My beloved porch geranium--blooming in 50 degree weather!
She is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever she does prospers. Psalm 1: 3
This is what I want to do--bloom in season and out, bloom and bloom and bloom with the fulness of Christ in me, the fulness of Christ reflecting on my outside in all that I do. Love flowers!
St. Louis Looking forward to seeing all of you in St. Louis tomorrow night. I will speak for about and hour and then be available for question and answer. For last minute moms, contact dgiles1352@charter.net
Boston
Also evidently, we had the wrong email on Boston. We are looking forward to seeing so many of you there. Speaking on Mission of Motherhood and Educating your children with excellence. Contact Jane Rattray: momx4js@gmail.com
Sally Clarkson, a popular conference speaker and author of 5 books on motherhood and homeschooling, will be speaking in the Boston area on Thursday, October 14, at 7:30. Sally has ministered nationally and internationally as a speaker since graduating from college in 1975. Since the late 1980s, Sally’s speaking ministry has focused primarily on education, Christian parenting, and motherhood. She will be speaking on The Mission of Motherhood: Celebrating biblical affirmation of the wonderful design for motherhood in God’s eternal plan for families and children. You won't want to miss this inspiring evening. Invite your friends.
New York City
In New York City, we will have a cozy evening of fellowship and snacks. All are welcome. Kristen Kill will be hosting us. She has tried to email several of you back, but your emails are bouncing. Please contact her again at: killfam@gmail.com
Sally Clarkson, a popular conference speaker and author of 5 books, will be speaking in New York City, Monday, October 18, at 7:00 p.m. near downtown Manhattan. Her topic will be The Ministry of Motherhood: Becoming a mother of influence in the lives of your children. Sally has ministered nationally and internationally since graduating from college in 1975. You won't want to miss this inspiring evening. Please rsvp to the email above so that Kristen can know how many to expect.
Getting ready for our history trip and looking so forward to seeing many of you in a smaller, more personal venue. Have a good weekend.
For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind And declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes dawn into darkness And treads on the high places of the earth, The LORD God of hosts is His name. Amos 4:13
Since I was a little girl, when I have walked out in nature, God has spoken to my heart. His art calls out to my own heart and validates His life and presence to my soul. Out under the myriad night sparkling stars while snuggling under covers on a wind-blown mountain top; sitting on the golf-course in the early evening near my old family home, amidst a pink, purple sunset painting the horizon; watching a swirling snowstorm creep into my mountain valley like an ocean tide sweeping into a cove; watching a mountain lake climb the walls of a faraway castle in the midst of a thunder storm; standing amidst thousands of dancing azure bluebonnets in an abandoned farm field--these and more fill my memory of times I felt His presence. These memories stored up, with many more, calling to my yearning heart, "There is an artist, a loving, good, deeply caring personal designer behind all of this vast beauty."
And so I became a walker--walking miles and miles amongst mountain roads, sea shores of Prince Edward Island, city streets in the Vienna nights, round the rivers and fields in Poland, all over the world, new places to appreciate the beauty and to fellowship with its creator.
Developing the conviction that being out with Him was healthy--for me, for my children. Seeing that when fussing was inevitable, moods were tight, I could take my wee precious ones out for a tromp in nature and see their little hearts, with mine, relax, find soothing for our ruffled souls.
So, it seemed, by intuition, and reading, I knew of Him who the mountains and creating the wind, declaring to me His thoughts, the one who painted the sky with his fingertips and made dawn into darkness--amazing, this!
And so I incorporated this into my educational philosophy for my children at home--beauty, creation, color, sound, texture, tastes--music, art, great stories--this, I instinctively knew, was from Him.
No surprise to me, then that the Holy Spirit who led me to these conclusions, would also provide scientific research that would document what I was led to by faith--that a brain functions better when at exposed to the peace and beauty of nature. That a brain surrounded by technology, traffic, noise, clutter, becomes taxed and weary and less functional. All the striving of man depletes man of his noble thoughts.
However when we practice sabbath rest, when we give our brains beauty, nature and exposure to Him, we find function of life at its best.
And so, even in the midst of my full days, I seek to walk or sit on my porch, or at the very least bring beauty, nature and peace into my home. It soothes my soul, supports creative and intelligent thought and feeds and nurtures the life of my family.
a basket of berries, foliage, apples, to bring the color and beauty of His hand into our home. (thanks, Sarah for putting it together!) Below the article on nature and the brain!
My own little pilgrim Joy (minus hat and collar) having breakfast on the porch.
"I feel so guilty! It seems I never have time with God, lately," my sweet young mom friend said. "With a 1, 3 and 5 year old underfoot, if they go to bed, all I want to do is collapse. And I really don't feel like spending the little time I have left studying my Bible."
I really understand how she feels. As a matter of fact, I think that when I had children her age, I thought that someday my life would slow down and become more manageable. I am still waiting. I think my life is busier than it has ever been. It is easy to feel that I am neglecting the Lord and that He is disappointed with me when I am too busy. But, .......
Today, up early to have tea and spent precious time with Clay. Seems we need this early morning by ourselves to talk, plan, catch up, pray and be together because it is so rare! Then, taking Joy to work by 9. (Pumpkin patch--she is a pilgrim talking to school groups for a month.) Sarah to the doctor and needs to meet after that about a trip. Joel wrote and has a big issue and decision that came up yesterday and needs council. Pick up Joy and take her downtown to driver's ed. Meet with friend. Errands in town to run. Wash the last night dinner dishes because it was too late last night to face them when the activities of the day were over. Having dinner tonight with friends at our house. Joy's friend coming over. Means straightening up the house. PIcking up Joy's friend. Doing Nate's favor which will take an hour in the middle of the day and articles to write, emails to answer, and and and.
His voice comes into my mind as I send up a quick prayer to not be overcome.
"Be still and know that I am God. I am the one who calms the storms and fears of life.'
How is it possible to live with peace in the midst of this life? God has slowly done a work in my heart over the years. It is why I named this blog, "I Take Joy!"
This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."
It is a choice of my will, a choice to worship Him, in the midst of my busy day--this day that He created for me to walk through.
Today, this busy season of life, God sees me, He is with me, He goes with me every step of the way. If my grid from which I live and make my decisions recognizes this, then every minute is a minute spent with Him. "Oh, Lord, those Colorado mountains are so amazingly wonderful." (Today as I am flying down the highway on the way home.) Lord, show me what is on your heart today. I have a need to hear your voice (as I am driving home from the "Pilgrim Patch."
He speaks to me and reminds me, "I knew your days when as yet there was not one of them." (Psam 139) I know this season of your life, lean into it. Be with me in it. Live joyfully each minute I give to you as a moment alive to me. Celebrate my love in the midst of the mess and stress of it all. It is where true spirituality is lived."
"When you are with each precious person, live the fellowship of me in your midst. See this moment as one in which to serve, give a life-giving word, pray with them, serve them a meal with joy and goodness in your heart, wash the dishes as one who is civilizing and beautifying your home for me--every little moment of your acts of praise to me through mundane, normal moments is a time of companionship with me, if you will open your heart and your eyes."
I realize again, that if Christ is in me, then Him living through me as I am going my way, means wherever I go, whatever I do, I can present Him, give of Him, love Him in the presence of every person who comes my way and in every task I must do.
My time with God is not just studying His word, it is every moment I am alive, opening the eyes of my heart, seeing Him, living in His grace, asking for His strength, resting in my limitations and His adequacy.
So whether tending to a sick child in the middle of the night with sleep deprivation, or nursing a sweet baby with a toddler pulling at your leg or praying and talking late into the night with a confused lonely teen, or just washing dishes and cooking one more time, it is an appointment with God, a time of worship, a place to celebrate His presence, because He is there, close to your heart and so longing for your companionship--you spending time with Him in the midst of it all!
Now, on to my busy day.
Sorry! I was gone most of the day but the link on the boys reading article works now. Here it is again! http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704271804575405511702112290.html?KEYWORDS=THOMAS+SPENCE
Wall Street Journal article on inspiring boys to read.
"Mom, I really need to talk to you about something that I keep forgetting to tell you. Please call me as soon as you can."
My heart skipped a beat. When I get this kind of text or email from one of my boys, I worry. Is he out of money? Has he had a fender-bender? It is something serious?
And so I called Nathan as soon as I could.
"Mom, I am out of books to read and in my days off, I want something to inspire me or encourage me. Will you send me a couple of more books that you recommend? I always read everything you and Sarah like and it keeps me going. The books you have sent over the past couple of years have almost been like companions to me and they speak to me when I am working. I am out of good reading material now and I miss it. Please send something soon."
Oh my goodness! What a relief! But to know that his soul still craves brain and heart food. To know that this boy who was wiggling, moving, always active when I was reading to him those long hours, was taking it into his heart and soul, was quite affirming to me a week ago when he wrote.
The book I put in the mail was one I had just finished. The Prodigal God. It was an easy read, but I knew Nate would enjoy it. Now Sarah has picked up a couple of pieces of fiction to send to him. Her last was Three Cups of Tea. Nathan loved that. He always loved Brother Andrew's book on his life story, God's Smuggler and used to give it to his friends.
Boys and young men need to have hero tales in their hearts, models of bravery in their souls. Books serve to feed their need for sacrificial, brave, hero living. Books give them a pattern for the foundations of their lives. Boys want to be a part of a movement or work greater than themselves. Good books call out to every boys desire to be a knight in shining armor. But modern day media just captures their time but builds nothing.
I let my boys play with legos while listening, if they were quiet. Some days I gave them sketching pads with colored pencils. Other days, popcorn and hot chocolate. In our cozy room by the fire place we spent hours upon hours of reading outloud and sharing in captivating stories. These stories shaped their souls, built vocabulary, encouraged amazing writing patterns. People ask me how it is that all of my children are exception writers. I think it is because the appetite of their minds was shaped by great writers--what went in came out. Great literature planted great patterns of communication in their minds--it was as simple as that. Far more important to a child's brain is reading aloud and capturing the imagination of children with great, inspiring stories than in using a grammar book.
Here is an article that speaks to these issues of building boys into readers.
Fall is probably my favorite season of the year (besides Spring!). I love the crisp air, changing colors, warm soups, traditions and family celebrations and the rhythm of life. And so, often we travel in the fall to see historical places and cities and towns when it is a little cooler and there are fewer tourists. This fall, I have the privilege and blessing of traveling to lots of places. I hope to see so many of you and have some personal visits. So, if I am coming your way, please mark the date on your calendar. Also, I would so appreciate it if you would help me get the word out! I have had lots of requests and emails about my fall trip and just have not been able to answer everyone because of lots on my plate. So tell your friends and let's celebrate these fun times together!
Can't wait to see you!
Here is my schedule:
St. Louis October 7
Hosted by Deb Giles
Fairview Heights Church of Christ
9955 Bunkum Road
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Email Deb for more information: dgiles1352@charter.net
Chicago, September 8-9 at Apologia Live
A conference to restore and refresh moms with their purpose and Biblical calling to raise godly children.
www.apologiaonline.com/live/2010/mdw/index.asp
History Trip
Two of my friends and I and our 4 children, have planned a history trip with our children for about a year. We will be touring Philadelphia,Boston and New York City! We will be speaking at each place one night.
Boston: Thursday, October 14,
(Hope Chapel, 35 Chocksett Road, Sterling, Ma) For more information contact: Jane Rattray, momx4js@comcast.net
Sally Clarkson, a popular conference speaker and author of 5 books on motherhood and homeschooling, will be speaking in the Boston area on Thursday, October 14, at 7:30. Sally has ministered nationally and internationally as a speaker since graduating from college in 1975. Since the late 1980s, Sally’s speaking ministry has focused primarily on homeschooling, Christian parenting, and motherhood. She will be speaking on The Mission of Motherhood: Celebrating biblical affirmation of the wonderful design for motherhood in God’s eternal plan for families and children. You won't want to miss this inspiring evening. Invite your friends. A love offering will be taken to cover costs.
New York City October 18, 7:00-9:00
Sally Clarkson will be speaking on the Mission of Motherhood and The Life Giving Home. Space in this New York venue will be limited. Everyone welcome. Please rsvp, so that we can know how many will be attending in order to set up the room with seating. Kristin Kill is happy to answer any questions and will receive your rsvp's: kristenkill@gmail.com (She will send you a map and answer any of your questions)
Location: The Stuyvestant Town Oval Lounge inside Stuyvestant Town found at 1st and 14th street in Manhattan. (Reached by the L train, by walking from Union Station or by the M15 bus line that runs down 2nd Ave.)
Philadelphia Wednesday October 20, at 8 p.m. in west Philly
Mission of Motherhood: Celebrating Biblical design of motherhood and cultivating a life-giving home.
This meeting will be held in a private home in West Philadelphia.
Contact: asimlaramee@gmail.com for more information
Relevant Conference: Harrisburg/Hershey
A wonderful blogging conference covering all aspects of blogging: building a list; writing well, marketing; developing meaningful messages, inspiring women, and so much more. This will be a great conference with many inspiring speakers, great fellowship and lots of time with friends and like-minded women!
Nashville, November 6
An all day regional Mom's conference at Fellowship Bible Church.
Your Mom Heart Matters Getting in Step with God’s Heart-Beat for Motherhood
This conference will provide 4 inspirational sessions on becoming a life-giving mother, building your children into a godly heritage, managing life with grace and becoming fulfilled in your calling as a mom. Lunch will be provided. A book table, fellowship, and music will make this a weekend you won't want to miss. For more information and to register, go to:
www.wholeheart.org/mom-heart-mominar-nashville-tn-11-06-10/
So, it will be a busy fall, but all of us are looking so forward to traveling, enjoying our adventure and seeing you. Hope you can come join me!
Apple-Pumpkin Streusel Muffins--a specialty of Sarah!
2-1/2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup (8 ounces) canned pumpkin
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups peeled, cored, and grated apples
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix well. In medium bowl combine eggs, pumpkin, and oil; add to dry ingredients, stir until just moistened. Add apples and nuts. Fill well-greased muffin tins about 3/4 full.
Make streusel topping, mix:
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Sprinkle topping liberally over the tops of the muffins. (You can double the streusel topping if you want more for the muffins.) Bake 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes and remove from pans to wire racks. Makes 18-24 muffins.
Perfect for autumn!
Sweet Friends,
I am coming to speak in San Diego next week and looking so forward to seeing many of you. I will speak at a leadership dinner next Tuesday night and then at a luncheon open for all! Be sure to register ahead of time to be sure to secure your spot. Have a great weekend! Here's the scoop!
Lunch With Sally Clarkson
Sally has written a number of wonderful books that tenderly speak to a mother’s heart. Please take a moment and look into the wholeheart.org website for information on her ministry. Some of Sally’s books are:
Seasons Of A Mother’s Heart / The Mission Of Motherhood The Mom Walk: Keeping In Step With God’s Heart For Motherhood
There will be limited space for this event and you must be registered to attend. Please cut off the lower part of this flyer and return it filled out, with your payment, to the address shown below. (Checks made payable to Christian Family Schools) No childcare will be provided - nursing babies in carriers are welcome but no strollers as space is limited. Emmanuel Faith Community Church is located on the corner of Felicita and Encino at: 639 East 17th Ave, Escondido, CA 92025. This special time is set apart for moms only. Lunch included and catered by Panera.
C u t H er e
Name ___________________________ Email ____________________________ Circle one: CFS Member $12 - Non Member $18 I’m currently a CFS member and belong to the CFS ___________________ support group.
Wednesday, Sept 29th - 11:30 to 2:00 PM - Emmanuel Faith Community Church - Escondido
Sally is, first and foremost, a full-time, stay-at-home-schooling mom. Her life
son — Sally is, first and foremost, a full-time, stay-at-home-schooling mom. has always revolved around her husband Clay, and their four wholehearted
has always revolved around her four wholehearted children-Sarah, Joel, Nathan
children - Sarah, Joel, Nathan and Joy. In addition to her ministry to her family,
and Joy. In addition to her ministry to her family, God has also given her a ministry to
God has also given her a ministry to other families, and to homeschooling
other families, and to homeschooling mothers, through speaking and writing. Sally grew
mothers, through speaking and writing. Sally is a nationally known writer,
up in Texas and New Mexico, accepted Christ personally her freshman year at Texas
speaker, discipler, and blogger (itakejoy.com) who also loves books, music,
Tech University, was active with Campus Crusade for Christ during college, and joined
British films, baking and tea.
staff upon graduation in 1975. She ministered at the University of Texas, lived and ministered in Eastern Europe under Communist rule, and returned to Denver to work with
Sally is no stranger to San Diego area homeschool moms as she has frequently
executive women and singles, and with Clay, whom she married a year later. She has
been a featured speaker at Expo. One of Sally’s “favorite things” is visiting over
always -based homeschool support
a cup of tea while encouraging moms in their role as wives and mothers. We believe you will be inspired and renewed as you enjoy a casual lunch and
(itakejoy.com) who also loves books, music, British films, baking, and tea.
“visit” with Sally.
What better way for
a mom to start the
school year than to
enjoy lunch with
other homeschool
moms and hear an
encouraging word
from Sally Clarkson
!
Postmarked deadline is 9/22. Do not mail after 9/22 - Non refundable after 9/20 Return this slip and payment to: CFS - PO Box 460416 - Escondido, CA 92046 Please do not contact the church.
Email questions to: info@cfssd.org
For the link, go here!
Daniel and the Lions Briton Rivière
This Impossible Life
Gasping for breath, and turning blue at her lips, baby Sarah looks up at me with pleading eyes. "Please help me!" And so I hold her in my arms, pleading for God's mercy and healing, not knowing what else to do after medicating, taking her to the doctor, and staying up with her for 3 nights.
"We have no money left. I can't find a job. I don't know what I am going to do," Clay said after working endlessly to get our ministry up and going, and coming to the end of our finances, many years ago. This after several years of working to get our ministry and publishing established.. And so the five of us got down on our knees and sought heaven for an answer. (Before Joy)
Laying on the ground in the middle of the cafeteria, kicking and screaming and flailing so that no one could even get near, my son brought havoc to the whole room of people trying to eat their meals in peace. Walking away, I pretended he wasn't mine and sought some sanity to figure out what we were to do with this child who seemed always out of sorts with life. "God, what did you have in mind with this child?"
And so our lives went day upon day, always with other blessings, other challenges and the constant demands of overwhelming daily responsibilities.
Often, when we commit to God and say we want to serve Him and love Him and make His kingdom known, we have a hope and a desire in our hearts to see His blessing. It is very normal for us to hope for stability, security, and peace, especially when we are on the path to the Lord and Creator of our lives and of this earth--the one who is sovereign over history. God is a gracious Father, and as we read in Psalm 103:13-14, "Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. for He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust."
We are told in so many scriptures, that God is good, faithful, and full of lovingkindness. We hope for a kind, compassionate God, who will be gentle with us, who will show us His personal loving grace.
Yet, when we commit our hearts to Him, Satan wants to discourage us from following through with our commitment to Him. He wants to test us, to cause us to doubt in God's goodness, His faithfulness, His willingness to answer our prayers.
So, often, we find ourselves in places that seem impossible--that unless God works, we are sunk. I am often over my head. The older I get, the more I see my sin and selfishness. The more I see how little control I really have in life. I often find that I am in over my head--unless God works, I don't see how we will make it--whatever that is!
I cannot, by wishful and hopeful thinking, control the world of my children--Nathan in Hollywood--not a great place of morality. Joel in Boston, battling through school and finances. Clay and me in ministry with obstacles and challenges. Sarah, precious in heart, but in places that unless God works, there is no guidance or blessing. And knowing my sweet Joy is soon to be thrust in that very world where all of her other siblings are living.
And yet, in all of these places is our precious Lord. He is present with each one. He cares for each one. He only is my hope and source for all that is needed and He wants me to call out to him, even as our sweet infants and toddlers look to us to feed them, to comfort and protect them, to love them.
He so desires to show us His fatherhood.He brings us to the impossible that we may see His faithfulness, His provision. He brings us to points of needs so that we may long for heaven, and that He may suit us with hearts of steadfast character so that we may truly look more like Jesus and reflect Him back to this world.
It is our opportunity, from God, to show HIs glory, His mercy, His personal involvement in the lives of HIs children, HIs strength and His redemption. It is the platform from which we will be able to minister to others--because He was faithful in our lives when we needed Him.
I know so many of you feel your lives are impossible, because of your letters and knowing you personally. Yet, this is very point in which God wants us to praise Him, rest in Him, wait for Him, to behold His salvation.
The Red Sea was formidable for the millions of Israelites, but became a place of God's great redemption. Goliath was impossible, but a place to inspire all of us through the generations that God wants to use a limited young man, who in His hands and strength, can become a conquerer.
The Lion's den was not just a sweet Bible fable for us to tell to our children, but a story of a real man with real faith who saw the real and personal hand of God in his life.
Do you desire to live a faith-filled life? Then you will come across great battles. When you are serious about God, you become involved in the spiritual battle, between Satan and God, to see if there really is a remnant of faithful people who will believe in God, who will praise Him and wait for His provision..
How do we respond in these circumstances? Is today a lion's den for you? It is at these times we are tempted to provide for our own needs, even as Abraham looked to Hagar, his solution to having a child, instead of waiting on God. Saul did not wait for Samuel's blessing, God's provision and because of it, lost his kingship and the blessing of God.
But this is our opportunity to say to the world, "I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is faithful and that He will answer."
This is our opportunity to live out a story of faith--to have a history of how God saved us, helped us, answered our prayers, gave mercy, provided.
May our sweet Lord lead us today to live well and faithfully the impossible life He has entrusted into our hands. May our prayers open doors and our requests be met with grace to help in time of need. May God say, "There is a generation of faithful who are proving me true in a world that doubts. Well done, my faithful servant. You pleased me because you waited and believed. Enter into the joy of your master."
Blessings of His grace, mercy and peace today.
