Monday, August 23, 2010
Forgiveness Brings True Peace
Have you ever been really, really close to someone, and then, for whatever the reasons, the friendship ends? After a time, and even during that time that you weren't talking, you start remembering the good times, and the bad times, but the hurts and frustrations all seem to fade away and the good memories seem to over shadow the bad memories. Then, God showed me my own faults that I needed forgiveness for, His finger was pointing back at me and making it an impact that is clearly God showing me that I too have my own faults, and that I too have my own issues that I need to ask forgiveness for. I did that tonight. Something that I have needed to do for a long time now, but was afraid...afraid that what if that person wouldn't forgive me, and then I would still be hanging on to something that I couldn't change. Well tonight, I had to do what I had needed to do, and asked for forgiveness. I am SOOOOOOO blessed that she accepted my apology, and she too asked my forgiveness, which I certainly didn't expect or necessarily need in return, but I am so blessed that she said that I too am forgiven, and that there are no more hard feelings. Thank you Lord for the forgiveness that You give us, and for the forgiveness that You have blessed me with in this situation.
Friday, August 13, 2010
A Charlotte Mason Biography & Online E-Course
I am thrilled to have found a WONDERFUL biography about Charlotte Mason that I think any homeschooling parent would enjoy reading and learn from! Stephanie Walmsley has written this 33 page E-book for you to download for FREE!!! Please feel free to go to this address and request your free copy today!
http://www.charlottemasonmadeeasy.com/mcm-sign-up.html
Stephanie also offers an awesome 12-week course teaching you how to simply apply what you have learned about Charlotte Mason easily into your family, making her theories relevant to today's modern homeschooling, taking the overwhelming tactic of trying to mull through the Original 6 Volumes of CM's Educational Philosophies out of the initial research, etc. It is well worth taking this course whether you are new homeschooling parent or veteran homeschooler. This course is for you!!! :+)
Check it out at:
http://www.charlottemasonmadeeasy.com/
http://www.charlottemasonmadeeasy.com/mcm-sign-up.html
Stephanie also offers an awesome 12-week course teaching you how to simply apply what you have learned about Charlotte Mason easily into your family, making her theories relevant to today's modern homeschooling, taking the overwhelming tactic of trying to mull through the Original 6 Volumes of CM's Educational Philosophies out of the initial research, etc. It is well worth taking this course whether you are new homeschooling parent or veteran homeschooler. This course is for you!!! :+)
Check it out at:
http://www.charlottemasonmadeeasy.com/
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A Life With Chronic Pain
A note about Chronic Pain- Hopefully it helps others understand myself & Doug and our lifestyle changes...
Having chronic pain means many things change.
I have to spend most of my day in considerable pain and exhaustion, and if you visit, sometimes I probably don't seem like much fun to be with, but I'm still me-- stuck inside this body. I still care about school, my family, my friends, and most of the time - I'd still like to hear you talk about yours, too.
When you've got the flu, you probably feel miserable with it, but I've been sick for years. I can't be miserable all the time. In fact, I work hard at not being miserable. So, if you're talking to me and I sound happy, it means I'm happy. That's all. It doesn't mean that I'm not in a lot of pain, or extremely tired, or that I'm getting better, or any of those things. I am merely coping. I am sounding happy and trying to look normal. If you want to comment on that, you're welcome.
Being able to stand up for ten minutes doesn't necessarily mean that I can stand up for twenty minutes, or an hour. Just because I managed to stand up for thirty minutes yesterday doesn't mean that I can do the same today. I never know from day to day, how I am going to feel when I wake up. In most cases, I never know from minute to minute. That is one of the hardest and most frustrating components of chronic pain.
Chronic pain is variable. It's quite possible (for many, it's common) that one day I am able to walk to the park and back, while the next day I'll have trouble getting to the next room. In a similar vein, I may need to cancel a previous commitment at the last minute. If this happens, please do not take it personally. If you are able, please try to always remember how very lucky you are--to be physically able to do all of the things that you can do.
"Getting out and doing things" does not make me feel better, and can often make me seriously worse. You don't know what I go through or how I suffer in my own private time. Sometimes participating in a single activity for a short or a long period of time can cause more damage and physical pain than you could ever imagine. Not to mention the recovery time, which can be intense. You can't always read it on my face or in my body language. Also, chronic pain may cause secondary depression (wouldn't you get depressed and down if you were hurting constantly for months or years?), but it is not created by depression.
If I say I have to sit down/lie down/stay in bed/or take these pills now, that probably means that I do have to do it right now - it can't be put off or forgotten just because I'm somewhere, or am right in the middle of doing something. Chronic pain does not forgive, nor does it wait for anyone.
If you want to suggest a cure to me, please don't. In all likelihood, if you've heard of it or tried it, so have I. In some cases, I have been made sicker, not better. It also includes failure, which in and of itself can make me feel even lower. If there were something that cured, or even helped people with my form of chronic pain, then we'd know about it. There is worldwide networking (both on and off the Internet) between people with chronic pain. If something worked, we would KNOW. It's definitely not for lack of trying. If, after reading this, you still feel the need to suggest a cure, then so be it. I may take what you said and discuss it with my doctor.
If I seem touchy, it's probably because I am. It's not how I try to be. As a matter of fact, I try very hard to be normal. I hope you will try to understand. I have been, and am still, going through a lot. Chronic pain is hard for you to understand unless you have had it. It wreaks havoc on the body and the mind. It is exhausting and exasperating. Almost all the time, I know that I am doing my best to cope with this, and live my life to the best of my ability. I ask you to bear with me, and accept me as I am. I know that you cannot literally understand my situation unless you have been in my shoes, but as much as is possible, I am asking you to try to be understanding in general.
In many ways I depend on you - people who are not sick. I need you to visit me when I am too sick to go out... Sometimes I need you help me with the shopping, cooking or cleaning. I may need you to take me to the doctor, or to the store. You are my link to the normalcy of life. You can help me to keep in touch with the parts of life that I miss and fully intend to undertake again, just as soon as I am able.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN (This spoke the words of how I feel better than anything I have ever seen written. To whomever the author is, I Thank You!!)
Having chronic pain means many things change.
I have to spend most of my day in considerable pain and exhaustion, and if you visit, sometimes I probably don't seem like much fun to be with, but I'm still me-- stuck inside this body. I still care about school, my family, my friends, and most of the time - I'd still like to hear you talk about yours, too.
When you've got the flu, you probably feel miserable with it, but I've been sick for years. I can't be miserable all the time. In fact, I work hard at not being miserable. So, if you're talking to me and I sound happy, it means I'm happy. That's all. It doesn't mean that I'm not in a lot of pain, or extremely tired, or that I'm getting better, or any of those things. I am merely coping. I am sounding happy and trying to look normal. If you want to comment on that, you're welcome.
Being able to stand up for ten minutes doesn't necessarily mean that I can stand up for twenty minutes, or an hour. Just because I managed to stand up for thirty minutes yesterday doesn't mean that I can do the same today. I never know from day to day, how I am going to feel when I wake up. In most cases, I never know from minute to minute. That is one of the hardest and most frustrating components of chronic pain.
Chronic pain is variable. It's quite possible (for many, it's common) that one day I am able to walk to the park and back, while the next day I'll have trouble getting to the next room. In a similar vein, I may need to cancel a previous commitment at the last minute. If this happens, please do not take it personally. If you are able, please try to always remember how very lucky you are--to be physically able to do all of the things that you can do.
"Getting out and doing things" does not make me feel better, and can often make me seriously worse. You don't know what I go through or how I suffer in my own private time. Sometimes participating in a single activity for a short or a long period of time can cause more damage and physical pain than you could ever imagine. Not to mention the recovery time, which can be intense. You can't always read it on my face or in my body language. Also, chronic pain may cause secondary depression (wouldn't you get depressed and down if you were hurting constantly for months or years?), but it is not created by depression.
If I say I have to sit down/lie down/stay in bed/or take these pills now, that probably means that I do have to do it right now - it can't be put off or forgotten just because I'm somewhere, or am right in the middle of doing something. Chronic pain does not forgive, nor does it wait for anyone.
If you want to suggest a cure to me, please don't. In all likelihood, if you've heard of it or tried it, so have I. In some cases, I have been made sicker, not better. It also includes failure, which in and of itself can make me feel even lower. If there were something that cured, or even helped people with my form of chronic pain, then we'd know about it. There is worldwide networking (both on and off the Internet) between people with chronic pain. If something worked, we would KNOW. It's definitely not for lack of trying. If, after reading this, you still feel the need to suggest a cure, then so be it. I may take what you said and discuss it with my doctor.
If I seem touchy, it's probably because I am. It's not how I try to be. As a matter of fact, I try very hard to be normal. I hope you will try to understand. I have been, and am still, going through a lot. Chronic pain is hard for you to understand unless you have had it. It wreaks havoc on the body and the mind. It is exhausting and exasperating. Almost all the time, I know that I am doing my best to cope with this, and live my life to the best of my ability. I ask you to bear with me, and accept me as I am. I know that you cannot literally understand my situation unless you have been in my shoes, but as much as is possible, I am asking you to try to be understanding in general.
In many ways I depend on you - people who are not sick. I need you to visit me when I am too sick to go out... Sometimes I need you help me with the shopping, cooking or cleaning. I may need you to take me to the doctor, or to the store. You are my link to the normalcy of life. You can help me to keep in touch with the parts of life that I miss and fully intend to undertake again, just as soon as I am able.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN (This spoke the words of how I feel better than anything I have ever seen written. To whomever the author is, I Thank You!!)
Thursday, July 15, 2010
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