Proverbs 31 Woman

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God is at work at Life Challenge, a residential year long Bible based discipleship program.  Be watching this column for a testimony of one person’s journey to new life through the school of hard knocks.

Hi everyone.  I trust that the Lord is leading you and guiding you in His ways this summer.  I wanted to highlight a few resource materials from Above Rubies in the next few blog entries.  Today, there are 2 dvds I want to mention.  The first is called The Family Meal Table.  I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s such a great resource that I mention it here again.  Nancy Campbell (Above Rubies) clearly explains the importance of the family meal table.  Making the meal table a priority is her vision.  Although Nancy does most of the teaching, there are wonderful clips of various families who explain how the family is fed physically and spiritually at the family meal table.  If you’re wondering how to begin implementing this too often lost way of life, you will want to get this.  I have a couple copies for sale, but you may check the Above Rubies website as well.  Email me at    jane@vvn.net if you want to buy a copy from me and we’ll make arrangements.

The second dvd is called Rejuvenate with Serene and focuses on the basics of healthy eating.  This can be enjoyed by the whole family and is available from Above Rubies.  Serene is one of Nancy Campbell’s daughters.  There are recipes included and an interview with Nancy Campbell.  You will enjoy seeing Serene at work in her kitchen preparing different dishes and discussing the importance of healthy eating.

Celebrations, celebrations, celebrations…….that is what May and June typically consist of.  We celebrate the end of the school year.  We celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.  There may be some bridal or baby showers, graduation parties, weddings, birthdays, etc.  The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us, there is a time for everything under heaven.  God is sovereign and He reigns on high.  As we live in His fear, that is – wanting His stamp of approval on everything we do, we begin to grow in wisdom.  As we celebrate and rejoice with those around us in their milestones,  let us be ever mindful of His utter goodness, His mercy and kindness towards us.

My life is changing.  I am seeing loved ones and elderly neighbors leave this earth.  I am seeing new babies being born.  I am, by God’s grace alone, learning to accept all of these events, to embrace the moment, to enjoy even more living in His presence.

Much to my surprise I find myself preparing for another child’s graduation. I’ve been blessed with 6 children; one is with Jesus due to a miscarriage several years ago. Of the other five, I am now preparing for the fourth graduation.

When I think of graduation, I think of endings and beginnings. In our state, we have the opportunity to participate in formal homeschool graduations sponsored by CHEM (Christian Home Educators of Michigan). This is a wonderful opportunity to bring closure to the homeschooling years, if you’ve been homeschooling. This program allows us to participate in a God-glorifying event, complete with prayers, songs of praise, a message/charge, and the handing out of diplomas by the parents themselves. When the parent or parents give the diploma to his/their child, they are allowed a one minute spot to give a blessing to the student. This blessing may take the form of a prayer, Scripture, song, composition, or charge. This is truly a unique event and the blessings from the parent is very special.

This week, as my daughter goes through her memory boxes (3 or so) to decide what she may want to display at her open house, she is able to go down memory lane and process some highlights of what she’s been doing the past 17 years since she was born. Yes, some of the papers will end up in the trash, like the many math notebooks filled with page after page of answers and calculations. There are some treasures in the boxes, like the email sent from a dear Christian uncle who has since passed away, scripture memory verses scrawled on index cards, and encouraging notes form grandparents who have passed away.  There are some music and sports awards, some nice pieces of artwork, journals of God’s leading, etc.
After the ceremony and the open house, there will be new horizons for my daughter to explore…a new summer job as a life guard, new friendships, preparations for future work and honing cooking skills and other homemaking arts, more missions trips as God leads, …

Celebrate the passing of a period focused on study and living for the Lord as a student. Anticipate the adventures to come as God guides and directs the steps of these new graduates, young adults waiting on the Lord for guidance and direction.

Well, Opa and I, along with 2 of our daughters (now Aunties), took a long weekend trip to the South to see our first grandchild.  A good friend emailed me and asked what that was like.  I would have to say that it’s truly indescribable.  Seeing the tiny fragile features of this little grandson up close, holding him in my arms, is just tremendous!  Words are inadequate.  God is so good, and His handiwork of creating a tiny new life in the womb, then being able to meet the little one that was formed in the secret place is truly only something a loving, Mighty, Powerful God could do.  As I leave the keyboard to shed a few quiet tears of utter joy, rejoice with our family in this birth.  Truly, God is good!

My 11 year old daughter is on a local summer swimming team.  Mon. – Thurs. morning the team practices from 8am – 9am.  Sometimes the neighbor children ride bikes together.  If that doesn’t work, I put my bike helmet on and bike over with my daughter.

Once or twice a week they’ve had swim meets.  There are over 60 events, from 100 free style relays to IM’s to 50 breast stroke.  All 4 strokes are covered in age groups beginning with 6 and under upwards to the 17-18 year olds.  This year, my daughter has enjoyed swimming and has earned 2 firsts, 2 seconds, and 2 third place ribbons.  It has been a joy to watch her swim and learn about being on a team.

When you’re on a team, you need to remember that being a “good sport” is followed.  The players/swimmers need to encourage eachother, congratulate each other, and do their part.  Whining and complaining aren’t conducive to fostering sportsmanship.  If there’s a discrepancy, it can be dealt with calmly.

This week is the city qualifying meet where all the children gather at one pool and therefore the competition is more stiffl.  Then, the final meet is next week with the top places participating.  It’s a fun summer sport.  Several years ago some of the children went on to continue year round swimming with a U.S.S. team.  That was a big commitment.

When I ride the bike with my daughter to swim practice, I usually exercise by walking around the track.  Today, the chlorine reading was too high, so my walk was cut short because practice was canceled.  Flexibility is key!!