Having not started my parenting journey with the specific goal of raising mighty warriors for Christ - much of my parenting choices I have had to back out of and re-group.  Specifically - FRIENDS.

We have limited choices in friends being a homeschool family in a relatively small town.  Further - a small town has a limited support group and we have had to go beyond the Christian Community for extracurricular activities, which some would say is a good thing, arguing that we should be the salt and the light.  However I do not agree that children are charged with this responsiblity and I have not bought into that argument to justify publc school.  So where did my thought process break down for extracurricular activities?  How did I get so off track?  Here is how - I worshiped at the alter of "girlfriends and sleepovers".  I didn't want my daughter to miss out on that experience  - eventhough that experience wasn't particularily rewarding or positively memorable for me. I wanted her to have friends and watched her for several years not have any.  When a few friends came along that were from good, although non-Christian families - I compromised.  I failed to trust God to meet my daughters needs and gave into peer pressure - even worse it wasn't my peers I caved in to - it was little girls and their mothers. 

So what would I do next time?  What do you do?  Do you go to dance class at the community center?  Do you make friends outside Church, Awana, Support Group, Family?  Do you have play-dates and sleepovers with non Christians?  How do you walk this delicate line? 

I'm seeking God - because I know ultimately He wants us to love those all around us and to be His love to those still lost.  So the answer I've sort of gotten - but not really fully sure yet is this.  We must invite them to our domain, our home, our churches, our playdates.  I know, some of you reading this are going "daaahhh!"  I don't know why this never clicked before - cause now I have some relationship issues to deal with.  Thankfully - my dear and smart daughter has sought my guidance - but I'm still so sad I did not protect her better.  My intentions  - do not match the results. 

Still worse - I think it was my selfishness that encouraged my daughter to invest time in and to "walk in the counsel" of non Christians.  I'm am not the sleepover mom - or even the playdate mom.  I have a lot of responsibilities and I don't like being responsible for other people's children.  I should have insisted that more time be spent together under my roof.  With four children here - it is always easier to send them to the "other" friends house.  You reap what you sow!  And this crop is bitter. 

I wanted to share this - just in case there is someone out there with children age five and six - wanting them to have friends.  Never compromise on Gods' word.  He has much to say about who we hang out with.  The little girls were innocent enough - but I didn't think about the young women they would grow into - nor the influence their parents might have on my child.  God does have something to say about every part of our lives - are we willing to listen?  Thankfully - when we fail to listen - He just waits - knowing we will call for reinforcements.  Well - my SOS has gone out.  And now I have three more children - I won't make the same mistake with.

We had a milestone just recently - our oldest daughter was promoted from 8th grade to 9th or High School.  I have answered the "So, you are going to teach her through High School?????" question at least 25 times.  Thankfully, my answers are getting easier to come by.  This should be old hat by the time we promote the 4th child. 

What is my answer?  Why are we homeschooling through high school?  My most simple answer is that we are being obedient to the path God has called us to.  I don't really know if I can provide a better education that the public schools can - but I know I can give our children the education God has designed for them.  He smooths out all my rough edges, He fills in all the gaps I leave out, He directs all my courses and plans (hopefully) and when I veer off on my own - He gets me back on track - sometimes graciously and sometimes not so much....

I feel now that if we put our oldest in PS - it would negate the previous eight years.  My job is not done yet - we are just getting to the fun stuff.  I get a chance to see her use all the reasoning and judgments skills I have planted in her.  I want to see her tackle the tough subjects - frankly, I believe I will make  her think and reason a lot harder than most schools would.  I've seen the reading lists for some of my nieces and haven't been too impressed.  I can only hope and pray that she "passes" me up in ability and knowledge.  This for one - forces me to keep educating myself and two - it means she is learning and growing.  God can provide the resources we need to keep her advancing - my abilities should be of little consequence to staying the course God set for me.  That way, when we graduate our last child I will truly be able to say "God did it, not me"    All I can claim is faithfulness.

So I have a High Schooler in the house and I am potty training the littliest.  I know this is not so uncommon in the homeschool world - but in the secular world - I'm a bit of an oddity.  The other milestone is of course the potty training.  My little guy is learning to pee on trees outside.  I knew once he figured that out - we'd be off to the races and sure enough.  We seem to have turned the corner.  Yeah! 

In looking through my library - I came upon the book, Mountain Born.  A lovely book by Elizabeth Yates that we read back in 2001.  It sticks in my mind because it was one of the first read-aloud books that choked me up.  The kids kept saying, "mommy why are you crying".  And I really don't remember why, except it is such a sweet and pure story the touched me deep. 

The back of the book reads, "Wolves, weather, a black lamb, a trusty dog-all are part of Peter's life on a mountain farm.  His best friend is Benj, a wise old shepherd and Benj teaches him to care for the sprightly lamp that becomes his own special pet, his cosset.  As Biddy grows into her place as leader of the flock, Peter grows too, learning the skills and joys of the shepherd's life."

Being a mountain girl myself, the life Peter lives struck a chord - although I could only hope to lead such a simple life.  And Benj the Shepherd is wise - as David was perhaps, walking close to Jesus.  These two characters drew us in and I became very attached to little Peter.  I appreciated that he had to face life's harsh realities and how he did so bravely and without complaining.  Something, I hope to instill in my own boys.  He cared for nature and God's creation but did not worship it. 

The book is full of little gems such as this, "A man must have a care to what he puts in his mind, for when he's alone on a hillside and draws it out, he'll want treasures to be his company, not regrets."

I highly recommend this book - we read it when my oldest child was 7 and she remembers it still today.

It would be an excellent book as part of a study about David and the Psalms or a unit study about sheep and shepherding - or a nice snuggle book in the evenings before bed.  Written with the stuff of good dreams!

Sometimes - ya gotta just do life.  No fluff, no extras.  That has been the theme since Christmas.  I call it  "keeping my head down".  We have been impacted by the ecomony slow down which I'm sure had something to do with our personal crack down, but it was more self imposed than required by our situation.  It has been a good thing which is the testimony that I hear over and over from others about hard times.

But recently, God has been stretching me in new areas and breaking me out of my cocoon.  Making friends.  I'm really not very good at it.  Chit chat, casual talk is so challenging for me.  I have a friend that is so great at just talking about whatever and she is alway coaching me - still I struggle.  But in the last couple of months I have not been able to side step the "getting to know you" process with several people.  The obstacle to making new friends has always been a matter of time and priority - but God found ways around this and almost literally placed a few wonderful women smack in my lap.  I've been sitting back marvelling at how He almost tricked me, like I didn't know I was making new friends until I had actually done it.

Having always been a one-girlfriend kind of girl - this is a whole new world for me.  I'm so excited about what God is doing.  I feel like I am being bouyed up - which if I overthink it - I get a little nervous.  But he promises "But I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you".  I must believe that I am not exposed, but blessed. 

Happy Almost Spring in the Sierra!

As I put together this brief slide show of our trip - I'm flooded with memories.  A trip like this stays and stays with you.  The chance to spend such quality time with my family can only be hoped for again in the future - but if it never comes - I am so blessed to have had these thirty wonderful days. 

In August my husband kindly offered to take our family on a pilgrimage of sorts to our country's capitol, Washington DC.  The plan was to be gone for a month and I really didn't believe it would happen.

Guess what?  It did.  After a whirlwind of planning and wrapping up loose ends - we flew away from our home on October 22.  I had no idea what to expect from being gone from our home for 30 days.  I have lived in this town since I was a small girl - attended elementary, jr. high and high school here.  I married here and all my children have been born in the same hospital - two in the same room.  I am truly blessed - however, the prospect of being away from home was very exciting. 

We stayed in a rented house for two weeks in DC and experienced city life - complete with no vehicle.  That was a stange experience - going grocery shopping without my giant grocery getter (Excursion).  We learned how to expertly pack the stroller with our supplies and get it on and off the Metro without spilling it all.  It was awesome to be in the city during the elections - what a different perspective we got by getting out of our comfort zone.

After our 14 day tour of duty in the city we rented a car - (woo hoo) and headed for the countryside.  We toured Mount Vernon, Monticello, Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown - just to name a few.  Down in the Colonial triangle - we were so thrilled to spend four days in a 18th Century farm house.  What an experience that was!  The house and the grounds were so beautiful with fall colors.  It was a treat for this evergreen-living family. 

Our last week was spent back up in the DC area - but we were ready to go home.  We were severely homesick.  I know - we are wimps, some of you travel or move all the time with no complaining.  We love travelling - but we love coming home.

This was a trip of a lifetime and I'm hoping the fruit of our labor will be harvested for years to come with situations like this... We were home just a few days when I found my two youngest using metal poles from the porta crib as guns over their shoulders.  My 7 dd was chanting "hut two three"   when she suddenly pauses.  She grabs a rectangular pillow - tosses it in the middle of the floor and says "now we are guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier".  It was a precious moment to realize she "got" something like that.  Nevermind - the soldiers guarding the tomb are a bit quieter than my clan. 

We are getting back into the sit-down side of schooling.  I did attempt to do some school on the road - but as expected - over projected what we would get done.  There just wasn't time - with a field trip every day.  Good news is - we can do all the recording of our travels now - no serious lesson planning for a while.  We have a lot of "meat" to work with.

I hope to have a few minutes to check around to my "friends" and see what you all have been up too.  Have a very Merry Christmas season!

H

Happy Fall!  Boy is the world stirred up with some blustery winds of change and turmoil? Seems everywhere I look there is uncertainty.  I'm trying to cling to God's promise and stand rooted in Him.  I know you are too.  My prayers seemed focused on our leaders and our country.  My heart overflows with concern for our spiritual future in this land.  But God knows...

After two months of feeling RAW - I think I'm back on the level.  Nothing like some national crisis to put my own troubles into perspective. 

But despite all that...we have an exciting month coming up!  Our family is headed to Washington DC for a month long field trip - and educational smorgasborg.  It is the realization of a goal we set five years ago and we really didn't know how it was going to come all together, but it did.  The economic slow down is allowing us to leave our business in the reliable hands of our employees and take the kids on trip of a lifetime.  I still can't believe we going. 

So if anyone has tips or hints about visiting our capitol - I'm all ears.  We will be using The Providence Foundations - In God We Trust guidebook so that we don't over look the imprint of faith our founding fathers left for us. 

I'm also trying hard to let the trip be the education and not try to cram in a bunch of busy paper work.  I'm resisting so far.  Can anyone relate?  I mean - I prepared a lesson plan for our trip to Disneyworld?  Get a life right?  Needless to say - we had a nice stack of scratch paper from that misjudgement.  But this is a little different  so I'm asking God to show me wht is best for our family. 

Blessings to you!

H

By now - anyone who checks in on me - knows I'm an emotional girl.  A fact that I hadn't really admitted to myself until a friend said it out-loud.  I hate it and do my best to conceal it in my daily life.  But sometimes - God gets hold of that quality and won't let it be.  Without the emotion on the surface -  I am competent and self-sufficient - not exactly where He wants me.  So some days and in this case, weeks, I'm left raw.  All the tears welling, the feelings barely veiled and the cry stuck in my throat.  Crying out to God - "why? I don't want to, pick someone else, I can't."

I keep thinking it will pass - coaching myself to buck-up, saying to myself  "just keep your head down".  But everything is overwhelming - school, laundry, disciplining, dinner.  In the last week I've found myself just wanting to sit and stare into space.  What does that mean?  I'm tired?  Maybe.  I'm more inclined to think it means I'm out of God's will and His holy spirit is out to set me straight. 

Being a perfectionist, people pleasing first born - I can get off track mentally - but still make sure that the outside looks acceptable.  Which is why - I'm certain - that for God to get my attention He allows my insides to turn upside down.  I've always thought hormones were God's ace.  What starts out as a simple case of PMS can turn into something else completely. 

So what did God say - inquiring minds all want to know.  He said, I love you.  He said, trust me.  He said, focus on the basics, the fundamentals.  All through our conversation I kept thinking - "I know you promise an easy yoke - but this one doesn't feel easy"...I think I had on the wrong yoke. 

My heart has been grieving for our country and the our future as Christians.  I feel so passionately about raising warriors against the culture and that responsibility (that I put on myself) gets very heavy.  It was that self-imposed pressure that was festering inside.  It was that yoke I was wearing. Who did I think I was?  Only God knows the plan.  Once again I was reminded that I'm not "the plan" only part of it and I cannot have any part unless my will is in complete submission to Him.  He reminded me that I am just a child - too foolish to understand and that I had better just stick with what I know.  With the help of Job and Jeremiah I was set straight. 

I'm still raw.  Sincerely, I want to stay that way.  I don't want to these open wounds to heal because then I start to rely on my own wisdon - which obviously has led me astray more than once.  How on earth did Noah do it?  Follow God's words day in and day out for 40 years.  He didn't know the plan.  He looked foolish.  He wasn't praised for how smart, prepared and organized he was.  And still he kept on - building.  There was no visiable fruit to his labor for so many years.  Easy to see how he was the only man God wanted to save.  Yes, there are very few Noah's in our world today.  Can I, will I, be a Noah? 

It has been a year since I started this blog.  I've obsessed over it at times - wanting it to look cute and fancy - but that passes.  What I enjoy most is the connection - and that connection has been what drew me to the hobby in the first place.  I have a few friends - I enjoy making quick comments to those I visit and love to see these quick comments on my blog as well.  I have fleeting thoughts that I should be a more frequent visitor to blogs but - those guilt riden thoughts pass quickly as well.  I should have more guilt about not having a meal prepared for my husband at the end of the day.

I have a handfull of irritations nipping at my heals this week - and honestly, every week.  But - no need to whine about them.  Why bore you - you've got your own troubles nipping at your heals.  So, I'm sitting here trying to think of something interesting to write. 

I don't think this is interesting  - but here are the facts:

• Here in the mountains of No. Cal. the smoke is thick and expected to continue for two months - so much for clear blue summer skies.  But, my God is still Good!
• My 16th Wedding anniversary is this weekend.  This marriage and man saved my life from perpetual (un-necessary) drama.  We have an alone weekend planned - and my God is definitely Good!
• We will be starting our 8th year of homeschooling next week and I am even more excited that I was the first year - althought a bit tired already.  And still - my God is good.
• I have couples in my family falling apart - I pray, I counsel and still - heartbreak continues.  I must have faith - and know that my God is good.
• My estranged father has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and I have no idea if we will reconcile - ever.  But my God is good - He gave me a man that will never leave me or my children. 
• Our company is facing lay-offs in the next couple of months, forcing us to upset more than one family, but again - God is good. 
• Close family members suffer from serious disease.  We pray for healing and doctor's wisdom - and tell them - God is good.

Despite all the heartache that surrounds us - I feel the goodness of God.  I see times He has protected me and the times He has allowed suffering in my life.  I am not called to question His timing or purpose - but simply to be obedient to the task He has laid before me.  I love the command for obedience because it is so simple.  I understand it well because it is what I ask of my children.  "Just do it"  - Nike didn't get it completely right.  It should be "Just do it, now, with a humble and happy spirit."  Sadly - sometimes I only accomplish the "do it" part and am a little slow in reacting and certainly lack the happy spirit.  But I'm working on it.  I was reading today about Saul.  I shook my head at him and then looked in the mirror and shook my head at myself.  90% obedience is just not good enough.  As always in these moments - I'm so thankful for what Jesus did for me.  I have been spending some time thinking about the areas of disobedience in my life.  Still working on that too...

It is that time of year - where much of us go quiet on the blogger front - including me.  We are enjoying family visits and getting ready for the County Fair.  We start back to school in just two weeks - as we are taking the leap to year round school.  I think we are all looking forward to it.

I spent much of our brief break preparing my curriculum.  I also wrote our Philosophy of Education.  Here is what I came up with.  I believe it was important for me this year to determine exactly what our purpose is before I could choose curriculum etc.

Rainbow Academy Philosophy of Education

RED:  A CHILD’S HEART.  We believe it the parent’s responsibility to shape a child’s heart.  We take literally, Proverbs 22:6 which advises us to “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it”.   Further, we believe in the literal application of Deuteronomy 6:5-7 which tells us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength.  And these commandments (the 10 Commandments) that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts, impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you get up. “

ORANGE:  A CHILD’S ASSOCIATIONS.   We believe whom a child associates with matters – especially in the formative years of youth.  2 Corinthians 6:14 instructs us to “not be yoked together with unbelievers.  For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?  Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”    Also, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”  Proverbs 13:20

YELLOW:  A CHILD’S JOY.  Education should not be joyless.  A love of learning is essential to a lifetime of learning.  “Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”   Ephesians 6:4. 

GREEN:  SOURCE OF ALL WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE.  As a Christian family and school, we believe that all subjects, issues, and topics should be evaluated and tested according to scripture.  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

BLUE:  CHARACTER IS WHAT MATTERS MOST.  Anyone can be well-educated – but what we do with that education is based on our character.  Each child has his own path via formal education, vocational training or entrepreneurial pursuits.  All are acceptable to God if done with honor and right character.   “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.  Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21

PURPLE:  CHRISTIAN HERITAGE & SERVICE.  Regardless of how the world is living-our Christian heritage must be passed on to each generation.  “I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations.  Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever.” Psalm 45:17.  Also, always remembering, “you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” 1 Peter 2:9

The photos above were taken on Saturday at Lake Tahoe.  We live just 20 miles from the lake and get to enjoy its beauty often.  Saturday was unusual because there was virtually no wind.  I took these panaromic shots hoping to piece them together in a scrapbook - but thought I'd share with you all first.  The shades of blue were amazing.  The pictures start at the south side of the lake and go all the way to the north. 

I wrote this poem this morning after my walk.  God is good.  Enjoy this day.

Worshiping with Giants

Before the morning light

reached the cool earth

I walked among the forest giants

Their structure and form

a visual example of a Christ-filled life

in this mountain-top museum

of God’s Perfect Design

Each tree so different

I delighted in them all

seeing myself in each shape and style

but drawn to the tallest, highest and most majestic of these

The worshipers swayed with exceeding grace

and their voices whispered beautiful praises to their Creator

How I longed to join them – and I did

As I walked - their worship

drew me in deeper -

I dared not turn my heart and eyes away

understanding God had a message – a reminder

Just watch them, He said.  Just watch.

With each gentle sway I understood

to grow taller and dance with grace –

deeper still must my roots be

As the sun touched their tops and their shadows extended I knew

to reach wider –

longer still must I drink from the Living Water

What truth they told-

His words

His thoughts

always evident to me when I look and see

His way for me

is not a mystery

Last Friday I could tell we weren't going to get too much school work done at the table.  Taking a cue from so many other bloggers - like Melissa - I decided to pack up Science and our sketchbooks and head outside.  (See photos above.)

It was just a short hike to a beautiful meadow carpeted with little yellow flowers - (still need to identify those).  The kids ran to the creek and were knee deep in two minutes flat. 

We didn't get all that I wanted done - but we did identify a tree, discuss ants and some of their worthy character traits and read a chapter of Mrs. Pigglewiggle. 

Most beneficial of all was the fresh air which inspired me and delighted their souls.  We will do it again soon.

Oh - just as an aside - today I caught my 6 yr. old daughter picking her nose - and said, "Laura, don't pick your nose" - to which she replied - "I'm not - I'm trying to put it back in." 

Today the sun in shining - the air is warm - the birds are happily singing

I'm sitting at the table after lunch - procrastinating cleaning up the kitchen.

I can hear the kids playing outside - we are a very loud family

Soon we will get in the car and go to swimming lessons

My mind is overflowing - planning our Homeschool Leadership Meeting for tonight contemplating who will come forward and serve next year - wondering what God will Do.  There are never enough willing volunteers and yet He always provides.

I'm wishing I could sit back in the sun with my homeschool books and plan, plan , plan.  Alas, it isn't so.

The to-do list for the week looks like this...Swimming Lessons, Leadership Meeting, Baseball Game, AWANA, Co-Op, Youth Group, Music Practice, Haircuts, Insurance Renewal for Work, and...I'm sure I left somthing out.  But it will come to me eventually, probably 10 minutes before I'm supposed to be there.

The delayed gratification of time to plan our school upcoming school year - should make it all the more sweeter when I finally settle down in my wonderful patio furniture, under the umbrella, sip iced tea and make notes to my heart's content - Googling unit studies and researching library books until my fingers go numb.

My husband is right - he married a NERD.

In each year of our homeschooling journey - our focus has become more and more refined.  We began with the simple, yet worthy purpose to protect our children from the cruelity of other children - and selfishly, to avoid long hours of homework during our precious evenings.  A good start I suppose, but from where we started - God had a long way to lead us to His final destination - a place on the map called "Obedience".  Who were those two selfish and immature Christians?  But, my mind could not have grasped Gods plan back then.  I've had to wander the desert following His Cloud and Smoke in order to understand His purpose.  I am saddened, yet so thankful - that through homeschooling, the truths of the Old Testament have been revealed to me so I can teach them to my children and perhaps their purposes will be discovered in their young lives so that they can be momentum in of the revival in America. 

This revelation of who we are as God's children has caused me to gradually dump my ideas of what home education looks like and turn to God for the truth.  In my seven years of homeschooling God's plan for teaching my children the truth has been shown to me in this order - sometimes gracefully and others with a thump on the head:

1. Textbooks, Workbooks and other "packages" are not God's plan for my family
2. Pagan holidays and other customs should not be part of our curriculum or a focus for our family.  Yes, we still celebrate Christmas - but Santa , the Easter Bunny and other holiday characters have been virtually erased from our home and school.
3. Government has no place in our homeschool or in raising our children.  After a two year stint in a homeshool Charter school - we went back out on our own, rejecting money and guidance.  This act was not painful because we lost financing or guidance - I was quite happy to be rid of both of those "monkies" around my neck.  What hurt tremendously about rejecting the Charter school was that it required me to step out on my own - withouth the support of my friends and social network.  My actions were controversial and considered by some as abandonment and even, fanatical.  Who knew I was a fanatic?
4. AWANA is not a substitute for Bible teaching in the home.  Shocking, I know. 
5. Bible Teaching must be the core of our school.
6. Bible Teaching must be the core of our school.  (It took me a couple of years to fully understand what this meant for our family and while I might understand it now - I'm still executing it.  No easy task!)
7. I love history and all the opportunities it offers our family to do "projects" - but these projects can (in some cases) be considered a celebration of things "not of God" - humanistic in nature.  I must carefully evaluate all we do - and ALWAYS tie it back to God's word.  If it does not reinforce what God is teaching us through our Bible training and education - then it is not a worthy project.  I must refine our History studies even further. 
8. Science has a bigger role in our school that I thought.  I confess, I hate science as it is presented in traditional school.  The focus our school systems places on science is a celebration of man's knowledge and I have found it disgusting and thus rejected it.  God has shown me that teaching Science from His perspective is worship and essential for us to understand who we are.  It is a key part of our Christian foundation, but in my home it must be taught entertwined with the Bible.  I must bring the study of science captive under God's word.  Having done that this year - with the help of Considering God's Creation, I am ready to jump in deeper.  This is a very exciting part of our school now.
9. Character Training is paramount.  This is the ONE that I am most disappointed I didn't learn first.  If I had understood how important this is and DONE it, my homeschool and home would be so much more peaceful and pleasant.  My one great consolation is that through my trials - I can teach young mothers "what not to do".  I was so anxious to start "school", that I neglected to shape their characters in that moldable time.  Granted, I have younger children and more chances to do it right - but bad parenting habits are hard to break.  I am not without hope - or God's grace.  I will press on with character training.
10. And the tenth thing God has brought into focus during these seven years is that education for educations' sake is not our purpose.  Our mission is to raise Christians of character who are obedient to Christ and His call to serve.  Certainly, as parents we must educate our children and prepare them to serve in whatever capacity He has for them. But their character and foundation is my priority. 

To be honest - I have no idea where exactly God is leading us as we prepare our children to be independent and self-sufficient.  I do know the promises God gives - for following Him - so that is what I will continue to do. Follow Him - eyes wide, ears open and hands lifted high.

When the world creeps in - with talk of college prep and credits and all that - I can begin to doubt.  Can I really train them God's way and prepare for them a transcript worthy of college application?  Yes. Yes.  I've seen it done - and He promises!  Not in so many words - but the verse that comes to mind first is "for I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jer. 29:11 

I recognize that while many people totally get what I'm saying and came to this conclusion long ago - many do not.  I would hope that by sharing the path God has lead me on I have not judged anyone else.  God reveals His plan to each of us according to His timing.  May you have peace if you are where God has led you - and if not - I pray that you seek out His will for your family and your homeschool.  This is a journey. 

Living in small town, we have a fairly small support group.  It consists of about 25 families with about 20 being regularily active.  These last few years we've embarked on holding a short Co-Op in the spring and the fall.  It runs once a week for six weeks.  This goal is worthy but still so much work.  We are getting ready to start this week and the topic is DRAMA/THEATER.  I may have bitten off more than I can chew.  We are just trying to keep it simple and fun - but simplicity is something I stuggle with.  Moms seem so tapped out.  We all have to choose what is most important - and choosing to do nothing outside of our normal subjects has to be ok.  There are seasons for everything.  What worked one year doesn't necessarily mean it will be good for the next.  This is one of the hardest parts about being in any position of leadership.  "Reading the crowd" and being ahead of the curve instead of crashing and burning mid turn. 

I've enjoyed reading about other moms who use the Keepers program for a co-op or get togethers.  I am talking with another mom about putting a group together.  I'm super excited about this. I've really only seen it used for girls groups.  Does anyone have experience or a reference for using it in a boys group?

Have a blessed day - I'll post how our DRAMA went.

It is one of those rare spring days in the mountains, when the wind is warm,  and the sun is even warmer.  Spring in the high Sierra is mostly sunny, but step outside and you'll be greeted by a brisk wind or just plain freezing temperatures.  Not today - after several days of 22 degree mornings we woke to a balmy 42.  Wahoo!

I forced school until noon and just couldn't torture them any longer.  Out, Out, Out.  My 17 mo son enjoyed his first excursion to the sandbox, albiet very wet.  I'm putting off his nap because he seems to be enjoying the fresh air more than he needs the rest.  He just gave a bite of his snack to the dog and put the rest in his mouth.  Must be a good day - cause I didn't do a thing to stop it.

The girls are in and out - singing as they go - making up songs about bugs and worms.  My girls are more interested in what is under the rocks that my 10 yrold boy.  Of course they still have to work around patches of snow to find them.

And me?  Well, I'm avoiding most responsiblities - except recording our attendance to see how many more days until 180.  Wahoo - we will take a 6 week breat at the end of May.  Six weeks to go.  What's that song - sing with me now.

"I think I can make it now, the rain is gone.  All of the bad feelings have disappeared.  There is that rainbow I 've been praying for, it's gonna be a bright, bright sunny day."

I'm certain I've mixed up the lines - but you get the idea.

Each year I've been inching my way towards year round school and this year finds me even closer.  I've just scheduled the six week summer break and then back at it for the middle of July.  I think for me - with all I try to do both with my support group and my personal responsibilities with our business, that a traditional school year is just too much pressure.  I need to spread it out more and take a load off.  Besides - the kids go a little batty with too much unscheduled time.  Now - to break it to my girlfriends. 

That's all for me now - enjoy the moment - Saturday's high is forcasted for 42.  YUCK!

The past months my heart has been too full and my schedule even fuller.

The days seem endless and yet - I've struggled to create order and schedule.  I stay home and still my heart and mind is not focused on my home. I have come to the realization that I have gotten off track.

I (re)learned recently that I could probably be labeled a Melancholy-Choleric.  I am an organized homebody with administrative and leadership abilities which drag me out of my home - then I like to complain about it.  I'm learning that often we are gifted with two things that seem in conflict with each other.  This in itself seems to create the perfect situation for God to draw us near and keep us reliant on Him.

As it is for me.  So what is the secret to joy?  How can my melancholy spirit feel the joy I long for?  It is so simple and still I don't see it for many days sometimes.  He offers me joy in the music that delights my soul and in the nature all around me.  How do I go for days ignoring such things?  When I find my way back to His fellowship I rediscover these tokens He has offered me.  For some these tokens may be the fellowship of other believers, the sharing and the relating that reveals God's love for  us.  He speaks to each of us in the language we understand intimately and deeply. 

I am sometimes embarrased and ashamed about my personality makeup.  Sadly, I have been influenced by someone who taught me that this inner conflict between the cheerleader and the dark brooding artist equated to being insincere and fake, that those two contrasting personalities in me meant I wasn't being real part of the time.  How could that be? 

I must learn and know the truth.  God created this in me.  It is not a punishment or a flaw - but the gift He has given to me to reveal His glory to others and to minister to my person, my inner being.  Through my melancholy He speaks to my soul and through my choleric He (may) speak to others.  He is a God of order and balance - and I am living proof of that.  So are you.  I see it in my spouse and children.  I see it in my closest girlfriend as I watch her personal struggles. 

Delight in it.  Embrace it.  Being someone who has always shied away from conflict - I understand that avoiding conflict here on earth is no good for us.  Even if there is no external conflict - such as relational conflict - the inner conflict almost always affects us or we are ignoring it.  I don't know anyone who doesn't have days or weeks when they don't struggle within themselves to balance.

So my lesson today - I cannot eliminate the conflict - but balance it.  As if I am walking a tightrope - God has given me the pole for balance and provided the net underneath me.  All I have to do is walk - be obedient and BALANCE.

May God bless your day - see Him everywhere -

for He is everywhere!

The children and I are studying Ancient Greece.  This study would not be complete without a discussion about Plato who believed and taught that education was essential to a productive and sustaining society.  Of course Oprah preaches this same thing but without any seeming regard for WHAT the education is.  I've always struggled with this idea because so much of what our universities teach is contrary to God's truth.  I have not been able to reconcile the value of an education with the poison of evolution, humanism and other lies taught in the halls of academia. 

But when I started thinking about Plato's beliefs from a Chrisitan perspective I was able to see the truth of it.  If we educate our children in the ways of the Lord, teach them to evaluate all things through the lens of the Bible - they will be more able to free themselves and their society from tyranny. Especially now as our country is in the grips of a moral crisis - education is the key.  We, as mothers and teachers, hold this key. 

I have had the great pleasure of hearing Christian Worldview speakers, Mark Beliles of the Providence Foundation, Dr. David Vaughan. author and Marshall Foster of the Mayflower Institute. These men talk of our Christian heritage and all believe that homeschooling is paramount to that heritage being restored. 

So it was very exciting this week to have God use Plato to reinforce my convictions.  And surprising - I don't agree with Ms. Oprah very often even if it is only partially.

I'm always puzzled and amazed at how God has gifted us so differently and yet - deeply we are still all the same - His children.  Why this is so bewildering to me - I don't know.  Perhaps in my mind it is difficult to understand how God can take all His unruly and undisciplined children with so many different gifts and talents, sins and burdens and stir it all together into something that gives him Glory -  because I can't seem to stir together my four young children and come up with much more than a few good hours of peaceful cohabitation each day.  It just goes to prove how our human minds cannot understand God because of the original sin. 

Why am I pondering such a thing?  Today a freind shared with me how God had been revealing Himself to them.  Ways that just don't happen to me - if you know what I mean.  I don't get woken up in the middle of the night and I don't have an hour long prayer session with God full of tears and songs of praise.  I don't doubt my faith or my relationship with Christ - I was just so...like I said puzzled.   I know the answer to the "why" we are different -  but it just didn't seem to satisfy my ponderings.

But today as I was returning home from dropping my dd off at Youth Group a song came into my mind - "Spirit of the Living God".  I have not heard or sang this song in more than 10 hears.  I have not thought of it.  But the words came flooding back to me like yesterday, like a breath from heaven - full of reassurance and rest.  Words that reminded me that I can ask for the Spirit of God to fall on me and He promises that He will.  I know that like the song asks - God is and will continue to mold me,shape me, fill me and use me.   The ME is key in this song - because it means He will mold ME specifically, with the raw materials I am made of. 

The Spirit of God is evident in my life - but Satan does try to use our humanness against us.  Our quest to understand and be like God via any other method than complete obedience and child-like faith will only prove to be a risky endeavor.  Satan's traps are disguised and he almost got me.  The enemy almost side-tracked me from thanking God for blessing and edifying my friend.  He almost did...But not quite.  God breathed on me and reminded me of the TRUTH.  So thank you God.  Thank you for the blessings in my friends life.  Thank you for blessing me with the privilage of helping and mentoring this friend - even if their relationship with YOU is looking different than mine.  To God be the Glory.

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We've been back from vacation a week and a couple of days - but sadly we were met at home with terrible colds.  Must have got them on the plane.  Our high enthusiasm to dive into school was dashed with sneezes, coughs and headaches.  These are the bumps and curves of homeschooling.  I guess I should be more upset about missing another week - but God has given me peace about it. 

The snow has kept coming and coming all week long.  Not with huge amounts of build up - but just slow and steady.  The mountains are violet and white offset by the pale blue of the winter sky.  It is cold and the trees seem cozy snuggled in blankets of white.  Being the "sunniest place on earth" most of the time - these days upon days of cloud cover have contributed to the fog we are in - in the house.  But, today the sun finally shed light on the Glory of God all around us.  I love the peacefulness that settles in during and right after a snow storm.  The hustle and bustle abates and we all seem happy to be indoors - as long as we remembered to stock up on the basic grocery needs before the flakes began to fall. 

Another wave of storm is supposed to hit later tonight and I'm looking forward to more rest.  Hopefully it is still snowing Monday morning - the kids always do well in their studies when it is white outside, without the sun calling their names to come and play. 

I have the desire to break out the scrapbooking stuff - but not the energy.  I suppose my creative juices will have to be directed to blogging.  Moving from this chair seems impossible, except when the baby requires my attention.  Everyone else is on their own. 

Well, I'm looking forward to checking in on all my friends, so I'll sign off for now.  Once the decongestant clears my system, I'll be back.     H