I Believe I Can Fly!

Over the last few weeks we've had a wonderful front row seat watching spring life unfold!   It's been a great learning opportunity on our homeschool journey, but it's also stirred up a few great reminders for my own heart.   

A little Starling bird had built a perfect nest on the bright green ivy growing on our front porch post.   Two eggs arrived, then six.  She carefully cared for the eggs and we were very aware to not go too close to startle her or cause fear to her home.   Of course, this was not always guaranteed with our little six year old curious mind!   A few weeks had passed and on one of Eliana's daily inspection of the abode, we discovered 4 babies!  Then 6!   They were all here!     

Chris would hear the baby birds chirp so loudly when they sensed "Momma" was around!   He would call the kids to the office window to have them watch as they were fed and quieted.   One morning we found that one little bird had fallen out of the nest and did not make it through the day.  My husband was the grand hero and didn't let the kids see this hard life lesson part!    I must confess,  I did shed a tear or two knowing that the little bird didn't have a chance!

We've been watching this nest intently.  Checking in on how the feathers are forming, the yucky-ness of the nest at this point and watching carefully each day to see when they would fly!   Yesterday we checked and only two birds remained!   I'm not sure what happened to the others.  One thing I did learn with a little research on the link below, is that the "Momma" bird would have removed any dead birds from the nest.  Talk about a hard job!  

This afternoon Chris checked and the two birds were on the edge of the nest - ready at any moment to leap!    This evening - gone!   They had taken that huge step to start their new little life.    Taken that step to fly!  Taken that risk to leave the nest!   Taken the step to trust, live and FLY!

I'm proud of these little creatures!  I don't know how the rest of their story will play out, but it's been fun watching this side of it with a front row seat!   I want to live like them.  God, I know  you will always push me when I'm hesitant.  You'll nudge me out of my comfortable place to keep me fully trusting you.   You will prepare me for that moment and surround me when I take that leap to "fly" into what you've called me to do!  

Fly Birdies Fly!

 

All About Starlings!  http://www.sialis.org/starlingbio.htm

It's NOW time!

It's back to the Haas routine this week!   Our time in Seattle was great as we got to learn from some great ministry leaders!  It was also a treat to reconnect with some dear friends that we've had the chance to serve in ministry with.   These are dear, long time friends that we've gotten the chance to watch their children grow and develop into God loving, culturally relevant, generational leaders!  What a gift to be able to watch their lives be at this place!

We got to hear from intense children's ministry leaders as well and the resounding theme that God was speaking to us was,  "Reach them before they have to be rescued"!  There is so much that God wants to invest in this generation of children NOW!   NOW-God can and will use them!   NOW-God will speak through them!  NOW-God's Word can become real, relevant and relational to them!   This not only hit me with relationship to ministry with children, but with MY children and all we provide at home!

As we returned home, it got me thinking more about our kids and reminded me again of the imperative call from God to invest everything God has given us to our children.  As a parent, we have the mandate to train them, develop them and equip them for all God has in store.  It's not always going to be an easy adventure, but I'm confident God will direct us as parents to know when, what, where and how.  The Holy Spirit will be faithful to reveal, show and instruct ME on the behalf of my children.   There is truly no greater joy than to watch a child's destiny begin to unfold.    It is a true joy to be at this season of my life!   I'm seeing glimpses now of promises God had made regarding my children.  I'm watching talents, abilities and passions grow!   I'm watching them dream!   I'm watching God perform miracles in their lives!    What an honor to get this front row seat!

Here's what I'm thinking about ... What environment am I providing for my kids?  What other leaders am I purposefully bringing into their lives to learn from?    Within the lines of  preparing & protecting them, are they culturally relevant and aware of our culture - within the church and outside the church?   What is God challenging me with in this season to be more aware of?   Asking - Do they honor others?   Do they serve with a happy heart?   Do they understand God's plan for where they are in their life - NOW?     Do I ask the questions - What is God asking you to work on right now?  What is God saying to you?   How are you doing with ______?  (You know what to fill in the blank with! Or you better!)    


I'm challenging myself and you to apply these tidbits to your family and your church like never before!

Get connected in your home with children!   Get connected in YOUR church in serving this generation!

No more excuses!

The rewards are phenomenal!

What Ya Reading?

I was thinking about this throughout the week... as new year has come and gone, I've found myself drenched again in my many home-school curriculum books, childrens resources and a stack of personal reading choices to navigate through.  

I love to read and I love to listen to teaching series - anything on leadership, discipleship, parenting, education - anything!  I am usually guilty of reading about 5-6 books at a time..   But I usually don't recall the "meat" very well unless I focus on one at a time.  So I'm setting a goal - this one is right at the top - along with my health and fitness goals - to be a stronger, focused reader!

Usually you will find me navigating through 5th & 6th grade curriculum, learning about the Phoenicians,   landforms,  our solar system or The Bronze Bow.   I do a lot of reading - of course due to lesson planning for Daniel's day,  re-reading some of favorite parenting resources - Child Wise and other parenting resources such as Manners Matter by Hermine Hartley.  All of these are necessary resources as I navigate through my six year and my ten year old's journey.  As a leader, I need to be more intentional to embark into the quiet, focused time to enjoy and learn from a good read. 

The titles that are currently resting beside my bed, in my car and on my desk include;

Every Church Has A Culture, By Design or By Default - By Kevin Gerald 

Emotionally Healthy Church - By Peter Scazzero

Plan B - By Pete Wilson

Ancient Paths - By Craig Hill

Generation iY - By Tim Elmore

My goal - put two down (for now), pick up and finish 1.   Then, repeat!

Pick up a copy and let's finish a few together!  First on the list - Ancient Paths by Craig Hill.   

Off to grab a warm, comfy spot to read!  You gonna join in with me?

Next on the list - Plan B!    Get a copy and message me if you want to read along together!

Deal With It!

Time to share something fairly personal from this life.  This isn't an area that I'm usually very vulnerable with, but I know that the only way God can bring a complete healing to any area is when we admit and cry out.   That's true, but I'm not sure God would have been a proud Papa watching me thrown down my temper tantrum this week!  Taking the time to deal with stuff can be freeing and painful all in the same breath.

I've realized over the last few weeks, that I have had a hard time dealing with some disappointments.   Simple ones and deeper rooted rascals.   Simple ones like running out of a pantry item to complete that perfect meal I was making for my family - only to have a half baked right recipe,  not finding my favorite coconut milk in stock at the Harris Teeter and showing up to my daughters last cheering game of the season to find that it was scheduled an hour PRIOR to our arrival.  Yep... simple disappointments that shouldn't have rocked me with such intensity.

The second level experiences of disappointments for me have been deeply rooted for some time, (God is bringing this stuff all to the surface to finally make me DEAL WITH IT!)  Some have been disappointments from childhood that I was too timid to address within myself.  Some recent "hot topics" for me have been "fear of disappointing others", "not being good enough", "never measuring up".   Many were internal judgments hat had been attempting to jeopardize what God had created me to be.  I had even allowed my disappointments to take on the option of replacing authentic love, vulnerability and grace.   I'm thankful God has brought me to this place, this season - to deal with the the stuff.   Like a 3 year old having a time out - I'm here taking a moment to evaluate my behavior!

This week, I've been hit in the face with some health challenges.  You can't run from facing disappointments.  It's part of what we walk through in every area of our lives.  Part of my healing process is understanding why I expect what I expect from myself.  This week I've been faced with taking on, hitting full force -  my stuff.  I've been dually disappointed this week because this crazy health issue had show it's ugly head again - especially after I've done all that I've needed to do to avoid having this stuff show up again.   I was also equally frustrated that I didn't get to make a trip I wanted to take.   I may not have been in the Emergency Room screaming like the 3 year old in the next room at 3am, but internally I was!  I was indeed!    I was mad!   I don't like being out of the game.  I like being a part of life - every area!  I love living!  I don't like missing anything!  I love the people I get to do life with.  I love the God who has given so much for me!  

This week I need to let things be a little different around here.  I'm parked at home resting to fully recover.  God has surrounded our family with some incredible friends and family.  Those people have lavished us with incredible prayers, meals, calls and love.     They have been bringing the fun to me and loving me big through this challenging week.  God has been preparing this season for me to enjoy His grace on my life like never before.  For that... I'm not disappointed.  I'm honored.  I'm loved.  I'm thankful.

In addition to me overcoming my thirty-something temper tantrum, here's what else I've held on to this week; 

1.  God did not design us to walk alone.  The most important thing I've done to start walking in freedom in many areas of my life, was the thing I've been most terrified to do - to tell others about my struggle.   I'm learning that we find our way to freedom when we start being honest with others.

2.  We must allow God to use our external struggles to show us the wounded places in our lives.  My disappointment issues were only an external symptom to things going on deeper in me that I need to work on.  

3.  God can redeem our stuff.  Simple as that.    He can use this part of my story to encourage,   bring honor to Him and bring blessings to our live.

 

You can only hold on to one thing at a time - the promise of God or disappointment. - Bill Johnson

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart." - Winnie the Pooh

 

Our "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" Journey - 2010-2011

Over the last two years, we have embarked on this journey of homeschooling Daniel.  Many have asked throughout this journey how we do what we do, why we do what we do and what do we use for curriculum in what we do.   So this day is dedicated to share how and what we are learning on this year's adventures!

I can't believe that this year he is finishing up the elementary "school" year of 5th grade!   For our style of learning, we have embarked with a more "eclectic" mix of goodies that are a match for Daniel's grade level  testing and our preference of materials - and resources that allow for a flexible learning environment.    

Sea World - Dolphin Feeding - September 2010

I truly am cherishing this time I have in being an active part of Daniel & Eliana's education.    We take school one year at a time, one child at a time,  one season at a time.  As a result of that process, we have one child in a traditional public school and one as a home-school student.   I firmly believe that each child is different and may require different learning environments.   I have loved seeing Eliana's personality, passion and excitement for learning with her teacher.  I know she is thriving where she is and she LOVES school!   I love being in partnership with her teacher and volunteering with any opportunity that is available!

There are times I still can't believe I'm on this journey with Daniel.  I fought against taking the leap to home-schooling for a long while.  I was scared silly that I was going to "mess up" my child!   But it's been quiet different than all those fears I had conjured up.   I am truly thankful I get to do this!   I don't remember school being this fun!    Some of our favorite things to do are to take adventures out to see where history has taken place,  watching science & technology operate together at the Metrolina Greenhouses,  picking the freshest apples & strawberries possible and learning about the agricultural & financial impacts that these delicious goodies bring to our region and packing our books for the day and heading out to our favorite park to get sunshine and soil samples for science.   We love it all!    

When I asked Daniel today what he STILL liked about homeschooling,  his reply was "Getting to spend time with my family.  I know many kids don't get to have the time I have with my parents and sister.   Plus Mom - I've got the best guitar teacher and I get to do geography & science with Lego's.  Come on Mom... this is the life for a kid like me!" .... OK.... He made me tear up!    Now for the hard question of what do you NOT like about school this year?   His reply, "I have a desk.  Now I think I want a locker".   OK - I can work on that too!   We will begin to seek out what next year may look like,  who knows where this journey will be headed.  It's going to be fun to watch it all take place!

Over the last year I've watched Daniel begin to grow into a young man.  Before my very eyes, he is now a "Man Child".   I'm getting the chance to watch him learn about transitional phrases, adverbs and Venn Diagrams; we get to read about the classic literature hero's and learn how to serve God's church.  We laugh at gross jokes, I referee the typical arguments with his sister and I've watched him reach out to make new friends and begin to walk through some of life's tough questions.   I've also watched him grow 5" over this last year and have seen an appetite establish in him like never before.   I know I can't get this time back so I'm savoring every day and every math problem that may come my way.   (By the way - I've had nightmares about his math curriculum!)

Lego Geography November 2010 - Belize - Learning about & recreating the Mayan Ruins

This year we have taken advantage of all flexible options available!   From adjusting our "school" schedule with Dad & Mom's schedule with work,  the flexibility offered to allow for family time is treasured!  Here are some of our favorite resources on this year's learning journey!

Hope Christian Academy 2010-2011 Curriculum
Apologia Science - Astronomy  - Fall Semester  
Apologia Science - Anatomy & Physiology  -  Spring Semester       
Learning Language Arts Through Literature - Tan Level
A Reason For Spelling - Level F 
Old World History & Geography  - Abeka
Enjoying Good Health - 5th Grade - Abeka
SOS Math - Alpha & Omega
Lego Education - Lego Geography & Lego Robotics  - Concord Mills Lego Store
Praying With The Presidents - Charisma Kids - By Ron Dicianni 
Art & Music Education:  Guitar Lessons - Biweekly,  Weekly art/composer/music review.
Physical Education:   Basketball, Soccer & Tae Kwon Do - Local YMCA
Current Events Awareness & Additional Creative Learning Resources - Kidsville Newspaper,  Harrisburg Horizons,   Charlotte Observer,  History Channel Website & Channel,  www.Time4learning.com,   www.everythinghomeschooling.com,  www.homeschoolsreview.com,   CCHNet - Yahoo Group,  Homespun Charlotte - Yahoo Group,   www.lessonplanet.com,   Testing Services - Barnhill Testing - Woodcock Johnson,  HSLDA - Homeschool Legal Defense Association,   NCHE - North Carolinian's for Home Education.

Classic Literature for 2010-2011:   Homer Price,  Carry On Mr. Bowditch,    The Bronze Bow,   The Voyage of The Dawn Treader,  Big Red,   The Horse & His Boy

Duke Energy Explorium - Nuclear Energy Week 2011

Blogging Apologies - No More Excuses

It's been a long time since I've MADE the time to share what's been happening from this view!  It's been an "active" season for sure, but that's no excuse!   I really will do better at sharing!

So here are my Top 10 reasons (excuses) why I haven't made the time to keep up...

10.  I felt it lame to think that someone would read about life from my view.   Really?  Seriously?
9.    I put a reminder to update on my "to do" list, then forgot where I put it.    (Anyone who knows me knows I need my list, and you also know I can loose my list if not in my LARGE binder or on my "to do" task list via smart phone app.
8.   My little princess started Kindergarten and I couldn't see the password I had written down to sign in, all due to the tear stains from the disbelief that she is now in school!
7.   We helped lead the very first Run For Mercy 5KCharlotte in September and got overwhelmingly loved by some great volunteers who made the day a great success!   They raised over $26,000 with over 300 participants!   More info - check out www.mercyministries.org!   I was completely in awe of how incredible this team worked to help Mercy!  WOW!
6.   This year we began being a part of a dynamite church staff family!  We get to be a part of some incredible things that God is doing in this city!   We love seeing God tell His love story!   This time - we were in complete awe and wonder that God would ask us to be a part of His plans for children at Freedom House Church!   God truly took my breath away!    Seriously - I'm still in shock that He wants to use ME!   I was at a loss for words!  Written or Spoken - Truly!
5.   We began homeschooling Daniel for 5th grade and in the middle of Lego Geography I fell into an alternate Lego universe, surrounded by billions of Lego Star Wars ships, droids and clones - and just now found my way out. 
4.   Chloe (our dog) and I have been on a shopping spree looking for her a new winter coat!  Of course she had to have pink and it had to be just her size, with lots of sparkles.  We succeeded!
3.  Eliana held me hostage to do mani's & pedi's and we just got all of the nail polish secured again - only 23 different colors to choose from!
2.  Chris was trying to show me how to do Excel spreadsheets with all kinds of formulas - he's wanting to bring me up to par with his expertise mind!
1.   I was held up with a marshmellow gun.


2010 went by way too fast!    I'm gonna do better at sharing this part of our "Life With A View"!    In the words of  our Eliana tonight - "I'm ready to share my life with others".  

Life In The Boot!

On Friday it will two weeks since I fell and fractured my foot.  I have to tell ya, I don't like this.  I don't like not being able to go, go go.  I like to drive myself to any destination of choice, walk without assistance of crutches or the cush black boot.  I like to dance and hop with the kiddos at Freedom House Church.  I like to play with my kiddos and not trip over this monster of a rehab shoe. I like to take an occasional run or walk to get the cardio thing going.   Bottom line, I don't like being weighted down.    I don't like being confined, but oh more than that... How humble this beast of a boot can make a lady!  After-all, it doesn't compliment anything in my summer wardrobe!


If you've ever been in this Big Beastie Boot, you know my pain, inconvenience and great frustration.   It's now a heavy weight on the knee and on my foot.  It's not bling'ed out like I want it to be.  (Someone please bring on the Bedazzler!)  Oh enough about the bad!   I'll stop the chatter about that!  I am being reminded of some pretty good stuff. 


God is revealing so much to my heart during this time of being confined.  It's in these quiet moments of "SITTING" that I am overwhelmed with new revelation of His love for me!  It  is extravagant and lavish!  He holds nothing back from me - His girl!


The top things I'm learning with the Big Beastie Boot....

1.  I'm reminded that it's OK for me to ask for help.
2.  It's OK for me to let others bless me.
3.  It's OK for me not to HAVE TO do it all.
4.  It's OK for me to move at a slower pace. 
5.  I'm reminded that this BOOT is being used to help attain a full, whole healing.  Sometimes we need to be slowed down, to get  the best result.   (Just so you know, if I tried to wear a regular shoe right, I would scream like a sissy girl and it would injure me only more intensely!  There is so many lessons to be learned here!)   Wear the shoe or boot Jesus has provided!  He's working it out for you!


My husband has been amazing - His patience, love and passion for his family - is off the charts!  He is a hero to my heart!   My friends have been a gift and place of humor - from meals, Designated Drive Rides and calls to get me laughing - I'm so thankful!   

Big Beautiful Beastie Boot  - I'm thankful for Jesus working through you today!