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No Comments» Continue ReadingIt is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between. If that is too much for you, you should at least read one old one to every three new ones. Every age has its own outlook. It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period. And that means the old books. -C.S. Lewis My husband loves old books. He talks about dead old guys as some of his favorite people…friends that have influenced and encouraged him in thinking, in parenting, in walking with God. I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time making time to read, and when I do, I’m reading something current and immediately relatable. But I’m […]
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» Continue ReadingWhenever I’m tempted to feel discouraged on a homeschool day, moments like this remind me that it’s not merely in the textbooks and worksheets that a love for learning takes root. It reminds me that my success in educating my kids today doesn’t rest with what was accomplished but what is obtained. The sound of one child reading to another is the sweet melody of secret adventures only siblings can know. A priceless yield indeed. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
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» Continue ReadingDo you find yourself in a season of parenting and marriage where you need a re-focus of vision, purpose, and of what matters most in life? On my 14th wedding anniversary this summer, Troy and I were in Ft. Worth, TX, attending a NAUMS conference with fellow Board members of our school, and listening to the teaching of Dr. Rob Rienow of Visionary Family Ministries. We had no idea what an impact his encouragement to us would be that day. I couldn’t have known that the Lord would encourage my weary mothering heart through Dr. Rienow in such a compelling way so that I would clearly see God’s provision when finding out I was pregnant with our sixth several weeks later. There is nothing–NOTHING–that brings hope and motivation like biblical truth. I’ve recently finished reading one of Dr. Rienow’s books, Visionary Parenting: Capture a God-Sized Vision for Your Family. It […]
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» Continue ReadingA dear new friend asked to come observe one of my homeschool days, since she too schools several older children with toddlers and infants at her feet. I will be honest; I was a little more than anxious about it. I know what my home days are like. (You may remember, we are part of a Classical UMS school, so the kids are at home every other day…) I know how loud the crying can get, how chaotic it can feel, how destroyed my house ends up looking, how frazzled I can be, how much disciplining I may have to do, how impatient I often feel, how disorganized I wish I wasn’t, and how discouraged some days can leave me… …And my friend wanted to come observe my homeschool day. I was fully aware that she knows loud. She knows correction and discipline. She knows disorganization. She knows mess. She […]
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» Continue ReadingWe don’t have it stenciled on our kitchen wall, or framed sweetly for all to see. It’s not memorized or talked of regularly, but it’s there when we need it. It’s at the ready when we, as a family, experience discouragement in teaching and training our kids. The tool I speak of is a Mission Statement: “Think of a Mission statement as a GPS. Most of us would not attempt to start a business, launch an organization, or embark on an adventure without some defined purpose or clear direction of where you are headed. It’s not wise to enter into choppy waters without a compass! In the same way, the back-to-school family needs to have unified purpose and goals for the school year.” Want to read the one our family wrote? Come join me at The Better Mom today, as I share the why and how of writing a back to […]
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» Continue ReadingEvery year I have an opportunity to address the parents of our school with a talk about parenting and co-teaching in our University-model school. Burdened to dispel any misconceptions that might hinder a parent from being the most effective co-teaching parent in the home, I formed my talk around 3 possible misconceptions and 3 qualities that will help a parent thrive in the homeschooling environment. This was not a how-to session as much as an indicative-informing-the-imperative overview. I share parts of it here, as I trust that you will be encouraged as a parent or a homeschooler…and as the primary influence in your child’s life. If you missed the 3 possible misconceptions, please read Is There An Ideal Homeschooling Parent? Part 1. What the “Ideal” Homeschooling parent IS… 1. The “ideal” homeschooling parent is purposed with conviction and mission. There is no doubt about it, you will experience discouragement, weariness, and sometimes an outright second-guessing of your […]
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» Continue ReadingEvery year I have an opportunity to address the parents of our school with a talk about parenting and co-teaching in our University-model school. Burdened to dispel any misconceptions that might hinder a parent from being the most effective co-teaching parent in the home, I formed my talk around 3 possible misconceptions and 3 qualities that will help a parent thrive in the homeschooling environment. This was not a how-to session as much as an indicative-informing-the-imperative overview. I share parts of it here, as I trust that you will be encouraged as a parent or a homeschooler…and as the primary influence in your child’s life. What The Ideal Parent IS NOT…. 1. The ideal homeschooling parent is not necessarily gifted at homeschooling or a natural at teaching. One of the big misconceptions in education may be that those who choose to educate their kids at home are either naturally good […]
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» Continue Reading“If the gospel does not influence our homes, it is little likely to make headway amongst the community.” -Charles Spurgeon It all begins at home. Our school board is in TX, soaking up encouragement at a conference for University-Model Schools: …to be diligent in discipleship and worship in the home …to fulfill the great commission starting with our own marriage and family …to rest on the sufficiency of God’s Word …to continue responding to the call of parent-based education with courage and excellence. This week has served as great fuel for responding to the tasks the Lord has called us to. Are you struggling to love the work that must be done — whether it be starting your homeschool year, making difficult choices for your family, or simply tackling a chore at home? Regardless of the task, it all begins inside before it extends outside. The home must be nurtured […]
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» Continue ReadingDo you tend to think that little ones (who don’t read and may not even talk yet) are too young to understand God’s Word? Nothing could be further from the truth! I’m kicking off a series on how to read the Bible with children through the ages over at The Better Mom today. My post today shares tips and resources for reaching your 0-3 yr. olds: “If you’ve been around a child between newborn to 3 yrs. old, you know the words that characterize this age group: curious, short attention spans, unable to sit still, energetic, noisy, playful, inquisitive. If you tend to think of the Bible as dry, boring, academic, serious, and complicated, then reading the Bible with your infant or toddler may seem like a practice in futility. However, if you know God’s word to be a vibrant, adventurous, humorous, inspired story of God’s redemptive love…well, then you […]
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» Continue Reading…relaxation. It’s everyone’s summer goal, right? This summer, R & R is “Rest and Renewal” at our house. Don’t get me wrong– we are making every effort to lay low and take it easy, but our focus and motivation is different; it’s to press on, not to retreat. There is truly a difference: Renewal’s emphasis is improving, striving, recharging, remembering Relaxing’s emphasis is letting go, clearing out, releasing, forgetting Do you want to know how to make your summer a time that renews and recharges your family? a time that rewards hard work with renewed vision and not with laziness? Please join me at The Better Mom today to refocus your R & R this summer!
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» Continue ReadingCorrection, discipline, and training of my 5 boys are a daily part of my life. Sometimes it feels continual. My desire is that my boys would know the authority and character of God, and obey and grow in wisdom in response to the Word of God. And because true transformation comes through the redemption of their souls, every opportunity for our children to hear the truth of God’s Word is an opportunity for them to recognize that it is not good works that save them, but a humble submission to the truth of the Gospel. This is easier said than done, right? Especially in the midst of conflict and offense. Sometimes Scriptures don’t easily come to mind, nor do the best ways to engage in a meaningful conversation with your child in the midst of training. This is why I’m so pleased to share the Child Training Bible with you! […]
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» Continue ReadingIf you love Sandra McCracken and folky music, you’ll be interested in Rain For Roots: Big Stories For Little Ones, an album for children (and their parents), written by Sally Lloyd-Jones, author of The Jesus Storybook Bible. It is a collection of 10 folk songs for children about classic Bible stories. The full album is available for download on May 15. Until then, you can download four free preview songs: Do you struggle with guilt in motherhood? Let the truth be balm to the soul for mothers who fail, from The Resurgence. Our school reached a milestone this week, and received full accreditation from CSI and NCA-CASI! We are thankful to have been given such high commendations for being a 4 yr. young school; and yet, we know that it’s not standards, but vision that drives us. This post on how classical education shapes us as God intended, from The […]
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Hello, friend...I'm Ruth. Welcome to GraceLaced, where you will find my imperfect, but grace-filled musings on the Gospel, motherhood, crafting, art, domesticity, cooking, and the often-times overlooked joys of finding grace in the everyday of life. Read my full profile here.
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