Homeschooling with a MISSION

Guess what she said on her birthday! It was a wonderful day to praise the Lord for the years of precious life He has granted. What a miracle it was for us to be given such a special gift just “7” years ago. After fostering-to-adopt four children and enduring miscarriages, we thank the Lord daily for looking upon us with grace and the blessing of AbiNoelle (and the answer to her prayer for a sister, AmiJoy). In our family, this is the season of birthdays, beginning with Daddy and AmiJoy in September and Mommy and AbiNoelle in November. AmiJoy is on the move and showing her personality more and more each day. When her words come, no doubt we will have content overload in our house, but, for now, AbiNoelle maintains the lead in that area. On her birthday morning, she said, “Mommy, I kept waking in the night so excited for today…why I’ve been waiting a whole year to be seven!

Too funny! – Waiting a whole year to be seven! Life is precious and exciting! But life can also bring difficulties. In our prayer list, we are praying for

….a friend who just lost a baby and one who is expecting to bring one home soon. 

…a missionary’s family who is resting in God’s comfort after his tragic death at the hands of unrest in their country.

…a pastor’s wife who watched her father take his next step into the presence of the Lord.

Life is important and must be used effectively and carefully for His service.

I was just speaking with a friend whose husband works in genealogies. Shockingly, he recounted how many times, a family member has walked into the genealogy library with a box of family records only to state that the “heritage” of records was unwanted by their family. While a treasure for the genealogy society, but what a sad moment in that family history, to think that someone’s years of research was boxed up and so quickly handed over to strangers. 

Family and heritage can have such influence and impact on our lives – for the good or bad. The cycle of divorce, drunkenness, and all others many times is passed from generation to generation. Most foster children look back in their history to a trail of brokenness. Yet the Bible reminds us of a goodly heritage that we can all strive for – breaking the cycle of sin and passing on the amazing, life-changing difference of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

AbiNoelle and I had the special privilege of attending a Mother-Daughter Retreat. This intentional togetherness left us no doubt closer and more understanding of each other. The speaker challenged the Mom’s to be “Women of the Word” and the daughters were also taught to exercise purposeful kindness everyday. One important take-away gem from a lesson was that families should create a “Mission Statement” to be learned by all members and exemplified to all watching. What a great way to emphasize the importance of life, family, and heritage! Just the other day, I heard a  preacher lamenting the fact that statistics show that millions of Americans attest to living under a Biblical Worldview, yet a test of their Bible knowledge proved that only a small fraction understood the Bible that they said they lived by.

Our prayer is that we might raise our family to live intentionally for the Lord and that those watching might see great evidence of God’s Truth growing us, leading us, guarding us day-by-day.

Family Moments

Don’t forget to check out AbiNoelle’s latest Tweety-Pie, Junior Tutor Lessons on Vimeo.