Task Keepers and College Seekers

At beginning this school year, I had realized how much I was flying by the seat of my pants in all areas of life, and that was not working for me. I am a scheduler, a list keeper. I once had a college professor tell us that if you are a list keeper, it is a sign of being a control freak... and acted as if it was very wrong to keep them. It was not the first nor last time I disagreed with that professor. Thankfully, we parted on a good note. It was definitely not in my plan to have my current schedule as it is, and now I have been feeling the prompting to make sure I get blogging back into that mix, so here I go... again... still... not giving up. 

On a recent Monday afternoon (Sept. 12) my husband and I went for a drive through the beautiful rolling hills of Knoxville. We talked of the goals we've had set for our entire marriage, all 20 years, that we had not yet accomplished, and how we still desired to do them. It was agreed upon that we would continue to pursue them, and planned out how to do just that. One of my goals I shared with him was that of going back to school to get my degree in marriage and family relations. I have always had a desire to help heal families and the Holy Spirit had been pressing on my mind this was the time to do that. As always, my sweetheart enthusiastically supported me, because he knew the importance of it to me. We created a timeline and knew within a year I would be a college student for the first time in over 20 years. 

The next morning, I had an unexpected visitor. A friend of mine, who also happens to be the president of our church women's organization, stopped by. She had her darling infant in her arms, explaining they were driving past and her daughter was screaming, struggling to be content on their car ride. Still 10 minutes from home, she pulled over to nurse her. As she was preparing to leave, she realized she was in front of my home and felt impressed to drop in and say hello. There was no official church business to conduct, just a hello. As we sat and talked, I shared with her my excitement to return to school. Celebrating with me, she encouraged me to begin immediately. I saw two problems: classes had already begun (the day before) so I missed the deadline to register, and I did not have the funds to pay for the program I wanted to get into. She told me what she knew about it and said she would talk to our congregational leader to get more information.

Less than 24 hours later I received a text from this friend. She had talked to those in our area over the program I wanted to get into. They said I could go ahead and register, but would be put on a waiting list. If I could not get in right away, then it could be another year before I would be accepted. I followed the instructions I was given to get registered, then panicked! 

Father, what in the world is happening? I am not ready for this! I just decided that I am going back to school! I have a plan! I am still unpacking! I need to get more boxes unpacked, freezer meals made, and my kids settled in a routine! It's TOO SOON!! 

Yes, this was my freak-out prayer. I then took a few minutes to gather my thoughts and prayed some more. Ok, Father, I am going to call the school and talk to them about financing. If I can get financing worked out, I will know I am to start now. If finances do not work out, I will know my plan to wait a little while longer is what I need to do. 

I called. 

Finances worked out. 

I finished registering.... and waited. 

Checking my emails, I learned that I would find out within five days if I made it from the standby list to the actual class. Two hours later, I got an email saying, "CONGRATULATIONS! You have been accepted..."

I was a college student!!! Right then! As in immediately! And I rejoiced... and wept. A life-long goal was about to come true. 

[To recap: Monday afternoon I said I wanted to go back to school. Wednesday afternoon I was a student. Heavenly Father showed His sense of humor when I realized He had allowed me to get my plan in place during that two days; I had two freezer meals made and two boxes unpacked.]

Then, the emails came pouring in. I was two days behind! I had homework immediately and struggled to not feel overwhelmed. Thankfully, except for one in-person meeting a week, all my classes are online, so I could cry and pray and cry some more in the privacy of my own room. 

Now, I am a college student. I have attended two classes in person. I have assignments I work on nearly everyday. I am still homeschooling my children. I still plan menus, cook 3 meals a day, do canning when I find deals on food to can.... and I am thriving! (Ok, except for that one other freak-out yesterday...) More than anything, I absolutely have to be a task keeper now! Lists and schedules are the key to my success in staying on task and still being able to function. A super supportive family is my secret to doing all of this and being happy through it all. 

Being a list master does not mean I am a control freak. It means I desire to have an organized life so all involved thrive. It is one way to be a Guardian of Light. For this, I am grateful, and I will continue to rejoice in my journey. 

Loving to learn-
Mama Dragon

Enjoying Life.... for FREE!!

With our move across the country, we are limited on funds for entertainment, probably more than ever. I am not sad about this in the slightest. This gives our family the opportunity to explore the world using our imagination! Here are some suggestions as to how you can do the same- saving some extra pennies to put into that dream vacation fund along the way.

Did you know that each major city has an information center? At these locations, you can usually find maps and brochures free of charge. Much of the time, the maps and brochures have many activities listed around your town.... for free! As we traveled across the states, we collected many of these maps for our own home education purposes. How fun would it be to get a map from each state?

Utilize your local library! Today, I picked up a library events calendar (found online as well). Here are just a few items of business on it:

- Services for students: tutoring, reference library, subject guides, etc.

- Adult events: Scrabble club, knitter club, coloring club, creative writers alliance, writers' guild, etc.

- Children and Family events: Chess for kids, Lego club, Family pajama story time, Movie night, etc.

- Book clubs

- East TN History Center events: Genealogy, history discussions, TN reunions, etc

There are also events listed on the library bulletin board.

Local colleges will have free movie nights, author readings, as well as other community activities.

The Chamber of Commerce is also another great place to gain valuable information to the happenings around town.

When there are lack of funds, it may be time to get creative, but this can be a great blessing. One of these outings may inspire a passion in your child or yourself in finding and enjoying your light!

Living freely,
Mama Dragon

Cherishing Me: Not Conforming to a Deodorant-based Society

Currently, I am in the process of writing a three part series on the sanctity of life. As I looked in the mirror this morning during my daily hygiene preparation, my thoughts strayed to what I am working on. I found Me asking Myself, “How am I cherishing my own life?” As I approach the three year anniversary of my successful heart surgery I find my thoughts are often turned to the wonder of the human body: How it works, the creativity and sacredness that went into creating it, what we do to nurture the precious bodies that were entrusted to us for this lifetime. 

About 6 years ago, I took the time to educate myself in the area of deodorant ingredients. Truly, I was stunned that such toxins were being put into our bodies….willingly. Why?! We do this because we are programmed by society, by TV commercials, newspaper ads, and care all too often about the opinions of others. Think about it: for most items purchased, a large amount of money goes into advertising, to convince us that we are better off in our health if we partake of a certain pill, less smelly if we use a particular perfume, body wash, or deodorant, or a better parent than our neighbor if we take our kids to a specific eating facility with a play place attached. (link) In furthering my research, I learned that some of these ingredients cause (specifically) breast cancer. Not only did I not want to get a dreaded illness, I noticed that over the years, I would get some kind of fungal infection in my underarms, the only way of ridding my body of it was to cleanse with vinegar. Not wanting to go through what many women I know have endured, I threw out my store-bought, toxic roll-up container and looked into making my own.

After finding one particular recipe that seemed much safer than what I had put on my skin for decades, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it worked: my underarms did not stink! The ingredients were very safe: Coconut oil, baking soda or arrowroot, and corn starch, plus essential oils if you desired to add them. (I preferred to keep them out because I like the smell of basic clean.) For 5 years I had great success in wearing this, until it caused another problem. No longer did I have the fungal infections during that time and I still sweat there but was no longer stinky. (Sweat is actually a good thing, folks! Our bodies were created to sweat. It cools us down and is one way the body rids itself of toxins, in case you were not aware.) After 5 years, something really weird happened. My underarms developed what I initially thought was a rash. Then, I felt a lump.... make that lumps... in both locations of where I wore it. Of course, I was terrified at first. By the next day, the lumps were super itchy and even begin to have some fluid coming out of them. It was terrible. My underarms had large, red, burning, oozing, itching, lumps! Praying about how to take care of my body, I felt very strongly not to go to a doctor, for there was nothing they could do. I felt strongly a doctor would want me on anti-biotics, which I cannot take. I knew I really just needed to purge my body of what was happening, and I would have to do it on my own, so I did more study.

In my seemingly countless hours of research, learned that I had inflamed, clogged sweat glands and there really nothing medically anyone could do about it. My understanding was that I would just have to deal with them the rest of my life. Not willing to have that happen, I prayed for more guidance about how I could solve this physical ailment. “Stop wearing your deodorant” came the feeling. “Say what? Be stinky there? No way!” That was my initial response. After weeks of this torture, I finally wore my homemade deo less and less. After a few months, I was cleansing with vinegar (Seriously, that stuff is amazing!!) a few times a week, but still wearing my homemade creation when I was to leave home. Still, I suffered great pains... and severe itching. Finally, at the beginning of this summer (now a year later from my initial breakout) I stopped wearing any kind of deodorant- be it store bought or homemade. Guess what happened? My sweat glands are no longer blocked, the oozing is gone, the pain is gone, I am rarely itching, and my underarms are only unpleasantly scented on occasion. I sweat normally again, as my body needs to, and I am thrilled!

Photo from DietofLife.com

I realize this entire write-up must seem too personal of information for some, but I felt very compelled to share it, though it is out of my normal subject range. One might wonder, “What is your point to sharing this?” which is a very legitimate question. My message is this: Advertisers pend ludicrous amounts to convince to making purchases that are not necessary for your survival or health. You are in charge of your body and if you do not care for it, how will you be able to accomplish the things you are put here to do? You do not have to conform to a Deodorant-based society just because “everyone is doing it!” Do your research, pray for guidance, and make an educated decision. 

Taking out this particular toxin from my daily regimen is just the beginning of many changes I am making to regain my health and take back my life. I have almost completely eliminated shampoo and conditioner, as well as nearly all chemical household cleaners out of the equation as well. I look forward to when I no longer spend money on the items that are gradually bringing harm to our family. I am grateful for the opportunity to cherish myself just a little bit more and will continue to do so as I become a Guardian of my own Light. 

Cherishing Me,

Mama Dragon

An Amazing World of Learning

To My Fellow Homeschool Parents: 

We are going into our 7^th year of homeschool. It has been a roller coaster of emotions as we have been on a learning journey every step of the way. I feel as if I finally understand something of utmost importance that I am compelled to share with you.

First, let me explain our process of choosing education among our children. Every year has been different in our family. Some years, we have all the kids at home. Other years, we've had two homeschooling, one doing online classes, and one in public school. Another year we had three in public school and one at home. It has varied because as our children have grown, their needs have varied as well. One thing I cannot get past, though, is that as a stay at home mom, I have needed to be available to teach whatever child has needed to be at home that year. Sometimes, the need has stemmed from us moving to a new state, or because the pressure of keeping up with public school curriculum and regimen was just too daunting. As the needs have varied greatly, so have our lessons, schedules, and methods. We have even homeschooled through me having heart surgery and recovering from that. It was not easy, but it was necessary.

This year, two of our children felt strongly it was time to return to public school. Always encouraging my children to take the lead in their education, we reviewed a list of pros and cons, the “why” of their decision, and the requirements to attend in our new state. (We move to Tennessee this summer!) After much prayer, research, and discussion, the choice was made for them both to return and we all felt peaceful about it. When I went to look up one last piece of information, I learned there were some conflicts in what was required of our children by the school district. Gathering all of the info that was needed, I gathered my children together and we had a very involved discussion. When all was said and done, they could not go against their personal standards and they chose to be homeschooled once again. It was a decision made after a lot of heartache and tears, but in the end, we all knew it was the right decision. They held fast to their principles, and I could not be more proud of them for doing so.

Now it is time to get to work and for the first time in all of our years of home educating our children, I do not have my supplies or books to teach them, for everything is still in storage. As I have deeply pondered and prayed about how best to teach three children of varying ages and levels, I finally realized something I needed to change. For all of these years, I had only considered the needs of my children. As I prayed about going into this school year, I felt something different: it is time to consider my own needs as well. This year, we are changing up our schedule to how I know I can best teach. We are encouraging our children to take the lead in what they are studying instead of me planning it all. We are now working together on the needs of all of us, rather than that of just the children. It is a change that has brought sweet calmness and peace to this mama's heart.

Do not think learning has to to always be the same year after year. Let me share a few changes we are making. 

Take more field trips! We are now living in the middle of the Civil Ward battlefields, so we will be taking regular field trips to learn part of our nation's history. There is always somewhere to go, and many times for free. Ask around! (The library often has postings, as well as the city websites.)

Allow the Children to teach! My two teen boys chose what Social Studies subjects they want to learn about, and they will be teaching the rest of us what they learn. This will allow them to share what they are passionate about, all while learning how to do public speaking!

Use living books! We have always utilized the libraries, but this year, I will encourage more living books instead of using text books.

One more thing. If you are not able to homeschool, but would like to be more involved with your child's education, I highly suggest this well-written essay on the understanding Education in America. It is as if the author (who is a fellow musician acquaintance I highly respect) went into my brain, pulled out everything I wanted to share, and wrote it up for me. Whether or not you homeschool, public school, or private school your children, it is well worth the read.

Please share your favorite homeschooling tips with us! Perhaps you will be the answer to someone else's need!

Learning Daily,

Mama Dragon

Living Joyfully

For those that are closest to me, it is no secret that I have been undergoing a transformation of sorts since my heart surgery nearly three years ago; a rebirth of my spirit, so to speak. I have paddled hard as the dark waters have tried to confound me and I have struggled to gasp for air as I have fought, sometimes seemingly in vain, to keep my head above water. There has been a light slowly finding its way through the darkness, and now after sinking, drowning, battling to stay afloat, it seems the light has not only pierced through, but has filled my every soul. It has shined it's way into the broken and fragile being I was and brought love and healing into every crevice of my heart, mending it beyond the medical repairs; allowing it to illuminate something nearly tangible as I begin to embrace the new me.

One aspect of me finding my way to the new me has been that I have not been pursuing my music as much as I used to. I went from writing Christian songs up to four times a week, to writing maybe twice a year. I stopped performing, nearly completely stopped creating, and ultimately, stopped walking a path I knew I was supposed to travel since the age of seven. This has not all been bad, wrong, or neglectful. It has simply been what I needed.

As I have stepped away from music for these past few years, I have embraced motherhood to its fullest, and am learning how to put my own needs first. Note: I did not say wants, but rather needs. It is much like the oxygen mask theory I am sure most of you have heard of by now. Still, it is important to have reminders now and again. When an airplane is going through severe turbulence, or is (heaven forbid) on it's way to something more severe, an oxygen mask drops from the ceiling. In the pre-flight information, the attendants explain that if you are traveling with a child, to place your own mask on before assisting your beloved child. This is so that you will have the tools you need to care for your child. Placing your needs first allows you to have the energy and strength to care for those entrusted to you. This is what I have needed to do, striven to do (albeit not always successfully) and continue to do. Yet, there was something still missing.

In order to find that something, that part of me that was either lost, forgotten, or perhaps not yet discovered or unveiled, I gradually left social media. First blogging, then Facebok and Twitter. Some people might think that this could mean the death of a reputation or business you have built. If that's the case, so be it. For me, it became about taking that last step in recreating who I am. In the past two months, I have: cleaned out my house, purged a great deal of “stuff” (which I was sad about then over time realized how freeing this has been), said goodbye to the dearest of friends, parents, my in-laws, and grandmother-in-law (some of whom I may ever again see in this life), buried a soul sister, stayed up all night talking, hugged my brother after he was imprisoned for 10 years, learned to change the oil in my car, moved 2000 miles across the country, fed bison, had nothing to do (aka: been bored), petted donkeys, visited a hidden Civil War Cemetery, been to the Smoky Mountains, walked to a waterfall, missed playing my piano, stayed off social media, made new friends, lived in a tent, developed an infected and excruciating heat rash, healed my body naturally, moved another few hundred miles, and moved into a new home where we currently have camping chairs for furniture, are eating from our camping dishes, have no dressers, no tv, no internet, are preparing to homeschool another year... and are thriving. I have discovered that what I was missing was already a part of me. I am happy. I am light. I am joyous. I am at peace.

One of the best parts of this journey was today, when I sat down at a piano, and just played. I played songs already written, and created new pieces just for me and God. I talked to Him through my playing and was reminded of a scripture once shared with me.  

"For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding."

Today, I truly communed with God through our common language: that of music. These past (nearly) three years I have felt more and more withdrawn from God, but did not know why. Now I do. I pushed Him away, Him and the incredible gift He gave me. By not aligning my will with His, I was fighting Him. This music is part of me, and when it is gone, I am no longer myself. Without my gifts, and more importantly without God, I cannot be the incredible Daughter He desires for me to be. It is what bonds us, joins us as Father and Daughter, Love and Light. Without the music – the gifts - He has blessed me with, I am nothing. Without Him I am nothing. So today, because I have opened the door and let them both back into my life full-heartedly, I am me once again.

How incredibly grateful I am to be eternally linked with a husband who supports me and never gives up on me; with children who are truly good souls and cheer each other on; with friends (old and new) who remind me how much God loves me; with an incredible Father in Heaven who has never doubted me, but sent His Son so that I could find myself again.

Thriving Joyfully,
Mama Dragon

Returning to Him

Dear Readers,

I'm back! After some time away from blogging and all forms of social media, I am ready to resume my responsibilities that the Lord has given me and share my voice, in hopes to glorify Him. As challenging as it sometimes is, I am ready to fully embrace all He has asked me to do.

I have committed to be a Guardian of Light. Part of this, the biggest part of it, is to protect the sanctity of families, which includes the sacredness of marriage. Some people believe that love and all that comes with it should be free, open to expression for all to witness. I believe that there are many parts of love that should be kept sacred. What goes on behind close doors is part of that. God created our bodies to feel intimately between man and wife, and there is great beauty and pleasure in that. It also something that should be kept special, sacred, private. Just like there are tender, personal moments that should not be captured on video or photography, there are some experiences that should not be shared with your neighbors, be it your children, virtual acquaintances, or actual neighbors.

Friends, we now live in a world where hardly anything is held special or sacred. Why do we feel this incessant need to share every tiny aspect of our lives? Why can we just not hold them close to our hearts for our own personal memory? The world demands we share all of our personal experiences so they can like, approve, or voice their challenging (and sometime rude or obnoxious) opinions. [This is part of the reason I had left social media for a time and took a step back. I needed to remind myself that I do not need the World's approval for the choices I make, that I only live my life to please my Father in Heaven.] I challenge you to join with me to be a change in the world. I invite you to share your light (Matt. 5:16) so that others may see you and glorify your Father, who is in Heaven. #SharingHisLight #BetheChange

When Mary gave birth to Christ, it was the Shepherds who went and proclaimed to the town of Bethlehem that the Savior was born. As people came and went, visiting them in that humble shelter, it was the Babe's mother who watched, observed, and “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Why did she do this? As a mother who has given birth to four babes of my own, I believe it was because what she experienced, and the joy and love she was witnessing from others, was so special, so incredibly tender, that she chose to not share her feelings with everyone else. She was the literal mother of the Son of God! How do you even begin to describe how that felt? Sometimes, there are no words, so you just take the experience, wrap it up tightly in a bow, and keep it, ponder it, and treasure it in your heart. There is beauty in that. There is virtue in that. There is respect in that.

Let us no longer live up to the world's expectations of sharing all that is tender and personal but live up to God's expectations for us instead. Let us take hold of all that is sacred, and treasure it up in our own hearts, so that it remains the treasure God meant it to be.

Finding joy,

Mama Dragon

Love Day

Today is Love Day. It is also the end of CHD Week. Knowing this, I think of my heart. Today, I am especially grateful for the stable beating it performs. Happy Love Day, my friends. Go out and share love today. 

My hand placed upon my chest

and I feel my beating heart

This magnificent creation

beats significant inspiration

No longer of what I was

but what I am yet to be

and I am on on my way

to reaching the Divine Me

God did not give me

a second chance

just for me to throw it out the door

He has proffered me miracles

He has sent Heaven's Light

He has heard my every prayer

He has breathed life into my soul

once again

So I shall love

each day

I shall rejoice

in Him

I shall know

that I am His

and through Him

by Him

for Him

because of Him

I breathe

I live

I love

and I am made

Whole again

Mama Dragon

Love Day 2016

Focused Beyond Distractions

Because it is Sunday, this entry will take on a more reverent meaning. Let's talk about Gideon of the Bible. When the Lord called him to free the Israelites out of bondage, he needed an awesome army to help him. There were tens of thousands in the beginning, but soon Gideon learned from the Lord that his army was too large. The more scared militiamen were sent away. They numbered 22,000. The rest were tested of their skills by drinking water from a spring. Wait... how is drinking water from a spring going to tell the Lord if they were ready to fight in His army? 

The majority were dismissed because they were too distracted. Some lapped water up like a dog. Some bowed on their knees to drink. They were so focused on their thirst, they did not give heed to what dangers could be lurking nearby. Aren't many of us guilty of this? I know I am. 

Picture found on
www.graceuncommon.com

We are too easily distracted! Are we aware how these distractions are a tool of the adversary who desires us to be distracted? When we are not paying attention, he can wiggle his way into our lives easier, thus pulling us further and further from the Divine potential awaiting us. More and more people are spending countless hours on social media. I know there are days I get sucked in all too easily. Perhaps others are distracted by outings that do not fill their souls but only empty their wallets. I could go one and on with examples, but that is not my intention today. I feel impressed to challenge each one of us (myself included) to ask yourself, "What is distracting me from reaching my potential? From doing the things God would have me do?" Pinpoint that distraction and either cut back on the time you are giving to it, or get rid of it altogether! Fill that time with wonderful, productive things! Volunteer at an assisted living home; read to children in the hospital; find a young mother who could use a hand learning to balance her life; pick up that language book you have been wanting to study; take up singing lessons; take more time to hug your kids, love on them, help them feel valued; or just sit and be still... just BE. 

This picture can be purchased at
http://www.onestone.com

So who did Gideon end up with for his army? The ones that were chosen numbered only 300, because they drank by bringing the water to their mouths with their hands, their eyes always being alert and on the lookout of the enemy. Thousands were sent home and only a few hundred remained to fight for the cause of Good and Light. Amazingly enough, not one person was slain and his men still won the battle. (The story is in Judges 7 in the Old Testament as well as the links in this entry.)

Friends, God will provide a way for us to win the battles in our lives, many times in ways we do not understand. Our job is to be tuned in a focused to what He wants us to do and be ready when He asks us to do it. That is how we become Guardians of Light- by being teachable, focused, and ready. 

May you always drink from the spring by being focused beyond distractions. The water is more refreshing that way. 

Remaining Focused,
Mama Dragon

New Year, New Me, New Hopes, New Dreams

Hello? Oh, hi! I'm Mama Dragon. Remember me? Hmmm..... what is this? Where am I? Oh, that's right! This is my blog-I-worked-so-hard-to-get-going-then-neglected-it-for-other-good-things-as-my-life-has-been-a-whirlwind-of-busyness-and-emotions-these-past-couple-of-months! WHEW! With or without writing, here it is a new year and I have recommitted myself to making something great of my writing journey this year. I am exactly where I need to be. I am grateful for those who are taking the ride with me. 

Just for a quick rundown of what you have missed and how I have been working as a guardian of light in my life- 

- We moved back to Idaho and love being among some of our dearest friends once again. 

- Approximately 30 hours after we got to Idaho, my husband and I took our eldest to the airport and put him on a place for the Amazon Jungle in Peru, not to see him again for two years so he can do Gods work.

- We had an incredibly blessed Christmas thanks to Santa and his elves. Seriously, God is SO good! 

- We have been busy unpacking, settling in, and finding our groove. 

- As of late last night, and 2 1/2 months later, the books are unpacked.... FINALLY!! 

At the beginning of a year, I do not create a list of resolutions. Gasp! I come up with a word or phrase I want to base my life off that year, improving myself continually. This year has already proven to be a tough one as I have chosen "Exact Obedience" for my theme. I was inspired by the quote by Russell M. Nelson: 

I may find quotes, stories, articles, about my theme. I might choose areas (such as my health) that I know I need to improve upon and follow guidelines doctors and God have put in place to keep me healthy. If I feel inspired by the Holy Spirit to reach out to another, I am going to act on that prompting. You get the idea. I love the ideal of creating a theme and sticking with it all year. It makes me actually want to continue goals I set, instead of running out of steam by spring time. 

It's a new year,
I'm a new me.
I have new hopes
and new dreams.

I look forward to sharing them with you.

Looking Up,
Mama Dragon