Next week we start homeschool, but this past Tuesday we started a Christian science class taught by Connie Gerbasi – each Tuesday she rents a room at a church not far from here. I really like Abeka science, but this curriculum is OK, and I really like the teacher. BTW, the science we’re using is called Exploring Creation with Physical Science (www.apologia.com). We’re using Abeka history, which I’m really excited about! And Nicholas and I finally get to start Algebra 1 this year with Teaching Textbooks. I like algebra...most of it, that is. :) We’re finishing up Shurley Grammar Level 7 (7th grade) from last year, since they don’t have an eighth grade level, and we need to finish that anyway. Noah and I are taking a Language Arts class with Florida Virtual School (FLVS), and Nathan and I are taking Spanish with FLVS. I wanted to learn Sign Language as well as Spanish, but my parents said I could only choose one extra class (because two would put too much stress on me...they know me too well J), so I picked Spanish. I can’t wait!
We’re preparing for the Bible Bee contest coming up soon – August 27th! I’m nervous. I keep catching myself thinking, ‘I better make sure I memorize these verses perfectly so I won’t make a fool of myself on contest day’ instead of ‘BB is a great opportunity to memorize God’s Word and learn more about Him’. I’m having some issues with perfectionism lately (‘lately’ as in my whole life). :p
Anyway, please be praying for me and all the other BB contestants across the nation! Oh, and hey, if any of you are open on Saturday, August 27th and would like to help out with our local contest, that would be great!! Please let me know in a comment and I’ll email you the info.
Here are a couple bits of poetry I’d like to share with y’all. I started to write this one in a rhythmic poem one night, but it didn’t really work, so I switched to prose and clinched it with a few rhyming verses, keeping it all in poem format (don't really have a title yet...any ideas?):
Like a lilting breeze gently
Brushing my face with its
Wispy fingers
Like the petals of
A velvety rose
Swirling in the air
Like ribbons of sunlight
Encircling me
With their warmth
Like the fragrance
Of lilies dancing
In the field
Like the peaceful face
Of a child
Asleep in the Teacher’s lap
Like the rush of a waterfall
Mingled with the
Song of morning
It’s pure like a dove
Like a kiss from above
This is the true and holy gift of love
And then just a little thing that hit me last night (or was it the night before?) and then I added on:
I know I don’t deserve it
So I thought I had to earn it
Then why are You telling me
That Your love is free
Yeah, I know I don't deserve it
And I thought I had to earn it
But now you have shown me
That Your love is free...
Your truth has set me free!!
I’ve found that I listen to God the best late at night when it’s dark and quiet. I guess it’s because even though my mind is tired, kind of numb and silent, my spirit is alert, open, and teachable – like an ‘ears open, mouth shut’ kind of thing. I find it hard to quiet my wandering thoughts any other time in the day. So, yeah. Also, I was going to post another poem I wrote, but I can’t find the piece of paper I wrote it on (uh-oh...), so hopefully I’ll post it next time.
Oh, and by the way, if you attend the Crossing Church, don’t you just love Pastor Greg’s sermons lately??? I really like the series he’s preaching on, called “Cast Away: what are you carrying?” It’s incredible.
I hope y’all have a great weekend! God bless!!!