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!