Thursday, October 29, 2009

Called to Preach!

Well, if there was any doubt on whether Chad has been called to preach, I think it can be put to rest now. He preached at Evergreen Baptist Church on Oct. 11th. We were in Muskegon on the 18th and then he was called to preach at Evergreen again on the 25th. They just called tonight and asked him to preach this coming Sunday, Nov. 1st. He is already scheduled to preach at our church (Liberty Baptist Church) on Nov. 8th. And Evergreen already booked him for Nov.15th.

What is God preparing him/us for?!

Blessed by God!

I feel very blessed this week! So many good things are happening to us. I am continually amazed at how good God is! I know that He loves me, and I know that He cares for me, and I know that He wants only the best for me, but it is still hard to fathom all that. Most people wouldn't think much about some of the things that have happened this week, but I see them as true provisions from God.

On Sunday, someone from church gave us a 1/2 bushel of apples because she was tired of canning apples and still had a 1/2 bushel left. I was able to can some pie filling and make some fresh apple crisp and still have apples left to either eat or make more goodies with. Also, a friend dropped off some things she was getting rid of that we needed and I was able to introduce her to someone who was able to help her with a health problem she had been dealing with.

On Monday we received a financial gift in the mail that was completely unexpected! In addition, it lifted our spirits to know not only that we are loved by friends and family, but that God is definitely at work in not only our lives, but of others as well.

Tuesday I picked up beef that my parents bought and are sharing some with us and with my brother's family. I was also able to pick carrots and someone stopped by and helped me finish picking them (my back was killing me!). I was very happy to send her home with some of the carrots as well and I made a new friend!

Wednesday I was able to get so much more accomplished than I thought I would and a friend called to tell me that she had started volunteering at the local INC, Spot and had been given store credit which she was giving to me because she didn't need anything.

Today we finished school early (because we actually got started early!) and I was able to run some needed errands and found some things we needed at the local resale store (where I used the credit my friend gave me!). I was also able to offer an ear to a friend who really needed to talk and I only pray I was able to comfort her as she has comforted me many, many times before. I was also able to help out my neighbor by keeping and eye on her property while she is gone.

This week we have also been milking my neighbor's goat that she is trying to sell as she is not living at the house right now and a milking goat is worth more than a non-milking goat so we are keeping that up for her.

It feels great to be able to be able to "pay it forward" with our blessings! God blesses us in so many unexpected ways that it just makes me look for more and more opportunities for Him to use me to bless others. It really is true what Christ told Paul, "'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:32). My prayer is that God continues to use me to bless others and that my eyes be open to every opportunity He gives me to do just that and that I won't be too tired or too busy to see it and that I take full advantage of it. I pray that I can be Christ's hands to those He brings me into contact with. "To God be the glory for the great things He has done!"

Monday, October 19, 2009

Reasons for Homeschooling

People often ask us about homeschooling and while I always have an answer as to why we home school, I thought this post made on another blog gave a very through answer with scripture to back it up.

If you have ever wondered why some families choose to home school, then I suggest you read this. If you've ever contemplated homeschooling, please read this. If you are highly against homeschooling, please read this. In other words, I believe it would be good for anyone to read.

As the author of the post points out, I (and she) am/are not condemning those who send their children to public school, but trying to share our viewpoint. How a parent chooses to educate their child(ren) is between them and God and not up to me (or anyone else) to judge.

Friday, October 16, 2009

11 years!

Tomorrow Chad and I will celebrate 11 years of marriage! I am so blessed that not only did God bring Chad into my life but He has also brought us through the many difficult times in our marriage. We have not only grown closer to each other, but closer to God (which is why we were able to grow closer together!). Chad is a wonderful husband and an awesome father.

My life now is nothing like I imagined it to be when I was young or even from when we were first married, but I wouldn't have it any other way. God's plans are definitely better than mine! It is amazing how much Chad and I have changed over the years. I am so glad that we have been able to make those changes together. How much we have changed is a great testimony of God's love and power!

Some people might not think making it to eleven years is a great milestone, but every year is a milestone! I can't wait to meet many, many, many more milestones with my dear husband. Please rejoice with us that God has blessed us so immensely over the past 11 years!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Addition

I've tried multiple times to upload pictures of the addition and I either get an error message or the internet times out. The addition is up and done as far as we can go at this time. We are using it for storage and are still working on moving things out there to give us more space in the house.