So...this weekend found part of our family searching out treasures at various estate sales scattered throughout our town.  We are now the proud owners of two antique desks, two French Country chairs and a fun, French Country game table.  Needless to say, we found quite the treasures!

The French Country pieces are now home in our master bedroom.  The room was redecorated in the "let's move everything around to see if I like it better here" method.  Lots of dust and back- ache later....we have a new room. Voila!!

The bedroom really is more beautiful and peaceful.  I napped here this afternoon and then decided to rule my little world from my cozy bed.  I brought my laptop back and rewrote some lesson plans, caught up on some correspondence, even talked on the phone a little.  All in all, this "newness" renew and revived me.  Isn't that interesting? 

It is such a lovely morning.  I love Fall in Alabama, especially the parts I get to see everyday.  The drive to school takes us down a lovely, every changing road filled with gorgeous and awe inspiring vistas.  Today the leaves were of gold and yellow,  red, orange,  and green.  The sun beams and the winds danced through all of the color, making it ever changing.  I am so grateful to be a part of such a beautiful world.  Thank you Lord!

New Life

Life seems to be ever growing, ever expanding.  The summer has flown by with many life-changing adventures.  Istanbul, Toronto, Denver, and the ever lovely Shannon. 

I am a kindergarten teacher now.  How did that happen?  It is like planting a little garden.  New little shoots are beginning to bud, and I am the privileged gardener.  New experiences, new needs, new hopes, new dreams.  Not really.  I have always had the same dream...to live happily ever after...

Love is patient, love is kind.  

I have just "discovered" a new Fernando Ortega song.  "This is the Night (of Your Return)."  I haven't heard it before.  Wait is the word God seems to be whispering into my heart.  Help me wait, dear Lord Jesus. 

The Miracle of "Skype"

I am having so much fun.  My daughter and son in law and I have recently discovered "Skype".  Tonight, he is trying to teach me a little Hebrew.  I am not  catching on very fast. :) We not only get to talk to each other, we get to see each other!  Even when I am having a "bad hair day" or horror or horrors, no lipstick on, we are still so happy to sit and chat, chat,chat.  I miss them very much and this is really helping me connect even though we are  many miles apart.  

She is my first child to move so far from home and I have to say, it is not fun.  I feel that my heart expanded to cover the distance between that far away state and our own.  My world expanded.  It reminds me of that Jabez prayer that was so popular a few years ago.  I remember reading "The Prayer of Jabez" in the Paris airport as my husband and I were flying home after an anniversary trip.  "Lord, expand my boundaries".  Well, He certainly has.  Watch out what you pray for.  

Lord, bless this beautiful couple.  Amen!

A storm is brewing.  I am sitting on my back porch with our three small dogs, and the thunder is rolling.   Such a promise.  I hope it is soon fulfilled.  How often these days the signs of rain come...and how often the rain passes me by.   Maybe today...

More about Childlight USA

Try this website for more information about Charlotte Mason and Childlight USA.

www.childlightusa.org

The Old and The New

Greetings from Boiling Springs, North Carolina!  What,  you may ask, am I doing here?  The Fourth Annual Charlotte Mason Childlight USA Conference at Gardner Webb University of course!  

It has been a great time of learning and  laughing, of inspiration and indigestion.  Mexican food, lectures, poetry, art, etc...

Spending time with friends (such as Melanie and Danean) energizes me and gives me strength to continue on the journey.  New books,  "new" music and art,  I am ready to look ahead and begin the joy of planning for the new school year.  Amazing!

Home Again

Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill to all men.

We arrived home last night from a choir tour with Southcrest that traveled almost 3000 miles and worked and sang in four very different missions including ones in Bristol, TN., Cleveland, OH., Buffalo, NY., and even in Toronto, Canada.  The presence of God was real and precious.   I am so glad I went and I am so glad to be home.

Great is His faithfulness!!!