HOMESCHOOL IN THE CAR

For us, the entirety of our "curriculum" does not involve online ordering, worksheets, or grades.

In fact, a good portion of our learning happens in the ebb and flow of life...naturally.

 

If we stop and consider how much we are actually learning through regular daily interactions as well as planned

educational events (not to mention education at our fingertips via the web) we realize that we are always learning!

 

One of my favorite places to take note of this alternative education is in the car. (It's all about perspective.)

Whether it's singing Scripture, discussing God's Word, or just addressing the multitude of quandaries that fill

a blossoming heart and mind, the car is a valuable resource for quality interactions and homeschool.

 

What is it about a car ride that digs out the burning questions in a child's mind?

 

In our family, for one thing, we have always purposefully instigated such questions in the car. When we have alone time out, in particular with one child, we are very intentional to check in, ask how things are really going, see if they have any questions for us parents, things like that. Perhaps this initiation is what has spawned such intrigue in the car...or perhaps that's just what kids do. Either way, I'm thankful for our conversations, thankful that God has given me a desire to pay attention to these talks and capitalize on their influence, and thankful for the opportunity to teach my children at home...and in the car.

 

 I love my crazy kids! How many more can we fit in this van??
 

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Deuteronomy 6:5-8

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Sometimes it's those spontaneous lessons over eggs and toast that make the greatest impact.

 

I'm thinking that's the nail we hit on the head today.

 

 

It's funny that something as simple as our white board Prayer Board can be such an

influence in our spiritual growth, but indeed it is. We use it all the time!

 

Today, it was a conversation-turned-lesson that encouraged all of our hearts and got the

wheels turning about how we can express more fruit of the Spirit. We have much to learn.

 

Anyway, it was a blessing to share this impromptu devotional time today through the blessing and privilege

of homeschool including lingering breakfasts and tangents together. I pray that God was and will continue to be

glorified as we prayerfully seek His grace that we might exude the fruit of His Spirit in our lives.

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

Galatians 5:22-23

HANDWRITING THANK YOU NOTES

I'm always looking for ways to make simple subjects like handwriting fun.

 

Thank you notes seem to be one of the best.

 

 

This "learning" thing doesn't have to be drudgery, and if there's a will, there's a way.

 

Thanks, thank you notes, for encouraging our handwriting {art time included} today!

 

"Do all things without grumbling."

Philippians 2:14

SUNSHINE

It's a long story really, how we've ended up with a parakeet named Sunshine, but nevertheless, we have.

 

 

And, since I'm in the business of trying to make schoolwork exciting...Sunshine became our source of inspiration today.

 

Yay Sunshine!!

 

 

If I'm completely honest with myself, this project was more fun for the kids than for Mom who had ample opportunity to practice the fruit of the Spirit...patience. I mean, let's face it, when you get toddlers involved in the big kid stuff it's really just a set up for sanctification. Fortunately, I view this as a plus...and memories are always selective. ;)

 

"The fruit of the Spirit is...patience."

Galatians 5:22

 

 

It was a joy, however, to see the kids use their artistic and writing skills to document a moment in time.

After all, "they've always wanted to have a bird!"

 

Good ol' Sunshine provided just the subject matter we needed for our art binders today...

 

 

 

...and how I LOVE homeschool! :)

...and these silly, loveable kids!!!

 

"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"

Matthew 6:26

PREPARING FOR CHINA

Learning is always more fun when we find ourselves invested and interested in our subject matter.

 

 

In this case, with our upcoming adoption and travels to China we've decided it's the perfect opportunity to do some research.

 

 

The fact that it's Chinese New Year certainly encourages our current enthusiasm,

but our adoption journey is the main reason China has captured our attention.

 

 

I must say, to think of Elka and Brodie actually experiencing the Great Wall in person after having learned about it makes me thrilled! They're the lucky siblings who get to accompany their dad to China once our adoption is complete (prayerfully this coming fall). Especially for Elka, who has dreamt of this moment for years, this trip will literally be a dream come true!

 

And, for Aida, who got to visit Beijing in 2011 on a mission trip with her dad,

studying what she has already experienced first hand definitely brings it all to life.

 

 

What a privilege it is to homeschool! What a joy to send my children to far off places in Jesus' name where they can grow in compassion for the world around them. May this be only the beginning for each one of them!

 

 

"Let the nations be glad and sing for joy."

Psalm 67:4

THE MUSIC IN OUR HOME

Every now and then a song comes along that moves our family.
This past month Yiruma's River Flows in You has been that song.

 

As I'd listen to instrumental holiday music while putting India to sleep this Christmas season, Yiruma's song would come on every here and there. Each time I found myself carried away and wondering more of the composer.

 

Finally, one day I looked him up, his song too...and I asked Brodie if he'd try to learn to play the song for me.

He obliged. :)

One of the greatest gifts God has offered our family is the gift of music. We never signed up for piano at the perfect age of five. We never took guitar lessons. But, what we HAVE always done is prayed...

 

We've prayed for God's will for our children's lives. We've asked Him to bless them with desires that align with His will for them. We've sought His ability to infuse our children with talents and interests that He would have them pursue and He has been abundantly faithful to do so.

 

 ^"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

 

We aren't the types to force our kids into things that WE think is right for them. We do a lot of listening, guiding, buffering, and every now and then we close a door. But, for the most part, we await God's plans for our children, try to say yes as often as possible, and believe with our whole heart that He will accomplish His will in each of their lives.

 

Apart from our failures, inadequacies, and the many things we will surely do wrong along this parenting journey, God WILL have His way with each child He's blessed us with. He WILL use them for His glory. His plans cannot be thwarted. The music in our home, despite our lack of formal lessons, proves it.

 

I listen intently to the melodies flowing through my son's fingertips...the one who never took a lesson. He plays beautifully.
There is emotion in his music that dwells beyond his years. He feels the song. And I do too.

 

I wash dishes in another room while guitar strings strum. A daughter, she too never a lesson, plays from her heart and God's heart as she sings for His glory and leads us all in worship. And I marvel at what I've not done to achieve all of this.

 

But God, this is His doing. He's given the children His song. He's given them gifts from Him.
What I do or don't do cannot thwart His plans. The music in our home proves it.

 

"Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me."

Psalm 27:10

 

"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!"

Psalm 95:1

 

(This is the song that started it all for Brodie.)

 

(And another inspiration.)

 

(Another excellent reminder that God is in control no matter what.)

 

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Proverbs 19:21



HOMESCHOOL DAY ON ICE

There are those homeschool day discounts that prove to be worth their while. Though I'm not one to search these out often on my own, every here and there a friend will encourage us to go. It was a fun day today on the ice with friends.

 

  Olia was the surprise of the day.
It was her first time on the rink and she got right in there with the instructor's games, making new friends and all! :)

Olia, you're so fun!



 Thank you, friends, for getting us out on the ice this Christmas!

'Tis the season!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6

IN THE KITCHEN

Our kids have always loved time in the kitchen...What kid doesn't?!

 

Last year when Aida discovered her love for History in the Baking, we started to take our time in the kitchen more seriously. There are real life advantages in allowing children to explore food preparation in the home...
and homeschooling allows us ample time for such delicious fun!

 

The other day, Elka and Noble paired up all on their own and put together a healthy feast for lunch. They were beaming at their accomplishment! What stood out most was their attitudes as they worked together and served our family. One of my favorite blessings from homeschooling is watching siblings big and small work through life together. It's beautiful!
 

 

What a blessing homeschooling always proves to be...even in the kitchen.

 

 

 

 

 

 "Give us each day our daily bread."
Luke 11:3

SLICING POTATOES

All I did was slice open baked potatoes...

 

That's all I did.

But as soon as the steam swirled free, I breathed in damp black top, felt the sting of wondering who to sit with at lunch, tasted the chili and sour cream at the end of the cafeteria line. I remembered the lunch lady's fingers, gloved and singed with each piping russet. I remembered how I always felt bad for her. Thick and quick the memories rushed.

 

I went to public school from kindergarten through 12th grade. It wasn't all bad. Some of it was quite good. But, when I think back on those 13 years of my life, what I remember most are the relational things...both positive and negative. When I think through how my schooling experiences left marks on my life, I'm grateful for how the Lord has used them, but I'm also grateful for some of what my kids won't experience for having been homeschooled.

 

True, God uses struggles and growing experiences for our good and His glory.

 

He is faithful to do so.

 

And yet, what a blessing to bypass some of that which chips away at innocence. 

 

Deep thoughts linger today simply from slicing potatoes.

It seems God works through many means.

 

"I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil."

Romans 16:19


JESUS FILM SCHOOL

Some days we sit with paper and pencil.

Other days we experience learning through life.

Some days we study the tide pools in our textbook.

Other days we explore our local tide pools in swim suits.

Some days we read educational materials.

Other days we watch.

 

This is the variety that makes homeschooling so enjoyable.
Learning can be difficult at times, but I know I learn most when I enjoy the input,
so we do our best to also make learning enjoyable for our kids.

 

Today was a watching/reading day. We started with a history DVD as I had planned. As we discussed it's content we ended up on a rabbit trail which segued into the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This, in turn, led us to the JESUS film (which I had not planned), a blessed detour for our day indeed!

  

We popped some popcorn, added a few candy corns (since fall is in the air), and snuggled up to watch the most important story ever told. We were able to watch nearly the whole film together, though we chose to fast forward through some of the brutality when Jesus was mocked and flogged. I didn't want the kids to miss the depth of it all, so we did watch some of the hard-to-watch scenes, and it seemed to make an impact.

 

Though we're all familiar with the stories of Jesus' life, they never cease to stun us. Some of the kids were moved to tears and seeds were planted...again. As parents, we sow and sow and pray and pray. We expose and instruct and teach and train and we beg the Lord beckons their hearts to His.

 

Since watching the film, the kids are all dressed up as shepherds, wise (wo)men, Mary, and a donkey at the moment, playing out what they absorbed today. This is education. In fact, it's the MOST important education of all...the spiritual education of hearts, the tilling of eternal soil (not to mention teamwork and playwriting to boot!).

 

 

We're cultivating heart-soil over here today. Nothing matters more to me in my time spent educating my kids. It was a privilege to share the gospel with each one of them again today and I pray the Holy Spirit infuses their souls.

 

Feeling grateful for our JESUS film school.

 

 (Note: The version we watched of the JESUS film was a bit
shorter than this full length version and edited of some content.)

(This is the full length children's version of the JESUS film.)
 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, t
hat whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but in order that the world might be saved through him."

John 3:16-17