You can’t help but smile watching this adorable teacher and her daughter dance to the poem, “Robin in the Rain”.

This is the  amazing story of John Newton and his journey of faith in Christ.  Realizing that he was indeed a wretch was the first step of his faith walk.  I hope you enjoy this short video as much as I did.

 

youtu.be/33fA-oeuvFs

I’m not sure exactly why…but these Duck Dynasty guys  are very popular.  I thought this message from Jase was simple yet compelling.

 

My younger sister and I came across this lovely picture of our dear Mom recently.  My husband did some photo restoration on it and removed years of damage and neglect with a photo editing program.  It looks so pretty now and as I gaze upon her beautiful face, I’m inspired to share a bit of her story.  My siblings and I do not have  many pictures of our dear mom but we  have  happy memories and countless humorous stories to talk about for hours. Most  importantly, we have her values and ideals  to cherish and pass on to our own children and grandchildren.

My Mother went to be with the Lord  over 8 years now; she would have been 90 this year if she was still on this earth. Oh how I long to kiss her cheek again and have a “nice” cup of tea with her. She always wanted to have a “nice” cup of tea and would offer a cup to anyone even though towards the end of her life she could not have prepared one herself.  By offering a “nice” cup, she meant for someone to get the water boiling and prepare a cup for them both and sit and visit with her. It seemed as though a nice cup of tea and perhaps some buttered or cinnamon toast sliced in strips or “fingers” as she would call them had what was needed to solve many of life’s problems.  Whether it was an upset tummy, or a bout of worry, a cup of tea would make it all better.   I wanted to have one more cup of tea with her before she passed but was never able to because she was so ill.  I placed a lovely tea cup at her memorial service among the flowers as a symbol of our tea time together.

Any negative memories associated with my Mom or even Dad seem to be fading these days and the good memories linger on.   I especially  miss those very “down-to-earth” ordinary days when when Mom  would play and enjoy her family, share a cup of tea, go swim laps at the pool, or laugh and  joke around. I miss her smile. I miss the very  gentle touch of her fragile hands when she prayed for us.  She was the rock of our family and passed on a spiritual heritage to us all.

My dear Mom nicknamed “bunny”, was born in  Massachusetts in 1924.  She was raised by a Godly mom who also passed on a spiritual heritage to her. She came from a large family, grew up during difficult days,  and when she was still a school girl, with her older sister looking on, was hit by a car while she was standing next to a pole.  She was wedged between the car and the pole…her arm nearly severed.  The hospital doctors  insisted that her arm be amputated but her Mother said  “no,” and refused to sign the necessary paperwork.   She (my Grandmother)  believed strongly in the power of prayer and knew that her daughters arm could be saved. I don’t think  I would make this same decision if I were faced with it, but her arm was saved even though the doctor said that her arm would most likely develop  gangrene.   This occurred in  the 1930’s.  I don’t even think they had discovered antibiotics yet.  I give God the glory for this miracle and rejoice that my Mom’s arm was saved. God had plans for my Mom and did not allow her to lose her arm. I have my doubts that my dear dad would have married a woman with one arm….he could have I guess… but I doubt it.  As a result of this accident the doctor told my grandmother that my mom would never be able to have children.  She had 5 children.  I’m so glad my grandmothers prayers were answered and that her faith was so strong. Oh to have faith like this….it could be a Bible story.

The recovery was still long and difficult for her and she suffered much because of this accident.  When she was in her late 30’s she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  She lived in pain and it became a way of life for her. Despite her physical suffering she was a light and a rock in our family in so many ways.

Looking back, I’m inclined to think that many things fell by the wayside for her because of the constant pain she had to deal with all the time.  She did not stress out about her house, about being super organized, about looking perfect, or being a super woman.  I believe in her own way she must have eliminated the peripheral, the superficial and petty details of life  in order to concentrate  on the eternal….on people…and on God.  Perhaps folks might have thought  that she did not care about a spotless kitchen floor….they were right.  She had other priorities and she recognized her own limitations.

She  took time to sew my sister and I dresses and crochet her  grandchildren  new vests. I remember lying in bed at night listening to the hum of the sewing machine.  If she was not sewing,  she’d be crocheting or doing the dishes late into the night while the rest of us slept.  She always  took time to play,  and instead of fussing over the house she’d spend the summer days swimming  in the pool with us kids.  She took time to talk with neighbors in our apartment building, cared for children in the neighborhood, and prepared soups and other dishes to share on a very regular basis. It amazes me that she did all of this with aching bones and a body that was quite broken.

When I would arrive home from school she almost always had something special for us to enjoy.  It was not anything fancy…just some muffins or an apple cake or cookies.  I’d sit down and she would tell me about her day. It sounded so  ordinary to me….what she cleaned….what she cooked….who she talked to in the neighborhood.  As a young teen, I remember thinking how boring her day seemed.  But now as a homeschool mom, I’m doing so many of the same things myself and I regret that I did not honor her like I should have. I did not value her role as a keeper at home.  Now I know that she had a high calling to raise up children and keep a home for my Dad……what a wonderful way to live a life that honors God and family.

One day I came from school and she did not tell me about her usual activities. While I expected to hear her discuss the regular events of her day,  She talked about how she read the Bible the evening before way into the night.  With tears in her eyes she recalled what she read in the Bible. She read the story of the sower and the seed in Matthew 13, and explained how she understood it in a new way.  She seemed to have a spiritual awakening and fell in love with Jesus.  You could say she was “Born Again.” Her mother, my grandmother always told her about  the story from John chapter 3.  My mother knew about Nicodemus and Jesus….about  being born again….our Grandmother shared this with us all.  My Mom believed in God and would often recite The Lord’s Prayer, and Psalm 23…… but there was something missing.  I believe my dear mom met the Savior in a personal way that night and now she was on fire for the Lord.  She had a new mission…. a new calling on her life and became more focused on sharing the gospel and the new life and peace she found in Christ.

During this time many of our family members also  became “Born-Again”. My older sister first, then my Mom, myself and my younger sister.  Later the  men in our family followed.  My dear Mom continued to pray for us all until she went to be with the Lord.

I can vividly recall seeing her sitting on the couch with her Bible, tears in her eyes, speaking of her love for the Lord…praising him for his goodness and kindness towards us all. She was happiest spending time with her Lord.  She seemed to  glow. Her greatest love was sharing the Lord with others and when her children or grandchildren spoke of the Lord her joy was complete.  When she saw that her children walked with Christ she lived out the verse, “There is no greater joy than knowing that your children walk in truth.” (3 John 1:4)

When my Mom passed,  she did not leave us many material things.  I’m enjoying her Bible  now, and we have a few pictures. I’m so happy we came across this beautiful photograph of our dear Mom and as I remember her and gaze upon her lovely face, I realize that what she left us cannot really be  expressed in words.  She left us a legacy though for sure.  She left us  Jesus…the greatest gift of all. On this Mother’s Day I rejoice in this gift.  Thanks for reading my ramblings, I wish you could have met my Mother too.  ~Anne

Who can find a virtuous woman? She is far more precious than jewels …Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: Many women are capable, but you surpass them all! Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
– Proverbs 31:10, 25–30

This article by Michael Bresciani  describes the desperate straits of our young millennial crowd. Does this article remind us of  our own adult children?  My prayer is that  homeschool children will reject the worldview of our culture today and stand up for the values taught in the the Bible.  May they choose wisely and allow their compass and  guide to be the word of God….the Holy Bible….. the most amazing and  verifiable book of all antiquity.   Surely,  many of our sons and daughters are using the Bible as their road map to guide their paths, reveal their hearts, and lead them into all truth.  After all, their smart phones can only do so much!  ~Anne  Read more...

When my dear Mother went to be with the Lord, even though I was married with children of my own…..I sort of felt like an orphan for the first time in my life.  I felt scared and lonely and vulnerable.  When Mom is still alive there is a feeling of security….even if she is old and ill.  There is someone on this earth who loves you unconditionally…someone who is “on your side,”  even when you do stupid things.  There is someone to call and share  good news or even something silly.  Who cares that you got to sing a solo in church on Sunday?  No one cares except for your dear Mother.  Who cares if your turkey stuffing came out extra delicious because you used the family secret of  Bell’s Seasoning and a bit of apple sauce?  Who cares if you find a verse in the Bible that speaks to your heart and causes you to weep?  Most folks would just tolerate this news from you…but a Mother…and especially a Mother who loves Jesus would care so much and would rejoice with you over this very ordinary news. Oh how I wish I could just pick up the phone and give her a call!  Enjoy your Mom this Mother’s Day!   ~Anne

 

She never closed her eyes in sleep till we were all in bed;
On party nights till we came home she often sat and read.
We little thought about it then, when we were young and gay,
How much the mother worried when we children were away.
We only knew she never slept when we were out at night,
And that she waited just to know that we’d come home all right.

Why, sometimes when we’d stayed away till one or two or three,
It seemed to us that mother heard the turning of the key;
For always when we stepped inside she’d call and we’d reply,
But we were all too young back then to understand just why.
Until the last one had returned she always kept a light,
For mother couldn’t sleep until she’d kissed us all good night.

She had to know that we were safe before she went to rest;
She seemed to fear the world might harm the ones she loved the best.
And once she said: “When you are grown to women and to men,
Perhaps I’ll sleep the whole night through; I may be different then.”
And so it seemed that night and day we knew a mother’s care–
That always when we got back home we’d find her waiting there.

Then came the night that we were called to gather round her bed:
“The children all are with you now,” the kindly doctor said.
And in her eyes there gleamed again the old-time tender light
That told she had been waiting just to know we were all right.
She smiled the old-familiar smile, and prayed to God to keep
Us safe from harm throughout the years, and then she went to sleep.
~ Edgar Guest

   Read more...

This exam was given to 8th grade students the Bullitt County Kentucky Schools in 1912.   Perhaps this model would be good to use in the government schools instead of Common Core?

 

 http://www.bullittcountyhistory.com/bchistory/schoolexam1912.html

 

This poem was written by a 15 year old homeschooler whom we are blessed to know. When I asked for his permission to publish this on my site he responded that it is his prayer that anyone who reads his poem would be reminded of the great love that our Savior has for them AND the great price that each of us was purchased at.

Jesus Christ came to earth and died for us,

And He paid for all our sins upon the cross;

Through death all the sins of the world he bore,

But Jesus Christ is not dead anymore!

 

Jesus said, “After three days I’ll rise.”

And it happened just like Jesus prophesied,

And men witnessed the resurrected Lord.

Weep not for He is not dead anymore!

 

Satan may have thought he had victory

But death can’t keep his hold on the Almighty

Instead death has been conquered by our Lord

For our Savior is not dead anymore!

 

How can Jesus die, He who was righteous?

He was, not for His, but our sins, on the cross

but Jesus was shown to be righteous for

the Holy One is not dead anymore!

 

Just as Jesus Christ was raised from the dead,

God will raise His children, just as His Word said,

For the glory of God, we’ll be raised for  Read more...

youtu.be/I-tXgsBq418

Little hands to hold so tight.
Hair to comb, and tears to wipe.
Little feet that grow so fast.
Teeth to brush and bedtime baths.
Little cups that must be filled.
Teething rings that must be chilled.
Clothes that come in green and blue.
Doing things boys love to do.
Time is fleeting, oh so fast.
What was just here, is now the past.

Little hands that needed me.
Now need me less, I start to see.
He ties his shoes and combs his hair.
Picks out his clothes, knows what to wear.
We hunt for bugs and play with cars.
Draw pictures of the moon and stars.
We’re at the park, we play pretend.
He tells me I’m his favorite friend.
Who, what, when, where, why and how?
He needs to know these things right now.
So full of life, so full of love.
This gift sent from the Lord above.

He’s older now, my little man.
No need for him to hold my hand.
Fishing, camping, baseball games.
Collecting worms after it rains.
Each night I ask the Lord above,
to help me teach him how to love.
There’s so much that he needs to know,
and I’m still learning as I go.
Please, Lord… PLEASE help me get this right.
I beg, as I lose sleep at night.
Precious soul, undefiled.
Lord, guide me as I raise this child.  Read more...

A bit of humor…and an important truth too. 🙂

A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible – Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task – but he just couldn’t
remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.

On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the
microphone and said proudly, “The Lord is my Shepherd, and that’s all I need to
know”.

The best thing about Prager University videos is that they are  filled with good old fashioned common sense…something that is missing these days.  Watching them is like listening to a wise old grandpa explain many of life’s lessons in everyday regular language.  This particular video is a good reminder to us homeschoolers who may be prioritizing the wrong things. What are your thoughts on this subject?  Have you given your children the quiz yet?

 

 

 

 

 For the true Biblical homeschooler, teaching our children is more than a choice or preference.  It is a conviction….or even a calling.  Our home is our mission field.   We are called to teach, mentor, and disciple our children, and this calling is from the Lord.

I thought I’d list my top 66 reasons for homeschooling…. for my benefit and maybe yours. I love lists, and enjoy making them up. This list will help remind me and perhaps renew me when I feel unmotivated. This list is for fun but My # 1 reason to homeschool really is all I need to remember.

66.  Because we can avoid the agenda of Common Core

65.  Because we have opportunities to share the gospel together as a family in our neighborhood.

64. Because it is a joy when our children learn to read especially knowing that you taught them!

63. Because the world is your classroom, the grocery store, the car wherever you are!

62. Because the best teachers are parents not strangers.

61. Because preparing for life is better than preparing for standardized tests.

60. Because you can spend time doing those things which you value rather than what the NEA or government schools value

59. Because we can take a break from academics when life gets hard such as illness, hospitalization, caring for elderly etc.

58. Because we can read and discuss good literature together
 Read more...

This clever  Shel Silverstein Poem could be used for copywork, memorization, or even a vocabulary lesson.  🙂

 

If we meet and I say, “Hi,”

That’s a salutation.

If you ask me how I feel,

That’s consideration.

If we understand each other,

That’s communication.

If we argue, scream and fight,

That’s an altercation.

If later we apologize,

that’s reconciliation.

If we help each other home,

That’s cooperation.

And all these ations added up

Make civilization.

(And if I say this is a wonderful poem,

Is that exaggeration?)

By Shel Silverstein

The following prayer of St. Patrick would be nice for copywork or perhaps for reading on St. Patrick’s Day.

As I arise today,
may the strength of God pilot me,
the power of God uphold me,
the wisdom of God guide me.
May the eye of God look before me,
the ear of God hear me,
the word of God speak for me.
May the hand of God protect me,
the way of God lie before me,
the shield of God defend me,
the host of God save me.
May Christ shield me today.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit,
Christ when I stand,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Amen

Are you having a hard day…are you weary from the roughness of the road?  I wanted to remind you that it is a good thing to remember that this world is not our home and “It is better farther on.”   Listen to this sweet old hymn.