The stock market -- I know everyone is freaking out, but no matter what happens God is in control. Fabian and I are taking a Crown Financial (www.crown.org) class at our church and this week is all about God being in control and using everything for good for those who love him. We are in the middle of looking at our own assets and liabilities, assessing our net worth, and keeping a detailed budget to see where every penny is currently going. God has impressed upon me that I need to rest in Him no matter how I may think I've screwed up (it's no really that bad, I promise) I've got to seek His wisdom (simply put, ask him what to do), and do it all immersed in His mercy, grace, and love. He is a loving father who wants to take care of his kids. That thought has kept me from getting caught up in the anxiety of what is going on this week. Not that I don't take it seriously, being cavalier doesn't do any good, but I'm learning to say "no matter what is going on around me, I trust you Father". That is a great feeling.
Onto another topic -- there were Major League soccer players at Andreas' practice today, he got a team photograph with several signatures plus a bunch of signatures on his ball. COOL.
Isabel is struggling with some things at school -- not behavior or academics, but with her classmates. She says out of 22 kids, only 7 behave well. She is getting very frustrated because the whole class gets punished by missing recess, even those who haven't done anything. I've emailed back and forth with the teacher about a week ago, but I'm not happy to hear that Isabel is taking any punishment along with the bad actors. Not sure what to do next -- I don't want to be over protective, but I also don't want to be negligent of the situation. I've heard that all the first grade teachers are having a hard time, so I'm not sure that requesting a room change will do much good. Hmm, guess I need to stop and ask God "what do I do"? Then anxiety won't be creeping around the edges of my thoughts so much...(interesting, isn't it, how we can feel confident around one set of circumstances and not so much about another all at the same time?) I'm learning that trusting God is indeed a process.
Last topic --well, related to the others-- new book I'm reading, called "He Loves Me: Learning to Live in the Father's Affection". WOW. I've put links to the author, Wayne Jacobsen's, websites on the side. Here is his main one again: www.lifestream.org. He opens the book talking about daisy petal Christianity, how we look at our life's circumstances to determine whether or not we think he loves us. Example of what he means: I got a raise! He loves me. I yelled at my kids! He loves me not. This situation turned out exactly the way I hoped it would! He loves me. My best friend is mad at me! He loves me not. ...and so on. This is not at all how the Father regards us, and just the first few chapters I've read are so eye opening and restoring, like a breath of fresh air. I would recommend it to anyone who is frustrated in their walk with the Lord, sick of religion, in need of inspiration, or not yet on the journey of relationship with God but interested! Great book.
A few last words -- Naomi is doing well too, we are still potty training. Got the #1 down, even staying dry at night, but #2 is a different story. She got to go to her buddy Abby's house this week, and her buddy Ry Ry (Ryan) is coming over tomorrow so she's happy. Oh, she also got a birthday party invitation and she knows hers is coming up so she psyched about that too. She's a social little girl, I tell you. She got on the phone tonight and told my mom (Nana): "When you come and visit, I will give you some food!" She's also been saying "barn it" alot lately (darn it.) Funny.
Time for me to go catch a few minutes of my crazy friend Glen Beck on CNN before sleep...
2 comments:
I'm sorry about the first grade troubles. I hate the feeling of wanting to do something but not knowing if you should. Have you tried the principal? Maybe as a grade level they need to handle it differently? I know you'll stay in tune to seek the right answers!
That was always the hardest part of being a teacher for me- discipline was kind of weak and inconsistent and I hated knowing that my good kids were being dragged into it.
It's also the most rewarding thing about homeschooling- knowing she doesn't have to mess with that. :) I'd LOVE some company on that front if you ever decide to take that route!
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