I have been asked by several people why we home educate our children. Today I have been doing research on the Waldorf approach and comparing it with the Charlotte Mason method. Then I sat back and asked myself exactly what...how....do I want to teach my children...which then lead me to the question of why do I home educate my children. I believe starting with the 'why' will help lead me to the 'how' and 'what'.
I. myself, was not home educated. I spent most of my school years in the private school system. In grades 7th through 9th I was in public school. In high school I had 2 friends that were home schooled..one full time, the other went to school part of the week and the rest of the week worked on her studies at home. I was intrigued!!! I even asked my mom if she would consider teaching me at home. Unfortunately, I had younger brothers and sisters and she worked in the school office to help pay for our tuition and books at the private school. I found boys to be very distracting and most girls to be catty and fickle. I knew I wanted more for my children!! After graduating from high school (my younger siblings being in middle school) I came across an article that was given to my mom concerning the influences that a teacher has on his/her students. The teacher is with the student(s) almost 8 hours or more a day...therefore the teacher's attitudes, character traits both good and bad, and beliefs will begin to effect the life of the child. This concerned me. I could not be sure that what I would be teaching and training my children at home would not be undermined at school. While just 19 years old I determined that I would home educate my children based on those facts alone. The longer I have home educated my children the more I have come across disturbing statistics that just deepened my reasons for doing this.
The percentage of illiterates, teen pregnancies, suicides, killings, premarital intercourse, crime, etc have sky rocketed since taking Bible and prayer out of our classrooms. Why would anyone want to put their children in such a sess pool? It is time to start thinking outside the box of education!!! The government's system is tearing down our homes and ruining our children's lives! We as Americans are more interested in material things than the spiritual welfare of our children. Education just doesn't effect the mind, but also the heart and soul. If done properly children will grow into mature, responsible, well rounded. well balanced individuals. Isn't that what we would like?! That is my goal!!
Home education is not for the faint hearted (though you may experience that from time to time). It is for the strong in spirit that want more for our children..that want more for America and that want more for God!!!
Why do you home educate?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a powerful word....it is a powerful act.
It is easy to forgive those that we love or those that love us in return......But what about those that we aren't close to? Or that continually hurt us? Or those that we don't 'care' for?
What exactly is forgiveness??? I used to think that when you forgave someone that you should be able to pick up where you left off and everything would be just fine. I know not quite realistic...but I am an idealist. It is always how I have forgiven others...until 'recently'. I could not reconcile my definition of forgiveness when it was impossible to continue the relationship....then my very logical husband reminded me that different trespasses come with different consequences. I needed to take a closer look at forgiveness. I know that as a Christian I am commanded to forgive those..any and all...that offend....that's fine when it's an 'easy' thing to do..... But I found myself in a delima....the offense was so great and so deep that I didn't feel that the offending party warranted forgiveness. Horrible, I know... But it brought me to a place where I needed to search out the truth of God's meaning of forgiveness.
I had told the offending party they were forgiven...I told myself that I had forgiven them...I begged God to help me forgive them....but I still felt hurt and betrayed and angry. So how can you forgive and still feel those things? I came to the place where I wanted to forgive them but it felt so beyond my reach. I knew God would not hear or answer my prayers...I knew that I would grow cold and bitter and carry needless baggage. So I began to pray that God would help me....that He would show me how and that I would feel that peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7)
Our Sunday school teacher had been teaching on love (oh...my favorite subject :) And my husband just happened to be in the class with me due to laryngitis. I thought this was going to be good!!! But God knew that I needed this lesson more than my husband....and it was not to be on love but the opposite of love...bitterness. He told us that the way to overcome bitterness is forgiveness. I was all ears!!! He said that forgiveness is a process. He took us Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as Gd for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
We are to be kind to the offending party. Easy? I think not!!! But God says in Matthew 5:44 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.' Joseph (from the Old Testament) set the perfect example!! His brothers hated him, sold him into slavery, his master's wife falsely accused him, he wa then thrown into prison for years and then forgot about by everyone...everyone except for God!
Joseph realized that judgement (to get even) was not his to execute but Gods! Genesis 50:19 'And Joseph said unto them,(his brothers..the offending party) Fear not: for am I in the place of God?' Romans 12:17 a says 'Recompense to no man evil for evil. vs 19-21 'Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.'
Joseph was able to see God's soverign hand in all that he went through. Genesis 50:20 'But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.' He was able to trust God enough to know that there was a bigger picture. And Joseph was able to show genuine love and concern for those who had abused and mistreated him. Genesis 50:21 'Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And hecomforted them, and spake kindly unto them.'
You cannot begin to forgive unless you have a tender heart...you will not have a tender heart towards someone until you show them kindness! Show knidness, followed by prayer while seeking a tender heart and nocus on forgiveness.No one canthose things and be bitter at the same time! Joseph had many oppurtunities to feed the fire of hatred and bitterness, but he decided, instead, to have the correct response...he left the judgement in God's hands. How could he do this? He was close to God!!!
He chose not to focus on the hurt or loneliness but on the goodness of God...he chose to completely and utterly trust God. Joseph knew about grace!!!!! For alll of this takes grace and a great amount of it!!!
So now that I have realized that though I may never be able to be close to those that hurt me...I can be kind...I can be tenderhearted...and I can and will forgive them!!!! God's grace is all sufficient!!! God chose to forgive me....I can choose to forgive others...and so can you!!!!!
It is easy to forgive those that we love or those that love us in return......But what about those that we aren't close to? Or that continually hurt us? Or those that we don't 'care' for?
What exactly is forgiveness??? I used to think that when you forgave someone that you should be able to pick up where you left off and everything would be just fine. I know not quite realistic...but I am an idealist. It is always how I have forgiven others...until 'recently'. I could not reconcile my definition of forgiveness when it was impossible to continue the relationship....then my very logical husband reminded me that different trespasses come with different consequences. I needed to take a closer look at forgiveness. I know that as a Christian I am commanded to forgive those..any and all...that offend....that's fine when it's an 'easy' thing to do..... But I found myself in a delima....the offense was so great and so deep that I didn't feel that the offending party warranted forgiveness. Horrible, I know... But it brought me to a place where I needed to search out the truth of God's meaning of forgiveness.
I had told the offending party they were forgiven...I told myself that I had forgiven them...I begged God to help me forgive them....but I still felt hurt and betrayed and angry. So how can you forgive and still feel those things? I came to the place where I wanted to forgive them but it felt so beyond my reach. I knew God would not hear or answer my prayers...I knew that I would grow cold and bitter and carry needless baggage. So I began to pray that God would help me....that He would show me how and that I would feel that peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7)
Our Sunday school teacher had been teaching on love (oh...my favorite subject :) And my husband just happened to be in the class with me due to laryngitis. I thought this was going to be good!!! But God knew that I needed this lesson more than my husband....and it was not to be on love but the opposite of love...bitterness. He told us that the way to overcome bitterness is forgiveness. I was all ears!!! He said that forgiveness is a process. He took us Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as Gd for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
We are to be kind to the offending party. Easy? I think not!!! But God says in Matthew 5:44 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.' Joseph (from the Old Testament) set the perfect example!! His brothers hated him, sold him into slavery, his master's wife falsely accused him, he wa then thrown into prison for years and then forgot about by everyone...everyone except for God!
Joseph realized that judgement (to get even) was not his to execute but Gods! Genesis 50:19 'And Joseph said unto them,(his brothers..the offending party) Fear not: for am I in the place of God?' Romans 12:17 a says 'Recompense to no man evil for evil. vs 19-21 'Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.'
Joseph was able to see God's soverign hand in all that he went through. Genesis 50:20 'But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.' He was able to trust God enough to know that there was a bigger picture. And Joseph was able to show genuine love and concern for those who had abused and mistreated him. Genesis 50:21 'Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And hecomforted them, and spake kindly unto them.'
You cannot begin to forgive unless you have a tender heart...you will not have a tender heart towards someone until you show them kindness! Show knidness, followed by prayer while seeking a tender heart and nocus on forgiveness.No one canthose things and be bitter at the same time! Joseph had many oppurtunities to feed the fire of hatred and bitterness, but he decided, instead, to have the correct response...he left the judgement in God's hands. How could he do this? He was close to God!!!
He chose not to focus on the hurt or loneliness but on the goodness of God...he chose to completely and utterly trust God. Joseph knew about grace!!!!! For alll of this takes grace and a great amount of it!!!
So now that I have realized that though I may never be able to be close to those that hurt me...I can be kind...I can be tenderhearted...and I can and will forgive them!!!! God's grace is all sufficient!!! God chose to forgive me....I can choose to forgive others...and so can you!!!!!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Remodeling
I love remodeling-redecorating! Like they say 'Out with the old, in with the new!' We have just moved from South Dakota to Missouri so our house is just waiting for that special touch to make it into a home! For years now I have been collecting wall paper and border waiting for just the right room to use it in.
A few months ago my husband had to work out of town and I told myself I would find a project to occupy my time instead of pining for him! My laundry room was the perfect place to start. It is small, only 4'x8' and in desparate need of a woman's touch....with a white washer and dryer with stark white walls....color was needed!!! With the help of my children I painted the walls Highland Dales (which I would liken to a dark chocolate milkshake color). Now to add the border and some decore'. I even changed the position of the washer and dryer...instead of having one in each corner facing out I angled them diagonally from each corner not only making them easier to access but also giving it a nicer look.
The laundry room is located right off of our family room...so when I sit on our couch I can see it out of the corner of my eye. I had been running errands one day and came in and just sat down for a moment to catch my breath. As I was looking at the room and thinking of the time I spent fixing it up God brought something to mind. Just as I enjoy decorating or redecorating or remodeling so God likes to do that in our lives and hearts. Sometimes it is necessary for Him to show us things we need to get rid of as shown in Hebrews 12:1 'Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.' It isn't always easy...in fact quite the contrary. But if we allow the Lord to do the remodelling in our hearts it will be well worth it! And as my laundry room brings me satisfaction of a job well done and is pleasant to look at (for me) so we will be to the Lord! 'For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.' Ephesians 2:10
A few months ago my husband had to work out of town and I told myself I would find a project to occupy my time instead of pining for him! My laundry room was the perfect place to start. It is small, only 4'x8' and in desparate need of a woman's touch....with a white washer and dryer with stark white walls....color was needed!!! With the help of my children I painted the walls Highland Dales (which I would liken to a dark chocolate milkshake color). Now to add the border and some decore'. I even changed the position of the washer and dryer...instead of having one in each corner facing out I angled them diagonally from each corner not only making them easier to access but also giving it a nicer look.
The laundry room is located right off of our family room...so when I sit on our couch I can see it out of the corner of my eye. I had been running errands one day and came in and just sat down for a moment to catch my breath. As I was looking at the room and thinking of the time I spent fixing it up God brought something to mind. Just as I enjoy decorating or redecorating or remodeling so God likes to do that in our lives and hearts. Sometimes it is necessary for Him to show us things we need to get rid of as shown in Hebrews 12:1 'Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.' It isn't always easy...in fact quite the contrary. But if we allow the Lord to do the remodelling in our hearts it will be well worth it! And as my laundry room brings me satisfaction of a job well done and is pleasant to look at (for me) so we will be to the Lord! 'For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.' Ephesians 2:10
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
What Is In Your Special Box?
When I was in highschool our youth pastor showed a video in Sunday school one morning. A rose was passed around the room and everyone took one petal. When it got down to the front every petal was gone. It went from a beautiful rose to something that looked sad and used up. The analogy was made that everytime you are 'with' someone (either intimately or emotionally) you give a little bit (or alot) of yourself away to that person. It's funny that I remember that one lesson out of the four years I was in the youth group...that was 20 years ago...it made a big impression. My momma also told me that when ever you kiss someone, you are kissing everyone they've kissed......GROSS!!!!!!!! Parents use funny scare tactics sometimes!
Barry and I want to raise our children with a different perspective of dating and relationships than what we had. We want to take it to the 'next level' so to speak...the best level, actually...the Biblical level. God began dealing with our hearts to teach our children (which we only had 3 at the time) not to play the dating game. It has ruined SO many lives!! There is alot of pressure from the world to have a boyfriend or girlfriend at such early ages. Why would we want our children to focus on this? Look at the divorce rate, teen pregnancy, and the amount of abortions...dating is just laying the floor plan for these unnecessary tragedies.
One day the Lord brought something to mind....kindof expounding on the 'rose' concept. You only have ONE first kiss....ONE first time that you hold hands...ONE first hug....and ONE first 'time'. Most people know where the Bible stands on the latter one...but what about the others? Read ICorinthians ch 7. It would be good to look up S.M.Davis and get his messages on courtship and dating! But this is what I came up with. Your heart is like a very special box. And everyone has been given these very special 'first things' that are in your special box. Who are you going to give them away to? You can only give them away once!!!! We are encouraging each one of our children to give them to their spouse on their wedding day! Can you imagine having saved EVERYTHING for your spouse instead of just one thing?
What if you haven't?! Repent and ask God's forgiveness and make a covenant with Him that from this day forward you will save yourself for your spouse! And God will give you back the years that the locusts have eaten!!!
Barry and I want to raise our children with a different perspective of dating and relationships than what we had. We want to take it to the 'next level' so to speak...the best level, actually...the Biblical level. God began dealing with our hearts to teach our children (which we only had 3 at the time) not to play the dating game. It has ruined SO many lives!! There is alot of pressure from the world to have a boyfriend or girlfriend at such early ages. Why would we want our children to focus on this? Look at the divorce rate, teen pregnancy, and the amount of abortions...dating is just laying the floor plan for these unnecessary tragedies.
One day the Lord brought something to mind....kindof expounding on the 'rose' concept. You only have ONE first kiss....ONE first time that you hold hands...ONE first hug....and ONE first 'time'. Most people know where the Bible stands on the latter one...but what about the others? Read ICorinthians ch 7. It would be good to look up S.M.Davis and get his messages on courtship and dating! But this is what I came up with. Your heart is like a very special box. And everyone has been given these very special 'first things' that are in your special box. Who are you going to give them away to? You can only give them away once!!!! We are encouraging each one of our children to give them to their spouse on their wedding day! Can you imagine having saved EVERYTHING for your spouse instead of just one thing?
What if you haven't?! Repent and ask God's forgiveness and make a covenant with Him that from this day forward you will save yourself for your spouse! And God will give you back the years that the locusts have eaten!!!
Monday, August 1, 2011
My Love Story part 5
My friend Becky and I left the radio station first. We went to her house and waited for her husband and Barry to arrive. I was very nervous and praying all would go well! When the men arrived we all seated ourselves in their living room. It was mostly small talk and then Becky and Dwayne excused themselves so that Barry and I could have some time to talk. Then the interviewing began!!!! We were both asking each other questions concerning our salvation and our standards..as well as that very important question...'Have you saved yourself for your spouse?' It is quite funny that I had completely forgotten about those 2 times during my senoir year that God told me to pray for my husband's purity. We both agreed that we did not want to date. This was for keeps! We both agreed that the Lord had brought us together (I was NOT about to tell him that God told me he was the one for me...that was just too presumptuous!!) and that after questioning each other in detail we were certain that we were being led of the Lord to pursue a relationship.
We started talking to each other after church services...and he would call me in the evenings (he would drive 30 minutes from base...Camp leJeune...and talk to me from a pay phone) and we had him over for Sunday dinner once or twice(before my dad was home for good). My Momma and I were keeping my Daddy up to date with all of the details. My brothers (especially Jon) were SO funny!! Our family always holds hands when we say the blessing over our meals...Jon always made sure that either him or one of my other siblings were sitting in between Barry and I so we wouldn't hold hands!!! I was very thankful for their protection of me!!!
My Dad surprised us one weekend by coming home unannounced. I was looking forward to introducing Barry to him...but not for the reason you might be thinking! Barry seemed almost too good to be true!! He seemed very honest and sincere, a true gentleman (always getting the door for me or any other lady), polite, etc. While in high school we had a rule at our house when someone wanted to take me or my step-sister out on a date...they had to call my dad and not only ask his permission but go through grilling! When my Dad first put this into effect we were horrified...then we started enjoying it...at least I did!!! And I was ready for my Dad to put Barry through this! I wanted to see what he was made of!!! So after church, Barry came up to me and my Dad and I introduced them...then the unexpected happened...before I could do or say anything my dad said, 'You have my blessingl.' I was absolutely shocked...then wondering what on earth Barry thought I must have told my Dad! My parents had always reassured us that my Dad was a good judge of character...and he was always right...but this was just NOT how I wanted things to go!!! I wanted my Dad to make him sweat!!!!
Well, the rest is history!!!
But what about the 2 different times that God told me to pray for his purity...well fast forward a few years. We courted for a year, were engaged for a year (waiting to marry when his service was up in the Marines) We moved to Pennsylvania and joined the church where he grew up. We helped out on the bus route, in Jr.Church, I was a monitor in the school he went to. Then the Lord blessed us with Rex!!! When I was about a month or 2 along we went to visit Barry's biological mom at a camp ground near Gettysburg. PA. I started asking him about his service in Okinawa,Japan. Then we started to do the math...when he was over there I was beginning my senior year! Then the Lord brought those 2 times to mind. I started asking him if he ever had any temptations while he was over there (he wasn't saved at the time) He then began to tell me that the guys would always tease him about his purity and when out on the town they would try to pressure him but he always stood his ground. He said that on 2 different occassions he told himself before they went out that he didn't care anymore...if the situation presented itself, then so be it! And it never did! They would always see women of ill repute...except for those 2 times that he threw caution to the wind...the 2 times that God told me...a young lady thousands of miles away...to pray for her husband's purity! And I did..not knowing who he was or were he was. I fervently prayed that God would put a hedge of protection about him and keep him pure for me...and he did!!!!!!!!!! And God will hear and answer your prayers, too!!!!!!!!
We started talking to each other after church services...and he would call me in the evenings (he would drive 30 minutes from base...Camp leJeune...and talk to me from a pay phone) and we had him over for Sunday dinner once or twice(before my dad was home for good). My Momma and I were keeping my Daddy up to date with all of the details. My brothers (especially Jon) were SO funny!! Our family always holds hands when we say the blessing over our meals...Jon always made sure that either him or one of my other siblings were sitting in between Barry and I so we wouldn't hold hands!!! I was very thankful for their protection of me!!!
My Dad surprised us one weekend by coming home unannounced. I was looking forward to introducing Barry to him...but not for the reason you might be thinking! Barry seemed almost too good to be true!! He seemed very honest and sincere, a true gentleman (always getting the door for me or any other lady), polite, etc. While in high school we had a rule at our house when someone wanted to take me or my step-sister out on a date...they had to call my dad and not only ask his permission but go through grilling! When my Dad first put this into effect we were horrified...then we started enjoying it...at least I did!!! And I was ready for my Dad to put Barry through this! I wanted to see what he was made of!!! So after church, Barry came up to me and my Dad and I introduced them...then the unexpected happened...before I could do or say anything my dad said, 'You have my blessingl.' I was absolutely shocked...then wondering what on earth Barry thought I must have told my Dad! My parents had always reassured us that my Dad was a good judge of character...and he was always right...but this was just NOT how I wanted things to go!!! I wanted my Dad to make him sweat!!!!
Well, the rest is history!!!
But what about the 2 different times that God told me to pray for his purity...well fast forward a few years. We courted for a year, were engaged for a year (waiting to marry when his service was up in the Marines) We moved to Pennsylvania and joined the church where he grew up. We helped out on the bus route, in Jr.Church, I was a monitor in the school he went to. Then the Lord blessed us with Rex!!! When I was about a month or 2 along we went to visit Barry's biological mom at a camp ground near Gettysburg. PA. I started asking him about his service in Okinawa,Japan. Then we started to do the math...when he was over there I was beginning my senior year! Then the Lord brought those 2 times to mind. I started asking him if he ever had any temptations while he was over there (he wasn't saved at the time) He then began to tell me that the guys would always tease him about his purity and when out on the town they would try to pressure him but he always stood his ground. He said that on 2 different occassions he told himself before they went out that he didn't care anymore...if the situation presented itself, then so be it! And it never did! They would always see women of ill repute...except for those 2 times that he threw caution to the wind...the 2 times that God told me...a young lady thousands of miles away...to pray for her husband's purity! And I did..not knowing who he was or were he was. I fervently prayed that God would put a hedge of protection about him and keep him pure for me...and he did!!!!!!!!!! And God will hear and answer your prayers, too!!!!!!!!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
My Love Story part 4
The weeks between the time when the Lord told me Barry was the one and when we actually met were very interesting! My Pastor's wife encouraged me to join the choir and to sing with other ladies when given the oppurtunity (which I did). My Mom and I also went on ladie's visitation on Thursday mornings (sometimes the conversation afterwards would turn to 'setting' me up with someone...ugh!!)
The funny thing is, Barry sat in front of our family at church. One Sunday morning after church my Momma turned to me and said, 'He (referring to Barry) has a nice, firm handshake and he always looks you in the eye.' I just playfully rolled my eyes and chuckled :) I told her there was more to a man than that but I did tuck that bit of information away :)
There was a small BBQ restaurant that also served frozen icecream (I think the name is Smithfield's) that many of us would patronize after church. Sometimes Barry would be there with my friend and her husband. He always seemed polite and respectful.
One Thursday, while on visitation, my friend asked me what I thought of Barry. My first reaction was one of exasperation...not outwardly but inwardly. So many people had asked me what I thought of this man or that man...and just recently my Pastor's wife had asked me what I thought of Barry, as well. How are you supposed to answer a question like that? Then I recalled something he had said in his testimony...that after accepting Jesus Christ as his Saviour he got rid of over $3000.00 worth of Country music cds. That really piqued my interest. Throughout highschool my best friend and I tried that so many times...but the only alternative was contemporary Christian music and it wasn't very appealing. I had NEVER heard of a man doing that. SO I told her about that and that it would be interestig to talk to him about it. I still was not interested in him.
That following Saturday night was a meeting for the radio staff and anyone that wanted to be involved in the Fall Sharathon. Barry was there....afterwards I was in the kitchen, helping clean up. My friend rushed in there and pulled me to the side, quite excited about something!! She was my closest friend so I would share with her different things that the Lord was showing me in my spiritual walk as well as my list of what I did and didn't want in a husband. She proceeded to tell me that the Lord had been dealing with Barry concerning some of the exact things! I just looked at her ever so patiently and smiled. But on the inside I couldn't believe it!!! I didn't want anyone to know what God had revealed to me!!! But it seemed like we were being drawn closer together all the time.
The next Sunday I recieved a call from her and she was so excited I could hardly understand her....Barry wanted to meet me!! Ack!!!! I talked to my Mom and we got a hold of my Dad (he was finishing up the last few months of his Service in DC) We had their permission to meet! I had been telling my Dad about everything (except that Barry was the one for me :) And my Mom had been telling him things as well...what...I will never know!
We were to meet at Smithfield's that night after church. My family arrived there before he did...and the only table left was a long one in the center of the restaurant...oh, great! We are going to be on display in front of all these people from church..so not how I had envisioned our meeting!! Well, my friend Becky came and sat beside me while Barry and her husband sat at the other end by my brothers. Talk about nerve racking! Becky leaned over and whispered that maybe we should try a different time so it wouldn't be so public. I very readily agreed!
The Fall Sharathon began the next day and went through the whole week. It was a very busy time! Some of the preachers that we featured on our station were there as well as others. People were there answering phones and taking pledges. I worked in the studio as well as at the phones. It was a wonderful experience!! That Thursday morning I was in the studio, minding my own business, and for some reason I happened to look up and there was Barry with his friend Dwayne (my friend's husband) standing outside the studio door. I could feel the color rise in my face and I started shaking...this is going to be interesting I thought! My turn was up in the studio so I went out in the lobby to answer phones...and Barry was there. I was very thankful for the room being full of other people!!! There was a young boy there that he was talking to so it was neat to watch him interact with a child. We even conversed a little..about what?...I have no idea! I was SO nervous!!! Becky told me that if it was ok with my parents that I could just spend the day and that evening we would all go to their house and officially be introduced.
to be continued
The funny thing is, Barry sat in front of our family at church. One Sunday morning after church my Momma turned to me and said, 'He (referring to Barry) has a nice, firm handshake and he always looks you in the eye.' I just playfully rolled my eyes and chuckled :) I told her there was more to a man than that but I did tuck that bit of information away :)
There was a small BBQ restaurant that also served frozen icecream (I think the name is Smithfield's) that many of us would patronize after church. Sometimes Barry would be there with my friend and her husband. He always seemed polite and respectful.
One Thursday, while on visitation, my friend asked me what I thought of Barry. My first reaction was one of exasperation...not outwardly but inwardly. So many people had asked me what I thought of this man or that man...and just recently my Pastor's wife had asked me what I thought of Barry, as well. How are you supposed to answer a question like that? Then I recalled something he had said in his testimony...that after accepting Jesus Christ as his Saviour he got rid of over $3000.00 worth of Country music cds. That really piqued my interest. Throughout highschool my best friend and I tried that so many times...but the only alternative was contemporary Christian music and it wasn't very appealing. I had NEVER heard of a man doing that. SO I told her about that and that it would be interestig to talk to him about it. I still was not interested in him.
That following Saturday night was a meeting for the radio staff and anyone that wanted to be involved in the Fall Sharathon. Barry was there....afterwards I was in the kitchen, helping clean up. My friend rushed in there and pulled me to the side, quite excited about something!! She was my closest friend so I would share with her different things that the Lord was showing me in my spiritual walk as well as my list of what I did and didn't want in a husband. She proceeded to tell me that the Lord had been dealing with Barry concerning some of the exact things! I just looked at her ever so patiently and smiled. But on the inside I couldn't believe it!!! I didn't want anyone to know what God had revealed to me!!! But it seemed like we were being drawn closer together all the time.
The next Sunday I recieved a call from her and she was so excited I could hardly understand her....Barry wanted to meet me!! Ack!!!! I talked to my Mom and we got a hold of my Dad (he was finishing up the last few months of his Service in DC) We had their permission to meet! I had been telling my Dad about everything (except that Barry was the one for me :) And my Mom had been telling him things as well...what...I will never know!
We were to meet at Smithfield's that night after church. My family arrived there before he did...and the only table left was a long one in the center of the restaurant...oh, great! We are going to be on display in front of all these people from church..so not how I had envisioned our meeting!! Well, my friend Becky came and sat beside me while Barry and her husband sat at the other end by my brothers. Talk about nerve racking! Becky leaned over and whispered that maybe we should try a different time so it wouldn't be so public. I very readily agreed!
The Fall Sharathon began the next day and went through the whole week. It was a very busy time! Some of the preachers that we featured on our station were there as well as others. People were there answering phones and taking pledges. I worked in the studio as well as at the phones. It was a wonderful experience!! That Thursday morning I was in the studio, minding my own business, and for some reason I happened to look up and there was Barry with his friend Dwayne (my friend's husband) standing outside the studio door. I could feel the color rise in my face and I started shaking...this is going to be interesting I thought! My turn was up in the studio so I went out in the lobby to answer phones...and Barry was there. I was very thankful for the room being full of other people!!! There was a young boy there that he was talking to so it was neat to watch him interact with a child. We even conversed a little..about what?...I have no idea! I was SO nervous!!! Becky told me that if it was ok with my parents that I could just spend the day and that evening we would all go to their house and officially be introduced.
to be continued
Thursday, July 28, 2011
My Love Story part 3
I find it fascinatng how God moves and works. My brother that is closest to me in age and myself are quite shy. We are very routine oriented. We do not like change. So moving to North Carolina wasn't the easiest for us, especially when it came to looking for a new church. My parents found one in Morehead City and we visited. Like I said, it was much smaller than the one we had been attending...and there were not many people my age. The next service our parents were discussing visiting another one...and for some 'weird' reason the both of us convinced them to go back to Grace Baptist. I suppose maybe our parents felt sorry for us, or something... I believe it is the 'something' or should I say Someone that was leading my parents and our family to this church!
My Dad was still in Washington DC finishing up the last few months of his service. It was summertime and there wasn't alot to do. My brother and I would take bike rides through the tobacco field at the end of our housing development. In the back of my mind was the nagging thought that I was going to grow old and live with my parents for the rest of my life...ugh!!!
Then one afternoon God brought a little saying to mind that one of my teachers at CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) camp had mentioned in a class...'When in a fix, read Phillipians 4:6'. So I got out my Bible and looked up that verse, and verse 7 and they changed everything for me! The Bible says 'Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' I had been very full of care! I had always wanted to get married at the age of 18 like my Mom. It was time for me to let go of what I wanted and just rest and wait on God!!
So I decided that everytime I would worry or even think of marrying I would quote these 2 verses and leave it in God's hands! I also started praying for my future mate and that God would prepare us both for our life together. Meanwhile, I became involved in the radio ministry at our church (FBN). I took the next days broadcasts and recorded them into the system...It was a great time of spriritual growth! I also worked on a bus route and helped one of my friends in her Sunday School class.
Then one Sunday evening several people joined the church. They were standing in front and giving their testimonies. When a certain young man gave his, the Holy Spirit told me that he was 'The One'....like Sarah, Abraham's wife, I laughed and thought 'Ya, right!!!' And God proved He knew best!!!!
When I was praying for my husband I had someone pictured like my Dad, 6 ft!!! I wrestled with this! He didn't look like my Dad at all!!!!
I had been corresponding with a friend from school who was also praying for a godly mate. A few days after this 'revelation' I recieved a letter from her. She told me she had met someone and went on to describe his character and how he loved the Lord and was involved in his church. Then she said something that just astounded me...she said she couldn't get passed his looks! I couldn't believe what I had just read!! He sounded wonderful!! Then the Lord smote my heart and said I was being the same way! I was telling God no because Barry didn't look just like my Dad. I repented and told God...'Alright...if he is the one, then You orchestrate it all! I'm not having anything to do with this...It's ALL You, Lord!'
to be continued....
My Dad was still in Washington DC finishing up the last few months of his service. It was summertime and there wasn't alot to do. My brother and I would take bike rides through the tobacco field at the end of our housing development. In the back of my mind was the nagging thought that I was going to grow old and live with my parents for the rest of my life...ugh!!!
Then one afternoon God brought a little saying to mind that one of my teachers at CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) camp had mentioned in a class...'When in a fix, read Phillipians 4:6'. So I got out my Bible and looked up that verse, and verse 7 and they changed everything for me! The Bible says 'Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' I had been very full of care! I had always wanted to get married at the age of 18 like my Mom. It was time for me to let go of what I wanted and just rest and wait on God!!
So I decided that everytime I would worry or even think of marrying I would quote these 2 verses and leave it in God's hands! I also started praying for my future mate and that God would prepare us both for our life together. Meanwhile, I became involved in the radio ministry at our church (FBN). I took the next days broadcasts and recorded them into the system...It was a great time of spriritual growth! I also worked on a bus route and helped one of my friends in her Sunday School class.
Then one Sunday evening several people joined the church. They were standing in front and giving their testimonies. When a certain young man gave his, the Holy Spirit told me that he was 'The One'....like Sarah, Abraham's wife, I laughed and thought 'Ya, right!!!' And God proved He knew best!!!!
When I was praying for my husband I had someone pictured like my Dad, 6 ft!!! I wrestled with this! He didn't look like my Dad at all!!!!
I had been corresponding with a friend from school who was also praying for a godly mate. A few days after this 'revelation' I recieved a letter from her. She told me she had met someone and went on to describe his character and how he loved the Lord and was involved in his church. Then she said something that just astounded me...she said she couldn't get passed his looks! I couldn't believe what I had just read!! He sounded wonderful!! Then the Lord smote my heart and said I was being the same way! I was telling God no because Barry didn't look just like my Dad. I repented and told God...'Alright...if he is the one, then You orchestrate it all! I'm not having anything to do with this...It's ALL You, Lord!'
to be continued....
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