IT'S MY BLOGOVERSARY WEEK!!!!
(This will stay at the top until Sunday - scroll down for new posts)

I began this blog 3 years ago on Labor Day, September 5, 2005. If you are into nostalgia, you can read the first post here. The blog was started during the time that I was on bedrest AFTER having Stacia. Who knew you could develop eclampsia AFTER birth?!?! ::snort::

Stacia and Zander figure quite predominently in the early entries. Jamin was suiting up for Freshman Football, the girls were packing up to move to WA, Josiah was entering his Jr year and looking for outside work, our younger children REALLY missed Alaska and were very lonely here..... we were new to our assignment here in W. TX.

Blogs have many purposes. Some are political, some are a launching platform to fame, some just provide an outlet for the author's thoughts, some are political or focus on religious teaching......

I view Choosing Joy as a ministry to my family. As faithful readers will know, it began as a way to allow our older children who were moving into new seasons to be able to keep up with the newer family members. During Mike's deployment it allowed him to see daily photos of the growing and changing children and family life. Stacia was 6 months old when he deployed....she learned to talk, walk, and recognize family while he was gone. Who can forget Stacia's Sunday chapel revelation months after he returned - I LIKE my daddy? The children have come to enjoy having a record of our days as a family. At the heart of Choosing Joy is family. Early on I had trouble remembering to post. Family began to complain. I made a committment to post at least once a week...and from that point on I've found that I've posted quite more often than once a week. ::snort::

I also began Choosing Joy as a way to reach out to friends who "didn't feel three years was enough time to know the G family". We are military and move often. The blog has allowed us to maintain relationships.

I did NOT expect others would read. I did NOT expect the sitemeter to move up as quickly as it has. I did NOT expect to make new friends (internet and real life) because of the blog. I didn't really see mentoring happing on a bigger scale than my daughters via the blog.....We have now posted 2,873 entries. We have had 105,281 hits. We have had visitors from EVERY continent. We've had fun.

Choosing Joy has become a mish-mash. I blog about homeschooling, about being quiverful, about PWOC, about being a pastor's wife, about lessons God is teaching me and books and Scriptures I'm reading....but in all it's about relationship. I write as I would write to my dear friends and family - because that is the bottom line of this blog.

I thank those of you who have taken the time over the past three years to get to know me and my family a bit better. I thank those who have shared their thoughts and sharpened me. I've always lived life in a fish bowl. I was born into a Pastor's family. My children have always lived life in a fish bowl (I married a Pastor). The blog is simply one more way that I've learned to embrace the fish bowl. I pray that being real somehow helps others to see how a homeschooling, quiverful, pastor's wife can fail, get up, experience God's amazing grace and continue to move forward....and encourages others that they too can fulfill God's call on their life - regardless of what that may be. For more on why I try to be real read this. It's important to me that my readers KNOW that I NEVER tell another's story without their permission. If weaknesses of my dh or children show up here - they've allowed me to share. Oh MUCH goes on that is never blogged about. Would YOU want your intimate discussions on a blog? ::snort::

In the past three years we've laughed together(Zanderisms et al), cried together (kids leaving home, miscarriage), prayed together, and grown together. I appreciate each of my readers. BTW feel free to comment. ::snort:: I'm always surprised when someone comes up to me at an event and says, "I read your blog" - what an honor that you care enough about this family to spend time reading our daily trivia. Miss Pat you made my week!

This week at Choosing Joy we will party! We will celebrate all that God has done in our lives in the past three years.....and I have a few fun things planned for y'all!

OK - y'all - how do you make a post stay at the top now that we have "scheduled posting"? When I put a future date it doesn't publish? Maybe this won't stay at the top!

©2008 D.R.G.

MOMYS Cookbook giveaway

I want to start my "Blogoversary" week off with a giveaway. I have a "never-used" copy of the MOMYS cookbook that I will give to a reader who leaves a comment below. MOMYS (Moms of Many Young Siblings) is an internet group. They've compiled a HUGE cookbook. This book has over 1600 recipes. Each recipe is sized for a min of 8 servings. There are a variety of recipes included for all eating styles. The first edition sold out quickly. Marmee Dear is currently taking orders for the second edition. You can pre-order a copy of this cookbook at Marmee Dear for $29.95; shipping will begin in late November.

If you'd like to win a copy, simply leave a comment (be sure I have contact info).

©2008 D.R.G.

Sunday Devotional - Meekness

It’s no secret if you’ve “listened” to me online or been in a Bible Study I’ve led: I love Biblical Word Studies. Why? Often when I read a word in the Bible I naturally overlay MY 21st century understanding of the word on to the Scripture.

Years ago I began to realize that many of the English words chosen to define Greek and Hebrew words mean something “different” to me than they did to the translators. Therefore, my first interpretation of the passage may well be different than what the Biblical authors were communicating.

One such word that was an EYE-OPENER for me was “meek” or “gentle”. For years I beat myself up because my personality did not match what various Christian leaders were describing as a “meek woman”.

Enter a Precept study on Sermon on the Mount. I had prayed for years for “God to infuse me with a meek spirit”. I wasn’t quite sure why God hadn’t chosen to answer that prayer. I knew I was going to get hammered the week that we studied “meekness”.

I was in for a huge surprise. You see *I* was meek. I simply didn’t understand what God meant, what the Biblical writers meant. Doing a Biblical study of the word excited me.

I’m currently doing a topical study of the Fruit of the Spirit in my personal trysts. I have to share the definition of “gentleness” or “meekness”, which is a fruit of the spirit.

First, any fruit in my life is produced only as I am in relationship with the Vine (Jesus) and His Holy Spirit. I can’t conjure it up on my own.

“Gentleness” – also translated Meek, Mild -

Greek Word Praotes – Strongs # 4236
Strong’s simply defines the word as “gentleness”.

Vine’s tells us it is “meek”

*Dr. Spiros Zodhiates – fleshes this word out (and Beth Moore agreed with his definition this week LOL). Here are some highlights of this exciting word:

1. Does not denote an OUTWARD expression but an INWARD grace of the soul.
2. Calmness towards God
3. Acceptance of God’s dealings with us, considering them as good in that they enhance the closeness of our relationship with Him.
4. Expressing wrath towards sin
5. In the 3rd Beatitude expresses the blessedness that exists in one’s heart from being actively angry at evil.
6. Meekness is the balance between uncontrolled and unjustified anger and not becoming angry at all no matter what takes place around you.
*Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN, AMG pub. 1992), p 1208.

I spent YEARS trying to cultivate what was being taught as I grew up in the church as a proper “feminine meek” attitude. I discovered that the word meant far different than what I believed it did.

Check it out! It has very little to do with outward expression. Why do so many authors then focus on the external to validate our “meek spirit”? It’s to be a fruit in all believers’ lives – it’s not a singularly feminine requirement. ::snort:: At it’s root is SURRENDER to God’s dealings…..realizing that even bleak circumstances draw me closer to Him in RELATIONSHIP. It’s an INWARD GRACE. Meekness is a BALANCE between doing nothing and uncontrolled anger and rudeness. In its very make up it involves TAKING A STRONG STAND…..but it involves grace and balance. At times I’ve been guilty of uncontrolled anger characterizing my life. At other times I’ve swung to passivity. Neither is to be our godly stance when confronted with sin or an evil society.

God had worked meekness into my life as I prayed for him to root it out and to grace me with what I considered to be “meek”. ::snort::

As we begin a new school year I think of this word again. I want to homeschool with a meek spirit….a calmness, a surrender, a balance between ignoring sin and killing the sinner…..I want to be filled with His spirit which will lead to a life of meekness.

Here are a few other spots in Scripture where this word is used – with the definition above.

I Cor. 4:21 – Paul asks if he should come with a rod or a spirit of meekness

2 Cor 10:1 – Paul beseeches believers by the meekness of Christ

Gal 5:23 – a fruit of the Spirit

Gal 6:1 – Spirit that restoration with which restoration is to take place

Eph 4:2 - Show love for one another with meekness

Col 3:12 – we are to put on meekness

I Tim 6:11 – flee immorality and follow among other things meekness

2 Tim 2:25 – our teaching is to be in meekness

Titus 3:2 – we are to show meekness to all men


©2008 D.R.G.

Sneak Peaks Into Friday & Saturday

Produce Co-op

We had a contest to see who could get the dirtiest wipe during our 15 min clean up spree....Mike won.

I think cleaning a printer is akin to cheating...but the excitement was there. ::snort::

A first in our home.......

One of the kids was in an accident. Mike was teaching Jamin to drive a standard and someone tail ended him. It was NOT his fault. We are waiting to hear what the insurance will do with our car. Both are USAA customers. Honestly, we don't want them to total our commuter....we'll not find another for the $ we'll get. We shall see.

The kids and I went to the birthday party of a young friend today. They had a great time. Jared took out his "teen rage" on a stone "wall circle thingy" around a tree in Chad and Sherri's yard....he earned more $. He also has a "new respec for guys who plunder and then tear down castle walls." Umm.....I don't know that THAT is a good thing.

Mike and I went out to dinner. We had a great storm. We walked through the mall and pretended to shop. LOL

©2008 D.R.G.

I Eat Mooseburgers...how 'bout you? ::snort::

Beware. I've stayed away from political posts...but HEY, I'M SMILLING BIG THIS A.M. I have been emailing McCain constantly with my thoughts on his VP pick. ::snort:: In fact, my boys were shocked I'd share my thoughts as honestly as I did.....however, that's politics.

Could it be true? Has he really picked a candidate who is STAUNCHLY conservative, pro-life, YOUNG and a female? A social, cultural and fiscal conservative? A governor who cut her own salary? I hope so. I can tell you that Obama was the ONE person who could probably get me to hold my nose and vote for the Republican nominee....but Sarah Palin.....now there's a candidate I can get excited about. We shall see. BTW Pawlenty is also a Christian - I could have been excited about him too....though there is just something about Sarah that I like - a lot. LOL

I'm wondering what happens if McCain gets up after all the hype early this a.m. and says, "My nominee is Good Ole Boy Jim Bob" or something. ::snort::

Update - it's true! Young, PRO-LIFE, Christian, Fiscal Conservative....5 children....
©2008 D.R.G.

WHAT DAY IS THIS???

Yes, I still have a migraine...though I think it may be cluster headaches. I couldn't tell you the difference. Both hurt. I'm nauseated. Off and on my vision is blurry and I see spots. I had hoped sleeping on Sunday would kick it...but it keeps coming and going. The going part and then coming again makes me think it may be a cluster thing.....I've not had a moment to really take the migraine meds.....which knock me out. I'll try that this weekend if needed.

Mike has been working late nights all week. It's always like this when you come back from TDY (business trip) or leave (vacation).

Yesterday, I had the PAC (Parish Advisory Committee) annual planning meeting. I was impressed that we accomplished all the work in 3 hours.

We've begun a rolling start on school. We've done a lot of planning this week.

We've been evaluating where we are and where we would like to be in 9 months. Jamin is a senior. He'd like to go to Taylor University. There are two challenges: 1. the PRICE and 2. the requirements for admissions. If he is to make this work he will need to take two sciences this year and Calculus and Trig.... We're also praying and looking at other options. Mike and I have a hard time figuring out why a person should pay $120,000 for a degree that can be earned for $30,000 at a state university. Frankly, once you get into the workforce you are rarely asked WHERE your degree comes from. At least that's been our experience. ::snort:: On the other hand, I would expect at a private university to have less of the "characters" and "issues" that we've seen at a state university. Who knows? We have begun looking at scholarships and Jamin qualifies for a variety of scholarships. He's praying about his options. He may or may not continue to work towards Taylor. We've got emails out to admissions offices around the country. The thought being that it makes common sense to get as many credits as possible to be transferred into Taylor and thus avoid paying the high tuition for four years. There is MUCH to be said for living at home and going to a college nearby for a couple of years. AND he plans to take a lot of CLEP classes and distance credits from Taylor this year.

We don't test. Jamin's first test was the ACT last spring. He was 2 points away from some benchmarks which would open quite a few doors. I've tried to tell the kids to study for the test - but as a matter of principle they think it's cheating to study for a test that is supposed to see what you "know" and not what you "cram". ::snort:: Jamin has agreed to CRAM FOR THE TEST. I think he can take it now and again in the spring and bring it up at least 2 points.

We're really having fun with this and not stressing. We are relaxed homeschoolers. We've always said that we'd follow our path and the children's interests and when/if they need something we haven't done - we'll do it. YES WE CAN!!!!

Jamin didn't work today and so we spent a lot of the day researching various programs, options, et al.

I was heading to the gym when I was informed that I was supposed to be at a meeting in 25 minutes. I headed for the base. This was a "financial workgroup" meeting.

Jamin watched the littles so I could finally make it to the gym this evening. Jared was at CAP and Mike was working. I had hoped to catch some of Obama's speech but would you believe not ONE of the televisions were on a news channel? Everyone was fascinated by football and the World Championionship Poker tournament on ESPN....POKER?????

Ah well - I got a workout in.

©2008 D.R.G.

Glimpses

Zander finally found a use for "church pants"

Nolan had to redo the yard as it rained so much that he never finished

We're still doing a lot of in-house planning for the upcoming school year. I'm getting a "final" sense of what Jamin (Sr) and Jared (Fr) would like to do as far as electives etc this year.

In the midst of the planning Stacia (who you may notice is wearing TRAINING PANTS) came in and began to liberally grace us all with kisses.

There is really nothing quite as sweet as the innocent expression of affection from a toddler. Jamin is our stoic. She CRACKED us all up when she touched his shoulder and said, "Jamin, I know you love me!" and then bestowed a sisterly peck on his cheek as well.

We had dogs show up at our house. It took a bit of time to find their owners....but Jared did. Thanks to Rosie who knew just who we needed to call.

I'll share this because I'm still laughing about it - the dogs names are....::snort:: are you read? Blaze and Viagra. ::snort:: There goes whatever family rating I had left.

Heather is a local friend who I don't see often. Our children are not the same ages. She helps me with the United food co-op. Today she and I went out to lunch and to chat without any co-op business to worry about. It was a treat.

©2008 D.R.G.