Nearing The CC Finish Line!

LOVE OFFERING

This week was our annual love offering.  Our church graciously hosts us for 30 weeks every year and asks for absolutely nothing in return.  It is such a JOY to give back to those who give so graciously.  We are honored and humbled by Faith Covenant's generosity.  

Our love offering was a beautiful time of worship, prayer, and thankfulness. 

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Debbie and Marilou are the face of Faith Covenant to many.  Their big hearts and warm welcome make you feel right at home.  It was such a privilege to give back.  

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

This was Terri's last time leading with both of her children.  Callie is graduating next week. There are five of us graduating our children from our homeschooling programs.  Doto's, Arnold's, Ulrich's, Mullins, and the Sain's.  I know that I speak for everyone when I tell you not to blink.  It goes that quickly. 

Look at those faces...I love how they love HIM.

Truly, standing on HOLY ground

MEMORY MASTER MAMA'S

We officially recognized our memory masters and their mama's yesterday.  I pray you were blessed as they shared what God showed them through the entire process.

HE definitely got all the glory!

Mrs.Melsom shared that she and her family are reaching out to new neighbors and loving on them.  They have no idea if they know the Lord.  Memory Master was a vehicle the Lord used to open the door to an even deeper conversation and relationship, as this gracious older couple agreed to proof Robertcito.  (Horsan said they were waiting outside when they got home to see if he passed) 

PREPARING FOR YEAR-END

Parents please do not forget to be back at the church by 5pm next week (4/15) for our year-end program.  From 5-5:20 we will be taking group pictures and serving goodies.

Speaking of goodies:  We are looking for volunteers to bring cookies, cheese and crackers, or any kind of goodie that is easy to serve.  (Not wanting to need to use utensils as it's just a light snack)

If you can bring goodies will you please shoot Mary an email letting her know?  maryarnoldcc@yahoo.com 

The program will go from 5:30-7:00 pm.  You do not want to be late because at 5:30 we have an emotionally charged video that summarizes our year together.  Thank you to Mr. Hawkin's for putting this together for us.  

FAITH COVENANT EGG HUNT

Faith Covenant would like to invite you this Saturday to their church egg hunt.  They would LOVE to have you and your children participate.

COMMUNITY

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them fall down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. -- Ecc 4:9-12

Memory Master Proofing Day!

Our day started with excitement in the air.  We were already celebrating all the hard work each student had to have completed to come this far.  We were grateful to Mr. Melsom for opening us up in prayer.  (Thank you, Robert)

What happened over the next two hours was unexplainable by mere words.  You had to have experienced the tears, the laughter, the yelling, and even the cartwheels that took place! 

I tried to capture some of it through pictures and want to share with you:

I wish you could have more clearly seen little Elizabeth's face!  She was beaming from ear-to-ear. (So was mama)

Robertcito, was grinning and beaming while mom and dad embraced and celebrated all his hard work!

Kristina and Alivia were the underdogs coming into this process.  I mean who goes and has a baby and still does Memory Master?  The Yorke's, that's who!  And THEY DID IT! 

Precious Emily was so together, so crisp, so clear  To see her face smile when she became a memory master was beyond precious.  We all celebrated, but my favorite part was listening to her tutor, Mrs. Buxbaum scream, yell, and whoop!

Mrs. Adam's and Mrs. Ulrich celebrating Libby.

Mrs. Melsom was super mom in that she helped us proof TWO students!  THANK YOU! 

This picture makes me laugh because if you look at Robertcito he is the calmest of us all.  It was the adults that felt like they were going to burst. 

A perfect picture of our community:  Parents equipping and encouraging parents!

• 24 Weeks of History Sentences
• 24 Weeks Of Science
• 24 Weeks Of Geography
• 24 Weeks of English Grammar
• 24 Weeks of Math
• Full timeline from Creation through today

I would like to officially introduce you to all four of our brand new Memory Masters!!!!

"Changing the World's View by Worshiping Christ in Spirit and in Truth"

2014 Director Business Training

For posterity sake, Christi Panek was here!  She just needed to come a little late because her husband was on a rescue mission. (Coast Guard)  So thankful for each of these beautiful sisters in the Lord.

WORSHIP

Thank you, Terri for opening us in WORSHIP!  I love that she did not know our theme (title of this post) and yet look at those words.....I worship your holy name!

ICE BREAKER/WARM-UP

This year we asked each director to bring a verse that they have used, or see themselves using, to keep their eyes on the Lord when walking through the different high's and low's that come with leadership.  All of our hearts were edified and lifted up as we took our eyes off that which is seen and put them on that which is unseen.

I will include each directors verse God gave them individually.  It was a poweful start to our day.  As we meditated on the Word of the Lord our hearts were pulled from the silly things of this world and lifted high to the things that matter most!

"Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.  Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom HE gives.  Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts."  Col 3:16  (Jennifer Russo)

"And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."  Col 3:17  (Susan Avato)

"The humble will see their God at work and be glad.  Let all who seek God's help be encouraged."  Psalm 69:32  (Roshanda Smith)

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.  He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come, and with it the day of God's anger against their enemies.  To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty fo rashes, and joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.  In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory."  Isaiah 61:1-3  (Terri Ulrich)

"Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying."  Romans 12:12  (Amy Licht) 

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven's Armies.  I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord.  With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God."  Psalm 84:1-2  (Nikki Davis) 

"For we focus not on what is seen, but what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal".  2 Cor 4:17  (Mary Arnold)

DIRECTOR BUSINESS TRAINING

We spent eight glorious hours in fellowship walking through our Director Business Guides and taking note of the integrity and strong framework our leadership has given us to serve others.  As we poured through the pages in our guide our hearts were constantly renewed by the wisdom and direction given from those who have walked longer and seen more.  We are grateful for the men and women of Classical Conversations who prayerfully come together to pour out to those they are serving. 

LUNCH

We had a wonderful time of fellowship at lunch.  I was very blessed and felt completely loved that my directors chose not to eat outside because I couldn't sit with them.  (allergies)  I would have been totally fine had they taken a few moments to renew their hearts on such a beautiful day, but they sacrifice overwhelmed my heart with HIS love!

Part of the fun is the deep friendships God forms.

PLATES OF RESPONSIBILITY

As we began pouring through communication, policies, and conflict resolution we took time to put together, Plates Of Responsibilites!

Q:  What is a plate of responsibility?

A:  It's a time where we go before the Lord and carefully examine exactly what is and should be on our personal plate of responsbility.  Our roles within CC, our role as a wife and mother, our role as a homeschooling parent.  In addition, we write on the back of our plate those things that renew our hearts to finish the race God has given us. (ie; listening to praise music, exercise, doing laundry, spending time with our husband's, being in the Word, etc...)  It helps us to recognize that when those things aren't happening we need to be on high alert that we've crammed too much on our plate and when you're full you cannot taste anything!  Too much busyness steals our ability to walk in love or grace.  Everything becomes about checking off boxes of responsibility and we fail to focus on the relationship. 

Q:  Why do we do this?

A:  Because nothing causes more conflict than when we eat off others plates or put things on ours that are not our responsibility.  This plate is a constant reminder of how to stay focused on our role, our relationships, and our responsibilities.  We serve one another more effectively and our parents when we stay on the task given to us by the Lord. 

IN CLOSING

I want to close with a verse God gave Terri as we were walking through the heart of why we have to keep our eyes on Jesus in the midst of conflict.  

"A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.  Gently instruct those who oppose the truth.  Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth."  2 Timothy 2:24-26

I don't know about you, but I am so grateful for those Godly mentors in my life who modeled that verse to me when I was stuck in that which was seen.  They helped get my eyes back on that which was UNSEEN.

To GOD Be the GLORY!

Nature's Academy Field Trip

CHALLENGE A PHENOMENAL FIELD TRIP

Q- What is community?  

A-It's where learning comes alive through relationships!

This Thursday Mrs. Ulrich and Mrs.Thames put together an incredible field trip opportunity for our Challenge A class.   

One of the skill sets our Challenge A students have worked hard on honing this past year is their research through animal study.  

We spent the day with Nature's Academy where we were able to bring practical application to LIFE through dissection, observation, chemistry, and categorization.  

The students and the parents were treated to a top notch educational experience!

We began our day by hiking through the trail out at Ft. Desoto.  We learned about tree identification, bird identification, and even spotted poison ivy

The trail begins in the wooded area and then we slowly begin to move closer to the ocean.  It was interesting to see how the habitat and climate changes in the process.

Before we knew it, we were out on the beautiful beaches where we were struck by the beauty of God's creation. It was truly a perfect day.

The second stop on our tour was the opportunity to DISSECT!  Our students were able to learn about the anatomy of the shark and then keeping it classical we compared and contrasted how it differs from our very own. 

Jessica (yellow shirt) has a degree in biology and her passion was so very evident.  The parents were learning along with the students.

Our girls getting ready to get their hands dirty!

The boys patiently endured the waiting to begin the cutting!

Every student got a turn at opening the shark.

Jessica, helped our girls with their field of vision.

The most exciting part of the dissection was when they found a crab in the shark's belly.  Sharks only eat every two weeks so sometimes it is completely empty.  We were blessed to find this treasure.

Team Work

The third phase was learning about acid and PH bases.  The students were able to discover the health of the ocean through simple chemistry tests.  It was interesting to learn how storms and climate change effects the molecules within the water.  Sometimes making it more healthy and other times not so much. 

The fourth and final phase of Nature's Academy was observation.  Each student was given a net, water shoes, and the freedom to explore!

Mrs.Ulrich (Our fabulous Challenge A director) found the biggest blow fish they have caught in any of their classes.  It was an exceptional find.

Discovering and observing was a phenomenal way to end the first half of this field trip.

Stay tuned for part II on the Challenge A forum.  The second half of this field trip will be all about the relationships being formed.  Our students camped out overnight.  Our children are not even home yet.  Thank you to the parents who took the overnight shift.  You are a blessing!  There were footballs, guitars, manhunt and more!  

 I hope you have enjoyed this peek into Challenge A.  The second phase of the Trivium. (Dialectic)  It's fun beginning to flesh out the content that has already been drilled.  I'm thankful our children did not go into the experience without the solid foundation of the grammar.  Drilling, laying a foundation first, nets so much more understaning. 

Classical Conversations Mission:

To Know God And To Make Him Known!