Jacob's High School Graduation

The Olinger Family would like to thank all those that helped us to celebrate our son's graduation.  We are very proud of him and in the man he is becoming.  We were also very happy that our parents were all able to attend as well as his aunts.

Laundromat Adventure

 Today we had our first adventure in a laundromat.  I once read something to the affect that joy is a choice, smiling is a choice, how you respond in a situation is a choice.  This is something I have been working on lately and boy is it so true.  I could have been frustrated since I have not been in a laundromat since the teens were very young.  I could have taken out my frustration on them and everyone around me and been a bad example, but I chose joy and to respond in joy to this relearning for me and another teachable opportunity for them.  First we had an issue with the dollar exchange, I put the dollar in expecting four quarters in return.  When I only got one coin back and I thought that is odd and not right.  Now Erica tried to explain then that it wasn't a quarter, but I walked off before she could explain, yep I ignored her, I shouldn't have cause she was right it was a $1 coin.  In a way I am glad that I did speak to the man in charge of the laundromat/dry cleaners since he was able to tell me how much it would cost to dry clean a coat of mine and I was able to get a dry cleaning price sheet.  So, first oops down second one was figuring out the white washing machines since it would not start of course it might have helped if I would have pushed the coins all the way in and pulled out the coin slots, but again relearning.  Jacob and Erica thought it was a totally neat and different experience.  We even got to visit with an old friend from one of our old churches which was neat.  We then got witnessed to, yep you heard me right we got witnessed too, by an older gentleman who asked if I was a Pentecostal due to my skirt and due to the hot weather I had my hair up in a clip.  Of course I explained kindly that I was baptist.  But you know that got me to thinking, many christians just assume that if someone says their a christian or that they seem to dress and act right they must be a christian.  Well, let me be one to stand up and say you should never, ever assume.  You see I was exactly that way I walked, talked, and dressed as a christian should since I was twelve years old.  I taught Sunday School, I went out door knocking (since our Pastor was a very very wise man he made sure us girls went to where he knew the people mainly the nursing home and to the children in our Sunday school classes, every week we went).  I could quote the bible better then most, but I was still lost, I still thought salvation could not be that easy, there must be something I had to do.  So from 12 till my thirties if I would have died I would have gone to a sinners hell.  I was unsaved pretending to be saved.  Never, I can never stress this enough never assume someone is saved and treat them differently.  Jesus treated all people with the same compassion and love.  He let them come to Him, He still was a living witness where ever He went, which is what we should do.  I hope our paths cross again and I am sure they will, I pray the Lord may open a door of utterance.  

A Tale of Two Roads

Our story begins long ago with a tale of two brothers.  The road you see before you is a drive way to their homes.  These homes were connected with one drive way.  The brothers were obvious close and had a good relationship with one another.  One day that changed you see the brothers had an argument about the drive way, no one exactly knows what was said or what caused the issue, but everyone knew the issue was over the driveway. EVERYONE heard about the issue and everyone saw what happened next.  One of the brothers made a separate drive way as you see here today.  Now they both went to the same set of houses but because of this argument over the driveways the brothers never spoke again.  

So I told you this true, yes true story cause of the lesson that can be gleaned from it.  While people do not remember the exact reason why the brothers had an argument over the drive way that split them up for the rest of their lives.  They sure did hear about it and thought of how foolish it seemed to end a friendship and brotherhood over a driveway.  Anger is a foolish thing.  Oh don't get me wrong I have been guilty of anger more then I would like to admit.  While I could blame my hot headed, Cherokee blood I think it has more do due with that old sin nature that we all have.  When we are in the heat of anger though we do not see things as clear as if we would just calm down and reevaluate what we are upset about and why we are upset.  After doing that we should give it to God and let Him handle it with no strings attached on how or when He deals with it.  Easier said then done, but still true.  Job 6:25 "How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?"  also a new verse I am trying to learn is Proverbs 15:23 "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!"  What a testimony those brothers left all those years ago and the driveway is still there today and as people who remember pass by it they are reminded only of those brothers hate and foolish anger and pride.  What are we leaving behind?  Are we leaving behind a testimony of anger, hate, or love?

Why I homeschool

I was over on Raising Clovers and I have been watching her youtube channel for a little while now and she had made the statement that you should write down why you homeschool.  I had never thought of actually writing it down, just is strange for me since I write EVERYTHING down.  Either I share on my blog or facebook or I write in my journal so anyway I thought it was a neat idea so here it goes. 

The first reason I choose to homeschool our two beautiful children is I love them very much and wanted them to know and love the Lord first and foremost.  I knew the public school would teach them everything else but that one central and most important thing.

The second reason is I did not want the influences of others impressing their values and their world views on my children.  They would get that enough when they were adults and I wanted them grounded on a firm foundation.  

Once public school kicked God out of school.  God's children have no business being where God is not welcome.  Your children are not to be put in the school as a missionary.  They will be turned toward the world rather then the world being changed by them.  Our children are impressionable and growing.

The bible also has a few words to say about teaching your children.  Deuteronomy 11:19 "And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." 

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

Financial Worksheets

Prayer Journaling

Preparing to Speak to your King

Esther had a big matter to speak to her husband about.  This was truly a matter of life and death, a whole nation as well as her own life was in jeopardy.  She was unsure how to approach this situation, unsure what to say or do.  Esther then did one of the smartest, nobelist things toward her husband and for her nation.  She sought God in the matter.  She told her maidens to seek God.  She instructed her nation to seek God on this behalf.

Let's bring that into today's context.  How many times do we have a bad day whether at work or home dealing with little ones or TEENS.  Someone has upset us or something bad has happened.  We of course want to share it with our best friend, our husband, ut in our excitement or frustration we lay it on them as they walk in the door.  (Guilty as charged.)  Sometimes taking a breath before they are due to be home and simply seeking the Lord for the proper spirit works wonders.  The new can wait till everyone says their hellos and calm down.  Many times once I have shared things with the Lord I find the matter is taken care of or my spirit is right now and can share it plainly and simply without myself getting in the way of the message I need to tell him.  It also allows me to know when the time is right to speak with my husband.  Praying before you speak to anyone husband, child, parent, or friend is always a wise thing to do.  Realize we will give an account for all our words.  Matthew 12:36 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."