Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

So, I won’t be talking about Lions or Tigers or Bears BUT the Oh My part describes what I’ve been doing since my last post (over a year ago).

Well, I wrote and published my first book, based on this blog! Thanks to you guys for all the comments and likes. It encouraged me to keep moving forward.

I also started Ferguson Family Values where Living, Learning & Loving Happens. Click on “My Website!” above, to find out more about Ferguson Family Values. There’s a couple more exciting projects that are on the horizon for the homeschool community as well as for married couples. I will continue to keep you posted and will post updates on my website.

In the meantime, head on over to Amazon.com to order the book, Lessons Learned From My Homeschool Day. Signed copies are available. Just send an email to myfergusonfamilyvalues@gmail.com to receive your invoice.

Many Blessings to You and Yours!

Lesson 35: Middle School…`Tis So Sweet?

Middle School. These two words can turn a non-drinker into a 2 Sangria and 1 Bellini drinker in no time.

Middle School. These two words can turn a homeschooling mom into the best P.T.A. mom in less than a quarter.

Middle School. These two words can, no has, turned a man writing about middle school into a New York Times Best Seller author.

Middle School.

Now, I am pretty sure that not all parents experience what I would like to call the Middle School Woes but I am not one of those parents.  We are in our first year of homeschooling a middle schooler and I have wanted to throw in the towel more times than not.  I’ve even gone as far as begging the Lord to “release” me from this Middle School jail cell that I live in every day. I even tried bargaining with Him to allow our oldest to go to school and make everything easy and breezy again.  In return, I would focus on perfecting our home and putting my all into teaching our last two.

“I never said this was going to be easy,” was the response I heard yet tried to ignore.  So, I went on this two-week long journey of trying to find a way to make this season easier – at least, easier for me. Little did I know I was making the process more difficult than it really needed to be.

We are back in the science fair season and this year, I left the oldest to do it all alone.  Teaching middle school is enough. Adding a science fair project to this, was just completely out of the question.  (Side note: I am totally beginning to see where my oldest gets his stubborn side from but shhhhhh, don’t tell him.) As I sat here one day watching him fix his science board, I had to interrupt. Instead of fixing the two sections he needed to change, according to his co-op science teacher (I told you I was really going to leave it alone this year lol), he decided to take everything off of his board, ball it up and throw them away.

When I asked him what he was doing, he began to explain in his middle schoolish tone, that he had to change his board.  I softly explained that he only needed to increase the font on two of the sections, not the entire board.  Well, as you can imagine, something so simple turned into a 30 minute or longer debate.  It was an easy fix – increase font on the computer, print it off, cut it out and glue.  That was it! I found myself saying, “if you just listen then you would have heard the directions.”

If he would have just trusted what I was saying, he would have been able to easily fix the board and move forward, without the frustration, tears, stress and extra work.  So, as I go back to the Lord for one last try to rush my son to the neighborhood middle school, I felt like there was a lesson in this for me.

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3” This is an easy fix to a difficult season.  However, like my son, we aren’t trusting the person who is giving the instructions.  We are choosing to find other ways to solve a problem instead of trusting in the one who is giving the easy fix.

I read this morning in Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling daily devotional, “Though the lessons of trust that I [God] send to you come wrapped in difficulties, the benefits far outweigh the cost. Well-developed trust will bring you many blessings, not the least of which is My Peace.” As I continue to unwrap this middle school journey, I am reminded of two precious gifts that come along with it – trust and peace.

Middle School. No longer two words that leave a sour feeling but two words that can turn a difficult season into a season oh so sweet.

Middle School. Two words that now bring about hope and a season filled with trust and peace – not just for me but for my family as well.

“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.”

Lesson Learned: Middle school…

`Tis so sweet, when you trust in God and keep your mind on Him.

Lesson 34: Are you hungry enough?

I can guarantee you that pretty much every day at some point in my day, I will hear the words, “Mommy, I’m hungry.” In fact, as I am typing this, one of my little ladies is sitting beside me and I am pretty sure that by the end of this page (if not shortly after), I will hear those three words from her or one of the others.  The funny thing about my children is that when they say they are hungry and I offer them something to eat, I may hear, “no thank you.  Can I have something else, please?” This may go on for about 2-3 rounds depending upon the child.  My husband tends to tell me that I give the children too many options and I’m pretty sure at least one of you may be thinking the same thing right now.  Yup, you probably are, aren’t you? Lol. That’s okay. My point in giving them options is 1) I like having options and 2) this is when I can tell how hungry they really are.

I remember one day recently, we were out and about and my son lets me know that he is very hungry.  Now, here’s a little background before we start the “awwws.” He is old enough to set his alarm, listen to his alarm, get up and make his own breakfast. However, this day, he decided to sleep until 11:00am (summer time sleep, I’m fine with that.).  He’s my stickler-for-the-schedule kid, so if we’re scheduled to be somewhere the next day, he knows way in advance.  So, when I told him that it was time to get up because we had to leave soon, he opted to move at the “teen-phase” pace. You know that pace.  The pace that drives you nuts watching because you know everything around you is moving at regular speed but for some reason it’s like they’re in a Slow. Moving.  Bubble. To the point it actually begins to make you want to look around for hidden cameras. This can’t be real.  Oh, yes, this is real.

Getting back to our car ride, I made sure that I brought some breakfast cookies just in case he got hungry.  When I offered them to him, his words, and I quote, “I would have to be really hungry in order for me to eat those.” Laughing as I type this right now in the same way I laughed when he said it.  Hilarious.  He already knew what my next response would be…”then, you’re not hungry enough.”

The funny thing about this story, outside of my son’s response, is that earlier this morning, I heard the same thing said to me.  I woke up earlier than usual, exhausted and thinking about later on today when I could get back in the bed.  I knew that I needed to get up and spend some time with God and then work on my book and blog.  But the bed felt so good and (whining) I’m still so very tired.  I only had 4 hours of sleep. (I was up late playing a game on my phone.  Totally my fault, I know.)  In the middle of my whining and complaining, the words, “then you’re not hungry enough” came to my mind.

Lesson Learned: I desire to have a closer relationship with the Lord.  I desire to spend time in prayer and in His word so that I can see and hear clearly His directions for me for the day. I desire to write a book.  I desire to help others with my blog.  I desire to have alone time in the morning while the children are sleeping.  I also desire, no crave, more sleep!
However, when I do not get up and feed my spirit, I end up with, what I am now calling, hunger pains. I end up feeling moody, cranky, rushed all day and just plain old blah. So, this morning, I chose to get out of the bed, my oh so comfortable bed, to feed my spirit. I decided that I am hungry enough! What are you craving in your life? Are you hungry enough to do what is needed to “feed” that craving?

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.” Proverbs 24:33-34 (HCSB)

Lesson 33: Back to School

It’s that time of year again! Excitement fills the air; yet, at the same time, a feeling of sadness hovers over many. It’s the beginning of a new school year! Parents are excited to send their children back to school; yet, a little sadness creeps in as they watch their babies grow up.  Children can’t wait to be back – new clothes, new and improved school supplies, FRIENDS – yet, even they have a slight sense of sadness within the first week. Summer has officially ended! Nooooo! No more staying up way past bedtime.  No more “free” electronics time. No more mid-day trips to the local amusement park or pool.  No more….No more…No more…No more….It’s all over! Sounds a bit depressing, right?!

So, with all of the no’s, why does it still seem like an exciting time of year? Hmmmm. Well, once again, it’s the start of a new season, a new school year, new curriculum (Yay!), a fresh new start! This is where my blog comes in.  You see, for over a year, I’ve been stuck in my own personal summer (and I’m not talking about hot flashes, ladies).  I’ve enjoyed my time away. I’ve enjoyed the freedom of not having to think about what others thought about my blog posts. I’ve enjoyed not having to check and recheck and then check again grammatical errors and spelling mishaps. I’ve enjoyed not having to carve out the time in my busy schedule to sit down and type. I’ve enjoyed reading other people’s posts and gained so much from all of them. I’ve even enjoyed the thought of not ever writing again.

Then last week, as I was preparing for the new school year, it hit me.  I really do not want the summer to end.  I’ve had a wonderful summer with lots of new experiences. However, even though the summer was great, I know I have a job to do that will force me out of my summer season even if I do not want it to end.  This job is so not about me.  This job is about what God wants to do in the lives that I touch each and every day.  I homeschool. Ha! That’s taken years for me to say it with confidence and with a smile.  I homeschool! My children will suffer if I do not move beyond the summer season.  My children will not learn as much if I do not move beyond my summer season.  Those who will one day have to deal with my children, will suffer if I do not move beyond my summer season.  So, it’s back to school I go.

Lesson Learned: There are many blog posts that you can read and gain so much from.  However, there are so many stories within me that I know I must share.  If I do not move beyond my summer season, many lives will not be touched by what God has placed in me.  If I do not move beyond my summer season, many people may not learn the lessons that God wants them to learn. Or, they simply may not know how to navigate a similar situation, if I do not move beyond my summer season.

My friend, the same goes for you. There’s something you must do that needs you to move beyond your summer season.  So, as I pray for you, pray for me; because, Back to School we go!

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way…” – Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

Sayings, Suggestions & Something Else I’ve Learned ~ Wisdom for My Next Steps

There are times in my life when I really don’t know what to do next. I feel so blah when I don’t know what to do. For the last few weeks, as I am officially taking a break from school, I have been in a state of “blah.” Could I actually be bored already? I have turned into my CHILDREN!!!!

Ok, Lord. I need something to do. When I don’t know what to do, I have a tendency to either do nothing at all (literally!) or fill up my time with busy work, just to feel like I haven’t done a thing by the end of the day.

So, this time I prayed and asked God for direction. I kept feeling like I should read the book of Proverbs during the month of July. So, that’s what I’ve been doing.

Just in the last three days, I have gained so much by reading a chapter a day and actually being able to use what I’ve read in various situations. I still do not know what my next steps are; however, I know that I am gaining wisdom for my next steps!

Saturday’s Suggestion? Join me on this July Journey and feel free to post what you are learning right here! You never know who you’ll help!

Happy Saturday, y’all!

It’s Sunday Scripture Time ~ Habakkuk 2:2 NIV

“Then the Lord replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.'”

Today, write down your goals and post them somewhere that you will see them everyday. It can be a financial goal or an academic goal or a health & fitness goal. Whatever goal or goals you would like to achieve, write it down, post it up and do something daily to move towards accomplishing that goal! Don’t forget to get your children involved in this as well!
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Do you have a scripture or word of encouragement for today? Please, share it with us. We are all in this together!

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 NIV

Sayings, Suggestions & Something Else I’ve Learned ~ Progress Not Perfection

Saturday’s Saying:
“Strive for Progress, Not for Perfection.” – unknown

A few months ago, I had a conversation with a friend about our sons. One thing he said to his son, who by the way seems like an older version of my son, is that he (the dad) was “not looking for perfection but progress.”

I find myself saying it a lot to my son and am realizing that this is also for me in many different areas of my life. Before you end each day, make sure that the day was better than yesterday. Write it down to encourage yourself that you are progressing – I am better today than I was yesterday.

Happy Saturday, y’all!

Lesson 32: Stand Up! Stand Up! (Even If It Means You’re Standing Alone)

I woke up this morning in a ball of emotions. As I lay in my bed, looking at my three year old at the foot of my bed, I couldn’t help but smile. I kept hearing her bold, yet sweet, voice in my head correcting a wrong. You see, my three year old is pretty quiet until she sees something that’s not right happening to someone else or to herself (but usually to someone else). I pictured the many times she saw a child take something from someone she cared about, whether it was a toy or a seat (lol). As I lay there thinking about her small voice boldly saying, “No, No, that’s _______’s” and “No, No, don’t do that,” I couldn’t help that my smile and proud mommy feelings turned into anxiety.

What if 34 years from now she’s just like me? What if she wakes up one morning hating this need to stand up for others? What if she gets mad at me for encouraging her to stand even if it’s by herself? What if she’s lonely? What if she wakes up with anxiety? What if she stands up the wrong way? What if her boldness hurts others? What if she decides to crawl into a quiet hole and never come back out? What if she decides the pain she feels just isn’t worth it anymore? What if she decides to follow the crowd instead? What if…?

In the midst of all of my negative “what ifs,” a devotional “popped” up in my email (gotta love smartphones). The first thing I read was this: “Sometimes God Doesn’t Choose the ‘Perfect’ Girl for the Job” (taken from Proverbs 31 Ministries; devotions @Proverbs31.org).The best part of this devotional was that it focused on one of my favorite stories in the Bible with one of my favorite persons in the Bible – Rahab! Long story short, Rahab had heard about God and what He had done for His people and even though she did not have a personal relationship with Him, she still stepped out on faith and Stood Up…alone. She helped 2 of God’s people and in return she asked for them to spare her life and the life of her family members. The 2 spies were saved and God protected Rahab and all the family members that remained in her house the day the battle took place. (See Joshua chapter 2 – 6 for the full story.) Man, if God can do that with someone who barely knew Him, what more will He do with someone who knows Him a little bit more!

Lesson Learned? What if by my daughter standing for righteousness, she protects others from harm (or more harm)? What if she does end up like me? Feeling like you stood up for what was right; feeling like you stood up to keep someone else from hurting…it’s not really a bad thing. Was Rahab scared? Absolutely! Am I scared when I stand up? Absolutely! Will my daughter be scared at times when she stands up? Absolutely! Will she always get it right? Not at all, just like her mother! But standing up for righteousness, especially for the sake of others, is not a bad lesson to learn or to teach. Keeping your mind on God will help you to Stand Up the correct way AND will help you to Stand Up even if you’re standing alone. (He’ll even work it all out for you!)

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high his royal banner,
It must not suffer loss.
From Victory until Victory
His army shall he lead,
Till every foe is vanquished,
And Christ is Lord indeed”
(Song I sang as a child that popped in my head this morning;

by George Duffield, Jr,. 1818-1888 and George J. Webb, 1803-1887)

It’s Sunday Scripture Time ~ Matthew 5:44 NIV

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Last week, we loved on those we love. This week the challenge is A LOT harder. Today, show love & pray for those who are pretty tough to love. This is not always the easiest thing to do but it is necessary to soften your heart towards them. Some days I feel like a toddler saying, “do I really have toooooo?!?!?” And of course, the answer is…”YES. Yes, you do.”
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Do you have a scripture or word of encouragement for today? Please, share it with us. We are all in this together!
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 NIV

It’s Sunday Scripture Time ~ Psalm 86:11 NLT

“Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.”

It’s Father’s Day!!!! I want to take the time to wish all Fathers (biological, adopted, foster, mentors, Godfathers…) a very Happy Father’s Day. To all the dads out there, whether you had a great example or not, today try to remember the Father above all Fathers – God. Pray that He will continue to teach you how to be the best Father you can be. Then Honor Him by living out His truths through your life. Enjoy your day!
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Do you have a scripture or word of encouragement for today? Please, share it with us. We are all in this together!
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 NIV