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

Happy Birthday Boys!

REJOICING

17 years ago, on this very day, I had been in active labor for almost 24 hours, and was not even close to giving birth. I remember my O.B. (Dr.Delgado) tenderly breaking the news that we were going to need to do another C-Section. I was relieved and scared all at the same time. Within 30 minutes I was holding my precious Colton in my arms and my anxiety was soon forgotten.

Fast forward four years later, (13 Years ago) on the very same date, and once again I remember having that very same conversation (minus the hours of labor) with my doctor. This time I had developed pre-eclampsia and child #3 was to be born on his brothers birthday!  

It is with bittersweet tears that stop to rejoice and remember.  I gratefully (with a humble heart) thank the Lord for all the many blessings these boys have brought into our lives.  They (along with their older and younger brother) are the JOY of my existence.  As you see me post about Classical Conversations over and over and over again it's because this program has brought us closer.  We have something in common that everyone loves and a goal that we are working towards.  

 

One day it will be over. (Homeschooling, raising them up)  They will begin their own lives...as they should.  My job is to work myself out of job.  But I will treasure always the privilege of raising them.  They will always be a part of my life.  But this particular season is short. 

REMEMBERING

It seems like yesterday when Colton would carry his little Banana In Pajama doll around making us sing it's song.  His little face would light up, no teeth, just gums and big blue eyes.

From early on we knew that Colton was our deliberative, thoughtful, caring, attention-to-detail child.  We just did his adult strengths test and he very much represents his daddy. 

  

Colton's Top 5 Strengths

• Responsibility
• Deliberative
• Harmony
• Input
• Belief

 Seth has not yet taken his Strengths test, but I am pretty sure he will have:

• Relator
• Stratetic
• Deliberative
• Belief
• Command or Significance

These are just guesses, but I've watched him for years, and observed all of these different themes being displayed in his daily activities.  


Seth is my very serious, but loyal and loving child.  I remember that until he was born we were able to train our children not to touch or get into things.  Not so for Seth.  I had to buy door and cabinet locks.  One morning I got up and he had crawled out of his crib.  As I came into the kitchen all I could see was his little diaper butt sticking out of my fridge getting food.  After I calmed down (thinking about how dangerous that was) we immediately went out and bought a fridge lock. Even then he was STRATEGIC.  He could do things that my other children had not even considered.



I love watching God unfold the plans HE has for my children.  He is showing me how to allow my children to become who HE made them to be, rather than me trying to make them into who I think they should be. 




For I know the plans I have for your children.  Plans to prosper them and not to harm them.  Plans to give them a hope and a FUTURE!  Jeremiah 29:11


Go Light Your World My Sons!

Having A Blast!

 

How I wish there had been Classical Conversations when we began our journey in 1998. I know that God's timing is perfect and His grace is sufficient. Classical Conversations is so much more than curriculum. It's a program that teaches students "how" to learn. Our Challenge programs teach children "how" to have cultivating conversations, "how" to research, "how" to argue out thoughts respectfully. 

MATH

Today our highlights we're the conversational math, catechism Jeopardy, studying the skin and introducing the Skeleton.

Mrs. Mullins and I have been discussing basic math in our Challenge A class and have been completely blown away.  We've discovered that many of our kids understand "how" to do the math, but in many cases they do not grasp the why.  As we delve into conversations and work through basic problems using proper vocabulary, we are constantly amazed at how much is learned.

BIOLOGY

Getting ready for Biology!

Each and everyone of my students have become so dear to my heart.  I love how in CC we get to walk with our fellow families for 30 full weeks.  This truly creates a discipleship/mentorship atmosphere that breathes life into the relationship.  That's important because rich, life-long learning can only take place in real relationships.  

One of my students (Katie) made a Skin Cake. (Yes, you read that correctly)  Each layer represents the skin.  She had jello on the bottom that worked as the fat cells, then the dermis and epidermis, pours (holes in the cake) and hair. (Twizzlers)  It was an excellent presentation and tasted good too!

See!  There's a hair in our food!  (Twizzler)

Katie's Presentation

 CC Students not only have to research the organs they are being introduced to, but they also have to sketch and label them.  They did an excellent job.  It's very obvious that these families are working hard.

CATECHISM JEOPARDY

FUN!  We had a blast today working through our catechisms.  We played Jeopardy and it was a tough competition.  Sophie Mullins was our winner, but it was a close race between she, Bethie, and Moriah.  Come on boys.... study hard so you can represent next week!

OUR HOST CHURCH - FAITH COVENANT

Pastor Jim with the Challenge A Class

Our host church Faith Covenant is the best!  Every week we walk through those doors and encounter nothing but gracious hospitality. Today they invited our students to partake of yummy donuts.  It was the perfect way to take a break in between subjects.  

 The spirit of the living God is so ever present as we encounter warm, giving, Jesus-loving people every week.   What a gracious gift God has given us.  We never for one moment take it for granted.  

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

Laying Down My Life!

 

Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone Who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the father will honor anyone who serves me. - John 12:25-26 

 

WOW!  Such a beautiful verse.  It inspires my heart every single time I read it.  This morning the Lord had me pause here in my journey through John.  

Mary, do you really your life to come more than this life?

As I paused and began to pray I could hear his gentle voice:

Daughter, stop striving!  Stop trying to do it in your own strength!  You cannot love me most by your own accord.  You cannot love that which you've not seen more than what you know, in your own strength!  My agape love is a gift.  I give it to you when you remember that I am the vine and you are the branch and apart from me you can do nothing.  You must abide in me!  As you do, I will do all the work.  I will keep you holy!  I will keep your sights set on heaven!  

 
Thank you that through you, in you, because of you, I can love what's to come more than what is known.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ~ 2 Cor 4:18

Challenge A Strengths Workshop!

Lots of different, wonderful, and unique personalities! Once again I am reminded of the motto, "We're Better Together".

The book Strength Finder 2.0 has a very humanistic worldview.  The author is very obviously not a believer.  They base their understanding of strengths on the idea that we use our strengths to make ourselves better. 

 

 

The purpose and goal of any Strengths workshop should be to point to the creator of any and all good gifts, Jesus Christ. 

  

 

Strengths discovery apart from Him is fruitless and purposeless to the believer.

  

 

 

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.~ John 15:5

 

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.~ John 15:5

Facts About Strengths:

1-  They can be used for HIS glory or they can be used for personal gain.  When we use them for HIS glory they become a SUPERPOWER, but when we use them for our own personal gain they become our KRYPTONITE.  They can cause us to stumble or they can be the very vehicle God uses to draw us to Him.  Apart from HIM we can do NOTHING!

2-  The order of your strengths is very important.

3-  Strengths without grace and mercy can become a weapon, but when walked out under the authority and perfect love of Jesus Christ they become a bridge to draw others to HIM!

4-  Though we start off by learning about our strengths our true goal is to learn and understand how God made each of us differently and uniquely.  No strength is better or worse, just different, and perfect for your purpose in this life.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.~ Psalm 139:16

One of our assignments is to highlight only the part of the definition that truly describes us.  I loved that almost every single line was highlighted in B's description.  This indicator test truly captured who she is. 

Colton finally took the adult test.  

His Strengths are:

1. Reponsibility
2. Deliberative
3. Harmony
4. Input
5. Belief 

From the first time I held each of my boys in my arms I knew that God had made them for a very special purpose.  My job was not to help them become who I wanted them to be, but to walk with them as they discovered who God made them to be. It took me years to understand this truth.  What freedom. 

My pray for any of our Student Strength Workshops is that it would cause us to see Jeremiah 29:11 in a fresh and renewed way!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:8-9