5.23.2015

HOMEMAKING 101

"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels."
Proverbs 31:10
 
As the girls get older, more and more we feel a sense of responsibility to use our time as wisely as possible in training their hearts to know and love the Lord and out of their love for Him, desire to be God-fearing keepers of their own homes one day.
 
(making sauerkraut here)
 
"She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."
Proverbs 31:27
 
With this pursuit in mind, we look intentionally for opportunities in our homeschooling days to allow them to participate in the ways in which they will one day care for their own families. Whether it's preparing healthy meals, nurturing a baby or feisty toddler with kindness, organizing efficiently, managing wisely, or even just tidying up, they enjoy the process of homemaking
and prayerfully our efforts will reap a harvest in the years to come in the same ways they bless our family now.
 
 
"She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household."
Proverbs 31:15
 
(As a homemaker, you never know when a knight might pop in asking to help...)
 
(...or 4 princesses...also very helpful.)
 
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."
Proverbs 31:26
 
Hey, we even emphasize the fact that when the girls do keep their homes one day, inevitably their plans will often be interrupted blessed with opportunities to be loving, even when it's frustrating. Learning the act of self-control, gentleness, and grace definitely counts in the list of homemaking skills and I want my daughters to be prepared! Sacrificial, servant hearts make successful homemaking hearts. It's helpful to learn this early and in our home there is ample opportunity.
 
 
"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come."
Proverbs 31:25
 
So, as we go about our days here at home, we're mindful of how we spend our time, focused on the future as well as here and now. Our highest aim is to glorify the Lord and homeschooling works beautifully in allowing us the blessed gift of TIME.
 
"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'"
Proverbs 31:28-29
 
By God's grace, may we raise up Proverbs 31/Titus 2 women for His glory and the benefit of their families and those around them. May we always think carefully about how we spend our time and why we do what we do with the days we've been
given to rear and train up our children. And, may our efforts be fruitful because the Lord has deemed it so.
 
Lord, please grow and multiply these planted, cultivated, watered seeds to fullness as we sow Homemaking 101.
 
"Older women...are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."
Titus 2:3-5

5.22.2015

NOVA'S BOOKS


Nova loves to illustrate and narrate stories. She's always asking for help with her latest book. This one, Animal Garden, is about a little girl who finds a bird nest with eggs in the apple tree of her favorite garden. She had the whole thing planned out...SO cute!
 
Last night, we surprised Nova by reading her new book aloud to all the kids at devotion time and she was glowing!!
To add to the excitement, we discovered a baby bird filled nest in the creeping fig high by our rafters yesterday...SO sweet!
 
Our homemade books will always be my favorite stories...lifetime keepsakes...I love them!
 
Almost as much as I love my little Nova.
 
 
"The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly...In them the birds build their nests."
Psalm 104:16-17

5.21.2015

SCRABBLE = SPELLING

 
It just does.
 
Not to mention it's extra enjoyable with this on my lap...
 
 
This is why we homeschool.
 
"Making the best use of the time."
Ephesians 5:16