Aspirations for our Children

We are currently taking a 2 week break from school.  Anna, Olivia and Sophia have completed last year's educational requirements and I am so proud of them!  We are finishing a little later than most due to Emma's birth and my recovery and the adoption process to bring Christopher into our family.  Thankfully, we are all caught up now and taking a short breather before starting the new school year  : )   Last week we enjoyed outdoor activities and relaxation, thanks to the great weather that has finally come our way.  This week we will be cleaning and re-organizing the homeschool room, buying this year's curriculum and planning this coming year in-depth.   
  

                                                                                                          
Here's a rough outline of the goals we have planned for this year:

Anna- 3rd grade Saxon Math, learning cursive

Olivia- 2nd grade Saxon Math

Sophia- Kindergarden

"A", "O", & "S" all together- Story of the Word (History), First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind (continued), 3rd Grade Rod and Staff Science, memorizing the book of Philippians (which includes varied activities), Character Lessons, and Spelling (for each individual level).

Christopher will continue to learn new words, names of colors, counting to 10, shapes, learn the ABC song, learning to sit and look at and listen to books for longer periods of time and learning to praise God through song and prayer.

While academics are important, they are not our primary goal for our children.  We strongly believe that following Jesus Christ and becoming like him in full maturity is the highest aspiration to attain to in life.  Our daughters will learn to serve in church and in the home, preparing to be helpmeets, homemakers and homeschool teachers along with business skills so they can run a small business if they wish.  Christopher and future sons (if God blesses us with more) will be prepared to follow Jesus Christ, to go into all the world and spread the gospel, lead his family spiritually and be the primary financial provider of a family if God blesses him/them with a family.  


We are preparing them to obey God's Word, for it is our guide in all things.  

Here are a few of the scriptures that guide us in our long-term goals for our children:


Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
-Romans 12:2

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

- 2 Timothy 3: 16-17

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. ⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.  -Deuteronomy 6:4-9

²My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.   -Colossians 2:2-4

⁴Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
 ⁶Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. ⁷In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.  -Titus 2:4-8


I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  -Psalm 119:11

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
-Matthew 28:18-20

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. -1 Timothy 5:8              

                                                                                                                                     A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

-Proverbs 31: 10-31

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27

To God be the Glory!

Blessings, 

Sandi