Sunday October 6, 2012 Chau, America!

Since this is travel day, I will simply give a play-by-play post

Once our group of 14 checked in for our flight, we made our way through security in the FLL Airport. If you want stress in your life be responsible for a church youth group to make it on a plane to a foreign country. I, promise, the stress is instantaneous and unenjoyable. However, I will say that thanks to God's timing it went rather smooth.

Once at the terminal, our group came to the realization that our flight had a two hour delay before we would leaving. So commenced our time killers...

For 9 out of 14 of our group this was their first time out of the country, and for a few it was the first time on an airplane. It was an adventure on every level for our group. Luk was incredibly excited to see the entrance of the plane because a two hour delay to a six year old is like an eternity.

But, Luk very quickly found his comfort zone in his seat, while...

the adults realized we were on the last row... and there was about three inches of leg space missing.

Once we made it out of Lima's Airport we met our awesome YWAM leader Cesar. He was a sight for sore eyes. It was good to be back in a country I loved and held dear in my heart, and to see a friend that has been missed over the past nine months.

Imagine that the six year old is too tired to walk after a six hour flight... 

Safe and sound at the YWAM Base and home for the next eight days!

Day 5 in Peru

It is the fifth day that we have been in Peru. It is the day that this boy:

will meet this boy:

separated by a mass of ocean, but God saw fit to bring together through the Compassion program. Two boys writing, drawing, and loving each other from so far will finally get to touch, feel, and hear each other. When I stepped foot in Peru this time last year I knew that I had to bring my son to see our precious Smith. It is never too early to expose your child to truth behind poverty. It is never too early to give your child a connection as strong as this one.

Later this week I hope to write about the other things we have done this week, but the time is approaching to hop in a taxi to see that face! I will leave you with these photos from the week so far.

Peru in 2 days...

Our car is packed with four backpacks, a luggage roof carrier, and a change of clothes. As many of you know God brought us to Georgia in the beginning of September (another post), and we are settled with every box unpacked, rooms organized, and homeschooling underway. However, over a year ago after meeting Smith, we began the process of getting our youth group in FL to Peru.

Our youth's parents faithfully agreed to switch our dates of travel from July to October to cut the costs in half and allow their kiddos to miss four days of school. We leave our nest for Florida tomorrow morning and head to Peru on Saturday afternoon. This trip is incredible special for my husband and I because 1) our six year old is going 2) my husband and Luk will be meeting Smith for the first time 3) two of the other people going to Peru will be meeting their Compassion child for the first time (WHOA!) and 4) 10 out of the 14 people going have NEVER gone out of the country, a few have NEVER ridden on an airplane, and few have gone further that Georgia or Alabama.

Needless to say, I am humbled that they are coming on this journey. I am shaken to the core that my beautiful brothers and sisters in Christ are inviting us into the homes to share the love of Christ. It is overwhelming to have them in my family!

As we were preparing for our travel, it has occurred to me more and more just how much this trip is going to change my son's life. We leave his baby brother behind (he is not too happy about this) knowing he will make the same trip in just a couple of years I do not hesitate in the decision to take Luk. I have posted before how he writes to his friend in Burkino Faso, and God has laid it heavily on my husband and my heart to show Luk what we believe in.

Be in prayer for our entire team. We know that from God we can expect faith to move mountains. Pray for Luk. He has been very emotional the past two days wanting to make sure he gives Smith the perfect gift. He still doesn't understand that HE is the perfect gift. His big heart in a little body is overwhelmed by the idea of meeting Smith. I having met him already know Smith is going love on him to no end.

We will also be meeting my mother's Compassion child, Anderson.  Mom, thank you! I know that you wanted to meet him first, and I want you to know just how honored I am that you are letting us spend the day with him! I know the decision was a hard one, but I promise to hug and love on your boy so much!

Pray!

Him

I have always been a relatively organized person, but the last time that I was this organized in my life I was a newlywed with no children, new job, new college, and new home. Frankly put, I was so organized because of ME. As I was putting my baby boy to bed as his older brother and dad are at a football game it occurred that I have NEVER been this organized down to a regulated menu for dinner time. The boys' rooms are clean not because they weren't played in, but because the boys knew it was time to clean up. The kitchen is clean because as dinner is coming to end I am able to start rinse and placing in the dish washer. As I rinsed the last dish I came to the conclusion that the only reason I am remotely THIS organized is because of HIM.

You know, there were moments in that newlywed stage that I wish I could say HE carried me through it, but I wanted to so badly be the one to do it... I didn't give Him any glory to what He was doing in my life. My life then was disrupted greatly. He wanted me to give Him glory. My jealous Father wanted me to acknowledge Him in all His splendor, and I fought tooth and nail NOT to do it.

I am so blessed to not be that girl anymore. There are moments when I look at hate towards her, but I have to remember just how much HE loved her (and still loves her). He loved her so much that He poured an abundance of grace unto her being that He made her who she is today and will be in the future. He commands our destiny. What a beautiful promise that is.

I stand in that truth tonight as I remember my selfish, "one man" show. It is the past, and the present and the future are looking bright. May you be engrossed in His glory as you read. Shine it out and tell your story because you are called on a mission. It is a mission to glorify the one true and holy God. Don't forget that, baste in it.

May I always remember to boast in His glory.

Remember Compassion

I haven't been able to write the amazing things that has been going on in our lives. We will be going to Peru in October. The best part is seeing our Smith again with my husband and son.

Luk is incredibly excited to meet one of our boys. Now, today we received an updated photo of our boy in Burkina Faso. Luk is itching to get on a plane to Peru, but if he had his choice he would be going to Africa to see his Abdou. I've posted before about their relationship and letter writing before.

Here was our first photo of Abdou:

Now, look at our oldest!

Look at that boy! Precious! He is getting so big! There is nothing like getting a letter from one of our boys, but there is something great to see their new photos.

Once we see Smith; I know that Luk will be begging to see Mr. Abdou, here. Then to head over to Thailand to see our third guy. Our trips seem to be far, farther, further (is that right?).

www.compassion.com is just a click away to have one of the most meaningful relationships you can have in this life that will bring glory to God's kingdom. In Jesus name...

After visiting Haiti in March, I had to share this beauty's photo, she needs a sponsor! Click on her name to learn more about her.

Edmaleelle

FPEA Convention 2012 Lessons Learned

Here is a lengthy post, but worth it!

This is my fourth year attending the FPEA Convention, first year as an ambassador and first year attending workshops. It was always encouraging every other year, however this year was plagued with many doubts about myself in many areas of my life.

1) Am I doing anything right?
2) Will I be able to do this with my super disobedient child (Logan)?

God continues to affirm many aspects in our decision to homeschool our boys even when I allow my sinful nature attack me. So, I have to give a shout out to Christopher Hopper from Spearhead Books.

You know those moments when you say something to someone and it was exactly what they needed to hear. Well, that was Chris for me on Friday. God showed me grace in that moment through our meeting. It was clarity. Clarity in more than one area of things I was accomplishing, but I was not giving myself any slack.

Clarity given by complete strangers.

Clarity from brothers and sisters in Christ.

Things I Absorbed:

Workshop: Raise Them Up, Don't Crush Them Down" The Strong-Willed Parent with Mark Hamby
Lamplighter Publishing
*Stop trying to finish the curriculum but to teach Biblical Character. (read about my biggest challenge here)
*It's not about what you keep away from your child, but what you pour into them.
*You cannot lead your family from the rear. You must lead by example.
*"You cannot control anything when you have outstretched arms."  -the cross- with grace, you will get nailed. Grace given freely will cost you to give.

Books I purchased after this workshop:
- "Teddy's Button" (book only) - a character builder in self-control... what six year old doesn't have this problem.

- "Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince" - this builds on combatting selfishness... what PERSON doesn't struggle with this?

-"Little Threads" - a lesson on disobedience and unwillingness... I'm not sure how this book was written in 1863. I am almost certain that this author is living in my home! I already started reading it because a helpful man by the name of Roger told me how encouraging it would be for me and my fight with my unruly two year old. NO JOKE! EXCELLENCE!

If you LOVE Classical Literature like this English major, you will eat these books up. It's beautiful! The icing on the cake? They are written by Christian authors always turning back to the Creator of all things.

Workshop: "Proverbs: God's Character Curriculum" with Rick Boyer
The Learning Parent
*Through King Solomon we learn that the wisest man knows things from Botany to Music to Government, yet his first words in his book of wisdom... "To know wisdom and instruction... righteous, justice, knowledge..."
*We learn to be more profitable servants when we put Christ as our front in character.
*An educated fool is more dangerous than an uneducated fool.
*Knowledge separated from wisdom is apart from God's will.
*If your child wants to learn something, you must learn it, too.

Keep reading for what I got from here.

Workshop: "Gotta Love Those Preschoolers" with Marilyn Boyer (wife of Rick)
The Learning Parent
*Savor the Season
-the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world
-look for the preciousness of the season
-a preschooler is a bundle of potential
-You are raising a child (generation) to follow Christ.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO HOMESCHOOL YOU NEED TO BE HOME!
*Nurturing a heart for the Lord
-Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
-"thou seest me..." Psalm 115:13
*Build a sense of destiny in your child
-"God made _____ in a special way, for a special purpose."
-instill a sense of vision in prayer
*Build a Foundation of Character
-Maximize your time... it could be short...
-systematic teaching of character qualities- character does matter- It's foundational to living a God-honoring life.
-teach the meaning of character qualities in simple language
-Character is the most important subject.
-Teach scripture where the negative character can be positive
GOD'S WORD IS WHAT WILL CHANGE NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR NOT YOU!
REMEMBER TO POINT TO SCRIPTURE AS  OUR AUTHORITY AND GUIDE.
*Teach Responsibility at an early age (chores, etc)
*Include your preschooler in teaching time
*What do I do with them while teaching?
-lace and trace
-paint
-pegs
-more on this with the next workshop
KEY- HAVE ALOT OF ACTIVITIES, CHANGE OFTEN
*Remember to have fun (give 15m sections of time to have mommy time of learning)
*Growing a Servant's Heart
-Those who learn to be servants will become leaders.
*Foster Patriotism
*DELIGHT IN YOUR KIDS
*How you manage them brings success to school

Logan is my disobedient child. He is the boy that laughs in your face when you do correction. Marilyn really put things into perspective for me in this session. As a result I bought two books. They are Character Builder books. You learn the character, it's definition, and the scripture of support. This is our CORE curriculum for my unwilling two (soon-to-be three) year old.

Books I purchased after this workshop:
"Character Trails" and "Crossroads of Character"

Workshop: "Occupying Pre-Schoolers While Teaching Older Children" aka "Educating, Involving,  Occupying ONLY WHEN NECESSARY While Teaching Older Children" with Jami Phillips
My Father's World
*Is. 40:11 Anything worth doing is hard!
*Reading Levels: Pre-Reading ---> Learning to Read ---> Learning to "Love" to Read ---> Learn by Reading
*Learning to read is the most important phase that needs the most instruction.
*What every toddler and preschooler needs:
-meet emotional and social needs
-devote your first 10-15m of the day to schooling them
-have a flexible routine, prepare snacks and drinks before the start
-expect them to want to prepare for school like the others
*Involving little ones as much as possible, some ways this can done:
-unit studies
-Bible activities
-History
-Arts and Crafts
*Creative Scheduling
-schoolbox for school time (let them decorate)
-strategic naptime
-learning centers
-read aloud
-toy rotation
*Educating Little Ones
-shapes & color starter
-peg stacker
-numbers
-lace & link letters/shapers
-kids puzzles
-pattern blocks
-pipe cleaners
-legos
-play doh
*Pre-Reading: Stages of Learning to Build-On
-Ages 2-6
-Structure and security
-Educate and Involve
-15-30 minutes daily
-very concrete learners
-like repetition
-mimic oriented
-foundation oriented instruction (4-5 subjects)
-focus on obedience
*Set-Up a School Box
-Target Areas: pre-reading, pre-math, language development, large motor skills, fine motor skills
-new items
-used, but looking new items
-created, but simple (junk mail to open, photo book with magazine cut outs of a topic [animals, etc], pipe cleaners, magna-doodle, nuts & bolts, mat (toys must stay on there to play with)
*School Time
-worksheets that siblings have (maps, etc)
-EXPOSURE VS MASTERY
*Training Mentors for the Younger Ones- allows the older child to teach and learn about their sibling

I bought a foam ABC board lower and upper case, a lace board, and color & shape sorter.

Knowledge from the workshops. More to come in another post about what will come into play for our school year.