Dec. 9, 2009 - Of Car Trips and Creation Museums

Where oh where is Kay in Maine?  Well, right now I'm not in Maine.  I'm in Kentucky.  That's right.  After a car trip taking just 18 hours, I and my family find ourselves a thousand miles away from home. 

Why, you may ask, is Kay in Maine and her family in Kentucky?  We're here for the  Sufficiency of Scripture Conference hosted by the National Center for Family Integrated Churches, of course!

We also happened to have visited Creation Museum, which is just a few miles away from the conference center.

So far, it has been well worth the 18 hour drive, and the conference hasn't even started yet!

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Dec. 9, 2009 - Stockings

I can't remember which # they were on my 101 in 1001 list (perhaps a sign that I've been looking at it less often!), but they're done.  We're all inordinately pleased about them.  Sam liked them so much he committed to hooks int he mantle.  Ooo... hooks in the mantle-- happy thought indeed.

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Dec. 9, 2009 - Homeschooling Through High School ~ The Beginning of Wisdom (Part 1 of 2)

This morning I received an e-newsletter from CollegePlus!, in which an article by Lauren Bleser titled, "A Teacher Learns the Truth About Education,"  was shared.  Ms. Bleser's opening paragraph reads,

In 2002, I graduated with my Master’s degree as a reading specialist after having finished a teaching degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta. I was fast on my way to a full and busy career in the public school system when I was caught off guard by a homeschooling parent who asked if I could explain God’s mind on education. I had never really considered that before, always taking it for granted that we simply go through the system, memorize the information required, and graduate. This challenging question led me on a quest that changed the course of my life.

Bless that homeschooling parent, whomever he or she was...what a question!  It is one that every homeschooling parent should ponder.  Can you explain God's mind on education?  God's mind can be an intimidating thing to probe.  And yet, He desires us to do just that...by diving into the Scriptures. 

We are preparing our young adults, at this point in their lives, for independence.  In case you haven't taken a good, long, focused look at the world out there lately, you really ought to.  I'll warn you...it isn't pretty.  I know--I spend one hour a day, 4 days a week sitting in my local community college cafe or study lounge while waiting for my 16 year old son's German class to finish.  I do not have the "gift" of being able to simply "tune out" people's conversations.  I'm verbal.  I listen, whether I want to or not.  Words do not escape me.  The standard fare of conversation around me is typically what I would call "disgusting."  Often times the spiritual darkness that lives and thrives in this place feels stifling, oppressive, suffocating.  This time of week, I push myself to write this blog in the midst of the chatter.  Other days, I sit in front of my computer, or walk the halls, simply praying.  But I digress...

• Is your study of "Bible" in your homeschool viewed or treated by your student as a subject he must study and check off the "to do" list, just as history and math are? 
• Are you studying the Bible with a curriculum workbook that has them reading articles which explain the Bible to them, or tell them what the passages mean?  Are questions given in such a way that much of the answer is already given, with just a few "fill-in-the-blanks" required? 
• Is the time your student spends studying "Bible" going hand-in-hand with their history course?

None of these things are bad in and of themselves...it is vitally important that our students understand the Bible's role as a source of true history.  BUT...do they develop a hunger for and love of God's Word in our young people?  Do they bring about the things that our young adults are going to need in order to survive their first steps into independence--spiritual maturity, wisdom, and a consistent and close walk in obedience to Jesus Christ?

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10)

 "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." (Job 28:28)

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7)

We'll end here for today, and continue next week.  May God bless you and your homeschool this week!

Lori

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Dec. 9, 2009 - Taming the Chaos ~ Bible Time in Busy Seasons

Domestic Chaos Tamer and Homeschool Mom of Five, Dell writes about home, heart and hearth.

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Dec. 8, 2009 - Niagara Falls, Great Wolf Lodge and Success at Motels!

I thought I'd finally blog about the vacation we took last month.

It was sorta a spur of the moment vacation.  We had planned to go to a wedding in Indiana, but at the last minute, we were unable to leave in time, so we left a day late and sorta winged the vacation.  It was one of the best yet!

We drove up to Northern KY to spend the night and the next morning, we visited the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY.  It was our 2nd time visiting there and was wonderful again.  This time was actually better because it was a Sunday and the place was virtually deserted!   

From there, we drove North and stopped near Columbus, OH.  We went to the Columbus Zoo (having read that it was ranked something like the 6th best zoo in the country!)  For only a few more dollars over admission price, we were able to get a year pass that is reciprocal at other zoos.   It was a great zoo and we spent most of the day there!

That evening, we had sleepy kids, so we drove quite a ways to Eeri, PA. 

The next morning, after enjoying our free continental breakfast, we drove into New York and spent the whole afternoon and early evening walking around and seeing Niagara Falls for the first time!
It was pretty impressive, as we expected it would be.   Since we had just gotten all our passports in the mail for another trip we're planning on taking next year, we had those and decided to drive into Canada.

They were not the friendliest welcoming committee however.  At the border gate, then said, "You have too many people, you will have to pull over into the customs office."  The border guard there was a rough lady who didn't know how to smile.  She drilled us on where we were from, to which my husband replies, "Flori...I mean Kentucky."   Good going.....let's raise suspicion even more.  She asked what his job was, what mine was, if all the kids were ours, did we have firearms or weapons, why were we in Canada and how long were we staying."   At that point I was feeling guilty of a crime I didn't commit but surely felt I must have and just forgotten.    Finally, after 5 minutes of questions, she handed our stack of passports back and let us go.  No "Welcome to Canada!" nothin!   We drove and saw the Canada side of Niagara...it was much prettier though too citified comparted to the US side.   It was $14 to park and cold outside, so Chris just let me get out with whichever kids really wanted to see it up closer.  We took a few pics and hopped back into the van.  We drove an hour in Canada so our children who hadn't left the country yet could say they did, and headed on through the US border patrol, who were MUCH friendlier, despite a SCREAMING baby.  

We drove back to Eeri, PA that night again.  The cool thing is the WHOLE trip, 5 nights, we were never once turned away at a motel !  That is unheard of for us!  Usually we hear speeches about "Fire code" and how we need to get 2 rooms, but every place we stopped, despite the fact that we won't lie, let us have 1 room.   On the 3rd night it was MY turn to face the motel police.  It was 10pm and went like this:

Me..."How much are your rooms?"

Them (2 unprofessional but pleasant women):" $ 69...would you like smoking or non?"

Me..."Non."

Them: "How many in the room?"
Me: "Just me, my husband and kids."

Them:  Okay (filling out computer screen)

Them again: And how many children?
Me " Um...seven"

Them: "Oh My G__, you're KIDDING?"

Me: Smiling not saying anything

Lady #1 looking at lady #2:  "She's NOT kidding!!!"  I don't know if we can put that many in a room.

Me: "I know we get told about Fire Code all the time, but they are all young and we have sleeping bags."

#1 to #2  "Just put down 2 kids."

Me: "Thanks!"

Them: "You don't look old enough to have that many kids....you must love children."
Me: Thank you...actually I love MY children.'

Them: God Bless you, you must have the patience of a saint.

Me: "God gives me what I need, when I need it."

All that to say, we got the room!   LOL

The next day, we drove to Mason, OH outside Cincinnati and stayed at Great Wolf Lodge.  That wast he most awesome vacation place yet!!! It has huge rooms to sleep us all and an indoor waterslide park.  It was awesome because Gilead enjoyed himself, the big boys loved it and even me and Chris rode every waterslide many times.  It's hard to find a place the whole family enjoyes but this place is it!!!  We checked in and slid til 8pm, then again the next day til 3pm.  (You can stay and play all day on checkout even though you have to checkout by 11am)

After that, a trip to Sam's Club and home.  An adventure filled 5 days, with 7 kids and LOTS of miles, but we made lots of memories!!!

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Dec. 8, 2009 - Kitchen Moments ~ Cooking Biblical Foods

I found a very interesting website when researching this week's topic:

Cooking with the Bible

When you go to a recipe at this site, such as Elizabeth's Carob Cake, you will find the recipe, a photo, and also tabs that will take you to a Bible Reference page and the History page for that particular food.  

The site also has a  meals section  with links to recipes for each dish. 

I plan to spend more time at this site in the coming days, and perhaps take a look at the cookbook if I can find it at a local library. 

Another book that I find helpful in planning Biblical celebrations is Celebrating Biblical Feasts In Your Home or Church by Martha Zimmerman. 

I hope these sources help you to add some tasty foods in with your Biblical studies.

Blessings,

Catherine

 Catherine Love lives in the heart of Texas with her husband Carl, and their 3 daughters, Sarah, Hannah, and Cana.  They enjoy cooking, gardening, and learning new things as they seek to live a lifestyle of learning together as a family.  You can read Catherine's Kitchen Adventures and more on her blog- Seeds of Love.

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Dec. 8, 2009 - St Nicholas Gifts, 2009

This year Sam made O, M and J each a code to tell them where to find their gift.  He put the code papers in their shoes, and they had to solve them before finding their gifts.  Meanwhile, SweetP was happily wearing her scarf and munching her M&Ms (the first bag she's ever had-- she was elated) and the big kids hadn't even solved their puzzles.  All three of them were a mite frustrated.  Stinkers.

But in the end, each of them found a cinnamon bird, a bag of skittles or M&Ms, and a homemade gift-- Sam, too.  (I got a Dove bar.  Mmmm.)

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Dec. 7, 2009 - Classical Education ~ An Anchor for Homeschooling

During the homeschooling journey, one will come across many times of stress, pressure and doubts.  The journey is full of waves knocking us to and fro as we try to maneuver our way down the path of educating our children.  It is always important  to have God's  Word  in our heart.  When we are in the middle of a storm, though, life is more manageable when we have His Word embedded in our heart.  When we can cite His Words that bolster us up and incite courage into our very being, this makes the going a bit more bearable.  His Word becomes our anchor as we are being tossed every which way by the waves of life.  His Word  calms our spirit and clears the emotional fog.

I have been in need of that anchor in the last few months as I have been dealing with health issues.  These issues and the ensuing effects have caused me to doubt myself and my ability to educate my children.  I have even gotten so far as to seriously consider putting them in school after the Christmas break.  I feel like I have let my children down.  Not only am I not giving them a Classical Education but it might also be debated whether I am giving them any kind of education at all.

Those are the words that I mutter to myself when I sink into that bad place.  That dark, suffocating place that does not abide in hope.  I don't like that place so I combat it by turning to God's Word.  I read His Word and commit it to my spirit, so that when the darkness starts to enfold me, I can hold it off by the light of His Word.  

When I am at this place, there are quite a few scriptures that wards off the darkness.  Here are a few  that I have relied on in the last few months.

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.  Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.  Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of  truth.  (Ps. 31:3-5)

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.  (Ps. 31:24)

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness .  (Isaiah  41:10)

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.  (Ps. 5:3) 

I am so thankful for God's Word that I can cling to as my anchor through this rough time.  In clinging to His Word, I am assured that He will lead me to higher and drier ground  in time. 

Julia lives on the Canadian Prairies with her husband, homeschooling their 3 children (10,8,6) and is attempting to give them a Classical Education.  You can read more at her blog.

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Dec. 7, 2009 - Craft Corner ~ Bible Crafts

Most of these ideas have to do with Bible verses, but the possibilities are endless!  Do you have ideas on how to creatively display scripture throughout your home?  Please share!

• Quilted Bible Cover ~ Although the Lord doesn't care whether our Bibles have a nifty cover, it's still a fun thing to make and use!  Not to mention it can be very handy for holding paper and pen for sermon notes.
• Stenciled Bible Verses ~ I saw this done at a church once, and the result was pretty and charming.  Get some lettering stencils, choose an appropriate verse, color, and wall, and get painting!  You could also stencil your verse on other things.
• Another way to burn verses into your memory, almost literally, is to burn them onto a piece of wood using a woodburning tool.  This technique is also called pyrography.  It produces a simple, yet lovely, effect if you merely write out your verse in plain letters with your woodburning iron, and then decorate it with pressed flowers.
• Still another way to display your favorite verses would be to print or write them out on a piece of paper, decorate it, frame it, and then hang it on your wall.  You could also choose to use counted cross-stitch to embroider your verse. 
  

Miss Eyebright enjoys crafts of all kinds, especially knitting.  You can find her blogging at Defective Compositions.

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Dec. 6, 2009 - Twitter

I'm now on Twitter.....

If you wanna follow me, send me an email / message on here and I'll give you my screenname or whatever you call it! LOL!

I feel so old and out of the loop..... :{

Guess this is one way to see who of my friends reads this! HA!

:)

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