Speaking from the Heart

At Dad's Memorial Service, I noticed the honor guard meticulously folded the American flag 13 times. Do you know why?

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation's motto, "In God We Trust".

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

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Because my mind was occupied with my bilateral ultrasound, teaching was not in my heart . I am so behind in checking their school work. Both kids did the minimum. Minnie worked daily on her math & grammar. She read science and history on her own. I need to do a better job working one-on-one with her. The Inquisitor's sinus was bothering him, due to cold weather. His headache prevented him to do his schoolwork. However, he kept up with his biology & speech.

I am going to to do a better job next week. If I don't have a good attitude about teaching, how can I expect the same from my kids?

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It is almost Friday, and here I am posting my Thankful Thursday.

Due to blocked ducts on my left breast, I had an outpatient surgery done last May. Thank God, there wasn't a trace of cancer. However, it has been a healing process. When I had an ultrasound exam in July, the scar tissue was as large as a quarter. I returned today for another ultrasound and the scar is practically gone. Thank you, Lord for Your healing power.

I am thankful for my husband's desires to be with me and the kids. He could have stayed at the office, where he would have accomplished more work without distractions. Instead, he brought his work home. After spending some time with the family, he is working on his project in the dining room.

After hearing from moms who are having a hard time teaching and motivating their kids, I am thankful for my kids. They are self-motivated and have no learning disabilities.

I am thankful for my close knit friends, who I can depend on and visa versa.

I am thankful for my mom, who is a great seamstress. She lovingly hems our pants and shirts whenever we ask her.

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Note: This was first published in January 2008

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Not until I studied Beth Moore's When Godly People do Ungodly Things, Did I learned that Satan has to get permission to launch a full-scale attack on God's Children (Job 1:12)? God sometimes allows Satan to sift us, because we have something that needs sifting.

I am thankful for the sifting in my life. Please read on to see how the sifting drew me closer to the LORD.

“Here I am ! I stand at the door, and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…. Rev. 3:20

I can’t tell you how many times Jesus knocked on my door. I opened the door and stood at the threshold talking to Jesus. From our conversations, I knew His love for me is endless. Even though I wanted Him to come in, I withheld. I felt like I was in a cult. I believe this had to do with the Jim Jones Cult. As you recall, he gave his followers poisoned kool-aid. At a young age, that made a big impression on me. Instead of talking to my parents, I tried to figure it out on my own. I walked away from God for many years.

After sending my son to a Christian school, I realized that I must raise my children in a Christian home. I returned to church, made some new friends, and started to have a relationship with God. However, the feeling of being in a cult was still in the back of my mind. Again, each time Jesus knocked, I cordially answered, but did not invite Him in.

I realized how big God is when I had an emergency gall bladder operation. The doctor said that if I had waited for one more day, I would have died, because my other organs were beginning to fail. I knew many of my church members and friends prayed for my recovery. After my recovery, I thanked the Lord for allowing me to continue my job as a mom, a wife, a sister, and a daughter. Jesus came knocking at my door. I hurriedly answered the door and invited Him in.

I sensed that Satan was not happy. He tried everything to steer me from our Father. Satan and I had many battles, but I refused to let him control my life. The almost non-existent Home school Organization was the last straw. Satan was very happy. He had beaten me again.

Note: Before Beth Moore's Bible Study, I thought it was all Satan's doing. However, I now realize that Our Father has given Satan permission to attack/sift me. Thank you, Lord.

This is where my growth in Christianity came to a full circle. After announcing my resignation, there was so much hatred and hurt in me. I believed I was right, and everyone was wrong. I thought was in control. Those whom I called friends stopped calling me or felt awkward being around me. I stopped going to home school activities. I became isolated and revengeful.

When Jesus came knocking on my door, I stood at the door, and asked Him. “Lord, where are those so-called Christian friends? I thought they were supposed to support me in my despair hour.” What I didn’t know at the time was my friends were praying for me. They were calling on Him for guidance, listening to Him, and obeying Him. He told them to leave me alone. I needed that time to call on Him, to listen to His wisdom, and to obey His command.

The first thing he told me to do was to start apologizing to those I have hurt.
“Do you mean I have to apologize to so & so?” I asked.
“Yes, “He said.
“Her too?” I asked.
“Her too,” He replied.
It was hard at first, but I got to witness the true meaning of forgiveness. The first time I returned to the park, an old friend came up to me, hugged me, and said, “I missed you. Welcome back.” That sincere gesture made me want to open my door wide and let Jesus resides in my heart eternally.

Thank you, Lord for your endless love and forgiveness.

I can't believe that We've been in school for 11 weeks. The kids and I are ready for a break. We have four more weeks before taking off a week for Thanksgiving. It has been a light week. Speech and debate classes were cancelled on Thursday. It was nice just to stay at home and didn't feel rushed to finish the assignment before 11:00.

It is such a relief to know that the PSAT Exam is done. We will know the result in mid December. In the meantime, The Inquisitor will return to his regular school work. On November 6, we will check out Southeast High School, and will find out what we need to do to enroll him for 2009-2010 school year. Dad still has some concerns about the location of the school , but he admits that the IB program is going to be good for The Inquisitor.

I am still recouperating from grandma's visit. I have allowed Minnie to work independently; however, I have learned that I need to work more one-on-one with her. She is excited about The Inquistor going to a public school next year, because she will have my undivided attention. On the other hand, she is not happy that I will be expecting more from her.

Minnie is busy preparing for the Christmas musical Aunt Hattie's Attic. The musical was going to be at a local church. However, The Singing Christmas Tree committee has asked her class to perform at the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. For the next 2 months, the kids will be practicing 1.5 hours each week. They must know their lines, so the class can go through the play each week without stopping.

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What would I do without friends? I am thankful for the friends in my life, and for my blogging buddies, Denise, Debra, Trina, Pam, Kysha, Marsha, Jenn, and many others who come and bless me regularly.

I am so thankful that speech and debate classes were cancelled. This means I have two days of being at home. I am going to enjoy every minute of it. I have already planned a dinner menu for the next three days and have no intentions of leaving the house until Sunday morning.

I am thankful for my Prince. Because the kids and I leave home around 10:00 in the morning, and we don't return home until after 8:30 on Wednesdays, my Prince either cooks for himself or eats whatever is leftover in the fridge.

I am thankful for unanswered prayers.

My Prince is the result of one particular unanswered prayer. When I was a sophomore in college, I had my first serious courtship with a guy from Lebanon, who is/was a Shiite Muslim. Deep inside, I knew our differences in our beliefs were going to be the conflict of our relationship. My best friend tried to advice me on the matter, but I didn't want to listen to her. I liked the warm feelings that my heart was radiating . The guy and I dated for a month. I was heartbroken when we departed. By the way I was acting, you would have thought we dated for a long time. For the first few months, I prayed for the reconcilation. Thank God that He didn't answer my prayers. If He did, the story "Not Without my Daughter", starring Sally Fields would have been my story (LOL), and I would have not met my prince charming, my best friend.

Not letting my dear friend move away is another unanswered prayer that I am thankful for . Don't get me wrong. I would have loved her to stay and I didn't take it too well when she left. The move has been good for both of us. It has helped both of us to grow and spread our wings. Although she is not in the same town, she is a phone call away.

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My friends Debra and Denise blessed me with Friendship Roses. The instruction says for me to resend them each a rose. Each of them has a big heart and cares so much for their friends. It wouldn't surprise me if they have already collected all 12 roses.

I would like to pass the roses to Marsha, Marie, Alicia, Trina, and Jenn

Click on clipart to see Weekly Homeschool Report

My dear friend Denise blessed me with the Perfect Blend of friendship Award today. Thank you my Dear Sister. I am blessed to have you in my circle of friends. Now this award isn't just any award, it comes with a questionnaire.

• Do you have the same friends since childhood? I have one childhood friend, whom I still keep in contact with via e-mail.
  
• What do you value most about your friends? Sincerity
  
• Are your friends your sounding boards? Yes, we share ideas on raising and teaching our kids.
  
• What is your favorite activity to share with your friends? Just hang around the house and chat, while our kids play.
  

I am passing this award to Daddyschicks, Mom's Mutterings, Busy at Home, Suzy's Scribbles , and Shani

This little crockpot had cooked many pots of spaghetti sauce during its younger years. My prince purchased it while he was in college (1988).

He made a pot of spaghetti sauce before heading to class. When he came home that night, he cooked a pot of noodles to go with the sauce. The meal lasted him for several days.

Like all stories, a female came into the picture and messed up everything. After the prince and I met, the prince spent more evenings eating dinners with me and my family. Mom's cooking outweighed a pot of spaghetti sauce any day. The little crockpot was out of a job. It sat on the countertop to the end of the prince's college years. The little crockpot followed the prince to St. Louis and Miami, but it was seldomly used. Even after the prince and I got married, the little crockpot was just a fixture on the shelf.

However, everything changed for the little crockpot last year. It had its old job back. It was cooking two to three meals a week. I have to admit that it was a relief to come home around five o'clock knowing that dinner was ready. I used the crockpot so much that the knob fell off. Just because the knob fell off, it did not deter me from using it.

For sentimental reasons, I tried to hold on to it as long as possible. You probably think I am a nut, and I need help. You're probably right (LOL). You need not to worry. I threw the old one out, when Mom found me a nice crockpot for $5.00 at the garage sale.

Before I went to bed last night, I read Denise's Thankful Thursday. If you have read it, " I have Joy Down in my Heart" is probably playing in your head. It is going to be a joyful day, because I can't get that tune out of my head.

I was in the classroom preparing for schoolwork, when I heard The Inquisitor and Minnie carrying on a conversation in the living room. I was waiting for a "Stop it !" or "It's my turn to watch a show", etc. However, they continued to talk to each other, as if they were talking to a friend. What a joyful sound to my ears .

My heart was filled with joy when Minnie stood up for her big brother. Because of The Inquisitor's schoolwork load, he doesn't have time to socialize with a close friend. His friend was offended and hurt by it. The friend has a sister, who is Minnie's best friend. The family and Minnie were on their way home, when she overheard the brother said that he thinks The Inquisitor is depressed. Minnie later informed the friend that her brother is not depressed, and Mom expects him and her to stay on schedule with the schoolwork.

I have a spiritual joy knowing that it is in God's time, not my time, when my "lost" loved ones will bow their knees to Him.

My daily joy is knowing that my husband, my best friend, loves me unconditionally.

Jill over at Forever n Ever n Always presented DaddysChicks with Faithful Servant Award. DaddyChicks turned around and granted me the same. I am now passing the trophy to :

Loves School

Shortybear's Place

Mom's Muttering

Raising Godly Gentlemen

Busy At Home

Many of you have touched my heart and life in ways that have changed me eternally! I thank you for being a faithful servant and being obedient to the upward calling every time you share a piece of His heart living out in you! I pray that you will share this award with others who have touched your heart by sowing seeds of love into your life! They will know we are His by how we love one another! Let us sow seeds of love throughout the blogging world and touch the hearts of those who come to read what we all share! To HIM be all the glory forever and ever! AMEN!

Dear Minnie,

11 years ago today, Dad rushed us to the hospital. Judging the way I was feeling, I knew you were ready to see the world. If the train had stopped us, you would have been delivered in the car. Needless to say, Dad was happy that didn't happen. Once we arrived at the hospital, there was nothing holding you back. We arrived at the hospital at 6:30 AM, and I was holding you at 6:45.

My dear friend Trina over at DaddysChicks Has TAGged me . . .The rules say that I list 5 things about these 5 things that are about me. And, then I have to "tag" 5 people. So, here it is folks....The Five Tag



10 Years Ago :

1. I met Heather, who helped me to reconnect the gap between Jesus and me.
2. I was raising a toddler and an enfant.
3. I put The Inquisitor in daycare 3 times a week. Because it took me 30 minutes to drive home, Minnie and I spent our 3 hours window shopping.
4. I found out that my dad's kidney was failing.
5. I had a better memory.

5 Things on Today's "To-Do" List:

1. Check schoolwork
2. Pick up Grandma at the airport
3. Grocery shopping
4. Wash Clothes
5. Pick up an order at JcPenny's

5 Snacks I Enjoy:

1. Starbucks Frappochino
2. Fresh Strawberries with coolwhip
3. French Onion Sun Chips
4. Granola fudge clusters
5. Cranberry cheesecake bars

5 Things I would do If I were a millionaire:

1. Renovate my in-law's house
2. Buy a condo for my in-law for their winter months
3. Pay off our home, and truck
4. Put money aside for our kids' education
5. Meet my blogging buddies across the world

5 Places I have lived:

1. Vietnam
2. Tuscaloosa, Alabama
3. Sweetwater, Tennessee
4. Indiantown, Florida
5. Myakka City, Florida

5 Jobs that I have had (or still have today in some cases)

1. Librarian
2. Salesperson
3. Electrical Engineer
4. Wife
5. Teacher/Mother

5 people I am tagging:

1. The Allbrittons
2. Clothed with Scarlet
3. Shortybears Place
4. Cuddles on the Couch
5. Busy at Home

Click on clipart to see Weekly Homeschool Report

Because The Inquisitor will be taking PSAT in a couple of weeks, he has set aside grammar and Spanish , and will be studying for the exam. If he could, I would have also allowed him take a break from biology, speech, and debate .

Grandma is coming to town on Thursday and will be here until Tuesday. That means no school and lots of shopping. I am so proud that The Inquisitor took it upon himself to finish his biology assignment before Thursday. He spent 10 hours on Monday thoroughly studying for Module 3 test. By Tuesday, he was burned out from studying that it effected his algebra test result. Instead of being sympathetic and realizing that he needed a break, I expected him to perform his best.

This is the time that I wish was I just a mom, not a teacher and a mom. If I were just a mom, I don't have to constantly worrying about the kids' schoolwork. I don't have to be the mean teacher who makes them redo their work, because it is unsatisfactory. I wish I was just a mom for a day, so I can empathize with them. I wish I was just a mom for a day so I don't continuously asking myself if I am doing my best as a teacher.

Minnie is so happy that she is finished with her math curriculum. Without math, she breezes through her other subjects. We all are looking forward to this short break. We've been in school since August 4th.

Welcome to our classroom, the busiest spot in the house

The Teacher's desk is behind these closet doors.

Teacher's desk

The Inquisitor's Desk

Minnie's Desk

Our classroom during winter and early spring months.