Keepers of the Springs - December, 2015

I've been reading the book, Mr. Jones, Meet the Master, which is a collection of Peter Marshall's sermons and prayers. Near the end of the book is a sermon titled "Keepers of the Springs". I don't know exactly when this sermon was given, but it was before 1949. Below are a couple paragraphs, which I thought quite interesting and appropriate for us as homeschoolers.

Let us not fool ourselves--without Christianity, without Christian education, without the principles of Christ inculcated into young life, we are simply rearing pagans. Physically, they will be perfect. Intellectually, they will be brilliant. But spiritually, they will be pagan. Let us not fool ourselves. The school is making no attempt to teach the principles of Christ. The Church alone cannot do it. They can never be taught to a child unless the mother herself knows them and practices them every day.

The twentieth-century challenge to motherhood--when it is all boiled down--is that mothers will have an experience of God...a reality which they can pass on to their children.

Isn't this why we homeschool? To persistently instruct our children in the principles of Christ. But, as Peter Marshall points out, I cannot pass on to my children what I do not experience, know, and practice.

Sitting down and reading the Bible, praying, praising God -- that's the easy part. Living it, practicing it, having our mothering and teaching transformed by it -- that's hard, but that is what we pass on to our children.

Doing Irrational Things - October, 2015

Last night while we were doing the dishes, Kim asked if we could "keep listening to the tape of that lady." I had started listening to a series of cassette tapes from a Sally Clarkson conference. I was rather surprised, but pleased that she was interested in listening to Sally talking about godly motherhood.

One thing Sally said on that tape was, "Faith is what ignites us to be able to do irrational things."

How many things are you going to do today that, from the world's view, are irrational?

• homeschool
• care for aged parents
• disciple our children 24/7
• live on one income
• honor our spouse
• I'm sure you could add to the list.

Why do we do these irrational things? Because we have a personal relationship with the creator of the universe, Who tells me that He will

• equip me for the tasks of each day
• faithfully supply our needs
• provide me with the strength for each day
• impart His wisdom to me
• show me new mercies every morning
• make my labor not be in vain

and, by faith, I believe Him.

Intentional Togetherness - August, 2015

I've just finished reading Six Ways to Keep the "Little" in Your Girl by Dannah Gresh. In the book she uses the term "parent-child connectedness" and defines it as being closely bonded by common traditions and frequently occurring activities, or intentional togetherness. I scored pretty high on the Connection IQ quiz, but there are a few areas I need to work on.

One is talking about Kim's inner strengths. If I step aside and look at myself, I see that a lot of the time I act as if I have blinders on. Going through the day, seeing only the finish line. Not stopping to look around, delight in my surroundings, and enjoy Kim at this moment. I've tacked up a note to myself, "How did Kim surprise me today?"

Another area I need to work on, is to tell Kim stories about my childhood. I feel like the stories from my childhood are rather boring compared to Richard's. I never caught a snapping turtle in the creek or tried to start the lawn on fire. I pretended the drinking glasses were a choir and the living room rug was the ocean.

Then there is, "spend at least half an hour a week doing something we both enjoy". That would be reading or watching a video or eating or swimming. I'm exposing her to different handicrafts, hoping she will decide at least one is really fun and pick it up as a hobby.

Lastly, when Kim has friends over, I need to play with them sometimes. I usually view this time as an opportunity to do something I want to do because what they are playing just does not look like fun. I need to change my attitude and appreciate that Kim is still pretending and role-playing and appreciate the opportunity to get acquainted with Kim and her friends on another level.

I'm so thankful that God's mercies don't fail and He is faithful because I know I'm going to mess up and need His mercies to be new every morning. What are you working on changing this year? Remember that since God's mercies new every morning, each day is a fresh opportunity to rely on His mercy and grace.

Lessons on Grumbling - June, 2015

The other morning, Kim was happily spreading butter on her toast when I had a flashback to the morning, some weeks previous, when we switched from margarine to butter. To put it mildly, Kim was not happy. She grumbled and complained, sure we cared nothing about her or what she wanted or what was best for her.

I was seeing the humor in the situation when the Lord said to me, "You're just like that. I bring changes to your life because I know what is best for you but you grumble and complain because you don't like changes or to be made uncomfortable."

So, grumbling had been on my mind when I came across Exodus 16:8 in my devotions. The last part of the verse says,

"...your grumblings are not against us,

but against the LORD."

My thoughts went back to a grumbling spree I'd had a few days earlier when talking to my oldest daughter. It doesn't matter how frustrated I was with a situation, God placed me there, with that person, who was behaving in that way. In reality, I wasn't grumbling against that person. I was grumbling against the Lord.

I Thessalonians 5:16 - 18 says (New Life Version) "Be full of joy all the time. Never stop praying. In everything give thanks. This is what God wants you to do because of Christ Jesus."

Being thankful is a choice, just as grumbling is a choice. Many times, every day, I have to make a choice whether to be thankful or to grumble.

It doesn't matter how difficult a situation is, God is in control and He has me in it. My response to the situation shows whether or not I am trusting Him with my life or telling Him how He should run my life.

Isn't it interesting that Paul's admonition to pray all the time is sandwiched between telling us to be full of joy and to give thanks. So being in communication with my Heavenly Father probably makes the choice to be thankful easier.

I need to pray more.

Course of Study - Grade 5

Bible

• Bible Memory
• Philippians chapters 2 and 3
• Psalm chapters 5 and 8
• Devotionals
• The One Year Mother/Daughter Devo by Dannah Gresh
• Secret Keeper Girl Bible Study: My Best Friend Jesus! by Dannah Gresh
• Frieda B. Herself by Renata Bowers (earning patch with American Heritage Girls)
• Great Dates for Moms and Daughters by Dannah Gresh
• Character Growth
•  Our 24 Family Ways by Clay Clarkson
• Catechism
• #110 - 126
• Hymns
• Thankful Journal
• Prayer
• Window on the World  

Math

• BJU Grade 5 Math
• not planning on just working through the book; Mondays we will review previous concepts, then spend one or two days playing games to introduce or renew the concept we will be spending the rest of the week on.

Reading

• Little by Little by Jean Little
• Other books by Jean Little
• Books assigned for book club; I have found free study guides for most of them
• Caddie Woodlawn

 Grammar

• Easy Grammar, Grades 5 and 6

Writing

• From Heart to Page by Michelle Van Loon
• Celebrating Our Family Through The Seasons by Ruthann Winans and Linda Lee

Spelling and Vocabulary

• BJU Spelling 5
• Begin a vocabulary card file

Science

• Using books I've picked up used, we will work on one subject each set of weeks.
• Ecology
• Physics
• Anatomy
• Botany
• Astronomy
• Oceanography
• Zoology

History

• 1920 to Present
• A Child's History of the World by Hillyer
• Library books
• California History 
• California Weekly Explorer
• U.S. Government
• How the U.S. Government Works by Betty Debnam

Fine Arts

• Series of Books - A First Look at Art; 4 books: Creatures, Families, Places, Portraits, Myths, Weather, Celebrations, Journeys; contains famous works of art, projects, art tips, and picture hunts; by Ruth Thomson; J704
• Art Adventures in Narnia - Downloaded from CurrClick;