The Homeschool Mother's Journal ~ April 27, 2016

IN MY LIFE
Do Christians sin, whether willfully or not, or do they not sin? That is the question. I know what I have been taught my whole life, but beginning in 2003, I have been learning that not everything that we are taught in American popular Christianity is true according to the Bible. So, instead of relying on the teaching of my youth, I am studying to find the Biblical answer to this question.

IN OUR HOMESCHOOL
We are currently in Week 31 of the school year, but we are only at Week 28 in the curriculum, but that is Super Duper A-O-K. :-)

Bible - We continue learning about Jesus and who He is. Two more of His names has been added to our "Names of Jesus" poster - Jesus the Servant, Matt. 20:28 and Jesus the Good Shepherd, John 10:14.  We have also been reading through Wisdom and the Millers which is based on the book of Proverbs. This has been quite beneficial. 

History - We have learned how the country has explored the land to the west of the Mississippi river covering the California Gold Rush and the 3 trails leading west: The Santa Fe Trail, The Oregon Trail and the California Trail. Minnesota became a state in 1858 and Oregon in 1859. Then we learned all about Abraham Lincoln and a tiny bit about the Civil War. I love the way this curriculum makes history fun with various activities to accompany the topics of discovery. Look for a post on that coming soon. ;-) 

Science - Science has been tons of fun and I'm sorry I haven't been able to get more pics and talk more about it. These last few weeks have covered solids, liquids and gases, experimenting with fizz. We've looked at how material change and experimenting with freezing and melting different items in the kitchen. Tomorrow and Friday we'll discover interesting things about magnets. We can't wait for that. 

Math - There's not much to report here. We have moved on to subtraction while we continue to review the addition facts. 

Language Arts - I am amazed at how much Jonathan is learning in such short short lessons. He hasn't complained very much about the handwriting lately, which is an improvement. :-) Adelle has continued with Letter Writing Wednesdays. The only thing that trips us up a little is when she wants to add pictures using construction paper making the envelope heavier and we have hit the post office to make sure we don't need extra postage. LOL

Read Alouds - We started a book called Mountain Born. It's the story of a boy named Peter who lives on a farm and learns to care for a flock of sheep. It's very fitting for our 2 weeks of learning about Jesus the Good Shepherd. :-)

SOMETHING NEW
We started to conduct science experiments with our friends. Two families come over on Fridays to learn science together. We then have lunch and hang out for a little play time afterwards. That has been a fun addition to our schedule.  

A DECISION FINALLY MADE
I have finally decided on curriculum for Jonathan's 2nd grade year. Christian Liberty Press. I'm not getting the whole 2nd grade kit, but I am getting most of the books in that pack. I will have to go into more details at a later time, but I am glad to finally have this under my belt. Now I can focus on purchasing. 

WE'RE READING
I'd like to give a shout out to my most gracious aunt who has purchased books by Mildred A. Martin that I was wanting in which I mentioned in one of my former Homeschool Mother's Journal posts.  

Ever heard of the book series called Christian Heroes: Then and Now? I borrowed a couple of them from a fellow homeschool mom and they are fantastic. These are true stories that chronicle the lives of ordinary men and women whose trust in God accomplished extraordinary exploits for His kingdom and glory; written for age 10 years and older. 

These are great! Very inspiring! 

I now own about 5 of these books, thanks once again goes to my aunt.  What a blessing! 

TODAY'S GRACE GEM

The Devil's Chapel!

(William S. Plumer, "The Ten Commandments")

"I will set before my eyes no vile thing!" Psalm 101:3

"The theater is an evil place. In this vortex of vice--
  the first step is to the theater,
  the next is to the bar,
  the next is to lewd company,
  the next is to the brothel,
  the next is to disease,
  the next is to death, and
  the last step is to HELL!" 

Augustine: "Stage-plays are the subverters of goodness and honesty--the destroyers of all modesty and chastity."

Bernard: "All true soldiers of Jesus Christ abominate and reject all stage-plays, as vanities and false frenzies." 

Seneca: "Nothing is so destructive of good manners or morals--as attendance on the theater." 

Gregory Nazianzen: "Play-houses are the lascivious shops of all filthiness and impurity." 

Tillotson: "The play-house is the devil's chapel, a nursery of licentiousness and vice; a recreation which ought not to be allowed among a civilized nation, much less a Christian people."

The American Congress, October 12th, 1778: "Whereas, true religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness: Resolved, that it be, and is hereby earnestly recommended to the several States--to take the most effectual means for the suppressing of theatrical entertainments, horse-racing, gambling, and such other diversions, as are productive of idleness, dissipation, and a general depravity of principles and manners." 

[Editor's note: One can only imagine what the above authors would say about much of the debased media which professing Christians now amuse themselves with!] 

Sometimes We Need Plan B

CONFESSION: I'm a weirdo. That's right. If you know me, you probably already know that. Ha! 

Why am I so quirky?

I thoroughly enjoy mowing the grass. No weed-eating; just mowing. I don't know very many women who enjoy mowing grass. Maybe I haven't met them all yet. 

Anyway. 

We let the grass get pretty tall before we mowed for the first time this spring last week. I had the worst allergy reaction ever cutting that grass. It was horrible. It took me 2 and a half hours to mow the back yard b/c I had to stop frequently to wipe my nose and air out my eyes. I resolved to NEVER let the grass get that tall again. 

I know it doesn't really look that tall, but it was tall enough!

The grass has been in need of mowing again, but the weather has been pretty rainy and there hasn't been a chance to mow in between downpours.... until today... Kinda.  

We were/are expecting rain this afternoon, so I really needed to go out there and mow this morning, which is our school time and I have 4 children here to teach, 2 who are not my own, as you know if you've been following this blog. 

I had a decision to make. Do school or go mow the grass? 

Well, we did both. This morning, we listened to another chapter in our read aloud (The Secret Garden) and I made sure Mr. K5 got his math and phonics lessons in before I switched everything around. Then we all went outside.

Sometimes I can get a little overwhelmed and stressed out if we're not on schedule with our curriculum or if we don't get to every lesson that was planned out. 

BREATHE. IT'S OK. 

I have been learning that first of all, we're not going to always "finish" the curriculum to the very end. Secondly, we don't always have to do everything on the schedule. And sometimes, the best learning for kids is not going to come from the text books. 

So, today, I was able to change everything up a bit and not get upset or freaked out about it.  (Thank You, Lord! Thank You.)

The children played cooperatively (they tried anyway) with the outside toys in the drive way while I mowed the front yard. The 2 "extra" children went home and we stopped for lunch. Then Sugar Bear practiced her piano lesson songs inside while Little Man was outside with me. Then Sugar Bear brought her handwriting book outside to complete while I was still mowing and Little Man came inside to practice his piano. 

Now I am done with the yard work (and it hasn't rained yet). 

The plan for the rest of the day is for the children to complete chores around the house. Then we'll do "homework" before dinner (dinner will be a little on the late side this evening). Little Man will get his language arts work done while Sugar Bear completes the lessons she does on the computer. They'll play addition facts math games and go over the flashcards for a bit and we'll call it a school day completed! 

Sometimes the smallest details of life happens. However, we can work around that. :-D

It's All About Christ

I am not here tonight to talk about men or to talk about church or religion. 

For all those things have their failures and flaws. 

Everyone of you can stand up and make accusations against these things. 

Men are weak and sinful. Religion is sometimes weak and failing, but CHRIST, there is no one like Christ: He's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is the Son of God. He is infinite perfection. He is strong. He is mighty. He has never failed and He has fulfilled every promise He has ever made. 

You have no argument against Him; for there is no one like Him. 

He and He alone is the Savior of the world and the Christ of God. 

So, it is all about Christ. 

What do you think of Him? For that is the very basis of God's judgement of men. 

While it is true that one day you will stand before God and be judged with regards to your sin.

You must understand that the greatest question on that Day will be this “What think ye of JESUS CHRIST?“, “What have you done with Christ?“

Jesus Christ created you and in that He has a claim upon you.

He is your Maker and by virtue of that He is also your Possessor, your Owner and not only does He take ownership, but He is also Lord.

You say, “I do not see that, where is His Throne?”

Know this that God has appointed a Day, In which He will judge every man through this One whom was crucified by wicked men …

JESUS CHRIST

His Throne is coming…

His Judgment is near!

And on that Day when He judges, everyone will recognize His right to judge because He is judging the very thing He has made.

There is something that you must understand about God the Father, His Son is everything to Him: Everything the Father has done He has done it for His Son, He created the world in His Son, He reveals Himself to the world through His Son, He redeems the world through His Son and He judges the world through His Son. CHRIST is foremost in every thought of God and CHRIST is foremost in the thoughts of every being that finds it’s dwelling place in heaven.

When JESUS CHRIST returns, He will stretch forth His hand upon the world and He will say, “Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine!“

“It was made by Me, and it was made for Me.“

And seated upon His throne, God Himself will see to it that every knee bows, and every tongue confess, that “JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!“

And on that day, you will know that is truly real and the word of God will be vindicated and some of you will rejoice in that!

But others of you will realize that you’ve lived for a wrong thing and you have lost all things.

Excerpt taken from "Clothed in Christ"
Sermon by: Paul Washer
Source: Sermon Jam Transcripts

Here's the full sermon ~ 

Wordless Wednesday: An Occupied Two Year Old

You CAN Homeschool!

I found this little photo when I was google searching some homeschool things yesterday. It was quite encouraging to me and I don't think that I can add anything to it.

So, fellow homeschool moms, take courage if you need some uplifting. 

Happy Friday!

Source: Harrington Harmonies

Thankful Thursday ~ Thankful to be a Homeschooling Mom

I had no clue of the challenges, the tears and the frustrations I would face when I became a homeschooling mom. I also had no idea of the laughter, the adventures and the joy that we would experience.

Staying at home with my children has been the toughest thing I have ever done. I don't know who's learning more, me or them. I do know that I have learned and am still learning some things about myself in the way of the Lord that I more than likely wouldn't have learned otherwise, but we are all learning to lean on Him together so much.

We are also building close parent/child relationships with each other that wouldn't happen any other way.

I'm sorry for the lack of ability to truly express my gratitude for this way of life. Being able to homeschool is a blessing indeed and words are escaping me at the moment.

Wordless Wednesday: It's Mowing Season Again

5 Random Things ~ April 1, 2016

I've not been able to post as much as I'd like lately. I can't seem to get caught up on everything since our visit a few weeks ago. 

1. Petrified Forest

Pictures don't do this forest any justice at all, but seeing the stones that were once trees is pretty cool. The self-guided tour info pamphlet kept talking about the power of erosion and of nature... Well, that's just a reflection of God Almighty's power! You just have to see if there's a petrified forest near you. 

You can't tell, but this petrified log was MASSIVE.

The power of erosion washed away the dirt and sand
to reveal the petrified wood. 

"The Frog"

I've never seen such large bark

2. Cards

Have you ever played a game with JUMBO cards?!? 

3. Cool Picture

This was a pretty cool picture that a high schooler made out of cassette tape. It was on display at the local art museum. 

4. Molecules

We learned about atoms and molecules in science this week. Then the kids made an example of a water molecule out of marshmallows and tooth picks. 

5. Today's Grace Gem

The most precious thing in Heaven or earth!

(John Flavel, "The Fountain of Life" 1671)

"Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!" ~Song of Songs 5:16

In giving Christ to die for poor sinners, God gave the richest jewel in His cabinet! This is a mercy of the greatest worth, and most inestimable value. 

Heaven itself is not so valuable and precious as Christ is! Ten thousand thousand worlds, as many worlds as angels can number - would not outweigh Christ's love, excellency and sweetness! O what a lovely One! What an excellent, beautiful, ravishing One - is Christ! 

Put all the beauty of ten thousand paradises, like the garden of Eden, into one; put all flowers, all pleasing fragrances, all colors, all delicious tastes, all joys, all sweetness, all loveliness into one - O what a lovely excellent thing that wold be! And yet it would be less compared to that loveliest and dearest well-beloved Christ - than one drop of rain compared to all the seas, rivers, lakes, and fountains of ten thousand earths!

Now for God to bestow this mercy of mercies, the most precious thing in Heaven or earth, upon poor sinners; and, as great, as lovely, as excellent as His Son was - what kind of love is this! 

"Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!" ~Song of Songs 5:16