Easter Legacy 2013

The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him. (Isaiah 53:2-6 MSG) 

We started our Easter off by gathering together with other believers and worshiping the ONE who loved us so much HE allowed himself to walk through torture and ultimately death so that I (and all of us) could have eternal life.  My brain cannot comprehend this kind of love.  Jesus is my model.  He walked in love, filled with grace, overflowing with everlasting hope! 

We then went to Grandma's as is our tradition

Great Grandchildren

Just a couple of my loves

Grandma and the little boys

Legacy Pedi's

Relaxing after yummy hamburgers

Cousins

Time to hunt!

Thank you, Jesus!  Thank you for your great sacrifice.  Thank you for writing my name in your precious book of life.  Thank you for the legacy you've given my family in that all my children and my husband know you too.  May you be glorified in my heart, my mind, and my actions.  May others see YOU in me.  Help me to decrease so that you can increase.

Speaker Training 2013

This year our focus for our annual Practicum is exciting! 

Our subject is arithmetic! 

Our theme is teaching from a heart of humility

Our purpose is reviving and renewing our hearts to walk in JOY as we homeschool our children!

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. (Deuteronomy 6:4-8 NLT)

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. (Galatians 6:9 AMP)

Christi walking us through the teaching the trivium using the game, Feed The Woozle!  It was GREAT!

Sharing the vision of Conversational math!

Finding FUN ways to present math at Practicum!

Who knew the Commutative Law could be so fun and interactive?!

Walking through understanding the beauty and simplicity of the trivium in our basic subjects.

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 2 Corinthians 12:9

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] (Matthew 11:28 AMP)

Our theme at speaker training was not depending upon our fleeting abilities, but on GOD'S unfathomable wisdom!

When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1, 4, 5 NLT)

Celebrating Baby Riddle!

 

 Welcome Baby Caleb

The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17

Oh how this woman brings me joy.  Her love for Jesus and for people inspire and encourage my heart.  It was with absolute delight that God partnered me with Horsan Melsom to throw our precious friend, Heather a Prayer Shower for her sixth baby. 

Such a treasure to spend time with these sweet sisters.  Our icebreaker was to go around the room and share:

1. How you met Heather.
2. Your favorite Heather Story. 
3. A verse for Heather or the baby.
4. One Word to describe Heather.
5. She in turn would use one word to describe you.

It was a wonderful way to intimately get to know each and every woman in that place.  Personally, my heart was inspired and it wasn't even my shower.  We just celebrated Jesus.

Ice breaker time.  Going around the room and listening to each sister share.

Heather Moeller sharing

My word for Heather was: HUMBLE.  She is the most gracious teachable spirit.  Other words that her friends used to describe her were:

Radiant

Sister

Like Jesus

Steadfast

Love

Her word for me was ENCOURAGER and yet she encourages my heart.  Isn't God good that way?  His currency is not like man's.  He gives and receives every single time.

Game Time!  I love that one of the daughters won the game!

Heather and her mama.

Sam's club did such a wonderful job on our cupcake cake.

Horsan did such a great job laying things out and decorating. 

Horsan's salad was unbelievable

The Empanada's were incredible.

I LOVE this woman!  One of my highlights was spending time with her and her precious family.

Hmmmm.....I wonder who ever could have left those lip marks on Zion's face?

Heather, I pray you felt the Lord of your Savior pouring over and washing through you.  It is a delight to call you sister. 

First Director Business Training Of The Year!!!

The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. ~ Zephaniah 3:17

One of the my very favorite parts of my job is facilitating our annual Director Business Training Meetings once a year.  (I've done it all of two years, LOL)  It's a time to celebrate my directors who invest many, MANY, hours behind the scenes, selflessly serving others all year long.  

How fun it is to pamper, acknowledge, and love on each one.  In addition, we get to walk through our business guide together to make sure communication is clear and everyone is on the same page. 

Our company, Classical Conversations always has a theme dedicated to making sure that we are honoring the Lord with our hearts.  This year our theme was......

We really spent time exploring what it means to have a heart of humility and others-centeredness.  I was inspired and encouraged as each director shared their story and their personal verses.  (Which I will sprinkle throughout this post) 

The highlight of my day was when we paused to work on a fun little assignment aimed to pull out the difference between a humble and a haughty spirit.  We wrote down both synonyms and antonyms.  It was convicting and inspiring! 

Antonyms

Dear Brothers and Sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature is urging you to do (Look below)  For if you keep on following it you will perish, but if through the power of the holy spirit you turn away from it and it's evil deeds you will live.  For all who are called by the Spirit of God are children of God!  Romans 8:12-14

•  Haughty
• Prideful
• Self-Centered
• Judgemental
• Self-Rigteous
• Stubborn
• Need To Be Right
• Need to be noticed

Synonyms

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge, know, recognize Him, and HE will direct and make straight and plain your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 (Christi Panek's verse)

•  Others-Centered
• Submissive
• Follow of Christ
• Selflessness
• Love
• Lowly
• Cautious
• Under authority
• Mercy

Lunch Time!

I want to thank my incredible husband for making our Curry Chicken Salad.  It was Dee-licious!

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 1 Cor 12:12 (Michelle C's verse)

This picture was just for Scott (My husband) so he could see how much everyone was loving his creation!

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Matthew 11:28 (Brook M's Verse)

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 (Anne E's Verse)

Every director received a goodie bag!  This is my way of thanking them for all they have done, will do!  I had fun filling them up. 

He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way. ~ Psalm 25:9 (Brian S's Verse)

Strength Finder 2.0 is our big focus this year!  God gives each of us gifts.  They can be used for HIS glory OR they can be used to draw attention to ourselves.  This next 12 months we are going to dig deep and discover those treasures God has planted within us so that we can use them to serve others humbly.  

That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. Psalm 1:8 (Melissa M's Verse)  (Describing how Paul was humble and rejoiced even in the worst of circumstances)

This was for Michelle as she has already taken her Strengths Finder 2.0 test.  I pray she is able to rest and renew her heart with a cup of tea.

After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us.  I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.  It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.  The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 1 Cor 3:5-8 (Mary's Verse)

Get ready group number two!  April 6th is YOUR turn!

Biology & Math Come ALIVE thorough Dialectic Discussion!

Thinking and talking like a mathematician!  

 

 Mrs. Mullins did an amazing job leading our math discussion today! I am so honored that our students get to sit with her for Latin and math each week.  Thank you Mrs. Mullins for loving our children and guiding their hearts.  We are so very blessed to have you.

Today in math seminar we talked about how when we sit down to discuss mathematical concepts we need to think and act like a mathematician.  Today's biggest discussion was on the number "0".   Is it a whole number?  Why or why not?  What is the purpose of the number "0".

 GEOGRAPHY

Joseph Doto is a master at Geography.  This child finishes first and gets it right.  He has a simple plan he follows to make that happen each and every week..... consistency!  He traces and labels everyday.  Thank you for modeling excellence.  You encourage all of us!

You know you are a homeschooler when.....

You find children curled up and working hard all over the place.  Logan tracing this weeks work on the floor.  It's all about being comfortable while we learn.

SCIENCE

Digestion!  It's what we're talking about this week!

We've been talking a lot about conversational math, but truly conversations are a part of what we do in every subject.  

Our goal in the classroom each week is to cultivate discussions that would not easily take place in our own homes.  This is a time when the kids come together a learn how to ask questions, argue respectfully, compare and contrast idea's, thoughts, and facts, and to share things we've researched.  

At home, we can sketch, label, complete tasks, but in class we bring those things to life through discussion.  

Community day adds depth to help the information stick and stay put. 

Sage sketching her Skeleton and beginning to label the different parts.  

What I love about conversational biology is that we point to where the organ system or part of the body is located and share interesting facts about the purpose of each part.  

For instance:

Carpals are in the hand and you can remember that because you pull the car handle to open the door...CARPAL.

Tarsals are in the foot and you can remember this because it's the feet that step on hot tar...TARSALS.

Fibia is the smaller bone in the lower leg and we can remember that when we think of a little white lie (ie: fib)

Simply filling out a worksheet or even sketching and labeling could never add the depth conversation does.

Thank you, Sophie, Colton, Noah, Malcolm, Moriah, and Logan for sharing your reports on The Secret Garden.  They were excellent.  

This week you student is to read: Door In The Wall

Oh how I love your children.  They are such a beautiful representation of you!  I delight in watching them display those very things I love about you.  I simply get to share in a small part of what YOU'RE doing each week in your home!  To God Be The Glory!!!

And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then ]You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. Deut 6:6-7