What book is described here?

Always have a book at hand, in the parlor, on the table, for the family; a book of condensed thought and striking anecdote, of sound maxims and truthful apothegms. It will impress on your own mind a thousand valuable suggestions, and teach your children a thousand lessons of truth and duty. Such a book is a casket of jewels for your housebold. - Tryon Edwards


Hmmmm the only book that would really teach truth to your children is the B-I-B-L-E!

Looking for a job?

A friend of mine Beth Johnson sent me this in an email...
Enjoy.

If you are not working in the church because no one has given you a job, wait no longer.

Christ has a job for you.

1. Feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, help strangers, clothe the naked, visit the sick (Matthew 25:34-40).
2. Bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).
3. Comfort one in trouble (2 Corinthians 1:4).
4. Do good, communicate (Hebrews 13:16).
5. Warn the unruly (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
6. Restore one overtaken (Galatians 6:1).
7. Study the Scriptures (John 5:39).
8. Teach (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
9. Give (Matthew 5:42; 10:42).
10. Sing (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19).
11. Pray (Matthew 6:9-15).
12. Bear fruit (Philippians 1:11; 4:15-17).
13. Increase your faith in God (John 6:29).
14. Exhort one another daily (Hebrews 3:13).

Christ has already handed out the assignments. Let us strengthen our hands to the task that is before us.



It gave me something to think about.
With so many "jobs" to do, I should never have reason to say I'm bored lol.

Be Blessed
Nikki

The America We Love to Call our Own!!!

You can read about this beautiful boy here :

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/20/burned.boy.surgery/index.html

This boy while living in his own home country had someone pour gasoline on him and burn him.

He survivied and someone here in America heard about this story and he is now in the States and doctors here are doing the surgeries necessary for him.

Read the story at the link above and for those Christians who read this, PLEASE pray for him, the doctors and all who are caring for this boy.

This story brought tears to my eyes and also the heart of those who are caring for this child.

We are blessed, people, blessed to be living in a nation that cares about people. Not just people that look like us, but all people.

Nikki

PS Mike starts work with the security agency on Friday!!!!

What should I write about today?

I clicked on my blog site, and sat here.....thinking...." What am I going to write about today?"

I thought that I should be writing something to inspire those who read it, but I've got nothin'.....

I thought that you all are tired of me writing the same old thing about family....but that is really all I have to write about .



So, in order to update my blog ....back to the same old stuff I guess lol.



Mike: Had his 3rd job interview yesterday with this security agency. One way or another, he should be working for this agency in some manner. The one job he was applying for ...the interview went well but the owner of the company said if this position didn't get filled by him, he wants to offer Mike another position. Not many details on that...but we should hear something by the end of the week. Hahaha....I feel funny saying that cause that is what they told us before and it took two weeks lol.



Me: Lost two daycare kids yesterday. I only have 3. Two kids that come 2 days a week....and one little boy who comes 1.5 hours a week lol. The two kids that come twice a week were good kids and Angel and Tony had alot of fun with them. They will be missed.

I'm glad to see the warmer weather returning for a bit cause I really haven't had the time to go shopping for cooler weather clothing lol. Uh oh...did I say that?



Kids: They are doing fine. Michael is glad to be home and the kids are glad to have him here.

Our homeschooling year is going fine. Joey is moving right along. We've started now for 2 weeks and already have turned in quite a bit of work to American School of Correspondence.

I really would like him to graduate early to take a year of working before he heads off to Culinary School.

Angel joined American Heritage Girls. Its an alternative to Girl Scouts. Its fantastic and she is excited about it very much. The troop is doing a Varity Show for their first fundraiser so she is trying to decide if she wants to do something for it. She is a bit...LOTSABIT...stagefright...so this is a challenge for her. In a couple of weeks is a daycamp for her group too. I will probably be helping out with that so she will have a blast.

Tony recieved a junior metal detector a couple of weeks ago and its perfect timing cause as we are redoing our backyard, he can take it out and find lots of treasures. Ask him about what he has found. He likes to talk about it.

Ok all, there is your update.
Its 9:30 and time to get a move on with my day.
Have a great Tuesday and be Blessed
Pray for the Josephs as they are in the Ukraine now and they need prayers for safety and that they can do God's work while they are there.
Nikki

A beautiful poem

This poem I am posting is written by the grandaughter of a dear friend who teaches for a school in Chennai India. Her grandaughter is only like 13 or 14 years old at the most....what a talent.



The Faithful and Wise Servant

There's dishes piled in the sink,
And laundry left to fold,
The table isn't fully cleared
Of breakfast that is cold.

Throughout the day there's chores to do
That often can be fun,
But there are days when any job
Seems dull to anyone.

These jobs seem unimportant now,
So easy to let slip,
To set aside for later time,
Then carelessly forget.

The foolish servant idly said,
"My Lord delayeth to come;
Those needful things? Some other time!
For now whatever I want."

Then as a thief would come at night,
Unhailed, his Lord returned;
He cast that slothful servant forth
To sorrow and to burn.

But to the servants who had watched,
Who faithfully had labored
In little things, He gave them much,
and blessed them with His favor.

So when I'm wishing I'd a more
Important job to do,
I remember if I'm faithful now,
I'll get the big jobs too.


~Nikki here....What thoughts for a young one to convey so beautifully.
My son Michael returns from Virginia Beach tomorrow!!! YAY!!!
He's been gone a month and its been such a very long month for his mother :)
I need to take some pictures of the house projects we are doing and let you see the home we bought a few months ago. It still has alot of work to do but the jobs require extra money and that we just don't have right now .
My daycare certification is moving along. My references recieved their letters in the mail that they must fill out and answer the questions the state is asking..not sure what the next step is after that but I still have to take a class to get my cpr and first aid certification and take a class in October as well.
Well, I'm off to my work for the day which consists of schooling, laundry, dishes, and I must remember, these are important jobs that I am doing for the Lord. Its a blessing to be home...
Love to you all
Nikki

Remember those of 9-11

Do you remember exactly where you were or what you were doing when you heard the tragic news that the World Trade Center was hit?

I do...

Mike was away with other Navy guys. He had just made chief and was out and about with them.
We lived in Dahlgren, VA then and I was Navy Certified doing childcare and we lived on base.

When this happened, they closed down the base and you couldn't do anything. Those in care had to leave immediately. I didn't know what was happening.

It was the most horrible feeling.

Imagine those who found out they had loved ones in this situation that we were watching.

Those who are on foreign grounds and those fighting here, they are doing this to keep our freedoms alive that we all take for granted.

Let us look back and remember ....do not ever forget....because there are many who lost their lives that day and days following....and those who are still around that will never be the same.

a Poem i found

Thank you Sistah J (whoever you might be for these beautiful words)


I am loved...I am hated.
I am joy anticipated.
I am instruction to the wise.
I am that which fools despise.

I am knowledge on the lips of few.
I am understanding which the diligent pursue.
I am the way which is often rejected.
I am the hedge of those protected.

I am your strength in times of adversity.
I am your peace in the midst of tragedy.
I am the crooked, made straight.
I am the reward of those who wait.

I am shelter in your pouring down rain.
I am He who is able to keep you sane.
I am the hand on the surgeon's knife.
I am the very hand that saved your life.

I am the wind that encompasses your soul.
I am the only one who can make you whole.
I am the river flowing toward your drought.
I am He who breaks shackles with a shout.

I am the book of Genesis through Revelation.
I am the only hope of your salvation.
I am the First and the Last.
I am the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit...all in one cast.Who am I?
I will tell you, even as I told Moses...I AM THAT I AM.

Copyright © 1998 By Sistah J

Prayer Service

I very much enjoyed our prayer service we had last night at National Road.
It was fantastic to gather with our fellow brethern and offer God our prayers in the many subjects we covered.

I wish we did that more often.

Here on the homefront, nothing much has changed.
Still waiting to hear about a job....
and still waiting for his retirement pay to get fixed.

and Oh how sweet it is to wait upon the Lord.....

Life

Hello!
I almost didn't want to write anything cause there's not much that has changed right now.
Mike still hasn't heard anything from the security agency he applied with and interviewed for. He called them on Friday and they had just finished up with their last interview with a candidate so anytime this week, he should hear something. I find myself looking at the phone and trying to get get them to call telepathicthy.....yeah yeah ...pathetic I know.

Our official first day of school was yesterday. It went well. So well, I don't feel like babysitting today...just want to spend that time with my kids...

Mike never got his retirement pay into his bank.....
Hmmm......this sure is getting old. Of course, we called and of course, the admin office said they will look into it. So....here we are again, no pay, no unemployment....its ALMOST funny....and I did emphasize ALMOST....

Michael should be coming home Saturday the 15th. I am thankful for that. I miss him....
Can a person be thankful yet a bit apprehensive too????

Ok, there's your update. From the sound of my writing today, it seems I'm a bit down in the dumps....guess I am...with all of this stuff going on, its really hard not to feel it once in a while.

Please pray Mike gets this job.
Pray that Donna doesn't need a new car.
Pray that our new homeschool year is a success.
Pray for Michael's safety coming home.
Pray for Mike and Nikki's spiritual outlook as we go thru this tough time....
He seems to be doing great. I usually am, but feel a bit down today.
Thanks family.

Love to you all

NIkki

Watch this fantastic video!!

I came across this on one of my emails.
Now at first, I wasn't sure what I was watching but as you watch, you will catch on. It brought tears to my eyes. Its a skit put on by some teens....

Its fantastic..a little long but worth the time to see it..

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5

Delinquents...who are they?

I came across this...I like it. Tell me what you think?




We read in the paper, we hear on the air, Of killing and stealing and crime everywhere;
We sigh and we say, as we notice the trend: “This young generation . . . where will it end?”
But can we be sure it’s their fault, alone?

Too much money to spend; too much idle time;
Too many movies of passion and crime;
Too many books not fit to be read;
Too much evil in what they hear said;
Too many kids encouraged to roam; Too many parents who don’t stay at home.


Youth don’t make the movies;
They don’t write the books that paint
The pictures of gangsters and crooks.
They don’t make the liquor, they don’t run the bars,
And they don’t make the cars;
They don’t make the drugs that addle the brain:
It’s all done by older folks, greedy for gain.
In how many cases we find that it’s true . . . The label, “Delinquency,” fits older folks, too.
—Mrs. E. B. Grant

Attitude is everything..

(recieved this in an email and wanted to pass along)

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs onher head.
"Well", she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?"
So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"Hmmmm," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"
So she did and she had a grand day.


The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
"Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
"YEA!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything ..



Is your glass half empty or half full?

PS. I am looking for a list of good, Christian literature.
Send me your faves my way!!
Just comment me with title and author :)
Nikki

School year appoaching!

Well, another school year is approaching for this homeschool family!!
THis will make our 12th. Hard to believe sometimes. I hear so often, " So are you STILL homeschooling?" And of course my answer continues to be, " Of course!" I can't imagine it any other way. John Taylor Gatto wrote a book called Dumming us Down. If you have never read it and have children in the system, you should read it. He was a public school teaching in New York City and it is excellent!

As this year approached, I find myself focused on more spiritual things with my teaching. If my children have the best academics available but have no moral or spiritual teaching, then they are gaining knowledge of the world and losing the wisdom of God. I need to keep my priorities straight.

We are trying something a bit new this year. Unit studies. At least for Angel and Tony. Joey is still enrolled with the American School of Correspondence and then we add in our own subjects as he needs.

Ron's lessons on reading the bible have touched me tremendously.

So, here is my questions for you today.

Where is your bible? Dusty? Feeling neglected?
Remember, no other place in the world can you find the actual words of GOD!!

Think on that :)

Nikki

Teaching service to our children....long since forgotten teaching!

How can we sucessfully teach our children to get out of "themselves" and learn to be more of servants to others?

I would love to get comments on this question.

Alot of times, I hear that girls are good at this...girls write letters, send cards, draw pretty pictures....but what can boys do and how can we teach service to our children.

I wasn't brought up in the church and neither was my husband so we didn't have this teaching growing up and I want my children to understand this. Jesus talked very highly of serving others.

I want my kids to understand it ....geez, I need the lesson as well :)

Looking forward to the comments and ideas...

Ok, Don't be shy!!!

Just when you think life is getting easier....

Then your oldest son leaves home.....
It started out just for a 2 week visit to see his girlfriend in Virginia. Then he said he wants to try to stay. He left with nothing but a suitcase and some money in his wallet. (and a sad but proud mom at the airport)

Some people wonder about homeschoolers. They think they are unsocialized, afraid to leave home cause they've been with mom so many years...etc. Well, not so with my kids. The stereotype is wrong! But I am proud that my son wants to at least give it a try on his own. Not sure what his plans are or how he is going to accomplish them but I applaud him for at least trying. He wants to come back to Ohio next year, but in the mean time, I definitely feel alot of weirdness.

I hear, " Well, you still have your other family at home." Yes, true. But this is my first son. Its not like I've been used to being away from him like some parents are. Some parents don't teach their own children at home which means even MORE time spent with their kids. I haven't worked much outside the home in his childhood years so that also means I've been with him alot.

Yeah, this is tough. Letting go and letting him make his way.....
I just pray God will keep Michael near to Him. God can take way better care of Michael than I can anyway.

Man, what I've gone thru this past year......

Things here at home are doing fine. Mike had an interview with a security agency up in Pittsburgh. Not sure what will happen with it but it seems very promising.

Our van is broken right now. I think its the starter but hopefully it will be fixed soon as that is our only vehicle. Im thankful we had Mike's dad's truck so at least we have a way to go to church. It only fits 4 comfortably so we are doing service in shifts. Mike and Joey went this morning and me and Tony and Angel will go this evening.

Ok, time for some coffee. I don't get many comments, does anyone read this ?

Cya laters
Nikki

Another day, Not much to say

Hello everyone.
I am surprised each time I log onto my blogger site to see how long its been since I last wrote anything. I really haven't had much to write about so thats probably why.

Mike is still looking for work but any day now, he should recieve his discharge papers which SHOULD have been mailed on the 1st of August! But at least with this paper, he can apply for Federal Jobs and also apply for unemployment. Also with this paperwork, we all can get new ID's so we can continue with medical care. Right now our ID's are expired lol.

We are also gearing up for another homeschool year. I am excited about this one as we are doing unit studies this year. The kids seem excited....I just hope it continues :)

Our new house is coming along. Without having extra money right now, we are just doing the necessities to get my house ready for daycare certification but I still love this place and am very blessed that God gave us this home.

Mike has been home for good now since June 1st. We have been enjoying him and I believe...hahaha...he has enjoyed his time home as well. It tough looking for jobs around here.
But we have faith that God will open the door where He wants Mike to be.

In the mean time, we are concentrating on family and God and making the best of each day that God has given to us.

Please pray for Michael as he leaves Saturday ON A PLANE...hahah...for 2 weeks to visit a girlfriend in Virginia.

How am I doing? I'm good. Learning lots of lessons right now from all of this. WAIT upon the Lord !!!

I love to hear from you all...
Send me a comment or message or something :) :)
Nikki

Fight or Flight?

Here is a little story sent to me by email...



At one Army base, the annual trip to the rifle range had been canceled for the second year in a row, but the semi-annual physical fitness test was still on as planned.

One soldier mused, "Does it bother anyone else that the Army doesn't seem to care how well we can shoot, but they are extremely interested in how fast we can run?"



The lesson I took from this is :

Sometimes when we see a temptation in front of us, we must make a choice....fight or flight.
Sometimes its best to just flee.
God tells us to flee from evil, whether it be from evil desires or sexual immorality.
FLEE!

Put on your running shoes, you never know what evil lurks around the corner!!!
Be Blessed
Nikki

Praise list :

Time with family (even without a full time job ...)

Good morning!

Good morning friends and family!
I apologize once more for not keeping up with my blog. John is doing a much better job than me so do not fret John, you are doing great :)

Things here are fine. Today is Mike's official last day of active duty. As of tomorrow, the Navy signs his discharge papers and he will officially be a civilian.
I feel great about that..

Mike continues to look for work. We knew coming to the valley would mean a hard time finding work but we have faith in God that he will provide.

I just watched Facing the Giants again last night. When you faith grows week, watch this movie...
I cry every time I see it!!

I continue to get my house ready for certification for daycare.

Please continue to pray that God will show us what he wants us to do.

Love you all
Nikki

Update

I didn't realize it had been as long as it has since my last update. I apologize!!

Here is a much needed update!

No change on the job situation as of today. Mike is still working on a job and has his resume out there and now we are just waiting to see what door God will open.
I have a couple drop in children for childcare that start on Wednesday. Its just a few hours a week but its better than nothing. For those of you who read my blog and are local to Martins Ferry or Wheeling area, and know anyone who needs babysitting, I'm your woman :)


Only a few more weeks until our new school year starts. I am still trying to sell last years curriculum to buy things needed for this year so that means, NO , I'm not ready yet. People ask my kids if they are ready to go back to school, but they should be asking me lol.

Michael is now cashier at Krogers. He is much happier than being a bagger....more hours for one...and no more cleaning bathrooms lol.

Kids are all doing fine. Today is our library day. Once a month on a Tuesday, Angel and TOny have an activity day. Today is all about seeds and plants. Should be fun!

Well, I will do my best to update more often.
Love to all
Nikki

Finally an update!!

Hi everyone!
Let me say that civilian life is good.....

Mike is retired from the military....officially he had his ceremony but hasn't recieved his paperwork and still gets a paycheck until August 1st.

I will post pictures...I have about 89 of them that the Navy's photographer took but its hard picking the best of the best :)

We are doing good. I'm a little nervous right now cause there is no job on the horizon for Mike which means I am looking for a full time job right now while I still work on getting my daycare set up.

This is a big step in faith. Mike seems to have unwaivering faith. He knows things will work out...even if we were to lose everything we had cause we still have God. Me? My faith..sadly to say, is a little shaky. I see what I see and I see money being quickly spent on necessities.

I'm doing my best to help.
Getting rid of our cable bill...watching our food bill more closely...things like that.

I guess its a good lesson for us all.

Anyway, I will post pictures soon.
I've missed you all

Nikki