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A Cold Windy Thursday - a day in review

10/29/2015

We started off the day having breakfast first (the lad made it... very simple cereal and milk) since we all got up late feeling tired after a, so far, very labour intensive week. During breakfast we read another chapter of The Dragonets. Then we cared for various critters around the house: Rabbits, guinea pigs, snake, fish, mice and a new addition: a toad.

Then we headed upstairs to get some schooling done (after I got some laundry going). We started off with our Word of the Day: Access. Then read a chapter in Fish Finelli: Seagulls don't eat Pickles. As the lad worked on his Veritas Press History, I put together a blog post on St. Augustine of Hippo.

This was followed up with reading though a couple of poems. This one pictured below and another I'll use as a poetry lesson called "The Troll". My son's reaction to this poem was immediate "that wasn't very nice".

After this my son wanted to take a break since he had his own agenda for the day, so if I can read and he can create, it's a perfect mix for both us. Today we learned about

The Moghul Dynasty through "The Story of the World vol.2".
Bernard of Clairvaux in "Monks and Mystics"
More about deepening mystery in Fish Finelli
Life in the mountain in "Natural World"
Algae in "100 fantastic Science Facts"
A chapter in Battle of the Bulge
A chapter from "Owls in the Family" in a short story book.

Needing to settle his mind after having all these questions raised in his head, my boy read through two chapters in Stone Fox. He's enjoying the book but dislikes that it takes time away from the books he really wants to read. :)

Questions my lad raised:

Are algae blooms dangerous?
If Algae aren't truly plants, what are they really?
If a solider kills someone who has surrendered, will they be punished? Why would those soldiers want to be so mean? They weren't fair mom.
Why does goose poop stick so badly?
What are mutant ducks?

I was able to show him a picture of a mutant duck and explained they really won't eat your hand off. :)

The rest just means some research on my part.

click image to go to source: Duck hybrids

We finished our day working through our regular workbooks

Cursive Logic
Jump Math
Machines & Motion by God's Design
Poetry Lessons.

We've just started Poetry Lessons.
Today we learned about Rhyming Couplets
The Lad's Poem Below

Linked to the Crew Round up for Feb 19, 2016. GO HERE.

St. Augustine of Hippo - God is not the parent of evils

10/29/2015

St. Augustine of Hippo. Does anyone not know who Augustine was? Bishop of Hippo, writer of such works as "On Free Will" "Confessions" and "On the City of God". Augustine was a man that my son spent a great deal of time learning about last year through Veritas Press. Born of a Christian mother, she prayed for his conversion which happened when he was 32 years old. Archbishop Ambrose was instrumental in attracting him to the Christian Faith.

But what did Augustine believe? How did he form his thinking?

Augustine is an important part of both Catholic and Protestant faiths due to his theological writings.   He was a fiery speaker and an excellent writer.

He believed both in the predestination of man and in free will.

One of the things that Augustine believed was that God was not the parent of evil.   He formulated this train of thought.
People are rational beings.
As rational people, we must have free will.
Having free will means that we are able to CHOOSE between doing good and evil.
Therefore we act either in Goodness or Evilness.
God is not parent of evil.

Evil was defined less as an object or a thing, but more of a lack of something.   For instance, the evil of a blind man is that he cannot see, the evil of a thief is that he lacks honesty.   People queried though... why is there evil???   God made us a rational people.   AS rational people we are able to make choices about how we live.   This is our freedom of will.   How will we choose to act... out of goodness, or out of evilness?   God isn't making the choice for us... we make that choice.

Augustine was able to explain his thinking without using the bible, which puts him in the ranks of a philosopher as well as that of a Christian theologian.

Another way of explaining his thinking is for us to picture how beauty can be added to by the presence of darkness...how discordant harmony can make a musical piece more beautiful, or how dark patches can bring out the beauty in a picture.

My thoughts

Can Augustine's thinking that evilness is a lack of something be dismissed? Yes. But the fact remains that evilness is not given to us by God. He didn't create it. Evilness is the result of choices made. First by the devil, then by the devil proving convincing to Adam and Eve. Through that choice, evil entered the world.

Sources:
Philosophy book
Wiki
New advent.
Encyclopedia Britannica.
Anglican.
IEP.
European Graduate School.

Dear Homeschool Mom...

10/27/2015

Dear Homeschool Mom.

As I type this letter I want to talk about things that I wish someone had talked to me about when I first started homeschooling.

1. Curriculum ain't all that. :) It isn't REALLY. BUT it can certainly be helpful. :) Curriculum is merely an aid in teaching our children. It can help to shape minds, teach important concepts and save us time.

It can also lock us into a set pattern or way of doing things that may not prove beneficial and you know what... THAT'S okay! Sometimes curriculums are just not a good fit. It provides an opportunity to do one of a few things... rework that curriculum into something usable, find a new home for the non-working curriculum and then find a new curriculum, or fight your way through what you have at hand.

2. It's okay to take a day away from school....and not worry about turning it into a field trip or a hands on learning day or a.. whatever you think you SHOULD make it. Just take your day. I did this recently when I had a whole whack of outdoor work to do and a single sunny day in which to get it done. :) I worked hard, the lad pitched in here and there, and we had a productive day.... just not a schooling day. And you know what? Today he did his schooling and didn't complain a whit about doing it until he ran into a snag and then figured a way out of the snag (of his own doing too!). :) I was so pleased with him for figuring it out on his own and not needing me to help him. :)

3. It's okay to be different from those around you. Seems a simple thing to say isn't it? But it's hard. When everyone around you schools using workbooks and hands on experiments and whatever else, it can be hard to school in your own way. It's hard not to compare your way with another persons, or for people to query what you are doing and why. It's a part of who we are.

But I want you to rest assured. You know your child(ren) best. If you love them, and watch them, and pray over them... God will guide your path in the training and raising of them. Train them up in the way they should go. And let the rest be.

Five Minute Friday - Joy #fmfparty

10/23/2015

The gist of this fabulous community is this: We write. For five minutes flat. No backtracking, no editing, just write.Then strap on your brave, post your words on your blog, link them up over at Kate's blog — then click around to visit the others! Have fun reading the posts linked up before yours, and be sure to leave some encouragement in the comments section.

Today the word prompt is joy.

Joyful joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of Love, hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above... and so goes the song. Isn't it a lovely one? :)

Joy.

There is so much to be joyful about in the world.

My mom.. carrying after the loss of her husband. Joining a gym, learning to care for herself again, loving life, while saying .. .I just want to see him.... One more time.   There is joy to be held there.

Joy to be found in new friendship. Meeting people and helping them through difficulties and caring, not only because you've been there, done that, but because it's good to care and it's right to care and it brings joy. It's part of God's calling on my life.

Joy to be found in, even though one doesn't like the results of an election, we were able to vote without fear or intimidation. We were able to let our voices actually be heard, even if some of those voices I would have liked to be a bit quieter or sleepier. :)   Silly eh?   But there is joy to be held in those things.

Joy to be found in the newborn.. little critters squeaking out as they learn to live outside their momma's belly. This week... four wee baby guinea pigs entered the world.   Makes my heart sing. :)   A God-given pleasure indeed.

Joy... ties together with thankfulness for me.

Wherein do you find joy?

The Horrors of History: Part 1 City of the Dead & Massacre of the Miners

10/22/2015

I received four books as past of this review. I am reviewing two of these books today. They are part of the series: Horrors of History. This is a series of historical fiction novels, written by best-selling author T. Neill Anderson that commemorate horrific, life-changing events in America’s past.

A Quick Book Synopsis:
More about: City of the Dead
The people of Galveston were used to storms. An island city off the coast of Texas, its residents knew how to deal with flooding and many even enjoyed watching the rise of waves in the Gulf when big storms passed through. The storm that hit on September 8, 1900, however, was not just another storm. It was a deadly hurricane that came without warning, devastating the thriving city, killing over eight thousand people, and nearly wiping Galveston clean from existence.

More about: Massacre of the Miners
In 1914, coal miners of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company went on strike following the company’s refusal to grant their requests for fair wages and better working conditions. .......By noon on April 20, 1914, gunfire rained down on Ludlow sending men, women, and children to run for their lives or cower in crude dirt cellars below their tents....... As daylight broke the next day, the tent camp was nothing more than a smoldering pile of debris mixed with bodies of the victims.

My Thoughts:
Read these books before you let your children read them. :)   Seriously. I enjoyed reading them, connecting with real people, seeing their thoughts, confusion and fear. (well perhaps not enjoying their fear).. but having that real connection just brought an added dimension to these real horrors that happened.

BUT I started reading one (massacre of the miners) with my lad and it was just so NOT a go with him. He's 10 so possibly a bit young, but he's read (or had me read) books meant for an older audience before. BUT fear, the wanton destruction, the blatant anger the guards had toward the miners was just beyond him.

I chose to not finish that book with him and just read it myself.   What we did read though was a good ground for discussing the affects of sin on the world and how sometimes we just can't understand the depth of hatred people can have for each other and how that can inspire such fear.

I do think he could read about the hurricane of Galveston as it's more about the devastation of nature rather than the sinful affects of people upon each other.   More easily understood right?   It gives a chance (with nature) to see the good that people can do for each other in times of utter distress.

Did I myself enjoy the books? YES. They are well-written with the factual materials provided at the end of book, letting us know what was real and what was inspired.   The details with the people involved brought everything so much to life.    Real horrors, personified.   My heart ached for the people involved.    Such tragedy.

Product Details:
Received: hardcover books
Title: "City of the Dead" and "Massacre of the Miners"
Author: T.Neill Anderson
Series: Horrors of History
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Pages: 130 in each
Age: for 11 years old and up

Review: The Imposter

10/22/2015

The Imposter.     Who is he?
We find ourselves embroiled in the world of the Amish community.
The following themes are part of this book World influences.   People in charge.   People demoted.   Corruption.   Bullying.   Secrets.   Growth in Grace.   Growth through Maturity.   Romance.

Overall I enjoyed this book by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

As we read The Imposter we enter into the lives of the Stoltzfuss family.   David, the family man, has lost his wife and is raising his family in a community of believers he was called to be part of as a preacher.

The man who called him died.   David has been demoted but still teaches. There are problems in the Amish community that the leadership is trying to address by David believes they are going about it in a less than godly manner.   As he fights that battle, his daughter Katrina fights her own, as does his son Jesse.

Katrina, loves a fellow who has left her.   Jesse, struggles with becoming a man.   David, realizes in his struggles, that he is lonely and needs support from a loving wife.   In the midst of all these struggles they learn that not all is as it seems to be.... there is indeed a snake in the henhouse (so to speak).

Will each of them work their way? How will it all turn out?

I'm loathe to give away too many details lest you find yourself with no reason to read this book yourself.   :)

Product Details:
Received: Trade paperback
Title: "The Imposter"
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Series: The Bishop Family book 1
Publisher: Revell
Reviewed for: Nuts about Books.

Letters to pastor's Wives: Humility.

10/20/2015

One of the things I am enjoying about this book are the prefaces to each chapter, where pastor hubby writes about the virtue in regards to their wife. Just neat and an unexpected boon to my soul.

Humility means possessing a mindset that sees God in his rightful place and us in ours. P. 57 It's having the mindset of a servant rather than that of a master. Why do we need to seek this virtue? Not because we are the pastor's wife, but because we are a proud people and naturally given to thinking too highly of ourselves.

Do we want to help people through our humility or hurt them through our pride?

We should be thrilled to be a servant in God's big kingdom rather than trying to rule our own small corner.

So how does one cultivate humility?

Spend time in God's Word. This is where it all begins. See Romans 3:10-12. If you don't spend time with God then you forget who you are before him.
Understand this... "the truth is that any time we have displayed kindness or been of help to others is not because we are great, but because God is working through us." The only reason.

Four practical steps to help cultivate humility.

Time spent alone with God in bible study, meditation, and prayer is essential. P. 62.
Confession of sin. Confession is an act of obedience and part of a right relationship with God. Humble people are quick to admit their mistakes.
Learn to submit to your husband. The husband is the head of the household.
Cultivate gratitude. Say thank you often. By seeing how much we have to be thankful for we are better enabled to see our true position in the eyes of the Lord.

My Thoughts

As I read this chapter I thought:
Ouch.... Have I allowed myself to be hurt cause I think too much of myself?

It's hard sometimes you know.
To balance OUR expectations to the frailties of people.

DO people let us down?
For sure.

But what are our expectations in the midst of it all?
Where are my expectations placed?   Built upon?

Ultimately I need to learn to trust God more.
As I trust him more, it doesn't matter as much what people do because I know that God is my surety.   I have to admit... I am SO not there yet.

Like Job I wonder and fret at the why of things happening.
I need to see God in the events of life.

So how can I practice true humility?
By
1. not grumbling when I give way to my hubby ... is it really humility if I say FINE but really mean. I'll do whatever you say dear even though I think you're WRONG.   (not really is it). :)
2. by accepting that I can't be all things to everyone and THAT'S okay
3. by realizing that in that okayness (see above) it's okay for others to need others as well.

So what does humility mean to you? And how can you show it more?

Poetry Lesson: A Bug Sat in a Silver Flower

10/20/2015

What did you think?

I really didn't have to ask this... my boy let out a chortle of glee. :)

What made you laugh?
"Mom! Bugs don't have underwear!!!"

Words you don't know

Stalk: noun
stalk; plural noun: stalks
1. the main stem of a herbaceous plant.
"he chewed a stalk of grass"
"the stalk of a plant"
2. the slender attachment or support of a leaf, flower, or fruit.
"the acorns grow on stalks"

click image to go to source: Mr.Clay

The lad was able to determine the stem and leaf section make up the stalk of the plant. He added that it's easier to think of a stalk as being part of a piece of grass or the wheat we have come up from bunny leftovers growing in the compost.

Do you think it was fair?

Fair doesn't matter to bugs mom. He was hungry and the little bug wasn't paying attention. Bugs should always pay attention.

What do you see/hear when you look at and listen?

Some lines rhyme but others don't.
The poem moves in and out.. not all the lines are the same length.

Mom... are there really silver flowers?
That got me searching and I was able to find pictures of plants with silver foliage but none of a really silver flower (except fake ones). You can see them HERE.

Knowing this I asked the lad if he thought the flower was real or if the author was just using colourful language?

He really didn't know. Because either scenario would work. Bugs can be found everywhere...even on fake plants. BUT most likely, he thought, it was the author just using colourful language.

What does YOUR child see or hear with this poem??

Books for Older Elementary Children

10/20/2015

It's no secret that I like to read, or that i hope to encourage my boy to be a reader, to that end we search out books that my son likes and sometimes he reads them himself and other times I read with him. Let me share some of the books that we have either read or that we are currently reading.

There are so many good options out there and I haven't included the ones we are listening to on audio with dad as we travel about.

The Warrior Cats series by Erin Hunter

What a huge series of books. But my son is totally hooked on them. Mostly good writing, some blips in spelling throughout the entire series, but captivating to get involved in the lives of these cats from the past through to the future.

We have read most of the books, but I hear there is a new series in the works and I'm wondering if we're going to get into that series as well....

The Dragonets of Prophecy by Tui Sutherland

We have just finished the first of eight books in this series about some young dragonets, who against all odds, need to put an end to a war that is causing the countless deaths of thousands of dragons and all the anger and hurt and danger that is involved.

Some of the dragons are downright nasty, but hope and love shine through and changes seen are amazing at times.

Fish Finelli - seagulls don't eat pickles by ES Farber

I have to admit, we haven't completed this book yet, but it's part of a series. My son is enjoying it and occasionally borrows it to "get ahead" in the book rather than read one chapter at a time during breakfast. Fish and his friends (including little sisters at times) gets into different adventures. Filled with a variety of facts to intrigue fact minded children... it is also a good story.

Getting to Know Nature's Children

There are a whole whack of books in this series, I am not sure if we own them all but we went to a sale one day and a lady let us take the whole box for $5... we've at least 30 books in the box I think. We read a page or two every night, taking turns in the reading. We've learned about tigers, giraffes, Canada geese, lions, opossum and so much more.

The series is laid out so you learn what they eat, how they mate, have young, travel etc. Just good books, they've been around for ages.

Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda

Fantasy books filled with puzzles to see if the reader can figure it out before they read how the characters themselves figured it out. My son had a slow start to enjoying these books but now he reads beyond his required 1/2 hour daily reading time. He wants to know what happens and is so pleased that he has caught up to me in reading them (and surpassed me). Can Jasmine, Leif and Bart solve the problems, can they retrieve the gems and defeat the Shadowlands?

Rip and Red: It's a whole new ballgame - Phil Bildner

We met these two this year. Red with his autism, Rip with his love of basketball, and the whole class. Changes made, growth accomplished, and laughter achieved. They are fun reads with lots of stuff going on and older elementary children showing who they are becoming. The lad's quick response to them "I LIKE THEM!" Also a book he stole from me once in a while to get ahead in...

What books would you recommend for older elementary children to read?

Missionary Monday: Alexander Murdoch Mackay

10/19/2015

Alexander Murdoch Mackay a missionary to Uganda, was the son of a free church minister in Scotland. He worked there for 14 years.

Alexander M. MacKay was a teacher, engineer, and missionary. He originally wanted to work in Madagascar but was rejected, instead he applied to work in Uganda and was accepted.

His degree in engineering proved to be most useful in his work as a missionary. Helping to repair ships, build roads, and work with metal.    This impressed the king of the area who allowed him to work among his people.    Some of his work he did in a cave.

He taught various skills to the Ugandan people, including carpentry and farming, as well as other practical skills.   He laid down the foundation for education. He was named Muzunguwa Kazi by the Ugandans. The name means "white man of work."

A visiting bishop created problems for the Christians in the area, bringing in a time of persecution.   Mr. Mackay was eventually forced to move south of the lake.   He managed to translate the gospel of Matthew into the language of the people before contracting malaria and dying.

Sources:
biblical training
World digital library
Worldwide missions 2
wikipedia
Mackay college
Worldwide missions

<<Previous

A Cold Windy Thursday - a day in review

St. Augustine of Hippo - God is not the parent of evils

My thoughts

Dear Homeschool Mom...

Five Minute Friday - Joy #fmfparty

The Horrors of History: Part 1 City of the Dead & Massacre of the Miners

Review: The Imposter

Letters to pastor's Wives: Humility.

My Thoughts

Poetry Lesson: A Bug Sat in a Silver Flower

Words you don't know

Do you think it was fair?

Books for Older Elementary Children

The Warrior Cats series by Erin Hunter

The Dragonets of Prophecy by Tui Sutherland

Fish Finelli - seagulls don't eat pickles by ES Farber

Getting to Know Nature's Children

Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda

Rip and Red: It's a whole new ballgame - Phil Bildner

Missionary Monday: Alexander Murdoch Mackay

Who Am I?

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2013 TOS Reviews

Other Reviews

My thoughts

My Thoughts

Words you don't know

Do you think it was fair?

The Warrior Cats series by Erin Hunter

The Dragonets of Prophecy by Tui Sutherland

Fish Finelli - seagulls don't eat pickles by ES Farber

Getting to Know Nature's Children

Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda

Rip and Red: It's a whole new ballgame - Phil Bildner

Who Am I?

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2013 TOS Reviews

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