From Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

"How is it possible to worship God publicly once each week when we do not worship Him privately throughout the week? Can we expect the flames of our worship of God to burn brightly in public on the Lord's Day when they barely flicker for Him in secret on the other days? Isn't it because we do not worship well in private that out corporate worship experience often dissatisfies us?" Then he goes on to say, "Think of it: The Lord Jesus Christ is willing to meet with you privately for as long as you want, and He is willing-even eager- to meet with you every day!" And then, "Exercise this privelege and fulfill this expectation for the glory and enjoyment of God forever."

Golf Balls and Sand Story-Juana Mikels

This is about time management. I love this analogy. Juana is a precious woman too.

http://www.juanamikels.com/search?updated-min=2011-12-31T21:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2012-11-27T16:28:00-05:00&max-results=50&start=21&by-date=false

A Wife Like Sarah Edwards

If there is one Titus Two, Godly woman I wish I could immulate...

http://www.nurseryofthenation.com/2011/08/sarah-edwards-reverent-wife.html?m=1

Sam's Art

Samantha's sweet co-op teacher, Karla Sheridan, taught basketweaving. The art is tied in with her study of American History.

Homeschooling High School

https://www.ochec.com/Categories.aspx?Id=ca207acb-d84c-4a3d-ad28-8310534c6185

Oklahoma Homeschool Laws

http://www.homeschoolacademy.com/homeschooling-resources/homeschool-state-laws/oklahoma-homeschool-laws/

A Home

"A small child, after watching his house burn down, was quoted as saying, 'We still have a home. We just don't have a house to put it in.' How perceptive of that child. Our home should be a trauma center for the whole family. We don't have to be perfect at home- just forgiven and forgiving. We can grow, we can make mistakes, we can shout for joy, we can cry, we can agree, and we can disagree. Home is a place where happy experiences occur. It's a shelter from the problems of the world, a place where love happens, acceptance is given, and security provided. Home offers a respite from the tragedies that seem to plague the world outside our door, as recounted on the newscasts. Within our four walls we can offer a place of peace."

~Quiet Moments for a Busy Mom's Soul by Emilie Barnes

Apples!

Liv has been learning about Johnny Appleseed, different types of apples, making applesauce, and learning about the fruits that people can grow in their lives (love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)! Everyone got to sample Jonagold, Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and my favorite, Granny Smith. We also discovered the star that God has hidden inside the apple. :) We'll be simmering the applesauce in the crockpot and have it for dinner tonight!

Notes from a Sermon

In good days and bad days, say, "God, I want to be used by you."

It is possible to fake it really well as a Christian.  Look at Judas.

Josiah- no king like him again. He did not turn aside to the right or left. The key to a tender heart- when you hear the Word, do you want to do something about it? Josiah committed his life to obey.

We can't become something we're not becoming now.

Tackle tough choices, battle crippling sins, cultivate biblical awe.

~Notes from a John Glass sermon, preached at TBC

Laura Ingalls Wilder Quote

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

House Schedule 2015-2016

I have taken invaluable ideas for prayer from, A Word-Filled Family by Dr. John S. Barnett and home management ideas from, Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman.

Prayer

Monday- Prayers for missionaries, pastor...

Tuesday- Prayers for family needs

Wednesday- Prayers for forgiveness and reconciliation

Thursday- Prayers for victory  (Staying pure, not getting bitter in trials)

Friday- Prayers of reflection (Examine whether or not we are giving Him first place in our lives

Saturday- Prayers of praise and preparation for Sunday

Home Management Schedule

Every day- Kitchen clean up
                   One load of laundry (or
                   every other day)

Goals: Morning walk every morning  (weather permitting) Read-alouds when staying indoors.
Bible reading
Empty kitchen sink every night before bed

                   

Monday- Laundry Day, Sam's Laundry (Bella and Liv's too)

Tuesday- Clean/Vacuum Floors, little boy's laundry

Wednesday- Office Day/bathrooms
E-mail business, write thank you cards, dr/dentist appointments, make needed calls..., Bailey's Laundry Day

Evening Bible Study

Thursday- Kitchen Day
Sam-Piano

Friday- Town Day

Saturday- Cleaning Day

Make a menu plan

Clean out car/sometimes wash

Garden/weed

Consign clothes and drop off "giveaway" bags

Chore Sticks: The kids can pick a popsicle stick with chores written on them. Such as: wipe baseboards, organize movies or books, clean windows, help weed garden, organize school drawer, Draw Again (Just for fun),  "Ask mom" (this one is for something mom sees that needs to be done but is not written on a chore stick.) This idea came from Tonya Ferguson @ https://4littlefergusons.wordpress.com/

Sunday- Church/Rest
If not done, write Bailey's lesson plans. Look over Livi's.

School Schedule

Monday-Thursday
I wake- 6:45 or before (Feed baby 6:30)
Kid's wake-7:45
Morning chores/breakfast/personal Bible
9:00-Morning walk/pledge/Bible
10:15- Livi- Kindergarten with mom (Cameron alongside)
Bella- Independent schoolwork
Samantha- Co-op work
Bailey- Switched on Schoolhouse
Noah- nurse/eat and morning nap
11:30- Bella-Math/Spelling test ( some days) with mom and corrections
Liv- "Livi Time"
Cameron- "Livi Time"
12:00- If done with Bella and Sam is done with co-op work- math with Sam
12:30- Lunch/Bella done
1:00- Clean up
1:15- Cameron, Livi, and Bella- "Bella Time"
Sam- piano/violin. Then Switched on Schoolhouse.
Bailey- Co-op work
Around 2- Nurse/feed Noah
2:30 or so- Math with Bailey
3:00 or so- Math with Sam if not earlier
4:00- Quiet Time
4:30 Cook dinner
5:00-6:00- Finish dinner/Kid's Chores/Mom-Cleaning focus of the day
6:00- Dinner with Dad
6:45- Dinner clean up
7:15- Read with Cam and Liv
7:30- Cameron and Liv bed
8:30- Sam, Bell, Bay- Book Time

Love our Morning Walks!

Leaves

Little brother loves to work alongside of Livi.

The Snare of Compare

https://vimeo.com/45489686#embed

A Very Helpful Encouragement Not to Compare Ourselves with Others

http://www.girltalkhome.com/blog/the-snare-of-compare2/

Ben and Jessa Seewald's blog

These two are a God-honoring young couple. They point others to Christ and are so encouraging to see.

http://theseewaldfamily.com/2015/10/today-s-devotional

Preaching to Myself

Something I need to be reminded of right now. A favorite quote of Jessa (Duggar) Seewald's that she posted on her blog.
“Faith is not believing that God will do this or that. It’s believing that whatever He does is right and good—and resting and trusting that."

Shepherd's Cross (The Sheep Farm)

We had a sweet time with friends! The kids didn't appreciate my taste in pumpkins- the bumpy green one. ;)

Remember

"Remember, people are changed through observation, not by argument."

I came across this on a blog. The man was giving an example of a mother kneeling down and praying at her bed when a child walked in. He said it was 10 times more effective than telling the child to pray. He also mentioned the same with Bible reading.

Livi Flys to the Moon

Livi decided to fly to the moon today, just like Little Bear. Making the rocket was a group effort! Just after "take off," the children got mail from Papa and Gramma Bobber! :)

Livi's Kindergarten

The sun, moon, and stars mobile. Livi learned about what God made on Day 4.

Livi Learning About Leaves

Piper on Edwards

Pastor John Piper on Jonathan Edwards, "Edwards made it plain in his preaching and in in his living that he believed great thoughts about God without great love toward people are sure evidences of hypocrisy and the pathway to hell."