Transitions...

We did it!  We survived the first week of school and all the changes that come with changing schools.  While there were definitely some hiccups and tears along the way, for the most part it was joyful.  Throughout the week I had a few observations...
   1.  We got to see how resilient our daughter is.  She wanted this change.  She wrote a thoughtful 4 page letter detailing every reason and then waited patiently for our response.  This was serious business.  I'm sure she had a picture of perfection in her mind.  But when the picture in her mind and the reality of middle school didn't quite match up what we witnessed was her character.  She is thoughtful, determined, smart, and funny...and she used all of those qualities to make the rest of her week successful.
   2.  We've done all we can to equip her for this.  Well, not specifically this, but something of this nature.  A time when she would want to explore new things.  So hooray for equipping her well, but I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge that it's really hard to let go.  I mean, I love this kid!  I genuinely enjoy the amount of time we naturally get to spend together.  I'm sure before long we'll fall into a new routine and it'll be much easier, but until then I'm cutting myself some slack and giving myself permission to miss her.
   3. While we've made the switch from cyber school to public school, I'm grateful for the time we spent homeschooling/cyber schooling.  It gave me such incredible insight into my children's personalities and learning styles.  I firmly believe in school choice and I think families can find success both in the traditional school system and outside it.  It's not a competition between the two options, but rather what works best for your family.  We can each make different decisions on schooling and BOTH achieve success.  gasp.  It's true. After 15 years of countless conversations and explaining myself to others, I've arrived at the notion that there is no one right answer to schooling.  I'm just grateful I had a choice.

Praying together...

I would love to say that my husband and I are really great at praying together, but sadly I can't. We want to be good at it, but the reality is we have ebbs and flows of prayer together.  Time, kids, work schedules are all great excuses to derail our time together.  Nothing quite like a crisis or a bit of uncertainty to bring us back together.  BUT what if we didn't wait for hard times?  What if we were more proactive?  There are a few things I notice when we are actively praying together.

1.  God is in the center of our relationship.  We both pray individually every day, but somehow there's a shift when we pray together.  We've invited Him in to His rightful place and we're allowing Him to lead us.  

2.  We are unified.  We realize that we are in this together...we're a team.  It's not about one or the other, but rather what's best for both of us.  We're on the same side after all and prayer together keeps us going the same direction.

3.  It's intimate.  There is something very special about someone's heart being exposed.  As we both share our deepest desires in prayer it becomes tender and builds trust.  It's an opportunity to be completely vulnerable and grow in our love for each other.  It's like saying 'you're worth the risk'.  I feel very loved when my husband prays over me which in turn strengthens our marriage overall.  

4.  It keeps us humble.  We're sitting in the front row watching God work in our lives.  Lets face it, we make mistakes, yet He's always there...always.  And He pours out His grace and mercy so lavishly on us. 

As we've started praying together again I thought it would be helpful to share my thoughts so that we stay the course and keep ourselves accountable.  Maybe you're already great at this.  To you I say, "well done"!  But if you're in the same boat as us, I encourage you to keep at it and make it a priority. It can be hard, but it's definitely worth every effort!  

with much love ~ pam

I think about the neighborhood I live in and my life in general. Although it's challenging at times, I still live a pretty cushy existence. Something I often don't recognize let alone admit. I was reading a newsletter recently that provoked me to think...I mean really think. It wasn't the kind of newsletter that you quickly scan and move on from, forgetting almost instantly what you've just read. No. This was the kind of letter that lingers in your mind and all of the sudden you realize you have a new perspective on something you've never thought about before.

ETHIOPIA

It's a distant place that I never thought much about (shamefully), until fairly recently. I have a friend who is over there right now as part of a mission team. She is absolutely precious with a heart as BIG as can be! She is on the journey of a lifetime, reaching out to people she's never met, rescuing babies, starting a church, giving a hope for a new life and making sure people have the most basic of needs...food. The impact of what that team is doing is immeasurable and the significance will be lasting. They are changing lives and that is quite a gift. I have no doubt that they will leave an imprint on the hearts of many that will never be forgotten.

The writer's words loom over me. My mind is swimming in a sea of thoughts. I am compelled and challenged. Compelled to live outwardly and make a difference in the world, or at the very least my own small corner of it. And challenged by my own limitations. I mean, let's face it, I am a wife and a homeschooling mom of 4 active children, who also loves being part of a church plant. My days revolve around teaching, scheduling, chauffering, organizing, laundry, cooking, cleaning, and a whole host of other tasks. It's no easy feat to get much more into an already jam packed schedule. But what's the alternative...to do nothing and live in the comfort of my excuses?! The gentle and persistent nagging on my heart says otherwise. I am compelled afterall and in being compelled my action is required. So I'm going forward with new resolve to be more outwardly focused, notice those around me and do whatever I can to help right here in my very own mission field.

This is framed in our bedroom. It is one of my favorite things, written for Karl and I on our wedding day. Rev. Zuber holds a special place in my heart, not because he wrote these beautiful vows for us, but because he was a very sweet man and wise leader. We walk daily with these vows etched upon our hearts.

As we stand before this altar,

I pledge to love you and to cherish your love.

I promise you always to be there when you need

someone to be understanding

and won't allow my pride to block our communication.

As we work toward our common goals,

I will be dependable, helpful and

support you at all times.

I will always respect you and honor your opinions.

I promise to be absolutely honest and faithful

so that our trust in each other will

continue to grow in an unending love.

My days I dedicate to bringing you

happiness, understanding and tenderness.

We shall walk together and build our love

under God's direction and seeking

His will for our life together.

This is the guy I'm mad crazy in love with...my high school sweetheart...my best friend! He knows me better then I know myself sometimes and loves me despite my many faults. He helps me to see the humor in life and has an uncanny ability to make me laugh like no one else can. I love that when I'm with him this crazy world makes sense and I feel safe. I love that he brings out the best in me.

As I explore one of my creative passions, it's fun to capture him with one of his...

My favorite guy and his passion...

Well, here we are, the day has arrived! Today is the first day of school! The older kids will never admit to being excited, but their faces give it away. One of my daughters is positively beaming! I enjoy having the opportunity to see these small things and hear them speak in class. It's a unique perspective. They are in close proximity to me and yet so independent from me. This is our 8th homeschool year, but it's our 5th year with the cyber school. This year is all about change...they have a new learning system, new laptops and my oldest is now in high school so he has a mix of real time classes and self paced classes. Another new thing for us this year are electives. He picked some pretty awesome ones...web design and interactive game design! I'm looking forward to this school year, I always do. It's a new beginning, a new chapter in our lives and a welcome back to routine. The relaxed pace of summer is fleeting and routine has come upon us for a time. Speaking of which, my youngest routinely awoke the same time every day throughout the summer (oh how I longed for her to sleep in a little), and she finally picked TODAY to sleep in. ...sigh...

The Place I Live...part 7 one of my favorite spots

The Place I Live...part 6 the viaduct

Built in 1922, the viaduct is a well known feature in town. I admit that lately I've been intrigued with this structure. Maybe it stems from knowing that it's days are numbered. Or maybe because, until very recently, I've neglected to notice it and I'm making up for lost time. Whatever the reason, it has a certain character worth noting.

The Place I Live...part 5 art is subjective