This morning, about ten minutes before 9:00, my son, still in early morning slumber called out to me from his bed, "Mom, would you please play the piano?" "Yes," I said. I had signed up for a prayer time from nine until ten this morning for our church's monthly day of 24 hour prayer- a first Thursday of the month assignment. Knowing that time was coming, I sat down at the piano and begin to sing something that began while I was taking a shower. "Let everything that has breath-praise the Lord, praise the Lord..." and it continued, and I played and played and played.

Then Daniel came to me and said, "Mom, it is impossible for anyone to do what you do." The voice of my Lord was coming through my child in that moment. Each one of us is fearfully and wonderfully made. My song to the Lord is Christ expressing Himself through me in a way that no one else can. Or should. A seemingly silent snowflake falls. A song is lifted up to Heaven. Each one is unique and carries the thumbprint of it's Creator. Let everything, everything....that has breath praise the Lord.

Stone Soup Cleaning 101

Stone soup. You know the story. The soldiers come into town hungry and tired. They ask for something to eat, but no one has anything. So the soldiers find a big pot, add some stones and water, and it begins to boil. They wait. One by one, the town peasants bring onions, then potatoes, carrots, and you can see where this is going. Eventually their hunger is satisfied. I LOVED the story of stone soup when I was growing up. I could just see it, and, I think I could smell it too!

It all began on Saturday morning when I spotted my bargain bag of 3lb/$1 oranges. They were looking slightly shriveled as they lay in their netted bag, a bit dimpled. While on the official hunt for the official fruit bowl (which I find), I discover its contents to be a handful of much older clementines, two sweet potatoes, and one still nice and firm red onion. Knowing that my onions and potatoes are supposed to go in my orchard basket in the pantry, I open the pantry door. I spot my orchard basket, pull it out, and proceed to empty it of one bad onion, dried onion peel, a handful of Ritz crackers (cracker, anyone?), and oh, I think a twisty-tie or two. Now, not only is this becoming personal, (I just wanted to put away my oranges!), I conclude that this haphazard method of organization (oxymoron!) isn't doing anyone any favors. I can do better. And so begins the clean. One clean shelf begets another clean shelf, and that clean shelf begets another, and then another, and the next thing I know, contents of honey containers are combined, all snacks are happily packed away in the official snack box, and I could go on and on.

There's just something about things being in their place. We are a busy family in our own way. Though we don't have as many outside activities as most families, we have a lot going on that can contribute to a much needed dose of stone soup cleaning: homeschooling, worship leading, homeschool support group leadership, fun with friends, more fun with friends, Danny's ever-changing flight schedule, the mandatory doctor's appointments: it can get disorderly p r e t t y fast around here. Today just seemed to be the day to do something about it, and I couldn't be happier with the results. And to think this story began because I wanted to put away a bag of oranges!

Today's Grace

Today I am giving myself the grace to clean and tidy up. We've all been a little punky with colds lately, and things are not where they need to be. I have the next two weeks of lesson plans in the planner, but today, it waits. (Note: Generally I don't discard school plans to clean unless things are in such disarry that I can't function.) Tonight, the Homeschool Leadership meeting is at our house, and will be for the remainder of the semester. Danny and I are co-directors with another couple, the McAffees. Since we moved end of September, our fall meetings were at their house. Now it's our turn. (Oh, to erase all doubt, this is a picture from the computer. Couldn't find a recent "clean" picture of our house....)

A couple of years ago I heard the phrase that as homemakers, our goal is "to bless and not impress." I have adopted that for myself. I can get pretty pushy and bossy when I am under pressure, and my gentle spirit can bark out the orders with the best of 'em. Time becomes like a hammer when I have a deadline, and the closer I get to the deadline, the harder I hammer. I have three eye-witnesses. Oh, four. Yes Lord, you know it all! Great, so you bless the guests by having things in order, but you karate chop your family to accomplish it. Not so good. So, while I have grace to clean, and I am convinced I do, I need the Holy Spirit to follow me around like a dust mop and make sure I'm not scattering seeds of discord in the process.

God, thank you for the grace to clean. I am leaning on You and trusting
that You will coach the pushy Mom in me to become more like you. Oh, this is
your way of cleaning and transforming me? I get it!

One of the best parts about Homeschooling is my own renewed love for learning. I have a new found love for History, Science, and dare I say Math. I already loved Language Arts and anything related to that topic. (Deep inside is a frustrated journalist, architect and geologist, all areas that have interested me over the years.) We also include the Bible. When I look at the list of all the subjects I am interested in there is not a one that is not somehow addressed in the Bible. Yes, even journalism. Enter: Apologia Biblical Worldview Curriculum, Volume 1. This is our Bible curriculum.

For a number of years I would buy a really good Bible Story book, and that met our needs. I am seeing with Daniel that he still has a great need to go over those again. I want them to know the hallmark/anchor stories of God's word. They'll recall them over the years at different times just as I have done. However, Bethany's needs are changing somewhat, so I began to look for a good Bibilical Worldview curriculum. I think I've found it. Two weeks into volume one and my own life is being challenged.

We've been studying how to build our lives upon the rock, and conversely, what to do if we want to build our lives upon the sand. Thank you, but NO, to that. I have "sand moments" as I'll call them, and I much prefer the rock. Romans 12:2 is one the feature verses for the beginning of our study. The more I think about it, the more I like it and want to let it be my mirror verse for the year, the one I stare into to see how it's going, so to speak.

"Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

As we were working our way through this together I had my own little lightbulb moment. I began to think about the difference between being conformed and being transformed. Conformed is a shaping that comes from an external source, either through something or someone, that we allow. It could be an outside pressure or perhaps a worldly mindset that we've embraced. Transformed, though it may have external components, begins in the interior of the heart and mind. It is a work of God. I cannot transform myself. I can allow myself to be conformed, pressured and shaped, by others and other influences, but only God can bring real transformation.

This year I am praying for transformation. Transformation for myself, our finances, my health and how I take care of my body. I can see how every area of my life is due for an overhaul. A transformation. A work of God. I can see how this verse is like a lifeguard for my heart.

Has God given you anything for this next year? Oh I have more to share, but this is long enough probably. Father in Heaven, have Your way in our lives this year. Help us to surrender all that we are and desire to Your will. Thank you for another year. May we bring glory to Your great name.

Reader Thoughts Requested

My blogging has been rather infrequent due to....time, I suppose. What a year we've had and yes, my blogging is evidence of the demand in other arenas.

I have a question for you non-homeschooling readers: Should I combine my blogs, my family blog and homeschooling blog? As you know from the sidebar you can click on the link and read about our homeschooling adventures. (Yep, it's an adventure. Had one this morning that I'm still recovering from.) I've been posting somewhat on homeschooling but - zero - commenters. I know our purpose is to simply post for our own use, but it would be nice to know if anyone is benefiting. (Or, does that really matter?)

If I combine them, will that bug that non-homeschooler in you? I know, it's my blog, but still....just want to be thoughtful to the readers. Hoping to get some direction from one of your answers.

The homeschooling reader may have some thoughts as well. I'd like to hear from anyone on this.