This post really made me cringe. I might as well save my words because some people are going to go on being a BULLY regardless.
Good luck with your decision. Im sure you'll make the right one for you and your family. and despite all the terrible things in this world, sometimes you have to have faith in God and in Yourself. GL!
I just keep thinking....what an awesome God we have that He would bless us in this way! It is true we have to be very careful, and everyone has made some really good points to think about. But IF it is a genuine offer, someone giving out of their love of God to a complete stranger.....WOW....how cool! That's the kind of love I want to have and show! OH...btw...I did go to bed earlier, and now I can't sleep. Darn it!
Jennifer,I second the vote of confidence in you, from MelissainMi. You certainly are not going about this without thinking , praying, and asking for counsel from others. You also have your husband. Certainly, you will do the right thing and God will direct you. If you must back out God will show you and your husband. Melissa is right, sometimes you have to have faith in God and in yourself. Anyone that would discourage you otherwise, don't listen to them. Blessings, Sherry
Boy! I didn't think I'd get to jump in here! I think they honestly feel that God wants them to bless your family, and you should accept it in that spirit. I also agree with Becky that some guys just seem to "take over", and this is probably one of those situations. If you decide to accept, I would meet them at a neutral place...a park maybe?...and have your husband with you. I do think it's important that they see you as an INTACT FAMILY UNIT. I understand about the ring thing...my cousin went through something like that. She wasn't wearing one, and her DH was working on Sundays at the time, so people simply assumed she was a single mom. Also, if he's a real authoritarian (and I'm not saying he is...some guys just talk a lot, and their wives are just kinda silent) it would show him that you respect your husband's input, etc.
I guess you make your decision depending on how bad you want the curriculum. I personally don't have an issue at this time of getting what I need. So, I might take more chances if I needed to. I always think of my safety and the safety of my kids first though. I don't like giving out my phone number and personal info to complete strangers though. I certainly think somehow they could find out your address from your phone number if you are listed. Be careful. Yes, there are plenty of for-real people out there that are kind and generous, but to me it just seems strange with the story you told about the visit at the store. Don't condemn me for being overly cautious in this day and age. I think it's pretty naive to think that anytime you are offered something in the name of God then it's for real. I think God gave us brains to think and to be careful. Jennifer, you obviously are intelligent and are thinking this over cautiously. You will make the right decision I'm sure. I am not trying to persuade you one way or the other, but it seems others are here. I just caution you to be careful...that's all. If you watch the news you'd see where I'm coming from about safety. Oh, if your intial reaction was that this was "sort of creepy" then I do say think it over before making decisions. So many times we ignore our intuition about things and then something happens.
Sherry....I don't think one incidence of not accepting something from a stranger who creeped you out would be considered "CUTTING YOURSELF OFF FROM THE WORLD". HUH? I was taught that trust was something that was earned not given freely. I do trust in God, but I think God trusts me to be intelligent about things. BTW, I thought some of your comments Sherry were uncalled for as well. You seem to be really picking on people in this post. I think you are reading too deeply. If we all don't agree on something then just leave it at that. That's life!
My mom was a probation officer, and she practiced caution. You are right, Missy, that caution is a good thing. That's one of the reasons I suggested meeting at a neutral place, with your husband present. At the same time, I also believe that God does lay it on strangers to help sometimes, and we need to be willing to graciously accept. For me, it would be a simple decision. I'd say no, because I wouldn't be caught dead using Abeka, lol!
Missy, I dont think this is about "getting what she needs" it seems to me that Jennifer can and does adjust her needs to meet her curcumstances(waay misspelled! lol), she seems to be someone who is frugal and resourcefull(Love the alpha ball idea!). Id love to find an angel in a store one day. :wink: Missy, I understand your use of caution but do you take caution to everything you do? Do you travel without your dh? Go out late at night because you forgot milk but get freaked out at the store? Im just curious because I cant imagine living with so much caution you forget to have fun too. The world, yes its going nuts..but ya know no matter what I do it will still go nuts. Very sad I know but true. I am a very single mom of 1, I work 2nd shift at a hospital in a bad area of Saginaw MI, go on wonderful long distance road trips with myself and my dd, talk to just about everyone even if its just a Hi! and a smile. I cant imagine not having a positive outlook on life..Yes I am cautious. I call security before I leave the bldg at work sometimes if I leave later than others just to be sure. I walk with my keys in my fingers, and always question in my head the concerns of others but if someone offered me a full box curc. to use for my daughter I dont think I would hesitate..god bless's us in so many ways thru the day, most of the time we dont see it, why not grab up the 1 time we truly DO see it.
Mom2ampm, So sorry you were offended by my post. I am surprised that writing a post that in essence says be cautious but pray and trust the Lord is causing such a stir in you. To quote what you originally said, Mom2ampm, "It is sad that in this age people cannot trust anyone" I think we need to be cautious, but I think it is sad and misguided to take the stance of NOT trusting anyone, as YOU said. I wasn't picking on you, as you said I am doing to people, but expressing a different perspective. Perhaps you need to take a look at how your own tone sounds before so harshly judging me. Perhaps you should consider that you are the one reading too much into things. You have expressed a very negative take on things that was really not in my post.
Melissa... What makes you think that I don't have fun because I'm cautious? I am not saying to never accept things as a gift of God. I am a true believer in that. I'm saying that if you feel a bit anxious or get bad vibes then you should go with it. I do not go to stores after dark. I choose to go when it's safer. If I had to go shopping after dark (say I work days and that was my only time) then I would go but park up close. If I go on a trip without my dh then I use my cell phone and Onstar to protect me. I still go places and do fun things. Sorry you don't get that! You asked if I take caution in everything I do. Well, I would say I try to. I am sure there are times when I am too tired or depressed and forget to be more careful. I lost my father at an early age and had to be "responsible" very young. It may have affected my outlook on things...I'm sure it did. I don't mock you for being the way you are so don't mock me. I totally see accepting a gift if you feel good about it. Jennifer seemed to feel like it was weird and sort of creepy. That's why I said you should trust your instincts.
Wow, it's funny how people don't see what others do. I certainly felt like your post was very negative. Several of your posts seemed harsh and as if you were saying your way was the only way. I thought what you were saying to Becky was HARSH. I was NOT offended by you saying that you should trust God and be cautious.
Caution is a good thing, when in balance. But what she originally said was "It is sad that in this age people cannot trust anyone." I think that's a little too negative. With some common sense we can use precautions and know that there are some good people out there that are strangers.
I won't post anymore. I am getting more upset by the minute at your posts Sherry. It's silly for me to get upset over something you said in a post.
Perhaps it is what you yourself said that I quoted that really upsets you. "It is sad that in this age people cannot trust anyone." Maybe you did not really mean it but in light of what you said maybe you can understand the other responses to your posts on here. So sorry I am upsetting you . I don't mean to but I do have a different perspective than you . I think in person, instead of online we would be able to communicate better because I suspect our perspectives are really not as different as they sound on here.
Wow, you really are attempting to twist my every word.How strange. Nope. I wasn't being sarcastic. I really thought it was not Abeka. I think I will look back in the post and see what the curriculum was. I just read the first post by Jennifer and the email she received did say the publisher is Alpha Omega. That reminds me of something. Jennifer said she had not seen their materials so I am going to post a link to their site for her.
