From Hurricane Irene to Day 1 of Homeschool...

I really did have good intentions of keeping this blog updated. I feel like I have let so many people down. As I read through all the old posts it brings tears to my eyes of what our family has gone through sense I have last posted. In one word to describe the last five months sense the last post is: ROLLERCOASTER.

Let me bring you all up to date. This family from California has experienced our first Hurricane. Hurrican Irene was bad!!  So much destruction and loss. Our villiage here (we have been corrected so many times. It's a villiage, not a town) took alot of damage from the wind and rain. Many many trees down, roofs destroyed or damaged, water damage to complete loss. We were without power 4 days many others were without much longer. There are many that are still without power. We visited an area that was flooded with 5-8 feet of storm surge. Countless homes with all their belongings just thrown outside into large piles.  So many people lost everything. From the day the storm hit Perry has been out in force. He has such a huge heart and a desire to help others. A semi truck full of supplies from  the Church of Christ Diaster Relief was brought here. So many people were helped with food boxes, cleaning supplies, sheets, pillows, shovels, blankets, gloves.... This Disaster has changed us. Seeing so many people in the flooded community who were so thankful for just a mop or a gallon of bleach dry pillow and blanket. Yesterday the final supplies were sent our neighboring county to help Disaster victim's there.  As people contiune to clean up Perry is working on a plan to go into the community that was so damaged with flooding to offer his help in contruction. Our entire family will help in this. All his years in flooring with come into good use.

All summer we have been preparing to homeschool our children. Today was Day 1: First day of Homeschool. We followed a strick schedule which really seemed to help us. The children were all up and had their showers by 6:30am. They were so excitied. We began our day with a family scripture reading. We are studying the book of Job together.  As much as I planned it felt alot like we are flying by the seat of our pants. At times it was difficult. All three have their school work on the computer. We decided and went with Switched on School House or SOS. I didn't know and struggled with how was I going to teach three children in three different grades. So far I am very pleased with our decision. We didn't get to have our mock school day as planned but it all worked out. The curriculum is difficult. Our oldest daughter thought she was going to breeze right through it. At the end of the day, Sharon said she had not been this challenged sense we left Memphis. It was hard when all three had questions at the same time. All three are compeletly different. They learn differently  As they calmed down and we got into a rhytm the day just flew by. All work was completed and corrected and the kids did great.

Thank you all for your contiuned prayers and support.

In Christian Love,
Maria

Busy Bee

It’s been a busy productive week so far. While Perry is away in Georgia for a Gospel Meeting, I have been cleaning and organizing our home.  Still had a lot of books to put away from the Lectureship. After a wonderful trip to Memphis and Kentucky for the Memphis School of Preaching Lectureship it is nice to get the house in order. We made such awesome memories. To see all of our classmates and getting to catch up the instructors was amazing.  The memories made staying with our dear friends were  priceless! Staying up till 3am, our son preaching his first sermon at 9 o ‘clock at night in McDonald’s in Memphis,  Perry breaking out with Andrew Connelly DVD at 2am, all the kids playing together, such wonderful encouragement and support! You can never put a price on Christian Friendship! We are already counting down until next March.

Our lives are busy here as the school year is wrapping up.  We are very excited for the next school year as all three kids have asked to be home schooled.  There are various reasons; it has been a tough year with its ups and downs. We must do what is best for our Children.  I am very excited and nervous all at the same time.  I have spent many hours researching curriculum, reading blogs, researching our rights and the laws of North Carolina. The more I have researched and learned the more I know we are making the right decision.  I have a very special friend who home schools her girls. She has given me lots of advice and encouragement and I couldn’t do this with her! Thank you

Sharon is feeling great. She is pretty much back to normal. We are just patiently awaiting her next cycle. She is a little nervous but we must have faith in knowing  everything is going to be OK!

Perry’s work with the Prison is going well. He will resume his work once he returns from Georgia.  I have started volunteering at a local nursing home here in our county.  I was really nervous considering I had one day of training.  But my first day was incredible.  These people just want attention and someone to listen to them. It was heart breaking really. They have so much wisdom and life experience.  I look forward to each day I get to work with them.  Anyone have any advice or suggestions on activates please email them to me!

Can’t wait for Perry to return so we can get our garden planted. We thought we were behind but everyone has told us for our region we are right on time! With the cost of fresh vegetables we need this garden.  I look forward to fresh from the garden veggies.

Lesson for the day: Never Never question or criticize someone for what they have done  if your not willing to do it yourself!