~~Well, we have completed 2 days of homeschooling....and we're all alive..... and not twitching...:)

I was super overwhelmed by this new curriculum, but after successfully completing a couple days, I am feeling better.  The real test will be tomorrow when we have our weekly meeting with another homeschool family who we are working with....hopefully my children will represent us well and answer at least a few of the questions correctly!  We shall see! 
(knowing me, it probably went so well because I forgot to do half of the work or something!)

We will meet with our homeschooling friends twice a week....once on Wednesdays for history and then again on Fridays for Literature and Science.  We will do discussions, projects and experiments on these days.  I'm looking forward to sharing the work load and my kids are looking forward to having "classmates".  Hopefully this was a good decision..... :) 

~~The rain has kept me from running a couple days in the past week, but we need the rain so desperately, I will not complain.  I just know I will have to work harder on the days I can run....I love a challenge. 

~~I am reading through the book of Jeremiah right now.....amazing how clearly the Lord spoke to His people back then.  And amazing how openly they rejected those words that were spoken......

I feel like I should be getting more done, since my family is not home this week....yet the progress is slow.  I'm working lots every day but the list grows longer each day.....feel like I'm just spending my day on a stationary bike.....going nowhere...

Speaking of stationary bike....I spent some time on one today.....rode 5 miles, ran 8.3 total, did weights, and played rball.......hoping to see results on the scale.  Trying to "shock" my body since I pretty much plateaued this summer.....it's getting harder to lose weight....having to push it harder. 

Getting school ready is making me a little crazy......Tapestry of Grace is very detailed and pretty overwhelming....hard to find the books my kids need to read (I don't want to buy them because there are so many and sometimes they only need to read a few chapters)......if you have any ideas, I'm listening. 

here are the books I need:
The Struggle for Sea Power
This country of Ours
Diary of a Napoleonic Foot Soldier
The New Nation
The Story of Napoleon
Diary of an Early American Boy

I'm back....maybe......

I've been able to get some rest.....

but i'm still not really up for being social.....yet I am feeling a little better. 

I am going to post a few things when I can....nothing deep or personal....


WEIGHT LOSS:
Before the summer I had lost about 40 pounds.....during the summer and since I have lost almost another 10 pounds.  It's been quite the journey.....ups and downs.  But I am still moving forward, regardless of the critics or weirdos. 

It's nice to not be under the tight schedule and scrutiny of the summer.....I am stepping up my running schedule....running 6 miles at a time lately.  I remember when 3 miles was a nice long run....now I feel like it's more of a warm up.  I've also gone back to strength training....crunches, push ups, weights.  I am wanting to lose another 10 pounds at least, by the time we leave for our deputation trip....although there is a part of me that is not even wanting to visit anyone.....

SCHOOL:
We are starting a new curriculum for our humanities this year....Tapestry of Grace.  I am working with another home school mom in this area....hoping it will help in keeping me accountable with my schooling and hoping the kids will enjoy having "classmates".  Our load will be heavy this year....my kids are involved in several activities outside the regular school load.  Praying the Lord will use these activities to grow my children into happy, well rounded kiddos......and that the time we spend in the car will be a time of growing closer together.  I'm trying to have a 'positive' outlook on the upcoming crazy busy year.

MINISTRY:
My ministry load will be kinda heavy also.  I will be doing a lot at Ft Wingate this year (taking a ot of the teaching load), and possibly doing some tutoring there.  I have committed to staying in touch with several of our staff, which will require quite a bit of traveling, as they are spread all over the reservation and surrounding areas.  I am looking forward to this part of my ministry....I like the one on one time. 
I've also been informed that I'm not carrying my weight around here at the camp, so I will be stepping that up, as well. 
Not sure where all the hours in the day will come from...but I'm going to be everything I'm supposed to be to everyone that has expectations of me.  This year I am striving to please everyone and do the work that is set before me. 

So, it has been a really long time since I've posted......I know.
And I doubt anyone still comes here....which is ok.

We are halfway through our summer.....God has done amazing things in the lives of campers....it's always so awesome to see first hand.  Sometimes I can't believe I get to work here....what a privilege!!!

But on a personal level, it's been a not so good summer.  I am amazed in a different way.  I am amazed at people......and their carelessness with their words.  I have no desire to go into detail....and I don't think I am one to really care what people think....but this past year, I have managed to become the subject of many conversations (ones that I am not a part of).  And if you know me at all, I am an extremely private person and the thought of just ONE person discussing me or anything about me almost makes me sick to my stomach.  The thought of others joining in has made it almost unbearable.

Because this has never really happened, I had no idea how I would re-act. 
Now I know....and it's not good.

I am almost a hermit.
I socialize with almost no one.
I desire to be around no one.
I hardly eat and exercise all the time (funny how that one worked out....I didn't do that until people were SURE I was already doing it.  At least now that rumor is developing some truth).
I'm exhausted.
I trust no one.
 

This will be my last blog.  I have no desire to communicate with anyone.  I wasn't very good at it anyway.