Hurry Up & Get Serious

Two years ago, I posted this. And just yesterday, I got this comment on it:

I'd enjoy hearing an update as to what this looked like for you this month.

Admittedly, there are things I've blogged about that worked for us once upon a time but no longer do. Quality time is one that we have kept up, thankfully. Generally, when we go shopping, we only take one child. This is when we have private talks with that child.

A good friend who heard the Duggars speak at the recent Baby Conference, shared this wisdom with me: Go deep fast. Don't waste time on chit-chat with your kids.

I have taken this advice to heart and have begun asking pointed questions as soon as we are both buckled up. Questions like:

What are you struggling with lately?

What temptations are you having a hard time with?

Are you getting along with your siblings?

Who are you having a hard time getting along with?

Is there anything you'd like to tell me about?

If you have any other good probing questions, I'd love to hear them!

Watch This with Your Kids

Catnip

Catnip is good for all childhood diseases: colic, stomach pains, chicken pox, gas, teething, and flu and fevers. It's a relaxant herb.

A tincture made of catnip and fennel is excellent because it is so concentrated, only a few drops are needed.

Homeschool Success

Just to encourage you:

New Study Shows Homeschoolers Succeeding in College

The most recent major study is the Progress Report 2009, which surveyed over 11,000 homeschooled students, and showed homeschoolers K–12 scoring an average 37 percentile points above the national average on standardized achievement tests.

For the past decade colleges have actively recruited homeschool students. A new study—Exploring Academic Outcomes of Homeschooled Students, by Michael F. Cogan—shows homeschoolers succeeding in college.

Some of the major findings include:

• Homeschoolers scored higher on the ACT (26.5) compared with the overall student body (25).
• Homeschoolers earned more college credit (14.7) prior to their freshman year compared to the student body (6).
• Homeschooled students earned a higher fall semester GPA (3.37) when compared to other freshman students (3.08).
• Homeschooled students earned a higher first-year GPA (3.41) when compared to other freshman students (3.12).
• Homeschooled students earned a higher fourth-year GPA (3.46) when compared to other freshman students who completed their fourth year

"Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

Which Jane Austen?

I've been on a Jane Austen kick lately. It all started when I saw the new version of Emma. Absolutely fantastic! We all loved it!

I wanted to watch Sense & Sensibility again, so I decided to read it first. Then I read Pride & Prejudice again before watching the A&E version. Now, I'm halfway through Persuasion, which I had never read before. When I'm finished, I'll watch the A&E version of Persuasion. Then I'll read Mansfield Park again-- my favorite.

What's your favorite Jane Austen book? What's your favorite Jane Austen movie?

And if you love Northanger Abbey, I'd love to know why. It's the only JA novel I don't like.

I Was Wrong About Modesty

I have seen this book/CD several times, but figured I didn't need it. I already know that as a Christian, I should seek to be modest.

women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control. . .

1 Timothy 2:9

I was talking to a friend about a problem we are having with our children. They know all about modesty and they are quick to point out when they see someone dressed immodestly. While we definitely want them to dress modestly themselves and protect their eyes, we also don't want them to ruin their witness by being judgmental.

My friend loaned me this CD and I was blown away. The main point is: modesty is not an issue of behavior, but it is an issue of the heart. We can dress modestly and still have the wrong heart, just as we can claim "Christian liberty" while wearing form-fitting shirts and skin-tight jeans. It's not about what we wear. It's about our heart. Is our heart's desire to draw attention to our bodies or to draw attention to the glory of God?

What I found very interesting is: the book was written for pastors and fathers. I'm sure you can guess that it is largely women who read it. But can you also guess whose attitude really needs to change in order for ladies to understand the importance of modesty? Their pastors and their fathers.

Think about it.

Blasphemy

What do you think?