I'm sorry to say that I have been neglecting this blog for the past few months. We have been pretty busy around here doing some home renovation projects and finishing up our school year. I have also been writing for the One Love for Christ website. Here are a few of my articles...
My family watched the documentary Captivatedover this past weekend. Wow! I was convicted. Even though we aren't big TV or movie watchers, I do have a iPhone and check my email, Facebook and text when I am on the go. I have gotten used to looking up addresses and phone numbers. I keep my calendar on my phone. It can be a big time saver. Sending out mass emails for field trips takes less time then making individual phone calls. We use the computer for accounting for our business and my children use it for school projects. In fact my oldest son is attending college "online".
OK, so technology can be a good thing, so what's the big deal? Are you rushing to check the latest status on Facebook? Are you planning the next photo you can take and upload? How much time do you spend checking you email, Facebook or texts? How much time do you spend watching movies on your TV, computer or phone? What about social networking? Does it really make us connect on a personal level with other people? Are you living in a "virtual reality" that you think you control?
We are such are a "plugged in" society. If we aren't texting or on the internet, we are hooked up to our iPod's listening in private. I wonder if we would watch, read or listen to some of the stuff if it wasn't "private".
I admit that I do have a Facebook and through it I have made contact with people I haven't talked to in 20 years or more. It has been fun to see where life has taken them. But, I can't live my life on Facebook, posting my every move and trying to impress others. I really worry about some of the younger "friends" that I have on Facebook that are posting photos and status' that they may regret in the future. Don't fool yourself into thinking it's private. It's not!
So what do we do?
Treat your computer as a tool. Don't become over dependent on using it for research. Maybe you could go to the library and actually check out a book! (Forgive me, I was a librarian once upon a time.) Don't spend all of your time checking out YouTube videos and realize you have wasted hours of your day. Don't plug your children into video games or TV programs. Encourage them to play and create without being "plugged in".
Pornography is a HUGE problem. No longer does someone have to go down to the convenient store and ask for the magazine behind the counter, it is one click away on your computer or smart phone. You MUST be vigilant in protecting you children! Put safeguards on your computer. Something might just "pop up" that they really weren't looking for.
Don't live your life on Facebook or Twitter posting your every move, looking for someone to give you validation by "liking" your status. For Christians, your validation should be coming from Christ. Would you be doing whatever you are doing in his presence?
The bottom line is that we can not let ourselves become a slave to technology. Use it as a tool to help you get things done, but don't forget their is a hurting world out there that needs the love of Christ shared with them. Make a point to have face to face conversations with people wherever you go. Go out and take a walk with your family without your phone. Don't confine yourself to a "virtual reality". Real life is so much better!
When we started our home business a few years ago, we needed to set up an office space for Rob. So since I am homeschooling only one child these days, it made sense to convert the school room to his office. So I have been gradually cleaning "my stuff" out of my former school room. Today as I cleaned out some drawers I found some artwork that my boys had done many years ago. One was a travel log Andrew had done on a trip to Utah. He drew pictures everyday of the places we had gone and the things he had seen. It was fun to see what he thought was exciting as a 7 year old. It was also a little sad to think that I don't have any little guys around here anymore. Andrew (my baby) will be 14 years old in a week or so. He is growing up into such a fine young man, but it seems like just yesterday he was experiencing what I call "Christopher Robin Days", where the 100 Acre Wood came alive with fun and everyday was an adventure.
We now have new adventures around here like ham radios and sailboats. But deep down inside, I just can't help but believe that even big boys never really outgrow the adventures of the Hundred Acre Wood!
I am not a big fan of New Years' Resolutions, but as I look forward to the new year, I have been thinking about who I am and what I need to become. So here is my Top 10 List of things I would like to do...and since I am posting them here for the world to see, I hope to look back at this next year and see just how far I have come.....
1) First of all I desire to really understand what it means to be a Child of God.
2) I desire to understand what it means to be a "true" woman, not what the world says, but what the Lord says about who I should be.
3) I desire to spend more time with "like-minded" friends.
4) I would like to have a more defined "family vision".
5) I plan to move Rob's office out to the sunroom. Work and family must be more separated!!
6) I want to learn how to preserve food by canning and storing. (Anyone out there want to help me with this one?)
7) I would like to be able to help others by being a better steward of what the Lord has blessed me with. 8) I want to learn how to sew....(since my motto has always been "if I can glue it, I can do it!" I really need a lot of help on this one!!)
9) I desire to be more purposeful in instilling Godly principles in my children's lives everyday.
10) I want to slow down. My children are growing up so fast...I don't want to miss a thing!!
Happy New Year to all of my friends and family. May the Lord bless you and keep you in 2010 and always!
Back in November, we had the privilege to attend the premier of The Mysterious Islands at the IMAX Theatre in Tampa.We had a wonderful evening with friends watching a remarkable movie.
CJ, Andrew and Abby ready to watch the movie.
William, is that sweet tea in that cup?
Andrew patiently waited for Mr. Phillips to sign his movie poster.
Andrew working on the new back porch roof.
"Construction Man" Matthew!
Christmas time is concert time. Andrew plays his violin with Suzuki Strings at the Lakeland Center.
It occurred to me today that I wear many different kinds of "hats". Their is the wife hat, the mother hat, the teacher hat, the cook hat, the house keeper hat and the chauffeur hat, to name a few. I now find myself wearing a brand new "hat", the "full time stay-at home mom who is homeschooling her children as well as working everyday for her husband's business hat". (No wonder I am so tired!) I guess I should be very grateful for my life experiences and the "hats" I am collecting along the way. I am trying to remember this is just a season of my life and to try to enjoy the journey. I do know that when I arrive at my final destination..... I will have quite a hat collection!
Recently, Rob and I attended a memorial service for a friend we knew from high school. Rob had known him for many more years than I. They had been in Boy Scouts together and had spent many fun times enjoying the "great outdoors". His un-timely death was unexpected......he was 43 years old. As I looked around the church at the service, everyone looked so stunned. How could this happen to someone in the prime of their life? It is at times like these that suddenly my life is put into perspective. Everyday is a gift from God. How am I spending my days? I am really trying to live everyday for the glory of God? Am I spending my time enjoying the beautiful world our Lord has created or just rushing from one place to another? My heart is breaking for the family of our friend. My hope is that I will see him again one day in the place that Jesus has prepared for me.
I'm sorry to say that I have been neglecting this blog for the past few months. We have been pretty busy around here doing some home renovation projects and finishing up our school year. I have also been writing for the One Love for Christ website. Here are a few of my articles...
