Seek G-d

I don't understand it
All the confusion,

How can so many

Be led astray!


I just don't get it

Why won't they listen,

Why can't they time,

To study and pray?


Don't they believe Him?

Can't they just see it?

It's clear in His Word,

I've read it today.


If we just ask Him,

Then He will give it!

If we seek truth

He will send it our way!


If we would love Him,

Then we'd obey Him.

We'd receive blessings,

Instead of a curse.


Please won't you listen,

Take time to seek Him.

Knock at His door,

Because He's waiting there!




By:M.Jaime

Photography, My Hobby

So, one thing I enjoy to do is take photographs. For this I'm thankful to my dear Hubby since he bought me a new camera this past Hannukah. Here I'm posting some pictures I've taken.

Special Sukkot

This year we had a beautiful Sukkot celebration. Sukkot, known to many as the Feast of Tabernacles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukkot is become a very important part of our faith and family life. We had such a pleasant and edifying time. During this G-D appointed times we somehow connect to our Creator in a way that is amazing. With every feast observed in joyful obedience, we agree to meet with Him in His appointed time which makes it so special. For those of us that can relate, it's meeting up with the one the heart longs for. A date with the one loved. Yes, there is already a relationship there to begin with. And we should always be connected to the source of our life, our G-D. Yet, when He specifically calls to meet with us and we are there, it strengthens our relationship with him in an unexplainable way. There's just a closeness that is just so beautiful.

To begin with we planned our Sukkah and built it ahead of time. The kids all helped decorating it and had fun doing it. We did different activities throughout the celebration. It was a good opportunity for reading Torah and learning more about the feast. We ate our meals there daily, and the kids even slept in it. My allergies didn't allow me to sleep there, but I would have loved to. One day we watched Ushpizin from our laptop. Another time we watched Sukkot related videos and teachings. The kids also had Sukkot coloring pages to work on. And one more thing that made this time so special, was having guest over and sharing a meal with them in our Sukkah. We were so blessed and edified. No doubt it will be a memory to cherish for the whole family. Blessed be the Name of the Most High. This was definitely "Hag Sameach" a happy holiday.

                                                building the Sukkah

                                             decorating the Sukkah

                                       kids enjoying some frozen treats in Sukkah

                                            reading Torah during a meal

                                                       waving Lulav

                                                 two of our guests

                                    we could see the moon through the roof

                                              our Sukkah lighting at night

Reflections On Calling

After picking up my dear son from his GED classes; he, my daughter Kimberly, and I drove over to the park for some exercise. We've been going there to jog for the past few days. This not only gives me time to spend with them, but also some much needed exercise. We had a good jog, and then headed back home. As soon as we arrived, I noticed my 18 month old with his brothers waiting for me outside. Like the past few days, he was so happy to see me home again. Only this time it was different. The first words out of his mouth were "I love you!". I couldn't believe it, my little guy speaking this words so clearly with a big smile on his face. It just melt my heart. He quickly reached for me and I had to hug and kiss him. What a tender moment that was.

Moments like this make me realize how blessed I am with this precious family. I think about the importance of raising up my children in the fear of the L-rd. I'm so grateful for the privilege of motherhood. My desire is to be granted the wisdom to rise up to the occasion or better yet to my calling. I thank my Heavenly Father for the blessings in my life. May my love for Him be as sweet, sincere, and tender as the love of a little one. May He guide me and enable me to do the very best for His honor and glory!

Excelling Through Homeschool

In all labor there is profit, so goes the proverb. After more than a decade I'm seeing this fulfilled in our schooling efforts. Yes, I knew my child was learning. And yes, I was aware of his progress, but after hearing this afternoon of how well he was doing in his class I was overwhelmed with joy. I thought about how all those years of work had paid off. It wasn't in vain. We started homeschooling at my son's request at his tender age of four. From the moment we began it was clear to my husband and me that we wanted to do this in honor and obedience to Hashem and His Word. We wanted to raise up a G-d fearing young man that would serve him. It's been to us more of an investment in eternity. Having a close watch over the shaping of his character has been key in his education.

Never did I imagine that his academic progress was better off in my hands. I certainly felt inadequate to teach him most of the time to say the least. But since academic excellence was not priority we went ahead with confidence. Our goals were based on convictions. I knew that his education was my responsibility and I was not about to delegate it to someone else. This is the reason I was pleasantly surprised to find how well my son was doing academically. I can't explain how happy we are to see the young man he's grown to become. And now seeing him doing so well in his schooling gives me a sense of relief, I must admit. Not only is he a mature and faithful young man, but it's good to know that in his obedience he was able to excel in other areas as well.

Praise be to the Almighty. All I have is gratitude towards him for giving me the privilege of being a mom, the blessing of helping shape a young child, and the joy of it all.

Date With Godzilla

I loaded my last load in the drier and have a few minutes to unwind. Today mostly slipped away without much progress in our schooling or home. It started out with my getting up with just enough time to drop my son off to his GED class. As I got home I was met outside by my other son Isaac. He apparently was upset about my not having taken the time to watch a movie with him. Since this was so important to him, I agreed to not put it off any longer. We went to my room and were joined by everyone else for the long anticipated event. My oldest daughters set up our lap top quickly connecting it to our plasma TV. The movie began and with the kids all gathered around we settled to watch. At some point though, I'm not sure when, I began falling asleep. It's not that I don't care to watch Godzilla movies which so interest my child, but the nights being kept up due to my allergies is taking a toll on me. I feel lousy most of the day, and don't usually get the amount of sleep my body requires. So I slept until I finally dragged myself out of bed, only because it was time to pick up David from class. The rest of the day is more of a blur to me. Beside the few loads of laundry I managed to get done, a few dishes washed, some picking up here and there, and sending the kids to do their schooling and do some chores I practically wasted the day.
I felt groggy and cranky but mostly guilty. First, I disappointed Isaac who noticed my falling asleep, obviously! Then I didn't oversee my kids schooling as I like. My house work definitely demands more of my attention if it is to keep functioning. Tomorrow L-rd willing will be a better day. After my morning prayers I'm planning to get working on a to-do list. I find this helpful; specially when my mind is not clear as a result of the little sleep I'm getting lately. One thing I best include in the list is my time with Isaac no matter what it takes. Time spent with my kids is extremely important. Not only is it important to them, but I want to be sure they know how much it means to me too. So tomorrow it's another date Isaac, Me, and yes, once again Godzilla.

A gift that loves us

My dear daughter sometimes loves to ask me the question, "Mom why do you love me?" To this I smile big and respond at once "because your a gift from G-d!" And so it goes, on what seams to be a daily thing, sometimes several times within a day. She smiles happily to know we think of her in such a way. After asking my dear husband the same question and hearing the answer, my husband turned and asked her the same, "Why do you love me?" To this she answered, "Because I'm a gift of G-d!"
It was so sweet to hear this and to think, " G-d gave us a gift not only that we love, but that loves us right back."