What does this mean, "Stepping out in faith"? This is something that you may have to define for yourself. However, I would like to guide you in finding what stepping out in faith means to you :)
I know that it seems funny for me to say that you may need to define this yourself. I am the one writing the blog right? Well, it isn't so much that this journey will be a solo mission as what stepping out may look like to you, well, it may look different to me.
A few years ago, I was a lost sheep. I followed the world. I followed what was "in" and thought more meant better. I was wrong. Wrong may actually be an understatement. I don't know if there is a word to suffice the degree at which I was wrong. I had to step out in faith. I had to step out of my comfort zone, without worry or care, and step out in faith.
If you have read any of my previous posts, you know I have been sick for just under two years. The doctors are clueless and that's ok. I know God is with me. This illness is what made me come back to God. Once I did, I started feeling better, was happier, was more content with life than I had ever been. Praise God for his healing!!!
After all of this, I realized, the way I was living my life was not glorifying God. It was not glorifying my husband or son. I was a horrible example to others. That is when I stepped out in faith. I stepped out of that box of my fleshly wants and raised my hands in glory of God.
Do you care what others think about you? Do you see someone with a "nicer" car, phone, home and get jealous? Do you see someone's husband do extravagant things for them and wonder why they get such special attention? It is time for you to step out in faith sister. I am going to make this into a series. I am currently working on how to go about it, but in the mean time, take that bold step out and be Not of This World.
God Bless and Keep Smilin'
Stephanie ><>
Monday, November 18, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Our choice to HomeSchool
Hello there everyone!! There has been much discussion in my home lately on the topic of homeschooling. I know that everyone is not going to agree with us, but that is their choice.
I don't know how many of you are currently in the same situation that we are. We are currently living in New York state which has adopted the "Core Curriculum" in the public and private school systems. This new curriculum is not only making children relearn everything in a completely new way, but this is failing a lot of our children. Our son was in gifted when we lived in Florida. He did so well in school. He was tested and was given an IQ score of 119 at only 7 years old!!!! So why would I pull him from public school? Here's why...
This new curriculum has him believing that he is "stupid". He has come home on numerous occasions so upset that it takes me an hour or more to calm him down enough to do the MASSIVE amounts of homework he has. He doesn't understand why he can't do math the way he has been taught since kindergarten (he is now in 2nd grade). He is a very tactile learner. This is something that was accommodated in his prior schooling but now, because of the 90 minutes of math he does EVERY DAY, he is basically told to sit still and figure it out. That's the thing..... he can't sit still and think. He needs to be moving, tapping, something to keep himself focused. He is bringing home test scores that are very troubling to me. Granted he is doing absolutely amazing in language arts and reading comprehension, this math thing is really damaging his self-esteem.
There is also another reason. This is a big reason. God has put it on my heart to bring him home and school him at home. Schools used to be a safe place. They used to be a place where you knew without a doubt that nothing was going to happen. That has changed. With all the violence and other craziness going on in schools, I personally feel better with him home.
Home is your safe place. We can teach him the way he knows how to learn. We can keep God in all of our studies! That is the most amazing part. With all of this being said, I know there will be some that disagree with our choice and that's ok. I will let him finish out this school year (depending on how he's progressing) and then keep him home :). He is such an amazing and smart child, I will not let the State of New York fail him!!!
I have ordered some information on the Charlotte Mason method that I am super excited about from www.simplycharlottemason.com. I cannot wait until it is here next week! I don't think homeschooling is for everyone, but I know deep in my heart that this is what we need to do. If it's for a year, it is for a year. If it is until he's finished with 12th grade, then so be it. This new adventure is going to be a learning experience for all of us and I cannot wait to get started!!! Anyone who has had homeschooling experience, I would love to hear from you!
Please, if you disagree with our choice, don't try to convince us otherwise :) This is something we have talked over and prayed about for quite some time. This is what we feel is right for our son.
God Bless and Keep Smilin'
Stephanie ><>
I don't know how many of you are currently in the same situation that we are. We are currently living in New York state which has adopted the "Core Curriculum" in the public and private school systems. This new curriculum is not only making children relearn everything in a completely new way, but this is failing a lot of our children. Our son was in gifted when we lived in Florida. He did so well in school. He was tested and was given an IQ score of 119 at only 7 years old!!!! So why would I pull him from public school? Here's why...
This new curriculum has him believing that he is "stupid". He has come home on numerous occasions so upset that it takes me an hour or more to calm him down enough to do the MASSIVE amounts of homework he has. He doesn't understand why he can't do math the way he has been taught since kindergarten (he is now in 2nd grade). He is a very tactile learner. This is something that was accommodated in his prior schooling but now, because of the 90 minutes of math he does EVERY DAY, he is basically told to sit still and figure it out. That's the thing..... he can't sit still and think. He needs to be moving, tapping, something to keep himself focused. He is bringing home test scores that are very troubling to me. Granted he is doing absolutely amazing in language arts and reading comprehension, this math thing is really damaging his self-esteem.
There is also another reason. This is a big reason. God has put it on my heart to bring him home and school him at home. Schools used to be a safe place. They used to be a place where you knew without a doubt that nothing was going to happen. That has changed. With all the violence and other craziness going on in schools, I personally feel better with him home.
Home is your safe place. We can teach him the way he knows how to learn. We can keep God in all of our studies! That is the most amazing part. With all of this being said, I know there will be some that disagree with our choice and that's ok. I will let him finish out this school year (depending on how he's progressing) and then keep him home :). He is such an amazing and smart child, I will not let the State of New York fail him!!!
Image courtesy of http://thearrowoodzoo.blogspot.com
I have ordered some information on the Charlotte Mason method that I am super excited about from www.simplycharlottemason.com. I cannot wait until it is here next week! I don't think homeschooling is for everyone, but I know deep in my heart that this is what we need to do. If it's for a year, it is for a year. If it is until he's finished with 12th grade, then so be it. This new adventure is going to be a learning experience for all of us and I cannot wait to get started!!! Anyone who has had homeschooling experience, I would love to hear from you!
Please, if you disagree with our choice, don't try to convince us otherwise :) This is something we have talked over and prayed about for quite some time. This is what we feel is right for our son.
God Bless and Keep Smilin'
Stephanie ><>
Friday, November 15, 2013
Working on...
Hey everyone! I know I've been MIA for a while! I'm working on some wonderful ideas to get this blog more organized and hoping to do a lot of giveaways!
What are some things or topics you'd like to see featured?
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, what are you most thankful for?
God Bless and Keep Smilin'
Stephanie><>
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