The Trying of your Faith Worketh Patience
I was sitting in the sanctuary at one of the local churches. One of my baby sisters was graduating. (The local homeschool group has a graduation ceremony every year). I was listening to the speaker and trying to not be distracted by the squirming little brother in the seat next to me when my ears pricked up.
"Patience produces answers, answers confidence, and confidence a faith in God which nothing can move." Wow! Patience produces answers... there's a thought.... If we "waited patiently of the Lord, and He inclined unto me and heard my cry." (Psalms 40:1) Patience produces answers. Now, I know from personal experience that patience doesn't always produce the answer we want. But it does produce answers. God given answers.
And now I am sitting here.... staring at what I just wrote...acutely aware of my own failings. Very aware that even today I had a terrible lack of patience. Rarely a day goes by that I don't that I don't ask God for an answer. Every day I fall short of patience, everyday. But the more I think about it. I realized that even though I've been waiting over 10 years for some answers. I'll wait a lifetime for others. Even though I think that the waiting has been long enough and learned my lesson,God still has a lot for me to learn and isn't finished with me yet.
And you know what. It's not just a straight line: patience-answers-confidence-faith. It's actually a circle. A circle that begins with faith, faith to be patience and wait on God for the answers, answers that will bring the confidence that will strengthen your faith enough to be patient and wait for the next answer.
"...If ye have the faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." ~ Matthew 17:20
and
"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith nothing wavering:..." ~ James 1:3-6a
"Patience produces answers, answers confidence, and confidence a faith in God which nothing can move." Wow! Patience produces answers... there's a thought.... If we "waited patiently of the Lord, and He inclined unto me and heard my cry." (Psalms 40:1) Patience produces answers. Now, I know from personal experience that patience doesn't always produce the answer we want. But it does produce answers. God given answers. And now I am sitting here.... staring at what I just wrote...acutely aware of my own failings. Very aware that even today I had a terrible lack of patience. Rarely a day goes by that I don't that I don't ask God for an answer. Every day I fall short of patience, everyday. But the more I think about it. I realized that even though I've been waiting over 10 years for some answers. I'll wait a lifetime for others. Even though I think that the waiting has been long enough and learned my lesson,God still has a lot for me to learn and isn't finished with me yet.
And you know what. It's not just a straight line: patience-answers-confidence-faith. It's actually a circle. A circle that begins with faith, faith to be patience and wait on God for the answers, answers that will bring the confidence that will strengthen your faith enough to be patient and wait for the next answer."...If ye have the faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." ~ Matthew 17:20
and
"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith nothing wavering:..." ~ James 1:3-6a
Symphony Picture
I took a few pictures while I was coming home...
Remember my joy last week coming home from violin lessons.
Check out this week!!
(my apologizes, it was raining a little, I was driving, and it's a camera phone)
Check out this week!!
(my apologizes, it was raining a little, I was driving, and it's a camera phone)
It was HUGE!! I don't know if you can see or not but there is a 2nd rainbow off to the left. It's faint. You could see it better in person.
I took this one while stopped at a stop sign. Don't worry, I didn't try to do this one while moving!
So... I guess I will be giving you all a weekly update...
This week
This week
- It snowed on Monday
- It was 70 degrees on Wednesday
- I threw out some of the ribs on my left side. They are back in place now, I'm a little sore though...
- Learned the hard way to just ask for help and not just do it all myself.
- Ate too much candy
- Found out the proper way to say observatory. ObSURRvatory (compliments of Luke)
- Played Clue and Life with Luke yesterday, it was loads of fun. Luke wasn't happy until he got to be a computer technician (Life) like David!
- Bought a pinneapple ;-)
- Went to the mall in D____ to go to Maurices. Remembered Maurices moved outside the mall and went to American Eagle instead. Apparently we walked right by Tom at the mall and didn't see him. oppss...
- Bought some new jeans that are actually long enough on me. Do you know how hard it is to find pants long enough for long legs!! VERY! I think we went in 3 stores and only one of them had pants that were long but not a 0!
- Only got 50% of the things on my to do list for the week done. So far there is nothing on the list for next week so... maybe I can get the other 50% done.
- Went to Borders today. I love book shopping.. now if I only had $1,000,000....
3 random things that have nothing to do with each other
1) Mom took Luke to sign up for baseball. He came home all excited because and I quote "The field!!!! It has a DUGOUT!"
2) The "change" faze that is sweeping the political arena is bothering me. We had local elections last week and no one I voted for won. Why, well because they believe in the way America was. They vote based on what is moral and right. Not what is different and what needs to change. For instance homeschooling laws...
People!!! Vote for what is RIGHT not what is different!
3) It snowed yesterday, today it was 65.
2) The "change" faze that is sweeping the political arena is bothering me. We had local elections last week and no one I voted for won. Why, well because they believe in the way America was. They vote based on what is moral and right. Not what is different and what needs to change. For instance homeschooling laws...
People!!! Vote for what is RIGHT not what is different!
3) It snowed yesterday, today it was 65.
Last week in recap
Hurt my back a week ago Thursday. Thankfully it is doing much better
- Monday
- Work
- Back to violin lessons after a month off.
- Teach
- Tuesday
- Work
- Chocolate machine breaks... oh well....
- Chiropractor (I can now lift more than 8 pounds yay! But no more than 30.... still no holding Sarah...)
- Teach lessons in the afternoon
- Orchestra
- Teach lesson after orchestra (I forgot how much fun teaching beginning students is. They have so much enthusiasm and excitement)
- Wednesday
- Work
- Early release at the Public Schools which means DQ is busy
- Teach
- Laundry, finally!!
- Thursday
- Work
- Hair Cut
- Teach
- Orchestra
- Bible Study
- Finished Laundry
- Friday
- Long day at work (With Easter this week that means lots of extra cakes. And it was Good Friday so lots of fish and school is out so lots of people out and about).
- Dinner at Fiesta Cancun with the roomies, YUMMY!
- LOST, yay!
- Put clean clothes away
- Saturday
- Left for DBQ at 11
- Dress shopped for a dress for Lyd for Senior Banquet
- Target for Bridal shower present
- Bridal shower (I forgot and picked Sarah up and turned at the same time. Boy did that hurt... I was in pain for the rest of the day)
- Straight home for IDD mod meeting
- Shopping at Maurices. (I love finding clothes that actually fit correctly! And are long enough for my long legs!)
- Pizza for youth at Mom and Dad's house
- Bowling (which was fun! I got 2 strikes and a couple spares. It is interesting when you are hurting though.. I only played 1 of the 2 games. I thought is best to sit out the 2nd.)
- Sunday
- Church
- Out to eat (Tyson was in town, yay!)
- Hung out with Kristi at Mom and Dad's for a while
- Did nothing!
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
For the earnest expectaion of the creature waiteth for the manifestataion of the sons of God.
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope': for what a man seeth why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
For the earnest expectaion of the creature waiteth for the manifestataion of the sons of God.
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope': for what a man seeth why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
~ Romans 8
It is my firm belief that
if everyone lived in a small town the world would be a better place.
BTW, in case you couldn't tell.. I LOVE LOVE living in a small town community. I'm making a list of all the reasons why I love it :)
BTW, in case you couldn't tell.. I LOVE LOVE living in a small town community. I'm making a list of all the reasons why I love it :)
Music Quote
"Joy, sorrow, tears, lamentation, laughter -- to all these music gives voice, but in such a way that we are transported from the world of unrest to a world of peace, and see reality in a new way, as if we were sitting by a mountain lake and contemplating hills and woods and clouds in the tranquil and fathomless water."
--- Albert Schweitzer
Thoughts??
--- Albert Schweitzer
Thoughts??
Quiz for homeschoolers
The stereotypical homeschooler. X the boxes that apply to you.
[x] Have owned a denim jumper
[x] You were at least 13 when you got your first "trendy" haircut ( I was 20... and 'trendy' consisted of layers. :P)
[x] Everything in your closet at some time was referred to as modest
[] You have tucked things in that shouldn't be tucked in
[] You have been a member of at least 3 co-ops
[x] You were a true sweet 16 and never been kissed
[x] Your mom drives a van of some sort
[] You have at least one childhood picture where you, your mom, and all your siblings matched (noooooo! Thank goodness!)
[] You are/were/will be a PSEO Student
[x] At some point in your life you were more comfortable with adults than kids your own age
[x] Have studied ways to defend your beliefs, debate, and/or create laws
[] Used uber conservative A Beka curriculum
Total: 6
[x] You use big words that most adults could not use in conversation
[x] You can use the words sublime, epiphany, and cognicent correctly (haha it's actually spelled cognizant. how's THAT for homeschooled)
[] You have a favorite word.
[] You have an understanding of Latin root words and how to use them
[x] People from the outside world are referred to as "public schoolers"
[x]You or one of your siblings knits.
[x] You laugh at the decline in literacy in America (or cry)
[x] You score constantly higher than "public schoolers" on standardized tests.
[x] You have no concept of cafeteria food
[x] Family vacations are/ can be referred to as "Field Trips"
[x] Traveling on said vacations have included stopping at historical site markers along the way
[] You have never been in a public elementary school, middle school, or high school during regular school hours (Only to drop off quarterly reports.)
[] You have gone to or been involved in a homeschool convention
Total: 9
Total so far: 15
[x] You read books on a regular basis
[] You have taken part in a political protest
[] You were a Pride and Prejudice fan before the movie
[] You were a Lord of the Rings fan prior to the movie
[] You were a Chronicles of Narnia fan before the movie
[] You speak a language other than English
[x] You dream of dating characters from books instead of celebrities
Total: 2
Total so far: 17
It has been ASSUMED that you:
[]Have won many spelling bees
[x] Have no social life
[x] Have no friends of the opposite gender
[] Are outstandingly smart (where's the outstandingly stupid question?)
[x]Are extremely inept
[x] Only listen to classical music
[x] Play piano or the violin
[x] Do not own a pair of trendy jeans
[x] Have no knowledge of drugs or alcohol
[x] Don't date, only court
[x] Have never been to a "party"
[x] Know no other beliefs other than what your family believes
Total: 10
Total so far: 27
You have been asked more than 10 times:
[x] If you wear pajamas to school
[x] If you get perfect grades because your mom grades you
[x] If your mom teaches you or if somebody else does
[x] How do you meet people
[x] Why you aren't in school
[x] If you get days off whenever you want
[] If you're going to be homeschooled through college
[x] If you have a big family
[x] What your parents are protecting you from
[] To quote something famous
[x] For the answer, because supposedly homeschoolers always have all the answers
Total: 9
Final Total: 36
1-10 You're not really a homeschooler...you just do school at home
11-21 You're a homeschooler, but not what the world expects
22-32 You're a homeschooler
33-? You probably wouldn't have facebook to begin with...but congrats you're the stereotypical homeschooler
[x] Have owned a denim jumper
[x] You were at least 13 when you got your first "trendy" haircut ( I was 20... and 'trendy' consisted of layers. :P)
[x] Everything in your closet at some time was referred to as modest
[] You have tucked things in that shouldn't be tucked in
[] You have been a member of at least 3 co-ops
[x] You were a true sweet 16 and never been kissed
[x] Your mom drives a van of some sort
[] You have at least one childhood picture where you, your mom, and all your siblings matched (noooooo! Thank goodness!)
[] You are/were/will be a PSEO Student
[x] At some point in your life you were more comfortable with adults than kids your own age
[x] Have studied ways to defend your beliefs, debate, and/or create laws
[] Used uber conservative A Beka curriculum
Total: 6
[x] You use big words that most adults could not use in conversation
[x] You can use the words sublime, epiphany, and cognicent correctly (haha it's actually spelled cognizant. how's THAT for homeschooled)
[] You have a favorite word.
[] You have an understanding of Latin root words and how to use them
[x] People from the outside world are referred to as "public schoolers"
[x]You or one of your siblings knits.
[x] You laugh at the decline in literacy in America (or cry)
[x] You score constantly higher than "public schoolers" on standardized tests.
[x] You have no concept of cafeteria food
[x] Family vacations are/ can be referred to as "Field Trips"
[x] Traveling on said vacations have included stopping at historical site markers along the way
[] You have never been in a public elementary school, middle school, or high school during regular school hours (Only to drop off quarterly reports.)
[] You have gone to or been involved in a homeschool convention
Total: 9
Total so far: 15
[x] You read books on a regular basis
[] You have taken part in a political protest
[] You were a Pride and Prejudice fan before the movie
[] You were a Lord of the Rings fan prior to the movie
[] You were a Chronicles of Narnia fan before the movie
[] You speak a language other than English
[x] You dream of dating characters from books instead of celebrities
Total: 2
Total so far: 17
It has been ASSUMED that you:
[]Have won many spelling bees
[x] Have no social life
[x] Have no friends of the opposite gender
[] Are outstandingly smart (where's the outstandingly stupid question?)
[x]Are extremely inept
[x] Only listen to classical music
[x] Play piano or the violin
[x] Do not own a pair of trendy jeans
[x] Have no knowledge of drugs or alcohol
[x] Don't date, only court
[x] Have never been to a "party"
[x] Know no other beliefs other than what your family believes
Total: 10
Total so far: 27
You have been asked more than 10 times:
[x] If you wear pajamas to school
[x] If you get perfect grades because your mom grades you
[x] If your mom teaches you or if somebody else does
[x] How do you meet people
[x] Why you aren't in school
[x] If you get days off whenever you want
[] If you're going to be homeschooled through college
[x] If you have a big family
[x] What your parents are protecting you from
[] To quote something famous
[x] For the answer, because supposedly homeschoolers always have all the answers
Total: 9
Final Total: 36
1-10 You're not really a homeschooler...you just do school at home
11-21 You're a homeschooler, but not what the world expects
22-32 You're a homeschooler
33-? You probably wouldn't have facebook to begin with...but congrats you're the stereotypical homeschooler
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About Me
- Katie
- I am a daughter of God who is striving to do and be all that God has for me. I'm a pretty normal person, kinda goofy at times, but I can be a dear. If I try :) I always try to be happy and I'm never lazy, I've tried, it doesn't agree with me. Once you meet me you'll never want for entertainment :)
