some recommendations for you....

movie: the grace card

IMDb summary: everything can change in an instant...and take a lifetime to unravel. everyday, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships by extending and receiving God's grace. offer the grace card and never underestimate the power of God's love.

this is a great movie! watch it! :) and redbox has it for only $1/night!

book: one thousand gifts (by ann voscamp)

....a beautifully poetic challenge for us.... :)

...enjoy!! happy watching and reading!!

camping

cloudy mornings....watching hummingbirds.....sun starting to peek out...waves rolling in....sandy toes....bike rides...campfires at night....lazy days....dinners outside...glorious sunsets...splashing in the water....boogie boarding...s'mores...fun with friends....enjoying God's beauty....sun reflecting off of the ocean water....kids running around....feeling "free"...flipping through magazines....coffee in the mornings....sitting above the ocean....seeing the vast horizon....feeling awed by the Lord's majesty.....

food for thought....

"Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it."

-Psalm 127:1-

"Parents! The work entrusted to us is holier than we know. The precious instruments, so delicate, so wonderfully made, so marred by sin already, and so exposed to its power, is of such inconceivable worth. To take charge of an immortal soul, to train a will for God and eternity, surely we ought to shrink from it. But we cannot. If we are parents, the duty is laid upon us. But, thank God! Sufficient grace is prepared and promised, too. If we do but give up our home and our life to God for Him to come in and rule, He will Himself take possession, and by the gentle influence of His Holy Spirit bow their will to Himself."

Rev. Andrew Murray, The Children for Christ, 1887

cheap things i love :)

1. powerberries from trader joe's ($3.49)

2. lip smackers (less than a buck)

3. making paninis with target's rosemary naan (yum!)

4. trader's 'mini hold the cone' ice cream cones....70 calories each!

5. on-the-spot acne treatment, by neutrogena (around $5)

6. scuunchi hair clips (cheap!...but hard to find)

7. wall clock from target ($7.49)

8. cheap makeup: cover girl twist up eyeliner ($3), ulta's lip gloss ($2), voluminous mascara ($6)

9. writing supplies: pentel's energel (pack of 4/$6.79), sharpie highlighters (.99 for two!), papermate clear point mechanical pencils

10. roses from my front yard (free gift from the LORD!)

11. trader's mini chocolate chip cookies (a huge bucket full...for a low cost of i-can't-remember-how-much)

12. my pocket bible ($5 from lifeway)

say "i"...if ya need some patience!

all who need help and patience, say "i."

"I" {with a capital I}.....!!!!!

who knew that homeschooling would be so challenging?

in some {twisted, distorted} ways, i thought i was {maybe, sorta, kinda, just a little} taking the easier way out by choosing to homeschool. i envisioned us done with work by noon....happily smiling at one another over dripping ice cream cones, as we spent hours playing with puppies. well, that doesn't make any sense....but do you catch my drift? i pictured this new adventure quite differently than how it has actually been playing out {for realsies}. my friends tried to warn me that it was not for the faint of heart. i know i was {at least half} listening, but at that time, i was probably more worried about which curriculum to choose, or what school desk was the cutest. {'cause that's the way i roll.} i didn't really foresee tantrums, working until past 3, or major attitude issues.

well, we're three weeks in and every day, i tell the Lord that i need His help. i need Him to grant me extra measures of patience. i need my kids to obey. i need stamina...patience....endurance....understanding....

patience.....

.....compassion....patience....grace....

.....mercy....patience....

do you sense a theme here?.....patience, maybe?

i was recently reminded that when we go through certain trials, or experience certain things in life...the Lord is working in us, and He is creating in us a new character trait. i lack patience. so there. i know that that's what He is going to teach me this year {first, and foremost}. i love my kids....and i would die for them {if they don't kill me first}. but...with that said, homeschooling is not the fairy tale i once imagined it would be.

i do know, without a doubt, that this is where we- the menashe family- are supposed to 'be.' this is what the Lord has called our family to do. and...what i love about our God is that He doesn't choose the same path for every family {wouldn't that be boring?}. i love that during prayer the other night, my wonderful hubby thanked the Lord "for the opportunity" to homeschool. yes...my husband, who a year ago was {adamantly} opposed to homeschooling, prayed that prayer! i am so thankful for a supportive man.

the days have not been easy...but we are all still alive {so far}. i have already shed some tears, but i have also rejoiced much. i pray with the boys each morning, before we start our day. there is freedom in homeschooling...because i can make changes and adjustments. i can do away with the things that aren't working...and add more of what does!

i feel very blessed that i can be at home with my children. it's not easy {no, siree}. it's hard. but....i know that we are in the center of the Lord's will right now...and i know that we will reap rewards {like seeing my boys progress, learn, and grow}. getting there is going to be full of twists and turns...and ups and downs....

but....i am thankful and i am blessed.

my brother-in-law said....

that he recently saw a quote.

"To teach is to learn twice."

i love it!!! thanks, j, for the encouragement!