I’ve always enjoyed hearing about curricula that others are using and what they think of it, so I thought I’d share what we’re doing this year.

Language Arts:

9 yo ds:  Rod & Staff English 4, Rod & Staff Spelling 4, Wordly Wise 3000 B & C, Handwriting Without Tears, Abeka Read & Think Skill Sheets 4.

7 yo dd:  Rod & Staff English 3, Rod & Staff Spelling 3, Handwriting Without Tears, Abeka Read & Think Skill Sheets 3, Explode the Code 8, and when she finishes ETC 8 she’ll do Wordly Wise 3000 B.

Latin: 

Prima Latina (both are doing)

Math: 

Ds: Horizons Math 4, Mental Math Questions by Math and More, CalcuLadders.  He is currently less than 3 weeks away from finishing Book 1 of HM 4, so unless I slow things down, he’ll probably be in HM 5 before the year is up.

Dd: Horizons Math 2 Book 2 and Horizons Math 3 Book 1, Mental Math Questions by Math and More, CalcuLadders .    She has moved quickly as well, and may end up in HM 3 bk 2, depending on circumstances.

Science:  Real Science 4 Kids.  We are currently doing the Chemistry book, supplementing with Exploring the World of Chemistry.  We’ll finish this by mid year and I haven’t decided for sure whether our next step will be Biology (which I’ll supplement with Christian Kids Explore Biology) or Physics. 

History and Literature:  Sonlight Core 3 w/ Advanced Readers, supplementing with Story of the World Vol. 3.

Also, I integrate elements of Institute for Excellence in Writing across the subjects.  Dd is also working through Art With a Purpose Artpac 2; ds can’t stand coloring/drawing, or anything artsy, so not forcing anything on him.

Now, lest I sound like I’ve overloaded my poor little elementary students, please know that they AREN’T required to do EVERYTHING, EVERY DAY, and many weeks are only 4-day weeks.  If you read my introductory post, you know we like to take off in our RV when dh’s business season is over.  So we do year-round schooling with scattered breaks and there are times when we only school half-time for weeks on end.  We’re currently planning to shut our house down and possibly be gone for up to 4-6 weeks this fall.  We’ll bring some school with us, but will not do it every day and will be focusing giving the dc’s experiences that go above and beyond books. 

I’ve chosen Rod & Staff English this year after a lot of trial and error, and I’m thrilled with it.  It is very thorough and challenging enough for my accelerated dd, while containing enough repetition and review to allow ds, who has a severe distaste for grammar and writing, to be successful. The text looks like a lot of written work, but I do many assignments with them orally—even some meant to be written ones—with good results.   I’m also happy with Prima Latina. So far, it has proved to be a gentle intro to Latin, as we do it in just a few minutes a day, and my kiddos are “getting” it.

Horizons Math and Mental Math are a repeat for us, and I’m still pleased with them.  CalcuLadders is something we recently picked up and I’m pleased with the results thus far. 

This is our first year with Sonlight.  I did SOTW only in the two years past, and I did like it, but we needed a little some thing different.  This has been the answer.  What we’re currently studying only covers American history, so I’m also doing a little SOTW 3 to give them a little broader view of what was happening in the world at that time, but we’re only reading it and doing some maps here and there.  More than that would be too much!  One thing worth mentioning:  in the past, ds would almost never use his free time for pleasure reading.  Since beginning Sonlight and reading the books that in that program, he seems to have figured out that reading is fun.  The books are just that good.  He’s discovered lots of good books hanging around the house, and I can barely keep his nose out of them to take care of his responsibilities now! 

If there is anything that falls to the wayside when the going gets tough around here, it’s science.  We’re plugging through it, but slowly.  I get busy and don’t get out to buy our experiment supplies, so it gets put off again, and again, and …….  We’ll get through it though!  RS4K is a good curriculum if you have any children who are oriented towards science.  I am using it for ds’s sake and the others tag along with it.

As for my 4yo, she is schooling too, though not as regularly.  It has been a little more consistent lately, as her interest increases.  I don’t like to shove it in their faces before they're ready, so until they so show interest, I just try to encourage experiences that will foster love of learning. (I  learned that the hard way, and am paying for my mistakes  it now.  Please DON’T rush your little ones!  They will enjoy learning more and learn more easily if you wait until they are ready.)  We have started Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, which I used with much success in the past, and have also started her in the first of the three “pre” Explode the Code books, which she absolutely loves doing. She has also been working through some of the Rod & Staff preschool books for a while now, and really LOVES doing those.  We also throw in some Saxon Math K here and there, read lots of books, and will soon try out Five in a Row.  So, a little of this, a little of that, along with lots of crayons, scissors, and glue, and we’re having fun!  Also, older dd loves to teach her little sister—and does it very well--so there is much that younger dd is learning without my help at all.

Enough time yakkety yakking.  Blessed Be His Name!

When I came before the Lord this morning, I had such a feeling of desperation in me whose cause I could not pinpoint.  As I recorded my thoughts and confusing feelings in my journal, the Holy Spirit showed me that I knew exactly what was bothering me, and that it was something that I have been dealing with for as long as I remember.   Without going into much detail, there have been ungodly thought patterns that have reigned in my mind since childhood.  These thought patterns have always affected my ability to focus and to stay in touch with reality, and have been especially apparent in my prayer time and quiet time before the Lord.  It affects my ability to hear the whisper of His Spirit, which is like a death sentence to me.  You see, my deepest longing is to truly KNOW Him, because I love Him and long to allow His life to be expressed through me.  To hear the Holy Spirit speak into my life as I read His Word, as I sit before Him just being with Him, and as I walk through my day seeking to abide in Him, this is what I live for. 

As I prayed this morning, repenting and placing my trust in His faithfulness to finish the work that was started in me, and spent time in His Word and in intimate worship, something happened.  The feelings of desperation and hopelessness left, and my faith skyrocketed.  I was just enjoying His presence as I prayed for my family and expressed my love to Him.  I found myself praying Psalm 5 aloud and believing every word of it. Once again, the promises of Psalm 91 were being manifest.  It was yet another Hebrews 10:23 moment in my life (Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) ).  You can believe that much of my born again life was spent in a mentality that opposed that awesome promise in Hebrews.  I was stuck believing only what my eyes saw….I just couldn’t internalize His Word.  But He IS faithful, and there was a point at which I was freed and the Word became life and truth to me.  Now I walk by faith, never doubting that His promises to me will be fulfilled.  His love is too great for Him to ever leave us on our own. 

As I run the race and continually follow my heart’s desire to know Him and be pleasing to Him, He faithfully reveals and burns away anything that stands in my way.  It is a painful process,  having my sin revealed and cleansed from me, but it will be forever worth it.  After all, is there any greater reward than Him?

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone;  because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.   Isaiah 6:5-8

Not long ago, I was reading the Gospel of John and a Holy Spirit light bulb came on in my head.  I suddenly realized that that chapters 13-17 read much like a man giving his last will and testament, with instructions on what to do with the inheritance.  The scene is the Last Supper, where Jesus spent His last "free" moments on earth with those that He had chosen to walk closest to Him. To them, at this meal, He revealed treasures beyond counting.   If we choose to embrace these treasures, we will find life more abundant and joyful than we ever knew we could begin to receive, and we will not be able to stop Heaven from being poured out through us onto a world so desperate.

John 13 (pick up your Bible if you want to follow me here) begins by speaking of Jesus' unwavering love for his disciples, even for poor old Judas,  who He knew was hours from betraying Him.  Then in verses 3 and 4, something amazing occurs.  Verse 3 confirms that Jesus knew exactly who He was, exactly what He had the power to do, and exactly what he was He was about to go through.  Before going on to verse 4, read John 1:1-14, and consider the awesomeness and the majesty of what is revealed about His identity there.  Read Colossians 1:16-18 and 2:9 and meditate on those for a moment.  Now consider that Jesus already knew these things about Himself, and knew them in greater measure than we can begin to understand.  In light of that knowledge, consider the extreme supernatural thing--a thing that every natural, fleshy part of us could never desire or understand--that he does next in verse 4.  It sounds simple enough....He removed His outer garments and girded Himself up with a towel....but there is something more profound there than meets the eye.  As I was reading that passage, the Holy Spirit whispered to me and reminded me that in many places throughout Scripture, garments are used symbolically, representing various attributes that apply to the person that is wearing them.  For instance, in Zechariah 3, Joshua is brought before the throne with his garments covered in filth, and the enemy throws accusations at him, but he is reclothed in clean, white garments.  The actions represents redemption through Christ, and the condition of the garments represents states of sin (filthy) and forgiveness (clean and white).  That is just one example, and there are many more that I don't have time to elaborate on right now, but look them up for yourself.  Revelation has quite a few of them, and many other places speak of the spotless white garments of Christ.  At any rate, as I was reading John 13:4, I realized that the action of Jesus changing His garments was a tangible act representing the spiritual reality of what was happening.  The "garment" that Jesus wore, that represents the full reality of His identity, was being removed. In its place He girded Himself with a towel, which in the Greek language, actually spoke of an apron that a servant would put on when beginning work.  Girded, in the Greek, means "to bind or gird all around".  In other words, Jesus was willingly "disrobing" Himself, for the moment, as the Priest and King that He truly was, and binding Himself in the mantle of a servant, giving Himself to the service of these disciples that He loved so fully....even the one who would betray Him.  (Can you even begin to imagine the pain that Jesus felt as He washed the feet of Judas, whom He loved, but whom He knew would break His heart?)   In verse 5, He proceeds to wash their feet,   drying them with the apron that represented the position of a servant.  I can just picture the look of disbelief on the faces of His beloved ones.  He was fulfilling the duties of one they would consider far beneath Him, and He was doing it for them.  He was honoring them in the highest way, and calling them to the highest, yet humblest of callings.

This is the beginning of obtaining the full inheritance for which He paid:  Though we are a nation of kings and priests (Revelation 1:6, 5:10), we are called to willingly humble ourselves and put on a mantle of servanthood.  We are called to do this thing for His sake, that He may obtain His inheritance, which is the nations of the earth.  He loves the nations, and He longs to draw them to Himself. He is calling us, as joint-heirs with Him (Rom. 8:17) to go forth and win the nations with the authority of kings and priests, yet clothed as servants who honor even those who hate us.   Our flesh hates to display this kind of humility.  Yup, pride always goes down kicking and screaming…or at least mine does!     

So what’s a hungry believer to do?   Well that’s the best news of all:  There is nothing better or more glorious than knowing Him more and growing to love Him more!  Life in Him is an absolute BLAST!!!!  He is just so much fun to be with!  It's through this joyous and adventurous life of pursuing Him that we are transformed into the vessels that He called us to be.  It is out of that place deepening relationship with our Heavenly Bridegroom that our flesh dies, and our desires come into alignment with His desires.  What we’re left with is a burning passion for Him, and a longing to give Him all that He longs for.   So hold nothing back, and don’t be discouraged when you fail.  Let go of it all, give it to Him, and He'll have His way in you.     And for goodness sakes, HAVE FUN!!!        

Well, here I go.... I've never had a blog of my own, and I'm ready to set out on this  new little adventure.  My time is not my own, so for all I know, the Lord may tell me that this isn't the best use of His time right now, and this will be over as quick as it began.  But that's okay with me!  I know that I more than likely won't have time for this every single day either, but whatever time I can spend blogging will be a good time for me.  Even if NO ONE ever reads this, I will still find much value in it. Putting my thoughts and experiences into written words is an outlet for me, and it would be an additional blessing if I may somehow glorify my Savior and encourage my fellow believers through what I have to share.

Now for a little about myself.  My name is Stacy, and I am a 31-year-old wife to a hard-working dh and homeschooling mom to the three of the greatest blessings ever.  My first ministry is to the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am absolutely RADICAL for Him.    Nothing means more to me than to have His life expressed through me.  My days are focused on dying to myself & drawing nearer to Him, and my deepest longing is to KNOW Him  (Philippians 3:8-10).  He is my first love, my all in all, and I belong completely to Him.  I rise early in the morning, before dawn, to spend precious time in the secret place (Ps. 91) with Him.  Soaking up His Word, loving on Him in times of worship and in prayer, and seeking His will for my life is what I live for.  All other ministry I have flows out of this.  Without my deepening relationship with Him, there would be no ministry to my husband, children, and anything else that the Lord may put before me in His time.

With that in mind, on to my next ministry, which I wish I could claim to do well at.  I still have a long way to go in ministering to my dh (just ask him ), but the Lord isn't done with me yet, and the more I fall in love with Jesus, the more I find myself to submitting to His will in being more of what dh needs.  Dh is self-employed with a business that is very seasonal.  From about mid-March to Labor Day, he works, works, works.  And it's not always an enjoyable job either.  I can't tell you how downright guilty I feel sometimes when he's out there working in hot coastal-Carolina humidity for a 15-hour day, and I get to do my job in air conditioned comfort (somebody remind of that if I ever dare complain!).  While he is grateful for the business that God has given him, I know that his heart is ultimately for full-time, hands-on ministry of the gospel to the nations.  The Lord has given me the same heart, and thus comes a vision of God for the destiny of our family.  The Lord has already bound us with the hearts of a couple who have a full-time ministry that is similar to our vision, and we are, in essence, to be mentored by them.  Last year we were able to take two ministry trips with them to the Gulf coast after Katrina, which was an experience that goes beyond anything that can be put into words.  We are a missionary family at heart, in a season of preparation and training  Even my children still ask if we will be able to go back.  Even they recognize the desperate need of those precious people and hear the heart of the Lord to do something for them. Which, of course, brings me to the next ministry in line.....

My son is 9yo, and a carbon copy of his daddy in such a way that's almost scary.  On any given day, he'd much rather be taking something apart to see how it works than to do some math or english assignment (to know where he got that from, see previous sentence)! We have a 7 yo daughter who is also a delight, and so encourages me with her desire the know the Lord.  Her little sister, who is her best friend whether she admits it or not, is 4.  This one was given to us to guarantee that there will never be a dull moment in this household.     Whether the Lord chooses to give us any more little warriors to train up for Him remains to be seen.  I cannot begin to express my gratefulness that my days can be spent with my children, and that I do not have to put them on a school bus in the morning.  The Lord is putting their ministry into them now, and I cannot entrust that to hired strangers.

Soooo, what do we do during the times of year when dh has little or no business.....

   On the road again....just can't wait to get back on the road again...!!

Yes, we have what you would call wanderlust.  Last year, after our first trip to the Gulf, the Lord surprised us by allowing us to have a (BIG!) travel trailer.  It's amazing how it worked out, because only two months before, my dad had unexpectedly offered to sell his big, beautiful truck to us for what amounts to peanuts in comparison with its full value.  Since dh's work truck was giving him so many problems, this was a great blessing.  It is that new truck that now hauls our RV.  God was working things out that we had no idea about.  We love our RV now, and have gained an affinity for traveling together with what amounts to be our very own home rolling along behind us.  We're already making plans for this fall.  We'd like to take our children on a big "field trip", visiting historic places here on the east coast that relate to our current history studies.  I'd love to go farther, but with gas prices the way they are, those of us on a tight budget can only go so far pulling a large RV with a gasaholic truck.  We'll see if that works out, or if the Lord has other things in mind!

Enough rambling for now.  Have a blessed day in His glorious Presence!