I'm not sure where our time went this week. I look back and it seems to have disappeared. Life, truly, is a vapor. "For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." ~ James 4:14b That's how I felt this week.
I'd love to say that we were busy with what we were supposed to be, but I cannot. However, we did manage to get some things accomplished. ;o)
Monday is a blur to me this week... On Tuesday, I had the blessing of meeting with an old friend that moved to the area not too long ago, who's husband just left for Afghanistan. We met at a local coffee shop and enjoyed a couple hours of fellowship and catching up. It is such a blessing to have a daughter that is old enough and willing to take over the home duties once in a while. ;o)
In the afternoon, the children and I enjoyed reading our Bibles together, discussing the application of the verses, and illustrating them. We were in John, chapter 14, and it was a blessing to discuss how Jesus pointed out (quite a few times) that obedience is an action of love. "If ye love me, keep my commandments." ~ John 14:15 Not only does this relate to our relationship with Jesus, but, also, in our parent/child relationship.
On Wednesday, our Will woke up ill. I had the arduous task of cleaning regurgitation from the hallway and bathroom floor. Poor sweetie. Wednesday was spent as a sort of 'free' day. I worked on laundry and completed my new apron. Towards the evening, he felt better, and we were rejoicing that, thus far, no one else has had this ailment. ;o)
Thursday was busier for us... In the morning, we spent some time in our studies. We discussed our sin nature, God's free gift of salvation, and how He is the Bread of Life and that we may eat from HIM and never hunger... that real, lasting satisfaction only comes from Jesus Christ. What a blessing!
For history, we read more about the art and entertainment of Ancient Greece. As a project, the children made mosaic coasters...
{not sure why this uploaded sideways}
They enjoyed playing with the glue and beans. Suzie, too, enjoyed the beans... the ones that fell on the floor or were purposely given to her so the children could watch her crack them open! lol
Speaking of Suzie, it's been a while since I've shared a pic of her. Here she is playing with her rope with Ally...
Ally spent a lot of time this week working on a book that she is writing. Daddy's laptop has come in real handy! ;o)
Also, this week, the children enjoyed playing out-of-doors, when the weather was nicer...
I'm not sure I'll ever understand why it is more fun to play ON the house rather than IN it.
Today we anticipate a typical Friday... friends, fellowship, and sourdough pizza night!
I hope you have enjoyed your week, too!
"The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee." ~ Psalm 145:9-10
To have victory in our homeschool endeavors, we must be having victory in our daily lives. There are many areas we need daily victory: Perhaps we suffer from discouragement, an angry spirit, laziness, worry, depression, lack of patience, or lack of enthusiasm. Whatever it be, God never intends for us to 'just get by' or 'just go through the motions'.
John 10:10 says "...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
John 15:11 ~ "...that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
Not only does He want us to have victory in all areas of our lives, He wants our joy to be full and to live life richly.
How do we do this?
Not in our own vain efforts and strength. We must identify with Christ and follow His example.
Luke 9:23 says "...let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (also see Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34, 10:21)
~ Through Death ~
Romans 6:6 ~ "...that our old man is crucified with Him..."
Galatians 2:20 says, "... I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
When we become born again, our old man (our corrupt human nature) is put to death, yet we still live in our mortal body.
But Christ lives in us and now we need to live by faith (confidence in Him). Daily we need to die to self and crucify the flesh. We need to die to our own selfish wants, desires,rights, impulses, and expectations.
~ Through Life ~ Just as we identify with Christ and die to self, "we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection." (Romans 6:5)
When we die to self and to sin, we are "alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:11)
He has to be our Master. We cannot serve self and Christ. We cannot serve two masters (Matt.6:24; Luke 16:13)
We must die to self and confess quickly, not letting sin and love of self make a home in our body ("Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body..." ~ Romans 6:12), so we can be freed from defeat and the bondage of sin. Then we are able to live victoriously in Christ and He is able to live through us.
~ Through Power ~ When we are not yielded and surrendered to Christ daily, we quench the Holy Spirit's power in us.
In contrast,when we are yielded and surrendered, we allow the Holy Spirit to enable us with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. (Galatians 5:22-23)
That honors God much more than our anger, depression, hostility, impatience, harshness, sinfulness, hopelessness, irritation, and rashness.
We need to look to Him for strength...
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him" ~ Psalm 28:7
"Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength" ~ Isaiah 26:4
and trust in His promises...
"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy..." ~ Psalm 5:11
"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." ~ Psalm 37:5
and in His grace...
"...My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me". ~ 1 Corinthians 12:9
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." ~ 1 Peter 5:10
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." ~ 1 Corinthians 15:10
We must have faith, which enables us to live the victorious life. "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." ~ 1 Corninthians 15:57
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." ~ 2 Peter 1:4-8
Do we really want victory in homeschool? It starts with having victories in our daily lives. Dying to self is not a one time thing. We must die to self daily and all day long in order to live victoriously.
"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." ~ Romans 6:22
"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." ~ Romans 8:11-13
Last week was an eventful one for us. Daddy had two days off from work and we enjoyed our time with him.
Monday afternoon, we enjoyed the company of a single Marine. We had an afternoon, evening, and late night of food, fellowship, and fun games. Tuesday was spent with Daddy, at home.
On Wednesday, Daddy went back to work and we enjoyed the pleasures of home...
The younger ones enjoyed a couple of games of Bible Trivia
Ally worked away in her Modern Greek Grammar book...
After going to Beth's violin lessons in the afternoon, Ally finished making a batch of chocolate mint wafers...
Friday morning, we packed up and headed to church for our monthly Keepers of the Faith meeting. When we arrived, firemen were next door (in a deserted building) doing practice drills and such and they invited us to watch! The children (and the moms) were thrilled!
During our meeting, I gave a lesson on contentment (which was a challenge to my own heart!). Ally and her friend helped by acting out a little skit...
Afterwards, the children (and moms) enjoyed watercoloring...
Friday afternoon and evening was spent with friends, as was Saturday evening! We enjoyed a lot of fellowship this week and are praising the LORD for such a blessing!
"And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long." ~ Psalm 35:28
Outside my window... the sky is gray and cloudy, our backyard has been transformed into a pond due to a night and morning of rain
I am thinking... of how God works in such wonderful ways!
I am thankful for... for the young man that was baptized and for the two souls that were saved yesterday!
I am wearing... brown corduroy jumper and collared shirt
I am remembering... that the God of all is in control of all
I am going... to enjoy the comforts of home today and do some research on a very likely upcoming event in our family
I am reading... through my KJ Bible in a year, {I fell behind last year so I am doing this in a year and a half} currently in Job, 1 Thessalonians; our A to Z Mentoring printouts from church (currently on C for The Church) Choosing Gratitudeby Nancy Leigh DeMoss (with my eldest); The Love Dare (and trying to apply it to my marriage and my motherhood); A Hunger for God by John Piper
I am hoping (praying)... for the Holy Spirit to work His perfect will in a recent situation in our lives
On my mind... the recent military surprise that we've received
From the learning rooms... We hope to continue with our studies... in the book of John for Bible; book of Judges for history; studying Ancient Greece; and various things in other subjects
Noticing that... God is faithful and really does answer prayer
Pondering these words... "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.. ~ Philippians 2:13" God is working to perform His will From the kitchen... counters are clean; dishes from the weekend need to be put in the dishwasher On the Menu... M ~ Wet Burritos T ~ Potato Soup W ~ Shepherd's Pie Th ~ Chicken & pasta F ~ Sourdough pizza S ~ Brats and dogs Sun ~ Crockpot chicken pot pie
Around the house... the children are playing together in the living room and our eldest suffers from the sleepiness ;o)
I am creating... an apron
I am hearing... the lil' girls playing in the living room; booms from grenades or artillery practice; our son playing "I Wish I Had Given Him More" on his harmonica
One of my favorite things... rejoicing in someone accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior! and seeing how the LORD answers the prayers of my children
A few plans for the rest of the week... work on our homeschool lessons; take a trip to the store; attend our midweek prayer service; go to Beth's violin lesson; enjoy the comforts of home!
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." ~ Isaiah 26:3 I'm so glad that I can have perfect peace, as I keep my mind on and trust in the LORD JEHOVAH !
This is one of our favorite meals! We call it "Something" Pot Pie because any meat can be (and has been) used...
{Turkey pot pie pictured above}
2-4 cups of cooked meat (turkey, chicken, beef, etc...) 1 cup of diced carrots 1 cup peas 1 cup diced red potatoes 3 cups chicken broth 1 cup milk 2/3 cup flour
Cook vegetables in chicken broth till soft; then add cooked meat and stir. Dissolve flour in milk and add to mixture to thicken. Pour into 9x13 baking dish. Pour crust on top. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes or till crust is done/golden brown. Serve and enjoy!
"She ... giveth meat to her household..." ~ Proverbs 31:15
Outside my window... the sun is shining very brightly and warmer temps fill the air!
I am thinking... of how necessary God's Word is for my life and how It needs to be feasted upon
I am thankful for... the Holy Spirit teaching me, changing me, strengthening me, and giving me victories
I am wearing... black, brown, burgundy paisley regency style dress
I am remembering... that to be 'spiritual' you must be Scriptural
I am going... to enjoy my beloved, as he has a couple of days off this week!
I am reading... through my KJ Bible in a year, {I fell behind last year so I am doing this in a year and a half} currently in Job, Colossians; Choosing Gratitudeby Nancy Leigh DeMoss (with my eldest); The Love Dare (and trying to apply it to my marriage and my motherhood); A Hunger for God by John Piper
I am hoping (praying)... for the Holy Spirit to continue His work in the hearts of those I love and to help me to be Spirit controlled; that He will help me to be an overcomer; praying for the Holy Spirit to work in Haiti
On my mind... The things I need to do today and this week
From the learning rooms... two days off while Daddy is home.. Then in the book of John for Bible; book of Judges for history; studying Ancient Greece; and various things in other subjects
Noticing that... God is gracious, longsuffering, and forgiving
Pondering these words... "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Jesus Christ can and will supply ALL of my need, physical, emotional, spiritual
From the kitchen... dishes await washing from the weekend
On the Menu... M ~ Taco Rice Tacos T ~ Rigate Bake W ~ Chicken Noodle Soup Th ~ Shepherd's Pie F ~ Sourdough pizza S ~ Sloppy Joes Sun ~ Roast and fixins'
Around the house... the children are playing a game in the living room
I am creating... nothing at present
I am hearing... the children playing in the living room
One of my favorite things... the peace that comes when surrendering to the Lord and the victories that He gives
A few plans for the rest of the week... enjoy extra time with my beloved, as he has a couple of days off; enjoy hosting a single Marine that will be visiting with our family during the holiday today; accomplish some goals in our home learning; possibly take eldest to the chiropractor; clean the church; go to midweek service; go to Beth's violin lesson; go our Keepers of the Faith meeting;
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
"But that which ye have already hold fast till I come." ~ Revelation 2:25 Holding fast to the things He has taught me, studying to show myself approved, and looking for His blessed return!
As another week comes to an end, I look back and am thankful for how the Lord blessed and the things we were able to accomplish together and the memories we made.
We spent most of our week home, which was a blessing, and were able to focus on our learning lessons.
Carolynne enjoyed playing on her lap harp...
Will was on a mission to put an apache helicopter model together...
The lil' girls worked at writing numbers...
Beth
Carolynne
Working in math...
In history, we finished the book of Ruth and, also, continued our study of ancient Greece. This week, we began discussing the arts/entertainment of ancient Greece and made our own greek comedy masks...
We, also, enjoyed reading aloud a few of Aesop's Fables (Aesop was a greek slave) and acted out "The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf" (a.k.a The Boy Who Cried Wolf)... It was a fun visual and lesson regarding the consequences of lying.
Ally enjoyed helping the girls with a game of Twister...
Will enjoyed reading through our read aloud, Saved By Love, again....
Ally and Suzie were cozy companions...
Thursday afternoon, we ventured out to Beth's violin lessons. It has been a joy to hear her working on her first hymn, "Holy! Holy! Holy!"
Friday morning we met with our homeschool group at the park and enjoyed the warmer weather that the Lord blessed us with...
Afterwards, we enjoyed a trip to the library and then our afternoon and evening with friends. We had a really fun time playing a new game together: Bible Outburst. It was a humbling game, as there were so many things in the Bible that we did/do not know but we learned a lot and it was tons of fun in the process!
We are enjoying the weekend at home together and look forward to being in God's house tomorrow, under the teaching and preaching of His beautiful Truths and Wonderful Words of Life!
Have a blessed weekend!
"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." ~ Psalm 34:1
Carolynne's birthday dress... Jumper with attached ruffle
** edited to add** I was asked if this was a pullover jumper and what pattern I used. I used Simplicity's #8340 children's jumper pattern. I believe it is out-of-print now, however, any jumper pattern can be used. This pattern is NOT zipper free, but I, also, did NOT use a zipper. I fully lined the bodice (which I usually do) and sewed the back up the middle where the zipper was suppose to go. Therefore, there is a seam in the back but no zipper. ;o) And it pulls over the head nicely.
Outside my window... the sun is shining very brightly
I am thinking... of being Spirit controlled and redeeming my time
I am thankful for... the Holy Spirit teaching me, changing me, strengthening me, and giving me victories
I am wearing... burgundy checkered jumper
I am remembering... that it's okay if I feel invisible sometimes, that my motherhood and 'wifehood' is part of my service to God and that when I feel that no one else sees, God sees.
I am going... to press on
I am reading... through my KJ Bible in a year, {I fell behind last year so I am doing this in a year and a half} currently in Esther, Ephesians; Choosing Gratitudeby Nancy Leigh DeMoss (with my eldest); The Love Dare (and trying to apply it to my marriage and my motherhood)
I am hoping (praying)... for the Holy Spirit to continue His work in the hearts of those I love and to help me to be Spirit controlled; that He will help me to be an overcomer
On my mind... The things I need to do today and this week
From the learning rooms... homeschool is back in session... In the book of John for Bible; book of Ruth for history; studying Ancient Greece; and various things in other subjects
Noticing that... God is gracious, longsuffering, and forgiving
Pondering these words... " With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." ~ Ephesians 4:2-3 Trying to apply this at home
From the kitchen... sink is shining, counters are sparkling
On the Menu... M ~ Wet burritos T ~ Shepherd's Pie W ~ Wild Rice Soup Th ~ Chicken and pasta F ~ Sourdough pizza S ~ Hamburgers Sun ~ Stroganoff
Around the house... the younger ones are taking a break from our learning lessons and playing together in the living room, eldest is having quiet time in her room
I am creating... nothing at present
I am hearing... the children playing in the living room; the heater blowing
One of my favorite things... the peace that comes when surrendering to the Lord
A few plans for the rest of the week... practice diligence in our homeschool; take eldest to the chiropractor; clean the church; go to midweek service; go to Beth's violin lesson; go to park day (depending on weather) OR our Keepers of the Faith meeting;
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great." ~ Psalm 18:35 A blessed comfort and promise!
