It is Good to Thirst is a great word over at challies.com. I have just purchased the book “Desiring God” by John Piper partly due to the reviews through the challies and the discerningreader.com site. At first, I was puzzled at why so many seemed to be recomending this book as one of their favorites. I guess it seemed to me to be a book preaching how to be happy, but I think I missed the point entirely! As God so often does, as soon as I said this to myself He began to show me how I was delighting myself in so many other things. Good things, relationships, children…but not in Him. I became dissappointed in so many of my things and how they were not going the way I wanted. But I needed to be dissappointed to see that I was not delighting in the Lord! So now I eagerly look forward to curling up in bed tonight to start reading the book “Desiring God” and prayerfully set my heart to desire and delight in Him.
Archive for September, 2006
Carnival of Homeschooling
Tuesday, September 26th, 2006The 39th Carnival of Homeschooling is up at Palm Tree Pundit.
If you have time to surf, the Carnival can be informative and encouraging.
I’m surfing while listening to Chris Tomlin’s new CD “See the Morning”
great gift ideas
Wednesday, September 20th, 2006Anna-Marie has posted on her blog about a wonderful idea–go there to read the details. What a wonderful way to pass on a Christian heritage to your children!
And this would work great for the ESV Journaling Bible I just got. Although, I would probably order it in leather for a gift.
Lies homeschooling moms believe
Tuesday, September 19th, 2006The kids and I are finishing Genesis 3 and we’ve been talking about “the author of lies.”
Well, Kendra recommends a new book about lies homeschooling moms believe.
And just in case you think I have it all together: my house is a mess and my kids will be eating frozen pizza for dinner tonight!
Scheduling
Friday, September 15th, 2006The dreaded “S” word…to me and the kids, anyway! God has been showing me that I need to be more disciplined in my life. (Kind of like when you pray for patience 
…not exactly fun) Unfortunately I have a son who is very much like me and it has been quite a challenge to get him to be more diligent in his daily work. I have read and tried (and still trying) the book “Manager’s of Their Homes” which is a good book about scheduling. Well that book is for another post!
Since I thought that book was good, I looked at their new book about chores. I have not purchased this new book, but had someone describe the general idea to me. It seems that the chores are on cards in a vinyl clip-on pouch (like a name badge). The child must do the top chore card, flip it to the back, and do the next chore card until all the chores are done for the day.
So, I decided to try the same concept to his daily schedule. I got the vinyl name badge holders and a lanyard at the local office supply store. Here’s a picture:
I have a card for each school subject with the time it should be started listed at the very top. I also have how many minutes for this subject. Now, I will say that on days we have started on time…it has gone VERY well. But if we don’t start on time in the morning, then the results are not nearly as good. It’s like we are behind from the get go…so we just don’t care…because we will never catch up. (As I look at my messy house…I know the feeling!)
With all the distractions at my house lately…I’m hoping things will calm down and we can get into a groove. I think once he starts to memorize the schedule and get used to it, that it will get easier. I’ll have to post an update in a month or so and see how it is still going.
Bookmarks
Wednesday, September 13th, 2006I love using del.icio.us for saving internet bookmarks. You really should check it out. And you can even share your bookmarks which is awesome! In the sidebar you can click to see my del.icio.us bookmarks. Looking for some history links, bible study sites, how about a place to make a word search…you can find some great stuff in my bookmarks!
So anybody have any great homeschool links to share?
Willing to Be Weak
Friday, September 8th, 2006I have three CD’s from Charles Billingsley. Most of his songs are sung to God as opposed to songs about God, which I love. When thinking about discouragement earlier, God brought to mind his song, “Willing to Be Weak.” When we are weak, then we can see God’s strength like never before. When we get to the end of ourselves…then we can let God. That’s where we are supposed to be all the time…we just get in the way! It’s hard to tell God that you are willing to be weak…oh, but to feel His strength!
Keep pressing on
Thursday, September 7th, 2006Starting a new school year comes with lots of excitement and planning…and then it starts…and things don’t go the way we envision. Discouragement comes to all of us…life happens…there is no perfect day. But I don’t believe that discouragement and fear come from God. The enemy does not want us to succeed. We need to put on our armor! Spending time in the Word is the first thing that seems to get squeezed out of my schedule when life happens. Then a domino effect comes in to play…and then the whole world seems to come crashing down. No, it’s not that bad…maybe hormones play a little role! 
I found encouragement today reading this article about Homeschool Burnout, maybe you will too.