Transition

Hi friends! In case any of you are going through a transition of any sort… new to homeschooling, new job, transitioning after a move, transitioning to an additional child in the family, etc.- I thought you might find this helpful. It was sent to me by my good friend, Heidi Lewerenz, of www.artwithaplan.com.

 

To me, life transition often feels like the transition in child birth...  To say it's intense is an understatement.  While I'm in it, I can think of nothing but getting out of it.  Often, in transition, I vow "never to do this again".  I often yell, cry, try to keep breathing...surviving. 

Even though I've had a few births, I always forget that transition is the shortest part.  I often lament "I can't do this ANY longer!".   But, somehow I do.  Transition is the relatively short - not so sweet-  necessary part of birthing anything new.  Are you in transition?

Survive the transition.  Embrace it if possible.  It usually means something beautiful is coming.

Back to Homeschool Tips

As we started back to homeschool this morning, earlier than most in our area, I thought I might share a few tips for a smooth transition. I hope you find them helpful- and I hope to keep them at the forefront of MY mind by writing them down!

1. Start with prayer : ) beforehand and with them.
   
2. Keep lessons SHORT. It will take to build up the attention span and learning stamina again.
   
3. Stop while they're still having FUN! If you do it until they're tired and bored, it won't be as appealing tomorrow.
   
4. LOTS OF PRAISE! Focus on the positives as you get back. Make necessary corrections, but keep it light.
   
5. Use incentives if you think they might be necessary. We have for a few years had a "cheerful change" jar at the beginning of school. They start out with one or two of each coin. Complaining or whining brings the largest valued coins out of the jar and back to mom first. What's left when work is completed is theirs to keep. You probably know what will motivate your reluctant pupil!!!
   
6. In a multi-age setting, have older children help younger children on a simple task or two for 15-20 min. Joshua had help with letters and sounds from Anya. Josiah had help with penmanship and health from Hope. They all seemed to enjoy that time together! (Again, keep it short and stop while it's still fun!)
   
7. Don't forget to take a picture.
   

Enjoy your year- and remember- what is not learned today can be learned tomorrow…you are building a solid foundation through which all learning and Truth can be built.

God bless your teaching and their learning~

Katherine
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Learning about prayer from a 3 yr old

I must start with this passage from Scripture... Luke 11 (Pasted from Biblegateway.com)

¹One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

²He said to them, "When you pray, say:
" 'Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
³Give us each day our daily bread.
⁴Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.' "

⁵Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, ⁶because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

⁷"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' ⁸I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

⁹"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

¹¹"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

You may be wondering how this relates at ALL to my 3 yr old. Well, he is the most persistent little man! (Spending ANY time with him affirms this truth.) Josh will ask a question, then while you're deciding how to answer, he'll ask three or four more times. Should you be, for example, writing an email or talking on the phone, he may ask five to eight more times before you can REMIND him that he may not receive an immediate answer- ESPECIALLY if he badgers. But, this habit of his always reminds me of the Truth taught here in Luke 11 especially in verse 8.

⁸I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

How often do you think that Joshua gets what he needs? More than he ought. Not because "he is a friend"- but because of his boldness. May we each continue with perseverance before the throne of grace- believing that our boldness before our loving God will be heard, and in His time, answered.

Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." ~ Genesis 32:26

Thank You, Lord

I am so grateful tonight, for the diversity of the Body of Christ and of fellowship in His Spirit. There is just something about being able to fellowship in the Spirit. I thank you, Lord, for not making us all the same and for CHOOSING to use our uniqueness, individuality, personalities, etc. to minister to each other, within the church, and to a lost world.

Fear of the Lord

Hi cyber-friends : )

Just a quick note to say, I've had some SERIOUS prodding from the Lord to explore the idea of the "Fear of the Lord". So, I am. I would just like to put it out there to all of you, though, first, for your own consideration, second, to ask you to share with me- what does that phrase mean to you? What Scriptures come to mind? Have you read any books or articles that dealt with the topic? Heard any sermons or other teachings? I have encountered it SEVERAL times in the last few weeks (hence the prodding)- but the first was in the teaching Bruce Van Natta (Sweet Bread Ministries) did at a healing service at Trinity. I have been trying and trying to get that teaching up in the sermon archives for Trinity. If I ever succeed, I'll post a link. (the video is very large and my computer has memory issues... and that's just the beginning- but I digress)

I appreciate your input! Don't be shy :D
Blessings,
Katherine
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P.S. Has anyone read the book "Fear of the Lord" by John Bevere or "The Joy of Fearing God" by Jerry Bridges? Both in my Amazon cart and would love to have feedback on which one to start with.