Multitudes on Monday

I hear of the death of a young woman. She is my age. She had a family, a home, a life she fought hard to live. I did not know her on a personal day by day level. But, many I know did.  I have prayed many times for her.

She would love to have time to clean the house, to wash the clothes, to tuck the kids in, to scrub the tub, to praise the Lord, to watch kids laugh, to kiss her husband....one more time.

As the book, One Thousand Gifts, drips with constant reminder. Live in this moment! It is all we have...


70) Health
71) Laughter before the sun woke up
72) learning to live in the moment.....without fear
73) no cavities for Jenna! Yay!
74) sweet moments recognized
75) learning, growing, living all right here together {Thank you, Jesus}

Homeschool Buyers Co-op

Just wanted to slip in a quick post. Have you heard of this site?

Homeschool Buyers Co-op

It is really neat. I have purchased from them. Check it out, they may just have a deal on something you need. 

Did She Capture Me or What?

My dear daughter, Jessie, loves nothing more than to snap pictures. And I think she is quite good at it too. Here is a photo she shot and posted on her blog. If she had found some way to get that iPhone in the shot it would have told my story. (I really do love my technology) But most of all, I love the one behind the lens.

An Excellent Homeschool Help

I wanted to just take a moment and write about a site that I have used for years. ( I am in no way affiliated with it and make no gains for this post)  This is one great help and very affordable. We love our math program but sometimes I feel the need to supplement. With this site you can select exactly what your child may need work on and print the worksheet. Check it out!

The Math Worksheet Site

Luke 7:36-50

 ³⁶And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
 ³⁷And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
 ³⁸And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
 ³⁹Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
 ⁴⁰And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
 ⁴¹There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
 ⁴²And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
 ⁴³Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
 ⁴⁴And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
 ⁴⁵Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
 ⁴⁶My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
 ⁴⁷Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
 ⁴⁸And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
 ⁴⁹And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
 ⁵⁰And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. (Luke 7:36-50, King James Version)

[emphasis mine]

We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed. --Brother Lawrence

And in Homeschool News....

Here at our little homeschool we are plugging right along.

How is My Father's World? Well, I am sure some of you on the blogroll may be wondering...

WONDERFUL!

LOVE IT!

First:

MFW K

The simplicity of it is just so wonderful. Phonics is going so well. Jenna is my easiest one yet to teach reading....I am 100% sure that has something to do with me....not child 1 or child 2! :)

So here is an updated "Jenna and the A A Apple Song": featuring Janie, the two year old. Got to love that she is learning the sounds!!


On to Exploring Countries and Cultures:
Again, the lesson plans are just a hit with me. The books that are incorporated into this curriculum are great. Most definitely books that I would and have chosen to use. Thankfully, now I do not have to do the planning!

I really wish I could remember to take more pictures of Josh...but, honestly....he is at that age where he would just like for mom to leave him out of the pictures and blog....boys.....

The greatest thing in ECC? The Geography Game, of course! And, he is good at it. Also, the passport is a big hit. I love the map work that is included. I love what I am learning.

And last but not least. My Father's World Ancient History and Literature: Jessie loves it! I really wish I could study more of it with her. Last week we did the reading of Bulfinch's Greek Mythology together and I really did enjoy it. I never learned any of this stuff in school....really.....or I just don't remember. :) She loves her own schedule and checkoff list. She even LOVES writing the essays. Imagine that!

So, we have made it through the holidays and then several snow days, then the passing of a loved one this past week. Now we are trying like mad to get in a groove and plow through some uninteruppted weeks of school. I know that when the weather breaks we will all want to get out of the house and into the yard and woods. I've warned them....work hard now...spring is coming. As it stands we will basically school throughout the year. Taking vacations here and there. We will be ready for our new books in September. I am already looking forward to the upcoming homeschool conference where I can see and feel all of the new books....It is a sickness....I know.

Speaking of next year and new books. If you are doing MFW now are you planning to continue with it?

Happy Homeschooling!

Thankful....every day......

That I am. But since I am reading One Thousand Gifts I think I will do the "Multitudes on Mondays" with the community over at A Holy Experience.

So, for right now "Thankful Thursday" with give way to "Multitudes on Monday"

Whatever day that I get around to posting really matters not...
It is the learning that "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." {1 Thessalonians 5:18}

Seeking joy in the smallest of things.  {Like a sweet, juicy cantaloupe in the dead of winter}

This is my life, the only one I'm given, and I wish not to waste it living in ingratitude.

Thankfulness gives way to joy.....which is giving way to praise....

My own count of One Thousand Gifts

Moved beyond words, that is what I have been this past week. One Thousand Gifts will do that to you. A story so beautifully, poetically penned. A book that the Holy Spirit has spoke to me in so many ways about grace (can  you tell?), thankfulness, time....this one life that I have and how I spend it. I have finished the book, now I am starting it again. The work God has done on my heart has just been amazing. It is a learning experience that I do not want to forget. I don't want to slip back into ingratitude. To a pessimistic view that drains the life from you. To constant frustration and that feeling of failure. The Giver of Life has blessed me, abundantly. I can't tell you enough.....READ THE BOOK! :)  If I only live another day, I want to live it fully in Him. So now I can say "Thank you Lord, for the little bodies who wear all of this laundry" instead of complaining. That, for me, is coming a long way.

It really coincided with what is going on today in my families life. The passing of my Nana, my step-dads mother. Really, I never use the "step" when referring to him. But, for the sake naming which grandmother passed  I will use it now. When you are with family, just being together and preparing for the funeral, your mind naturally goes to pondering on this one life and what it means. You see ever more clearly how the eternal   matters so much more than the temporal. No matter the possessions you have, it is the relationships that matter most. Relationship with Him. Relationship with your loved ones. Not the mark you left on the world, the mark you left on the souls you came in contact with.  We all gathered together and just that act seemed to bring comfort. My 11 year old asked a very powerful question, "Mom, this is nice, being all together, not rushing, why do we only do it when someone dies?"

Oh......why?......Yes, why?

So here is my list...

26)  family
27) THE Comforter
28) being able to make music
29)  the four year old who rubs my back
30) "I love you, Mom" from the 11 year old
31) Jessie, always helper
32)  candles that smell nice
33) the warm fire
34) waking to another day


And if you want to buy the book:

Grace For Every Need~ A Hymn

Don't you love it when you wake with a song on your heart? It's like your spirit is telling you what you need before your head has time to interfere ~

Here is mine today~

A hymn that we still sing....and it never gets old.

page 56, red-back hymnal.....just across the page is #57 Amazing Grace.

Grace For Every Need

There is joy divine that is ever mine since the Lord has forgiven me....pardoned me.

And I work and sing for my blessed King who by grace now is keeping me.

There is grace for every need, grace for you, grace for me, keeping true, keeping free

Precious saving grace indeed, flowing from the throne above.

Grace to cover all my sins. Grace to all who believe, oh this grace now receive

full forgiveness, all may win

Yes there's grace in the Lords precious love

He will ever keep when the tempests sweeps, and hath grace for each trying hour....every hour.

So I go in love to this Friend above ever trusting His grace and pow'r.

There is grace for every need, grace for you, grace for me, keeping true, keeping free

Precious saving grace indeed, flowing from the throne above.

Grace to cover all my sins. Grace to all who believe, oh this grace now receive

full forgiveness, all may win

Yes there's grace in the Lords precious love

O this wondrous grace is for all the race. It is boundless and full and free.

...full and free

And I trust and cling to my blessed king Who by grace now is keeping me.

There is grace for every need, grace for you, grace for me, keeping true, keeping free

Precious saving grace indeed, flowing from the throne above.

Grace to cover all my sins. Grace to all who believe, oh this grace now receive

full forgiveness, all may win

Yes there's grace in the Lords precious love

Just One of Those Moments

When you remember that the world does not revolve around you and your "plans".

If I ever get to thinking that I am something.
"Look, I just love the Lord. I serve my husband and my family. I attend church, regularly. "
What about this one:
"Wow, I homeschool my children."
I could go on....

Then...
Through a click here and a click there, with coffee warm, sitting in my warm home, with music playing sweetly...
I click here: and read this post.

Wow. I cry like a baby.

I am so nothing. My righteousness is truly filthy rags. What in the world was I thinking?

My daughter said it well. "Mom, can you believe that there are people living like that. People who do not even have a bible in their own language and here we have companies planning to make holographic phones?"

It is amazing.

What can I do for Him? How in the world can I not try? After seeing what my brothers and sisters in Christ are doing.

Something to ponder....

Thankful Thursday (a day late :) )

~a warm home (in more ways than one)

~that our horses, who were in the neighbors back field this morning, quickly came back to the barn when I called. (what a way to start the day)

~grace

~sleepy little eyes in the morning (with the great big smile) They always greet the day with excitement, never dread.

~the promise of spring Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Have a blessed day!

Learning

To be more like Him...
He was a King who lived as a nobody.
I am a nobody who sometimes thinks and acts like I should be treated as a king.
How can I serve instead of expecting to be served?

The mercy and grace bestowed to me has not left my mind this entire day. Then, my little teacher Jenna, brings me her little art work...

Jesus...

His presence has filled our home today. In the little ways. Small graces that remind me of the big picture.
I love to feel Him.
I want my home to be filled with His presence.
So that my faith may not be mocked.
So that my children cling to Him. Always
So that my communion with Him is not reserved for the meeting house.
So that my testimony is not something to be given as a speech, but it is evidenced by every day living.

I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:14




I listen as little Janie sings "Worthy is Your name" in her little two year old voice, as loud as she can, and I say

Amen.

Worthy Is Your Name

Been singing this all day long. Had never heard this beautiful rendition. Wow, even the Eden String Quartet!

Yes, worthy is Your Name!

One Thousand Gifts

Are you reading it? One Thousand Gifts. You really, really should.

On the Nightstand

Anxiously awaiting the delivery of this: (although I have read half of it on the Kindle)


I always have more than one book going at a time.

What are you reading?

Also reading the Bible with a focus on bible memorization and let me tell you that it is one thing to get the kids to do it, it is another for this old brain to do it. :)

Useful to God

Someone told this yesterday:

 There was a man who went to the preacher. With two wooden legs the man asked the preacher:

         "Can God use half a man?" 

     The preacher replied,

   "Yes, God can use half a man

       who is wholly committed to

       Him better than He can use a 

whole man who is 

 only half committed."

Amen.

Thankful Thursday

So much to be thankful for.....

The sound of a two year old singing (love that voice)

Snow

Coffee (and a daughter who makes the best!)

George Mueller (We read his amazing story today...what faith!)

The sound of the word "Mom" whispered by my children.

Books :)

Homeschooling (It has radically change who I am)

As A Child

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4

It was late.

What a nice day we had all had.

Snow covered everything. It was just as I had hoped for. Snowed in. With Dad here too.

So, why  was I getting ill.

Well, not to make excuses but it had been a full day of washing the snow covered wet clothes and cooking, washing dishes, cooking again..... I was just tired. It was late.

The third or fourth western was blaring, the men were hooting. I was throwing a little pity party in my mind. (please know this did not last long)

Little Jenna wants to help. She is more than willing. I gave in and said "yes" to her plea to.....wash dishes.....gulp.....

So, I had not said a word. Just mumbling in my head. "I'm tired. I want to sit and read, or blog, i'm just working while everyone is at leisure."  Honestly, I'm embarrassed to tell it. But, for the sake of transparency, I will.

Jenna starts singing.....

A hymn...

Joyfully....

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Lord, forgive me, my heart cries. I talk to my girls about serving in your home, joyfully. 

Then it takes a little child to remind me.

I thank you, Lord, for these precious teachers in my little home.

~~~~

It's ten p.m. The sweet man is really needing chocolate. 

" I'll bake you some brownies"

"Are you sure? You have just finished cleaning the kitchen."

"Yes, it is no problem."

We are snowed in, what else do I need to do?

Enjoy my blessings. That's what I need to do.

Snow Day

I told the kiddos last night that we wouldn't take snow day,  we would do school. They really believed me....for a minute.

It is so beautiful outside. It is so warm and cozy inside. All together. :)

Thankful...... sometimes the world does slow down.