Humor Helps

There are those days when you just know things are not going to go well. As homeschoolers, our day is affected greatly by each individual's attitude (Mom's included!). And some days, it ain't purty. 


This morning, after a nice holiday break from school, we resumed--much to the consternation of one young scholar in particular. We discussed the fact that, regardless of the wish that school would simply go away, that wasn't going to happen. Corporal punishment followed continued poor choices. Encouragement to take it to the Lord was not received. The heart did not choose peace. 


Finally, during math it happened. Acceptance of the inevitable and the choice to make the best of it brought forth the desired attitude. 


A cheerful countenance reflected the cheerful heart now abiding in Him. I received this little drawing of the "Love Bug" at the bottom of the math page when it was given to me for checking. 


Love Bug: That's long been the nickname applied to this particular little heart. 


My response written beside the art work: "I'm glad my love bug is back. I wanted to squash that mean 'ole stink bug that was in your chair this morning." 


Cheerful giggles followed. All is right with the world. At least in our Antbed.

From Me to You

I just have to stop a moment and tell you all how much I appreciate each of you. Your sweet encouragement means more than you can possibly know. He uses your kind words to minister to my heart. 

I sometimes wrestle with this Antbed, wondering why I am here, and why on earth you would be here with me. And then He uses you to touch the specific place in my heart that needed His Touch. And I praise Him. Or you tell me that the words here touched a place in your heart, and I PRAISE HIM because it is only He Who is Able. 

You pray for me. You make me laugh. And you show me His Love.

So from the deepest recesses of this broken, patched-together, broken-again heart, I thank you. 

And I thank Him for you. 

He receives much Glory when the Body functions as He desires.

And I pray He may be Glorified through the thoughts, words, and actions of every single one of us.

The Gratitude List: May 2

Additions to my Gratitude List for this week: 

1397. Lots of manly helpers to work on a yard project with Kregg

1396. This machine that saved my husband's back

1395.  The first horned toad of the season-it's okay, it's just sleeping

1394. The fun of surprising the kids with bunnies! 

1393. The testimony Caleb gave this morning about what the Lord is
         doing in his life
1392. A dove singing its heart out atop my chimney
1391. The kids taking care of the watering for me today
1390. My wise son reminding me to lay down my expectations
1389. The music of John Kraemer that washes over my heart
1388. The testimony of this godly man who, even in his 80's, is chasing 
         after God and seeking to stir up His Body to be salt and light

1387. A visit by Gary Tate with Mackenzy, to inform her of his involvement
         in the fight against human trafficking
1386. A sweet talk with youngest about her tendency to be stubborn at 
         heart--followed by true understanding and repentence
1385. The Hope He gives that he will continue to pursue the hearts of our  
        children

1384. The director of Opportunity Camp coming to support Caleb at the Awards
         Luncheon and their attempt to pose with a "be strong" face

1383. Watching Caleb receive his award for his essay on service  
1382. Kregg's refusal to accept my letter of resignation as mother (yes, it was 
         one of THOSE days)
1381. Joshua's precious letters this week
1380. My next breath

1379. The email he sent of these precious children who were rescued

1378. The ministry of Gary Tate and his passion, even in his late 80's for the
         work God has for him
1377. The wisdom of the midwife Hannah and Jeremiah are using
1376. Finding out that Hannah is okay--there was a little scare about  
         premature labor--Thank You, Lord
1375. Kregg faithfully taking the boys to Scouts every Monday
1374. Rebekah and I being so silly trying to pick out my new glasses

1373. Mackenzy was certified as a Coffee Master! The only one, at present, in  
         their district.


The rest of my list is here.

A Gratitude Journal for Marriage

As my Gratitude List grows and my heart changes, the ripples extend outward. In listening to one of the chapter discussions on Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, she made a comment in passing that made all the bells and whistles in my head go off. She mentioned making a gratitude journal with your husband!! I LOVE this idea. 

It reminds me of a story I heard once, I cannot remember where (and I may actually be combining multiple stories), about a husband and wife who were on the point of divorce. I don't know if it was a counselor or a friend who gave them some very wise counsel. They were told to make a list of everything they disliked about their spouse. That certainly was an easy job. Their pencils were smoking from writing so fast. They sure didn't want to forget something before they could commit it to paper. The whole time they were writing, they were feeling the delicious, self-righteous, holier-than-thou blood beginning to boil. They would certainly prove who was causing all the problems in their marriage with their list. Their lists each covered multiple pages.


As they finished, they were told to do something that left their mouths hanging open. "Tear your list up into little pieces and throw it in the garbage can." 


What?! After all that work?? Don't you even want to look at it? Can't I at least give it to my spouse? 

But, they proceeded to tear up all those angry words, all the accusations.

Now what?


"Make a list of all the things you like, are grateful for, in your spouse."

Silence.


This is a joke, right?

But, it was not a joke. So they sat back down and picked up their pencils. This was much harder. It took them a lot longer. These lists weren't very long. They covered less than half a page. But each of them did come up with a few things that were positive to say about this person they were ready to give up on.


The next assignment? Read the list at least once each day.

You already know the end of the story, don't you?

Their attitudes toward each other changed. Completely. Not only did they not divorce, they are happily married. 


Changing the focus changed their relationship.

So when Ann, just in passing, mentioned a journal to share with a spouse, I thought about that story. And I thought about how it could bless our marriage. How it could help us grow closer and deeper in love. 



I bought this plain little journal and told Kregg what I hoped we could do. I wondered if he would think it was silly. We have a good marriage, after all. But he was willing to try it. I wrote first. It was a little awkward, but I wrote something about him I am thankful for, put the date beside it and left it on the counter in our closet. With a pen. For the first couple of days, my entry was alone. He has been so very busy, I'm sure he just forgot about it. But then, sure enough, I opened it one day and there was an entry from Kregg! What a precious gift!

And so now we play tag back and forth. It's lovely. And I look forward to our next 25 years together, counting blessings and filling our journal with years worth of notes. I believe it will change us. It will deepen our relationship and that will bless our children. And someday when we are older and grayer, we can share our legacy of gratitude with our kids. And the ripples will continue, for who knows how long?
 

"A Love Calendar" for the First Two Weeks of February

Image Courtesy of the Vintage Moth

Leslie at Top of the Page just posted a wonderful idea for a calendar to celebrate the first two weeks of February. I love it when someone shares their ideas while you still have enough time to copy them! :)

She has made an adorable advent-type calendar that she uses. Every person in her family has a little pocket for each of the first 14 days of February. Every member of the family leaves every other family member a love note for each day. And she emphasizes that the focus of these notes is to be something you appreciate about that person, a character quality that you see.

2011 is, for me, the year of Spoken Blessings and for Being (as in "all there", 100% present in each moment). So this is the perfect way to spend the first two weeks of February on the Conderosa.

Just thought you might enjoy this idea, too!