One Way To Redeem the Time....

Each day as part of our schooling we combine the little boys naptime with our reading practice. As homeschoolers we are frightfully aware of how fast our days seem to fly by. So in an effort to "redeem the time......"

We all go into the boys room where we sit on the floor in a snug circle and do our daily "Bible Reading" (along with a few other school books.) That's the same room and bunk where we sang "Jesus and Me."

Joshua, jumping into his bottom bunk, pulls the covers over himself and tucks his few "playmobile men" under his pillow and lays his head down. Ryan seats himself in the corner next to the crib, and I (Ashley) decide that next to the doorway is my seat. Natey sits atop the middle bunk, happily, and Timmy "hanging out" in the "Johhny Jumper," (which we refer to as the "Timmy Tucker" ) waits patiently. Next comes Daniel beside Ryan, then Mama and Isaiah, seated in front of the closet, Katie sits with her back to the bunk, and the reading begins.

Mama reads a story from the "Parables" storybook we have, and then hands a Science book "Letting God Create Your Day" to Daniel and Ryan, who read in that order.

Psalm 19 started the Bible reading section, today, which Mama reads, clear and steady. (We always enjoy the way she reads.) Next came Psalm 49, which was assigned to Ryan, who reads it as best he can, due to a canker sore. He did really well in spite of it! (Well Done, Ryan!) Daniel reads Psalm 79, loud and strong. Psalm 109 was read to us very precisely by Katie, and then I finished with 139.

Now to the Proverbs of the day, we all turn. This is read by Mama and Isaiah, each taking turns at every other verse. At this point, Timmy, who had started crying, and was very tired, had been transfered from the jumper to the crib. This was not at all what he wanted, and therefore began to cry even louder, to let us know of his discontentment. Mama pulled him out, and fed him, as the last chapter of the "reading" Leviticus 27, was being completed by persevering Ryan.

Character Sketches was the last book, and it's contents for the day were enjoyed....somewhat. You see, reading about "Determination", a fine character quality, was very nice, but the shrew is quite a ferocious little animal, and finding out that it practices cannabalism, was a bit distasteful, nontheless, still very enjoyable to read about its other habits!

We praise God for the wisdom and creativity He has given us in getting our many daily tasks done. We seem find ourselves oftentimes terribly behind the schedule posted on our wall. The Lord is always so faithful to keep us right on track and by the end of the week all the important things have gotten done. Praise God!

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (KJV)

Ephesians 5:16