Praying

I sit with my eyes closed and call out, "Help me Lord Jesus. I can't do this alone. I can't do this without you. You have called me to do this. You promised to be with me and not leave me alone. Thank you for your promise."

Homeschooling is the hardest task that the Lord has ever given me. Yes, raising children is hard. Yes, being a godly wife and mother is hard. Being teacher, principal, counselor, and administrator feels nearly impossible. Well, it is impossible without God. I pray without ceasing. My children are succeeding. They are doing well and working ahead. The big picture looks great. It's the details that get a bit blurry. These details keep me awake as I lay in bed at night and try to fall asleep. Could I have been more gentle in my response? Was it really important to make her rewrite neater? Did I show the love of Jesus to my children, or was I ill-tempered and impatient? Yes, academics are very important. I tell my children that their first priority is to be a good student. However, I want my children to love the Lord. To know that He loves them no matter what. Am I showing them that I love them no matter what? I know that I do, but am I showing them? Do they see it in my eyes? Do they see anger and frustration? Oh, Lord help me. I can't do ANYTHING without you. Please help me to be a loving and patient teacher. Please give me peace about the details, and help me to remember that You are here. Always.

I continue to pray for victory in our homeschool.

Goodwill

This afternoon, the kids and I headed out to Hobby Lobby to peruse the 80% off Christmas sale. I LOVE getting perfectly good items for a mere fraction of the retail price. Now, all I have to do is store the items until next Christmas. I don't mind at all. It will be so nice to use my new wreaths and garland in our new house next Christmas. :)

After Hobby Lobby, we headed over to the Goodwill store. In the back of the store is a huge book section. I was amazed at all of the books! We spent an hour looking through the children's books. I think we picked out about 25 books. They are priced 75 cents for paperback and $1.25 for hardback books. It is truly amazing what you can find! I didn't even get a chance to look at the "grown up" books. I'll have to make some time for that later. The girls are so excited to delve into the new books tomorrow. They were already planning what books to read and in what order.

To end our money saving night out, we ate dinner at Chik-fil-A. Tuesday nights are family nights, and the kids eat free. Yay! Dinner...check. Kids in bed...check. A victorious day...check! Thank you, sweet Heavenly Father.

Victory

After reading this post on AliEdwards.com, I have decided to choose a word for this year. This one little word is meant to remind me to reflect on my purpose - the things I want to change, accomplish, and remember. My one little word encompasses so many thoughts and feelings. It has been so hard to choose, but my word VICTORY. This year, I want to claim victory over strongholds in my life, victory in my endeavors as a godly wife and mother, victory in my salvation, victory in Jesus. Victory.

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19