Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Learning the Tune

This was in the devotion I read the other day and I knew I needed to share. I read this the day before I turned 40. I must confess that I am struggling a bit w/ the cold hard fact that I have actually turned this corner in my life. How can it be??? I still feel like that girl chanting a cheer for her boy, like that girl who would have danced all night at the Brook. But reality quickly sets in when 20 minutes doing my new Zumba Wii Fitness leaves me w/ a sore back, stiff knees and weak ankles. Not to mention the laughter that goes on in the background. Come on , I still have the moves, don't I ???? So, anyhoo, I was having a rough morning thinking about all of the things I was suppose to accomplish by now and the fact that my life very well could be half over. I know ,I know, those of you who are older than I  are sighing the words ,"Oh brother." I opened up Streams of the Desert (because this pity party led me right to the dessert...oops I said dessert. If that is true it is between me and the Lord. LOL) just to see what it would have to say on that very day.


"There is no music in a rest,but there is the making of music in it." In our whole life-melody the music is broken off here and there by "rests," and we foolishly think we have come to the end of the tune. God sends a time of forced leisure, sickness,disappointed plans,frustrated efforts, and makes a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives; and we lament that our voices must be silent, and our part missing in the music which ever goes up  to the ear of the Creator. How does the musician  read the "rest"? See him beat the time with unvarying count, and catch up  the next note true and steady as if no breaking place had come between.


Not without design does God write the music of our lives. Be it ours to learn the tune, and not be dismayed at the "rests." They are not to be slurred over,not to be omitted,not to destroy the melody,not to change the keynote. If we look up , God Himself will beat the time for us. With the eye on Him, we shall strike the next note full and clear. If we sadly say to ourselves, " There is no music in a 'rest,' let us not forget " there is the making of music in it." The making of music is often a slow and painful process in this life. How patiently  God works to teach us. How long He waits for us to learn the lesson!
~ Ruskin


In this sitting with this book in my hand, not only was I feeling like God just gave me a great gift  but a good kick in the rear end as well. I was filled w/ gratefulness as I pondered the music that God had already made out of my life and began to praise Him for His grace and patience. Sometimes it may take me a long time to learn the lessons but He never fails to lovingly work to teach me. I am so thankful that He is making music during the rests!!!!


Guy David said to me the other day, " So what DID you accomplish in your first 20 years??" Not much ,that is for sure. As I began to think on that, I became pretty excited about those dreaded numbers 40. I can only imagine what kind of music the Lord will compose now as I am more teachable and mature.( Yes, I know some of you question that.) HERE'S to 40!!!!! CHEERS!!!!! And HERE'S TO MAKING MUSIC!!!! Whether it is the  "duh" sound of the recorder,the steady beat of a drum or the peaceful sound of the harp,( or if you are humming in your clarinet **giggle**) I know my notes will be full and clear if He is my conductor.          

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Snow Day List

1.Do Math and English w/ the kiddos and then send them out to play
2.Call my computer guy. This is a pic from last year. My comp. is so full that I cannot do a thing on it. All of my pics are on my external hard drive. It is a mystery what is taking up so much space.
3. Snuggle in my bed w/ my Bible Study and a cup of coffee :0)
4. Go out and play for awhile w/ my camera of course.If I feel brave , I will put them in the car and drive around and take some pics.
5. Come back in and get back into my bed w/ my portable DVD and watch a good movie or if I am responsible , I will be watching Excellence in Writing. Hmmmmmm????
6. Call hubby and beg him to bring home pizza
7. Do History and Science all snuggled up in bed
8.Kick them outside again. :0)
9. In bed of course, I will write a letter to Ezra and get some pics ready to send . I am missing him SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!!!!
10. Work on my Africa blog and thank you notes
I am so excited about this day!!! Wooo HOOOOO!!!!!!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Ten for Tuesday

1. I have been looking over some of my pictures from this last year and realizing how I have missed out on some great blogging material. I need to get back to blogging. It makes me happy!! There is something about seeing it here w/ pictures that is such a huge reminder of how awesome my life is!!! :0) So, I decided to jump back in w/ some random thoughts.

2.Last night we returned home from an overnighter and a day spent at Valley Forge w/ great friends. It was a  crazy but fun and wonderful trip. The crazy parts were just great reminders of our many blessings and thoughts of all of those men who sacrificed so much for our freedom. It has left me w/ deep thoughts of what lesson plans are the most important as I teach my children.

3. Due to some belly aches last night and this morning, we had an 1/2 day of school. This afternoon, I will enjoy an afternoon of a little blogging and then I am going to lock myself in the school room w/ my prayer journal and lesson plans. I am remembering those first years of homeschooling and am longing to reclaim  and rededicate my life as a homeschooling Mama. It is so easy to get so wrapped up in your curriculum and checking off your days that you forget the most important lessons.

4. We have snow on the way and I am so excited and hoping that we are in the pocket that gets 12 inches. :0) LOL I know some of you will want to hit me over the head. I LOVE to be snowed in. I am hoping my hubby gets snowed in as well. I miss the days when he plowed snow.Some days, I would ride along w/ him ,snuggling right up close next to him in the front seat of the truck. On days when I would stay home, I remember staying in my bed w/ a good book until he would return and then we would go out and sled. I thought he and his brother were nuts when they would get the runner sleds out and sled down the road.

5. On Thursday , I start back up w/ my First Place group.  I am looking forward to it and feel ready. I write this cringing in my mind as I remember my forty and sporty posts. Such humiliation I feel. Why did I ever share that w/ all of you????? When I think of that ,big ,red letters that spell out FAILURE flash in my head. Why is it that I can be sooooooooooo gung ho about something for awhile and just let it go?????? I feel very strongly that the First Place program is what  God is going to use to change my life but I have to be willing and actually DO the program. I must be honest and say that I am in a frumpy rut but I am feeling more determined every day to dig myself out and ( though, I know I will always be a work in progress) and let God finish this construction job of rebuilding His temple. I will be 40 in a few weeks and unfortunately project 40 & Sporty will not be complete. I will give myself grace and move forward.

6. I wish that all I had to do everyday was listen to praise music,read my bible and journal and play and have fun w/ my family and  my camera.

7. Speaking of praise music.......... On Sunday , God blessed me in such a special way. I have a song that I call "My Song." It is a very long story. I will keep it short and say that about 5 years ago , I went to a retreat that the Lord used in a mighty way in my life. At one point ,He used a prayer and a song to help me see that all of the things ;good and bad that have happened in my life did not happen out of His hand. He allowed them for a reason that he intended for good and through it all , He was there and carrying me through holding me in His arms. So ,anyhoo, on Sunday , 2 very sweet girls sang this song at a church service I went to and I felt the Lord reminding me of that all over again. It is one of those moments that I cannot explain other than saying ," It was just for me." :0) Isn't that awesome that the God of the Universe loves His children that much that He cares to just bless us w/ simple , personal things. I am so grateful that I serve a loving ,relational God!!!!

8. I am amazed when I think over this last year and all that the Lord has done for me!!!!! I went to AFRICA!!!!! The people I met there are forever in my heart and I am changed!!!! I am saddened that I have let some things that are so small compared to what the Lord has done through this trip ,steal my joy and focus. Shame on me!!!

9. I am so grateful for all of the opportunities I have had to learn and grow in my photography.I am blown away at all that the Lord has done. He truly does want to give us the desires of our hearts.

10. I am so encouraged about something that I have been praying about for years and cannot wait to see what the Lord is going to do. That is all I can say for now. Pray a little prayer for me!!! :0)

And because I cannot stand to post w/ out a picture..............................
This was a fun day ! They were my models and let me have fun w/ my camera.
Ok, one more! I don't know what it is about this but I love it!!!