Old dogs CAN learn new tricks!!

That's right ... I'm busted.  I'm an old dog.  I'm old, ok?  I am set in my ways.  I cook a certain way.  I write a certain way.  I fold my towels a certain way.  Chances are good that is not going to change anytime soon!  However.... and this is a BIG however.... there are areas of my life that have changed alot.  Let's take a trip back in time, shall we?

The date is October 4, 2001.  I'll never forget that day.  It was a Wednesday... Bob and I hadn't been married very long and (if you'll look at the date again) the world had just changed forever.  We were attending a local church (it's probably best I omit that name!) and things were not good.  There was a business meeting in which off duty police officers were attending, standing outside the sanctuary door in case things got out of hand.  There was a very bad man pretending to be a pastor presiding and there was more anger and hatred and attitude flying around that building than I have ever had the displeasure of witnessing.  I look back on that night with shame, both for me, my family and others.  We should have left.  We should have walked away.  We were stupid.  Half the church members did leave that night, never to return.  Some never got over it.  And only one entity had any victory that night.  I have images of horns and a pitchfork.

Fast forward ---> The date is now the fall of 2009.  Different church, Same me ... a little calmer, but not much.  Passionate about my call and cause, which can be really, really good or really, really bad!  I had learned my lesson (oh my that so very painful lesson) from before and wasn't so determined to dig my heels in at all cost. It wasn't just Bob and I anymore.... there were children to consider.   Instead of digging in, I was praying to the ceiling.  I didn't really feel like they were going any higher, although I now know they were.  We moved on... at exactly the moment we were supposed to.  God made me stay in that place I hated for months... I came to church in tears, I cried the whole time I was there, and I left in tears.  I didn't want to go and He would NOT let me stay at home.  I was learning ... again, it was SO painful, yet SO necessary. 

During all this, I was doing alot of praying, and not a whole lot of studying.  Oh, I was raised in church.  I know "enough" I suppose... I always had good intentions, but they never lasted long.  I would study my Sunday school lesson and prepare for mission friends on Sunday night, but I never really dug into the Word like I should.

Well, now it's today ... August 8, 2012.  We're planted where God lead and in the manner that He decided... and I'm different for it.  I'm not better.  I'm not perfect (oh that is for to laugh!!).  But... I'm different.  This whole Bible study thing?  Yeah... I'm kind of getting into it now :)  It's done daily, it's done first, and it's the area in our school life that we put the most time into.  And, by the grace of God, my children love it.  They live what they learn, and learn what they live, you see! 

I'm not judging the people of my past.  I've come too far for that nonsense now.  I'm not asking for acceptance or approval.  This is our house, and as for me and my house, we serve the Lord.  Will that make people angry?  I have no doubt.  Do I give a flip?  Would it be callous to say "no"?  I did not have 2 children 9 years ago.  I gave birth to 2 missionaries ... and it's up to me and my husband to train them.  And it is on my head if I don't.  You see, I'm not just 'mom' anymore.  I'm the teacher, too.  It's not my priviledge to be able to teach Christ in every way possible and in every subject - it is my responsibility. 

So yes ... I'm an old dog with a new trick.  I'm searching the scriptures for myself, as I have been instructed to do.  If I need to know it, then I'll find it in there.  If it's not in the Bible, then I could care less about it.  You don't have to agree with me, believe me, or even like me.  That's the good part of this being my blog.  I'm under the assumption that you want to know about me if you are reading my stuff.  I hope that this is an encouragement to someone.  My posts are very rarely planned events.  They come from God's nudge to my heart, and I would be foolish not to obey.