Family Driven Faith

I am reading the book "Family Driven Faith" by Voddie Baucham that was recommended to me by my friend Valerie. There is so much that I am reading that is confirming and solidifying my beliefs about child rearing. First of all, we allow others to dilute our ideas about how we should raise our children. I love my husband and my friends, but there have been times that I have went against my better judgement and allowed certain things in my kids lives based on the advise of my well meaning loved ones. We are not stifling our children just because we do not allow them to do the same things that other (non-christian) kids are allowed to do. I have been told that my children will be abnormal or underdeveloped socially because I won't allow them to watch certain movies or television shows. As a young person, I was constantly being told that I was naive because of my overprotective parents. I am now realizing that it is those comments that I allow to take root in my mind that have caused destructive behavior in my life and the lives of my children.

The other thing that this book is reminding my of is that children are a gift from God. It is not only our job to train them up in the Lord, but to cherish our times with them. Sometimes I get so focused on my responsibilities of raising them, I forget to cherish them. They are only little for so long, and then that time is over, never to be had again. Deuteronomy 6: 6-9 states : And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Look out Newport boys, mom has new resolve : )

Gobble Gobble

Well, I wasn't very successful in sticking to my diet over Turkey Day. I stepped on the scale this morning and weighed one pound more than I did last week. I guess that is not so bad considering that I ate no less than two slices of pie and two brownies in the last few days. I did, however, eat healthfully yesterday and went for a walk. Today I started a new way to impart more scripture to my family. As I read my Bible this morning, I found a scripture that we could all use and wrote it on a note card. I placed the note card and my prayer journal on the end table. As my kids rise, I will have them read and sign the note card (as I have already done myself) showing they have read it, and write any prayer requests they may have in the prayer journal. Well, enough gobble, gobble.... I am off to walk away my pie pounds! : )

New Leaf!

Once again, life has gotten hectic and I have not posted. Once again, I am promising myself that I will post on a regular basis. However, I have changed my focus. This blog has been about my family and school and homeschooling and, well you know, life! I am turning over a new leaf! All that is going to change! I'm sure my family and going to school will sneak it's way into a post or two, however they will no longer be my main focus. I am now focusing on Healthy Living. Body, Mind, and Soul. You see I am not where I want to be spiritually (I don't think anyone ever does or should get there anyway), but I want to be a brighter reflection of God's light. The way I plan on doing that is by seeking God daily and by physical discipline.

You may be wondering: "What does she mean by that?" Well, I plan on the traditional approach of reading my Bible and praying daily. I also plan on a sacrificial form of praise. I will discipline my body in the form of eating right and exercise to re-train myself to have self-control. If I can achieve self-control in this area, I can be controlled in every area of my life. I know I can only do this with God's strength because I have tried to do this on my own all my life. I am giving this area of my life to God with not "take backs". I believe God can break this strong-hold in my life for good! I will be blogging my successes and failures every week.

On average I read my Bible: 4-5 days a week and pray 2-3 of those days.

My starting weight is: nonya! (none ya business) This really isn't about a number anyway!

My Goals: Read and Pray: Daily

Get to a Healthy weight and Exercise Daily! : )

"Babble on in Babylon"

BRIMMING CLOSETS, SHOE RACKS BULGE

ONE IN EVERY COLOR, I'LL JUST INDULGE

MY WILDEST WHIM WILL OFT BE MET,

BIGGER, FASTER, GIVE ME, GET...

...TRAVEL ON IN BABYLON.

MAY I GO FIRST?

KNEW YOU'D NOT CARE.

FOR MY TIME'S PRECIOUS.

YOU'VE LOTS TO SPARE

I'LL SLIP IN FRONT

AND OFF I'LL GO

SEE I'M QUITE FAST AND WELL...

YOU'RE QUITE SLOW.

I AND ME, FAST FRIENDS, LIFE LONG,

...PRATTLE ON IN BABYLON.

NIP IT HERE, JUST THERE A LIFT

I JUST TURNED FORTY, IT WAS A GIFT.

THE EYES, THE LIPS, THE BOSOOMS DO,

SCULPTURED, LASERED, INJECTED, TOO

NO WRINKLES LEFT, THE TUMMY'S GONE.

..JOURNEY ON IN BABYLON....

ENOUGH OF ME, HOW DO YOU VIEW ME?

YOU GET ONE, BUT GIVE ME THREE.

I COULDN'T BARE TO JUST SAY NO,

IT'S MY DESIRE AND RIGHTLY SO.

ADD ANOTHER AND ON AND ON

...SHUFFLE ON IN BABYLON...

NO END IN SIGHT THAT I CAN SEE

TODAY IS BLOCKED BY THE MIRROR IN FRONT OF ME.

A WRECK, A DEATH, TSUNAMI TIDE,

IT MILDLY STIRS ME, I MUST CONFIDE.

T.V. CLAIMS TENS OF THOUSANDS GONE

OH, WELL LET'S SEE WHAT ELSE IS ON

NUMB TO THE STUNNING SIGHT OF EACH NEW DAWN,

SINKING FAST IN BABYLON.....

LIKE A LOBSTER IN A POT,

WHO BEGINS TO LIKE THE WATER HOT.

I'VE BEEN DUPED! BEEN TRICKED! BEEN HAD!

CONVINCED THAT TRUTH WAS SOMEHOW BAD.

EVIL, CODDLED AND COOED AND PURRED.

AND BECKONED ME ... AND CALLED.. AND LURED...

NOW, IN A PLACE WITH THE LIGHT TURNED ON.

I'M RACING HOME FROM BABYLON!

I'M RACING HOME FROM BABYLON!

BY BETH MOORE

The caterpillars have arrived!!!! Yay!

Finals

This week I have all my finals for the Spring semester. This is the end of my first full year of college as a full time student. I am nervous about all my exams this week, so I looked up a scripture. Isaiah 41:10 says "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Praise God, for He is good. His mercy and his blessings are so great, my heart overflows with joy. : )

boing, boing, boing....it's Spring!

So, Spring has sprung everywhere, including the Newport home. We have started our first garden. We planted strawberries and we are super excited! We also ordered our caterpillars to watch grow into butterflies. It is very fun and we hope to be surrounded by butterflies and strawberries soon. Happy Spring!