Bible Study Method #1

As I train Dacia Grace in studying the Word of God, I want so share a little about what I have found online.  There are many free resources out there that serve as great encouragements in our studying of the Word of God.

Good Morning Girls is a world wide group of women that study a section or a book of the Bible together for a set period of time.   The method that used is S.O.A.K. or S.O.A.P.  Here it is explained in a blogpost which also has a video embedded in the post.  May you be encouraged as well.

How to use the SOAK Bible Study Method

SImple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...
once again I see the gray of January and the rain coming down.  So thankful for the rain and the way that it is preparing the earth for the upcoming Spring and Summer.  Praying it will have a lasting impact on the drought like conditions we have experienced last year.

I am thinking...
the passage of time.  In some ways time passes so quickly and in other ways it crawls along at a snail's pace.  As a mom, time is passing through my fingers and Dacia is growing up so quickly. As I look at the world around me and see the sin and the devastation it causes, time passes slowly as we wait anxiously for the return of Christ to this dark world.

I am thankful ....
for God's goodness and peace.  This week found me in the Emergency Department of our local-ish hospital with scary symptoms.  If it were not for God's peace, I think I would have gone crazy.  God in His mercy and goodness intervened and I was given a clean bill of health.

From the learning rooms...
we are learning about the Roman arch, the Roman aqueducts and how to draw architectural sketches.

From the kitchen...
I am working on menu plans which will include cooking from the pantry and freezer with some fresh veggies from our Organics to You delivery. Pork tenderloin and albacore tuna tenderloin are on the menu as well as shrimp scampi.

Currently my favorite breakfast item is ricotta cheese on toast!  Yummy!  Toast, ricotta cheese, sliced pears and drizzled with Turkish honey and sprinkled with chopped English walnuts.  Or toast with ricotta cheese and strawberry jam splashed with Balsamic vinegar

I am creating...
a file of photos for Arthur to take to his parents when he goes to see them later this month.  While their mind slowly slips away, photos of the family bring them so much comfort and are a practical way that we can show them that we love them.

I am reading...
On This Foundation by Lynn Austin.  It is the second book in The Restoration Chronicles which tells of the years following the Exile when the Jews rebuilt the Temple and the wall of Jerusalem.  God's promise to protect a remnant of the Jews regardless of their sinful ways encourages me so much today.  If He loves these sinful people so much, will He not also love me in my sinfulness?!  Thank you Jesus! 

I am praying...
for the peace of Jerusalem.  Our world needs peace but it will only come with the return of the Prince of Peace.  Maranatha!

I am hearing...
Wayne Watson .........  Yep, it is a throwback music type of day.  Listening to the songs of my high school and college years this morning.

Around the house...
it is quiet as Dacia is at a grade school event.  The last Forts and Floats that she will attend as a grade schooler.  HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!?!  She is in beginning to count down how many months......no weeks......remain in her grade school career.  How is that  possible?  WOW!

One of my favorite things...
time with my family.  This week's medical emergency really awakened the frailty of life.  Time to cherish those times together. As trite as it sounds we are not promised tomorrow.  We are not even promised the next moment.  Make the one you are in right now count!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
focusing on school and watching to see what Divine Appointments God has in store for me.

My Picture Thought...

Light in the Dark

Not the clearest of photos but I seriously love this photo.  Dacia loves wrapping up in her firefly lights and reading at night.  Makes me think of the way God is the light in my life.  I long to wrap myself up in His light as I walk through my  days in this dark world.

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 

“I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me 

will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

John 8:12

Keeping It Real!

I don't feel like I have any clue what I am doing homeschooling. I don't feel like I have any business homeschooling. I don't feel like I am doing a good job homeschooling. Matter of fact there are times, I know I am not doing a good job.

BUT GOD......... 

He is the one that has called Arthur and I to homeschool. 

BUT GOD.....

He is the one we have chosen to obey and submit to in all areas of our life. 

BUT GOD.......

Looks at the heart of man rather than the outward appearances. 

I can look at the outward appearances, the educational outcomes, the test results, etc. and see what man sees...

OR...

I can choose to look at the heart and see that I am leading a little girl down the path of young womanhood and see that today she loves God more than she did yesterday and more than she did last year. I can choose to see that God is at work in her life and in mine and in my husband's life. I can chose to look at the outward signs of success or I can look at the BUT GOD moments. 

I choose today to look at the BUT GOD moments. Will you look at them with me!?!

           Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet 
                      and a light unto my path.
                             Psalm 119:105

Wisdom of the Ages

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...
the wintery grayness and rain abounds but if I look carefully I see the promise of new life and spring.  The winter greens are growing and will soon be ready for the table (our neighbor's not ours) and the winter flowers are near to bursting forth into bloom.  The squirrels and the hummingbirds in our backyard actively dart from one activity to another.  Occasionally the hummingbird will stay suspended in motion right outside my dining room window until I acknowledge him.  He is such a "social butterfly".

I am thinking...
school plans!  Yep, this morning most of what I am thinking about revolves around the plans that need to be made for the next six weeks of school.  I am actually quite thankful that God has lead us to school in six week chunks of time.  It is so much more manageable for me.

I am thankful ....
my sweet husband fixed my wireless mouse.  Sometimes it is the simplest of things that make one's day easier!

From the learning rooms...
we will slowly be starting back to our routine and schedule as we begin another six week term.  It was not my intention to school six weeks on and two weeks off but through my husband God has definitely lead us to this new schedule.  It works well for us.  Keeps us focused and fresh.

From the kitchen...
I will be working on tidying up, putting away the Christmas goodness that occupied the last few weeks.  Need to clean out the fridge.  Also will be doing some menu planning which is NOT my strongest suit.  But for now coffee is brewing which always means I am planning on accomplishing many of my To Do items.

I am wearing...
blue corduroy pants with a blue sweater and my "get it done" shoes.  :)

I am creating...
a list of best loved memory verses for the New Year.  In late November I realized just how much I missed memorizing The Word and so that is on the docket for next year....2016 may it be the year of The Word!  I asked many of my homeschooling moms for their favorites as well as my husband.  Hopefully I will have it read for later this week.

I am reading...
a wonderful blog post from Sally Clarkson's blog on her website.  I was challenged and blessed as I read the post.  REST!  In one word....REST!  God is calling me to rest.  Not in action but rest.......rest from stressing about how I will get it all done.  Rest.   Making sure that each day is filled with a time of rest.

I am praying...
for clear direction for the upcoming school term.  What are the goals that need to be set and accomplished?  How can I help Dacia grow into her full potential as a new eleven year old?  What are the ways Arthur needs me to support him in the new year?

I am hearing...
Matthew West .........  Grace wins everytime! on the radio, the furnace warming up the home and Dacia waking up and readying herself for a new day.

Around the house...
are reminders of the wonderful time we had as a family this last week celebrating Christmas and two birthdays.  So many precious memories were made and cemented into our memory banks.  We even had "snow" for a brief time yesterday! Granted you had to look very hard at the precipitation coming down in order to see the snow!

One of my favorite things...
the quietness of the morning with a cup of coffee as I "journal". Really working at keeping up with the blog this year.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
decluttering, tidying and blessing the family with a clean home.

My Picture Thought...

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...
darkness has fallen which allows me to see the reflection of the Christmas lights that adorn our tree and our windows. 

I am thinking... 
the very first Christmas preparation many years ago.......packing and checking twice to make sure that all the meager supplies are accounted for since the trip will be long and the circumstances hard.  Mary wondering if her time will come to deliver her baby while they are on the trip.  Where will she deliver?  Will they be safe on their trip?  What will become of their time in Bethlehem?

I am thankful ....
Dacia still is in awe of Christmas and the anticipation of it all.  This year we will be joined by dear family friends.  

From the learning rooms...
I am anticipating the return to the smoothness a school schedule gives us! We start back on Monday, the 27th after two weeks off.

From the kitchen...
gingerbread cookies need to be baked and decorated for Christmas Eve.

I am wearing...
warm pants.....dark colored......and a warm wool sweater as I try to combat the cold chill the rains are bringing.

I am creating...
working with some muslin to make a table runner and making some new tea towels for the kitchen. 

I am reading...
The Lifegiving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson which will be out after the first of the year.  I am privilege to be in the launch party so I have been working on reading the pre-release copy.

I am praying...
the peace of Jerusalem to come soon. 

I am hearing...
Dacia organize the gift under the tree and the brass sounds of Christmas carols.........so Christmasy.

Around the house...
we are in full anticipation of Christmas and birthdays.

One of my favorite things...
blessing my family gifts for their birthdays.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
lots of relaxing with the family.  

My Picture Thought...
a blast from the past.....ten years ago we were anticipating her first birthday.......wow!