A Quick Story

She came on a Wednesday night...was assigned to my group. Her dark skin and shy smile attracted me to her immediately. I'm a hugger....and she readily accepted my tight squeeze.



A good listener, she was not distracted by the normal 6th, 7th and 8th grade girl giggling and whispering that happens weekly in our small group. She is serious and has questions and likes to enter into the discussion.



On the 3rd week of her attendance, during the close, her hand went up as one who was ready to give her heart fully to Jesus. At the end of the evening, she came and greeted me with a bright smile, proudly holding her new paperback New Testmament.



The next week, Switch was a little different, as we spent some time praying over the students in our group. She was one of the first ones in my line...tears already steaming down her beautiful brown cheeks. I remember praying about the future and what God has in store for Jamiyah. About her influence in her family and friends.



Last week, we took a little extra time in our group....in fact, we were late getting back to the experience room for the video. But, it was only because Jamiyah was praying aloud for our group. She prayed for each girl's influence in her family and at school. It wasn't the simple prayer of a young believer, but it was a bold prayer of a young woman who is sold out, unashamedly all-in.



As we quickly made it to our seats, video already running, my heart was full. What Jamiyah doesn't even realize is that she influenced a 54 year old lover of Jesus....my faith was made even stronger by her young, yet passionate new faith!

I wonder why it's called "serving" when I always receive more than I could ever possibly give?

~Robin

Help us Out....Ask a Question

Dirk and I are scheduled to speak at a homeschool event in early September.  What would you want to hear from us if you were at the meeting?



After 35 years of marriage, 7 kiddos, 5 sons/daughters-in-love, 6 grands (+ another the end of October!), home educating for about 30 years (and still going), there is one thing we DO have......NO, not all the answers, but we do have a bit of experience.



Go ahead.  Ask us anything you want.  And it doesn't specifically have to be on home education.

We're going to be on a vacation for a week, but your questions will help us decide what to speak on....and who knows?  They might even spark a few blogs from us....now THAT would be something new, huh?

Ready.....set.....ASK!

Dirk and Robin

The New Garden

No News is Good News

It's true!

So sorry I haven't updated. I've been gently chided because I haven't let all of you (5 or so ) readers :) know that Dirk's report came back negative/benign.

We are all relieved and rejoicing. It was another learning and growing experience and I'll share some of those thoughts soon...when I'm not still sewing/baking/wedding planning.

Thanks again for all your well-wishes, thoughts and prayers!

Still Overwhelmed, but Completely Blessed

About 2 months ago, Dirk discovered an enlarged lymph on his left side.  It didn’t go away.  He scheduled an appointment with our family doctor who suggested he have it checked out by a surgeon.

The surgeon discovered enlarged lymphs under both his armpits.

Tuesday morning, June 9, Dirk undergoes a surgical biopsy.

Now, I don’t have to tell you where my mind wants to wander with all sorts of fearful and discouraging thoughts.

So, I’m choosing instead, to believe that God works ALL things for our good.  I’m choosing to replace my fears with trust in our Healer, Provider, Warrior, and Friend.

If you’re reading this today, I know you are already praying for all of us.  And I thank you in advance!

You are a blessing to us.

Another blessing



~Robin

Overwhelmed

In juggling the preparation for two weddings in the very near future (our oldest son’s, May 29, and one of our daughter’s, July 31), and beginning a new family corporation, people have been asking me, “How will you get it all done?”.

It reminds me of when our kids were young and I’d hear the same question:

 “How do you do what you do? I sure couldn’t raise seven kids.”

 My answer then was the same as it is now:

 “I don’t get it all done, and sometimes I don’t even do a very good job of what I do.  I just DO it” =)

We all have seasons in our life where we are completely overwhelmed with the tasks at hand.  (And I fully believe God does give us more than we can handle so that we’ll be totally reliant on Him.)

There are some differences in my thoughts during this season of being overwhelmed. Time and experience have taught me:

*it might not all get done, and that’s ok

*no one will love me any more  or any less if everything isn’t perfect

*I will still love myself even if everything is not perfect

*there are still adjustments to be made in order to “get it all done”

And the adjustment in priorities this time will be this blog.  We’re not going away, but you might not see us on here quite as often while we work together to “get it all done” this summer.

Check back occasionally.  We’ll give some wedding updates, force you to see pictures of the cutie grands, and maybe even have some gardening tips and pics. 

Meanwhile, I'm working on NOT being overwhelmed.

~Robin

Our Family Vision Statement

The Meadows’ family vision statement is:

 

Living, loving, learning, leaving a legacy of Christ-followers impacting the world.

 

It’s an easy statement for us to remember, and it is descriptive of many of our core values:

 

Life is school

Family

Leading our family to be Christ-followers

 

Deut. 6:6-8

These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.

Do you have a family vision statement?  Share it!