Lately, my readings have led me to God's sovereignty. I decided to look up the definition of sovereignty.
Sovereignty: status, dominion, power, authority; roalty; supreme and independent authority
Do I truly trust in the Sovereignty of God in my life? Do I truly trust that God has my life under His complete authority? There have been times in my llife when I would have said no.
Most certainly, during the times of Ella Beth's sickness I totally and completely lacked confidence in God's sovereignty. I doubted at times whether or not God was truly in control, and to be completely honest there were times when I even questioned God's existence. I dared Him to prove Himself; prove His love for me. If He truly loved me then I dared Him to heal Ella Beth.
Wow. Looking back now, I am just thankful that God didn't put me in my place! But, I have learned that God can handle my honesty. He can handle my questions. He can handle my fears.
More and more as I spend time in God's Word, my heart is being filled with His Truth. I am learning to replace my false beliefs with the Truth that God has given to all of us. But this does not just happen automatically. One thing I have learned over and over (and over!) again is that God wants all of us to search for Him; to find Him. It's in our searching that we find what we need and want most. Of course, we must be sure that we are looking in the right place - and that place is always, always in TRUTH. Our hope for life, our hope for love...it all lies within TRUTH.
Romans 8:31 "What, then, shall we say in response to these things [sufferings]? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
2 Corinthians 4:18 "So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Psalm 46:1-2 "God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."
Isaiah 12:2 "Surely God is my Salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my Salvation."
TRUTH: God is for us. God loves us. God is our strength. God is our only Salvation.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day
Not huge on Valentine's Day in our house. I don't know why exactly; maybe it's just because it seems silly to have a "special love day" when every day should be special and filled with love?
We did have some friends over to decorate cupcakes. We have been blessed to have wonderful neighbors (some of who are actually family), and we all have kiddos right around the same ages. There are lots of fun times had by all...and boy does it get noisy!
Today, it was time to decorate cupcakes. :)
Everyone had their own special place with a cake pan to sprinkle and decorate in. It helped cut down on clean up by a LOT!
Lots of sprinkles!!!
Brody trying to decide what color sprinkles to add next. It's a tough decision. ;)
Rae didn't get too much decorating done on her cupcake because she was too busy eating. Smart girl!
We also had chocolate chip cookies to decorate. Ella Beth took one bite, and then said, "My loose tooth hurts." (More on that story later...)
Landon enjoyed himself immensely. I couldn't believe how clean he stayed while decorating. I could do an entire post on this boy eating because 99.9% of the time he is the messiest eater on the planet!
All of the beautiful creations finished.
We had lots of fun Valentine's fun. Really, any excuse to have friends over and eat cupcakes makes a great day! Happy Day to You!
We did have some friends over to decorate cupcakes. We have been blessed to have wonderful neighbors (some of who are actually family), and we all have kiddos right around the same ages. There are lots of fun times had by all...and boy does it get noisy!
Today, it was time to decorate cupcakes. :)
Everyone had their own special place with a cake pan to sprinkle and decorate in. It helped cut down on clean up by a LOT!
Brody trying to decide what color sprinkles to add next. It's a tough decision. ;)
Rae didn't get too much decorating done on her cupcake because she was too busy eating. Smart girl!
We also had chocolate chip cookies to decorate. Ella Beth took one bite, and then said, "My loose tooth hurts." (More on that story later...)
Landon enjoyed himself immensely. I couldn't believe how clean he stayed while decorating. I could do an entire post on this boy eating because 99.9% of the time he is the messiest eater on the planet!
All of the beautiful creations finished.
We had lots of fun Valentine's fun. Really, any excuse to have friends over and eat cupcakes makes a great day! Happy Day to You!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Sick days
This week has been a long week. I caught the flu, and I lovingly shared it with most of the family. So kind of me, I know. Scott has been out of town most of the week, so he was the lucky one. The rest of us have spent more time in our PJs than not, and we have only stepped foot outside of our house once. Well, unless going to the mailbox counts because I did that once, too. ;)
One really nice thing about homeschooling is definitely the schedule. Sick days?! Nah. We just spend our time learning other important lessons like compassion, patience, quietness, kindness, mixed in with lots of snuggle time. Those are the best lessons anyway; they will get just about anyone far in life.
Despite laying around a LOT, we were able to mix some fun into our sick time by making a Valentine's craft. I have never been much of a Valentine's person, but Valentine's crafts are fun - and there are lots of ideas out there!
I think Landon was excited about getting started! This picture cracks me up. :)
The kiddos wrapped small pieces of tissue paper around their fingers to make "flowers."
Time to glue them on.
And the end result is a very pretty handmade Valentine.
One really nice thing about homeschooling is definitely the schedule. Sick days?! Nah. We just spend our time learning other important lessons like compassion, patience, quietness, kindness, mixed in with lots of snuggle time. Those are the best lessons anyway; they will get just about anyone far in life.
Despite laying around a LOT, we were able to mix some fun into our sick time by making a Valentine's craft. I have never been much of a Valentine's person, but Valentine's crafts are fun - and there are lots of ideas out there!
I think Landon was excited about getting started! This picture cracks me up. :)
And, as always, Ella Beth posing for the camera. What am I going to do with this girl?!!
Landon lasted about two minutes, and then he was done. Ella Beth and I, on the other hand, were very busy.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Play Time
We have been enjoying the spurts of nicer weather lately. It's been a challenge to be cooped up inside for so many days on end with children who absolutely LOVE to be outdoors. So, when it warms up to around 50 degrees we are outside for as long as possible!
Landon got a bike for Christmas, and he is finally able to learn how to ride it. It only goes so far inside our house. ;) The bike came with a horn, and you can see that he squeaks it with one hand while he's driving with the other.
Landon got a tool set for Christmas from Scott and me. While we were outside he found one of Scott's real wrenches and got right to work on his bike.
Ella Beth loves being outside as much as any little boy I've ever seen. Lately, she has been very into accessories. She likes to sport a handkerchief often these days - even when red clashes with pink!
Hoping for more nice days to come soon so that we can all get out and let out our pent up energy!
Landon got a bike for Christmas, and he is finally able to learn how to ride it. It only goes so far inside our house. ;) The bike came with a horn, and you can see that he squeaks it with one hand while he's driving with the other.
Landon got a tool set for Christmas from Scott and me. While we were outside he found one of Scott's real wrenches and got right to work on his bike.
Ella Beth loves being outside as much as any little boy I've ever seen. Lately, she has been very into accessories. She likes to sport a handkerchief often these days - even when red clashes with pink!
Hoping for more nice days to come soon so that we can all get out and let out our pent up energy!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Renewing Your Mind
This morning my devotion really struck a chord with me. In my journey to become content with where the Lord has me in my life, I have been learning to take my thoughts captive. Romans 12:2 is a verse that I memorized while I was in Haiti and have hidden in my heart. It is also a verse that I come back to often on my journey...many times daily, and honestly some times more than once a day. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (emphasis added)
I am in the Birds on a Wire mom's group, and we are going through NPMi's HOPE curriculum. HOPE is about taking off our "flesh" (sinful nature) and replacing it with the Spirit of Christ.
I come back again and again to another verse that I memorized while I was in Haiti: Philippians 4:12 (emphasis added), "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." The process of taking off our flesh, of renewing our minds, must be learned. I am a sinful person by nature, but I can learn to take off my own flesh and replace it with that of Christ's. By taking my thoughts captive, renewing my mind to believe in my heart the promises of Christ and then living out those promises, I am able to fully live in the Presence of my Savior.
-----
I hope God will speak to your heart through this devotion.
February 2, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
I am renewing your mind. When your thoughts flow freely, they tend to move toward problems. Your focus gets snagged on a given problem, clingling round and round it in attempts to gain mastery. Your energy is drained away from other matters through this negative focus. Worst of all, you lose sight of Me.
A renewed mind is Presence-focused. Train your mind to seek Me in every moment, every situation. Sometimes you can find Me in your surroundings: a lilting birdsong, a loved one's smile, golden sunlight. (Remember my new Habit #1 of 2011 - to count my blessings? Even the smallest of blessings are still straight from our Heavenly Father and He doesn't want us to miss them.) At other times, you must draw inward to find Me. I am always present in your spirit. Seek My Face, speak to Me, and I will light up your mind.
Romans 12:2; Psalm 105:4
I am in the Birds on a Wire mom's group, and we are going through NPMi's HOPE curriculum. HOPE is about taking off our "flesh" (sinful nature) and replacing it with the Spirit of Christ.
I come back again and again to another verse that I memorized while I was in Haiti: Philippians 4:12 (emphasis added), "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." The process of taking off our flesh, of renewing our minds, must be learned. I am a sinful person by nature, but I can learn to take off my own flesh and replace it with that of Christ's. By taking my thoughts captive, renewing my mind to believe in my heart the promises of Christ and then living out those promises, I am able to fully live in the Presence of my Savior.
-----
I hope God will speak to your heart through this devotion.
February 2, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
I am renewing your mind. When your thoughts flow freely, they tend to move toward problems. Your focus gets snagged on a given problem, clingling round and round it in attempts to gain mastery. Your energy is drained away from other matters through this negative focus. Worst of all, you lose sight of Me.
A renewed mind is Presence-focused. Train your mind to seek Me in every moment, every situation. Sometimes you can find Me in your surroundings: a lilting birdsong, a loved one's smile, golden sunlight. (Remember my new Habit #1 of 2011 - to count my blessings? Even the smallest of blessings are still straight from our Heavenly Father and He doesn't want us to miss them.) At other times, you must draw inward to find Me. I am always present in your spirit. Seek My Face, speak to Me, and I will light up your mind.
Romans 12:2; Psalm 105:4
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A New Kind of Day
We have been having "new" kinds of days lately here at the Castleberry Clan. I haven't posted much (at all?) about our decision to start homeschooling Ella Beth and Landon. It was not a decision that we made lightly, nor was it an easy choice.
When I made the change to stay home full-time it was so that I would be with my kiddos full-time. I struggled with the thought of keeping Ella Beth in school. Ella Beth loved going to her Montessori school, and to be honest we really enjoyed having her there. She was learning SO much, and she was thriving in the Montessori environment. But...it seemed counter productive to my decision to stay at home. Why would I send her away for half of each day when what I wanted most was to spend all of my time with her and Landon? So...that's one of the major factors in starting to homeschool.
Now, I ain't gonna lie...homeschooling is not exactly easy and every day presents a new adventure/challenge. Mostly, the biggest challenge for me personally is with my patience. But, I feel that God is using my kiddos (especially Ella Beth lately!) to teach me more and more.
Here are some pictures to show some of the fun things we have been up to.
Painting is a huge hit in our house! One thing I had to adjust to was Landon wanting to be involved in everything. He's no longer taking a nap, so there is no "secret" painting time any more. :)
He sure does enjoy it!
And, Ella Beth is our "crafty girl." If an activity has any type of art/craft/coloring/gluing/etc. in it, she is ALL ABOUT it!
There are always big smiles.
And, one fun math activity that we did recently really held Ella Beth's attention. For the last couple of months Ella Beth has been absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs. I'm talking, OBSESSED. She can name and identify any dinosaur - and some of them have names like Quetzalcoatlus and Euoplocephalus.
So, one morning we found a HUGE dinosaur footprint in our house. "It's a Tyrannosaurus Rex footprint, Mama!" she said. Yup. We measured things around our house with the T-Rex footprint and her tiny footprint, and then we compared our measurements.
So, right now, homeschooling is going well. There are easy days, and there are short-on-patience days. But, I have asked Ella Beth regularly if she wants to go back to Montessori school. She gives the same answer every time, "No, Mama. I like homeschool, and I really like being with Landon." With an answer like that, I guess I've made the correct decision!
When I made the change to stay home full-time it was so that I would be with my kiddos full-time. I struggled with the thought of keeping Ella Beth in school. Ella Beth loved going to her Montessori school, and to be honest we really enjoyed having her there. She was learning SO much, and she was thriving in the Montessori environment. But...it seemed counter productive to my decision to stay at home. Why would I send her away for half of each day when what I wanted most was to spend all of my time with her and Landon? So...that's one of the major factors in starting to homeschool.
Now, I ain't gonna lie...homeschooling is not exactly easy and every day presents a new adventure/challenge. Mostly, the biggest challenge for me personally is with my patience. But, I feel that God is using my kiddos (especially Ella Beth lately!) to teach me more and more.
Here are some pictures to show some of the fun things we have been up to.
Painting is a huge hit in our house! One thing I had to adjust to was Landon wanting to be involved in everything. He's no longer taking a nap, so there is no "secret" painting time any more. :)
And, Ella Beth is our "crafty girl." If an activity has any type of art/craft/coloring/gluing/etc. in it, she is ALL ABOUT it!
And, one fun math activity that we did recently really held Ella Beth's attention. For the last couple of months Ella Beth has been absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs. I'm talking, OBSESSED. She can name and identify any dinosaur - and some of them have names like Quetzalcoatlus and Euoplocephalus.
So, right now, homeschooling is going well. There are easy days, and there are short-on-patience days. But, I have asked Ella Beth regularly if she wants to go back to Montessori school. She gives the same answer every time, "No, Mama. I like homeschool, and I really like being with Landon." With an answer like that, I guess I've made the correct decision!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)