Preparing for the Future

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:14,15

Lord, just as we do our best to prepare our children academically for life ahead, we need to prepare them spiritually. Only you know what lies ahead in our uncertain world. Please give us wisdom today.

We're reading a biography of Hudson Taylor. I've found the girls are greatly inspired by stories of missionaries like Amy Carmichael, Gladys Aylward, and George Mueller. The stories are exciting, people living on the edge, trusting wholeheartedly on God's mercy and provision.

We read that Hudson Taylor decided he needed to toughen up before he went to China so he did strenuous exercises outside in the cold. He got rid of his bed and slept on bare boards. He gave away all material things that were not essential. Most of us who adopted from China stayed in luxury hotels, but I readily remember the poverty we saw. Imagine what it was like in the 1800's. Hudson Taylor prepared.

I don't know God's plans for my children when they become adults. We offer opportunity to our kids when they are little, not knowing their talents, interests, and gifts. We want them to have new experiences and explore the world. We give them ballet, gymnastics, or horseback riding. Maybe sports or music and art lessons. The list can go on and on. As homeschooling moms, we teach our kids to read and do math and prepare for careers. We teach them how to learn so they can pursue their own interests later in life. But how do we prepare them to walk with God in such a violent, ungodly society?

Today when I left my girls at church for choir practice, I felt I had to talk with them about what to do if they saw or heard someone shoot a gun. (This right after the Colorado shootings.) How do we teach them caution without instilling fear in them? Maybe we have much to learn from the missionaries.

What's cooking tonight...

Crock-Pot Zesty Beef Soup

1# stew meat, diced

3/4 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups coleslaw mix (cabbage and carrots)

1 bag frozen corn

1/2 bag frozen french-cut green beans

4 cups Spicy V-8 (or regular)

14 1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. dried basil

1/4 tsp. pepper

In a skillet brown the beef, onions and garlic in a little oil. Combine this in the crock-pot with all the other ingredients. Cook on low 8-10 hours or on high for 5 hours.

Home School Perks

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." Ecclesiates 9:10.

Lord, help us to be confident to do what you have called us to do, not to compare with others, and certainly never to judge the choices others' make for their own children.

When the girls get into discussions with other children who attend public school, sometimes Arielle and Liana feel a little deprived. They don't get to play with other kids at recess, they have no assemblies or class parties or art shows. They also work through many days that public school kids have off--government holidays and teacher in-service days. So I give them this--no school on birthdays! The girls love this, of course.

On Arielle's birthday we had a special breakfast and trip to the mall for Christmas shopping. Occasionally people will ask them, "No school today?" We just say no. We live in a metropolitan area with many public and private schools, so there has never been an issue. Nor should there be anyway. We fully comply with state law.

What's cooking tonight...

Chinese Pork Wraps

3 T. water

2 T. soy sauce

1 T. cornstarch

1 tsp. sesame oil

1 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

1# boneless pork chops or tenderloin, sliced bite-size

3 cups slaw mix (carrots and cabbage)

hoisin sauce

flour tortillas

Wrap tortillas and heat in 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes. Saute pork in a little oil until cooked through. Combine water, soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, sugar and garlic in a small bowl. When pork is done, stir in this sauce and cook until bubbly. Add slaw mix and cook a couple more minutes. Spread the warm tortilla with hoisin sauce, add meat and wrap.

Success Builds

"Encourage one another and build each other up."
I Thessalonians 5:11.

Lord, help me today to focus on the positive and find something praiseworthy about my children rather than finding fault. They wilt under criticism but bloom with encouraging words. In turn, they encourage me with their joy and laughter when we are having a good day.

We had one of those rare, wonderful days that you think you'll have every day before you actually begin homeschooling. Both girls were cooperative and kind to each other. Liana cheerfully did her phonics worksheets and told me, "School is fun!" During the math lessons we all three played "facts of 10" and the girls thought it was a fabulous time. After a few successes Liana is more confident and eager to learn. A mom I met on-line told me that for a child like Liana, I need to put away the red pen that highlights her failures and concentrate on what she does well or how she is improving. Wise mom. Liana is in a new groove, thinking more highly of herself and her skills. Her attitude changed this mornning. It makes a world of difference in how hour day will go.

What's cooking tonight...

Crockpot Mushroom Chicken

several chicken breasts, bone-in

1 can Progresso Creamy Mushroom soup

1 envelope onion soup mix

rice or noodles

Remove skin from breasts, arrange in crockpot. Mix the two soups and pour over chicken. Cook on low heat about 8 hours. Spoon over rice or noodles.

Tree Farm

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4

Lord, sometimes academics is not the top priority and I need to realize that our relationship with our children is most important. Today is a special family day and I will just enjoy the blessing and the time together. Sometimes I need help setting aside my agenda for the day.

Field trip! We took the girls and Marissa to the tree farm today to get our Christmas tree. It is probably the coldest day of the season so far with wind gusts of 50 mph! We were the only fools out there riding the hay wagon to the fields. (A long, long ride.) We made our driver promise to come back for us in a short while. A few years ago when Liana was a baby at this same farm the driver forgot us on a day with freezing rain. He came for us about 2 hours later. So today we jumped off the wagon and started looking for the perfect tree. I give this farm credit for good marketing--they brought us to a field with only very large trees! No choice but to get a big one. Especially when we heard the tractor coming back for us, we dilly-dally any longer. Hurry! Fred lay on the ground and cut it down in no time. Back at the shop we thoroughly enjoyed the hot apple cider to warm our frozen bones.

We spent the afternoon setting up the tree. Gorgeous. A beautiful piece of God's creation adorning our modest house. No, we couldn't afford this big tree. But it's the memory the girls have of skipping school on a wintry day and their daddy getting the very best tree in the lot.

What's cooking tonight...

Corn Flake Chicken

1 1/2 cups corn flake crumbs

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

4 chicken breast, sliced in fingers

1 stick butter, melted

Corn flake crumbs are easy! Dump corn flakes in a ziplock gallon bag. Seal and use a rolling pin to crush the flakes. I can do a whole box in about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to the crumbs. Dip chicken in butter, toss with crumbs and layer in a greased pan. Bake 375 degrees about 30-40 minutes. My girls love this chicken.

Small Victory

"Do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4.

Lord, I pray my attitude toward my children today will encourage them to succeed and lighten their day so their schoolwork will not seem a burden to them. When the load is heavy and I expect perfection, they become exasperated, frustrated and angry. You have admonished me not to allow this to happen. Remind me of your words today.

With the approaching holiday the girls are having trouble settling down to work, and frankly, I am too. I can think of a hundred things I need to get done, but instead we are plodding along in our little classroom.

We had an amazing thing happen after the Thanksgiving holiday. Liana ended a bad week, complaining about every little thing she had to do. Then we had the break. When we started up again, I realized something had happened in her brain. All the loose ends and scattered ideas seemed to take root and sort themselves out. She knew her math facts! I remember that this happened to Arielle before too when she was little. I would teach her a concept, let it go for a few days and she would know it better than if I'd hammered her with it every day. So Liana for the very first time completed 12 math problems in 1 minute! She was so proud of herself. I was very proud of her too.

What's Cooking Tonight...

Three Bean Soup

1# ground turkey (or beef), browned

8 cups water or chicken broth

1- 8oz. can tomato sauce

2- 14 oz. cans diced tomatoes

1 can black beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can white beans

1 pkg. frozen corn

1/2 bag frozen pepper strips

bag of baby carrots

1 1/2 tsp. oregano

3/4 tsp. thyme leaves

Add all ingredients to a big pot and simmer about 45 minutes. Lots of ingredients, but so easy just opening cans and packages! Can be served with rice or noodles.

This recipe is from my friend Connie. She and her husband invited us over for a simple dinner and movie night on a cold, rainy night. Arielle had her first root beer float and loved it!

Rare Moment

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

I Corinthians 15:58.

Lord, if you have called us to homeschool, then it is your work. Help us to be diligent and steadfast, never giving up even when it is a struggle to get through the day and we do not see the fruit immediately. You promised a harvest in your own time. Help us to teach our children today.

This morning before school Arielle was reading a story to Liana. This never happens! Even though we needed to start lessons, I let them continue. We have all Arielle's old picture books on shelves in my sewing room. When she was little I bought her every adoption book I could find and every book on China written for children. She loved books. Family members contributed too until she amassed quite a collection. Liana never had so many books. She wouldn't sit still long enough to hear a story. But now that she is older, she has discovered all these wonderful books. I didn't want to interrupt this rare moment--sister bonding and also Arielle practicing reading aloud and Liana listening!

I used to be frustrated with Arielle when she chose to read simplistic books well below her reading level. She is an excellent reader and I felt she needed to be challenged. But someone reminded me that adults also choose "fluff" to read when we want to relax and just enjoy a story. Think beach books. At other times we want a book with deeper meaning and of better literary quality. Occasionally we are ready to tackle a difficult book. Kids are no different. I assign enough challenging books for Arielle and I need to allow her to read whatever she desires for fun. (I'm not talking content here! Subject matter is certainly screened.)

What's cooking tonight...

Barbeque Potato Wedges

4 baking potatoes sliced in wedges lengthwise

seasoning

1 pound ground turkey

1/2 cup barbeque sauce

1 cup grated cheese

Line baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Arrange potatoes and sprinkle with seasoning of your choice--salt and pepper, seasoned salt, spicy seasonings, etc. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until soft inside and browned. Brown turkey, add sauce and cook until hot. Top potatoes with meat and then add cheese. Bake another 5 minutes.

Birthday Bash

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families..." Psalm 68:5, 6.

Lord, thank you for being my Father and Father to my daughters. I pray my girls will always experience the unreserved, unconditional love of their family also, and that they will know beyond any doubt that they are deeply loved and treasured. Thank you for family celebrations.

Last night was Jonathan's birthday. He is my youngest son, now age 28. All those who were able packed into his apartment, the girls running off to play with my granddaughter Lana and Mattie, my oldest's son's girlfriend's daughter. What a crazy mix this family is! Arielle and Liana are thrilled when everyone is together. They love being part of such a loud, lively, loving group.

Liana was having trouble memorizing her math facts. We tried counting with manipulatives and with fingers. We've used Saxon's apple visual and we've done skip counting. She got stuck on adding and subtracting 2's. Then I had an idea. I wrote numbers on large sheets of paper, one to a page, and placed them on the floor like stepping stones. Then I would call out a fact like 6 plus 2 and Liana would literally jump from the number 6 to the number 8 or backwards if it were a subtraction fact. The light bulb went off. She got it!

That trick only went so far. Now she is learning fact families. When I first introduced the idea, she was excited. Immediately she got out a big piece of paper and drew a house--complete with a roof, windows and a door. Then she wrote all the facts that "live" in the house as a family. She remembers these facts. Another fun idea for her is playing math games with a deck of real cards. We play for pairs of numbers that go together to make 8 or 9 or whatever she's working on. Her very different learning style is challenging my teaching style and stretching me.

What's cooking tonight...

Quick & Hearty Sloppy Joes

1 pound ground turkey

1 finely chopped red pepper

1 chopped small onion

8 oz. tomato sauce

1/2 cup barbeque sauce

1 cup of coleslaw mix (cabbage and carrots)

hamburger buns

Brown the turkey with the peppers and onions. Stir in tomato sauce and barbeque sauce and add coleslaw mix. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Serve on buns or over rice.

Fighting Words

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6.

Lord, help me to guard my tongue today. I tend to rise up quickly in anger when anyone threatens my daughters' sweet innocence. Help me to confront as needed, but in a godly manner.

Last night during games at Awanas my step-daughter, Marissa, was talking to Liana. Another girl asked Liana who Marissa was. Liana said, "My sister." The girl responded, "No, she isn't! You look nothing alike." Liana insisted, yes, she was her sister. Then the girl said, "Oh, you were adopted because you're Chinese. They kill babies in China." Although I was very upset about this comment, it didn't seem to phase Liana. Later she told me this girl was saying "crazy things."

I realize I need to address issues like this because my girls won't necessarily tell me about hurtful words directed at them. Liana didn't relate this story to me until I asked her after Marissa told me about it. I need to arm my daughters with words to say when people ask questions that are none of their business or when thoughtless comments are made.

We had a long chat about this before school today. From our conversation I realize Arielle has already heard plenty of stupid words. She told me her best response is, "SO?" She said no one knows what else to say after that. We talked about my best answer to nosy questions is, "Why do you ask?" I've never had anyone respond honestly to that.

What's cooking tonight...

Chicken and Cavatelli

boneless chicken breasts, diced

3 cloves chopped garlic

3 cups chicken broth

16 oz. frozen cavatelli

1 pkg. baby spinach

freshly grated Parmesan

Brown garlic for 30 seconds in a little oil in large skillet. Remove. Brown chicken. Add the garlic back into the pan along with the broth, pasta and spinach on top. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes. Serve with cheese on top.

Clear-minded

"Therefore be clear-minded, and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."
I Peter 4:7, 8

Lord help me to be focused today, my brain not muddled with distractions. Let my deep love for my daughters be evident in the way I interact with them and teach them. Help my girls learn to show love to each other.

Last night the girls were best friends and Liana slept in Arielle's room. This morning, however, they were angrily shouting at each other, even as we settled down to do our Bible lesson. But the discipline of reading and then praying settled them down and we were able to get serious about school.

Some days school work takes a long, long time when Liana can't focus. Typical scenario: I ask her a question. I suppose she is thinking about it and deciding on her answer so I wait, but she doesn't say a word. I realize she never heard the question even though she is directly in front of me looking at my face as I ask it. So I ask again. No response. Then she seems to wake up and says, "What?" I ask again. Then she answers. We go through this routine many, many times in our school day. How could she learn in a classroom setting with 20 or so other kids? The teacher would never know Liana was lost to the conversation. Sometimes I don't know when she's gone either, but I don't proceed with the lesson until Liana is back.

What's cooking tonight...

Beef in Potato Shells

3 large baking potatoes

1 T. melted butter

1 pound ground turkey

16 oz. diced tomatoes, drained

1 envelope taco seasoning

1/2 cup shredded cheese

1/3 cup sour cream

2 green onions, sliced

Bake potatoes, then cut into halves lengthwise. Scoop out the potato leaving a 1/4 inch shell. Save potato to use later. Brush the inside of the shell with melted butter and place on baking sheet. Bake at 475 for about 10 minutes until browned.

While potato shells are baking, brown turkey. Stir in tomatoes and seasoning. Simmer for 20 minutes. Spoon meat mixture into shells and sprinkle with cheese. Put back into oven just long enough to melt cheese. Top with sour cream and green onions.

True Riches

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." I Timothy 6:17.

Lord, help us keep in mind where our true riches lie. We are grateful for your abundant provision. Help us raise up children whose eyes are on building a heavenly kingdom and not on acquiring wealth in this earthly kingdom. Especially with the holidays coming, help us direct our children's focus to the birth of our Savior and not on the toys they hope to attain.

My girls are making Christmas lists. Liana wrote hers on a long piece of paper rolled like a scroll, tied with a ribbon. As uncomfortable as I am with the idea of longing for "stuff," it reminds me of my own childhood and the Sears catalog and anticipating Christmas morning. My girls have the American Girl catalog to dream through. Arielle has dozens of items circled and starred, Liana a select few. This is a tough year; all their toy wishes can't come true. I overheard Fred talking with Liana about being rich. He said no we are not. Liana said, "Yes, we are! We have Jesus." It doesn't take much to please Liana. Arielle, on the other hand, often feels slighted. Sometimes I think she has an empty void deep within that is never quite filled. She lost so much.

What's Cooking Tonight...

Peppery Pork Chops

1/3 cup butter

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 cup dry bread crumbs

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. red pepper

1/4 tsp. black pepper

6 pork chops or boneless chicken breasts

Grease a 13X9 baking pan. In a small pan, melt the butter with the garlic. In a shallow bowl, mix the bread crumbs with the salt and peppers. (For little ones, just leave out the red pepper.) Dip the chops in the garlic butter, then in the crumbs. Arrange in baking pan. Drizzle over any remaining butter and sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Bake uncovered at 425 degrees for about 35-40 minutes.

Unique Gifts

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kind of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all...All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." I Corinthians 12:4-6, 11.

Lord, as moms, please help us not to compare our children one to another. Help us not to value one child's special gifting over another's, especially if that gift is totally different from ours. Help us remember that each child's gifts are given by you and of great value to you and your kingdom work.

Last Friday both girls bombed out on their spelling tests. Arielle is so sharp but sometimes she just can't seem to remember how to spell. I did not go on to the next list but spent another week on this same one. Today, success! I decided to help her learn the old-fashioned way--writing out the trouble words over and over and over. Boring, but effective.

We had fun with American Presidents today though. I would like the girls to learn them all, in order, and to know some small fact about each one. We were plodding along in this task until we got a Fandex and now they can recognize the faces of each President. We make it a contest, Skittles being the prize.

It's hard not to quit early on Friday, but we're all tired, so we did. The girls had a glorious time taking apart our old chandelier that used to hang over the dining room table while Fred and I installed the new one. Golden artifacts now adorn every corner of their rooms. It looks like they just robbed King Tut's tomb. Liana even has some part of it hanging on her neck, strung with a piece of yarn.

What's cooking tonight...

Apricot Salsa Chicken

cooked rice

boneless chicken breasts

16 oz. salsa

12 oz. jar apricot preserves

1/2 cup apricot nectar or orange juice

Cut breasts in strips or chunks and brown in a little oil in skillet. Add salsa, preserves, and juice and simmer uncovered about 15 minutes. Serve over rice.

New Every Morning

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22, 23.

Lord, thank you, for giving us a clean slate each new day. Help us to put behind us any frustrations that we are holding onto from yesterday. Help us to be patient and loving and kind with our children today, remembering our relationship with them is more important than any academic achievements they might accomplish.

With the time change Liana is getting up early and she ran to our room to be with us while we watched GMA and drank our coffee. I do believe she would stay here all day if we let her. She's our snuggle bunny and feels deprived if she doesn't get her cuddle time. And how her day starts will greatly influence our school time together.

Later we had barely settled into devotions when Arielle bumped Liana's head with her book. Liana was in tears and focused on that injustice for several minutes before we could move on. Our first school subject is always Liana's reading aloud to me. She sometimes struggles with reading and I have to catch her fresh. She has discovered Little Bear and wants to solely read that series. Today I talked her into Mouse Soup and she reluctantly admitted she enjoyed it.

What's cooking tonight...

Vegetable Meatball Soup

1 pound ground turkey

1/4 cup bread crumbs or oatmeal

1/4 cup milk

1 egg

4 cups canned or peeled fresh tomatoes

2 cans beef broth

can of white beans

vegetables on hand--shredded carrots, corn, green beans, peas, onions

pasta of your choice

seasonings to taste--salt, pepper, oregano

Mix the turkey with the bread crumbs or oatmeal, milk, eggs and desired seasonings. Form into small balls, brown in skillet. If you want onions, brown them too. In a big pot, add all the other ingredients and simmer while the meatballs cook. Add pasta according to cooking time on box. Then add the meatballs to the soup at the end.