The power WITHIN a DAY

You can wake up unassumingly one morning 

expecting your day to move in a certain direction

BUT within that single day,
because of someone's decision

your whole life can change it's course 

WITH or WITHOUT your permission...

I know I've had those days that have left a mark on me that won't go away - even years later.  Some amazing marks, and some difficult.

WITHIN A DAY, you have the power to change the course of a single life...BOTH positively or negatively.

WITHIN A DAY you have the power to either advance the Kingdom of God, or the kingdom of darkness.

That's good enough reason to take Ephesians 6 seriously.  When your feet hit the floor in the morning, usually there's a general "game plan", BUT, you just don't know what surprise events or conversations you'll have to respond to, but God does, SO...

• Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. 
• Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. 
• Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. 
• God's Word is an indispensable weapon.
• In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. 
• Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. 
• Keep your eyes open. 
• Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. 
  

 Ephesians 6:13-18 (The Message)

With the blink of an eye, we can react impulsively and WITHIN THAT DAY change someone's life (and our own) forever.   I wonder how many people in prison would say they didn't intend to do what they did, but it was an impulsive bad decision.  I know my mistakes haven't warranted prison, but in God's eyes hurt is hurt, sin is sin...

A day can come and go, slipping through our fingers, and without realizing, it becomes wasted because WITHIN THAT DAY - nothing was done; Whether through mundane, discouragement, or stress.

Sometimes I do think back to the days I wish I could hit the "REDO" button because they were days I have regrets in.  I blurted out things I shouldn't have, made decisions which came with consequences, or ran away from things I needed to face.

On the other side, I'm so thankful for the days I used to serve God and those He loves - where I've made GOOD decisions - to serve my family, help someone when they're struggling, hosting & encouraging people, sharing the gospel when I get the chance, or give a simple hug.

We need to walk in much more reverence of the responsibility we have WITHIN A DAY.  GOD gives us the gift of a day - we need to cherish it, be responsible with it, and serve Him during it.

Be very careful, then, how you live —
not as unwise but as wise, 

making the most of every opportunity, 

because the days are evil.  

therefore do not be foolish, 

but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Ephesians 5:15-17

Back to the books

There's something so beautiful about being a part of your children's soaking up of knowledge.

Today we started our school season with a fun science project out of Apologia's "Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy & Physiology".  We did the "Edible Cell" project.

Jello "Cells" with "Organelles" ready to be placed

Centrioles & Mitochondria

Lysosomes & Golgi Body

Ribosomes, Nucleus, & Endoplasmic Reticulum

 Once the Jello hardened, the girls were able to place the "organelles" into their cell.  

The girls had their "Cell Wheel" (from the Notebooking Journal) they had created as a reference - so as the different organelles were being placed into the cell, they'd tell me the function of each one.

Cell Wheel

Yummy cell #1

Yummy cell #2

My hubby even got involved...because it was candy ;) So he added LOTS of organelles!

It was a wonderful day back at school - and a small taste of an amazing year to come...I am believing it!!!!!

I didn't realize how much I love & missed doing school because by the end of our last school year, we were about ready to hang each other off the roof by the toes - and very ready for a break.  I think my favorite scripture when it comes to teaching my girls is Lamentations 3:22-23

²² It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.

²³ They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.

And one of the most beautiful gifts is that my girls mirror God's mercy during those days when I need EXTRA...because there are times it seems my "receive-mercy tokens" should have run out.

I was grateful for the break so I could step back, PRAY and implement new "policies" to make the year just that much smoother, more fun & productive.  By the time they graduate, we'll have it all figured out...NOT!

So here's to an AMAZING year for us, and all you wonderful homeschool families out there!!

Eating the Cell - YUMMY!