Mentoring Summer Classes

I am thrilled at the opportunity to mentor with Cathy and Angie for online summer classes called Healing Hearts and Homes and Energy Management.  By providing classes online, we can connect with each other from differents states!  There is power in sharing the journey together : )  I love the beauty of working in a small group setting, as we are uplifted and edified together.    The 1828 Webster's Dictionary definition of edify is "to build, to instruct and improve the mind in knowledge..."

I'm especially excited about the Energy Management class. Creating a personal foundation and learning to manage physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional energy can be tricky. Throughout each day, we are busy ‘doing' as wives, mothers, and sisters. Yet, our children learn so much by what we are and the feelings they experience with us.  We all desire to be present in the moments and choose to respond in a way that will edify. This class is broken into four sessions, once a month, allowing ample time to process and apply the principles and patterns.

If you feel these classes are a good fit for your summer renewal, we still have a little space and would love to have you join us!  Click the blog below for more info on the classes : ) 

www.myheroisyoumom.blogspot.com

Much Love!

What Did Their Mother's Know?

So, I've been doing some major pondering on what this coming school year will "look like" for our family.  
I was reminded of an entry I wrote last year during our Freedom Project class... 

What Did Their Mothers Know?

     The Family Proclamation states, “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.”  In the Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary of the English Language, the word nurture is defined as:

noun - that which promotes growth; education; instruction

v.t. – to educate; to bring or train up

Who knew the stewardship of truly nurturing would be so all encompassing for mothers?? 

     I have four boys (and a sweet little girl :).  I love the idea of the key “Inspire, not Require.”  I’ve heard that force trains followers, not leaders.  But, to be a mother who truly inspires her children to become great is hard work!  Good thing I love to work...  I came hard-wired that way.  Elder Christopherson recently said, “All honest work is the work of God.”  I often think of women like Lucy Mack Smith, Margaret Walker Wythe, and the mothers of the 2060 Stripling Warriors.  They raised great men who had a love of liberty and a great desire to serve God. So, what did their mothers know?    

     My son is 9.  He is a thinker.  He is a talker.  He is a listener.  He is a reader.  He has a mission.  One night, a few months ago, after reading about the gifts of the spirit in his scriptures, he was unable to sleep.  We quietly sat together on the stairs next to his room and he said,

“Mom, I finally get it.  Heavenly Father has blessed me with the gift of understanding.” 

     At a recent large family Christmas celebration, I caught a glimpse of my son standing in the center of numerous adults including his Great Grandmother and two of his Grandma’s brothers, one of which was his learned Uncle John.  My son was fluidly speaking for a considerable amount of time and all adult ears were intently listening.  A few minutes later, Uncle John approached me, put his hand softly on my shoulder and with a tender voice and tears in his eyes, he proceeded to share the experience he just witnessed as my son spoke.  Uncle John recalled the information that was passionately shared about love of freedom, gratitude for George Washington’s sacrifice and leadership during the Revolutionary War and of his understanding that many men had to die in order to create a free land and for God to do His work.  My son also shared the importance of Abraham Lincoln’s mission and the men who sacrificed during the Civil War so that many of God’s children could be free of slavery.  Uncle John’s tender voice cracked as he said, “I had an overwhelming sense that this must have been what it was like to listen to the boy Jesus, confounding the learned with his pure spirit and understanding.”  

     Elder Neal A. Maxwell once stated, “When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?..”

      So, what did their mothers know?  I like to think they knew their children had a mission.  My children have a mission.  As we create an environment of self-governance and love of liberty within the four walls of our homes, our children will become great men and women, our communities will be strengthened and our liberty will be preserved.

Ideas are still rolling around in my head and I hope to solidify them soon! :)
But, in the mean time, the kids and I have created an Exploring Room!  (It's our same old "school room" we created years ago, but with a fun twist for the hot summer afternoons)

What are we exploring each afternoon?
1.  Classics
I love Heather Burton's definition of a classic:  "A work or experience worth returning to again and again because each time we do, it deepens us and leads us to be more of what we hope and need to be."
We just finished exploring the Secret Garden and Misselthwaite with Mary, Dickon, Ben Weatherstaff, and Colin.  We pondered and discussed the transformation of character in Mary and Colin as the story unfolded, which prompted a discussion about our own assumptions and attitudes about ourselves and others :)
We just started Little Women...
2.  Geography 
Through Literature, Biographies, and Lewis and Clark, of course!
Some of our favorite Classics we've read over the years and are considering reading again:
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnette 
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare 
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Motgomery
Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnette
Carry On, Mr Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham

Summer Reads, Gospel Picture Study, and Tonto Natural Bridge

"Children don't stumble onto good books themselves. They must be introduced to the wonder of words put together in such a way that they spin out pure joy and magic."

~Gladys Hunt

We finally found a terrific way to hold our morning devotional.  Even the little ones can participate in our Gospel Picture Study, using the Gospel Art Picture Kit for the life of Christ.  While the kids are eating breakfast (mouths full : ), I read the back of a picture and they "Look and Listen."  Then, I ask them to close their eyes and tell me EVERY little detail they remember from the picture and the story.  We repeat each picture for three days in a row.  We are all RETAINING the scripture stories better, Mom included!  Then, on Sunday, we mix all the pictures up on the floor and create a Timeline.

In Elder Neil L. Andersen's talk titled Tell Me the Stories of Jesus he says,

"The stories of Jesus can be like a rushing wind across the embers of faith in the hearts of our children. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The stories of Jesus shared over and over bring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strength to the foundation of testimony. Can you think of a more valuable gift for our children?

Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior’s life when they wonder what to do in their own lives? This will be more and more important in the years ahead." 

To top it off, we use our Memorize Board  www.gomemorize.com, so we consistently SEE the picture and the scripture as we pass by this wall in the family room.  Love it!  

September Friday Family Field Trip

Ahhh.... enjoying the view!

One of THOSE days : )

I haven't had one of THOSE days for a while.  I've loved the past few years of having my children home with me each day, working along side them, reading with them, wondering with them, discovering new places with them, and learning patience and forgiveness with them.  But, I have an occasional day when the chaos gets under my skin ~ I'm only human.  I've learned that it is usually only for a moment, or a day ~ the kids and I call these "Crazy Mom" days.  So, it was the beginning of June, one of those unstructured, lazy summer days.  The baby was sick, the oldest three children were fighting over everything it seemed, and my husband and I were in the middle of discussing the monster task of selling our business. Yep, it turned into a "Crazy Mom" day!  After my impatient mother's heart was softened, I was reminded of the recent General Conference talks that I just listened to on my ipod.  I had an overwhelming sense that I should study them so that I can remember them always.  So, I've been studying the beautiful talks referencing teaching our children and I have a renewed sense of my role as mother in our HOME.  My quotes to remember...
  

Mothers Teaching Children in the Home

By Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"Teaching in the home is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, where the influence of the adversary is so widespread and he is attacking, attempting to erode and destroy the very foundation of our society, even the family. Parents must resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important responsibility... Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. They know that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home."

That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior
By Cheryl C. Lant   Recently Released Primary General President
"It is our sacred responsibility as parents and leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Savior so that they might see His face and the face of our Father in Heaven as well. If we want our children to come to Christ so that they might see His face, it is important that we seek to see it as well."

Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation
By Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"For all of us, doing our duty to God as parents and leaders begins with leading by example—consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home. This takes daily determination and diligence... When we have a family home evening, a family council, or a meaningful gospel conversation with our children, we have the opportunity to look into their eyes and tell them that we love them and that Heavenly Father loves them. In these sacred settings, we can also help them understand, deep in their hearts, who they are and how fortunate they are to have come to this earth and to our home and to participate in the covenants we have taken in the temple to be a family forever." 

Help Them on Their Way Home

By President Henry B. Eyring  First Counselor in the First Presidency
"So we help God’s children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel when they are young... The family has an advantage in the first eight years of a child’s life. In those protected years, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Satan’s use of the mists of darkness to hide the path to return home is blocked... They realize that if the children are strengthened with faith and testimony, they will be less likely to need rescue as teenagers. They realize that a strong spiritual foundation can make the difference for a lifetime."

Mother Told Me
By Elder Bradley D. Foster of the Seventy
President James E. Faust said: “There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation”

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
By Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"The stories of Jesus can be like a rushing wind across the embers of faith in the hearts of our children. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The stories of Jesus shared over and over bring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strength to the foundation of testimony. Can you think of a more valuable gift for our children?
Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior’s life when they wonder what to do in their own lives? This will be more and more important in the years ahead." 

Back in June, I spent a day (something like13 hours!) with these lovely ladies, creating a vision for our new CoOp and discussing the needs of our 45 precious children. I loved getting to know each one of the children through their mother's eyes. Grateful to have these amazing women in my life!

Confessions of a Converted Reader

I started collecting Children’s Literature my first year of college. Since then, I have steadily added to my Home Library each year. In the past I have been a reader of scriptures, parenting books, how-to manuals, self-help, and nutrition books.

Once in a while I would hear about those people who eat books for breakfast. Looking back, I think my dad was one of them… But, for those of you who HAVE been hearty readers your whole life… I have some catching up to do!

This past year I completed the first half of a 5 Pillar Certification Program which was created by George Wythe University. It was an inspiring and transforming experience and Wow - I believe in the power of self education! I have caught the reading bug and now “I cannot live without books” as Thomas Jefferson said.

"Because life and time are short, we will be able to read only a few thousand books in our lifetimes. When we pick any book, we are ruling out hundreds and thousands of other books. How important it is, then, to choose time-proven great books that will [uplift and transform us], and enable us to rise to greater levels of truth and beauty and insight and understanding and, hence, spirituality. Many great men and women have found that a steady, systematic approach to literature has enabled them to fill their beings, in a lifetime of good reading, with the great thoughts of men and women of all the ages, for through reading great books we are put in touch with the great minds of all time, and we become their spiritual and intellectual heirs.” George W. Pace

In the last 2 weeks, because I have a break from my 5 Pillar group, I have finished The Anatomy of Peace, listened to 3/4 of Pride and Prejudice and 1/2 of The 8th Habit by Steven Covey. I like to keep a "classic" going along with a "principle" book. I admit that I listen to the audio books of about 1/2 of what I read on my ipod and follow the actual book when I come to something I want to mark. By using audio books, I can do housework at the same time ~ gotta multi-task with a house full of 5 little ones! :)