Tag Archives: new homeschooling mom

Simple Building

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Simple Building

The young group of children sat at my feet. I tried to gather them all around as a mother hen would gather her chicks. Most of the time it worked. “Boys and girls, it is time for our Bible story” I said. One little boy decided that putting the final touches on his tower of blocks was much more important than listening to me, so he ignored the request. The other six children put their things away, but Ryan chose to continue his project.

“Oh, look, I am so proud of the way Chad has put his things away and come to the circle.” I said (as all good teachers have been trained to say). This didn’t get Ryan’s attention. He continued on with his mission. “Sarah, thank you for listening to me and putting your things away in order to come to the circle.” The words fell flat again. Ryan did seem proud of Ryan and Sarah, but no change in his behavior. Continue reading Simple Building

Simple Summer

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Simple Summer

Summer is almost officially upon us, although today feels as though it has arrived. Our morning walk was just a tad bit hotter than usual. But this family has always loved summer.

Baseball games, whiffle ball, fireflies, swimming, beaches, long days, short nights, back porches…well you get the general idea. I am sure you can add your favorite summer activities to make you own list! In fact, that might be a good idea. Or let your children journal what they see and learn!

There is something about summer that gives us permission to slow down a bit. No set bedtimes, no set wake up times. When the kids were little, summer just happened at a different pace. Continue reading Simple Summer

Simple Clouds

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Simple Clouds

One summer day we arrived at the amusement park.  It was very warm, one of those hot and sticky days.  The blacktop road had absorbed the heat from the previous day and just radiated.  Rain was forecasted, and we were none to happy about the forecast.

We rode a couple of rides with sweat rolling down our heads, backs and other areas!  We were miserable.  We are fans of the warm weather, but this was not good.  By the time we were on the fourth ride we noticed a markable difference.  What had happened?

The rain clouds had rolled in.  They lasted throughout the day and yet the rain seemed to stay away.  The rain clouds turned out to be an incredible covering for us.  The hovered over the park, keeping the temperatures almost pleasant.  They were indeed welcomed.

In the Old Testament, God dwelled among his people.  He chose the tabernacle and the Holy of Holies to be the place of His presence.  The cloud hovered over the ark. (Read Exodus 25-30).

Exodus 40 tells us of the tabernacle and how it was set up.  “Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.  Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.  In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not left from above the tabernacle, they would not set out until the day it lifted.” vs. 34-37

Cool huh?  Three things I noticed.  First, our precious Father has always wanted to dwell among his people.  Remember how He walked with Adam in the cool of the garden in Genesis? The sin took place.  God cannot look upon sin.  He is a Holy God.  And yet, He is again providing a way to dwell among his people.  Then I noticed the cloud.  How appropriate that the cloud would somehow represent the glory of the Lord!  Clouds protect, carry rain to nourish the land, are beautiful to behold.  Lastly, notice that the Israelites did not move until the cloud had lifted.  My if we could only move when God called us to!  Some many times I set out in my own timing and not His!

So many times we think of the clouds as a bad thing…..I wonder if those simple clouds can teach us more than we can ever begin to understand?  And next time we are at an amusement park on a hot, humid day….I hope the clouds show up!!

Be Blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE
Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image, NIV