Happy Birthday!!

Today is our oldest son's 14th birthday. I can't believe he turns 14 today. Wow!

Traditional school in an fun alternative way!

My experience with time4learning has been great this year as I have been waiting for my 3 kids to gain access to their K12 programs through Washington Virtual Academy. I have set the kids up to work with Time4learning at www.time4learning.com.They are an affordable way to make sure your students are getting age and/or grade appropriate lessons. Time4learning also gears their online lessons to be mastery based, so your students can work at their own pace. I find this feature nice because my kids are able to work in a higher math but at grade level science and english for instance. It gives access to lessons one grade below and one grade above their current grade. Learning online is fun with very interactive lessons and the online tools keep track of your students progress in a very easy to read format. Time4learning also gives both student and parents ideas for extra reading and activities offline that compliment their online lessons. I would highly recommend time4learning to anyone, especially parents/kids new to homeschool as it is laid out in a easy to follow format and progress is tracked for every lesson.

Direction

Lately, I have been thinking of what I will post next. Maybe a post about... peace, forgiveness, or maybe even communication. All are good and necessary and I will probably get to those next time, but today our church's youth pastor answered my question as he taught a little about how God gives us direction. Pastor Shane's message really made sense of what I have been asking God for in my daily prayers. Direction is important, and the right direction is crucial to productivity. I have learned that going the direction that suits my desire isn't always productive. I have to lean on God asking for wisdom and His direction. For example, If it were up to me, any marathon I participate in would look very different. I may not feel like running hills that day and would for certain choose the easier path. I would say mile 18 is close enough and would not choose to push myself that extra 8.2 miles, but as a runner I know that hills build endurance and make me a better athlete overall. And, to be honest not pushing myself the extra 8.2 miles to the end of the race would feel great at first, but would not give me the same sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. There is a lot that I learn in those last miles about myself that would never be realized if it were up to me. Glad there is someone else that determines those things and it is just up to me to run the race. This is how I try to live life too, and you know I learned something. Sometimes God doesn't give us a road map, but he provides us with the next step. It's true that in a marathon you receive a map of the course, but honestly towards the end of the race just knowing your next goal is all you are concerned with. I usually have markers. "run until I get to that light post, and then I will walk until I reach that green house down the street". These are the next steps I am concerned making and a lot of those next steps put together get me to my ultimate goal, the end of the race. I tend to fear the unknown and life has a way of throwing unknown adventures into my path for time to time. I am living today in uncharted territory. This is a new chapter in our life in general, but even though change is happening, there are some things that remain consistent. And not all change is bad. Actually there are some exciting things on the horizon, but there is for sure a fork in the road. God only gives me what I can handle, right?! Well, maybe only what I can handle with Him by my side! I am excited to reveal more about the changes taking place, but am cautious too. What's that one saying Mom use to always say? Oh yeah, "don't count your chickens before they hatch". Good advice mom! I most certainly won't, but pray that I have many chicken's to share with you later! :D

Eva's Story- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Girl of the Year

Blog Thoughts...

Have you ever had a friendship or relationship where maybe a pause for perspective was needed? What does God say about mending and strengthening friendships after perspective has been clarified? Is there a place for new beginnings? I certainly believe that God can use any circumstance to His glory and use new perspectives to accomplish what may not have been possible without the needed pause. God is at work in a mighty way and there is a lot to accomplish for his glory, but I walk in caution to seek his will through prayer when making bold moves and walking in uncharted territory. What are your thoughts and how can God use your experiences to make a difference in someone else's life?

Morning scripture reference:
Colossians 4