This Is Our Father's World

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks



and trees,



of skies



and seas;



His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,



declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;



He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,



And earth and Heav'n be one.

This is my Father's world, dreaming, I see His face.
I open my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, "The Lord is in this place."



This is my Father's world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son, Came a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father's world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King let the heavens ring. God reigns let the earth be glad.

This is my Father's world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.



This is my Father's world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.

This is my Father's world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate'er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.

The Hand that Rocks the cradle...

If you're like me, you'll be inspired by this post.

Scheduling

A wonderful way for a stay-at-home daughter to serve her family is to create and maintain the family schedule! This week I surveyed everyone in my home about what they wanted to get accomplished during the week and compiled a list.

Following the example in the Maxwell's book, "Managers of Their Homes," I gave everyone a color and built a master schedule, from 6:00am, through the entire day until 11:00pm. Listing mine, and all the children's school hours, piano practice, chores, reading, and free time.


Scheduling really makes all the difference in our house. When we have nothing to govern our day by, the children are wild and unproductive, often resulting in punishment. When we have the schedule, they are productive and self-disciplined. They can't wait to rush to the schedule to see what they are supposed to be doing.


We re-do the schedule every few months to keep things new and interesting. It's like getting new school supplies, you'd be amazed at how enthusiastic a child can get about getting his or her work done efficiently!


Of course, we don't always get everything done, and there is a lot of room for flexibility. If Nana calls and asks us to meet her for lunch, we are free to do it - especially if everyone has gotten their things done up until that point. It's truly a blessing, and a wonderful thing for a stay-at-home daughter to work on for her mother, also very good practice for when she is a wife and mother herself!


I'd love to hear about your schedule or scheduling plans, please leave a comment!

God Bless,
Flibby

Violin Practice

One of my favorite things to do is practice my violin. It has only been two years since I received it, but it feels like forever for me.

When I was four, I heard someone playing the violin at a homeschool day that we attended. I loved the sound of it, and decided that I would like to play the violin as my choice of an instrument.

A few years later, Mom and Dad put me into piano. I took piano for 5 years, and then I began self-teaching myself the rest of what I needed to know (I am still learning ;) ).

We began looking at violins, to see what the price ranges were. They were way over budget for me! I began to pray about it, and we found one very low-priced on the internet. I was thrilled! I can remember checking to see when it would arrive every day on the shipping tracker online.

When it arrived, I actually cried. I could not believe God had seen fit to give me one.....

Now, I am learning to play, teaching myself. It is going slower than it would if I had a teacher, but I am not screeching as much, so I suppose I am improving! :)

I thought I would share a few pictures from today's practice:













With God, anything is possible. I had only dreamed of this, but how much more God wants to give us if we just ask!

Wishing you a lovely day!

~*~Courtney~*~