Jul. 7, 2009 - Homeschooling Thoughts

May. 13, 2009 - Make room for His word.

" ³⁶So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ³⁷I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. " John 8:36,37

As home educating mums we have so much in our minds all the time, sometimes we go into overdrive. In my personal devotion this morning, this statement of Jesus jumped out at me. Do I have room (ie; make the mental space) for His word? It brings peace of mind, clarity, joy and purpose. Isn't that, after all, what we crave?

Apr. 19, 2009 - Our Trip

We spent three months travelling from just before Christmas to mid March. This was a part holiday/part deputation time, with 15,363 kilometres of family bonding time in the car! We drove from Kununurra in Australia's Nth West (our home) across to the Northern Territory and down South to my parent's home in Murray Bridge, Sth Australia, across to Phillip Island in Victoria for a Creation Supercamp, back to Mum & Dad's home in SA then West to the Eyre Peninsula to visit friends/church, then further West, across the Nullabor to visit Greg's family in Albany. We spent three weeks there catching up with family, friends and supporters, visiting churches and then drove up through the Sth West, stopping with home educating friends on a farm, then up Nth to Perth (WA capital city) to stay with more homeschooling friends. Finally, a week on our own in Perth city and then further Nth to home, via Coral Bay and Point Sampson.

How did we home educate along the way? Well, because we were on holiday we were pretty relaxed about formal education, but our older children learned a WHOLE heap at the Creation Supercamp joining in with all of the lectures. This was creation science at its best. Creation Ministries International sure know their stuff! The Creation Supercamp also offered opportunity for adventure. Hayley and Jacob had a blast going on some high ropes and high swing, something they don't get to do normally.

We greatly benefitted by listening to the Jonathan Park adventure audio series in the car. We were all hooked on that one! We caught up on extended family time, which is something that we miss normally, living so far away. We had to work together as a family every time we set up and packed up our camper trailer.

Greg used practical maths by getting the older two to record and calculate fuel economy each time we filled up with deisel. (They did pages of calculations!) They had to keep up a journal for the whole trip and took extensive notes at all the Creation Camp lectures. Then there were some opportunities for the classic "field trip" like an afternoon at "Whale World". This was fantastic for all of us. Hayley (15) and Jacob (13) spent over an hour on the old whaling boat they had there, exploring all its nooks and crannies. We enjoyed a ride on a glass bottomed boat in Coral Bay, viewing the beautiful variety of fish on the Ningaloo Reef. The older two got to ride on Uncle Tom's very fast and powerful jet ski, which was a great thrill to them.

Nov. 30, 2008 - Kimberley Nature Feature

BOAB FLOWERS

OUR FAMILY

AARON

BURROWING FROG

TOE BITER

CHILDREN'S PYTHON (HARMLESS)

FRILLED NECK LIZARD

TURTLE

SACRED KINGFISHER

Nov. 16, 2008 - Make a Godly Impression

Our character does matter and will make an impression, even in our short day to day interactions.

I was at the supermarket yesterday, at the deli counter. After waiting there for longer than usual, a young man came to serve me, apologising for the delay, saying they were very busy today. I was impressed by the respect he showed me through his eye contact, mannerisms and willingness to serve.

When Abraham's servant went on commission to find a bride for Isaac, he went dependant on God. His prayer was:

"O Lord, God of my master Abraham, I pray You, cause me to meet with good success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.

    See, I stand here by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming to draw water.

    And let it so be that the girl to whom I say, I pray you, let down your jar that I may drink, and she replies, Drink, and I will give your camels drink also--let her be the one whom You have selected and appointed and indicated for Your servant Isaac [to be a wife to him]; and by it I shall know that You have shown kindness and faithfulness to my master." Gen. 24:12-14

He was looking for a young woman of good character, one who would show initiative and care for the stranger.

Rebekah made this good first impression.

• She was beautiful and attractive, chaste and modest (v 16a).
• She got on with her business, but responded immediately to a request for help (v 16b).
• She used a term of respect in her first words. "And she said, Drink, my lord; and she quickly let down her jar onto her hand and gave him a drink." (v 18)
• While the man was taking his drink, she quickly saw the opportunity to serve him in a greater way by watering his camels also (v 19).
• She did this quickly and with enthusiasm! "So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well and drew water for all his camels." (v 20)

There is so much in Genesis chapter 24. I would recommend reading all of it. Its such a wonderful story!

Nov. 3, 2008 - Hayley's Tag

• Be used of God to introduce someone to Him through Jesus
• Disciple that person/people
• Village evangelism 
• Learn another language fluently
• Use that language to develop friendships and share Jesus
• See my children serve the Lord
• See Jesus in the clouds returning to take us home
• Improve my musical and artistic skills 

• Go on "Wipeout"!
• Or "The Amazing Race"!
• Make others forgive each other 
• Stop people destroying themselves with alcohol
• Solve all of the world's problems
• Change the past
• Keep up with all that looks like it needs doing!

• She is patient & kind
• She has always been available for us
• She loves God
• She has compassion
• She has a good sense of humour
• At nearly 70 she is reaching out to new people
• Others love her

Books I Love To Read

Oct. 26, 2008 - Exciting trip to Darwin

This is my husband and I in front of the Cockburn Ranges, approx. 1 hr from where we live. These photos are not related to our recent trip, but I thought you might like to see the area in which we live.

Sep. 3, 2008 - Julia

Recently we have had the blessing of a visitor from Switzerland. Julia has been staying with us in our home for the last three weeks, with one more week to go before she leaves for Brisbane to study English.

This is the first time we have had someone stay with us for so long. She is a lovely young woman, a teacher back in Switzerland. We met her family whilst on holiday in Thailand six years ago. She has become Zachariah's (5) teacher on most mornings, and he has revelled under her individual attention! She has been taking him into her caravan, spending time on his literacy & numeracy. He has been asking to "do school", even beyond his normal morning routine. I am thinking that maybe I should ask the Lord for someone like her on a more permanent basis!

The beauty of home education is being able to have different people speak into your children's lives as God brings them in. His timing is perfect and He knows just what we need.

Aug. 14, 2008 - They Came to Steal, Kill and Destroy

I promised to write about an event that occurred six years ago which was very significant for our family. Each year since, we have remembered that day in a special way, giving thanks to God for protecting us and for all He did that day.

We were living in Pakistan in 2002 at a school for missionary children (MKs) serving as boarding parents for a group of eleven elementary kids from varying countries (England, Finland, Canada, Korea, Pakistan). Their parents were working all around the country and some in neighboring Afghanistan.

It was Monday morning of the second week back at school in August. Our children (then only Hayley & Jacob, 8 & 6) were down in their respective classrooms and Greg & I were upstairs in our apartment with our language teachers. We had just come back from morning tea and were getting back into work when we heard loud cracks, which some thought might be fire crackers. We rushed to the window and to our horror saw a man standing in the middle of the courtyard firing a machine gun! He was standing only metres away from our children's classrooms. You can imagine our terror as it dawned on us what was happening. We knew that we had been in danger for quite some time. Only recently security at the school had been increased, including new high fencing built around the school and more security guards in place. But they (four men) had infiltrated and were now shooting everywhere, anywhere, smashing windows downstairs, looking for people to kill. We were horrified for our children and scared for ourselves. We retreated into our bedroom - all four of us (Greg & I, & the two language teachers). I hid under the bed and sobbed for our kids, asking God to please have mercy and send His angels.

The shooting lasted for fifteen minutes, along with shouts and the sound of smashing glass. Apart from that there was an evil silence and the moans of people who had been hit.

We are so thankful that God mercifully protected us and our children that day, along with approx. 100 other staff and students on site. Sadly, six people did lose their lives, they were all nationals, guards, bystanders and staff of the school.

In the following days, stories came out about how God had miraculously protected so many. It could have been so much worse.

These men, who attacked us thinking that they were doing a favour for God, also lost their lives. When they were confronted by police they reportedly blew themselves up (one was wired).

In the following days, I read in God's word from John 10:10:

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

That is why we choose to make August 5 a day of thanksgiving in our family.

Aug. 3, 2008 - Overcoming in the Strain of the Moment

 "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" John 16:33

Praise God for these words! What awesome peace they give us in the midst of everyday life.

Oswald Chambers writes in one of his most meaningful devotions for me:

"The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different."

"God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength."

On this day, six years ago in Pakistan, I was reading this devotion from "My Utmost for His Highest". In the column I wrote, "I am feeling the strain today . . ." Little did I know how much I was going to feel the strain in the next few days and weeks to come! It was two days before armed gunmen attacked the school where we were living and serving as boarding parents for missionary kids. (I will write more about that later.) No matter how great the strain, we are able, as God's children, to hide in Christ and know His peace.

I love the following words by Oswald:

"If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment."

After all, He is the great I AM.

Jul. 29, 2008 - His Purpose for Me

I have been reading Mark 6 and Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest" this morning, and was uplifted by Christ's example and the following words.

"His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me."
"It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God. God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future. We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it. What people call preparation, God sees as the goal itself.

God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious."

Jesus was a supreme example of this in Mark 6:34. He and His disciples had just had a very busy time, so busy with people's needs that they didn't even have time to eat. And then, they hear that John the Baptist has been beheaded. What emotions must have run through their hearts at that time! So Jesus says to them, let's get away and have some time alone. So they climb in the boat and cross the water, only to land on the other side to mobs of people with more needs! Jesus reaction? 

"As Jesus landed, He saw a great crowd waiting, and He was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things." Mark 6:34

Here was a man with His emotions under God's control. He was meek (strength under control). He is also the Great "I AM", which means that He is with us in each moment, He is with us NOW, and we can draw strength to obey from Him NOW.

Jul. 22, 2008 - He helps us through.

Thanks to God for giving us the strength to get through and enjoy this last week of running a holiday club outreach. Aaron recovered from his tummy bug, but Zac succumbed Wed. night, and was still very sick the next morning, and so I had to call on a friend to step in for me. Everyone on the team pulled together and by all reports the children enjoyed themselves. It is great to touch young lives with God's love and meet some parents also.

Sunday was another busy day as we were on church set up and morning tea and then hosted a birthday party for Zac (5) and Aaron (3). Hayley did a great last minute job planning a clown party, which certainly suited Zac's personality! Aaron enjoyed it too.

Jul. 15, 2008 - Fantastic, full on week!

This last week and a half has been the busiest time of 2008. Technically we have been on "School holidays" these last two weeks, but, in reality, this period has been full of preparations, intense and enjoyable learning and practical outworking of faith for us all.

Hayley has been busy finalising all her craft projects for the local show. We enjoyed going to the show as a family on Friday night and all day Saturday. Hayley did very well with all her exhibits, as did Jessica & Naomi and many other homeschoolers in town.

Sunday we welcomed the Peter and Kathy Sparrow of Creation Ministries to speak at our Baptist church. We had been looking forward to their visit for a while now. They did not disappoint us!

Monday morning, bright and early, the children and I headed off to set up for a school holiday club called "Get Some Fun" which I have been helping to co-ordinate. This has been a great organisational experience for not only myself, but Hayley also. Jacob has also been a really good help for me. I believe it is a vital part of the kids education (discipleship) to work out their faith with practical ministry. Our other homeschooling friends, Belinda , Margaret, Jenny, Natalie & Kathy and their children have all been helping with this ministry, as well as other Christians in town who don't homeschool. We had 30 children today, approx. 1/2 from non-church backgrounds.

Monday afternoon was a Creation Ministries meeting for the homeschoolers. Apparently they kept Peter busy answering questions for a while.

Monday evening was a rushed dinner at our house with Peter and Kathy before they went off again, along with Greg (my husband), Hayley and Jacob for an evening meeting. Just after I served dinner, Aaron (our youngest) vomited. Thankfully I managed to get him mostly down the passage before he made a mess! He kept going through the night, resulting in a very broken sleep for us. Some times we just have to lean on the Lord really hard to get us through. And He has been faithful! Hayley stayed home caring for Aaron and the house today while the rest of us were at the holiday club. What a blessing it is to reap the rewards of raising a daughter! Thanks Hayley.

One thing I haven't mentioned yet about Monday. The second 90+ mtr tower was raised here at HCJB where we live. This tower is to be used as part of a huge anntena system to beam out the good news via shortwave radio. Greg was involved in this, along with many others who have been working very hard to bring this to fruition.

Praise be to God! He is our sustainer.

Jun. 30, 2008 - Trip to El Questro

Last weekend we went for a 1 1/2 hour drive to nearby wilderness park, El Questro Can you believe it? Even though we've been living here for nearly four years, this was the first time we have visited this beautiful place! I'll let the photos speak for themselves. . .

Jun. 30, 2008 - God's work in us

Jun. 26, 2008 - Mainly Music

I have just enjoyed the morning at "Mainly Music" with my two youngest boys (2 & 4). I am part of the leadership team and really enjoy this way of giving out and getting to know mums and children in our community. We start off with singing and movement for 40 mins or so and then the children enjoy morning tea and playtime while the mums eat yummy home made food and drink cups of tea or coffee. I enjoy helping out with the leading of the singing occassionally, although our main leader, Megan does a fantastic job of this. We love making the mum's a cuppa and getting to know them through chatting, which often leads to a get together another time during the week. Hayley (our 14 y.o.) also comes along and helps out with the setting up, child care and counting the money afterwards. She also enjoys catching up with her homeschooling friend Jess at Mainly Music, who does a wonderful job of helping out. In fact, Jess made a delicious morning tea this morning, a chocolate cheesecake, which Hayley missed out on today because she stayed at home to work on her persuasive speech on "Why Chocolate is Good for You!". Too bad Hayley!

Hayley & Jess

Jun. 26, 2008 - Introducing my family

For those of you who don't know us, I thought I would introduce our family. Greg & I have four children; Hayley (14, centre back), Jacob (12, top back), Zachariah (4, left front), Aaron (2, right front).

This photo of us was taken at our local lookout, Kelly's Knob, in our current home town of Kununurra, Western Australia, East Kimberleys. We are living here while we serve with HCJB Global Radio where Greg is the electrician and I am homemaker/homeschooler. We are Australians and have been living here for nearly 4 years. Before that we were serving as boarding house parents at Murree Christian School in Pakistan for a while and also had a year in Thailand in the same capacity.

Jun. 12, 2008 - What's really important . . .

There's always so much to do in every day - a common problem in the 21st century. I saw on the news at lunchtime yesterday that in the USA people are able to achieve approx. 31 hours of work in a 24 hr period. But for what gain?

I personally often feel overwhelmed & burdened with all I should be doing - or at least "feel" I should be doing. Is this burden God's will for us today? As I was having this thought I opened up the Scriptures, asking God to speak to me and my eyes immediately fell on "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom." (Ps. 90:12)

The world is definately speeding up, and everyone along with it. Besides the primary tasks for each of us (for me its cooking, washing, cleaning, caring for and training my children), we have the added "advantage" of technology - which has now enabled us to gain more information (and lots of it) and communicate faster and more often. This results in messages being delivered quicker, which has sped up most of our actions.

Does Ps. 90:12 exhort us to speed up, act more quickly, cram more in to each day? Upon meditation upon it for a while, I don't think so. Why does the Psalmist ask God to teach us to number our days? So that we may present to Him a heart of wisdom. That's what is important - more than keeping up with the world's pace. After all, our life is but a sigh (Ps. 90:9). What is important is to learn the fear of God, to gain a heart of wisdom, that we may present it to Him.

Jun. 10, 2008 - Drinking from God's Fountain of Living Water

View of the water near the Spillway, Lake Argyle, Western Australia.

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to live in us envies intensely? But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
   "God opposes the proud
      but gives grace to the humble." James 4:4-6

Jun. 10, 2008 - Gift Pack for Parents of Boys

This is my suggested list of supplies for a gift pack for the parents of a baby boy:

Band Aids/Dettol/Cream

A pair of ear plugs

Washing powder

A list of Bible verses on patience, peace and discipline

If you're feeling really generous, a shopping voucher for food

A wooden spoon

A packet of paracetamol

Lastly a note of encouragement listing the many rewards of raising godly men.

Be encouraged mums, you're not alone!