Another Sunday at Home

This is the third Sunday recently that I've been home either sick myself or with sick children. I really really miss going to church as a family, but this is what God has planned for us right now, I suppose, and it's been a struggle to be content and patient as we deal with this nasty protracted time of illness. Today 12-year-old Keely is in bed with the beginnings of the flu (?), but I'm glad that she's slept the whole morning. I hope that strengthens her body to fight off the virus. I once heard someone say that suffering makes us more compassionate, and I think that's definitely true; having a sick household has also really impressed on me that the Lord holds us all in His hands. We can't 'will' ourselves to be healthy or well. We are truly dependent on Him for our health--for our very next breath! So, for that reminder, I am thankful.

I watched a helpful DVD this morning called God's Technology: Training Our Children to Use Technology for God's Glory. It was full of good stuff, much of which I'd heard before. However, I am a dunce who needs constant reminders to stay focused and do what's right. :) I especially appreciated the comparison between technology and poppies. Neither is inherently evil, but both have been perverted by sinful man. I only took issue with one assumption in the video: That everyone is on Facebook and it's unrealistic to think we can avoid it. Um, we aren't on FB for several reasons, and we're doin' just fine, thank you! :) We are so blessed to have a real, functioning church library that is constantly acquiring new materials, but if you aren't so blessed in that way, this one would be a good one to buy and share with others.

This week will be a week of 'lasts' here! The kids keep saying, "This will be the last Saturday night we spend in this house," or, "this will be the last time we leave for church from here!" I am hoping that I will be able to accomplish all the packing and planning I need to this week. Pacing myself has been a bit of a mystery: should I pack this yet or will we need it? So, I think I have erred on the side of not packing enough. Ah well, we're taking the week off of school, so I'm intent on focusing on it Tuesday through Friday. My plan of attack is to take one room at a time. Suggestions?



Currently the house is in the state of disarray that you can't avoid when you're preparing for a move. It's starting to bug me; I can't wait to be moved and have things in their place again! I admit, I'm a bit OCD about my house, or at least about clutter...hopefully it will motivate me to get things in order quickly at the new place.

Have you heard about Lady Gaga's new song 'Born This Way'? I don't keep up with pop singers at all and couldn't tell you what else she sings, but I think that we Christians need to realize the slick lies of Satan that are pervading our culture. After reading the lyrics here, I kept thinking of Ephesians 6:16 (that we just memorized to the tune of 'Do Lord'): [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (Ephesians 6:16 ESV)

The lie that we each can do what is right in our own eyes is most definitely a 'flaming dart of the evil one.' I plan on studying this passage (Ephesians 6) more carefully with the kids soon and applying it's truth to the lies that are coming our way.

Better go get lunch ready for my crew, who will be getting home any minute now. I put this together yesterday and it was so nice to just pop it in the oven!