As I write this, I am sitting in a hotel with my family on a Saturday morning. We are having an early Christmas celebration weekend with my husband's dad and his wife and other members of the family. My oldest son has been anticipating this weekend for weeks. Yes, he is excited about seeing his grandparents after a year's wait, but foremost in his mind was the prospect of sitting in front of the television in the hotel room. I despise the hold that that thing has on him and other children.
Now, I could have exerted my authority and told him "No, you aren't turning it on, and that is final", but I didn't feel to do that. I knew I could expect rebellion from him with that approach. Instead, I surrendered him to God, trusting that the job we have done raising him was sufficient for the task.
I am thrilled to report that as he eagerly turned on the channels with all the shows I have repeatedly told him were not good for his soul, he would watch for about 30 seconds to a minute, then say, "No, this show is not good to watch." Then he would change the channel to another forbidden channel, and the scenario would repeat itself. I rejoiced quietly in my spirit as I saw this! Thank you Jesus!
There is great value in letting children learn to make right choices. If he had not made the right choices, of course I would have stepped in and continued the training. But in the public schools, he is faced with SO many choices regarding right and wrong, that I need to give him opportunities in the home (or hotel) to practice being successful with making right choices.
Time for continental breakfast!! Plenty of good choices there! :)
Blessings! Michelle
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Thursday, December 16, 2004
A nearly missed blessing!
God is just so wonderful! Just as a parent loves to surprise and bless their children (which is why I spent more than I should have today on Christmas shopping), God delights in surprising His children with unexpected blessings!
I let my boys sleep in this morning... they've been getting to bed late, and Adam didn't feel very well last night, so they (and mom) slept in a little bit. We waved to Paul, the bus driver, as he drove away without boys in tow. School starts at 8:30, and being a fairly responsible mom, I tried to get them there at least CLOSE to the start of the day. We were only about 15 minutes late... but according to God, we were right on time! Just in time for His scheduled blessing! As we arrived, a man with a dolly hollered for Adam to "hold that door open, young man!" On the dolly was a GIANT...uh... something. It was in a huge bright blue zip-up case. It was over 6 feet tall. I wondered... then I signed the boys in for the day. As I turned to leave, I heard the word "harp" spoken around the corner. That's it! I had forgotten! There were two harpists from the VT symphony orchestra scheduled to perform today! And I would not have had the chance to see this splendid presentation, if I had let them ride the bus, or been earlier or later! Isn't He neat?
I learned so much! God is the creator of music, and it is mathamatically perfect and mind blowing. The harp looks like a hard instrument to play (the pedal part is fascinating, but requires far more coordination than I possess, I'm afraid). My children learned a lot, too, but I learned that God loves me so much, that He was willing to take my choice (let the boys sleep in) and turn it into a big huge blessing! Sweet.
I let my boys sleep in this morning... they've been getting to bed late, and Adam didn't feel very well last night, so they (and mom) slept in a little bit. We waved to Paul, the bus driver, as he drove away without boys in tow. School starts at 8:30, and being a fairly responsible mom, I tried to get them there at least CLOSE to the start of the day. We were only about 15 minutes late... but according to God, we were right on time! Just in time for His scheduled blessing! As we arrived, a man with a dolly hollered for Adam to "hold that door open, young man!" On the dolly was a GIANT...uh... something. It was in a huge bright blue zip-up case. It was over 6 feet tall. I wondered... then I signed the boys in for the day. As I turned to leave, I heard the word "harp" spoken around the corner. That's it! I had forgotten! There were two harpists from the VT symphony orchestra scheduled to perform today! And I would not have had the chance to see this splendid presentation, if I had let them ride the bus, or been earlier or later! Isn't He neat?
I learned so much! God is the creator of music, and it is mathamatically perfect and mind blowing. The harp looks like a hard instrument to play (the pedal part is fascinating, but requires far more coordination than I possess, I'm afraid). My children learned a lot, too, but I learned that God loves me so much, that He was willing to take my choice (let the boys sleep in) and turn it into a big huge blessing! Sweet.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Hello? Can you teach today?
Today was an exciting day for me! I am finally back in the classroom. I am on the substitute teacher list in 3 different school districts. Today, I worked in a kindergarten room in Colchester. What a blessing! I really had forgotten how much I love teaching! I even had a 5 year old kindergartener named Nicolas James, just like my son! He felt pretty special after I told him about MY Nicolas James who is 5 years old and in kindergarten. :)
I am very pleased to be back in the role of teacher. It is a very special role... you are actually so many things! You are a mind molder, character builder, nose wiper, jacket zipper, shoe tie-r (whoa, how do you actually spell that??), confidante, friend... it's just like being a MOM!!!! Because at home, I believe that moms are responsible for educating their children, as well as all the other stuff listed above. Not only teaching them to read and write, but most importantly, teaching them about God and His Word.
As I spoke with Mrs. Anderson today in school, she told me about the limitations put on them at the holidays with regard to religious activities. The "holiday" season cannot be about only Christmas... you must include Hanukkah and Kwaanza, and their must be no mention of the story of Jesus, no prayers with the lighting of the menorah, and Kwaanza is just a heritage type story, so that one is okay. In my opinion, Christmas is entirely cut out, because to me, Christmas has NOTHING to do with Santa, reindeer, and presents under a christmas tree. How sad. Mrs. Anderson told me she has one student (with learning disabilities) who just can't stop talking about Jesus (YAY!!!!!!) because he understands that HE is what Christmas is really about, and says so at every opportunity! How exciting! Children are guaranteed the right of free expression, and I am thrilled to see this young boy freely expressing his belief in Jesus as the Savior of the world! If only every child would be so bold! If only the teachers were ALLOWED to be so bold!
Well, I am exhausted...must get some sleep before the phone rings early tomorrow morning.... riiiiiing......hello, Michelle? Can you substitute today? YOU BETCHA!!!!!!!!
Blessings!
Michelle
I am very pleased to be back in the role of teacher. It is a very special role... you are actually so many things! You are a mind molder, character builder, nose wiper, jacket zipper, shoe tie-r (whoa, how do you actually spell that??), confidante, friend... it's just like being a MOM!!!! Because at home, I believe that moms are responsible for educating their children, as well as all the other stuff listed above. Not only teaching them to read and write, but most importantly, teaching them about God and His Word.
As I spoke with Mrs. Anderson today in school, she told me about the limitations put on them at the holidays with regard to religious activities. The "holiday" season cannot be about only Christmas... you must include Hanukkah and Kwaanza, and their must be no mention of the story of Jesus, no prayers with the lighting of the menorah, and Kwaanza is just a heritage type story, so that one is okay. In my opinion, Christmas is entirely cut out, because to me, Christmas has NOTHING to do with Santa, reindeer, and presents under a christmas tree. How sad. Mrs. Anderson told me she has one student (with learning disabilities) who just can't stop talking about Jesus (YAY!!!!!!) because he understands that HE is what Christmas is really about, and says so at every opportunity! How exciting! Children are guaranteed the right of free expression, and I am thrilled to see this young boy freely expressing his belief in Jesus as the Savior of the world! If only every child would be so bold! If only the teachers were ALLOWED to be so bold!
Well, I am exhausted...must get some sleep before the phone rings early tomorrow morning.... riiiiiing......hello, Michelle? Can you substitute today? YOU BETCHA!!!!!!!!
Blessings!
Michelle
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
reliving my childhood through my children
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer... it was the highlight of the Christmas season MANY years ago (yes, I am seriously dating myself). All the kids in school talked about nothing else for a solid week. "Are your parents going to let you stay up late and watch Rudolph?" You always felt extreme pity for the few whose grinch parents wouldn't allow them the once a year treat of staying up 30 minutes past bedtime to watch Rudolph. It was magical! It was just as exciting each year following... like you hadn't seen it in one hundred years!
Ah, the good ol' days before the advent of VHS... now you can watch "Rudolph" five consecutive times in a day in July if you want to, thanks to the wonders of video. It seems to have lost some of the luster and magic that it once held. However, my husband and I have not purchased these timeless classics on video. And tonight we were rewarded for that decision. As we sat and watched "Rudolph" on CBS this evening with our two sons, ages five and eight, we relived the magic as they experienced what we experienced so many years ago! It was beautiful! My five year old was unsure of the abominable snow monster, and my eight year old cracked up at the concept of a "humble bumble" with no teeth! I felt like I was eight years old again!
Frosty is on Friday night... my favorite line? It's when the cute little boy in the green snow suit decides on a name for the snowman.... "How 'bout OATMEAL?"
Ah, the good ol' days before the advent of VHS... now you can watch "Rudolph" five consecutive times in a day in July if you want to, thanks to the wonders of video. It seems to have lost some of the luster and magic that it once held. However, my husband and I have not purchased these timeless classics on video. And tonight we were rewarded for that decision. As we sat and watched "Rudolph" on CBS this evening with our two sons, ages five and eight, we relived the magic as they experienced what we experienced so many years ago! It was beautiful! My five year old was unsure of the abominable snow monster, and my eight year old cracked up at the concept of a "humble bumble" with no teeth! I felt like I was eight years old again!
Frosty is on Friday night... my favorite line? It's when the cute little boy in the green snow suit decides on a name for the snowman.... "How 'bout OATMEAL?"
Monday, November 22, 2004
Thanksgiving vacation...is it survivable?
I remember as a school kid, how exciting it was to have an entire week off from school! A whole week (9 days, actually) to sleep in, play with friends, watch TV, and escape the torture of homework! It was glorious! My mom was never as excited as we were... she was actually quite grumpy. I could never figure that out...
Fast forward about 30 years... I find myself on the flip side, and finally understanding her anxiety... two active boys, kings of sibling rivalry, home, together, for 9 days in a row! Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Deliver me! Well, it's not really THAT bad... they have their good moments. They usually get along famously when they are up to something that mom would consider highly unacceptable. The quiet is a key indicator...
Anyway... Thanksgiving. I have to admit that I am VERY thankful for my two boys. They have provided countless blessings, and many teachable moments when God spoke to me through situations they somehow provided. I am looking forward to the lessons that God has waiting in the wings for me this week. Thanksgiving vacation is a time of spiritual growth. And God has promised me He will not give me more than I can bear. He is a good God. Thank you Jesus for my wonderful children! I will enjoy every moment with them that you graciously provide!
Blessings!
Michelle
Fast forward about 30 years... I find myself on the flip side, and finally understanding her anxiety... two active boys, kings of sibling rivalry, home, together, for 9 days in a row! Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Deliver me! Well, it's not really THAT bad... they have their good moments. They usually get along famously when they are up to something that mom would consider highly unacceptable. The quiet is a key indicator...
Anyway... Thanksgiving. I have to admit that I am VERY thankful for my two boys. They have provided countless blessings, and many teachable moments when God spoke to me through situations they somehow provided. I am looking forward to the lessons that God has waiting in the wings for me this week. Thanksgiving vacation is a time of spiritual growth. And God has promised me He will not give me more than I can bear. He is a good God. Thank you Jesus for my wonderful children! I will enjoy every moment with them that you graciously provide!
Blessings!
Michelle
Necessary outlet for a closet writer!
Well.....
Never thought I would see myself attempting this! Blogging is for people who are actually GOOD at it, like Phil Hampton, Wendy Scoggins, and Brad McDonald! I am just a mom in Vermont, trying to make ends meet, raise two boys, and live for Jesus the best that I can in a harsh, post-modern world. I have a fabulous husband, a wonderful church family, and a pastor who is passionate about the fold he shepherds (to visit our church website, click here).
Living in Vermont is a challenge. There are so many reasons for living here: low crime rate, low population rate, gorgeous scenery most months of the year (excluding mud season). The people are friendly, and now outnumber the cows (sorry, gotta live in VT to understand that one!). And the biggest reason of all to live in Vermont if you are an apostolic Christian... so many lost souls. There are VERY few churches up here in the spiritually dark Northeastern United States. The UPC only has 5 small churches in the entire state of over 600,000 people! The strongholds here are not coming down easily. The liberal politics here are nothing short of appalling. And yet, my heart breaks to think of the multitudes who refuse to hear the message. But a former pastor told me once... "the first shall be last and the last shall be first". The state of VT was the LAST of the 50 states to have a United Pentecostal Church established in it.... we are ripe to be the FIRST state to break out in revival that will turn this nation upside down in a day! I have no intention of leaving...I want to be here to RIDE THE WAVES of revival when they break forth!
Yes, the writer in me is just itching to get out... and so, I think I will accept the challenge and take this blogging journey wherever God leads...
Blessings until the next post!
Michelle
Never thought I would see myself attempting this! Blogging is for people who are actually GOOD at it, like Phil Hampton, Wendy Scoggins, and Brad McDonald! I am just a mom in Vermont, trying to make ends meet, raise two boys, and live for Jesus the best that I can in a harsh, post-modern world. I have a fabulous husband, a wonderful church family, and a pastor who is passionate about the fold he shepherds (to visit our church website, click here).
Living in Vermont is a challenge. There are so many reasons for living here: low crime rate, low population rate, gorgeous scenery most months of the year (excluding mud season). The people are friendly, and now outnumber the cows (sorry, gotta live in VT to understand that one!). And the biggest reason of all to live in Vermont if you are an apostolic Christian... so many lost souls. There are VERY few churches up here in the spiritually dark Northeastern United States. The UPC only has 5 small churches in the entire state of over 600,000 people! The strongholds here are not coming down easily. The liberal politics here are nothing short of appalling. And yet, my heart breaks to think of the multitudes who refuse to hear the message. But a former pastor told me once... "the first shall be last and the last shall be first". The state of VT was the LAST of the 50 states to have a United Pentecostal Church established in it.... we are ripe to be the FIRST state to break out in revival that will turn this nation upside down in a day! I have no intention of leaving...I want to be here to RIDE THE WAVES of revival when they break forth!
Yes, the writer in me is just itching to get out... and so, I think I will accept the challenge and take this blogging journey wherever God leads...
Blessings until the next post!
Michelle
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