Church

More of my ponderings. The last one I talked about was 'every member functioning'.

Today I am pondering this statement that I've said before and heard others say.

"I need to make sure that my church activity does not outweigh my involvement with my friends"

I'm thinking twice about that. And I'm asking myself why is it that in my mind, I even refer to church as being different than my friends. If my friends are believers, and the church is defined as those who are part of the body of Christ then there is no separation right?

If any of my friends are part of another "church fellowship" or local assembly, we're still not separate are we? I ask myself how I think of someone when they decide that they are no longer going to be a faithful member of the local assembly I'm part of. Do I ridicule them and say, 'oh they left our church' or 'yeah you know SO AND SO is not a member anymore'?

Maybe that's okay that they made that decision. Maybe I should send them in peace and pray for them and be glad that God is going to use them in another capacity.

Beyond that, I just have to be careful that I don't have the CHURCH so segregated in my mind.

The Lord says that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. That's in verse 25 of Hebrews Chapter 10. Am I even applying that passage correctly in my mind? What does that mean?

So I go back to verse 24 and read it along with verse 25. It reads:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

What are we doing (my husband and I) with all this pondering?

First, we're looking at our relationships with our friends and family, not as segments but as joint members of the body -- THE church.

I dare not go and do a bunch of great things with a local assembly and forsake fellowship with my dear and true friends. I don't want to be more intimately aware of the prayer needs of the people in my organization than the needs of those who I shared a fridge with growing up, those who I share Turkey with every year, the one I walked home from school with every day for years, the ones who come to my children's birthday parties, the people who stood with me on my wedding day, the ones who I started the Christian journey with but may now happen to be going on a different path (membership wise). I still love them. I want to be in fellowship with THEM. I want fellowship with them (with you - if you're reading this) -- LOL.

There's balance to all that but you get my drift.

I know the Lord will orchestrate how that plays out in our lives. In the meantime, we'll take steps as the Lord leads.

This may sound random, I know. Just more ponderings I have. Thanks for reading.

My mom is now twice my age!

Today is my mommy's birthday. Erma Jean Montgomery. She's 72 years old, and I'm so grateful for her life, her spunk, her charisma, wit, and lovingkindness.

Thank you mom!!!

Cry it out

I won't say that I subscribe to this theory but last night I began practicing something similar. It worked well for the little man, and tonight it did too.

So as long as I'm consistent, it will work well for his night time sleeping.

We shall see!

One thing for sure, since I started this at 8.5 months, it will make for an easier weaning process. With the other babies, I waited until 12/13 months before removing the night feeding (just before bed) and that feeding was normally done while we were both laying down. This time I think I'll still leave that one for last but I'll do it while sitting up. The next step will be to remove the two remaining daytime nursing times.

Again, we'll see how all this goes.

Homeschool Month 4 - Let me remind myself

Note to self: I am not trying to have formal education with our children, the children the Lord has given us to steward. I am not trying to line up what we do, with exactly what's being done in first grade and in PreK, nor am I trying to be sure that they are always far ahead of their natural grade.

My focus right now is on comprehending, reasoning, and communicating. Based on the normal progression of learning. Laying a firm foundation and moving toward discernment, logic, critical thinking, ...moving beyond mere sensory perception. All of these will help our children learn to discern between truth and error - so essetntial to their life in Christ.

Educating them with useful facts instead of merely trying to master all of the modern learning theories.

We want them to learn - Why we do what we do. How the world works and why.

And finally, training their spirits in self-discipline.

It's The Hap Happiest Season of All!

Thanksgiving kicks off the season for us!! Very exciting times!!!

Lord, you are good and your mercy endureth forever!

Wholehearted Mother Conference 2009

I have my sights set on this conference coming in February '09

The Wholehearted Mother Conference.

I have heard many rave reviews about the conference. Take a look at it and see if you'd like to attend as well.

My Husband Rocks & Farewell to Uncie

Disclaimer: I do these "My Husband Rocks" posts because I saw the idea on Katy Lin's site and I thought it was a good idea to do, as it helps me to focus in on the good of my hubby especially when things are tough. Hopefully I'll be able to go back to these and read them during any tough times that come. And they do come....... Don't believe me? Read what I wrote about "Winding down in the fire," or "Do you and your husband argue?" or "Does your husband get on your nerves???!!!" Those articles show that sometimes I think he's a straight-up knuckle head but even then, I have to remind myself of the good and remember that beneath all that flesh, ... My Husband Does Rock!!

My Husband Rocks
This post is is being automatically published while I'm away from home. I again scheduled it in advance since I'd be out of town for the weekend.

Baby boy and I are traveling to Nevada this weekend for my uncle's funeral. My uncle, James "Peter" Wilson, better known as Uncie was one of my mom's 2 brothers and he lived in Las Vegas most of his adult life. He passed away from an apparent heart attack and we're going there for his funeral. My mom, other uncle, and one of my sisters are going there as well, but on different flights. My uncle has a daughter, son, grand daughter, and great grand daughter (just born last month) who live there as well. I look forward to seeing them after many many years!

While I'm here in Vegas, Jeoff is home with the other kiddos doing the daddy thing, which they love so much! He's even taking them to one (maybe two) birthday parties. Woo hoo!

Thank God for Daddies and Thank God for husbands!!!!

Uncie, I look forward to seeing you on the other side. We will cherish all the good memories that are left here in our hearts...........

New Planners and Planner / Memory Book Combo

Sample 1A (above)

Sample 2A (above)

I've created some planners that I'd like to share with you.

Day planners, school planners, family planners, homeschool planners, you name it (literally). Planning and finding new, creative and helpful ways to do planning is a hobby for me so I thought I'd share with others. The planner I made this weekend is very thick and includes almost everything (school, keepsakes, daily tasks & to-do lists, calendars, etc.).

Size: 8" x 8"

Custom cover pages & custom planning pages available

It's easier for me to keep it all in one place, in one book, so I don't have to tag along a lot of things with me when I'm on the go. And also so I won't find myself lost when I leave ONE of those planners or notebooks behind.

I'm adding a few samples at a time of the ones I'm working on but there is much more to come.

These planners are unique in that they will include pages that help you track ideas and layouts for scrapbooking later. If you don't have time to make a book near the date of the event, you can jot down special memories from the occasion (even include photos, ticket stubs, etc.) right in your planner; then put together the scrapbook later.

If you're not sure how to do the scrapbook or don't have the time, I can put that together for you as well.

You can order a planner WITH or WITHOUT memory pages.

Let me know if you're interested in purchasing one for yourself or as a gift.

Wanna suggest another color scheme, or style? Just let me know!

Below are pages that can be included inside your planner.

Event Invitation Log: Make note of events you're invited to, as you receive the evite or invitation in the mail. After it's logged, you don't have to keep up with the email or paper invitation.

Menu Planning: Plan your menus and keep track of the ingredients you'll need from the store.

Cards/Gifts: Keep track of gifts and cards you need to mail and also include the address here. I can't even count how many times I've wanted to mail a letter or card, then I'd write or purchase it, sign it, and carry it around with me for days because I didn't have the person's address on me.

Christmas/Gift Planning (also general gift planning): Keep these in your planner all through the year for far advanced planning. Use them to make note of items you've heard your loved ones say they like.

Daily planning sheets. I like this format because when I purchase a planner with a page for each individual day of the year, I end up leaving some of them blank on days where I wasn't up to planning. Feel free to suggest sections for this page or indicate that you'd like the traditional daily planning sheets.

Chore Planning: These can be provided blank or completed with your individual chore system.

Weekly Planning: Indicate your to-do list at the top, then use the layout below to plan the day you'll get each task done.

Call Log: Keep track of calls you need to make along with notes as needed.

School Planning: These pages can be included in the school planner or the family planner and can be tailored for your needs.

Student Evaluation Forms: Use these to make periodic evaluations of your child's work and progress.

Field Trips: Keep up with potential field trips throughout the year and even include those you aren't able to attend this year but would like to attend in the future.

Future School Year Planning: Jot down notes of things you'd like to implement next school year!

Homeschool Notes: Use this for whatever!!

A Day in the Life: Don't have time to blog, don't have a blog? Use this section to jot down things you'd like to cherish for later. Use the blank section to attach a picture, keepsake, receipt, ticket stub, or even draw a picture.

A Moment to Remember: Use this section to commerate an event you'd like to cherish for later. Use the blank section to attach a picture, keepsake, receipt, ticket stub, or even draw a picture.

Log for doctors visits, Purchase log, Weight Loss Diary Pages, Children's Growth Charts

Would you like to suggest a new page to be added? Send me a comment!

Would you like to place an order? Send me an email (jeoffsrib at gmail dot com) or leave a comment and I'll send you the current price list. The journals and planners currently range from $10 - $19.

President Elect, Barack Obama

Although I don't agree with most of the views of the party, watching the speech and news coverage gave me chills. Especially, when my classmate Roland Martin (CNN Advisor) shared his point of view and shed tears. Jesse Jackson as well. And talking to my children, as they watched the victory speech, about the fact that mommy and daddy did not vote for this President but we will respect him and support him. We also talked to them about the historical impact this is on our country, having elected its first black president.

Having said all that, above being black, and above being a citizen of this nation, I am a Christian. As we've followed these campaigns we've considered all t he issues and I kept coming back to the enduring values that I find in the Word of God.

I pray for all the issues and battles we as Christians will face in the years to come, namely - abortion, same-sex marriage, healthcare, welfare, economy, taxes, national security, etc.

If nothing else, I look forward to seeing how this administration will encourage people to work together in communities and share their opinions on how things should be done.

I also look forward to following a 3rd party on local and national levels, that I've come to know and respect through my husband's research and influence. The Constitution Party

Seven Principles of the Constitution Party are:

1. Life: For all human beings, from conception to natural death;
2. Liberty: Freedom of conscience and actions for the self-governed individual;
3. Family: One husband and one wife with their children as divinely instituted;
4. Property: Each individual's right to own and steward personal property without government burden;
5. Constitution: and Bill of Rights interpreted according to the actual intent of the Founding Fathers;
6. States' Rights: Everything not specifically delegated by the Constitution to the federal government is reserved for the state and local jurisdictions;
7. American Sovereignty: American government committed to the protection of the borders, trade, and common defense of Americans, and not entangled in foreign alliances.

The Church: Every Member Functioning

Every member functioning..... what is that really like? Is that something you see often? What does that mean?

I have a desire to see that in action and to it's fullest.

I realize that may be asking for perfection and I may not ever see it but "why not look for it?", I ask myself.

Homeschool Month 3 -- What are we doing?

This is a quick post that I hope to come back to and share more detail later.

The Five in a Row books we've done in the last month are Madeline and The Rag Coat.

With reading, we ventured off a bit and began using some new books we purchased from the bookstore for the kids' independent reading. Some of them are Well Done, worm from the Brand New Readers series (for The Pupster) and we started some of the books from Top Readers and Magic Tree House series. From Top Readers we got a book on Castles to go along with The Knight at Dawn from book #2 in the Magic Tree House series. We heard the audio of book #1 (Dinosaurs before Dark) but we went ahead and got the printed copy as well, so we can make a collection.

Kitty is also continuing the Kids Phonics Bible and Ready Set Read for her independent reading.

Field Trips: We visited two pumpkin patches and made our first field trip to the Texas State Fair!

Bible: We picked up curriculum set I previously purchased to help us in this area and we're now reading through it. It's the Training Wheels Curriculum. We hope to go through the activies on Creation through the activities on Heaven. I'm sure we'll skip (or go briskly through) some in between since they've learned some of them in more depth than others.

Our character focus for this past month was Responsibility and this coming month the focus is Patience. -- I may need to do that was like, ALL YEAR!!

At some point we want to study some more about blue whales (I made a mental note) because Kitty asked lots and lots of questions about them after we watched Nim's Island a couple of weeks ago.

In co-op, Kitty has just about gotten through all of the state capitols and has progressed in Spanish class from numbers, colors, name, days of the week, letters, through simple expressions.

Art (update coming soon)

One thing we focused on the most this month was memorization. Kitty and Pupster were in an oratorical contest where they recited poems and both received gold ribbon ratings! The Pupster's poem was "The Quality of Mercy" by William Shakespeare and Kitty's was an original poem, "Who is He?" written by yours truly.

Vertigo

I hope this photo doesn't freak anyone out but this is how I've felt for the past couple of days.

And I pray God it goes away soon!

I have an appt at the docs this afternoon.

Thank the Lord, My Husband Rocks!

Disclaimer: I do these "My Husband Rocks" posts because I saw the idea on Katy Lin's site and I thought it was a good idea to do, as it helps me to focus in on the good of my hubby especially when things are tough. Hopefully I'll be able to go back to these and read them during any tough times that come. And they do come....... Don't believe me? Read what I wrote about "Winding down in the fire," or "Do you and your husband argue?" or "Does your husband get on your nerves???!!!" Those articles show that sometimes I think he's a straight-up knuckle head but even then, I have to remind myself of the good and remember that beneath all that flesh, ... My Husband Does Rock!!

Thank the Lord, My Husband Rocks!

I woke up yesterday morning and when I raised my head I felt like the house was caught up in a twister and was spinning around me, while I was trying to hold on for dear life.

Thank the Lord, my husband was able to sacrifice part of his work day and a portion of his study time to take care of me, watch the kids, get their meals, and get outside help to see us through the night!!

I am so very grateful and will be glad when this is all over.....

Getting to know Twitter

What's all the hype about? Well, I'm trying it out and I'll determine if it's worth it or if it's just another thing to do to waste time.

What am I doing with my time?

I just realized I haven't been posting, nearly as much as I used to. Part of the reason is because I realized how much I was NOT getting done when I was on the computer.

At least I'm trying to keep up with the Friday posts for My Husband Rocks and the monthly homeschool updates.

I'll find something else to post about I'm sure. When I get some down time.

Toodles.....

My Husband Rocks Friday

I told my husband about 30 minutes ago that he had just made my day by doing something that is completely within the definition of what it means to be a husband!

I called him to share some things that had been troubling me and some fears that I had been wrestling with. He listened to me explain it all and then He began the strongest, most confident discourse about our confidence in Christ, the peace that we have as Christians (versus those who are without the Lord), and about God's mighty hand of protection on us.

When I tell you I went from having tense muscles, and a tight neck, to a position of relaxation and tranquility........ I am not lying. It was like a spiritual calgon take me away moment, and I wasn't evening lying down. In fact, I was in the car driving, with all the kids in tow.

He was my covering, my priest, the one who washes me with the water of the Word!

So baby, you totally rock for that!!!!!!!!! Balee-dat!!!


More of My Husband Rocks Friday Thanks KatyLin for starting this!

Another Tell All Meme

1. FIRST NAME? Leslie

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, the Leslie on Young in the Restless (my mom, late aunt and late grandmother LOVED that soap opera in the 70s ... and 80s ... and 90s :)

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? About a week ago, letting out some stress ... Thank God for GOD (and my husband!!!)

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I don't like my cursive writing so when I was about 23 I gave it up and wrote everything in print, except my signature

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey, smoked turkey

6. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? yep, 4

7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I would like to think so, I would hope that I would say "that sister needs some good people around her"

8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? yes, a written one as well as this blog

9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? what do you think

10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes

11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? um I don't think so, I lost a lot of my nerve around the year 2000

13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? come to think of it, no

14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? only in the Lord (and I'm not being super spiritual it's true)

15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? vanilla

16. SHOE SIZE? 7 1/2

17. RED OR PINK? RED

18. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I think ALOT (can be good or bad)

19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Mamaw

20. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Dallas/Fort Worth Area, Early 70s

21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? black sweats (from working out), white, pink and grey tennis shoes

22. WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? double cheeseburger (I KNOW)

23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The fan in the background

24 IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? red or orange

25. FAVORITE SMELL? bubble bath, chocolate chip cookies, baby powder on my fat baby

26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED WITH ON THE PHONE? my moms, getting my neph's address to send him a bday card

27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU MEET? do they look at me when I'm talking, what do they talk about, do they listen

28. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? let me think about it

29. FAVORITE DRINK? Mr. Pibb (I know)

30. FAVORITE SPORT? H. S. Football

31. HAIR COLOR? Dark Brown

32. EYE COLOR? Brown

33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no

34. FAVORITE FOOD? Lately it's been baked chicken with onions or Schlotzky's Italiano sandwich

35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy Endings but I also like intensity

36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? What Happens in Vegas

37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? White and gray (a gift from my moms)

38. SUMMER OR WINTER? it depends

39. HUGS OR KISSES? it depends on from whom

40. FAVORITE DESSERT? cheesecake, cookies, Hostess cupcakes, Hershey's with almonds, white sheet cakes

41. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Reimagining Church

42. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't have one

more to come......

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS?

44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME

46. IF YOU COULD PICK ANY TWO PEOPLE TO HAVE DINNER WITH, WHO WOULD
THEY BE?

47.

48.

49.

50.

My Husband Rocks Friday!

My Husband Rocks - just because!!!

I was thinking today, what if I didn't have a reason to share this week, to prove why my husband rocks?

Would I post nothing, and skip this week? Should I?

So I decided to say that he rocks JUST BECAUSE.

There may be some weeks to come where he did not do anything to deserve my praise and I would be challenged with the choice whether or not to honor him anyway.

I'll just say that he rocks because:

I'm committed to loving him regardless.

These are things I've heard before but were reiterated in the movie - Fireproof - which we saw last weekend.

My prayer is that would remain so and that I will always remember that my love for him and his love for me is built on such a solid ROCK.

The love of Jesus Christ!!!

Jeoffrey, you rock today! Because of Christ's love for YOU!!!!

More of My Husband Rocks Friday Thanks KatyLin for starting this!

Homeschool Month 2 -- What are we doing?

Quick updates:

Co-ops started the 2nd/3rd week of September so we are out of the house a few times a week now. Much more than we were last year.

For Five in a Row, we have done Storm in the Night, The Story about Ping, and Lentil. I'm really enjoying all the great lessons that are in the lesson book.

The kids been making good progress in handwriting, memorization, reading and work ethic. The rest of the subjects have been going well too but they are not focused on as much as the others.

The co-op classes Kitty is taking (1st grade) are art, Spanish, Traveling Across America, and P.E.

Gutts or Fluff?

Warning: I don't claim that this is a well-written piece. It's just me putting stuff out there when I had a moment, didn't have a chance to perfect it, soo I just typed until family called............

I've been thinking about that topic this week after reading a post from a former classmate on our alumni site, then after hearing a similar comment from another friend. It was about being fake vs. real, in our friendships and other relationships. Hence, the title:

Fluff, of course, meaning fake

and

Gutts, first meaning the real stuff that's inside and second meaning having what it takes (the gutts) to be that real.

After pondering those thoughts this week, I had a chance to put it into practice. I was having a challenging morning. My emotions were high, it had been a long, busy week, and I wasn't feeling good about myself, my accomplishments, my hair, none of that.

In the midst of all of it, I received two phone calls. During both phone calls I had a choice. I could have done the usual "hello! ... oh hey girl, how's it going?" and after they said I'm good how are you, I could have said "I'm doing well" or "I'm doing fine" in the usual chipper voice.

But I didn't. I spoke in a casual low-tone voice. With one caller I shared exactly how I was feeling and told some of the details. There are times when I would have done that anyway, or I would have done it with certain people and not others. Or I would have just not answered the phone.

Today I just felt like going for the gutt and not the fluff.

With the other friend, I didn't go into details because I had to get the other call on the other line. Other times I would have gotten my "chipper" fluff on and said "hey girl, let me call you back" but I didn't chipper and fluff up I just talked straight in the tone I was feeling.

Later I thought about it and wondered, how do people feel when they hear you in that tone? I've actually heard some people comment that "oooh she was in such a bad mood!" or "oh my she could have sounded more pleasant couldn't she?" or "man, why did she just blow me off?"

Some of those same people - or others - might say, when I spill my gutts about what I'm really going through instead of going for the fluff, may respond in silence or just give me one of those "well we all go through something..... don't be such a whiner.... don't come to me with all your pity, we all have problems" or "she's just trying to make it seem like she has it so bad, she should be thankful, at least she ----blah-blah-blah"

All in all, I can't worry about all that. I can't control how other people take what I say or do. And I also can't allow my worries about how they will take what I say, launch me into this fluffy-bubbly-Barbie/Christie-girl demeanor and not DEAL WITH what I have going on.

I have found that when I go fluff, I conceal my issue and it takes me longer to DEAL WITH it through prayer, or confession, or a good conversation about it with a girfriend, mother, my husband, etc.

But when I "go gutts", I can get it out of the way and find the healing necessary. It can sometimes bring healing and peace to the other person(s) involved as well.

As long as it's balanced with love, grace, and encouragment, we can all benefit from some gutts every once in a while!