Summer Fun!

Since the last time I wrote my struggle has not been so much about what to write but about narrowing it down. I have been dealing with a literal flood of thoughts, resources, ideas and plans!  Yet, for your sakes here is the short version!

In am amazing sort of Wrinkle in Time sort of way I find that we are already coming upon the "technical" end of a school year! Still, learning does not stop so we will be "informally" continuing into the summer with some very interesting activities!

Circus Fun  (See "Three Ring-Circus")

We will kick off with a trip to the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, this Friday, May 27th!  While we are there the children will each have simple lists of things they are to look for as a sort of visual treasure hunt. Then they will each work together to draw a picture and make up a story based on their visit to the circus.

Summer Reading

Beginning June 1st the children will be embarking on our own homemade summer reading program. All three of the children will tackle the task of reading three books per day (with Mommy) while my second grader will have to read one additional book per day on her own. If they meet their goal Mommy will surprise them with a special pizza party at Chuck E. Cheese's!

Family Discipleship  (See "FREE Discipleship Materials")

Also, every Friday morning during the month of June we will be studying the discipleship series I downloaded for FREE etitled "How to Worship God." (Since Daddy has Fridays off during the summer months we will most likely be able to do this as a family!)   If the series goes well we may go ahead and pursue opportunities to present this course to other kids in a once a week summer program. Please be praying about that possibility.

In the near future I hope to complete several posts detailing some of the things I have been working on.  The first involves our curriculum choices/educational goals for next year, the second has to do with what I am personally learning in my walk with the Lord in terms of being at home with children, and the last focuses in on how to help a busy child concentrate on her seatwork.  (I may not actually produce these posts in this order.)  Praying that these things will be both edifying and useful to those of us who have children in our lives!

The Kids at a Spring production of Seussical the Musical!

Tough Times Don't Last - Tough Women Do (Book Recommendation)

Dear Friends and Followers,

I am so very honored to represent my sweet friend, Amy Baggett in today’s post.  She is a contributor to a brand new book entitled Tough Times Don’t Last – Tough Women Do.

I know from watching Amy’s life that she is a person of joy, but I know from what she says that she has gleaned that joy from having to endure many difficulties and hardships.  She is a person of self-discipline and grace; a person of laughter and sober-mindedness; a person of strength and gentleness; and a person of simplicity and great depth.  In other words, she is mature in her faith and seeks to always persevere in both humility and confidence.

I think it would be a shame NOT to take a seat and listen to what this woman of wisdom has to say.  I highly recommend ordering a copy of this for yourself and even for the Moms in your life (Mother’s Day IS approaching)!  I'm sure this book will be a wonderful blessing to any woman in need of a little encouragement and loving advice!

For ordering information please go to:  http://www.teafortheheart.com/books/tough-times/

FREE Discipleship Materials

For those of us who really enjoy FREE things, I have some exciting news about really great resource from a publisher that I truly respect.  DiscipleLand is giving away their DiscipleTown Four-Lesson Series on How to Worship God, designed especially for elementary aged discipleship and church ministry.  Again, this is a completely FREE resource and available for download immediately!

To learn more about this FREE offer click here.

Butterfly Release

Our family enjoyed a beautiful moment outdoors today when we witnessed the Annual Butterfly Release hosted by Home Hospice of West Texas.  We watched in wonder as hundreds of Painted Lady Butterflies flittered silently on petal light wings.  In a sort of otherworldly moment they changed the landscape, creating a glimmering effect around us as the light was alternately reflected and then obscured by their gentle flapping motion.  You would think there would be a sound or a draft of some kind.  Instead there is this incredible quiet, a stillness, a slowing of time, and a teary eyed feeling of joy that something so fragile can rise to such heights.  It provokes those thoughts of alternately wishing them happiness in their newfound homeward breeze, and wishing that they would return to light upon your nose.

The parabolic nature of letting go of a butterfly becomes so clear when it is done in the context of saying good-bye to a loved one.  Imagine such a reality; that an earthbound creature can meet with such an indescribably amazing transformation!  One quiet, powerful change and no longer do they crawl.  Now they lift from the soil to dance in the sky!  What wonder!  What joy!  What grace!

I'm praying with all of my heart that the sweetness of their transformation will permeate my mindset as I watch my little caterpillars.  May they feed well upon those truthful leafy greens, rest in the chrysalis of Jesus' death and raise to new life with the winged, upward gaze of one who is truly free!

Let us Pause for Prayer

The news is reporting that at least 250 people in six states (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia) have been killed in an enormous spattering of severe winds and deadly tornadoes.  In some cases entire neighborhoods were obliterated.  Let's remember to pray for the rescue of those still trapped, the safety of rescue workers, the coordination of life-sustaining resources, the care and healing of those injured, and the comfort of those grieving those loss of loved ones.  Let us especially pray that believers rise up to minister the Gospel and that peace would come to those living in a world full of turmoil and pain.

Crossroads of Character: Learning to Make Wise Choices (Book Review)

The children and I have been focusing upon character issues during the last few weeks.  We have talked about how the word "character" refers to a person's qualities, or traits, and that our character can either be good or bad.  Since they all agreed that they would like their characters to be good, we have been asking God each night to help us understand what qualities He wants us to have in our lives. 

What I love about Crossroads of Character is that it has provided a wonderful framework for our discussions.  Each night we read about one quality and then think through how that applies to our lives (even Mommy) and then we ask God to help us practice what we are learning.

I have to say that I wasn't sure how the children would react to this book.  At first I thought it might seem like just another set of stories to them.  Now I would have to say that the children have been extremely engaged.  Each little lesson presents a real live child, a difficult challenge they faced and how the decided to do the right thing.  These are tangible examples of things that happen in every little life just about every day.  Early on, there may have been times when I thought the accounts given by the kids were just a little bit idealized, but as my children have been applying what they are learning they are starting to sound somewhat unfamiliar (in a good way).  It is wonderful watching them trying to emulate these sweet examples.  While this book is largely written for preschoolers, my six and seven year old have been greatly impacted by these accounts in a way that really overwhelms my heart!  It really is moving to see my children learning more about what it is to walk in the truth.

Really, I think this issue means SO much to every parent. Just about all of us want our children to be wonderful, cooperative, fruitful, and spiritually sensitive individuals! As I did not come from a heritage that instilled these qualities in me as a youngling I have to say that I am very hopeful and encouraged for our kids and grandkids, that they will embrace these truths, not merely externally, but internally as well and that they will continue to teach their little ones in the years ahead. Books like these are little stepping stones, handy hooks for hanging memories, that will one day, I hope and pray, result in the genuine fruit of faith and a life of utter dependence upon our Lord and Savior.

Learn more about Kate Boyer Brown and Marily Boyer, their preschool curriculum and child-rearing resources at www.thelearningparent.com.

SPOILER ALERT (haha)

For those who might consider purchasing this book, the qualities it describes are: Obedience, Patience, Honesty, Gratefulness, Respectfulness, Responsibility, Initiative, Diligence, Kindness, Self-Control, Contentment, and Deference (Sharing),

I think I may have found the best online price ($11.99) at http://www.christianbook.com/crossroads-character-learning-make-wise-choices/kate-brown/9780977768523/pd/768523#curr.  I highly recommend nabbing this little treasure.  I pray it blesses you as it has our family!  :)

Kids Praise & Worship

Sometimes, in the midst of trying so hard to get done with our Math or Language Arts assignments (and so on) I have been guilty of neglecting praise and worship.  I'm so thankful for the Lord's gracious reminder to set Him first in our sights each day and to worship Him for who He is.

One of the best worship leaders for kids (that I am currently aware of) is Jana Alayra.  Her lyrics are biblical, her melodies are beautiful, and her true love for Christ always shines through.  In honor of our wonderful Savior, I thought I would post this beautiful song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT5M8rlArsw

Learn more about Jana Alayra at http://www.janaalayra.com/