Worship HIM.

 And when everything falls apart...
Worship Him still.


































Another try at starting a school week today.
Another later-than-I-planned morning.

Bible reading and character training are my first priority of the daily routine, and endure throughout the day.

This morning things started like they often do when I really want to inspire the children and hear the Holy Spirit speak:

There was bickering about who gets to sit where,

and "your pillow is in my space"

and "your foot keeps touching my leg",

and "can I go potty real quick?"

and "I'm hungry".

Then there's me.
A humbled mom, holding her head in her hands. How could I be beaten by 8:30 in the morning?!

Silently I called out to God:
"I want my children to know you Lord, but is this a bad time to press through?
Shall I move on to the next thing so I don't misrepresent you?  
I don't want to start reading your Word with attitudes like this. 
It seems counterproductive to the goal.
I do not want to pretend something, contrive something, force something...
But I do want to be obedient.  I want to be faithful..."

As homeschooling moms, or any mom who loves the Lord Jesus,
we do the things we do because God is real and really deserving of everything we give Him.
He deserves more than that of course, but He graciously accepts what we submit.


If I give you the short version for why I stay home with my children to oversee their education,
it's because I believe that knowing God and our need for a Savior comes before anything else.
After that, I want my children to know who they are as eternal souls,
and how that manifests itself in all our thoughts, words, and actions as humans in a tangible world;
and more importantly, what that mean in reference to the Almighty God who made them.

That's a full time undertaking without all my very daily tasks plus educating my children about the world we live in.  
But when I take inventory of what I think will actually get a accomplished on a given day,
and when I decide that something on my agenda must go,
Our time in God's Word is not among the things I cull.

I want my children to be faithful in their studies and able to communicate with people outside their sphere,
but that being said, I really truly believe that a formal education isn't important to the Lord.
That is to say, I think being knowledgeable about "stuff" isn't important, for the purpose of  "knowing stuff" to get along in life.

You can sputter and cough and wheeze about that for a while, and I'm sure it sounds good to say:

"...but it's important to rightly represent Christ to the world 
by being good stewards of our intellect!"

To that I say,
no.

We need to be faithful with the resources the Lord has given us, but only foremost
as an act of worshiping our Creator.  

While I believe that beautiful fruit can come from obedience and faithfulness as an act of worship,
and a powerful witness can be displayed, I don't think that displaying beautiful fruit should be the first goal - even for the purpose of witnessing.

might I suggest that any aspirations outside of worship and obedience (which are responses born from gratitude and love of our Savior),
are vain glory?

I think so.



I do suspect that if we cultivate our interests and passions for the glory of God, and build our understanding of those things on the foundation of Jesus Christ and honoring Him, they may endure death.  I don't know.


You see, perseverance through a mini battle such as I experienced this morning is of eternal consequence.  Whether my heart is soft to worship the Lord,
whether my responses to shenanigans are filled with grace,
whether I captivate my childrens' interest because I CARE about what I'm teaching them, and actually BELIEVE the things I am saying - THAT has an effect on my children now; I have an effect on my children now.
That effect will reach into their adulthood,
and last for all eternity.

for.  all.  eternity.

I am responsible for what gets tucked away in those now-tender hearts.
it seems a waste to work so hard on stuffing things into brains that will die with their bodies, and yet neglect the greater part.
Or at least fail to recognize the grave importance of having an eternal perspective because we are blinded by what worldly standard we must achieve today.

Corinthians 3: 10b - 15a 

"...But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, 

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; 

and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 

If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss..."

..........................................................................

It was a rough start this morning, but that was normal.
I should get used to the fact that life is dynamic and won't hold a serene pattern to please me.
In fact, it's possible - likely even - that there is more opportunity for spiritual growth when all my plans are demolished and my heart is laid bare.

What overflows from within me when it appears all is lost?
 It could be the greatest opportunity for me to worship,
and the greatest opportunity for humility and repentance,
for restoration,
for sacrifice,
for obedience,
for perseverance,
for making a lasting impact.

And for the Lord to show Himself very real to some sinful little children,
through one imperfect mom who knows the miraculous power of His redeeming love...  

...and lives it.

Hot Water

A momentous week for us.
We took our first baths in the Marvel Hill "Bath"room.
Why is this so amazing?
because the "Bath"room is complete (baring a bench and some towel hooks),
and because we have hot water IN the house!!

(And why does she keep putting "Bath""room in quotes?!  Because there's nothing else in this room, my friends.
Don't try looking for a toilet or sink here - that's for another room *ahem* and post.)

It's been rather luxurious the past few days, to wash hands and dishes in hot water right out of the tap.
Some people think it's normal to expect hot water in a sink,
but I am familiar with heating water on the stove for dish washing.

This is in modern United States of America, people.

The only hot water previous to now has been a propane instant hot water shower on the porch.
Sans shower curtain.
Sans the promise of privacy.
Sans hot water if it's windy enough to blow out the pilate.

Even that propane shower was a step up from the 2 gallon Coleman pump-up shower of the last two seasons!

So back to my INDOOR hot water...
It is wonderful.
Truly.
Much better to bathe in hot water when it's getting chilly out :-)

We think we should call a Marvel Hill Holiday to commemorate...
"The week we got hot water in the house."

Better (a few days) late, than never!

I bought these REALLYBIG Marshmallows

for the kids.

because I wanted to be the mom who does that sort of thing.

they made the reallybiggest S'mores I've ever seen.

  

really.

 and the gooiest ones too.

but marshmallows this size almost guarantee bigger smiles!

Now THAT's a S'more!!

Looking at my sidebar...

...it feels like it's time for a make-over.
At least some current pictures of the kids?

Peee-Yooh!

Why is it that my husband needs to notify me if there's a stinky diaper in the house?

As if I wouldn't notice something like that on my own!

(I'm pretty sure I am not the exception?)

I can't compete with Mrs. Jones

The blog buzz in my sphere lately, is all bout the start-up of a new school year.

Teaching Momma's are excited about
new books,
new organization,
new pencils and crayons,
new enthusiasm...

I have been thinking for weeks about what I want our next year of learning to entail.
As regards academics, what's the most important things I want to focus on for each child?
As regards hearts - what is most important to the Lord?
I have lots of ideas, and in my brainstorming I've been praying that the Lord would help me know what would be just the right approach for my family.
It's pretty easy to find value in what someone else is doing (because it always looks so much more achievable when someone else is doing the legwork!)

Then there's the beauty of blogging.
Only the best gets published, creating a lop-sided perspective of the total picture.

the best ideas,
the best pictures,
the best crafts,
the best stories,
the best successes,
the best days out of ALL the days I home school...

...Those are the blogs YOU get.

Those are the blog posts we ALL get when we peruse the windows into other peoples lives.
I'm not saying it's bad,
just
Inaccurate.


Just so you are clear, I don't plan to start blogging my failures and worst days.  I doubt you'd come back, and to be honest,
I prefer not to remember those things.

My purpose in reminding us (because this is my pep talk to me as well) this truth, is so that you and I purpose to

do . what . works . for .me

For you, that is.

 Do what works for YOU.

And don't be fooled into changing your groove just because it looks 

so beautiful

or successful, 

or intelligent...

on someone else!  You might actually lose a good thing that you already possess ;-) 

Now that I got that off my chest, let me share one thing that I'm really excited about doing this year:

I am going to 

study my children.

In trying to figure out what each one needs from me in the wide world of academia, I am quickly reminded that my children are unique - not only in ages and stages, but in every facet of their make-up.

Their personalities.

I am their mom, yet I could do to know them better.

Furthermore, there are things in this life that are more important to me than their ability to do sums.

Do I know how to help them with heart issues and character qualities on a personal level?  

In more than a general sense?   ie. "we are learning about Patience today children..."

Here's my little idea.

I am starting a binder just for journaling each of my children. 

There is a divider for each one, and in his or her place I plan to make notes about that persons 

strengths,

weaknesses,

abilities,

fears and concerns,

favorite things,

things they like to do,

thoughts and dreams.

Whatever makes them tick.

Whatever they tell me about themselves,

but mostly all the things I observe.

I will steal an idea from a friend of mine and draw each face, praying for that person as I study him.

I will record things they say and did;

I want to pay attention to poor attitudes that need to be uprooted before becoming a permanent part of that persons character.

I want to take time to pray for each one of mine with purpose and with understanding.

I hope to use that binder/journal a lot this year, and I hope it might start something that "works" for me.  

I have lots of plans for our school year, but I am trying to set baby goals so I can reevaluate every now and again whether my people are growing and learning,

or whether we are just checking off the boxes to get "it" done whatever "it" is,

or whether we are just attempting to keep up with what works for the Joneses.

Our family is unique from every other, just as each child in my home is different from one another.

Start off your year looking straight ahead.  Slow and steady is just fine.

You'll do great!

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us lay aside every weight, 

and the sin which doth so easily beset us, 

and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

Hebrews 12:1

A Squirrel's most fearsome predator is...

...the 9 year-old Boy.

Sadly (for him), this cute little fella was skinned and eaten.

It felt like Deja Vu to me.  I remember when my brother was 9!

I believe that Davey Crockett (he was first named - which is always sadder I think.)'s hide 

is now about as stiff as 

the cardboard version a 9-year-old Uncle Charlie
tried to tan some 20+ years ago.

Boys.  

Need I say more?

He said he could make it...

...Raspberry ice cream, that is.

I believed him.

 Without an ice cream maker, and without a recipe, but with a generous portion of enthusiasm and a handful of Raspberries.
I was impressed - it was very tasty!
I asked if I could share his "secret" recipe and he couldn't help his generosity, so here it is:

2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 cup Raspberries

Stir together in medium mixing bowl,
cover and place in freezer.
Stir every 30 minutes until frozen through.
Eat.
Enjoy!

Flamboyant Adornments

Little cousin has visited on more than a few days sporting flowers in her hair.

I had to look closely to see that they weren't real, but were darling little silk blossoms and had come in a package from her Auntie Faith.

...Along with two beautiful dresses.  

Apparently Auntie Faith (Hannah's sister) got a very bad itch to sew something for a girl - go ahead, 

click through the link.  You'll understand.

Anyway my girls were drooling.

Susanna even requested an "Auntie Faith".   

I can't say that I blame her - I'd like a dress like that myself!

I'm pretty sure she just got her first real taste of envy.

Because I could not grant her wish

(although I would like to insert that Auntie Hannah's are pretty unbeatable too) 

I decided to hunt down some clips for my girls.

Love them flowers - dirty face and all!

They picked their own flowers and glued them on with help from me.

  Three little daughters - my own princesses - satisfied for today.

...Until Auntie Faith sends another package to our cousin up the hill :-)