Homeschooling...

I homeschool my children. My children are very active and have friends. They can carry on a conversation with people of all ages and backgrounds. They have a wide variety of interests including Legos, air soft wars, World of Warcraft, writing, reading, painting, and most recently Rock Band. We are a musical family in that most of us can play two instruments (piano and guitar), and our oldest child sings. We love Jesus and are actively involved in our church. We do not live in seclusion. I do not own a denim jumper.

We started thinking about this option about 14 years ago and took the leap when my oldest was preparing to begin school. At first we followed the Robinson Curriculum, and that worked well for a while, but we have settled on what I call an ecletic mix of classical education using The Well Trained Mind (see link under Favorites) as our "spine." Even if you are not a homeschooler, this book is a wonderful read for any child's education. The author has another book, The Well Educated Mind, which kind of goes along with the former book but also can be used as a "lifelong learner" guide for continuing education.

Some 10 years or so later, my oldest child is excelling in a dual-type enrollment. He homeschools part of his subjects and attends classes part-time at the local high school. My middle schooler is continuing along with his subjects, and we are about to start all over again with my youngest who is kindergarten age.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. I am curious to see what I will or will not do differently with my youngest child as opposed to the older two boys. I now have the confidence, the assurity, that yes, I can do this. I can direct my children's education even into and through high school!

Blinded By The Light

This is a great song with a great solo in the middle. Bruce Springsteen did it, but I prefer the Manfred Mann version: Blinded By The Light on You Tube

This song came to mind this morning as I went out to start the car. It is not sunny, but what light there is reflects brightly off of the snow. So I put on my sunglasses. Then, as I began to scrape and push the ice and snow off of the windows of my car, I began to think about the True Light..."The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." (John 1:9). That Light, of course, is Jesus Christ.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is in Revelation: "...and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength." (Revelation 1: 16b). Imagine that for a moment. John is seeing Jesus Christ, and He is so bright that He is like the sun in its full strength and glory, but that Light is God Himself.

I do not want to put on glasses or try to hide in the shade, but I want to run out completely into the warmth and glory and beauty of Him, enveloped in the rays of His love. I want to be blinded by His Light, completely immersed in His radiance.

So as I sit here listening to Manfred Mann (check the link) and jamming out, I hear two songs...the one that was written about 40 years ago, and the One written by God Himself.

I love this!

I would love to see this happen in our church...people loving Jesus!
Intergenerational Ushering and Rock Band

Peace...

Thank you, Lord, for Your grace, Your mercy, and Your peace this morning:)

'Twas The Night Before Christmas...

(And I'm trying to figure out where to put the apostrophe in 'Twas:)

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
It's all pretty quiet and my cat has no mouse.
Two of my three children are nestled in bed
With visions of Christmas morning dancing in their heads.
I'm in my jammies, and hubby is, too...
As we wait ever so patiently for the oldest to snooze.
NORAD's been tracking St. Nick's every move,
and we've watched and we've waited...all eyes were aglue.
The evening is waning and the minutes draw near,
so blessings to all, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

I'm taking off my shoes...

What a weird url for a blog! There is some history to it. As I posted below, I have come across a quote from Elizabeth Barrett Browning about being with God. I have found myself thinking a lot about that this morning and what it means. In the Old Testament, God presented Himself to the Israelites as a pillar of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night so that He could be seen and easily followed. God appeared to Moses in the infamous burning bush setting, and Moses was told to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. He was barefoot before the Lord.

I like the idea of being barefoot before the Lord. Moses was barefoot before the Lord as a sign of respect for His Holiness, but I also think that it was something more. Being barefoot removes some of the extra trappings that wind up being a hindrance to our knowing Him more. We are exposed.

What would happen if we all came to church barefoot? Would it be a little less uptight and maybe a little more carefree? Would we interact a little more closely to one another? Would we worry less about how people looked or dressed and more about loving one another and most of all loving Him?

Monday, Monday...

Did I mention that I like the Mamas and the Papas?

The weekend was absolutely wonderful! It was so very relaxing and even had a date night (aka Christmas shopping) with my husband. Christmas is two days away, and it looks like it will be a white one. Snow continues to fall and travel is for those who only have to venture out. I have had to venture out twice today, but that was okay. People were able to come to my assistance and I was allowed the privilege of coming to another's assistance.

I watch my children as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. We are all another year older. Ideas and expectations continue to grow and mature and transform. If I do one thing well, I pray that it will be that each of my boys will know the true meaning of Christmas, new life in Christ Jesus.

Saturday In The Park...

I think it was the 4th of July. Ok, not really, but it is a beautiful day out today. That song is just a great song! Right click, open in a new window, and listen as you read!

I just added Jesus Creed to my Blogs I Like To Visit list. Scot McKnight is the blogger, and there are usually some pretty interesting topics and discussions. Great food for thought!

The Sheep and The Goats - Revised

In my daily reading, I came across this article which really spoke to me. Some of the content involves things I have been thinking about, things I have been struggling with...Check It Out

Lazy Days

Thursday is usually my slam day. I've got lots of stuff going on, work to be done, kids that need to be taken here and there, and a weekly Bible Study at my friend Ann's home. Since this is the last study before the holidays, we're doing a "bring some goodies" kind of thing so that we can snack and study and visit, too. So today, in addition to everything else, I'm gonna make PW's Bacon-Wrapped Jalapenos! These things are so good that it is impossible to eat just one. And they are green and red (reasonably so with the bacon), so they have that holiday feel to them! Check 'em out, give 'em a try, and you'll be hooked!

Just for today...

> I will enjoy the cold weather and take a mental picture of the view and the feeling because there will be a time when it is just too hot to almost remember!

> I will pick up the toys all over the floor because there will be a day when all of my children are grown and I will miss the opportunity to pick up after them.

> I will sweep the dust and dirt from my unfinished wood floors and be thankful that I have a home to clean.

> I will do my family's laundry and be thankful that I have a husband and children that love me.

I will embrace today with all of its ups and downs and pray that today I make a difference in someone's life.

Books I've Read Recently

I keep a log book of the books I've read. I started then when my boys were younger as a way to keep track of their reading for homeschooling.

These are the 10 most recent readings, newest first:

1. Chocolat - (in process)
2. The Shack - Wm P Young
3. The Great Divorce - CS Lewis (actually a reread, but it still counts, right?)
4. Into The Wild - Jon Krakauer
5. Surprised By Hope - NT Wright
6. Listening To The Beliefs of the Emerging Church - Various Authors
7. Anthem - Ayn Rand (another reread)
8. Yada Yada Series
9. What's So Amazing About Grace - Philip Yancey
10. Searching For God Knows What - Donald Miller

And there you have it...post #2.

I cautiously wade out and then dive right in...

I've been thinking about doing this for ages and here I am. I don't know what I expect, but here I am. I was amazed that I hadn't even really decided on a blog address or a name for that matter, but relaxing with the Lord is where I'm at right now, knowing Him intimately, and growing in that love. My address came from the following quotation:

“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.”
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I want to take off my shoes and run around barefoot with my Lord.