My first Home School graduate!

I can't believe it! My firstborn son is 18 and will be graduating with the FPEA Grads in Orlando at the end of May!

I love you, babe!

Daniel Joseph Gandee

4-Year Letterman * Track and Cross Country

Mom's Bragging Section:

Daniel's Personal Records: 400m - 51:00 800m - 2:03 3200m - 17:46

Defeated to Victorious

Whitney over at Good Morning Girls described my week incredibly well. How did she know?

(From Whitney):

Ineffective.

Frustrated.

Distracted.

Damaged.

Defeated.

But she gently reminded me that I am not who I once was.

Ephesians 4:22-24

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

Tobe made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new slef, created to be like God in true righteousness and hominess.”

No matter what kind of garbage I may be dealing with…sickness, brokenness, pain, jobs left incomplete, plans cancelled, cranky kids…I know that I do not need to respond as my “old self” would respond. (like that big ugly list above)

My “new self” desires to be more like Christ,

To see Him

To hear Him

To obey Him

To Love Him

But Oh, how I run…back to my

Self-absorption

Hearing only myself

Doing things my own way

Ungratefulness

God has promised to make me more like His Son.

2 Cor. 3: 18

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

So, I repent and believe…again.

My justification before God is forever right…this does not change. But I need to be constantly aware that my old nature desires to NOT believe the Gospel and to follow my old ways. MY ways.

He never tires of my repentance….and this is sanctification.

He promises me that the ugly list above will be turned to the beauty below:

(also from Whitney):

Effective.

Joyful.

Focused.

Whole.

Victorious.

Update

UPDATE from the last post:

He lied.

It was worse.

Maybe he just didn't have all the info...about my extremely curved roots and such. He had to reschedule some other cranky patients in order to finish the work. I felt bad for them.

It hurt.

Nerve endings zapping.

He explained why I was feeling some pain, but I have no recollection of what he said.

Truth be told, I walked out of the office, called my adoring husband, and sobbed into the phone.

I love him.

He's going to take me out for steak tomorrow.

A few Crummy Days

This morning greets me with a scheduled visit to the dentist to finish up a root canal that they began last week. At the moment I have a blue molar; I'm not sure why. Last week's episode was just as terrifying as I had expected, but Doc tells me that today won't be as bad.

He seems like an honest man. Time will tell.

On one hand, the complainer in me wants to well up. Waaa! I don't like people burrowing to center of the earth through my skull....I really don't. But on the other hand, I am so thankful that I live in a time and place where I have the option to keep my mess of a tooth instead of just treating it like cousin Eddy and kicking him out!

Also, very wonderful is the fact I don't have to pay 100% of the torture bill. However, I actually had to wait one year before I could get the tooth fixed because the insurance company's loot didn't kick in yet. Hence, the root canal. Had I been able to take care of the silly thing when my big ol’ filling came out, it probably wouldn’t have needed a root canal!

Makes me say, hmm.

The past week has been less than pleasant...the whole gang had the "stuff" (in the belly) and it was ugly. When it was my turn, the world seemed to shut down for some 24 hours. Shades drawn, not sure what time zone you’re in, head pounding, stomach churning kinda deal.

We’re all better now. It’s as if it never happened. All evidence to the contrary, however. One day of not doing my” daily duties” and it’s as if the dirty clutter monster came in and threw a party!

I don’t like him.

But, Oh! How I love this:

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

The sun just keeps coming up. He gives me the grace and strength to face the day. My soul can indeed say, "It is well."

Pressing on,

3 Gifts Found

I'm jumping in a little bit late to the Joy Dare for March...but I'm jumping nontheless:)

I love watching for the gifts (because they keep on coming), accepting the gifts and then naming the gifts. Sometimes, though, it doesn't actually make it to the paper or the blog list. That's ok, course.

Thankful hearts have been around much longer than Blogs and pens-

He is our All Knowing God.

But my heart at the moment is feeling a bit “queasy”. As I write this, my son is in the "other room" tossin' his cookies. I have a feeling our cookies are next. One down...four to go.

I won't hold this against my precious granddaughter whose been tossin' all week, poor thing!

What do I add to my list today?

Today we are to list 3 Gifts Found:

Sometimes it’s not so clear to see, but I think I’ve found it.

1. Thank you, Lord, that You have found the monster making war with my son’s insides and YOU are getting it out!

There's always something warring with our insides, isn't there?

2. How amazing you are that You have found a way to still allow us to love and care for each other when we get sick because we "seem" to get sick one at a time!

There’s always someone there to rub the back and say,

“It will go away soon.”

3. So eternally thankful that You have found me. I was lost, but You came to seek and save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

In the very real spiritual world, Satan is that monster. He has indeed declared war against God and His children and he doesn’t back down easily. Oh sure, sometimes he “upsets” the balance, but he cannot win.

The victory has already been won and it is Christ’s. (1 Cor. 15:57)

May we trust in God’s absolute and unfailing love. He is control of all things and may we hear Him and trust Him when He rubs our backs and says,

“It will go away soon.”

Linking Up at: A Holy Experience The Better Mom Write It, Girl