Posted in Spirit Led Learning

GREEK OR HEBREW?

A few years ago we took a test to see if our Homeschooling style was Greek or Hebrew, because one leads to worldly knowledge and the other to Godlywisdom.  Sad to say at the time we leaned more towards the Greek style, but through the years we have slowly but surely adapted the Hebrew method (Biblical). It is interesting to see which one you lean towards.  If you are interested please feel free to take the test below.

Posted in Spirit Led Learning

In the six years we have been a home-educating family, we have seen the seasons of struggle and the seasons of tremendous breakthrough and victory, and this week we are so thankful to say it was one of tremendous breakthrough.

Things are just flowing for us, and it is so precious after months of striving.  I woke up each morning this week to see my daughter already up before me (which is very uncommon), and down in the homeschool room starting her work for the day! Can you see my HUGE grin right now?  It made my heart do multiple skips.  The first day I praised her and let her know how wonderful it was to seee her so committed to her learning time.  The second day . . . again, and third day . . again.  Each morning she would rise before me and start her studies.  It is so good to see my dd with a new hope, a new focus and new passion for learning - WOW!  PINCH ME PLEASE :-)

Okay so I am formulating some of the reasons this may be happening:

1) God is amazing and has heard my heart's cry and is now answering many prayers.
2) We have been going through each room of our home and organizing it and having everything in order, and now this organizational foundation is flowing into the homeschooling area also (when everything is in its place it is easier to focus on studies).
3) Daddy has been home in the mornings, and because of his involvement and presence in our morning life now, Pure One is responding.  (fathers' just have a way of influencing their daughters even if it is a gentle presence).

Whatever it is . . . I am just so thankful things are lining up and progress is being made.  These are the days when you just thank the Lord so much for homeschooling.  It was worth all the struggle to get here :-)

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thy heart,
And lean not upon thine own understanding:
In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.
 

Posted in Spirit Led Learning

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Yesterday I took Thomas (the boy I watch everyday) and Kaitlin to our local library; a weekly tradition.  Our theme this week is "The History of Ships and Ocean Going Vessels." So, as usual, the kiddos head to their sections to pick out all the books they can, which go along with the theme of our week. Kaitlin headed to the juniors section and Thomas to the beginning readers.  After 10 minutes Kaitlin approached and showed me a book called Spy For The Night Riders, by Dave & Neta Jackson.  I asked her if this was a book that fit our theme for the week and she said "no" but shared her desire to read it.  I allowed her to bring it home as it was published by Bethany House (a well known christian company based in MN).

The night prior to this hubby and I were at the store and felt compelled to buy the "Luther" movie.  We heard it was a good movie so we went ahead and bought it.  All of this sounds very normal and ordinary right?  Nothing that would constitute a divine plan.

Well, Kaitlin hadn't paid any attention to our purchase of the movie, yet the very next day, much to our surprise, the book she chose at the library coincides with the movie we bought. The book she chose was a historical book for kids, based on the life and experiences of Martin Luther.  

It was at this point I figured that it was not a coincidence but God's leading us to study Martin Luther.  At this point I don't know exactly why He wants us to know more about the life of Martin Luther, but I trust that it is all a part of His divine plan in steering us educationally in the direction He has chosen.  I look forward to sharing more with you as the events unfold. 

Our Teacher, Divine Father, who leads, guides and directs our footsteps; cares about every little thing in our lives.  Even a trip to the store or library can be divinely led.  As we surrender our need to control our children's education and place it into the hands of the One who created them.

Little life lessons . . . huge impact.  Coincidence or Divine Plan?

Posted in Spirit Led Learning

We have finally done it and braved the waters of going without television for a week (trial run).  I felt this little prodding from the Holy Spirit to stop watching it at night, and after sharing this with some of my friends at The Christian Homeschool Corner, it was like a wave hit and several of us decided to fast from TV this week (talk about cool women).

I am not a big TV watcher, per say, but like to watch the programs I record on Tivo at night when dd is in bed; we don't watch any during the day unless someone is sick or exhausted.  Hubby and I will usually sit down after a long day and watch TV together.  This was our time of "connecting and winding down," or so we thought.  The reality was we were sitting in the same room together but not really talking and sharing with one another about our day or about our relationships with the Lord.  We would do that at other times when we went on dates, or went for a drive, but for some reason not at night. 

So yesterday was our first day of no TV and it went well.  When Hugh got home from work that evening we went down into the family room ( by habit), and sat down, only this time without the added noise of  TV. Hugh looked at me . . . . and then I looked at him . . and then there was this deafening silence between us.  The awkward stare . . . the nervous glance . . . the uncomfortable grin.  .  We made some small talk and then Kaitlin came zooming into the room with her Animal Grossology book.  We have a field trip coming up to the Science Museum and one of the exhibits is about animal grossology, so she is excited about seeing it.  It wasn't but two minutes into hearing her read that book that we all started "ewwing, grossing out" and laughing together.  Oh it was a hoot!  That was when the connection happened.  That wonderful comfort of being with the ones you know and love best.  No distractions . . just pure connection.  That was a bonding moment (as weird as it sounds).  I can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings.  What an adventure!!

Anyone else game for TV FREE WEEK?