Saturday, January 28, 2012

We've Moved!

We've moved our preschool posts over to our main blog.
You can find us over at www.friesenfunnyfarm.com!

Come see what we're up to now!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

The Joy of Giggles - Anne of Green Gables Chapter One

Anne of Green Gables started off a little rough. As Chapter One is not so easy to read outloud. But as the character of Mrs. Rachel Lynde emerged from the breathy sentences of pastoral description, something began to change. "Are you done yet?" quickly turned into "That's terrible, the way she talks." "Who does she think she is?" to quieter thoughts when Mrs. Rachel gives her terrible advice as to the reasons of NOT adopting. (This will make for interesting discussion today about how my amazing adopted daughter of 6 views adoption and how she thinks others perceive it as well.)  Then came complete shrieks of joy & giggles of delight as my 12 year old daughter realized the boy orphan at the train station, was not a boy at all!

So, on our kind-of-sort-of, first day of school, we found the reason we homeschool in the Joy of Giggles today!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

We Choose Virtues GIVEAWAY!!!

Check out this awesome Giveaway and info on We Choose Virtues Giveaway! This Mama is going to have to invest in this easy to use cards and references/ bible verses on Virtues! They even have ones for older kids! Love it! Head over for your chance to win and shop at We Choose Virtues!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Prayer Needed!

I have been so moved at the miracles happening over at A Place Called Simplicity and how God moves it mighty ways. Truly amazing! You must read what God is doing over there!

And as I read her latest posts...I want to share one of Linny's quotes:
 "God's plans defy all odds.
God's plans supercede all logic.
God's miracles mystify all human reasoning.
God's plans trump eve
ry single human plan.
Every single time!"

God is good all the time!
So Here's my little prayer requests:
God has so provided for us in major miracle working ways re: our home and some of our finances! Praise God! We are able to move into a smaller home w/ the smallest mortgage we've ever had! And we now have a payed for van! Praise God! But with all of that we are still hit with needs that seem so big at the moment.
+We need My Father's World Curriculum: Exploring Countries and Cultures to borrow or get a great deal on!
+We need some items to sell so that we can finish strong now!
+We need God to open or close the doors to the 2 day a week school for Ashley. They said they won't know for a few more weeks. I need to be able to plan!
+We need God's peace and presence as our home goes on the market and that I stay sane while we keep it clean! Pray for my children! :)
So that's a little of what's going on here! How about you? Need prayer?



Friday, August 19, 2011

Finally!

Wow!

That about sums up this last year of wrestling with God re: Peep3's education!

I'm sure if you read thru this blog, you will clearly see God leading us to homeschool. But sometimes what he asks of us doesn't always make sense to anyone else but HIM!

But He is so faithful to not give up on me. To show me in more ways than neccessary His will.

The last two weeks have been quite something as I went thru all of our schooling options for this coming fall. Knowing in my heart we need to homeschool her. But not landing on anything about drove my husband crazy! And then as I was about to give up, I heard God whisper to me, "If I was in your home today, face to face with you, what would you tell me about homeschooling her?"

With that final surrender, to my sweet Lord, came the peace that I have been waiting for. A still small voice has been telling me that "I already know what to do and what to teach her" and to "trust Him".

And then today, I was blessed to find a homeschool option that will allow her to go two days a week to get the individualized reading, writing, and math help that she needs. And that was my biggest challenge. I want to get her all the help she needs, even though she is almost done with her IEP. We have done a partnership school before. But this one has been around for many years and their approach to working with us as parents/teachers and the student is quite impressive. And they teach all the way thru high school. (I was happy to see all of the high school options). Then I turned around to see two ladies, from my church, who are serving on their parent committee! And we are able to carpool with Peep3's best friend and another girl from her class last year. And it looks like we might be able to borrow some curriculum for what I will be teaching!

We are now on our way! Thank you, Lord!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Finding Joy NOW

Sometimes life gets out of control.
Sometimes life gives you almost more than you can handle in a few short weeks.
Like...
The loss of our last adopted baby (embryo). A job change for hubby. Financial pressure.
Decision to sell our home. Finding a new home. A teen seeing how far he can run. Three 2 year olds. And more...like potty training triplets!

But when you get to the breaking point.......to the point of surrender.....
There is Joy!

And Joy is there even in the midst of pain, conflict and the trial.
But it is up to us if we choose to see it or not.
Life changes. It can change our perspective on many things.
But true Joy remains constant and true and always dependable.

I found myself singing in the midst of it all, "The Joy of the Lord is my strength."
As that was all my soul could cling to.
It was my lifeline.

I didn't choose to have LIFE hit like this.
No one would.
I don't like how far my thought process led me away from Joy.
I seem so far from the girl I once was. Even the young joyful mother I once was.
I have always found Joy in my circumstances. And in motherhood.
But am I living Joy?
Am I embracing Joy?
Am I living in Joy?
As our Pastor today said, "Are we living IN Him? In Jesus?"
Am I celebrating all the wonderful gifts God has given me?

Well it's time!
I've considered deleting all the previous posts.
They are not all that happy and positive.
I will not.
As this will be a milestone of God's work in my heart.
And a declaration of "Finding Joy NOW!"

I'm finding Joy in His provision of a beautiful... smaller home...smaller payment!
I'm finding Joy in the moments when I know ALL my children are home and safe!
I'm finding Joy as I snuggle my darling daughter during church!
I'm finding Joy that I do have food in my panty even though I need to be creative!
I'm finding Joy in a faithful, loving husband!

Are you needing Joy? He is always there! Waiting for you! It's up to you to seek Him!