Fall- A Wonderful Time for Reflection

Welcome fall! This is my favorite time of year. I love the crisp, cool air and changing leaves. I love pumpkin everything, sweaters, boots, and the first fire in the wood stove. My husband said the other night as a storm was blowing in, "the winds of change are here". This wind was bringing much cooler temperatures. We sat and watched the leaves blow; still holding on for a few more weeks. I realized this is a perfect time for reflection.

I decided a couple weeks ago that I needed to take a break from social media. I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to do this for some time, but it is always so hard for me. This makes it even more evident that it is much needed.
 I enjoy talking to people, but I also enjoy people watching. Since June of this year, I have been doing a little experiment, I decided to watch other Moms when we were out and about. At the zoo, at the park, movie theater, even at restaurants when we were out for date nights.  I recognized one thing....the same thing was everywhere I went. Parents on their mobile devices ALL OF THE TIME! 
This was me until we decided about a year ago that it would be best to down grade and take Internet access off of my phone. In fact, I just decided to go back to a simple phone that was only able to make calls and text. This was very hard because as I mentioned before, I am a VERY social person. The fact that we are so attached to our phones and not our children, our husbands, and everything around us is very real and upsetting to me. 

Even after I took away the access on my phone, I was still connected more than I should have been at home. My kids deserve more from me than a Mom who is so "in to" her Facebook and other social media that she can't even listen to what they have to say or look up for one minute to enjoy the beautiful picture they had just colored in their coloring book! This was me! 

What did we do before all of this social media and Internet access? Well, I remember. We actually communicated with people on the phone or face to face. Moms didn't miss the little "sweet" moments that are only given to us for a short time.
 I actually watched as a Mom and Dad at the zoo this summer, "lost" their toddler for a few minutes because they were so "in to" their phones that they didn't even see the small child wander off. When they realized he was gone, they were panicked.  I had kept an eye on him so I could say, "he is over there, I saw him run off a minute ago".

Our Pastor has been speaking to us about time and how much each of us are given each week. When you look at the time we have, break it down into how we use it, it is an eye opening realization that this is all we have. We can't make more time or borrow time from someone else. What we have is all we have. 

So, as I sat on my front porch watching the cool rain hit the colorful leaves preparing for a new season, I thought that is just what I want to do. I want to take some time to reflect on what has been this year so far and prepare for what is to come. 

What has been? Well, our family had a wonderful summer. We have had so many things to be thankful for and enjoy. We have also been through a couple difficult spots with foster care and other hard things that all families go through. 

What to prepare for? I want to be present in my children's lives. I don't want to look back some day and wish that I had spent more time with them instead of always focused on other things. I want to watch my five year old go across on the monkey bars at the playground for the first time (something I would have missed had I been on my phone). 

I decided to homeschool my children for many different reasons, but the main one was to be able to enjoy time with my kids. I need to take the time to enjoy them, I need to get back to how it used to be. 

It has been almost three weeks now since I deactivated my Facebook account. It was tough at first, but so worth it. I'm not sure when or even if I will decide to "re-connect", but for now I'm enjoying every minute of what God has blessed me with. 

I challenge you, my friends to take some time to reflect. What has been? What do you need to prepare for? What changes do you feel you need to make to be a better Mom or Dad? I promise it will be well worth the time "away" from social media to figure it out!


"Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you." ~Carl Sandburg

Camp Hosting.......A Great Family Affair

Our family has always enjoyed camping and had heard about camp hosting before and thought it would be something neat to do some day. After years of thinking about it, we actually decided to give it a try this summer. For those of you who are unfamiliar with camp hosting, I will give you a little overview of what camp hosts do. The camp host can be found at some campgrounds (not every campground has a camp host position). The camp host is responsible for checking campers in, helping them in any way, being a liaison between camp staff and camper, cleaning/tidying bath house, cleaning camp sites and fire pits, etc. Duties for camp hosts can vary between campgrounds. Most camp host positions are volunteer ( you can some find some paid camp host jobs too).

We had the awesome opportunity to host at Twin Lakes State Park here in Virginia (just outside of Farmville). The park is absolutely beautiful and the staff were very welcoming and easy to work with.  We have learned that there doesn't seem to be too many young families who sign up for this job. I figure it is just because they don't know about the many wonderful benefits of camp hosting. We were the first family to host at Twin Lakes. They have never had young children with the hosts and were quite excited to have us. I often heard, "It's like we have six camp hosts instead of just one or two." The children met great friends and had so much fun riding their bikes, helping work in the office, check in campers, participate in the many great kids activities, and of course loved swimming in the lake! Aaron and I had the opportunity to make some new friends too and really enjoyed getting to meet and talk to so many people from all areas.

Even though Aaron still worked during the week (at his normal job) he often said that he felt like he was on vacation because he was able to come "home" to the campground each evening and just relax by the camp fire. I really enjoyed the trails and getting to talk (most of you know how much I enjoy talking). The work is not hard and we found it was actually enjoyable for us. The two days off during the week enabled me to bring the kids away for a little "break" and an opportunity for us to come home and check on our animals and other chores back home.

I met one lady named Leslie from South Africa, she was such a joy to get to know. She was a runner so of course we hit it off right away. She had traveled to many places and seen many things. She made the comment, "it is neat to learn that we don't need to have so much stuff to be happy".  I learned that lesson during this past month. Our family ( a family of six) lived in that camper with just the necessities and we drew so close! I can not even begin to express to you the bond that we formed as a family through this experience. There is just something about not having to worry about "things, stuff"....just you, your loved ones and your necessities.  It almost made Aaron and I want to stay out on the road. Some how I think we would really enjoy that lifestyle!
 Well, maybe one day when our kids are grown and gone, but for now we will most definitely be taking this opportunity again. We will be back to Twin Lakes next year and maybe even try another State Park. The opportunities and memories are endless! What a great way to teach your children a strong work ethic while having great fun! I would like to invite some of you younger families to check out the benefits of camp hosting and would be happy to pass along more information if you are interested.

Happy Camping!

It's Okay To Start All Over Again

After logging almost one thousand running miles in 2013, I decided that my New Year's resolution for 2014 would be to rest. I didn't have any major running goals to reach.

Well, life happened as it always does, and I found myself just a lazy, depressed Mom again. About a month ago, I realized that if I had even run at all that week it was two miles. Really! I had gone from running 20 or more miles every week to 2! Even though I had decided that this year would be a year of rest, I hadn't planned to quit or almost quit running altogether!

It is so easy to fall into old habits and let your mind tell you that it's okay to be lazy. I don't want to be lazy! I really enjoy being active, fit, and healthy! Besides, what is that teaching my kids? I always want to be an inspiration and healthy role model for them. 

SO, I am starting all over again. I have NO idea how long it will take me to build back my endurance for running, but if I don't start I will never get it back.  This week I have committed to start training for a half marathon scheduled for September. Then, I'll just go from there and see what other great races may be added before the end of the year. 

I am so blessed and thankful to have so many wonderful running friends who have been a constant support and encouragement to me.

Consider the Lilies

"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind."

                                                                                                                         Luke 12:27-29

This is one of my favorite passages in scripture. Every year at this time, I am reminded of these verses and the promise that God will take care of us. We need not worry! I must say, some days are just hard. Life is just hard. God never promised us that things would be easy or that we wouldn't have disappointment in this life.  I have taken the past six months or so off from my blogging. Mainly because I just needed "quiet" time. We have had a few disappointments, but also have had many wonderful things happen during this time to be very thankful for. Each day that we have gives us a new opportunity to learn what it is that God would have us to do to help others. 

I am learning how to be a Mom to two teenagers! That is a hard job ANY day, but I think is a little more challenging when you have two younger children coming along behind. Children who are learning and watching each and every thing those big kids do! I feel I am constantly seeking scripture and advice from other great Moms who have gone before me. 

I am blessed beyond measure and so thankful for each new day, each and every flower that blooms, and especially each "transition" as it only teaches me something new and brings me closer to my Heavenly Father saying, "Well done good and faithful servant". 

Blessing to you today!

Foster Care- "How Do You Do It?"

My husband Aaron and I have been foster parents for four years. During this time, we have had several children come through our home. I often hear, "I don't know how you do it! How could you take in a child and give them back?"

 Well, I must say that this is one of the hardest things I have ever done. This job is so hard! Some times I even wonder myself how I will get through it. We have spent the past year and a half nurturing and loving on a little one who will return home to his Mom next week. As I pack his things, and prepare our children for this, I realize that this won't be easy. If there is one thing (there are lots of things), but one thing that has been a huge lesson for me it is that this job and loving these children is not about me. I have had to totally trust God and learn that he is not my child but his. Just like in raising our own children whether they are biological or adopted, they are a gift from the Lord. He is just "gifting" them to us for this time. They all belong to him!

I must also admit that there have been times in the past few days that I feel like I can't even breathe. My heart just hurts and is so sad. I really feel like I am losing one of my children. God does know our hearts and the path for our family. He has a perfect plan for us. I have total peace that God has another child for our family. I don't know if that child will be one that we can adopt or just love temporarily, but I do know that whatever the plan it will be perfect. The only thing I can do is to be obedient to what he has called us to do.

Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers , they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze."

Just when I think I can't do this or there is no way I will make it, this is the verse that the Lord has given me to claim and hold on to.

There are so many children in need of love and a home. If you have ever considered foster care, I urge you to check into it. The job is hard, but the rewards are great so we push on!

Would you be a Phil Robertson?

 This whole Phil Robertson controversy has really got me thinking today. The Duck Dynasty show and Robertson family hasn't made it big because of the beards, the duck calls, or even their sweet Louisiana personalities. I really feel that the reason that millions of American people have fallen in love with this family is simply because of their beliefs, the fact that they speak the truth and we are very hard pressed to hear these things on many other TV shows or stations in America today. Things like, family means so much and reading and quoting scriptures from the Bible. Scriptures that this country was founded on! For me and my family, it is like a breath of fresh air watching this show, and not because we have gotten caught up in the phenomenon of Duck Dynasty, but because it is a show that we can sit together with our children and watch without being worried that they will see or hear something inappropriate or questionable to our beliefs. The fact that they pray at the end of the show (together around a meal) is my favorite part EVERY week. This is how our family, and many other christian families in America live every day! That is why we are drawn to them, they are us. I know this may sound funny, but besides having the wealth that this family has found in the duck call business, our family right here in Virginia could have a show very similar to this one!


So my thoughts this morning are, What if we were Phil Robertson? What if we had a stage as big as he does and millions of Americans attention to share the love of Christ and the truth of the Bible and what it teaches, what would we do with it? We are the "Phils" in our own town! If all these millions of American followers who are outraged right now would just STAND UP, stand up for their beliefs and what is right, I believe we would see a revival in our land. Yes, I said a revival! That is exactly what this country needs.

It is my challenge to each one of you who reads this today, to stand up for what you believe in. If each one of us would take the stand to do what is right in our own home, work place, and community just imagine what a difference we could make. It may not be easy, and sure you may be laughed at or ridiculed but isn't that what Christ said we would endure as believers? It is not meant to be easy, but we need to stand for what is right.

Christmas Crafts

We had a very rainy day here in Virginia today. I decided it was the perfect day to do some Christmas crafts. I just started pulling stuff that we already had out and the little ones had just collected some pine cones yesterday, so this is what we came up with. Fun for all on a rainy, December day!

 
 
Finished product: Candy canes, pine cone wreath, and an egg crate Christmas tree.