Tue 22 Jul 2008
The Why and Wherefore
Now, how do I approach this?
I could give you a list. A long one. Probably enumerate all the books, the materials, teacher's guides, cds roms, dvds, audio books, websites and activities to cover a full year. It is a lot easier i think.
I could post a schedule of our mundane tasks. A calendar for the year. Or perhaps every imaginable approach or method to ensure a colorful and eventful year of learning.
But let us sit down and seek first His kingdom. Refresh our hearts and mind once more as to why we homeschool.
In order for me to start well, I have to start right. "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." Psalm 127:1. Once a solid foundation is established, everything will follow suit, will fall rightly into place - not smoothly and far from perfect, I know, but it will. So here goes..
1. Our lifetime goal remains the same and more. We are a covenant family with a unique culture that embodies God's Kingdom.We have a covenant with God to bring up children who will love and serve the Lord in their lives, that they may also bring up their children in the fear and knowledge of the Lord and their children's children as well. This work will not end until the child graduates, move out and establish their own home or until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the consummation of His Kingdom. We homeschool to prepare a generation of children who will pass on to a generation not yet born the passion, the joy, the hope and the perspective of, that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We can not have this in mind and then, send our children to a public or private school. Deuteronomy 6: 1-9.
Years back, we cited verses 5-9 only as our biblical basis for home education. But lately, we have learned to set our sights not only with our children but the generations after them. Other verses why homeschool are Psalm 1 and Psalm 78.
2. We started some changes in approach. The Lord has slowly veered us away from a temporal goal of achieving academic advantage for our children to a deeper, eternal goal. We have since tried to adopt a principled approach with our initial Charlotte Mason methods. Every subject should be taught in the light of God's Word. Whether it be Math, Science, History, Arts, Music or what have you. "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV .
For example, why do we learn history? Is it just to learn a bunch of random facts? A child who learns in a principled approach develops a strong biblical worldview and will gain an understanding of what the Bible has to say about it..." having made known  unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance , being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Ephesians 1:9-11.
How do we do Math to the glory of God? How do we learn Grammar to the glory of God. What are the biblical principles we can apply in learning Science, Arts or Music? Do these subjects embrace the laws God has established in this world through His Word? We can not teach facts in isolation. How can we bring these facts together a unifying principle that will glorify God?
Principled Approach entails consistent teaching of God Word and application through home discipleship and establishing a biblical worldview.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the overall unifying principle of all.
3. Keeping a Family Worship alive is totally different from the Bible as a subject in homeschool. We are thankful this has been brought to our attention. We have had sporadic Family Worship or family devotion in the past. It had recently gained ground and is becoming more frequent. Our goal is to hold it 2-3 times a week. Our Principal, being the spiritual leader and head of the family, lead us in every family devotion night. We also have our prayers after each session.
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Wed 4 Jun 2008
Desiring God
Desiring God exists to say...
" God's ultimate goal is to glorify himself. And that's good news. "
I had the privilege of chatting with our Pastor's wife over YM this morning and it is a time of fun, blessing and encouragement. We were discussing how to develop the church children's ministry blogsite. I was trying to show her some blogging tricks and how the site works. We couldn't help ourselves but get to a meatier and more inspiring topic about Desiring God in our life.. so. she gave me this link.
Let these two words be uttered as a constant prayer for my children's hearts and mine: to be desiring God in our lives always.
The desiringGod.com is a God-centered resource site of the ministry of John Piper. |
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Sun 30 Mar 2008
Surprise...surprise
This day is very special because it is the Lord's Day. We went to attend the worship in the morning to join other believers in reading His Word, listening to the message and singing hymns. Refreshed and blessed with joy, we went home ready to face the challenge of the new week to come in His grace and strength.
Afternoon went by, we rested and read His Word. Occasionally, we listen to some preaching from Pastor's Espinoza's mp3 sent from Grace Baptist Church (GBC) We skipped it today for some reason. Later in the afternoon, DH reminded me of the pizza and movie night we are having at a friend's place. The children and I prepared while he made some calls. Since it is just pizza and a weekend chat with friends, I decided to wear jeans, a regular shirt and slip-on crocs. DH showed me 2 dressy shirts and asked me which one looks great. I was thinking ..it is just pizza; casual wear would be fine... like mine =). Oh well, he opted to wear a nice black shirt which to me fits his breakfast meetings more and mind you, it isn't casual.
Off to Mika's. The bell rang, we were ushered in and chatted for awhile. I saw my husband handed money to Vibrant Bea and told her what to order. I was thinking of olives and mushrooms and double cheese ... when I saw from the kitchen our friend Mika holding a large bouquet of flowers. It was a beautiful fresh bunch more like for weddings. Hmm, must ask who the new admirer is when she handed the flowers to my DH! And he came to me with this odd smile!
Just then, I realized what day it was. It wasn't only the Lord's Day and pizza night with kids and friends. It is the 30th of March! Our wedding anniversary. I had no idea. We were just too tangled up with our mundane and family affairs.
No wonder, he was too picky with the shirt. And the shoes, he was wearing, didn't I not mentioned that it wasn't for weekend chats or pizza? NOT AT ALL! And what about this table reservation I just overheard? Oh my! NO NO! I won't go, look at me! I might as well take a walk.. But now, they have already planned for this and the table as they said was ready. So our dear friend lend me the works - accessories, lip gloss, earrings and bangles.
So, that's is how it went. Kids with friends over pizza and a movie. And it was just us and a fine lovely dinner for the next 2 hours at Gallery Cafe (a block away) with me wearing shirt and slip ons and him, gorgeous in his quite formal shirt. A rare date. Our 12th. Surprise... surprise. |
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Fri 21 Mar 2008
Young Sea
The sea is never still.
It pounds on the shore
Restless as a young heart,
Hunting.
The sea speaks
And only the stormy hearts
Know what it says:
It is the face
of a rough mother speaking.
The sea is young.
One storm cleans all the hoar
And loosens the age of it.
I hear it laughing, reckless.
They love the sea,
Men who ride on it
And know they will die
Under the salt of it
Let only the young come,
Says the sea.
Let them kiss my face
And hear me.
I am the last word
And I tell
Where storms and stars come from.
- Carl Sandburg - |
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Fri 7 Mar 2008
3 things today...
This is late i know but I feel it is very important and I do not want to skip it nor forget about it years after.
3 things...
1. I went through laparoscopic cholecystectomy on this date. It is a routine surgery, and quite common, where my gall bladder was extracted. Despite the effort to have the stones flushed by natural means, I eventually consented to go through this because it could get worse and the biopsy afterwards have shown that I had chronic inflammatio. Mucus and fibrosis had already formed inside the bladder. Other than that, it is a negative result and that itself is enough to make me feel better in spite of the stitches and pain I experienced for over a week.
2. God provides. A missionary family was there to take my children for 2 days while I stayed in the hospital. God listens. Brethren here and at home in the Philippines prayed for me. God heals and restores. I was a bit worn out physically, emotionally and spiritually after that but God's grace is sufficient.
3. Above all, I thank God for all His goodness through this experience. He has taught me to totally depend on Him alone and surrender my life to Him without an inch of doubt. I thank the brethren too for their concern, prayers and love extended.
I was sore and in a sad state for a few days afterwards. At a dinner party with some Plan friends a week after, I learned that 4 of the 5 ladies who were there that night (me included) had gone through this operation at one time or another. I realized that there is nothing to mope about. Self-Pity is such a sore company, she should be left ton her own.. i left her on a corner on our way home that night. |
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