Prayer for your Homeschool

I think praying is one of the most important tools to homeschooling, this is one of my daily prayers.

Bless our homeschool Lord, give me patience and great skills,

Bless me as their teacher,

Show me my childrens learning style,

Guide me each day,

Give me strength to accomplish everything we need to do daily~

Give me endurance!

Show me my teaching style Lord,

help me to be a great teacher to my children.

Fill our days with joy and a love to learn.

Give us fun times and grace during difficult moments.

Show me what to teach, how and when.

I ask in Jesus name that my children will reap in all the advantages of homeschooling.

Bless my children to have patience and a love to learn.

Bless my students with great progress and sucess in all subjects.

Help my children to learn Godly charater and to love one another..

Help me Lord in creating a loving & educational home.

Help me Lord to fulfill all my duties, balancing school, playing, cleaning

and putting my husband first daily.

I commit our homeschool to you lord, may it please you and bring you glory,

fill our homeschooling days with the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus mighty name,

Amen!

Be encouraged homeschooling mothers..the Lord wants His children where He is welcomed and worshipped! Pray over your homeschool and it will be the sweetest days of your life!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it" proverbs 22:6

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Reno Air Races

We are apart of our church's homeschool co-op. Our homeschool co-op provides field trips and we were very excited to attend the Reno Air Races yesterday. Every year in September this event takes place, the children and I watch them practice every year and have watched from a nearby park {the races are expensive}. This year we were so excited to go with fellow homeschoolers/friends for free!

We had a wonderful time and were allowed to go into the pits..where we spent most of our time. We camped out, watched and ate lunch.

We then headed on over to the bleachers and really enjoyed watching the airplanes fly by. The day was ending very soon.. before we knew it the time was 3:00 and the races ended about 4:30. While the planes vibrated and roared by, I felt prompted to pray. Thinking to myself, I thought..well an accident could happen but probably wont.. ignored my feelings of doubt and prayed 5 times for my family and friends to have a safe & fun day. After praying I felt peace about it and focused on my children and the races.

My friend and I were pretty tired at this point, from walking and the hot nevada sun. Our one friend had invited us to go to the planes our kids could in but we just wanted to stay til it was over..comfortably on the bleachers! Time went by...my friends daughter had to go to the bathroom and we decided to leave the bleachers and see what else there was to do..we had gained some energy!

Thanking the Lord we decided to leave the bleachers... 30 mins or so later a plane had crashed near the bleachers. It was shocking and sad.. I couldnt believe it really had happened. When the plane crashed we were in a big army plane completely safe but devastated for the pilot and his family. We were unsure of where it landed or if anyone was hurt. Everyone was asked to leave... there was ambulances, firetrucks and police everywhere.. thousands of people all trying to leave at once. It was an awful way to end a great day.

I finally thought back to my prayers of safety.. in awe that i was prompted to pray like that. Please never dismiss your instincts..if something ever feels silly to pray for. Take a moment and give it to the Lord instead of leaving it to chance. We know that the Holy Spirit prays for us: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

Later we found out that the plane did crash near where we were sitting and injured many people. As of right now 3 people have died including the pilot..there are many in the hospital. Please take a few minutes to pray for those who are hurt.



I praise God for keeping my friends and family safe, we serve an AWESOME God!

Learn from my story and do not dismiss your instincts!! Please share if you have ever felt prompted to pray..

I know this made national news but here is Reno's news on the crash, http://www.mynews4.com/mostpopular/story/BREAKING-Latest-Information-on-the-Galloping/YXDWyolFZ0SGtz4QsIoZ1A.cspxs

Prayer Basket

Here is an idea I read about in Homeschool Enrichment Magazine. Great Christian magazine!


The idea is a prayer basket. Cut strips of paper in different colors, we cut green, white, red and pink strips.

We used these colors for:
Green: specific prayers for our family and home {peace in our home, kind to one another..ect}
White: Friends
Red: Countries
Pink: Family members

My children and I all grab one from each color. We then pray together. My children find this soo exciting, wondering who and what they will pick! :} Great way to help your children to start praying during the day and feeling excited about prayer! When we have our long break during the day, my children come back to the table grabbing the basket. Its always fun to start the day or resume back to lessons with something fun and powerful!

Blessings,
Sarah beth

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Far Above Rubies
Women Living Well
Our Simple Country Life

Slow me Down, Lord

Summer can be such a busy time of the year! I still cannot believe how quickly June flew by and now it is almost July. Our days have been spent with trips to the park, homeschool field trips, playdates, lakes, vbs.. I did have a plan of what I wanted my summer to be. When the weather starts to bring hot days I like to spend as much time as possible in the water with my children, swimming is my favorite. My view has changed a bit and I want to put the rest of my summer in the Lords hands, guiding the children and I to spend our days how He would like us to. Its been so busy that I would like to slow down...to stop rushing, truly enjoy the summer months.

My great grandmother had poems, prayers and scriptures she cut out on her refrigerator. I remember always enjoying this prayer:

Slow me down, Lord! Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me, amidst the confusion of my day, the calmness of the everlasting hills. Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory. Help me to know the art of taking MINUTE VACATIONS.......of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book. Remind me each day of the fable of the hare and the tortoise that i may know that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than increasing in speed. Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well. Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots into the soil of life's enduring values that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny. Amen.


How has your summer been? Do you need to slow down like me?

Blessings,
Sarah beth

Linked up with:
Our Simple Country Life
Women Living Well

Introducing you to Gospel For Asia

Last Sunday I was blessed with an amazing Sunday service. We had a guest speaker who has spoke to our church several times but since I am a new member, this was my first time meeting and being introduced to Gospel for Asia.

The way that this man painted the picture was something different then I have heard before. He began with the United States poverty is at $30.00 a day, around the world the average is 10.00 to $2.50 a day. This is not to say that Americans are not struggling, but this is to point out that in other areas of the world our poverty is simply not as bad. Our country is a rich country. Like Esther in the palace, she was not placed there to live in luxury but to do Gods will. His words continued with living simpler and to serve Jesus. He told us how he asked a man in a village in India if he knew Jesus, he thought about it for a minute and said he knew everyone in his village, maybe Jesus is at the next one. The fact that there are people in this world that do not know Him is incredibly sad...they do not know that God loves them! I learned about a group of people in India known as the "untouchables" called the Dalits. They are a very large group living in the slums of India.

National geographic reports, India's Untouchables are relegated to the lowest jobs, and live in constant fear of being publicly humiliated, paraded naked, beaten, and raped with impunity by upper-caste Hindus seeking to keep them in their place. Merely walking through an upper-caste neighborhood is a life-threatening offense. Statistics compiled by India's National Crime Records Bureau indicate that in the year 2000, the last year for which figures are available, 25,455 crimes were committed against Dalits. Every hour two Dalits are assaulted; every day three Dalit women are raped, two Dalits are murdered, and two Dalit homes are torched.

The facts are hard to imagine. Next the man from GFA spoke to our hearts with passion to pray for the Dalit like they are our own family members. He gave me a good idea and said to place a world map in our home.


Please take a minute and watch this video:



Pretty powerful video, its hard to imagine living that way isnt it? I can only guess what mothers think each day especially not knowing Jesus, having zero hope. What an awful feeling that must be. I would love to fly there now and do everything I can to help but I know that is not my calling. My calling is to teach my children to know Jesus and to serve Him in whatever way the Lord asks! But there are still huge ways to help the Dalit's. When GFA first went to the Dalit's their hope was to plant churches but they did not want that, they asked for schools. Their only goal was for their children to learn to read. They told GFA that they could teach them their Bible. Since that moment children are going home and having their parents and grandparents saved. God worked through these wonderful children...amazing!!!! You can go to http://www.gfa.org/ to learn more.


Ways to help~





For only $28.00 a month you can sponsor a child. The money 100% goes to the child. This money supplies school, food, clothing and health cost. You are also able to write back n forth.


For only $30.00 a month you can sponsor a missionary who can transform a village.

If you cannot sponsor right now maybe ask someone you know who could!

Most importantly prayer..

Pray for the Dalit children and families. Pray for GFA. Pray that many people come to know Jesus Christ our Lord. Pray without ceasing!

Please share Gospel for Asia with family and friends. Stay updated and prompt for prayer at Gospel for Asia Facebook fan page.


A special gift, claim your free book now and share with others~~



I was deeply impacted by the story of these people, thank you for letting me share Gospel for Asia with you.

Blessings, Sarah beth

This post is linked up with

Our Simple Country Life Homemaking Link Up

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus!

Ever have a moment where you heart wants to burst in happiness and praise to Jesus??

This evening I had that moment while driving {of all places lol} home from dropping off "snow buddies" at blockbuster lol. "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" came on the radio.. as I sang along I thought, yes, Yes, YES it is really sweet to trust in HIM!!

Yesterday I didnt have the best day, I felt  overwhelmed in missing my husband, who is out of town working and I felt super tired. My children were cranky due to lack of sleep as well. Nothing really went as I had planned..

Anyways, yesterday we made it through the day as best as we could.. with many prayers!

I woke up today to my two youngest children singing together while playing, they make songs up constantly, especially my daughter. This song was basically one verse, "Jesus you are my king" It was a beautiful way to wake! I already knew that this new day would be much better then the day before. Actually yesterday I woke to my two younger children fighting.. big difference to today!

I love today, I am praising Jesus and overwhelmed with how he always answers prayers. I really needed today to be plain ol GOOD!

We didnt do anything special or amazing today, but it was the just what I hoped and prayed for... a sweet day, at home with my children.

We tackled alot of our lessons with ease..

The children happily completed their chores and helped one another as I cleaned along side with them.

We had fun creating a "get well soon" card for grandpa and "we miss you daddy" cards..

My home is "pretty" ~ means not spotless but mostly neat ;}

My kids played really well together..

I got to spend an hour talking and looking at my hubby, webcam!

It was a smooth day.. His loving presence all around us!

If you are having a struggling day mamma's, pray, pray, pray! I hope my sweet day today can be an encouragment and a reminder the importance of giving our struggles to Jesus, no matter how big or how small!!! Dont forget he wants you to lean on Him!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus!

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Memorize These Words

Late afternoon my head started to pound and ache. It wasnt too bad but I thought maybe the sunshine would help, so trip to the park we went! The sunshine did help alot, fresh air is always good for the soul. In between pushing my youngest on the swings and making sure my kids didnt climb up the slide I was reading, "Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss . Read the chapter, circumstances and soaking it all in. She writes how our suffering in life brings us closer to God. How our trials are a way of God showing love to us. It brings me such comfort to know that even when we are going thru a struggle, small or big there is a reason, God's hand is in it and He will bring us thru it.


There have been so many moments in a hard situation that I feel Gods arms around me. Such a warm, powering feeling, He is holding my heart in His hand! If anything, in a trial..I feel God's Loving Presence more.


A long time ago I decided not to be a complainer. Its a choice you make. I had a father who complained and it felt like death when he walked thru the door. It was always something with him, always down and mad. I believe anyone could be that way... everyday there are lots of things that could go wrong and do! When you are feeling low and down it makes the problem worse. I try to find the good in every situtation. Ofcourse its hard to do, sometimes harder then others. Do not take this wrong, I do get upset. I am not constantly happy with a big smile. No way! But when a problem comes along I go to prayer, I discuss the issue with my husband..sometimes I write it all down. When it gets really hard, I simply say Jesus, that has a very calming effect. His very name brings peace. When my heart is heavy and my mind wont stop on an issue, I keep praying. Everytime I think about the problem, I pray. Minute by minute my mind and heart slowly but surely are content. When there is a bigger problem going on, I invite those I love to pray also and consult in my dear sisters in Christ.


"My Grace is sufficient for you" Is my new favorite words to keep in mind.. 

Whatever struggle you are having.. big or small..repeat "My grace is sufficient for you" Memorize these words.


2 Corinthians 12:7-9 "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”


Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live. ~Attributed to Jacqueline Winspear


"The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!"Henry Ward Beecher

Remember His Grace for you..

Blessings,

Sarah beth

Always keep on Praying!

Prayer doesn't need proof, it needs PRACTICE!


"...be alert and always keep on praying." Ephesians 6:18


What a great subject to give attention to today~ praying! As I grow closer to God, He has taught me that prayer should be a top priorty in our daily lives. My eyes have opened: pray first, worry less. Pray first, do not try to fix a problem alone. Pray for everything GOOD in your life instead of only what is wrong in your life. Pray for the Lord to change you to be who He wants you to be rather then trying to get the Lord to grant a wish that will somehow in your mind make life better.


It would be perfect everyday if we could wake before your family, find a nice spot and have that time alone with God. If your like me, struggling each day to be that morning person, then it makes that time you need difficult. Although this goal of mine is something I will keep praying about it hasnt completely happened yet! Maybe theres a reason? Do not be discouraged, look for other ways to get that precious time in!


First, I have a prayer list.. its a guideline for things I want to pray about each day, prayers I want to say for others, my husband, my children, worries, goals, myself to grow in faith, homeschooling..our health, ect. Also blessings I want to praise God for! When my day gets busy, I often forget! what did i really want to pray about today? Prayer journals are a great guide. I love to look back and see all of the different ways God has answered!

Next, it may not be the quiet prayer time you desire..its serving and prayer time all at once! I pray when I am vacuuming.. as I clean my home, watch all the things on the carpet dissapear so does the worries I may have while I am praying.. I pray when I am loading the dishwasher..shampooing my hair, taking a walk, setting the plates for dinner or lunch, sweeping, mopping..always praying! Instead of viewing cleaning as such an annoying chore or never ending chore...it can become a very important part of your day. The time flies by too! My home is clean and so is my soul, amen!

I want my children to learn the importance of prayer! Having my kiddos create their own prayer list is a great guide for them as well. I helped my children create their prayer list and also had them cut out pictures from magazines. Works as a great lesson with learning to cut with scissors and being creative! They found pictures of plants to thank God for his creation..pictures of family, pets and even a picture of traveling, since one important prayer of theirs was to see family more. It was a really fun activity!

We set a timer for an alarm to ring on every hour so that we could stop what we are doing and pray! This creates the passion and excitement for prayer! I also explained to my children the different things I pray about, what daddy prays about and how I pray even while cleaning~ which they thought was super funny! Try to have stop, drop and pray day atleast once a week.


There is so many different prayers that can happen in one day that goes beyond just meal time prayer! Here is one for morning that I love~~ 

(author is unknown)
A Child's Prayer for Morning
Now, before I run to play,
Let me not forget to pray
To God who kept me through the night
And waked me with the morning light.
Help me, Lord, to love thee more
Than I ever loved before,
In my work and in my play
Be thou with me through the day. Amen.


Other ideas with your children is when daddy goes to work- pray he arrives safely to all his destinations. We like to pray when we are all buckled in the truck for a safe drive. If we hear someone is sick, I tell the children and ask them to pray. Its amazing how these things can give your children a passion for praying. Since we starting making prayer a big part of our lives my children have come up with their own prayers! Even when they see I am not my best, feeling down or impatient..they come up to me and say, I prayed for you momma. How that melted my heart, words cannot say!!!


As you start to add praying more to your childrens lives and your own, pray that He helps you with this new wonderful goal!


Bless Our Family
All praise to You, Lord Jesus,
Lover of children:
Bless our family,
And help us to lead our children to You.
Give us light and strength,
And courage when our task is difficult.
Let Your Spirit fill us with love and peace,
So that we may help our children to love You.


All glory and praise are Yours, Lord Jesus,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

Blessings, Sarah Beth

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