Our Family:

Ed, Kristina, Toby(24), Daniel(18), Andrew(17) Abigail(15), Hannah, Victoria-Joy(12), Charles(10), Titus, P.J., Jonathan, Ezekiel

The role of a mother is a life of self sacrifice.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this; that one lay down his life for his friends.

You are called by God to raise up a generation of children to change the world for the better.
Pray God would equip you to succeed in this role. Pray God would put His presence in your children's hearts that they might not depart from Him. Pray God would cause your children to own their own education. ( job is too big for mom)
Trials and obstacles are opportunities for the Lord to show himself strong. (Joys fear ) (Andrews reading) (Charlies discipline)

Keeping the Joy

How does a mother keep the joy when she is exhausted, weary, discouraged by demands and responsibilities? Nehemiah 8:10 The joy of the Lord is your strength.

What gives joy?

Abiding in the Lord Trusting Gods promises Fasting/prayer Thanksgiving Praise

What steals joy?

Worry Weariness Fear Discouragement Expectations Discontentment

Ps. 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy. Beware: tools of the enemy to prevent us from making progress and from fulfilling our purpose.

Home-schooling???

Am I capable of teaching my child? (Counting the costs) 2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Worry
~ allow ones mind to dwell on difficulty or trouble (Nagging thoughts: I am failing; I am ruining my childs future)

Phil. 3:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1)Take every thought captive 2) Sword of the spirit: Word of God 3)Give thanks in all things 4) Pray : surrendered prayer 5) Rejoice Always (praise is faith in action) 6) Resist the devil: he must flee

Children are blessings

Psalms 127:3-5 Behold! Children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is His rewardhappy is the man who has his quiver is full of them

Did I believe this?

Crisis of belief

Weariness
~having ones patience, tolerance or pleasure exhausted.

Turn on praise songs; refresh yourself in the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 61:3 Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Hannah
Sept 1999- June 2000 8 months old
Praise is faith in action (put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness) Praise precedes the miracle (life-support; healed lung; $75,000 debt)

Fear is the enemy of faith. Home

school vs. public school
Fear of failure (not performing to expectations) Fear of rejection (what will they say?) Fear of the unknown (what might happen?) A lie repeated often will soon be accepted as truth

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you. 2Cor. 10:4 For our weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for casting down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

With God all things are possible!

2 Cor. 12:9 My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

Expectations
Dont compare

Surrender Expectations

Expectations can destroy relationships and ruin family unity Expectations stir up strife, anger and divisions. Expectations vs. discipleship (children) When we give all of our expectations to God, we are free to love Stop arguments by yielding your rights: Develop Meekness
Psalms 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.

Titus
November 2005- January 2006 2 1/2 months old I will strengthen you; I will help you. Be content with such as you have.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

God did not give us a spirit of fear. God inhabits the praises of His people. Give thanks in all things
I will help you; I will strengthen you." (Is. 41:10) Give thanks for every day you have with each other. Each day is a gift from God Be content with such as you have. (Heb. 13:5) Abigail (7yrs.) comforted by the Lord When the enemy presses in hard do not fear the battle belongs to the Lord

Praise is faith in action: Sing! Gods mercy: P.J., Johnathon

Ezekiel
July 2010- July 2011 1 year old

Thankfulness is the catalyst to Joy

Give thanks in all things Dont take anything for granted. Count your blessings Teach your children to be thankful

Heb. 10:35-36 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 1 Thess. 5:15 In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Home-schooling is a lifestyle
2 Peter 1:5 giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge Focus on strengthening childrens faith and building character
Children will go the direction of praise (always praise character). Work teach responsibility; service- teach to serve one another; study- own education Family worship: forgive each other, kids pray out loud for each other and sing praises

Trials: Friend or Foe

You can journey through trial with or without the Lord. Bitter or Better?
Promise: He will work all things together for your good. (Romans 8:28)

1 Peter 5:10b
The God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Keeping the Joy:

Faith Contentment Thanksgiving

Completely
The secret of life is letting go The secret of love is letting it show In all that I do In all that I say Right here in this moment The power of prayer is in a humble cry The power of change is in giving my life And laying it down Down at your feet Right here in this moment chorus: Take my heart Take my soul I surrender everything to your control And let all that is within me lift up to you and say I am yours and yours alone Completely This journey of life is a search for truth This journey of faith is following you Every step of the way Through the joy and the pain Right here in this moment Right here, right now, and for the rest of my life Hear me say

Build a family to withstand the storms of life.

Dont let anything steal your joy!

I am yours and yours alone Completely

by Ana Laura