Feb. 26, 2008
Celebration of the Arts...
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The arts are very important in our homeschool. My children have grown up loving to draw, and I have a couple that dabble in other media as well. Our church recently had a Homeschool Arts Festival where my oldest participated by providing artistic cakes for the reception, my second-oldest daughter did a dramatic reading of "Hungry Mungry," by Shel Silverstein, and my youngest daughter displayed some of her paintings. There were many other wonderful works of art displayed, and lots of music (piano, singing, instruments of all kinds, and artistic interpretive dance). It was wonderful to see all the gifts that God has blessed our children with, and seeing them learn to use them for His glory alone! |
Nov. 13, 2007
Thanksgiving is coming!
In the midst of middle of the year doldrums, I simply want to express my thankfulness to God. So this year, I am thankful for:
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Feb. 7, 2007
It's been a while...
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It's been a while since I've been out here blogging. Good reasons, I suppose. Our family moved, and we've been trying to keep up with schooling and all the emotional things that come with moving. I'm so thankful the Lord has brought us where we are, and given us a wonderful church to be part of! One of the things that has been a special blessing to me is the willingness of folks at our new church to get to know us and to "spur us on to love and good deeds..." It's Christianity at its best when someone loves you enough to encourage you to live every day for the Lord and in His strength. We've finished our first semester. I still need to tabulate all the grades for my high schoolers, but so far it's been good. I'm shifting gears a little with my two younger girls--we need some fresh thinking about school. My four year old is really getting the bug for reading now, so I'm thankful to say we'll finish the 100 Lessons book by the end of his preschool year. As I look back over the last few months, I can only say how amazed I am at God--His goodness, mercy and faithful leading! I know I don't deserve to been where I am or have the blessings I have. If I could write songs, I would, but alas, that isn't my gift. I can sing them, just not write them. But here is one song that our new church has sung fairly recently, and whose lyrics speak for me right now: Isn’t He good, Isn’t he kind Hasn’t He blessed us time after time Isn’t He good, all of our days With endless mercies and ceaseless grace O let us sing: He is good. Your mercies meet us with the daybreak And every breath that we take Points us to Your grace Your power keeps us till the hour Every knee will bow and Worship Christ alone. (Isn't He Good, Stephen Altrogge © 2004 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)) |
Aug. 10, 2006
End of the first week...whew!
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I guess we made it. Almost finished with the week, and making some progress. I am so thankful to have added the Bible & quiet time into this year. I know it's only the first week, but I can see it's made a difference for the children in how they think about and approach school. Growing Up Christian has been a good one to start with. I think they're thinking hard about some things. I look forward to hearing our discussion tomorrow. I pray that they'll open up more with one another as the year goes on. First they must learn to trust one another not to lay into them or make fun. I've grown too this week, I guess. I'm learning that I'm dependent on the Lord for mercy and grace to deal well with everyone and not make the schedule or the work take the place of God. There are more important things that God is teaching us, and I just need to get out of His way and let Him teach us! Make us teachable, Lord. Ah well, it's off to bed, so that I can face tomorrow well. |
Aug. 7, 2006
First Day back
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Well, I guess today went better than I expected (thank you, Lord). It was a little chaotic organizationally, but we progressed. We did start the day right, though. The kids had a quiet time, and then we got together to read a devotional (a think Christian, kind of book). We're reading "Growing up Christian." I think this will give them some food for thought about developing their own walk with the Lord. And then, we prayed. Even Josh (4) prayed: "Thank you God for saving us, and we having a good time." Bible, History, Science, Reading/Literature, and craft this week. Next week, we'll add in more subjects. Hopefully by then, we'll have some of the organizational things better. I need to: find a place for completed items from the kids, so that I can check or grade find a way to keep grades for myself teach them to copy their own assignments down? prepare Josh pages for each morning to do while we read our devotional prepare some activities from Learning and Thinking for Young Children Attitudes toward learning today were spotty. Hannah's was good, Josiah's not too good. He complained about a lot of things and was somewhat careless in reading and caring for his materials and books. Rebekah's was good. Sarah was pretty good, but a few places she whined about things. It's just the first day. We all could stand to improve. |
Jul. 27, 2006
break time almost over...
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It's hard to believe that within two weeks we'll be back to school. We've been moving so fast over this summer that I thought would be "more relaxed". Ha! I am looking forward to getting into a more regular routine. I am looking forward to learning a lot with my kids. I am so thankful that I can homeschool my children...what a blessing! I am continually amazed at God's blessing. I am also amazed (but not in a good way) at the way the modern culture views women who homeschool and raise their children at home. Even my family has ideas that somehow this can't be the best thing for the Mom or the children. The world is so filled with this idea of self first, and it's bad to deny oneself or serve others in a meaningful way. I pray that the Lord will help me to serve my family in a Christ-centered way and in humility this year. I've finished my yearly planning. It feels so good to have printed out the year's work and see how it will all unfold. I tried very hard to simplify subjects this year, and to make sure I wasn't asking too much work from everyone. And after looking around for school planners & software, I'm much happier to have designed my own using EXCEL. I was able to print a week's worth of school for all four of my students without going over 2 pages, and I can see at a glance what everyone is working on. I also used an EXCEL version of Managers of their Homes to create a basic schedule for the week. It's more of a guideline for us, but it keeps us focused on the goals. I also created a homeschool notebook so that I have lesson plans, goals, attendence, grades, and other helpful things in one place. I'm hoping this will be a tool to keep me on track this year. With the busyness, I sometimes get so disorganized that we get off track and I don't keep up with what I should. As soon as we hit our tax free weekend, I'll be able to purchase the last of our needed school supplies and materials. I'm finishing up the laminating and copies this week. I like having everything ready. I used to lose steam half-way through the year, because that was as far as I got with planning & copying. The big thing for me this year is to cover this year with prayer, and to be humble toward my students. |
Apr. 18, 2006
Still working on...
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After praying and thinking, I've made some changes to the materials next year, although, nothing too significant. I feel like I'm in wait mode. My husband's contract is up in 7 weeks, so we're searching for the place the Lord has prepared for him. I keep trying to run ahead of God and get things lined up, but the Lord keeps saying "wait on Me". Oh Lord, forgive me, and help me to do that. In the meantime, we're enjoying the end of this school year. We have about six weeks left of school.We're finishing up with American History. I keep hoping that some of what we've learned this year will stick with them. Sometimes my children seem to be in that mode of "I already studied that, so I don't have to remember it anymore..." I wish they would love learning more. I wish too that they would enjoy all subjects, like math and reading alike. Spring is sweet this year...the yard seems so green right now. I wish my allergies didn't hate spring so much. The birds are back at our feeder. My herbs are growing like crazy, as is the rose bush. We planted broccoli and lettuce, but warm weather may come too quickly for a good harvest. And we need more rain! It's so wonderful to see the new growth and the reminder that God does not leave us dead in our sins, but breathes new life into us. The renewal of spring is a wonderful reminder of that. |
Mar. 8, 2006
Hits right between the eyes!
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I stumbled across a webpage on Tapestry of Grace's site that hit me between the eyes today!. I put the "offending" page under my favorite links on the sidebar here, so feel free to link to it! You know, I know all these things, but in truth I do not practice them as I should. Here's what hit me hardest: /* quote from TOG Grace-centered Homeschooling page */ Another set of questions to ask daily, or weekly: As I examine my life, am I consistently keeping the MAIN THING (my relationship with Jesus Christ) the main thing, or do I compromise in some of these ways:
A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. Let us educate our children with reverent fear of the Lord, not self-righteous pride, remembering James 3:1-2 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. /* end of quote from TOG Grace-centered Homeschooling page */ I do show a lot of self-reliance. And then I complain or wonder why everything blows up in my face all the time. Why I am constantly struggling. I need to repent, and start bringing myself before the Lord daily. I do often blow up at my kids when they are not doing things MY way. I need to repent here and love them with the gospel. And I need to speak the gospel into their lives more. (Lord, I'm weak. Show me how to do this!) Change me Lord in the areas you've shown me today. Let my reliance be on You and Your Faithfulness, rather than in my own strength or abilities. Thank you! |
Mar. 3, 2006
Encouragement
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Title: God's Help for God's Assignment Author: Elisabeth Elliot Devotion: Elisabeth Elliot Book: A Lamp For My Feet Title: God's Help for God's Assignment Sometimes a task we have begun takes on seemingly crushing size, and we wonder what ever gave us the notion that we could accomplish it. There is no way out, no way around it, and yet we cannot contemplate actually carrying it through. The rearing of children or the writing of a book are illustrations that come to mind. Let us recall that the task is a divinely appointed one, and divine aid is therefore to be expected. Expect it! Ask for it, wait for it, believe that God gives it. Offer to Him the job itself, along with your fears and misgivings about it. He will not fail or be discouraged. Let his courage encourage you. The day will come when the task will be finished. Trust Him for it. "For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded, therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed" (Is 50:7 AV). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I cannot think of anything that I need to grasp more as a homeschooling mother than the truth that God gives me what I need to accomplish the tasks He gives me! Far too often, I get focused on the arguments, complaining, whining, and I lose sight of the Lord. I see only myself and my limitations! I want to move forward in faith and simple trust, that the Lord has given me these tasks and He will never leave me nor forsake me. I will cling to that truth. Lord, please do not let go! |
Mar. 2, 2006
Where my heart should be
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I don't have much to add today, but I ran across this quote by Luther and wanted to include it here. This is the kind of attitude I want to have as a teacher of my children. I may need to put this to calligraphy and post it somewhere in the house! In holy and divine matters one must first hear rather than see, |
Mar. 1, 2006
Refreshing breezes blowing through here!
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This week I have been working on decluttering my house, along with other ladies on the Making it Home yahoo group. I started out feeling overwhelmed at the thought, but it's gone well. I'm glad I decided to try it! On Monday, I started by clearing up my computer desk--ugh what a mess! But I got rid of a lot of paper and books and things that were just dumped on it. It looks so much better now! In a few days, after my dh changes my operating system, I'll upload some photos to my blog to remind myself how good it feels to have it taken care of. On Tuesday I worked on the room that my computer desk is in-my dining room. Now, granted this week was to be working on the foyer or entry way into our home, but my dining room is right next to the foyer, and my foyer wasn't overly cluttered, so I went right on into the dining room. I had been using it as a business room, but since I recently deactivated as a CM consultant, I wanted to clear out all the papers and unneeded clutter from my former business. I'm hoping to find a business that doesn't require any time away from my family, but more on that later! I also made the foyer a little more inviting by putting a more beautiful rug in there, and picking all the dead leaves out of my peace lily. Eventually I would like to get a more decorative pot or pot cover to put on the plant. And it needs other homey touches, but I don't know what yet. After that, I rearranged the furniture in the dining room. I put the piano in the spot that could be seen from the bay window, and arranged some family photos over it. Wow. That looks so much better. I organized my scrapbook cabinet and put that with my computer desk against the other wall. It looks better over there. I'm so glad the computer cabinet can close! Today I reorganized my husband's music for church. I hope that will keep us from piling everything really messily next to the piano. It's looking so good in here, this may become my favorite room. At least until I do more! |
Jan. 25, 2006
How does it all fit in, Lord?
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I think I may be the queen of mistakes. Or at least of being pretty sure that I don't know what I'm doing! As I look back over my 13 years of homeschooling so far--it seems scatter-brained, piece-meal, without a plan. Yet I cannot escape what I know to be true: that you O, Lord HAVE a plan and have been executing it in the life of my family from the beginning. Homeschooling mothers make a plan, but the Lord directs their steps. God, you are good! We're bringing Hannah back home this coming year, Lord. I can't help but smile at your sense of humor. Just when I thought it was all figured out for me--she'd finish her education at a Christian School--you reminded me of my original mission. Helped me get my thoughts back in line. Thank you, Lord. Go before me...prepare me for what lies ahead. Make me a woman of prayer in the lives of my children. Keep me firmly on your solid foundation, no matter what may be said of me, or happen. By God's grace, let me educate my children. |