Dear family and friends,
I've been so sick this week, which is no fun, it has brought me to a dead halt.
I feel so much better today, but am exhausted. A combination of sinus infection accompanied by migraines has been a great opportunity to trust God.
I am so grateful, this is the first day since Tuesday that I'm really feeling better. I feel like I'm recovering from surgery and certainly haven't been in bed this much since I recovered from surgery three years ago this month.
The first week of Bible study I found a treasure in Isaiah 1:24. Yesterday I found a treasure in John 15:16. Bible reading can vary so vastly for me. There are many days I really enjoy it and have sweet fellowship with Jesus, there are days I do it out of obedience which I know He honors, and there are days where it's just habit. It's amazing God wants me back after days as such. If you were to go the Queen and present yourself the way I present myself to God sometimes, well, another invitation would not come.
Then there are the days you find treasure.
The verse that you read that you know God put there just for you, just for that moment. A verse that is sometimes an answer, a promise, or just the encouragement you need.
I've really struggled with portions of this move, yet I know I am exactly where He wants me. It's nothing to do with Alaska, it has served as a beautiful backdrop. It doesn't really matter where we are right now, I would still be doing the same thing. I'm trying to find a new "normal" for everyone while sorting out the fabric of our lives.
My list continues to be long and I have to look backwards to see the progress in order to even think about looking forward as it has been so overwhelming.
We are ready for winter and that makes me cheerful. The studded tires are on, the Christmas lights are up, the new rakes we needed are purchased, and the happy light is working. Did you ever hear of a happy light? It's really helpful for the short days that are coming and heaven only knows these children need a "happy" mother.
The weeks are starting to blend together as I've pressed through on organizing and orchestrating school. For the first time in Thomas Troops history we are receiving state funds for educating our children. What a project that has been; creating four educational learning plans, preparing lots of paperwork, thinking through how I'm going to collect a sample of everyone's work for each subject quarterly.
We are starting our third week of online classes which means the first round of tests have arrived. I'm now on someone else's timetable which adds another whole element. I don't think Wyatt will mind me telling on him. He wrote his first lab report like a creative writing assignment, catchy lead and all. It was funny, and through the laughter I had to explain that lab reports aren't usually funny. Always something new to learn...learning to learn.
Music lessons are in place and going strong although I'm still looking for a used piano. I need one with stronger action and when I ask most people they have no idea what I'm talking about. I am so grateful for both of our new teachers. I could have searched the world over and not have found a teacher more perfect for Caroline than Kevin Barnett. I look forward to having the music that is in our London shipment.
God has provided an opportunity for Wyatt to be in Boy Scouts here and he's beyond pumped about hockey. He wrote this sentence in a memoir this week, " The thought of flying across the ice with a puck, and smashing into people at bursting forces, sounds fun, and thrilling." What more could a fifteen year old boy want?
So how does this all tie into my treasure?
John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last."
Fruit that will last, those words were like fresh water to a thirsty soul.
There are so many things that a mother does that are exhausting and sometimes it feels so fruitless. I so dearly want good things for our children. Not good "things" like the "things" we are waiting on. The things that count...the things that will last.
I'm working hard to teach our children to run our household without me. This is one of my goals for the year. This next year Ed and I will travel at least once together and it's something they are very capable of. They've always helped for many reasons. Although their helping does free up more time for me to accomplish other things, it's really about the deeper lessons. The lessons of perseverance, diligence, hard work, and attention to detail. The lessons of trustworthiness, caring for others more than yourself, self control, and reliability. The lessons of kindness, graciousness, and love. The fruit that will last.
This past week has been good practice. I now know some areas where they need more training, new information, and accountability. I have also seen them excel and can grab the victory and revel in how much I love them.
We aren't schooling, parenting, and loving these children so they'll be highly educated, make great money, and have off the chart SAT scores. These can be fine things, but in and of themselves they would leave you pretty empty. They are not the goal. We're are desiring to help them grow the fruit that lasts.
So I venture into a new week knowing God is doing a work that I cannot do.
Love in Christ,
Dinah for The Troops
