Grace for the Journey - Homeschool Blogger

What is working

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:32:00 -0600

I found this on another blog here at HS Blogger, and felt it worthy to share. Copy/paste and put it on your blog for others to share also.

1. What works for me: I started jogging daily, and found this to be quite invigorating, and a fast way to exercise. Even though I live in wet NW, I brave the weather, and have gong 6 out of 8 days. My attitude is much better too!

2. My hubby and I went to an encounter retreat weekend before last. That was awesome. We were really struggling, and it feels like the Holy Spirit has reigned His grace and rest on us. I highly encourage this weekend away; it refreshes everything.

3. Picked up the book: Have a New Kid by Friday, by Dr. Lehman. Not only is he funny but has some great practical tips. I think I will implement what Patty has below and get a long range weekly goal for the kiddos so they know where they are going for the year. Good timing to reeval for Christmas, so we don't take til July to finish some subjects.

4. Lovin sonlight 3 and will begin 4 in the new year! Also Answers in Genesis astronomy is awesome for us too.

5. Figured out working full time and balance homeschooling. I sleep in the car on Mondays for a couple hours as my kiddos are in classes. Will con't to work Monday til 7:30am and have classes w/ the kids at 9-? til Dave Ramsey gets a call from us, screaming we are debt free. We have paid off $5,000 in the last few months, and it will con't as time goes by.

6. Consistency. I need to continue on this path, and waver often due to tiredness. My other prayer is grace for how I talk to my kiddos. They deserve kindness and grace in how I communciate, so hopefully God will grant this to me so then my kids can have the best mom. Write what is working for you. You don't have to copy/paste but it is good that Patti started this thread and felt she needed to get the kuddos for it.

Blessings, Jeri..oh BTW, Marilyn Howshall has a new website on grace based parenting and HS. Google her name, you will be blessed.

I was reminded this week of a concept that really needs to be posted all over my house so I don't forget it... When we have vision, sometimes we are discouraged by what we DON'T see happening, instead of focusing on what IS happening.

Now, this concept was mentioned to me in a conversation about our church and what we want to see happen there. But it can also be applied to us as homeschooling moms. So in the spirit of thankfulness... I thought I should blog about what is working for us right now in homeschooling. I challenge you to read and then write your own blog about the same! Who knows who might read yours and find something that works for them as well!

1. Getting up at the same time every morning. Just works well for my body and mind.

2. Devotions and workout BEFORE waking kids. Have to take care of me before I can expect to take care of others! And the added peace and energy is worth the early alarm!

3. Giving them the entire week's work on Monday and allowing them to pace themselves throughout the week to get their work done. It's amazing the change in my kiddos' attitudes about school with just this one simple change. They take "ownership" of their time and they love the feeling of accomplishment!

4. "Story of the World" History - just started it, but my kiddos have a renewed love of learning history with this curriculum. They also like that I sit and read the entire thing to them... even my older ones!

5. Consistency, consistency, consistency... this has always worked and will always work... just nice to be reaping the benefits more these days!

So that's what's working in my home... let me hear from you! I can always use ideas to improve my journey!

Until next time,

Patti

Summer time blues

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 01:35:00 -0500

Hi all,

Wow, this summer is blasting by. We in the northwest have had record breaking heat, and unfortunately we don't have AC. So, b/c I work nights, my wonderful DH bought me one...online b/c retailers were out. HOpefully it will come on THursday, just in time for the weather to go to 75*. Wow, let's see, we have done quite a bit this summer in addition to sticking w/ our Sonlight 3, which I have been going through w/ DD and DS for almost 2 years. I got the Story of the World for this next year. Found them at basement bargain prices, and then can resell on Ebay for more, yea! The kiddos finally got done with their core subjects, math, reading and spelling by July 1. Some HS for 180days. I like to feel like we have really gotten to a stopping point. Usually we con't through mid June each year. I am concerned about starting some awesome private HS classes on Mondays starting mid September. I work til 7:30am on Monday after 12 hours through the night, and the classes for both kiddos begin at 9am-3. DD has 5 classes, DS has 2. Needless to say a parent must be on campus, which is great, but feel I need a bit more rest before I can do that. We will see how it goes the first few weeks. My DH said he would ask his boss if he could not come in to work until 11:30am, which would allow me a couple hours sleep. The Lord knows whats going on, and Grace is the word today. Our pastor had a wonderful word of encouragement about grace today. I worked til 7:30a then went to 9am service. Thankfully my patients tonight are pretty self sufficient! If you want to check out the awesome word on grace from Pastor Judah Smith, go to www.thecity.org, and download the latest podcast.. My goals this year for my 3rd and 5th graders are Drawing class, band, writing, Spanish, Bible, and then at home science, math, history. If you have suggestions for being more awake after 36 hours of night shift on the weekend, Iduring the week, would love ideas! My goals are lofty, as I work. But again, it isn't my works that will get our family through, its God's grace for this season in our life. My DS and DD are awesome! And our training has paid off during this time of work for me. Now, when I come home on Mondays from my last shift, I go to bed and they have their list to work on...piano, writing, reading, math. And when I get up we fit in some Sonlight. Do you just love Sonlight? I do. I don't want to go to another history curriculum, but would like to get more simplistic. I got the Story of the World for this next year, when ever we finish SOnlight 3. I so don't want to sell my Sonlight. I have cores 1-3, and b/c my DS is younger read him Detectives in Togas, or Harry Huggins. Sonlights books are keepers for sure, but am running out of space. I have a friend who has teens and does 1-2 core SOnlights at a time. This season is not the right time for that. We have done a road trip to N. Idaho, to give my 80Year old Father in Law a new Boxer pup. He loves it a ton; as we do our 5 year Boxer. We go to Hawaii the 2nd week of September. It will be nice to have a week off work, and will try to get the kids involved in what we will be doing for that week. I would love to hear your curriculum choices and/or your triumph of grace for these weeks prior to school beginning. This is a great group of people. Love to connect and see how grace has touched your life. Blessings to overflow. J

How are you?

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:01:00 -0500

Its 1am and I am working, now, fulltime as a RN with moms and babies. I have been a nurse over 10 hears, but haven't had the need to work in the real world as a nurse b/c of my wonderful husband. In the last year, I tried a home-based business, and my massage business all but dried up the last few years, since I do not take insurance. So, with Dave Ramsey's help and some Christian financial counselors, we chose to have me go back to work. Thankfully I have had my education and could put it to use. It was an arduous 3 months. I am so grateful for a friend who took my kids to a public school homeschool coop for the 3 months of my training. I started nights, 3 nights (12 hour shifts) per week. Unfortunately, that put a lot of strain on our family, with the coop, so we chose to bring the kids home, and we do school when we can. In this season, its about being accountable to the Lord, and getting out of some debt that has been on our back for too long. My two wonderful kids, dd and ds are 10 and 7, thankfully. So we do as much or as little as I have stamina for. I am considering doing another coop next year, that is close to home, and private; with no ties to the public school. I am praying that the Lord gives me a change in my schedule, so I don't work Monday until 8 than have school at 11:30am-3pm. I am so grateful for my wonderful friends who have supported me during this time. My husband and I have had some pretty terrible discussions, and have grumped at my kids over this need to be out of the home. But the Lord is sovereign and oh so good, that he saved me from myself, and continue to pray His grace on us daily! If there are other moms who work 30+ hours or more, I have an idea to begin writing a book of those of us that do. It would be awesome if you could email me privately @ jeripleticha@hotmail.com, to give me your story of balance, and how you get what you can done. As well as how God's graced you in this time of work and homeschooling. Plus a detailed list of a daily/weekly/monthly schedule as it applies to your family. Home based work is ok, but would really like to know about those families having homeschooling parent working outside home. Thanks, grace to you today!

Election Day Ranting

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 18:59:00 -0600

Hello fellow voters,

Wow, another race before us. What will be the outcome? I am on the west coast, and our governor race is just as heated as our national election. Amazingly, there is two very different views out there. I had coffee with a gay gentleman today, for my business...and I am grateful for it. I am glad that I can be with those that think 180* difference than me. I am thankful to be able to have a conversation, and not worry about their ideology changing my mind. The Truth Project is very explicit in what the two world views are, and knowing that the Lord wins in the end; is very comforting. Elections can divide people unnecessarily. But this man suggested this is nothing new. I am not well read on previous years' elections. He said that this reminded him of the race of the 1950s with much mud slinging and McCarthism as a slur. Anyway, I know the Lord will be blessed by showing others our love and compassion. The anti-family voters I have talked with this last week are pretty angry as a whole, about many things. I do hope that we don't portray that as well. Blessings to Overflow!

Jeri

Long Lost Blogger

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:28:00 -0500

Oh where oh where have I been, the last year(s)? Oh where oh where have I been...lots of busi-ness, and should begin blogging again..but otherwise preoccupied w/ work, children, and having my purse stolen out of my car last night. The perepatrator picked my lock and the car alarm went off. Now why didn't I hear the car and why didn't my dog bark are the questions of the day.
We finished the school year, kinda, and are taking a break from Spelling and trying to have my 9yo finish her math book (MUS). My 6yo son is really struggling w/ writing, so reading will have to come another time. I would love to clone myself. Why? Well, 24 hours a day is just not enough time. And w/ only me, there is only so much laundry that can get folded, dishes done, and business done! Praise the Lord for 80* weather. Most of the country is in heat wave mode, and here in Seattle, its a nice balmy summer night.
One last request...don't leave your purse in your car, ever. Even if you have an alarm, and a big dog!

Also, if you cam go to youre homeschool fair, see Andrew Pudewa. He has a great talk on boys vs. girls, and learning styles. And Stephen Guffanti, MD, who speaks of ADHD vs. Kinesthetic learners. Good programs. My 6yo may need to have a time out chair, instead of a bad paddle. He isn't ADHD more ADD...like me! You can tell that by this post, right?

Take care, have fun this summer.

Summer is here

Tue, 5 Jun 2007 23:51:00 -0500

Hello fellow bloggers, taking a hiatus more and more lately. Thank you for the 2-3 people who see my sight weekly. I do pray you are well, and you are letting the Lord lead your summer. My wonderful hubby of almost 14 years had a wonderful interview today, w/ a wonderful new company. Ugh, the commute would take 1-2 hours daily. We have it so cush w/ him being around so much. And it really works well, that he is home w/ the kids, and taking a big part in their lives. Pray that the Lord's will be done in this new endeavor. He has been passed up 9 times for other jobs at his current employment. I just pray my at home business just thrives, so he doesn't have to be gone as long as he is. We like daddy home. Its the way it should be! Blessings to you all this summer as you seek the Lord's will, and that you die to your own needs as well as put on the Jesus we know and love at all times, weather in good times, bad, or battling the chore issue. Be filled with grace as you show your family Jesus, through your actions, heart and desires for your family. Please look for Marylyn Howshall books, or TEACH magazine as much as possible to get jist of the freedom the Lord gives when we give Him everything....not just a few things but all. He is our Yawey, our all in all. Jeri

Happy Spring, Be Blessed

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 19:16:00 -0500

How are you? I am well. Happy belated Easter. He is risen He is risen indeed! I had an interesting time at my parents. We went to the Catholic Church for the Easter celebration. I was raised in the Catholic Church, and about 12 years ago, my husband and I switched to the Foursquare church. So, it was interesting how the service went. I am grateful that the Lord has been gracious to me, and I feel blessed to know Him so intimately. In the past I didn't feel that way. And I am grateful my children and I talk about Him almost as much as anything else in life. That wasn't my experience growing up. We have been living life, and sharing the Lord with each other, as a normal way of life, since we had our children 8 years ago. I am not ashamed to talk about the Lord with those that don't know Him. And I am grateful also to have the opportunity to Homeschool. Today, a massage client said how confident my 8 year old daughter seemed. What a blessing. So with that, I wish I could say all is easy. But the Lord is good, and He will meet my and your needs as He sees fit. The awesome devotional Streams in the Desert is a wonderful reminder of seeking our Lord in our daily trials. Blessings to you today. I pray grace on you and your family. Jeri

From Marsha Burns
April 11, 2007:
Watch carefully the demands on your time and energy. Discern those
things that are truly your burden to bear. Refuse to go beyond the
boundaries of your own responsibility. There will be opportunities
for others to draw you into their trouble and their concerns. Unless
you are truly moved by My Spirit to do something, your only
obligation is to pray and release them to Me, says the Lord. And, the
enemy will do his best to make you feel guilty for not doing more. Do
not yield to this accusation even for a moment.
Psalms 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Prayer and Praise

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:22:00 -0500

Hi, I am having an ok week. How about you? I have praises, as we are doing A.C.T.S. in our church services recently. That is an acronym for praying with specific thoughts to and for the Lord. I praise or have "adoration" for the Lord who picked me to be in His kingdom. And subsequently my family is following suit. I "confess" I haven't always believed the Lord in His sovereignty and timing. I pray "Oh Lord, save me from..." and then really don't believe it b/c I continue to fret over whatever the situation is. Lord I am "Thankful" for my husband, who encourages me when I am down. I really didn't realize how down I become. But daily I seem to need some external encouragement, from my husband, or lately, Thankfully, my children have been so kind in showing me love. Thank you Lord. And "supplication". Lord I pray earnestly for my Arbonne business to be successful. Like the analogy I heard tonight, the Space shuttle takes a few seconds to get to 100mph, than a few more seconds to get to 500 mph, and then only a few more seconds to exceed 17,000 mph. Lord, i pray this difficult task that I felt you led me to, is not in vain. Lord show me your steps, and your words. And show me how to take my eyes off myself, and onto you and others in the process. Thank you Lord for your divine timing and your Word that is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Blessings to all you Homeschoolers, burning the midnight oil, praying, fasting and going to bat for your family.

Grace for the Journey, March

Fri, 2 Mar 2007 00:17:00 -0600

Grace for the Journey- March

The Lost Art of Grace

Gone are the days of front yard chats. No longer do we have the time to establish fellowship with our friends and family. Where has all the grace gone?

Last month, I defined grace as “freely given , unmerited favor and love of God.” But check out this other definition of grace…. “A favor rendered by one who need not do so” That “one” is you and me. We all expect grace from others, however we find it easy to shirk our responsibility to show grace to others. How much grace should we expect from others and from ourselves? What can we do to make a difference in ourselves and our families’ lives?

When I was younger, I didn’t hear phrases such as “I am too busy”, “I forgot”, or “No, I can’t because…” Today, these words are regularly heard in conversations, meetings, and email, society’s favorite way to communicate. With children, a family, and many activities to manage, grace has become a lost art. It was common courtesy not long ago to RSVP for functions. Nowadays, with the convenience of Internet, it’s much simpler to write a last minute email or choose to forget altogether.

Often struggles in life stem from not taking a good look at our own fall from grace. From the fullness of his grace we have received one blessing after another John 1:16. We are blessed to know Christ as our Lord and Savior. How do we show our family and friends this grace of the Lord? Do we call or visit friends or family when we know they are struggling or do we send a quick email? Do we RSVP for functions or do we feign forgetfulness or send an email apology?

Christ calls us to fellowship. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. 1 John 1:7. It takes time and energy to create fellowship and Christ calls us to make this a priority. We expect grace and kindness from others. But when we give grace, we are honoring the Lord who calls us to this.

Our children are being raised in a grace-depleted society. One of our many duties is to incorporate grace in our lives daily, so they can receive it. But better yet so they can learn to give grace to others. This is how they will know we are Christians…by our love and by our grace. How can you show grace today? Blessings, Jeri

Grace, the lost art

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 01:42:00 -0600

Hi, this is a whining blog...not very graceful. And I am sure the evil one enjoys knowing I am struggling. But, why is it that people often let us down? This is my topic this month for "Grace for the Journey" which I will send in the next few days! But, why is it that when you send out invitations to a gathering, most don't RSVP or come, b/c we are all so busy. Why is it that others ask many things of us, which as Christians we freely give, out of our hearts. But when we ask, the world comes to an end and a myriad of excuses come out. As a child I don't remember it taking 15 tries to get together with someone. Your neighbors actually talked to you! After my parents divorce, these lovely neighbors took my siblings and I in after school we often enjoyed great conversation and homemade cinnamon rolls. Now if I get 2 waves a year in my cul-de-sac, its a great year. I feel so devoid of fellowship, I mean others just saying "Hi how are you. No I mean really" is almost unheard of. Now that I have had my own blog for almost a year, I have the big 9 comments! Noone wants to reach out and fellowship like in the past. Most are so busy, they can't think straight. Their kids are in 20 activities, because everyone else does that. But do we have a friend we can call when we have a struggle? No we blog! I want Jesus to come so bad, just to have a taste of true love, from someone that never leaves. Is always there, and supports me with whatever is needed. Apologies for the not-so-grateful blog, but this is weighing heavy on my heart. As Jesus was burdened and didn't have true fellowship, because noone understood Him. I too feel I am in this journey alone. And want so much to have true fellowship with which I can vent and not have to be justified for my ranting. Jesus, please forgive my ungrateful heart. That is the reason I am so sad, is the true ungratefulness, and relying on others as opposed to you. Clean my heart, and show me YOU through your Word, and anyone that feels led to answer. Blessings, J