I need a new name...

for Bible Devotions. I can't truly call it Bible study, as it isn't that in depth, but we read Bible verses about a particular topic for a week, talk about them, and pray before the day gets started.

However, I have some to believe that maybe a better name might be needed.

At 8:30 this morning, I call (from my prone position on the sofa) for everyone to come downstairs. Hailey decided to help me out, so she yelled up, "Kora, Aubrey, Brynna! Time for devotion!"

One of the older girls comes downstairs, yelling at those behind her, "Devotion time!"

I just found it funny. Does calling it this imply that we aren't devoted any other time of day??? What else could we call it? Or should I just laugh it off?

Education: tool or religion?

Today is the first day of school for most of our city. This is a puzzling day for Kelly and I as we listen to so many parents who rejoice that their kids are off their hands and back to school. I usually hear several people say this is the happiest day of their year. Since Kelly and I (for the most part) enjoy being around our children, and enjoy raising them, educating, and training them, this really puzzles us. So why did they have kids if they can't wait to be rid of them?

But I digress.

I am concerned about a trend I see in our country. For the last 50-100 years, education has become the new god, and all the trappings of education the new religion. Education is hailed as the cure to all of society's ills. If we can just get them young enough, the professional educator or politician might say, then we can eradicate such and such. If we can just get them to believe the right things, or spend enough money, then we can alter the future. There is nothing from domestic violence to poverty that can't be defeated if the right education were in place.

This ignores some very basic Biblical principles. Man is sinful - is conceived in sin. All of the earth's problems stem from this fact. And the only way to address this very root of evil is the cross. Not the correct K-12 education.

The Old Testament is replete with examples of God's people turning aside to follow the gods of the land in which they inhabited. I fear that many Christians have fallen into the same trap. Some buy into the world's belief that society can be cured through the right school program or curriculum. This in spite of the fact that the public schools teach what is direct opposition to the Word of God.

But I am concerned that those who have bucked the public educational system, especially homeschoolers, can often fall into the same trap. I have read and talked to some homeschoolers who seem to have the idea that doing so is a guaranteed "Do not pass go, go straight to heaven" card for their kids. That somehow it is a guarantee that the kids will turn out well. I think it is really easy to fall into this holier-than-thou attitude when we believe in something so strongly. However, I believe it is a form of legalism to get into this thinking. But no matter our educational method, only faith in their Risen Savior can take these children from sinner to holy and saved.

As the school year begins for so many, remember that our purpose is to glorify God in everything we do, and that includes raising our children. We need to teach them that is also to be their aim in life. Education is a tool in which to do that, to show them how to hide His word in our hearts, and to prepare them for the work God will call them to as adults. If your method of education does not do that, whether your kids go to public school, private, or are homeschooled, might I suggest that this is the perfect time to reevaluate things. Education is important, but without faith, it like a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal.

The Color Green

I think my new intimate friend has arrived, and does not look as if it is leaving anytime soon. Notice I didn't say "best" friend, as that denotes a positive relationship. Yes, I believe morning sickness is settling in for a long stay. Unfortunately, it also seems to be bringing along company of its own - hypoglycemia. It doesn't take much for me to get the major shakes. And it seems to be following in Lauryn's pregnancy pattern; it's not morning sickness, but all-day sickness.

Fortunately it didn't hit too badly until the last 2-3 days, and since Kelly is now home, I am very relieved at the Providential timing of it all. Of course, I'd rather not have it at all, but I am glad it pretty much held off until Kelly got home.

Eating habits have definitely changed around here. I am having the most problem with drinking enough. I can only take a sip or two at a time when I'm nauseous as any more just sloshes in my stomach. For those of you who know me, I can't even drink too much Dr. Pepper right now. I tried this afternoon and couldn't finish it! Not only that, I can't stand anything too sweet. I made peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips earlier in the week and didn't eat a single one!! And when I do feel like cooking, by the time it's done, the smell of it has made me lose my appetite!

In the next 2-3 weeks, we have several activities starting up: scouts, piano lessons, Wednesday Bible study, Sunday school. Don't know how much I am going to be able to do. I'm trying not to get too panicky, but you guys know how hard that is for me. ;-)

So if you see me in the next few weeks, try to overlook the green tint to my skin or any odd behavior. It's just what one of my pregnancy books calls "progesterone poisoning."

Woohoo!

Just got off the phone with Kelly, and he was able to get all his work done this week, so he will be coming home tomorrow! Yea!

The girls did a happy dance when they heard. :-)

Nice to Meet you, Mississippi

At supper last night, Aubrey came up with this one:

"So if I was to marry a man whose last name is Ippi, then I would Mrs. Ippi!"

And speaking of variability...

I just figured out that in 6 years at the beginning of the school year, I will have:

a 12th grader
a 10th grader
a 7th grader
a 6th grader
a 3rd grader, and
a Kinder

Talk about a wide range! This is a little scary...

Variability

I find it funny when people ask me if I don't get bored "just" staying at home with the kids. Now when I had only a toddler and a pre-schooler, I was desperate for adult conversation, but I don't consider that the same as being bored. :-)

Anyway, I was struck today about how varied the things I dealt with/taught today are. Here is a snippet:

*Helped H sound out sentences like "Ken fed the fat, tan hen."
*Taught K how to find the measurements of angles in a parallelogram with two sets of congruent angles
*Taught A how to take the "re" ending off a Latin infinitive in order to get the root of a verb on which to add the endings for the present, imperfect, and future tenses
*Sang the ABC song with L
*Read about Charlemagne and the Feudal system to B
*Taught A how to average and what the average of a group of numbers means
*proof read two thank you notes
*Counted by 10s and 1s with H
*Explained what a "cross-reference" was to A
*timed math drills for K and A
*Helped B with her geography assignment on Charlemagne's empire
*gave K a spelling test
*Taught H how to write the lowercase letter "n"
*Counted to 20 with L
*Showed B that the long hand on a clock pointing to a 6 means it is 30 minutes past the hour
*read Bible verses and had devotional time with all 5
*showed K how to cut out and sew a decorative pillow for a scouting badge
*checking all work and setting needed items out for correction

All this on top of supervising laundry, meals, piano practice, making a few phone calls, paying bills, writing emails, etc. Who says being a mommy mentally stagnating?

Oh, and as a funny, when I was teaching Hailey her phonics lesson, we were reading the sentence "Ben had a red van."

Me: (pointing to the word 'red' that she had just sounded out) This is the color red, not read as in read a book. (I tapped under the word) This is the color red.

Hailey (staring at the printed word on the page, and in a somewhat amazed and confused tome of voice): I thought it was black.

I had to laugh at that one. Guess I'll need to watch how I phrase things. :-)