Here I Am, Send Me

So I've been challenged this last week to look at my life.
My calling.

I grew up in a missionary based church. I still remember the lady who lived in the Philippines staying at our house, she had cool wooden instruments, woven trinkets and really neat stories and pictures of dark skinned children with big white smiles.

I don't know if I thought much beyond that as a child but I did know those pictures and stories stuck with me. I always wanted to go.

Living without electricity, in sandy, dusty places has always intrigued me. When I learned about the "wild west' in school my heart ached for days on the prairie, making my own bread and soap, sewing my own clothes and riding in a horse and buggy.

Eeerrr... (sound of a record scratching)
I don't live there:
in the wild west
or
the Philippines.

I live in Florida. In a house.
With air conditioning, bought clothing, Publix bread and a mini-van.

But my desire is still there. My desire for people.
I happen to have a real heart for the youth of our nation, more specifically the youth of the area surrounding my home, you know the comfy home 3 miles from the beach.
Anyway, it was brought to my attention recently that if I was called to the distant land of the Philippines or Kenya or Indonesia I would have quite a learning curve ahead of me.
Language, culture and more.

I'm not called there. I'm called here to the "Globals" or "Digitals".
I've been called to a group of people who talk differently,
act differently,
live differently; yes we share a common language, a common stomping ground a common "spoiledness' of living where we do; but we're different. Too often as American adults we forget that our students are living in a different era. They do not know life without cell phone and internet, where we had to travel to see London they can walk the streets using Google. I had pen pals who tapered off after a few months where my children can talk to and watch videos of their friends all over the world via youtube.
Crazy, mindblowing when you think of how quick things have changed.

So I've been challenged to really get to know the culture in which I've been called to be a missionary. I guess to some degree I've already attempted to embrace it.

Myspace
Cell Phone
Faceook
Texting
Twitter

All this still sits in some parts of my head as "bad", afterall I was raised with the notion of screens being brainrotters, not good to be in front of.
While to some degree I still see the negative aspects of too much screen time, I've learned to embrace this digital, global generation.

To be sent to the nation for Christ means to know the nation I've been sent to.
So I've been challenged to view my mission field a little more seriously and to hopefully pass on my new mission mind-set to this generation of doers and changers so they too may see themselves as missionaries in their schools, classrooms, homes and jobs. That they may rise up and be the generation that brings the church out of the poverty it is currently sitting in.

Love, peace and I heart cool felt bags,
-Michelle

I Have No Title for This One

So after a 2 week internet fast I'm slowly making my way back. I didn't miss it as much as I thought I would. I was also surprised that I didn't have a bunch of free time on my hands without it. While not my intention I secretly thought I'd get unfinished projects completed and cupboards cleaned out.
None of that happened.

I will say it was nice to do life without the internet. I did wonder about my friends in the blogosphere, what were they doing, who had babies, who had what tips for me, I wondered what I was missing out on...

So I'm back and right now I sitting at my friends dining room table typing this on her laptop. She's in the hospital after having baby #3 on Friday. I came Thursday night and settled in while Momma made the trip to the hospital. The boys woke on Friday fairly early, one happy the other telling me to "get out". It got better, much better.

Time goes by so quick. Running all over with a two year old came back to me faster than I thought. Makes me think about each day I have with my teenagers. Each minute is so precious, after all I'm not even guaranteed another one.

Man, God's been working on my heart lately. I wish I could put it into words but these last few weeks and this weekend has really stretched me spiritually. Maybe it's life with a 2-year old, maybe it's lack of sleep. Whatever it is I simply do not want to take for granted any time, any opportunity.

My focus has been changing.
Not that my focus has been way off, but then again maybe it has.
I'm beginning to look at what I want in life very differently.
See when I'm 42- my youngest will be on his own.

I mean Lord willing he'll be on his own.
I've given thought about those years. What I'd do, where I'd work, if I'd work, if I'd travel, if I'd be helping orphans or missionaries in third world countries, and on and so on.

But I'm not 42, I'm 34.
I'm not guaranteed my 40's. I'm not guaranteed tomorrow- so that leaves my today.

My today with my kids.
My today with my husband,
my today with family, friends, today with those I come into contact with, who I pass on the street, talk with on the phone, stand next to in the check out, sit with each Wednesday night.

It changes how I look at what I should do with my money, with my time, with my efforts and energy.

'Cause ya know I had a thought about an "emergency fund"- aren't there emergencies all around me happening right now. Children not eating, not having shoes or running water. And yes I mean around me in my state, in my county, in my town.
Children going hungry in my own town. Hurts my heart.

Anyway, I've had time to think.
Now comes the acting. What steps do I now take.
Now comes what I am least good at.

But not my strength, not my will.

So that's the ramblings of a house-sitting, babysitting, little sleep getting, lots of exercise lady who is trying to live more for Christ and less for herself.
-Michelle

I Had a Thought Today

Have you ever thought about the fact that young people in today's society film just about everything and post it somewhere on the web.
Youtube, myspace, facebook...
I'm interested to see what this will hold for future presidents, senators, congressmen, governors.... I'm not sure there will be a person out there who doesn't have something archived somewhere on the world wide web.
Good?
I think it'll bring an honesty out, the term skeletons in the closet may be a term of the past. I also think it'll bring an "everyone has done it" attitude as well. Events and situations that really are inappropriate will be deemed as OK; after all there are hundreds of videos on the web of tons of different people acting stupid in the same or similar way. We'll look at childish behavior is college age students, or any age, as part of growing up, or "just being a girl" or "boys will be boys", when statistically not everyone is "doing it" (this reaches beyond our s*xual mindset when I use that term).
Just as our polluting and current day living will effect the earth so will this public display of our youth.
Have you checked out my kids youtube?
Makes me think as a parent.
What are your thoughts?
~Michelle

#4105 Where Have You Gone?

So we went last night to finalize our Christmas shopping, mainly to get Legos, and I must say I was greatly disappointed. Wal-mart, Target and Toys R Us had a sorry, sorry selection of Legos. So sorry that told Steve I may not purchase my legos at these stores anymore, yes I often speak out of sheer emotion with no consideration of my wallet.

Yes, they had cool kits. The Police Station, the boat, but it was a specific red box of Lego bricks we were looking for. The one that's $9.97 and has 487 pieces, you know item #4105!!!! When I spoke these words to the Toys R Us guy he looked at me like I was a very strange, way to old for Legos crazy lady - oh how glad I am that I travel with a rather large husband, who I'm sure scares people away from calling security on me.

No where in our shopping area did I find this red box of Legos, and upon looking on the website Lego is to blame - I'm not sure they carry it anymore. So the boys will for the first time in 14 years will be getting a Lego gift certificate; which to all you Lego fans out there is probably the best Lego gift they could receive because of the following that is offered at the Lego store in Orlando. It's the fill your cup for $12.99 deal. This allows them to get just the pieces they need.

Nevertheless, I'm ticked that not only did I have to visit 2 Targets, 2 Wal-mart's, but that I had to subject myself to K-B toys, where they tried to sell me mega blocks claiming they're "just as good as Legos"- what? who are you and why haven't the Lego police arrested you yet?

So under the tree will sit these two Lego products, this one simply because I like the skeleton horse, and this one because I like the alien and the boys could always use ship building pieces.

I apologise for the content of this, afterall this season has nothing to do with the size of our Lego collection and everything to do with Jesus, it's just that the red box of Legos is such a staple around here and I'm still upset!

My Soap Box... for a minute

We don't have cable.
Or dish network.
We have an antenna.
Old school style.

When we travel the kids don't have a portable DVD player.

My kids are good travelers.

I bring this up because recently I've had several conversations with moms who say they just can't live without TV for their kids. Thinking of a trip in the car without the DVD player on is a form of torture for some moms. An afternoon without a movie playing freaks them out!

Are you kidding me?

I didn't realize we as moms had become so wimpy. Yes I'll most likely get some slack form this but those that know me know I don't expect you to behave as I do. Believe me my children will be lined up for therapy as soon as they leave my house.

But com'on. You're child needs to watch TV while traveling to the grocery store, that is, if you are brave enough to take them- but that's another post.

How did our grandmothers make it, or our great grandmothers? Heck how did Noah's wife do it with her 8 children and all those animals!

I encouraged a friend this week to not take her DVD on the plane for her 3 young children. She freaked at first but I received an e-mail explaining that she successfully did it!

Can you imagine that. Her children survived on a plane for 2 hours without watching TV! Good job!

So let me step on my soap box for a little bit. When our children are allowed to watch a screen everywhere they go they will miss out of the beautiful scenery that God gave us to enjoy on road trips. The experience of flying, looking out the window observing the sights and sounds around them are missed when DVD's are on the plane.

I am of the mind set that televsion numbs the brain, puts it to sleep.

Misbehaved children, antsy children, whinny children often times don't know how to entertain themselves, or be alone wiht themselves for 2 minutes. They depend on mom or TV or something to entertain them. Have fun when they grow up.

Turn off your TV's parents and sing with your kids.

Play I-Spy,
search for road signs and license plates.

Spot tiny buildings and house outside plane windows.

Enjoy your kids! One day they will be gone.

Stretch minds, awaken the brain cells and teach your children to be satisfied just as they are with nothing else. To be satisfied and happy without all the extra junk.

So that's my 2 cents.
-Michelle
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WOW! 10-Year Anniversary!

We will start our tenth year of homeschooling this fall.

Did I tell you I'm not old enough to have been homeschoolng for 10 years?

Well I am.
Kind of?

Anyway, it's back to my fun time in planning; the scheduling!
I function well on a schedule, so do my kids, especially my active one!

Although I usually end up so far away from the schedule by years end that when summer comes, we're well inot summer mode.

I'm also in the process of deciding what curriculum to use.
I'm more of a lax-homeschooler, as in relaxed. I haven't always been, there was a day when I had it bought and planned and ready to go, then we found this way and right now- it works!

So here are some thoughts...

History. Using the 8th grade ABeka History DVD curriculum with Early Bird's bbf. Using this for both boys, grades 6 and 8. I think the 6th grader can do the 8th grade work no problem. Going with a Christian based program as I want History taught from a Christian perspective. Plus it come HIGHLY recommended, this teacher and this class.

Math? Still unsure if I want to leave Saxon for math? It's good stuff and works well for Early Bird. As for Night Owl- well he gets the old Saxon, we own it, and he learns from it just fine; actually he prefers textbooks right now. I have and love the D.I.V.E. CD's that go along with Saxon, but Night Owl doesn't care for them- so I'll teach 6th grade math.

Language Arts. Again, still stumped. For 6th grade I think I'll try P.A.C.E.. Night Owl did LifePacs last year and we survived- I think the P.A.C.E. books will work better for him, again he has asked for this type of schooling. As for Early Bird I'm thinking one of the Florida virtual schools. He likes the computer based classes; last year he did S.O.S. and it worked well. The self paced, "do it when I want" works well for him. He quickly learned: get up and get it down so you have time to work and have fun! Yes he works, a job, or two, and he likes it!

Science. Again last year the S.O.S. worked well, so maybe Florida virtual school- not sure because I want Science taught from a Christian perspective? It's also be nice to do this together. Maybe co-op this too? Lots of thoughts on this one?

Foreign Language. Rosetta Stone: Greek- both boys. They will also hopefully, Lord willing, be able to spend time with their Papou, Greek for grandfather, speaking with him in Greek. I've also asked Papou to only speak to the boys in Greek once they decide to learn the language, he agreed! Anyway, I've also suggested busing tables at the Greek restaurant in town. Night Owl said, "No way, I don't even like cleaning up my own dishes, no way am I doing someone elses."

Guess that's a "No!"

Bible. We are doing an inductive study of Jesus together- the three of us. I should have listed Bible first, save the best for last!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the ramblings of my homeschool life!

I can't believe I will be starting my 10th year of homeschooling! Beside my marriage this is the longest thing I've ever done! Hip, Hip Horray!!

I really love my job!


-Michelle
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A Thought I Had

This is a story of two families I know.
One has 3 boys- ages 20, 17, 13
the other girls- ages 17 and 12.
They make the same money each week and they are both good stewards with it.
The family with girls has saved more than the family with boys.

Here's why:
Boys are eating machines!
Yes girls can eat, I am one and I remember my eating prime around age 15/16, but it does not compare to the appetite of a growing boy.

Boys are eating machines. Who else eats a pizza for a snack or 2 sandwiches, a sleeve of crackers, a banana, a pan of brownies and 3 glasses of milk for lunch and then says "I'm hungry" 15 minutes later? A Boy does.

So my friends with the girls have hair ribbons and shoes and make-up and girly things to buy; my friends with the boys have been feeding eating machines for the last 20 years!
Just an observation.

-Michelle
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