KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
My grandma sent me these little prayer cards a while back, and they have been such a blessing to me. They are called "Keys to the Kingdom" and are based on Matthew 16:19, "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." They are available here. They provide 40 different Scripture-based prayers for your husband, children, wife, etc. -- each in their own category. Sometimes little prayer cards are perfect reminders to pray for things that we don't always think about. Thank you, Grandma, for blessing us with these! They sure mean a lot to me.
Monday, October 30, 2006
MYAH IS 6!
Myah's birthday was last week, and I'm just now getting around to posting pictures. Can you tell she LOVES horses? She especially loves to draw them. I'll have to post some of her artwork sometime. Today she told me, "Sometime I'm going to have a Bible horse. That's a horse I can ride around on and we can pass Bibles out to people who don't have them." God's already instilling in her a desire to reach the lost. Praise Him! That's my heart's biggest cry for my children is to be in His will doing His work for His glory!
Myah's birthday was last week, and I'm just now getting around to posting pictures. Can you tell she LOVES horses? She especially loves to draw them. I'll have to post some of her artwork sometime. Today she told me, "Sometime I'm going to have a Bible horse. That's a horse I can ride around on and we can pass Bibles out to people who don't have them." God's already instilling in her a desire to reach the lost. Praise Him! That's my heart's biggest cry for my children is to be in His will doing His work for His glory!
ANTELOPE SUCCESS!
Just had to post this beautiful picture of my man with his first kill of the season. Evan took this antelope this past Saturday, and his story behind it truly describes it as God's blessing for our family. It truly is amazing how much money a family can save when they spend time hunting and filling the freezer with meat provided this way. Sometimes, however, I do forget to be thankful for God's provision when we're in the middle of processing it. That is my least favorite part of hunting season because we do it all ourselves. I do appreciate Evan, who bears with me and my attitude issues through the process, though. (And HE does most of the work!) It's always worth it when it's all finished and in the freezer.
Just had to post this beautiful picture of my man with his first kill of the season. Evan took this antelope this past Saturday, and his story behind it truly describes it as God's blessing for our family. It truly is amazing how much money a family can save when they spend time hunting and filling the freezer with meat provided this way. Sometimes, however, I do forget to be thankful for God's provision when we're in the middle of processing it. That is my least favorite part of hunting season because we do it all ourselves. I do appreciate Evan, who bears with me and my attitude issues through the process, though. (And HE does most of the work!) It's always worth it when it's all finished and in the freezer.
Friday, October 27, 2006
A HUNTIN' STORY TO MAKE YOU SMILE
A buddy of Evan's spends one week a year as a hunting guide down in Wyoming. This is his story....
He was guiding 2 guys from Virginia on an elk hunt. One guy, who was desperately trying to get on his horse, kept telling the horse to "STOP!" and "STAY!" The guide commented, "It's not a dog. He responds to reigns."
A little while later, down on the trail, the guide heard that same hunter yelling at his horse, "REIGNS!" :) The guide, almost falling off his horse from laughter, responded, "I meant the ones in your hands!"
Now, I don't tell this story nearly as well as I heard it, but I guarantee, if you picture this in your head, you'll still be giggling about it in a week!
A buddy of Evan's spends one week a year as a hunting guide down in Wyoming. This is his story....
He was guiding 2 guys from Virginia on an elk hunt. One guy, who was desperately trying to get on his horse, kept telling the horse to "STOP!" and "STAY!" The guide commented, "It's not a dog. He responds to reigns."
A little while later, down on the trail, the guide heard that same hunter yelling at his horse, "REIGNS!" :) The guide, almost falling off his horse from laughter, responded, "I meant the ones in your hands!"
Now, I don't tell this story nearly as well as I heard it, but I guarantee, if you picture this in your head, you'll still be giggling about it in a week!
LIVING LIFE ON PURPOSE
Ephesians 5:15-16 (NKJV)
"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil."
We had our Thursday night Bible study last night, and our topic for the night was Ephesians 5:15-16, and also relating to all the previous verses in the chapter. The following are some points I got out of our discussion last night -- some of them general, and others more personal:
* We are to live life, taking advantage of the opportunities we have to share Christ in this dark world we live in. The idea came up that Paul would love to live in this day and age simply because of the opportunity we live with to share Christ with so many lost people.
* Our actions are vital to sharing Christ. "Be careful, then, how you live..." (vs. 15 NIV)
* I am to live life as a CHRISTIAN who happens to be a mom, a wife, a neigbor and a friend. But I am first and foremost a Christian, and that should channel every action, word and thought I give.
* I need to be purposeful about all the tasks laid before me. Personally this means to me, teaching my kids as much as I can about the truth of God's Word and His love for them. Being purposeful not only means taking advantage of "teachable moments", but really taking the time to teach them from God's Word.
* Don't just react to what life brings you, be purposeful about living it every day.
* We are to "go into all the world and make disciples of all nations"...a disciple is a "disciplined learner"... am I being disciplined in my walk with Christ?
* Often times when we think of God's will for us, we think of the big things in life -- whom shall I marry, where do we live, etc. But once we know who we are in Christ, and keep Him first in everything, those big decisions in life will come easy.
* We are lights in this dark world, and where there is light, the darkness will be expelled. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" (vs. 11). We can do this only because of the light of Christ that is in us.
* Live life ON PURPOSE, because we have a purpose to live it!
Ephesians 5:15-16 (NKJV)
"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil."
We had our Thursday night Bible study last night, and our topic for the night was Ephesians 5:15-16, and also relating to all the previous verses in the chapter. The following are some points I got out of our discussion last night -- some of them general, and others more personal:
* We are to live life, taking advantage of the opportunities we have to share Christ in this dark world we live in. The idea came up that Paul would love to live in this day and age simply because of the opportunity we live with to share Christ with so many lost people.
* Our actions are vital to sharing Christ. "Be careful, then, how you live..." (vs. 15 NIV)
* I am to live life as a CHRISTIAN who happens to be a mom, a wife, a neigbor and a friend. But I am first and foremost a Christian, and that should channel every action, word and thought I give.
* I need to be purposeful about all the tasks laid before me. Personally this means to me, teaching my kids as much as I can about the truth of God's Word and His love for them. Being purposeful not only means taking advantage of "teachable moments", but really taking the time to teach them from God's Word.
* Don't just react to what life brings you, be purposeful about living it every day.
* We are to "go into all the world and make disciples of all nations"...a disciple is a "disciplined learner"... am I being disciplined in my walk with Christ?
* Often times when we think of God's will for us, we think of the big things in life -- whom shall I marry, where do we live, etc. But once we know who we are in Christ, and keep Him first in everything, those big decisions in life will come easy.
* We are lights in this dark world, and where there is light, the darkness will be expelled. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" (vs. 11). We can do this only because of the light of Christ that is in us.
* Live life ON PURPOSE, because we have a purpose to live it!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
MY FAVORITE BREAD RECIPE
I just typed this up for a friend, and thought I might as well post it here, too, while I was at it. This is by far, my FAVORITE bread recipe! Make one for now, and put one in the freezer!
WHOLE WHEAT BREAD BREAD
3 pkgs. (1/4 oz. each or 2 1/4 tsp. each) active dry yeast
2 1/4 c. warm water
1/3 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 c. whole wheat flour
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. salt
5-6 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. sesame seeds (opt. -- I sometimes use a garlic topping)
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add sugar & oil. Mix well. Stir in whole wheat flour; let stand until the mixture bubbles, about 5 minutes. In a small bowl, beat eggs and water. Remove 2 Tbsp. to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate. Add remaining egg mixture and salt to batter; mix until smooth. Add 4 cups all purpose flour and beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 minutes. Punch dough down and divide in half. Divide each half into thirds. Shape each into a rope about 15 in. long. Place 3 ropes on a greased baking sheet; braid. Pinch ends firmly and tuck under. Brush with the reserved egg mixture; sprinkle with sesame seeds or other topping. Repeat, placing second braid on the same baking sheet. Let rise until doubled, about 15-20 minutes. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Remove from baking sheet to cool on a wire rack.
I just typed this up for a friend, and thought I might as well post it here, too, while I was at it. This is by far, my FAVORITE bread recipe! Make one for now, and put one in the freezer!
WHOLE WHEAT BREAD BREAD
3 pkgs. (1/4 oz. each or 2 1/4 tsp. each) active dry yeast
2 1/4 c. warm water
1/3 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 c. whole wheat flour
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. salt
5-6 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. sesame seeds (opt. -- I sometimes use a garlic topping)
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add sugar & oil. Mix well. Stir in whole wheat flour; let stand until the mixture bubbles, about 5 minutes. In a small bowl, beat eggs and water. Remove 2 Tbsp. to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate. Add remaining egg mixture and salt to batter; mix until smooth. Add 4 cups all purpose flour and beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 minutes. Punch dough down and divide in half. Divide each half into thirds. Shape each into a rope about 15 in. long. Place 3 ropes on a greased baking sheet; braid. Pinch ends firmly and tuck under. Brush with the reserved egg mixture; sprinkle with sesame seeds or other topping. Repeat, placing second braid on the same baking sheet. Let rise until doubled, about 15-20 minutes. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Remove from baking sheet to cool on a wire rack.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
UPDATE ON JOEL'S SPEECH THERAPY
God is good. His new therapist is AMAZING! Joel asks almost every day if he gets to "go to my new speech therapy today?" :) He loves it, and is working VERY hard for Vicki. She's impressed with how hard he works for her. It didn't take him any time at all to conclude that he liked her. Thanks for those of you who said a prayer for him during this transition time.
God is good. His new therapist is AMAZING! Joel asks almost every day if he gets to "go to my new speech therapy today?" :) He loves it, and is working VERY hard for Vicki. She's impressed with how hard he works for her. It didn't take him any time at all to conclude that he liked her. Thanks for those of you who said a prayer for him during this transition time.
PRAYING FOR OTHERS MADE EASY
I read the Focus on the Family newsletters cover to cover last night after the kids were in bed. We decided to implement one of their ideas with our kids to make praying for other people a regular habit.
I have a bowl in the center of my table, and in it, we put slips of paper with names of anyone who came to mind that God laid on our hearts to pray for. Then, at every mealtime, we'll pick a name out of the bowl and pray for that person or family. We included people like the mailman, and the not so cheerful cashier at the grocery store. We have every cousin, grandparent, aunt, and uncle in there. We put friends in there by families. (For example, "The Mark Family".) It's been my goal to expand my kids' prayers at dinnertime to more than "bless this food and keep us safe on the road" and I thought this might be a good way to encourage that. When we get to the bottom of the bowl (which will be a while!), we can start all over! :)
I read the Focus on the Family newsletters cover to cover last night after the kids were in bed. We decided to implement one of their ideas with our kids to make praying for other people a regular habit.
I have a bowl in the center of my table, and in it, we put slips of paper with names of anyone who came to mind that God laid on our hearts to pray for. Then, at every mealtime, we'll pick a name out of the bowl and pray for that person or family. We included people like the mailman, and the not so cheerful cashier at the grocery store. We have every cousin, grandparent, aunt, and uncle in there. We put friends in there by families. (For example, "The Mark Family".) It's been my goal to expand my kids' prayers at dinnertime to more than "bless this food and keep us safe on the road" and I thought this might be a good way to encourage that. When we get to the bottom of the bowl (which will be a while!), we can start all over! :)
THANKFULNESS
It seems like God has been reminding me a lot to be more thankful lately. One of the things he is drilling into me is that THANKFULNESS = JOY! :) I've been trying to teach this concept to my kids as well.
Our Thursday night Bible study group is going verse by verse through the book of Ephesians (or should I say almost word by word!) Last week we were in chapter 5, where it talks about being an imitator of God and walking in love. It then goes into all the things we as believers need to put off when we're in Christ and the alternative to those things is "giving of thanks" (verse 4). I'm truly learning the importance of taking the time to name every little thing I'm thankful for. Sometimes I write them down, while other times I just praise God for them. From beautiful sunsets, to having a good homeschool lesson. Whatever it may be, I'm trying to show God I'm thankful for all the little things, as well as the big things, He's blessed me with in my life. I still have a long way to go in this, but I'm thankful that God has been teaching me this lesson in life!
I just read in a Focus on the Family newsletter last night an idea that I did with my kids today. I cut tons of strips of construction paper, and we each sat for over an hour just writing on them everything we are thankful for, and then we put them together into a chain. My plan is to continue this daily until Thanksgiving, and then on Thanksgiving, take the time to read through each one. I can already see the difference this is making in my kids hearts!
It seems like God has been reminding me a lot to be more thankful lately. One of the things he is drilling into me is that THANKFULNESS = JOY! :) I've been trying to teach this concept to my kids as well.
Our Thursday night Bible study group is going verse by verse through the book of Ephesians (or should I say almost word by word!) Last week we were in chapter 5, where it talks about being an imitator of God and walking in love. It then goes into all the things we as believers need to put off when we're in Christ and the alternative to those things is "giving of thanks" (verse 4). I'm truly learning the importance of taking the time to name every little thing I'm thankful for. Sometimes I write them down, while other times I just praise God for them. From beautiful sunsets, to having a good homeschool lesson. Whatever it may be, I'm trying to show God I'm thankful for all the little things, as well as the big things, He's blessed me with in my life. I still have a long way to go in this, but I'm thankful that God has been teaching me this lesson in life!
I just read in a Focus on the Family newsletter last night an idea that I did with my kids today. I cut tons of strips of construction paper, and we each sat for over an hour just writing on them everything we are thankful for, and then we put them together into a chain. My plan is to continue this daily until Thanksgiving, and then on Thanksgiving, take the time to read through each one. I can already see the difference this is making in my kids hearts!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
RESTORE MY HEART
We are mid-way through this women's Bible study by Denise Glenn, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It's a light study that doesn't take a ton of time, but the stuff we are gaining from it is profound. She has two other studies, "Wisdom For Mothers" and "Freedom For Mothers", both of which I have gone through twice and was blessed immensely each time.
"Restore My Heart" is the study of Christ's passionate love for his bride. She takes all the traditional Jewish wedding traditions and lines them up side by side with what Christ has done for us, and the result is amazing.
Here are some examples taken from this study.
1) In Jewish tradition, the father of the groom chose the bride for his son. God chose us as the bride of Christ (Eph. 1:4).
2) The groom had to pay a bride-price, set by the Father of the bride, which was usually paid in silver. Often times, the Torah, or the scroll containing the books of the law, was sold to pay the bride price. Jesus, "the living Word", was sold by Judas for 30 pieces of silver to pay our bride price. He paid the price for His bride with His own blood (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
3) Once the bride price was paid, the groom had travelled from his father's house to the home of the intended bride. Christ left his Father's house to come to earth to claim His bride (Luke 2:4-14).
4) The bride had the choice of opening the door and letting him in, or rejecting him as her groom. We, too, have the choice to open our hearts to Jesus, or to say no to him (Rev. 3:20).
5) Once the bride opened the door to the groom, she invited him in to a betrothal feast. Christ instituted the Lord's Supper as a covenant meal for the church, the bride of Christ (Matt. 26:26-28).
6) Once betrothed, the bride was considered set apart exclusively for her groom. Christ betrothed us to Himself. We are set apart exclusively for Him (2 Cor. 11:2).
7) The groom gives a ring to the bride as a pledge of their forthcoming marriage. Christ has given us the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our forthcoming covenant with Him in heaven (Eph. 1:13-14).
8) The groom gives the bride a marriage contract. We are given Christ's assurance through His Word (Matt. 6:25-34).
9) The groom left the bride to prepare the bridal chamber and their new home. Christ has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3).
This is just a sampling of the parallels explained in this study. It has totally made some things come alive in a new and exciting way for me. It has also made me realize once again, how personal His love is for me.
We are mid-way through this women's Bible study by Denise Glenn, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It's a light study that doesn't take a ton of time, but the stuff we are gaining from it is profound. She has two other studies, "Wisdom For Mothers" and "Freedom For Mothers", both of which I have gone through twice and was blessed immensely each time.
"Restore My Heart" is the study of Christ's passionate love for his bride. She takes all the traditional Jewish wedding traditions and lines them up side by side with what Christ has done for us, and the result is amazing.
Here are some examples taken from this study.
1) In Jewish tradition, the father of the groom chose the bride for his son. God chose us as the bride of Christ (Eph. 1:4).
2) The groom had to pay a bride-price, set by the Father of the bride, which was usually paid in silver. Often times, the Torah, or the scroll containing the books of the law, was sold to pay the bride price. Jesus, "the living Word", was sold by Judas for 30 pieces of silver to pay our bride price. He paid the price for His bride with His own blood (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
3) Once the bride price was paid, the groom had travelled from his father's house to the home of the intended bride. Christ left his Father's house to come to earth to claim His bride (Luke 2:4-14).
4) The bride had the choice of opening the door and letting him in, or rejecting him as her groom. We, too, have the choice to open our hearts to Jesus, or to say no to him (Rev. 3:20).
5) Once the bride opened the door to the groom, she invited him in to a betrothal feast. Christ instituted the Lord's Supper as a covenant meal for the church, the bride of Christ (Matt. 26:26-28).
6) Once betrothed, the bride was considered set apart exclusively for her groom. Christ betrothed us to Himself. We are set apart exclusively for Him (2 Cor. 11:2).
7) The groom gives a ring to the bride as a pledge of their forthcoming marriage. Christ has given us the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our forthcoming covenant with Him in heaven (Eph. 1:13-14).
8) The groom gives the bride a marriage contract. We are given Christ's assurance through His Word (Matt. 6:25-34).
9) The groom left the bride to prepare the bridal chamber and their new home. Christ has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3).
This is just a sampling of the parallels explained in this study. It has totally made some things come alive in a new and exciting way for me. It has also made me realize once again, how personal His love is for me.
Monday, October 09, 2006
A FAMILY PHEASANT HUNT
Saturday was a rainy, dreary day here, but it didn't stop us from getting out and doing a little pheasant hunting. We took all 3 kids, dressed them in snow pants, snow boots and hunting orange vests and headed out. Evan decided to bless me with this opportunity, so he stayed back with the kids and let me go on ahead with CJ, our black lab. We later laughed at how crazy it would seem to most hunters that we would think of taking our family of three little ones on such an experience, but it really does work, and I can only hope that someday they appreciate the times that we spent doing things like this together. We hope that it is instilling in them a love for the outdoors and that someday, we can all hunt together, once they're old enough. Myah enjoys it already because she loves looking at the animal tracks in the mud and pointing out things like milkweed plants. Kiana just rode along in the backpack, and Joel survived as well, in spite of all the walking we did! :)
I really practiced this past few months with shooting clay pigeons, but believe me, that is nothing like the real thing. The first bird CJ flushed was a hen, and you're only allowed to shoot roosters, so I hear Evan yell, "Hen! Don't shoot!" I was thankful he spoke up, but I was so flustered from her flushing, that I don't think I could have gotten a shot off anyway.
After a long walk, Evan decided to head back with the kids. (They were getting a little whiney and had already had wet feet from stomping in the mud puddles before our walk!) So, CJ and I decided to walk one more field. She flushed a rooster, and yes, I missed, but it was a really neat experience anyway. After I made a shot, CJ kicked into full gear (whatever that is for a 10 year old lab who doesn't get much exercise anymore!) and it was like a lightbulb went on. She went so crazy, I could hardly keep up with her. She ended up flushing about 6 more birds, none of which I could get a shot at, but we had fun.
I think the best part of the day, in spite of being soaked to the bone, was that I really enjoyed watching CJ work the fields. I had never experienced that before, and it was so neat to see that instinct kick in. It truly made me appreciate her more! Now I just have to be patient until the next time we can get out pheasant hunting! Success or no success, I'm hooked now!
(I'm once again having troubles uploading my pictures, so hopefully there will be more to come!)
Saturday was a rainy, dreary day here, but it didn't stop us from getting out and doing a little pheasant hunting. We took all 3 kids, dressed them in snow pants, snow boots and hunting orange vests and headed out. Evan decided to bless me with this opportunity, so he stayed back with the kids and let me go on ahead with CJ, our black lab. We later laughed at how crazy it would seem to most hunters that we would think of taking our family of three little ones on such an experience, but it really does work, and I can only hope that someday they appreciate the times that we spent doing things like this together. We hope that it is instilling in them a love for the outdoors and that someday, we can all hunt together, once they're old enough. Myah enjoys it already because she loves looking at the animal tracks in the mud and pointing out things like milkweed plants. Kiana just rode along in the backpack, and Joel survived as well, in spite of all the walking we did! :)
I really practiced this past few months with shooting clay pigeons, but believe me, that is nothing like the real thing. The first bird CJ flushed was a hen, and you're only allowed to shoot roosters, so I hear Evan yell, "Hen! Don't shoot!" I was thankful he spoke up, but I was so flustered from her flushing, that I don't think I could have gotten a shot off anyway.
After a long walk, Evan decided to head back with the kids. (They were getting a little whiney and had already had wet feet from stomping in the mud puddles before our walk!) So, CJ and I decided to walk one more field. She flushed a rooster, and yes, I missed, but it was a really neat experience anyway. After I made a shot, CJ kicked into full gear (whatever that is for a 10 year old lab who doesn't get much exercise anymore!) and it was like a lightbulb went on. She went so crazy, I could hardly keep up with her. She ended up flushing about 6 more birds, none of which I could get a shot at, but we had fun.
I think the best part of the day, in spite of being soaked to the bone, was that I really enjoyed watching CJ work the fields. I had never experienced that before, and it was so neat to see that instinct kick in. It truly made me appreciate her more! Now I just have to be patient until the next time we can get out pheasant hunting! Success or no success, I'm hooked now!
(I'm once again having troubles uploading my pictures, so hopefully there will be more to come!)
Friday, October 06, 2006
ABOVE RUBIES
I stumbled across this magazine last night and couldn't put it down until I had read it cover to cover. You can get your own FREE subscription by clicking on the link above. It covered everything from homeschooling ideas and ways to memorize scripture as a family to breastfeeding for birth control. (Loved that article, by the way!) I stole many ideas and implemented them this morning, teaching them to my kids.
One thing we talked about was that our work should be done to 3 standards -- 1) immediately 2) cheerfully 3) quickly. We used Noah as an example for the first one, and talked about how he obeyed God right away and what might have happened if he had not. We used Col. 3:23 for the second one and talked about how when we work, no matter WHAT we do, we should do it as if we were doing it for God and with a smile on our face! And, for the 3rd one, we talked about what being a "sluggard" was and how that isn't pleasing to God. I also drew diagrams to help my kids understand them. For example, to get them to understand "Immediately", I drew a stop sign, "Yes, Mom!" and traffic light with the green "GO" sign. This is to help them to remember to STOP what you're doing, respond to mom and go do the work.
Another thing I implemented this morning was a way to keep track of the Scripture they are memorizing by creating a caterpillar on the wall for each child. For each verse they memorize, they get to add another circle. This was fun, too! We're anxious to see how long the caterpillars get!
I stumbled across this magazine last night and couldn't put it down until I had read it cover to cover. You can get your own FREE subscription by clicking on the link above. It covered everything from homeschooling ideas and ways to memorize scripture as a family to breastfeeding for birth control. (Loved that article, by the way!) I stole many ideas and implemented them this morning, teaching them to my kids.
One thing we talked about was that our work should be done to 3 standards -- 1) immediately 2) cheerfully 3) quickly. We used Noah as an example for the first one, and talked about how he obeyed God right away and what might have happened if he had not. We used Col. 3:23 for the second one and talked about how when we work, no matter WHAT we do, we should do it as if we were doing it for God and with a smile on our face! And, for the 3rd one, we talked about what being a "sluggard" was and how that isn't pleasing to God. I also drew diagrams to help my kids understand them. For example, to get them to understand "Immediately", I drew a stop sign, "Yes, Mom!" and traffic light with the green "GO" sign. This is to help them to remember to STOP what you're doing, respond to mom and go do the work.
Another thing I implemented this morning was a way to keep track of the Scripture they are memorizing by creating a caterpillar on the wall for each child. For each verse they memorize, they get to add another circle. This was fun, too! We're anxious to see how long the caterpillars get!
Monday, October 02, 2006
UPDATE ON "FIVE IN A ROW"
This post is in response to your question, Val! :)
We are still thoroughly enjoying "Five in a Row", but I'm finding myself not preparing as much as I had at the beginning, which is kind of frustrating. We haven't done as much of the cooking lessons either, which I'm sad about, but life has just been so busy these past few weeks, I haven't been able to think about any extras lately!
We are not necessarily going in the same order that the book has with our stories, but rather I am going by the due dates at the library! Also, if we own a certain book, "Madeline", for example, then I'm holding off on that one until I find myself in a pinch where I haven't kept up on getting them from the library.
We have enjoyed all of the books so far, with "Ping" being a favorite and "Who Owns the Sun" being the least favorite. Myah just plain didn't want to read that one again after we read it a couple times. It really bothered her that the book kept saying that "No one can own the sun" (or the stars, flowers, etc.). She kept saying, "God owns those things. Why doesn't the book say that?" I could see her point, but it amazed me at how much this really bothered her and the fact that she just couldn't accept that the book was written this way.
This week we are doing "The Rag Coat" by Lauren Mills. Today coal mines and cotton seemed to be the topics of discussion. She was intrigued with both of them. I haven't planned ahead enough to know what the rest of the week has in store for us, but we are enjoying this book this week.
This post is in response to your question, Val! :)
We are still thoroughly enjoying "Five in a Row", but I'm finding myself not preparing as much as I had at the beginning, which is kind of frustrating. We haven't done as much of the cooking lessons either, which I'm sad about, but life has just been so busy these past few weeks, I haven't been able to think about any extras lately!
We are not necessarily going in the same order that the book has with our stories, but rather I am going by the due dates at the library! Also, if we own a certain book, "Madeline", for example, then I'm holding off on that one until I find myself in a pinch where I haven't kept up on getting them from the library.
We have enjoyed all of the books so far, with "Ping" being a favorite and "Who Owns the Sun" being the least favorite. Myah just plain didn't want to read that one again after we read it a couple times. It really bothered her that the book kept saying that "No one can own the sun" (or the stars, flowers, etc.). She kept saying, "God owns those things. Why doesn't the book say that?" I could see her point, but it amazed me at how much this really bothered her and the fact that she just couldn't accept that the book was written this way.
This week we are doing "The Rag Coat" by Lauren Mills. Today coal mines and cotton seemed to be the topics of discussion. She was intrigued with both of them. I haven't planned ahead enough to know what the rest of the week has in store for us, but we are enjoying this book this week.
A CHARLOTTE MASON EDUCATION
by Catherine Levison
I just read through this book, and found myself taking notes as I went along because there were so many things I wanted to implement into our homeschooling. I also discovered a summary/book review that I found interesting here. It compares classical homeschooling from the book "A Well-Trained Mind" (which I have not read) with Charlotte Mason's ideas as given by Levison in her two books and also "A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning", by Karen Andreola (which I also have not yet read). I found myself agreeing with the author of this review in many cases. She seemed to like the same points that I did in Levison's book (which seemed to be most of it), but also made some comments on the composition/grammar section that I agreed with where Charlotte Mason's ideas don't quite line up with my own. I just think it's important to start teaching these concepts earlier than suggested in the book.
Since reading this book, I have added the narration method to more of our reading. I have added poetry to our day, which Myah has loved! We started to look at handwriting in a different light, focusing more on quality instead of quantity. I have also just plain started reading more as a part of our schooling. We are studying a book on amphibians, and also a children's history book. We still do 5 in a row, but have just added more "fun" learning activites to our school day. Myah still also does her Math and Language Arts in the afternoon. My personal thoughts are that those two subjects are important, and should be emphasized even at this young of an age, which is somewhat contradictory to Charlotte Mason, but the author of the review agreed with me here.
So, in summary, I haven't totally changed our homeschooling methods, I just added some new twists to what we have already been doing and added more reading to our day as well. Overall, I really liked Charlotte Mason's ideas and hope to read more about them in the future. Now, if we can just get life back to normal enough to maintain a regular school schedule for longer than one week, that would be good. :)
AN AMAZING TESTIMONY...
...of one of my blogging friends can be read here. Bless you, Kim, for sharing what God has done in your life! If anyone reading this wants to really see the power of God working in someone's life, you HAVE to read this! This is what God is all about -- saving people from the enemy's hold!
...of one of my blogging friends can be read here. Bless you, Kim, for sharing what God has done in your life! If anyone reading this wants to really see the power of God working in someone's life, you HAVE to read this! This is what God is all about -- saving people from the enemy's hold!
Sunday, October 01, 2006
A RARE SIGHT
Though Evan didn't get close enough to stick any elk with an arrow this weekend, he did see something even more rare! The following pictures are of an albino moose he saw while hunting this weekend. The moose had her calf with her, which was dark in color, which is visible in the first picture. We all had a wonderful time visiting friends of ours on our third annual trip to White Sulphur Springs!
Though Evan didn't get close enough to stick any elk with an arrow this weekend, he did see something even more rare! The following pictures are of an albino moose he saw while hunting this weekend. The moose had her calf with her, which was dark in color, which is visible in the first picture. We all had a wonderful time visiting friends of ours on our third annual trip to White Sulphur Springs!
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