Summer is slipping away quickly and it won’t be long before cold weather returns. Yesterday Kevin and the four oldest boys spent their day, along with several friends from church, splitting wood in preparation for our long Michigan winter. All of the hard work that was done will be greatly appreciated this winter as we enjoy the warmth of the fire in our woodstove. We’re so thankful for God’s provision and for the hard work everyone put in yesterday.
Books
We started our 11th year of homeschooling this past Tuesday. It’s been fun getting back into our school routine. I’m blessed to have the privilege of teaching my children at home. What a joy it is when reading clicks for them and they discover the joy of reading books on their own. I have always loved books. I remember my first grade teacher reading The Boxcar Children to us. It’s one of my all time favorites. For Christmas my fourth grade teacher gave us each a book. My fifth grade teacher would buy us a book to keep for every ten books we would read. What a blessing to have teachers who encouraged a love for reading.
My parents instilled a love of books in me as well. They gave me money to order books from Scholastic and how I loved getting new books of my very own when the order arrived. I remember belonging to book clubs where I would get a new book in the mail each month. One of my favorite Christmas memories is getting several new books and enjoying my Christmas break reading them.
Recently we went camping and Kevin and I were able to sit around the campsite enjoying some rare quiet time to read while our children were off exploring the dunes and woods. It’s definitely a way I enjoy relaxing.
I want to pass on the same enjoyment of reading and books in my children. I know my love for reading and learning has served me well and still does. This morning shortly after I got up, Taylor and Luke were up reading. Today is library day. We will make a trip to the library and look for some new books to enjoy.
Of course the most precious book of all is God’s Word. I was taught it from my earliest remembrances and I hope to instill the same love of God’s Word in my children that has been instilled in me.
Here We Go Again
Since my husband has so graciously set up a new blog for me, I’ll try my hand at blogging again. Hopefully I’ll get beyond the first post with this new blog.
Morning walks
For several months now, I’ve been walking for an hour in the morning and have been treated to many spectacular sunrises. There is something about getting out and enjoying God’s beautiful creation that helps to get my day off to a good start. As I walked yesterday morning the words of the hymn, “How Great Thou Art” were running through my mind. I was walking on a trail through a very pretty wooded area.
When through the woods and forest glades I wander and hear the birds swing sweetly in the trees.
I walked to the lake and saw a beautiful display of color in the sky before me as the sun rose and the full bright moon hung in the sky behind me. As I enjoyed the beauty of a new day my heart was lifted in praise to my Creator.
How Great Thou Art!
As I returned to the trail to head back home I was moved by my Savior’s love for me.
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Heading toward home I was thinking about Jesus returning. My heart was filled with joy thinking about what a great day that will be.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
I hadn’t expected it but my walk turned into a wonderful time of worship. Some mornings as I walk I spend time in prayer. I started walking to help me be more physically fit and have discovered a far greater benefit in the boost it’s given me spiritually.