- Do what you love.
- Go on a long walk with your children.
- Give a lesson on sibling relationships.
- De-clutter with passion.
- Use your sense (scents).
- Just once, let the mess go.
- Live on purpose.
25 Reasons We Homeschool
1. Christian parents are commanded to disciple their children.
2. We don’t have to deal with the disadvantages of peer dependency.
2. We get to pursue the many methods of education and suit them to each child’s learning style and interests.
4. Because we believe education is a transfer of a way of life.
5. Life is simpler and slower-paced.
6. We don’t have to buy all our kids a car, designer clothes and the latest technical gadgets.
7. They are more likely to be better socialized.
8. We can “think outside the classroom.”
9. Our girls can be free from the pressure of dual-careerism.
10. A lifestyle of learning affords freedom and flexibility.
11. We feel like one of the most important things missing in traditional education is the teaching of a biblical worldview. At home, we can make this priority.
12. We value relationships over any earthly thing.
13. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter children.
14. Life is much more like the “real world” than a classroom.
15. Because learning happens all the time–I want to be there.
16. Because conversation is huge.
17. Because there are so many options besides college.
18. Because, according to John Taylor Gatto, “schools hurt children.”
19. College is not our ultimate aim.
21. Because of the secret in Proverbs 3.
22. Parents are the most qualified to teach their children.
23. n important part of learning is work.
24. Homeschooling can improve marriage.
25. To avoid raising Socialists.
One of the best, honest pieces I’ve read lately on motherhood…WELL worth the read…be sure to share.
“Christian mothers carry their children in hostile territory. When you are in public with them, you are standing with, and defending, the objects of cultural dislike. You are publicly testifying that you value what God values, and that you refuse to value what the world values. You stand with the defenseless and in front of the needy. You represent everything that our culture hates, because you represent laying down your life for another—and laying down your life for another represents the gospel.” -Rachel Jankovich
Someone told me it would be helpful if all the posts about the tornado that affected our family were in one place. So here it is, in chronological order! (As well as other links that may include news stories, videos, etc.) As I add updates, I will also include them in this post. Right now things are well. We are in the rebuilding process which is a bit stressful as we fight the clock, and one of my children is suffering from what appears to be adrenal fatigue. If you think to pray, we would be most grateful.
”When my life is not what I expected, the plans I made have failed
When there’s nothing left to steal me away, will You be enough for me? Will my broken heart still sing?If I lost it all, Would my hands stay lifted, to the God who gives and takes away
You take it all, This life You’ve given, STILL MY HEART WILL SING TO YOU.”
God is Mighty to Save…All is Not Lost
Tornado Update April 30 (from Kathy–videos and pictures)
Mailing Addresses for Lees and Crawfords
Beauty for Ashes on April 27 Part 1 (The Story)
Beauty for Ashes on April 27 Part 2
Beauty for Ashes on April 27 Part 3
Beauty for Ashes on April 27 Conclusion
When Love Looks Like Lumber (First building update)
Update: On Building and Scrap Wood
Update: Six Months After the Storm
Life is complicated enough. I’m on a constant mission to simplify our lives in every area I can. Here are a few ideas for your inspiration!
1. Streamline cleaning products, toiletries, etc.
Note: Please be aware that companies are fiercely competing for your attention and money. Shopping for toothpaste can be a nightmare–can I get a witness? Being very interested in marketing, I pay attention to strategies.
Clever companies are brilliant at “new and improved” products, and even better at convincing us how badly we need them. But often the hype is just that and the simpler we keep our product choices the better.
Some have done away with commercial brands altogether in favor of cheaper and healthier alternatives. Baking soda and water cleans hair…and teeth. Vinegar is an excellent household cleaner. And hey, why can’t you wash your body with your shampoo and cut back the number of bottles in the shower? Shave with conditioner?
2. Kid’s Baths
If you have many children, you probably already throw several of the little ones together at bath time. AND, you may have figured out that they don’t have to be bathed every night (it’s bad for hair and skin). One thing we do to simplify bath time is squirt a bit of body wash or shampoo into the bath water. By the time they’re done playing, they’re clean–no scrubbing required. Wash hair and be done.
3. Counter Tops
Simply put, the fewer things that are sitting out on counter tops, the easier to keep the surfaces clean. Take a fresh look at your bathrooms and kitchen. Are there things that could find a home in a cabinet? Could you hang a few baskets to group things and get them off the counters? Could you just pare down?
4. Location, Location, Location
Take an inventory of utensils, cleaning products and supplies. Are they in the place that makes the most sense? If your little ones help set the table, have you considered moving your dishes to a lower cabinet or drawer? Would dressing for bed be easier if the children kept their pajamas under their pillow? Give some thought to making things as practical to find as possible. I’d also stick a “delegation reminder” in here…your children need practical jobs around the house teaching them responsibility, helping prepare them for their own home and participating as a team player in the home. Don’t forget to delegate the age-appropriate jobs–it makes everyone’s life easier.
5. Storing Sheet Sets
Most of you probably know this trick, but I was delighted to find out how to keep sheet sets neatly stored. Fold sheets as neatly as possible then tuck them inside the pillowcase, smooth flat and stack. My friend wraps hers with twine and a label!
6. Charts and Lists
I like to have a chore chart for each person (including myself) posted in a central location. It can take a lot of nagging out of the day, especially if you have agreed with your children on a negative consequence in the case they don’t complete their chores. One simple way you may want to consider posting lists is right on the refrigerator with a dry erase marker. You could also paint a wall or the front of a cabinet (or inside the cabinet door) with chalkboard paint.
7. Plan Meals Ahead
For many people, a super-rigid menu doesn’t work. But it can be a real problem to leave this area completely undone. I suggest jotting down 6 or 7 meal ideas before the week begins. Look over the menu and make sure you have the ingredients you’ll need. As the week progresses, you may switch the meals around or have an unexpected dinner invitation. But having a meal idea on hand will keep you from spur of the minute take-outs. (That chalkboard inside the cabinet may be a good place for menu planning.)
8. Slow Down–On Purpose
I heard the phrase “having in quantity” (life status) versus “having with quality” (life quality). Often the life we end up living is not driven by the things that are truly important to us, but rather what we think are important to others. We must choose to exclude the things in our lives that rob us of quality living–things that rob us from relationships. Saying “no” to more things or more activities may just be the simple way to simplify.
These are just a few things to help you get started really thinking about how to simplify your life. Choose simplicity.
A woman’s life-work is HARD. Period. I submit to you that one of the most important things we can do to remain vigilant as wives and mothers is to encourage one another. If we don’t, we can quickly get overwhelmed, discouraged and defeated.
Jennifer at Renewing Houswives has a heart for just such encouragement. She is hosting Morning Motivations, beginning Monday, July 18th-Friday, July 22nd from 8 to 8:15 am, CST. Then again on July 25th to Aug. 5th from 10-10:15, CST.
The first week is FREE!!! And it’s only $11/household for the remaining two weeks. Once you register, you will be given specific information on how to listen and/or participate (there will a chance to ask questions to the guest speaker after each session).
I’ll be speaking on a day to be announced 😉
Friday: a volunteering group of contractors from GA throwing up walls to our house in a day! Lumber never looked so beautiful to me.
PROGRESS! It’s a beautiful thing! (See what happened here, here or here if you’re new to Generation Cedar.)
Just wanted to share an update with so many of you who have prayed, sent love and precious words of encouragement, thoughtful gifts and monetary donations to help us as we rebuild our lives.
Let me first just beg you all to accept my deepest gratitude. I have earnestly tried to send (and am still sending) personal notes of thanks to the many of you who have given of yourselves in different ways to our family, but I know I have lost track of addresses and have fallen so short in my efforts. Please know that every word, every letter, every gift and every prayer has been tucked and treasured in our hearts as a family even if I have failed to thank you personally. I wish I could list every gift, every perfect word at just the right time, every meal, every gesture given to us. There are literally hundreds. And I want you to know EVERY one has been a blessing. Not one has gone unseen or thankless. From our closest friends to people across the sea we’ve never known, this disaster has brought us the opportunity to bond closer and to meet so many of our brothers and sisters otherwise we would never have touched. From a milkshake coupon in the mail to unbelievable contributions, all have been equally received with the tenderest of thoughts toward the giver.
The devastation we have undergone may have overtaken us to the point of desperation were it not for so many of you and our friends and surrounding churches and neighbors giving of yourselves to refresh our spirits and bring us the daily encouragement we need to persevere. Words fail me and tears well up as I try to convey how thankful we are.
The Lord continues to show Himself strong and faithful through His body–YOU, who have come alongside us and literally held us up when otherwise we would have fainted. I have never felt more vulnerable and raw, but also never more caressed and deeply loved. This, I think, is the beauty of walking through the fire…to know the love of God in a way never imaginable.
You will never know what your love has meant to us.
***************
Many of the volunteer teams that come from out-of-town/state have stayed in the basement of my parents’ church. My brother’s team from CO, in their optimism, found the noise of the cots to be a memorable part of the trip so they made a short video to document their memory. (Thank you, dear ones, for sweating and working so hard in my flooded, steamy basement, also optimistically named “The Crawford Sauna”.)
“Sleepless in Alabama” from Grace in Pagosa on Vimeo.
Behold the power of the Almighty…
It says “house”, but only the foundations are left.
“When the whirlwind passes…the righteous has an everlasting foundation.” Proverbs 10:25
Notice the trees…if you can’t tell, they are almost ALL blown over. From the ground, there is nothing left standing. Even the grass is gone in many places. The aerial view gives a little better picture of the breadth of this storm. It is one of the most breath-taking, hard-to-believe sights you have ever seen. Many people have expressed that they have seen damage from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc., but have never seen damage so extensive as what is in our valley. It looks like this for about 4 miles, then it picked up, and set down again.
But you know what? It is well with my soul. Well, most days 😉
And the refrain keeps playing in my head:
“Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”
Perhaps you are aware of the importance of holding your babies close and the developmental advantages to that, but you may not be aware how easy The Moby Wrap makes it!
Read the rest and enter at Raising Homemakers…