Run With Sparkle

"I will certainly be with you." Exodus 3:12       It was 2 weeks before we were to start homeschooling again and dread overwhelmed me. Why? Because Isaiah didn't want to homeschool. It was painful to think of another year of trying to convince him that this is what we were called to right now, the best thing for our family.  I met with a friend and she told me about a new grant that enables low income families to go to private school. Perfect! Perhaps this was my answer...Isaiah could go to Heartland Christian School. I was sad that this may be God's answer because I would miss the time with him, but wanted the best for the kids. So, I began the application process. I had an unsettling feeling the entire time. When I stopped to hear from the Lord on the issue, I could hear Him saying, "Heather, I've told you to homeschool, given you the curriculum, answered your fears, and you're still not obeying." Ouch! "Okay, Lord, I'll listen, but ...

As the rain  and the snow      come down from heaven, and do not return to it      without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,      so that it yields seed  for the sower  and bread for the eater, 11  so is my word  that goes out from my mouth:       It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire      and achieve the purpose  for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:10-11 Last week with our kids was brutal.  I babysat various numbers of kids everyday, had missionaries in from out of town, took the kids to Bible school, had play dates at the park, and had 4 different nights where we had dinner with families from our church. By the end of the week I was ready to lock our children in their rooms.  They were being mean, not wanting to play together, constantly hurting the other one's feelings, saying things I have never...

Yesterday, after much bickering and breaking up fights I said to the kids, "We really need to sit down and read our Bible together.  We need to hear from the Lord!"  The sounds that followed ripped me to the core..."Awww!" "Do we have to?" "I don't like reading the Bible!"  I wanted to scream in anger about how they never seem to make those sounds when we sit down to watch a movie, but I didn't, I just started reading.  Zeke was the only one scrambling to get to my lap and hear the story. Afterwards, I let the kids go play and I just sat in the Popasan chair feeling dejected, like a terrible mother. "Lord, you promised to pour out your Spirit on my children!  What is happening?  I am failing you...failing them!  You have to do something" I brought them all back into the sun room for a light lecture.  Haha...yeah, if that's possible! "Guys, I have one main job as a mother and that is to teach you the Word of God....

Last week my beautiful 4-year-old, Moriah, started riding a 2-wheel bike. She has been determined for a while to learn to ride this summer and last week after many bumps and bruises, she took off.  She also started pumping her own swing, too! Wow...life is zooming by! But, back to the bike...it was a warm & sunny spring day in 2013.  The kids were outside riding their bikes.  Moriah had more than outgrown her princess bike with training wheels.  I remember breathing these words to Jesus, "It would sure be wonderful for Moriah to learn to ride a bike this summer, but she needs a new bike.  We don't have the money for one.  A princess bike would be nice, too."  It was just a thought sent up to heaven to my Daddy who provides for all of our needs!  It wasn't an "official" prayer, but just a thought, believing in His time He would provide what Moriah needed.  It wasn't 5 minutes after that breath I heard Isaiah calling, "Mom! Mom!  The...

In the quiet, in the stillness I know that You are God In the secret of Your presence I know there I am restored When You call I won’t refuse Each new day again I’ll choose There is no one else for me None but Jesus Crucified to set me free Now I live to bring Him praise In the chaos, in confusion I know You’re Sovereign still In the moment of my weakness You give me grace to do Your will When You call I won’t delay This my song through all my days All my delight is in You Lord All of my hope, all of my strength All my delight is in You Lord Forevermore                                Hillsong United, None But Jesus With the news of baby #5 on her way, this song was appropriate for today! 

On Sunday my husband was telling about an ancient Hebrew tradition called Votive Offering . Votive offerings "refers to those things that are vowed or dedicated to God...as an expression of reverence or thanksgiving."- Thanks, Orthodoxy Wiki   This is my Votive offering or Thank offering: I have been searching for curriculum for a few months now, researching what will be best for my children.  I knew I wanted something that followed the principles of Charlotte Mason and Leadership Education .   I didn't care much for My Father's World curriculum a year ago when I was searching out a Kindergarten program, but my philosophy of education has changed so much in a year!  I had settled on their 1st grade curriculum for Isaiah with just a couple supplements for Moriah. I needed reassurance from the Lord that this was the right curriculum for us so that when we get into the thick of it all I can rest in that assurance.  So, I laid a fleece out for the Lord.....

He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Psalm 113:9 I remember a time I hated being a Mom. Gasp! Yes, I feel sick saying it aloud, but I hated it.  The "what ifs" of fear ruled my life every second of the day...there was no peace to be found.  I continually reached the "end of my rope" and wanted to run.  The temper tantrums, strong-wills, challenges of teaching outside of the home, trying to be superwoman at church.  Sure, I loved hearing, "How on earth do you do it all?", but always felt that I was about to snap in anger or just have an emotional break down. I remember vividly sitting at the park watching Moms interact with their children with such joy, peace, and true contentment.  That is what I wanted.  To be able to set other things aside and enjoy my children, my role in life. In 2010 I was on the verge of another breakdown and I was ready to give up.  The dream of having a big family was fading because I didn...