Declaration of Dependence

For the Dear Ones of GCCHSA and Beyond:

One morning soon the big yellow buses will roll down the streets of our county, collecting eager and hesitant students alike and taking to them to some of the finest schools in the state for the beginning of a fresh school year. I have enjoyed waving to neighbor friends standing curbside as they launch into another grade, inches taller and maybe a few shades tanner after a summer of sprinkler play and firefly catching. My heart swells for them!

What I would love to see on that same morning, if I could peel away the walls of certain homes in between bus stops, is the flurry of activity in the kitchens and classrooms of those who have claimed the privilege to educate their children in an increasingly accepted fashion. Oh, to peek in and see the young ones on sofas reading great books with older siblings. Or the ones still with their bedheads, dressed as superheroes, leaning over science lap books or Latin Primers!  I would love to be able to drop by unannounced and give an "Atta Girl!" to the veteran mama who takes up her phonics flashcards one more time, or maybe to bolster the new-to-homeschooling family who are eating their words that they would NEVER consider homeschooling.

Too often the mention of home education is couched in an apology, or conversely, it is thrown in with an air of self-righteousness. Either reaction represents a myopic view that having the luxury of home educating the children granted to us is in some way a measure of our selves. To think that our current form of instruction is the key to apparent success is to discount the fact that the God who sees us has been working well before and beyond our own plans. Only when we clearly see our inherent dependence on the Lord through the lens of Scripture can we have the pure joy of citing the blessings in our work.

As we begin this next season in the service of our families, let's remember that we do so for the glory of the One who grants new mercies each morning. He is the only One who loves steadfastly, never failing in His faithfulness to us. So much more than the appeal of a clean sheet of college paper or a freshly sharpened #2 pencil, the new beginning He confers to those who seek His forgiveness is one of hope beyond imagination.

Let's watch together with joyful anticipation for the first opportunities to brag on the Lord's provision for our families. The Lord is good to those who wait on Him.  Let's examine our ways and defer to His. God willing, our children will recall these days of instruction in our homes as ones that were centered on the Faithful One.

Thus Far

"Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet it is a small thing in your eyes..."

-King David, 2 Samuel 7:18, ESV

wanda

Memories of a day's ride in Colorado

A bovine stare down

And BBQ with beautiful Wanda from Louisiana.

I Blinked...And this happened.

Almost too much to bear, this heart full of joy and thanks for the honor of watching him grow.

According to Judy

It is a luxury to have an unexpected breakfast with a friend which lasts well into the afternoon.  Better still when she is the kind of friend of whom you take notes of her easy, everyday wisdom.

According to Judy:

"We really just need to live in who we are in God, not in what we think we need to be doing."

Worth a ponder.

celebrating Lent: A Free Noel Piper download

download.

Gingerbread Tea

So many cuties came to play at The Gingerbread Tea!  And Oh the volunteers! Our crew is so widely varied in their talents, but united in their love of giving and serving.  Thank you, everyone!

Praying Mantis

No need for an angel or a star- this guy was included in the price of the tree.

Bible Study Finale Night

Last night the table was set for those sweet Bible Study girls who have journeyed through our Monday night Bible study discussions. We shared amazing food and sat together at a girly banquet like we may not ever do again this side of Glory. Yes, we savored the wisdom of The Word we have shared over the last 11 weeks, but we also got a little ridiculous.

One friend in our bunch is very sporty and understated in her dress. We love her. Early on in our video series we learned that she found the teacher's fashion choices a little outside of her own comfort zone and it had become a highlight of our nights together to see what T. would say about that session's ensemble.

The comedy of all of this was just the perfect counterweight to some of the serious themes of the lessons.  Without telling T., we all dressed up in our own Forever 21-ish outfits and sat at table settings accented with Barbie paperdoll placecards...each with T's head upon it!

The Girls, with T front and center. Note to Texas Friends: These outfits are as sparkly as we get here in NJ!! We Tried!

No Small Thing

It is no small thing that this collection of beautiful friends whose lives have graced mine (some for as long as 40 years!)
has gathered in my living room for just shy of a dozen Mondays this fall, sharing their love of good food and a Good Word. We share an uncommon bond.
Our journey this fall has been quite a ride!
Love you, Girls!

Gingerbread Tea Invitation

Philly friends?  Here is a wonderful event for Philadelphia moms and their Center City children!

Giving Thanks For All Things

My extraordinary friend Sylvia passed around a heaping helping of grace in the form of this Thanksgiving blog post, written by her friend. I am so happy to pass it on to loved ones who have faced unspeakable challenges in this past year.
Sylvia is our church librarian and just being in her company makes me want to think and read more. She not only knows virtually every volume on the shelves, but she reminds her borrowers of their overdue status with tact and kindness....ask me how I know that!
Links to the proclamations mentioned in the link:
Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863
William Bradford’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1623

This Too Shall Pass

Once upon a time not so long ago, dramatic messes were a daily occurence for this little man. Spills, splats, piles, smears, gold fish transported to the bath tub, important papers snipped with forbidden scissors, brother's baseball in the applesauce.

Thankfully by the fifth blessing my stubborn heart had learned to train with patience, yes; but grab the camera first. 

Because I knew that this too would pass.

                                             And it did.
                     Followed by a fresh season to grow through.


Meeting with precious MOPS mamas tomorrow to remind them of
                        the extraordinary nature of their season.

Baby Visits

Baby visits are just the best!  Today we get to meet Asher and Hope for the first time!  Asher has three big brothers, Hope has three big sisters.  Everyone got just who they wanted. And far-away Samuel is the center of a circle of love in London. My stitching fingers are thankful for nice short names like Zoe. Sweet Magdalen's pretty name barely fit!

Winghaven Schoolhouse Events

View details for next week's history learning station event! Go to winghavenschoolhouse.blogspot.com

emergency preparedness

Harkening back to Hurricane Irene:

We settled in for long stormy night. The little man had gathered his most treasured belongings in case of an emergency:

His Bible

His Sunday School Attendance Certificate

Sundry Sporting Goods

A Portrait of Himself

HomeBodies Unite!

Overheard:

One elderly girlfriend to another, as they rifle through the racks at the thrift store before their lunch date:

"I do not have a complex; I simply choose not to leave the house for months at a time."

Go

"Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!"

{Dr. Seuss, Oh The Places You'll Go}

December IV

A Christmas bonus:

Snow the day after!

Born to bring Hope, we the tools used to redistribute Grace.