Come the end of last week, I was weary and discouraged. Piles of school papers, books, bills, toys, laundry were everywhere. Weakly, I shuffled through them trying to find something to encourage, something to soothe me. But in the piles I found more to do, more to burden. Phone calls and emails came in with sad news of death and illness and brokenness.
Oh, Lord, it's all just too much. The weekend was a blur of activity. All fun things on my calendar, but still discouragement and soul-weariness soured me.
Monday comes. And I find again that when I am still, seeking, remembering His gifts, He brings joy. And gentle reminders of His grace.
the continuing
gift list...0092
The encouragement of friends.
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"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
-Romans 8:260094
A missionary's testimony.
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Freedom to worship.
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A talented friend inviting me to come along, learn, attempt to assist as he beautifully photographs a wedding. The opportunity to witness a marriage celebration through a camera lens.
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A generous gift of Redskins tickets. And even with a miserable game outcome... an afternoon of free babysitting, time with my husband, and friends.
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The sun after the rain.
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Being reminded of some of
the reasons we do what we do. (
Heidi says it so well.)
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Homeschooling in the hammock.
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After an
I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gotten so upset... Will wraps his arms around me, "That's ok, Mom, I forgive you. Adults sin just like kids do."
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"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
-2 Corinthians 12:9"If anyone would tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness
and all perfection, he must tell you to
make a rule to yourself to thank and praise God for everything
that happens to you.
It is certain that whatever seeming calamity happens to you,
if you thank and praise God for it,
you turn it into a blessing.
If you could work miracles,
therefore, you could not do more for yourself
than by this thankful spirit.
It heals and turns all that it touches into happiness."
We didn't use corrugated cardboard. I just cut up a cardboard box to place under the paper for the crayon rubbing. I imagine a roll of corrugated cardboard would have produced a more pronounced texture. This project gave me an opportunity to talk more about about color - warm, cool, and complementary. 
E is for Egg(shell)
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My kids went to school today... today, about 130 years ago. A good friend and homeschooler from our church plays the role of Miss Darby at Seneca Schoolhouse in Poolesville, Maryland. So when the local ABC station called to ask if they could do a story, Miss Darby asked us to come for a day at school. Miss Darby didn't break from her role for a moment. The kids loved it and sat for a good 2 hours at desks, listening attentively. Maybe it was her explaining the dunce cap and the switches that kept them so well-behaved. : )
We learned students would bring potatoes to school as hand warmers and then place them on the stove to keep warm for lunch... 
...or to play hot potato.
We were asked to come in period dress. I had nothing for the boys, but Hannah wore my childhood Little Red Riding Hood costume. 
They read aloud from McGuffey's Readers,
stood for a Spelling Bee (Peter spelled 'I'),
sang old songs, did math drills, read scripture, had a nature study, wrote on their slate boards, all wrapped up in a big history lesson. It was a full day of school.
My kids want to go back tomorrow.
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What you'll need...
I wrote the B with glue and gave him a bowl of dried beans.
I had considered D is for Dirt, but lost my nerve.
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For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; 
