What's New @ Rainey Academy

I've spent most of my summer preparing for a new school year....researching organization ideas for our homeschool and our home, new curriculums, etc.

The Lord continues to turn my heart toward home, toward my children, and teach me what it means to be a wife...I know it's a lifelong journey, but I pray that the lessons will be learned quickly.

So, here are a few new things in our home for this year:

1. The envelope/crate system (a version of the workbox system). Since we have no homeschool room, or the space for the workbox system, I decided on this idea. It's not original, and I'm sorry I can't remember where I saw it...but to whomoever blogged about it, thanks!!

so far, the girls love it! They have all said that they like knowing what to expect during the day, and knowing when their school day is over, and being able to go at their own pace.

About a month ago, I prepared lesson plans for August through December. it's the first time I've ever done this...it took me all day! Now, each night, I prepare a daily lesson plan for each of the girls and put it on a clipboard in their crate.

The envelopes are numbered and correspond with their daily plan. They simply check off what they've done as they progress.

This year's prayer for me is for CONSISTENCY! it's only the first week, but I'd like to still be doing this at the end of the year!

2. Weekly menu plan (soon to be monthly), posted in the pantry! What an amazing concept! Immediately, the question "what's for breakfast?" and the argument if they didn't like my answer has CEASED! Praise God! Now, they simply look at the menu...and if they don't like it, that's too bad! My rule is: you have to try it...if you still don't like it, then you're on your own.

3. On Sundays, we lay out clothes for each of the girls for the week! I bought one of those cloth closet shelves, and each shelf represents one day of the week! We no longer have arguments/meltdowns, etc. about what to wear in the morning...again, Praise God!

God has been so faithful to teach me. He's sent friends who have been so generous and patient in giving me ideas....He's led me to blogs where I learn also...and He's led me to His Word that continues to point me in the right direction!

I'm looking forward to a great year!

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Be an Eagle

It occurred to me recently that in order to "raise an eagle", one must first BE AN EAGLE.

this homeschooling journey has always been the "Potter's wheel" for me. It seems like the wheel's been spinning faster lately. Lots of change going on in the inside of this vessel.

When I first began to blog, I wrote about the eagle and all the lessons I was learning from this magnificent bird. It's been a while since I've thought about it. So, I'm going to revisit my lessons, and discover new ones. Especially since now it's clear to me that they're MY LESSONS...not just my girls'.

The eagle is an amazing bird....I have much to learn!

2 years ago, a friend's mom gave me what she called a Spider Lily. I was excited about it because I had just planted several different kinds of lilies in my front flower bed, and I didn't have a Spider Lily. I couldn't wait to see what it would look like. It never occurred to me to "google" it...so I didn't know what to expect.





Well, it didn't bloom that first spring. Nor did it bloom the next spring, though it did double! And this year, it doubled again. So, now I had 4 very pretty green leaved plants....but not one bloom. I asked my friend if Spider Lilies actually HAD a bloom...I was doubtful. She just laughed and said that her mom's were blooming :P





And, then, one morning last week, I woke to find THIS:

wow!!!! I'm thrilled!! THIS is a Spider Lily!! FINALLY!!!
And the next day, to my surprise, I found out that there are 8 blooms in 1 pod!! Amazing!!
so, now I have about 4 blooms.

And all of this made me think of how the Lord works in my life. He takes His time working on my foundation, making sure that I'm planted well. And before I begin to see fruit (the pretty stuff), I just may see the multiplication process. And to my surprise, the fruit will be MORE than I expected, too. I can't wait to see that!

dit...dots

dit...dots....that's what we used to call it when I was in high school....it's when we didn't want to use complete sentences....just phrases or words that would remind us of the comlete sentence.

since it's been so long since i've posted anything on this blog, i think it might be appropriate to use dit...dots. So here goes:

shift of priorities...focus on homeschool and girls' needs...handwriting....math...book club...new friends...co-op...drama...Pilgrim's Progress...King Midas....amazing talent in our co-op...Dh is tutoring English...I'm baking muffins...cleaning job...photography - learning the camera...no time to take pics...deliverance ministry!!...intercession...learning so much from the Lord...eye-opening lessons...miracles...amazing changes at home, in marriage, in parenting...no more caffeinated coffee...Parenting class...drama ministry at church...the list could go on...

So, now that this semester is over, and so is "King Midas," I'll be back to blog on occasion....as the need arises :) blessings to anyone who still checks my blog!

It's a...BOOK!!

After 9 months of consistent reading of hundreds of books and annotating them, Dave has finally birthed "Faith Reads"...his first book!!

I'm so proud of him! I really didn't know when it would arrive...it wasn't on my mind at all Monday morning. Alyssa entered the room with a box she had "found on our doorstep". I asked her who it was from...after a little searching, she read "Greenwood Publishing". (Deep sigh) "Oh. my. goodness! It's Daddy's book!!" Lots of shrills and leaping about ensued...we were all so excited! I didn't know I'd be so happy to see it :) But I am...

In case you're wondering what kind of book it is...it's a bibliography of Christian Non-fiction, a reference book to find books written by Christians on almost every topic you can think of. It's a first of it's kind. Although it'll be sold mainly to libraries, I think it would be a wonderful tool for any Christian. If you've ever walked into a library or bookstore and were clueless as to what to read, then thought you'd like a book on...say, home decorating...written by a Christian...but didn't know how to find that and neither did the librarian or book store clerk, then this book would be your friend.

And...if you're as excited about it as we are...please tell everyone about it. You may even ask your local bookstore or library if they have it yet! Thanks in advance if you do!

Set Me Free!

Jedi Squirrels

I got this pic in an email and laughed really hard because I think the squirrels in my yard have those abilities!

But, after laughing, I realized that it's true in my life as a Christian, too.

I have a powerful sword that I can not see...the Word of God! I may look like these squirrels with the natural eye, but when I wield my sword, I can do some damage in the heavenlies.

These squirrels don't care what they look like - believe me they do. not. care.

And, if I stop caring what other people will think and use my Sword as if I believe that it's powerful and that it's REAL, then great and wonderful things will happen.

God always responds to belief! It's what He searches for in the hearts of His children and when He finds it, He smiles and responds.