1 November 2009 - The Precious Gift

(from another blog - http://homeeducatingmumof2.blogspot.com/ )

No shining tinsel in the stall
No Christmas wreaths upon the wall
No lights nor tree, no singing stranger
Just a small babe in a manger

No decorations in the stable
No plump turkey on the table
No moist pudding or Christmas cake
But a babe who came for our sake

No ringing bells in church steeple
No celebration, nor laughing people
No stockings, no baubles on the tree
Just a babe who was from eternity

No pomp offered to the King
No rich palace for Him to live in
Just a manger and a stall
For the only Precious Gift of all

No religious leader came to Him;
But shepherds and some wise kings.
A lowly place of manger and stall
For the only Precious Gift of all

Written 31st October 2009 (by me - Carolyn Davison)

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13 October 2009 - Change

We're now in October and autumn is well under way, with the leaves falling off the trees. Seasons change, the weather changes and we change, our children change! There is One though who has said in his word that He doesn't change (Malachi 3:6). Why is this important? Well, God gives us many promises in His word and because of His unchanging nature this means that those promise will be fulfilled - He will not change His mind about any of them! This should be a source of encouragement to us when we are let down or when we are struggling with things - God has said He is our heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is our Advocate with Him! He is preparing a place for us in His heavenly home - no one can take that place away from us! Our place has a massive RESERVED FOR YOU sign on it!

Have a blessed time

xxxx

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7 October 2009 - Autumn and Winter

Autumn (Fall) is here, the leaves are changing colour and falling off the trees, plants are dying, animals hibernating because winter is around the corner.
Sometimes in our spiritual lives we have times of winter where it is as if we are sleepy to the things of God! We go to church , read our Bibles but nothing sinks in and it just washes over us. We are like the Shulamite in Song of Solomon 5 - in her bed when her love comes to call on her and she can't be hassled to get up and go to the door to him so he goes away! The Lord Jesus Christ sometimes withdraws when we are sleepy and we take Him for granted - that is because He wants us to miss Him, to desire Him again. Wayne Detzler said - The church of Jesus Christ is not a dormitory for sleeping saints but rather a barrack bulging with spiritual soldiers eager to enter the battle! So we, as Christians should be eager to enter the battle and serve the Lord - I have to admit that it is easier said than done!
Another picture of winter is found in Proverbs 31 - where the Virtuous Wife isn't afraid of the snow! She is prepared for all eventualities - the snow isn't going to catch her out! She is prepared for the winter. So should we be in a spiritual sense! We will have times of winter in our spiritual lives, but if we feed our souls from the living word we should have nothing to fear when trials and temptations come knocking on the door of our souls!
Again in Song of Solomon we have been promised that the winter will pass and spring will come again - yes, we may have trials and temptations, but the Lord has promised to keep us safe - as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people says one of the Psalms!
Let's look to the Lord as we seek to serve Him in our homes! xxxx

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7 September 2009 - Time flies

It only seemed like yesterday
I was cradling you in my arms
You were learning to walk with wobbly steps
And you were trying to talk

It only seemed like yesterday
You were learning your ABCs
And learning to count from 1-10
And drawing big headed people

God has his hand on the clock of time
And though times and seasons change
The Lord in all of eternity
Stays the same
His love
Grace
Mercy
Compassion
Patience
Gentleness
Kindness
Never changes, never falters

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2 March 2009 - Well here I am again...

I don't tend to post on here often because I really never know what to say to be honest - now that's an amazing thing for me not to know what to say as I am a real chatterbox a lot of the time!

Well what has been happening here in Wales regarding home education? A group of us home schooling mums have gotten together to organise an 'Ace Space' day where we can meet once a month - the children do their work in the morning, then in the afternoons there are organised activities! The mums (and dads - none have come so far...) have a time for share and prayer while the children are working!

The first Ace Space was in January - the activity was fun and games! One of the mum brought along a parachute so that the children could play games with it, then some of the other children played table tennis! It was a fun day! Before the games the children put on a concert for the adults - there are a lot of talented children around . After the concert we did a Bible reading with actions - the focus verse for January was John 3:16 then onto the games for the rest of the afternoon!

The February Ace Space was slightly different as we were having a potter in the afternoon. So the children did some work in the morning and also their concert! One little girl was presented with her 'graduation from Kindergarten' certificate! More people turned up to this day so we had more children showing us their talents The focus Bible verse for this month was more challenging as it was 6 verses long - Jeremiah 18:1-6. The children did exceptionally well considering the length of the verse (although they had been given it to learn a few weeks previously).  After lunch (we all bring and share food) the lady came to do the pottery with the children! They used her wheel to make a pot each and they also made a tortoise (turtle) out of clay. They did really well and thoroughly enjoyed themselves! Some of the younger children were playing with Play Dough and cooking (making rice krispie cakes - do you have Rice Krispies in the US?) .

Next month the activity will be map reading with the focus verse being from John 14:1-6 where Jesus tells His disciples that He is THE Way, Truth and Life.

After the Ace Space days I produce a newsletter for those who had taken part and for those who couldn't come but would be interested in what happened!

Future events could include:

Basket Weaving
Detective Skills (one of the dad's is a policeman and has offered his services!)
Felt Making
Team Building Games
Drama
Banner Making
Cookery
Radio Broadcast

Well everyone who reads this - have a fabulous week basking in the love of the Lord

Carolyn xxxx

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4 January 2009 - HAPPY NEW YEAR

I know this is coming a little bit late (well 4 days a bit late :) ) - I want to wish you all a Happy 2009 with much abundant blessing from our Father in Heaven who loves each and every one of us so much He gave us His beloved Son to die for us! Last Easter I wrote this poem and thought I would share it with you:

Man Speaks:

There's no room at the inn for You
No peace to sleep and rest
Go and lie in the creatures' trough
I'm sure that will be best

There's no room in my heart for You
It's full of sin and hate
I'll do what I think is best for me
God and heaven can wait

There's no room in the world for You
We're happy with war and strife
We'll curse and swear, do what we want
Because that is our life

There's always room at the cross for you
Dear sinner, the Lord says, "Come!"
For I will make you heirs with Christ
And heaven will be your home

There's always room in My heart for you
I sent My Son in love:
He died because you are His joy!
You have a home above

There's always room in heaven for you
A place of peace and rest
A table laid with the finest food,
A home where you'll be blessed.

21st March 2008

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6 June 2008 - When the Lord speaks

I wanted to have a career
I didn't want to be at home
I wanted to be like other women
So all I did was moan

I wanted to have a big house
I wanted my own car
I wanted lots of holidays
To countries, near and far

But the Lord in all His tenderness
One day, took me aside
And said - "My dear daughter!"
These I can provide

"But I didn't call you to go out to work
To have your own career
I wanted you at home so that
You'd have time to draw near

"My Son is building a house for you;
A mansion in the sky
You do not need these worldly things
You're the apple of my eye

"So come dear daughter, the one I saved,
Your life is fulfilled in Me.
I will love and provide for you
Throughout eternity!"

So now I see God's plan for me
Is to serve Him in my home
I have a peace all over me
And now I never moan

Written by me - today (6th June 2008)

(It doesn't scan too well but it's a mini testimony of the Lord's dealing with me - a once unhappy to be at home mum!)

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6 June 2008 - To be a MOTHER...

...Requires a life of -

Meekness
Orderliness
Tenderness
Heart-felt loving
Extreme devotion
Right attitude
Insight and wisdom
Nurturing
Gentleness

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29 May 2008 - Oh dear - I'm not too good at this!

Hello everyone from a bright and sunny Wales, UK!

I'm not doing too well with the blogging am I? It would help if I didn't keep forgetting my blog-in name *sigh* memories are like children - they get lost in the business of life (OK I made that one up and I don't continually lose my children LOL!). I did once - my youngest son wandered off while I was paying for something at my local market [this was about 7 years ago!]. You know what though? We sometimes wander off from our Heavenly Father and yet He always tenderly brings us back into His presence again and loves and nurtures us. When we make mistakes He gently guides our souls back to Him and envelopes us in His everlasting arms! (My last post was about our Father's everlasting arms...)

One thing the Lord taught me recently is trust - putting my trust in Him! I have a problem with letting go of my children - they have never been to camp on their own or things like that! I am a major worrier! The Lord stopped me short a few weeks ago when I was stressing and said - "Don't you trust Me? I gave your children to you to take care of BUT because I gave them to you don't you think I will care for them when you are not there?" WOW, Lord what a revelation and Sorry Lord that my trust isn't totally in you in ALL areas of my life!  If anyone reading this blog has the same problem with letting your children go - remember that our Heavenly Father knows more about the needs of our children than even we do!

This morning the Lord spoke to me about the sacrificial nature of motherhood - there is so much to give up so that our children are taught well and are brought up well! Help me Lord to be the mum you want me to be and help my wonderful sisters in Christ to be the mums You want them to be as well!

I don't know you sisters, but I love you all - we have a common bond and that is the Lord Jesus Christ! We may all have different blood groups physically but Spiritually there is only ONE blood group for  Christians and that's Christ's blood and it is totally and utterly POSITIVE - there's not one NEGATIVE where His blood is concerned! :)

OK I have written so much (well, I do have to catch up ;) )!

Thank you Lord for my brothers and sisters in Christ

Carolyn xxxx

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7 December 2007 - Underneath are the everlasting arms...

Recently the Lord has brought this verse to mind (most days). A beloved sister in Christ had cancer and was very ill - in the afternoon today another sister in Christ called me to tell me that my sister with cancer had gone to glory! She is now totally healed and she is worshipping and adoring the Saviour she loved.

What comfort we can take from this verse (Deuteronomy 33:27b). Other verses of comfort can be found in Psalm 23;  Isaiah 40:11, 30-31; 41:10;  43:2; Hebrews 13:5c and many more.

Be ever blessed and may you rest in His presence today and always!

Carolyn xxxx

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6 December 2007 - Oooops

Well it was quite a while ago I used this blog - and I've only posted once! Oh dear I'm going to have to make more of an effort aren't I?

Thank you for your messages of welcome on my first blog! Someone said they wanted to know more about Wales so I'll give a little summary!

Wales is a country to the west of England. It is actually an older nation with its own language (Welsh - which is spoken in certain areas), national anthem, national costume and flag. The population is approximately 3,000,000 people. We use the same money as England >grin< . Wales has an Assembly where some political decisions are made e.g. on education, but we still come under the main rule of Westminster in London! Our patron saint is called St David and is the only British Isles saint to be born in the country which he is patron saint (hmmm does that make sense?)! Wales is famous for rugby, farming, male voice choirs, mining (in the past), eisteddfod (a festival where bards come together to compete for the highly coveted prize of a hand made chair - they write their poetry in Welsh and the criteria is very strict! The Eisteddfod goes back to the 1100s when Wales had its own Princes (we have Prince Charles, but he's actually English!) ). The National Eisteddfod moves around the country every year - I think it alternates between  North and South Wales - and takes place totally in Welsh. There's also an International Eisteddfod which takes place every year in a town called Llangollen. Wales can be mountainous (depending on the area) and tends to be very green due to the excessive amounts of rain!

I can't think of much else to write really!

Take care everyone and remember that 'Underneath are His everlasting arms'

Carolyn xxxx

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28 April 2007 - Introduction to home school blogging

Hi everyone who reads this,

I joined today after seeing an article in the TOS magazine (my first issue came 2 days ago) - what a brilliant resource

Anyway I thought I would introduce myself to those who may view my blog! My name is Carolyn, I live in Wales, UK (where I was also born). I have 2 sons aged 14 and 11. My eldest son goes to a very small Christian School (there's 3 pupils attending) at the moment but in September it will probably have to close so I will home educate him along with my youngest who is slightly autistic and has been home educated for a fair few years now. I'm married and have been for 14 and a half years. I became a Christian in 1990 on December 10th in an American Church in Brussels (I was working as a nanny over there!).

Home educating is a relatively new 'idea' in the UK but is expanding rapidly, not just in Christian circles but non-Christian circles as well. I am amazed at the amount of resources there are for home-schoolers in the US - unfortunately there aren't too many over here!  My son used to be on the ABeka scheme, but now is on ACE and is thriving on it! We have ACE over here but curriculums like ABeka and Sonlight have to be shipped from the US! Fortunately (or more like providentially!) there are a few home educators in our area - in actual fact we're going to a home educating family's house for a BBQ tonight.

I was so excited when I received my first copy of TOS the other day - it's a fabulous magazine and I've started to glean ideas from it :) I haven't read it all yet but what I have read has been a huge encouragement  - the article by Ken Ham has re-affimed the reasons why I home educate and wouldn't send my sons to state school (public schools in the UK for some reason are private - don't ask... ). BTW I saw an advert for TOS in the Answers Magazine.

WOW, I've written quite a bit (I talk a lot, but when it comes to writing blogs I'm normally stuck for words >grin<)  Anyway I'm sure it will take me a while to get used to this site but watch this space!

May God richly bless whoever reads this as you strive to give your child(ren) a Christ-centred education

Lots of  love  in Christ

Carolyn xxxx

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