Oh the places....

Dr. Seuss, I believe said it best, "Oh the Places You Can Go". I came across a great passage in The Russians series by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella. Book 1, The Crown and the Crucible, tells the story of a poor peasant girl who is leaving her small village to go to St. Petersburg, Russia. I love her description of how the few books she has had the opportunity to read (which she read over and over and over) have given her a glimpse into a world she otherwise would have had no idea about.

Anna knew more of the outside world than did most of the sixty inhabitants of Katyk. Even though such knowledge came from the pages of romantic books, she knew there were splendors as well as evils to be encountered. Even if from fairy tales, she knew something of the scope of human nature. She realized there were good people and evil. She knew there were choices to be made that would determine her future. She had an idea that a girl's heart, mind, and spirit might be stretched to the very limits.

...In her own small way, Anna felt like a knight in one of the ancient stories, leaving home for distant lands to seek out a dragon in some unknown corner of the empire, thus to prove her mettle and fulfill her destiny.

List of books for boys by a boy!

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/09/best-books-for-boys-booklist-written-by.html

Yesterday's post by Ann Voskamp @ aholyexperience.com!

Included is a list of 22 books that her son felt most impacted him as a man. Some I have already wanted to read, some are new to me! Yum! I have 3 boys too!!!

Scattered

I have been scattered. Training for a thiath...starting school...behind on house work....then last night I read this...http://www.memoriapress.com/articles/Stop-cleaning-the-kitchen.html

Then this morning it goes much deeper. (Thanks Bonnie for telling us about this!!)

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/08/prayer-why-we-struggle-and-how-not-to.html

Yes, I started this training putting reading my Bible first...but slowly I have put that off to get my training "in on time". Thanks Ann Voskamp for the reminder of what is truely important!

Lord, I love you!
You are what makes me strong.
I am nothing without you.
No stoke, no ride, no walk/run has meaning apart from you.
I cannot love my husband or children without you.
I cannot even keep the kitchen clean without you.
You are everything.
And all I need...
All I want!
Then everything else will fall into place.
Thanks for taking my eyes off of myself,
And putting them back where they belong,
Adoring You!

Love to Eat Hate to Eat

I have been reading lots, but have had no time for posting. I have been reading Love to Eat Hate to Eat: Breaking th Bondage of Destructive Eating Habits by Elyse Fitzpatrick. I have been blown away with the depth to which she explains my struggle and the incredible biblical advice she gives to help remedy it.

I have learned that my struggle comes down to one of two things usually. They are: Love of Independence ( I want what I want) and Love of Pleasure.

I am starting over today in chapter one in order to read through it again with my dad. We have also started the 6 week total body makeover by Michael Thurmond, which my dad had much success with previously. I will try to blog after a few chapters of Love to Eat Hate to Eat. Not sure how much time I will have.

I am also training for the Ramlin' Rose Triathlon. I have started a new blog for that, http://ramblinrosebound.blogspot.com/ but I cannot figure out how to link them together...anyone have technical advice let me know!!!

Stepping Heavenward

I knew when I read this book the first time that it would not be my last read. So, here I am again. Stepping Heavenward was written in 1869 and is the story of one girls process of sanctification. The account begins when she is 16 years old and unsaved. She is well aware of her sin and yet struggles with a lack a desire to mortify it. Through conversations with her dear pastor, his wife and her mother, she begins to understand what it is to follow the Lord. The story follows her throughout her life as she grows in grace and truth.

I do not know about everyone else, until the day I read Romans 7 and found I was not the only one who struggled again my flesh to do the things of the Father, I was in awe! I was just a teenager, but it was quite a load off of my heart! Through the years since that time the Lord has patiently and lovingly continued to guide me to Him...stepping heavenward.

Shepherding a Child's Heart and Study Guide

I cannot recommend Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp and the study guide that goes with it enough!! I am learning so much. I am receiving Biblical answers to things I have struggled with the whole 13 years I have been a parent! I have a feeling I will need to do this study more than once, because I have much to learn and repent of!!

Home from Childlight USA Conference

I am home from the Childlight USA Conference. I have soooo much to blog about. My mind is whirling around with plans for high school next year, and a more liberal array of subjects for the younger ones next year!

The work Charlotte Mason did has been such a blessing in so many lives. I am thankful every day for what I have learned so far. Using CM is stretching me and mold me into a better mom and teacher!