert this friend and that she would obey the Gospel. 

BUT GOD.    The devil wants me, BUT GOD has me. (Romans 8:37 - 39)   God will never leave me or forsake me, especially when I am afraid and anxious and not feeling joyful about my service to Him.   He will pull me through and make sure people are "in my way" (just like Balaam's talking donkey!) when I want to give up or go the other way.     The devil knows me.  He knows my weaknesses.  BUT GOD knows that He is my strength. (Php 4:13)   The devil tempts me.  BUT GOD will always give me a way of escape. (1 Cor 10:13).   The devil wants me to fail, BUT GOD works all things for good to those who love and obey Him.   (Romans 8:28)   God is faithful.  He understands. 

This year was no different, but I held on with everything I had, and because of God, I came through victorious.   Thankfully, I didn't have to fight alone.   God fought FOR me and other "soldiers of Christ"  put on their own armor and fought alongside me to make sure camp was available for the precious souls registered for the two weeks.  God used me even in the midst of my weakness.   I am so thankful.  And now, on the flip side, after being surrounded by God's word and with God's people,  I can once again find the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.  And, if the devil doesn't like it, he can sit on a tack...just not at High Rock!  :)  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.   I promise.  But more importantly, God promises.

It's not a dirty word!!

Last time I checked, depression, anxiety, and mental illness are not 4-letter words.    And yet, we so often treat them as "profane" words that should never be mentioned in respectable society.    For some reason, there is a terrible shroud of stigma around these conditions that causes us to whisper behind our hands, exchange knowing glances, and even shy away from those who admit to such weaknesses.    This should not be so.    Shame on us for treating these illnesses as a reflection of one's character and worth.  Shame on us for implying that to struggle with mental illness in some way makes one weak, bad, unfaithful, or somehow "less."

In today's day of advanced medical technology, we seldom permit ourselves to suffer long with pain or illness before we are seeking a cure to rid us of our pain, infection, or disease.   If a friend is ill, we flood them with food, support, and prayers.   If our child feels pain, we seek remedies to ease their discomfort immediately.    When people are diagnosed with cancer, we urge them to undergo any possible form of treatment that will better their quality of life.    Broken bones are set and repaired almost immediately.   Cuts are cleaned, bandaged, and monitored.   Victims of stomach bug are rehydrated and pampered until back to their normal level of functioning.   We recognize that when something in our physical body is malfunctioning, it is urgent that we remedy the situation quickly.   No one would suggest that someone with a broken bone just "get over it."   We would never berate or belittle a cancer patient for developing the disease or for seeking treatment.   We would never withhold our compassion from a child with a fever or injury.   And yet, when it comes to a malfunction of the brain, we somehow check our compassion at the door.   Somehow, we blame our friends and family for having a sick brain.    While we would never accuse someone of choosing to become sick with the flu, we assign fault to those whose brains do not function correctly.    This should not be so. 

As someone who has suffered with depression and anxiety for most of my life, I cannot tell you how many times someone has told me that if I would "just be more faithful," my struggles would end.    I have been told countless times that I can just "suck it up" or "pray it away," as though I am not already praying fervently.   I suffered for years in silence and without treatment because I felt that accepting help for this somehow made me less of a person, or somehow indicated sin in my life.   As the mother of children who have various imbalances and difficulties, for a long time I stayed silent and refused to open up about our struggles for fear of consequences or scorn from those around me.  Now, however, I have determined that if my situation can help others, I stand ready to assist and to be vulnerable if it will help others.

Recently,  I heard a couple of young friends of mine berated and ridiculed for seeking help for mental health issues, and that. is. unacceptable.   Christians, shame on us when we treat people this way!!  People struggling in such situations need our love and support as much as (or more than!) others suffering with various ailments!  May we always be ready and willing to extend grace and love to those with such struggles. 

Perhaps you find yourself, as I did (and sometimes still do), dealing with anxiety, depression, or some other form of mental illness.  If so, please know that you are not alone.    There are others who have been through similar valleys and who stand ready and willing to help!   There is ONE who knows all things and will never leave you nor forsake you.   He has been tempted in all things as we have been, and He was victorious.  He will help you obtain the victory as well.    Don't give up!!  Seek help.   This starts, of course, with asking God for help.  He loves you and wants the very best for you.  He does not expect you to suffer alone.   His word is full of encouragement for those who worry or suffer, and His ear is always open to His children.

Seeking help also may include other things, though!   Your help may come in the form of someone to talk to, it may be in the form of medication, it may be therapy, or it may even be hospitalization.  This does NOT make you weak, sinful, or unworthy.   It does not make you less.   It does not make you faith-less.    You are not broken.   You are not "bad."   You are simply "sick."  It is not your fault.   It. Is. Not. Your. Fault.   Make today the day that you choose to get help.  Make this the day that you determine to make no more excuses and to seek assistance.   Make this the day that you choose courage instead of fear.  Make this the day that your life changes for the better.   If I can help you in any way, please let me know.  I would love to help make this road easier for you. 

If you are one of those who has not suffered from mental illness, you may be wondering how you can help those who are!    Here are a few suggestions:

1.  Pray for them.  Pray for them.  Pray for them.    Prayer is such a powerful privilege given to us by God.   James 5 tells us that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.    Let's flood our friends and family with prayer on their behalf.

2.  Pray WITH them!  If you know someone is suffering, offer to pray WITH them.   Sometimes they may not know what to pray for, and it may be such a relief to them to hear you pray for them WITH them.

3.   Just be there.   Be a friend.  Be a shoulder.  Be a listener.  Sometimes you don't even need to say anything!  It may just mean that you sit with them.  It may mean you go to the doctor with them.  It might even mean that you just listen and hug them and hold their hands.    Never underestimate the power of just BEING there. 

4.  Encourage them to seek help.  Sometimes, in the throes of mental illness, the person can't see the need for help.   Help them get what they need.  Don't give up on them!

5.   Love your neighbor.    Do the kind, compassionate things you would do for anyone else who was sick.   Mental illness can be exhausting.   Take meals, send a card, text a short message, make a phone call.  These little gestures can go a long way.   Ask what they need, but if they don't know, serve them anyway!

6.  Demand respect for them.  Don't allow others to ridicule them.   Do not allow them to degrade themselves.  Speak up for them when needed.   Be careful of the language you use when speaking of their condition.     Realize that they are not defined by their illness, anymore than a child with a broken arm is "just" a broken arm. 

7.  Do not EVER EVER EVER tell them to just "get over it" or to "suck it up."   A good rule is that if you wouldn't say it to a cancer patient about their condition, do not say it to someone about their mental health.   

8.  If it is a close friend, do your research!  They may not have the energy to do the research and find the answers, but maybe you can! 

My prayer in writing this is that we will all work hard to help dissipate the cloud of stigma surrounding mental illness.   May we never be guilty of shaming others for illness, simply because it occurs in the brain instead of the physical body. 

The Heart of the Matter

In our local congregation, we have recently started a two-quarter study on the Sermon on the Mount.   We will be studying about Matthew 5 - 7 during Bible classes,  Sunday morning worship and Sunday night worship continuing through the month of September.   In conjunction with this, my family and I decided to challenge ourselves to memorize as much of these 3 chapters as we can.   We are only a few weeks into the process, but I am already so humbled by these 111 verses.   Our preacher has been saying that "the heart of the matter is really a matter of the heart," and I see so much in these verses that is practical and applicable to MY life today!

Would you like to join us in our memory challenge?   I can guarantee you will be blessed by your efforts!  We each have very different learning styles, so it has been fun to watch everyone working on the verses.    I am a visual learner, so I have created colorful documents to help me memorize.  My husband is more auditory, so he recorded the verses and listens to them on the way to work.   My daughter and I both like typing out what we have memorized so we can check them, and my son loves to repeat them out loud over and over and then write them to check.   While we are each learning differently, we have the same goal, and it has been a great encouragement to me so far!

Bonus fun for families - each time one of us memorizes an additional verse, we are adding a glass bead to a clear vase.   At the end September we will count up our total number of beads between the 4 of us, and we will have family game time...1 minute of game-playing per glass bead!    Just a little extra motivation for when things get difficult! :)

Picture this!

I love to take pictures and to arrange them in scrapbooks to preserve memories.    I frequently order 100s of pictures from our local pharmacy and flip through them over and over to relive special moments.    My house is full of framed photos, scrapbooks bursting with memories, and various other photo gifts and books.   However, not many of those pictures include me, as I am always shying away from the camera.   When I have pictures made of me, all I can see are the double chins, body flaws, etc.   I have a hard time looking past all of that to see the joy and delight. 

However, my new year's resolution this year was to get IN the pictures more often.  My daughter took a photography class last year and is quite talented, so she has started taking some of our family photos, and I have worked hard to force myself to be in them.   I don't want my kids to grow up and not have visual memories of me.   I want to capture the happiness and joy of our little family on vacations, during celebrations, etc.    I want to see past those flaws.

So, when my parents offered to throw me a 40th birthday celebration, they asked if there was anything I wanted for the party, and I told them a photographer.  I didn't care if it was someone professional or not, I just wanted someone who was dedicated to capturing memories at my party.   I wanted pictures of me, my friends, and my family enjoying our time.    I just got the pictures back yesterday, and I am SO SO thankful I took the plunge and got IN the pictures.  What a blessing to have photos reflecting friendships and family love.   What a gift to have these memories immortalized!   Each picture tells a story, and here are few!

 I am so thankful to do life with this man.  This is the 20th birthday I have spent with him, and I look forward to so many more.   Day in and day out, I choose him over and over and over. 

I feel so blessed that so many turned out for the celebration.  

This lady is spunkier now at 93 than I am at 40!   I am so thankful to have her!

 This girl is going places and I'm so grateful to be along for the ride as her mom!

So much of my heart is in this one picture.   Blessed to live the life I always dreamed of having.

3 generations in one place....

But wait!  There's more!  Now there are 4!!!

 I am so blessed to have so many
children in my life to teach,
babysit, parent, and love!. :)

This girl makes my heart happy and humbles me every time I interact with her.   I have the joy of teaching her in Bible class, and she is the epitome of what a good friend should be.  Any time a friend needs help or encouragement, she is there.  If they want something she has, she gives it without question or regret.   She loves fiercely and without hesitation.  She is free with hugs and laughs and encouraging words.  I want a heart like hers.

You hear so many horror stories about in-laws, and I am SO SO thankful that has never been my story!   These two have taken me in from the first time I met them, and I couldn't be more grateful.

Two of the most generous people I know, and I get to call them Mom and Dad!!  I have learned so many great lessons about working hard and giving of yourself.  Mom and I never have pictures together, so I lvoe the one below, even if the spotlight is on me...ha!

We may be different, but we are definitely sisters!  Thankful to live close enough to see each other's families grow and change!

I don't remember these two from my family in Louisiana, but I was blown away by them this weekend!  I wish I'd had more time to talk to them, and I'm blessed to have been reconnected even for a brief time.  Ken was such a gentleman, and both worked so hard to help in any way.   

There aren't words for what this couple means to me.  From the first time I attended services at what is now my home congregation, they took me in as one of their own, and they have been beside me and my family ever since.   Any time I need someone to cheer me on through difficulty, they are there.   I have learned so many things about how to serve the Lord and remain faithful to Him and to His church and to your spouse from these two.  They give of themselves CONSTANTLY, and never quit serving.  Even now, they encourage me to grow and be better in my service to the Lord. I want to be just like them when I grow up. :)

This guy has made me laugh for 40 years.  What a blessing he is!

These goofy shots were so fun...  I don't ever have the chance to just be silly, so it was great!

 A spur of the moment babysitting day years ago changed my life for the better when it turned in to so much more!  This family encourages me so much, and these boys have my heart almost like they are my own. :) 

This sweet lady gave up her evening to let me boss her around for pictures, and I love every one of the shots she got!

Thank you, Dumbo!

This week we went to see the new Dumbo movie on the day it came out (a first for my kiddos!) because my son had been counting down the days.     The movie was not my favorite (kinda blah and had some language slipped in there, so I can't recommend it), but the experience left me tearful.   You see, "Dumbo" is very dear to my heart.  He has, on more than one occasion, saved the day for us and changed our lives for the better.

About 10 years ago we were on our way to story time at the library and my daughter realized that it was "elephant" day and that the paper said to bring a toy elephant or stuffed friend with you.   My daughter had a pink elephant that she carried everywhere, so I quickly grabbed the stuffed Dumbo that an uncle had given my son off the bed and hurried on to story time.    The elephant had been sitting there for several months, but I hadn't yet given it to my son to play with, as he hadn't shown much interest in stuffed toys.   We took Dumbo to story time, and from that day, he has never left our side. 

That day, something clicked in my child and bonded him to that stuffed elephant with every ounce of his being.   Dumbo became his constant companion and followed him everywhere he went.    As soon as I caught on to this, we purchased a second one and rotated them out to be washed in case we ever lost one.   (We now have 4 "old" Dumbo's tucked away in a closet and 2 current ones on the bed.)  Dumbo has been to doctor's appointments, grocery stores, on family vacations, and any other place you can image (except church).   Once, in kindergarten, he even went for "teddy bear" day.    Dumbo's large ears have been great depositories for childhood secrets, fears, dreams, and thoughts.   Dumbo learned to read when my son did.  Dumbo calmed fears when they arose.   Dumbo made everything seem possible and safe and less scary.  Dumbo never cared if he was kept awake by a restless child who couldn't sleep.  Dumbo never complained when something spilled on him or if it was too loud or too quiet.   Dumbo keeps secrets better than anyone I know.  Dumbo knows just when a snuggle is needed and when personal space is a better solution.  Dumbo never demands anything, yet he gives unconditionally.    Dumbo has spent the night in the hospital twice, he has had his teeth cleaned at the dentist, he has helped soothe sickness and worry and anxiety.   Dumbo never gets carsick on long trips, and he loves to snuggle.    When no one else could comfort, Dumbo could!   He has eaten paper peanuts and artfully drawn steaks and potatoes, and he is always ready and willing to play...or to sit...or to just be there.   Dumbo is in every first day of school picture we have taken, and he had his own photo shoot a few years ago. ;)   

As we watched the movie, I watched my son laugh, cry, cheer, sigh, and gasp throughout all of Dumbo's antics.    His euphoria at seeing his childhood "friend" star on the big screen was contagious.  I teared up seeing such carefree, childish glee.   Everyone needs a "Dumbo."   So, "real" or not, thank you, Dumbo.  Thank you for your service to our family.  Thank you for your patience, your comfort, and the blessing you have been for anxieties, sensory overload, fears, "dangers," and long nights.  Thank you for "loving" him unconditionally and being the very best "friend."   

God went first

The providence of God fascinates me. While I certainly don't understand it completely, my faith grows by leaps and bounds any time I look back and meditate on how many times God "went first" in my life and used opportunities in my life to shape and mold me into who I am today and will be in the future.   Since He is not bounded by time, God is present in the past, present, and future as though they all happened at once.   While He does not make choices for us, He allows our choices to be used for our growth and benefit.   When we seek Him with our whole hearts, He is gracious to make sure we find Him.    When we see only the trees, He sees the whole forest and our pathway through it. 

I grew up in Louisiana, where my dad owned a fabric store and I attended school with the same group of friends from elementary school through high school, since we were in a Magnet school.  Once, during a school project, my friend and I did a career report on a small college in East Tennessee (Milligan College) that specialized in education, which was a dream for both of us. 

Fast forward a year or so, and my parents informed us that we were moving from Louisiana to a yet-undetermined location in Tennessee or North Carolina.    While I was devastated to leave everything and everyone I knew, God went first. 

While trying to find a place to live, we visited several cities Dad had researched, met with school district administrators, and looked for homes and areas.    On our way back to Louisiana with no settled decision of where we would live, we came to Johnson City, TN, where a rainbow bridged the mountains.   Long story short, several things "just happened" to fall in place, and Johnson City became our new home.   God went first. 

During my senior year of high school, a friend wanted to visit Milligan College (sound familiar?), which was only a few minutes from the town where we "just happened" to end up, and I agreed to accompany her so she didn't have to go alone.  She hated it from the moment we stepped on campus, and I loved it.  I felt like I was "coming home."   I was blessed to be able to attend there.   God went first.

While at Milligan, I began doing deeper study of the Bible, and I began to see things there that I had never heard before.   My roommate and I took a weekend to devote ourselves to Bible study, and I came out convinced of things I needed to do in order to obtain salvation.  For the first time, I understood what was required of me and that I needed to be baptized for the remission of my sins and salvation of my soul.    I couldn't find a single person to help me or to explain the truth, but God went first.   A few weeks later, my path "just happened" to cross paths with a member of the church (who is now my husband).    I posed my questions to him, and he was able to answer them straight from Scripture.    Not long after, I was baptized for the remission of my sins and added to the church.  God went first and was waiting for me. 

A year or so later when I was attending services with a local congregation and Jeremy was back home for work, I was struggling to find my place and to make friends in the congregation, and another college student stayed on my case until I agreed to participate in some activities.  God went first (after all, He planned the church - His Kingdom- before the foundation of the world), and I found friends more faithful than any I had ever known. 

Fast forward many years, and God continues to "go first."   He has prepared so many paths for me that I never imagined.  I am so thankful for Him always preceding me in the things that matter and waiting patiently for me to catch up. 

Most importantly, I am thankful for how He has always "gone first."  Even His son "went first" so that I might follow later.    May we always follow anywhere He "goes first."

*If you have any questions about the salvation available to us because Christ went first into suffering, into death, and into eternal life, please ask!*

A HEALTHY homeschool

Need some tips for making sure you have a healthy homeschool?  You've come to the right place!  While I am certainly no expert on these matters, these are things I have found to help my family along our journey.

First of all, being healthy requires making healthy choices.  Our brains and bodies work better when we are making healthy choices throughout our day.   Wholesome foods, exercise, and adequate sleep can go a LONG way towards giving us the best attitudes, brain function, and learning ability.

H - Help

        Ask. For. Help.    This is so hard for us mamas!   We want to try to do everything on our own, but we can't.   Don't be afraid to ask for help for you or your child when it is needed.  Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of courage and boldness.   First and foremost, ask God!   He wants to help you.  Ask your husbands for help when needed.   Ask others to help with a difficult subject.   Ask your church family when life is overwhelming.  Ask me, if there is a way that I can help!

E - Explore

       Explore the world around you.  Explore different curriculum choices.  Explore treatment options if your child has mental or emotional struggles.   Explore God's creation.   There isn't one right way to homeschool, so if something isn't working, explore other options!   Explore ways to meet your child's individual learning style.   Keep learning, growing, and exploring!

A - Adjust and adapt!  

There isn’t one right way to do things.   Does your child struggle with writing?   Let him type!   Is your child an auditory learner?  Read their lessons to them or buy the audio CD that comes with the curriculum.   Do you have a child with sensory issues?   Buy him a sensory sock (but don’t try to make one!).  Do you have a kid who can’t sit still?    Let her sit on an exercise ball instead of at a desk.   Have wiggle room in your schedule for “off” days when the kids are struggling or things aren’t working.   We do a “Camp Readmore” once a semester when I let the kids sleep in some, wake them up and announce Camp Readmore.   We stay in our pajamas and spend the whole school day reading.   We do read alouds, we read independently, we read a book that goes along with what we are studying, we listen to audiobooks, etc.   They never know when it will be…I try to save it for a time when I know they are tired or have had a hard week and need a break from the normal routine.  

We sometimes also need to adjust our expectations.   If a curriculum choice is not working, it is not life or death.  We CAN make changes.   One of the best things about homeschooling, in my opinion, is that we have choices.   Maybe Saxon Math worked for your first child, but your second child just isn’t getting it. Maybe they need Life of Fred.    MAYBE you dreamed that your child would be a brilliant mathematician because your husband is, but she hates math.   That’s okay!   Adjust your expectations!   Maybe you have always thought that learning only takes place at a desk that is neat as a pin, but you have a child who learns best when moving or hanging upside down on the couch.   Let them move!  Let them hang upside down!   This DOESN’T mean that we dumb things down or LOWER our expectations.  It doesn’t mean that we allow chaos or disrespect! Kids will live up to what we expect of them, but sometimes, we need to adjust our expectations!   And, sometimes, we need to adjust THEIR expectations.   Are they perfectionists?   Do some work that is timed so that they can’t obsess over small mistakes.  Did you know that Disney animators don’t have erasers on their pencils?    It’s so they can’t second guess their work and they can let their creativity flow without obsessing over perfection.   Force them to write in pen so they can’t erase.  Then, show them all the good things they did and point out that even imperfect work can be amazing!    Do you have a child who thinks he can’t write?   Let him tell you a story and jot it down for him – or let him type it – and then show him what he “wrote.”

L - Love Unconditionally

Quit fighting them and their little brains and bodies. Accept your child for who he or she is.   AND DO NOT COMPARE THEM!!! No matter what the diagnosis (or lack of), these children are blessings from God that have been entrusted to us for a short time.    Stay focused on the goal of heaven and see these things for what they are…obstacles and speed bumps, but we can get past them.  Sometimes it is so tempting to try to “fix” our children or to change them, but until we accept them and their struggles, learning and growth will be hindered.  I recommend the 5 Love Languages to help figure out how YOUR child needs to be loved.   This can be especially insightful if your child has as different love language than you do!  My son’s primary love language is touch because of his sensory issues, and he loves deep pressure, compression, etc., so he always wants to be RIGHT up next to you, leaning on you, sitting on you, etc.   Can you guess what my LOWEST love language is??   Touch!  Before I evaluated those things, I would get SO frustrated with him, but now I try to be purposeful about finding time to cuddle or to give super tight hugs so that he feels loved and then can learn.   He is also VERY sensitive, and little things that would never occur to me that they would be upsetting can send him over the edge.    So, I try to be careful with the words I use and to find opportunities to build him up, and we try to use “sensitive” situations to teach him to handle disappointments.   We try to find situations that have mild potential for upsetting him and prepare him for those events so he can build on successes. 

T- Timeouts

Everyone needs time away sometimes.  Not just parents, but kids, too.   Maybe it is time far away, like at a fabulous homeschool retreat in Kentucky.  Maybe it’s just “quiet time” – we call it DEAR time and it can be Drop Everything and Read or Drop Everything and Rest.  They are allowed to do either, but it must be done quietly and in a way that doesn’t bother anyone else.    Maybe it just means that the kids go hang out with the grandparents for a few hours and you go get a frappucino and a haircut.   Maybe it just means that you send the kids outside so you can potty in privacy.  This is especially true if your child has separation anxiety issues.      It is also good for your child to have chances to be accountable to someone else, such as in lessons or co-op classes.  Not everyone gains their energy from being with other people 24/7, so if you have a child who doesn’t, these timeouts are especially important for them.  

H - Heart

We must keep our heavenly focus no matter what – don’t lose sight of the goal.   It can be so easy to get caught up in all these physical things and to forget why we are really here!  

Php 3:14 ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  

Eccl 12:13    ¹³ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:Fear God and keep His commandments,For this is man’s all.

 When something is troubling you, ask if it will matter in eternity.  If it will, by all means devote your full energy to solving it.   If it won’t, give it some of your time but don’t allow it to consume you.   Remember what our goal truly is…  being in heaven with our LORD and guiding these precious souls He has loaned us back to Him.  While finish our math book for the year is great, and completing our math or history in the time mapped out for us can feel like such an accomplishment, it is not the be all and end all.   Teach our children about the world, and science and grammar and math SO THAT they can know more about our Creator and His purpose for us.   Don’t let the physical take your eyes off the spiritual.

Y - YOU

you can’t pour from an empty bucket.  
How many of you have ever flown on a plane?  You know how they give that speech about putting on your own oxygen mask before helping your child secure theirs?    How many of you think that would be your natural response?   How many of you would WANT to watch your child struggle to breathe while you put on your own mask?   I wouldn’t!  But, why do they tell us that?   It’s because if we DON’T put ours on first, we won’t be there to help our children. So, we need to take care of ourselves so that we can subsequently take care of our children.   This  might mean that you regularly schedule time to yourself to recharge.  It might mean that you journal, or exercise, or craft or cook.  It might mean that you find that friend or mentor with whom you can be real.  It MIGHT mean that you, yourself, seek treatment or counseling.  There is no shame in recharging your batteries or in getting help.
 Remember that YOU are not alone.  The God who created you and loves you will ALWAYS be there for you.   Likewise, you have your Christian family to lean on when you are struggling.    If you are dealing with issues like this for you or your child, reach out.   Do NOT try to tackle this alone. 
Forgive yourself.  Remember that you are human.   Maybe you deal with your own anxieties and dysregulation.    You will make mistakes.   You will yell sometimes.   You will be so exhausted sometimes that you will let your kids by with things that normally you wouldn’t.   You will worry about things that will never happen.   You will forget to worry about things sometimes and then they DO happen and you want to kick yourself for not analyzing that possibility. You might hover over your children occasionally.   You might forget to hover sometime and something gets through to your child that you didn’t intend.   Give yourself some grace.  Forgive yourself.   God does.  And, your kids will when you ask them.  Apologize!  They are resilient.  You love them more than anyone else on earth, and you are doing what you believe is best.    You have their best interests at heart and in your mind.   Seek the Lord’s guidance and trust the maternal instincts he gave you.    You were chosen to be their mother.    You can do this.   And if I can help in any way, I’ll be in the trenches with you… just give me a call.  😊