Too blessed to be stressed!

Doing what I love! Homeschooling, taking care of my children and coming up with money making/money saving ideas...

Last week we went on our first field trip since being back (Free). We drove up to the state capital and attended Bug Mania. Kids love it! They were all too excited to see Goliath Bird eating spiders and creepy crawlies with 120 legs. Yuck!

Your eyes have not deceived you, he is holding it...

Ok, so it wasn't all disgusting. We did get to see some beautiful butterflies, ladybugs and moths. 

Two days after the field trip we attended our homeschool co-op with over 25 families. After a couple of hours of getting to know each other, we had a delicious pot luck lunch and ran through what a typical co-op day would look like. I think that we are going to have a great time there. 

Here is a sample of some of the talent at the co-op...I totally thought that this was really a basket, but I ate that chocolate, vanilla and red velvet cake like it was nobody's business. : )

I think that we are settling into our routine. Justin my 8 year old has started soccer, a game he fell in love with in Nicaragua. Asia and Kris has auditioned for roles in the upcoming Christmas play at church and the rest of us are just going to sit back and look pretty. (smile)

more to come...

Trouble

On a day like any other, strolling down pleasant lane, I was tapped lightly on the shoulder. Turning to see who it was, I was hit so hard that I barely knew when my body hit the ground. Shock raced through me like a wave, as I rolled down off of my mountain top, down to my valley. I looked up to see my offender, realized it was trouble... Satan himself. He smiled as he watched me, unable to stand. I struggled... cried and couldn't believe that I didn't see the Father beside me. I thought for certain that He had abandoned me there, to die... alone.


My life had been a pretty cozy one ...spiritually. No huge twist or turns, pitfalls or stumbles. Just a pleasant stroll on the mountain top. I had married, gave birth to beautiful children and tried my best to walk the walk.
Though I knew the Word does not come back void and trouble was eventually going to find me... I didn't quite count on it knocking me down so violently.


Trouble came from whence I least expected and I felt completely and utterly abandoned by God. Why did it come this way Lord? Why no warnings? Your word say's that You will never leave or forsake, but I could not see/feel You in my troubles.
Job 3:26
I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
I have no rest, for trouble comes.”


My faith was shaken and I was left confused. How did I study the Word for so many years and yet be unable to be comforted by them in my day of trouble?
Job 4:3
Surely you have instructed many, 
And you have strengthened weak hands. 
our words have upheld him who was stumbling,
And you have strengthened the feeble knees;
But now it comes upon you, and you are weary; It touches you, and you are troubled.

Though I am far from recovered, I have accepted. I know that God had not abandoned me at all, I had just refused to see him in my troubles. 


James 5:10
My brethren, take the prophets, 
who spoke in the name of the Lord, 
as an example of suffering and patience.
Indeed we count them blessed who endure. 
You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 



The children and I are back in Maine... I have missed this place almost as much as I am missing Nicaragua and Costa Rica. I think of the kids at New Hope daily and miss them most of all. 
The first week of Homeschooling went just as expecting with lots of sighs, moans and complaints, but underway never the less. We have a packed schedule of classes, part time jobs and puppies on the way! 


Though I am still weary, I am upright and making my climb out of the valley. I will not stay there long...


More to come...