My child was accepted into pre-school, but we are homeschooling. And here's why...

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I have heard that this certain elementary school was a highly sought after school for preschoolers. So other moms would be ecstatic right now, but not me.  I want to homeschool my children. And unless it just does not work for us, I am going to homeschool. I do not want my children to be exposed to all that goes on in public school. You may be sitting there, sighing, thinking that public schools aren't that bad, but if I remember learning about sex in second grade from other kids 18 years ago, then I can only imagine what they are talking about now. Sure, we could enroll Little Bear in a Christian school, but right now, financially, that is not possible. (And for the sake of argument, I know that a Christian school will still have bullies, and talk that shouldn't be in any school.) I am really not trying to start a debate between public schooling and homeschooling. I know some awesome teachers. One of whom is in my family. If all the teachers were like her, a beautiful Christian woman who is caring, observant, and very detail oriented, then I would send them off on the big yellow bus without a worry. But unfortunately, that's not the case. 

I want my children to have a much better education experience than I ever had. I disliked school. I did not want to go, most days, especially in high school, I didn't. (Which got my parents and I a meeting with the truancy board.) I was highly interested in certain classes and activities but wouldn't dare participate if my friends were not participating. I joined the band in 6th grade. For many months I held the first chair in the clarinet section. I was good. But my friends made fun of me, and I was bullied by one of the flute players, so I quit. I know that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, but I don't want my children to base their decisions in school on what others think. My parents were very supportive and pushed me to be the best. My dad often encouraged me to, "walk to the beat of a different drum." But when a child is surrounded by their peers, they are likely to follow the crowd, unless they are the leader. I was not a leader, I was very much a follower. I regret so badly not staying in band. I regret not staying in trade school where I might've graduated with a trade that could have been useful to my family today. I know, it's not good to dwell on the past, and to have regrets, but these are things that I feel, no, that I know would have been different if not for the peer pressure, and lack of direction, or support from teachers.

So now I bet you are thinking, "just because these things happened to her, it doesn't mean it will happen to her children." No, they probably will not experience the same things I experienced in school. So that brings me to the biggest reason I want to homeschool. We are Christians. Prayer is a big part of my life. And prayer is already gone from school. I will not have my children getting in trouble if they decide to bow their head and give thanks to God during lunch. I will not have my children being taught that homosexuality is genetic, or that a person was born gay and they can't help their feelings, so it's okay. I will not have my children being taught that sex before marriage is okay as long as they use protection. I will not have my children being exposed to drugs and alcohol in school. I will not have a teacher mock my child for our beliefs. (Yes, people, it happens.) 

I hate that I feel I have to defend our choice to homeschool. So may people around me have already commented that our child will miss out on so much if we homeschool, or they will not be properly socialized, or they will be a wimp because they won't have the events at school to help them learn how to cope with bullies or hard situations. I know that I am not going to be able to guard my children from all of the bad things in this world. But I believe that by keeping them initially at home, then eventually (possibly) in a Christian school I can shield them from a good percentage of it.

Now, I am getting down off of my soap box. Feel free to comment, but please do not bash my decision or my beliefs.

Would Jesus follow your social page?

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I just had a funny moment. A notification was sent to my email that I had a new Twitter follower. The user name of this new follower had something about Jesus in it, and as I quickly read the subject line I read, "Jesus is now following you on Twitter!" I did a double take and then giggled. How silly of me! 

But then I got to thinking. Would Jesus follow me on Twitter? Or even here on my blog? Sure, it seems silly to think of Jesus being linked up to all the social networking sites, and maybe even checking in on an iPhone. But if He were here, on Earth today, don't you think that would be the case? And if so, how would you feel about Jesus reading your blog? I was recently disappointed in the number of so-called Christian blogs and twitter accounts I chose to "unfollow" because of vulgar, or un-christian content. Another Christian friend of mine commented that she too was doing the same thing, and was sad because some of these users were "Christians".

So, take a look around your blog or twitterverse today and see how you would feel if Jesus was a follower...
Even though He is not in your followers list, He is keeping up with the latest news! ;)

I'm struggling...

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Struggling with my weight.

In 2007 I lost a huge chunk of weight (50 pounds to be exact). I had so much determination and will power, but now I am just...blah. I keep asking my husband why I can't get motivated, why this is not working and he just shrugs. (Men don't talk much when it comes to a woman's weight, do they?) I know how to count calories, I know how to exercise, and I know it works. I am blessed that I am not one of those women who does everything they can think of and still can't lose weight. I can. When I do the right things, I lose weight, and it comes off fast. But I just can't get back into that "mode". I have tried everything from weight watchers, to the 6 week body makeover, to having an accountability buddy. None of it worked. Sure, it works for some people, but they stuck with it. 

For a long time I didn't really care that I was overweight. I just accepted that that was who I was, and went with it. But lately there is a lot of sickness around me and a lot of it is weight/lifestyle related. I am turning 26 in a little over a week, and it scares me to think that I could make myself sick or worse with my poor eating habits.

I cried on the way home from work today. I cried, and cried out to God. I finally realized today why I have not been successful in losing weight this time around. I was going at it alone. I have not once asked God to give me strength during this weight loss journey. In 2007, I prayed daily for God to guide me that day, and to help me make the best choices for my health. I have not asked that of Him once this year!

A couple weeks ago I started what I was calling "Tip the Scales Thursday" to keep myself accountable to the blogging world. I have not posted my weight in the past 3 weeks. I was ashamed, because that 6 pound loss that I had achieved, is gone, I gained it back and I added on 4 more pounds to that. I have gained 10 lbs in 3 weeks.

I know that this is not what most of you want to read when blog hopping, but I had to get this out. My reasons for starting this blog was to better myself, to become more like Christ. And if pouring my heart out to all of the people who read this is how I am going to do it, then so be it.

I ask that you say a special prayer for me. A comment or two of encouragement would be nice as well. I would like to know that I have a lot of readers watching what I am doing every week. And I hope that once this weight does start dropping off, they will see that it was all with the help of the Almighty God.

My weight today, (again) is:

287.9 pounds

BMI: 45.7 - Morbidly Obese

Bible Verse of the Week - Fear Not

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Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

'Fear not, for I am with you; 

Be not dismayed, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, 

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

It is so easy to let fear slip into our life. The thing about fear is, it's not natural. God did not create us to have fear. Fear is negative faith, it works against what God wants to do for us. When we are afraid of something, we lose our faith over that situation becoming resolved, or getting better. We should try to wake up every morning with the thought that fear is not going to help us, only hinder what God can do for us. Remember that all things work together for the good of those who love God. Love God and remember that HE is our God and he will uphold us with His righteous right hand!

Bible Verse of the Week - Pursue Peace

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I am cheating this week... In weeks past I have written about verses that were near and dear to my heart that day, but this evening, I found a very good piece on peace. (ha, ha!) I have had a rather unpeaceful day today. My 17 month old was very cranky last night, and I had a persistent backache all night long. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep. To go along with the sleepless night, both of my boys were very rambunctious today. Then there was the usual monthly drama on Facebook. One family member posting something about another family member instead of confronting them about it. Oh boy. Don't you just LOVE social networking? When the drama on Facebook started, I was close to taking my spiritual armor off and putting on my "Oh-no-you-didn't-just-say-that" armor. But I didn't. I tried to be neutral, and helpful, but it wasn't coming across that way, so I stopped it there.  I said a quick prayer, and decided to step out. My favorite part about the featured verse this week is, "Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it". So, my choice to "do good" in this situation, is to say nothing at all. Both parties are now in contact with each other, and hopefully they get everything worked out.


http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/Answers/
Pursue Peace 
By Bayless Conley
"In 1 Peter 3:10-11, Peter provides an important command in our relationships with other people, For "  He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.  Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it." 

I want to focus your attention on the last part of verse 11, "Seek peace and pursue it."  This means we are to pursue peace with people. This command is reinforced by the writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 12:14, Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. I want you to take note of the first part of that verse,  Pursue peace with….  How many people are we to pursue peace with?  All people.  Does that include your neighbor?  How about your mom?  How about your dad?  How about your kids?  Your boss?  Your relatives?  How about that individual who seems to have a gift for getting on your nerves?  What about those who are rude and obnoxious? We are told that we are to pursue peace with all people. That is not a suggestion.  That is a command.  And that command is clarified further in Romans 14:19, which says, Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 

Things that edify (or build up) create peace.  Things that tear down shatter peace.  Keep that in mind next time you are having a heated discussion with your husband or wife.  Ask yourself, "Are the things that I am sharing at this moment building up my partner?  Or, are they tearing them down?" Pursue peace with all people by choosing words and deeds that will build them up."  

I am praying for God to help me bite my tongue, especially in family situations, where it can get sticky quick. This blog is titled "Christ-Like Mommy" and Christ was a peacekeeper, so shouldn't I be as well?

(Did you notice that I posted this as an actual post this instead of on the page? I didn't realize when I made the page that comments were not an option, so from now on, the Bible Verse of the Week will be an actual post, feel free to comment!)

" Jesus love me, Jesus love us... "

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This was the song I heard coming from my 4 year old's room this morning. As I listened to him I had to smile. Many times in the morning I wake up less than joyful. What a thought to have first thing in the morning. Jesus loves me. He really does. When everyone else is less than loving, Jesus loves me.

Then he continued his song...
"Jesus love the world, Jesus love race car..."

I love that kid. :)

Worry

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Philippians 4:6-7 (New King James Version)

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

I worry too much. Most of the time the worry is about things that I cannot change. I worry about things that are far off in the future, I worry about things that are in the past. (Right now, I am worried that nobody will read this post when I really want it to be read!)
Recently, I have been worrying about family members of mine who seem to be back on the path of destruction. The path they follow no longer leads to God, but to their own wants and pleasures.

My awesome husband pointed out to me, a commentary on the scripture from Matthew Chapter 6 from his Dake's Annotated Reference Bible (A commentary KJV Bible by Finnis Drake).

Here is a short excerpt of the commentary:

"Quit worrying, because it is:

1. Sinful and produces fear
2. A disease causing other ills
3. Borrowing trouble that canot be paid back
4. Brooding over what may not happen
5. Creating trouble, misery, death
6. A burden borrowed from tomorrow and others who should carry it
7. Weight that kills prematurely
8. Mental and Physical Suicide
9. A grave-digger that has no sympathy
10. Needless and wastes time"
    

and the last one...
"20. Worry is foolish, for whatever is going to happen cannot be stopped by worry;and if it doesn't happen there is nothing to worry about, should adversities actually come, one may still be victorious by trusting in GOD."


So, after reading that (and praying) I have decided not to worry, but pray. I am putting my trust in God, and believing that these family members will realize what they are doing is wrong, and turn back to the path of righteousness.

Proverbs 12:28 (NKJV)

²⁸ In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.