Joanne Heim

One more week of school, Greek final, holding on till Christmas break

We're plowing through our Monday afternoon of school. Mondays are typically long days around what Audrey calls the Heim Homeschool Academy. Not sure why that is, but it is. Don't get me wrong: Longer Mondays (and Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays) mean we have three-day weekend every week. So it's totally worth it.

I'm glad that a number of books and unit studies are wrapping up this week, because after Thursday we are taking two weeks off for Christmas. I had thought we'd take only a one-week break, but we need more. So that's what we're doing.

Oh, and we'll be memorizing Galatians 5:22-23 this week--the fruit of the Spirit. Keeping in mind as we do that it is to the Father's glory that we bear MUCH fruit. Lord, an abundant harvest is what we're praying in our hearts and in our family.

My Greek final and last class for the semester is tomorrow night. So I'm not going anywhere without a stack of flashcards. Greek is a two-semester class, so at the end of January I'll be back to Tuesday nights at seminary. I love being in school--crazy love it--but I am ready for a break.

I'll be popping in throughout the week for a few quick updates that have been requested--haven't forgotten if you've emailed me!--but I'll mostly be focusing on finishing our week strong so we can head into Friday with a clean slate.

Hope your Monday's going well. (Or your Tuesday if this popped into your inbox on Tuesday morning.)

Joanne

P.S. It's almost 60 degrees in Denver today. Weird, weird, weird. Where's the SNOW?!

Ms. Grammar

That's what my professor called me last night in class. And I kinda liked it. Got the nickname because I knew what an appositive was in the translation when it was my turn. Funny, because the girls and I just learned it yesterday in our grammar lesson.

(We do identify parts of speech in our grammar curriculum, but so far we're not diagramming sentences, though I wish we were. I think it's actually pretty fun. Yes, yes, I know. But there are some of you out there who think it's fun too. Right?!)

Can't wait until the girls get up so I can tell them it showed up in my class. It's funny how often things we study in grammar show up in my Greek class that same week. The fact that they know what an antecedent is when grown-ups in my class sometimes don't makes them feel really, really smart.

And feeling smart makes them want to learn more. Pretty neat how that works.

***

P.S. I loved hearing where you keep your library books.

P.S.2. And I also loved hearing about your Christmas decorating plans. There's snow outside this morning (not much, but the lawn is lightly covered) and it's making me wonder if today would be a good day to decorate for Christmas. And also wonder if I should skip my run and just stay in my jammies and have school by the fire and under an afghan.

Saw someone's Twitter (think it was yours, Miss Chris) about loving twinkle lights. Which makes me want to put some up. And which also makes me think about You've Got Mail. Which I did end up watching the other day after all.

P.S.3. I think I've officially crossed the line into rambling on. So I'll just stop now and say,

"Happy Wednesday, bloggy friends!"

Well, hello Wednesday!

Today's really our Monday despite being Wednesday. Toben and Emma were gone all weekend through late last night, so though the girls did some school stuff on their own, today's the first official day of school this week.

So we've been parked in front of the fire, reading, reading, and reading some more in preparation for all of the on their own stuff the girls will work on tomorrow morning while I go speak to the MOPS group at Cherry Hills Community Church.

My notes are highlighted and marked up just the way I like them, and I ::think:: I have an outfit all picked out. 

Then I'm going to do my darndest to get Audrey to take a nap before she and Toben head to the TobyMac concert tomorrow night. Nope, I don't think it'll work either, but I'm going to give it a shot!

Emma does not love the late nights (which it will definitely be), so she and I had planned to stay home and have a night all to ourselves. Which is good, since she came home from San Diego with a horrible cold. I'm feeding her lots of Juice Plus and cold medicine, and wiping down every hard surface she touches with antibacterial wipes.

What else is happening around here?

• I'm making chicken hero for dinner, which is like a hot open-faced chicken salad sandwich that is just yummy. 
• The fireplace has been on ALL day. Except for when Toben came in and turned it off. Then Audrey turned it right back on again.
• I got a 99 percent on my Greek midterm!
• I've been crafty--some of which I'll share, other stuff is a secret until Christmas.
• We're still in massive documentary mode around here. Audrey and I watched a National Geographic one about Siberian tigers the other night. Fascinating. At any point, in any conversation, about anything at all, you're likely to hear, "Did you know...?" from us. We are officially documentary nerds.
• Toben and Audrey are headed to church tonight to hear Ryan speak. I'd love to go, but with Emma's cold such as it is, she and I are staying home and going to bed early.
• Other than that, I could totally go for a huge, gooey caramel apple covered in dark chocolate swirls and nuts. Doesn't that sound good?

Think that's about it. Hope your evening will involve your favorite pjs and an early bedtime!

Midterm

My Greek midterm was last night, so once I was done I got to come home early, put on my flannel pjs, turn on the fire in my room, and crawl under the clean sheets with a book. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

I am one of those geek-y girls who doesn't mind tests or quizzes, who (dare I admit it?) actually kinda likes them. Pretty pencils, neat writing, filling in blanks, demonstrating what you've learned. I think it's fun.

I love to learn.

Whether it's about a place we're passing as we take a road trip (hello, iPhone, how I love thee for this most of all!),

how beavers build a dam from an IMAX documentary (did you know that a pair of beavers will fell more about 400 trees in a year? and that they make noise all the time? little, cute, talking noises?),

how our bodies work (I love our science books--we use lots of Usbourne books that have tons of cool internet links for almost every page),

or how a cathedral is built (it's been a while since I read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet--what a great book!)

...I love that we never have to stop learning.

I was thinking the other morning about being made in God's image, reflecting that image. And wondering if part of the way we reflect his omniscience (knowing EVERYTHING) is by delighting in learning.

What have you learned lately?
Leave a "Did you know..." comment for the rest of us!

Monday stuff

Happy Monday bloggy peeps!

I can't tell you how much nicer Mondays are without laundry and housecleaning in them. I'm so loving coming into the weekend and Monday mornings with everything in order. 

We had a great weekend around here--lots of resting, lots of documentaries on Netflix, lots of crocheting.

Not to mention a fabulous leaf-hunting walk with Emma on Saturday afternoon. We explored some new paths in the neighborhood and delighted in the season. "I love fall, Mom," she said. "It's my favorite." Me too.

(I do have some pictures, but they're on the camera in the other room and I'm happily ensconced in my chair by the fire.)

Oh! And it RAINED last night. Enough to hear it on the roof. Which I totally love a whole bunch.

So...

1. We studied Antarctica in geography last week and watched this from Netlflix last night all snuggled in bed. Wow. WOW. It's only 40 minutes long, but it was amazing. Incredible.

I tell you what...that's perseverance. Endurance. Courage. Leadership.

2. Netflix also has a bunch of National Geographic stuff on instant watch these days. I highly recommend these:

  

I think I may have discovered a new favorite film genre. 

3. While watching all these, I crocheted away. I'm making this out of some gray alpaca wool in my stash. I hope I have enough yarn--it's going to be close.

The free pattern is here, though you do have to start a free membership to access it.

4. We had friends for dinner on Saturday night--two couples and their two kids each. Twelve of us in all. Emma and I made an apple pie and a cherry pie for dessert. And while I am super loyal to apple pie, the cherry was so super yummy that I'll be making another. Soon. Really soon.

5. I caved and turned on the heat on Saturday morning. It hasn't run much, but it's on. I love the smell the first time you turn on the heat in the fall.

6. Greek midterm tomorrow night. Flashcards are my best friend.

So, what's up with you?

***

Oh, and we'll be adding verses 11 and 12 to Psalm 91 this week for Memory Monday.

Elk Fest, Memory Monday, cleaning off my camera

Get ready for a little bit of random...

We went up to Estes Park for Elk Fest on Saturday, leaving the house by about 8 and getting home just as it was getting dark. Such a fun day! We went two years ago and stayed for the weekend with some friends--and went with the same friends this weekend.

Two years ago, we saw lots more elk and lots more rain and it was lots more cold.

I love looking back to see how much the girls have grown. Though it makes me miss my pigtails.

This year, it was sunny and beautiful and we had a picnic by the river, walked around Sprague Lake (well, Emma and Alec ran around the lake), and oohed and aahed at the leaves.

While we were in town this year, the nice gal at the great coffee shop told us about a glassblowers we had to go see. So we did. And we all agreed it was one of our favorite parts of the day. While we watched, she told us all about what she was doing. Fascinating! And HOT. Makes me think about Shadrach, Mesach, and Abednigo. (I think I totally spelled those names wrong.)

On the way up, I downloaded the Hipstamatic app for my phone and played with the different options all day. Kinda fun. The sky was not nearly this ominous in real life, but it sure looks neat.

This is an elk jam. When the traffic does this inside Rocky Mountain National Park, you know it's time to get out your camera.

As fun as the effects are, sometimes you just need a picture to show what fall in Colorado really looks like!

***

Moving on...

We'll be adding the next two verses to Psalm 91 for Memory Monday this week and practicing Psalm 91:1-10. And I need to change it on the sidebar before I forget!

***

And here's some random photos from my camera, just because...

Saw this out the window the other day and it just made me so happy!

This is my Greek study buddy:

And this helps me learn--putting blank charts and such inside sheet protectors so I can write on them with a dry erase marker. It works great for learning maps and multiplication tables too. Anything you need to test again and again without wasting tons of paper. Going to use this for the girls and grammar, I think.

Okay, think that's it for today. Toben's stirring and I'm off for another cup of coffee.

Hope you had a great weekend and happy Monday!

 

Mnemonic devices

I am all for coming up with all kinds of goofy anythings to help my kids (and myself!) remember stuff. 

When Audrey had to learn the state capitals, we made flashcards and crazy sayings for as many of the states as we could.

For example: St. Paul, Minnesota

Saint Paul was a missionary and so he couldn't afford a big soda and had to buy a mini soda. 

Get it?

Some were much shorter.

For example: Dover, Delaware

Double D!

That was enough to help us remember that one.

We do it with spelling too.

We go TOGETHER TO GET HER.

CLOSE the T in the CLOSET.

We do it with Bible verses.

Philippians 4:8-9 tells us to think on whatever is TNR PLA EP. True, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy.

And now I'm doing it with Greek.

This word means "I say; I speak" and is pronounced "lego."

How to I remember it? I say: Lego my ego!

And this one means "crowd, multitude" and is pronounced "ochlos."

So I remember this even though the pronunciation is not quite right: A crowd of ox was eating lox.

And my favorite for this week?

This word means "house, home" and is pronounced "oykia."

What else could it be but this: Oy! Go to IKEA to decorate your house!

Silly, but it works.

I write them on all of my flashcards.

(And, yes, there are supposed to be accent marks on those words, but I've not figured out how to get them on their with this font yet.)

Memory Monday: How to memorize and Psalm 91:1-2

I got a question the other day from Jen about how I actually memorize using my verse cards. I thought it might make a good post--and give ya'll the opportunity to chime in so we can all encourage each other and share what works!

So here are my top three tips:

1. GET IT IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE.

A verse in my Bible will stay a verse in my Bible rather than a verse on my heart if I don't get it in front of my face. Even an open Bible can be distracting with so many words on the page.

For me, this means a verse card I can keep on the computer screen, by the kitchen sink, on the dash in the car. (And when it comes to memorizing Scripture, it helps me to put it in the first person.) We make our verse cards on the computer and print them out on 3 x 5 cards. Mine are usually pretty plain, but the girls like to change the typefaces, add color, and such.

Here's my latest idea for getting Greek grammar stuck in my head--write it in the shower with dry erase marker. Toben got in the shower the other morning to find this. (Terrible photo--didn't turn and kinda blurry, but you get the idea!)

 

You could write on your mirror. Or on your fridge, if you have a white fridge. Or on your kitchen window.

2. REPEAT.

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Someone once told me that repetition is the key to long-term memory. And it's true. You must repeat whatever you're learning every day. 

Say it morning, noon, and night. Every time you get a drink. Every time you take a break from a task. Every time you hit a red light. Think of something you do often that could be a reminder to say your verse (or the chart of Greek articles or noun endings!).

As a guideline, the Bible curriculum we use for homeschooling says to say the verse aloud a minimum of two times a day. I think it needs to be more. We each read the verse out loud twice--looking at it until we know it. Trying to say it when it's not yet memorized and getting it wrong tends to get the wrong stuck in our heads. Look at it until you know it! Which leads to number 3...

3. USE AS MANY SENSES AS POSSIBLE.

Look at it while you say it.

Say it out loud. Even if you feel like a dork. Use expression. Set it to music if that helps.

Pay attention to the sound of your voice as you hear yourself say it.

Move while you say it. Goofy hand motions. Jumping jacks. Jump rope. Sounds silly, but it helps your memory. I could find an article to prove my point, but I'll let you look it up if you don't believe me. ;)

***

All that said, the girls and I are memorizing Psalm 91 over the next weeks. We're focusing on a few verses at a time. So this past week we worked on verses 1-2 and will add the next few today.

  

***

What are you memorizing? How do you memorize? What works best for you?

 

 

September 1

I love the word "September"--makes me think of woodsmoke and leaves changing and freshly sharpened pencils. Not to mention reams of notebook paper and three-ring binders. Flashcards and book bags and highlighters, oh my!

I started seminary again last night. Which is good. Because for some reason I was so sure my class was on Monday. So sure that it's marked on all the calendars for Mondays, but when I got there on Monday night I couldn't find my classroom to save my life. That's because, um, well, my class is on TUESDAY. Needless to say, that didn't make me feel very smart.

But I went last night and found my classroom right away. And am so excited to begin Greek! I'll be packing my flashcards and workbook today.

Packing because we are headed to Wyoming tomorrow to meet Mom and Dad and the girls who have been camping in the Tetons since last weekend. Mom said to be sure to pack art supplies to try to capture some of the beautiful stunning-ness. So I'll be packing our art curriculum too and I think we'll have our first art lesson outdoors.

Here's where we're going in case you're a little rusty on your Wyoming geography:

 

We'll be heading into Yellowstone while we're there too (see how they touch?) and I'm so excited to see Old Faithful. I know I've been to Yellowstone and the Tetons before--but I don't remember it very well and cannot wait. I totally want to be a camping family who visits every single one of our national parks.

This--or something like it--is what's on our wish list these days:

 

So today I'll be packing my camping pants and hoodies and down vest and hiking backpack and some really warm jammies. It's been in the 30s at night up there--can't wait to sit around the campfire.

Found this photo of the Tetons--I AM SO EXCITED!

 

***

What are your plans for Labor Day weekend?

It's all Greek to me!

I start seminary again in a couple of weeks and as it gets closer (and now that I have textbooks in hand not to mention cute pencils from my friend Ali) I'm getting super excited. I love to learn!

I'm just taking one class this semester to ease back into school--especially since we are homeschooling again this year. Toben is encouraging me not to spread myself too thin and I'm listening to him. (There's more to that, but that's another post.)

All that to say, I'm taking Greek on Monday nights.

So I've already started learning the alphabet (alpha, beta, gamma, delta...) and some grammar (breathing marks, dipthongs, and diaeresis) and have begun some of the worksheets in my workbook. I figure if I can have the alphabet down by the time class starts, I'll be good to go. 

Because eta looks like an "n" but makes a long "a" sound. And nu makes the "n" sound but looks like a "v." Not to mention some letters like xi (no idea how to say that one!) which look like funny squiggles. I totally love it.

 

Here's the super fun part of it. I've wanted to add a foreign language to our homeschool curriculum, but don't really like the options I've found so far. I do have a degree in French (and actually used it for my first job out of college--worked for a French software company in Paris for a summer), but without a good curriculum, I'm not sure about teaching the girls French.

Then my friend Wendy said, "Aren't you taking Greek this fall? Why don't you juts teach them Greek?"

Well, duh!

So Audrey and Emma are learning biblical Greek this fall too. I figure I should do well in the class if I'm coming home and teaching the girls what I'm learning at the same time. Nothing like teaching something to make you really, really learn it!

And truth is, I use Greek (even though I haven't learned it yet!) with some regularity. Word studies in my quiet time are one of my favorite things to do, so I figure it'll come in handy for the girls too.

And how neat for them to be able to read the New Testament in Greek at 9 and 12. How cool is that?

Memory Monday: Psalm 34:3 and a peek at the week ahead

Psalm 34:3

Glorify the LORD with me;

let us exalt his name together!

You know the cool thing about this verse? It's who is being invited to glorify God with me. Verse two tells us it's the afflicted. That when we boast in the Lord, the afflicted hear and rejoice and then are invited to exalt God's name with us. Pretty cool, huh?

For next week? I think I'll start learning Ephesians 3:14-21. It's a long one, so it'll take a few weeks, but this is one of those that I sorta, kinda know and would like to really know by heart.

(Leave a link or a comment with your verse if you learned one this week. And click on the button in the sidebar if you'd like to join in!)

Today is the beginning of the last week of my semester at seminary. I'm handing in a big paper this afternoon and doing an oral presentation to go along with it. Then I'll get up tomorrow and start studying for my OT Prophets final on Friday. It's going to be a doozy.

Audrey's in the school play this week, so she has rehearsal everyday after school with a performance on Thursday night. (That means Emma and I will get some good after school reading time together--we're loving the Cam Jansen mysteries. We take turns reading a chapter out loud.) 

Then Friday is field day. And next week is the girls' last week of school, but they're going to end up missing most of the week since we're going to Phoenix. We all need to be there and this was the only week that worked.

Gotta go get lunches packed. (Can I just say that one reason I'm excited about homeschooling is not having to pack lunches?! We're in a baloney rut.)

I really want to write a nice long post

Instead, I'm just popping in to say a quick hello. I'm at the library at the seminary working away on retreat preparation. I'm really excited about what God is teaching me--things I've jotted down here and there over the past few weeks. 

But it's hard to speak from post-its and scribbled notes here, there, and everywhere, so I'm working on getting it put together in an organized fashion!

I'm going to hang out here until it's time to get the girls from school. There aren't distractions here--unless you count zillions of books!--the way there are at home, and you're not allowed to eat in the library, which is good too. :)

We'll head home and maybe go for a walk to enjoy some of our lovely sunshine and warm weather, then it's into jammies and waiting for Toben to come home tonight.

He's been gone all this week and I'm excited to sit down face to face to talk more about all that's going on in our life right now. Phone calls and skype are nice, but it's just not the same.

Anyway, hi and I hope you're all having a great Friday!

Joanne

P.S. I was thinking about Frugal Friday and just have a quick comment to share. Since we've cut WAY back on being consumers and stepped up our recycling, I'm astounded at how little trash we have on trash day. This morning, there was only one trash can--and it was only half full. Used to be two full cans every week!

Phew!

Made it through the day: chapel, run to the Girl Scout store, class for two hours, Girl Scout meeting with Emma's troop. Home. Deep breath.

Catch up on email, help Emma with homework, gather leftovers for dinner. Eat dinner. Watch Toben clean it up. (Dishes=boy job in this house!) Deep breath.

Mondays with Girl Scouts just wear me out. Though to be honest, I couldn't stop yawning in class. Sorry to my professor! I was really interested in what she was saying, was loving it, but every once in a while I just had to yawn. One of those big yawns that you can't stifle. I so hope she didn't notice. 

Cause how awful is it to have your class/audience/group yawn at you?!

Speaking of talking to a bunch of people...keep the amazing input coming. I'm LOVING all your help and advice for this retreat and if I can manage to cover it all no one will be yawning because I'll have to talkreallyreallyreallyfast to get it all in! 

I'm seeing some themes, some big ideas come up again and again. So, so helpful. Thank you a zillion.

Audrey stayed home from school today--fever is better, but the cough is crazy. So she's staying home again tomorrow. No way she'll take it easy if she's at school with her friends. Besides, with all that coughing, no amount of covering her mouth is going to keep her from spreading germs. So, here's a big "you're welcome" to all the other parents in her class.

I was supposed to have a secret club meeting tomorrow, but one friend (Hi Kristin--feel better soon!) is fighting what her son has, so we're calling off our movie day. Which equals an empty day on the calendar.

My other friend (Hi Yvette!) said I could come anyway, but since I do have some big papers to write and we are going to hang out on Saturday (we're going to see 17 Again), this is probably best. Which means my day is full again--but a staying home kind of full.

Prayers for a productive day tomorrow would be greatly appreciated!

I'm still yawning, so I'm thinking it's time for some "reverse sleeping in." 

Since I don't sleep in and can't really sleep in on a school day even if I could somehow stay asleep past 6:30, when I'm really tired I do the opposite and go to bed ridiculously early. Yes, yes, I know that some of you think that I go to bed ridiculously early already, but we're talking before 8 kind of early, rather than a by 9 kind of early, which is a perfectly respectable hour to go to bed in my book.

Just think of it as sleeping nice and late, but flipped backwards.

NIghty-night!

Okay, I've got 11 minutes...

...until I need to go get the girls from school. But I wanted to pop in and say hi.

It's gorgeous here in Denver today. In fact, I've been sitting on the back deck with my feet up, reading Jeremiah for my prophets class and Zepheniah for my hermeneutics class. Lovely!

Went to class today and learned about Isaiah. Such good stuff. This class (my prophets class) is rocking my world. I just finished an assignment that I'm thinking about posting here. We'll see if I can frame it in a way that makes sense.

Then I passed my mom while I was driving down the road and called her and she turned around and came and took me out to lunch. Very fun. Some of you know my mom and can attest that she pretty much rocks. It was a hard lesson for me, but I've learned to share. So if you need a mom, I'm willing to share and will even be nice about it. (Which is a whole other story for another day.)

I've been jamming out to some great music today. (Do people still say "jammin' out"? Probably not. Oh well. I'm clearly a child of the 80s.) You know, I've not really been listening to much music lately--and it shows. I've said before that listening to good music--praise music--helps set my heart. And I know it. And yet I haven't. Not too smart. Already my heart feels lighter and more full of joy.

Toben's in Phoenix--why I'm getting the girls from school. Somehow I have a hard time getting them to school on time in the morning. But we had minutes to spare this morning. It was so nice!

Do you ever read the Bible and look at the Israelites or the disciples and think, "They were so dumb!"? Or like Jesus says in The Message, "Are you being willfully stupid?" (Love that!) Often I feel so superior and like I so would have got it. But the truth is that I'm just as stupid as they were. 

I'm not getting down on myself, but just stating a fact. I see myself more and more in their not getting it.

Take the Israelites. They'd just walked through the Red Sea on dry ground for crying out loud! And yet they doubted God's ability to give them a little drink. Here's God who's so clearly in control of water and they're afraid a desert might hold him back somehow.

But I do the same thing. God has done amazing miracles in our life. And yet I come up against something and doubt his ability to work. I've been spending quite a bit of time confessing my doubt and unbelief the past day or so and asking him to help me trust him more. To stand back and wait for him to act instead of making my own plans in case he doesn't come through.

Silly, but true.

God can do anything. There's nothing in your life too big or too hard or too overwhelming or too impossible for him to make right. In fact, maybe he's thinking, Great! Here's an opportunity to really show her what I can do! 

Maybe we need to get out of the way and let him do it.

Spring Break Plans

So it's Monday morning on spring break week for me. (The girls have spring break next week, which is actually going to work out okay.) And while I wish this was what I was doing this week:

(Ahh...I love Kaui!)

Or even this:

(I haven't touched my machine since I started seminary!)

Instead, I will be doing this:

And dealing with this pile on my desk:

(Sorry for all those blurry photos, let's hope my thinking is a bit clearer!)

I'm going to tackle some papers and get lots of reading done for the second half of the semester. And speak at chapel at the girls' school on Thursday morning. And get my hair cut. And go shopping on Friday with my mother as a reward for doing all that other stuff. 

And in order to do that, I'm going to uplug. Not the whole computer, since I need that to write papers and do research. But I am going to take a blogging break for the next week. And a Facebook break. And a break from my Google reader.

I'd appreciate your prayers--for clear and critical thinking, for discipline to use my time wisely, for good communication with the kids on Thursday morning. And I'll be back in a week!

Schedule

Somehow when people tell me that I'm so busy, it freaks me out. My first response is "No, I'm not." But if by busy, you mean I have stuff to do, then well, yes, I am. And so are you, I'm guessing.

But if by busy, you mean too much to do, then well, no I'm not. Because I have time to do all I need to do, read for fun, spend a whole day with a friend, and still go to bed by 9.

I think I'm finally hitting my stride with my spring semester. After the intensity of January, it took me a while to figure out what I was supposed to be doing. I spent lots of time just wandering around my house when I was home alone, not sure what to do. Do you do that?

I'm taking two classes right now. Monday from 1-3, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30-10:45. Not too bad. I have reading assignments for both classes--quite a bit of reading, but I read quickly and am completely fascinated by what I'm reading, so it doesn't feel like homework. (I usually go to chapel at the seminary on Mondays, so I'm there from 11-3 most Mondays, which makes it my busiest day.)

I also have one lab assignment for my Monday class--interpreting a Scripture passage and interacting with other students on line about it. That's also been fun and interesting, so there's no "Ugh. I have to do my homework" kind of a feeling.

Tuesdays are wide open. Thursday mornings I go to chapel at the girls' school and then stay for prayer group after. Then the afternoon is wide open.

We don't really schedule anything on Saturdays, so I usually get to stay in my jammies for the day. Sundays we go to church and then have lunch with another family, and are home by ourselves by about 3:15.

That's it. 

(Oh, and Girl Scouts twice a month. But that's it.)

I'm actually feeling like I'd like to be taking at least one more class; somehow I think it would help me be a little more focused on school. But this is working for now.

Toben is still helping out a TON. He's doing the laundry and cleaning upstairs and cooking most Mondays--especially Girl Scout Mondays, since I don't get home until after 5. I'm doing the menu planning, grocery shopping, and downstairs cleaning.

All in all, I think we're doing okay with this schedule. But I haven't had any major exams or papers yet. I might change my tune come mid-March!

Wow!

Thank you for all the kind words and congratulations! You guys make me grin like crazy. In fact, I'm sitting here in my pjs in the dark with the biggest smile plastered across my face after going through my email just now.

So many of you headed right to Amazon to buy one. Thank you! When you buy from The Simple Wife bookshop (that button over there -->) I do earn a portion of the proceeds back. Not much, but every little bit helps run a household, doesn't it?

I so want to take the time to write a thank you to each one of you--several of whom I've not really "met" yet. But Toben's out of town and I'm back on carpool duty and since I'm going straight to my school after dropping the girls at their school, well, I need to shower and get dressed. Not sure I want to go to my first OT Prophets class in my turquoise jammies with giant strawberries all over them, though they are cute jammies!

By they way, our grades on the final posted for my January class. I got 100 percent! Again! Please know that I'm not bragging, but just so thrilled that my first class went so well. I was the only Old Testament major in the class, so it just feels like confirmation to know that I mastered the subject matter for the first class in my major. I love learning and being a student and get up every day thanking God for this opportunity, asking him to help me learn and retain and apply what I'm learning.

In a nutshell, I'm a nerd. I got ridiculously excited about taking my Trapper Keeper to class with me on Monday, and am thrilled at the thought of going to the office supply store to buy more notebook paper! What can I say? Pens and post-its and paper clips and clipboards make me glad. :)

I want to tell you about my other class this semester--Effective Biblical Interpretation, which is also called hermeneutics. Herman who? I think that lame joke is why they probably changed the name of the class.

Anyway, I have a homework assignment due for it on Monday and know that I want to tell you more about it when I have some extra time. The professor said something like, "This class will be the foundation for all your classes at seminary and will have the greatest impact on your life as a Christian." 

I sort of wanted to write it down and felt a little bit like Anne Shirley listening to Miss Stacey on her first day at the Avonlea school. (If that totally doesn't make sense to you, you really need to put all of the Anne of Green Gables books at the tippy top of your reading list! I'll go put them in the bookshop.)

Okay, well, that got way longer than I'd anticipated. Thanks for sticking with it this far! Praying for you, that God's power and joy will be manifest in your life today. That as you go about whatever's on your list this Wednesday that there will be something in you that draws others in and makes them want what you have. He has crowned you with everlasting joy; the book of Isaiah says so. (Not just a tiara, but a CROWN!) Wear it today and let it shine and sparkle!

Memory Monday: 2 Corinthians 9:8

Thanks for all your birthday wishes for Emma; I read each one to her and know she was amazed all the love and prayers you sent her way.

And I've loved reading about your Miss America talents. You know, no one played a musical instrument at the pageant. I especially loved the crafting talents you all mentioned, as well as stretching a food budget and creative uses for ground beef. Not sure what the judges would think. And I loved Janine's fantasy talent, complete with flaming batons and red boots. Makes me think of "Miss Congeniality"!

I still haven't come up with anything I could do that would count...but I'm not gonna let it get me down!

So, Memory Monday...

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will be equipped for abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Oh dear, I didn't review this morning and flubbed it! 

I'd like to pick a new verse and move on, but I think this is one I need to really know. So I'm going to give it another try this week.

Did you do yours? Leave a comment and link to your specific post. Want to join in? Everything you need to know is here.

***

My spring semester starts today. I'll be taking two classes and going to school Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I have chapel today and my first Effective Biblical Interpretation class. 

Class is over at 2:50; Emma's Brownie meeting starts at 3. Luckily I have an awesome co-leader who is okay with me coming a few minutes late each meeting.

I'm off to the Girl Scout store this morning to get the badges they'll be earning, so I'd better go get cleaned up and dressed and get this day rolling.

Happy Monday everyone!

My day

Get up

Quiet time and coffee

Shower and dressed

Breakfast with the girls (we're reading Chrissa, the new American Girl book)

Say goodbye to the girls

Do my hair (braids today)

Last minute studying before leaving at 8:25

Drive to school

Sing loud ("Count it all joy!")

(Yes, I'm wearing flip flops...January in Denver is weird!)

Paint nails at a red light 

Notice lovely view--love those mountains!

Sing loud some more

(Yes, I'm still Ringing those Bells!)

Arrive at school

Head to my classroom...one of the first ones to arrive

Take two tests

Take lots of notes

Attend review session for Friday's final

Buy last book for spring semester classes

Just after 3 o'clock...time to go home

Sing loud some more

("Freedom's calling, chains are falling!")

Arrive at home

Read with Emma

Study some more

Eat yummy spaghetti that Toben made

Study some more

Blog

Now I need to go roll Audrey's hair and then study some more

Then GO TO BED!

Good morning, good morning, good morning! It's time to rise and shine!

(Did any of you listen to Bullfrogs and Butterflies when you were little? And The Music Machine? Loved those! In fact, I have them on CD for my girls and they like them too. My mom used to wake us up with the good morning song and I must admit, I wake my girls up with it too. That and the good morning song from Singing in the Rain. I think I've told you that before, so if this seems familiar, just skip this paragraph. Oops, too late!)

For those of you not on Facebook (or on Facebook but we're not "friends" there yet--send a request with a note!), you may have noticed my status update yesterday. It went like this: I LOVE SEMINARY!!!!!! (And, yes, I used about that many exclamations points, something I rarely do.)

Anyway, I really do love it!

I was talking to a friend the other day (one of the TWO conversations I've had on the phone in the past two weeks other than my parents) and she was asking how I'm doing with this intensive class and completely new schedule. I told her that I'm thriving.

I am so energized by the whole experience of being back in the classroom and I just love it, love it, love it! In fact, I walked into the classroom yesterday morning and said good morning to one of the other students. He looked at me funny and said, "You seem happy." He sounded confused. (We had a test yesterday and there's a monster midterm this morning.) 

The thing is, I am happy. I love getting up and going to school every morning. I feel so blessed and honored to have this opportunity to learn more about the Old Testament. The class is not at all what I was expecting (I thought it would be more of a survey of the wisdom books, noting things like authorship, themes, and so on). We've learned all about history and archaeology and where the canon on the Old Testament comes from. About Masoretic and Septuagint text traditions, about documentary hypothesis, form criticism, and more.

There are lots of dates and names and references and details to know by heart for the midterm today, but it's so fascinating that I don't mind at all.

Toben's done such an amazing job cooking and cleaning and such, that I've had time to study and help the girls with their homework and read to them and play games even, and the latest I've been up at night since I started school is 8:30. I'm rested and feeling great.

If all this enthusiasm is making you tired, well, I just wanted to give you an update and thank you for your prayers for rest and energy and intelligence and all that, because God is answering. Being in school fits. And I feel like this is where God wants me to be.

And for those of you who aren't in this kind of place, who are wondering about God's purpose and direction and plans for you, who are exhausted and discouraged and tired and lonely, please know that you are in my prayers. I've been there and I know how hard it is.

God is at work. He never wastes anything. And for those who love him and are called according to his purpose, he promises to work it all for good. What others intend for harm, God uses for good. He is Immanuel, God with you--whether it feels like it or not.

For those of you whose needs I know, I pray for you specifically--by name and by need--each week. And if you'd like some prayer, leave a comment below, or send me an email (thesimplewife [at] aol.com) if you'd rather be more anonymous to the rest of the world.

I have about 30 minutes before the girls get up, so I'm off to review my study notes again. My test isn't until 10 o'clock this morning, so I'll be studying after they leave for school today too. Then I'm coming home and putting on my jammies to celebrate!

Some of what I've been learning

So I've been learning lots so far--things like how the canon of the Old Testament came to be, the narrative of the Pentateuch, textual criticism, and more. There are lots of manuscript titles, dates, and names of people and places I've never heard of.

But in the midst of that there have been some gems--some things that have made me think "ooh! ooh!" even though some of them have been mentioned only in passing.

Like this...

The Garden of Eden can be seen in terms of sanctuary imagery that is later reflected in both the tabernacle and the temple and ultimately in the New Jerusalem in Revelation. Think tree of life represented by the menorah and also in the new Jerusalem. Cherubim guarding the entrance of the garden and also found in the Holy of Holies on the Ark. The presence of water in the garden, the pool outside the temple, and then the river flowing from the New Jerusalem. Fruit in the garden and then embroidered all over the tabernacle hangings.

And then, having done Beth's "A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place," seeing those things also fulfilled and reflected in Jesus. I really love seeing Scripture as a whole--as one continuous story with threads that weave in and out for the entirety. So very cool.

It's things like that that make me so excited to be going to seminary.

Okay, gotta run, class starts in five minutes--but I wanted to tell you something I found incredible!

Thank you, Toben!

I'm at school and have just a few minutes before class starts--and my second test. I can't remember if I've mentioned that this class I'm taking for the next three weeks is an intensive class--every day for three hours. Thus all the tests right in a row. It's a whole semester of work crammed into three weeks.

There is absolutely no way I could do this if it weren't for Toben. He's doing--are you ready for this?--all the cooking, cleaning, laundry, carpooling, grocery shopping. I'm taking care of Sunday dinners and packing lunches. Is he awesome or what?

Even though I'm getting the majority of my reading and shool work done before I come home (I'm staying at school until three o'clock each day), I get to come home to a clean house, spend time with the girls and help them with homework, and then sit down to a dinner I didn't have to cook.

He's made tostadas and burgers so far, and it's all been delicious. He's set the table, had the girls help, lit candles, and then cleaned it all up when it's done.

What a guy!

All that to say, I love you, Toben. And I appreciate all your doing to make this dream come true for me. You are the greatest!

Okay, gotta run to the restroom and take a quick glance at my study notes before class starts. Bye!

Phew!

What a whirlwind of a day! I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all the work to be done, but am excited and ready to get at it. Which is good, because my first test is TOMORROW!

I've already done most of the reading (textbooks, articles, and Genesis 1-25) and have just another couple of assignments for tomorrow that won't be covered on the test. And I need to find some index cards to help me study.

But I just had to pop in really quick to say thank you for all your prayers and comments--here, in my email, on Facebook--ya'll floor me. Literally. I'm falling on the floor, humbled and thankful for your prayers. You minister to me and bless me like you wouldn't believe. I love you!

I got home to a gazillion email and realize that for the next three weeks of this intensive class, I'm just not going to be able to respond like I'd like to. So if you don't hear from me or get a response to your comments, that's why.

But keep 'em coming! I read every single one and they mean so much to me.

Please, keep on praying. For me to manage my time well so that my girls and my husband get the attention they need from me, for me to be able to stay up later and night and to think clearly past 7:30 p.m., to get enough rest, for continued health, for God to make me smart enough to soak in all that I'm learning.

Thank you for being part of my life!

OT 511

Here's the stack of books for my first seminary class that begins NEXT MONDAY! (I'm just a little bit excited. Well, a lot. As you know if you've talked to me lately. I can't shut up about it!)

I just started a list of everything to pack in my bag, and I need to get my lunchbox (red plaid, metal) from the basement later today and wash it. And that's a pack of Bic Crystals on top--my all-time favorite pens. I go through them pretty quick.

I'm taking OT 511: Understanding Early Israel and Its Wisdom Literature. Here's what the course catalog says:

Surveys the content, historical background, critical issues, and key texts found in Genesis-Ruth and the poetic and wisdom literature. Journey with Israel through the wilderness, and experience its conquest and settlement in the land; listen to the poetry and song of Israel's psalms, and consider their place in the ancient world; and sit with the sages of the Bible.

All in the next three weeks. I'm taking this class as an intersession class--Monday through Friday from 9-12:15. So if it takes me a while to respond to any email you send me, that's why.

I'm all registered for the spring semester too: BI 501: Effective Biblical Interpretation and OT 512: Understanding the Kingdom of Israel and Its Prophets. But I haven't bought those books yet.

I did add a page on my Amazon bookshop (click the button to the right) to list all the books I'm reading for school. Just in case any of you are interested in them and want to read along with me!

Happy I Love You Day

I came home from shopping with Mom today (she needed some retail therapy after crying at the airport this morning so we visited some antique stores in downtown Littleton and had some yummy lunch at Toast) and found a "Happy I Love You Day" present on the computer from Toben.

Look!

The note says:

A sweatshirt to keep you WARM while you study

A coffee mug to help keep you AWAKE in class

And a bumper sticker so you can SHOW OFF!

The sticker's on the car, the sweatshirt is on me, and the mug is in the dishwasher getting clean for tomorrow morning.  Pretty neat, huh?

And just because I downloaded (uploaded?) some pictures from my camera, here's some kitty cuteness...

Joey

Pumpkin

Checking in after checking out

Well, I sure didn't mean to check out for so long after Monday's post. Life just sorta got a little bit busy.

reeeee e333E

(That's from Pumpkin. She just jumped up into my lap and then onto the keyboard. She is a Mac kitty and loves to walk all over the keys and type. Or lay down and go to sleep. Silly girl.)

First, thanks for all the great response to Memory Monday. I've got my verses printed up on a pretty card that is quickly getting pretty bent and beat up as I carry it here and there. I also wrote the first verse up on the blackboard in the kitchen so I see it when I walk by. 

I'm reading it whenever I see it, which is a good way to start memorizing for me. The Sunday school teacher Toben and I just had said this (again and again!): Repetition is the key to long-term memory. I think he's right.

If you want to participate and don't have a blog, you can type your verse out each Monday in the comments of my post and pick your new one there too. Let's not forget to pray for each other as we learn. That God would write his law on our hearts and that the Holy Spirit would remind us of what we have learned--both things God has promised us in his Word. 

That doesn't mean--unfortunately--that it will be easy all the time. But it does mean that he works with us as we memorize.

Second, thanks for all your prayers for Tuesday morning. It was a small Mommy and Me group (I think there were six of us) plus the cutest twins in pink fuzzy jammies who came along. Made me want another baby! Sort of. But not really.

We talked about bearing fruit since their theme for the year is the fruit of the Spirit. We looked at Psalm 92 and talked about how where we're planted and what we're proclaiming affects the fruit we bear.

Yesterday I got my official acceptance letter from Denver Seminary. I start school January 5! I've been assuming I'd be accepted and telling everyone that I'm going to seminary; it's nice that's it's really official!

And I've been proofing the typeset version of Misplacing God which comes out after Christmas. I just realized that it needs to be back at the publisher by tomorrow, which means I need to Fedex it today, which means I need to go finish proofing the two or three chapters I have left to go.

Making a book is a long process. It's strange to me that I wrote it a year ago and it's just now at this stage. Patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to publishing!

As I've read it, I'm so thankful--again!--for all of you and the responses you gave when I asked for help and insight into your own quiet times with the Lord. Thanks again!

Okay, I'm off for another cup of coffee and my handy-dandy red pen! Ya'll have a great day. I love you!

Quelle nightmare!

(Some of you may recognize that line from "You've Got Mail." I sat down--well stood up and did the ironing--the other day and watched it. That means it's officially fall.)

Anyway.

I had a dream last night that I was in seminary and got in trouble for knitting in class. Big trouble. So much trouble it woke me up.

Wonder what that means?

Look what I did today!

I spent the morning meeting with my admissions counselor, learning about financial aid, and taking a campus tour. I AM SO EXCITED!

Looks like I'll start in January with OT 511: "Understanding Early Israel and Its Wisdom Literature." I CANNOT WAIT!

For those of you I haven't told, I'm going to get my master's degree in Biblical Studies with an Old Testament emphasis. I have no idea what I'll do with it, and so when I was asked a couple of times today why I want a degree, I just smiled and said, "Because I think it will be fun!"

Of course, I'm sure that I will use it, but how and when and what for? That's up to God. (And it's years away, because I'm going to go to school part time. My family has to come first!)

Anyway, Toben came back from the office supply store earlier today and said he almost bought me a Trapper Keeper. But then he figured I'd rather take my MacBook to class. But I don't know...a Trapper Keeper is pretty hard to resist!

Now if only they had lockers...