Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands… 1 Thess. 4:11

Thanks for participating in the Teachinggoodthings.com DVD give away.

Laura Hoy is the winner of her choice of the Patchwork, Crochet, or Cake Decorating DVD.  You can still purchase Kathy’s DVD’s by June 16 and save!  Use coupon code:  HOME

Listen to the recorded program with Kathy Brodock – Equipping Families With Practical Skills Now!

Learn to Make A Patchwork Quilt.

Other DVD’s by Kathy:

Learn To Crochet DVD Cake Decorating DVD

“I will not compare myself to any other Mom; I will not compare my child to any other child; I will celebrate the God created specialness of my child.” I think this applies to all moms whether we homeschool or not!

Here is tomorrow’s don’t miss schedule:

10AM CT

Welcome: Movie Makers

Workshop: Power in Words: Encouraging Your Writer in the Art, Craft, and Ministry of Writing with Rachel Starr Thomson

1PM CT

Welcome: Sharon Jeffus from www.VisualManna.com

Workshop: Getting Kids to Help: Your Part and Theirs with Stephanie Buckwalter from www.BusyHomeschooler.com

3:30PM CT

Welcome: Tara McClenahan from www.TaraMcClenahan.com

Workshop: Spiritual Disciplines for Your Kids with Jane VanOsdol from www.OnlyByPrayer.com

I’m really excited about the Spiritual Disciplines Workshop for ideas for teaching my daughter,for teaching my Sunday School Class and for my future grandkids, the first one is due in August.

Take a peak at the rest of the week’s schedule you are sure to find some workshops that you won’t want to miss:

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

10AM CT

Welcome: Kelly Thorne from www.iBloom.us

Workshop: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Review with Jenn Schwilling from www.MomsNoChaosZone.com

1PM CT

Welcome: Lois Graham from www.BuildingBlocks4Life.com

Workshop: E-Learning: Making Video Part of Your School with Felice Gerwitz from www.MediaAngels.com

3:30PM CT

Welcome: Candace with www.Sonbeams.com

Workshop: Catching the Foxes that Ruin the Vineyard with Christine Field from www.HomeFieldAdvantage.org

Thursday, May 6, 2010

10AM CT

Welcome: Kate Estes from www.HandsandHeart.com

Workshop: Teaching Art to Reinforce Understanding of Core Concepts for Visual and Kinesthetic Learners with Sharon Jeffus from www.VisualManna.com

1PM CT

Welcome: Movie Makers

Workshop: Publishing Your Young Writer’s Work:  Tips for Getting Their Work in Print with Jane VanOsdol from www.OnlyByPrayer.com

3:30PM CT

Welcome: Elana Michelson from www.biblicallapbooks.com

Workshop: Dad, Mom’s Eating Broccoli Again! with Angela Ramos from www.homeschoolfitnesscoach.com

Friday, May 7, 2010

10AM CT

Welcome: Molly Evert from www.MyAudioSchool.com

Workshop: Mother: YOU can Make a Difference in this World! with Karisa Rivera from www.KarisaRivera.com

1PM CT

Welcome: Anne Elliott from www.AnnesSchoolPlace.com

Workshop: Teaching the Multi-Grade Homeschool with Terri Johnson from www.KnowledgeQuestMaps.com

3:30PM CT

Welcome: Denise Warnick from www.floatasoldier.org

Workshop: Re-Charge Your Homeschool! with Cindy Rushton from www.CindyRushton.com

Remember, everything is recorded, so you don’t have to attend a live event.

Get your ticket for the Mommy Grab Bag of Goodies, Fabulous Freebies and Downloads, and all the other great resources.

I remember when I went to the homeschool conventions filled with big name motivational speakers but I always felt that there was no way I could measure up to what they were doing, so I was always left feeling more overwhelmed than encouraged by those experiences.

I longed to hear from real moms who were finding solutions to making their homeschool work for their particular family situation, budget, and learning styles.  I longed for more information on managing the day to day then teaching the academics.

I hated coming home exhausted and feeling like I couldn’t absorb another piece of information.  I didn’t like choosing between two workshops I didn’t want to miss.  All these objections have been solved by:

The Ultimate Homeschool Expo is everything I longed for and MUCH, MUCH more. The Ultimate Expo has something for everyone and for all Families.  You will find speakers talking about topics of interest to ALL FAMILIES. Read more details below:

There are no large crowds!  No outrageous gas bills! No makeup! No babysitters! No parking miles away! No expensive trips or hotel stays! No walking for blocks and blocks! No lugging big loads of books around! No expensive trips or hotel stays!  No rushing around so you can catch the vendors, yet missing the wonderful workshops!

In fact! No missing ANY workshops!  Look at this sampling of speakers that will appeal to all Families including those who have a baby on the way!

Anne Elliott
Using the Bible to Choose Methods and Curriculum

Carol Topp
Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out
Is Your Homeschool Group Ready for 501(c)(3)Tax Exempt Status?
Micro Business for Teens

Christine Field
Catching the Foxes that Ruin the Vineyard

Cindy Carrier
Creating a Joyful Home Atmosphere

Cindy Rushton
Back to the Heart of Homeschooling
Say Goodbye to Super-Mom!

Dawn Billesbach
Making Family Dinners More Feasible, Fun, and Healthy in a Busy, Multi-tasking World

Jane VanOsdol
Spiritual Disciplines for Your Kids
Publishing Your Young Writer’s Work:  Tips for Getting Their Work in Print

Jennifer Schwilling
Homeschooling Through the Hard Times
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Review

Karisa Rivera
A Trip Down Memory Lane: Sweet Memories and Valuable Lessons

Kimberly Ehlers
Homeschooling a Child with Health Issues

Kimberly Guthrie
A Mom’s Journey to Healthy Eating on a Real World Budget

Lisa Hodgen
“Teach Us to Pray” ~ Becoming a Family of Prayer

Lois Graham
Facing Frustrations and Surviving Stress
ABC’s of Creative Bible Learning

Lorrie Flem
How to Raise Children Who Win Friends and Influence People
Mind Training
Attitudes are Born in the Mind

Mary Kane
Take 5- Time Out with Jesus

Matthew Rushton
Graduated, Married, Got a Baby On the Way–NOW, What I Think About Homeschooling

Molly Evert
Protecting your Marriage
Homeschooling the Dyslexic Child (A Parent’s Perspective)

Paul and Marissa Osborne
Have A Killer Garage Sale and Live To Tell About It

Phyllis Wheeler
Internet Savvy for Homeschoolers

Rachel Starr Thomson
Power in Words: Encouraging Your Writer in the Art, Craft, and Ministry of Writing

Regina Hicks
Who’s Driving Your Bus? Tranquility or Turmoil
High School & Beyond: The Final Leg of the Journey
Three R’s for the Homeschool Mom: Rendering, Resting & Romancing

Rhea Perry
The Biggest Gap in Education and How to Fill It
Online Businesses You and Your Kids Can Start from Home

Sharon Jeffus
Using Art to Help Struggling Students/A Different Approach
Teaching Art to Reinforce Understanding of Core Concepts for Visual and Kinesthetic Learners

Stephanie Buckwalter
What I Learned From Keeping a Dirty House
How to Make Any Curriculum a Right Brain Curriculum or How to Make Any Curriculum Right Brain Friendly
Getting  the Kids to Help—Your Part and Theirs

Susan Scott

Homeschool Success for Every Child: Uncovering the Unique Gifts within each Child

Tara McClenahan
Unpacking Your Child’s Suitcase
Discovering Your Child’s Love Language.
Is That Ultimate or What?  There is something for everyone all from the convenience of your home!

I know I can’t wait, there is a lot for me still to learn.  I hope you will join me in obtaining a ticket to the Ultimate Family Expo.

Demolition began in my old kitchen on Thursday so we had a simple dinner cooked on a hot plate in stages.  Pictures will follow soon.

Now, through Mother’s Day, May 10, you can invest in a Bosch Universal Plus and Nutrimill and save nearly $200.  The combination price is $549.99.  With the tax deadline fast approaching, I know many readers are awaiting their return so they can invest in a mill and mixer.  Don’t miss this once a year savings event!

Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…Unto Him be the glory!

As a parent or mother, a wife, business person, whoever you are, you will face circumstances far above your ability to handle.  You can bank on it.  There is a war being waged daily against you.

The war is waged by an enemy speaking subtly destructive messages you will hear as thoughts in your mind.   Such thoughts may include variations on the theme of:  “The situation is hopeless, you are hopeless, things will never change, you are a failure, you might as well give up, why bother, etc.”

Don’t listen to this.  Resist these lies.  Stand on the truth.

A modern paraphrase of Ephesians 3:20 may be just what you need to hear today.

When you are the neediest, He is the most sufficient.  When you are completely helpless, He is the most helpful.  When you feel totally dependent, He is absolutely dependable.  When you are the weakest, He is the most able.  When you are the most alone, He is intimately present.  When you feel you are the least, He is the greatest.  When you feel the most useless, He is preparing you.  When it is the darkest, He is the only Light you need.  When you feel th least secure, He is your Rock and Fortress.  When you are the most humble, He is most gracious.

Instead of being discouraged,  think upon the truth, dwell on it constantly.

He is able, as we surrender our cares and anxieties to Him.  Are you willing to submit to his complete care?

Yesterday’s column tackled the topic of whether son Levi can use his own hard earned money to buy an X-box.  Levi of course arguing the side of why he should be permitted to spend his money as he sees fit.   Dad came down firmly, fairly, and articulately on the negative.

I quote Dad, Steve:

“It’s not about the money, it’s about the time. So it doesn’t matter whose money it is: We won’t have an Xbox or PlayStation of Wii in the house.”

I did a double take to re-read the above words at least twice.  I’m not the only parent who is saying a young person’s life is already overloaded with distractions and temptations to waste time!!!!

The author/parent was saying his son didn’t need any more time wasters in their life/home.

All I can say is AMEN. AMEN AMEN.

And I thought I was the only parent who didn’t allow this junk, I mean time waster, in my home.  Enough said.

One idol of the heart can be “success”.  My definition of success can certainly be a block to my dear daughter learning to be accountable to God.  I take things into my hands rather than allowing God’s might arms to handle the matter.  Why do I think I need to help out God?

Reaching her heart to want to please God is my job, by asking good questions.

This is a whole new mind set for me.  How are you doing with reaching the heart of your young people?

Did you know that 3 John 2 says:  “I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”  Pastor Henry Wight, author of A More Excellent Way, says that even the AMA believes there are spiritual causes to up to 80% of diseases.  He believes most illness begins with a break down in relationship with 1.) yourself, 2.) God, 3.) Others.

I also learned and had reinforced that the “talk” I hear constantly in my head can one of three voices.  1.)  Myself, 2.) God, 3.) The Enemy, Satan.

One teacher explained that when we hear in our head, “I’m so dumb.”  “I’m so stupid.”, “I’ll never get it right.”, self-talk in the first person, it is often the enemy trying to get us believe that our thoughts are our own.   But I learned that anything that doesn’t line up with what God says about me, then I’m   listening to the voice of the enemy.  I’ve been “tricked” by the enemy into believing  lies about myself.

I have found myself thinking many thoughts in the last week that I recognized as the lies of the enemy.  For example, when boarding the plane to fly home last Sunday, I heard a voice in my head saying, “I hate this.”  I felt tension rising in my muscles.  Suddenly I realized, there was no peace in that thought and the thought was most likely the enemy lying to me and trying to get me to react to an angry, bitter, evil spirit.  I quickly fell out of agreement with that subtle lie and peace returned to my mind.

Yes, this is a very small example of how our thoughts can effect our health consciously or unconsciously.

But how I handle mythoughts is directly related to my mental health and how I feel about myself and others.   According to 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”   It can be a challenge to recognize the source of every thought.

Since attending Be in Health, I have had many new opportunities to recognize that many of my thoughts are not of God and I have been renounce them, and resisting them.  My health is at stake!  My grandmother died from Alzheimer’s, a disease I definitely do not want.  From the teaching at the seminar I began to see the mind-soul-spirit connection of thoughts my Grandmother may have had about herself that contributed to the disease.

God has been so good to me to show me new truths, new truths to set me free from the bondage of sin.

In Deuteronomy 28:1-14, God promises blessings to those who obey him and calls diseases a curse.  There is so much to learn about obeying God that I didn’t know.  But one thing I do know, when I obey God in the little things, especially my attitudes and with the words i use, life goes better for me and my family.

During the ministry sessions I got a better handle on how the trauma of my husband’s death opened the door to my heart for all kinds of fears including fear of abandonment and rejection.  But God never abandons us, he is always gracious, he promises to never fail me nor forsake me.  Since it has been over a year since Duane passed on, I know deeper in my heart the truths of how much God loves me, that only he can heal my broken heart and that I can trust that he does have  good plan for me and my new life as a widow.

I am so excited that God has led me to put the Urban Homemaker on vacation for a few weeks of remodeling and facelift so that I re-open with more resources  and information to encourage busy moms in the Spirit of Titus Two.

If your family is struggling with a serious health issues, I would encourage you to consider if there are some spiritual dynamics in your generations that have been passed on to you that you can get rid of now.  Or email me at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com for more information.

Here is more information for anyone interested in For My Life classes:

Be in Health Announces

For My Life – ONLINE

Henry Wright teaches that often the mind needs to be renewed before lasting healing can take place. The scripturally based principles taught in For My Life™ Online facilitate and encourage each participant to renew their mind with biblical insights.

For My Life™ Online provides the opportunity to gather the kind of information that helps people apply the principles of God to their life in such a way that they often find healing of spirit, soul, and body.

Classes are offered twice a month. Online Registration and fees are required for the program.

Click Here to Register

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn ‘ t worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn ‘ t want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn ‘ t stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much..
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn ‘ t know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn ‘ t know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn ‘ t know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn ‘ t know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn ‘ t know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom .

Send this to someone who you think is an awesome Mom.

May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life

We arose at 3:00 am to be at the parking lot at 5:00 am and then we were bussed to the welcome home hanger.  The unit was scheduled to arrive in Kentucky at 7:00 am, and I have to say the wind chill at that early hour feels much colder than our typical Colorado morning weather despite the layers of hoodies, jackets, gloves, hats etc I had put on.  IT WAS FREEZING.

 Finally, out of nowhere, a commercial jet landed in front of the hanger, taxied out of site down the runway and then back in front of the hanger.  Soon the soldiers began to deplane single file with rifles, helmets, back packs and  other gear  after days of waiting in Baghdad for departure to Kuwait and many rescheduled arrival times.  

After they walked over to the hanger,  the soldiers  laid their gear on the tarmac in front of the hangar and prepared to get in formation to march into the hanger for the Welcome Home ceremonies.  The families were notified to return to the hanger bleachers for welcoming ceremonies.  After families returned to the bleachers, the unit marched into the hanger in formation for a welcome from the general, the Flying Eagles song, the Army song and AT LAST, were able to break ranks for 20 minutes to greet their loved ones.  Then back into formation, marched back out of the hanger to complete return of their weapons and other administrative functions, and at last had the rest of the day to enjoy their loved ones.

After weeks of waiting, numerous arrival date changes, a 1300 plus mile car trip from Colorado to Ft Campbell just ahead of a snow storm, and so much anticipation for this special day, I arrived at the ceremonies very emotional.  I realized I had just had my baptism into Army Life and I wasn’t well prepared.  I will soon be saying Good-bye to Laura and Brandon, after their wedding on January 3.  Heavy on my heart is knowing my son Stephen, an army ROTC cadet will soon be following this difficult yet heroic path.

Many army moms and wives will know a bit of the emotion I experienced.  But readers, I have to tell you, until you experience these welcome home ceremonies you can not imagine or begin to appreciate the sacrifices and stresses of the deployments and what a toll it takes on family life nor the pride you can feel in seeing just a small group of the armed forces.

There were quite a few soldiers who had no family to welcome them home after all they have been through.  It broke my heart to see men in groups without family to greet them. God spoke very loudly to my heart saying, “You can get out on that floor and personally thank  and welcome home some soldiers who don’t have any families around to them.”  Obediently, I  to shook hands with many soldiers and thanked them.  I wish I could have done it without a few tears. 

In rural Paonia, I have been well insulated from the real world! 

I don’t think we in our everyday lives think about how much has been sacrificed for us.  I wish I knew
more tangible ways to reach out.  If you have some ideas, please share them with me and others at this blog for a complimentary copy of my Holiday Open House ebook, a $6.97 value.