HOMESCHOOLING ~ A Two Week Review

Okay all, here is what has been happening in our home over these past two weeks.  I can honestly say that I have never been more flustered, organized, disorganized, unmotivated, motivated, and ready to veg out as I am now.  Confused yet?  Good me too but let me explain!

I KNEW that God had confirmed that we were to be homeschooling, and He has continued to do so throughout these last two weeks.  I KNEW that it was going to require time and sacrifice on my part.  It is never easy to put someone else’s needs ahead of your own.  As a mother with all her children home at all times that is exactly what I am doing, daily!  I KNEW that I needed to make up a schedule and stick to it.  I KNEW that there needs to be total organization, total and complete control, and total dedication on my part.  Now, here’s what I didn’t know!

I didn’t know how much my children were going to LOVE this new lifestyle!  I was really worried about their lack of friends and not having the interaction with their peers like they are used to!  BUT, I was not expecting them to develop such deep friendships with each other so rapidly.  Since we have been home together (for one whole month now), the children are squabbling less.  Yes, there are moments when the brother / sister pestering does occur, BUT it is not as often as it was when they were in school!  WOW!  Coincidence, I think not!  Another thing that I have noted is there is more desire to help each other.  “I can help make your bed”, or “I can help you read that”, or “I can help you with your Math”, are being heard more and more in my home.  That makes me smile!  My house is also cleaner, (did I just admit that!)  Why?  The children now SEE what I do all day long and are willing to jump in and help me!  For example, I needed to vacuum the living room, but my boys (without even being asked) took it a step further and vacuumed all the seat cushions on all the chairs and the couch!  A servant’s heart attitude is being cultivated!  YA-HOO!

Another side effect we are noticing from our new adventure is that there is more of a peaceful spirit in our home.  We are praying together more, talking about Christ more, what He wants for our lives and not what we want!  We are reading God’s Word together daily, at a consistent time and in a verse by verse manner!  While we focus on one main Bible study each week (like Creation, Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel, etc), we read the story verse by verse and break down what we can learn from the story.  For example, while we are studying Adam & Eve this week, we learned that God DOES chastise when we sin, BUT He always loves us and provides a provision when He is done disciplining us!  This has lead t o a great discussion on what sin does to us and why!  WOW!

There have been days when things were not on task!  There have been days that I have had to throw our schedule out the window; like when Daddy calls and needs Mommy to bring him his sunglasses and coffee to work since he can’t make it through the day without them!  There have been days when it feels like all I am doing is picking up papers, play-doh, washing clothes, and explaining exactly what front end estimation is (for the 100^th+ time!!!!), and there are days that I want to stay in bed a little longer because my life outside of the children has not stopped.  Yet, in spite of it all, I KNOW that my children are home with me, where they belong!  I KNOW that we are doing the right thing, in spite of what well meaning friends and family might say.  I KNOW that I will look back on these days of math, puzzles, cutting everything in sight, poetry lessons, proofreading, spelling tests,  and play-doh and smile.  Why?  Because at the end of the day, obeying Christ in the  raising my children is worth every minute of hardship that I might encounter!

Now……does anyone know how to get dried play-doh out of carpet?

HOMESCHOOLING! Why we are walking down this path!

The reason that we feel that we are being lead to homeschool is simple and yet complex.  We want our children to have a firm Biblical and doctrinal sound foundation.  We want our children to have a global Godly view point with a focus on missions, a fluent love for reading and learning, and a desire to see the whole world saved.  While it may seem counter productive to pull the children "out of the world", who better to instill these belief's in them than their parents?  We feel that the Bible is very specific to the need of a parent to educate their own children and the role that we are to play in their upbringing in the Word of God:

• We want our children's mind to be renewed by Christ daily (Romans 12:1-2)
• We want the children's lives to be built upon truth (Matthew 7:24-27)
• We believe that as their parents, the situations that we put them in are the character issues that will be sown as they mature; therefore we want to sow their hearts for Christ (Galatians 6:7-9)
• We believe that our children are our greatest earthy possessions and that we must be good stewards over their lives and the time that we have with them (Romans 12:1-2) and value their eternal worth (Matthew 6:19-24)

As their parents we believe that it is our responsibility and God given privilege to train them and assist in molding them into the adult that God would have them to be, we believe that this is done through:

• Ensuring that the children are taught in a way that is toward their learning bent, emotionally, educationally and spiritually (Proverbs 22:6)
• That their training is our responsibility and that we have been commissioned to teach them to walk in the Ways of Christ. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
• We believe that we are called to pass a righteous and godly heritage onto our children (Psalm 78:1-7)
• We want the children to know that they are a blessing and of the utmost of import to us, a gift that God Himself has put into our house for His purposes and His desire. (Psalm 127:3-5)
• We believe that the children need whole hearted education including the confines of sin and its destruction on us. (Proverbs 13:24; 22:15, Hebrews 12:9).
• We want our children to watch, learn, stand, sit, and walk within the confines of the wise and not be swayed through peer pressure and the influence of “the foolish”. (Proverbs 13:20)
• We want to guard the innocence and character of our children, not so they are naïve or blinded to the reality of this world, but so that they are protected from falling into corrupt and morally bankrupt society. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
• We want to protect the children from becoming yoked and bonded to unbelievers, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. (2 Corinthians 6:14)
• We want to ensure that the children are not under the influence of false chatter, teachers, or teaching (2 Timothy 2:16-19)
• We feel that it is our responsibility as parents to direct our children, redeem the time that we have with them before Christ returns (Ephesians 5:15-17)

The list can go on and on. This is not something that we have taken lightly, but have sought after God’s heart in many ways.  We are parents that genuinely enjoy being with our children, that genuinely miss them when they are gone, that genuinely feel called to be parents.  We also feel that this is the direction that Christ is calling us to, for all the reasons listed above and for many, many more!

While we realize that this is NOT a family adventure that is for all families or should be taken lightly, we feel that this is what we are being called to do!  There will be sacrifices on our parts, we know that this will come at a cost, BUT, if we want to live radically different for Christ, isn’t the sacrifices worth it?  We believe that they are.

So welcome aboard to our newest Best Family Adventure!!!  Stay tuned for how life is going, what curriculum we are using, what works for us and doesn’t work for us!  Most of all, stay tuned to see how our children’s lives are radically different and how we are growing together as a family, being molded more into the body of Christ!

CHRISTMAS… What Does This Day Mean to God?

What does this time of year mean to you?  Is it presents, family, or friends that matter the most?  Or perhaps you do choose to celebrate the birth of the Risen Savior.  BUT, have you ever stopped to wonder what Christmas really means to you and those whom this day is truly about?

 Have you ever wondered what it meant for Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the Angles, and even God Himself to see the events unfolding at the first Christmas?  What about now, what do you think Christ thinks of how commercialized we have become over this most wondrous of days?

Think about it.  Mary is a young girl of around 13, who finds out that she is pregnant, after NOT being with a man.  Let me restate that!  Mary has done NOTHING to get herself pregnant, in that ‘sticky’ situation of motherhood, yet she finds herself in that spot!  Do you think she was ashamed, unwilling to go through with this gift that was to be given to her?  How would YOU feel if it was you in Mary’s shoes?

Then there is her betrothed Joseph!  He finds out that his fiancée, the girl that he loves is pregnant by what he thinks is another man!  How would YOU feel if you were in their shoes?  Would you be willing to love that woman that “betrayed” you no matter what?  Come on, be real here!   Would you say, “YES LORD!” they way that both Mary and Joseph so eloquently did and allow God to have you participate in the miracle of the life of Christ, or would you run and hide from the gift that God had for you?  

What if you were a Shepherd, seeing the night sky fill up with angels proclaiming that the Messiah has come, BUT, He is born in a stinky, smelly, nasty barn!  Would you want to run and tell others that you have seen God’s gift to the world, or would you run and hide?

What about the Angles, those heavenly creations that witnessed their King be born in the barn!  Have you ever thought about why they marvel at us silly humans, why they are so curious as to our ability to accept Christ?  Have you ever wondered what they felt witnessing God’s answer to our sin in fruition, only to see our trite response to it now?

What of God Himself?  Have you thought, seriously considered how much He REALLY loved you?  Christ loved you enough to leave all the riches of Heaven, to be born into that stinky smelly barn, to be parented by two young teenage kids, to go to the Cross.  Have you thought about Him at all this Christmas season? 

I want to challenge you, that IF you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, you have indeed hid from the greatest Christmas gift that anyone could be given!  John 3:16 is one of the most beautiful quoted scriptures of all times, but it is just the beginning!

“For God so LOVED the world, that He GAVE His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life….. (keep reading)….For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, BUT that ht world through Him might be saved!” John 3:16-17 

WOW!  God came as a baby at Christmas not to condemn the world, BUT to save the world?  From what?  Look around you!  Do you see the suffering, the evil, the SIN!  That is exactly why Christ came, why He was born to die, to save the world from its sin.  

So let me ask you again, as you celebrate this Christmas, have you accepted God’s greatest gift?  Do you have to ask What Does This Day Mean to God, or do you know?

THANKSGIVING, A New Holiday Challenge

It seems to me, in my humble opinion that we have gone from a nation of people that are thankful, grateful for what we have, to a nation of consumers.  We always want and demand more…more…MORE until we are not satisfied or thankful for anything!  We have skipped over Thanksgiving, in our actions, attitudes, and dare I say it, retail market!  Remember when Christmas wouldn’t be put on display until November?  I do and I am not THAT old, (well I am getting older…but that is another post in and of its self)

What I have noticed is that we are not thankful for anything anymore.  Our children are not happy with what they have, after all Christmas is coming, the season of MORE…MORE…MORE!  There are posters, bumper stickers, plaques with the words “Who ever dies with the most toys wins!”  Is that our American Dream?  We are the wealthiest nation in the modern world, and yet we are one of the most ungrateful, unmannered, unkind people on the planet.  In short, we are miserable!  Why?  So glad you asked!

My theory, and remember that this is just my opinion, is that we are miserable because we have nothing to want for!  Everything we want and desire is just a trip to the store.  Want peaches in November; the produce department will have it!  Want a new seat warmer for your car, all the dealership and order it!  Want a ‘newer’ vehicle, after all ours is only (gasp) 5 years old…head to town and purchase it!  Who cares if it takes five, six, or seven years to pay off!  We, after all, deserve only the very best!  

Here is where I want to challenge you!  We are at the start of the holiday season with the amazing holiday of THANKS GIVING!  We are seeing a demand for more in our nation as our economy and economic situation is growing worse, it seems like a silly and pointless holiday to celebrate!  After all, what is there to celebrate in job loss, economic downturn, stock market plummeting!  There is a lot to be thankful for!  Can you breathe?  Did you make the air that you are inhaling?  Can you walk, write, see, hear, and think?  Who gave you the ability to do all of that?  Changes perspective a little bit doesn’t it?  We have a lot to be thankful for, we are creations the Almighty God, ruler of the universe!  He loves us enough to give us today, allow us to live, and live in America.  BUT, being thankful is only one part of THANKS GIVING.  The other part is the GIVING!  What are you going to give to someone else this holiday season?  There are needs everywhere, the Angel Trees at Wal-Mart and the mall, the bell ringers for the Salvation Army, the World Vision website (which has added a section for donations needed for American families), Compassion International needs people to sponsor children, and the local Care Centers need food for their pantries, gifts for their children.  The need is everywhere!  So my challenge to you is what are you going to GIVE and be THANKFUL for this Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday!

We have much because Christ gave much.  “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.  Christ willingly gave up His life so that we could be blessed!  What are you going to give to bless others this Thanksgiving?  My prayer is that is nothing short of your very best, just like Christ!

BEST FAMILY HOUSE RULES

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  Joshua 24:15 b

1.      Always use soft words, even when you don’t feel well.

2.      Always display kind actions and joyful attitudes, even if you have been mistreated. Have the right response by quickly forgiving others in your heart even before they ask.

3.      Always be enthusiastic and look for opportunities to praise others' character.

4.      Always deflect praise and be grateful to God and others for the ways they have benefited your life.

5.      Always use manners and be respectful of others and their belongings.

6.      Always do what is right, even when others may not, or when no one is looking.

7.      Thank God for how He made you, for what He has given you and everything He allows you to go through. (Romans 8:28)

8.      Don’t mock or put others down. Develop compassion and pray for others.

9.      Never argue, complain, or blame. Quickly admit when you have done wrong and ask for forgiveness (even if you were only 10% at fault). Don't wait till you’re caught. Be sure your sins will find you out. He who covers his sin will not prosper, but he that confesses and forsakes it shall find mercy.

10.  Have a tough accountability/prayer partner to daily share your heart with and to keep you in line (your parents, spouse). The power of sin is in secrecy.

11.  Be attentive and look for ways to serve others with sincere motives and no thought of self-gain.

12.  Think pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8, Romans 13:14).

13.  Always give a good report of others. Don't gossip! Never tale-bear unless physical harm will come to someone. (Use Matthew 18.)

14.  Never raise a hand to hit.

15.  Never raise a foot to kick.

16.  Never raise an object to throw.

17.  Never raise a voice to yell.

18.  Never raise an eye to scowl.

19.  Use one toy/activity at a time. Share!

20.  Do your best to keep your surroundings neat, clean and organized.

21.  Never let the sun go down on your wrath. (Don’t go to bed angry or guilty)

22.  Amendment J.O.Y. -
       Put Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.

Compliments of the Duggar Family Rules!

Practical Parenting Tips: The “C” Word

Last time I offered a fun parenting tip, with no bites, so today I am getting practical!  There are, after all, times to laugh but there are also times to be serious!  Today, I am in a reflective serious mood; I want to talk about the dreaded “C” word……CHORES!

I am amazed at the amount of parents that do not believe that children need to assist in their home, there are no chores!  That is not something that happens in our home, not only do we have chores, but we have chore charts, and rules.  Even the “baby” of the family, (who by the way is 3), has chores.  All of the children have to make their beds, all of the children are responsible for their toys, and there are certain things that they do to help Mommy and Daddy maintain their home.  For example, feeding their animals, wiping their bathrooms, dusting and even doing their own laundry!  The work that is done by our children is not corrected, unless they have made a horrible mistake!  I know that they can't make their beds like I do every morning, that's not the point, the point is that they tried, and they did it!

Now, here is where we get controversial.  Our children do NOT get an allowance or payment for their work?  WHY?  Simple, they are a member of the Best family, and we work together to make family life more acceptable for everyone.  It is everyone’s responsibility to make the home and family life comfortable, from the baby to the parents, we all work together.  In the midst of the chore times, you can often hear laughter, giggling, talking, sharing, and music.  Interesting huh?  Do “CHORES” really equate to a happy, laughing family!  You bet!  

The “C” word….what a glorious parenting word it is!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

In our house, November is C-R-A-Z-Y!!!!!  Why?  So glad you asked!  The main reason is that God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, gave us two babies three years and five days apart!  LOL!  That’s right, Doodle Bug is 11-8-00 and Cowboy is 11-14-03!  Can you say BUSY?  Yes, we are with a capital “B”!  Between school, finding the perfect gift, planning the perfect party, and keeping up with life in general (who knew that laundry still had to be washed in November?), November is CRAZY!

 

However, today I find myself in a reflective sort of mood.  Our oldest was 10 on Monday…our middle will be 7 on Sunday.  Yes, reflection is common for a Mother whose children are growing too fast.  I was thinking of Hannah, that amazing example of not only an awesome Mother but a True Woman found in 1 Samuel.  She longed for a child, just one, and then had to give him away, not having the privilege of watching him grow up!  WOW!  That is something that I could not imagine.  Next my thoughts drifted to other family members, who through their own choices or not, lost babies.  I could not imagine laboring to be told that I can not hold my baby, for whatever reason.  Then I closed my eyes and saw my children as babies, and had the overwhelming urge to weep!  Gone are the cherubic cheeks, milk grins, beautiful sleeping eyes, contented sighs.  My children are growing, and I don’t want them to!  How selfish is that?

After all that reflection (and a few Kleenex that were used), I realized something; something profound and deeply important.  I am morning the loss of my children. WHY?  They are growing too fast for this mother’s liking.  Yet, because of the provisions of my God, (the One that gave my children to me to start with), I have nothing to mourn over!  You see, one of my children accepted Christ as their Savoir at the young and tender age of 5!  The other one, while not having made an open profession of faith, is working on it!  They are questioning everything, wanting to understand the mind workings of a God that loved them enough to die for them.  Knowing that, I have peace that I will have my children forever!  All because of the never ending love of a Father that wants to have His children with Him forever!  AMAZING!

When was your Happy, Happy Birthday?  Not the date your were born, but the date that your were born again?   Don’t know if you have a Happy, Happy Birthday?  There is a way to know, it involves some personal reflection, thinking, confessing, and looking at the one True God to provide you with a Birthday that will last forever!

Happy Birthday to my amazing children!  I look forward to the next millennia with you all, celebrating the happiness that only Christ can bring to our lives!  I love you and it is a pleasure being your Mommy!