On the Front Lines

November 2, 2010 by 3 Comments

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those
in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4) 

Since giving birth to our fifth precious little one, I have been feeling increasingly overwhelmed by…well…everything.  It is a combination of having a large amount of work to do (Don’t all moms have this?), an increasing lack of time (baby, school x4, chores, outside family commitments), an inconsistent time for Bible reading and prayer, and a decreasing energy (living on little sleep and poor hydration).  This has led me to be weakened in my spiritual and physical strength and a likely target for an attack.  God has allowed this and I have once again been shown how utterly dependent I must be upon Him.

I have been here before, after the birth of our third child, and I remember with vivid detail the depths of that pit.  I also clearly remember God’s hand sustaining me.  (Some of the thoughts below are from what God has shown me in the past and some are formed based on the writings of John Piper in his book ‘When the Darkness Will Not Lift’.)

Dear weary mama and sister in Christ, put on…

  • Prayer
    God wants us to turn to Him and pour our hearts out to Him.  Cry out to God for help, for strength, for wisdom.  Pray for our children, marriages, and even for other moms who either are, or may likely be, experiencing similar battles.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God.  My hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation.
He is my fortress, I will notbe shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God.
He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people. 
Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
(Psalm 62:5-8)

 

  • Thankfulness
    Put off grumbling and complaining and put on a spirit of gratitude to God…for even the smallest hints of joy (a baby’s giggle, a toddler’s funny saying, an open Bible left in the middle of the playroom floor).

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
(Colossians 2:6-7)

  • Truth
    Focus on the life giving truth in God’s Word, the saving power of Jesus Christ from our sin, His great love for us, etc.  Memorize Scripture and hang onto His promises.  Pray for God to speak Truth to our hearts and minds, replacing the lies with His Word.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive
every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
(2 Corinthians10:4-5)

  • The Full Armor of God
    We can not face each day without Christ’s power and strength.  He has given us everything we need for daily battle.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.   (Ephesians 6: 10-18)

  • Action
    Do what God has called us to do and serve Him with gladness.  Keep pressing on with the strength He provides and don’t be idle.  Repent from any unconfessed sin and pray for the joy to be restored.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
(Colossians 3:23)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and
will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)

  • Patience
    Wait patiently.  He gives us strength to endure dark times and provides a way out.  Eventually, the darkness will lift and the joy will return.  Until then, know that we are never out of the control of His loving Hand.

I waited patiently for the LORD.  He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire.
He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD  and put their trust in him.
(Psalm 40:1-3)

God is our faithful Father and protector.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad.  Let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous.
You surround them with your favor as with a shield.
(Psalm  5:11-12)

He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
(1 Corinthians 1:8-9)

Those leading and tending to the care and training of the next generation are on the front lines every day.  Attacks from the enemy have the goal of rendering us ineffective… ”But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Filed Under: Mom's Heart, The Joy of God's Word

Our 2010 – 2011 Curriculum

August 4, 2010 by 8 Comments

The following is what our family has selected to try to implement for the new school year.  Starting this school year, we have an 8 year old third grader, 6 1/2 year old first grader, 4 1/2 year old PreK child, an active 2 1/2 year old, and a 4 month old baby.

Due to having an infant in the house who is not in as good of a routine as the other children were at this age, we plan to start with the basics (Bible, Language Arts, and Math) and then add in more formal science, history, and geography in a couple months.  We’ll just have to see how smoothly, or not, things go!

Bible and Devotions

Science/ Art / Music / Foreign Language

Read Alouds
Until we begin our purchased MFW curriculum, we plan to read classics such as The Trumpet of the Swan, Heidi, The Secret Garden, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, and Charlotte’s Web.

Reading / Language Arts /Math
our 3rd grader…

  • Readers:  a mixture of Sonlight 2A and 3 regular readers, free choice reading on her own, Book Report Task Cards
  • Explode the Code books 7 and 8 for phonics
  • Sequential Spelling
  • A Reason for Handwriting Book T – We plan to finish the transition lessons and then move into the second half of the book.  This series has the child practice writing a few letters and words each day that pertain to a certain Bible verse.  Then, on the last day, the child copies the full verse neatly.
  • Copywork – Bible verses from the Joyful Heart Character lessons
  • Grammar and Writing:  Primary Language Lessons and writing letters
  • Horizons Math (completing Level 2 and heading into 3)
  • Flashcards
  • Hands on Math games from Right Start
  • Calendar Binder and Math Task Cards (did for only first semester)
  • Writing With Ease level 2 (started second semester)

our First Grader…

  • Readers: Abeka 2nd grade readers, free choice reading on own, book sheets
  • Explode the Code books 4 and 5 for phonics
  • Sequential Spelling
  • Copywork – Bible verses from the Joyful Heart Character lessons
  • Grammar and Writing:  Daily Language Lessons for 1st, Grammar & Punctuation,  and writing letters
  • A Reason for Handwriting Book B
  • Horizons Math Level 1
  • Flashcards
  • Hands on Math games from Right Start
  • Calendar Binder and Math Task Strips (did for only first semester)
  • Writing With Ease level 1 (started second semester)

our Pre K child…

First Semester

  • Joyful Heart Character -Bible story, memory verse, character trait study, and beginning reading activities
  • Calendar Binder

Second Semester

  • ABeka K readers, lots of reading from leveled readers at the library, phonics readers (Then, he took off and began reading everything he could get his hands on.  He loves Nate the Great, Bernstein Bears, the Bible, etc.)
  • Explode the Code 1
  • Horizons Math K

our toddler…

  • Singing verses in her Joyful Heart Tune Binder
  • Catechism questions and answers
  • Manipulatives and games with Mommy
  • Do-a-Dot Letter Art – from Confessions of a Homeschooler
  • Enjoying books
  • play, play, play =)

our infant…
I keep joking with my husband that our youngest ‘student’ is the one I expect to see the most growth in this year!  From getting into a consistent routine, rolling over, sitting up, eating baby foods, ‘talking’ more, etc, he has his own full blown curriculum to work on!

Lifeskills and Extracurricular Activities

  • Hand Sewing:  We will continue to use My First Sewing Book (Level 1) and My First Embroidery Book (Level 2) both by Winky Cherry.
  • Gymnastics (oldest three kids)
  • Ballet (oldest two girls)
  • AWANA – We have a T&T, a Sparks, a Cubbie, and a Puggle now!
  • Family Chore Time
  • Some homeschool outings/ field trips with other families in our church.

 

To Be Added in a Couple Months
It was difficult when we came to the conclusion that it would be best for our family to wait a couple months before working through the following curriculum!

History / Geography
Exploring Countries and Cultures in My Father’s World from My Father’s World Curriculum is our choice for this school year.   It includes geography (learning about various countries around the world), a Bible study of the book of Matthew, praying for unreached people groups around the world using Window on the World, science (biomes),  hands on art and science projects, integrated narration and copywork, read alouds about missionaries, music from other countries, and cooking experiences.  We can’t wait to start our adventure around the world!

Bible and Devotions
MFW study of the book of Matthew
(including copywork for the oldest two girls  ~ You can find free printables to coordinate with the verses from Matthew here.)

Science
As we learn about different countries and cultures, we will also be learning about the animals that live in those environments.   We plan to use the resources suggested in the MFW ECC curriculum – The Living World Encyclopedia, Properties of Ecosystems, The Big Book of Animals, The Great Animal Search, and the Encyclopedia of Animals.

Art

  • MFW incorporates the use of Global Art by Mary Ann Kohl.
  • Draw Write Now – We will be drawing animals to coordinate with the different continents and regions/habitats of the world.

 

If you are interested in seeing what other homeschoolers are doing, check out the Not Back to School Blog Hop hosted at Heart of the Matter!  It is Curriculum Week!

Filed Under: Curriculum We Use, The Joy of Homeschool

How Workboxes Have Worked for Us

July 5, 2010 by 5 Comments

Last spring, I heard all the raving reviews of Sue Patrick’s Workbox System.  Being the organizer that I am and the lover of all purposeful baskets, holders, and containers, I had to take a closer look at this and see if it might work for our family.  

Sue Patrick’s original system consists of using 12 clear plastic shoeboxes for each child, placing a learning activity in each one.   You can learn more about her full system at her website and through her book.  I could see the benefit of her ideas, but I also knew there was no way I was going to be able to purchase and eventually store 5 sets of 12 large boxes! (My husband would have balked at the idea as well =) )   I knew that implementation of the entire system was not realistic for our growing homeschool family, but the goal behind it still intrigued me.   After reading several blogs of how other homeschooling moms of 3+ children altered the system to suit their needs, I grabbed some containers and followed suit!   I decided to try to use one plastic file box with 12 hanging files per child.  I made, printed, laminated, cut, and attached labels and we were set to go!

All I had to do next was place materials in each of the folders for each child.  AWANA, Bible, language arts, and math generally were the subjects focused on.  A few file folders would only have a card inside to indicate the activity to be completed.  For example Xtra Math practice on the computer, instrument practice, working with a sibling, etc.  

empty workboxfile with velcro tag

workbox in action

At the end of our school year, I asked each child, “What did you like about our workboxes this year?”   Here is a quick review by our kids…

4 year old preschooler

  1. “the name on it and the picture”
    (Mommy’s Interpretation:  He likes that he has a box with his very own name on it.  He also likes that he got to choose the color and background for the front of his box.) 
  2. “finding verses in it” 
    (Mommy’s Interpretation:  In the very first folder, I would place his Cubbie book containing his Bible verse from AWANA so that we would be sure to practice it daily!)

6 year old kindergartener

  1. “putting the tags on” 
    (Mommy’s Interpretation: She liked being in charge of removing the tags from her folders and placing them on the outside to show that she was finished with an assignment.)

8 year old second grader 

  1. “When I put the tag on, I know that I did something.” 
    (Mommy’s Interpretation:  She likes the visual to know when she has accomplished a task and how much she has left to do.)

 

Mommy’s Review of our Workboxes 
Likes:

  1. I like that I wasn’t the keeper of all the books and materials!   In previous years, I had one tote for all of us.  It was becoming more and more difficult to fit everything for our growing family all in one tote.  Language arts and math for each child, history, Bible, etc. was overflowing and weighing my tote down!  This year, I reserved the tote for activities and lessons we would do together as a family – science, history, Bible, art, and music.  The childrens’ individual language arts and math lessons now had a new home in each child’s very own workbox.
  2. In previous years, I would be in charge of when the kids worked on their assignments.  This year, using individual workboxes, the children were given more freedom and control over which subject they wanted to work on and in which order.  At the start of the day, they would check the front of their box to see how many assignments they had and then check the outside of each hanging file to see which assignments were to be completed on their own and which were labeled as ‘work with mom’ or ‘work with a sibling’.  They would then then peek into their folders to get a glimpse of what they would be working on that day.  Previously, with the one tote, it was hard for them to see what we had to work on for the day and they never knew what was coming next nor how much more we had to do.  Individual workboxes, with the chart and movable tags, gave the children a visual for how much was left and for what they had already accomplished.  I  think they found it motivating.
  3. For our preschooler, his workbox was set up to be almost all ‘work with mom’ time.  His workbox gave us an organized space and order for working together.
  4. I truly think the implementation of workboxes made preparing and organizing work for each child more manageable as well.  Whenever there is a designated place to put items, it makes things go much more smoothly! 
  5. Using file boxes with handles made the workboxes portable.  We could work in a variety of places throughout our home and easily take our work with us… to the basement, an upstairs bedroom, the living room, even on a trip to dentist!

Dislikes:

  1. We used standard hanging files and several hanging file folders ended up tearing and splitting half way through the year.  I attempted to tape and mend them to make it through the year, but it was not a pretty sight.

torn files and new files

I am looking forward to using our workboxes again this coming school year. The only changes I am planning to implement are using heavier duty hanging files and adding a small pouch to the front of each box to hold pencils, a small box of crayons, a glue stick, and pair of scissors for each PreK child or older.  I am also considering letting our fourth child have her very own workbox (slightly different than the older kids) and join in on the fun as well =) 

 

Oh, one last favorable review of workboxes came from Daddy –
“If it keeps mommy sane, I like it!”

Filed Under: The Joy of Homeschool

I Got Nothing Done Today

June 23, 2010 by 1 Comment

I have a LONG list of things that I want to accomplish this summer. 
Not one of them got done today, but not because I didn’t try. 

Instead…

I nursed the baby.
I looked in the baby’s bright blue eyes and told him that I loved him.
I held a fussy baby and prayed to know how to help soothe him.
I washed the dishes.
I got my heart checked by a cute, in-house, princess doctor.
I swept up the noodles that strayed from the kids’ sensory tub.
I filled, ran, and emptied the dishwasher.
I prepared lunch.
I wiped cheesy wild rice soup remains from a toddler’s face.
I kissed a toddler’s knee after she fell and wiped away her tears.
I changed diapers.
I tried to keep my calm as a little one in training became wet once again.
I cried out and prayed to the Lord for strength.
I listened to a 6 year old read a funny story and heard her laugh.
I helped a 4 year old make a list of foods that he wants to bake when he grows up and becomes a chef.
I washed, dried, and redid sheets.
I sang silly songs and got to dance.
I kissed the sweet cheeks of a sleeping infant.
I shared a lift the flap book with a toddler while lying on the floor.
I heard God’s Word being sung through a child’s voice.
I got my order taken by a little waitress, over and over again.
I got to comfort an 8 year old with a headache that doesn’t seem to go away.

I died to self as things I wanted to do were put aside.
And, I nursed the baby again, washed the dishes again, changed diapers again…

I got nothing done today – at least by this world’s standards.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up.

Filed Under: Mom's Heart, The Joy of Children

The Power of Words – Keeping the Peace

June 18, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Over the last few weeks, I have witnessed more and more arguing and fighting over small matters between my children – whether it be over sharing a toy, choosing a video that they all would watch, whose turn it was to do something, and even arguing with instructions given by me.  This morning, I was overjoyed when God pointed out a verse to me from His Word to share with them…

Proverbs 17:14
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam. 
So drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

Proverbs 17 14 

My oldest had the opportunity to practice her dictionary skills as she and the other kids wondered what some of the words meant.  We talked about what it meant to quarrel, to dispute, what a dam is, and learned about the word breached.

  • quarrel: verbal disagreement between individuals or a group, to make
    complaint or find fault
  • dispute: to quarrel or fight about; to quarrel angrily; to wrangle
  • dam: a barrier to stop the flow of water, built across a stream or river
  • breach: to break; a rupture; a gap made in a wall; a severance in friendly relations

Then I shared with them a visual…
What does a dam look like and what happens when it is breached?

A simulation of a dam breaking
Real footage of the aftermath from a dam breaking.

They were amazed that a small hole in the dam could be so powerful and have such a large effect!  Our words and how we choose to respond, act the same way.  We can choose to be peacemakers.

And of course, I couldn’t help but put the verse to a tune so we could all sing it…

Head to our Bible Memorization page and scroll down to Proverbs 17:14 for free printables!

I was so excited to get to share this with the children.  It seemed to really make sense to them.

Thank you Lord for this clear illustration from Your Word!

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Filed Under: Kids' Hearts, The Joy of God's Word
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