this mom's identity...

On Fridays over here a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind 

and just write gather to share what five minutes buys them. 

Just five minutes. 

Unscripted. Unedited. Real.

Your words. 

This shared feast.

Those are Lisa Jo's words... joining with her and her writing community at Gypsy Mama for five minute Friday.   

Today's topic: identity

GO

I wrote of this yesterday... this sense of finding my identity now that my children need me less and less.  A decade and a half of my life spent as Mama, Mommy, Mom.  A decade spent educating at home... gathering around great books, exploring together through field trips, and living life together.  I would do it all again.. over and over and over.

I wouldn't have spent this time in my life any other way.  I'm now wondering though, what do I do next?  In investing that much of my life, I also invested my identity.  I laugh because I meet people in my area now who say to me, "oh, you're that homeschool mom." To my children's friends, I am "Eric's mom" or "Emily's mom" or "Ellen's mom."  Perhaps to the neighborhood dogs, I am even "Ebony's mom."

I knew parenting wasn't for the faint of heart before I jumped in.  I did not know, though, that I would willingly invest myself to my very core into the lives of these 3 Es.  I didn't know that I would want to give up my individual identity in order to help them form theirs.  I didn't know they would become so much of who I am.

Even in the midst of a new school this year... a broken arm and a 3 hour surgery... a trip to another country... writing a novel... and another year of homeschooling my youngest, I've spent this year re-evaluating.  

Who am I?  What will I do next?  What is my purpose?  My worth?  My identity?

I don't have all the answers yet... and I may never.  However, I do know the One who knows.  And... I know that my true identity belongs in Him.  

I also know that my children will always need me.  

They have their own identities now... I don't need to give them mine.

STOP

gratitude from Pinterest...

This was floating around on facebook this weekend.  I think it originated on Pinterest but I don't know where... I don't know who gets the credit for this, I only know that I like it!

gratitude unlocks

the fullness of life

it turns what we have into 

enough and more!

it turns

denial into acceptance

chaos into clarity

problems into gifts

failures into success

the unexpected into perfect timing

and mistakes into important events

gratitude makes

sense of our past... brings peace

for today and creates a vision 

for tomorrow

Two years ago, I started following Ann... I started joining in on Multitude Monday.  I started counting gifts to change the way my heart saw things.  I took Ann's challenge to find 1000 gifts in the everyday and I was overwhelmed.  I thought that there would be NO WAY I would ever be able to count 1000 things for which I was grateful.  Instead, I was thrilled to find 100.  

I was wrong.  So wrong.  As my heart began to change, I discovered more and more gifts.  I've counted to 1000 a couple of times and I continue to count... because my heart needs to continue to change and I need to be more grateful.

~*~

On this rainy Monday morning, I'm sitting in a bowling alley with fifty jr/sr high students.  They're having a blast bowling for a fundraiser.  I watch my girl.  The one that won a year's tuition at this private school.  She's having a blast!  ... and my heart is full of gratitude to the one that provided this year for her.

...so my list continues....

...for gifts that include school

...for new friends

...for a day of fun with old friends

...for the privilege to help the ones who have helped her this year

...for a week with the one I love the most

...for all the stories from their trip to Guatemala

...for no more nights sleeping alone

...for the laughter and fun around me

...for the one who is still homeschooled

...for wisdom gifted as we continue to seek His face with their education

...for his new job

...for the thrill it gives him

...for the privilege to watch him grow up

...for this life that looks nothing like I imagined

...for the fact that it is so much better

...for dreams that are being fulfilled

...for rain

...for refreshment

...for the sound of storms in the middle of the night

...for the rain of His grace on my parched heart

...for His faithfulness in spite of my failures

...for the fact that His love is boundless and endless

let's party!

They're leaving ... on a jet plane... and I've decided to party while they're gone (my RN husband and 12 year old daughter are traveling to Guatemala today for a week long medical missions trip.  This is their second trip and I now understand that my heart will be in a knot for 8 days). 


 It's been a few years since I've joined the Ultimate Blog Party.   So, I figure there is no better way to make time go faster than to party, right?


Thanks to Janice and Susan at 5 Minutes for Mom for hosting the Ultimate Blog Party.  Join in!  

I'm Heidi... and, honestly, sometimes this is what being a mom to 3 feels like for me.  Crazy, out of control fun... and often my peripheral vision is blurry and unclear!  I never know what's coming next.  


I am mom to 4 Es (if you count the dog).  Eric is 15, Emily is almost 13, Ellen is 8, and Ebony, our lab/chow mix is 3.  For many years I described myself as a homeschool mom.  I found my identity in the homeschool community and started to dig deep roots there... thinking I would be the quintessential homeschool mother who graduates her brilliant children with high honors. 


The greatest lesson I'm learning these days is to not get very comfortable with life.  This place... this earth... this life, it's not my home.  God has taught me this lesson by uprooting me a few times.  Last year, he uprooted Eric and he went to public school and loves it!  He's a dynamite athlete and is excelling above our expectations with his academics and with his athletic ability.


So... I redefined myself as a homeschool mom of two girls and thought I could be happy letting Eric do his thing and I would graduate my two girls.  Wrong again.  In mid August of last year, God allowed Emily to win a one-year scholarship to our local Christian academy for 7-12 grades.  She loves it there and in her own right is excelling in sports and classes above our expectations.  She's clearly where God wants her... and I'm down to one at home.


I no longer have visions of grandeur and after ten years of homeschooling, I'm learning to redefine myself.   I'm realizing that I am uniquely made by my Creator to accomplish great things for Him.  I am not defined by one aspect of my life, whether good or bad.  Instead, there is a grander scheme and I have been made for more.

 I am a homeschool mom but I am also many other things...

I am child of the King, seeking to live for Him

I am a wife, of almost 18 years, who still struggles to put her husband first

I am a mother, to three incredible individuals

I am a home maker, whose home is constantly being unmade

I am a sister, who maybe is finally figuring out that sisters are your best friends for life

I am an aunt, I have 11 nieces and nephews who I adore

I am a friend, who is blessed beyond measure

I am an elders wife, though I often fail to embrace my role in ministry

I am an author, who, now that 2 kids are in school, is pursuing a life-long dream

So... you see, that funny iPhoto picture of Ellen and I.  I think it's an accurate portrayal of myself.  I'm learning to let go... to have fun but to not get comfy.  This life... my life... it's fleeing and maybe that is why the edges are blurry and unclear.  I don't need to see what is in the edges, I just need to keep my eyes on Jesus.

with a side of light cream...

Yep... it's my second post today.  Mostly 'cuz I have a lot of random thoughts swirling above and it's Tuesday... which means it's {virtual coffee} with Amy!!  So here's a much lighter post than the last few... lighter is better!


So... let's chat over some coffee or tea on this beautiful Tuesday.  Mine's iced with maple syrup and a little milk... ran out of half and half yesterday.  What I wouldn't do for a little cream this morning.... mmmm... 


Yes, you read that right.  Maple syrup in my coffee.  I think it's my new love.  I wouldn't have tried it though, if I hadn't given up coffee creamer.  I had a serious love affair with coffee creamer... after weeks and weeks of migraines and severe headaches, though, I started to take inventory of what I was consuming.  Over the past 10 years, I have slowly {read at at snail's pace... obviously, since this has been in the works for a decade, huh?} changed my eating habits.  So, anymore, there really isn't much that isn't good for me... except coffee creamer.  So, on a whim Saturday, I poured my java down the drain, gave away the remainder of my coffee creamer, and poured myself a new cup with maple syrup... OH YEAH!  I'm in love again... I may need to find something a little less expensive though....


Speaking of maple syrup, we didn't tap our trees this year because they started to bud early.  Amazingly, we were all kind of bummed, until my friend, Angie, called and said they had more sap than they knew what to do with and would I like some?  Yes ma'am!  So, Ellen and I trekked sap home and in the end got over a gallon of syrup!!

Maple syrup and my screen door, those are the things that make me think spring.  Sunday my screen door came back!  LOVE!!  Isn't he a great guy?   The really funny thing... see that hair?  About an hour after I took this picture, it was all gone.  He's back to a shaved head... another sign of warmer weather.


'k... just have to say... I don't like DST!!  Why is it we have to go back to being dark when I take Emme to school?  I just want to come home and crawl right back under the covers... yesterday, I did! ; )


Speaking of kids, the mancub goes back to the doctor today.  The boy's a little concerned.  He cannot extend his arm... not because of pain, because it won't go there.  So, we'll see what the one with more knowledge than us has to say.  So far, though, it hasn't slowed him down much.  He was playing back yard football yesterday... just catch and release but for him, it's better than nothing.


I really wish we were sitting across from one another today.  I'm having a hard time getting motivated to do anything.  Mostly I want to find a hands-on book {as opposed to ebook}, a blanket and head outside!  Since we haven't started school in these parts yet... it was a beautiful morning delay... maybe we'll take school outside the walls of this house.


So... what would you tell me if we were really playing hooky from school over coffee?  What's going on in your neck of the woods?


Join in!

what if we are all wrong...

What if we/me approached life knowing and acknowledging that I am wrong rather than trying to prove I am right?

As it is written,

there is no one righteous, not even one

there is no one who understands

there is no one who seeks God.

Romans 3:10-11

Seems lately, in Christian circles {love that vague term}, so many are trying to prove their stance based on right vs. wrong in how to follow Christ, where to educate our children, how to parent, how to be married, what movies to watch, which holidays to celebrate, which version of God's Word to read, etc., etc., etc.

I'm beginning to believe we are all wrong

... because if we were right, we wouldn't fall into the trap of trying to tear down our brother/sister to build ourselves up.

My children are teaching me this lesson.  It seems as if they are constantly fighting to be right.  In the fight, they tear down their brother/sister in order to defend themselves.  In the end, this parent is left to deal with puffed up pride and hurt feelings.

It's taken 42+ years to realize I do this and my Father God is left to deal with puffed up pride and hurt feelings.  

Sin is wrong

I sin

I am wrong

This is how I want to live the rest of my days... I know I will fail miserably.

I want to be wrong so that I don't fight to be right.

{virtual coffee} again...

maybe caffeine would help?!?

Good morning... it's a yucky, rainy, cold and mostly miserable day outside... a GREAT day for {virtual coffee} dontcha think?

Joining up with Amy to sip some virtual coffee together today.  Care to join us?

Ellen and I brought school to the library today.  Doesn't she looked thrilled?  I have to confess that I've kinda let school slide a little lately.  Not that I'm a rigid homeschool mom; but, even to my standards, things have slipped a bit.   What, with writing a book and now working on a sequel, celebrating Christmas and New Year with friends and family, almost running over myself, passing out toys for Toy Time, and waiting for puppies to be born... it seems as if I don't have enough of me to do it all and school too.

I used to worry about such times in our lives... worry that my kids weren't learning enough, getting enough, being enough, whatever enough.  Somehow, putting the two older in school has changed my perspective greatly.  They both were homeschooled.  They both transitioned beautifully.  They both have high GPA's.  They're fine.  Ellen will be fine too.  So, I don't worry anymore over the days when we stay in our pj's and read 3 entire Boxcar Children books or the days when we make Bosco sticks, hot pockets, mini pies, cookies and granola bars for the other kid's school lunches.  

Just think of all the time I've wasted worrying!  So, today we push the "restart" button and we work diligently on our schoolwork while still having fun at the library.

Speaking of libraries... I think mine is about the best around.  You know, we could actually have our coffee here?  Yep, my library is cool like that.  Just make sure you keep the lid on.... ; )

I've been attempting to make my own coffee creamer at home.  So far... I'm undecided on it.  I'd like to do it to cut cost and preservatives but not so sure it's worth it.  I'll keep you posted on different recipes I try.  Here's the one from today...

Honey Almond Coffee Creamer

1 can sweetened evaporated milk

1 1/2 c. milk

1/4. c. honey

1/8 t. almond extract

Pour all into a 1 quart canning jar and tighten lid.  Shake well until all honey and condensed milk is mixed in.  Store in fridge and use with your favorite coffee.

... this is the recipe I like best, thus far.  I've tried vanilla and pumpkin spice.  Still not as good as Sweet Italian Cream, which is, by far, my fave!!

In this little chat, Ellen has finished her school work.  Time for us to move on.  

Hope you have an amazing Tuesday.  Thanks for joining me!

how to make a snowman...

It was a brownish greenish Christmas... definitely not the white Christmas I always hope for.   Of course, tomorrow the forecast calls for 4-7 inches of that lovely white stuff that I {heart} much!


Ellen and I figured out how to make adorable snowmen without any snow on the ground.  We went and bought several containers of Mentos gum and peeled the labels off.   We saved the gum for later...

After taking the labels off, Ellen gave each snowman its eyes, mouth and buttons with black puff paint and an orange carrot nose with orange paint.

After the paint dried, she dressed each snowman with a scarf made from ribbon or yarn and a pom-pom for their hat.

She gave these as gifts to her friends for their small keepsakes.  While her friends really liked their homemade snowman, Ellen's friend, Mallory, wondered why Ellen didn't just leave the gum inside.  

I guess next time we make snowmen, we will be sure to leave the gum intact!

another Advent freebie...

I posted about a free advent family study this morning.  When I printed it out today for the girls (Emme decided she wanted one too.... who knew?!) I realized I also wanted to print out Ann's Jesse Tree devotional.


Here's the link... it's amazing and it's free... just as is Eleanor's that I posted earlier.


Can you tell I love Advent?

from 3 to 1...

Last year, at this time, I was homeschooling three kids.  Seven years of experience and I was in a groove.  Honestly, I considered myself a career homeschool mom and was looking toward high school curriculum and courses.  And then... Eric went to public school in January... and I taught two children at home.

Last month, at this time, I was homeschooling two kids.  My new Rainbow Resource catalogue came and I dog-eared page after page... looking specifically for curriculum to fill in the few gaps that I had left to fill.  I passed the catalogue on to a friend and assumed we would combine our order.  And then...

Yesterday I sat at a friend's kitchen table discussing homeschool co-op and making plans when I got this call... "Emily has won a free year of tuition at Lakeland Christian Academy from the drawing at the Fair.  Would you be interested in making an appointment to discuss this opportunity?"

...and today, she is enrolled for 7th grade at our local Christian school and in less than one year I have gone from homeschooling 3 to homeschooling 1.

It's amazing how He works!

berries for breakfast...

Deep within I have a vault of memories.  Snippets of time freeze-framed in my mind.  Recollections of time gone by... 

... a boy who could not wait to be old enough to play pee wee football... that boy whose helmet was as big as he was and whose shoulder pads weighed as much as he did. The boy who was big enough to take the hits and small enough to kiss me goodnight.

... snuggly pajama days in the dead of winter with that boy and his sisters... working through school books and snuggling together under a blanket sipping hot cocoa and reading... lots and lots of reading.

... a girl who has spent over half of her lifetime dressing her American Girl dolls... doing their hair... entering a world of her own make believe... old enough to do it herself and young enough to play pretend.

... cold mornings awakening to the excitement of children in snow clothes standing by my bed pleading for a chance to go sledding before breakfast and school... watching them scramble to get out the door and listening to their early morning giggles.

... waking to find a small warm body next to mine and having no recollection of when that sweet smelling child climbed into our bed but knowing if I quietly pulled her to me and snuggled her close we would both get a little more sleep... a little one big enough to find me in the dark and small enough to fit between us.

... looking out my bedroom window to see small bodies in pjs and flip flops picking their own breakfast from the berry patch... thrilled to be big enough to go out by themselves and yet small enough to come in with more berry on their faces and hands than in their small containers.

I store these memories because time waits for no one.  The girl is no longer in love with her American Girl Dolls and the little one grew up and stopped crawling in my bed a long time ago.  And the boy... he plays high school football now.

My mind stored another mental picture in my memory vault this morning... a big guy climbing out of my truck with a grumbled "see ya Mom."  No longer the little boy swallowed up by helmet and pads but still young enough to be driven to practice.  

...and my mind recalled a boy in pjs having berries for breakfast.

in an old library...

In an old library in Warsaw

that is not covered in vines

walked 6 local girls

in 2 straight lines

and the cutest one

was not Madeline.

While her siblings had

their fun at the Fair

it was being in this play

where she got her share.

Traveling for practice in rain

and in hot summer sunshine

this cutest girl loved

being in MADELINE!

Peril in the Palace...a Tyndale Review

Over the years, we've listened to countless hours of Adventures in Odyssey.  It seems as if Whit, Connie, Eugene and Tom Riley have accompanied us on every road trip we have ever taken.  We've loved listening to the adventures and misadventures of gang at Whit's End... especially the experiences taken in the Imagination Station.  


Needless to say, when the offer, from the Tyndale Blog Network, came to review a couple of Adventures in Odyssey books came up, I gladly agreed.  And, when those books came in the mail, Emily intercepted them before I could even peruse them.  She read them in an evening and passed them on to her best friend before I could say "hey!  I need to review those!"  

The Imagination Station Series of books, written by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker, tell the story of two 8 year old cousins, Patrick and Beth, and the adventures they go on through Mr. Whitacre's invention... The Imagination Station.  


Each book takes the cousins to a particular time in history.  In book 3, Peril in the Palace, Patrick and Beth find themselves in China in 1271 where they meet up with Marco Polo, share their faith with Kublai Khan and end up in a spiritual showdown with Mongol magicians.  

Beth and Patrick's adventures do not end in China.  In book 4, Revenge of the Red Knight, the Imagination Station takes them to 15th century England and Lord Darkthorn's castle.  The cousins find themselves accused of theft, in jail and in a jousting contest.


The Imagination Station Series of books are written for ages 7 and up.  The books include short chapters, great action and fun illustrations to make them fun to read... even for a 12 year old who has grown up listening to Adventures in Odyssey!


**disclaimer... I was given these 2 books for my honest review through my affiliation with Tyndale Blog Network.  I received no other compensation.

Read for the Heart... the last TOS review

Over the years of homeschooling, I have fallen in love with Apologia Science.  I think it is due, in part, through the strong influence of my science teacher friend, Debbie.  Debbie taught science in the public school, had babies and opted to stay home and teach homeschool science, and now is back teaching science in our local Christian school.  Debbie and I have spent many hours discussing homeschooling, curriculum and Apologia Science.  She loves using Apologia and has convinced me to do the same!

However, did you know that Apologia has much more than just science curriculum?  I didn't!  I was blown away when I opened their website and looked at all of the options.  Even more fun than that was receiving a copy of Read for the Heart to review for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine!  


After reading through Read for the Heart, I like Apologia even more!  Read for the Heart by Sarah Clarkson is a compilation of over 1,000 terrific titles to read aloud to your children.  This book reads as a guide and directs you to finding quality literature for at home reading.  It's like having your own personal librarian!


Reading aloud has been foundational in our homeschool.  Years ago, a wise woman told me I could do nothing better for my children than to teach them about Jesus and to read aloud to them every single day.  We have gone on many adventures together from the comfort of our living room.  We've giggling through Mr. Popper's Penguins and Junie B. Jones.  We've journeyed through the prairie with Laura Ingalls Wilder and under the sea with Jules Verne.  All of these and more are fond memories for all of us.


Apologia offers Read for the Heart for $17.00 and in my opinion, regardless of where your children go to school, no Mom should be without this book.  This book is just another example of the excellence of Apologia Curriculum.


Click here to see what my other TOS Crew mates had to say.


... this will be my last review for the TOS Crew.  Thanks to Crew leaders, Heidi and Brenda, and my mini-crew leader, Heather, for a fabulous year!


**disclaimer... I was given a free copy of this book for my honest review.  I received no other compensation.   

Guatemala... through her eyes...

... Emme wrote this essay as a school assignment the week she returned from her Guatemala trip... I'm just slow posting it...

My Trip to Guatemala

by Emily... April 2011

      My trip to Guatemala started Saturday, April 9, 2011 around midnight.  We got on a plane at 7:35 a.m. and landed in Miami, Florida.  We boarded another plane there to get to Guatemala.  Thankfully, we did not have any delays.

      In the airport, a group of about 15 people proudly sang us a song to welcome us into Guatemala.  On the bus we met our first translator, Christian.

      In Guatemala City, we picked up 2 more translators, Estoban and Alfonzo.  We slowly drove 3 1/2 hours to Panajachel where we stayed in our hotel.  We got there around 7 p.m. We found our rooms and put our bags away and went down for dinner.  It was a buffet that night.  Soon after dinner was a short meeting about the next day.

      Sunday we woke up around 6:30 a.m. and had some breakfast.  It was about a 45 minute drive to the clinic.  Dr. A. and Dr. H. looked at about 40-50 people who wanted surgery.   I got to pass out tons of toys to the little kids.  It was awesome to see the smiles on their faces.  Their smiles surely made me joyful inside.  When you make a difference in someone else, you also make a difference in you too.

      That night we got to the hotel around 6:30 p.m.  At 7:00 p.m. we went to have dinner.  It was off the menu this time.  I am  not sure what I had but I know it was surprisingly good.  We had another meeting that night just about how the day went.  The meeting went well and the day was awesome.  Monday and Tuesday kinda went the same.  We did about 8 surgeries a day.   Wednesday went just as well.  I was able to watch the last surgery which was a breast biopsy.

     Thursday, I sadly did not feel well but I felt better by the end of the day.  Friday, we cleaned the clinic and drove to Antigua, the old capital of Guatemala.  We picked our bags up and found our rooms.  Right outside our room was a pool.  Before dinner we walked around town and found a market.  Dinner was a buffet again.  It was absolutely wonderful.  Saturday we walked some more.  We found a jade shop which is the famous stone of Guatemala.  After a while we found a market and walked around there for a while.  We found a few things for my cousins and some other stuff.

     Sunday, around 5 a.m., we left for the airport.  We had no problems checking in at the airport.  The first plane ride was awesome.  We rode Business Class.  When we got to Dallas/Fort Worth we took a sky link to our next place.  We rode First Class on that flight.  When we got to Chicago our bags came through first and we did not have to wait.  We happily got through O'Hare in 15 minutes.  Our bus to take us home was a party bus and we stopped at McDonald's for supper.  Around 10 p.m. we arrived home.

      I had a very great time.  To everyone who supported us with prayers and gifts, thank you!

Greek 'n' Stuff... a TOS Crew review

Looking back over this school year, I have had the privilege of writing 18 reviews for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Review Crew.  And, today's review is the one I have been most looking forward to!


In September, I received a copy of Hey Andrew!  Teach Me Some Greek level 3.  I'm very grateful to author Karen Mohs and the rest of the staff at Greek 'n' Stuff for giving me the better part of this school year to use this curriculum and to review it.


We have had fun with Greek!  Last fall, all four of us (because Eric was still at home) would gather around the table and study our Bible lesson and then our do our Greek lesson.


Amazingly, seven year old, Ellen, kept up well.  However, when Eric went to public school in January, I opted to shelve Hey Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek!  until next fall to give Ellen a little more time to improve her reading and comprehension skills.  I am very much looking forward to completing our Greek book next year with the girls.  


Hey Andrew!  Teach Me Some Greek! is a comprehensive curriculum.  Greek 'n' Stuff offers worktexts, answer keys, pronunciation CDs and cassettes, and other helps to assist home school parents and teachers teach students "koine" or common Greek. The cost for the worktext for level 3 is $21.95.  Click  here to see other prices for Hey Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek! level 3.  


I liked Hey Andrew!  Teach Me Some Greek!  so much that I am considering purchasing Latin's Not So Tough for Emily, who wants to pursue a career in medicine.


Click here to read other crew member's thoughts on Greek 'n' Stuff.


**disclaimer... I was sent this curriculum for my honest review because of my affiliation with TOS Review Crew.  I received no other compensation. 

transitioning... a few final thoughts

I've blogged our family's experience of transitioning from 8th grade home school to 8th grade public school in an ongoing blog series.  Here are the previous posts...

first post

second post

third post

fourth post

This will be the final post in this series.  We have become a family that is somewhat comfortably straddling the educational fence.  Eric has completely transitioned to public school and is doing amazingly well.  He's running hurdles and relay teams for track, is getting ready to do the all-school mini-triathalon in May, is on the honor roll and was citizen of the month for March.  The girls continue to be home schooled and Emily's home school opportunities took her out of the country this month.  It's all been good... all by the grace of God!

Grace.  Undeserved merit or favor.  God is grace.  It's His very essence.  He graces us with Himself.  He graces us with salvation for those who choose Jesus.  He graces us with forgiveness.  He graces me over and over and over again.  He's graced me and given me grace, how much more should I grace and give grace to my brothers and sisters in Christ?

"For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required..."

Jesus Christ, quoted in Luke 12:48

Within an hour last night, two different friends at two different places both commented to me on education.  More specifically, educational choices either they have made for their own children or for educational choices that Chad and I have made for our children.  It's funny... something as simple as teaching our children has become a very hot topic.  Not only a hot topic, but one that sometimes causes us to be insensitive, defensive and ungraceful.

Grace isn't an easy thing to give.  If it were, it wouldn't have as much value.  Sometimes grace is letting people say hurtful things and having the grace to love them anyway.  Sometimes grace is walking away.  And, sometimes grace is agreeing that there is no perfect educational system in this sinful world and that we are all doing what we feel God requires of us.  And, always, grace is recognizing that we all see but through a glass dimly and God gives each of us more grace that we ever will deserve.

Falling asleep last night, I was reminded anew that so often the enemy uses us to tear each other down in the name of what is "right".  I think he finds easy topics, such as education, to use because we allow it.  We jump on our bandwagons to defend our stance and in our defense we tear each other down.  We develop a false sense of pride and self-righteousness and surround ourselves with likeminded people to build on our false pretenses.  He must seriously enjoy watching all of this.  Our enemy wants us to be self-righteous and arrogant in our personal views because when we are, he can uses us to wound one another.  When we are busy wounding each other, we are less effective in Kingdom work.  

I want to be a giver of grace.  I want to be used by my King for eternal work... things that last.  I've wasted too much time defending my home school decisions and arguing about which was is right, when really it doesn't matter.  What matters?  That I am obeying my God's direction in my life.   I love serving a God that I can not understand.  I love serving a God who directs His children differently.  I love serving a God of grace who graces me unconditionally and without end.  

And, this is the kind of grace giver I want to be.

See the Light... TOS Crew Review

   

Very few homeschool parents feel competent or even comfortable when it comes to teaching fine arts in their own home school.  


While we seem to be able to teach math, spelling and literature without too much of a struggle, we seldom know the correct way to teach children how to draw or even the different ways to hold a pencil to achieve different art techniques.


Thankfully, See the Light is here to help!  See the Light, Drawing Children to Him is an excellent resource that teaches children how to create as well as teaching them about their Creator.  

Meet Master Artist, Pat Knepley.  In a gentle and non-threatening way, Pat uses short video lessons to teach children how to draw.  She introduces them to basic tools of the trade and encourages children to gather simple art tools such as a kneaded eraser, a #2 pencil, colored pencils, paper, a white eraser, a soft pencil and crayons.  


Using these fundamental tools, each DVD lesson builds on the previous lesson to give students a well-rounded  elementary drawing education.

The See the Light DVD curriculum is a 9 DVD set that includes 36 individual art lessons such as It All Starts With A Line, Scale, and The Bug Jar.  


For $99, See the Light brings the art teacher into your home, thus taking the away the fear and insecurity of teaching fine arts in your home school.  


See the Light offers a free trial of their art lessons either through a DVD or through an internet video on their website at www.seethelightshine.com.


Years ago, I realized my own inadequacies in trying to teach my children the fundamentals of drawing and art.  At that time, the Lord blessed us with our beloved, Mrs. Baker, who has taught my kids art for six years.  If it were not for Mrs. Baker, I would seriously consider purchasing this DVD set to use with my own kids and with our homeschool cooperative.  I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Pat Knepley patiently teach basic drawing technique. 


Click here to see what other TOS Crew members think of See the Light.


**disclaimer... I was given See the Light for my honest review.  I received no other compensation.