A Faithful Undergoing - Catechesis

 "Do not rush into a state of life where you have never thought of the inconveniences. If you have a call to marry, knowledge of the difficulties and duties will be necessary to your preparation and will be a faithful undergoing." - Richard Baxter, The Godly Home

A faithful undergoing makes me think of homeschooling.

I was fortunate early on to hear an older, experienced homeschool mom give the advice, "Protect your mornings."

I didn't realize it at the time, but that would become the backbone to how I structured our days, and the mantra I would repeat to myself when scheduling appointments. Mornings at home were meaningful to us, and when we accomplished the bulk of our work.

When my children were little, I would gather them around me each morning for something we began to call "Front Room Time" - the front room of our house being the preferred place to meet, since we began each session reciting The Pledge, and could clearly see the American Flag through our front window.

From there, we would recite our memory work and go through flash cards together.

As my children grew older, our Front Room Time progressed into more lengthy recitations and Bible reading, that it became more difficult to squeeze it into the schedule - meeting for The Pledge and recitations only a couple days per week. Ultimately, a few years ago, when my children became fairly independent with their studies, Front Room Time was abandoned altogether.

Then last summer, I was reading an interesting article on the great reformer Martin Luther. In it, he warned pastors and parents "never to presume that they have finished learning the catechism. Even if they know and understand it completely (which is impossible in this life), there are many benefits and fruits still to be obtained for those who daily read and practice it in thought and speech. Ongoing catechesis," Luther says, "gives us spiritual nourishment and weaponry against the devil. But mainly it gives us God Himself. In catechesis the Holy Spirt is present in the reading, repetition, and meditation, bestowing ever new light and devotion."

And just like that, the ignition to resurrect Front Room Time as Catechesis caught fire in my brain.

We began meeting each day around the dining room table with the agenda of - 

Recitations

Hymn sing

Cursive, illuminated letter

Devotions with our math curriculum 

Prayer

Examples of recitations include The Lord's Prayer, Psalm 23, Psalm 139, and excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, to name a few. We added Proverbs 25 and a paragraph from Thomas Jefferson's inaugural address as new memory work in our repertoire.

We own two identical copies of Baptist hymnals from our years on Abeka, so we've been singing through them page by page since the start of the school year. Roman can sight read well enough that each day we open to the next hymn in line, he plays for us, and we all sing along.

Daily practice in cursive reading and copy work, along with an illuminated letter, is included as well. Our cursive book is from a classical curriculum, so I like to play classical music quietly in the background as they work. Some of their illuminated letters have truly been pieces of art!

I have appreciated the devotions that have come with our math curriculum this year. It's impressive how they weave God's character into math concepts. So many times I have found myself saying, "I never would have thought of it that way!"

As we end our Catechesis hour in prayer, I realize how rich a time of worship this is for our family.

"That God is the founder and instituter of families is known by the light of nature itself; therefore the law of nature requires that families are to the upmost of their capacities devoted to God. Bowing to and confessing Christ voluntarily to God's glory is true worship. All must do this according to their capacities; therefore families must do this according to theirs."  - Richard Baxter, The Godly Home

To use Mr. Baxter's beautiful words, I am learning that to persevere in homeschooling through the upper grades requires a "faithful undergoing," growing in wisdom and knowledge "to our upmost capacities."

Daily catechesis has helped us in that aim.

"Where two or more are gathered together in My name, I am in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

~ Courtney 

Morning Enlightenment

 One factor that contributed to my accidental blogging hiatus was a verse I read during my morning reading time about living a quiet life and minding your own business. (1 Thess 4:11)

I'm never happier than when I'm puttering around the house, tending to chores and kids, with my phone out of sight and out of mind.

My life can get noisy enough with a husband, homeschooled kids, a large dog and a cat, that I don't need news from my phone clamoring for my attention.

I'm reminded of Jesus' words in Mark 6:31...

"Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest."

So my early morning quiet time, established years ago when my children were babies, has saved me and restored me daily.

I always sit here, by this window facing east, to watch the sun rise over the trees as I read.

I enjoy watching the sky lighten and turn a variety of stunning colors.

In the winter, I turn on my little heating pad and reading lamp, cover my legs with a blanket, and soak in the stillness and quiet.

(Summer mornings feel so different, don't they? The sun bright and sparkling; the birds boisterously singing...)

Because God's Word is "living and active," I always feel as though I start each day with fresh enlightenment.

"He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught." Isaiah 50:4

Recently, I was reading about Jesus' miraculous feeding of thousands, and because we're on a math curriculum this school year that is training our minds to see math in God's character, I lingered over the numbers in Mark 8:19-20 looking for clues...

5 loaves for 5 thousand,

12 baskets leftover...

7 loaves for 4 thousand,

7 baskets leftover.

Hmmm...

I pondered for quite some time as to whether there could be a pattern, equation, or meaning.

This became the hot topic of conversation with my children as the day unfolded.

 

We decided to camp out on the numbers 12 and 7. Where else do we see these numbers in the Bible? In nature? In everyday living?

We discussed the obvious ones first: 

- Seven days of creation were divided into 12 hours.

- God established twelve tribes of Israel

- Jesus selected twelve disciples

- Twelve inches in a foot

But a little further research and deeper discussion uncovered many more:

- The Ark of the Covenant contained twelve sacred items

- After twelve generations, Solomon built the temple, which took seven years to complete

- The human body has twelve ribs on each side, connecting to the sternum in seven places

- The ocean has seven layers of ecosystems 

- Our calendar consists of twelve months in a year, seven days in a week

- Music has twelve notes, and harmony uses seven of them

- The diameter of the earth is 12,700km

Fascinating, isn't it?

I will forever be grateful for this homeschooling journey, and the beautiful truths we've learned together. But I am most thankful to my Lord for His faithfulness to meet me each morning.

"His mercies never fail, they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:23

~ Courtney

Just Checking In

 We are currently under a severe weather advisory for extreme cold.

I am thankful today for working water and heat.

Despite the frigid temps and an hour pause to watch the inauguration, our homeschooling efforts have continued as usual.

(Homeschooling has always been a messy endeavor for us, but winter sunlight is more than welcome on this chilly day.)

This is where we gather each day for "Catechesis," the fancy term I've given to our family's morning recitations, hymn sing, cursive work, devotions, and prayer.

Now that my children are older and quite self-governed with their studies, I've noticed it's essential for keeping us in tune with each other.

It's my favorite time of the day.

I realize it's been several months since I've posted on this blog, and I can't tell you how many people have asked me where I've been!

Actually, I can tell you. It's been zero. 

😜

But still - I'd like to jump right back into it.

I've missed the creative outlet this has provided for me.

I recently watched an interview with Jerry Seinfeld and something he said struck me. He remarked that, "To be creative, you've got to feel like you're getting away with something."

I have always felt that way about writing for this blog, but never would have thought to put it that way.

The puppy we welcomed into our family last summer is now full grown and is doing great.

The kids named him "Cash."

Even in below zero temps, we still get him out for his beloved afternoon walkie.

He loves it!

Regal avoids him as much as possible. Cash is too chaotic for Regal's taste.

These two animals in my home cause more drama and commotion than my four kids!

There's a lot I'd like to write about, and should write about (to keep a proper record) but today is just for checking in... for testing the waters, to see if this is still a worthwhile pursuit. Or if blogs are over, as one of my teenagers just informed me.

I believe his actual words were, "What even is a blog? They don't exist."

😂

As funny as that was, I have to admit I still read and enjoy several blogs myself. I've followed them for years, and feel like they're my friends. They've taught me a lot and I've watched their kids grow up.

Blogging is for those who care more for the analog, slow way of getting to know someone, and less about keeping up with the fast-paced influencer.

To me, the fact that they're old fashioned makes them all the more charming.

💐

That's all for now. Time to get back to my home duties.

Stay warm!!

~ Courtney