A few of you have been with me since the beginning of Life Nurturing Education. Others joined this journey recently. Thank you, each of you, for visiting me here. It blesses me to know you read what I labor over in the evening when the sound of clacking keys is my tranquility.
As ideas emerge from the shuffling letters, the words pry open my soul numbed by activity. The words bring life, strength, and focus to one prone to wander.
This purposeful act of reflection takes time to construct and discipline to create. It is a worthy pursuit. For here, I see more clearly. I find refreshment stretching to get a glimpse of the sun and a taste of the dew.
Your questions have encouraged me to reach higher. Thank you for inspiring some of my best posts:
My words will fade, but I hope they point to the word that stands forever. (Isaiah 40: 6, 8)
If you have found peace and encouragement here (at any time in the past, or present, or think you might in the future), will you please consider voting for Life Nurturing Education in the Homeschool Blog Awards? I am honored to be a nominee for Best Encourager.
I am even more thrilled you are with me reaching for an eternal reward.
Melissa passed this award to me months ago. (I don’t want to admit how many. Where does the time go?) It must have been sitting in my craft closet with all the other things I planned to do.
Since Christmas is 77 days and 21 minutes away, I rumbled the fabric stash and searched the scrapbook paper. While contemplating what gifts to make my loved ones, I thought of the bloggers I enjoy.
They create something new every time they write. Blogging is a gift from the heart, so thank you. Thank you for sharing your life and your wisdom.
If I don’t pass this gift from Mama Archer on now, it may end up in my daughter’s ream of pencil sketches never to be found again.
A hearty thank you to these bloggers, as well. (I know, that’s a corny pun, but I live with punsters. It’s hard to ignore the echo.)
Please feel free to use either meme, and you are welcome to pass it on.
Encourage others to keep creating homespun gifts from the heart!
I promised a series on history quite awhile ago. I knew it was overdue, but I didn’t realize it’s been over a month. If you have been anxiously waiting, I must apologize. (You were losing sleep over it, right? Ha!) If you forgot, then please skip this paragraph.
I am trying to morph into a morning person. It is affecting my writing routine in a bad way. I have always stayed up late, a typical night owl. Now every morning I rise with the sun to walk the neighborhood. Every Many mornings I want to hide under the pillow, but I have accountability. Two ladies stop by my house ready to go. How can I leave them waiting? Besides, if I don’t get up the dog barks, and children jump on me. It’s better to sneak out.
Starting the day than with fresh air, good company, and purposeful exercise is refreshing, so I continue in hope of better health. I’m still waiting for my extra weight to slip off, but until then it’s nice to move. The early walk pounds my brain awake. Then at night I am too tired to write anything very coherent.
Just to reassure you (and myself), it will work out. Writing is for my sanity, so it will happen somewhere between the coffee and commotion.
Speaking of perspective reminds me of my grandmother’s trivet displayed by my kitchen sink. The faded paint says,
Thank God for dirty dishes they have a tale to tell. While others may go hungry we’re eating very well.
So it’s back to the dishes for me. I hope you have some to wash, too.
My appreciation doesn’t put anything in your hand, but it’s the only thing large enough to stretch to all my readers. Thank you!
I am honored that you spend moments of your precious time here. Your participation encourages and challenges me to continue writing and studying. By reflecting on my role as mother, teacher, and Christian, my heart is strengthened for the work of parenting. I hope you find refreshment here as well.
I’m glad you enjoyed the beautiful handmade items highlighted this week. I only wish there were enough prizes for all of you.
The randomly selected winners are:
The winners will receive an email with details of how to use their gift certificates. And I would be remiss if I didn’t say a special thank you to the generous ladies who made this possible. Linda, Anna-Marie, Lona, and Michelle, thank you so much for sharing your talents with us!
Thank you for visiting my record of reflections about biblical principles, family life, and home education.
May you find peace here.
~Renae Deckard
