Day #1: Being Thankful

On Father's Day, I spend about an hour talking to my dad.  You see, I'm a bad child.  I don't call my dad. I don't just pick up the phone and just talk.  It's the same with my Mom. She has to call me most of the time. I'm always busy. Always doing something.  That something I wish was communicating with my family, especially those that are so dear to me.  My dad has his own Truck Driving Business so he's always on the road.  My Mom works for a food chain and is also, always working.

As my Dad and I were talking he told me that we are alike in so many ways.  I strive to do my best. He strives to do his best too.  He pushes forward. I push forward.  Then he said something that made my little brain light up, he said, "Be Thankful."  Be Thankful he said that you have a roof above you.  Be Thankful that you can work.  Be Thankful for the road that was made just for you so you can go to work everyday.

Be Thankful resonated in my mind days after we spoke.  Yes, that's it!!!  Be Thankful.

Thinking this way helps me cope with whatever tomorrow may bring. If I clearly just keep looking at all the bad, I will never see the light.  We can transform our thinking into Positive thoughts that will soothe the Soul.
And that my friend is what we need.  We need to listen to the voice of God where he tells us that not even Solomon in all his glory was beautifully dressed as the lilies of the field.  How much more important are you? Very important I must say, so in essence, Be Thankful!!!

Even if you don't have the perfect vacation for your kids during the summer and if all you do is go to the park and watch movies and eat Popcorn, Be Thankful!!!

And if all you have to eat is Rice and Beans, Be Thankful!!!  My kids prefer Ramon Noodles. (and those aren't gluten free, so we all have our struggles)

What are you thankful for?

I'm Thankful for Water on the my run Today. 

And for the Trail

Until Next Time, 
Eat Organic!!
Eat Gluten-Free,
Jennifer

Do not be Anxious

Yesterday evening we celebrated the graduation of our nephew Michael. 

Time does have a way of making you feel old and hopeless.  

Hopeless I say because when your 35 and sitting in a crowd, listening to a 17/18 year old Valedictorian with a GPA of 5.61 tell their class to go out and live, to make the map of their lives and not to follow anyone else,well it can make you feel as if you're not living to the fullest extent.  If you're ever feeling down and depressed, just sneak into a High School graduation and you will have your Spirit renewed.  If by any chance you don't, you can still walk away with the fact that you tried.  

Seriously?

I came home thinking about my life.  What have I accomplished?  What am I going to let my children accomplish with my help?  

You see, as a homeschool family you don't have teacher's or a principal telling you what to do. In the State of Texas, you can basically teach your child anything.  As long as you teach Good citizenship, math, reading, spelling and grammar then you're pretty much covered. 

The Skies the Limit when it comes to homeschool. 

Or maybe not.   

In a way I felt defeated. In a way I felt like I needed to do something more next year. Another language program?  More lessons on History?  What about adding in Latin this year?  I know we tried that and the kids wanted Spanish, but I want my kids to be Super Smart!!!!! I bark at D.J. telling him that he has 2 years to be at the top ten percent.  All I get is a "Mom, that's impossible!"

Then, I take a deep breathe and David comes to the rescue.  Oh, God, How I need the voice of wisdom in my life.  

He always finds a way to make me come back off my cloud of hopelessness into the cloud of hope and love.  Every time I'm feeling down, he lifts me up and places me on this cloud that I always long for.  

You see, we all have insecurities.  We all want the best for our children. We want them to succeed, to live a life of happiness and most importantly, come to a faith in Christ that will guide them all the days of their lives. 

What we don't see is that just by us being there in their lives is sufficient.  When I walk in the door after a long day at work, the kids are just happy to know that I am home.  Even if I'm just sitting on the couch reading a book, they know they are safe. I don't have to be teaching them a lesson every chance I get. Which by the way, I love to teach so it's so hard for me to just sit and read.  I spend my alone time with Yoga or Running. 

If it were up to me we would be having school 24/7. You get the picture?  Then, my mind wanders back to scripture where God tells me not to be anxious about anything, but in everything through thanksgiving and praise present our requests to Him and  He will guide our hearts and our minds.  

He.  

No where in that verse does it say Me.  

He alone can calm all our anxious thoughts.

He alone can bring us into his presence where we experience Peace.  

So, as I venture next year into another year of homeschooling, I can always be reminded that He alone is working in my children's lives. One day they will graduate and have a speech of their own that will make this Mama feel loved and appreciated, not hopeless.  

Congratulations Class of 2013!!!

Until Next Time, 

Eat Organic!

Eat Gluten-Free!

Jennifer