"Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I may remember, involve me & I learn"

"Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn" - Benjamin Franklin

I love this quote from Benjamin Franklin.  It rings so true and many of us who drive our kids from one field trip to the next know that reading something in a book does not even come close to experiencing something in real life.  This is one of the awesome privileges of home schooling.  We get to go and do and not just read about something or watch a movie about it.  It also rings true in life.  We should be involving our children in all aspects of life.  They should be involved in the managing and upkeep of the home, community service, and other activities that get them out of the role of simply being a spectator.

Last month we visited Yorktown and Jamestown during their home school weekend.  This wasn’t our first trip to Jamestown but it was our first chance to go to Yorktown.  What an awesome adventure!  The lives of the revolutionary war heroes as well as ordinary people come to life in such  incredible ways.  The children get to really experience what life was like and understand the whys and hows of the war. 

My middle daughter dressed up as a little farmer at the Yorktown Victory site. 

We even had a chance to hang out on the York River - History, Science, and Biology all in one day!

At Jamestown we learned about how the women dried their food in preparation for winter months

Below is a link to Jamestown and Yorktown.  They offer wonderful programs throughout the year.  In addition to the victory center the area itself is historic and offers tons to do.  I am looking forward to keeping this as a permanent annual field trip.

Link to the official Jamestown & Yorktown Victory Center Visitor's Site

Happy Homeschooling!

Inspiring Tuesdays - Quotes That Inspire Us to Live Better

How much stuff do you own that causes you more grief than joy?  Think about it and take a good look around.  Does having stuff make you feel more secure, happy, prosperous, or accepted?  Do you find yourself spending all of your energy taking care of stuff that you really don't need?  And is it just material stuff?  What about relationships, guilt, and bad habits.  Today's quote challenges us to look at our lives and take stock of what really makes us happy and what causes us more grief to maintain.

It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.
- Charles Spurgeon

Inspiring Tuesdays - Quotes that Challenge Us to Live Better - Kari Jobe

I have had a bit of an break with blogging just because of life.  Life comes in with so many demands and expectations.  Before you know it you are feeling overwhelmed and that's when a lot of negative emotions tend to bubble up.  So many times in my tiredness and frustration I have had to apologize to my children or husband for snapping at them.  These are moments we have to take a time out and realize that even in our weaknesses God is with us.  I have felt incredibly weak for some time.  Feelings of condemnation and accusation have been surrounding me more than feelings of approval.  However, while in quite time this morning I listened to a Kari Jobe song that really hit home.  Today is not much of a quote but I want to highlight a lyric in her song "You Are For Me".  So often we feel God is not with us because of how we act or things we do.  However, this is contrary to his character.  His utmost desire is to be with us and he delights in us.  I love the following verse from Zephaniah that sums up his delight in us:

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.   - Zephaniah 3:17

In no uncertain terms God has pour out his love to fill our hearts (Romans 5:5).  During these valleys of accusation I pray I can remember that.  Below is the part of Kari's song I want to highlight today:



So faithful. So constant.
So loving and so true.
So powerful in all You do.
You fill me. You see me.
You know my every move
and You love for me to sing to You.

I know that You are for me.

I know that You are for me.

I know that You will never, 
forsake me in my weaknesses

I know that You have come now,
even if to write upon my heart.
To remind me who You are.

So patient, So gracious,
So merciful and true…
So wonderful in all You do.
You know me. You see me.
You know my every move.
You love for me to sing to You

Lord, I know that You are for me.
I know that You are for me.
I know that You will never, 
forsake me in my weaknesses.
I know that You have come now,
even if to write upon my heart.

To remind me that
I know that You are for me.
I know that You are for me.
I know that You will never, 
forsake me in my weaknesses.
I know that You have come now,
even if to write upon my heart.
To remind me who You are.

I know that You are for me.
I know that You are for me.
I know that You will never,
forsake me in my weaknesses.
I know that You will come now,
even if to write upon my heart.
To remind me of who You are.

Inspiring Tuesdays - Quotes that Challenge us to Live Better - George Washington Carver

I think life is all about perspective.  We get so wrapped up in our everyday lives that we often become very inward focused.  We think about what will make us happy, successful, comfortable, really the list goes on. One thing I pray my husband and I are instilling in our children is to live beyond themselves.  This world is made up of different people with different needs and this life that has been given to us is not all about us.  We have to look beyond ourselves to really see others.  For today I want to bring you a quote that helps to keep life in perspective.  It is from one of the greatest Americans that has ever lived.  George Washington Carver.

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. - 
George Washington Carver

Inspiring Tuesdays - Quotes that Challenge us to Live Better - Janice Mayo Mathers

This Tuesday I would like to bring you a quote from Janice Mayo Mathers.  This quote really hits home to me because I am really evaluating priorities right now.  There is so many things pulling at our time and attention it is often hard to even find the time to sift through them all.  However, I know the closer we are to God the easier it becomes to distinguish between good priorities and God priorities. I pray this quote will offer you some insight when looking at your to do list for today.



"Sometimes my expectations lead to discouragement or exhaustion, but God's expectations bring rest and balance." - Janice Mayo Mathers

Inspiring Tuesdays - Quotes that Challenge us to Live Better - Howard Hendricks

Have you ever fell into the trap of feeling like you have to be everything and do everything for anything to get done right.  I know I have and you know what the result is?  One tired, burned out, cranky, unhappy Mama.  Back in November of last year Bishop Birt from Redemption Outreach Ministries in Prince George, VA gave a sermon at our church.  Something I really took away was a quote he shared from Howard Hendricks:

"The secret of concentration is elimination"

Since then I realized this quote has been used in management books, countless blogs, and commentaries.  I believe it resonates with people because it screams truth.   We must find those things God has called us to do in our present season of life, concentrate on those things, and eliminate distractions.

What is God calling you to right now?  Is your life so full of noise that it's hard to hear God speaking?  Challenge yourself today to eliminate those areas of your life that are preventing you from being what God is calling you to be.  It's been said a million times but it is so very true - Less IS More.