Homeschooling for His Glory

Tomorrow starts a new year. Tomorrow will mark the first day of 2014, another year in the history of humanity. Now, I am not one to make new year resolutions, primarily because I am not good at keeping them, however, I think there is value in looking at the new year with anticipation and this is what I want to share in this post. Yesterday I mentioned that this mama needs a lot of discipline, and this is understating it. I have for the longest time struggled with being a disciplined person and sticking to routines. This is not always helpful when it comes to homeschooling and even spiritual growth and that's on top of the fact that it also drives my wonderful hubby crazy, as the very disciplined man that he is. One thing he has tried to teach me is that routine frees you and allows you to accomplish more. I understands what he says but somehow struggle with the application. As the boys grow and get higher in grades I realize that I really need to be on the ball. I can...

So we are approaching the end of another year. 2013 came and went by as did the previous years before it. Now, once again, is the time to remember and look back at what went on in 2013. In our homeschooling life: The boys moved on and pressed on in their different disciplines of studies. Zach has vastly improved in his willingness to write. I no longer have to fight him to do his written assignments. This has been such a relief and blessing. Zach has now 2 penpals that he enjoys receiving letter from and writing to. Johann has completed the complete series of the Chronicles of Narnia. They both have made good progress in their respective instruments. This was a year of lego and more lego playing and creativity. Zach has been writing stories upon stories on my blackberry playbook as well as attempting to create a few board games. Track and field and Volleyball session participation. Spiritually: They both have made professions of faith. Praise God for that! ...

 Today I am sharing a traditional recipe from back home in the Caribbean. It is served at festive gatherings, Christmas, dedications, birthday etc... Pain au Beurre - Butter Bread Ingredients: 4 cups flour + 2-4 Tbsp 125g (1/2 cup) butter 200 ml milk (half of it can be water) 3 Tbsp water 1 tsp salt 3 Tbsp sugar 2 eggs 2 1/2 yeast Preparation: 1. Melt the butter and mix in the sugar, eggs , milk and water. 2. Mix flour, salt and yeast. 3. Mix the liquid to the dry ingredients. 4. Knead for about 5 min. until smooth dough. Let it rise till double in size (1 1/2 -2 hours) 5. Punch dough down and divide into 2. 6.Take one batch and divide into 3 equal sizes. Form each into long strings and shape the 3 stands into a braid. 7. Place on a greased cookie sheet, brush with egg yolk and bake in a preheated oven @ 375 for 25-30 min. Bread machine option: Put all the ingredients in the bread machine in the ordered specified by your machine. Once dou...

Rejoice   (Sovereign Grace Music) lyrics All the earth rejoice   Your Creator reigns   As the only awesome God   The Alpha and the Omega   Who was, is, and is to come   Let the oceans roar and the mountains sing   He provides for all He has made   So be comforted as He rules with grace   Rejoice, all the earth, rejoice   All the world rejoice   For the baby comes   As a humble prince in the night   The Word made flesh, Emmanuel   The Everlasting Light   Let the warmth of heaven reach the coldest heart   With the gospel of His grace   For His heel will bruise the serpent’s head   Rejoice, all the world, rejoice   All the church rejoice   For your King returns   On a white horse wearing a crown   He will break the sky with the angel’s shout   Descending from the clouds   Then the dead will rise from the la...

Around this time of the year many are scratching their heads as to what to get family and friends for Christmas. Some are very well organized and stock up throughout the year, others, like me scramble until the last minute. Now, if you are still thinking of what to give to your homeschooling friend, here are some ideas. Books: Encyclopedias and dictionaries: science, history, inventions etc.... The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer Educating the Wholehearted Child by Sally and Clay Clarkson. (Any book by the Clarckson would be a great gift) Sinclair Ferguson Heroes of the Faith Historical biographies  series Car Simonetta Christian Biographies for Young Readers series   Subscripttions: Homeschool Enrichment ,  God's World News Brain Pop ABC Teach SchoohouseTeachers.com Zane Education Quests Magazine  put out by Knowledge Quest   Gift certificates: Amazon Chapters ChristianBooks.com Any educational stores Games and toys ...

This tune has been hummed in our house for the past week, and indeed it definitely looks like Christmas. Now, when you think Christmas you think kitchen and baking, and since the Crew was having a round-up centered around sharing Christmas recipes, I thought I would share a few of our favorites: Delicious Italian Cookies 165 g flour 165 g butter 100 g cornstarch 90 g powdered sugar 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest For sprinkling cocoa powder chocolate chips brown sugar Directions Whisk butter and sugar then add the egg, flour and cornstarch sifted, vanilla and lemon zest. Put in a pastry bag, then make several shape on a non-stick baking mat. Sprinkle with sugar, cocoa and chocolate chips. Cook for 10-12 minutes @ 180°C/350°F. Cream Cheese Cookies 1 cup butter, softened 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 cup sugar 1 egg yolk 1/2 tea...

My Number 1 Favorite Christmas song: Hark The Herald Angels Sing 1. Hark! The Herald Angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!" Joyful, all ye nations, rise. Join the triumph of the skies. With th' Angelic Hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"     Hark! the herald angels sing,     "Glory to the new-born King." 2. Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting lord. Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a   Virgin's womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail, the incarnate deity Pleased as Man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.     Hark! the herald angels sing,     "Glory to the New-born king!" 3. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace, Hail, the Sun   of Righteousness Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His Wings. Now He lays His Glory by, Born that man no more m...