Homeschool - She's Doing Great!!

As most know, my daughter Elizabeth homeschools Addyson. I love that Elizabeth, Michael and John (Addy's Dad) haven chosen this path for her. I have seen her truly blossom since the decision to take her out of public school and keep her at home.

Lately, there are some who have been making comments - in front of Addy - about her "lack" of education. I'm sad that they don't know her the way we do and don't understand the great knowledge she is gaining through homeschooling! She is in competition with no one, studies the Bible in her daily curriculum, learns through many everyday life situations and is being taught by her parents - the people to whom God entrusted her life and learning!

Elizabeth has written a post in answer to those who question Addy's academic learning. It would be great for her to know that not everyone is against homeschooling! Please visit Elizabeth and let her know your thoughts on the subject!

In His Love and Blessings
annb

Some Business is Personal!

Jody had his appointment today with the orthopedic surgeon. He is scheduled for surgery, on his back, next Wednesday, May 13. We spent the morning at the doctor's office and then to the hospital for pre-op testing. They did the usual lab, but also did an EKG - which was good!

I'm anxious for the surgery to be done. He's been in pain for so long and it will be good to see him without the pain and pain meds. I know it will be a huge load off his shoulders when he feels better and is able to do more.

As for me - the chiropractor has done great work! My hip is absolutely pain free and as soon as the bruises heal - I'll be great! I asked him last week about exercise and he told me not to do any until my hip is stabilized. I have another appointment Monday and hopefully, I'll be able to start then!

Last week, I visited our youngest daughter to talk about some business we have together. The "discussion" went completely out of control and it saddens me to know how she feels about me.

When Jody and I got back together, last year after an 8-month separation, we decided then that we would not let the opinions of others make a difference in our relationship. That was something that had happened in the past because I was unable to deal with the feelings of inadequacy and inferiority caused by the words and actions directed at me from others outside of mine and Jody's relationship. That is, of course, not the only reason for the separation - but it was a contributing factor.

I am amazed at the judgement of others directed at me because I was the one who left our home! Some people believe that because I left - I was the only one who had done anything wrong in the marriage! I love Jody and decided, a long time ago not to dishonor him by telling others about any of his faults. I have not been verbal about the reasons for the separation because I felt like it was no one else's business! The separation was between Jody and me! No one else lived our lives and knew what brought us to the point of separation.

I still feel like it's no one's business and I don't intend to start discussing personal aspects of our lives with others. Jody and I, together, are working to make our marriage better than ever before. We are both aware of what went wrong before and are determined to correct the weaknesses that we each have within ourselves.

It's very difficult for me to know where I fit in anymore with Jody's children and his family. It's tough! I work myself into such a state of anxiety and nervousness before I am around any of them and am making myself sick worrying about it. I'm letting it go!

I can't make anyone accept me or the fact that Jody and I love each other and BOTH of us decided that we didn't want to throw away 20 years of marriage because we both let God and our marriage become an "afterthought" in our lives. We both put other things before these on our list of priorities, which could never bring good to our lives!

I am so blessed that he agreed to try again - even after there was so much hurt, anger and guilt on both sides! I thank God every day that we are together and growing stronger in our relationship!

I'm sorry for those who can't accept and be happy that we have "re"-committed to our marriage and know that God will bless us for that decision!

In His Love and Blessings
annb

Daycare and Doctors!

I haven't blogged in a while, but I am still around! I have been staying very, very busy! Elizabeth is still pretty sick and is not functioning normally, yet. She's 14 weeks along now and we're praying that she will begin to feel better soon.

I am still taking care of our little daycare kiddos every day since she's not able to right now and that definitely keeps me busy! I love them and love being with them, but I sure get tired. I know it happens, but I can't imagine being 51 and having young children of my own at this age. My babies are all grown - much easier to care for at their ages! Actually, my mothering days are pretty much over as far as having to instruct and discipline. I'm still mom - but had to get over the "mothering" part in order to love my children in a better way!

Little Miss will be a year old on Monday and she's such a sweet little "toddler"! She plays so great - following all the other kids around and trying to get into everything they're trying to do. She loves to "help" me load and unload the dishwasher - if I could just teach her where the dishes go (not in her mouth), she would be an awesome helper!

Snow White loves to help set the table for mealtime and is really a sweet tempered little girl, just like her sister. They're so loving and sweet - their little smiles, hugs and kisses make my day!

Batman and Spiderman are all boy! They are busy all the time! Since we have three girls and one boy, I never experienced two boys at once in our house. They're also sweet, but like I said - all boy!

Sleeping Beauty is a sweetie! She's very loving and also wants to be right in there with the "older" kids (she's almost 2 and the older kids are all 3) - doing the same thing they're doing!

Little Big Guy is still adjusting, I think. He has older sisters and he likes to be loved on - a lot! I'm willing to oblige and I'm sure as he becomes more "at home" here, he will enjoying being down and playing with the other kiddos more than he does right now!

Since the weather is getting warmer we are able to spend more time outside. I love the days when we can go outside! The kiddos play hard and wear themselves out so that after lunch they are all ready to lay down for a nap. They love to be outside and, amazingly, they play very well - no arguing and fighting!

Jody has been having major problems with his back for a few years now and it's continuing to get worse! He has been seeing a pain management doctor for a while, but has been scheduled to see an orthopedic surgeon next week. He's also going to be scheduled for surgery on both knees as soon as we know what they are going to do about his back.

I have also had problems with my back for years and, like Jody, have degenerative disc disease. I pretty much just live with it, but in the past year I've had a lot of trouble with one of my hips. I was treated for sciatica recently and the steroids helped for a week or so, but then I was back to having the same pain again. My PCP referred me to an orthopedic surgeon last week, but I decided to cancel the appt (not ready for surgery!) and instead got a referral to a chiropractor who is also a member of the church we attend. I had my first appt today and am scheduled for at least four more - Friday and then 3 days next week. I'm excited to see if this will ease the pain without having to go the "surgery" route!

I guess you know you're really old when both - husband and wife - are beginning to "wear out"! In my mind - I'm still 20! My body doesn't seem to agree!

So that's my life right now - Daycare and Doctors!

Our oldest grandson turned 10 this month! We went to his birthday party which turned out to be a great afternoon. Here's a picture of Jody and I with all the "grands"!

In His Love and Blessings
annb

God is Good - Choctaw Family & Friends Okay

Wanted to let those of you praying that God is good and all is well! Well, at least for my family members and friends in Choctaw - although, there were people who lost their homes!

I was in touch by phone all evening during the fires with my family members and did have several (5 families) relatives who were evacuated due to the close proximity of the fires.

They were all allowed back in their homes before the night was over, although I'm sure they did not sleep well! Even with all the fires and the devastation - none of the family, nor any of our friends were actually "hit" with damage from the fires.

Thank you to those of you who prayed for the families in Choctaw. Thank you to God the Father for keeping my family safe!


In His Love and Blessings
annb

Please Pray!

I've been glued to the TV all night because the town Jody's and my home is in, the town where my children grew up, the town where I still have many family members and friends - is burning! There are fires everywhere in Choctaw and it is really heartbreaking to think of all the families that have been and still will be affected by the wildfires.

I have called my family members and checked on them - so far they are all okay, although several have been evacuated from their homes and have moved to homes of other family members. Some are packed up and ready to go at a moment's notice.

I lived in Choctaw for 25 years! I moved from there last year in March. It still, in many ways, feels like home! Our kids are all okay for now and we are in prayer for each and every one there.

Please, if you are willing, take a moment and join us in prayer for everyone who has been affected and those who are still in harms way all over Oklahoma.

In His Love and Blessings
annb

What's on Your Heart?- A Lesson from Columbine?

Sent to be by a friend:

Guess our national leaders didn 't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton , Colorado , was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.

They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good &evil in the hearts of men and women.. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was no t the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs, Your words are empty air. You've stripped away our heritage, You've outlawed simple prayer. Now gunshots fill our classrooms, And precious children die. You seek for answers everywhere, And ask the question "Why?" You regulate restrictive laws, Through legislative creed. And yet you fail to understand, That God is what we need!

" Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up , we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history.

Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!

My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

Do what the media did not - - let the nation hear this man's speech.. Please send this out to everyone you can. God Bless

You can also read this on Chuck Campbell Show WPJL 1240-AM Radio Raleigh, NC & RTN-10 TV Host & Producer’s Blog

In His Love and Blessings
annb

Internet Chat Cafe - Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.

After looking at the verse in Galatians, what specific “fruit” (love, joy, peace…) do you find yourself lacking in your daily life? Give an example if you can.

What circumstance in your life shows your weakness with the specific “fruit” you mentioned above.

Probably the “fruit” I lack most in my daily life is self-control! I feel like this characteristic encompasses each of the other “fruits”, as well. I can only speak for myself and know that in order to strengthen my daily walk in the Lord, I must use self-control in the choices I make in all circumstances.

One of the areas of my life in which it is most evident that I lack self-control is in the way I respond to people when I feel threatened, unaccepted or unimportant - by their comments or actions. I often react, with words, quickly – without thinking of the impact my words will have on someone. It’s a problem for me and I am in prayer over it and really working to correct this behavior.

Galatians 5:
16) So I say, live by the Spirit,
and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
17) For the sinful nature desires
what is contrary to the Spirit,
and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other,
so that you do not do what you want.
18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

In the past I experienced abuse – emotional, verbal and physical. During the worst of the abuse, I had a gun held to my head and knew that I could very well die at the hand of my husband. Those years changed me forever! I believe the experiences of the past caused me to harden my heart and build walls that have been difficult to break down!

I still struggle with feelings of unworthinesss, lack of self-esteem and rejection. I know that only God can heal me and I pray for that healing. I know that He is working in me and I have experienced many positive changes over the past year and look forward to even more healing in the future - through prayer, study and I trust that He will completely free me of these strongholds.

I recently wrote a post on my blog about my defensiveness and had a comment left on my blog that, at first, I took as personal criticism and believed it to be sent from one of a very few people that I know in my life (the author was anonymous). As I read the comment over, several times, I also prayed, asking God to help me to be open to what the commenter had said and to see it in a positive light and I then began to see that it didn’t matter who wrote it or what the intent behind the comment was – it was true.

My constant prayer and my desire is to be filled with God’s love and to express myself – full of the “fruit of the Spirit” - so that others can see Christ living in me!

In His Love and Blessings
annb