Summer

I was just sitting here thinking of how I love summer.  I love these relaxed days of hanging out with Mike and the kids, getting to see more of friends and family, and having less of a schedule.  We have been reading through the Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos, and continuing with our scripture memory at a lighter pace.  We've been reading books, and the kids are reading some too, although I'm not making a big deal out of them missing some days.  I'm taking the advice of a friend, and taking much more of a break from school work than I thought I would.  I originally thought we would continue with math and writing and of course reading. However, now that we've slowed our pace down a bit we've been doing some of those things here and there in more of a real life scenario...they're adding up their own money to buy something at the store, or writing a thank you note to a friend, etc.  It's a good reminder that we are always learning, even if it isn't scheduled learning.

One thing that Mike and I are trying to be very purposeful about, is being very alert to opportunities to bring scripture into our every conversation, and taking the time to stop what we're doing to talk about things as they come up.  One of the verses we're memorizing is Psalm 1:1&2 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night.  We'll be learning the rest of Psalm 1, but this is where we are so far.  Emma and I had a great conversation after reciting this verse, about what it means to meditate, and that God's law is His word...and what it looks like to truly meditate on His Word day and night, as well as what the reward is for doing this.  These little opportunities are a good reminder to me that when I get too busy, or when our schedule is too full, conversations like this are what we miss out on...and I'm not willing to miss out on these seemingly little things in order to do more,  because they're actually the important things.    David Hazell (coauthor of My Father's World) has some cd workshops out that are AMAZING, and they have one titled "Family Ministry, teaching your children to reach out".  I'm ordering it, and I'll let you know what ideas we get from it.  For now, the kids have been taking the initiative - coming up with ideas to reach out in our own neighborhood.  It's been such a blessing to see their hearts for the Lord, and it's challenged me in my own walk and actions as well.

Well, there's a little peek at "what we've been up to this summer".  (I've been getting this question a lot lately :)
I was hoping to add more pictures but this is the best I can do for now...I basically only take pictures with my phone now, and it's so hard to download my pictures...it stresses me out messing with it, so, for now, here you go...  :)