Checkout Quality Christian eBooks for some great free downloads! www.qualitychristianebooks.com - Grab 12 free ebooks here: http://homeschoolgiveaways.com/?p=6417

I came as a leper

^{Mark 1:40}And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”  Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
         I have so much in common with this leper.  I too was dying from a deadly disease, and helpless to change it.   I was enslaved to sin, and on my way to eternal death.  When I met Jesus, I knew if He was willing, I could be clean.  Thankfully He was "moved with compassion" and He was willing.  What an amazing God, who when He sees a helpless, decaying, dying leper, He's moved with compassion.  

Happy Birthday Ciela

This is Not My Home

     I seem to always be waiting on something to change, a job, a home, a situation.  I so often find myself unsettled wondering if I will ever arrive at the place were we feel like I am at home. To a place were I am done longing for something else.  I think the reason I am so uneasy here is because I am not of this world.  I will never be quite comfortable in a world that has rejected it's Creator, and scorned it's Savior.  It sometimes gets burdensome to know everything is backwards.  What God calls good, the world hates, and what the world thinks is good God hates. 
     One day, it won't be like this.  Christ said  "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."  
    That's when we will finally be at home, because where He is, we will be also.  Christ is my home.  Thankfully, He is with me wherever I am.

A Fellow Wretch

     I was sitting here feeling sorry for myself.  Thinking about a wrong that was done to me.  In tears because of deep wounds caused by someone I have loved all my life.  Going over and over in my mind about the disloyalty and betrayal, .... when I thumbed through a book, I had bought as a gift.  Sometimes, the Lord speaks more clearly then others.  This was one of those times. 
     The book read: "Therefore it should be our own vile sin, committed against a holy God and for which Christ suffered that fills us with sorrow and remorse - not the sin that others commit against us."
     How dare I!  Who am I but a fellow wretch!  Thank you God for the reminder!

Update

We have great news!  Geoff was hired with a High School close to home.  We are so thankful to be able to stay here, and for an income!  Now we are praying for friends in similar situations, with the hope that they will be able to stay.  As my dad says, "God is good, we are not, and God is in control!"

Easter fun!

Easter is my favorite holiday!  Not because I get to dress up my children in their very best, or because there is inevitably lots of chocolate, or even because of my fondest memories of Easter at my grandmothers.  I love Easter because we are celebrating my wonderful Savior!  Where would we be if He hadn't risen from the dead? 

Once Again

We find ourselves yet again with the uncertainty of employment.  We have joined the thousands of hard working Americans who have been handed a pink slip and face a bleak job market.   Although the future is uncertain, the outcome is sure.  We have confidence that our loving Father in Heaven is in charge of our circumstances and will cause them to work for our good and His glory.  We have been here before, and have proof of our Father's love in the past, and that gives us confidence for the future.  I look forward to posting again, to praise our Lord for His provision, even if it's the provision of strength to endure the trial.  What a joy, to not face this alone, but to face it with an all powerful, all loving, sovereign Father. 

Motherhood Joyfully

      Being a mother affords us numerous opportunities daily to obey God and store treasure in Heaven.   If forces us to die to self and be others focused.  It motivates us to study the word, so that we can pass on that knowledge.  It gives us an audience which encourages us to live what we speak.  It challenges us to rid ourselves of rooted sins.  It reminds us of our absolute dependency on God, and our desperate need of Mercy.   It is our greatest mission field.  It is cause for great, lasting, and satisfying joy!

Is Votre Vu for you

Well, I did it again. I was looking for the best skin care I could find on the internet. I read countless product reviews and blogs and came to the conclusion that Votre Vu skin care was up there with the best. I asked my husband if that could be my Mother's day gift =) He lovingly agreed.
I poured over the web site to try and get the most for our money. It turns out .. it wasn't much more then becoming a "Product Ambassador" and that would give me the chance to earn the money back... for my loving husband =)
I have no idea if it's going to work but I'm going to give it my best shot! I will let you know how it goes. I think I'm going to start a seperate beauty blog (since I keep up so well with blogging ;P) Anyhow, you can check out the products at www.votrevu.com/sites/kimw

Christmas Traditions

For the past few years it has become a tradition to open Auntie Pam's Box on Christmas Eve. We are always excited to see what she has sent. We are never disappointed ... there is always something we love, and always something we laugh at.
This Year we handed Kristen the first gift. She quickly tore open the rapping paper and with great joy said "Oh I love it so much... it's beautiful" holding up her potholder. Thankfully there was a note (as is often the case) letting us know it really was a doll blanket. My mom was there to join in the fun. Geoff's favorite gift was the "Christmas Story" pop-up book. I was thrilled to receive the resource on creation science which will be a handy addition to our school library.
Taryn chuckled when she opened "Help - I'm being taught evolution" and the juggling kit complete with instructions.
It's ok though, because Geoff is already an accomplished juggler. Michael loved everything! Especially the juggling scarfs!
So thanks Auntie Pam... not only for the presents, and for the laughs, but for the tradition!

Renters

Well, we finally found renters. Just in time too. We have almost finished unpacking but the endless list of things that need to be done will just have to wait.
At Mum's time in Master's Kids my very good friend Michele gave a talk about making your time with the Lord a priority. I have made the commitment to get up at 5:00am so as to have time with the Lord and to make sure I'm dressed and pretty before my husband goes off to work. She also talked about a system of reading 10 chapters a day in scripture. I am so excited about it. That is my cyber declaration so I have accountability. I will tell you how it goes.

My Master's Kid

We had a very exciting day on Tuesday. Andrew started his first day of Master's kids. I am so thrilled to be a part of this program and looking forward to spending one on one time with my often overlooked four year old. We also have started the adventure of homeschooling which has already proved a sanctifying work in both our lives.
Andrew is a very outgoing child and when asked to introduce my he said, "This is my mom, and her name is Kim.... we would have been here on time but there was tons of traffic."
I was secretly made aware that he will be the "Special Kid" this coming Tuesday. This otta be fun. I will let you know how it goes (my one faithful reader) ;)

Boys will be Boys

This is what happens when you decide to smell a light bulb.

Job Security Update.

Well, Geoff has signed a contract with Rosmond Highschool. We are very thankful for the job as it seems there haven't been many openings. Actually, there were no other local openings, so Geoff got the only Math job where we won't have to move. We are praising the Lord!

Taryns baptism

June 21, 2008

It was a great joy to see Taryn get baptized on Sunday. I just don't know how to put into words what it is to see your daughter desire to be identified with Christ. I have no greater goals for my children then that they, do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with their God. To me that is everything. This life is short... the older I get the faster it goes, before I know it, I will be standing in the presence of my Heavenly Father.... and she'll be standing there too. Not that being baptized saved her, but that it was an outward expression of an inward change brought on by the grace of God.

A Day of fear.

Yesterday was my husbands first day off. His father was having surgery for kidney stones so Geoff decided to go down to drive his parents to the surgery center and wait with his mother. As with any surgery he waited anxiously to hear that everything was ok. The Doctor came out and said that his dad was doing fine .... Meanwhile back at our house I was preparing lunch for my children. Andrew asked me if he could have some cashews.. I said yes. Kristen asked if she could have some too. Foolishly I gave them to her assuming they were ok. Immediately she began coughing until she vomited. I could tell right away something was wrong. I grabbed the can of cashews and read the back which said it contained peanut oil. My heart sank.
I gave her Benidryl and had to decide what to do. I called the doctors office but realized they were at lunch for another hour. Taryn and I ran around frantically to get Michael dressed, shoes on kids and in the car. Geoff called me to tell me that his dad was ok, and out of surgery. I had to tell him I inadvertently gave Kristen peanuts and had to rush her to the doctors.
We arrived at the doctors and rushed upstairs to a locked door. I frantically banged on the door but no one answered. I called the number and got the answering service and they paged the doctor. He called me to tell me he wouldn't make it there on time and that I should take her to the Urgent Care a couple of doors down. While I was talking to the doctor Kristen threw up all over my pants and her shoes.
We gathered up our stuff and ran down the side walk to the Urgent Care. We opened the door and went inside to a crowded waiting room with no chairs available. The lady behind the counter asked me what happened ...and I lost it. They took us back to check Kristen's oxygen level. We waited in the hall because there was no rooms available. Michael was starting to get upset because we had left behind his lunch, and I had no bottle or pacifier.
They gave Kristen a shot of steroids and informed me that if it ever happens again, just call 911. They waited awhile to make sure she was going to be ok and sent us home. I was ready for my husband to be home so that I could fall apart, but he was stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire. His mom and post-op dad had to come and give him a lug wrench.
I am so thankful. Thankful to my heavenly Father, who holds me together. He protects my little ones, even from me. He guides me on the freeway when I can't even breathe because of fear. He gives me a husband who relies on Him, on such days as these. A husband who didn't get angry, but bore up under the trial with God as His strength. My God is so good, He is so good to me.
Kristen when we got home. She gets wiped out from the drugs they give her
Later that evening we gave her a bath. It's not uncommon for the rash to come in waves after the exposure, however it's nothing to the first moments of the first rash.

Job Security 2

Just as when you are pregnant and everyone who sees you asks how you are feeling, while we are waiting on the Lord the common question is "Do you have a job yet?". (I'm so glad it no longer is, "Have you met anyone ?")
So an update: Geoff has applied to about 10 schools who have current job listings. Most of these schools I would be sad to see him get the job.. thus the openings. However in the process of looking for jobs we found out there is a Christian school in Santa Clarita that pays well and is growing. They don't have any job opening as of yet, but Geoff put in an application anyway. In my limited view this would be the perfect job. It would be a place were Geoff could have an eternal impact in the lives of these children and enjoy the other faculty members. God has a better view though and although I ask for this to be the answer, I trust that if He has different plans, those plans are better.
I am excited to see what God will do.

Job Security

We just found out that Geoff won't be hired back with the Palmdale School District this coming year. They are having cut backs and because Geoff left the district he is considered a "New Hire" and fireable. It's funny to me because I thought of all people, we had job security. I look at this trial as an opportunity to trust the Lord. I know when it's all said and done, He is faithful, He will take care of us, He will provide, and it's for our good. The only variable is; will we be trusting Him when He answeres? If I look back over my life I find that He has been faithful. He has lovingly blessed us and provided for us in the past. He deserves my trust. I on the other hand have been complacent, ungrateful, untrustworthy, and stubborn. How thankful I am that His provision is based on His lovingkindness and not in measure to my faithfulness. That truth, makes me repent, and beg that I would be more faithful.
It apears that all local districts are cutting back on teachers which means that we might have to look else where for a job. This is difficult because we owe much more on our house then it could be sold for. Right now... There is no answer.
I am thankful for this trial because it has thrown me on my knees and reminded me of how much I love being at the feet of my loving Father. It's reminded me that He cares for me, He takes care of the ravens, and clothes the flowers, and He cares for me. My security doesn't come from a job, but from the One who provides all things, and He hasn't changed.
Please pray! Please pray that Geoff and I would be found faithful when the trial is over. Pray that we would honnor God by trusting in Him. Pray that we would be thankful and persever. That we would walk in the strength that He provides and bring glory to His name.

Why I do Laundry

I sometimes need to remind myself why I cook and clean. I do it so my husband and children can enjoy a clean home, have a nice meal, and have clean clothes to wear. If they are the reason I do all this then it doesn't matter if they interrupt me. It becomes a great joy to serve them, and I should welcome the interruptions. It's my prayer that I would joyfully serve my family... like the Proverbs 31 women who works with her hands in delight. Then I will be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor.