Happy to Fear ??? God

The past couple of months our fellowship group has been going through a series on Ecclesiastes. It has been quite thought provoking and a wonderful reminder to me about the vanity of life without our God. The 'rabbit trail' our pastor has gone down for the past couple of weeks has been a great stimulator of discussions and personal contemplation about our fear of God leading to repentance and restoration with the Savior. Without Fear of God dealing out the consequences to those who are obstinate and disobedient we can not fall to our knees and truly honor and worship Him. Without fear each action and thought is based on embittered obligation rather than joyful submission to His perfect will.
Being reminded how much our Father wants to bless us if we obey and the curses that He will meet out if we are not His is so encouraging at this time. Friends and family are going through some major trials. Those who are saved are seeking comfort in Him and are blessed beyond measure....not with personal 'stuff' but with hearts that are at peace, with steadfast hope of His perfect timing, and are sharing their trials with us and comforting the rest of us in the Goodness of God through it all. Those that aren't redeemed are terrified, blaming God, trying to bargain with Him (as if He is a trader of goods), and asking questions of eternity.
I remember when someone in our family (who wasn't saved) was dying there were those that didn't want him to be 'scared into heaven', and yet that is just what needs to happen from a certain point of view. We need to fear the wrath of God, we need to fear the God of the Heaven so that we can then see our need for that same God to save us. I don't know if that family member truly ever got saved. It would be nice to delude ourselves into thinking he made a last minute decision, and yet he agreed with everything and yet didn't live it personally. He agreed because it was the "religious" thing to do, and yet he didn't repent. Each time the topic of salvation came up you felt more like you were receiving a pat on the head than a personal affirmation of agreement on the topic you just discussed. Personal sin was never seen within the life. Deals - yes, God as your neighbor - yes. But never the God of the Universe, Awesome and powerful. ...to see our own unworthiness before the Creator...and then repent of our sins leading to a heart devoted to God.
I am learning that mortality and frailty is a good thing. God teaches us great things through our own hurts and those around us. Learning to pray for God's goodness to be bestowed yet knowing that it may not mean healing is a hard "pill" to swallow. I watch those around us gaining strength from Him through the situations and sit in wonder at how our Great Father works!

School has been underway for the past month. Life is getting back into a routine. Yeah I know 1 month is a long time to be getting back. Sorry, but I must remind you that I am far from perfect. This year Harrison is taking writing, science, & PE through the ISP, swim thru the Y, and AWANA on Wed. nights. He loves it all. He even has the same leader in Awana as last year. Chandler is taking library, music, & PE at ISP and Awana. She was in Ballet & Swimming at the Y until the 16th....
While visiting family Chandler fell off her scooter and fractured her arm just above the wrist. We spent a glorious Sunday morning in the ER. Thankfully it wasn't on the growth plate. Her arm was splinted in a half-cast. For the next week she did her chores as if the left arm didn't exist. Quite a sight. A follow-up appointment with her dr. down here told us we needed to see an Orthopedic dr. to have it fully casted. We met the wonderful Dr. McKeever at SCOI and Chandler picked out her color of choice....you guessed it PINK. She even has signatures on it after we explained that part of the whole cast scenario is that people must write on it. It makes it a fun memory.
Back off the Rabbit Trail:
Chandler & Megan are also a part of the Keeper's club that our ISP is doing. We are with a group of K-1st grade girls who meet once a month and the girls learn different skills. The focus is on training them to be Keeper's at Home. The mindset is on serving others through practical skills and abilities. By using your gifts, you are able to serve the body of Christ and others may see your love of the Saviour.
Harrison may be joining the Contender's Club. Something similar to Keepers just with a more boy centered theme: Leadership, woodworking, archery, etc...
I am teaching Writing again this year. This time it is two classes. One for the 4-5th and the other is for 6-7th grade. It has been quite fun. A new challenge, but that is what makes it fun. Since last year's theme was Nautical, this year we decided to do Medieval. Both classes are titled The King's Court. The students move up in rank; from the lowly Cottar to the stately Baron. We even have the 'Gong Farmer' for those who receive behavior guidance forms. You can do the study into what a gong farmer is...lets just say it isn't pretty.

Family Beach & Camp Days

We spent a week in Carpenteria and another weekend in Balch Park (Sequoias). Both trips were fun. Spending time with family and friends is always a time of learning, patience, and fun. ...not in any particular order of course....but then that is the way it is anytime you spend long hours with people.

Walks to the beach, building sand castles, walks to the local eateries, a scaveger hunt, interesting servers and food = Beach trip.

Hikes on very dirty trails, fallen logs the size of your house, redwoods that were growing since the time of Christ, all those stars!, roasting marshmellows, setting up a new tent, hunting for frogs, getting filthy = Camping