Hope you enjoyed those!

May the Lord bless the rest of your week!

Nancy

I have been reading blog entries here and there, and have found some really desperate ladies out there.  I can feel their pain!  I have been desperate too.  It comes with the territory!

This morning I had a long discussion with a dear loved one about desperation.  She knows the truth, Loves the Lord and wants to live a Christ-like life, but there is a lot of hurting out there.

Her struggle is with sin, and she asked me "if Christ died for all my sins, past present and future, then why am I still sinning?  He died for those sins, so it seems like I don't have any choice in the matter if He already knew about those sins.  He died for them, so I guess I just have to sin anyway.  He KNEW I would sin because He died for my future sins.  I feel like I am destined to sin and don't have any choice in the matter."

Wow.  How to answer that?

Well, God knew, yes He knew we would continue to sin even though He died for those sins.  I started thinking about it.  Yesterdays sins are gone, remembered no more by our Lord.  He knows our nature!  But He also wants us to trust him for everything. 

 Seek Him First. 

The Bible says that TODAY is the day of  Salvation. 

 He wants to save us from our sins, today. 

 We can turn to Him for strength and help today. 

 THIS is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

 Don't wait until tomorrow.  TODAY.  This is what we have, today. 

 If we "blow it" today, His mercies are new every morning.  We start over. 

 THIS TOO SHALL PASS. 

There are so many times we all feel so despondent!  We get that "sinking feeling"  kind of like Peter, right?  When he was walking on the water and he took his eyes off the Lord, he started to sink.  Are you sinking?  Where are your eyes?  What are you focusing on?

  Focus on the Lord, and He will save you!

Do you feel the sand being washed out beneath your feet?  Are you falling??  Get your feet back up on the rock, THE ROCK.  You know who the rock is! 

Are you worried about "global warming?"  The Lord would rather you not worry about that, He's in charge.  Keep your eyes on Him and don't be lukewarm.  Being lukewarm is a whole lot more serious of a condition than the so called global warming crisis. 

Ok, so my sermon is about to come to an end.  (This too shall pass!  LOL)

Friends, I want to challenge you.  Blogging is fun.  Cyberfriends are great!  But many times I find ladies here on HSB who are burned out, depressed, stressed and desperate. 

 Please pray for your blogging buddies and encourage them to Look To The Lord. 

Encourage them with God's Word and not your own opinions.  (been there done that, ouch.)  Reach out to those who need to know that God is here, Emmanuel.  Right here with us.  And with Him on our side, we are more than conquerors!!!

Running the race, trusting daily,

seeking HIS face, accepting His mercy and grace,

Nancy

It's a gorgeous fall day here!  Are you enjoying it?

I want to tell you about a contest, but first I want to tell you about a sign I saw at a craft bazaar this weekend.  It said "Good Morning~ Let the Stress Begin!"  I thought it was pretty funny, but unfortunately, a bit too close to home.  We have had a lot of stress lately and are having some trouble breaking out of a pattern that has formed.  With the recent passing of my Mother, and some health issues here PLUS job related stress, we have been doing quite a bit of focusing on the negative! 

Not good at all, don't you agree? 

 So today, I am making a new motto:

Good Morning~ Let the GRACE begin!

I am talking about God's Grace towards us, and by that I mean His unmerited favor.  We aren't perfect and He knows it!  But He loves us in a way that is unfathomable. And we must remember that people and situations and relationships can be way less than perfect.  But, our heavenly Father is perfect and He will never leave us nor forsake us. 

Stand on that today!  And let the Grace begin!

Now, about that contest! 

 Laura over at Laura Williams' Musings has graciously reviewed my e-Book, "Haircuts For Little Men."  If you go by and comment you will be entered in a contest to win a copy!  Also, if you link a post to it, you can get an extra entry and a greater chance of winning. 

 Blessings and good luck to you all, and a hearty THANK YOU to you Laura!  (Laura has a fantastic website, by the way!)

Nancy

 P.S., you can read an additional review here and also one right here ! 

With your homeschooling, your life, your marriage, your kids, your self......do you really trust God?

Are you dissapointed today? Confused? Mad?  At your "wicks" end, as my kids say?  (Do you feel like a candle that is just about to burn out?) 

We all get this way at some time or another.  Emotions were put into us by our Creator, so He Knows how we are feeling.  But do you sometimes forget to seperate fact from fiction.....I mean fact from feelings? 

It's a human thing, for sure.  "Been there, doing that;"somebody reading this might say.

Life isn't always a bed of roses.....or maybe it is!  Your life is a bouquet of sweet smelling lovliness, and oh so beautiful, and then suddenly "ouch!"  you happened across a thorn.  Or maybe two or three or maybe a whole two dozen stems full of thorns. 

Didn't the Lord tell us that there would be thorns?  Trials?  Persecution?  Yes, He did. 

But didn't also He say that His grace was sufficient for us? 

 Yes, He did.

So today, instead of grabbing those thorny stems again, grab ahold of the one who wore the crown of thorns for you. 

 His Grace Is Sufficient!

 Every thorn, trial, knot, flaw, loose end, frustration, injustice, embarrassment, regret or doubt is part of the tapestry called YOU.  God knows.  He knit you in your mothers womb....and is now weaving you into a beautiful picture that is your life.  Trust Him and rest in Him. 

He knows just what He is doing!

Trust Him!

Blessings,

Nancy

I just stumbled across it because I haven't been checking my rss feeds this week.....just too busy with a birthday, and holiday preparations, and cleaning, and homeschooling :)

What am I referring to?  Spunkyhomeschool is retiring.  I am so sad......sniff, oh man, now I can't see because the tears are making my mascara run......

Seriously, she's been a light house in the blogosphere, and I will miss her!  Her contributions have been above and beyond; timely, informative, clear and sound!  May the Lord continue to Bless you, Spunky, and your family for years to come!

 Thinking about what Christmas means?

Don't forget to bless someone this month who might really need a boost.  Here is an opportunity for you to do just that.  See this previous post.

I read a quote today by Corrie ten Boom today that said " You are either a missionary or a mission field."  Wow, think about that!  Especially this time of the year.....when the doors are open wider than usual.  I pray that we will all celebrate the Savior, and tell somebody!

Hey, today was somebody special's birthday.  You can stop by his blog and wish him well, if you would like!  He would be thrilled. 

Well, it's late and it has been a really wonderful start to a wonderful month.  I better get off here, but I did want to say that we went and heard a wonderful choir and orchestra perform Handel's Messiah this last week.  I sat there in awe, and just drank in the beauty and power of it.  If you get a chance to take your kids to hear it this year, do go!  First look it up though, and tell them how it came about.  It is a powerful story of God's hand, not only in the making of the music, but the story of our redemption within the music.  If you go, just close your eyes and feel the music.  Drink it all in.....it is amazing!!!!

God is amazing,

Blessings!!

Nancy

©Nancy K. Baetz Homeschooling Is Life! 2006

Related Tags: home education, homeschooling blogs, spunkyhomeschool, Advent, Christmas, Corrie ten Boom, Handel's Messiah,

.................probably not at all what you thought!

I was random blogging this week and came across this post by Traci. It's an older post, but I am so thankful that I found it.   Moms on assignment.  Wow.  You will love this one! 

God Bless you Traci as you take your assignment very seriously!

Nancy

©Nancy K. Baetz

 Homeschooling Is Life! 2006

      Do you use the Bible in your homeschooling?  How do you use it? 

 If you could only have one book to use for your homeschool curriculum, would you choose the Bible? 

 How would you describe the Bible to someone who has never heard of it? 

Although there are a thousand books or so filling up my home, my favorite is my Bible.  It is always new, always thought provoking and soul cleansing.  It is sometimes convicting and many times, the uplifting that I need when I need it.  It teaches me about who God is, who I am, what I am to be like.  It teaches me how to love my husband, nurture my kids and how to love my enemies and keeps my priorities straight.  It teaches me history, and shows me glimpses of the future~ a bright future!

The Bible is a resource nobody should be without.  It actually is way too much of a living treasure, to be called "a resource," but I have also heard it called the "instruction manual for living."  It truly is.

Now, I am not here to debate versions, but when I was younger, say......in my early 20's, I had a little pocket new testament.  It was KJV.  I knew it was important, and that I needed to read it.  But I could not understand the language.  It was too hard, to foreign, too.......King James English.  Still, I kept it and reverenced it for what it was, God's Holy Word.

One day someone introduced me to THE BOOK version of the Bible.  It was written by Kenneth Taylor, (or paraphrased by him) for his children.  Since I was still "a child" at that time, it spoke to me too. I especially liked reading the Old Testament, because I could understand it more.  After that, I could go and read a more concise version and get the whole meaning.  Or at least that which the Lord revealed to me at that time.  I don't want to be so presumptious to say that I "get" the whole Bible.  I don't.  I am always learning something new!

God's word  to us is ever changing---only because it speaks to us in new ways depending upon where we are in our journey, not because God is fickle. 

God's Word stays the same.  The Bible says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Isn't it wonderful and calming to know that some things never change?  We deal with so many changes in our lives and for some, change is hard to handle.  We lose loved ones, change jobs, deal with illnesses, see loved ones and neighbors morv away......change happens. Houses are torn down, fields are plowed and developed, our favorite little shop closes for good.  Friends change allegiances, children grow up and people change their minds. Sometimes change is the only constant in our lives.

But we are made for change.  From the tiniest dot that we begin as, in our Mother's womb, we are changing at a rapid pace.  If we didn't, we would die. It was planned that we would grow, and with that growth we would change; not becoming different for the sake of the same, but to grow up.  The Lord knew that we must grow. We have to grow in stature and in wisdom. We must grow in knowledge and in character.  And the "changes" that go on around us are the catalysts for that growth and maturation. 

So what does the Bible have to do with any of this?  It guides us along the path of change.  It keeps us on the straight and narrow.  It feeds us and gives us purpose as we walk "this way, not that way."  And if we have stepped off the path......it gently leads us back.

The Bible is lliving, breathing, life giving sustenance for me.  I could not live the life I am supposed to live, without it.

If you haven't been introduced to the Bible, get a hold of one today and read it.  Click here for a place to start---I have compiled some links to the great lists of the Bible.  You can also click on the BibleGateway link on my sidebar and start right at the beginning, in Genesis.  And let me know what you think! 

May the reading of His Word bless you greatly today!

Nancy

Homeschooing Is Life!

©Nancy K. Baetz

 Homeschooling Is Life 2006

Related Tags: The Bible, Homeschooling Curriculum, Home Education, Books, The BOOK, changes, stress, peace, God's Word

 Are "All Things" working for good in your life today?  Or are all those "things" weighing you down?  Thanks for stopping by to say hello~by the way.  If you came here from the Front Porch, well, Welcome to Homeschooling is Lists! Er, I mean, Life. 

I have a busy day ahead and am just getting a jump start here on the computer so I can tend to more um.....live pursuits.  The kids will be up and running soon and we have so many options and opportunities that are waiting for us.  We have a lot to talk about, mountains to climb, games to play, wars to win.  We have messes to clean, good food to eat and clothes to wash.  The animals need to be feed and so does Dad :)

We had a more than wonderful day yesterday at the CSA farm that we are doing a work-share on.  I urge you to look into this for your family.  Community Supported Agriculture is a way to see what it's like to live and work the farm life......a smidgen anyway.  Our few hours of work per week are just a taste of what really goes on there 24/7, as they say.

Yesterday we cleaned and washed and bundled several types of beets for the work shares and market.  The kids got a great kick out of the "torpedo" beets!  They loved the name.  We also washed and packed Japanese turnips and did some weeding, watering and digging.  Some of the kids washed and packed fresh eggs.  Did you know that a fresh egg will not hard-boil?  It takes 12 days for them to be "boilable." 

While at the farm, a dear older gentleman began to talk to me and said that he told the farm owner that we were homeschoolers.  The owner said, "are you asking me if they are?"  The man said, "No, I am making a statement."  He told me he could tell we were homeschoolers, just by our actions.  Hmmmmm.

He said that we were conscientious and that he heard me "following through" with the kids on tasks.  He said that todays kids don't have any accountability or sense of responsibility.  I assured him that we were far from perfect, but that we were working on it and thankful for the gift of our children, and our mandate to train them at home.

He went on to tell me that there was an educational revival in the 1800's and that He believed that the Lord was bringing about another educational revival right now, through homeschoolers.  I tend to think that we have to have personal revival, it's not just he homeschooling movement itself that will effect our future.  (Our country, and our families futures.)  It was a great discussion we had about the mistakes parents make in discipline, and how realization and repentance can turn your whole family around.  I was blessed.

Back at the beginning of this entry I posed the question; are All Things working for good in your life today?  We are sum of all our experiences, are we not?  And things past and things present can certainly affect our here and now, can't they?  In the recent edition of TEACHmagazine, Cindy Rushton has an article called "Women with a questionable past."  Oh, gee, I thought.....maybe I ought to read this......

Well, Cindy was writing about women of the Bible.....but I was thinking: "Me."

True confession time.  There are a lot of things in my life that were shameful.  Even though I think I tried to be "good" for many years in my young life, the tide swept me along.  I eventually succumbed to the pressure and started living for the moment.  With not an inkling of the future or even immediate consequences of many of my actions, I went completely off the deep-end.  And the very sad part of it was that I was conditioned by "society" to think it was all acceptable.

I will spare you the gorey details.  Someday....if I feel the Lord leading me to share more, I will.  It grieves my spirit to think of how thoughtless, ignorant, arrogant and careless I was for many years.  I hurt a lot of people.  And I hurt myself.

"But God in His Great Mercy touched my life."  That may sound a bit cliche' but it is true!  One day I found out that I wasn't just a mistake or an accident or a cosmic experiment of random chance.  I had a purpose and a name.  And God knew me and knit my form together in my mother's womb.  That realization completely changed my life, inside and out.

So now I am perfect and just live happily ever after, right?

Well, no.

Life is still a journey, and I still have a questionable past.  BUT, although it may have been meant for evil, God meant it for good.  I can use my experiences for His Glory.  Not mine.  Although sometimes I get a bit cocky here on my blog, please, don't think I have arrived and expect your allegiance.  I love the comments, the praises, but Give God the Glory, not me.

Spunky posed a question about what are our greatest challenges as homeschoolers. I think we tend to think of the day-to-day stuff, or the individual needs of our kids.....those were my first thoughts.  But thinking deeper I realize that it is my past that is my greatest challenge to my homeschooling efforts.  The bell ringing-lecture-peer relationship garbage of public school experience that is ever present in my make up trips me up.  The mistakes I made "hanging on" in my mind just waiting to jump out and ruin a perfectly good homeschooling day.  My stumbling block is trying to get past the things that are ingrained in me, those things that I hate and don't want in the lives of my children----but are ever present in who I am, or hopefully, "was." 

The task of renewing my mind is the greatest challenge---old habits and ideas die hard.  The change from degenerate to REgenerate came instantaneously, but the processes and paths of daily living need to be re-worked, re-newed.  Much of our lives are one giant reflex.  We do things every day, because we have done them every day.  Change is hard!  Ask anyone who is trying to lose weight, kick a habit or change their thinking.

It may be a challenge, but it IS possible.  God's word tells us to renew our minds.  "Do not be conformed to this world, but be Transformed by the renewing of your mind."  We can be transformed by a lot of new ideas, but let's be renewed by the age-old wisdom of the one who created us.

He forgives, and in Him ALL THINGS are made new!

Hang in there today.  If God is for us, then who can be against us!

Nancy

Homeschooing Is LIFE!

p.s. my friend was featured on Crosswalk.com this week.  Now here is a gal who can write!  Oh, and while you are blogging, check out this contest at Lorrie's blog.  Only a couple days left to enter to win a book from her.

Related Tags: homeschooling challenges, spunkyhomeschool, home education, community supported agriculture, TEACH magazine

I just want to apologize for that last blog entry of mine......don't bother looking for it, I pulled it.  I was right when I said "I should leave these kinds of things to the experts."  It was really a rant I didn't need to pursue, even if it was legitimate---I just don't ever want to encourage any more angst than we already have to deal with in our lives.

I appreciated all the comments, it was truly an eye-opener.  But now, on to a REAL eye opener.

It has been  a lovely day here but even on the lovliest of days, some things can get out of wack.  For a lot of Christians, Sundays can be the best of times, and the worst of times.  The stress of "getting ready for ministry" can be a breeding ground of trouble, unfortunately.  Many times families feel like they have lost their witness, just travelling from home to their house of worship!

Then there are those of us who have chosen to worship at home, and sometimes we lose our witness too....to the ones who matter most to us.  So what do you do when you feel like you can't get back to where you know you are supposed to be?

Open your eyes.

Open your heart, and see what is in there.......Is God's Word in there????

If it isn't, then you need to GET it in there.

How do you do that?

Get into IT, and IT will get into YOU.

There is a wonderful little e-mail treasure (otherwise known as a forward) that has come my way a few times.  It's one of those keepers, not a hurry up and delete this one kind.  Here it is:

You Say / God Says

You say it is impossible.  God says all things are possible.

You say I'm too tired.      God says I will give you rest.

You say Nobody really loves me.   God says I love you.

You say I can't go on.        God says My Grace is sufficient.

You say I can't figure things out.   God says I will direct your steps.

You say I can't do it.          God says You can do all things through Christ.

You say I am not able.        God says I am able.

You say I'ts not worth it.      God says It will be worth it.

You say I can't forgive myself.  God says I forgive you.

You say I can't manage.           God says I will supply all your needs.

You say I am afraid.              God says I have not given you a spirit of fear.

You say I am always worried and frustrated.    God says Cast all your cares on ME.

You say I'm not smart enough.   God says I give you wisdom.

You say I  feel all alone.    God says  I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Have you ever heard of "AA?"  Well, they call those negative thoughts "stinkin thinkin."  We are all guilty of having them at one time or another.  But to use a little sports analogy here, think of it this way:  You serve up a negative thought and God volleys back with the Truth.  You might volley back, but God's Word always spikes it to the ground!

You see, God also says not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the RENEWING of your mind.  When I first became a Christian, I had unbelieving people close to me tell me I was being brainwashed.  At the time I was a bit incredulous, but it with time it sunk in...... Yes!  YES!  Lord, wash all this garbage out of my brain that the world has soiled it with. Suddenly, being brainwashed took on a whole new meaning to me and it was GOOD!

 Halellujah!  I am a brainwashed, soulwashed, emotionwashed, thoughtwashed person when I set my eyes on the pure Word of God.  And I am so glad He is there to "set" me straight!  Aren't you?

So if you are struggling today with a little one who is having difficulties of any kind, or you yourself or your spouse are listening to the lies of the world, start listening to the truth instead.  God's truth.  Set your eyes on the prize, and the Prince of Peace.  And you will find rest for your weary soul!  Go through this list and see how many of these things are plaguing you....and then find the answer.  It is right there!!!

Have a blessed week everyone, and thanks for stopping by.

Homeschooling Is Life,

Nancy

P.s.  Here are the verses, you can look them up this week and think on them....memorize them and let them wash you clean!

Luke 18:27

Matthew 11:28-30

John 3:16

II Corinthians 12:9

Proverbs 3:5-6

Philippians 4:13

II Corinthians 9:8

Romans 8:28

I John 1:9

Philippians 4:19

II Timothy 1:7

I Peter 5:7

I Corinthians 1:30

Ok, wait a minute.  What's with the Christmasy theme---it's only June!  I guess it's so hot that I am just dreaming of snow.......and well, I was just attempting to come up with a catchy title for what I want to say....I thought of "Searching for the Perfect Homeschool." But, that one has already been taken, I think.  Or, "Living In the Imperfect Homeschool."  But I don't want to take anything away from dear Barbara!

So I will stick with the title above. 

I would love to say that wonderful is the most apropos term for our homeschool today.....actually, I would love to be able to say that it is more than wonderful, all the time.  But reality has a way of getting in the way of it being wonderful, most of the time.  And to be truthful, maybe I should change the word "reality" to "Mom."  Unfortunatly, I do get in the way of things being wonderful around here.

Now, this isn't intended to be a self-flagellating entry.  Its purpose is that hopefully I can help someone else to work through some of the things that have been on my mind these last few days. 

There have been a lot of discussions going on in various homeschooling circles about year end programs, re-analysis of what went right (or not) and whether or not to keep on homeschooling through the Summer months. 

 It is always a good thing to evaluate progress, celebrate achievement, and plan for the future!  But, I think sometimes we get caught up in the "World's" definition of progress, achievement, and goal setting.  It's not hard to do---especially with so many of us homeschooling Mom's having been the product of public education.  As much as we try to break free from those old tapes, "resistance is futile." 

 (I suppose I am talking to you older homeschool Mom's out there.  You second generation homeschool young Moms are doing fine, so you can stop reading now.  LOL)

Researchers have told us that our children have an innate desire and drive to learn.  They are little "learning machines."  But we can very quickly put those little learning machines out of commission, just by forcing them to learn for any other reason than just the sheer delight of it!  There will come a day, soon enough, when our children learn because they absolutely need the information.  But for some reason, we have been ingrained to think we have to create or comply with an artificial reason for them to do "educational activities." 

Life has enough "curriculum" to last all of our days, without contriving and comparing and competing and creating a false context for knowledge.  Most of the media that we are bombarded with daily is not necessary!  Before you write me off as a wacko (which you probably already have, if you know me personally~ha-ha) just think of this:  There is a time and a season and a purpose for everything under heaven.  Yes, it says that right there in Ecclesiastes 3.

1 To everything there is a season,
      A time for every purpose under heaven:

       2 A time to be born,
And a time to die;
      A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
       3 A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
      A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
       4 A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
      A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
       5 A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
      A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
       6 A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
      A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
       7 A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
      A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
       8 A time to love,
And a time to hate;
      A time of war,
And a time of peace.

  We don't control the time, or the season, OR the purpose.  Our Father in heaven does.  He is involved in our lives, and working things out on our behalf, every day.  Remember the verse in the Law that tells us how to teach our children?  (And what to teach them?)

It's the part about how we are to teach them all about the Lord God Almighty, and how we are to talk to them when we rise up, sit down, walk by the way, and when we lie down.  All the time, all about Him.  And this is the reason:  He has the answers to all those questions in the verse in Ecclesiastes.  He will tell us, and show us how to respond to each new time and season in our lives. 

So while we are all fretting, (at least I have been, hence this post to get my head on straight) about ceremonies, and standards and scopes and goals and trying to get out of the rut we were brought up in, there has been someone else directing our paths.

 Have you been wondering too, "What on earth am I supposed to be doing today!!??"  I have.  And if you have this dilemma too, here is our answer.  If we would just get out of His way so we can see where He is leading us, well, He will lead us.

"As for God, His way is perfect;  the Word of the Lord is tried:  He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.  For who is God save the Lord:  Or who is a rock save our God?  It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." 

 Psalm 18:30-32

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts". 

 Isaiah 55:8-9

Homeschooling IS a Wonderful Life!

Nancy

Ok, I decided it has been a bit too serious around this blog for a bit too long.

So at dinner tonight, I asked everyone to help me come up with something funny to post.  Well, my husband heard a joke today on the radio and he passed it on to us:

"What is Arnold Schwartzenegger (however that is spelled)'s next career going to be?" 

To which one child asks "who is Arnold---what was his name again?"

So Dad says "He's the Governor of California."

Another kid asks "what was his job before?"

Dad answers "He used to be an actor."

(The joke could have ended there, but I will go on.)

So Dad says "He is going to be a music composer."

"He is always saying "I'll Be Bach!"

*******************************

So..........lets see, then we were talking about all the cute things that the kids said where they were little.  Our dear youngest used to think everything we ate was "chicken."  She called bacon "chicken" and beef "chicken" and you get the idea.

So when Daddy went hunting and got his elk, and was in the process of ......er, processing it, little Essie said "daddy, are you taking the chicken out of the elk???"

***********************************

Now, since we have been on the subject of unschooling lately, here are some unschooling jokes for ya!  Ready??

How many unschoolers does it take to change a light bulb?

Dad:  "We don't have any dim-bulbs around here!"

Mom:  "Well, of course the parents take care of it until the children are ready to learn how to change the bulb.  It's a readiness issue."

Blonde Child #1:  "What's a light bulb?"

Delight Directed:  "If the child has shown an aptitude or interest in the light bulb, we will let him change it by himself!"

Unit Study :  "First we will go to the library and check out some books, then.......you know the rest of this one :)"

Charlotte Mason:  "If the light bulbs go out, we will just play outside all day!"

Classical:  "Hark, what lightbulb in yonder ceiling breaks!"

 Moore Method:  "We will wait until the child is tall enough to reach the lightbulb."

Textbook Method:  "We haven't done that chapter yet!"

Blonde Boy Child:  "First you let it grow." 

Mom:  "What??" 

Blonde Boy Child:  "The Plant."   

Mom:  "What plant?"

Blonde Boy Child:  "Isn't there a plant called a bulb?" 

Mom:  "Ahhhh, isn't he the smartest thing???!!!  That's my smart little sweet thing, give me high five!"

Prinicple Approach:  Jesus said; "I am the light of the world."

So I say, Who needs light bulbs!?

Let me know if you can come up with any more, ok???  Post 'em in the comments!

Homeschooling is Life,

Nancy

He isn't there anymore, and He isn't in the tomb anymore either. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Hope you have had a blessed day,

Nancy

I hope you don't mind the play on words there.  Happy Good Friday!  My youngest daughter calls it Bad Friday, but she understands why we call the day we commemorate the crucifixion and death of Christ as a good thing.

Let me tell you about why it is Fry day.  We went to a sheep shearing today!  And were out in the sun all day, hence we are fried to crisp.  Exhausted, and a bit sunburned too. 

Sheep shearing on Good Friday.  I was trying to make a spiritual connection out of that, and came  up with a few good ideas.  But when we got to the ranch we found out that "someone" left the corral gate open by accident, and all the sheep and horses decided to go on an adventure.  The horses were easily brought back, as were the more tame of the sheep, with a little coaxing.  (read:  "sheep roundup")  but there were a few sheep that eluded capture all day long.  Kids walking, Mom's on horseback (not me, but that is another story, for another time,) trying to catch the wooly critters. 

 Can you imagine, riding a horse, trying to round up some sheep escapee's AND talk on the cell phone at the same time?  This mom had a great sense of adventure today, and perseverance. 

 But alas, the errant sheep eluded capture.  There are still two sheep, somewhere out there.

You know that nursery rhyme about Little Bo Peep?  I hate to burst your bubble, but they don't find their way back home if you leave them alone.  They just don't.  You have probably heard this:  Sheep Are Dumb.

Now, they WILL follow another sheep back into the sheepfold, so the sheep rounder-uppers used caught sheep (newly shorn, I might add) to lead the errant sheep home.  It did work for a couple of them!

Do you remember the story in the Bible about the 99 sheep?  And the shepherd who left all the others and look for the lost one?  That is what I felt like happened today. Sheep know the Shepherd's voice, if they have a relationship with Him.

You see, the sheep that wouldn't be caught have never gotten close to their master.  They are pretty near wild.  And once they were out and on their own, they were too strong willed to go back---mainly because they didn't know his or her voice. 

Do you know your Master's voice? 

 Sometimes if we own animals, we just get so caught up with other things that they get the basics, food, water, occasional pat on the head, etc.  But we just don't spend time with our animals like a true shepherd would.  Our lives get in the way, animals in many cases now are just for fun, and not our livelihood.  So they don't know our voice.

But we can know our Master's voice!  He is always available to us, 24/7 as they say.  And because of that relationship, if we get out of His care because of some neglectful behaviour, then He comes searching for us and won't quit looking until He finds us. 

 And when we hear His voice, and it may take some time, but we go to Him, back into His protective sheepfold.

But what about the wild ones?  The ones that didn't get "caught" today?  Well, they may become lunch for some predator prowling around searching for something to devour.  Or they may die from thirst.  I don't hope for this outcome, but it may happen. 

Thankfully, on this Good Friday, I know whom I have believed and am safely in the sheepfold, where I belong.

If I do get out, either willfully or because of some neglectful behaviour, I know I will be sought after and brought back.  After all, one day, just like today, I was bought and paid for, in full. 

 I am His!

Nancy

Shalom!

Greetings on this glorious Passover!  We had the opportunity to join in a Passover Seder several years ago and it is an experience I will never forget.  But before that, we had gone to a Christ in the Passover presentation, which was beautifully done, and changed a lot about the way we think about Jesus, Judaism and our roots as Christians. 

If you can attend a Christ in the Passover, please, don't hesitate.  It will enrich you.

We were invited to Passover tonight, but won't be able to attend.  Please pray for our dear friends who are opening their home to many tonight for this celebration and reverential time.  She is busy cooking and preparing, and if you are wondering about what you eat on Passover, Marilyn over at The Urban Homemaker has some recipes for you.

I found a link for a sermon called "Christ is our Passover" by Charles Spurgeon.  All these things are wonderful ways to show our children what this season is all about. Our Christian traditions offer many exciting and fun ways to solidify our faith with our children, and the Jewish roots off it all anchor it firmly. 

Have you ever studied the many festivals and holidays that the Jewish nation adhere to?  It is wonderful to make it a part of your homeschool.  For some great links on the Hebraic Law and the Torah, you can go right here at the Heart of Wisdom blog!

Have a wonderful day!

Nancy

Hey, how's YOUR day going?   Well, I will tell you about mine, since you stopped by.

  One thing I have tried to do is never post a negative blog entry.  I don't like complaining, (at least here, heh, heh.) I think it is counter productive. And I don't like reading whiney blog entries.  Sorry, I just have enough of that here and I don't want to read any cyber-whining.

 But today has been a bit of a trial so far, and I felt myself sinking.

It has been extremely busy here for the last few weeks and I want to stop and get off the roller coaster, the merry go round AND the ferris wheel if you please!  Not that all those are bad, per se. But I feel like I have been stuck in "Vanity Fair" and I will die if I don't get out alive. My equilibrium is shot and I have a major case of vertigo that needs to be dealt with.   Yes, life has been like a three ring circus here, or at best, a really cheap carnival.  I am done and want my money back!

Now that I am done venting, I want to tell you that we attended an amazing production yesterday by David Simpich.  

 Hmm....suddenly I am seeing through the veil, and I know why this day is dawning as it is......because God's Word came "alive" to me yesterday through a unique and amazing production of "Pilgrim's Progress" done with hand carved marionettes.  One man performed it, did all the voices, all the puppetry, all the set changes, all the sound effects.  It was beautiful, it was severe, it was powerful.  It spoke to me in a way that the book never could alone.  You see, I think it has to do with my learning style.  This visual treat got to my heart, mind and soul----through my eyes and ears first, then straight to my emotions and mind.  The crowning glory was how it touched my soul.  And now, I am experiencing some fiery darts.  Fiery darts that had me sinking into some mirey muck already today.

All this from a puppet show you ask?  Yes, and I prayed that it would speak to my children the way it spoke to me.

I tried reading the book, the CLASSIC book of John Bunyan's.  You know, it was one of both George Washington and Abraham Lincolns' favorites?  And I  have tried to read it, a couple of times but it just didn't make sense.  I don't like allegories, I struggle with them, always have.  I don't like the Hobbit, but don't tell Mia.  I don't like LOTR, Narnia or.....

Just a few minutes ago, feeling kind of blah, (understatement) and seeking an attitude adjustment, I got online (although I should have just stopped and prayed some more...) however, and found this:  Nothing left to give?  staring at me from my inbox. ( Not one, but two of them, which of course means nothing except I accidentally subscribed twice----it's the devotional newsletter from TOS.)

You might not think it is a coincidence or anything, like I do.  You see, the editor is a dear friend of mine, although we have never met in person.  Deb is a gem. She is a real gem, and what I mean is that she is REAL.  She loves the Lord and endeavors to serve Him.  She listens to Him and passes on the wisdom He brings to her.

And she has a heart for homeschooling moms and can relate to them, and help them see the "light" so to speak.

On second thought,  it is no coincidence, it is providence that this came along today.  Right at the right moment, the exact moment that I needed it.

God is So good.  Now, stop reading this and go read the devotional! 

Nancy

Wow, did you read about the solar eclipse happening on the other side of the world?  Don't you fell really left out?! (Ok, so some of you ARE on the other side of the world, quit sticking your tongues out at me!)  But back to my whining; Why can't we have a solar eclipse?  IT just doesn't seem fair somehow.........

This was a quote in the AP article, I thought it was great: 

"I believe it's a wonderful work of God, despite all what the scientists say," said Solomon Pomenya, a 52-year old doctor. "This tells me that God is a true engineer."

I agree with that!  Now, this is a great opportunity for a lesson on Solar eclipse, on Geography, Astronomy, etc, with your kids today.  Show them the slide show or video, it's super.  Talk about the eyes, and why you can't just look at the sun. 

 Wow, there were a lot of people looking through X-RAY negatives and film.  I never heard of that before.....we just used a Far-Red filter when I was in school, years ago. Anyway, there is a lot you can learn about this eclipse today with your kids, even if you live here in good old North America.

But, more importantly, don't feel cheated!

  You too can have your own eclipse of the SON right here, right now. 

 More than anything I want the Son of God to overshadow anything that is going on in my life, and to illuminate His will for me today.  Plain and simple.  He brings the darkness to light in my life, and He will do it for you.  Just ask Him to!  I want all my designs to be brought to light in Him.  All my thoughts, my deeds, and my cares to be seen in His light only.  He is the way, the truth and the light, and that, my friends is ALL I need today.

I just want a Total Eclipse of the Son.

Blessings!!!

Nancy

PalmTreePundit did an exceptional job of putting it together, it's so beautifully done!

When you have a few "spare" minutes today, this should refresh your mind and soul.

N.

Yesterday, it seemed all my kids did was pester, annoy, gripe at and even fight with each other!  Impossible, you say!  MY PERFECT KIDS????  Yes, those kids.

Well, God always has a "good word" for us, for every situation.  After all, He is Truth, right? 

So this morning, on the Verse of the Day, which I love and am thankful for, here was "our" word.

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good;  and an evil man out of the evil treasure of this heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks."   Luke 6:45.

So t'was our Bible Verse "formal" lesson for today.  We find these lessons everywhere, everyday, but there are many times when you have to sit down and listen to what God is speaking to you about.

First of all, I print out the verse, write it on the white board (ooh, just like PS!)  and I also make them a fill- in -the-blank form, and leave a space for a picture to be drawn.  That way each level of ability has something they can do.  (my kids are 7,9,11, and 13)

Then, we get out Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary out, and look up some of the words, like "abundance."  Lo and Behold, our verse is mentioned there!  If you don't have this dictionary, I implore you, don't homeschool with out it!  And, you can find it on my links list.

So we read the verse, we talk about it, everyone says what they think it means, etc.  It is a very natural way to learn, BUT I always find out more than I planned to try to teach.  Isn't that they way homeschooling always is.

While we were talking, the kids were either writing the verse out, filling in missing words, or drawing something that depicted the truth of the scripture.

The neat thing is that it finally boiled down to this lesson:

God's Word is the seed of truth, that becomes planted in our hearts.  Other seeds (evil) can become planted there too---either by choice or by default.  We need to make sure we don't allow the bad seeds, the Bible even refers to the tares many times in the parables---to be planted there.  So, The truth (Jesus) is planted.  God's word also pollinates OUR words, which are planted elsewhere, and as they are nurtured, can bear the fruit of the Spirit.  Before you can harvest them, you have to water them, with more of God's word, you must weed out the "tares."  and they must have plenty of "Son-shine."  More of the things to make the seed grow, everything that Christ is in us.

Of course, this lesson is not just for the kids, it is for you and I.  What have you planted in your heart today?  This week?  This month?  You know what happens to a seed if you plant it and then walk away.  It will not grow.  You must tend it.

Just one more little sprout of love from God, turning in to a life lesson that will grow, and grow and grow!

Nancy

Hi everyone :)

I plan to write about that---16 years of bliss, well, I will write about it later and tell you the whole truth and nothing but the truth.....

---BUT first, I just found a wonderful post that you must read!  Are you tired, grumpy and not feeling like doing anything around the house today?  Are you letting the dishes slide, the floors stay dirty, the laundry sit there?  Are you sick of dealing with your kids (yikes) and just throwing in the towl?  Stop that grumbling, and get going Mom!  Count your blessings today.  Don't try to eat the whole elephant ----just take it one bite at a time.  BUT FIRST, read this:  Get the right perspective on your homemaking today, and be blessed.

Nancy