Times Are Changing...

We. Are. Blessed. I feel that at 37 my life, marriage, family and career are at their prime.  I am so content, so joyful in all that I am and all that we have.  I am finding that my walk with Christ is at a new level; I am delving into scripture on a whole new plane and I love it!  My devotional time is so much more meaningful, my prayer time is not a “time” but throughout my entire day.  My focus on all the positive and negative things in my life are with a Gods-eye view.  How awesome is my God!!

 

I’m still coming to grips that in 4 months my first born will be a High School Graduate.  I can see him walking into his kinder class, so excited to be in “big school”.  It’s been a journey, but Wow! What a journey it’s been.  He is amazing and we are so proud of Ian.

 

Josh and I made a decision over last summer that we would forgo the birth control and let nature (God in my eyes) take its course.  We didn’t really say anything to our family knowing it would not be taken very kindly.  We are fully aware of the worldly view of large families, of how our own family sees us as “sad”.  However, they feel this way based on a materialistic view of how life should be lived.  What they fail to realize is that despite the fact that we don’t own an expensive or large home, no boat, don’t travel frequently or eat out 7 days a week that we are blessed beyond measure.  We are almost completely debt free and both agree that “things” don’t make one happy.  We have a marriage that has strengthened over the last 7 years, the last 2 exponentially.  We agree on our priorities. We have 4 children that are, so far, quite loving, smart and socially well mannered and we work hard to raise them as a team.  Children are our legacy; when Josh and I are gone, our children will be our living example.  So over September and October, there was a nervous fear vs. excitement vs. disappointment but I’m not sure who was what!?  But a month ago, we had the sweet realization that we are being entrusted with another life, our 5th.  To be chosen again for this most important role is nothing short of humbling.  We welcome this new child with excitement and anticipation. 

 

You see, God provides.  He will never forsake any of his faithful followers.  Josh may not be a believer, but I like to think I’m committed to being obedient and faithful enough, witnessing enough, that with blind faith he will come to see the Truth one day.  I’m also realistic enough to know that it is between Josh and God, not me and Josh. I see such a gentle change in him with each baby that comes.  He is a wonderful husband; a supportive, caring, loving and increasingly devoted husband. We work hard on our marriage.  It’s a constant change in the checks and balances, one always pulling more weight than the other at any given time.  But we are a super-fantastic team!!  So for all of those out there that will frown upon our ever-growing family or pity our modest lifestyle…I will pray earnestly for you.  I will pray that the Lord will convict and humble you, that you will come to see and feel Christ’s unending and ever faithful love. Our Heavenly Father loves unconditionally. 

 

In Him,Forever Blessed~

Jenny

 

I'm Amazed

I took a step outside of my comfort zone today.  I’m not a social butterfly by any means, those who know me understand it’s just how I am.  I am a fun-loving girl, but I don’t venture out to make friends. So I stuck to my guns and went to the BSF introduction class today at Cottonwood Creek Baptist.  WOW!! It was beyond anything I could have expected!  First, I felt welcome and comfortable.  None of us “newbies” were made to feel uncomfortable or put on the spot.

It was such an emotional experience for me.  Not only did the lecture speak to me, for the first time ever I felt like I was truly meditating on the word.  I was reading and feeling the Scripture in a way that I have longed for.  I am able to review and relive the word throughout the week, applying it differently each day, with each prayer. It has me craving more, excited to journey into a new mission with Christ leading the way and following me at the same time.

I now just have to wait for the session leader to prayerfully put the new registrants into their groups and then the group leader will call me so it may be a few weeks.  In the meantime, I’ll pray for those considering my place within a group.

Side note…Josh is excited for me J

 

In Him,Forever Blessed~

Jenny

 

To Raise a Scholar

Homeschooling.  It’s a passion of mine. A desire of my heart.  It’s amazing how I have parented in 2 different decades, generations almost, and I find it such a privilege and responsibility to be my children’s primary Education Coach.  Teaching is not about instructing; at least it shouldn’t be.  It should be about fostering growth, knowledge and independence.  It should be about academia and not academics.  Children should be able to learn at a pace that suits them and should be able to expand and explore topics that interest them.  They should NOT be instructed towards standardized testing, be held back in their venture to learn as to “keep pace” with the class (which is geared towards the lower half of “normal”)

Abby’s 1^st grade teacher resigned before the holiday break. I had no idea what to expect, as her previous teacher had not made any effort to assist me with Abby.  Abigail is my 2^nd born, 1^st daughter and there is 11 yrs between she and her brother Ian.  She exhibits 1^st born tendencies and loves to learn.  She is at least 1 semester ahead of her class, already in the midst of second grade work.  I do a lot at home with her as she is quite bored with school and needs/loves to be challenged.

Enter Miss A J  Might I say, that never in a million years did I expect to receive the feedback that I did from her!!  I emailed her requesting her assistance with keeping Abby challenged and she responded with enthusiasm, a view of learning that paralleled ours, a passion for academia that is so refreshing along with a personal history in Gifted and Talented programs.  Score 1 for Abigail!!  She is currently “traveling” through Rome studying Roman Numerals and Latin, all wrapped up in History and Geography lessons. She had fun working on Tangrams this weekend, designing her own.  Mind you, she pulls out her worksheets all on her own free will and completes them no matter how long it takes her, because….she is ENJOYING it! She is being challenged.

Then why homeschool? You may ask.  Well, if I could guarantee that Miss A would be Abby’s teacher from now until graduation I might be okay with it.  But sadly, our public school system does not allow for teacher request. So next year we may end up with a mediocre teacher who has lost his/her passion for education and only want to teach to the test.  And this, my dear friends, is how the system fails our children.  It does not allow for a teacher to change pace for students, especially individually.  For they are held accountable to the No Child Left Behind  mentality.  Their own jobs depend on it.  I know too many teachers who are frustrated by it and those who have retired because of it.  I don’t blame them or their passion, I blame the system. And with our society hell bent on having everything materialistic (biggest and best) both parents are working to stay in debt so the child(ren) are left without parental involvement for 8-12 hrs a day. Think of prison, general population, and you get the picture. 

 

Behind God…Family, Family and then Family.  Please continue to pray, for I still do not have my husband’s blessing to move forward with homeschooling.  Well, he said I can if I can get Ashlynn speaking by her 2^nd birthday!! Stubborn little girl has until 3/29!

In Him,Forever Blessed~

Jenny

 

I Find You When I Fall Apart

I started working on the 22 day prayer study that my church is doing.  As I study Psalm 119, I found myself thinking of Josh.  See, he hasn’t been able to golf or give lessons since his accident due to the back injury.  I started wondering, is this God taking his idol away?  Is my Lord working on humbling him the same way he did Job?  Is He working on turning Josh’s heart towards him, to rely on him?  I won’t know.  But I will continue to pray, to uplift my husband, to heal is body.  For God is good and His love abounds.  

 

In Him,Forever Blessed~

Jenny