Sanctified Woman

Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom | What Do I Know?

2012-01-06T06:29:00.001-05:00

Whether said in gest or in serious self-examination, the answer to this timeless question, “What do I know?”, colors our life principles and priorities. So knowing a bit more about “knowing” might be of greater benefit than we first imagine.

The Scriptures speak of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom and their value to a man and the prosperity of his soul (Prov 24:4). Beginning with knowledge, what do I know?

First, I find I want to “know”. Something within me desires to “know”. I want to “know” what is good and evil, right and wrong, just and unjust. The desire to know is a God-given and God-purposed desire that humans made in His image possess.

Second, as a result of wanting to “know”, I look to my authorities to “know” more about knowledge. Parents, church, scripture, and wise counselors are common authorities. I tend to look to scriptures first, and here I find particulars and specifics that can form, inform, and expand my understanding of knowledge:

In the garden, there was a tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Knowledge informs us of good and evil.
Knowledge informs our actions.
Knowledge and discretion are related.
No knowledge and senseless are related.
From the Lord’s mouth comes knowledge
Take knowledge over gold.
Through knowledge the righteous are delivered.
If you love discipline, you love knowledge.
Fools do not discern words of knowledge.
Knowledge can come through receiving discipline and instruction.
Knowledge without love can puff up
We can have knowledge of truth
We can have knowledge of God

Scriptures are full of references to knowledge. These I have listed purport the value of knowledge to the life and soul of a man (or woman). A few other’s warn that knowledge apart from love puffs up the knower.

So let’s ponder knowledge a bit more.

There is knowledge to be found.
Knowledge is to be fervently sought after.
Knowledge comes in the form of words, instruction, and discipline.
True knowledge bears good fruit.
A life of wisdom is not possible without knowledge.
Knowledge must be ruled and ordered by love

These are just a few observations we can add to our understanding of knowledge and our relationship to knowledge.

What about you? What do you know?

Practicum Speaker Bio

2011-07-15T15:58:00.000-04:00

A former atheist and self-sufficient feminist, Heather’s path was irrevocably altered in 1990 when she recognized her life was on a soul-bankrupting path. Surrendering and filling out the back of a Gideon Bible her grandmother had given her years earlier, Heather laid her old life down and rose to walk in newness of life. An engineering graduate from the University of Louisville, Heather’s career path took a turn after the birth of their first child when she was introduced to the idea of homeschooling. Early in her homeschooling journey, Heather was introduced to the classical Christian model of education and shares its secrets and sufficiency with parents across the nation. A former Precept study teacher, Heather has taught and spoken at women’s conferences, as well as parent workshops and practicums. With a contagious passion for learning, speaking, teaching, and educating her children, she inspires and encourages others in their walk with Him and in their home-education journey.

Heather enjoys writing, speaking, and teaching, and currently serves as Executive Director of Classical Conversations MultiMedia’s leadership team. Heather and her husband Ed live in NC, where they teach and disciple their children to use their lives and talents for the glory of God. You can learn more about Heather on her blog: Sanctified Woman

Sanctification? What’s that? (part 2)

2011-05-03T10:34:00.001-04:00

Prompted by my son’s thoughtful question, and turning to God’s Word as the ultimate authority for my life, I began to explore God’s will, that is “sanctification”. Where did the word sanctify first appear in the scriptures? And what was the context?

The first occurrence of the word sanctify is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Exodus after the children of Israel had been freed from their slavery in Egypt. You know the story. The children of Israel had been oppressed and enslaved for 400 long years. The hope of ever being the nation that God has promised their forefather Abraham had become a distant memory clouded by their harsh oppression.

The people cried out and after 400 years, in the fullness of His timing, the Lord moved. He raised up a deliverer. As the story goes, the Lord delivered His people through Moses, who had as a baby escaped Pharaoh's earlier death decree for first born male in every Hebrew home. The Lord brought mighty acts of judgment against Israel’s oppressors through Moses.

The last of the ten judgments, or plagues came - the death of the first born. The Lord had not forgotten His people. He had seen the Pharaoh's harshness and cruelty, even his earlier order to kill the first born Jewish male. In His judgment, the Lord provided salvation for His people and their first born. This time they need not fear, their first born would find salvation. The blood of a lamb on the doorpost would cause the angel of death to passover the house; the first born male of the house would be saved.

It was on the heels of this miraculous liberation, the Lord commands the Israelites to remember His great and powerful hand that saved them out of Egypt, by instituting the ordinance of an annual Passover feast for the people to celebrate in community annually. Unleavened bread would remind the people of the haste in which the left Egypt. Bitter herbs would remind them of the bitter oppression. Lamb would remind them of the Lord’s provision amid judgment.

Interestingly, this context is also the first use of the word sanctify, which means a setting apart. What or who was to be “set apart"”? The first born was to be part of this memorial and was to be followed within the family. A reminder how the Lord provided salvation for His people and their first born. While we are called to remember in community, we are also called to remember within our own family.

Certain days, special meals, and distinct celebrations are part of our sanctification, of our being set apart. Such times call upon us to reflect and behold what God has done and what God has promised. Fixing our mind and heart on these truths is part of our sanctification. Drawing our thoughts backward, upward, and onward. Reordering our affections, so that any maligned appetite or desire may once again be rightly ordered according to His kingdom.

I share with my son these truths. We each carry a vision of what our life and purpose are, and we become what we behold.

Here’s the struggle: What/Who are we beholding? Practically, how do we as a family develop and faithfully carry a vision, His vision, in our modern, rapid-paced times?

Sanctification? What’s that?

2011-04-28T11:23:00.000-04:00

This was the question my youngest son asked me just recently. Such a soul-shaping and overarching theme in my own life, I realized I had not communicated its important meaning and imperative well to my children, especially my youngest son.

I remember when I first encountered this idea… the idea of being sanctified, of being set apart. I was reading the scriptures:

“This is the will of God, your sanctification…” – I Thess 4:3

Well, how wonderful! A clear concrete declaration of God’s will for me! Not some mystical hide and seek exercise. His will was made plain to me in this verse. My sanctification!

After the initial excitement of such a profound discovery, the questions came… But what does this mean? And then, of course, came the follow up question – How?

Rats! The wrestling and quest for understanding had only just been ignited…

I have to confess I did not readily embrace what I began to learn as I search the scriptures. Set apart?!? I had spent much of my life working hard on fitting in, following the crowd, … And the idea of being sanctified, or in the process of sanctification, didn’t that sound arrogant, superior, and perhaps even self-righteous? I wasn’t sure what this meant. This wasn’t going to be easy and certainly not something natural to me and my understanding.

Perhaps you too have had similar thoughts and feelings about this word, this command, this declaration of the will of God.

So I now hope to explore this word and principle this coming year and share the posts here… On my blog: SANCTIFIED Woman. With the hopes of enlarging our own understanding while also growing in our ability to lead our own family in this understanding, we’ll allow the potter to shape us and transform our understanding.

Grace and truth are found on His wheel…

2011 Parent Practicum - Improving Your Vision

2011-03-22T07:07:00.000-04:00

Greetings fellow classical educators!

It is that time of year again - Parent Practicum time.

Check out our video previewing this year's Practicum theme - Improving Your Vision. Stay tuned!

Thinking Beyond a Book…

2010-04-25T22:31:00.001-04:00

Summer time is approaching and that can only mean one thing… Parent Practicum season is here!

Homeschooling is a journey that takes vision and careful planning. Check your bearings and plan the best route for your family at Classical Conversations’ free 3-day Parent Practicums.

Join me, or any one of this year’s practicum speakers, as we explore practical tools for bringing breadth and depth to your family’s learning. Discover how the classical model takes education beyond a textbook for relational and transformational learning.

CiRCE Institute founder, Andrew Kern, visits in select cities via a multimedia presentation to share his heart for education that reclaims the whole student, challenging educators everywhere to adjust their thinking.

Economically-priced Care & Camps for Kids...While you are learning, your students will be too! Whether they are being cared for in our nursery, playing and chanting in our play camps, memorizing and drawing God’s world in our geo-drawing camp, or learning more about language, writing, science, or communicating in one of our older academic camps, your students are sure to enjoy the group learning environment.

Visit Classical Conversations’ Event Calendar and register for one of these exciting and equipping events today! click here >

Sanctification Calls for Questions

2009-11-23T07:33:00.001-05:00

(Part of Sanctified Sections post series and Streets of Sanctification label)

During this season of my life, many of my sanctification moments involve my immediate family – my husband and children. My sanctification and theirs is being lived out day to day, week to week, and year to year! The good, the bad and the ugly – if you will.

One morning this past week, I was jolted to full alertness by my two favorite sons arguing in the kitchen over which food resources should be consumed and by whom. (Scarcity of food resources in a house with young, growing men is a constant real and present danger!)

“You took the last two tortillas!” accused the authoritative, firstborn, fourteen-year-old son. “You should have eaten the whole wheat bread!” With a tone of injustice and exasperation, the oldest son brings his plight to his mother, who is not the sharpest (or most sanctified) judge and juror before 9:00am. But none-the-less, sanctification never sleeps, (at least not past 9:00am!) and I am once again summoned to direct the traffic for these two budding, often bull-dozing, boys.

The first to present their case seems just, until another comes along and examines him. (Prov 18:17)

The youngest son, Caleb, often feeling to be the victim of such barrages of the high expectations from his older brother, rather dumb founded demands, “Daniel, leave me alone! I didn’t do anything wrong! You always get on to me!”

When clarity and hidden-heart agendas need to be revealed, there is a model Jesus provided. One he used over and over again. One I seek to feebly follow in our own home.

Delaying dealing with my youngest’s tone and sweeping statement, a question arises in my mind. Unclear as to why my oldest son was pushing the whole wheat bread, I asked some key questions. This brings me to my first practical principle in sanctification.

Sanctification Principle #1:

Ask questions and get THEM thinking!

Questions engage the mind and reveal thinking. Jesus modeled this throughout His interactions with different people. His purpose was often to sift to the surface the heart and the understanding of the person he was engaging.

Caution: Too often as parents, we continue do all the thinking for our older children.

Through a series of questions, it is revealed my oldest partiality toward the tortillas and his lack of fondness for whole wheat bread. Upon this revelation, we determine - together - he should not have taken a reprimanding demeanor with his younger brother which began the disgruntled detour. Reconciliation (a practical process put firmly in place in our home from the time my oldest was two) was sought with his brother, both apologized for their reactive words, attitudes and tones. Sanctification continues - relationships strengthened, bitterness abated, humility displayed, grace given – after all, He is the potter and we are the clay. The streets of sanctification are once again relatively relationally liter-free.

Weighty considerations as we journey down the streets of sanctification…

This takes TIME, LISTENING and asking QUESTIONS! Much harder than giving a command and demanding compliance, which most appropriately characterizes parenting in the child’s younger years (or the inverse mindset of leaving the children to themselves to find looking-to-the-interest-of-others, god-honoring wisdom.) As the child grows self-revelation is much more powerful and lasting than the revelation by others to the child – questions help sift self-revelation to the surface. Are we willing to invest at this level? We choose. This is a toll road. There is only a PAY NOW or PAY LATER option, because either way, we will pass through the toll booth. Pay now is proactive, pay later is reactive and tends to be much messier. Both are costly in time and energy, however one way tends to be much more harmonious, the other way much less.

Have you found this out the hard way? In some areas of my sanctification journey I sure have! My biggest struggle has been to have tools to help me be proactive. As a parent, this took genuine humility on my part, because that meant I didn’t have all the answers much less tools to help me. I don’t even think I had any answers, mostly because I didn’t have a vision for intentional parenting founded on His word and ways. Rather, I had lots of “man’s wisdom” – from my own secular upbringing, my third parent – the TV, ideas influenced by romance books and mindless music. Yikes! The only thing I can say is that when my oldest was two years old, I became keenly aware that I didn’t know where I was going with these new family additions! I hit a roadblock on the streets of sanctification.

So what do I do when I need help? Is there a street sign with instruction in His word, on what to do when we need help? Yes!! Call on the Lord, seek Him, seek Him with all our heart is what His word says. So I clung to Jeremiah 9:23-24, Jer 33:3, Prov 3:5-6, and other scriptures that revealed this “seeking and finding” principle to me and the journey began…

So roadblocks require genuine humility and a few tools in order to overcome and journey forward. I say tools and not techniques. Techniques tend to cage our thinking into a system or formula, which, when divorced from foundational understanding, are dangerous and inappropriate when it finds its application in people and relationships. Rather, we need tools which provide an image of a master tradesman with understanding utilizing a tool to accomplish a purpose.

Do you and I know our purpose as parents? Do we seek to understand our influence, stewardship, responsibility? I am afraid too often we do not. Rather than seeking sanctification in our parental thinking, we seek the path of least resistance or the path of least patience… and we settle. We settle for what the current culture says, and yes, even what some short-sighted church leaders and “church-goers” say.

One of the primary tools we need is good questions!

Good questions are by nature, engaging and relational. Without good questions, we are merely having “parallel monologues”, as I have heard my friend, Andrew Kern, say. Conversations without connections don’t strengthen relationships – with God or with others. So let’s see where we can go to find some models of good questions, then we’ll work on some principles of purpose and listening.

More probing ideas to come…

Uncomfortable? You bet, that is sanctification’s way. With the perpetual flow of seemingly prickly people in our lives as well as our own ample portions of porcupine-ness, sanctification finds its transforming abode.

Sanctified Sections

2009-11-16T11:08:00.001-05:00

Years ago, I was introduced to a book that would irrevocably alter my warped, worldly thinking and set me on a new path to appropriate my identity according to God’s Word. That book was The Common Made Holy by Neil Anderson and the Freedom in Christ Ministry. A book that opened my eyes and heart to the idea of sanctification on a very practical level. A book that I recently picked up, reminded me of an important principle found in Anderson’s book.

The importance of relationships in our sanctification process. The Lord uses relationships with others to sanctify US!

Ohhh! So that’s why relationships can be so difficult - they touch areas that we would prefer remain untouched! YES! Some relationships more than others seem to touch such areas. And some relationship-seasons (husband-wife, parent-child, friend-friend, employer-employee, etc…), are more challenging than others at different times.

While we have a tendency to (more comfortably) focus on the OTHER person’s need for sanctification during a difficulty, we must be careful to follow the command to work out our OWN salvation, or sanctification, with fear and trembling. The principle and application of “the log and the speck” has transformative power – personal transformation and relational transformation. Sounds difficult but desirable, yes? Yet many of us settle for the paralysis created by neatly placing blame and guilt on the other party, ignoring our own participation and contribution to an often relationally polarizing process.

So let’s first look at the WHY question. Why do many of us have a tendency to solely settle for seeing others as the incessant thorn in our side and ourselves as victims? This is a big question and the answer requires expanding our thinking, which translates into exposure to ideas based on higher and deeper principles than those we may be currently operating under.

Where would I search for such principles? Among mere men and their wisdom? Perhaps as a starting point or a bridge to a greater source. Years ago, as a teenage atheist, I lived according to man’s wisdom and the wisdom the world valued. What was my primary source? Well… General Hospital, of course! Actually, GH was just one of many. I would now blush at the books, music, magazines, TV shows, and movies that shaped my futile and foggy thinking in those days. The results and consequences are not appropriate to share here, however, it was through these that a search began, a decision was made, and a line was drawn. My greater source was Him and my primary source of truth was to be God’s Word from that day forward.

So here is a perhaps new sanctification idea, drawn by men from God’s word, that I have found worthy to ponder on my own journey in the fertile fields of relationships.

For lack of a more creative term I will call this grid … Sanctification Sections and over a few blog posts, I hope the idea will take a firmer shape in your mind and heart.

Place this four-section table over your own heart – thinking of what you know or see about your OWN heart.

	What others see/know	What others do NOT see/know
What I see/know…	Best Section contains what I know and allow others to see about me. I share what I know to be the BEST about me with others.	Behind-the-Scenes section secret part of my life – * positive (specific acts and disciplines that cultivate a strong and healthy Christian life) * negative (sin, struggles, thoughts, fleshly weaknesses not shared or trusted to others)
What I do NOT see/know	Blind Section Yikes! Others can see things about me I am BLIND to (pride, self-reliance, consequences of media choices, etc)… BUT with safe, mature counselors, I humbly allow these areas to be brought to my conscience to be transformed & sanctified.	Buried Section Again, there are things I don’t know about my own heart, and others don’t either – degrees of pride, selfishness, self-reliance, tendency to spiritualize, denial, hiding, blaming, … Sanctification seeks to reduce this “section” too!

Table adapted from Listening for Heaven’s Sake.

Can these ideas help your family along sanctification’s way? It sure has mine! Does this help provide a framework for a dialog of truth and grace? I am working on it!

So the question NOW becomes a HOW question. How do you and I move from our comfortable habit of neatly tying up all relational distress as due to the other person, to soberly and accurately allowing the Lord to poke around in our own hearts?

There are cautions and considerations as we learn How. Let’s unpack these ideas a bit… more in blog posts to come.

Wise Parents Wrestle…

2009-11-13T16:49:00.001-05:00

Today produced yet another enlightening discussion with friends and fellow forerunners in the Christian-parenting journey. Personal struggles in passing along the live-giving ideas and principles wrapped up in a life based on truth as defined by the One who claimed to be the Way, the Truth and the Life.

The communication and cultivation of these life-giving and life-altering truths to the next generation, in a world preoccupied with its own passing beauty, is appropriately marked by struggle - a wrestling if you will. After all, where there is no wrestling - no struggle - inherent weakness and frailty remain unrevealed. A result no loving parent would intentionally wish to cultivate yet statistics bear an alarming frailty among young people emerging from “Christian” homes.

Wise parents therefore welcome the wrestling and do not settle for the short-sighted temptation to exasperate our young adults by means of forcing mere external obedience while refusing to engage their young minds and hearts through relevant encounters of principles and ideas from scripture. While we, as parents, are often already resolved on such ideas and principles, we often forget how we arrived at such resolutions. Many resolutions have been made through our own struggles with truth and “truth” (and others through amiable acquiesce or clinging to a certain form or tradition, but that is a subject best left for another blog post). The next generation must be afforded the same opportunity, the same right to test His ways and truths against the world’s “ways” and “truths”. The Way, the Truth and the Life is more than up to the task, even if we parents are not! Remember, He dealt with us, didn’t He?

Is such wrestling permitted and promoted within the arena of your home, my home? The days of parenting by authority alone were appropriate when our children were young and their capacity to understand and reason required consistent external governance, correction and intervention. However, in healthy, and I would argue Biblical, parenting of the human soul, this external governance must give way to internal governance upon which the work of His spirit must be fully relied upon for all application and wisdom on the parents part and the budding youth’s heart.

Consequently, if we parents continue to rely more upon our own strength by exerting our unilateral authority to its fullest extent in all matters on behalf of these young adults, this internal governance in our youth remains neglected, and as a result, it is profoundly retarded. Producing what kind of adult? At best, an adult that is conditioned to be controlled and cared for by other humans with an identity grounded in human elements and efforts. In the end, both parent and youth resent this regretful result.

The human soul innately knows it was designed for a greater governance, a governance that does not produce slavery to a human element, but a governance that paradoxically produces freedom from human frailties of self and others. Producing a freedom to love and serve from the heart. With a transcendent identity characterized by an attractive and unassuming authority that stems from the internal governance of His spirit. This is the appropriate and fruitful governance the human soul was designed to find its fullest satisfaction.

My spirit is vexed in this sober undertaking. What parent is able to labor in a worthy manner under such weighty matters? Hope abounds because of His provision. For whom He has granted precious and magnificent promises through which, when apprehended and appropriated by His grace, we wrestle with Him who bestows strength, blessing, understanding, and wisdom.

May we wrestle with Him, so that we may have personal strength to pass to our youth in their time of wrestling.

Some fun in Challenge 1!

2009-11-05T11:24:00.001-05:00

Thankful and Content

2009-11-02T10:29:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for my eyes that see,
Your creation, your power and nature so clearly.
But should you take this gift away,
I would be most content, for it can often cause me to stray.

I am thankful for the legs that carry me,
To do your work and meet my fellows in need.
But should you take this gift away,
I would be most content to sit at your feet and stay.

I am thankful for the keen mind given me,
By it, I may think and dwell on ways of Thee.
But should you take this gift away,
I would be most content to more quickly find your narrow way.

I am thankful for the health given me,
To serve and minister with bended knee.
But should you take this gift away,
I would be most content and prepared for glory’s day.

I am thankful for the many gifts given me,
To be a faithful steward of them in word and deed.
When you decide your purpose for me is complete,
I would be most content to live forever with Thee.

Heather Shirley
November 1999

From Triangles to Tattoos?!?

2009-09-09T20:16:00.001-04:00

Each week, I have the privilege of gathering with a group of 16 and 17 year olds where we learn math and more about the God behind the language of math!

This week, we were once again learning even more about triangles. Let me just say, I love triangles! Triangles are so important in measuring and relating to God’s creation that there is a whole course called Trigonometry devoted to them! And guess what, my God is a triune God. Interesting that He would choose the triangle as a corner piece in understanding so many aspects of His creation. Very interesting, isn’t it?!?

So this week, we were contemplating triangles. Formulas for triangles, similar triangles, right-triangles, congruent triangles, … and I stopped!

“Students. What do the words congruent triangles mean?”

A student replies reading the bold text from a lesson, “Congruent triangles are similar triangles with a scale factor of one.”

“Good!” I replied. “So you could say congruent triangles are the same. They have the same side lengths and same angles.”

Frustrated and forlorn, one student states, “Well then! Why don’t we just say that then! Why do we have to use strange words!”

YES!! The moment had come! You see, I have been waiting, waiting for this fated pivotal moment. The moment when the stars aligned, and I could share a secret I learned seven years ago - a learning secret.

“Every subject has a language that we have to learn! This is called the grammar. Do you feel stupid when someone keeps using a word as if you should know what it means? I sure do! Does anyone here know what a direct object is? A few nodded, others whispered “No.” I said, “If you knew Latin or sentence patterns and structures you would.”

So it is so important to go back and ASK, what do you mean by _______? Or hustle back through a lesson and find the definition of that unfamiliar word. In order to learn anything, we have to understand the words people use and how they are using them – this is called the grammar!” If we don’t understand the words, or know the grammar, we tend to shutdown and tune out, because it really is “all Greek to me!”

I didn’t stop there. Oh no! The door had been swung open and I have been invited in! I went on … to the dialectic stage. Learning how to think and make connections; perceive relationships between subjects, between concepts and between their personal faith and their personal choices.

On and on, I went! Until finally, as I was moving into the third learning skill, rhetoric, I stopped and I asked. “Does anyone here have a tattoo?”

Attention riveted, as they each craned their necks to be sure they had heard my question correctly. Everyone shook their head, but I could tell I had struck an already contemplated cord. A tempting knock on the debate door was heard loud and clear. I allowed for a temporary trek down tattoo lane… but only to serve my greater purpose.

“Why would someone want a tattoo?” I fished.

Immediately, the answer from one student was - “To tell a story, to share a message that is important to the bearer.”

Ahhhh HAAA! Here is where I rounded out the robust and riveting discussion, by dropping my premise into place. The idea that words – speaking and writing words – are superior to images in many ways. What’s my authority? God’s illustrations and metaphors in His word. Specifically, referencing our God in speaking creation into existence and Jesus being the word of God, just to name a few. Words carry great power!

I challenged the students – work on using words well!

I concluded by saying… whether you or your friend has a tattoo or piercing or whatever… people will ask questions about it and you will eventually need words to tell the real, whole story … and that is the heart of rhetorical skills – mastering the right usage of words!

We bantered a bit more, even laughed as we shared thoughts and ideas. One student asked me, “What do you think, Ms. Shirley?” Good! They are interested in what I think. Like any good teacher would do, I let the question linger, leaving them to ponder what I might think and why. “That discussion is for another time.” Though I am disappointed that no one asked me if I had a tattoo, but I think I inadvertently let that cat out of the bag when I said, “It is by the grace of God that I don’t have a tattoo. Before the age of twenty, I was an atheist, but that’s yet another colorful story for another time!”

So I leave the rest of this discussion to your family’s dynamics, history and walk with the Lord. You can thank me (or curse me) later! :)

Either way, your family still needs to answer the question…

What is MY communication strategy?

Comparing Covenants

2009-09-07T07:08:00.001-04:00

My oldest two children and I are currently working through a study on Abraham using Precept Ministries materials for teens/schools.

We are enjoying looking into the life of Abraham, where many historical and spiritual sprouted. Who was Abraham? What is his significance? How does this relate to the rest of scripture? These are only a few of the questions we contemplate and ponder in this rich study.

This week we camped on the Abrahamic covenant and cross referenced two other main covenants in the scriptures – the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. While we only scratched the surface of these ideas and their implications, it was an incredible time of discussion and observation.

I’ll share a quick overview chart that may stir your family to ponder and compare these covenants.

Abrahamic Covenant (AC)	Old Covenant (OC)	New Covenant(NC)
Genesis 15	Exodus 24, Gal 3	Ez 36, Jer 31, Gal 3
God made with Abram	God made with Israel	God made with believers
Promise: Great nation, descendants (seed) All nations blessed through him Land	added because of transgression Tutor to lead to Christ	Promise: God’s Law written on hearts Forgives iniquity God’s Spirit within causes to walk in His ways

We asked questions like:

When was the covenant made? How long will it last?
Who made it? Who was it made with?
What was promised? What was its purpose?
What was the outcome? What was Abram’s response? What was Israel’s response? What should be the response of those participating in the New Covenant?

Enjoy pondering and discussing!

Rainbows as Reminders

2009-08-24T08:41:00.001-04:00

Have you ever had moments of desperation?

Seasons of life that drive you to your knees? To your face?

Not necessarily a moment or season of difficult circumstances or outward trials, but an inward hunger and thirst for righteousness – right-ness with your Lord.

The anguish of heart, as you desire to know that you are pleasing Him first and foremost – not yourself and not merely a people-pleaser.

Do you ever have an overwhelmingly keen sense of your own inadequacy? The “Whom am I Lord…?” syndrome?

Who am I Lord…

… to steward the lives of these children?
… to respect and help my husband?
… to teach your word to others?
… to minister to other parents?
… to lead areas of a national homeschooling organization?
… to teach my children at home?
… to manage the monthly grocery bill?!!!

Often times these roles and responsibilities overwhelm me like a flood! My frailties floating higher and higher around me. How about you? Do you ever feel that you will drown in the sheer volume of responsibilities contained in your day-to-day life?

Do you ever need a reminder that He is in charge? That He oversees the affairs of your life? That He will not allow the flood to overtake you?

Well… these last few months have been like this for me.

This morning I intentionally cried out to God and poured out my heart before Him! Wrestling with Him for His perfect work in my life, in lives of our family, in our community, in our church, in Classical Conversations and beyond.

As I went out to the mail box around 7:10am this morning to put something in the mailbox (which is NOT a normal habit of mine :))…

I turned around to head back toward my house, and here is what I saw!

NOW…. Does that rainbow look like it is perfectly and personally encircling my house?

You tell me?

Do you, like me, sometimes need a rainbow to remind you of who He is? His faithfulness?

Let me share mine with you today!

He’s bigger than our floating frailties that can seek to sink us!

Grace and peace along sanctification’s way….

Go Deeper…

Read Genesis 9:8-17 for more on God instituting the rainbow as a sign of His covenant (solemn, binding promise).

By the way… What did I put in the mailbox? My payment for the upcoming Catalyst Conference. I look forward to what the Lord is doing among His people and the next generation! I want to be in on it!

What is the Catalyst Conference? Check out this link:

http://www.catalystconference.com/

Memorials Help Us Keep Perspective…

2009-08-21T09:57:00.001-04:00

Have you ever noticed how easily we forget the blessings that have been bestowed upon us? How quickly your day, week, month or year can turn into a series of difficulties or frustrations?

Depending on our personality and upbringing, we either have a tendency to see life as a glass “half-empty” or as a glass “half-full”. Regretfully, the first describes my mode of thinking more often than the later.

Perhaps you have heard attitude determines altitude, I have come to embrace the idea that my thought-life and the filter through which I view life – must continually be cleaned and adjusted!

Several years ago, when my children were very young and through a series of “parenting refinements”, I was introduced to this idea of a memorial box. As the Lord often commanded his people to remember (crossing the river with Joshua, feasts, the Lord’s supper, etc…), so the Lord commands us to remember.

So here is our modest, authentic and rather tacky-looking memorial box…

So what has our family put in it? It has to meet one of two criteria: (1) It reminds us concretely of a situation or circumstance where the Lord uniquely worked in the life of our family or a family member or (2) Provide a significant or pivotal memory in the life of the family member.

Here you see our overflowing ten-year-old memorial box. (We need to store some of the contents to make room for more.)

Driver’s license plate reminds us an old car we received as a GIFT when we desperately needed a second car.
The Bible is a memorial to when I became a Christian.
The flower represents my speaking at Gideon’s conferences, sharing how God has changed my life through a small Gideon Bible.
Certain pictures remind us of a car accident several years ago, when my three children were all under 5 years old. The van was totaled, but we were all okay!
The post cards remind us of special trips others made and thought of us.
Tucked behind the license plate, are the first pair of pants my daughter sewed.

Those are just a few of the items on top!

If you are a parent, you already know how quickly our children can forget the blessing, privileges and provisions you provide as parents – Just like we often do with the Lord’s blessings and provisions… I have found this memorial box is a wonderful concrete, visual reminder that our lives are how they are because of OTHERS – God first, then for my children they see how we as parents provide for them – we provide what they could not provide for themselves and more…

We love taking time to remember! It helps us all keep a sober assessment of ourselves and the trials that come knocking at our door….

Christianity - Science's Cultivator or Crippler?

2009-08-03T08:51:00.001-04:00

Where and when did scientific thinking rise on the canvas of God's landscape of history? What was the scenery like? What was to soil composed of?

For hundreds of years, civilizations rose and fell without the benefit or discovery of scientific philosophy. Historians divide history into three stages:

The ancient world - regarded as brilliant though limited in its scientific understanding
The medieval world - dismissed as a time of intellectual and cultural desolation (the dark ages)
The modern world - heralded as a time when reason and enlightenment arose to dispel the myths of medieval superstition.

History is not a pond, it is a stream, and in recent years this simple outline has been challenged, particularly the negative characterization of the medieval period and its role in providing the fertile soil for modern science. Following the stream of history, we find modern scientific thought sprung forth in western, christianized Europe.

People in pagan cultures who see nature as alive and moved by mysterious forces are not likely to develop the conviction that all natural occurrences are lawful and intelligible. (Soul of Science p26)

The world does not have its own inherent rationality, but it is intelligible because it reflects God's rationality. (Soul of Science p 33)

God's creation, set in the proper context of a biblical world view, is reality and revelation.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

Creation could be studied and in that study men could be pointed back to the Creator and Sustainer of the creation. In that "pointing back", man could observe and learn more about God's power and nature.

However, man's limited view and tendency to trust his own understanding to the neglect of God's sober warnings, has led to deification of creation in many realms of scientific and philosophical thought.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²²Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ²³and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. (Romans 1:21)

Creation was good, but it was not god. Creation reveals to us His power, not our power. Creation unveils aspects of God's nature, not nature as god.

Therefore, only within the framework provided by Christianity could scientific thought be born. Christianity provided:

Proper presuppositions - God's created order
Proper sanctions - Man's commanded dominion and stewardship of creation
Proper motives - Show how creation proclaims the wisdom of the Divine Creator

While many modern scientists have come to view Christianity as the great "crippler" of science, they neglect the very roots from which modern scientific thought sprung. Christianity was indeed the great cultivator of modern scientific thought.

Summer Book-Camp | The Soul of Science (Part 1)

2009-07-30T07:27:00.002-04:00

As a homeschool parent, every summer becomes a "boot-camp" or should I say "book-camp" of sorts for me! I compile books to be read - digested - and ideas to be apprehended.

This summer The Soul of Science subtitled Christian Faith and Natural Philosophy by Nancy Pearcy and Charles Thaxton is now in my portable book bag with tattered pages and highlighted in a multitude of colors.

So let's begin - "Why?" is this book on my "book-camp" list? Because it reviews the history of people, culture and ideas that shaped the modern science we have today. In Christian circles, modern science tends to be viewed as pagan or an enemy to our faith. In fact, "modern" science indeed has many presuppositions that are anti-Christian or anti-God. So, as a Christian, how do I teach "true" science, which reveals God's created order and beauty? As Romans 1:20 says:

²⁰For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Good question!

This will be the my the topic of my posts over the next few weeks - Stay tuned!

Purchase Soul of Science.

Today I am off to NCHE...

2009-05-22T07:41:00.001-04:00

My yearly pilgrimage to our state's local convention for home schoolers, North Carolina Home Educators, is here. Our local conference is around the third largest in the nation (the last time I checked anyway), with thousands and thousands in attendance.

This sea of families gathers to be inspired AND often overwhelmed. Inspired by the plethora of spell-binding speakers and overwhelmed by the plethora of undergirding resources.

I fondly remember my arrival to this strange and new land, the land of the blue jean jumpers (of which I have never owned) and families with more than 1.7 children (having three children of my own). Initially, I remember experiencing a lack of connection with this unfamiliar land of people, but more of a new found sense of independence and freedom. Independence to make the best decisions for and with my children in regards to their education, and the freedom to chose from a variety of resources and methods to cultivate a students of wisdom and virtue.

I have to confess, this newfound freedom and independence has been frightening at times, and a bit uncomfortable even. However, after years of making this pilgrimage and years of learning how to learn, I have become less overwhelmed. I now embrace each year of my independence and freedom with more and more vision and anticipation. Fear of the unknown has gradually given way to an intrepid yet sober vigilance to embrace this new land.

How about you, fellow pilgrim?

Sanctified, Set Apart... the Next Generation

2009-05-14T09:44:00.001-04:00

To Danielle (a close family friend and special young woman to me) on your 19th Birthday...

This landmark year encompasses your transition from the teen years into your twenties. While I will always have memories of our first meeting - you as an energetic and tenacious ten year old, the young woman you have become over these past ten years is most remarkable.

I marvel at your strength to make difficult yet God-pleasing choices in the current culture. I pray for your continued strength, Danielle, as the years ahead continue to require more of the same -strength, as well as wisdom, discernment and grace.

Remember He is the potter, you are the clay. As you cross into this next decade of your life, may the Lord continue the good work He has begun in you.

All my love and grace,

Heather

Algebra and the Classical Model ?!?

2009-02-13T05:47:00.000-05:00

Here we are! In the middle school and early high school years, where algebra is now an everyday reality!

I love teaching my children to conquer new challenges while utilizing the tools of learning - classical model. Employing grammar and utilizing dialectic skills brings me great joy but it brings me the greatest joy when my children "get it".

Now algebra is all about equations, equations, equations. Representing problems in an abstract equation and then finding solutions through the use of operations and laws.

Check out my Algebra 1 - Classically under my download folders to the right. You may find these notes, clearly marked grammar elements and problem-solving dialog helpful in your own algebra journey!

The Winnowing Valley

2009-02-11T08:12:00.000-05:00

Throughout the Christian life there are times of faith-filled victory and trust as well as times of deep doubt and even crippling despair. This week I received a call from a dear and trusted friend who has experienced the first but is currently walking through the later.

How about you? Have you too experienced the presence and power of the Lord so undeniably that you were sure that you would never doubt His word or intention for your good ever again?

Most of us would be honest enough to say that these words echo our own experience. This side of heaven the battle to hold onto the unseen, to trust the eternal and to not give into the world's ways is an everyday reality in the Christian life.

I call these times of struggle and despair: Winnowing Valleys.

Are you familiar with a few of the "winnowing valley" symptoms?

Everything that once seemed fine and manageable is now difficult or larger than life.
Spiritual truths and principles that were once clear and accepted are now foggy and up for question.
Perhaps a particular temptation that you had been victorious over now has a newfound magnetic power.

What is going on?? Where did this come from? Why is this happening?

Questions like these loom and linger. Somewhere along your journey you have been transported from the majestic mountain top to the vulnerable valley below.

While winnowing valleys are a bit enigmatic in nature their ultimate purpose is always crystal clear... but before we identify the purpose of these strategically appointed seasons, we must know more about Him who oversees the seasons of our lives...

Meet Mary Ann Smith, a Sanctified Woman

2009-02-09T12:47:00.000-05:00

A son of a widow, my husband, Ed, is the fifth of five children. My husband's mother, Mary Ann Smith, was widowed when she was five months pregnant with Ed and caring for her four other children ranging from ages 15yrs to 2 yrs of age.

Talk about a sanctified woman, Mary Ann Smith's life has modeled trust and dependence upon the Lord. Even in the darkest of times, she has chosen Him.

Over the years, we (Ed and I) have come to possess the precious four minute video reels of Mary Ann and her young children. After inquiring on the cost to transfer some old 8mm video reels to DVD, this past December my husband and I took the task on ourselves. Over a few days, we transferred some old 4 minute video reels (no sound) to DVD format, adding sound. Creating a tribute to Mary Ann Smith, to her life and sacrifice for her children. After losing her husband, she raised all five children without remarrying until her youngest was twenty-one years of age.

While the video process was tedious, this past Christmas, with all five adult children present along with several grandchildren, the memories and appreciation were worth all the toil and effort. Tears of joy and gratitude flowed...

Here is a great picture of Mary and her five children - all adults now with their own children and one even has their own grandchildren!

While I am not able to load the video right now, I am able to share some precious pictures of Mary Ann Smith, her youngest son's family (that would be us!) and other special moments from 2008.

The Silence is Broken

2009-02-08T13:18:00.001-05:00

Yes, I am returning to BLOG land this week!

With other pressing priorities and seasons of sickness, I return with much blogging catch-up to do!

I hope to catch up with many of you soon and blog our happenings too...

As I continue along sanctification's journey through everyday life with my family, life lessons in mothering, principles revealed in my studying, dialectic discussions in our home schooling and what God is doing as I travel around speaking.

My heart overflows... I look forward to sharing more soon!

Week 9 - The One Room School House and Verb Anatomy

2008-11-01T10:56:00.001-04:00

Yesterday had to be one of my favorite days with my Essentials families!

From time to time, we combine our Essentials A and B classes. Yesterday was one of those days! So roughly twenty 9-12 year olds were under my direction as we reviewed, learned a little more about verb anatomy, practiced dressing up sentences, read papers, and had mental math challenge.

The tutor intrepid, the energy incredible, the eagerness intoxicating, and the excitement interminable.

Students recite conjugations (what's that??).

The simple, present tense of To Play.

I play
You play
He She It plays
We play
You (all) play
They play

Now simple, past tense. Now simple, future tense. We are conjugating the verb To Play! Now let's do the same for To Work. No problem. A student names a verb - To Run. Uh-oh! That's an irregular verb! No problem, we can handle it!

Next students are asked to create sentences following a certain sentence pattern - then parse and diagram to make sure they did indeed create a sentence that followed the assigned sentence pattern. We chant the linking verb list, noting that the forms of the verb To Be are the most often used linking verbs. Students chant the preposition list while hopping on one foot.

Did I mention that many younger siblings were playing quietly in the back of the room? ...hearing the chants.

We then flow into sentence modification - connecting dress-ups and sentence openers. Students take one simple S-Vt-DO sentence and add adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases and even a few www.asiab and who/which clauses. Older students are called on to help the younger students in several of these exercises.

We spend a few minutes reading papers, pointing out topic/clincher, and a few dress-ups heard. Younger students benefit from hearing the more refined papers of older or 2nd/3rd year students.

We work in a quick Mad lib, while students reference their resource notebook of adverbs and adjectives. As students rustle the pages of their resource notebook - new words are being introduced their brain and ever expanding vocabulary. (I love community!)

Finally - it's mental math time! With a lap whiteboard, younger student take notes as the series of numbers and operations are orally spoken. Older students try to only write the answer on their board. Quiet dialogue is allowed between students as they check each other and help catch careless mistakes.

Oh my! The two hours are gone! Our time comes to a close. Students and families work together to clean up the room ,vacuum, empty trash, set room in proper order, help me take items to my van, ... until next week...

And there you have it! Twenty-three students and though varied in age, we learn together and encourage each other along the learning journey. Just like the one-room school house of old.

Have a great week with language and words! And keep drilling those multiplication tables! :)

Sanctified Steps

2008-10-22T08:56:00.001-04:00

Every day. Every choice. Every decision.

Is dictated by our beliefs.

Our beliefs about what is most important in this life - our priorities if you will.

Our priorities dictate how we spend our time and how we spend our money.

The calendar and the wallet are the true barometers of our heart.

Not the words we speak on Sunday or what we do when we know others are watching - but our the day-in and day-out, habitual expenditures of our time and our monies.

How is your barometer reading?

Lord, help me to take an honest inventory and make adjustments as necessary. Show me the sanctified steps I need to follow to be more in line with your priorities amid the clamor of this world.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

John 17:17 Sanctify them with truth; thy word is truth.

Simple Spelling and Language Lessons

2008-10-21T10:31:00.001-04:00

Being unusually organized this week... I thought I would take time to share my simple, yet effective spelling and language strategy that I have developed over the years.

Using a classical framework as well as tools I have learned from Essentials, here is a simple flow you may wish to consider...

Weekly spelling list:

theory/theories
mystify/mystifying
occupy/occupied
try/tries
story/stories
boundary/boundaries
easy/easily
priority/priorities
costly/costliest
authority/authorities

Discuss rules and exceptions. Copy or test orally or written.

Dictation (I have a dictation book with associated spelling words, or I make up my own. Today I made up my own list and dictation sentences, note that the sentences contain words from my weekly list.)

The authorities occupied the land. {S-Vt-DO}
Good boundaries are the costliest. {S-Vl-PA}
Some theories are mystifying stories. {S-Vl-PN}
She easily manages her priorities. {S-Vt-DO}

Review Grammar

State/write the seven sentence patterns.
State 4 purposes and 4 sentence structures.
Name the five kinds of nouns.
Name the four types of verbs.
Chant the preposition list.

Choose a sentence and parse.

Choosing sentence #1

Who occupied the land? Authorities - subject noun
What is being said about authorities? Occupied. Verb.
Occupied what? Land. Does land describe authorities? No. Can land replace authorities? No. Then land is a Direct Object, label the verb transitive.
What kind of authorities? The - article adjective.
What kind of land? The - article adjective.

Now Modify...

Modification #1 - Add a preposition phrase

The authorities occupied the land near the river.
During the war, the authorities occupied the land.

Modification #2 - Change the purpose to interrogative.

Did the authorities occupy the land?
Who occupied the land?

Because I have studied the "grammar" of language with my children, I can easily walk through lessons like these and even tailor lessons for my children. My understanding and ability to logically follow the system above allows me to enjoy wonderful language lessons with my children. And when I tailor my lessons by making them up from scratch, I am utilizing classical rhetorical skills.

This lesson above took me about 20 minutes with my 9 and 11 year old. I did add another step - we diagrammed the sentence too! My 11 year old does more sentences, walking through all of these steps and my younger does one sentence well. I even have my 11 year old "play the teacher" - and walk her younger brother through these steps.

NOW... Do you want to know where I started 4 years ago?

At GROUND ZERO! My children were 9, 7, and 5.

I had avoided language studies as a student. (Engineering school lends itself nicely to that!) While I have always been a strong reader, my ability to write and compose was greatly lacking, as was my basic understanding of language. Not wanting the same for my children, I have put myself in some pretty uncomfortable positions in order to learn language and writing so I can pass along better language tools to my children.

Homeschooling ... redeeming two generations of education - my children's and my own!

Week 8 - May I Propose a Preposition for Your Sentence?

2008-10-20T08:41:00.006-04:00

We're back at the language excavation site!

Digging deep and uncovering more language building blocks!

About, above, across, after, against, along, amid, among, ... and so the Essentials (and Foundations) preposition chant goes!

These simple little words are called prepositions.

Here some helpful preposition and prepositional phrase facts:

Prepositions relate a noun or a pronoun to other words in a sentence.
Prepositions will always be followed by an object of the preposition (noun or pronoun) thus creating a prepositional phrase.
A prepositional phrase that answers an adverb question is called an adverbial phrase.
A prepositional phrase that answers an adjective question is called an adjectival phrase.

Do IT!

Taking our core, tried-and-true sentence:

Jesus wept.

... with the goal of making our sentence more interesting and informative, let's have some fun with prepositions and prepositional phrases.

When? --> After prayer, Jesus wept.

Where? --> Among the people, Jesus wept.

When we put a prepositional phrase at the beginning of sentence like this, we call it a prepositional opener. This is an IEW sentence opener and is a simple, stylistic writing tool.

Now you do it!

Pull out your list of prepositions
Create a simple sentence
See how many prepositions you can use to create interesting prepositional phrases that make your simple sentence, simply sensational!

EEL Extra! for Prepositions EEL Extra - Prepositions.

For Whom the Bell Tolls (part 2)

2008-10-16T08:40:00.000-04:00

The following days Caleb interjected concerns about the looming dentist visit that was weighing heavy on his mind.

"Mom, I should have listened. Now I understand that you were trying to help me and save me from having to go through this. I wish I would have really listened and I'm sorry it will cost you so much money."

Mindful of his precarious position between self-absorbed pity and true godly sorrow, I proceeded with discernment.

"Caleb, we have the cost covered, that is not something you can bear or have the resources to cover. However, I need you to be a big man and walk through these dental repairs with courage. I also need you to remember that many times the counsel and warnings I give you, you will not fully understand at the time they are given.

There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12

But I do. You then have to choose if you will rely on your own limited understanding and wisdom or my greater understanding and perspective."

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

"Yes, mom, I understand that better now."

"Good, Caleb."

Enough said today. More sober simmering.

Can you think of times of regret when you have relied upon your own understanding or limited perspective, instead of His?

Or perhaps the converse. Have you known the joy of trusting Him when your understanding would have taken you in a different, more short-sighted direction?

I've been tagged...

2008-10-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

This is most interesting - this whole idea of tagging! Everyone wants to be "it" don't they!?!

Thanks Beth (Pages of our Life) for tagging me - this should be fun, revealing and enlightening - and all at the same time!

Random and weird - ambiguous and relative terms... therefore I will take the liberty where I find wiggle room...

Let me do this countdown style...

7... I have completed 4 half marathons, 2 spring triathlons, and 1 olympic triathlon - all after turning 35 years old!

6... I was a bit of a radical "feminist" (in the N.O.W. sense of the word) and a self-proclaimed atheist, until the Lord go a hold of me at age 19.

5... During our long-distance "courting days", my husband, born and bred in Mississippi, sent me the following personal ad in the mail...

Man looking for good woman who loves hunting, fishing, and digging worms; has most of her teeth and owns a boat and trailer. Please send picture (of boat and trailer).

I knew I had a good man!

4... I lived in Saudi Arabia for two years when I was 9 and 10 years old. My extracurricular activities were belly dancing and synchronized swimming!

3... After finding out I was pregnant with our second child (1997), I turned down two job promotions (that would have taken me close to a six figure salary) within six months of each other... When my second child was three months old I resigned to stay home full-time. Hmm... is this the same gal from #6? Yes and no.

2... I don't really cook (or decorate or "do lunch" or shop or garden). Saturday evenings (sacred family Saturdays, I call them) we have our "feast" for the week. My husband mans the grill almost every Saturday (rain or shine, sun or snow) and grills enough meat to make two good left-over meals. The other couple of nights of during the week the kids make easy Mexican meals or sandwiches. Friday night is our classical spaghetti night (not sure this really counts as cooking), and Sunday afternoon/evenings are our breakfast dinners. My motto - simplicity!

1... I NEVER thought I would EVER be home schooling. I kicked and screamed the first few years, shed many tears, even filled out school papers a few times. And now I wish I hadn't been such a baby... The fruit, lifestyle, and strength it has brought to myself and my family is beyond description; more than I could have asked or imagined.

Here are the BLOGs or places I have randomly listed!

Looking Toward Heaven

Recollecting Fearful Family Beginnings and Rejoicing in Festive Family Birthdays

2008-10-14T12:56:00.001-04:00

Nauseous and tired, I poured myself into my Maxima at the early hour of 7:30am. I drove a short distance to our neighborhood drug store, where I waited in the parking lot until 8:00am when the doors would opened. While waiting, I pulled out my small Bible and began to read Psalm 139. In my heart I knew I was pregnant, but my mind needed E.P.T. to make it real.

I was 26. I began to cry. Me, a mother? I can't do this. What does this really mean? In my heart, I knew someone was getting ready to come into my world that would make me want to sacrifice many of my current comforts and perhaps delay a few of my personal dreams. My own sleeping schedule, study schedule, speaking, teaching, work opportunities, etc. I was good at my work, in ministry, but I wasn't so sure how I would fair as a mother...

In short, the reeling weight of pending responsibility had crashed into my world. Don't get me wrong, I understood how this all occurred. Ed and I had talked about it a few short months ago. However, talking and reality are often two different worlds, aren't they?

Several months later, on October 13th, 1995, Daniel Edward Shirley was born. My first born. Named after Daniel in the Bible, Edward after Ed's family name. He came quietly into the world, almost peaceful. His easy going nature continues to be his character trade mark as He has grown.

This week is Daniel's Birthday!

Happy 13th Birthday Daniel!

Daniel, just when I thought it wasn't possible, I find myself liking you more and more every year!

Isn't he cute! Wait until you meet him in person - he's even better!

Are you scratching your head, wondering more about my transition from a sought-after corporate business analyst and project manager to a full-time stay-at-home mom? Well more on that another day...

For Whom the Bell Tolls (part 1)

2008-10-14T07:00:00.001-04:00

He approached with downcast eyes. In a meek voice, "Mom, the dentist needs to talk to you." A distinctly different entrance into the waiting room than my other two children after their dentist visit.

As you remember, Caleb and I had been working on life lessons, as it related to listening, responsibility and oral hygiene. See Responsibility Merge Ahead post.

I proceeded to the dreaded dentist area and was greeted with the information that Caleb did indeed have four cavities. Now you have to understand, Caleb is more adverse to discomfort than my other two. So he was already calculating in his mind the "sleepy juice" shot and the drilling, and his heart was most distraught.

Later, as we all piled into the van, Caleb's first words were, "Mom, is there any way to undo the cavities without going back to the dentist?" (and going through the discomfort is the implied meaning here).

"No, my precious son, but I'll go with you and I'll pay the bill. Remember my words of counsel, reminding and warning (again refer to my previous post) are for your good and your protection."

Enough said today. This moment needs to soberly simmer in the heart of my beloved son. This moment must not be rushed nor relieved, it must simmer.

Now, you draw the powerful parallel.

While immediately inconvenient and ignorantly unappreciated, the Lord's counsel and warnings are for our great protection and benefit. He sees down the road, the consequences and the cost... While he covers the cost, alas the consequences, at some level, will have to be walked out.

Week 7 - Enlightening and Vitalizing Adverbs

2008-10-13T17:08:00.001-04:00

How? When? Where? Why? To what extent?

These questions are the most commonly used ADVERB questions. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. They are powerful and fun!

Answering these questions adds vitality to your writing. Bringing your writing to life, as the reader puts your main idea(s) into a greater context or related framework. Adverbs bring color to the core idea or ideas your sentence is conveying.

Take the rather simple, relatively uninteresting sentence below:

Jesus loves me.

Could this sentence use a little color? A little more life? Be a bit more informative? Note the adverbs in italics. Some are single-word (often -ly words), others are phrases, still others are clauses.

How does Jesus love me? --> Jesus loves me unconditionally.
When does Jesus love me? --> Yesterday, today, and forever, Jesus loves me.
Where does Jesus love me? --> In the garden, Jesus loved me.
Why does Jesus love me? --> Jesus loves me because He made me.
To what extent does Jesus love me? --> Jesus always loves me.

Most prepositional phrases are adverbial, because they answer one of the adverb questions. These are called adverbial phrases. More on prepositions NEXT WEEK!! So stay tuned!

Adverbial clauses contain a subordinating conjunction (refer to your conjunction chart in Appendix B/C). The most commonly used subordinating conjunctions follow a nifty acronym:

when
where
while
as
Since
if
although
because

IEW calls these sentence openers - www.asiab sentence openers. First year students will begin using these openers in their writing soon. For 2nd and 3rd year students this will be review!

EEL Challenge: 2nd and 3rd year students should attempt EEL TASK 5 - the modification challenge - on this weeks compound sentences. Using either an adverbial phrase and/or a clause. If you add a clause, do you see the subordinating conjunction? Do you remember how to diagram a dependent clause? (hint: go to appendix A for a refresher) Parents, remember by adding dependent clause, we create a COMPLEX sentence! Do you see the pieces coming together?

Review Time: Remember to review the imperative purpose and the implied you. Work with students are using compound sentences and dissecting compound sentences until it becomes easy. Your teacher sheets lead you right through the breaking down of a compound sentence into its elementary parts. This deconstruction builds wonderful language skills that will also manifest themselves in the reverse process - stronger and clearer sentence creation.

Are you reviewing your memory work? Add the adverb questions and subordinating conjunctions to your memory work... and review, review, review! It makes the application and language analysis much easier and more enjoyable for the student!

Extra... Lively and captivating language... Do you have boys? Read a paragraph or two from Lord of the Rings series or CS Lewis series... or perhaps Homer or Aesop's works. Girls? How about Hinds Feet on High Places or an except from Pride and Prejudice or the Elsie Dinsmore series. These authors' story-telling style and commanding use of language have painted epoch stories in the hearts and minds of millions...

... perhaps one of our children will follow in their footsteps.

Week 6 - Conjunctions, Connections and Compounds

2008-10-05T21:19:00.001-04:00

Conjunction junction what's your function? Hooking up words, phrases and clauses.

So the School House Rock song goes!

This week we see how conjunctions, specifically coordinating conjunctions, are used to join two or more independent clauses together in order to add more flavor, variety and complexity in our writing and overall communication.

Too many simple sentences, can make our writing a little boring and even... well... a little simple. So let's learn some ways to spice up our writing and to make it more interesting!

Focusing on the coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS), let's create compound sentences using all of the coordinating conjunctions with the following sentences:

I ran home.
I was tired.

For--> I ran home for I was tired. (for is used to show cause or consequence relationship)

And --> I ran home and I was tired. (and is used to show similarity or association)

Nor --> I ran home nor I was tired. (nor is used to show similarity or association)

But --> I ran home but I was tired. (but is used to show contrast or opposition)

Or --> I ran home or I was tired. (or is used to show choice or omission)

Yet --> I ran home yet I was tired. (yet is used to show contrast or opposition)

So --> I ran home so I was tired. (so is used to show result or consequence)

Notice that the NOR and OR compound sentences don't really make sense. We would need slight modifications to the independent clauses to make more relational sense. Like:

I didn't run home nor was I tired.

I could run home or I could walk home.

Coordinating conjunctions make sentences (and thus paragraphs) more interesting by showing relationships between your thoughts and ideas. Ideas of equal importance often can be written in compound sentences using coordinating conjunctions. It's all about relationship! Coordinating conjunctions most often show similarity or association, contrast, consequence/result, or choice.

Add compound sentences to your writing assignment this week!

We have other conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, that we will delve into in more depth in the weeks to come, as we discuss complex sentences. But for now, simply add the conjunction mastery chart to your memory work, so we can have the vocabulary and lists loaded and ready to go!

Using the teacher sheets for this week, have fun taking apart compound sentences.

Dog Days and Life Lessons

2008-10-01T10:04:00.002-04:00

Most of you are aware of our new family addition...

Yes, she's cute and yes, she is too cuddly... However she is only 5 months old. So that means potty training is top priority!

Do you already see the fun we have... We take Dottie out every hour or so and chant, "Go potty Dottie, go potty" - wonderful rhyming isn't it?

But now onto the real story... Dottie had but once again potty'd inside the house. My youngest, nine-year-old Caleb, was tasked with the job of clean up. After the clean up, Caleb thoughtfully approaches me to share his insightful revelation...

"Mom?"

"Yes, Caleb."

"I think I know what it feels like to be a parent."

"How so, Caleb?"

"Well, I had to scold Dottie. I have to teach her the right thing (to go potty outside), but I didn't enjoy doing it. I really just wanted to hold her and cuddle her, but at that moment I knew she needed to be corrected, so she would learn where to potty."

"Yes, son I suppose that is a bit like being a parent. Why did you want to teach Dottie?"

"Because that is what you and Dad say we should do."

Well... it's always good for the kids to follow our model, even when they don't understand - understanding is illumined more over time and experience. However, I did proceed to share with Caleb that we chose Dottie to be part of our family-life and therefore we teach her because we love her and she is under our care - her survival and life depend upon our care and protection. And that on a much greater scale, we parents love and instruct because of our great love - never see discipline and instruction in opposition to love - but rather as evidence of the presence of love. Conversely, "being left to yourself, your own devices" is a sad and sober indicator of the absence of a loving, caring and protective authority-relationship.

Even after we clean up the pooh, parents still want to love and cuddle the little mess-maker.

And doesn't our Lord do the same? Time after time?

Ahhh! Another potty break is needed... We are off - Let's go potty Dottie!

Take the Helmet...

2008-09-30T12:03:00.001-04:00

Okay... we had some fun today! So let me share!

From Ephesians 6 (which we memorized last year in Foundations), we pulled a verse and analyzed it (most of it anyway ).

Here is the verse...

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Do you see the purpose? Imperative. Which means the subject is what? Implied 'you'. The verb? Take. (should be capitalized in the diagram below :))Do you see the preposition used? Of. Do you see the different noun cases/roles? Direct object and object of the preposition. Do you see the dual or compound direct object? Helmet and sword. Do you see the coordinating conjunction 'and' (which we are going to touch on more in week 6)?

Note: Today, we left the dependent adjectival clause (who/which clause) alone.

Here is our board setup for this sentence...

I enjoyed choosing to focus on prepositions this week... as we are working with prepositional openers in our US History-Based IEW writing.

$$$ You DO KNOW that you can get a 4' x8' show tile (shown above) from Lowe's Home Improvement stores for about $15... It is our official white board. $$$

Have fun with words and sentence structures!

Week 5 - Informative Interrogatives

2008-09-28T09:58:00.001-04:00

Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

Interrogatives, in the gentler sense of the word, have to be my favorite sentence purpose. Interrogatives (questions) are the bedrock upon which relationships are formed and eventually mature. Through the use of interrogatives you uncover the priorities, values, heart and mind of another person (and many times yourself).

How are you?
What is your favorite ________?
Are you all right?
Is there anything I can do?
What would you do if __________?
Do you know _______?
Do you like ________?
Have you ever _______?
May I help?

Questions like these, enable us learn about the one of whom we are asking the questions. In my mind, when a person uses questions like these it reveals an other-centeredness. Someone that cares about hearing others and not just being heard. Ahhh... good communication is key for healthy, strong relationships, isn't it?!?

Do you understand?

Jesus masterfully used interrogatives to reveal the understanding, motives and heart of others, especially the religious leaders. I find the use of interrogatives in order to check understanding most fascinating! Jesus had a disarming yet authoritative way of weaving interrogatives into his teaching to keep the student/person engaged and their mind actively focused. Here are some examples from the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7):

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again?
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gathers do the same?
Look at the birds... Are you not worth much more than they?... Why are you worried about clothing?
How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?
Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone?
You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they?

Jesus wisely used interrogatives to make people think - confront and evaluate their current understanding of God and His ways and also their own identity and value. I love the fact that Jesus did not answer all of his own questions... but simply allowed the questions to cascade over the listener's mind and heart like a refreshing, cool wave stimulating the shore of their understanding.

Interrogatives are powerful and essential tools for us as parents and teachers... Be mindful of using them well and often along your family's learning journey!

Weekly Wisdom Words

“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer...”

Proverbs 15:28a

Our Trip to Jamestown

2008-09-22T07:54:00.001-04:00

We're back! From Great Wolf Lodge (GWL) in Williamsburg, VA to touring Jamestown - the Shirley family had a wonderful trip!

If you haven't heard about Classical Conversations annual GWL in Williamburg Deal every September, you are missing out! Loads of family fun at 1/3 of the price! It is during Williamsburg's homeschool week, which is usually around the 2nd full week of September! We see other CC friends and home schoolers from across the nation!

Due to the fun I was having a the GWL water park - I have no pictures of our time at the water park. However, Jamestown is a different story! I mean Jamestown was fun too, but I actually have pictures :).

Jamestown is the first permanent English settlement in the new world. It was founded in 1607.

Week 4 - Imperatives! Diagramming? Phonograms!

2008-09-21T08:16:00.001-04:00

Another wonderful day of discovery and learning! As we uncover more purposes and analytical tasks, students are enjoying the challenge.

Imperatives

This week we turn our attention to a new and unique purpose, imperatives. Imperatives are commands. They may have a noun of direct address, but always contain the hidden implied you. Imperatives are always in 2nd person - as you are talking to a person and the verb is always in present tense. Refer to your field guide (EEL Guide) week 4 for more about imperatives.

Sentence Shuffle (by purpose) Taking some sentences from this week's EEL editing exercise (p 59), we transformed a few declarative and interrogative sentences into imperative sentences.

Pharisees questioned him. ---> Question him.

I also made the sentences from this week's Teacher Sheets into declarative sentences, and then had the students turned them into imperatives.

I wept tearfully. ---> Weep. or Weep tearfully.

We discussed the implied you and the verb tense change (if any). This simple exercise produced some wonderful dialogue as we unearthed more language concepts and applied the concept utilizing our trusty tools (EEL tasks).

Diagramming

Let's make a picture of that sentence! Diagramming helps us analyze the structure of a sentence and the role of each word, phrase and clause. In my own children's writings if we encounter a sentence that seems unclear, I will have them stop and diagram it. This helps the student to really examine what they are trying to say and the best way to say it.

Students should already be working on page B7/C7. Students should be copying this page at first, then able to reproduce this page from memory. Be sure students are drawing the diagramming lines, as these vary from sentence pattern to sentence pattern.

Phonograms

A phonogram is a sequence of letters that have the same pronunciation in several different words, e.g. "ear" in "earth," "heard," and "learn". As you have taught your own student to read, you have no doubt already encountered the concept of a phonogram. Here, at week 4, it is nice to remember to continue to work with your student on phonograms in the context of spelling or encoding - hearing the word and knowing the appropriate phonogram(s) that make up that word. Reinforce phonograms by pointing them out in dictated sentences, readers, memory work, ... everywhere!

Remember - memory work (EEL Task 1) is cumulative so keep reviewing!

How are you doing with your Teacher Sheets? Do you feel yourself getting smarter?

Week 3 - On Location with Nouns and Pronouns

2008-09-13T08:11:00.000-04:00

This week we have yet another discovery to dig into... Pull out your trusty field guide (EEL Guide) and review week 3's lesson information. (Still trying to figure out your field guide? Help is here!) This week is loaded with all sorts of information concerning nouns and pronouns and the central roles they play in sentences.

Orderly Connections! In English, the location of a noun in relationship to other words in a sentence dictates that noun's role (subject, direct object, indirect object, possessive, and object of the preposition). In Latin, it is not the location of the noun but rather the noun ending that tells you the role the noun is playing in a sentence. Therefore in Latin sentences words can be in any order!

Week 3 also introduces EEL Analytical Task 3. If this is your first time to look at this information , allow yourself to digest small pieces of information at a time. We will be reviewing and discussing nouns and pronouns for several weeks, so be patient with yourself. Refer to page A3 and A36 to see an overview schedule for the year - keep this framework in mind, there is a lot of review built in.

Remember EEL Task 1 is simply loading the grammar. Putting in the data, vocabulary, lists, etc... into the brain for later retrieval and application. EEL Task 1 points you to Appendices B and C for our grammar. This week add the student mastery charts on nouns and pronouns from Appendix C to your student's studies and weekly memory work.

Have your own laser printer at home? Want to print grammar pages on demand? EEL Appendix B and C download link ($15).

EEL Task 2 is simple dictation and checking sentence mechanics of spelling, capitalization and punctuation. This is a simple task and results in students who edit their work more effectively and pay closer attention to writing syntax details. So work on establishing the discipline of dictation in your home. Just a few minutes a day. We pick sentences from the EEL Guide, the Dictation Resource, but also from our favorite readers and scripture passages. This year since we are spending so much time in John chapter 1 in the Foundations program, I will spend time applying the EEL Tasks to this passage. To practice some of the editing skills of EEL Task 2, I'll throw in some editing pages (from the EEL Guide Editing Exercises, like p47, or some variation of it). Interesting to note that all the EEL Editing Exercises are from the book of John, specifically from the first four chapters.

Now on to EEL Task 3 Question Confirmation! Refer to Appendix A (pp A10-A12) of your field guide to get the big picture of this task's purpose. This task is a truly dialectic task, meaning you and your student dialogue using a series of questions. This process of dialogue and thinking aids in the discovery of a word's role and/or part of speech in a particular sentence.

This leads me very nicely into our magical Teacher Sheets! (see below but see A21 in your field guide for a legible Teacher Sheet sample) Some have even called these sheets Cheater Sheets because they contain the work, script and answers in order to teach us, the parent and student, this powerful analytical process! These instructional sheets begin this week (see p50 for the first official Teacher Sheet). They walk you step-by-step through EEL Tasks 1-6 for one sentence, providing the appropriate answers, examples and yes, even verbal scripts!

Teacher Sheets make us look and feel smart until we actually are .

New students and parents should feel free to stick only with Task 1-3. Returning students and parents should do as much as they can! You'll be amazed by the end of the year at the ease in which students can parse, diagram, modify and perform basic Quid et Quo on every word in a sentence.

A man has joy in an apt answer,

and how delightful is a timely word!

Proverbs 15:23

My family and I are off to the special CC week at Great Wolf Lodge and home school week at Williamsburg, VA to take in some history!

See some of you there!

Locks of Love

2008-09-10T07:44:00.000-04:00

Well after almost 3 years, or maybe more... Emily's hair is long enough for Locks of Love. What is Locks of Love?

BTW - the friend on the left, Kelsey, also donated her lovely locks to Locks of Love! Way to go girls!

And here is Emily now!

Cute and sassy!

We hope Emily's locks will bless another!

And oh... BTW - Dottie got her hair cut today too!

Week 2 - Unearthing Valuable Verbs

2008-09-07T16:26:00.000-04:00

This week at our Essentials Excavation site, we reviewed structures, purposes, patterns and the eight parts of speech. Keep working through these lists and grammar with your students. Each week we will have a part of speech focus... This week is the valuable verb.

Week 2 in your EEL Guide contains in-depth information about this important and loaded part of speech - the verb. This week's information will be your reference. Throughout the year, we will peel back more and more layers of verbs and therefore will be visiting week 2's information for more understanding and details. You'll also find the "grammar" of verbs listed in appendix B and C. Students (and parents) should work on memorizing this information. More information on understanding the EEL Guide click here.

Parents with younger students should be sure to consistently review the components that make up a sentence - subject, verb (predicate), first word of the sentence has a capital letter, the end of the sentence has an end mark, and it must make complete sense.

Do it! Have students come up with a subject and a verb, then make their very own sentence. A little more? Have students classify the sentence by structure, purpose and pattern.

i.e. Subject = dog verb = jump (any tense)
sentence --> The dog jumped.
Classification would be....
Structure = Simple
Purpose = Declarative
Pattern = S - Vi

Another twist: Have students take a sentence from this week's IEW poem or writing project and find the subject and verb.

Advanced or older student idea: Use this page from the John 1 passage and edit this passage, located subjects and verbs, and more... go as deep as you would like as there are many language layers. As you move throughout the Essentials/EEL year, you'll find you can pick up any sentence, from your favorite read-aloud to a classic to my personal favorite - a scripture passage, and analyze sentences and paragraphs.

In the EEL portion, we are analyzing through a deconstruction process of sorts while in writing (or IEW), we are constructing ideas through paragraphs and sentences.

Next week, we start using the EEL Guide's Teacher Sheets, which will model and lead us through the signature EEL Analytical Tasks... so stay tuned!

Dig as deep as you'd like this week and have fun!

Edu-tainment vs. Stick and Sand

2008-09-06T09:40:00.002-04:00

In our generation, there has been a turning tide, a tide that has been eroding true education. In a desire to be brief, let me cut right to the chase. In short, I call it "edu-tainment." What do I mean by edu-tainment? Let me expound...

Edu-tainment replaces modeling, dialoguing and thinking with flashy tools or games, thus leaving the student in a passive state of receiving stimuli, but not really processing and owning the material or skills needed for a successful learning journey. Classical educators have referred to this approach as filling a bucket, pouring information into or around a student (the bucket) until they can't take any more. The student is viewed as a passive receiver - a bucket. Long term this edu-tainment or filling-focused approach is very unsatisfying for the student, leaving the spirit of the student disengaged, which eventually leads to disinterest in life's great learning adventure.

Classical Conversations programs, tutors, and parents strive to light the fire, to engage the student in learning process. This is primarily through modeling, working alongside the student with extensive dialogue and encouragement, and finally the student working through their studies more independently and confidently because they have had a sound model and encouraging mentors.

Now is there anything inherently wrong with tools? Of course not, but they should never replace discussions and engaging the student's brain in the thinking process. As a parent-teacher, it is easy to be fooled into thinking we are "teaching" when in fact we are simply gratified by the impressed excitement around our tool (or perhaps the quantity of worksheets we have completed), while leaving the student unchanged and relatively untaught. Beyond the immediate albeit exciting experience (or sense of accomplishment), no skill or true knowledge was effectively transferred. Teaching tools have their place, but are secondary to the hands, minds and hearts of the teacher and student.

True education employs powerful modeling and teaching, and does not merely reveal how much the teacher knows or the fancy tools they can create that reveal the teacher's creativeness... but rather true teaching and education draws thinking and connections out of the student, engaging the student in learning. Let's keep it simple. Note I did not say simplistic. Modeling, dialoguing and encouraging our students in their learning journey is hard work, and in many ways more difficult than creating a presentation or game. Let's be diligent to recover and restore true education.

Here's a simple test Leigh Bortins, Founder of Classical Conversations, uses when approaching teaching her program class and her own boys... If I only had a stick and sand, could I engage and effectively dialogue with my students about the concept I want to teach them? This helps us to rely more on modeling, dialogue and relationship then on the false sense of accomplishment a flashy presentation can leave. Minutes of effective modeling and dialogue are exponentially more effective than hours spent on presentation.

Let's be careful not to get swept up in the undercurrent of edu-tainment or should I say let's not ride the edu-tainment wave, but rather ask yourself, If all I had were a stick and sand, how would I engage and dialogue with the students concerning this skill or subject?

Essentials - 411

2008-09-04T14:31:00.002-04:00

Here are a couple of important links... If you have an Essentials Guide from 2007, you may have a strange A13 page (blurred or something of the sort). Is so, here is a pdf file you can print and replace it with Essentials pA13.

Invaluable pdf file for those NEW to the EEL Guide! Want help in understanding the layout and appendices of the EEL Guide and more? Click here.

Next, for those of you who have your own laser printer at home, and would like to print pages from Appendix B or C on demand, here is a link to purchase the EEL Student Mastery Sheets download.

Psssst! Have you heard about the new CC site, Connected Classical Community. Connect with hundreds of families and educators across the US. When you register on the site, you have access to a few special Essentials printables... so you'll want to check that out! Visit Connected Classical Community and register now. If you decide you would like to subscribe to the Foundations Tier and you are a member of a local CC community, ask your director about the special coupon code to receive a substantial discount off the retail price.

Finally, note that the CC Press Room contains some important posts, announcements, press releases and wonderful CC history. So be sure to check out the CC Press Room from time to time.

Celebrating the Next Generation...

2008-09-03T07:56:00.000-04:00

Special family friends... Our families met in 1999 and as a result our lives have been much richer.

I met Danielle when she was 9 years old and she has held a special place in my heart over the years. From hosting one of her Disciple Now Weekends at my home to being honored to be her True Love Waits mentor, investing and sharing in Danielle's life has been very important to me and my family. I now look forward to sharing in her adult years.

Back in May, we celebrated Danielle's Graduation and 18th B-day in style. I have finally gotten around to creating the slide show!

Investing in the next generation... Is there anything more precious?

Week 1 - The Excavation Site

2008-09-01T05:28:00.000-04:00

The Big Picture

This week we mark off the boundaries of our excavation. It is important that we work within a defined and clearly marked area. During this marking off it is important not to get caught up in too many details, rather think of these first few weeks as a birds-eye view of language. So for first-year parents and students remember more details will come as we move through the year, so be patient with yourself and your student.

For the second and third year Essentials students... hang on! We are going dig a little deeper and a little quicker - so enjoy these first few weeks of review!

This week work with your students on some foundational vocabulary associated with language. The boundaries of structures, purposes, patterns and eight parts of speech. Throughout the week review these lists together. Right now these are just pegs, grammar of language.

CAUTION: Again let me reiterate, first-year parents should seek to begin simply with grammar. More detail and understanding will come throughout the year, but we must first put in place some important pegs in place to hang more information on...

Have a wonderful week of learning language, of teaching your children the importance of words and using them well, and of possibly falling in love with language yourself (in case you haven't already)!

Parent-Teacher Inspirations...

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Prov 25:11

The Great Get-A-Way

2008-08-31T10:12:00.003-04:00

For the last few years a couple of special friends and I and all our kids get away!

We have fun, relax, read, make memories, and enjoy the beauty of God's creation!

This year was no different - check out the slide show!

This year...

We rode the waves hard,

Learned how to manage "chaffing" a bit better,

Refereed kids "considering others",

Celebrated the b-day of the first teenager among us,

Chocolate dumplings (yes - chocolate!),

Girls cooking the big, birthday breakfast,

Beach runs to the pier and back,

Kite flying, putting together puzzles and guitar playin',

Waited, and waited, and waited for a magical sea turtle hatch,

Laughed until we cried,

Hebrew/Genesis experiences,

Flashlight walks on the beach,

Mark Daniel enjoying the beach (fully!),

Swapped recipes and cooking tips,

Shared home schooling, mothering and life tips and stories,

and much, much more!

Favorite beach quote:

Rachel "My hair is a wreck!"

Thank you Erin and Sheila - these are special days!

Welcome to Essentials Excavations!

2008-08-20T09:40:00.024-04:00

Welcome 2008/2009 Essentials parents!

This is a special thread of postings for the local Essentials program that I tutor. This label is called Essentials Excavations.

I will be posting information regarding the EEL portion of Essentials including parent-teacher encouragement and high-level class notes. I hope to have a new post every Monday (at least for the first semester!)

Why have I labeled these postings Essentials Excavations? Well of course, this is the Essentials program, which contains language and arithmetic essentials, but I have also chosen this post label for the following reasons:

Essentials... because we will be learning the essential pieces of language construction and special keys that will help us unlock and understand the embedded structure code within all romance languages.

Excavations... because WE (that's right you, me and the students) will be mining valuable language gems and discovering foundational language structures that date back to beginning of the romance languages. Cool!!

What we unearth will greatly benefit your current written and oral language skills, as well as your future language studies!

As with any educational endeavor parents involvement and leadership is key! May the Lord bless you in this coming year as we learn more about language this coming year!

So let's start digging!

Past, Present and Future

2008-08-16T20:38:00.004-04:00

I have been sanctified...
I am being sanctified...
I will be sanctified...

Did you know all three tenses of sanctified are used in scripture?

Very interesting, isn't it?

So there is a work that has been done; a work that is being done; and eventually a work that will be done.

When talking with my kids, my sister sojourners, other parents... this principle consistently comes up... We are a work in progress -some things complete, other parts are in progress, and still other transformations yet to come.

So journey on!

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Phil 3:12 NASB

Responsibility - Merge Ahead

2008-08-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

On the highway of life there are responsibility entrance ramps and exit ramps. I have recently taken a responsibility exit ramp … the “brushing the teeth of my youngest” exit ramp, or at least a frontage road.

That’s right… the torch, I mean the toothbrush, has been firmly placed in my nine year olds capable hands. Of course, I still remind my youngest to brush his teeth quite often. Recently, upon inspection, it was revealed that the tooth burshing responsibility was in the slow lane with speed descreasing at a decaying rate! This responsiblity merge was a bit stalled.

What is a responsible parent to do? Well… if my son was much younger or incapable of brushing his teeth, then of course I would take back the responsibility and do it myself. But alas that is not the root issue, is it? Rather this is an issue of personal responsibility and maybe even something more.

Assuming the best and offering the “benefit of the doubt”, I spoke to my son with unusual mercy, “I know it is hard to remember, but when I do remind you, you need to follow through.” With piercingly honest eyes, he replies, “Mom, actually, I have been kind of blowing off what you say when you remind me. I don’t stop and do it then. I just say ‘Yes, mam’ and don’t really do it. (Sound like a familiar parable?) I didn’t want you to think it was because I didn’t remember; I really need to do better at listening to what you say. I’m sorry mom, will you forgive me? I want to really make a change, this time.”

Well now!!! While I sure didn’t like the way he response began (although the honesty rang to the center of my own soul concerning areas of negligence or mere lip service), he did take personal responsibility for the dental neglect. Then another step beyond that (a sanctified step that our family has adopted) he sought forgiveness for “blowing off” my instructions.We spent some "heart time" in the familiar parable, empty words for appearance sake, and obedience.

Now time (and more grace-filled reminders), will tell how well his dental hygiene habits mature, but this dental discussion revealed maturity fruit in another area. Travel on!

Lord, I need your wisdom and balance, to not incubate immaturity but rather mentor my children toward maturity…thank you for allowing me to see glimpses of your greater work in each of my children’s hearts.

Sanctified Woman... Who me?

2008-08-08T14:03:00.006-04:00

Yes you!

I am not THE sanctified woman, merely A sanctified woman. I am only one of many sanctified women out there.

What do I mean by a "sanctified woman"? Perhaps clarity is needed. The word sanctified simply means "set apart". In the context of my life and my understanding of His word, this has come to mean "set apart" from the world's ways and learning His ways...

(when I speak at Parent Practicums, I often say His ways are often the "inverse operation" of the world's ways - mathematically speaking)

That I may live a life that allows me to hear the words "Well done my good and faithful servant." on the day that I will see Him and give an account for my life, my choices, the things and people I have been a steward of...

My hope is to live more and more with "eternity stamped on my eyes"...

Check out my Sister Soujourners links to meet other ladies making their choices to be set apart, living more and more according to His priorities and purposes for their lives.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification I Thes 4:3

Shirley Top 10 List (from 2003)

2008-08-06T07:51:00.007-04:00

Posted in honor of a few of my special "sister sojourners" of the last nine years.
I love you, and am thankful for each of you! The laughter, tears, and prayers are special treasures!

10. Your youngest son, who admires Steve Erwin (the crocadile hunter guy), catches a worm in the back yard and says "Mom! Mom! Look! She's a beauty!"

9. You realize you've lost touch with reality when you recite to your daughter why we don't do something. After speaking nonstop, without taking a breath for 15 minutes, - Emily tears up and says truthfully "Mom I can't remember all that."

8. Laundry is an adventure. Silly putty, lego men, chapstick, rolley polleys are all potential pocket dwellers.

7. "Mom! Jack (the family dog) wanted some of my food - so we played follow-the-leader and I led her to her food and she ate!" - life inside the mind of Caleb.

6. Moments of irony... Emily says "Mom I want my hair to be darker like yours", while mom is sitting in a salon chair with aluminum foil in her hair - her highlighting treatment.

5. You know your youngest is growing up too fast when you tell him (Caleb - 3 years old) "No snacks - dinner is almost ready." With advanced reasoning skills he replies, "Mooommm... What if I was the adult and you were the kid... and you wanted a snack and I said no... Would you be happy at me?"

4. Family phrase of the year - "Are you happy at me?"

3. Your daughter is going to be a woman of determination and cleanliness. She is able to dry & fold laundry, empty the dishwasher, clean a bathroom fairly well at the strapping age of 5.

2. "Moooomm... BOYS wipe to the front! GIRLS wipe to the back!" - another glimpse into the mind of Caleb!

1. You try to hold it together as your daughter has, unknowingly to you, opened a beauty palor in the upstairs bathroom. Trying to "fix" the shorter piece of hair that was cut to remove gum 2 months earlier, she cuts her hair back to her scalp. Proudly she announces "Look mom - you know that piece of hair that was a little shorter than the rest of my hair - I fixed it! I cut it all the way to the top of my head!" Being an "in-touch" mother... Three hours later you catch a glimpse at the back of Caleb's head and see a sizeable chunk of hair missing... "EMILY!!!!!!!!!!!"

SMILE!It's an adventure! Learning to enjoy the journey!

Matters of the Heart

2008-07-30T12:38:00.000-04:00

I once asked a veteran home school mother "What is the most important thing you have learned, now that you have graduated your four children from your home school?" She pondered my question and answered thoughtfully, "Many times I focused more on my children's behavior and character, than on their heart. So I would say learning to emphasize the importance of what is going on in the heart of my children versus trying to address only symptoms, which are behavior and character." Her response was a golden nugget of wisdom the Lord dropped along my mothering path that I will never forget.

Knowing that man can only see the outward appearance and only the Lord can truly know a person's heart (I Samuel 16:7) - I made it a consistent and intentional part of my parenting to beseech the Lord for His wisdom. I knew I needed His wisdom to give me insight into the hearts of my children in order to best guide, teach, correct, encourage, and affirm each one.

The current parenting trend is to address behavior only, or to over teach character. While these are an important part of parenting, alone they do not adequately deal with the "root" of a persistant issue a child is manifesting. The heart is where the root of any behavior and character issues lie. The responsibility of addressing such issues falls squarely on the shoulders of parents. This is a God-sized parenting assignment, and is not for the faint-hearted, or those that are easily intimidated. Jesus said that what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart. Only the Lord has the power to affect change in the heart of a person, and the Lord is faithful to hear and move on behalf of His humble and seeking people. So as parents we must intentionally and consistently seek such a posture before the Lord. Will you and I take the time?

Lesson for Life: God always knows what is going on in the heart of my child, even when I don't. Don't give up and give in to popular culture that says "It's a phase, it will pass...", this is a partial truth. Our children will go through phases, but it is our responsibility as parents to teach our children "wisdom's way" through these "phases". Seek Him for the answers of how to pray, respond, teach, affirm, and correct (Jer 33:3).

Lucrative Literature

2008-07-28T12:25:00.019-04:00

Do you love reading? As C.S. Lewis wrote, can you not “get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit” your reading pleasure? Many would exclaim, “Yes!” But there are those students for whom reading is a task, a chore — should they persevere in their pursuit of the classics? Again, the answer is yes! Good literature engages, enlightens and instructs the lifetime learner.

First, a good book engages us. Beloved characters, whether real or fiction, take us beyond ourselves to places where we are bound by neither culture nor time. History’s places, people and plights come alive. Imaginations ignite. Learning takes place, while a heart of love and mind of wonder for all of God’s creation develops.

Second, literature exposes us to ideas that we can compare and contrast against the light of Scripture. In pondering good books, our students get practice analyzing and discerning what is good and noble and true in the world verses what is evil, vain, and deceptive. The more we analyze and discuss ideas, the better able we are to see through ideas to their presuppositions, their assumptions and ultimately their worldview — biblically-based or otherwise.

Finally, classic works instruct us in the arts of writing, speaking and living the Christian life. In Luke 6:45, the Bible tells us, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good.” In other words, students who make a habit of reading books that are written eloquently and from a strong moral foundation will mature into thoughtful adults who speak knowledgeably, write eloquently, and live in a manner that works for their good and God’s glory.

So grab that cup of tea, find a quiet corner, and cozy up with a classic read today!

“Those of us who have been true readers all our life seldom fully realize the enormous extension of our being which we owe to authors.
We realize it best when we talk with an unliterary friend. He may be full of goodness and good sense but he inhabits a tiny world. In it, we should be suffocated. The man who is contented to be only himself, is in a prison. My own eyes are not enough for me. I will see through those of others.” ~ C.S. Lewis
excerpt from CC Conversations newsletter

The Mystery of Grace

2008-07-28T12:06:00.011-04:00

But for your grace I would be lost,
By your grace you paid my cost.

But for your grace my heart remains hard and cold,

By your grace you soften yet make me bold.

But for your grace my pride would keep me blind,

By your grace true humility I can find.

But for your grace in holiness I would fail.

By your grace you increase as I pale.

Ode to Essentials

2008-07-25T16:09:00.018-04:00

EEL is like language “structure” (the building)
IEW is like language “arts” (the décor)

EEL teaches language building blocks
IEW teaches writing and expression building blocks

EEL teaches detailed analytical thinking and romance language structure.
IEW teaches techniques for written expression

EEL focuses on the micro level – sentences to words and to revealing the underlying vocabulary code of language building blocks - learning syntax, structure and sentence components.
IEW focuses on the macro level – to topics to paragraphs to sentences – focus is on ideas and information being well expressed.

EEL is more comfortable for some students – as it is more exact and structured – some students find success here more quickly than others. There is a “right answer”
IEW is more comfortable for other students – as it has more room for expression, creativity – some students enjoy success here quicker than other.

IEW talks about using prepositional openers, adverbs, quality adjectives…
EEL defines the vocabulary used in IEW and writing techniques…

EEL teaches me to thoughtfully read God’s word, to make sure I understand who or what a pronoun is referring to, what the verb tense indicates, and more – important points as I seek to apply God’s promises, instructions, and imperatives to my life…
IEW teaches me how to paraphrase God’s word, and eventually retell the truths I have mediated upon ...

What is EEL? CC's Language and Grammar curricullum - The Essentials of the English Language Guide
What is IEW? This is Institute for Excellence in Writing approach to writing.

EEL and IEW complement each other wonderfully… And we haven't even spent time talking about the fun arithmetic games!

Fertilizing Your Soul

2008-07-24T22:09:00.028-04:00

Today Emily arrived home from camp. Tradition dictates that we spend a few moments "debriefing" the family on the camp days... Laughter echoes and life lessons abound...

Then after lunch (and a special coffee run) the discussions take on an introspective tone, at my prompting of course :).

"How do we really live out a life that glorifies the Lord?" is the question "on deck"... as we all seem to agree that this is our purpose... but how does the rubber meet the road?

We discuss the classic disciplines of the christian life - prayer, service, knowing His word, ... but still I probe further... "Why do we do these things?" I know that soon the answer "because you told us to" or "because it is expected of me..." won't cut it... they need to think deeper as they mature. Their seeds of obedience must push through the soil and mature into fruit that can withstand exposure to the elements.

The tumultuous but thoughtful tilling of the soil continues...

"When we do the easy things... like passively taking in media or just following the culture/crowd, what is going on?"

Delaying any "quick and easy" answers... I then give an example of how ideas, values, beliefs change from age to age... and ask "How do we know who is right?" Then I ask "Who is right?" THEN the more important question comes - WHY? I need my children to then think and say - well... Does the Bible have anything to say about this? Now this is gardening at its finest... unearthing God's wisdom, principles, ways, and character. Is there anything better?

I now summarize... "There is a battle for our affections, our heart, our time, our minds. Everyday we are exposing ourselves to ideas, beliefs, values, etc... So who is going to define our values - what is right and wrong, true and false? If we are not careful we'll let the world define it, because of its easy access and enticing attributes....
BUT when we seek after the solid food of God's word, we seek wisdom and that transcends the current culture and its ideas, wisdom that imparts true nutrition to the soul. In doing this, we have intentionally sought a richer fertilizer, one that is specifically designed to just the right "soul-nourishing pH" balance, regardless of the climate."

So from whom do we get the majority of our fertilizer? The media? Finite men, whose life span is on average 70 years? Or our infinite creator and His word?

So back to the question "on deck"... How do we live a life that glorifies the Lord?

By wisely choosing our fertilizer sources ...

So ... Which fertilizer are you going to mix in your soul? I mean soil!

Music... the message, the messenger, the mode

2008-07-22T20:58:00.025-04:00

Life principles and teachable moments... that pretty much sums up the bulk of my motherhood journey these days...
Daniel's related post

As the realm of music, and really media in general, present themselves front and center in the life of an American teen (and parent!)... once again we are called to lead. As a parent do we avoid and ban? Or dialogue and discern? Well... as you can imagine, I would say each method should be appropriately employed!
Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.

In the arena of media, we have modeled for our kids the thinking through layers of communications... Layers like the message or meaning or purpose of a song, show, movie, etc... What effect, fruit and outcome does this message bring forth? Usually this area of a young teen's understanding is on a fast learning curve, but the teen should not rely solely upon their understanding, insight and wisdom to discern these dynamics. As the parent, we have more perspective, and hopefully wisdom, to offer our young teens - to mentor them along in "thinking" through ideas and messages that seek to implant themselves in our minds and hearts.
As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is...

Next, Ed and I work through educating our kids on messengers of the message... in this case the person behind the music. The message of and from a person is naturally and rationally connected with the nature of its creator. Music, art and other media are forms of expression... thus they flow out of the heart of a person. If I choose to cling to music that "sounds good to me", without examining the message and the messenger, I may often be lumped and eventually shaped into the same form as the messenger. So what clay am I being lumped with?
Do not be conformed to the world but be ye transformed...

Finally, the mode or the style of music. This is an area we are learning more about as a family. Music affects the soul. It bypasses the rational - which really makes music all the more potent in its effects upon the soul. For soothing and nurturing the soul or for confusing and atrophying the soul. So here, I pay closer attention to my child's musical creations, as well their consistent choices, dialoguing as needed along the way.
All things are lawful for me, but not all are profitable. All things are lawful, but I will not be mastered by anything. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.

So there you have it... the layers at which we as a family evaluate, dialogue, filter and choose our music selections.

Mentoring and modeling toward maturity...

Water, Water... Every... Where?

2008-07-15T19:06:00.004-04:00

There are weeks and months that are busier than others. Well... May, June and early July were like that for our family. Speaking at three CC Parent Practicums that were out of state, a CC leadership team meeting on another week, and throw in a couple of family birthdays, and well... Let's just say we were way out of our routine.

Finally, on a quiet afternoon in July, after a couple conference calls and a long walk, I decide it is time to take a nice warm shower. Once I was in the bathroom and ready to hop in the shower, I turned the knob, and .... nothing... unable to process what was happening, I turned the knob several times from off to on, off to on... nothing.

I yell for my daughter to go check with our neighbors, to see if they had water. She runs out the door. A thought flashes through my mind... did I miss my water bill? I quickly jump online to my bank account, and the record shows that I DID miss my payment! The nine years in this home, and really over my 17 years of marriage, I had not ever recalled paying a bill late, much less ever missing a bill. I mean totally missing a bill!

Sheepishly, I called the water company and promptly paid the bill over the phone. My water was back on later that evening. I called my friends and my husband, who all proceeded to laugh at my expense! (literally)

Speaker Bio

2008-07-05T07:51:00.000-04:00

Heather, an inspirational speaker and teacher, has been home schooling her three children since 2000. When she began her home schooling journey, she was overwhelmed and undirected. Recognizing this was a formula for frustration and defeat; the Lord graciously intervened and brought tools and people across her path to help her gain clarity and direction for her family’s home schooling journey.
A graduate from the University of Louisville with a degree in Mathematic and Computer Engineering, Heather’s career path took a turn after the birth of their first child. Heather felt compelled to make the raising of their family a matter of great priority, and was later impressed to explore the possibility of home schooling. A new journey had begun. The journey has been quite a process, including times of struggle, sacrifice, and weakness, and other times of great joy, strength, and fruit.
Heather enjoys speaking and teaching, and currently serves an integral part of Classical Conversations leadership team. She has taught Precept studies for over 10 years. She has taught and spoken at women's conferences, as well as parenting workshops and practicums.

Heather, and her husband Ed, live in NC, where they teach and disciple their children to use their lives and talents for the glory of God. It brings them great joy to guide their children in knowing God’s ways, recognizing counterfeit “worldly ways”, and praying for them to choose to trust and live more fully for the Lord; knowing His ways bring immense blessing, purpose, confidence, and peace that the world can’t duplicate or touch.

The Journey Begins...

2008-07-01T17:02:00.002-04:00

Growing up in a broken home and following the crowd proved to be a poor combination for most of my teen years. Church was absent in my immediate family. Thoughts of God were few and far between. I was sprinkled in a sanctuary as an infant, but it really held no meaning or significance for me. But in my later teen years, as I grew more and more wrestless, I began asking questions and wondering about the meaning of life.

It was during this time that I grew close to my beloved grandmother, Doris Zeillmann. As I spent time with her, witnessing her devotion to her church and “right living,” I realized she possessed something that was different. While not outspoken about her faith, my grandmother’s life was marked by a quiet peace and stability, which I now recognize stemmed from a firm foundation in her God. Amidst the brokenness and chaos of my life, I was drawn to her. We spent time together; I even went to church with her once or twice. Somewhere in our time together, I acquired her white Gideon Bible, which she had received during her years as a nurse in WWII. I do not recall the specific exchange. I just know that because it was hers, it was important to me.

The Lord used my grandmother to begin drawing me to himself, but it wasn’t until a few years later that my heart finally understood I was “in need” of a Savior. I was still living my way when a life-threatening incident shook me to my core. I spent several weeks searching, pondering, wondering if God really could do something with my life. Finally, one night, I knew I needed to call out to the Lord. So I knelt beside my bed and said “Lord, if you are real, then I am ready. I am yours.” I remembered my grandmother’s Bible and knew it was somewhere. So I searched for it, found it, and turned to the back of it. I filled out the back of the little white Gideon Bible I had acquired years before.

After receiving Christ as my savior, I knew immediately: Some things in my life had to change. From relationship choices to lifestyle choices, I knew I could no longer grieve the one I had just given myself to. For me, becoming a Christian was like Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus. My world changed from dark to light. I had been the world’s prostitute; now all of the sudden, I was the creator’s princess. Through God’s grace, the deal had been transacted. I was sealed with the mark of the king. Now I wanted the transformation to take effect for the rest of the days He had appointed for me. I wanted every day that had been wasted to be redeemed and more, and he has been faithful.

Nearly 20 years later, I am a wife, a mother, a teacher, and a speaker. But his word is the foundation from which I live and move and have my being – the same Word planted by Gideon ministries all over the world. God used you to reach me in my moment of decision. Your faithfulness and prayers and little white Bibles are bringing forth fruit for His kingdom. Carry on!

A Mother's Call

2008-05-01T14:50:00.005-04:00

A mother is one who gives her all,
Teaching and kneeling in answer to her call,
To guide, train, and shape her little ones,
Firmly, yet tenderly, nurturing daughters and sons.

Building a foundation of truth and endurance, of love and grace,
Training her children as they prepare for life’s marathon race.
Knowing that her influence leaves an everlasting imprint on each heart,
While prayerfully committing the inward transformation as the Father’s part.

Her heart’s cry…
Be gentle yet steadfast, my Lord, with these as they go,
Faithfully watering and nurturing the seeds you and I sow.
Diligently pruning weeds and wild vines wherever they grow.

That when our lives on earth do end,
All my little one’s hearts You will mend,
And in eternity together, we will spend.