The Fretful Test.... Oh No!

We wrapped up our first year homeschooling curriculum this past week with a week of testing.

Testing wasn't anything new to the girls as they were familiar with being tested in private school. In some areas they were trying to "school" Mom a bit on how to conduct the tests, but I didn't let them get one over on Mom. I was probably more nervous than they were as I handed out the bubble sheets and booklets. It brought back memories from my own days of testing in school.
 
I never liked taking tests and I still don't like tests.
 
For a person that doesn't like taking tests, it's interesting when I have to go through tests as a student in God's classroom of life. When you think about the purpose of a test, its used to measure your knowledge of a particular area. As a Christian, our faith is tested. If our faith was graded, how well would it do? Do we we crumble under the pressure of trials or are we refined and changed more into God's image?

For as much as I don't like to be tested, the Bible tells us to,
  

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

 



Joy. Really?

I'm supposed to be joyful when going through a test? and, even more interesting,

It has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him but also to suffer. (Philippians 1:29)

If we were to think about the sacrifice that Christ made for all those that would believe in Him, we should consider it a privilege to suffer for Christ. To have the opportunity for Christ to glorify Himself through our life in suffering is a privilege.

When I think about being tested with this backdrop of truth from God's Word, it puts each and every test that I must go through into perspective and it causes me to place my faith and hope in God alone. My feelings and emotions will let me down, people will let me down, and my circumstances don't always look so promising, but God never changes.

As I look to God's Word, I find that the same God that provided for the men of old (Hebrews 11), is the same God that provides for His children today. Tests and trials bring about perseverance, proven character, & hope.

As our school room silenced to a hush as the kids colored in their bubbles and tried earnestly not to lose their place as they read and answered one question after another, I remember that in the tests of life though God may seem quiet for a period in life's classroom, He's still there at the head of the class. As I sometimes hunch over my desk full of circumstances that worry, perplex, and confuse me, He's there all the while catching my frustrated tears, strengthening my faith, and beckoning me to look to Him to make it through life's tests.

Sometimes when you wonder why you can't hear God's voice during our trials, remember the teacher is always quiet during the test. (~ Unknown Author)

 

What's on the other side of the test? For the girls, we had a pizza party & movie to celebrate their test survival.

 

For the believer? Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

 

That's sounds a lot better than pizza & a movie!

Leaning on Helpful Hands

I made use of another great resource to augment our homeshooling curriculum the other day... my Daddy!!!

The girls did a unit together in Science on electricity, learning the parts of a circuit, the things that conduct electricity, and insulators of electricity. With this unit, I wanted them to be able to visualize the elements of an electrical circuit. When we got down to talking about electrons, it was challenging to help them understand what an electron is given the fact that you can't see it.

I called on the electrical Calvary for this one in my sweet Daddy. He took the kids Science textbook and rigged this up! How fantastic is that?!?!

Yes, I could've tried to do this demonstration myself, but I didn't want to risk electrocuting myself like I did as a child when I stuck my finger in a lightbulb socket. I know there isn't enough current in a battery to induct a shock, but if there was a way to induce a shock with a battery, I'm sure I would've found a way!

Here is yet again, another sweet blessing of homeschooling. Being able to lean on family through our year of homeschooling has enhanced our experience immensely!

Thank you Daddy for your helping hands.

Construction Update

 

I'm sure that you were hoping for more pictures beyond dirt.

 

More DiRt....

 

Excavation has progressed well on our property as we patiently await approval to move forward with the house construction. While in some ways the rain that we got in the month of April and May seemed to delay progress, it was all a blessing because with each rain the driveway that was being installed is getting more sturdier with each rainfall. 

 

Soon, I pray that I'll be able to post more pictures beyond dirt and more dirt!

In the meantime, here's my little man all handsome with big smiles

 

He's happy about DiRt

He's happy about anything bless his little heart.

 

Be Changed by Women of the Bible

I just love, love the next Francine Rivers book that I’m reading.

I say that about every book review that I post on here, don’t I? Well, it’s the truth. The book is good.

It’s entitled, “A Lineage of Grace: Five Stories of Unlikely Women Who Changed Eternity”. When I initially happened upon the series, I found a few of the individual hard back books in the library that told the stories of these women individually. Later, I realized that Rivers combined these separate stories into one beautifully bound book.

What’s so lovely about this book is the way in which she brings to life the stories of prominent women that are familiar to the average person that have heard or read the stories of Ruth, Tamar, Rahab, Bathsheba, and Mary. She takes some liberties with each story to draw the reader into what could have been going through these ladies minds and within the lives of those that impacted them.

Rivers is very good at telling stories and in this case, re-telling stories from the Bible. What I most appreciate is going back to the Bible itself after I've read her re-telling of these stories. As she highlights details from the stories, I realize that there are portions from the Bible story itself that I didn't even realize was there all because I had glossed over it. Her writing allows a reader to reflect on God’s Word with highlights of her imagination surrounding the characters of that day. Once she grabs you with her writing, she doesn't let go! 

V.I.P. Field Trip

 A sweet and very dear relative of ours treated us to a special field trip with a private, tour of the U.S. Capitol. I've been on a tour of the Capitol before in a formal group where they give you headphones so that you can drown out all the background noise so that you can hear your tour guide. This time around, we had our very own tour guide and we felt like very important people for the day. We snuck in side doors, sat in the best seats for the introductory video, and were escorted to the front of the line passing by literally 100s of people that were all there to see the US Capitol in full color.

 

There is so much history within the walls of the Capitol. As I watched the introductory video and took note that in the not-so-distant past the building was erected with the hands of slaves, I couldn't  help but ponder over how America has changed year after year with the changes in Congress.

 

 

How many conflicts, arguments, and disputes have been held within the Senate Chambers? Just imagine the number of votes that have been cast on the House of Representatives floor and amendments passed that have changed this world that we live in.

 

Original Senate Floor

As my youngest copped a squat on the old Senate Chamber floor with her Caucasian buddy, counting the yellow stars on the carpet that also adorn our American Flag, I said a prayer of thanks to God for how far He has brought this Country that now allows people who look like me to walk the halls of the Capitol.

Seeing the statue of Rosa Parks in Statuary Hall between some other important folks, made me smile to think of her confidence to just sit and not allow hatred hinder her from her rights. 

 

Rosa Parks in Statuary Hall

While there were some other V.I.P. people getting their own private tours, some tours being given by Senators that had offices right down the hall, we felt special just for that one day to get special treatment!

A Not-So-Normal Homeschool Day

Ever so often my kids get these crazy, hair-brained ideas and surprise me with something they've created with their hands, a piece of art work, or a tasty dish.

 

Tuesday was one of those days.

 

It's something special when kids come up with creative ideas because it comes from a place deep in their heart that isn't watered down by fear of being laughed at or rejected.

 

I had an idea that they were up to something the night before as they dragged things up the stairs covered in blankets and snickered and sneered when I asked them what they were up to. I woke up to what I thought would be a "normal" homeschool day where I usually drag the kids out of bed to get up and ready. Instead, my 9 year old greeted me at my door, all washed up, teeth brushed, hair combed, and dressed! I made a mental note that I should never again hear, "Mom, I'm so tired and can't get out of bed" ever, ever again on a "normal" school day. Oh, the things a kid can do when they WANT to do something.

 

She escorted me down the hall, with instrumental music playing in the background, and seated me at the kitchen table with a homemade breakfast and adorned my head with a crown.

 

 

 I was then told that they were celebrating an early Mother's Day and would be running the homeschool day! As I sipped my coffee and enjoyed the pancakes, I wondered how this would go. 

  

My kids impress me on a regular basis, but on this not-so-normal school day, they really impressed me. You would think that if a kid could choose what they'd do on a school day that they were in charge of, they'd do a little of nothing. Well, my two little teachers-in-training developed their own lesson plan from Bible Time to Science.

 

For Bible Time, we played Bible Verse Pictionary, followed by the Communication Game for English. For Math, the kids practiced their math drills with Math Bingo and the game Sorry using math drills. For Reading & Comprehension, they did dictation using a book from the Little House Series and practiced punctuation using passages from the book. For Spelling, we played the Scrabble Soup Game and lastly, we played a HOMEMADE Matching Science game. They created a matching game using the parts of a circuit since the kids are doing a Unit on Electricity for Science.

 

Who says you can't have fun in school with a game for every subject?

 

By the time we made it to Science, my 7 year old goes, "Mom, I don't want this day to end!"

 

I have to admit, I had FUN on this not-so-normal school day.

 

~ HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL MY BLOG-READING-MOMMIES ~

 

almost forgot... a few hours into our not-so-normal day I was online and learned that the kids chose to take the day ransom on the SAME day as Teacher Appreciation Day! Great timing kiddos!