Reminded Of My Purpose

Everyone who competes in the game goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last FOREVER!!! 1 Corinthians 9:25

Classical Conversations Follow Up Week 12!

We are halfway through our school year and I am loving our experience with Classical Conversations more than I could have ever imagined or fathomed. 


 Let me say, I do not think Classical Conversations is for everyone.  I know the only reason we are having such an incredible experience is because because this is where the Lord has called us.

Not by might, nor by power, but by my SPIRIT says the Lord! 

I still remember sitting in Lynn Doto's classroom last year (observing with my husband) when I heard the Lord whisper in the stillness..... This is your community Mary.  You belong here.  I could so deeply feel His presence.  He later confirmed this decision through my quiet time:

“But forget all that, daughter—
      it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
  For I am about to do something new.
      See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
   I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
      I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. ~ Isaiah 43:18-19

After 13 years of homeschooling we had found our groove, our community, our roots, and the Lord was about to shake everything up!  (All for HIS glory)  It was time to begin a new journey and how sweet it has been.  

My lesson has been learning how to fit Classical Education around who God made our family to be and not the other way around. 

I don't want to follow a philosophy.  I want to follow Jesus!

So, halfway through the year I can more confidently state that this amazing community has been a perfect fit for our family.  Thank you so much to all of you who prayed while I was making those hard decisions last year.  They felt so heavy, and so difficult, but I realize now that my flesh rebelling to change, starting over, doing something new and different.  

Let me close with pictures of our 12th week!  It was GREAT!  

 Human Body

For the past 6-weeks we've been studying the human body.  Here are their final projects.  They had to cut out each organ, bone, and muscle, as we studied and learned about them.  We then attached them to their life size outlines to help bring everything to LIFE!

 My precious Seth

 Christa was my helper this week and she did an amazing job helping with review!

 My precious, Jesus-loving, new friend, Marcie leading the community in timeline memory work.  

Jessie and Christine working on their bodies.

 Christa and Mary at the beginning of the human body project.

 Christa and Mary after one hour of cutting, gluing, instructing! (teasing grin)

Thanksgiving Luncheon

 Though everyone brought something to eat these two gals did all the work of organizing, decorating, buying.  

For I am about to do something new.
      See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
   I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
      I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. ~ Isaiah 43:19

Entering HIS Gates With Thanksgiving.....

There is an element of mystery in choosing thankfulness!  We give Him thanks, regardless of our feelings, and He gives us joy, regardless of our circumstances. (Jesus Calling)

For those who don't know Jesus intimately it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Him for heartrending hardships. 

Thankfulness opens my heart to His presence and my mind to His thoughts.  I may still be in the same place, with the same circumstances, but it's as if a light has been switched on, allowing me to see things from His perspective.

May I always give thanks to the Father for everything, (good and bad) in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ! ~ Ephesians 5:20

Smash It, Baby!

My sweet friend Christa has started a new obsession in my life!  

It's called Smashing and it's all about keeping a Smash book!  It's so funny because she has done this for years on her own.  She didn't call it smashing, but an art journal.  You can call it whatever you want!

It's simply a book used to keep everything that makes you smile.  Here is a better description and a blog dedicated to Smash Books!  

SMASH BOOK BLOG

Here is my "raw" Smash Book! (above)

I couldn't wait to get started and so I immediately added my first decoration!  Does that flower look familiar?  It came off a gift bag that became the theme for this very blog!
 

My first entry was highlighting a day at the Chihuly Museum!  I am going to add pictures once I pick them up.

Here are some pages from my store-bought Smash Book waiting to be filled with memories, glue and glitz!

I will close with the video my friend Christa posted that started this new craze!  

Have fun watching:

If you are receiving this via e-mail you may have to go to my actual blog to view the video? 

And The Celebration Goes On......

My precious friend Debbie took me out for a day of big girl FUN in celebration of my birthday.  

  Debbie is that friend who weaves Jesus into everything she does. I'll share an example below!

We went to a wonderful restaurant in downtown St.Pete. It was great food, but the outside wrap-around-porch added the ambiance of peace and renewal. 

The highlight of the day was our visit to the Chihuly Museum:

Debbie took me for a day of education and inspiration.  Dale Chihuly is a famous, world renown artist known for his glass work.  I've never seen anything like it.  When we first walked in my eyes welled up with tears.  Beautiful just doesn't give his work enough credit.  There is something about seeing it in person that pictures could never capture. 

"For the light makes everything visible" ~ Ephesians 3:14a

As we were walking through the museum we noticed that it was the light that brought the glass to life.  The glass by itself was simply a hunk of glass.  

Isn't that true as believers.  We are just human beings walking around UNTIL the light of Christ illuminates in us, and through us, to those around us. (Thank you, Debbie Friley for that inspiration)

 

We ended our day with Gelato!  Oh My!  

Thank you sweet friend for loving me, believing in me, discipling me!  Most of all, I thank the Lord for giving me you as my friend.  There are no words that could ever thank you enough for such a wonderful day! XOXO

P.S.- Thank you for teaching me how to get the most out using my little point and shoot camera!  These pictures really did come out so much better.