"You just call out my name..."

When you're down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You've got a friend.

If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?
People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you.
Well they'll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Oh babe, don't you know that,
Winter spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all you've got to do is call.
Lord, I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend.
You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
You've got a friend.

-James Taylor, You've Got A Friend written by Carole King

This song has been playing in my head in the last 24 hours as homeschooling friends have rallied to help piece together curriculum to use while we're away from home. I left all our curriculum at home thinking that there would be time to do anything here and that it might be inappropriate. Well, we're sitting here now while the rest of the family is at hospice with MIL and the kids and I are going a little bonkers. It's raining, the kids have limited things to do here and well- if we don't do something constructive soon (and distracting)...

There is nothing finer than having a support group: people to help, rally around when they need it, give a boost when they are low and someone to just listen. The surprise is that when you're in a situation where you might need someone else, there they are doing the same for you. Unfortunately, my support is mostly online so I don't get to take dinners to my friends' houses that are experiencing a difficult time, or wrap my arms around a friend that's hurting, or just sit and listen over a cup of coffee while a friend just pours her heart out. I can't tell how much I wish I could be that person for the ladies I've met online, they have hearts of gold.


Our curriculum free week, without any books other than a few library books is:

HISTORY- Story of the World Volume 2, Chapter 11
printed from the Internet:
Clovis I - wikipedia page (pictures included)
The Story of the Middle Ages by Harding from mainlesson.com- The Franks
Famous Men of the Middle Ages from Gutenberg
Roland from Heroes Every Child Should Know by Mabie Hamilton Wright (via Ambleside to Mainlesson.com)

provided by friends:
-SOTW2 pages for Ch. 11 & Activity guide - emailed
- coloring page, map work, narrations, copywork from Hannah's Yahoo Group
- Favorite Medieval Tales, chapter on Song of Roland- emailed (local library doesn't have the book)

MATH
- math worksheets that address the concepts dd's learning now plus review
- a friend offered to provide the Horizons 2 pages that we'd be doing this week

SCIENCE
- UnitedStreaming.com for volcanoes/earthquakes
- Usborne Quick Links for interactive activities
- library books
- Volcano/Earthquake kit being delivered soon, paid for 2 day delivery.

POEM MEMORIZATION:
True Nobility - the poem we're currently memorizing, printed out

MUSIC
Haydn - Surprise Symphony, lyrics from Themes to Remember book 1 provided by a friend so now we can listen to the song online at classicalarchives.net and practice the lyrics.

Library books for reading, I have a few books with me and the library will open tomorrow (today is Columbus Day) so we can grab whatever else we need/want. Hopefully we can find something Bible related to read and some leveled readers for Camille.

We're not doing French (unless it's online) this week but other than that, this week can be as normal as it would be at home- because of my homeschooling friends reaching out and helping. I really can't say how much this blesses me, not just in practical terms but how deeply touched I am and it shows me that God WILL provide. He provides in ways that you may never dream of, but He does.

Thank you ladies for making my heart sing with joy during this difficult time, for reminding me that God's grace can be shown in many ways and that although I may be physically alone during this time, I am not truly alone. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Excited to start a new week!

Hey, even I can have a goofy graphic every now and then. The Lord has been working on my heart big time this weekend, putting the right people in the right place to offer encouragement just when I needed it. I've been blessed by His grace and I feel good. I listened to two sermons today (in our car) on the radio, one from a Baptist church about hero worship and a United Methodist preacher (not mine) about why we don't forget our sins when we're forgiven.

Nothing against my preacher husband, but it was refreshing. When I read my Bible this morning I was actually flipping through and you know how some will put their hand in the back of a book while they are flipping through a front part? Well, I happened to look at where my hand had fell in the back while I was looking through Proverbs. My eye immediately fell on Titus 3 and it just spoke to me this morning so I posted it, I didn't know if I was meant to share it or not but seeing how it is Sunday, why not?

Why was I in my car on Sunday listening to sermons? I was on my way to pick up Camille from her visit at her dad's. Danny was calmed by the church music and fell asleep and I had a chance to just listen to God's word and the preacher's message. It's funny how you don't shift in your seat when you're listening to a radio sermon. Lol. Or wonder if the buttons of your blouse are gaping, giving one of the older gentlemen in your church a view. No bulletin, no awkward small talk, just the open road and God. Sigh.

Camille and I talked all the way home about what this week would be like. She was upset when I told her that U.S. Geography had been dropped from our Fridays so I told her that *if* she wants to do it, we can but it's not something we have to do. She was satisfied with that. We talked about what we could do on Fridays if we have a good week in our lessons. We're going to have one field trip Friday a month, go to a museum, state park, something. The other Fridays will be decided during that week due to financial status. We spent 30 minutes coming up with all the free activities we could think of but we both agreed, Friday is for getting OUT of the house.

She's excited about having a "recess" after Math. I'm excited about her finishing her work in a timely way to enjoy recess. Lol. We stopped at Goodwill before coming home and found a used mosaic art kit that still had a lot of the foam squares (mosaics) left in it, paid our $1.50 for this week's art project. We're studying the Byzantine Empire in history and our art project is to create a mosaic, you tell that to a 7 year old and you get a blank stare. I was so excited to find the mosaic kit instead of using paper! Camille said, "I don't know what you're talking about but it sounds like fun!" I'm sure the cashier at Goodwill thinks I'm crazy too, I was grinning ear-to-ear as she rang up our $1.50 purchase.

Isn't the Hagia Sophia absolutely fabulous? Beautiful inside and out. Breath-taking. Okay, here's a link to see it closer and inside. I feel refreshed, the Lord has taken the doubts and worries and vanquished them. Our Fridays have been lightened up and designated, I have faith that the recess will help her stay on task in math, Camille loved the idea of reading when Danny is taking a nap- she was excited to uninterrupted time read to me! She also loved the idea of reading with Danny at bedtime. I've gone through our Bible lessons for the week and highlighted a discussion topic for further character development. I'm toying with the idea of dropping our Bible lesson on Friday and replacing it with a story from The Book of Virtues or Moral Compass by William Bennett.

If you're a new reader, please don't think I've got it all together! I may be intimidating with all this, I understand. Especially if you know that I've done customized lesson plans, we're on a schedule for our lessons and cleaning schedule. It's all God, He's put influences in my life to show me what I should be doing and I've been working hard at doing that and it's making a difference. We tried many different things last year in our first year of homeschooling and although we had a good year, it could have been so much better. I learned leaps and bounds and now I'm just applying what I learned and what is right for us for this year. I'm not done learning and growing by any means, but I've learned the importance of perseverance as well as planting seeds, tending them and having faith we will have a bountiful harvest.

He is the potter, I am the clay.
Jessica

Titus 3:2

Doing What Is Good
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no-one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards all men.3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11 You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Sigh. I just wanted a reminder.

Year at a Glance - Week 4

Here is our updated year at a glance based on what we've accomplished so far. Here is the link to the original Year at A Glance. We are behind in grammar, which if we do lessons 94-99 this week we'll be caught up and we are one week behind in science but I just moved science down a week because we have breathing room in that regard.

The music appreciation column has changed from the original Year at a Glance because I set it up wrong in order to reflect our actual lessons. We study one composer and composition for two weeks at a time, this is a better reflection of what we're doing. I'm not going to update the original Year at Glance because when I update it for my use, I save over the original file. Just a little sidenote.

I feel so organized and on top of things this year versus last. Of course last year was our first year homeschooling and I've learned so much in the meantime. I contribute a lot of that learning to the exposure of homeschoolers and participating within the online community. I have learned so much from our fellow online homeschoolers, from blogs to message boards- and I have a thankful heart for you! Prime example, I wasn't going to do a Year at a Glance, but I saw this on Jennefer's blog and I immediately saw the value in it. I know I've been linking to her a lot lately, but I love others who make me think!

It isn't enough to create a Year at a Glance or long-term goals, you have to update them and use the tools you take time to create. From reading others' journeys I know this is an area that gets neglected over time. Starting the year, everyone is full steam ahead but then 12 weeks into the year, something happens...life gets busy, behavior problems crop up, or something else and all those well-thought out plans go to the wayside.

Last year I struggled to find a system that worked for use. I tried using a homeschooling software product to map out our year and I ended up not liking it at all. The excel file is working fabulously for me so far. I look back on my last year self and I see that I was a mess just trying to figure out how to do what everyone else was doing. I've learned it's not so much what everyone else is doing, it is finding what works for you and your family.

I want to say one other thing before I end this post. I have found a new outlook about reading educational theory, philosophy books etc. like The Well-Trained Mind, Charlotte Mason, Teaching the Trivium, and the rest of them. I am teaching my children. My personality and theirs and what works for us is important. I will glean ideas from the books but overall the way we approach this journey needs to be tailored to *our* needs instead of trying to fit us into a WTM box. I was trapped in that "we're a XYZ homeschooler" category last year, but this year I'm embracing that we are "homeschoolers" and that saying that we use WTM or TOG is just a detail but it doesn't really define us. If workbooks fit us best, who cares if it doesn't fit within the educational philosophy of XYZ book?

God meets us where we are, granted if we listen, we'll change but he doesn't wait for us to be at a certain level to reach out to us. He's there with you all the time. Allow the journey with homeschooling be more about where you are instead of trying to fit someone else's ideals or fitting into the profile of being an XYZ homeschooler.

Marriage in Ministry Statistics

I received an invitation to a seminar in the mail yesterday and although I know that marriage while in ministry is sometimes a rough road, even I was surprised with the statistics!

Those in ministry "are equally likely to have their marriage end in divorce" as general church members.
(Harford Seminary study of 10 Protestant denominations -4,400 people) Ministries Today, Sept/Oct 1995

Second highest divorce rate among all professions.
("The State of the Pastor"- Injoy Ministries- Partners in Prayer Report.)

77% of pastor's wives are dissatisfied with marriage.
("The State of the Pastor"- Injoy Ministries- Partners in Prayer Report.)

Only 24% of pastors have received marital counseling.

80% of pastors believe ministry negatively affects the family.

33% of pastors believe ministry is downright hazardous to marriage.

50+% of pastors wives are severely depressed.
(Dr. James Dobson) and (Pastors at Risk by H.B. Londn and Neil Wiseman)

I think I want to go to this seminar! I'm not one for volunteering to sit in a room for however many hours and listen to someone unless I really want to hear what they have to say. I definitely have an interest here and an interest to have my dh listen too. There's a reason being a pastor's wife is commonly called "living in a fishbowl" - and being a younger pastor's wife with young children is a task in itself.

Any doubt you have about your ability to raise your children is highlighted continously, every church function, every Sunday morning. We used to sit in the very back pew so that I could excuse us from service without everyone's eyes but I move to the front pew so that I wouldn't have to be aware of those turning their heads to look at us (dd7, ds3 and I). Danny and I excuse ourselves almost every Sunday to have correction. I am constantly aware of how we are perceived by church members and I have even had comments filtered through the grapevine, including-"You know why so and so isn't here today right?" A lot of times there is a veiled "dissatisfication" in someone's judgment of either my dh or me in those comments.

My etiquette awareness is more heightened than most around me, I think this is a side-effect of the ministry. Our marriage, hmm. Yes, that is stressed more times than not. I think we'll go to this seminar.

Comfort Zones & Humbleness

Lately I've been in a planning, organizing state of mind. I have been decluttering our house, setting up household systems and preparing our 2nd grade year. I learned so much our first grade year and I realize the mistakes I made and now that I have a clearer vision of our goals, I've been trying to translate those goals into workable solutions for our family.

I've shared what I've done for our family, not to seek adulation or praise from others but just for the sake of sharing. It's my way of sharing our blessings, I don't create schedules, routines and all the things I've done for anyone else but for our family. So I feel very selfish when others praise me highly about what I've done and I don't feel worthy of such praise. In fact, I end up feeling down on myself because my purpose in sharing wasn't to receive kudos but to put it out there for others to use as they want. It's not that I don't appreciate the praise and feel humbled by it, I do- but I feel uncomfortable.

When I first started blogging I did seek the approval of others, I wanted to feel justified in the choices I was making for our children, so much so that it inflated my ego. I desired to be a Power Blogger, one that others said- "Hey, did you hear what Jessica over at Trivium Academy said about that, she's right." I think as people we want others respect and admire us and have a primal need for it but God changed my heart when I started blogging here at Blogger.

I share all this because I recently blasted a fellow homeschooler for asking a question on a message board. I didn't know why I did this until I prayed about it more. I've apologized to her but it still weighs on my heart so I'm offering my confession here. It had nothing to do with her or what she said in her post, I did it to sabotage myself. Unconsciously, I wanted others to stop praising me so I sabotaged myself. It worked, others board members appealed to me and some even shared their personal opinions about me and gave me the kick in the butt I did not realize I was asking for. I didn't realize all of this until I prayed about it and after I offered my apologies to the woman I offended.

Now that I realize why I did what I did, I have no idea what to do with this knowledge. I know I need to be come to terms with being complimented but I just don't know how to do that. I just don't know what to say when someone compliments me and I feel "thank you" is just so trite. Everything I did for God's glory, not mine so I feel uncomfortable when I get the credit.

I'm really not all that important, I'm just one woman trying to do her best with her children in order to honor God. Every original idea I have comes from God. It's for His glory, not mine. I'm out of words now, I've said my peace.

Inspiring Thoughts

Those who are fired with an enthusiastic idea and who allow it
to take hold and dominate their thoughts find that
new worlds open for them. As long as enthusiasm
holds out, so will new opportunities.

- Norman Vincent Peale


"How to have faith" by Norman Vincent Peale

What can you do now to build up your self-confidence? Following are ten simple, workable rules for overcoming inadequacy attitudes and learning to practice faith.

1. Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop this picture. Never think of yourself as failing; never doubt the reality of the mental image. That is most dangerous, for the mind always tries to complete what it pictures. So always picture "success" no matter how badly things seem to be going at the moment.

2. Whenever a negative thought concerning your personal powers comes to mind, deliberately voice a positive thought to cancel it out.

3. Do not build up obstacles in your imagination. Depreciate every so-called obstacle. Minimize them. Difficulties must be studied and efficiently dealt with to be eliminated, but they must be seen for only what they are. They must not be inflated by fear thoughts.

4. Do not be awestruck by other people and try to copy them. Nobody can be you as efficiently as YOU can. Remember also that most people, despite their confident appearance and demeanor, are often as scared as you are and as doubtful of themselves.

5. Ten times a day repeat these dynamic words, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) (Stop reading and repeat them NOW slowly and confidently.)

6. Get a competent counselor to help you understand why you do what you do. Learn the origin of your inferiority and self-doubt feelings which often begin in childhood. Self-knowledge leads to a cure.

7. Ten times each day practice the following affirmation, repeating it out loud if possible. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13) Repeat those words NOW. That magic statement is the most powerful antidote on earth to inferiority thoughts.

8. Make a true estimate of your own ability, then raise it 10 percent. Do not become egotistical, but develop a wholesome self-respect. Believe in your own God-released powers.

9. Put yourself in God's hands. To do that simply state, "I am in God's hands." Then believe you are NOW receiving all the power you need. "Feel" it flowing into you. Affirm that "the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21) in the form of adequate power to meet life's demands.

10. Remind yourself that God is with you and nothing can defeat you. Believe that you now RECEIVE power from him.

If I had my child to raise over again

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd finger-paint more and point the finger less.

I'd do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I'd run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd teach less about the love of power, And more about the power of love.

Diane Loomans From the book, Full Esteem Ahead, 100 Ways to Build Self Esteem in Children & Adults, © 1994 Diane Loomans.

"Do not follow where the path may lead.

Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

Muriel Strode


HAVE I BEEN EDUCATED? by Carolyn Caines

If I learn my ABCs, can read 600 words per minute, and can write with perfect penmanship, but have not been shown how to communicate with the Designer of all language .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can deliver an eloquent speech and persuade you with my stunning logic, but have not been instructed in God's wisdom.... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I read Shakespeare and John Locke and can discuss their writings with keen insight, but have not read the greatest of all books -- the Bible -- and have no knowledge of its personal importance... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I have memorized addition facts, multiplication tables, and chemical formulas, but have never been disciplined to hide God's Word in my heart .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can explain the law of gravity and Einstein's theory of relativity, but have never been instructed in the unchangeable laws of the One Who orders our universe .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can classify animals by their family, genus and species, and can write a lengthy scientific paper that wins an award, but have not been introduced to the Maker's purpose for all creation, .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can recite the Gettyburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution, but have not been informed of the hand of God in the history of our country .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can play the piano, the violin, six other instruments, and can write music that moves men to tears, but have not been taught to listen to the Director of the universe and worship Him, ... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can run cross-country races, star in basketball and do 100 push-ups without stopping, but have never been shown how to bend my spirit to do God's will, .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I can identify a Picasso, describe the style of da Vinci, and even paint a portrait that earns an A+, but have not learned that all harmony and beauty comes from a relationship with God, .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I were to graduate with a perfect 4.0 and am accepted at the best university with a full scholarship, but have not been guided into a career of God's choosing for me, .... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

If I become a good citizen, voting at each election and fighting for what is moral and right, but have not been told of (or believe) the sinfulness of man and his hopelessness without Christ,... I HAVE NOT BEEN EDUCATED.

However, if one day I see the world as God sees it, and come to know Him, Whom to know is life eternal, and glorify God by fulfilling His purpose for me, THEN I HAVE BEEN EDUCATED!

Bill Gates recently dished out this advice at a high school speech about 11 things not taught in school. This was in the context of our politically correct feel-good culture and how it is failing to prepare young people for the real world.

Rule 1. Life is not fair-get used to it!

Rule 2. The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3. You will not make 40 thousand dollars a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone-until you earn both.

Rule 4. If you think your teacher is tough-wait till you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure.

Rule 5. Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a word for burger flipping-they called it opportunity.

Rule 6. If you mess up-it's not your parent's fault-so don't whine about your mistakes-learn from them.

Rule 7. Before your were born-your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills-cleaning your clothes-and listening about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation-try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8. Your school may have done away with winners and losers-but life has not. In some schools they have done away with failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to anything in real life.

Rule 9. Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers and Christmas break off-and few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10. Television is not real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11. Be nice to nerds-chances are you'll end up working for one.

And the last one, one that always puts a smile on my face:

Salary.com determined that a stay-at-home mother might be paid as much as $134,121 for her contributions as a housekeeper, cook, day care center teacher, janitor and CEO, among other functions.

"Uh, honey...I haven't received a paycheck!"

Some of these were stolen from a friend's encouragement wall and I am very grateful for her.

United Methodist Questions & Answers

United Methodist Questions, United Methodist Answers
Exploring Christian Faith
by F. Belton Joyner Jr.

This is wonderful! If you've been looking for a book to explain United Methodists' faith, views, beliefs, history, etc.

Table of Contents

I. God
1. How do we know God?
2. Who is the Trinity?
3. WHat is the practical meaning of belief in the Trinity?
4. Why does God allow suffering?
5. Is it OK to call God "Father"?
6. What do United Methodists believe about evolution?

II. Jesus Christ
7. What does "incarnation" mean?
8. Was Jesus really born of a virgin?
9. Where was Jesus when the world was created?
10. Why did Jesus have to die?
11. What is the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus?
12. Will Jesus come again?

III. Holy Spirit
13. What does the Holy Spirit have to do with Jesus?
14. What is the Holy Spirit's work within the church?
15. What is the Holy Spirit's work outside the church?
16. What is the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit?
17. What role does speaking in tongues have in United Methodism?
18. What are the gifts of the Spirit?

IV. Humanity
19. What does it mean to say that people are created in the image of God?
20. Are people good or bad?
21. What is original sin?
22. Do people have free will?
23. Can a person really become perfect?
24. What happens when we die?

V. Salvation
25. What is prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace?
26. What about repentance?
27. Can a person backslide?
28. What does it mean to be born again?
29. What do good works have to do with salvation?
30 Who can be saved?

VI. Church
31. What is the nature of the church?
32. What is the mission of the church?
33. What are the creeds of the church?
34. Who are the clergy?
35. What is the role of laypersons?
36. What is connectionalism?

VII. Worship and Sacraments
37. How do UM worship?
38. Is it a table or an altar?
39. How often do UM take communion and other questions?
40. What about infant baptism?
41. Can I be rebaptized?
42. What's with all this singing?

VIII. Bible
43. What is the Bible's authority?
44. Why do we call the Bible, "God's Word"?
45. Is the Bible infalliable?
46. How do I read the Bible?
47. Why do Christian disagree on what the Bible means?
48. Why follow the lectionary?

VIIII. Theology
49. How do UM do theology?
50. Are UM liberal or conservative?
51. Why be concerned about theology?
52. Why is education so important to UM?
53. How does UM theology differ from other theologies?
54. Why are UM so exercised about homos#xuality?

X. Christian Life
55. What are the means of grace?
56. What are the works of mercy?
57. What about prayer?
58. What about healing?
59. Why be involved in justice?
60 Why does it make a difference how I live my life?

XI. Reign of God
61. What and where is the kingdom of God?
62. Why is what I think about the future important?
63. What is the nature of heaven?
64. What is the nature of hell?
65. What do UM teach about sin?
66. What will happen at the end of the world?

XII. History and Heritage
67. Who was John Wesley (and who were all those others)?
68. What are the different types of Methodists?
69. How did UM get to the United States?
70. Who were Francis Asbury and Christian Newcomer and Harry Hosier?
71. Who was Marjorie Matthews?
72. How do UM get along with others?

XIII. Polity
73. What is The Book of Discipline?
74. What is a conference?
75. What is the trust clause?
76. How are bishops chosen and what do they do?
77. What are chargeable offenses?
78. Why do the preachers move so often (and other questions that didn't fit in anywhere else)?

List of Hymns Quoted - This is great for those that wish to learn hymns alongside your studies!
For Further Reading

This book is brief and well-focused, it's not political and defuses acrimonious debates simply. It is perfect for United Methodist parents to use with their children at any time there is a question or as a 4th grade and up tool. There are not "homeschool" products for United Methodists so many, like me choose to use non-denominational products like Explorer's Bible study. EBS is fine for learning about the Bible but to learn what it means to be an United Methodist, there needs to be more.

The pamphlets at the church may be useful as well but for $10.36 at Amazon, the "spine" of studying United Methodism is right here. The author teaches Methodist history and Wesleyan theology at Duke Divinity School and has written other books.

Our 2nd Grade Bible

Goals for the year:

1. Develop a better understanding of who God is and what the Bible says.
2. Encourage and Develop memorization: Memorize 34 scriptures
3. To discuss and facilitate ways to apply God's Word to our lives.

Curriculum to be used:

Beginnings II- Jesus My Shepherd : New Testament Lessons for Young Readers
by Explorer's Bible Study


Daily Activities: Average 30 minutes

1. Begin by reviewing memorized scriptures.

a. Review up to 10 scriptures daily, new scripture to be recited 3x
b. Review older scriptures once a week in addition to new
c. I will read the scripture in French when it is introduced.

2. Child to read aloud Bible Story, discuss any difficult words with Words to Know
3. Complete Questions: orally or on paper
4. Repeat scripture to be memorized
5. Discuss how we can use this lesson to strengthen our walk with God.
6. End in prayer either from the lesson or from what we've learned.
7. Learn/sing a hymn once a week (not part of curriculum)

I typed up all the scriptures we would memorize and provided the same verse from a French Bible. We will attempt to memorize the easier ones.

John 1:4-5
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
4 En lui résidait la vie, et cette vie était la lumière des hommes.

Luke 18:27 (what I would consider an easy scripture in French)
27Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
27 Jésus leur répondit:
---Ce qui est impossible aux hommes est possible à Dieu.

*We will also be studying Church history in our history studies.

Words of Encouragement

I realized I need to fall back on the Lord, especially when I'm faced with adversity because when I don't fall back to the Lord- I'm moving away from the Lord. So here are some tools that I'm taking with me as I visit family next week.

1 Chronicles 21:13
David said to Gad, "I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men."

Romans 15

1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:

"Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name." 10Again, it says,
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." 11And again,
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and sing praises to him, all you peoples." 12And again, Isaiah says,
"The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him."

13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Maybe it'll be better just to memorize all of Romans 15? A hymn based on this scripture is Clear the Path. I am taking my Bible with me this coming week, to read-to remind myself and to fortify.

(Thank you Karen)
Jessica

Baby Got Bible

Passing this on after a fellow hsler shared this on the WTM Board.

SOTWs & Church History Schedules

Using The Story of the World Volume 1 and Volume 2, I have created a reading schedules that correlates the History Lives Chronicles (Peril & Peace, Monks & Mystics, Courage & Conviction), The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History and Trial Triumph.

Download the free schedule here. It is also on the right sidebar underneath lesson plans for future use.

The Story of the World series tend to jump around the timeline in order to tell a fluid history but the History Lives Chronicles, The 100 Most Important and Trial and Triumph are strictly chronological and each chapter easily stand on their own which makes them perfect to use with SOTW.

There is a section in the schedule that can be read twice or chosen when to read. It is marked in orange. There are times where SOTW doesn't cover a particular person or time in history so the readings may have nothing to do with what is in SOTW but it is during the same time period. You can use these readings during your history lesson, as occasional supplemental readings, a separate Bible study or just as read-alouds. There is a 4th book in the History Lives Chronicles that will cover the First and Second Great Awakenings (it will be useful for SOTW 3), it will probably be available in late 2007/ early 2008.

Pastor's Wives Need A Pastor Too.

One of the missing elements of my life is that I don't really have a pastor, I had replaced this with listening to Christian radio while Camille was going to public school in our commute. I didn't realize how much I miss it! It's been a year without a pastor. Although some pastor's wives are fed through their husbands, I am not. I see a man standing up in the pulpit and even though his message reaches me, I can't help but also see the man who leaves his laundry on the floor, dirty dishes in the sink when they could easily be put in the dishwasher, etc.

I need pastoring too! I need someone to preach the word to me. To fix this, I'm going to listen Pastor James MacDonald at least once daily via podcast. He "reaches" me, preaches God's word in a way that I can relate, he's energetic and a strong speaker with a no-holds barr attitude. He interjects life with God's word and I LISTEN! Here's where you can listen too if you're interested:

iTunes Podcast: search for Walk in the Word or James MacDonald, free subscription
Pastor James McDonald website: http://www.walkintheword.com/broadcast.aspx

I'm using the iTunes podcast and I have archived broadcasts, right now I'm listening to: Replace a Complaining Attitude part A, which was broadcast 10/10/06. After I finish the Complaining broadcasts, I'll move on the to the current broadcast about Perservance. God is so good to give us what we need, when we need it at times.

Other iTunes podcast ministries: Focus on the Family (Dr. James Dobson), Joyce Meyer, Abounding Grace (Pastor Ed Taylor), Grace to You (Pastor John MacArthur), for about 20 minutes a day- you can listen too for free. You don't need an iPod, just a computer and iTunes software (also free).

A New Day, The First Day

I'm not going to the WTM Boards. I'm not going to the WTM Boards. I'm not going to the WTM Boards. I picked up my copy of Help for the Harried Homeschooler by Christine Field this morning to see if there was something helpful in there to help with my little journey of finding balance and developing good habits. On page 97, Christine shared a poem that inspires her as a parent and homeschooler:

I Caught Your Faith
by Anonymous

I saw you stand
bravely for years
But saw no trace
of senseless tears

I saw you stand
calmly through stress
But caught no glimpse
of bitterness

I saw you stand
prayerful in grief
but saw no trace
of unbelief

Though you spoke well
of Jesus Christ
I caught your faith
watching your life.

What an amazing poem! I think anyone would love to have this poem be about them, especially with our children. I won't be blogging too much about what I'm trying to accomplish during this Lent season, just when it gets difficult for me. This is the first day of who knows how many days, hopefully and prayerfully it will be the first step in finding the elusive balance that I've lost in the last couple of months.

Confessions

I've been holding back from posting because there's just so much that I want to accomplish in this week. It's the week of Lent and I am giving up the The Well-Trained Mind boards because frankly, I've become addicted. I've moved further away from where I should be because I've spent too much time on the computer. This past week has been one of confession to the Lord and to a new friend who has been going through the same. I've confessed my sins to my dh as well, why is it so hard to trust others in our lives with our failures?

Anyways, I've set myself up for failure in the past by making detailed plans and posting them here. I work the plan for a couple of days and then it all falls apart. This time I'm keeping mum about my plans- I'm breaking free from the WTM Boards for Lent and I'm going to work on my relationship with God, dh and my children by whatever means God intends. I'll still blog (what a word!) and visit the Classical Education Forum but you will NOT find me on the WTM Boards. Our homeschool just needs a little attention, we're happy with our curriculum and next year's curriculum is here and ready to be planned out. The planning takes time and I can't plan when I'm talking about curriculum and homeschooling choices with other homeschoolers constantly like on the WTM Boards. I also need to reconnect with the Lord, I've moved away bit by bit and now I don't like the distance.

Please pray for me, especially this week and next if you don't mind. I'm trying to formulate better habits during Lent that will honor God in both myself and my children. Thank you.

Transfiguration Sunday

Luke 9:28-36 (37-43). While Jesus was praying on a mountain, his face and clothing changed to dazzling white, Moses and Elijah appeared, and a voice from a cloud says, "This is my Son! My chosen. Listen to him!"

I know that I've had a hard time listening and doing what the Lord says. It's not so hard to read and realize that I need to listen, what I have a hard time doing is translating the word into action. I have been in a period of confession this week and I'm grateful for the Lord providing a friend that is in need as well.

I pray that this season of Lent will be a fruitful one for Lord, that I may surrender what keeps me from Him, what keeps me from following Him. I don't see the period of Lent as a time of suffering, I see it as a way to honor the Lord that gave His life for you and me. Whatever it is that I need to lay down at His feet is nothing compared to what He has done for me.

I know that worship services have a way of becoming routine but there is one thing that always touches me deeply, the service of confession and pardon that we do during every communion.

Merciful God,
we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have failed to be an obedient church.
We have not done your will,
we have broken your law,
we have rebelled against your love,
we have not loved our neighbors,
and we have not heard the cry of the needy.
Forgive us, we pray.
Free us for joyful obedience,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

So as I prepared for Lent, I meditate on the word that I may turn my confessions into action and be fruitful for the Lord. May we all be fruitful for the Lord this Lent season.

How are you preparing for Lent?

Thankful

I have nothing much to say other than I am grateful and thankful for the blessings God has sent my way recently. I want to get this out so that when the time comes that I want to pull my hair out and I can read this again. : )

1. Discipline has finally found it's balance in our home between guiding, playing and correction. Danny is not the easiest little boy nor is he the hardest but it has been a tumultous experience figuring out what works for him and us.

2. My babies are home with me, I am enjoying homeschooling very much. Yesterday, Camille remarked at how late the school buses were delivering the kids at home (4:00 pm) and how although she likes the bus, she's glad she's at home.

3. Visiting Sonya always rejuvenates me and we were able to visit yesterday for a couple of hours. She made authentic fried rice and it was yummy!

4. I am so grateful to have our 2nd grade curriculum and be able to work on the teacher's end of the preparing whenever I'd like, without having to wait to order something. I'm grateful for the cash gifts we got for Christmas that allowed us to be able to place our order.

5. I'm grateful that I had a great dentist visit and I have no work that needs to be done.

6. I'm thankful to God for our recent struggles because it has made me stop and re-evaluate a lot of different things our lives and how best to move forward in a way that will be honoring and pleasing to Him.

7. I'm grateful for my Dh for working as hard as he does and surprising me every now and then with appreciation for what I do. Including sticking up for me when church members feel it's their duty to criticize me.

8. I am ever so thankful for the online homeschooling community that inspires me, uplifts me, bonks me on the head when I need it and pushes me in the right direction when I keep looking lost. There are so many wonderful homeschoolers out there that share their journeys complete with trials and triumphs.

9. We are blessed to be able to offer our children an education where patriotism, God and prayer play vital roles. We are blessed in that we don't have to rush our children through homework, baths, bedtimes and dinner in order to be in bed by a certain time deemed necessary for early morning rush-to-school.

10. I am grateful that our car that quit working on morning was fine and the mechanics could find nothing wrong with it and furthermore did not charge us for looking at the car. I hope to be grateful soon in finding a new owner for our truck, whose tranmission has gone.

What do you say when you're filled with thanksgiving?
Thank you Lord.

Developing Your Child's Faith

I have to say I've been at a loss of HOW develop my children into strong Christians. If you've read my blog for a while, then you already know that I was raised in a moral home but not necessarily Christian. We didn't go to church, but I was allowed to go to my friends' churches when they invited me. When I got older I was given permission to attend church as I wish but it was never with my family.

Life can be so ironic at times. I'm a pastor's wife now and I don't know how to develop my children's spiritual lives. I've read parenting books about discipline, I've read books about character development but nothing has been helpful in making me feel more confident about the road ahead for my children's personal faith. I guess this is where the insecurity about American history came from. TruthQuest History (I may say this wrong, so please check it out for yourself) offers a type of discussion guide to help you seek the Lord in your history studies. I have a homeschooling friend that leads her children so well in their faith, in a way she's my mentor. I don't want to be exactly like her but I want to be able to help my children the way she does hers. I want to feel and be equipped!

I stopped at a Lifeway Christian store today and decided to look at the selections available. In the family section I found Focus on the Family's Parents' Guide to the Spiritual Growth of Children by John Trent, Ph.D., Rick Osborne, Kurt Bruner. This hefty volume felt like an answer to a prayer!
Here's a quick overview of the table of contents:

Part I: The Single Most Important Task for Christian Parents
with chapters on looking at the big picture, spiritual training 101, but what if?, making commitments

Part II: How to Pass on Your Spiritual Legacy
Section A: Your Family's Portrait
Section B: Ages and Stages 0-12
Section C: Ideas and Methods You Can Choose From
which includes church-related spiritual training; on-the-spot spiritual training; ideas, methods and tools for the family; special times and events; ideas, methods and tools for individual growth

Part III: The Content of your Spiritual Legacy
What your ____(fill in the blank with your child's age) can learn
Part IV: Practical Questions and Resources
Including memory verses! Plus there are so many books quoted and listed, you have a ton of resources in this book!

The format is very user-friendly and I compared this book to others in the store but I decided that I wanted this one. It seemed the most complete. If you can, get it through your library and preview it yourself, Amazon.com and ChristianBook.com has inside views as well. In his book, Shepherding A Child's Heart, Tedd Tripp talks about how important it is to reach our children's hearts while we discipline and outside of discipline but the examples just weren't enough for me. I feel this book will give me what I need to be the parent that I want to be, for God and for my children.

Resources for an United Methodist Homeschooler

Just to clear a few things up...my dh and I are on the same page with raising our children in the fear of the Lord. We may not always agree about the details but we both want the same result. This may be a little long, but hey...it's me.

This is the link to the Articles of Religion of the United Methodist Church (there are 24). This is written for adults. I am thinking about trying to write a version for children, I'm praying about this. I had such encouraging comments, I have to at least entertain the idea! If I do this, I will have it "proofed" at least the Bishop of our Conference and higher up in the food chain if need be. I would never want to lead anyone astray by my lack of knowledge, etc.

I DID find a catechism of the Methodist church however. It is Catechism for the Use of the Methodist Missions. First Part. [3rd ed.] by William Capers. 40 pages
Charleston [S. C.?]: Published by John Early, 1853. You can go look for yourself at this North Carolina at Chapel Hill site. Please keep in mind it was 1853. There are slave references.

I found a new source for United Methodist products as well. At Bristol House, LTD., they offer The Order of St. George Bible Memory

Which is a little like the Keepers of the Faith program whereas your children earn patches which one set is included in the purchase of the reproducible book which is $29.95. This program has 7 levels and the scriptures are KJV and NIV. This was developed by an United Methodist Church.

The next thing I want to share is the Bible Story Cards sets. These are available to be seen at ChristianBook.com, You can teach several ages together.

Kit includes: a pack of 50 trading-sized BibleStoryCards, a set of maps and charts, a set of memory verse cards, a coloring book, and a Teacher's StoryTelling & Review Guide. Of course, Old Schoolhouse Magazine reviewed this product and said just ordering the Bible Cards and Coloring book were sufficient for a Bible lesson. These card sets have been said to be non-denomination and there is an Old Testament set and New Testament set.

If you're looking for a more interactive way to teach your child(ren) and want a completely fresh approach as well as teaching compassion then I would take a look at this book. Sign & Say: Bible Verses for Childen.

You can look inside at the Amazon link above. This would be a wonderful way to teach about differences in God's people. This book was written by an United Methodist.

Also written by an United Methodist (a different one) is Teaching Children Bible Basics: 34 Lessons That Help Kids Learn to Use the Bible

by Barbara Bruce. This book was written for elementary students. Amazon has it available to be seen inside at the above link. Also by Barbara Bruce....7 Ways of Teaching the Bible to Children This book includes Learning Styles! Sound familiar? Barbara Bruce if you didn't catch it before, is an United Methodist.

Okay, so what have I chosen? Hmmm. How to Study Your Bible for Kids by Kay Arthur was highly recommended but it didn't seem to fit what I want, it might be a good resource for someone else though.

I choose Explorer's Bible Study. Beginnings I. I recommend you checking this out if your list of wants was like mine. See last post. Explorer's Bible study has a program for preschool through Adults!

Daily lessons covering major Old Testament events and characters from the Creation through the Prophets. Includes Bible stories, Memory, Questions, Praise Hymns, and Virtue Lessons.

Guess what? It also recommends a cd called My First Hymnal! Companion CD to My First Hymnal Songbook by Karyn Henley with 75 all-time favorite hymns and choruses, including "This Little Light Of Mine," "Zaccheaus," "His Banner Over Me Is Love," "All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name," "Amazing Grace," "Fairest Lord Jesus," and many more! Split-track format.

I'm so excited with this product. The "My First Hymnal" is also available for Recorder Fun! which is what we're using to learn the recorder this year!

The only thing missing from my wishlist is the United Methodist worship selections such as our doxology, Apostles Creed and the Lord's Prayer. Dh and I talked about this and decided that it would be prudent to use these as our "Poetry" and memory/copywork until dd6 has them memorized. I can't think of a better use of our memorization/copywork time than to have dd6 be able to participate joyfully in our worship service.

I hope that not only United Methodists benefit from this post but other persons seeking a non-denominational way to teach their children about our Lord.

God Bless All of you, your encouragement and comments have been such a blessing! May you be blessed as much as you've blessed me!

Young Earth and Old Earth

This is the topic that actually sparked my post Learning While I Homeschool but I didn't want to admit it at the time because I felt I needed more information before I posted 'anything' about it. Christine Miller ( www.classical-homeschooling.org/) has been posting about it herself since July. Here's the link to her very first post about it: Young or Old Earth.

Well I finally got the gumption to ask on the Well-Trained Mind boards what everything thought and the responses were varied. I received a lot of links mostly from Old Earth believers but only a few from Young Earth. Hmmm. I'm going to be reading into this and I'll share my final thoughts sometime in the next five years! I really received so much that to truly read and digest it all- it's going to take some time. But in case you don't know what Young Earth and Old Earth is or means, let me share some definitions with you.

(from Answers.com, click here for link)

Young Earth creationism is a religious doctrine which teaches that the Earth and life
on Earth were created by a direct action of God relatively recently (about 6,000 to 10,000 years ago). It is generally held by those Christians and Jews who
believe that the ancient Hebrew text of Genesis is a literal account of historical events, and believe that evidence for a strictly factual interpretation of the text is present in the world today, and that scientific evidence for Darwinian evolution or geological uniformitarianism is wrongly interpreted.

Many of its adherents are active in the development of "Creation Science", a creationist endeavor that holds that the events associated with supernatural creation can be evidenced and modeled through an interpretation of the scientific method. There is no support for a "young Earth" theory in professional science journals or among professional science organizations. (from Answers.com click here for link)

Old Earth creationism is a variant of the creationist view of the origin of the universe and life on Earth. It is currently the view of many

Catholic and Protestant Christians, and is typically more compatible with mainstream scientific thought, on the issues of the age of the Universe or Earth, than Young Earth creationism. However, it still takes the accounts of creation in Genesis more literally than evolutionary creationists. See also Progressive creationism.

One type of Old Earth creationism is Gap creationism. This view states that life was immediately created on a pre-existing old Earth. One variant rests on a literal reading of Genesis 1:1 as, "In the beginning, when the earth was formless and void," implying that the earth already existed, but had passed into decay during an earlier age of existence, and was being "shaped anew". This view is more consistent with mainstream science with respect to the age of the Earth, but still often resembles Young Earth creationism in many respects (often seeing the "days" as 24-hour days). This view was popularized in 1909 by the Scofield Reference Bible.

Main article: Day-Age Creationism

More commonly, advocates of an old Earth hold that the six days referred to are not ordinary 24-hour days, but rather the
Hebrew word for "day" (yom) can be interpreted in this context to mean a long period of time (thousands or millions of years)
rather than a 24-hour day. The Genesis account is then interpreted as an account of a progressive creation, or sometimes a summary of life's evolutionary history. This view is often called "Day-Age Creationism".

There are a variety of ways in which the events in the creation account are interpreted. Some closely resemble the order of

events as held by Young Earth creationism. In this view the first "day" God is said to have created light; on the second, the firmament of heaven; on the third, the separation between water and land, and the creation of plant life; on the fourth the sun, moon, and stars; on the fifth created marine life and birds; on the sixth land animals, and man and woman.

The order of light, then the firmament, then stars, might be taken as a simplified description of modern theories of cosmology, namely the Big Bang, followed bycosmic inflation, followed by stellar evolution. Similarly, modern zoology believes that marine animals preceded land animals.

Critics of this old Earth view of Creationism comment that the order of the days of creation are inconsistent with modern
scientific interpretation. For example, the Earth is unlikely to have existed before the Sun and all other stars, plant life
could not have survived millennia without sunlight, flowering plants could not have been pollinated without insect life, and most
birds could not survive long without terrestrial life.

~~~~

So, if you didn't know before- you have a quest on your hands. What do you believe? I believe God made the world. The hows and whens of that, I don't know yet what I believe but I'm going to figure it out. What do you believe?
The popular sites for each camp is Answers in Genesis for the Young Earth creationists and Reasons.org for the Old Earth creationist and of course each have books to read further. If you have sources that support your beliefs will you share them with me so I that I can see them too?