Archive for February, 2009

February 25th, 2009 | Renae

FREE Gift: Lent Activities for the Family

Normally, links will only be posted on the weekend, but this item is applicable now. Miiko Gibson compiled a list of family activities for Lent as a gift to you.

The tradition of Lent is not practiced in my church, but I need to examine my heart and meditate on the sacrifice of Christ, too. Miiko makes the point,

Even if our church observes Palm Sunday, the next time the church meets is Easter Sunday. Good Friday is almost glossed over if the family doesn’t make an effort to think about it.

The activities in this small book are short and meaningful. One activity per day is easily implemented, and a sample calendar is available.

Please visit Our Grace Journey to receive this gift. (Be sure to scroll down just a bit.)

And now I’m curious, does your family participate in Lent? How do you remember the days leading up to Easter/Resurrection Day?

Tags: Ebook, Lent

Announcements, Holidays 11 comments

February 24th, 2009 | Renae

I Choose to Live

The duties of motherhood overuse the multitasking part of my brain. Thinking cells grow numb by constant decisions. Once in awhile, they need to awake. My husband happily sends me to education conferences to recharge and add to my notebook collection.

For years, I rattled nonstop to Julie upon my return. This year, the teachings happened the same time as Julie’s visit.

I cannot recall all the challenging ideas in one post, but one question echoes in my conscious.

Does this bring life?

The question does not appear anywhere in my notes, but it was asked while Miss Katherine Dang discussed The Will of God Concerning Men. She simply reasoned through Scripture. The theme of life resounds from the creation of man:

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)

To the words of Jesus:

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Miss Dang frequently prints verses on one side of the paper with empty lines on the other. The empty spaces on those particular pages remain mostly empty. My brain reached for the practical applications.

It’s something I have pondered. I want our lessons to be full of life, nurturing and purposeful. It took me six months to come up with my blog title, but it is taking years to fully understand the meaning. Education is about all of life; nothing is excluded.

I still tend to think of school as only academics. But life is so much more: thoughts, actions, relationships. Am I giving life or breeding death?

Does the food I eat bring life to my body?
Do I feed my soul the nourishing bread of the Word?
Do my words give strength to the hearer?

Dusty clay was brought to life with a puff of love. The breath of God created with a purpose, to give a gift. A gift,

Abundant -plentiful; in great quantity; fully sufficient; as an abundant supply. In scripture, abounding; having in great quantity; overflowing with. (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)

Life abundant, overflowing, in great supply. The choice is up to me.

The breath of Heaven still blows on dusty hearts.

Education, Homeschool, Principle Approach, Renewal 5 comments

February 22nd, 2009 | Renae

Noteworthy Links: Spring is Coming Edition

My children and I lounge in the backyard soaking in the sun. The next day we pile under blankets and pretend to hibernate. In East Texas, the weather bounces between spring and winter buffeting my emotions.

February is a month I press through. Like the dandelion, I want to burst out of the cold and smile cheery yellow. Instead, I stretch or hide depending on the cloud cover.

Looking over the articles I noted this week, the tug is revealed.

If I can’t be outside, may the outside creep in.

Holy Experience: A Nature Table Gathering -Lovely display of nature’s beauty

Homeschooling Ideas: Homeschool Nature Table -More ideas to display the wonder of nature indoors

Under His Construction: For the Love of Birds -An entire month of lessons about the winged creatures I gaze at through the window

Texas Parks and Wildlife: Learn About Texas Books -Free books to discover more about birds, insects, fish and more

While inside, I listen, read, watch.

PrincipledMom: A Few New Resources -Some free Principle Approach media to water my thirsty soul

Living Life Between the Trees: The Quest for Primary Readers -An online library to peruse

The Thinking Mother: Books Owned Reveal Past Plans Unfulfilled -If you already have too many books and plans and goals and ideas…

I hope your weekend is warmed by the promise of spring.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

A mother knows better than to leave sharp objects in reach of little hands, but diligence diminishes as children grow. My children no longer pull every book off the shelf to find a favorite. Bibs, diapers, and spill-proof cups are gone. Games, puzzles, and art supplies are here to stay.

Scissors are typically stashed after paper is hacked into a thousand slivers. When the double-edged blades glimmer on a table, little girls are tempted. The plant misses a few leaves. A shirt has random holes. Somehow hair escaped nipping. Until now.

Sunshine watches everything I do. She wants to be a mommy when she grows up; Mommy cuts hair. Practicing her skills on compliant little sister didn’t have the desired effect.

It’s not bad considering Sunshine is five. And scissors are sharp. And Sweet Pea has elvish ears.

Yes, I cut hair, but I wasn’t confident to work on this style.

After a few tears and finally laughter, Sweet Pea bounced from the beautician’s chair and fluttered around, light and free. Her pixie cut matches her personality.

Her sister promises not to cut hair until she’s a Mommy. She doesn’t have to wait that long, but please don’t say anything. I haven’t quite accepted this rite of passage.

My babies slip away day by day. That is by design, but it challenges this mother’s heart to expand beyond the hectic days and gather the moments scattered on the floor. The pieces of today will be treasures tomorrow. I need to remember that when I’m tempted to scream.

Tags: 1st haircut

Homemaking, Journal, Renewal 19 comments

February 12th, 2009 | Renae