Weekly Wrap Up.. Apple Orchard, Confessions of a Transformed Heart and Too Much History?

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I don't know about you but this week has flown by for us. We have a four day school week because my high schooler has coop every Friday and we use Heart of Dakota (HOD) as a spine for my fifth grader. For those of you unfamiliar with HOD, she schedules four day work weeks, not the typical five. Of course, there are the occasional Friday afternoons we spend on undone schoolwork but for the most part, after coop, Fridays are free.

Field Trip!

We had a coop field trip on Thursday to Tuttle's Apple Orchard. If you live in Indiana, I highly suggest making a stop there. They have a lot to do right now. Their apple cider is some of the best around. No preservatives, no extra water, no heat pasteurization- just apples.

Here's three of the four, the turkey refused to get in the picture.

 

But I got him later. :)

 

I know, I know, I can get (huge) pumpkins at Aldi's for $1.99. Why one earth do I go to an orchard and pay way more? More than just pumpkin picking is going on here. God willing, they will grow up and have fond Autumn memories of mom taking them to the pumpkin patch every year.

 

She wasn't real sure about it.

 

Of course we also got some apples while we were there. $1/pound for delicious apples with no "food grade wax" on them? Yes, please!!

 

 

Too much History?

In HOD (Creation to Christ), Julia is scheduled to read both The Family Illustrated Bible and The Story of the Ancient world. Both books are scheduled nearly every day. Yes, they cover much of the same thing BUT not in the same way. This week she came to me and expressed her serious dislike of having to read both books that cover the same concept. She says she feels "trapped in the Old Testament". I cannot say that I blame her. The poor child has been studying ancient history for two years now but it's important, right?? I REALLY want these kids to grow up with a firm knowledge of the bible- Old Testament and New. What should I do? Give her a reprieve and only require her to read one? Substitute one of the books for something different? If I do sub a book, should it cover the New Testament? Obviously, I'm looking for help here.

 

 

 

Confessions of a Transformed Heart by Nancy Sheppard

I started reading this book and I seriously struggle to put it down! Every free moment I can sneak, I find myself looking for this book. Having a one and two year old make it hard to read while they are awake, unless of course, I am reading to them. As much as I love reading to the babes, Brown Bear, Brown Bear is not my choice of quiet reading time material. A girlfriend of mine suggested

Confessions of a Transformed Heart. I began reading this today and I've managed 8 chapters in small increments. Nancy Sheppard and her family are missionaries to Liberia, West Africa. The book is her personal account of being a missionary. It's about being a mom and a wife on the mission field. I adore the way Nancy writes from her heart- the real heart, not the one we pretend to have when everyone is looking. She is truthful about the sins of pride and depression. I have struggled lately with feeling like I'm not doing enough for the calls of Christ. I keep thinking, "Isn't there more that God wants me to do?" Reading about Nancy's struggles with the exact same thing has really helped me to see that my home is my mission field. My children's souls are at stake! What greater cause is there for me right now? None. This is my calling for this season. This is where God has put me. I will cultivate the soil of my children's hearts so they grow up to love Him. This season of life is so brief and it will be greatly missed when it is over. I pray that I don't take a single moment for granted.