In Need of His Grace

November 18, 2009

Thanksgiving! Traditions of new and old!

What a tremendous year we have had! I am so thankful for so many things, my heart just overflows. I stumbled across an old prayer journal from this time last year and was amazed at how God stepped in and answered each and every one of my hearts cries. For those of you closest to us, you know last year from September through April was a season of challenge for our family. We endured constant sickness, unforseen eviction, (which led to finanical trials) slander, persecution, despair, passport anxiety, delayed orders (missing cancellation of assignment by 24 hours) hospitlization of the newborn (RSV), difficulties securing a new home, and trial after trial after trial. But, in that time, I have seen, the Hand of God come down to us, cradle us, comfort us, make a way for us, provide, persevere, protect, and fight for us. I am not compairing my struggles for 3/4 of a year, to the years of sickness, death, and persecution the new settlers endured, but I do have a deeper respect, understanding, and admiration for them than I have in the years past.

So, although Thanksgiving has ALWAYS been my all time favorite holiday, this year is looked at with new eyes, and because of this, I plan on starting new and different traditions with my family, than I had before.

In years past Thanksgiving was pretty normal I suppose. If I wasn't pregnant and birthing Joey or Charlotte, my 2 Turkey Babies, I would try to make the Thanksgiving Placemats with the other children, but really that's been about it. Everything about it has been pretty fly-by-the seat of our pants, invite anyone over who wants to come, stuff ourselves silly, and then watch DVD's and fade in and out of conciousness on the couch.

This year though, with my children a bit older and my heart a bit more aimed at not only appreciating what it took for those brave men and women to take the first steps to ensure freedom for our children, but making sure I turn my children's focus to God's heart towards His people. How great is His love for us. How great is His provision, His grace, His comfort for us when we endure struggles of all degrees. I want to start planting the seeds of His faithfulness in their hearts, so that in the future when struggles come, they may reflect back to all the times God was there for them in the past, and be comforted that He is with them yet again. He proves faithful time and time again. David would focus on the works God did in the past, to reassure him that God would again pull through in his current situations. (Psalm 77:10-12) I love that, and we see it over and over in the Bible. Anyway,

One tradition I want to start is the 5 Kernals of Corn. The second winter was even more difficult than the first. They were battling starvation and, tradition has it, had only a daily ration of 5 Kernals of Corn each. This beautiful poem was written by Hezekiah Butterworth and is not a statement of bleak times or bitterness of the struggle, but instead a peom of thanksgiving to father God that they had corn to eat at all, as well as thanking for even the smallest thigns we take for granted, like the sun dawning that brings warmth, and a God who above all else is still on His throne, and still there in love. I look forward to having 5 kernals of corn at each place, and to pass a cup around and listen as each person drops in a peice of the corn and says something for which they are grateful for. This is one I definitely hope to keep as the years go on.

I want to start taking our yearly family portraits in the Autumn, when the colors are bright and changing. It is our favorite season and would be a good time for us to do new photos/family newsletters, as we choose to not celebrate Christmas or do the typical Christmas cards/newsletters. I have not decided yet if I'd like one outdoors in natural lighting with the colors of the season behind us, or one taken by timer with us around the table...maybe both and then pick the best! :p

I thought this was a cool idea: Thanksgiving Hymms. i didn't realize there were hymms written for this holiday, but I love the idea of making the day more meaningful and memorable with music.

And lastly, the remainder of this month will be spent very "Charlotte Masony" as we are mostly checking out library books, and reviewing Thanksgiving art. Last week we found the book "Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving" by Joseph Bruchac which tells the story from the Native American perspective. I had no idea Squanto had endured so much! From being deceived, being taken captive on a ship and sold to Spain as a slave, and then eventually returning back to his homeland only to discover most of his entire tribe and family had been killed. Yet he still persevered in making peace between the other tribes and the English settlers. It really is an amazing story, and has beautiful illustrations on every page.
I also love the Four Freedoms by Norman Rockwell. I hope to spend a bit of time studying these, in reflection of gratefulness that we have these freedoms at all.

I am not sure how many of these new traditions will "stick around" in the years to come. But I am enjoying trying out some new things with the family. Especially as the children are getting older and can really understand, appreciate, and remember them for the years to come. No matter what, I have a God who loves me more than I will ever deserve or understand, and for that I am very, very thankful. ;)

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October 8, 2009

Celebrating Fall

So school has been, well hit and miss the last week or so. We've battled a some sort of cold bug with all the kids and had a couple crazy days mixed in between. One day, with child #2 sick and in bed, we just entirely skipped "traditional" schooling and claimed a "learning service, compassion, and prayer day." Sometimes I wonder if those aren't the *more* important lessons to learn anyway? The other two kids old enough to color, made "get well soon" cards for her and taped them around her bed. We also prayed for her as a family. Something I have been really bad about remembering to do. I keep an ongoing prayer conversation in my heart with God daily, so sometimes I just forget that modeling prayer and leading them in prayer is something they are sorely missing out on outside of church. Anyway...later in the day when child was feeling better and had colored her own "thank you" get well sheet per her request (specifically, "mom, I want to color a page where the sick person GIVES the visitor the gift!") We gathered around and prayed a "Thank You for healing" prayer which, i'm not sure has ever been done verbally as a family in this house before. I am embarrassed to say it, but seriously. I'm still learning at this!

Anyway, with all the sickies well again, we've plugged away at our Apologia Botany book finishing the very first chapter (which earned us a Friday day of celebration!) closing up on the differences of which plants make seeds and which don't..etc. Yesterday we started the first page of the new chapter delving into seeds, (that they have an embryo (tiny baby plant) inside, and food for the plant (think of it as it's "lunchbox") wrapped in a protective shell.) After discussing that seeds shed thier outer shell when introduced to warmth, air, and water (just like we shed a coat when we get too hot) we dropped 3 lima bean seeds into a cup of warm water and periodically in the day checked to see how the seed changed. Later I tried to follow up the importance of giving God our thanks for healing with the story of the Ten Lepers, but the kids were tired of being read to, despite my very animate attempts at acting the story out. Which left me thinking, if they are tired of being read to, how are we going to press on with thier science as it depends on me reading it to them?

Today I opened up the Homeschool Minute which talked of this very thing! God is so awesome to bring exactly what you need when you need it! Our school was looking a bit too much like "school" with mom feeling pressure to keep up the studies, keep up the studies, keep up the studies!! So, we're taking a break from book reading today and tomorrow. Instead, we're focusing on doing alot of Fall oriented crafts and decorating the house! (which it is my hope to spurn on conversations about Thanksgiving in general)

I gathered our craft supplies and today we made "Fall Placemats" which is probably one of my favorite Fall Family Crafts. We haven't been able to do it every year, as I can't always find self laminating paper out here when I need it. But basically, it is construction paper, crayons or colored pencils, any stickers on hand, and the self laminating paper. I insist on each placemat having the child's name, age, and date, and if they'll let me I try to trace thier hands. If they want to make them Turkey-hands, that's fine but they don't have to. Then I let them color and sticker to thier hearts desire. After it is done, I try to print out a small recent picture of the child, glue that in place somewhere, then laminate it on both sides making it water proof. The first time I did this, and I still have them, is when Julia and Megan were 2 and 3 years old. I love pulling them out and looking at them, probably more than the kids! Anyway....so we did this today. I have 4 placemats waiting on pictures and laminating! i am so blessed!

Tonight I have my own "homework" of cutting out fall leaves of construction paper. Tomorrow the kids are going to be hanging them from string to make Fall Leaf Banners to tape to the walls. Easy enough!

Saturday we are doing Julia's Idea for a craft...collect leaves outside, then glue them into a fall collage. I was thinking of getting some paper plates, cutting out the center, and making Fall "wreaths" from them. (An idea I saw online) I'd also like to have the kids start an entry in thier nature journals picking a tree outside and sketching it with the leaves changing. I want to "resketch" this same tree in each season.

So that is our "school" for the last couple weeks and the remainder of this week. I have a few other Thanksgiving Ideas (both for crafts and for lessons) that we'll be doing next month. What are some of your favorite things of fall or Thanksgiving? What are some family traditions you do with your families every year, or hope to add in this year?

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September 27, 2009

Homeschool name?

So, tonight after returning home from Sunday Night Awana's, the kids were busy with bedtime routines and I was perusing next weeks schedule of "theme nights." Next week is "Wear your school shirt or favorite team mascot" night. Now, we are not an athletic family. We generally don't follow sports. And while we enjoy hearing if our home teams are doing well, I don't think we own one article of clothing supporting such teams. it just isn't a big deal to us. Therefore my mind turned to their current schools...namely, our homeschool, which brought about this simple entry to pose a simple question:

Will you be naming your homeschool? If so, what have you come up with? how did you decide? What factors went into your considerations?

We want to name our homeschool. I also want a mascot and school colors. I also would like a Bible verse that acts as our school "motto" or "Creed." Something that defines our core values, beliefs, and purpose. So far I like the idea of the Lion as a mascot, and perhaps colors of Gold and Red, or Gold and Maroon. I'm just trying to think of a good name that isn't going to sound too funny on a school transcript, or college and job applications. I'm also trying to narrow down verses....

So I want to hear form you, those of you who have been there done that, or are doing it now. What are things that have been important to you in this area? Have you given any considerations to this yet? What are some of your favorite Bible verses that have helped steady you in the marathon of home learning? Any thing else I've missed or any advice?

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September 23, 2009

Same ol' lesson in a new form...Trust.

First, a confession...I finally subscribed to the TOS magazine for the first time in my life! I know *blushes* it's terrible I have waited so long....but for what it is worth I am only in my 3rd year of homeschooling, AND the one time I did have a copy to peruse, my kidlets were still so young I wasn't actually "schooling" yet so every thing I read kind of made my eyes go blurry. (Plus I was pregnant with my third child and really just focused on the home birth to come.)

Well, once upon a facebook day the TOS had a reminder announcement of buying a 2 year subscription with a bunch of freebies for 39 dollars. I thought to myself, "Self, this is a really great deal, you should go for it." My first issue just arrived a few days ago and I have scoured it from cover to cover, it follows me from room to room. It has become a lifeline. And I don't mean that dramatically, but literally. I am newly transplanted in Germany WITHOUT a vehical at my disposal WITH 4 young savages, erm i mean blessings, at home. I haven't had the luxury of digging myself deep into a homeschool community. (I know where one meets, just can't get the brood and myself there yet.) So, in the meantime, this wonderful little magazine with it's real-to-life-down-to-earth-writers have supplied much needed oxygen, and I have sucked in all they had to offer with both nostrils and then some. I have learned that "Delight Directed" is the term for the homeschooling style God is most directing me to school Julia with this year. I have learned absolutely no two home schools are alike in ANY way, (except that there are children learning happily in their own homes) and that is okay. That is how it is supposed to be, because no two families are alike in any other facet, so why should they be with schooling either? One of the main points of hometeaching is the ability to tailor it directly to your childs needs...if I am successful at doing this, then my home SHOULD look, feel, and BE different.

So, what is that for my family this year? I've let go of the "text, seat work based" math/phonics approach, and gripped onto a Delight-Directed-Charlotte-Masoney approach this year. And you know what? It's working. My home flows with a peace and a quiet joy. The children are soaking up more (and remembering it later!) with less "desk time." (Surprised? Me too.) We are reading more, doing more hands-on things, more narration, spending ALOT more time outside exploring, painting, coloring, drawing and journaling, and it amazes me how smoothly it is going. So smooth, I question if I am "doing enough" sometimes. And in those times He quiets me (so I stop splashing about), brings me a resource I may have needed (such as the TOS magazine acting as temporary floatation device) then reminds me to trust Him...And in doing so I relax with the ebb and flow of the currents of learning. Lazing in a God-given River Rat inner tube and allowing Him to pull me where He desires, is so much more enjoyable than splashing about on my own accord trying to keep my chin above water. Praise God for still waters.

~*~*~*~*~

The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalm 23:1-3

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September 11, 2009

Nature Journals, Self Portraits, and Classification Collages!

Today was a pretty great day. My house is a wreck, but the children are happy with sticky-gluey fingers and a true sense of accomplishment. We didn't do much bookwork today, besides learning a little bit what a midrib is on a leaf. We verbally reviewed a bit on the terms we learned yesterday "biology, botantist, classfication..." But really, that was about it. After our great lessons on classification yesterday (again taken from the Pathways Lesson Plans website) we made cut out collages using some National Geographics a friend from England gave us before we left. As much as I hated cutting up the mags (the photography is so stinkin beautiful and the articles so interesting) they were all I had around for the children to use. We don't subscribe to any magazines or newspapers. Anyway, using construction paper as a background, each child chose the color and the subject they wanted to "classify." Joey went with cars, Megan chose people, and Julia chose animals. I cut Joey's pictures out, but he glued them in place. They turned out quite pretty!

So onto today...I assigned the girls to the Science Pathways involving "Nature Detective." We made our own Nature Journals using sticks for the binding, rubberbands, and simple construction paper. We made nature rubbings of tree bark and leaves to decorate the outside covers. It seriously only took 5 minutes to put together and both girls said of the two crafts, this one was thier favorite one for today. Here is a link to the simple instructions:

http://bringinguplearners.com/2008/01/28/homeschool-hacking-tips-make-your-own-nature-journal/

Julia decorating the front of her Nature Journal with a Tree Bark Rubbing:

Megan decorating her Journal with a Leaf Rubbing:

The Finished Journals! (Don't you just love the wind-blown, disheveled hair?)

The other craft was a self portrait done with things from Nature. This was very interesting. We came across all sorts of bugs, spiders, flowers, leaves, and other living things while gathering our materials for this. We literally gathered everything from our very own backyard. I pretty much did Joey's page, although he insisted on grass for his mouth and ivy leaves for his ears lol. It was very interesting watching the girls sketch themselves with a mirror before heading out, and then watching how they peiced everything together upon returning. Interesting seeing how kids see themselves. (Notice the girls used certain flowers for hairbows or earrings? lol!) This would work for anything by the way. Doesn't have to be a self portrait. Nature collages are always fun and interesting no matter how you put them together.

Julia working on hers:

Megan with hers:

Finished!!

Wheew! I am glad today is Friday! I am ready for the weekend. :) One last picture, just because I like it. :)

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About Me

I'm new at this, learning as I teach, teaching as I learn. I am mommy to 4 kiddos: Julia age 7, Megan age 6, Joey age 2, and Charlotte age 10 months. Our homeschool style is Eclectic at best, but gives stability to a family living overseas. I am always open to new ideas and ways to do things and enjoy the encouragement of others doing the same. Boring intro I know, but covers the basics me thinks. ;) Oh, and the picture above? It was from one of our very first homeschooling days in 2005. We let our two eldest kiddos (then 2 and 3 years old) fingerpaint with shaving cream on the dining table. It was lots of fun, and it left a super shiny table and a nice aloe scent to boot! ;)