The Last Week of Summer

Earlier in the summer, we traveled here (no electricity, no hot water, about half of the six families slept in the same room, etc.)...

Last week, we traveled here (gated community a few miles from the beach, 4,000 square feet, master suite, swimming pool, billiards, ping pong)...

Quite a contrast, no?  Both were great weeks with family.

This past week gave me some much needed quiet time even amidst 8 adults and 9 children.  While everyone else went the beach each day, I stayed back at the house while Miriam napped.  I took notes on six weeks of math lesson plans (my very least favorite part of homeschooling).  I also had time to read- something I haven't been able to do all summer.  I had peace and quiet for several hours at a time- something else I haven't had all summer.  It was wonderful.

I read Elisabeth Elliot's These Strange Ashes: Is God Still in Charge?, her account of her first year as a missionary in Ecuador (prior to her marriage to Jim, her husband who was later murdered by a member of the very tribe they were trying to reach).

I'm almost finished Frank Peretti's The Wounded Spirit.  This is his story of what life was like as a victim of bullying.  If you are a parent, an educator, if you work with kids or just care about what happens to kids, you really need to read this book.  I will warn you, though.  The first chapter was the hardest chapter I've ever had to read in my life.  I read two pages and closed it.  I didn't think I could endure it.  Get through the first chapter and you'll be okay.

I'm also still reading Revolution in World Missions which we're discussing over on Perspective.  I read this book several years ago, but it is rocking my world all over again.   To say that my insides are churning and in a bit of turmoil would be an understatement.

So, I'm home again and it's our last week of summer.  Jamey starts a new rotation next week and Sam, Sadie and I start school.  Between now and then, I have a fridge and garden full of ripe tomatoes that need to be stewed, soup-ed, and roasted.  I have one last batch of pesto to make.  My sister and her two girls are coming for two days so we can make sauce for her.  Jamey will be harvesting chickens.  There is laundry to be done, bathrooms to be cleaned, a couple last homeschool details to check off my list and meals to be made.

At the end of this crazy week?  Something I have been looking forward to for months.  I am going to see Beth Moore speak!  With adult women!  Overnight!  In another city!  You'll probably hear about it.  Who are we kidding?  You'll definitely hear about it.

What are you doing this week?  Are you still up to your eye balls in produce?  Did you see your kids off to school yet?  Are you in inner spiritual turmoil (the good or bad variety)?

Whatever your week brings, I wish you love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.  I can always use a heavy dose of the fruit of the Spirit. Pin It

It's Time for Perspective

Did you get your book yet?  Mine came in the mail last week and I'm so excited to read it again, this time with other people.  If you would like to request a free book and join us, go here.  If you have no earthly idea what I'm talking about (or vaguely remember), please read here.

I thought long and hard and did a lot of praying about what would be the best way to read and discuss this book together and here's what I've come up with.  I've started a new blog (heart, don't fail me now) called Perspective.  This is where we'll discuss the book and work through some faith questions, specifically my biggest questions right now, "How can God use me right now, in addition to my role as wife and mother?"

This way, those of you who aren't interested in reading this book with us and who come here instead for garden news, recipes and other random musings can still do that.  I'll post here as usual. 

Here's the (Perspective) plan.

1) I will not be posting there everyday.  I have never asked for followers, but this is a time when becoming a follower of Perspective will benefit YOU in that you'll know when a new post is up.

2) There is a post over on Perspective right now.  It's one I hesitated to post here, but I have to get it out.  It will fit in much better there.

3) Tomorrow, I'll post a plan for our readings and how this is all going to go work regarding the book.

4) I want the new blog to be a safe and holy place.  I want us to meet God there, to hear His voice through books, people, each other and His Word.  I want us to encourage one another, lift each other in prayer and be the support some of us may be lacking right now in our lives.

Please understand one thing:  I'm no expert in anything.  I don't claim to know how to do this.  I'm trusting a nudge and asking (repeatedly) for God to be involved big time.

If you're up for some possibly difficult but rewarding work, visit me on Perspective. Pin It