I am Moving

For some time I have wanted to change the look of this blog.  To be honest this was my first attempt at blogging.  I found I really enjoyed having this blog. However, instead of totally redesigning this blog I have decided to create another one.  It is called Sufficient 4 the Day.  The posts will be similar but I feel this blog will better reflect what I want to put out to the public.  You can find this blog at: www.sufficient4theday.blogspot.com

This blog will go live on April 1, 2012.  Please come by and check it out after the 1st.

5 Days to Reclaim Christmas

This year I promised myself I would not get bogged down in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.  I vowed I would make this holiday more about memories instead of stress and gift giving.  I started off pretty good.  As a family we participated in Operation Christmas Child which was a huge hit with the kids.  Then my husband and I ordered most of our children's gifts online to avoid spending too much in the store or impulse buying.  However, then something changed.  Perhaps it was the start of Christmas parties, and get togethers.  I found myself questioning if I was doing enough with the kids.  We did not do an Advent calendar, haven't gone to see a live nativity, or gone on the Christmas light tour.  I have yet to put money in the Salvation Army red kettle, we have missed the big holiday parade, and sadly to say I still have not got my husband's, mom's, God-daughter's, aunt's, and some more presents.  I started the season with high hopes and now I am starting to feel dread.  Then as I was reading this morning I read the following scripture:

⁸ Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ ⁹ and become one with him. - Philippians 3:8-9 NLT

I realized what have I done this season to lead my family and I in our pursuit of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord.  Everything else is worthless.  The advent calender, the drive to the live nativity, even the church Christmas party.  It's all worthless unless it leads us to a deeper relationship with God and love for his people.  So now we are 5 days out till Christmas and I am reclaiming it for my family and I.  I am taking this verse as our family verse for the next 5 days to keep us focused on what life (not just this season) is all about.  I ask for your prayers in doing so.  Be blessed.

Happy Birthday to Me and the Book of Ecclesiastes

Recently I celebrated my 30 something birthday.  During my morning quiet time I was really asking God to speak to me as I was doing some serious self evaluation.  What have I really done that mattered over these past couple of years?  Am I on track with where God wants me to be or have I been side tracked by life's busyness and distractions?  Am I ok?  Am I a good wife, parent, friend?  Did I make the right decision staying home with my children and even going the extra step to homeschool?   What about the Master's Degree I once thought I would get.  Was getting my BS degree a mistake or a waste?  Am I taking care of myself? 


As a child we look at birthdays with so much excitement as we think about what we are going to get and fantasize about eating a huge piece of cake with some ice cream.  Today however, I found my mind filled with questions.  I really did not have a plan of what I wanted to read but as I flipped through my bible my eyes gazed upon some verses I had underlined in Ecclesiastes.  I will never forget when I first really read Ecclesiastes.  I thought wow that is depressing.  However, as time has gone on the book has almost served as a compass to help me get back on track to what really matters in life.  As always God in his wonderful compassion knew I needed his compass this morning.  I wanted to share with you some of my underlined verses all from Ecclesiastes:

Everything that happens has happened before; nothing is new, nothing under the sun. 1:9
God has got everything under control.  Things that have happened to me are not unique.  God has seen them before and the same way he has helped his children in the past he will help me now.

No one who lived in the past is remembered anymore, and everyone yet to be born will be forgotten too. 1:11
Only a life lived for God makes an impact in the future.  Yes I may be forgotten but the ripple effect on others from my attempts to live a Godly life will impact my children, their children, and so on.

The best thing we can do is to enjoy eating, drinking, and working. 2:24
Joy is found in the simple things.  I don't have to take an expensive vacation, shop till I drop, or do so many other things the world tells us we need to do in order to find joy.  God's prescription is easy.  Enjoy the simple things I have given you.

Walk During the Day - Reflections on John 11:9-10 and the Words of Jesus Christ

John 11:9-10 - Jesus answered "Aren't there twelve hours in each day?  If you walk during the day, you will have light from the sun, and you won't stumble.  But if you walk during the night, you will stumble, because you don't have any light." ESV

This week during my daughter's bible readings we read John 11:1-16, which is the beginning of the story of Lazarus. Normally after she finishes reading I ask her to tell me what the passage was about.  However, this time I found myself asking her specifically why Jesus said those words in verses 9-10.  To be honest I didn't feel like they really fit in at this point in the story of the death of Lazarus.  However, there they were stuck right in between the talk of Lazarus sickness and Jesus plainly telling his disciples Lazarus was dead.  I admitted to my daughter I did not understand the verses.  She looked at me with a perplexed look and said "well when you walk and you can see you won't fall but when you try to walk in darkness you will."  Now I know this may be stating the obvious but not until the next morning did it strike a cord with me.  During my morning devotions this is what I wrote in my journal:

Talented Young Writer - Kaleela Thompson - A Must Read for Homeschool Children

 Children's Book by Kaleela Thompson

Have you ever been truly inspired to just be better? To reach for a goal beyond the ordinary.  This is what I experienced during a visit at a butterfly garden back in September.  This was no ordinary visit but one with a purpose.  I wanted my daughters to meet an aspiring young author in hopes that her motivation, determination, and positive attitude would be something they could glean from.  Needless to say I was not disappointed but inspired myself to reach for something higher, after meeting 12-year old Kaleela Thompson of Hampton, VA.  Kaleela is not only a brilliant young student but at 12 years of age she is a published author, speaker, blog radio host, website designer, and last but not least butterfly expert.  We took the hour and an half long drive to Hampton to one of Kaleela's book signings to see first hand how this young lady took her love of butterflies and transformed it into a wonderful children's book.  So great is her book that she is one of only 12 authors to be invited to the state conference for the Virginia Association of Early Childhood Education in March 2012. 

Kids Posing With Their New Friend Kaleela

During our visit Kaleela took my oldest daughter on a tour of her butterfly garden.  She graciously explained the life cycle of her butterflies while patiently listening to the questions of my awe inspired 7 year old.  All in all we probably spent at least 1 hour outside with Kaleela and her mother discussing butterflies, Kaleela's book, her Kid Gardner's Club, and a whole list of other topics.  Her mother was extremely gracious and shared Kaleela's enthusiasm for butterflies and literacy.  My daughter was truly inspired and has taken up an interest in drawing butterflies.  Also, we left the garden that day with two caterpillars and 2 parsley plants for both of my daughters to observe.  It was truly and awesome day. 

Back at home with our new catipillers and parsley plants

I could go on and on but would like to encourage you to visit Kaleela's Facebook page.  Also below is a link where you will find information about ordering her book entitled, "Oh Where Oh Where is my Swallowtail?" In this book you journey with Kaleela as she explores her backyard garden in search for her beloved Swallowtail butterfly.  Along the way she encounters some unexpected backyard friends.  This is an excellent first reader that comes with a bookmark with common sight words as well as a read along audio CD.  This would be the perfect gift for any young reader.

Purchase Kaleela's Book from Barnes and Noble at the following link:

Purchase "Oh Where, Oh Where is my Swallowtail?" at Barnes and Noble

or from Eggleston Services:

Purchase "Oh Where, Oh Where is my Swallowtail?" from Eggleston Services

Here is an article from the Daily Press about Kaleela Thompson, her book, and love for butterflies:

Butterfly Girl Article

Join Kaleela on Facebook: Join on Facebook