The Science of our Choice

I really like Apologia Science. My oldest daughter used Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day in 6th grade. This year we are using General Science. It is a great overview of science and although my daughter isn't thrilled about science--I really like this curriculum.

Knowledge Box Central has a lapbook for General Science that has really helped my daughter to logically lay out the information and remember it.

Donna Young has a link for Apologia General Science that includes a schedule, lab sheets, worksheets and a lot more! She has the whole book laid out into a daily schedule--so helpful!

This link is from a General Science Co-op. The teacher has listed lots of helpful links to the modules along with free downloads.

Apologia is written from a Christian perspective by a homeschool father and university professor. I have been learning right along with my daughter. When my now first grader becomes a better reader, I will start her on the elementary books (probably in third grade). I'm looking forward to going through these books with her (and my little guy, eventually).

Apologia Science works for us! To read other Works for Me Wednesday ideas, visit We are That Family.

My Girl is Seven!

My baby girl turned 7 yesterday. We had a wonderful time celebrating her birthday. We aren't huge birthday party people, so we enjoyed ourselves with one other family. We went to a favorite local restaurant and had dinner and ice cream. The place we went to has animals that you can pet as well as a little play ground area. The kids had so much fun running around. I'm thankful for the simple things that bring us joy:

• baby goats

• eating ice cream

• opening hand made gifts

• hugs from our children

• laughing with friends

Barriers to Worship

Yesterday at church a local Christian University singing group led us in worship. It was wonderful, convicting and inspiring. The leader of the group gave a 'mini' sermon on the "Barriers to Worship". What keeps us from worshipping God? He gave 3 reasons:

1. Ignorance--we've never been taught
   Romans 12:1-2 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
   Psalm 63:4 "So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands."
   Matthew 15:8-9 "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." It starts in the heart. Don't do in public what you haven't already done at home.
   
2. Fear--we are so afraid of being judged. What will others think about us?
   Psalm 40:3 "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."
   
3. Arrogance--we really don't think our sin is that bad. When we sing about God's amazing love, we aren't convicted or moved to any point because we don't see our sin as ugly, wretchedness before a holy God.
   Isaiah 64:6 "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind take us away."
   

Sin is sin. Preach the gospel to yourself every day. Meet Him at the cross.

From the Inside Out

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
my heart and my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin
He became sin
Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross

Love so amazing
Love so amazing

Chorus:
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

Now do you see why it was so wonderful, yet convicting and inspiring? Jesus, I need You every hour!

What kind of Legacy?

I've been thinking a lot about what kind of legacy I am leaving. We've grieved the deaths of many close friends and loved ones in the last two years and several in the last month. I can't help but think, "what kind of life am I living and what will be said about me when I am gone?"

At the homeschool conference Mark Hamby quoted someone else: "The world has not seen what God can do through a man wholly committed to Him." I want to be that person wholly committed to Him. Not for my own glory, oh no, that is lonely and empty...for His glory, forever. I live the chorus of Nicole Nordeman's song, "Legacy". "Did I point to You enough? A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapolgetically." That's the legacy I pray that I am leaving.

Legacy by Nicole Nordeman

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

Mark Hamby: The Media, The Mind and the Moral Imagination

I had the great privilege of attending the Midwest Homeschool Convention last weekend. It was wonderful to be with friends and go to so many encouraging workshops and lectures. My first session was Mark Hamby of Lamplighter Books. The title of this session was The Media, The Mind and the Moral Imagination. You can find his power point here. I thought I would type out some of my notes in order to 1) share them with you and 2) catch what I missed because I was busy taking notes. :)

If character is not engaged our children won't go far in their spiritual pilgrimage.
Luke 1:17 "to make ready a people prepared for the Lord".
You are what you read.
A mind oversaturated by media has decreased capacity for creative imagination, concentration and delayed gratification. The formation of mental pictures and imaginative play does not come easy as parents find these children apathetic and unmotivated to join in group and outside play.
Too much media misconstrues reality and the supernatural is blocked. Knowledge helps free us from things that bog us down.
There is a link between violence and viewing any television.
Violence begets violence.
We need to help our children find their God-given talents and help them practice their skills.
We are created in the image of God. We need to be upset and offended at what offends God. Ironically, while audiences long for reality in their media, their own lives are becoming less real. Instead of actively participating in life--sports, art, outdoor play, etc. children in our culture watch other people do things with increasing hope that what they watch will be 'real'.
Quote:

"If we educate a man's mind but not his heart, we have educated a barbarian." Theodore Roosevelt.

"What fires together, wires together."
Reading teaches us to think in a logically connected way.
Media can't take the place of the written word.

book recommendations:
Culture-Wise Family by Dr. Ted Baehr
The Vanishing Word by Arthur Hunt
Amusing ourselves to Death by Neil Postman

Thankful Thursday

I've been ever so grateful for numerous things in the last couple weeks. Here's a simple list in no particular order:

Health
Daily Bread (and much more)
friends who are like family
Freedom to homeschool our kids
The love of my Hunny
Working vehicles
The Word of God that meets me where I am all the while urging me to be more
My sisters
hugs from my kids

In a fallen world, it is easy for me to lose my perspective. God is on His Throne, He is in control, He is sovereign. God knows our frame. He knows my mind and heart can take a downward turn in the daily-ness of daily living. He knows that I'm compassionate and sensitive toward others and that sometimes I can take the burdens of others on myself. My desire is to look toward heaven, realizing that this is not my home. My desire is to keep my focus on the Author and Finisher of my faith. My desire is to lay my burdens and the burdens of others down at His feet.

Thank You God for today.

Feathered Friend of a Different Sort

I love this little birdie. She even has a tail in back. I found the pattern here on Bitter Sweet's blog. It wasn't too difficult to crochet. I'm hoping to make a whole flock.