Up front I will put this disclaimer for any and all public schoolers:  this is not a slight against you and your choice to public school.  This is just me attempting to understand.

I was making up a more in-depth schedule for a few of Cole’s subjects yesterday.  Doing an average number of pages for his language arts, and only two math lessons per week (we’re technically one level “behind”), we’ll be half-way through fourth “grade” in language arts if we work til the end of June (our public school schedule, which we tend to follow as that’s the schedule my husband works), and finished third “grade” in math by the 22nd of May.  For a little clarification, we started on Tuesday, Sept. 2.  We’ll be breaking Thanksgiving Monday (the second Monday of October here in Canuck-land), Rememberance Day, ALL of December to do crafty, fun, Christmas-y stuff, starting back on Jan. 5, and go through til Feb. 13, when we will then have a three-week break (we are planning a trip away - I say it’s for therapeutic purposes!), start back Mar. 9, and have Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Victoria Day off.  We had talked about doing a four-day week, but Cole voted to do school on Fridays as well (surprised me, actually!).  If we only did four days, plus had all these holidays, we would still be finished the third level in language arts by the 13th of May.  And *if* we did three lessons per week in Math (last year we did five lessons - one each day from Mar-June, and it was no hardship for Cole at all), we’d be done level three by March 13th, and done level four by the 22nd of May. 

What gives???  I haven’t even done any figuring yet for the other subjects.  These three at this point might, *MIGHT*, take an hour to complete.  So what do they do in school all day???  If they don’t cover all the subjects every day, which is my understanding, aren’t the poor kids having their time wasted in a major way???

Someone, please explain.  *scratching my head*

*Why do they have homework in elementary school, too?  I can see it for high school, for sure, and yes, even middle school.  But elementary???  Please understand this is coming from someone who has never attended a public school, and homeschooled my last year of high school. 

Well, now that it seems I’m blogging again, I thought I’d try to get back to my Food for Thought posts.  Basically, I’m just sharing a Scripture that is speaking to me right now.  Isn’t this Scripture BEAUTIFUL??!!

 Matthew 11:28
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

And I want to stick one more thought on the whole Lakeland thing in here.  If it’s so “right”  and so “God”, why are people defending it in anger and lashing out - sometimes viciously - at those who have questions???  “Touch not the Lord’s anointed” ain’t doin’ it for me.  We’re all anointed!               

This week we are supposed to share our planned routine.  Well, as alluded to in my post on Agendas, September is only part-time for us.  This is a survival mechanism for me.  We have very long winters here, and I have mentioned numerous times about my struggle to cope.  So I take advantage of the beautiful September weather and keep our book work to the bare minimum.  Our “intended” routine will be in full swing at the beginning of October.

At the moment, we are really just winging it for times.  Although I make sure we have it done before lunch.  Both myself and the children do much better when we do our work in the morning.

In October a typical day will probably look something like this:

8:00 - Bible, character, English and Word Building (Cole), Math (Luke), Rod & Staff Preschool (Brett), About Three (Eliana), and toddler toys (shape sorters, blocks, etc) for Damara.  When everyone is done their respective task, they are allowed to go do something while others finish their work.

9:00 - French (which I forgot to mention in my Agendas post)

9:30 - snack/outdoor/exercise  break (in the fall and spring, and on pleasant winter days we’ll go for a walk or sliding or something, but on the nasty, too-cold-for-humankind winter days, we’ll likely use our treadmill and trampoline - we put both in the garage through the winter.  It’s chilly, but we just don our coats and what-not and get a little exercise.)

10:30 - Science/History/Social Studies - these will vary by day (Cole & Luke) and school only activities for Brett, Eliana & Damara

11:30 - lunch

1:00 - QUIET TIME!!!  This is something I’ve attempted to impliment in the past with much frustration.  I know, however, that we’ll all be happier with that little break, so I am determined this WILL happen this year.  I got out of the routine of everyone resting/napping during the two years of Luke’s intense therapy - it was so hard with people coming and going. 

2:30 - We’ll all have a snack, I’m sure, and then it’s time for art, reading

3:30 - computer time, chores, start supper, outdoors if nice….basically from here on out is free time, we may work on lapbooks, do more art, listen to stories on cd (I just bought an 11-cd set from Agapeland - anyone remember Music Machine???  The kids are really enjoying them!).  My goal is, rather than the usual five o’clock fever we tend to have, to have a tidy, quiet, yummy-smelling house for my husband to come home to.

I’m not a huge fan of schedules.  In the past I’ve thought I’d tend towards winging it.  But I find that when I wing it, I just spend my day jumping from thing to thing without much progress, whether it’s school work for the kids, getting a book read all the way through (we’ve just started re-reading Charlotte’s Web because I didn’t finish it last year, and it’s been long enough we needed to start again), or projects or housework that I need to get done.  My biggest challenge will be establishing the routine of getting up earlier.  But it’s coming.  I’m already up an hour and a half earlier than I was getting up at the beginning of summer.  I was still in recovery from a year of baby nights, so hubby graciously allowed me to sleep in when he was home.  I would *like* to be getting up with him, but his schedule is changing so he’ll be having to leave around 6 am.  I am, however, a morning person when I’ve had enough sleep, so I know if I can just get the routine established, we’ll all be happier and more productive people.

My prayer for our family right now is that the Lord will enable us, in HIS strength, to be consistent, disciplined and perseverant.  I want to make the most of every day. 

.

P.S. I’ve tried to put a couple of pictures up of my kids - no pics of our school room right now!  We had three weeks of sickness last month, and I did NOT get my school area organized.  Anyway, my photos are not loading properly, so I will attempt to do so again soon. 

I am participating in this year’s Blogger Friend School and Back to School Giveaway.  I wanted to enroll last year, but I was unable to join in.  Thankfully, this year I am feeling better, and will do my best to complete the assignments.  For encouragement, an opportunity to meet other homeschoolers, and a chance to hone your writing skills, why not join in?!

This week our assignment is to share our plans for the upcoming school year, as well as a Scripture that has encouraged in homeschooling.  I’m going to do this by child, age, level and curriculum.  Just to keep it simple! 

Cole - 8&1/2, 3rd “grade”:  Math-U-See Beta, ACE (School of Tomorrow) English and Word Building, and Considering God’s Creation (Science) is what we’re starting off with in Sept.  By October we’ll be adding Galloping the Globe, Joseph, the Canada Goose (from How Great Thou Art), and lots of reading!!!

Luke - 7 (tomorrow!), 2nd “grade”: Math-U-See Primer, ACE English and Word Building, and Considering God’s Creation for Sept.  In Oct. Galloping the Globe, and something artistic.

Brett - 4&1/2, “kindergarten”: Rod & Staff preschool.

I want to start doing some critical thinking.  I found some great activities and books for this in a catalogue I got from the homeschool conference in May.  I also just got a box of fun things for the youngest three to do from The Learning Parent - we love the Boyers!  I have to re-do the learning to read program (Word Building) for Luke because he is still having some receptive language issues.  I looked into a few other programs, but I think I might run into the same problem with each of them.  So we’re just going to make our own with some help from what we already have.  I don’t really want to waste money on trying to figure out the right “program” when I think I probably can figure it out myself.  One of the many benefits of homeschooling!  Brett is kindergarten age according to our local district, but we’re only doing preschool.  He won’t be five until mid-Dec, and I just don’t see the point in pushing it.  Cole & Luke both attended a preschool, but when it came to kindergarten they were home, and we really just did the same stuff: drawing, colouring, reading, playdough, etc.  We want to do some lapbooking and nature walks as well.  I’m also going to try to have several field trips - our local support group does some, but I think we need more - to get through the winter.  Despite the price of gas, I think we’ll all be better off to know that every 2-3 weeks we’ll be having a day out doing something educational and fun.  For reading, I’m going to be following the lists from Five in a Row, Come Sit by Me, and Honey for a Child’s Heart as guidance in choosing some great kids literature.

As for a verse, there are so many!  I think the one thing I’ve held onto the most through the past couple of years is 

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

I feel so incapable and overwhelmed often, and in the midst of the worst part of last year, dealing with family and church issues as well as my PPD, I forced myself to remember that His grace is sufficient.  I wanted to quit so much, so many times.  I will always be weak, but He will always be strong, and in that I can rest. 

Homeschool Blog Awards is hosting Homeschool Memoirs 2008-09.  Come on and join in!  You can find the “rules” by clicking the button on my sidebar.

I am a homeschooling “veteran” of three years.  I have five children, Cole - 8, Luke - 7 (on Saturday!), Brett - 4&1/2, Eliana - 3, and Damara 1.  This year Brett joins our ranks of “official” school, as he in kindergarten age.  I am feeling like I am really beginning to find my homeschool “groove.”  I’ve had to learn that although there is much advice to be had from more seasoned homeschoolers - and I love to glean from them! - I cannot try to copy our home learning experience after anyone else.  We have unique needs, interests and strengths, as individuals and as a family.  I am happily finding what does and doesn’t work for us, and am feeling much more confidence this year than in the first three years.  Our second son was diagnosed with classic autism when he was 2&1/2.  He received much early intervention, and we’ve been happy to watch him as he has developed well and now seems more typical than autistic.  He still has his quirks, but they only endear him to us all the more.  I was “warned” I would be best to not homeschool him, that he wouldn’t do well, particularly socially.  What a joy to report he is quite possibly the most social of all my children! 

I have my days when I wish that big yellow bus would pull up in our driveway and wisk away a couple of children. I have days when I think “Why am I doing this?” I have days when I feel like the worst mother in the world. But we have many days together to enjoy and learn and grow. It is an honour and privilege to be educating my children. More importantly, and something I’m still grasping the weight of, is the responsibility to instruct them in the ways of the Lord, when we sit and rise, come and go.

We live on a beautiful little piece of paradise in rural New Brunswick, Canada. We have our dream property, right on the river, and are enjoying our little house. We hope to do some renovations one day soon, and spread us all out a bit. So far, though, no one is complaining (except maybe Mom when she trips over the same thing for the third time! lol!). We have a golden retriever named Copper, and we planted our first garden this year. It was only a few rows, to get our feet wet, but the children are absolutely delighted to be picking our very own BEANS!

We are eclectic homeschoolers, with a mix of ACE, MUS, Rod & Staff, and whatever else we find that catches our interest. We are business owners, with the ironic job of transporting special needs students to public school. We giggle over that one from time to time. It is a great little business, though, and the Lord has provided for us through it. We are excited that this year my husband will actually be home a bit more, and that makes everyone happier! We love life and enjoy being together.

Fall is fast approaching in this part of Canada - some leaves are already turning. I have been struggling with winter for several years now, so I am really hoping to combat the blues and get us involved in lots of fun projects and crafts to wile away those long, harsh winter days.

We are now officially non-attendees of traditional church. We are in fellowship with other believers in each others homes, and really enjoying the benefits of this method of gathering. It actually fits quite nicely with our homeschooling.

So here is a glimpse into our own little home. I look forward to getting to know several other homeschoolers.

Greg and I were doing a little more reading on the whole Lakeland skirmish.  We found a WONDERFUL letter/admonishion by Dutch Sheets, for whom we both have much respect, and a horrible one from Rick Joyner, for whom we used to have a degree of respect.  In Rick Joyner’s response to Todd Bentley’s moral failure (even if it isn’t/wasn’t physical, to me it’s still unfaithfulness), he basically excused any future ministry by Bentley as being acceptable because God Himself is divorced.  So to not allow Bentley to again serve in that capacity after a period of restoration, would be impossible because God divorced Israel, so He should be counted out as well.  HUH???  He also stated that over half of the marriages in the church end in divorce, and I *think* his point was if we do not allow those folks to be in ministry, we don’t have many options left.  This is only opening ANOTHER can of worms, by making it sound like so what if you’re divorced, there’s really no consequences.  He totally left out any reference to the directives we are given as to elders/deacons, those in “leadership”.  They are to have their house in order, be a husband to ONE wife (this could very well indicate no one who is remarried, not just polygamists), have respectful children, be well-spoken of by unbelievers….Obviously, this is not a popular way of thinking, and we certainly don’t want to actually TEACH this.  I wonder, though, if more people would work harder at keeping their marriages and families together if things such as being permitted to function in “ministry” were at stake.  As far as I can see - and I speak through a filter as I am one - children of divorce are the only ones who really have to suffer consequences.  Not that the couple aren’t hurting, but they can basically go and do whatever they want to make themselves feel better, even if it means remarriage.  The kids are along for the ride.  I don’t know what is in the future for Todd Bentley, and I sure am not standing in a position of thinking I have it all figured out, but this I do know: I will have some SERIOUS problems if he turns up remarried in short order and back in ministry.   

I am very concerned and grieved by this whole thing.  Much damage has been done.  I do believe those who went in innocence and with a seeking heart may very well have been met by God where they were at.  But the cost of all this is still to be seen.  I find it sad and humiliating and infuriating that once again those of us who adhere to charismatic or pentecostal Christian beliefs are being regarded as hypocrites, flakes and gullible.  Not only by the world, but also by those in the fundamental and evangelical circles. 

A while ago I briefly mentioned that I wanted to weigh in on Lakeland.  Some of you didn’t even know what Lakeland is.  Well I will tell you.  And I will tell you what I think about it.

In April of this year, a young Canadian by the name of Todd Bentley, was invited to speak at Ignited Church in Lakeland, Florida.  The short story is, the presence of God settled in for a long visit, bringing about a “healing revival,” with many souls being saved, bodies and minds healed, and corpses being raised from the dead.  It was authentic, awesome, and you should “come and get some!”.  So they said.

Well, I must state first off, I am NOT a cessationist.  I believe that the gifts of the Spirit are relevant and necessary today.  I believe that there is a living, breathing aspect to the Word of God, and that along with an in-depth knowledge of Scripture, we need revelation through the Holy Spirit every day.  Written AND Living Word, people.  Don’t even try to talk me out of this belief.  I KNOW what I’ve experienced.  You will never convince me that my daily life needs to be lived separate from the purpose of the Holy Spirit in me.

Now that that is out of the way…

My problems with this revival began early on.  I am never able to really pinpoint any one thing when situations like this are in the beginning stages.  I do know that discernment is one of my gifts, and I am attempting to sharpen my spiritual eyes and ears, to use this gift in my own life as well as using it to edify, encourage and warn the body of Christ as I am lead.  But, I’m still learning.  From the get-go, something has been off.  It didn’t take long to see, however, not only things that were just plain weird, but also anti- and contra- biblical.  I am so open to teaching on this - if I have misunderstood and misinterpreted anything, I wish to be instructed.  The first and most concerning things at the beginning for me were as follows: The Angel Emma, Paul Cain and Bob Jones being on stage and “endorsing” and mentoring Bentley, and the lack of repentence.  A true revival always begins and is consumed with repentence.  There hasn’t been much evidence of that in the past four months. 

Further in I read, heard and watched reports of instances, circumstances and interactions with Bentley and the whole revival that just left me feeling sick to my stomach.  I watched videos of a very sick man being kneed in the stomach and of a little girl being forced to allow Bentley to lay hands on her while she was begging her parents while sobbing to not let him touch her.  There are claims to many resurrections, yet no proof.  There are people being overlooked that really need a touch from God, that have put their last hope in Bentley as being the answer.  There was a report from Robert Riciardelli concerning the manner in which Bentley put out the call for an offering not too many weeks ago.  On and on.  I’m not giving details or links because there are simply too many.  If you’re interested, you can either email me privately, or do a search - it’s all on google! 

Bottom line, though I concluded this long ago, I do not believe this is a mighty move of God so much as it has been an over-emotional, unguarded, unwisely-promoted counterfeit of the enemy.  Which is actually very Biblical, and we are warned to be on watch for these kinds of things.  I am not in a place to judge individuals hearts or motives.  I cannot claim to know their spiritual state nor where they are destined to spend eternity.  I have read several blogs opposing this “move” from the beginning, and though I agree with most of their points and objections, I have been very disappointed at the way they do not guard their tongues - or keyboards, if you please.  We are to speak the truth, no doubt about it, but when it comes without love, without a desire to see the wrong made right and the deceived redeemed, we are no better.  So I will not go about name-calling and questioning someone’s salvation…God only knows. 

And so, today, I read a message from God TV, the ministry that has been broadcasting the “revival”.  It seems that Bentley and his wife have filed for separation.  This, to me, is enough.  If there were ever any doubt in my mind before - there really wasn’t - that most of what has gone on in Florida was NOT of God, this has been enough.  Both God TV and Bentley’s ministry site, Fresh Fire, have statements about the separation, saying that infidelity is not an issue, but that the pressure and strain from the past four months have exacerbated some issues that were previously in the relationship.

Now here’s where I’m going to make a lot of people angry.  There are many verses in the Bible which instruct in proper, holy marital and family relationships.  I do NOT believe divorce is ok.  There are a VERY few situations where I feel like God is ok with it, and even less where He is ok with re-marriage.  This is not to say, if you are in a consecutive marriage that I think you need to annul it.  I don’t.  I think that God takes what we give Him - all of our messes - and makes something beautiful out of it.  He is also very clear, that the “elders” of the church are to have their families in order before trying to be involved in any kind of leadership within the church.  It was stated by God TV that they do not feel that this situation in any way lessens what has happened in Lakeland.  I say, based on what we are now finding out, that this ought never to have happened, and it invalidates pretty much anything that came out of his mouth.  Those in oversight to Bentley should be aware of his family situation, and he should have been accountable all along about the status of his relationship with his wife.  “But it’s not my business” one might say….Darn right it’s your business!!!  If you are going to be leading the entire world into something this big, you need to be laying EVERYTHING out on the table, and those claiming oversite and mentorship and what-have-you with you had best be asking the hard questions.  Although they are saying the separation is NOT because of the revival, but only that the time and energy spent during the past four months have increased the stresses, I am struggling to accept this.  If this were a REAL move of God, I don’t think He’d be moving in such a way that the keynote speaker’s family life falls apart.  That is NOT of God.  I realize they are not saying they are divorced, but separation is the preliminaries to divorce.  If the relationship were in such a state that four months of leading this “revival” put the last nail in the coffin, he should never have put his foot on the stage the very first night, neither should he have been invited.  He should have taken a “sabbatical” then, not now, and worked this out.  It is MUCH more important for the family to stay together and grow and heal, than for the whole world to know his name. 

I am absolutely aching for his wife and children.  I am angry with him.  Yes, God uses broken vessels…but not before He puts them back together.  I don’t believe this disqualifies Bentley for life from ministry, or that it means he’s unredeemable.  I just feel angry that so many people believed so much of what he said and did, and now so many are suffering for it, the most acutely being his own family.  It’s wrong.  It’s just so wrong.

If you are reading this from a search and you intend to be vicious, don’t bother.  I’m not going to be allowing all comments through on this one.  I will be selective in which comments I post.

In conclusion:

I do not agree with most of what’s gone on in Florida.

Bentley should have been in relationship with those endorsing him in such a way that they were aware of his marital issues, and they were recommending/requiring him to step aside for a while to focus on healing those breaches.

I believe we need to pray for this family, that God’s redeeming grace and love will flow in each member, and He will TRULY restore them, to each and to Himself.

We also need to pray that God would impart an extra measure of grace AND wisdom as we all judge this situation.  We ARE called to judge, and yet judge not, lest we be judged.  It’s a tricky road to walk, but I want to do it right!

*Two more things I just thought of.  I have been involved in past “moves”, and though there were some beneficial and positive things that came out of them for me personally, I have seen many couples end up in divorce - this is not good fruit.  Therefore, we must be careful in what we embrace and accept.  I will not be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.  I will not name this prophet or that apostle or those organizations, and lump them all in with Lakeland and say it is all wrong and off and un-Biblical.  I urge you to do likewise.  Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves!  Also, there was one conference we were involved with a few years ago, that had a similar situation.  The end result was that a lot of people in the church we were attending at the time ended up with many issues, some quite bizarre!  I feel it was due to a lack of proper accountability and our church’s propensity to just dive in headfirst if certain names were thrown around.  Discernment, people, discernment!  We are to test the spirits, and sadly I find we have either people condemning any and everything to do with the Holy Spirit, or we have people that love the experiences and emotions and don’t weigh it against the written Word of God, nor do they spend any time praying about it.  The end result is many people walking in confusion, pain and deception.  God, have mercy!

Back in June, I popped over to Bloggy Giveaways, which is no longer being hosted by Rocks In My Dryer .  Don’t Try This at Home is now hosting it, at, where else, but Bloggy Giveaways.  I hadn’t checked in for a while and have missed at least one Bloggyland-wide giveaway.  I decided to enter one of the giveaways for Cap Trappers.  And I won!  Three sets of them.  You can check them out at Savvy May Creations, and see what you think.  I suspect I’ll be ordering more sets in the future.  What a great idea!

For a more serious, deep topic, tune in to my next entry!