This Too Shall Pass

Two and a half weeks ago, our life was disrupted.  During the night, intruders entered our home through an upstairs window, stole all of our laptop computers (including two client computers), Blueray player, my debit cards and my car keys, loaded all of our stuff up in our van and stole it also.  While they were in the house, they opened the door to my mother-in-law's room.  Her dog started growling and barking, but she didn't realize it was a stranger.....she was half asleep and thought it was our son. 

When I woke up at 4:45am that morning, I saw my emptied purse in the hallway and the front door standing wide open.  I yelled for my husband that someone had been in our home and we called the police.   I still get the creeps thinking about a stranger standing just outside our bedroom door while we slept blissfully on the other side.  (It actually may have been the grace of God that allowed us to sleep through this.  Imagine the shock of waking to SEE someone in your home!)  Later as we were cleaning up, we discovered that the thieves left a loaded bb gun behind.  It looked like a real gun.  It is a good thing for them that they didn't get shot by someone who thought it was real.

Why did this happen?  I don't know.  But I do know that while alot of our things were taken, our lives were still protected by God.  I am reminded of the Scripture "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)   While I don't believe that God wanted this to happen, I do believe that He can and will use ANYTHING that happens to us for our good.  Not sure what good will come out of this, but I believe that it will. 

One of the things that God is teaching me through this experience is about forgiveness.  God doesn't say forgive those who are sorry, or repentant, or are worthy of forgiveness.  No, we are to forgive BECAUSE GOD HIMSELF has forgiven us.  Forgiveness is more for our benefit than that of those whom we must forgive.  Not that it's easy.  I have to continue to ask God to help me to be obedient to Him and to help me to forgive.   But I have made the choice to forgive.  

Does that mean that if the people are caught that I will not press charges?  Not at all.  I believe that is a natural consequence of the actions they chose to take.  Sometimes its through experiencing the consequences of our actions that we get to the place where we realize we need Jesus.

Am I still struggling with frustration, anxiety and irritation over this situation.  Absolutely.  Am I committed to forgive and move on with my life.  ABSOLUTELY!!!!

Our friends, family and clients have been wonderful, helpful and so supportive of us. God has truly blessed us!

First Week of School

We survived and thrived during our first week of our Senior Year of homeschooling!  We rearranged our schoolroom and here is the final result.

 It's amazing how just rearranging furniture and getting rid of clutter can give you energy and enthusiasm for your regular, everyday activities!



Our special challenge was organizing our schoolroom in such a way as to accommodate school, my job, and a teen hangout area, all in the same area. 

 It's still a work in progress.  Lots more clutter to get rid of, but it's progress.  I'll post more pictures as we get each area set up.

For now, I'm showing you just the school and work areas.

 This is my teacher's homeschool desk, and our homeschool book shelf.  The drawers are filled with school supplies.

I am a book-a-holic AND a school/office supply addict.  I love to think of ways to organize myself......but not so good in the implementation.

Can't tell you how many books I have read on organizing.  If only I could implement the ideas by osmosis.

These are the curriculum choices we have made for this year.
Chemistry w/lab - Apologia
Geometry - Teaching Textbooks
English - Abeka
American History (part 2) - Notgrass
Government - Notgrass
Consumer Finance/Economics - Whatever
      Happened to Penny Candy and
      Dave Ramsey's Foundations in Personal
              Finance (2nd Semester)
Creative Writing - One Year Adventure Novel


The week was not perfect.  In fact, it was pretty messy.  But our goal for the week was to get started in all of our subjects and to see how long each class would take us per day in order to set up a regular work schedule.  Joey and I both do better with a regular schedule




This is what we came up with for our schedule.  Subject to change.  :)

We tend to stay on task better if we have at least a rough plan.

 
This next week will be our first week of co-op for the year.   We are participating in Government and Consumer Finance/Economics through our co-op group.  I am teaching one 6 week session of Consumer Finance/Economics and one 6 week session of Government.  Pray for me.  Seriously.  And for the kids.  Also seriously.



 Although homeschooling for highschool can seem like a daunting task, it is really no different than any other thing that God calls us to do.  We have to recognize that we can't do it alone.....that we need HIS help.  And we have to believe that he will help us.

Another Scripture that I am relying on is Proverbs 16:3

                  Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
                          and He will establish your plans.


Till next time..........................................