Sam's First Day

Sam had a fabulous morning at Kinder.  I don't think I have ever seen him so excited.  And yes, he is wearing a jumper and trousers.  It was 3 deg C here this morning!!

I have been amazed at the change in him in the few days.  He is eating and drinking again, and seems to be back to his normal little self.

I was so proud of him.  His confidence in his balance is not the best, and he still walked the balance beams by himself. He is growing up before my eyes.  Praise God for His mercy.  I can see Him in heaven today celebrating with us.  Four years ago I was told it would be better to take his life, now Sam is enjoying Kinder with other kids his age. Yay for God's promises!!

Big Day and A Big Ask

I wanted to share with you some photos from Jack's first day of school, beginning Prep.  He had a fabulous day and happily chatted all of the way home. He was elated to have chocolate cake and milo for afternoon tea, and is almost ready to go to bed. 

Jack looks very handsome and grown up in his uniform. Sam had to be in almost all of the before school photos.  They are the best of buddies.

After we dropped Jack off at school Sam and I took a brisk walk to the bakery where he devoured a pink piggy meringue. Shhhh...don't tell Jack.

Sam is also fascinated with listening to tunes on my phone and has it on while we walk all over the countryside.  He sings out loud as we go, and gets the biggest smiles from passers by.

I am cherishing just having time with Sam.  It really is such a gift. 

On another note...

This month is Congenital Heart Disease Awareness month.  In an effort to raise awareness and funding, for every copy of Sam's Heart sold at www.samsheart.com.au for the month of Feb 2012, I will donate $5 to heartkids.  That is the profit I make from a sale.  I want to see Congenital Heart Disease become a distant memory. 

But I need your help.  I need you to spread the word, otherwise nothing will happen.  So far we have sold two books and raised $10. I am hoping and praying to raise a whole lot more and hand over a significant amount to Heartkids come March.  Will you help me make a difference for a child, a family, a generation.  Heartkids not only helps and supports families but they are directly involved in research to find a cure.

IMAGINE WHAT LIFE WOULD BE LIKE WITHOUT CHD!

Time to make a dream a reality.

A Chat Over A Cuppa

Don has been back at ACMA (Australian Center for Mission Aviation) now since the 9th of January.  In that time he has been working on doing Commercial Pilot License NAVs (planned trips), his Cessna 206 endorsement, and IFR training.  He is really happy with how it is all progressing.  We have been so blessed that Ian Deed, one of the flight instructors has been down helping out, as he is a very encouraging and supportive man of God.  Don is on target for achieving his Commercial Pilot's Licence before he starts at MST (Melbourne School of Theology) on February 14th (my birthday!).  He is very focused, but much more at ease than he was last semester completing the theory tests.  Praise God for that!

Last week, we all had our medicals for the application to MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship), the kids and I included.  The went extremely well and as a bonus, majority of it was bulk billed by our very sympathetic doctor.  When we rang to collect the results for the blood tests, we were asked to make and appointment with the doctor. OH OH!  Two days later was the earliest we could see her.  We prayed that all would be well, and once again I had to contend with fear.  On the morning we arrived for the appointment to find there was a miscommunication and the tests were excellent, all of them.  She just wanted to advise us that if we were heading overseas we would need injections!   We will think about injections if we are accepted to serve with MAF.

Jack heads off to begin school at Yarra Glen Primary School on the 2nd February.  He is very pleased with his uniform, shoes and lunch box. All else is provided by the school.  I am so very pleased with that.  it is so much simpler.  He is very keen to start, so that he can play with new friends and learn to read.

Sam is growing up more and more.  He sings out loud when I swing him on the swing at the park, at the top of his lungs.  His favourite song is 'This is the sound of a warrior', by Andrew Ironside.  Sam adores music, and we cannot ride in the car without the CD player going.  He makes sure of it. He also goes down the big boy slides by himself now.    He will also be attending Kinder/Kindy (depending where you live), on a Wednesday morning for 2 and half hours.  He has a new lunchbox and is very excited.

I have just started writing again today after taking a months break.  I really needed the head space and rest.  I am so pleased that I did make the effort to stop.  I feel much refreshed and like I can finish what I have started with God on this project.    Below are a photo of some of my favourite things, bits and bobs that have made my life enjoyable over the last few weeks. I love tea. My husband bought me this six place setting tea set from the local antique store for Christmas.  The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, had me loving God and desiring to serve Him all over again.  And many happy hours of Jane Austen were enjoyed over the Christmas break also.

I wonder, what are you favourite things at the moment? 

The Voice of the Accuser

I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon feeling lousy.  I had picked up Jack from school and did so with an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.  Jack had a great day, and that was good to hear.  However as I spent time with his teacher after school asking questions and her opinion about Jack's development, it came to my attention that he is not ready for Prep in Victoria.  Prep in Victoria is equivalent to Year One outcomes in QLD.  And so although in QLD Jack is more than excelling in Prep in QLD, in Victoria he is too far behind to catch up.  I want Jack to love learning and succeed at what he is doing, so after conversing with the Kinder teachers yesterday, Jack is going to begin Kinder on Thursday.  During all of this I had the voice of the enemy telling me 'See, they told you he wasn't ready and now you've gone to all of this fuss to get him enrolled.  You look like and idiot (yes the enemy uses those sorts of words and much worse)', and 'Here you are telling everyone that God wants Jack to go to school and he can't, God doesn't know what he's talking about.  You have let your son down.' 

STOP RIGHT THERE!

'I recognise you buddy, and your history in the name of Jesus!' was my reply.  I still felt lousy I can tell you, but I made a choice at that point to fight back.  I know what God told me and his word is true, Jack will attend school it is just phased differently down here.  He will be happy in his learning because it is at his level.  He will move onto Prep next year with a great group of friends and his teacher is awesome. And the most amazing thing is there was only one spot available at Kinder, kept waiting just for Jack.  God is faithful, and will not let us fall.  He knows I have taken a hit for his name's sake.  He knows I was hurting, and I know where my treasure is laid up. 

I love you Lord.  I have my eyes fixed fast on you and I choose to close my ears to the lies of the enemy.  Your ways are beyond my ways and we will follow you all of our days.

A New Week With New Beginnings

This morning is Jack's first day at Prep at Yarra Glen State School.  To say he was excited would be an extreme understatement.  I am praying that God gives the teacher strength to get through today. He looked super cute in his uniform, complete with matching beanie.

Don had his first exam this morning and passed!  Hallelujah, he studied so hard all weekend.  I am so proud of him.
Now it is just Sam and I at home, and it is incredibly quiet.  I am looking forward to having this special time with just he and I, something that we haven't shared unless he has been sick in hospital.  The more I know God, the more I am convinced that He knows best ALL of the time.  I am a slow learner it seems, that I argue with his requests.  He knows all of our hearts better than we know ourselves.  Today I feel content, knowing that he holds all of our futures in his hands.

Bible Stories Unleashed

As a child I remember being read exciting and dashing tales from the bible. Stories about life and death, sacrifice and slavery, and power and glory.  The truth was not held back from me.  The pictures in the bible story books were realistic and did not cover up vital elements of the story.  I remember asking many questions as the stories shocked me and penetrated deep down in my heart.  It was the truth of these stories that would later pave my own path on my way to the foot of the cross.  I vividly remember seeing children as a part of the crowd drowning in the Biblical flood and having to work through that with my Grandma and with God too.  It challenged me but made the story real to me too.

(Image source:The Bible for Children-Retold by Bridget Hadaway & Jean Atcheson, Cathay Books 1973)

  

Children’s bible stories today have been watered down and placated at the risk of exceeding a 'G rating'.  The characters in the pictures are often over animated and the words so dull, it is no wonder that our children go searching for more exciting, more adventurous, more dangerous entertainment.  I remember reading to my 3 year old son the biblical account of the battle of David and Goliath from my own bible.  As I read, I came to parts of the story I could have skipped or glossed over, the insults that were hurled at David, the retort from David’s own lips, the fact that David decapitates Goliath with his own sword.  However I chose to leave those details in.  I chose to give the real the account portrayed in the bible and see what God would do.  I saw my son’s eyes come alive! I saw him gasp in excitement and ask a multitude of questions.  I was amazed.  He was not terrified; he was enthralled, to the point that he could repeat the words said by both characters.  The next day was filled with playing out the story.  The Bible was alive to Him.  God was speaking to his young heart and leaving an imprint there.

It is no wonder that children are enamoured with Ben 10, Spiderman and every other action hero.  Children crave adventure and excitement.  The Bible is jam packed with vivid tales and truth from beginning to end.   We dearly need to embrace this and share it with our children, so that there is nothing more exciting than God and his adventures with his people.  When our children can learn to value and love the past, they can readily and enthusiastically embrace their future with God too.

Lets look at a quick example from the Gospels.

Jesus wakes up one morning and as he and the disciples push the boat out onto the lake, they asked where they are going that day.  Jesus tells them they are going across the lake to Gedara.  The disciples recoil in terror.  Hushed whispers come over them as they pile into the boat.  Gedara was the residing place a crazy demon possessed man.  They had heard the rumours of this man that was unable to be bound by rope or shackles that had superhuman strength and power and beat and hurt whoever came near.  He cut himself with sharp rocks and was covered in blood and caked dirt.  He lived in the tombs outside of the town and at night, the townspeople could hear him howl and moan in the darkness.   Why would Jesus want to go there? As the boat drew close to the edge of the beach at Gedara, the disciples began to shake with fear as they heard the howls of the mad man.  Jesus was steadfast and undeterred, focused and calm.  He had come to pick a fight.   They all disembarked the boat and started through the tombs and hills toward the town.  At once the demon possessed man ran at Jesus………and bowed low at his feet.  The disciples looked at each other in confusion.  The madman shrieked in a high pitched tone “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  In the name of God I beg you, don’t torture me!” Jesus replied firmly,” Come out of the man, you evil spirit. What is your name?”

And so you know how the story ends, a man is delivered. The town lost their supply of pork and the Kingdom of God prevailed over the kingdom of darkness.  What an exciting and dramatic account!  (Story compiled from Mark 5:1-18)

(Amazing storytelling credited to Nicole Conner)

I am not suggesting that we terrorise our young children so they can’t sleep at night, only that we are honest in our portrayal of the bible.  We want our children excited to embrace the bible, the good the bad and the ugly.  We want them to be inspired to share it with their friends.  We want the Spirit of God to work in their hearts from a young age.

We work so hard at trying to protect our children from many things in this fallen world.   The bible is a wonderful teaching tool to challenge our children’s thinking and guide them along the right path, all while engaging their imaginations and heart.  God’s Word truly is a treasure for every family.

Family Time Catch Up

Sorry it has been so long, but here is a little catch up for all of our family and interested friends.  Sam is now 2 years and 7 months old.  He is continually astounding us with his attitude and thoughts toward things.  He talks much more than Jack ever did at this age and I love how the boys are both so different.  It seems to

really help them in their play.  Here is a comparison photo of them at the same age.

Jack 2 years 7 months (we were in Melbourne with Sam then)

 Sam today at 2 years 7 months

I also wanted to share with you some of the things they have been up to lately.  Jack loves to dress up, so every day he and Sam have different identities.  It certainly keeps me guessing!  In the last two days we have has explorers, scientists, doctors and campers.

Here is the campfire they made outside.  Unfortunately we couldn't burn it as they made it on the lawn.

Here they are being explorers.  In case you are wondering the Nerf dart sticky taped to the end of Jack's nose is his moustache.  I told you they keep me guessing!

This was school this morning, doing nature collage, and learning about natural and man made environments.

  Jack turns 5 this weekend on Mother's Day.  Yes, I became a mother over Mother's Day back in 2006.  A gift I will not ever forget (in more ways than one).  Children are God's most beautiful blessing and an eternal treasure.  My love for them was burned into my heart the moment I knew they were conceived.  Being a Mum is one of my greatest treasures.

  What do you treasure about being a Mum?

The School Day Struggles

Home school is not easy.  I had an inkling to begin with, and now it is confirmed.  In fact there are days when it is very challenging.  This last week there was one day, when Jack would just stare off into space, and getting an answer from him was next to impossible.  He was tired just like all other Prep kids this time of the term.  Then there is Sam who is great most of the time.  He joins in when he wants to and then just plays while he waits.  There are some exceptions however, days when he wants my attention, and screams until he gets it.  It is usually the day when I am desperately in need of sleep because Jack or Sam were awake in the night wanting drinks and whatever else they can come up with.

Thankfully the good days far outweigh the bad.  All of the school work gets done and we have much fun and games in the process.  We do a myriad of things that you wouldn't do at school like make balsa wood aeroplanes, gardening, regular cooking and this week we even did meals on wheels for our local area.    And if we need to, we have a rest and know it will all get done some other time.  Jack now has an outbox and an inbox, so once he gets through his tasks for the day, our time is our own. 

I don't want to say it too soon, but I think we may be starting to relax and actually enjoy this home school experience.

About Homeschool

I have had a number of people ask what we do for school during the day so I though I would share a day in the life of a homeschooler for Prep.  Our morning starts at 8am and we spend some time learning about God, we do reading, some writing and then head outdoors for some activities.  Today was painting using big strokes of the brush.

The boys have morning tea and I delve into a coffee.  We then have maths time and some computer work to do.

We have lunch and then we do some science which today included making a body puzzle.  Usually school finishes for us at about 12.30.  However this afternoon we also had the Groves Christain College Picnic at the park.  We had a wondeful time getting to know the teachers and some other families.  Over 128 people came to this barbecue; double the amount that they had last year.  We met some very inspiring adults and children.

I don't think either Jack or Sam stopped the whole time we were there.

I am so far finding Homeschool very rewarding and the boys love it.  It really was a good choice for our family.

Thanks for sharing in our day :)

Available

School is going well.  If it were possible I would say that Jack's enthusiasm has increased in the last week instead of waning. I must admit I have had many doubts about God's insistance for me to homeschool the boys.  However I have learned that if we are obedient he can do anything and so I am giving him that opportunity. 

Being a trained teacher does not prepare you to teach your own children.  This is a whole new ball game.  The most difficult thing for me to come to terms with is that I now have another role to play-the teacher.  Some people would say there is no difference between Mum and teacher but I need there to be a difference.  I need to be able to show Jack that when the school day is out, I am Mum, and I need my own time too.  Otherwise I would get exhausted and be no fun at all. 

In the last little while God has been asking me to step out of my comfort zone in a number of areas, home school was only the beginning.  I have also started singing in the worship team at church in the last 6 months and the latest project is rediscovering my love for playing the Tenor Recorder.  It has been 15 years since I last  played this instrument, before I became a Christian.  I had really enjoyed it but let it go along with many other things I have learned earlier in life.  Now that I know God, it is different.  I am playing with a purpose-to bless him.  I am not doing it to entertain or put on a show, just to bless his heart.  It was not easy to start again.  I had to relearn things I had forgotten and even take some rejection.  A recorder is not a real instrument you know!  Yes, that was said, I let it go, and now God has opened a time for me to play for him in two weeks at a lady's gathering at church. 
I am not overly confident yet playing my old musical friend.  But I am enjoying it and God is giving me the courage to have a go.  As a wise friend once said:

"God is not looking for your ability.  He is looking for your availability."

If you say yes to Go and are willing to obey he will use you to do great things, things you may never have dreamed of doing.  Do you dare to test him on this?  I can guarantee you won't regret it.

Prep Year

Jack began school today.  His first day of the Prep year.  Yes, we have started early, simply because I couldn't fend him off any longer.  He has been asking me every day for the last two weeks so I finally gave in.  He loves wearing his uniform and seems to have taken quite well to doing it all at home.  He and Sam do everything together.

Let's just hope the novelty doesn't wear off any time soon. 

Today included God time, swimming, reading, prewriting, maths, computers, SOSE and Science.  Our day starts at 8.00am and finishes midday, leaving the afternoon for hobbies and free play.

Mummy Moments

We are having an open house tomorrow.  Apparently the market is very slow at the moment, but we believe God can do anything.  So can you please pray with us that God will send the right person to come and buy our home? 

I have some Mummy moments that I just need to share.

Jack, Sam and I have been doing some school work.  Jack had to do some pre-assessment for Prep next year for his school.  Jack loves having everything well organised for his school work and is very excited to be doing some work for his teacher.  I was very proud of his efforts.  Sam is just too cute, wanting to do everything that Jack does.

Yesterday Sam also started using the toilet and training pants.  He is improving each time.  Way to go Sam.  I am very much looking forward to the day when I can bypass the nappy isle at the grocery shop.