Bloggers

It  is so difficult to make the time to blog. I so admire those folks who post daily. I have read only six chapters in St. Augustine. It is not light reading, and I feel like I need to take notes. Fortunately for us,  one of the most frequently quoted passages from the book follows..

"You arouse him to take joy in praising you, for you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."

Our heart is restless until it rests in you.  Rests in You. RESTS.

Webster's defines rest:
1)  repose, sleep; a bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities
2)a: freedom from activity or labor b : a state of motionlessness or inactivity
 Rest  from the Greek, anapauo , in general can refer to
1) Physical rest - As when one gains relief from a busy time by resting as in  Mark 6:31 (NIV)
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

(2) Spiritual rest - As in Matthew11:28   
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

 When is the last time that I rested in the Lord, in His arms? When was the last time you rested?
I don't know about all of you, but I am physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted. In the midst of the craziness of life here, I know that God never leaves me. If things get crazier, it is because  I am the one who has left Him.
Lord God, Abba Father,
      I desire to climb into Your presence, Your embrace,  Your most powerful arms, call You Father, and ask You  to help me rest, in You.
I am so grateful.  I praiseYou, and  I so desire to be in Your safe arms, at rest, in You, Father.
Thank You for my sweet friends that are sharing this journey ( classical christian homeschooling) with me.
Blessings,
 Brandi

Saint Augustine Preface

We are using Veritas Press timeline cards in our studies. Highly recommended. Beautiful artwork on one side history on the other side. According to my cards, basically, Saint Augustine was born to a polytheistic father and a Catholic mother. His mother, Monica, was concerned about his lifestyle. He was wild. Self-indulgent probably careless and irresponsible. She prayed for him without ceasing. Any moms out there feel like that? St. Augustine explored many different philosophies and religions. For reasons I have not yet discovered, in 387, he was baptized. He entered the monastary, became a priest and finally a bishop of Hippo in N. Africa. Mom's prayers were answered. Awesome! So, what does that mean for  Christians today? That was soooo long ago. That doesn't have anything to do with the way I worship today, or does it?
The Confessions of St Augustine have been translated into more languages than any Latin writings except Virgil (he is on the reading list, by the way). It has been called the greatest spiritual autobiography of all time.
OK, fabulous. I certainly hope that I am ready for this. I am, hopefully, going to hold hands with some of the other homeschooling moms as we walk down this scarcely trodden path. A path not often taken by....well, MOMS.
I am not an intellectual. I am just a homeschooling mom of three with a strong desire to know MORE. More about early Christians, the pioneers of the Christian faith. What do all these terms mean? Calvinism? Protestant? Paganism? Manichaeism? How did the work of the early theologists impact the way that I worship now? Come back tomorrow.....for Chapter one.

Book in Hand

After visiting the local library (without results), and two bookstores (I wanted it NOW), I have a copy of The Confessions of Saint Augustine.
A little background is in order...

Classical Christian Homeschool Reading List for Parents

I have been reading Douglas Wilson over the last week or so, and found a list in the back of Classical Education and the Homeschool. It is a list of recommended literature that should be included in every Classical Christian curriculum. The list is divided into sections: Ancient Texts, Early Christian and Medieval Texts, Modern Texts, On Education, On Literature and Reading, On Logic, On Rhetoric and On Worldview Thinking. I have always loved books but I have to admit, the list is intimidating. Daunting, even. However, I have decided to give it a try. After all, how can I teach it if I've never really studied it. And so I embark on a classical book study.
Some of the lovely women that I have the joy of sharing homeschooling with will be joining me on this adventure.
We will choose a book from the list, read/study it, and share our observations and thoughts. I hope to share all of these book studies on this blog.
Our first selection comes from the Early Christian and Medieval Texts: Confessions by Augustine.

Refreshed, Renewed and Encouraged

I had the opportunity to hear Leigh Bortins speak today. She is the founder and CEO of Classical Conversations. http://www.classicalconversations.com I am refreshed, renewed and encouraged. I am now positive that this path, the one that found its way to me, is the one God has chosen for us. I thought I was sure, but there were seeds of doubt, some planted by me some planted by others. I submit, Lord.
On that note, I am ready to celebrate the wonderful blessings that the Lord is ready to bestow on those of us who will follow Him. We will seek His face in every book, because it is there. We will seek His face in every subject, because it is there. I will seek His face when I am afraid and confused. We will seek to know God and to make Him known.

After the Flood, God established the Principle of the Seed and the Law of Seedtime and Harvest. "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest....shall not cease" (Genesis 8:22) When God created the first living thing, He gave it the ability to grow and multiply. How? Through the Seed. Your life began by the seed principle. Every act of your life since your birth has operated by the seed principle- springing from good seeds or bad seeds you have sown-whether or not you were consciously aware of your seed planting. The principle continues today. To overcome life's problems, reach your potential in life, see your life become fruitful, multiplied, replenished (that is, in health, finance, spiritual renewal, family, or your entire being) determine to follow God's law of seed-time and harvest. Sow the seed of His promise in the soil of your need. (Spirit Filled Life Bible)

" For let this be borne in mind, whatever ugly quality disfigures the child, he is but as a garden overgrown with weeds; the more prolific the weeds, more fertile the soil; he has within him every possibility of beauty of life and character. Get rid of the weeds and foster the flowers " (vol.2 p.87) Charlotte Mason.

With God's sufficient grace, I am donning my gardening gloves and preparing to weed so that I can foster my flowers.

Blessings,
Brandi

Classical Conversations

We are totally excited that Leigh Bortins will be hosting a speaking engagement in our area! She will be speaking at the First Baptist Church of Pell City on Jan. 28 from 10-12. I can not wait to hear what she has to say!!

Observations from Laurel View

Outdoor Hour Nature Challenge #1

We didn't have to walk very far for this one. Literally, right outside the front door!

The girls became quickly attached to the shy little fellow. "Look Mommy, he's hiding, isn't he cute..can we keep him?"

We brought the little guy inside in a large plastic container and let him spend the night. Of course, we released him the next morning. Our little friend has returned to a puddle in the yard several times since this first sighting. At least we think it was him...