What homeschooling looks like for us...

Homeschool. I dreamt of this for so long, and plan to share my story of how we became a family that educates our children at home. But I wanted to share, as I did some purging and organizing today, what the background of our "school" looks like. I worried about not having a "school room" or enough space, and a million other different behind the scenes worries. But when I took it to my Father, he paved the way, and showed me that He had provided exactly what we needed to be successful and most importantly, that IF I continued seeking Him on our journey, He would supply EVERY need. And He has. 

Our main school "room" is our kitchen. That said, we don't just learn there. We learn in the living room, outside, in the bedrooms, just about anywhere. I have had to teach myself that what I "know" of school is what my own public education taught me to "know." And ultimately, some of the lessons or skills that I use MOST today, are those I didn't learn in school, but rather, the ones I learned in life. So - our design for our school, while academics ARE important, is more that they learn through ALL they do. 

If you are seeking Him and being directed to homeschool, don't believe what you think. You DO have enough room. You DO have enough organizational skills. You CAN be structured where needed and laidback when needed. He will equip you FULLY where He calls you! Promise!

"Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we’re doing or why, but it’s hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon.

May God, who puts all things together,

    makes all things whole,

Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus,

    the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant,

Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd,

    up and alive from the dead,

Now put you together, provide you

    with everything you need to please him,

Make us into what gives him most pleasure,

    by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.

All glory to Jesus forever and always!" (Hebrews 13:18-21 - The Message)

So, without further adieu, here is a glimpse into our home SCHOOL. It's not conventional, it's not what "the world" is doing, it's not even what my homeschool friends may be doing, but it's ours and it's His, for us.

Our School "Room" -- lots of learning, meals, and fun happen here.

Math time in the Living Room - we also read here, play here, and love here.

View #1 of our coat homeschool closet - this houses our supplies.

View #2 - I'm blessed with a handy (and agreeable) hubby who helped create this space.

A glimpse into our homeschool cabinet ---and mom's candle collection. ;) - this is primarily where our current curriculum books are stored as well as manipulatives for math and reading.

There's not room in my house for a school. We live here. We entertain here. And, I can give you a billion other different reasons we don't have space, time, or the ability to learn and grow here, but we do. He directed our path. And we are travelling it. 

".....so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed." (2 Timothy 3:17 - Good News Translation)

So, please share with me. What does your school look like, if you homeschool? If not, and you desire to, what is holding you back? 

Be Blessed!

Household Uses for....

Lemons! 

To me, lemon is the scent of clean. I thought for the next few weeks, I'd share some household uses I have learned, been told, or read over the years. These are things I have tried, OR plan to very soon. I am attempt to be a frugal homemaker, and so I look for uses for regular household items. I wanted to share, and hope to learn from you as well! This week is LEMONS ---- stay tuned for my household uses for next week! :)

1. To remove fish odors - rub cutting surface OR hands with lemon wedge.

2. Place lemons in basket, glass bowl, or large vase for a sunny centerpiece.

3. Rub hand, elbows, knees, and feet with lemon wedges to remove roughness and discoloration.

4. To remove unpleasant fireplace odors, burn a few lemon peels along with your firewood.

5. Remove tarnish on metals with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. 

6. Add half a lemon to the cavity of roast chicken for additional flavor and tenderness. 

7. Add lemon juice and honey to a cup of hot tea to soothe a sore throat.

8. Wipe the inside of refrigerator, ice chest, and microwave with a cloth dipped in lemon juice to brighten and freshen.

9. Sprinkle lemon juice on cut fruit and guacamole to preserve color. 

10. Grind sliced lemon peels in garbage disposal to freshen and deodorize the drain.

11. Keep rice from sticking by adding a teaspoon of lemon juice to the water. 

12. A mixture of lemon juice, vinegar, and water makes a general cleaner for kitchen, bathroom, etc. 

Enjoy trying new uses for lemons! Are there any uses for lemons YOU know of and would like to share?

Be Blessed!

A Moment in Time...

<center> <a href=" http://anewsong94.blogspot.com/"><img border="0″ src=" http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/JenM1725/Momentintime1_zpsb69787de.jpg"/></a></center>



Spring --- the newness of Spring is such beauty to me. Here is a peek at a beginning of some of God's beauty! I found this when I was suppose to be cleaning out some of my Mammaw's flowerbeds. She was completely happy with me leaving them and the flowerbed alone...for this "Moment in Time."

Feel free to join in, share your glimpse of God's beauty, your Moment in Time. Grab the button code above and comment so I can visit you! Be Blessed! 

A Moment In Time...

<center> <a href=" http://anewsong94.blogspot.com/"><img border="0″ src=" http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t451/JenM1725/Momentintime1_zpsb69787de.jpg"/></a></center> This week --- 

My picture today is simply a place that brings me peace, joy, and pure happiness. It's from my kitchen sink, my window view. My window sill, though the contents change often, they always reflect things that make me smile and refresh me on a rough day; and bring me joy and peace EVERY day!  It's where I pray for family and friends, wash dishes, begin preparation for meals for my family and others, and ultimately, the place I come to breathe from time to time. I KNOW He meets me here, and I am grateful!
May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13 (God's Word)

Feel free to link up - grab the code above and share your "moment in time." Leave a comment to let me know, so I can visit! Happy Weekend! Be Blessed!

Why Do We Pray....

I've been looking through my old notes from past sermons, and prayerfully considering sharing my thoughts on those. I decided to share this, because it was something I needed to read and re-read today. These are my thoughts from a sermon from last December. It was on prayer. This is an area of my life that isn't structured as often as I'd like it to be. I often utter prayers throughout my day (which I know He still hears), but I don't spend time in complete solitude with my heart turned to Him. 

Then Elijah told the people, “Enough of that—it’s my turn. Gather around.” And they gathered. He then put the altar back together for by now it was in ruins. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes of Jacob, the same Jacob to whom God had said, “From now on your name is Israel.” He built the stones into the altar in honor of God. Then Elijah dug a fairly wide trench around the altar. He laid firewood on the altar, cut up the ox, put it on the wood, and said, “Fill four buckets with water and drench both the ox and the firewood.” Then he said, “Do it again,” and they did it. Then he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. The altar was drenched and the trench was filled with water.

When it was time for the sacrifice to be offered, Elijah the prophet came up and prayed, “O God, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make it known right now that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I’m doing what I’m doing under your orders. Answer me, God; O answer me and reveal to this people that you are God, the true God, and that you are giving these people another chance at repentance.”

Immediately the fire of God fell and burned up the offering, the wood, the stones, the dirt, and even the water in the trench.

All the people saw it happen and fell on their faces in awed worship, exclaiming, “God is the true God! God is the true God!”

Elijah told them, “Grab the Baal prophets! Don’t let one get away!”

They grabbed them. Elijah had them taken down to the Brook Kishon and they massacred the lot. -- 1 Kings 18:30-40 (The Message)

There was no doubt. When Elijah prayed, he believed. He KNEW without a doubt that God would answer. But, it seems to me that we often approach the throne uncertain of if He will answer or for that matter, even cares. It took Elijah showing the people (after their FAILED attempts at proving Baal's existence) that God is indeed God; that He answers prayers and responds to FAITH.

What can we learn from Elijah's prayer? He prepared a place -- for us, this is our hearts. We need to prepare our hearts for connecting with Him. It shows us to focus our attention on Him -- not our grocery list or cleaning plans for the day. He humbled himself before God and finally, Elijah was BOLD. He knew God would and could answer his prayer.

It has occurred to me that prayer is a growth process; a repetitive cycle of growth, if you will. Prayer begins with faith, faith grows with answered prayers, and then we pray with greater faith, and so on and so forth... We can see this example repeated throughout scripture. I can't help but think that's why we are instructed to seek first Him and His kingdom (Matthew 6:33), followed by the promise that "these things will be provided unto you."

So why do we pray? Well, it builds our faith and proves to us that God CAN! It also shows that we are conformed to His will for our life, showing dependence on Him, which is how He created us. And lastly, but certainly not least, it strengthens our relationship with Him. 

What can you take away from Elijah's example? What will you do today to change your prayer life?

Be Blessed!