I don’t know about you, but I have this overwhelming need to be perfect. I have a hard time not being critical about everything that I do. Especially when it comes to being a mom; and a homeschooling one at that. I was writing an ad for our newsletter not too long ago; it came out just recently and I read over the blurb I placed in there - God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

If I could remember just that, life would be good. He said that He would equip us for every good work. If my good work is to raise and train children for the glory of God, then He will equip me to do so.

Looking back over this first year of homeschooling and listening to all the hub for the new one approaching, I have learned much. It definitely is not an easy path to choose,  but it is one that God has dealt with my heart about and one I know He has placed me upon. So, with that in mind, I know that He will equip me to do that job. Last year, was the first time I taught my own child how to read, how to do his math facts, and how to write his own thoughts on paper. But that is not the big accomplishment in this life. It is not about the academics. With small children it’s about the heart, the attitude, the spirit. There was more for him to learn about God and what He expects from this little 6 year old, than there was to learn about the ABCs. Disciplining issues and training sessions were what took place most days. That is what God has commanded me to do. To train up my child in the ways of the Lord. I need to remind myself of that on days when I feel we didn’t “learn anything” academically, so it would seem.

Doing focused attention teaching was not the easiest some days, with little ones needing attention constantly. But I found that we didn’t have to do academics on any one else’s schedule, but what fit with our day. Being an active boy, I divided up his schooling into bite sized chunks. With the most focused time during nap time, when I could give him my undivided attention.

I have been wanting to do a more God-centered approach to our schooling; with more of a chronological line up of history and Bible woven together. I love the RC method that we utilized last year. I have found a few things that I want to add to it. I want the kids to be able to explore what they’re learning more on their own and to retain the information they absorb from their classic living books. So, I am going to try notebooking this year, as well as incorporating some of the Veritas Press classical education aspects - mostly the history and extra literature books. I am also looking forward to checking out the Institute for the Excellence in Writing program for my oldest 3. I am hoping to be able to connect their Bible-centered learning with our everyday life and how it applies to today. Making sure that they view their world from a biblical perspective I know will help them make decisions based on God’s truth, rather than the world’s “wisdom”.

At any rate, this is an encourage myself in the Lord post:) Once the baby gets here, and I have all our curriculum in order, I am hoping I won’t feel so disoriented and disconnceted.  Life is so much better with a schedule for me… though there is always the huge flexibility factor, I need a guide to my everyday schooling and every other wife/mother aspect to keep me sane. Hopefully, my next post will be about our newest little blessing:)

It’s been forever since I blogged! I have had so much I wanted to write about, but fear that my incredibly blunt presentation would ruin it:)

The weather is finally gorgeous and I have officially shut the heat off! Hurray! We have been trying to get the house ready to keep our wonderful friends from KY and MI this weekend. I am really looking forward to fellowshipping with the Hunts and Halls, as they are such delightful people with whom I have much in common. It is always nice to be able to be around others that share similar views on health, and children, and of course God:)

The children are doing a lightened load of academia for this week of just one lesson in their Saxon Math. We do schooling year-round, as the whole purpose of the summer break was devised during the time when so many children had to leave school to stay at home to help with the crops and harvest.  We will be taking time off here and there for times we are out of town or for “field trips”, but I do not ever want my children’s minds to be idle. There’s always reading time each day - from the classics and pre-1960’s literature (before children’s reading materials were “dumbed” down). Being an English major, I am prone to not want my children to feed their minds “fast-food fiction”; but rather, want them to enrich and challenge their minds to rise above the mediocrity of today’s youthful literature.

Anyways, I have quite a tendency for going off on tangents, huh? I have about 9 weeks to go before the birth of our sixth blessing! Hurray! The last trimester is always the hardest, isn’t it? I feel absolutely gigantic! I got that waddle thing going on in the evenings when my lower back starts telling me how annoyed it is that I have used it all day long. Oh well, I still think it is all worth it. 9 months of some personal suffering for a lifetime of joy is hardly worth comparing. And the healthier one is before they get pregnant and during pregnancy, the less problems there are anyways. I am very thankful that I have not had any complications or problems (besides the varicose veins - ew!) with any of my pregnancies. God has been good, allowing me to find and learn, study and research in the area of health and wellness. It also helps when you’re mom is a CNHP:) We are getting a birthing “hot” tub for this birth. I am super geeked about this. I have read so many helpful and good things about water birth and am looking forward to adding this to my experiences.  I thought home birth was the best ever, but home birth with a hot tub might just be the absolute tops:) Of course, I will have to chronicle the experience. Maybe I will even have newborn pictures! hehe… We always have the camera out and ready when we do and go places, but forget to use it. So, we’ll see.

Alright, enough of the ramblings! I am praying that God will meet with us this weekend and bless the efforts of all involved; that those traveling will be covered and the fellowship will be uplifting and insightful. The meeting review will be up shortly after this weekend, I hope:) God be with us all.

Okay, so today is get involved day…

 But seriously, we watched The Business of Being Born last night on netflix. It’s crazy, because I knew like the tip of the iceberg when it came to the state of the billion dollar birthing industry we have in America; but this documentary went further. It went to the roots of where this all came from and where it is trying to take us, if we let it. I am disgusted with the false amount of information American women are being fed; and also disheartened to know that we digest it without doing our own research, or checking up on things.

Even if you are done having children, or too young, this documentary really should be seen by all Americans. This is our children and our lives that are being harmed, put in danger.  Our way of life and all its natural principles, put into place by God, have been altered to fit an industrialized country since the 1920’s. We have not progressed as a nation, but rather have digressed. We have put the good of nation-building before God, before family, and before the health and well-being of children and mothers. 

As I have been researching and listening to various films about this and other issues regarding homeschooling, and even entrepreneurial avenues, I am finding that our country took a serious nose-dive for the worst when it began its nation-building during the early 1900’s. It was at that time that our country really lost its focus. No longer was the family, freedom, God, or biblical principles the lead, but instead it was power,money, and greed of the few “most important”.  “Social efficiency” became the accepted philosophy of the day - and has continued since.

Family businesses were discouraged and the spirit of independent thinking and the entrepreneurial spirit was broken as “bigger” businesses became the thing to do. Public schooling was introduced and enforced as the corporate powers realized that if you can control the mind of the youth, you can control the mind of the nation. Evolution and other philosophies were placed into the curriculum that directly challenge God and biblical teaching.

Hospitals were introduced as the “safe” place to give birth. In 1900 almost all births were done at home (like over 80%). By 1955 only 1% were at home. What happened? And since that time our country has become second in the world for the highest number of infant deaths. The philosophy that “professionals” are smarter, better qualified, and better equipped to handle the issues of life was largely promoted through propaganda. Ads portraying scary looking, backwards, “old-world” looking, uneducated, unintelligent type of women as midwives were shoved down every American’s throat as the hospital and medical field went out to convince people that birth was a medical procedure to be handled by “trained professionals”, of whom, not one had actually witnessed a human birth.

America has been on a slippery slope since that time. That was also the time where the government illegally slipped in the 16th Ammendment  that would create income tax for all Americans, since they were all employees now of the large industries that were coming into power… Our constitution was being thrown out even then, and has been snowballing ever since.

I find that I cannot just sit on false information. Especially information that I once believed and now am coming to terms that we have been lied to over and over again. We are in a spiritual battle. I do not believe that any one person is to blame for what has happened to our country; but I do believe that the devil is trying his best to destroy a country who started its journey because they wanted to worship God the way He was leading them to.

The battle is not over. And if you read the back of the book, we win. I am determined to fight this good fight of faith until God sees fit to move me out of the way. When our world gets the darkest, now it is when our Lights will shine the brightest. It is not time to cower back in fear, or retreat to our own little corners of the earth, but it is a time to stand boldly for all that is holy, true, and right in the strength and power of the One who created the heavens and this earth. 

For those who have not already listened to this broadcast, if you are a parent or are thinking of being one someday, then this pertains to you.

 The homeschooling ruling in CA is not just about homeschooling. It is about the government’s attempt to rule the lives of families and take the place as the main authority in the home instead of parents. I was completely outraged by this decision. The lame reasoning that oh well, this world is going down, anyways, is a very depressing and completely unbiblical. We are commanded to train up our children. We are commanded to proclaim the truth. I do not believe that the only truth we are to proclaim is that Jesus is King, we have a duty to proclaim the truth in all areas of life. The very heart of all this should be the family. The family was created by God and He has very specific and special plans for each family.

I cannot just sit back and let someone tell me that I am not capable of educating my children. These were gifts God gave me and I will be accountable for how I raised them. We live in a country where we do have a choice. We do not have to let our country be run by secular, anti-Chrisitian people. If we sit back and say nothing, then the voice of truth and righteousness and Biblical principles will not have a witness.

Anyways, this struck a very personal chord with me. I pray that every Christian parent will listen to this and take action against this - whether it be to sign the petitions going around, writing letters to the legislators, or to pray sincerely and earnestly about these situations. We are at a pivitol point in our American history. I am praying that God will open the eyes, soften hearts, and bring repentance to our nation, especially in the church, the family, and our governmental leaders.

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/archives.asp?bcd=2008-3-7

Yet another reason why I love homeschooling:

http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/teacherslounge/articles/winter_homeschooling.php

Definitely encapsulizes the wonderful benefits of being home with our children:)

So, how’s everyone been?! I am sorry I have fallen off the face of the blogging community;) It has been crraaaazzzy here. We finally moved (seems like a really looong process) on Friday. I can’t get over how much stuff we have. Like we need all this stuff!  But then again, I go through the kids’ clothes and things and get rid of what we can live without like every season; the problem is we aren’t sure if we’re done having babies, so I am holding onto all my baby stuff and the baby clothes, etc.

Anyways, the new house is a wonderful blessing. We sooo needed the space for our kids to homeschool and grow in. We took a week off of school last week as we were back and forth from the old house to the new one, painting, moving, cleaning, getting appliances, etc. It was nuts. I love being HOME with my kids and am really glad that all the running around is over. I do not like running around with them with a “to-do” list and a ga-zillion things to accomplish. The goals suddenly take top priority and my children’s needs come secondary. I like it much better when I can stay home, and play with my children, read to them, and be there for whatever they may need (like discipline;) and of course lots of hugs, direction, instruction, the list here is endless).

This week we started back up on school; though they may not like the idea that “vacation” is over, they are slowly starting to get back into the swing of things. One of the first things I made sure to set up were their “offices” so that they could have their own spaces in separate rooms to get their schooling done. Micaiah is in the office, Isaiah is in the formal dining room at a children’s table, and Caleb has the eat-in dining room table. I printed up their schedules and posted them at their desks. It was hard to find a time for family devotional, since Micaiah usually starts school earlier than the boys and I have been trying to find a good time that works for everyone. Today we had our first devotional in our new house. I want to make it a top priority that they understand that time with God together is the most important time of the day. This comes from modelling. I pray that I can be the right example for them to follow.

This weekend we heard about how important individuals are personally to God. Our pastor talked about Paul in the book of acts and how he had went to this one city because of one person - Lydia. Her salvation was so important to God that He sent Paul and Silas there for her; and while they were there, they freed that one damsel of the spirit of divination. And because they cost the owners such a loss in their business, they are beaten near to death and thrown in jail. All this because of Lydia and that damsel. It wasn’t like they saved thousands of people there, but God is interested in saving one person at a time; using human instruments. Also, a side note was added that Paul and Silas were beaten and jailed unlawfully - they were Roman citizens - and could have voiced up their rights; but they suffered for the name of Christ, to bring Him glory.

The main point was that instead of murmuring and complaining or whining to God of why He let them come to this city and suffer all this for a couple of people, they prayed and sang praises to God! And were freed as a result of their joying in their tribulation. Amazing God we serve. And after all that suffering, they turned and assisted the jailer, who had no doubt caused them much pain and suffering, in being saved as well. What forgiveness and compassion!

I can’t even imagine. Paul had a right to write everything he did in the book of Philippians, to that very group of people who had started out with just a couple of families. He had been there as a witness to them and an example of how to act in persecution, during trials and tribulations. His example gives me something worthwhile to emulate. I pray that I can “rejoice always”, no matter what is going on around me. To show an example to my children, my “disciples” for Christ, of how to deal with the daily stresses of life, the struggles and the tears.

At any rate, hope all is well with everyone and I hope to get back into the swing of whatever “normal” is suppose to be for me and mine;)

I happened upon this article that was on Rachel’s blog. It was really awesome. It confirmed to me so much of what I thought home schooling means to me, that I just had to share it:) Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

You’d think this was a lesson I would have learned a looooooong time ago. Yet, it seems I am still “learning to lean” as it were on my sweet Savior. The Lord has really been dealing with me about putting the emphasis on Him and not on academics lately. Now that I have somewhat gotten into a routine with the children in our homeschool, God is definitely wanting me to tweek it here and there.

With my education background, I have a tendency to focus on the academic development and achievement of my children. Yet, the Lord has gently been reminding me that the whole goal behind parenting or teaching is to lead my children into a close relationship with Jesus Christ and His Father. I had a whole plan of how I was going to go about character training my children, how our devotionals would go, what Bible studies we would learn, and even what Scriptures would be the most beneficial to memorize. Though those are all good and right to use in their own given places, I felt that the main part I was missing was in everyday learning moments.

So, yesterday I announced the kids that we were going to do school right - with God in the main focus. We were going to talk about Jesus more, open our morning with discussions of the Lord, read our Bibles together, sing uplifting songs, and pray together. And that’s just what we did. I explained the rules for our home school for the gazillionth time; but this time I added what the correction for breaking a rule would be. Something they all dread - MORE WORK
We did our devotional (which was about how all have sinned and fallen short and how we all are in need of a Savior; then on to a story which exemplified the Scripture which says that if you have sinned in one point of the law, you are just as “bad” as someone who transgresses all of them), had a great discussion about God and their views on our Heavenly Father, Isaiah picked the song “More of You” which Micaiah and I sang, while Isaiah and Caleb hummed along (they didn’t know the words, which was kind of a surprise since Isaiah suggested it, but as he said, “It was the only song that fit with our devotional” - cute kid), then prayer. The kids all went back to work.

Each child of course had to try out the new limitations and correctional measures which I had explained afore; so they each had to do extra copywork, flashcards, or writing. But they only had to do it once. Praise God! I felt so great all day. I was being diligent and consistent in my training of them. We even had some teachable moments where I could talk to them about Jesus and their situation. And to top it all off, I had such wonderful talks with my boys as I cuddled them each good night at bed time. Thank God for a great day.

Now, today, on the other hand, was rushed and hectic. We didn’t stop and make time for our devotional, prayers, or songs. And it seemed that we were all a bit off today. After I put the children to bed, and realized how frazzled I was over the day; I felt that gentle pull at my heart. I didn’t start the day off the right way - inviting the Lord in and asking for Him to be the leader. Instead, I led. And it was rocky, to say the least.

What a stark contrast between the two days. I pray that I will use this as a learning experience and remember that inviting God into my day and the day of my children is the most important time I could possibly make amongst the business of everyday life.

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. - Psalm 63:1-4

The kids have been in school for over a month so far… things are settling down as they are shifting into their routines and new schedules.  Every day has its struggles, but today we had some wonderful victories.

My oldest son has been battling with his flashcards. In the curriculum we use, the children master the 4 functions of numbers up to 12 before they move on to starting Saxon 54.   Isaiah has hated doing his flashcards since we began; just like it was the worst punishment in the world. Micaiah sailed right through them and promptly started into her math book. Caleb is slowly but surely getting the hang of this new world of numbers. Anyways, back to Isaiah - he is my dawdler. He will complain and whine (although no one is listening or paying him any mind) about his work for what seems like hours. Well, today, I said, Isaiah you have to get through your subtraction flashcards so that I can time you. So, he goes through them in front of me (to make sure he knows them). Then I set the timer. His record yesterday mind you was 10 minutes, and the time before that was 16. Today, he finishes the entire pile of subtraction up to 12 in 3 minutes! I was shocked. I really couldn’t believe it.

But the best part was his reaction. He was like, wow, I did it! I said that’s so great. I am so proud of you. It takes you longer to go to the restroom than 3 minutes, I joked. He was beaming. I told him that next he had to conquer his newly learned multiplication facts. He strutted off to do his thing. I go to check on him later and he says, all happy, mom, I only got 4 right and this many wrong. (Still happy) But that’s ok, because I am going to get really good at them just like I did with my subtraction ones.

Wow, now that was not the normal Isaiah response.  I was once again shocked. I was so happy to see such confidence and such a positive attitude. Thank God! He did great the rest of the day with his math.

I truly believed in the self-teaching form of education for my children; knowing that it would render the confidence they need to know that God made them very capable of learning and teaching themselves whatever they need to know to successfully and productively use their God-given abilities. But this little incident only strengthened my resolve that they are on a good path. Of all my children who is the most down on himself, it would be him; and to see such a positive attitude and confidence displayed just really made my day.

Praise God for victory; it may seem small; but in the life of a child, it was a milestone.

Here I am trying to get back into the blogging community:) I know it’s been a while. I just really haven’t been able to get my thoughts together for an adequate post, you know? The feeling of mediocrity and an overwhelming sense of inadequacy has been permeating my thinking on my writing style. I feel I have lost something over the years after college because I haven’t had the time to read and stay into the intellectual world of good, classic literature. However, it’s not all about sounding intelligent, I suppose, but there is a certain art to writing well, which is what attracted me to major in the Language Arts in the first place.

Anyways, I wrote an article for the upcoming newsletter for the fall. It’s not quite finished, but I thought I would post it to see if anyone had any helpful comments that might make my final draft better:) It is based on the book by Teri Maxwell - “Homeschooling With a Meek and Quiet Spirit”:

Gentle Women in a Bold World

1 Peter 3 speaks to women explicitly about what pleases God and what does not. Peter says that if we are to win any, it will not be through our outward apparel, “but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (Verse 5) In God’s eyes having a quiet and a meek spirit is exceptionally valuable! When looking up those two key words; meek is “mild, that is by implication humble” and quiet is “properly keeping one’s seat (sedentary), that is by implication still (undisturbed) - peaceable”. What contrast we see in society today! We are constantly bombarded with pictures and ideas that say we as women should not be forbearing or gentle, but instead we must be overbearing and assertive in order to get our own selves anywhere in life. Today’s modern woman as painted in the latest magazines vehemently clashes with what Christ intended for His creation. Blood-bought, spirit-filled women need not be in subjection to such disillusionment.

So, how do we keep a meek and quiet spirit in the midst of the constant battles we face in the real world? I tell you in all sincerity that it is not only possible, but necessary if we are to reach any hearts for the cause of Christ.

Believe me, I am not an expert overcomer in this area. But I thank God that He is ever dealing with us about having this meek and quiet spirit, this extremely priceless gift working effectively in our lives. Over the years, I have taken note of several aspects of life that can steal that meek and quiet spirit from us. If we can be diligent in these areas, much of the battle has been won. These areas are: daily communion with our Lord, organization and scheduling, casting down negative thoughts, and controlling our anger.

Having an intimate relationship with the One Who created us is the first and foremost important corner stone to supporting our meek and quiet spirit-filled lives. The psalmist says, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;” and again Isaiah echoes “With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early.” (Psalms 63:1 & Isaiah 26:9) Starting the day with the Lord on our minds, with a song of salvation in our hearts, and a fresh touch of the Holy Ghost revitalizing our strength is just what will procure a successful day in the Lord. As we have been told, this Holy Spirit is not some trophy to be placed on metaphoric shelf in our hearts, but rather it is a living, breathing tool that we are to utilize and embrace throughout the waking hours. Keeping that connection to the Ultimate Power Source is a definitive way to maintaining a meek and quiet spirit in the midst of the commotion brought on by daily life.

Another area that beckons our attention is that of organization. How many times throughout the day can we be quickly derailed when the chaos of handling and managing a home overwhelm us? This does not have to be! The more uncluttered and structure we have to our day, the better off we are. In the scheduling of our day and the ordering of our homes, we are not to be so inflexible that we cannot change as necessary, but in the same way, we should not be so flexible that we are just going with the latest current that drifts along. Numerous resources are readily available to assist in the organizing of daily life as the manager of the home. Set apart time each day to tackle the clutter in your home. Clean out unnecessary items, organize clothes, office spaces, books, toys, etc. If you schedule time for this event, it will only take a matter of weeks to get your household out of chaos and well on its way to regularity and comfort.

Also, maintaining a schedule for yourself as well as any children in the home greatly relieves the frustration that accumulates when it seems that there just is not enough time to do everything or get anything done. If it is important enough to be concerned over, it is important enough to make the time for it in the day. Make a list of activities that are important to you and your family that you want to accomplish daily/weekly/monthly. Use this list as a guide in creating a schedule that you can live with.
Besides keeping up with the outside realm of the orderly household and flexible schedule, the inner workings of our ever complicated minds have to be kept under subjection. As Paul admonishes:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ… (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

We must keep a short leach on our thoughts. Because thoughts are not tangible, some people allow themselves to go through a whole sinful scenario inside their minds; meditating almost unconsciously on negative ideas and attitudes. Then when it comes time for church or pressing into prayer, they are often hindered and wonder why it takes so long or is so difficult to press through. Our thoughts dictate our attitude; our attitude in turn dictates our perspective on each situation; and our perspective is what causes us to react the way we do in any given circumstance. When we think on the positive, Christ-like aspects in life, our outlook is positive, our perspective on what is happening is positive, and thus our reaction is positive – or vice versa.

When situations arise throughout the day which threaten to overthrow a meek and quiet spirit, we must stop immediately and get our feelings in check. We all have buttons which “blow our tops” and a limit to how much stress we can handle. As women especially, we have to be very much aware of how the devil can use our emotions to get the best of us. Stand guard at the door of your mind and heart! Christ said that we are to be free from all bonds, certainly that would include being controlled by our emotions. The Holy Spirit is a power we must utilize in order to keep our emotions in subjection. All too often, women blame the loss of control because of hormones, imbalances, or other emotional problems. Someone once brought up the point – do we lose our spirits in front of our pastor? Do we yell and go off at our neighbors, cashiers, salespeople, etc.? Certainly not - we would never be seen losing our temper in public. So, if we can tame our temper out in public, why would we let it lose in our homes with the people who love us the most and whom we love the most? When you feel your emotions starting to take over, go to your room and pray. Stop wherever you are, and talk to the Lord. You cannot praise the Lord and be angry at the same time. Easier said than done, right? Yet, I believe that we can be more than conquerors through Christ.

On a health note, many women do suffer from severe emotional instability. If you do have a hormonal imbalance or experience severe issues with your emotions, many herbal and homeopathic aids are readily available. Seeking the advice of a natural health professional or homeopath in your area can help you find the right solution.

In fine, though we live in a fallen world, we do not have to be subject to the domineering, overconfident, demanding attitudes this world presents as the latest vogue for women. Though the world may laugh and scoff at the idea of a woman with a meek and quiet spirit, that gentle woman holds immeasurable value in the eyes of God. Daily communing with our Lord, organizing and scheduling, keeping our thoughts in subjection to Christ, and controlling our anger and emotions are just some of the ways through which we maintain this humble disposition. By this gentle conversation, let us win others to Christ; ever bearing in mind that, “the LORD takes pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation.” (Psalm 149:4)