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Month: October 2007

Church History: History Lives series

History Lives series

Peril and Peace: Chronicles of the Ancient Church Volume 1
by Mindy and Brandon Withrow
Isbn: 1845500822
* This series is written from a Protestant perspective

Suggested age: 8-12 but I would easily say a student of 16 would be quite happy to read this book.

I love learning about Church History! But finding a good book that are not way above my head can be tricky, for me. Finding a good book that the children can learn from is also tricky. Not so with the series from ChristianFocus.

Volume One contains the history of the early and Ancient Church. You will read about Paul, Polycarp, Justin, Origen, Cyprian, Constantine, Athanasius, Ambrose, Augustine, John Chrysostom, Jerome, Patrick, and Benedict. This volume will allow you to discover the roots of Christianity and learn about issues such as worship; creeds and councils and the formation of the Bible.

This series is written in a fairly modern style, so it differs slightly from other books such as “Trial and Triumph“. It isn’t gory so it’s a good read to get an overview of Church History. This 240 page book has longer chapters interspersed with shorter, factual chapters.

If you’ve been wondering how to study Church history with your children, you’ll want these books! They aren’t too brief or dumbed down but they definitely aren’t textbook style, which puts many young people to sleep.

Volume 2 is Monks and Mystics: Chronicles of the Medieval Church.
by Mindy and Brandon Withrow
Isbn: 1845500830

Ever wanted to learn about Gregory the Great, Boniface, Charlemagne, Constantine Methodius, Vladimir, Anselm of Canterbury, Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis of Assisi, Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Sienna, John Wyclif and John Hus? Well, you’ll want to get Volume Two in the History Lives series.

The period known as the Middle Ages wasn’t just dark and oppressive. God was spreading the message of Jesus Christ to previously foreign lands. In this book, you’ll learn how the early Church moved on…you’ll learn about the Crusafes and the spread of Islam and the Reformation. You’ll also see how and when the Bible was translated into various languages

Through this book you’ll have opportunity to learn about and discuss with your children, issues like the rise of Islam, The Crusades,Creeds and Councils and the Renaissance.

At present, I don’t have the other volumes but they are:
Volume Three – Courage and Conviction: Chronicles of the Reformation Church
Volume Four – Hearts And Hands: Chronicles of the Awakening Church

Each volume is approximately $10 – $15
Koorong:
Word:
Christian Bookworld:
Find a Christian Bookstore near you:

See more about this series here: http://christianfocus.com/series/show/40/-/d_series

If you read this and decide to read the series, or if you have read the series, drop me a line. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

p.s. [edited to add] How cool. Mindy Withrow, the author, just left a comment. How cool is that? She also left the link to the History Lives website, which you’ll want to visit: http://www.historylivesseries.com./
p.p.s. How cool. Mindy was also homeschooled! 😉

Super Simple Spiritual Sunday

Do Your Feelings Have Veto-Power Over Scripture?
http://www.oldtruth.com/blog.cfm/id.2.pid.636

Church Growth Movie
http://www.oldtruth.com/blog.cfm/id.2.pid.239
What Value Does The Bible Have, To You?
http://www.oldtruth.com/blog.cfm/id.2.pid.443

Teaching Teens How to Read Academically
http://mothercroneshomeschool.blogspot.com/2007/10/teaching-teens-how-to-read-academically.html

Raising Children
http://kitchencomfortlearning.blogspot.com/2007/10/raising-children.html

Job Assignments
http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/10/24/job-assignments/

Submission requires Courage
http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/10/26/submission-requires-courage/

Doctrine Discerns
http://voiceofvision.blogspot.com/2007/10/doctrine-discerns.html

Get started by selecting ingredients found in your kitchen. Based on the ingredients you choose, Pantry Chef will return a list of recipes. And, presto! Your dinnertime dilemma is solved with a delicious meal.
http://www.southernprogress.com/pantrychef/

Seven Wonders Of The Present World
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/842482/seven_wonders_of_the_present_worl
Learn more about Spiritual Sunday here.
View More Spiritual Sunday Participants

Emotionally Absent

Light’s are on but nobody’s home.

As a homeschool mum I had given up any notion of a career outside the home. I did this joyously and because I wanted to. I didn’t want to miss the everyday happenings of my children…I didn’t want to be absent…but would you believe that a Christian homeschooling mum who dearly loves her children struggled with this very issue?

It all started about five years after we started homeschooling. I had tried a school-at-home approach, tried unit studies and was burning myself out by trying to rigidly conform our home and family to fall in line with Charlotte Mason’s methods. Previous to this my dear mother had *graduated* to be with the Lord and we started homeschooling within a few weeks. I also had a 6 month old baby at the time. My husband was away frequently and I found it hard. Then we completely uprooted from everything and everyone familiar to go to a new job in a new town, in a new state! My health was slowly going downhill. I think I’ve mentioned before that it can be draining and tiring to go our and make new friends and start all over again, so I didn’t. I was at a place where I was content…or so I thought.

The Internet is such an easy place to get lost in eh? One can roam around and meet new people, learn new things and justify sitting on one’s backside for large periods of time. (Oh, but maybe I’m the only one who struggles with that) I soon found that if I wasn’t actually physically sitting at my chair on the Internet, my head was on the Internet. Instead of my heart being turned toward the home, it was turned toward the Internet! You know, while in the shower pondering various situations and posts…thinking of email responses and hurrying the dishes just to write a quick reply…(or am I alone here too? I don’t think I am. )

It got to the point where I was hurrying through lessons…or when I was reading aloud my mind wasn’t really on the book. I was simply going through the motions of homeschooling and parenting. The lights were on but no one was home. I was physically present but emotionally absent from my home and the lives of those most precious to me.

But you know what? Simply recognising the problem wasn’t enough to fix it. 🙁 I asked some good (internet) friends to pray for me. They knew of my struggles and pray they did! I believe it was largely due to them, and due to the desire of my heart, that God released me from the bondage of Internet Addiction. Yep, I kid you not! Sad, isn’t it?

Part of the solution was for me to realise what attraction the Internet held for me. A large part of it was fellowship with like-minded believers. That was a huge part. There was another part of me that desired adult interaction. I also like to escape from the mundane. And I love to talk…I love to listen. I also love to learn. Aha, see all the causes that band together to fuel the fires of my addiction? Once I recognised these things, I was able to devise a plan of action. I didn’t want to get rid of the computer all together. It is simply a machine. Surely I should be able to control it, rather than have it control me? I didn’t see that getting rid of it would help deal with the root of the problem.

I need fellowship. I need to receive and I need to give to other adults. I love to talk and write. And I was like sponge, I was so hungry for knowledge. But in all this, I was suffering from Information Overload. Too much information floating around in my head. I found it hard to make decisions because there were always so many differing opinions on things. (Oh boy, what a mess eh?) I ended up emotionally paralysed because of Information Overload – my mind never stopped, never rested. It was always on the go, the hunt for new or more information. All this busyness and effort and stress on such low priority activities.

Needing to know

I had an urge to ‘keep up with what’s happening‘…(this is just a form of gossip, which the Bible speaks a lot about) to know what was going on within the homeschool circles. (See, I told you I was in a mess). The thing is, there is just way too much information, too many blogs, too many forums, too much info to try and keep up with! I was able to give it up…by giving it all over to God.

I have had to learn, and am still on a major learning curve, how to focus and to think more clearly. I have had to learn to be selective about the things I read, the places I visit and emails I respond to. I’m not on as many email groups or forums anymore. I’ve had to learn how to guard my heart and mind…but that’s for another post. 😉

Breaking Free

Taking a break or sabbatical from the computer is good…I found it especially easy on holidays or moving house. Actually, after not being online for a few days I really start to rest. Then, even when we return I’m not in a hurry to get back online because I know the pull it has toward me.

Firstly, I had to repent. I repented in front of my children. I told them the problems I was having but that it was not the true desire of my heart. I apologised to them and asked their forgiveness. I also gave my children permission to let me know (in a correct and respectful manner) when I was being ‘absent’ from them. If I was on the computer instead of with them, I taught them that they could gently come to me, touch my hand and ask me to do something with them. I taught them that they weren’t to nag me. Strangely, I don’t respond well to nagging or sarcasm or whining. 😉 You know, my girls did have reason to come to me. But you know what? They did not abuse that privilege. They came to me in love, touched my hand gently and looked into my eyes. Oh, what mother could resist? This was a big key toward helping me. It provided me with some accountability. My husband had offered to turn off the connection between certain hours but I new that the motivation had to come from within me, not an external source. I don’t suggest that all families try something so forward but I share this because it helped me greatly. It also taught my children a few things: we all need accountability…their Christian homeschooling mother isn’t perfect…how to correct someone in love…how easily one can use something good to ‘escape’…to know what it means to be emotionally absent and more.

Dear wife, dear mother, be there for your husband. Be there for your children. They want you. And they need you. No one else can do the job you are doing right now. God wants you, dear Christian wife and/or mother, to serve your family wholeheartedly, as unto Him. Play a game of cards or Uno with them. Do a jigsaw puzzle with them. If you want to have a great relationship with them when they are 15, then you need to have a great relationship with them when they are five! God is a God of miracles so I’m not saying it’s too late for any relationship that isn’t solid…rather that it’s so much easier to maintain a solid relationship than to repair a broken or hurting one, and then build on it from there. I’m not saying you have to be talking to your children every waking minute of every day. I’m talking about priorities and quality and quantity time.

Start now, today. Nothing is more important. Writing a book? Book orders to send off? Curriculum choices to make? Writing an email response…these are all things that need to be prioritised because they can take you away from your children. So, turn of the browser…go call your children and talk to them as you teach them or have them help you prepare tonight’s meal. Go on, you’ll be so glad you did.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23

Homeschooling with Young Children

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This post is another post written in response to an online query. I had a good time writing it though as it caused me to reflect upon the times when the children were younger. I remember thinking that the time would never come when I wouldn’t have toddlers but I have experienced that this time, too, shall pass. My children are all approximately 22 months apart. So here is where I write about my experience with our toddlers and young ones while trying to homeschool.

  • It was hard work!
  • It was fantastic!!
  • It was draining and monotonous!!!
  • It was fun!!!!

I’m trying to remember how I managed…not just survived but enjoyed it. And I did enjoy it for the most part. The hardest times were when things would go wrong with the car or house and John was away! But that’s not the children’s fault.

Firstly, I taught my babies to sleep independently and I expected this to carry on. Even as older toddlers I would put them down for a Quiet Time. I wasn’t fussed if they slept but they needed a quiet time. I needed the Quiet Time.

I also gave my children LOADS of free time to play outside…to play inside. Just time to play and be children. They played outside in the mud, in the dirt, with the dog, pulling up the garden, digging, climbing, running, jumping and generally doing what most children do given the opportunity.

The hardest times were when my baby was about 18mt – 2yrs, next was John at 4yrs, ‘Miss R’ at 6yrs and ‘Miss A’ at 8yrs. Yep, this was a juggling act. But we managed by being flexible and spontaneous.

The children would get up and have breakfast and do some chores and then they’d go outside to play. I would send them ALL outside together. Sometimes I’d go out with them, other times I’d watch from the laundry or the kitchen while doing some work. The fresh air and sunshine, with lots of laughter really tuckered the young boys out so the youngest would come inside and go down for a solid 2 hour nap while John was content to be in the play pen with toys or books, listening to me while I taught the girls their very basic lessons.

After the2 hours were up, they’d be back outside again while I prepared lunch. After lunch it was cleanup and then we’d either do an activity, have visitors or go out. We’d back home in time for daddy to come home and we’d have tea and baths and then bed. I was always pretty strict on bedtimes as I was very protective of my time at night. I felt I needed it- that time for me, and with my husband. (Good job I got that time then because I don’t now that they’re older).

We did some arts and crafts but not much- I don’t like it. We were more into physical activity which I think is great for everyone. Plus being outside from such a young age helps to strengthen and build their immune system, I believe. But each family has their own unique fingerprint and God has placed your children with your family to learn particular things…so go with what you do and what you love.

I was asked the question:

How much sit down schoolwork does your 7yodd need? Is there a way you can simplify? What exactly are you doing that would need to take more than 1 1/2 hours per day, even when broken into smaller chunks?

There’s so much you can do with all the children that is ‘education’ yet not have it be sit down school work. Your children, even the 7yo, are so young! There’s so much to learn, to explore, to know, to be sitting inside on a chair with a pencil in hand for more than 2 hours a day.

Do you have a playroom where the children can make a little mess that doesn’t need to be cleaned up immediately? How about playing classical music every afternoon and having them ‘act it out’ or dramatise it? This is a wonderful activity that everyone can do.

How about Nature Studies– nothing formal just nice walks through a park while gently pointing out the various plants and wildlife to be seen? Stimulating their minds with worthwhile and rich ideas are what is important, much more so than pencil work at this young age. (If you’re worried about handwriting look into Copy Work and also let them play with Lego, do colouring in, drawing, play-doh and other fine motor and gross motor skill activities) Talking with them, listening to them (even when it’s really boring) is the best thing you can do for this also lays foundations.

How about choosing some really good picture books and reading aloud as a whole family? Your oldest child could occasionally read aloud and discuss the pictures with all the younger ones. I’m sure you are already doing this but it’s worth mentioning that training children to sit and listen quietly is an important skills and can’t be started gently too early.

Young mother, your job is so important and part of it is homeschooling. But academics are only a small part of it all. However, you are laying the foundational principles for academics now. If your child can’t develop in the habit of attentiveness then lessons will always be difficult. If the habit of self control or self discipline is not instilled early then it will be much harder later on. The habit of neatness and of trying your best the first time are all most worthy habits to focus on. Building a family of faith is not all that easy…and while we don’t want to use resources or teach academics that are contrary to our mission, we need to be more diligent in teaching and displaying love for God, obedience to God and His word and good character traits and habits.

Life Skills cannot be neglected and probably would take up a large chunk of your day. Don’t think that this is not teaching, or training or homeschooling because it is!

Now a few years on, I can look back and say DO NOT STRESS. Enjoy your children. Live life with them. For soon they will be older and you will face very different issues and concerns (not bad but different). This time of hard, tiring and monotonous work will pass.

Live your life to the glory of God, act justly in all things, love mercy and walk in fellowship with your family and with God. Focus on the eternal. Train yourself to see the Big Picture amidst the nappies, the tantrums and the phonics.

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8

Reflection Award

The reason for The Blogger Reflection Award is to reflect on five bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and have been a Godly example to you. Five Bloggers who when you reflect on them you get a sense of pride and joy… of knowing them and being blessed by them.

I was chuffed to receive this award, although awards aren’t a reason I blog. Some people do…but I”m just not consistent enough with regular writing…I write for me, from me, to you and me.

I would like to award the following bloggers the Blogger Reflection Award. I’m not following the rules rigidly. I have had this post saved in my draft folder for a few months now so it’s time to just get on with it.

Margaret

Sally Clarkson

Robin Sampson

Nancy Wilson

Barbara Frank

The rules of participating are:

1. Copy these rules.
2. Reflect on five bloggers and write a least a paragraph about each one.
3. Make sure you link to this post so others can read it and the rules.
4. Leave your chosen bloggers a comment to let them know they?ve been given the award.
5. Put the award icon on your site

Tagged

Theresa from LittleDarlins tagged me.

1) What is your school name and why?
HomeGrownKids. Having a school name isn’t overly popular here in Australia, although I think it is starting to catch on. A few years into our homeschooling journey (in about 2003) we had a homeschool resource supply service called, HomeGrownKids! It became our family. Even after I closed the business down, the name had stuck. I was known on the Internet as HGK. My children had become known as the HomeGrownKids.

2) How is your weather today?
Warm, sunny and beautiful. 🙂

3) What steals your joy?
Disorganisation. Unfortunately, I am quite disorganised by nature. 🙁 Also the ‘tyranny of the urgent’ which is never really that urgent.

4) Name five blessings you received this week.
1. My husband bought new parts to make a new server to host our new website (yet to be launched). He spent his Father’s Day money on it.
2. I had cause to see some beautiful fruit in the life of my 16yodd.
3. I got to spend a day at the park with some other like-minded friends.
4. My hubby bought me a new phone with a camera, so I can take pictures of family.
5. I get to see my children and spend quality time with them every day, instead of feeling pressure to work outside the home.

5) Favorite Scripture
What? Just one? Colossians 1:15-23

6) Who in the Bible do you think are most like?
No idea!

7) The passage of scripture you read last:
Matthew 22:36-40

8) Have you ever praised God for something weird?
I’m sure I have…can’t remember much at the moment.

9) If you were making a greeting card for God what would it say.
No idea- aside from THANKS! Sometimes words aren’t enough.

10) What is the best miracle God has performed in your life, or what is your favourite answered prayer?
That I get to share my life with someone special…and follow Him all the days of my life. My cry for salvation…that He saved a wretch like me.

11) What is the most fun thing you have done lately.
Day at the park…visiting friends…watching softball…working with John on a website…

12) How did you choose your screen name.
HomeGrownKids- see answer #1. However, over the last few years I have also been drawn more and more into the home and into Bible study. So, my new screen name and website is Kerugma. Kerugma means ?proclamation?. It comes from the Greek word kerux meaning ?a messenger? or ?a proclaimer?. In fact the official kerux or herald would stand in the market place and blow a trumpet, calling the attention of the crowd to the edict of the Emperor, and his proclamation was as a command? it had to be obeyed. The kerux was called upon only to proclaim. His role was not to speculate about the message, nor to explain or justify it, but simply to proclaim the message, the essence of the Gospel. The onus was on the hearer to hear and obey. So, as a kerux, my aim is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.

Now I get to play tag! I tag Lisa, Chrissy, ‘Miss A’ and Jacqui.

Free Modesty Lapbook

This lapbook is designed for girls of all ages.Your daughter will explore the scriptures and see what God has to say about modesty. This study will challenge your daughters to evaluate their hearts (and their closets!).

Large lapbook, filled with great folded booklets. All you need to print out and assemble this lapbook is included. This is a great project to have for a keepsake, as well!

Courtesy to the wonderful folk at Homeschoolestore

Work Smarter, Not Harder

In my early years of learning at home I worked pretty hard. I sorted curriculum, marked worksheets and workbooks and planned out each week’s work. A large part of my Sunday evening was spent in ‘teacher time’. I really enjoyed it…at the time. Once I realised that I could emulate school and do a fairly good job of it the novelty wore off, especially when I observed how well my children learned many things naturally, in their everyday environment.

Then came Testing Time! We tested by using oral narrations, as the children were still quite young and narration was our most frequently used method of learning and processing information. I was a little dismayed to find that while the girls were able to recall some of the information that had taken me some time to devise into a course of study, there was a lot that they simply didn’t retain! I was yet to learn (have understanding and wisdom, not just knowledge) that the early years of childhood and education are more about exposing children to great ideas, stimulating their minds, nourishing their heart and soul, forming good habits and developing daily disciples than sheer academics. 🙂

I think it all started when we went away on a holiday. We were exposing the children to a variety of experiences…we put stimulating ideas before them…we gave them nourishing thoughts to ponder, interesting things to do and see…and their learning took off, all of its own accord! They were growing, developing, learning (and enjoying it), and true education was happening yet it wasn’t laborious for me, nor for them! It wasn’t hard. I started to question the value of everything I had been doing. I was working pretty hard yet was beginning to sense that it wasn’t the most efficient way to work or learn.

I discovered that simply doing workbooks and reading lots of books is not enough life experience for my children to learn all that they have to learn – there has to be more. That ‘more’ has to be in the form of establishing relationships with others and with God. This enables them to have many experiences in which they can learn from. However, I also learned that I could spend hours reading a good book to the girls yet they wouldn’t only retain a marginal amount of it. How frustrating. Why did this happen? how could I maximise that proportion? I’ve found that by reading the books with them allows me to know what is going on so long after the book is finished, we can still talk about the book or movie. We can relate back to certain incidences and learn from that. If I’m not a part of that with them then that opportunity is limited. The key here is for me to be with the children. While it may seem the harder or longer road, it is actually the smarter, easier road.

The primary years are ones of collecting knowledge. I imagine it to be a smorgasboard where the children can sample a huge variety of foods, tasting each one a few times to see what really grabs them. I would have them sample the marinated mushrooms and picked octopus at least three times before they can declare that they don’t like them. But I’ll carefully observe them during this time…watching to see how they taste, what they naturally gravitate toward. This arms me with valuable information about each child. I take note of their individual likes and dislikes and I plan the meals accordingly. Naturally, I don’t cater to every whim and fancy. Some meals will still have picked octopus in them! It is good for them to learn character and good manners by eating something they don’t naturally like. Plus the slow and regular exposure to it may just help to form their taste buds and appetite. 😉 (but that’s a whole ‘nother post) How does one eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Even though my child may not be interested in nature study I will still want them to sample it. Even this sampling can have an effect upon their lives. But I don’t need to get caught up in it or feel guilty about not doing it if it is not pleasant to our palate. However, my time might be better served by focussing on the foods that they will eat. I can always disguise the octopus and mushrooms and hide them in another dish. 😉

There are times when we should require 100% of best effort from our students and other times when it is acceptable to ask for less, if they are sampling and deciding what next to focus upon. We need to teach our children how to give 100% and deliver good quality but we also need to teach them how to optimise their time and how to look for things that yield productivity.

What do you spend most of your time learning about? Is it working for you? What is most important to you as a homeschool mother? In your homeschool, what activities give you the greatest results? Do you need to re-prioritise and refocus your energies?

HomeschoolAustralia Website: A must see

Have I mentioned Beverley Paine’s website? HomeschoolAustralia. Oh, I have been remiss. You will want to check it out, but brew a fresh cuppa first as you can expect to be there awhile. 🙂

When we first started learning at home, there was nowhere near the amount of information available as there is now. But, there was Beverley Paine and her books! Beverley is very generous with her time and knowledge and is a great pioneer in the area of Australian Home Education. Don’t be too quick to look at the expensive, glossy, over priced books that often flood the market today…reach instead for some tried and true, down-to-earth, practical insight and purchase Beverley’s books.

Beverley began writing for home educators in 1989 an continues to add to her growing collection of homeschooling and unschooling titles. Her aim is to demystify the education process and make it accessible to all parents. She began home educating her children when it was almost unheard of in Australia and is a passionate advocate of true educational choice for families. She shares her perspective as well as great ideas to motivate and help you enjoy this wonderful family adventure through articles and books and online at www.homeschoolaustralia.com .

She has sections and sites for getting started, reviews, a blog, resources and a monthly newsletter, which you will want to subscribe to.

Whether or not you’re looking at starting the home education adventure or have been living the lifestyle for awhile, you will find something of interest at Beverley’s site, HomeschoolAustralia. Other sites are:

http://homeschoolaustralia.com
http://australianhomeschoolcurriculum.com
http://alwayslearningbooks.com.au

Super Simple Spiritual Sunday

Oh, it’s SSSS time and I don’t have much to share. I haven’t been on the Internet much so that will be reflected in my SSSS…nevertheless, here goes!

As I recently posted about my own Internet habits, I was encouraged and given cause to reflect further when I read Jacqui’s post on Internet Dependancy
What My Parents Did Right-Heart-to-Heart with a Homeschooled Graduate, now Homeschool Mom! Audio available at Cindy Rushton’s site
A Christian’s Cruise at Following Judah’s Lion
Today’s Trendy Sermons Often Lack Repentance over at Old Truth

Family update

Hmmm, I see that when my life is busy, my posts dry up. It’s that life is happening all around me and I’m not reading as much, nor thinking as much…I’m in a season of ‘doing’. I’m living life…just everyday things that I choose not to post about, nor would they be of much interest to anyone else. Thus, my blog has been quiet. I’ll play catchup and share a few recent happenings though. ‘Miss R’ started a part time job! Yes, she managed to get some work at the same place that ‘Miss A’ works, a cake and coffee cafe. I’m so grateful to the boss as he takes on youngsters and allows their hours to be fairly flexible, the pay is award wages and it is quite a relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for a first job. Naturally, we expect their work ethic (that is being developed) to be of a high standard. I think that the part time work for ‘Miss R’ has been beneficial for her.

Last weekend, ‘Miss A’ and I were at a softball tournament. It was the U19 Women’s State Championship and our team was undefeated all the way- including the Grand Final. Mind you, tournaments like that are never much fun for either tea: the party being beaten or the team who is obviously not being challenged. There have been some good avenues for discussion from that weekend. The end of the tournament also brings the announcement of the QLD State Squad. We didn’t know how ‘Miss A’ would go as she is fresh out of U16 but to our delight and surprise, she was selected! The squad trains together twice a week (as well as they individual fitness training and their individual position training) and then they have a weekend camp in November where the team is selected. It’s always a tumultuous time whether one is selected or not. While one is selected, another girl misses out. The QLD State Team will be competing in Tasmania in 2008 against all the other states. She has a lot of work to do in the hope of making the team. She also starts a second part time job this week.

‘Miss R’ is having some confusion over life at school. I partly expected this as once one starts to earn money I think that they start to view their world, their life in a different way. However, she told me that she hasn’t used a pen or pencil at school all last term! (She knows how I feel about things like that) Being a computer literate family means she is weary of all her lessons being done on the computer at school. She also feels that there is not enough structure for her to learn effectively- she is missing any sort of one on one instruction, which I consider to be weird considering that she is at a school. However, my thoughts need to be proactive and not just ones of “Well, duh!”. We will spend the next few weeks discussing her options as she wants to do well for Yr10.

The boys are just wonderful, pottering along slowly but steadily with their lessons. I had to laugh at John the other day. I asked him why he wasn’t doing his Flying Creatures Science book and he said he feels he needs a break from it as it was becoming boring and that he’ll pick it up again when he feels ready! Ha! I laughed and marveled at him, telling that he doesn’t get to pick and choose when he will study. But that’s really not true. To a large extent I do let him do that. I let him know what he has to cover before the term or the year and I allow him the room to do it (or not). If he fails, then I have the chance to talk with him about time management, character, habits and study skills which all relate full well to life skills. This way he is learning much more than science through his science book. A homeschool mum has to be continually on the lookout for teaching opportunities, ya know. 😉

I’ve been trying to watch my health and fitness. This is not a new thing…it’s a constant effort but also a constant failing. Nevertheless, I keep looking forward. I ‘m finally able to admit the real reason I want to get fit. I was kidding myself in that I don’t want to be fat and unfit to go to Adelaide but they’re my family – they’ve seen me at my biggest.

The real reason is my children and *life*. Teens are so much fun and full of energy and excitement. I can feel that teens are so energising but if I’m unfit it isn’t – it is actually draining. I want to be energised! 🙂 I want to enjoy every second of the journey of life. I want to feel excitement at everything, great or small. Being unfit sucks the very life from a person. I want to enjoy my teens, every fast-paced, energetic, life breathing moment with them! I need to be fit in order to do this. That’s the real reason. I know it doesn’t seem hard to admit but for me, it was.

Convinced or Convicted

Issues, Convictions and being Convinced…
originally written in 2000

Married at the tender age of 18, I was blissfully ignorant of domestic duties and all that married life would entail. I loved my husband dearly and I thank God for giving me such a gracious and patient man, with which to spend and share my life with. We have just recently celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary and we tend to get a little sentimental around this time of year. Only the other day John recalled the first meal I ever made him, before we were married – ham, cheese and mustard sandwiches! Well, it really is a testament to God’s greatness that we ended up married as I’m surprised that John went through with it after I nearly burnt his mouth and esophagus with an over abundance of mustard. He had seen how I kept my bedroom in a complete and utter chaotic mess and had observed how my mother waited on me, hand and foot. How he was not at all worried or apprehensive about life after marriage I will never understand.

On our honeymoon (as a matter of survival) John taught me how to cook 3 min noodles. I already managed toast and hard boiled eggs so we lived on these for some time. After we had moved into a house I worked hard at making it into a real home, a castle for my king ! I taught myself to cook and clean house, largely through trial and error. For instance, I have learnt that nylon petticoats do not fare very well if ironed. One by one children started to come along and I would read and research on parenting babies, toddlers and so forth. I have always desired to be a Proverbs 31 woman (or as close as I could possibly be), to love my husband and train my children.

Then some time later we started on this fabulous journey of Home Based Learning. Typical to my nature, I researched and devoured anything I could get my hands on. (Thanks to a good friend for all her time and patience with me during that time) I then came to a point where I was happy and content with the “what and how” of what we were doing.

In my hunger for reading and fellowship with other like minded women I read quite a few periodical magazines and many websites that are designed to encourage and teach women in their calling at home. These magazines are great and a real source of blessing. Nevertheless, there is an issue that I believe the Lord wanted me to see clearly.

I need to continually remember my salvation. My salvation came at a great price to the Father and it is only the Cross that saves. Many issues that I held dear to us are simply that. Issues! Ideals! Yes, they can add fruitfulness to my life, make us healthier, wealthier and wiser but I need to be careful that I keep preaching the Gospel of Christ. I need to see these distinctions clearly and understand the differences. There are so many issues that today’s Christian woman needs to be aware of. I can homeschool our children using the finest Christian material, while my husband runs our own home business. I can sew all the families clothes or shop exclusively at second hand stores. I can bake our own bread and grind our own flour, eat our organically grown fruit and veggies, I can wear non-patterned dresses only and never cut or color my hair or wear makeup. To wear a head covering or not? We may not watch TV nor attend any function that isn’t termed “Christian”. To celebrate Christmas and Easter? We may listen to “Accapella” singing only, avoiding any music other than classical or ‘spiritual’. We may choose not to use soap or apply any chemical laden substance to our body. Home birth or hospital birth? Where does it end?

These are just some of the issues that I have pondered, questioned and had to speak with my husband about. I’m sure there are more as there is nothing new under the sun. Some of these issues are quite valid and can be of immense benefit to our families . Oftentimes though, when we as wives, have either stumbled across something that has been wonderful for us or that the Lord has led us to, we latch on to that and become so convinced of its merit and excited about it that we want to share it with everyone. Somewhere, somehow, amidst all this, something goes awry!

These things become the measuring stick. Oi voi, this is not good nor right. We stand ourselves up against these things to find out how we are going as a Christian woman. It is no wonder I often feel inadequate and as though I fall short! My dear husband even asked me to stop reading some of the material. The articles and books themselves aren’t bad but that they can be used in ways to take our focus away from the Truth! The Reality! Jesus Christ! Let us only preach the gospel of Christ. I have learned that I need to sit back and allow the Holy Spirit to convict me rather than being convinced of all manner of things that sound noble or righteous. When the Holy Spirit convicts, it is solid and real. The Holy Spirit doesn’t need all manner of sound logic and reasonable persuasion. If you have an ‘issue’ in your life, that is causing you angst or doubt or concern, take it to the Lord. Seek Him, study the Word and trust that in this the Holy Spirit will lead you in all truth.

Home Based Learning, for John and I is a conviction. Not a preference, but a conviction. It is not just another educational alternative but a calling from God. We don’t want to ever convince another family to homeschool but if the Holy Spirit convicts them, then I’d like to offer them encouragement and be there for fellowship. We need to be careful that we don’t spread the “Gospel of Homeschooling” before we spread the Good News of Jesus, which is essential for salvation.

The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you.

John 14:26
The Message

Fragrant Atmosphere of Our Home

Ah, spring is my favourite season of the year. I like summer but spring is so welcome after the colder months. With spring comes a renewed interest in getting fit, cleaning and organising the house, planting herbs and all those activities that signal the end of winter.

Potpourri is a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant material. Once it has been dried, essential oils are then added along with a ‘fixative’ that helps to retain the scent. I love the fact that potpourri is so individual. I can’t fail with it! Every batch I make is different and unique. It is an eclectic mix of colour, texture and fragrance: much like our family. 😉

Spring is also the time when I renew the fragrant potpourri in my home. I have big jars of dried rose petals, and bowls with a few other dried flowers. I add different essential oils to it. I add vanilla or pine or something nice to the one in the toilet and lavender/patchouli/ chammomile for the ones in the bedrooms. I fill pretty little bags with it and hang them in various rooms, including the wardrobes. I love the look and the smell of them! Every room (except the boys room) has a bowl or jar of potpourri. I even have some rooms colour matched! Some bowls have more purple colours while other bowls have dried yellow and orange flowers (the earthy colours) while most of the jars have deep maroon/red coloured rose petals. I put sticks of cinnamon and some cloves, and other spices in some of them too: anything that looks nice or smells nice! I change scents to match the season. I use those little ceramic/pottery oil decanters. They look nice but more importantly, they hold fragrant essential oils. You can put any oil you like and they emit a gentle, smooth fragrance.

I also put a few drops of essential oil, such as chammomile or lavender, onto a cotton ball and tuck it into pillows in the bedroom and the lounge room. The faint odour is released whenever the pillow is used. For extra comfort and sound sleep, I use the best silk pillowcase in the market.

If the house is especially odoriferous I burn a few drops of essential oil in an oil burner. These can be found for a few dollars in the dollar stores. Mix a few drops of oil with some water and let it simmer gently. Apricot, peach, musk, orange, chocolate and vanilla are some of my favourites, although it depends. In winter I use herby type oils as it makes us feel all clean and spruced while in summer I like the fruity, light smells.

I also use essential oils in a spray bottle of water. I use this to clean everything! Benchtops, walls, table, chairs, etc. For this I use either tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, spearmint or peppermint. It’s especially nice in the colder months as it helps everyone to feel ‘clear’ in the sinuses and gives that real clean smell. The mint types are excellent for use after there has been a bout of sickness like vomiting or diarrhea. :/

After making my own chai tea recipe I realised that it was a beautiful smell…so sometimes I make up my own concoction of spices and simmer it on the stove. Actually, I did the other day with a blackberry and vanilla herbal tea bag! I broke the bag open and gently simmered it on the stove. Hmmmm, beautiful! This is especially nice in the cooler months as the spices just make me feel warmer.

It’s lovely to have a vase full of herbs on the kitchen bench. One can’t help but rub them between their fingers when walking past and the oils are released and the fragrance fills the kitchen, momentarily.

I’ve also used a few drops of essential oils as perfume. This makes a welcome change to typical perfumes that are made with alcohol and are drying to the skin. I’m partial to vanilla and musks. 😉 Don’t use the cheaper oils for this though…I would only use the 100% pure essential oil on my skin.

The reason that I use essential oils so much is that my dh is very sensitive to unnatural or man made odours and it is something that will be inhaled into the body a lot so I like to be careful. So I try to use oils rather than chemical laden perfumes. I haven’t always used the expensive oils either. I used to use the cheap $2 oils from the dollar stores. They work fine, just have to top up the oil each season. I usually top up and refresh my odour producers at the beginning of each season. I feel that we can become a little immune to the benefits of essential oil fragrance so that’s also why I change it periodically.

However, more importantly than the fragrant odour in our home is the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. As wives and mothers, we are the aroma of Christ to our husband and our children and those that we come in contact with each day. It is my desire that I will be as a sweet scent rising to God: that my family will breathe in the exquisite fragrance of Jesus the Messiah through me, as I am blessed by them.

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God?s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Credo Trust: Aussie Supplier of homeschool curricula

Oooh, it’s so exciting! Another homeschool supply business is serving the needs of Australian homeschoolers.

Credo Trust is operated by a friend of mine, Joelle. She is a long time home educator of her five children. The aim of Credo Trust is to encourage families to continue teaching their children through the highschool years. They will provide you with an excellent array of products to help you achieve wonderful results and provide interesting learning for your family.

They have an assortment of curricula and books. Credo Trust aims to build a supply of great biographies, historical fiction, and reference and living books to assist you in whatever learning style you favour.

Do pop over there and take a look around their website. You can even receive updates to their catalogue via RSS. Be sure to let them know that Susan says *hi*. 🙂

Credo Trust
Family and Educational Resources

See other favourites sites and suppliers here.

The PM Equates Church Attendance with being a Christian

Hello reader! Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

Oi Voi! For a person who has been going to church regularly one would think that Mr. Rudd might be able to answer the question with a straight answer. Surely the answer to a question such as “do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?” is either a yes, no or don’t know, don’t care!

I find Mr. Rudd’s response to be scary. Scary in that if he has gone to church regularly then he should have heard enough to answer the question with a yes, no or I don’t care. Or maybe it is just a matter of politics. Maybe the truth in his heart is not the image he wants to portray to the general public. Maybe he was momentarily caught off guard and wants to give the best ‘political answer’. Either way it is scary.

Question: ?Mr Rudd, do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God??
Mr. Rudd’s response: ?Well, I?m a – I?m a, a person who attends church regularly.?

If you want to hear it for yourself, head over to SBS and watch this clip. It is the very last line of the clip so keep watch or you’ll miss it.

Why am I blogging about such things? Australia is gearing up for an election and for quite some time now I have liked Mr. Rudd and thought he was a good candidate for Prime Minister. But I despise using Christianity as a political vehicle to gain votes and as time goes on, it seems like this is happening, just as it did many years ago when Mr. Howard was running for first time election. He too, voiced many Christian values and gained the support of many churches. Often, I post about things that are on my mind. This has been on my mind for days…so I thought I’d put it out there. What do you think? Am I being overly picky or is this an issue?

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32-34 ESV

Technological Noise and Mental Clutter

I haven’t been online much lately…too many things going on that needed my attention. We’ve been rushing around this past weekend, getting up before the crack of dawn to head out to the diamonds to watch ‘Miss A’ play softball. I love it. The sun beating down upon my head, filling my whole body with warmth…the fresh air pouring into my lungs and over my skin. Ah, it makes me wonder why I spend so much time inside, on the computer. 🙄

Some friends have gone for a long overdue holiday to the country. I am so happy for them and hope they have a time of rest, rejuvenation, relaxation and refreshment but, inside I’m a little green. :mrgreen:

Whenever we move house or interstate I go without the computer, our tv viewing is limited and we are simply together more, as a family. We don’t have a phone, other than the mobile for necessities. I love it. Even the children don’t mind, although one likes to have their MP3 player glued to their ear. 🙄 Often, after time away from the computer, I am in no hurry to get back to it. I don’t really want to visit the forums or email groups again. Oh, I’ve missed people and catching up with friends but the things I’ve gained simply are simply precious. Ah, to be a self controlled person who doesn’t struggle with addictions and can use all things in moderation.

It’s times like these that I become terribly aware of the constant and almost silent hum of everything electronic. My laptop is quiet but it still hums.The TV reverberates with its drone, the music from the tv or the stereo or the MP3 player or the light of the microwave oven, the phone beeping at every text message, even the lights seem to hum with noise.

Silence is more musical than any song.

~Christina Rossetti

When we’ve been away, my senses and my heart are more tuned in to people, to family, to friends, to God. It is my prayer and hope that my friends will experience all this and more…but it is also my desire to change things in my life so that I can experience this daily, amidst the busyness and noisiness of daily life. To take the phone of the hook, turn the computers, tv, radio and lights off and head to my bedroom for true peace and quiet as I hear from God and spend time in His presence. I’d love to be able to go away for a holiday but at this time, it isn’t possible. Our next holiday will be at Christmas time when we head home to South Australia to see family and possibly to Tasmania for the National Softball tournament- it won’t be a time to pull away from everything electronic and really rest.

What about when there is a storm and a blackout? Oooh, my children get all excited and run around…for a little while. Then they start to realise how much they rely upon electricity. Me? i love it! It gives me the excuse to be quiet and rest. But why don’t I do that more often? Why do I need a holiday or a blackout to do that? Hmmm. In the meantime I do what I can but I’d love to hear your comments. So inspire me, motivate me, give me tips and ideas for how to eliminate electronic hustle and bustle while living in a family that loves electronic gadgets and technology.

❓ What about you? Does electronic noise bother you? How do you deal with it?

Crowns of Fire and other Aussie Nature Study Resources

Crowns of Fire is a rich, literary story of the Australian bush, originally written by Amy Mack (and I love her work) and it has been adapted by Michelle Morrow of Down Under Literature. The illustrations, by fellow Australian Cath Chegwidden, are just stunning! This book would be a timely addition to any homeschool library as it talks about the effects of drought and bushfire.

This 29 page hardcover book is available from Down Under Literature, who also publish and supply the fantastic Wonderland of Nature by Nuri Mass. But wait, there’s more! In addition to the Wonderland of Nature is a ‘must-have’ companion book: The Wonderland of Nature Journal CD which has three sections: How to Nature Journal, Discovery Sheets (excellent!) and Web Links.

For all things Aussie, and Nature, and Grammar, and Copy Work, check Down Under Literature for pricing details and generous samples. Tell them Susan said hi. 🙂