Death and Life

So, just a few minutes ago, Jessie comes into my room crying (not an unusual occurrence), but she did seem a little more upset than normal.  “Aubrie said that she knows something that’s not special about me.”  Now, I’m not sure if that was supposed to be, “Aubrie thinks I’m not special,” or if Aubrie knows one secret, tucked-away thing about Jessie that’s not special which really wouldn’t be so terrible.  I’m guessing the first idea is what was implied.

After reassuring Jessie that she is indeed amazingly special in every way – insert lots o’ hugs – I called Aubrie into my chambers. 

Sometimes being a mom feels a little like being the grim reaper.  “Come into my parlor said the spider to the fly.” 

So, I explain to Aubrie that her words hurt Jessie.

Aubrie: Words don’t hurt.  They can’t hurt.

Mom: Oh, yes they do.

Aubrie: No they don’t.

Mom:  Aubrie… (one of us is supposed to be the adult in this scenario)

So, the rest of the story is that we both say THE VERSE: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”  Prov: 18:21  The truth is that the adult in this story needs the reminder as much as the little turkey does.

Home Discipleship

Most folks who know me know that I LOVE homeschooling and wish everyone would try it.  However, I really think that home discipleship is a far more important issue.  I can homeschool my sweet ones all day, make sure their academics are rigorous, plan numerous field trips, and schedule extensive science and history projects.  I can make sure that they learn several foreign languages, play piano, and participate in sports, dance etc. and completely miss the boat. 

I can still have unruly, undisciplined children.

“The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.” Proverbs 29:15

“He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.”  Proverbs 13:24

“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.”  Proverbs 22:15"

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”  Ephesians 6:4

I can still fail to teach the girls to love the Lord and His ways.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-9

I can still unwisely plan our calendar.

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”  Proverbs 13:20

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”              I Corinthians 15:33

I can miss true knowledge and wisdom and just fill their heads with “stuff.” 

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.”  Psalm 111:10

“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”      I Corinthians 1:21

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”  Colossians 2:8

While I obviously think that schooling choices are important, it would seem that much more important is what we do with the time we have with our children.  What are we intentionally or unintentionally pouring into their lives?  I wish I could say that we started out with an understanding of home discipleship vs. homeschooling, but we didn’t, and I’m sure there is so much more that we still don’t “get.”  I was pouring myself into the girls’ academics with little thought given to anything else.

For us, the motivation to homeschool has become a mission of multi-generational faithfulness, that our children and their children will walk with the Lord and not turn away from Him.  God gives us His plan for this again in Deuteronomy 6. 

"Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the LORD your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it, so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.”  Deuteronomy 6:1-2

Fun in Vicksburg

While driving past the Civil War Military Park in Vicksburg two weeks ago (actually three weeks ago now since I forgot to post this), I commented to Todd how sad it was that no one had ever taken me to see it.  He was surprised to realize that I had never been (We both love history.) and made a plan for us to drive through it that day.  We didn’t have much time, but your entry pass is good for seven days.  So, we did the zip-through tour, and the girls and I made a plan to come back the next week when we could soak it all in. 

Can I just say that I NEVER thought I would run into anyone who wanted to see it all at a museum, park, what-have-you more than me, but our girls gave me a run for my money.  I was like, “Let’s just stop at the major tour stops.”  Seriously, we could have been there all day.  Or several days. 

After our tour, we cooled off (Again, I will whine about the heat.) at the Vicksburg art park.  So much fun, and I did not mind getting splashed occasionally.  Not one bit. 

Backyard Summer Fun

When we can stand the heat, we have really enjoyed our backyard so far this summer.  The garden is growing, and we’re figuring out what to plant next spring and what not to plant.  Also finding out that the planting dates really do matter as you can tell by our sad cabbage that just didn’t make a head because of the heat.   We’ve got LOTS of tomatoes, cucumbers have been pretty good, and the squash and zucchini have been fair.  They started out pretty well, and then got some kind of disease.  So, some fruit makes, and some falls off the plant after it shrivels up and dies.

The most fun garden news is that we FINALLY have a watermelon that just might be large enough to eat on the 4th.  We thought we were going to have all vine and no fruit, but those suckers grow fast once they appear.

The girls got swings from Nan and Pops and cannot wait to go outside in the morning to get on them.  We have the typical arguments about sharing swings and whose swing is the most fun.  I think the basic, standard, plain ol’ swing gets the most use! 

 

The weathermen say that we may get a reprieve from the heat this week, and I say, “Bring it on!”  We survived a record heat summer in TX last year, and I was so looking forward to the milder (about 5-10 degrees milder) summer temps in MS.  I’ll gladly take some extra humidity for the cooler temps.

Birthday Video (for Papaw and the Aunties)

I sadly didn’t get too many good pictures at Jessie’s and Aubrie’s birthday party, but we did get some good video of the cake moment.

Since May is a toss-up for heat and humidity (It can either be really pleasant or really miserable.), we asked everyone to don swimsuits and turned on the sprinkler – it was a LOT on the miserable side. The kiddos also painted ladybugs on their ladybug houses, and a good friend, Miss Karen, painted ladybugs (and a few butterflies and flip flops) on their faces. We have some wonderful friends who endured heat and pesky flies in order to wish Jessie and Aubrie a happy birthday. Thank you!

Happy Anniversary!

Thirteen years ago Todd and I began the wild ride called marriage.  It is amazing to look back at who we were then and who we are now and marvel at how God makes the two one.  In a day of gender blending, confusion and role reversals, I am so thankful for a husband who looks to God’s word for his role as husband and father and who understands that our roles are different but neither less worthy or important than the other.

I started out in marriage thinking that I would do my “job” as long as he was doing his.  Man, does that lead to a big mess.  Since then, I’ve been so blessed to read several books that have pointed me back to the Word for how a wife and mother is to conduct herself.  The life-changer is understanding that I fulfill my role regardless.  When I go back to my conditional behavior (if he does x, then I’ll do y), things can get ugly quickly.

I posted on FB this morning that I’m thankful for the mystery of marriage for it truly is a mystery to me that if we follow God’s plan for surrender and death to self, that the blessings can be so utterly amazing and lead us to places that we never could have imagined. 

A friend said something last summer that really resonated with me.  “I want to understand God’s role for me and then quit fighting against it. I want to find contentment in it and rest there.”

One Month Old

Our garden was planted a month ago today, and we are amazed at how things have taken off.  We harvested the rest of our radishes last night and need to figure out something else to go in that square!

 

We also took some pictures of the girls last week – they had as much fun as I did picking out fun places to “shoot.” 

 

Jessie Claire

Aubrie Ann

Patience Emory (aka, Emma)

Getting into our life here in Clinton is taking some time, but slowly the Lord is showing us where He wants us.  So wish I could occasionally fast forward!  One thing we are SO looking forward to is the Homeschool Conference this month in Starkville.  We just finished (well, Todd has finished, and I am in-progress) reading Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham, and he is one of the main speakers.  Can not wait!