It seems that I have an exceptionally large, “Paper pondshell.” At least that’s what it looks like! Although the guide says it the common size is 2.5 in. long, mine is a full 6 inches long, and 3.5 inches wide!
My shell still sits empty to remind me to let God fill it with good things, and there have been new good things in my life recently, and on their way.
Daily, keep a journal of that day’s blessings. It is just one way to “give thanks unto God”!
History
After Bible, history is the most important school subject. Ancient cultures nourished their youth on the traditions of their ancestors. How much more important for us today to impart the character of the great men and women of history to our children!
History, a study of men, is also a study of morals. Each story, each action, demands a moral judgment. Did he do right? Was that the wrong decision? What were the consequences of that action? We desire to know the heart-qualities of the individual. History’s chief purpose is to teach morals by example, not to pump facts and figures into the child. The teacher, too, will benefit and be made a more worthy example of character by these readings of high-quality histories, biographies and works of historical fiction. Here parent and child bond forever in common quest of high character. The teacher’s delights become the child’s delights. Carefully choose your interests in all areas, knowing that your child will surely follow.
Goethe said, “The best is good enough for children.” Charlotte Mason recommends, not sketchy stories, but complete life-pictures of men and women and their surroundings. In order to have the best moral effect, use literary historical works throughout the grades. In this book, you will find grade-specific subject techniques, along with suggested works. High-quality materials are selected for each year while the subordinate subjects flow from this central nucleus of history.
Easy Homeschooling Curriculum answers these questions and more:
. How do I reach our spiritual and educational goals?
. How do I make the most of the decade of impressibility (ages 6-16)?
. How exactly does the literary method work and why is it effective?
. Should we read excerpts or entire books?
. What are the most important, and secondary subjects?
. How can I stimulate interest in a subject or topic?
. How do I teach so that learning becomes permanent?
. How does knowing and feeling contribute to will training?
. Why are these particular books best for these ages?
. How can nature study be combined with our reading topics?
. Is fantasy really appropriate for children, and if so, why?
. What is the best narration-notebook system?
. Where do I begin historical study?
Filling Your Life
Okay. You’ve cleaned the worms out of your life. Now what?
“In the winds of change you might find your true direction.”
In my experience, two things will now happen.
1. You will start filling your life with new things, such as productivity, etc.
2. God will start doing what he does best and that is bringing blessing and miracle to you, His beloved. He will begin to change the “decor” of your clam shell.
Write me and tell me what He’s doing in your life!
easyhs@cornhusker.net
I did what I had to do, I “cleaned” the specific worms that God was speaking to me about out of my life. Everything seemed lighter and cleaner! My life, my “shell,” was now ready to receive newer and better and brighter things! I felt it and I even saw change almost immediately!
What are worms? In my clam shell they had been eating away on the clam body within the shell. It was stinky! They were all over the body! There was a multitude of them. They were tiny but many.
Worm
http://www.dictionary.com
In other words, a worm is something that destroys. Something that makes a mess of things, and sometimes slowly, so slowly that it is not even apparent at first.
Have you listed the “worms” in your life yet? Do you really need them there? Are they helping you or hindering?
Love you!
Lorraine
The clam shell is sitting on my dining room table. What am i going to fill “it” with? What will I let God fill it with? He cannot fill it, if I have not really cleaned it out yet, and why would I want wonderful new things in a worm-filled stinky shell?
Why have I not gotten rid of the worms in my life yet? Why was I still hanging on to gunk? Sure I had taken some steps, some major and some very small but felt I had so far to go!
I had a serious quiet time this morning, with a lot of tears, and struggle. I knew I needed to “let go and trust,” “trust and let go.” I was reminded how God only is my Rescuer, my Deliverer… my HELPER, able to do more than anyone else ever could AND totally willing to help me, and to fill my life with bright and new things.
This morning I decided to do it, no matter how hard it might be. I started. It was if a weight was beginning to lift. Soon, something good happened that brightened my spirits. I raised my hands and thanked the Lord, even for this small sign that I was on the right track.
To be continued….
I cleaned out the clam shell.
What in your home and life needs cleaning out?
See Easy Homeschooling Techniques for tips on clearing and cleaning.
http://www.easyhomeschooling.com
It was somewhat aged on the outside but still had some beauty with the blue-green streak. The inside was opalescent.
It really does not matter what you look like on the outside! It does not matter how old you are! Or how heavy or whatever!!!!!!! We are not our bodies and to our loving Husband and Father, we are sooooooooooooo beautiful inside AND out! He loves us so perfectly.. Take comfort in His love today!
I carefully cleaned the decaying clam and the worms out of my shell. After I rinsed it out, I picked up some sand and scrubbed it out, walking up river.
Are there things we need to clean out of our lives? Are there worms that are eating us alive? Do we need to get serious and scrub something(s) out of our life?
I set the shell down on a point of sand facing up river, and lay down directly behind it. In such a position, it seemed like a compass on the bow of a ship. Would this be my compass?
One of our greatest gifts from God is free will, and every day, every moment we can make choices. One book I read said, “Make more decisions.” Sometimes decisions are very difficult. Some of our choices feel like we are literally walking on water, and maybe even beginning to sink. We walk by faith, not sight or feeling, and “tho he slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Only He can be trusted and He will rescue us, is always, always faithful. He will guide and direct us and help us when no one else can.
Hebrews 13:6
…The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
It was somewhat aged on the outside but still had some beauty with the blue-green streak. The inside was opalescent.
to be continued
I went to the river yesterday. It is a couple miles south of Faith Acres. I drove through our tiny town and just beyond, to the bridge and the shallow river with many sand bars. This is our “beach.” It is gorgeous as always. Purely natural. I park and begin to make my way to the water.
What was that?
I stepped on something that gave a bit. I looked down. The top of a large clam shell was apparent. It was at least 5″ long and about 3″ wide. I didn’t know we had such a thing in this area, on the “prairie.” There was a pretty blue-green streak in the middle. I squatted down to take a closer look, started digging and when it was free, I saw that it was open about 1″ and that many white worms were busy upon the detached clam. I shook most of the contents out, and continued onto the water to rinse the rest out so they would flow downriver away from me. I walked up river carefully grasping my precious shell.
I had been in prayer a lot the last few days. I received such an unusual find as a sign from God. As I walked I said, “Okay, Lord,” speak to me through this shell….
to be continued..
See my nature devotional Fields with God
at
Psalm 60
11Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
12Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
RELAX! Has there been a pressing situation in your life recently?? Does something LOOK (sight) totally impossible or horrible? Maybe it’s a money situation, maybe you have tons of debt and no savings. Maybe someone has lost a job, maybe you have no income! Whatever, yes WHATEVER it is, GOD CAN HANDLE IT. Through Him alone, not our own works, we shall do valiently. Relax, I say again, relax, only trust. It will happen for you if you put your complete faith in Him alone. Look not at the things that are seen, but the things that are unseen. Look not at the problem(s), look at GOD.
He rescues us from every bad situation, even those of our own making and never forget His love is UNCONDTIONAL.. absolutely NOTHING can separate us from His love!
I love you!
Lorraine
1Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
God is our strength.. He is all things to us, and helps us in every area.. gives us the Victory, always and Only the Victory.
2My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
…
15Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Happy are we who know the one true God. We are so blessed always.