And all God's people said...

Blessed. Overwhelmed with God's loving kindness.  Focused on His will for my life and what He has called me to do.  Determined to present my body as a living sacrifice for Him and Him alone.
I left Priscilla Shirer's Going Beyond event convicted, motivated and extremely challenged to LISTEN to the Holy Spirit's promptings, BE STILL and know that He is God, AND WITNESS the power of His mighty hand!  Here is a quick summary of what she spoke on and what blessed me the most.  I thank the Lord for women like Priscilla that bless the women in the body of Christ and speak the truth!
The Highlight Reel:  
LISTEN -(James 3:8-10)"...The Spirit dwells in me therefore I am a temple of the living God."  (Galatians 5:16) "... I walk by the Spirit and do not fulfill the desires of my flesh."  Listen because the Spirit will guide you through His word.  How do we know it is Him and not the great impersonator, Satan disguised as the "Angel of Light"? The Lord will never speak in conflict with His character, personality,  and His Word.  Sounds simple enough, but we have to spend time with Him and seek after Him to know His character, His personality, His Word.  When Priscilla asked Henry Blackaby, "How do you KNOW it's God speaking?"  His reply was simple,  "The more you know God, the more clearly you'll hear God." And listen, when you hear God and feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit, you better hear with your heart!  Because when God speaks to you, He doesn't just speak to be heard (in one ear out the other), but to be obeyed.   He is faithful to finish the work...  Praise God!  And when you have clarity on something from the Holy Spirit, know He is trying to save you from something!
The 5 P's of Bible Study (Priscilla's words on how to position yourself to hear the Holy Spirit speak to your heart):
1. Position yourself to hear from God.  Meet with Him daily. 
2 Pore over the passage and paraphrase the major points.  Select portion of scripture and meditate over it! 
3Pull out the spiritual principles.  Ask yourself, "Is there a command, a promise, a question....?  what is He saying to me?
4Pose the questions.  Take spiritual principles and turn them into questions.  This is where the rubber meets the road because you have to be honest with yourself.  Ask yourself the tough questions.  How is the Lord convicting you?  What is He convicting you about?  He longs to be in fellowship with us.  Is 5912 says, " For our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and as for our iniquities, we know them"   Listen to His promptings.
5Plan obedience and pin down a date (to obey).  Strategize.  Eph. 427  ...I will not give the enemy an opportunity or foothold in my life.


BE STILL, OBSERVE - Priscilla covered Ex. 14:13+14 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid.  Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.  For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.  The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
She also covered the story of Gideon.  Loved every bit of this...  
 The Lord challenged Gideon to trust Him and obey His command to "cut down the idols" in his father's house.  What are my idols?   Gabriel, though fearful, obeyed and he was granted a new name.  People began to refer to him as Jerubbaal.  "When you have gone through a crisis with God, you don't come out the same person.  You get a "new name"!"  (Priscilla S.)  Record and remember these times.  So that you will recall to mind what God has done, how He delivered you, the next time you are in a crisis situation.  Later, Gideon had to trust the Lord again, though the odds were against him and his little army.  He camped out at the "spring of Harod (trembling)".  Priscilla challenged all the to not hang out or camp at the Spring of Harod.  Or Spring of _______ , but to take captive every thought.  Don't be overwhelmed with feelings of defeat.  Stay alert.  The final test the Lord used for the troops, before whittling down the number, was a test of alertness.  Do not fear.  "If God is for you, who can be against you?"

     This was a very quick, hopefully not too confusing summary of Priscilla's message today.  I am sure I did not do her speech justice, but just wanted to share with you because I was so blessed by her this morning!

Her is a little clip from one her speeches at another conference.   Click to listen and be blessed!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL-uyjAYqXI

x children + y games = TRIPLE THE FUN!

Most days, we stick to a more traditional style of schooling.  Saxon math, Abeka readers, flashcards, ... paper and pencil.  However, today we set the books aside and enjoyed the great outdoors (Man alive was it a gorgeous day!) and a day of schooling with our friends.  This is one of the many reasons I LOVE homeschooling my children.  I have the opportunity to take the word "work" out of schoolwork and be creative!  The idea is to get their creative juices flowing and develop a love for learning!  The goal is to not burn them out by 5th grade. Please note, I cannot take the credit for today's creative activities.  I give all the credit for today's schedule of events to my wonderful friends, Kristin, Carolyn, and Amanda.  When we left San Antonio 2 1/2 years ago, it grieved me to say goodbye to this sweet group of friends because friendships like these are a gift from God.  We are grateful to have this time with them, even though it is only for a short season.  

Kristin started us off well by reading a bible story and reminding the kids the importance of being attentive.  :) 

Then almost all, except for some of the very little ones, stood  up and recited a verse or poem they had memorized.

The kids put together puzzles, searched for hidden sight words... learning can be fun!

Lunch break

Outdoor games

 

Prayer For Home And Family

Lord, behold our family here assembled.  We thank Thee for theis place in which we dwell; for the love that unites us; for the peace accorded us this day; for the hope with which we expect the morrow; for the health, the work, the food, and the bright skies, that make our lives delightful; for our friends in all parts of the earth.  

Let peace abound in our small company.  Purge out of every heart the lurking grudge.  Give us grace to accept and to forgive offenders.  Forgetful ourselves, help us to bear cheerfully the forgetfulness of others.

Give us courage and gaiety and the quiet mind.  Spare to us our friends, soften to us our enemies.  Bless us, if it may be, in all our innocent endeavors.  If it may not, give us the strength to encounter that which is to come, that we may be brave in peril, constant in tribulation, temperate in wrath, and inall changes of fortune, and down to the gates of death, loyal and loving one to another.  

As the clay to the potter, as the windmill to the wind, as children of their sire, we beseech of Thee this help and mercy for Christ's sake.

-Robert Louis Stevenson

"Would you go with me? "

I can now check off the box beside the "attend Rodeo concert with my sisters" on my list of things to do in life.  FINALLY.  For some reason, I think I took it for granted and never took the time to purchase a ticket.  I kept telling myself, "Next year.  Next year I'll go..."    The past couple years have taught me that life will never slow down, you just have to MAKE time for the little things.  I'm so thankful my sisters said yes when I asked them if they would go with me. 

Hahaaa only in Texas

This isn't pretty, I know.  I stood in line foreeeeeeeever to purchase this freshly popped and sweetened kettle corn.  Once I held "my precious" in my arms, there was no stopping the continual shoving of handfuls into my mouth.  :)

God Bless Texas

 I never get bored with this...

This rider was amazing! 

 I have to admit, when we bought the tickets I was more excited about GNO than seeing Josh Turner perform.  I 'm not very familiar with most of his songs and had even made of his low voice to a few of my girlfriends.  However, I left the concert a Josh Turner fan.  First of all, I admire the fact that he didn't shy away from his faith at a secular concert.  Second, I thought it was cool that his wife is a part of the band.  Thirdly, his music is awesome!  Good ol' fashion country songs. :)  Love it!  My favorite is "Would you go with me?"  

 I may just cave in and go buy me a Josh Turner CD.  
 Would you go with me?  to see video

My kind of schooling and exploring!

I haven't been to the Witte Museum in years.  I was so thankful and excited when my friend mentioned that we were welcome to join them on their fieldtrip this past Tuesday.  It was not only a great way to break up the school week and see our friends, but also qualified us for the group rate!  I am looking forward to more fieldtrips with JAMM.  :)
First stop, Amazon Voyage: Vicious Fishes and Other Riches! 

And we're off!  Let the voyage begin!

"Bubble", "fishbowl mentality"... is not something I usually promote. ;)

The kids enjoyed all the hands-on activities.  What began as a treasure hunt for lost items in the murky waters of the amazon river, slowly turned into an all out splash fight with the boy across from her.   

The Beautiful Bug exhibit was AMAZING! 

We studied the gorgeous butterflies and saw the most beautiful, snow white, silk chrysalis...

Brings 2 Cor. 5:17 to mind.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

The green butterflies were Mya's favorite. 

I almost didn't bring this little guy, because I wasn't sure if he would enjoy it.  I am so glad I did.  He has been talking about the trip for the last couple of days.  

If you scroll up, you'll notice Audrey is sporting a snazzy new outfit in this picture.  :)  We were all gathered in the courtyard for lunch, when I heard a SPLASH and cry for help.  She later told me she was trying to reach for her stick that had fallen in the little pond and lost her balance.  Thankfully, the pond was not very deep and she had the sense to make her way to the slimy, algae covered edge.  Praise God we heard her cry and were nearby!  I think the other moms in our group could tell I was trying to decide how to handle the situation as I attempted to dry my dripping wet, sobbing, emotional little girl.  Do I leave and buy new clothes?  Should we just go home?  So much more to see...  Before I knew it, the sweet ladies came to my aid and we had Audrey dried off and ready for part II of the Witte.  

Trying to hang with the big boys.

Mya is more like Nate when it comes to her desire for adventure, speed, and excitement.  I am always surprised at some of the things she wants to do and try.  Things I wouldn't have even considered at her age.  I would have taken one look at this and run in the opposite direction when I was six.  She was slightly under the minimum height requirement for this ride and I warned her, "I don't think you'll be able to reach the pedals.  Are you sure you want to try this?"  I have to admit I was little nervous.  Being the compliant first born she is, she quickly responded, "Whatever you think mama.  If you want me to I will, but if you don't I won't. But I really want to try."  She waited patiently in line and gave it her best shot as she attempted to reach the pedals and power the bike forward with her skinny little legs.  I was so proud of her!     

Mums the word.  :)  Slaeter was especially enthralled with the "mommies".