Posted in Weekly Wrapups

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From the Heart: 

 

We live just 20 miles from Memphis- a city with many problems and challenges.  There are many faith-based initiatives committed to helping meet the many needs of Memphis.  These organizations often struggle for help, financially and personally.  It’s a sad truth that the Memphis area also has an unusually large number of mega churches.  For several years, I have felt a yearning to work in inner city ministries.  This calling grows stronger each year, and I can no longer ignore it.  Yes, I have mentored two homeless, pregnant ladies through a Christian child and family services agency, but I want to do more.  I’m not sure exactly where God wants me to work, but I feel strongly about tutoring inner city kids and assisting young women as they transition from their past lives to a different, much better future.  I also want to include my girls in this work.  I'm eager to see what God has in store, and I’m equally excited about the possibilities after my children have left the nest.  There’s no telling where I’ll be then.

 

If you say, "Surely we did not know this," Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

Proverbs 24:12

 

In Our Home:

 

Rachel went to the OB/GYN and left after having only a consultation.  The doctor does not think she has endometriosis because the pain does not worsen around here cycle.  Instead, she believes it’s muscle-related.  She wanted to examine Rachel externally and internally to be more certain of ruling out anything gynecological, but Rachel freaked out and said she “couldn’t do it”.  Rachel tends to go into a panic when anything unexpected is about to occur.  It’s quite disturbing actually.  In the end, the doctor did not examine her internally, but prescribed a muscle relaxer to see if it alleviates the pain.  If it works, great!  If it doesn’t, she really needs to be examined.

 

Terry was on vacation last week and began building a closet in the upstairs gameroom/bedroom.  The frame is complete, and it looks great!  We plan to move Sarah into that room with Rachel since it’s so large, then use her old room as an office/guest room.  After Terry puts up the drywall and add the insulation, it will almost be complete.  Still, it will probably be Thanksgiving before they begin to share since beds have to be disassembled to be moved.

 

 

In the Schoolroom:

 

Last week was very awkward with Terry home.  Every day had a late start; plus the hammering, sawing, and excitement of him being here made it very difficult for everyone to stick to their tasks.  However, we completed four days of school and spent the fifth day (Thursday) at the zoo.  The weather was perfect.  The crowds were small.  The animals were playful.  It was an ideal zoo outing. 

 

 

 

 

 

At home, this is what we accomplished:

 

Bible: We continued our study of David and King Saul’s jealousy. (1 Samuel 15-19)

History: Sarah is still reading The Adventures of Ulysses and loving it!  We couldn’t find any good books on Sparta and Athens at our library, so we read commentary and related chapters from Story of the World. 

Language Arts:  Still working on paragraph organization with Rachel and Sarah.  Camille worked on the letters L and G.  She will be finishing Book C very soon, and then we will begin Explode the Code, Book 1 which introduces vowels.  She’ll be reading before I know it.

Math: Sarah continued studying volume of cylinders, while Rachel worked on angles.  We will start next week going back over Lesson 5 though.  She did not do well on Test 5.  The lessons are starting to require spatial reasoning now, and she may need additional visuals to help her from here on out.  Camille wrapped up number recognition and formation.  She’s doing very well writing her numbers (0-9), so next week, we’ll begin introducing place value.

Science:  Rachel continues her study of Botany in Module 15.  Sarah is still working on the nervous system (senses).

Literature: Rachel is reading Antony and Cleopatry by Shakespeare and Persuasion by Jane Austen.  The girl LOVES Shakespeare!  Sarah is still only interested in twaddle, but after the holidays, I will give her a booklist from which to select her free reading.  Thanks Belinda, for that idea.

 

 

On the Bookshelf:

 

Thrive, Don't Just Survive – ladies’ Wednesday night study.   Last weeks’ discussion was on bitterness and anger.  This was a tough chapter for me since we deal with this at home with Rachel.  There really isn’t anything anyone can do for her.  She has to let go of the negative self-talk and re-direct her thoughts to something positive.  I shudder to think of where she’s headed if she doesn’t make these changes in her life..

This Side of Heaven – I sent this one back to the library.  There was no use keeping it any longer.  I just couldn’t get into the story. 

Parenting Today’s Adolescent – Great book with very practical advice.

 

 

On the Exercise Mat:

 

I exercised four days last week and walked the zoo for 3 days another day.  Not a bad week on the exercise mat.

 

 

Have a magnificent week, ladies!