100 Days of Grace

Today marks our 100th day of school. We've celebrated by having a toast bar for breakfast, recounting His provision and care for us, praising Him in prayer for helping us through the past 100 days, and are looking forward to an afternoon movie. We aren't counting the days primarily so we can know how many school days we will have completed by the end of the year, but so we can have a tangible way to show we have a God on whom we can count!

It's hard to measure grace. We know it's multiplied abundantly (grace upon grace - John 1:16), just what we need (My grace is sufficient for you - 2 Corinthians 12:9), and is given when we need it (receive mercy and grace to help in time of need - Hebrews 4:16). We know the origin of it (God of all grace - 1 Peter 5:10) and where it can be found (the throne of grace - Hebrews 4:16). And all that's a perfect summary of these past 100 days. Our God, who is full of grace, has abundantly given us better than we deserve, when we need it, in a way that magnifies His strength and our weakness. For all this we praise Him!

It is encouraging to look back at the large portions of workbooks completed. Miss Long and the Shorts have become beloved family members. Number bonds have made us feel like we'd be "bound" to certain units in Singapore Math forever. But God makes things "click" at just the right time. We don't function like a well-oiled machine around here, but we do function, and that's yet another evidence of grace!

I love having these kids with me all the time (most of the time). I love being part of and observing their discovery process. All truth is God's truth, and I know that what is true about everything they are learning points to Him as the source of it all. 

The First Grader:

By far, one of the greatest joys this year has been watching Stella become a competent reader. Mrs. Hubbard gave her such a good foundation last year and it has all really come together for her. I know everyone learns at a different pace and it mostly evens out by middle school, but it is thrilling to see her reading my old books which I wasn't reading until the 4th grade. She is in love with E.B. White and has read Charlotte's Web numerous times. She has also read Stuart Little and is over 1/2 way through Trumpet of the Swan. And let me tell you, she has no shortage of opinions and critical thoughts about what she's reading. I was telling her E.B. White wasn't alive anymore and she exclaimed in disappointment, "Are you serious?! I was really wanting to talk with him about doing a second Charlotte's Web. I mean Charlotte has these spider babies and another book would be perfect to develop their lives." And she has her first crush on a character. She told me, "Mom, I wish Sam (in Trumpet of the Swan) was real. I think I'd marry him." She has a sheepish little grin on her face when she's talking about him too. Oh dear.

The Preschooler:

In true Ruby fashion, our preschool lessons have involved her exclaiming, "Now yisten, Mommy, to what I'm going to teach you today!" Asserting authority seems to be a strength of hers.  But physical little Ruby settles down just enough to have completed many worksheets and units from Two Teaching Mommies. They are perfect for her at this stage. She's glad when it's done though and she can flip over her page to draw the classic preschool circular person with arms and legs protruding from the round form. She is showing a love for learning in between the "meals" she preparing, books she's "reading," super-heroes and "mean guys" she's channeling, and babies she's mothering. She is the complete package, let me tell (or warn - depending on the day) you. Strong and sweet at once.

The Toddler:

Schaeffer's favorite school time activity is coloring...on the couches (upstairs and down), pillows, bedroom comforter, and the front door. Yes. He has done all of that at different times over these past 100 days. Following in his sisters' footsteps, he has grown to love the Little Einsteins. He comes for cuddles while I teach, which quickly deteriorates into his grabbing for the scissors or stapler or some other dangerous object. He sits on my lap while we read, loves trains and cars, and hits his head, walls and sisters frequently. He keeps our day interesting...and interrupted....and I wouldn't want it any other way.

(Pictured here "answering" the catechism question, "Are there more gods than one?" with "No. There is only ONE true God.")

The Weary Mom and Teacher:

She runs on grace powered by the gospel and, she admits, large quantities of coffee. She tries to fill her heart full each morning so she can serve from the overflow, but by 9 AM, the overflow is gone, and she can be found as a permanent fixture at the throne of grace. Her children have seen the worst of what's in her heart this year, but the best of Jesus, in turn. She isn't super woman, by any means, and feels like "super" only describes her neediness and weakness. She confesses that she's eager for nap time/quiet time each afternoon, and struggles with time management, keeping the house clean and organized, and the pull of the wonders of the internet, like everyone else. She stands in awe of God's grace and knows the theme of her days is "nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling."

So we've counted 100 days of God's grace to us. Here's to counting on Him for the next 100 as well!

disturbingly transparent

ruby praying this morning:

"...and please give me a new heart so i can know how to love....so i can love my sister and not kill her."

my iphone's glimpses of 2011 - final installment

october - december (top left to right):

1) does it get any sweeter? sisters thanking God for providing their food.
2) can you give me a hand? another fall craft.
3) read too much paul tripp? i mustache you a question.
4) already asking for the keys? schaeffer drives the motor city.
5) another you tube video laugh? or was it awkward family photos?
6) does she get paid for this? stella organizing the lip glosses at express.
7) did the collage really cut out the girls enjoying their tea party? ugh.
8) can stella escape ammy's throw of the big ball? thanksgiving fun.
9) ever wake up on the wrong side of the crib? he does.
10) should we be worried? "mommy, do i have to clean my purses out? they're full of my mean guy stuff!" yikes - a chain saw? a staple gun? a drill?
11) been to the holy land? closest we've gotten is "a night in bethlehem" at bethel assembly of god.
12) how could i not take a picture of this sweet sibling interaction? enjoy it while it lasts.
13) think they're a little excited to paint their chalkboard placemats? gotta love their high class garbage bag smocks.
14) will there be any rolo pretzel turtles left for our neighbors? "mommy, can i have another one?"
15) how long will it be before i let ruby use a glue stick again? gift bags for christmas treats.
16) who's concerned about eating raw eggs? beaters are just too tempting.

You Can't Whip God

Today my grandpa would've turned 75. He's been gone for almost three years now, but he still has a message that needs to be heard.

Jerry Neuhart was born in 1937 to Hilda and Frank, in the beautiful rolling hills of Southeastern Ohio. He grew up in the small town of Senecaville and learned about life from the perspective of a farmer working horses, milking cows, and feeding chickens. He was one of six boys and three girls.

He loved hard work and valued earning a living by the sweat of his brow. He was a man's man and was drawn to the head-turning, full throttle cars of the fifties and sixties. He could be found on "the strip," drag racing in his free time.

He married Carol Jean Beggs in 1959, and they had three kids Jodie, Tommy, and Bradley. Life was moving along as normal until God brought the gospel message across their paths in the mid-1970s. Grandpa said, "When I first heard Glenn Thorn tell me [the gospel] I knew that's what I needed." And God gave him and Grandma faith to believe it.

Their lives changed pretty radically. They started going to Roadfork Baptist Church where an eager young man, fresh out of Bible college, had just taken the pastorate. Pastor Tim Valentine took Grandpa under his wing and faithfully fed him God's Word. And Grandpa grew.

He and Grandma caught a vision for God's mission when Pastor Tim and Becky moved on to plant a church. Grandpa made the long drives to New Hampshire from Ohio and back to help excavate the land and get it ready for the building process. They prayerfully considered relocating to be part of this new church with the Valentines, but God had other plans for them.

Eventually, they ended up going to a church in Woodsfield, Ohio, about an hour from where they lived in Senecaville. The long drive didn't hinder their involvement. They were a significant part of that ministry as well. So much so, they both agreed Grandma would volunteer her time and teach Kindergarten at the church's Christian School. This was no small sacrifice considering the distance. But they followed God's call.

They weren't aware that shortly after making this decision, part of His call would be one of the hardest calls Grandpa would ever receive. It came December 13, 1985. The snowy roads were slippery that day as Grandma was driving home from school. She hit some ice and lost control of the car killing her, his wife of over 25-years, and Brienne, his sweet 5-year-old granddaughter, who was in Grandma's Kindergarten class. Grandpa got the shocking call from the police that evening. The years of pain, processing this life-changing tragedy had begun.

And it did take years. The questions, the doubts, the anger, the what-ifs, and the brutal realization of sudden separation. These are almost more than the human heart can take apart from the grace of God.

In late 2008, Grandpa began experiencing some physical symptoms which lead to a series of diagnoses, ultimately landing him in the hospital with metastatic brain cancer. In January of 2009 from his hospital bed, he was ready to talk about the trials of the last couple decades. He said to me, "I've learned you can't whip God. I've tried [these past years], but you can't whip Him." He assured me of his continued but tested faith in the gospel. God still had a strong grip on him through it all!

The last few months of his life were a struggle as cancer ravaged his once strong body. It was difficult to watch. But he had surrendered to God's sovereign loving hand and his soul found peace. God comforted him those last months with precious promises from His Word. My mom read Scripture to him. One night, though he barely had the energy to speak anymore, he starting quoting the beginning of John 14 while my mom read it aloud. 

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for  you. And 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." (vv 1-3)

I don't know where you might be in your processing of the heartbreaking trials and unthinkable tragedies of life. Life in this fallen, sin-cursed world is never easy. But for some, the cross God calls them to bear is especially heavy.

My grandpa who walked that hard, trial-laden path has words of rest for you, "You can't whip Him." So trust Him. Surrender to His sovereign plan. You will find Him to be more kind and loving than you could ever imagine. You might not have all your questions answered, but He will give just what you do need to get through; His peace, His presence, and, most of all, the comforting hope provided in His Word.