Whatever Wednesday #11

Whatever Wednesday

What's going on in our homeschool?  We "officially" begin our school year next Tuesday...but my boys have already started their year with the local speech/debate club.  (NCFCA)  SO excited about my sons doing a duo interpretation and my oldest beginning apologetics this year!

What God is teaching me:  Whenever I read or hear something 3 times, I tend to think God is trying to show me something.  In the last couple of weeks I have read or heard the passage in Revelation 2 where Jesus is speaking in reference to the church in Ephesus:  "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance.  I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.  Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love."    

(What struck me the most is that God pays attention to each and every church!  He addressed 7 different churches in Rev. 1-3.  He CARES about what we as a church are doing...and may each and every church NOT forget our first love, Jesus!)


What am I reading?
   
What a GREAT read!  I'm nearly done.  I think every church member everywhere should read this!  


What am I feeling?    Sore.  I've started a new workout video:
                                                        So far, I think it's great.  It must be working because I can really tell I did something!   I highly recommend Lisa Whelchel's Everyday Workout for the Everyday Woman!  It looked like it would be a sensible workout, but I'll be honest: the main reason I picked it is because it was the only exercise DVD that didn't have half naked women on the cover.  Turns out, it is more than just modestly dressed women working out--it is a quality program!

 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Whatever Wednesday #10

Whatever Wednesday     

 What we discovered this week: Our local library!  And it's awesome!  The whole family is so excited to have access to such a fabulous library.

What's going on in our homeschool?: My oldest son just wrapped up his speech season with NCFCA (more on that next week!)  So...for the first time since August we are not thinking about speeches.  It's a little sad...but I'm happy to just focus on Biology, Algebra and American History for a change!  

What I'm looking forward to: Tonight, and every Wednesday night leading up to VBS, we will be having Adult VBS at our church.  I've never been involved with Adult VBS.  I'm so excited...and what a great way for me to get prepared as I will be teaching the children in several weeks. 

What moved me this week:  This quote from Mother Teresa was read at the end of the Speech/Debate competition as a charge to the students.  I've GOT to get this printed off and framed to display in our home!  

  

 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Whatever Wednesday #9

Whatever Wednesday  

What is going on at our house?

 The better question might be, "What is not going on?"  It is crazy...crazy good at our house! (Our new-to-us house!)  If you read my last post, you know that we've moved. I am happy to say that as of today, we have internet and a phone number!  Lots of unpacking and organizing.  (And me not being terribly motivated to find a new doctor, hairdresser, dentist, etc.)   

What plans do I have for our new home?

 Paint.  Lots and lots of paint.  Mostly in the gray family. I will be blogging all about it soon!  

What book we started this week:

My youngest and I started a new read-aloud: God's Smuggler.  An exciting true story by Brother Andrew.  (I even "caught" my oldest reading it!)

  

 

  

 What I'm looking forward to: 

Celebrating with our search committee with a "God is Good" fellowship this weekend.  



 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Whatever Wednesday #8

Whatever Wednesday

 

 

 

What's new in our Homeschool...

 

We are starting some new books this week....

 

My oldest started on TOPS Analysis (chemistry experiments):

 

Their new reader...The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn:

 

For History....George Washington's World:

 

And my oldest cracked open this brand-spanking new curriculum...Winston Grammar Advanced:

 

 

 

What new (to me) product I'm using...

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day All Purpose Cleaner.  (Lavender)

I really like that a little goes a long way and that it's all natural.  I'm really trying to not use any chemicals to clean my house.

 

What new website I've discovered....

 

http://www.thatresourcesite.com/book_resources_blank_book_reports.htm

 

(I copied a free book report template from there today.)

 

 

 What "Pinterests" me...

I'm watching out for all things "Colossal Coaster World".  This is what I have pinned on my board so far. 

 

 

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31



Whatever Wednesday #7

Whatever Wednesday

What's my latest (fun) purchase?

I just LOVE my new tray.  My sweet Momma and Dad bought if for me for Christmas...I got to pick it out! 

I luckily had a scrap of fabric in my purse from my new curtains I made .  I was thrilled with the match.  My tray is now my official "inspiration piece" for the room!!)

What's my new favorite color?

The day I purchase the fabric above, I had second thoughts.  The lady that cut the fabric for me said, "This isn't blue, it's mint green."  (She said this AFTER she cut it!)  NOOOOOOOOOOOO!  Mint green????  What have I done????  But, now I am feeling like maybe I was onto something.  I keep seeing my color (i.e. my tray!).  I finally found a name for my color: azores.  Look what I found on Pinterest:

What have I been cooking?

While my husband and oldest son were up in Gatlinburg with our church, I thought it would be fun for me and my youngest son to make homemade cinnamon rolls.  When my husband walked in the door, I had roast in the crockpot and freshly baked cinnamon rolls.  He said, "I smells like my Grandmother's house!"  :) 

 

What's going on in our homeschool?

We got back to our studies today.  Not crazy busy, just back.  Getting organized and getting back in the swing.

 

What am I listening to?

The sound of lego bricks as my son hunts for just the perfect one out of the drawer.  Love that sound.  It's the sound of contentment and creativity.  :)

 

What am I praying about?

Tonight during Bible Drill, I'll be presenting the plan of salvation.  Praying for whatever child may need to respond to the gospel. 

 

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Whatever Wednesday #6

Whatever Wednesday

 

 

 

  "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

 

 

What's my latest (fun) purchase:

So excited over this lamp to match my still-in-the-making-redo of our bedroom.  I was so glad I was patient and waited for just the right lamp.  I just love the texture and how it "matches" my new curtains.  (But not so much it looks like it matches too much!) My mom told me decorating always looks better if you collect things over time...and not buy everything all at once.  That way it won't looks store-bought-matchy-matchy!  (And this way is better on the budget!)

 

 

What's going on at church this week:

Tonight we had "Parent Share Night" for Bible Drill.  I had the best time watching parents hang out with their kids as they played games and did activities that reinforced Bible Verses, Books of the Bible, etc.  We had a fun time! 

 

Tonight was also our church-wide Thanksgiving meal.  We had a fantastic turn out and a delicious, traditional meal...my family especially loved the smoked turkey...yummo!!  I love having this time with my church family...they are such a big part of our lives!  :)

 

What I'm looking forward to:

Exercising my right as a homeschool mom to schedule Thanksgiving Break as I see fit.  We begin Friday afternoon--and it will last for at LEAST a week!  (Maybe more--because this mama wants to get her house decorated for Christmas before getting back to our studies!)

 

What I've been listening to:

My youngest son singing throughout the day.  He'll be singing with my preacher husband in a few weeks in church.  Nothing sweeter than hearing them practice in the evenings as my husband plays his guitar.  As we were headed to piano practice today, the song they'll be singing, "His Love Never Fails",  came on the radio, We cranked it up and all sang out!

 

 



Whatever Wednesday #5

Whatever Wednesday

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

1.  What I've been cooking: I woke up early and made homemade blueberry muffins.  Maybe I woke up a little too early.  I put one cup of milk in the batter when there was supposed to be 1/2 cup!  Soooo...I just added more flour and put a generous amount of sugar on top.  It turned out my husband liked it better that usual!  Yeah for happy accidents!

   

   2.   What's new with me: I posted my first official TOS Homeschool review.  I feel  

          good having finished!  I know it will get easier.    I'm so excited to be a part this 

          great crew! 

   3.    What my kids are up to: They have been playing a lot of chess this week.  I have no earthly idea how to play this game, but am thrilled that my husband taught them how.  I 

          know it's good for their brain.         

         

   4.    What's going on with our church/ministry:  Next week is VBS...one of the most

          important weeks of the year. I'm directing. There are lots of moving parts...

          it can get a "wee" bit stressful at times....but God does it every year....He SUPPLIES

          our needs.  So thrilled to receive even more leftover decorations from other churches

          and one of the men in our church is building part of our airplane hanger. 

         

Whatever Wednesday #4

Whatever Wednesday

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

 

What I have found to be true.....That spiritual renewal almost always goes hand in hand with physical exhaustion. 

What God is doing in/through our ministry...This week our church has hosted the community revival in our town.  It has been such a great week.  I love going to church everynight with fellow believers.  We have not been in bed until 11:00 most nights, but it has been such a joy to see God move in His church.

What surprised me...I have learned that you truly never know what a day or a week will bring.  God surprised me this week with a new friend--and new friends for my kids to boot!

 

What has moved me...Last night, the revival pastor ended the service  by asking those who wanted to, to stand and say, "Jesus is my Lord."   It was a powerful experience for us to have together with our church/fellow believers in the Lord.  

What I discovered...I do not have to use a rolling pin when rolling out dough for my bread.  I can just stretch it into a rectangular shape.  I know this is okay, because I say Martha do it!  ;)

What blessed me...Having a "front row seat" to see what God is doing in others' lives!

 

Whatever Wednesday #3

Whatever Wednesday

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

What I'm excited/nervous about: Leading my first conference tomorrow night. (VBS training)

What time I woke up this morning: 4:30 a.m.  (Thinking about the above.)

What I'm thinking about: Decorating my room for the VBS clinic, preschoolers, game mats, baby dolls, cardboard blocks, goggles, airplanes, curriculum....

What I finished making today:

This is my "cargo box" for VBS.  If you turn it over, it is a storage box. It is also  called for in the curriculum for various Bible learning activities. 

What I'm praying about: That God would use me tomorrow night to inform, encourage and inspire VBS Preschool teachers from around our association.  I pray that they would then reach children and families who need Jesus!



Whatever Wednesday #2

Whatever Wednesday

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." 1 Corinthians 10:31

What God is teaching me: to be more of an intersessor

What I'll be working on today: preparing for our Children's Bible Drill tonight at church (an exciting night to share with our church family!)

What my family keeps telling me: "Time to put out the hummingbird feeders!"  :)

What is something exciting that has happened lately?:  Both of my sons won their soccer games last Saturday...and both got to play "forward".  Last year my oldest son played defense all season...so this was huge for him!  My oldest even kicked the ball backwards over his head...ALMOST in the goal...it hit the post...but it was exciting!! 

What I learned about myself last week:  When I've had a very busy/stressful week...one of the best things for me (and my kids) is not to skip a day of school.  (Even if I have to get ready for a houseful of people for a fun family Easter weekend.)  The best thing for me is to go ahead and have some normal.  One of the best things I did last Thursday was to refocus myself by having several hours of "school".  It felt so good to be back in our "rhythm".  My house was not perfect, but I felt a lot more sane!  :) 

Whatever Wednesday #1

Whatever Wednesday

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory."  1 Corinthians 10:31

What I'm cooking (for breakfast): Applesauce Bread.  I got the recipe here at Heavenly Homemakers.  I really think of myself as a healthy eater/cook, but I want to be even more so.  This recipe sounded good. Though I love my blueberry muffins, this is made with no white flour or processed sugar!  I think it was a hit--this is what was left of the loaf:

What I've finished: As of last night I finished the entire Narnia Series!  (Finally!~~It has taken me a while!)  I HIGLY recommend this series!  For goodness sake, don't just watch the movies!

What I've started:  A new (to me) Beverly Lewis book: The Postcard

What my kids are up to: Soccer season, birdwatching 

What I am pondering: In my daily devotional (from My Utmost for His Highest) yesterday, Chambers said: "...To be so much in contact with God that you never need to ask Him to show you His will, is to be nearing the final stage of your discipline in the life of faith."  (Obviously, Chambers is not God's Word...but this made for good conversation at the dinner table last night.  I wouldn't go as far to say that you never have to ask God His will, but I get where Chambers is going with that.  Definitely some truth there.) 

What we are learning in our home education: The Greeks. (My boys love the Greek Myths!)  They are currently writing a compare/contrast paper on Athens/Sparta.

So, WHATever are you doing? 

Letha