Encouragement for Mothers

It is time for school to start and mothers everywhere are preparing their hearts and hands in many different ways. Some are looking for forgotten books, running to copy a log that will be inspirational for their students; some are sending their children to school and others are preparing to home educate. We all have educational goals and want to start the new year right; we want discipline both for ourselves and for our students. What are our most important educational goals? I want mine to be to nurture my children’s heart for God, to teach them about Christ, to walk with them in the knowledge that serving God is the greatest objective and joy that we can have. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; this is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” Matthew 22:37-39. I want to teach them that love’s only source is Christ Himself, our only hope of true love is when Jesus becomes precious to us and restores us to our Father through His Holy Spirit. I want to occupy as much of our time as possible in this teaching, this search for real life and sharing of this real life with others. I want to dig deep into God’s Word with my students this year………….Oh, Lord, help me to do this, I have desired this before and fallen short because of all the earthly requirements that I cannot seem to see as less important than getting to know our Savior better.

Living and working in a family is the greatest calling that God gives us; from here we work out His plan for our lives. Being a mom, a dad, a daughter, a son, a sister and a brother, a husband, a wife; these are our greatest privileges. Our Heavenly Father gave up His Son to restore relationship with us. Jesus always referred to His Father, that they were together and of one mind, that they were One in love, plan, and purpose. He showed us that we must cleave to our families in love, plan, and purpose. His identity was rooted in His Father’s; I believe that we teach our children to cleave to their Heavenly Father through our cleaving to them, not in possession, but in love, patience, gentleness, longsuffering, kindness, companionship, and perseverance through the hard times. We walk alongside them and hold them up in their activities, we sacrifice our activities to help them with theirs.

If we walk alongside of them in patience and nurturing, we can have very high expectations for them. We all have to have much higher expectations and goals for our children. Not that they perform to make us look good, but that they will want to study God, learn the Bible while they have the time, and make their own plans to serve Him. And if they don’t? Lovingly help them to do this. Create situations in which they will succeed in serving God. A very Godly mother taught this principle to me and she is the mother of three very successful children, that is, successful in the eyes of the Lord, not the world. Children may ask to study the Bible if they know this is time to be with Mom and Dad talking together about God’s Word. I have always struggled with laying down my own activities, goals and desires to walk alongside of my kids as they made and carried out their plans. I am eternally grateful for the people that God has placed in my path to teach me to love my family by nurturing their interests and life purpose. I have lost the battle many times to my own selfishness. But, when God’s desires, that I sacrifice, won out in me, I have seen the fruit of my children growing in their identity in Christ.

Charlotte Mason was an educator in England in the 1800’s. She wrote books on the education of children. Education is much more than math and science; it is teaching about relationships, relationships with God, man and His creation. Through this lens of relationships, Charlotte developed her educational plan. Karen Andreola introduced me to Charlotte Mason’s ideas through her book Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning. Every parent who wants a deep relationship with his or her child might want to read this book! And of course there is that wonderful dilemma………..I don’t have time to read the book because I am spending time with my children! So, I want to share a section of this book that encouraged me 10 years ago when I was having a very gloomy day and has re-inspired me several times since to be grateful for God’s plan for true education for His children. This is from Karen Andreola’s book:

Magnanimity and Enthusiasm: (Chapter 36)

“A soul occupied with great ideas best performs small duties.”
-H. Martineau

Magnanimity is generosity or nobility of mind or greatness of spirit. This quality of mind and greatness of spirit comes about through a combination of ‘high thinking’ and ‘lowly living.’ A magnanimous person thinks great thoughts but also is generous in overlooking injury or insult – for example, he or she rises above the pettiness or animosity. His intellectual pursuits do not make him ‘too good’ to do lowly chores.
‘Do you wish to be great?’ asks St Augustine. ‘Then begin by being little. Do you desire to construct a vast lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation. Modest humility is beauty’s crown.’
Home school (every parent schools at home, either all the time or part of the time) is the best place to raise children to be magnanimous. We can hold up Jesus Christ as the perfect example of magnanimity for our children. We can endeavor to be like Him. We can teach our children to share even when it is hard, to forgive when it doesn’t seem fair, give them opportunities to absorb the principle of magnanimity, and eventually see them turn into magnanimous persons themselves.
Was there ever a time when magnanimous minds were more needed? Charlotte Mason bids us to ‘endow our children, not only with a multitude of ideas, but with the greatest ideas and most noble thoughts mankind has to offer, springing from great minds in every sphere of human relationships.’ A person who contemplates these noble and great thoughts in humility will not become ‘high-brow’ or haughty, but magnanimous. It was Charlotte’s hope and prayer that magnanimity would be a character trait common to all her students.
…………….With the Bible, children can develop a relationship with God and learn to desire righteousness. With the humanities, children learn to see as a painter sees, for example, by studying great art. They learn to feel as a poet feels by reading poetry aloud. They listen to great music and read the best literature (including heroic biographies) and plays. We lead them to observe closely the wonders God has made in nature. We encourage them to pick up noble ideas that contribute to the training of their consciences. We want them to add to their collection the ideas also owned by those who are chivalrous, noble-minded, large-hearted, altruistic, and unpretentious. …………….
The words of George Elliot (she wrote Silas Marner) come to our aid:

If you sit down at set of sun
And count the acts that you have done,
And, counting find
One, self-denying deed,
One word
That eased the heart of him who heard
One glance most kind
That fell like sunshine
Where it went-
Then you may count that day well spent.
But if, through the livelong day,
You’ve cheered no heart, by yea or nay-
If, through it all
You’ve nothing done that you can trace
That brought the sunshine to one’s face-
No act most small
That helped some soul and nothing cost-
Then count that day as worse than lost.

I invite you, continues Karen Andreola, to make it an educational goal to raise magnanimous children. Magnanimity is one big reason for placing emphasis on ideas derived from the humanities. Through narration a child verbally expresses these ideas. Through servanthood he humbly lives for others. These three- ideas, narration, and servanthood-can work well with both young and old people. To Charlotte, every well brought up person is one who has become magnanimous. He is a large-hearted person who practices high thinking and lowly living.”
-Excerpts from Chapter 36 in the Charlotte Mason Companion
By Karen Andreola

Thank you to Karen Andreola who has encouraged me once again to start another school year!
It’s Labor Day……………. I didn’t map out the math chapters or acquaint myself with Elizabeth’s science; I didn’t take my last chance to clean out a closet; I didn’t plan my meals for the next month or even go to the grocery store to get a fresh start for the first day of school. I didn’t find a place for 50 books on the floor or make up the girls’ logs…………….I studied magnanimity…… and hopefully, one weary mom will read it and feel as happy as I do to be a mother with the greatest life purpose any person could possibly have!
~Kim

Humility is hard. Sometimes it seems near impossible. It requires a total abandonment of our former sinful self that is so inclined toward pride and embracing the new self which is strange and uncomfortable. Still, we are told, that "whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Though to us it may seem hard, God promises to give grace to those who have a humble spirit. And with God, nothing is impossible.

I have found that humility is not comparing ourselves with others (we can always find someone worse off than we are to support our pride) but comparing ourselves with God. Its like the pharisee and the publican. When I compare myself with earthly things, I too easily pat myself on the back and say "Well, you're not so bad. Look at all the good things you have done!" However, to place my "good things" beside the perfection of a holy God, I can do nothing but plead with the publican, "Lord be merciful to me, a sinner!" A wonderful definition of humility is "recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life." I have nothing to be proud about, every good thing in me is is all of God.

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less" ~ Author unknown. Humility is losing sight of ourselves. It is looking to the needs of others. Often in times of self-consciousness, I want other people to pay attention to me. I think I have a right to be noticed and talked to. A humble heart does not selfishly desire gain or recognition, it does not assert itself or demand honor. It delights in the sucess of others and is pleased to serve the Lord in secret. "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." (1 Pet. 5:5)

God promises great things for the humble. "By humility and fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life." (Proverbs 22:4) "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matt. 23:12) When we are willing to do the little things, the unimportant and uncomfortable, God will do mighty things through us.

"Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility." Augustine

::Quick update of our month of May::
On May 9t and 10th, our family went to the Pennsylvania homeschool convention in Harrisburg. We had a booth for our family business and another booth representing the Bright Lights ministry. It was a wonderful time, talking to other homeschooled families, perusing the other booths and also listening to some great sessions. Here are some pictures:

~ Becky ~

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Just a few of the things we love about Dad~

He takes us on hikes in God's Creation

He is a great teacher about all kinds of things- history, politics, doctrine, sailing, how to build a rock wall, etc., etc.!

He keeps his promises

He protects us

He listens to us

He is a true "doer of the Word"

Happy 50th Birthday to the best father in the whole world!

Melodies Of Faith

This past Sunday evening we put on our play, "Melodies Of Faith." The Lord worked out all the details, and I think it went well!

The play was a collection of four hymn stories....

Just As I Am
Charlotte Elliot struggles with chronic illness. Although her family tries to encourage her, Charlotte can only find peace in Jesus Christ, by complete trust in His shed blood on her behalf.

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

When Civilla Martin visits her bedridden friend, Martha Doolittle, she is struck with the joy and peace that shines through Martha’s trial. On her way back home, Civilla
scribbles a poem expressing the precious watch-care of the Heavenly Father over His children.



Take My Life, And Let It Be

Frances Ridley Havergal is overwhelmed with a passion for Christ. After sharing Christ with two young girls desiring to know Him, Frances pens the hymn of consecration on her heart. She then continues to live it out in her daily life.



Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Adelaide Pollard’s dearest dream collapses when her church
informs her that they cannot support her as a missionary in Africa. Through the prompting of the Lord through an elderly woman at a prayer meeting, Adelaide discovers the joy of being in the center of God’s sovereign will.


The evening also included singing!

"Faithful is He who calleth you, Who also will do it..."

In Which We Go on a Grand Adventure

Home. How heart-warming that word sounds to someone who has been away for twelve days. Late Monday evening, four of us returned to our home from our vacation to California and Arizona. Even though the trip was agreed upon as one of the best times our family has ever had together, there is something about coming back to a familiar and dear place with all the little comforts often taken for granted. For instance, sleeping in ones own bed with as many blankets as desired, or not having to dig in a suitcase for wrinkled clothes and finding that you didn't pack what thing you are searching for.

Now that that has been said, let me also say what a special blessed time we had. Throughout our traveling (which included a first-time plane trip for us three girls), we saw God's divine intervention in our lives again and again. We were able to go many places and see many extraordinary sights. We also took over six hundred pictures (!). Here are a few of our favorites.

Arizona is so different from Pennsylvania! We saw scenery like this while driving to Sedona, AZ.




Sedona was voted "The Most Beautiful Place in America". We did some hiking here. It was much warmer than PA!

We thought that the top of this rock looked like a face...

The next place we visited was the Grand Canyon. It was so big it was overwhelming!


We were originally planning to walk down to the bottom (or at least part way) of the canyon. However, we decided against that plan when we saw the snow and ice on the trail which always followed a very steep edge! We contented ourselves with walking around the rim.

The beauty of creation caused us to think on the majesty of the Creator...

One of the best parts of being at the Grand Canyon was seeing about twenty elk on the second day. We were able to stand pretty close to some of them.


We were able to see the sun set twice on the canyon. Beautiful, but extremely cold!

After the Grand Canyon, we drove to the Sequoia National Park. It was a ten-hour trip and took us an hour after we entered the park to drive up the mountain to the lodge. While there was no snow at the bottom of the mountain, we were greeted by eight feet at the top!


We went snow-shoeing through the Giant Forest. The Sequoia trees were humongous, much bigger than I had imagined. They looked so stately and majestic.

The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree in the world!

We spent my sixteenth birthday at the Sequoias and it was, without a doubt, the most eventful day of our vacation.

For the first time in the lives of Jenny, Elizabeth, and I, we went cross-country skiing. I surprised myself by actually really enjoying it.





Elizabeth was the best skier out of all of us. It came naturally for her and soon she was heading up and down hills like it was nothing. One area that Mom, Jenny, and Elizabeth were skiing in was a snow covered parking lot. It actually was very nice and smooth and seemed the perfect spot, until Elizabeth skied over what ended up being a snow-covered cement wall and fell, twisting her knee! It was very frightening, but thankfully we were at a place where things like this happen all the time. The lodge immediately sent out some paramedics with a sled to bring her back. Praise the Lord, she didn't break anything and nothing serious was injured, but she is now wearing a knee brace and using crutches, proof to all you doubters that we did indeed try skiing!

And so, it was an adventurous birthday, but it ended with thanksgiving to God who protects us and loves us exceedingly.

After all that, we were not exactly sure how much more excitement we could handle, but we continued on our journey anyway which took us to the coast of California.

Our first stop along the coast was a lovely little town, Monterey CA. Here we were greeted with springtime weather flowers blooming everywhere!

We watched the sunset on the beach. . .
And looked for seashells. . .

The next day, we drove to Arizona to fly home.

The view from the plane window.

We came home feeling blessed and assured of God's goodness, sovreignty and love.

~ Becky for the rest of us

Learning Chalk Art

We have just begun taking chalk art classes! Our teacher is a chalk artist named Elva Hurst. You can visit her website here.

We don't have a proper easel yet so we practice on the basement steps!
Becky is practicing trees here. She has been watching some instructional videos she got from Eternity Arts.
Look at those clouds! This past week in class we learned a lighthouse in the storm scene.
Here we are with our friends and teacher (who is on the right). Yes, this is messy work! Look at those hands and faces! Hopefully we'll learn to master the messy part.
Here is our teacher's picture under the blacklight. This photo doesn't quite give it justice!

One of our teacher's favorite verses is Psalm 90:17, which says, "And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. "

Singing at the Nursing Home

The Friday after Christmas, our Bright Lights group went to the local nursing home. We had planned to walk through the halls and sing Christmas carols in the rooms of the residents. However, when we arrived, we were escorted to the dining room where about thirty residents sat waiting for us to do a program!

Nothing helps you recover more from nervous embarrassment than the excited trusting faces of lonely elderly people. Our group of sixteen girls and three mothers sang from our hearts carol after carol proclaiming Christ's birth. The residents smiled the whole time and many sang along. It is amazing that people can get to a point when they forget where they used to live and even how many kids they have, they still remember the words to songs. Music is so powerful.

The residents were so happy we were there and for me, it was a wonderful way to close out the Christmas season. It was also a little reminder to me that God is in control of every aspect of our lives. Even when it seems that there is a mistake or something has gone wrong, it is all part of His plan!

~Becky~