love to paint

I have been pondering for the past two weeks what I would write about the book I finished last night. God has been using a lot of books I've been reading to really challenge me to think about what I read and to make me aware of who is writing the books and also of the perspective that they're writing from. This morning, I finished reading The Organized HomeSchooler by Vicki Carauna. I was very curious to read this book because it has been given very hot and cold reviews on Amazon since it was published. I'll give you a brief rundown before I explain the thoughts I've had about this book more in-depth. I believe Ms. Carauna's goal in writing this book was to talk about the connections between organization and homeschooling and God and encourage homeschooling parents to be more organized, because God is a God of order and because it blesses our families. I think this is a very good book and though I have some minor points that I disagree with the author on, I do...

I forgot to include the parts that were well said =) I thought these were two very wise quotes/observations by Vicky Carauna in her book The Organized Homeschooler. " ...much of the challenge of becoming or staying organized is due to the fact that we are all home much of the time. Houses don't get nearly as messy if you aren't home." p.13 Yes! I think that is totally true! Maybe that's why we feel claustrophobic in our homes after spending several days at home during a snow storm. It's so hard to keep up with everything when we're using it all the time constantly for several days in a row. and " I realized that I could only take care of myself and that I couldn't put a desire in her that just wasn't there." said after desiring to be neat in regard to her roommate who was as messy as she was. p. 13 I think the second sentence is something that I've come to realize about life in general and about relationships. It is God who work...

I'm starting a new book this week called The Organized Home Schooler. I requested this book because I was curious about it after reading several reviews. People either loved it or hated it. Over the past few months, I have felt God knock on my heart about my pride and how that keeps me from accepting criticism. My husband has shared with me that it is hard to criticize me--I take it so hard. As I've been reading the Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges , I have begun to see and feel how to accept criticism but not be devastated by it. I think that we often attack other's ideas and books if we feel defensive about our lives and how we are living them. I believe this is part of our sinful nature. We all have pride. Pride can cause us to do a lot of things and respond to people in hurtful and attacking ways in an attempt to protect ourselves. But, that isn't what God desires for us. I know that He desires humility for us. Humility--in my mind, that means the re...