Why Pray?

The older kiddos and I have been studying about "prayer" and about how it draws us closer to God. This week in a women's Bible Study lesson, we have been reading through the book of Nehemiah and focusing on Prayer. I came across this passage and loved the way it painted a picture of our conversations with God. It comes from Richard Foster's book, Prayer:Finding the Heart's True Home. The excerpt is written in the Bible Study entitled The Amazing Collection: The Post-Exilic Books (Big Dream Ministries).
           "For too long we have been in a far country: a country of noise and hurry and crowds, a country of climb and push and shove, a country of frustration and fear and intimidation. And He welcomes us home: home to serenity and peace and joy, home to friendship and fellowship and openess, home to intimacy and acceptance and affirmation.
          We do not need to be shy. He invites us into the living room of his heart, where we can put on old slippers and share freely. He invites us into the kitchen of his friendship, where chatter and banter mix in good fun. He invites us into the dining room of his strength, where we can feast to our heart's delight. He invites us into the study of his wisdom, where we can learn and grow and stretch...and ask all the questions we want. He invites us into the workshop of his creativity, where we can be co-laborers with him, working together to determine the outcomes of events. He invites us into the bedroom of his rest, where new peace is found and where we can be naked and vulnerable and free. It is also a place of deepest intimacy, where we know and are known to the fullest."
  There is something about this passage that just spoke volumes to my heart. We can have a personal, close relationship with God. He wants us to be near him...

Outside Schooling

We took advantage of the gorgeous weather we had last week. We spent a lot of time outdoors. Schooling can be plain ol' fun when you are outside. The kids each found spots and went to work ,each on their independent assignments. We heard the birds chirping and felt the cool breeze, and we were all happy. Our driveway makes an excellent teaching tool, and we have such fun in taking spelling test and having multiplication drills on our "gianourmous"(yes, I did make that word up) chalkboard. Then we were off on a nature walk... we didn't go far, just around our property. We were thrilled to find many types of plants, many varieties of birds (singing for our benefit), lots of "creepy crawlies", lots of spider webs, and a variety of lovely things. If you have never schooled outside, you should try it. It makes for a very special day.

Schooling on rooftops

Schooling in the sunshine

Schooling with enthusiasm...

First Day of School

The School Bus (maybe we should paint it yellow?)

Daddy drives us to school the first day (around the block and home again)

Ready for school...

Our Happy Homeschoolers...well, maybe a few are happy

The excitement level was just a "killer"...

Some were more excited than others (ugh,...morning people)

The Very Handsome Bus Driver... and principal extrodinaire!

Backpacks all lined up, organized and ready to go...

This and That...

Building a sandbox with dad

Daddy is making a snadbox for Mia and Levi's Birthday. It looks as if he has plenty of helpers... wait! maybe not...

Mia's "small" birthday...we celebrated with dinner and a cupcake on her actual bday. A party will follow soon.

Mandy's 3rd Gotcha Day celebration

Levi's 2nd Gotcha Day celebration

Playing Catch Up...

Life at our house is moving at a faster than ever pace. We are well into our school year, and the kids are doing well. They all seem dedicated to finishing their assignments and to enjoying this year. It makes for a great start when they are all so cooperative. Our weather is cooling down, and we can just "feel" the beginnings of fall. We have taken advantage of the nice weather, and we have done school outside on a few different occassions. Fun, Fun, Fun!!! We are gearing up for dance classes and drum lessons to start next week. The girls are beside themselves with excitement. I am constantly having to dodge a "twirling", "twisting", "dancing" little girl. I don't think I would want it any other way. The kids joy and love for music fills our house to overflowing. With six kids, lots of electronics, lots of musical instruments, and music on the radio, it is sometimes hard to even think. The noise level of our home can be quite intimidating, but the busy buzz of children fills my heart with happiness.
I will be adding some pictures of the exciting adventures of the Chili Peppers... most of the pics were from our busy August (which seemed to go faster than usual this year), and the first day of school. Enjoy!!