I leave you with something--Audio Bible Online

In doing some research for a series on prayer, I found an online audio Bible website.  Just think, you can listen to Scripture while sweeping your floor, while changing diapers, while loading your dishwasher.  What a blessing!

I don't have enough research done to start my series, so I wanted to leave you today with the Audio Bible Online website.  Of course, it can't replace reading the Bible, but for your auditory learners--and for moms who want more time in Scripture--it's a great tool!

I recently began the Book of James with the children at the dinner table.  We just listened (after downloading RealPlayer) to the two chapters we've already been through--James 1 and 2.  I didn't require the children to remain seated like I do at the dinner table, but in time, as my family grows up, I will.

Enjoy!

Composting for Kids

The boys and I found a wonderful PDF slideshow of the basics of composting--done by kids and easy to understand.  Even the carbon and nitrogen technical details are well presented and easy to understand.

Though your children may not be interested in actually doing this, the slideshow is still an excellent learning tool.

And for all those who love to garden, this is for you, too. Great gardening tips are included!

And a perk for birders......birds love compost!

I want to be a good mom, but.....

...I can't stop sinning!

Great Is Your Faithfulness - Source for Scripture found here: 

Lamentations 3:19-26 

 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
   the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
   and my soul is downcast within me.

Yet this I call to mind
   and therefore I have hope:
 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
   therefore I will wait for him.”


The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
   to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
   for the salvation of the LORD. 

 

George and Mary and the mud

Why my heart floods with love for four-year-old Mary:

First, let me set this up:

The mud is back.....two days of rain with five more expected.  Fortunately, this time around we're getting tropical rains--a dark, furious downpour here and there, followed by periods of mixed sun and clouds.

Mary, on her second outfit of the day, was out front wrist-deep in a muddy rain puddle.  She was holding a wooden board up, sporting mud on her knees, lower legs and forearms.

We were about to leave for a neighborhood walk.

"Mary, what are you doing?  We're about to leave!"

She looked up at me guiltily, pleadingly, "I'm making a dam."

Guess who is to blame for this three-outfit, two-shower day?

That Curious George!

As much as the laundry and vacuuming are back to whipping me, I had to smile.  I love that Mary!  And that George!

a gem from Ann

I found a gem from Ann Voskamp's blog last week. I included an excerpt below, but please read the rest of the parenting post, which includes a free printable.  She teaches how to approach children as you train them.  I just want to hug her and say yes, yes, yes!  This is so good!

Ann's words begin below:
______________________________________________

1. Heart Connect… only then Direct.

Instruction can only thrive in the soil of authentic relationship. Before offering instruction, consider how to touch the child gently. Think on how to frame all instructions in the context of a loving, affirming relationship.

If instruction bears tensions then check out the soil: perhaps the relationship needs fertilizing. If the relationship has been well cultivated and nourished, and instruction still yields resistance, perhaps offering more opportunities to practice receiving and implementing instruction may nourish the young shoot towards a joyful attitude.

Questions to self: Am I making eye contact? Am I touching? Have I nourished this relationship? Am I connecting before directing?

2. Love, what did I say?……
And will you obey?

Asking the child what was said allows the child to offer feedback to ensure they did indeed hear the instructions.

Then, does the child intend to do what was asked?

3. By what is inspected,
They’ll know what is expected

Our children need to hear it as much as the faithful servant needed to hear it: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Questions to Self: Am I bringing closure to an instruction by joining with a child to inspect the task? Am I being faithful to finishing that which I began: I gave the instruction, did I inspect?