And Can It Be That I Should Gain?

"Amazing love! How can it be That thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my god shouldst die for me?"

Today my pastor told a good sermon, to Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is my life, He set me free!

"No condemnation now I dread, I am my Lord's and He is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine."

My pastor talked about Barabbas from John 18: 39-40 "The King of the Jews" or "Barabbas"?
Barabbas was a notorious murderer, a violent man, robber, common thief. Pilate wanted Jesus released so Pilate took the most wickedest man, thinking the people for sure would choose Jesus. To the people Barabbas was less threatening to the people than Jesus. Jesus threatens them by convicting them. They chose the murderer, the outlaw.

Barabbas condemned to die walks out Scott free! His story is our story. Barabbas, on death row, ready to die, but was set free! His chains fell off. Barabbas accepted his pardon. Have you accepted HIS pardon? Because if not you will have a death sentence.

"And Can It Be That I Should Gain and interest in the Savior's blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued?" Amazing Love! How can it be That Thou my God shouldst die for Me? "
by Charles Wesley, 1701-1788

Rejoice and bloom for Him,
QB

Praying for my Children with Scripture

Watch over Daniel, Laura Beth and James' life. Do not slumber or sleep, but keep them from all harm. Watch over their lives, coming and going, both now and forevermore. (PS 121:3-8) Do not let anything separate Daniel, Laura Beth and James from your love. When trouble, hardship, persecution, danger or any need arises, let them remember that we are "more than conquerors," and that nothing can separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:35-39) Cause my children oh Lord, to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to you, Lord. Let them see themselves as a temple of the Holy Spirit, belonging to you, that they might flee from sexual immorality and honor you with their body. (Rom 12:1; 1 Cor 6: 18-20) Do not let my children be led astray by drugs and alcohol. (Prov. 20:1) Hem my darlings in behind and before; place your hand upon them so that wherever they go, and whatever they do, they will be accompanied by your presence. (Ps 139:5-10) Put a new spirit in them. Remove the heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Cause them to follow your decrees and deep your laws. Let they know that they belong to You oh my Jesus, and that you are their God (Ezk 11:19) I pray that my gifts from you will put their trust in You and never be shaken (Ps 125:1) Open my three children's eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ. (Acts 26:18) Put people in all three lives, who will gently instruct them; and grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. Cause them to come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil who has taken them captive to do their own will. (2 Tim 2:25-26) Remove the veil from their eyes so that they can see the light of the gospel. Shine your light in their hearts to give them the light of knowledge of Your glory in the face of Christ (2 Cor 4:4-6)
In Jesus Name Amen.

I'm Still Here

I'm still alive and kicking, just not typing! Today is my team teaching day,we have five students and three wonderful mothers, we start off with Bible, American Literature, then American History. For our three senior girls, we end with Economics.

My heart just told them today; "If you were able to start your own business what would it be?" They loved it, and their young minds began to think what could they do? For homework today, I told them to go home and talk this over with their Father's.

The more I thought what I gave them, the more I thought to have my own home business.

My heart wants to help my husband. What can I do? I'm going to print out Home Business Course For Christian Young Women. By Crystal Paine. This should give us a start.

God Is In Control

If God gives us just what we need, then doesn't He give us just enough for our homeschooling ideas? I see what others are teaching their children and I see different curriculum suggestions, but this year I want to give my all to what God has provided me with. My own brain! What I see good and pure for my children, and what I see they need to learn, I'm going to precede as God's direction.

I'm going to team teach this year with James and Laura Beth. We are going to meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. One Mother's focus will be our Bible class which we will start with. We will pray and sing before her class starts.

My focus will be American Literature, with a goal to instill the love of reading. Our third Mother will focus on American History, she will also have a list of books for our students to read, and many essay requirements for our five students.

At home, James and Laura Beth will do their Mathematics and Spanish every morning. This year I'm using for the first time the Rosetta Stone. I still need to look that over and see how this will work for us.

Science will be with a home class taught by a Mother who loves Biology and Anatomy. This class will be on Fridays. Leaving our Mondays and Wednesdays free for field trips etc.

As for sports; James, will be playing football for Calvary Chapel Private School for the fall and his winter sport will be rugby. Laura Beth my daughter, will be in AYSO soccer. (she has played since she was five, her Daddy played for Liverpool, England, allowing his daughter to try soccer at a young age but she hasn't wanted to stop!)

One more week of preparing and organizing my home before my school year begins. I picked up an old favorite book of mine. "More Hours In My Day" by Emilie Barnes to organize my cleaning habits again. I will miss gardening almost everyday, at the same time I'm looking forward to home teaching and being on a schedule again.

My prayer is for my husband to keep healthy and for me to have good meals for him when he comes home from work each day and for my children's safety with sports and my own brain to be used for God to teach all my children for His glory.

I must bloom in my own body for my Creator!
QB

American Literature

I am organizing my home school/team teaching for American Literature. I chose twenty books for my team teaching group with James and Laura Beth to read. It will be approximately two books a month. I divided each book into categories of fiction, classic, biography, mystery, comedy, poetry, fairy tales, and religious. My goal is to see my children enjoy reading and to journal their reflections, thus giving coherence to one's thoughts. The use of a reading journal also promotes good writing skills. Here is my list of books for American Literature school year 2007-2008:

Just David by E.H. Proter
Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
Dr. Jenner and the speckled Monster
The Crown of Fire by William C. Newsom
A Girl of the Limberlost by G. Stratton Porter
Little Britches by Ralph Moody
The Birds' Christmas Carol by K.D. Wiggin
Crocodile on the Sand Bank by Elizabeth Peters
Shadow Children (Boxed Set)
Joel a boy of Gailee by A.F. Johnston
The Hidden Hand by Mrs. Eden Southworth
A Little Servant by Grace Livingston Hill
Penrod by Booth Tarkington
Hidden Rainbow by Carol
Scout by Piet Prins
The Master Key by L. Frank Baum
George Washington Carver (Sower Series)
Mark of the Lion Volumes 1-3 by F.Rivers

As for Vocabulary Words: They will find the words as they read through the material. Then, define or identify the words according to the way they are used in the text. It is especially important to note the part of speech that the word plays in the sentence.

Projects: Each will design their own project along the lines of his own interests. Since I will be teaching three other students along with Laura Beth and James, it will be fun to present these projects in front of an audience even if it is their Dads and siblings. We will have a pot luck dinner and present our projects.

I know I will bloom for the Lord in this class of five students, talking about good books and sharing their collected thoughts inspired by American Authors.

QB

Union Station

We took a train ride with our visitors from Gibraltar. Our destination Olvera Street, and China Town. John and I sat separate from our friends because the train was full of summer travelers. We enjoyed a cookie and coffee while holding hands and looking out the window, for our one hour train ride. We arrived in Los Angeles, at the Union Station, which is just opposite of our destination Olvera Street.

The Union Station was built in 1939 and is known as the "Last of the Great Railway Stations" built in the United States. I was amazed at the architecture of the building, with Art Deco Lights and travertine marble mixed with terra cotta tiles. I felt like I was in a film and I tried to pretend there was a film going on. The station originally served the Santa Fe Railway, Southern Pacific and the Union Pacific.

We traveled with our son James, and our nephew Tyler, along with our friends Tim and Carla, and their two sons. All of us had a great time being together seeing Mexican Dancers and exploring and shopping, on a hot summer's day. I purchased a leather purse from Olvera Street, for $6.00, and in China Town, I purchased a China Hat, (cone shaped) for my back yard gardening for $2.00.

Today, our friends left Southern California. We gave our hugs and good byes this morning. Fun memories will be remembered, and we were grateful to have spent time together after being apart for sixteen years!

Bloom for the Lord,
QB

Gibraltar

Gibraltar, a Rock island with more than a thousand years of history. The majestic Rock, faces the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, is a wonderful place that offers a unique blend of heritage and culture. The Rock Apes are perhaps the best of Gibraltar's attractions.

We have friends visiting us for two weeks from Gibraltar. Our friends, Tim and Carla and their two sons are a a unique blend as well. Tim is from England, and his beautiful Spanish wife Carla, born and raised in Gibraltar. They have two sons, Nicholas, 15 years old and Christopher, 14 years old. My son James, 15 years old has been a good host, giving the boys his room and showing them around our neighborhood. My daughter Laura Beth, has graciously given up her room for Tim and Carla. They are comfortable and happy to be in the United States of America.

For their holiday they came to see the Spanish history here in California, while visiting and exploring the Missions up and down the coast of California. They are currently visiting the San Juan Capistrano Mission.

Tim and my husband John are having a nice time reminiscing and talking about the history of Gibraltar. "The Great Siege Tunnels" Excavated by the British army, these tunnels form part of the most impressive defence system anywhere. Interesting story about the Great Siege of 1779-83. They can go all night talking about World War II Tunnels as well. My husband loves to talk about history, he is full of information.

One day I will write about my John's collection of impressive soldiers of all different wars from all around the world. These little tiny soldiers make up most of our office room.

Tomorrow, I want to share about the extraordinary species of trees in Gibraltar.
Bloom where you are planted.
QB