Made Complete

After 14 years of being involved in youth ministry, the Lord has recently put a whole new ministry on my heart....to reach out to, love on, encourage, support, bless, and strengthen my "sisters" in the Lord.  Not that I wasn't doing this before but now it is much more intentional & purposeful!

So I may not know you personally, we may have never had a personal conversation before, but I'd like to ask you a question, "How are you doing?"  No really, "How are you?"  (Pretend we are sitting together in the comfort of a little coffee shop, enjoying a hot tea or latte when I ask you this question).  Most likely if we don't know one another real well, you would answer with, "I'm good". 

But here is what I have seen, heard, and experienced over this past year....many are great at "appearing" to be all fine and dandy but the reality is they are not doing so good...trust me I've been there.  We are struggling on the inside.  We are carrying heavy baggage.  We feel broken.  We feel angry.  We feel alone.  We feel anxious.  We feel depressed.  We feel bitterness.  We feel unforgiveness.  We feel hopeless.  We feel overwhelmed.  We feel stressed.  We feel sorrow.  We feel ashamed.  We feel fearful.  We feel weak.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul speaks a prayer to the church in Ephesus that I want to pray over you.

"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will EMPOWER you with INNER STRENGTH through His Spirit.  Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love and KEEP YOU STRONG.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's People should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the Love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be MADE COMPLETE with all the fullness of life and the power that comes from God.  Now all glory to God, who is ABLE, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think" - Ephesians 3:14-20 (NLT)

There is nothing that can impact our lives and our situations and circumstances more than the Love of Christ.  What is it you are facing in your life right now?  What does your brokenness stem from?  God is a God of RELATIONSHIP, usually we don't feel "complete" when there is brokenness in our relationship with God or with others. 

I want to encourage you to cry out to the Lord and allow His love to penetrate into those most painful, dark, private, broken areas of your life.    His love consumes, moves, changes, fills, restores, empowers, strengthens, heals, and transforms.  "He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds" ~Psalm 147:3

Take a moment and talk to the Lord, it's time!!

 

 

And if you are walking in wholeness in your life, the Lord wants to use YOU to pour into and encourage your "sisters" in the Lord. Ask Him to show you who and how you can come alongside your "sisters" and be a support and blessing in their life!! 

A very special thank you to my "sisters" - you know who you are!! I couldn't have made it through some of my darkest moments without your support, love, prayers, and encouragement!!

(In the section below)

Catching up on Expedition Earth!

The last few weeks have been VERY hit and miss with our Expedition Earth travels due to sickness.  My youngest was very sick for just under 2 weeks and I spent a lot of time holding her in my arms (which meant no shower for 4 days....yikes!).  I was so incredibly blessed during that time by several of my fellow homeschool moms who offered to come pick up my older two girls and take them for a portion of the day/evening as well as to and from Friday School with our co-op!  Getting that time to rest and know my girls were in good hands was wonderful.  It's amazing how you can feel like a new woman after a 2 hour nap (when you've gone night after night without sleep).

So we recently spent 1 day each, on 3 separate countries, doing the very basic stuff and most important finding their location on the map!

Here are some highlights from Panama, Venezuela, & Peru!

 Finding the Country on the Map!

Panama

Venezuela


Flags!

Animal Mini-Books!

Panama

Venezuela


Adding Country label to Continents poster

Panama

Venezuela

Peru

Animal Classification Chart

And you can't forget the dancing!! 

Other things we did:

• Prayed for the people of each country
• Read from our "Window on the World" book
• Stamped passports with entrance/exit date
• Read about Children in "Children Around the World"

Gracias for stopping by!  Next stop is Argentina, which is the last stop in South America.

(in the comment section below)



My plans for next year!

I can't believe the end of another "school" year is approaching.  We typically finish the end of May but I know every family is different in when they start/finish their year (if you don't homeschool year round!).  I have spent time looking over ideas for next year and have finally made up my mind.  I wanted to make sure everything I chose aligned with my overall homeschooling goals & priorities. 

Here is what I have planned to use with both my girls:

• Language Lesson Books (Little Ones 3 & Very Young 2)
• Math Lessons for a Living Education (Books 2 & 3)
• A Living History of Our World, Volume 1
• Discovering Nature Series:  Our Animal Friends (Coming out this spring) 
• Printing with Pictures - Book B & C (for 1st grader)
• Pictures in Cursive - Primer & Book A (for 3rd grader)
• All About Spelling (Level 2 & 4)
• Who Am I? Biblical Worldview of Self-Image
• The World's Greatest Artists
• Lots of read alouds & narration!

(We also do piano lessons, swim lessons, and are apart of a wonderful co-op where my girls have the chance to participate in physical education, art, science, history, and musical classes)

Everything listed backs up the educational approach the Lord is calling me more and more to follow.  Please check out my "Stepping Off The Beaten Path" series to learn more about the changes I have made in our home.  Start by reading week 1 and go from there! 

So are you figuring out your plans for next school year?  I'd love to hear what you're doing!

If narration is something you'd like to incorporate more with your kids, check out what I am working on:  A 36 week, Charlotte Mason inspired, Narration & Creative Art tool to use alongside your read alouds and history, science, & Bible readings!!



"Stepping Off The Beaten Path" - Week 4

Photo courtesy of Google Image

"Education is a discipline-that is, the discipline of the good habits in which the child is trained.  Education is a life, nourished upon ideas; and education is an atmosphere-that is, the child breathes the atmosphere emanating from his parents; that of the ideas which rule their own lives"
~ Charlotte Mason

You don't have to be homeschooling for very long before you hear a certain name thrown around by other homeschoolers or come across it while researching online.  And perhaps you have heard it enough times that you want to learn a little more about this Charlotte....wait what is her last name again....oh yes, Charlotte Mason!

Charlotte Mason, a British educator, lived from 1842-1923.  She left behind an abundance of resources, writings, and information regarding children and education.  In fact, google "Charlotte Mason" and watch out, information overload!  

  I have Charlotte Mason to thank for the changes I have made in my homeschooling efforts and philosophies.  Charlotte Mason's educational approach certainly doesn't line up with traditional education as we know it today, in fact its opposite to the education I received.  Yet it has transformed how I homeschool and brought a love of learning into our home!

Even though Charlotte Mason is from a completely different era her teachings have certainly stood the test of time.  In fact, as the homeschool community continues to grow by leaps and bounds, it is her very teachings, techniques, principals, and methods that are being embraced by so many.  For me personally, the more I learned about Charlotte Mason and her educational beliefs, the more excited and passionate I became about homeschooling (yes "passionate" and "homeschooling" can be said in the same sentence!)

I truly believe that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to education.  Therefore, I would never push the Charlotte Mason approach as the "only" way to homeschool (and I don't incorporate ALL of her methods myself).  I would, however, recommend doing your own research concerning Charlotte Mason!  Perhaps you will find a few of her techniques and practical insights to be useful and beneficial to mesh with whatever style you are currently using!

Here are just a few of Charlotte Mason's beliefs:

• "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life"
• She valued children and believed they had very capable minds. 
• The very key to education was "the love of learning".
• Children should read whole/living books. 
• Concentrated, short lessons.
• Parents read aloud & the child narrates what they learned.
• Daily contact with nature/nature study.
• Copywork is used for handwriting practice.
• Children should hear or read the Bible everyday.
• Art/Music Study through regular exposure to artists/composers.
• Formal Grammar should be introduced around age 10. 
• Instilling good habits in our children.

"the habits of the child produce the character of the man . . .every day, every hour, the parents are either passively or actively forming those habits in their children upon which, more than upon anything else, future character and conduct depend." - Charlotte Mason

If you are intrigued with the Charlotte Mason education and want to make changes to your current curriculum, but have no idea where to start, may I recommend one resource that has been a huge blessing for us -  Queen Homeschool.  The Queen family is a homeschool family with 6 children.  They write much of their own curriculum, which they use with their own children, all with a CM flavor!   

Let me recap a few thoughts from this series:

• Consider your educational upbringing and its influence on how you homeschool.
• Seek the Lord & be open to the unique educational path he has for your family.
• Don't be afraid to "step off the beaten path" of whats familiar and comfortable.
• Relationship with your kids is of greater significance than using the "perfect" curriculum or following a specific educational style/approach!

A few CM resources:

• Charlotte Mason Education
• Simply Charlotte Mason
• Ambeleside Online
• 7 Characteristics of a Charlotte Mason Education (Blog)
• "Education Is" (free e-book)
• Charlotte Mason Companion

Thank you so much for joining me in this 4 week blog series!

Coming Soon: A 36 week, Charlotte Mason inspired,  Narration & Creative Art curriculum!!

Please Subscribe here if you don't want to miss upcoming posts or find me on Facebook!

Marvelous Are Thy Works

Best suited for children ages 5-9

Coming Soon! 

This is a 36 week, Charlotte mason inspired, narration & creative arts downloadable tool that can easily be added in alongside your current Bible, history, science, or fun read alouds! 

Who says learning has to be dry, boring, or frustrating?  Who says the only way to test a childs knowledge is through a written test?  Narration is a simple, yet effective means, to "test" your childs ability to listen, comprehend, and communicate back in their own words a story they just heard.   "Marvelous Are Thy Works" takes narration to a whole new level, tapping into a childs love for art and creative expression!    

Your kids are absolutely going to love this fun, hands-on approach to learning using oral, written, and artistic narration! 

Included in the dowload:

• A specially designed template to make things as simple, easy, and open and go as possible!  72 pages (for a twice a week schedule) have been created, each with it's own unique picture frame for the child to draw their masterpiece inside, as well as writing lines beneath. 
• A 3rd day option to really let their creativity shine!!  They will create artwork based on a list of 5 descriptive words given and then narrate orally & through writing about their masterpiece! 
• A "mini-artwork" lapbook
• Tips & pointers on each kind of narration (words, works, & writing)
• A list of approximately 75 "living book" suggestions for read alouds!
• A basic black & white template for those who prefer NOT to print in color
• A page of extra writing lines to print on the backside for the avid writer!

Here is an example of a finished page!

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”  Psalm 139:14

Please Subscribe here if you don't want to miss upcoming posts or find me on Facebook!



"Stepping Off The Beaten Path" - Week 3

Photo courtesy of Google Image

"I had a variety of education experiences, but mostly public school. We wanted to have something different for our children's education, to have them be doing things together instead of segregated into peer groups and thinking their siblings were just pesty strangers. I have enjoyed studying so many different things along with my kids over all these years.”

~Diane, homeschool mom

Last week I shared a list of my educational philosophies that the Lord laid on my heart as I began to set aside everything I knew education to be.  Today I want to share how I am learning to incorporate them into our day to day life!

• I'm learning to surrender wholeheartedly to the Lord and trust Him on this journey of educating my children.  It's about trusting the Lord to direct my steps of raising & educating my kids.  He knows everything there is to know about their personalities, giftings, and the plans He has for their lives.  I don't want to follow a "system" but rather be spirit led in all my homeschool decisions.   



Google Image

• I am learning to put relationships as top priority.  Life is all about relationship with God and relationship with people!!  I purposely leave a lot of free space in our day so that my girls can have time for creative play, interaction, and bonding.  I love all the time my girls have with one another, it blesses me so much!!  I plan play dates, mother/daughter dates (my husband does the same), and monthly "Mom" nights, so us moms can have deeper friendships.  We are also involved in an amazing co-op that provides an atmoshere for relationships to grow and be strengthened.  My girls are learning through a variety of situations how to interact with, play with, work out differences, share, compromise, forgive, put others first, and love others!  

• I am learning to keep our sit down, structured time of learning short and sweet.  We do devotions most mornings during breakfast and science is read most days during lunch.  4 days a week we do the core subjects - math, reading, writing, & spelling.  It typically takes 1 1/2  hours (or 45 minutes per child) to get through everything (that's 10-15 minutes per subject).  We spend about 45 minutes on our world geography study (2-3x a week).  It's fun, hands-on, and interesting to them and doesn't feel like "school".  This gentle approach gives them the exposure they need at this age and helps to maintain a love for learning.  I don't ever want to experience "burn-out".  

• I am learning to have flexibility - Flexibility is a huge bonus to homeschooling!  I'm not slave to a schedule (I do have a tentative one as a guide).   Most mornings are very slow going and relaxed.  I do have a morning routine my girls follow so they are ready for the day.  We are not a "wear your PJ's all day long" family....except of course when someone shows up unannounced and wouldn't you know it, I'm still in my PJ's.  There are days when sit down learning doesn't happen, other things take precedence, and that is OK! 

• I am learning the importance of SLOWING down.  I spent an entire year running in so many different directions, all because I wanted to give my girls the very best in education!!    Nowadays, we have very few commitments and nothing gets scheduled during nap time (I learned my lesson).   The hustle and bustle isn't worth the stress and anxiety I was experiencing.  Sometimes it's worth saying "No" to things.  There will be times in the future when our schedule may be a little fuller, because there are different seasons in our life.  For now, you won't hear me complaining about this season of rest!

Google Image

• I am learning, how to mesh my teaching style with their learning style.  It's definitely been trial and error in some instances, but that comes with the territory.  One of my greatest accomplishments was teaching "Lover Girl" how to read, and I believe it was a success because I tailored it to her learning style!  They are most eager to learn when the approach is fun, hands-on, interesting, and engaging.  I am most eager to teach when it's a simple, open-and-go, and doesn't require a "ginormous" teachers manual.  If you want to familiarize yourself with the different homeschool styles, click here, for more information. 

• I am learning to relax and enjoy my kids!   It's all too easy to get caught up in the pressure to produce the smartest, most intelligent, academically advanced child.  If that occurs, it won't be my doing, it will be the Lords!  My priority with homeschooling, as mentioned already,  has less to do with academics and much more to do with relationship/discipleship!   I am passionate to teach my girls about their purpose in life, godly character, having a servants attitude, showing compassion, putting others first, and loving Jesus with all their hearts!  If I see a heart issue happening, I strive to stop everything, and focus on my child who needs my undivided attention.  I am learning to have a standard of grace, not perfection, in my parenting too!

Google Image

• I am learning that I still have MUCH to learn!  The Lord often brings me back to a place of humility, especially when I think I have things figured out.  My mind is branded with so many ideas about education that I wish I could delete.   It's pretty hard to unlearn things that were repeated over and over and over in my own educational experience growing up.  I have new ideals I want to embrace as well, that are so opposite of what I grew up with.   It's a day to day journey sorting through stuff, building new habits, stretching myself, and letting go.  I find encouragement from other homeschool moms who have been at it much longer than I have and one of those special ladies is, Heidi St. John! 

Stay tuned next week for my final post in this series.  I am excited to share with you where so much of my inspiration for "Stepping Off the Beaten Path" stems from!

 

Please Subscribe here if you don't want to miss upcoming posts or find me on Facebook!

"Stepping Off the Beaten Path" - Week 2

Photo courtesy of Google Image

"I have learned not to call it schooling- I just call it life. Its hard to retrain your brain, but it can be done! You just have to persevere and not give up on yourself or on your children."  
~Minda, (homeschool mom who grew up in public education)

google image

Imagine being a hiker out for a walk one day.  You notice the signs pointing in a specific direction and telling you to stay on the path.  You can keep going along the familiar path and end up at the same destination as every other hiker, however, you decide to veer off the path into the unknown.  You have no idea what lays ahead, it's scary and exciting all rolled up in one.   As you forge ahead, there are moments of doubt about your decision and a few obstacles along the way (You know, the usual stuff like fallen tree trunks, grizzly bears, Big Foot, and a swarm of bees....nothing you couldn't handle!!)

After a while, you come out of a dense forest and into a clearing, and your eyes fall upon the most beautiful waterfall you've ever seen.  It takes your breath away!  You are now convinced stepping off the beaten path was the best decision you ever made!!!

google image

I had officially "stepped off the beaten path" of what I knew education to be, but wasn't sure which direction I was headed nor what the outcome was going to be.  I've encountered my share of obstacles too, mainly just trying to wrap my brain around an education style that is so foreign to what I am use to.    

It has taken time to figure out what homeschooling is suppose to look like for my family and I still don't have it all figured out (and it may not happen overnight for you either).  I've prayed for direction, researched, struggled along on this new path, and many days found myself veering back towards what is familiar.   

Yet every time I find myself questioning, wondering, asking, seeking....the Lord gently tugs on my heart and reminds me of the MOST important thing I need to hear....

God has called ME to homeschool!  He is with ME each and every day.  He loves ME and He loves my kids.  He has called ME, first and foremost, to an authentic relationship with my girls.  Academics would have its place in our day, but was not to take precedence. 

I want to share some of my philosophies of education & priorities that I have now embraced.  Please keep in mind that no two families are the same and your approach and ideals may be different and that is OK!

• Putting the Lord first & seeking to Honor Him throughout our day! 
• Healthy relationships take precedence over academics!
• Being intentional to pray/do our devotions daily.
• A focus on habits & character.
• Exploring more in the outdoors/nature.
• A flexible schedule vs being slave to a rigid schedule.
• A short time of structured learning and a whole lot of creative play/exploration.
• An education tailored to how my girls best learn vs a one-size-fits-all approach.
• Teaching everything from a biblical/creation standpoint.
• Embracing fun/engaging "living books" vs busywork/textbooks.
• Instilling in my girls a passion for learning vs it feeling like a dreaded chore.
• Opportunities for extra-curricular activities but NOT where they dictate our lives.
• Not falling into the comparison trap but being confident in what the Lord had called me too! 

Take some time now to write down why you decided to homeschool in the first place.  Write out your goals and priorities with homeschooling.   Compare this with your notes from last week.  Getting your thoughts out on paper can help create a unique educational philosophy for your family!

Google Image

Next week I will be sharing some specific ways I carry out the above list of philosophies in our day to day life!

You can Subscribe and have new posts delivered right to your email or find me on Facebook!