Jesus, lover of my soul by Charles Wesley

This is the new hymn in our My Father's World study, taken from Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J Morgan. I found it on itunes sung by Red Mountain Church. I tried to find it on You Tube to share and found other songs by Red Mountain Church but could not find this version sung by anyone. It's simply beautiful and has really ministered to the girls and I the past weeks.

It was written by Charles Wesley in 1740. Charles had a collection of Hymns and Sacred Poems collected over time. When he fell in love and decided to marry, he had the idea to publish his writings hoping to bring in royalties-money to provide for his family. Charles and Sally were married on April 8, 1749, Charles noting:"Not a cloud was to be seen from morning till night. I rose at four, spent three hours and a half in prayer or singing, with my brother......At eight I led my Sally to church.....It was a most solemn season of love!"

It amazes me that he arose at 4 am and spent 3 and 1/2 hours with the Lord. The sad thing is that it shouldn't. I know its hard for me to press in and spend moments with the Lord each day and the thought of spending hours that deep in the presence of God leaves me in awe. It opens my eyes and shows me how far I still have to go. I have not yet arrived. I pray that my precious moments become more consistent and grow in length.

This is beautiful. You can listen to a *clip* of it on itunes for free or download it for .99 cents. Just reading the words bless my soul. I pray it blesses yours also.

1. Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
Oh, receive my soul at last.

2. Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.

3. Wilt Thou not regard my call?
Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—
Lo! on Thee I cast my care.
Reach me out Thy gracious hand!
While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand,
Dying, and behold, I live.

4. Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
More than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name,
Source of all true righteousness;
Thou art evermore the same,
Thou art full of truth and grace.

5. Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart;
Rise to all eternity.

A Day Complete

It was a long one. I'm working on *my* schedule and I woke up at 8:45 am.....I know....I know.... that is late to many of you but for me, its bright and early! I knew we'd have plenty of time to do everything I had planned. I love planning. It's so exciting! However, if I'm not careful I end up planning and having too many things left undone and the feelings of excitement quickly turn to feelings of defeat.

Then this scripture comes to mind: Romans 8:37 "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Habits can change.

Habits do change.

So imagine my excitement when the Lord woke me much earlier than usual!

My girlfriend called, actually she is my BEST friend, and has been since I was 3 years old. She needed a sitter, her mother in law was in the hospital and she didn't want to take her kiddos in. So, I kept her 6 month old and 3 year old little girls. Needless to say there went school and there went the schedule!

They left around 2ish and we picked up where we had left off. We finally finished everything around 7 pm this evening. It was hard pressing through and I had the thought-more than once-to just put it away for tomorrow. For the ordinary or even new homeschooler there is nothing at all wrong with that. Actually that is a sweet bonus of homeschooling, but here for me, this year, it would have been falling.

Falling back into bad habits.

So, we pressed in and we finished.

It felt good.

We got a lot done.

I've almost completed Sky's work schedule for next week. I'm going to have to shorten some lessons, I can see I'm expecting too much. I'm working towards a fair goal. I don't want to burn them out!

Our second week of school, finishing week 20 of My Father's World Exploration to 1850's is ending quite nicely.

I'm so glad I can do all things through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who strengthens me.

(And I must add it was sweet having the little ones here today. I'm amazed at how quickly you forget what its like to take care of babies!)

Feeling it Out

The first weeks of school are always feel out weeks for us. So far everything is working well. I ventured a little from my past posts on our *planned* 09-10 school year but not far.

I did decide to move Sky over into Saxon math instead of Teaching Textbooks. I have to say I'm really leery of this decision but I don't feel that she was getting enough explanation with TT. I'm not blaming the program, I know many who use it with great success but Sky just...needed more. I purchased the Saxon Teaching cd's for this very reason. I'm hoping they'll offer exactly what she is needing and that she'll experience a little more retention. I've heard great reviews about these and I'm praying that they will make a difference.

I don't like the new paper back books. Ick. I much prefer the old hardbook style. Bob Jones has gone to paper back too. They claim it saves on cost but how could it when you are cutting the life of the book down so drastically?

We are moving a long with My Father's World, this week is week 20 and Meadow and I are reading Mary Jones and Her Bible.

I still don't have Spelling Power up and running but hopefully by next week I'll be on track.

Just a short update before heading to bed. I must add that Sky is doing phenomenal compared to the struggles I had before last year. I'm so very grateful to the Lord for doing such a great work in her.

This is My Father's World

We didn't finish MFW EXP-1850's last year. I think because we didn't complete it that I was discouraged with it. The past two days we've been doing the basics and I've been on the prowl hunting for something else for history, bible ect... but I've not been able to find anything that felt...well, right.

Today we picked up where we left off with MFW last year, and can I say "WOW", I'm amazed and I'm reminded of all the wonderful things we learned with MFW. It just *feels* right for us. We are going to ignore the fact that we aren't where we *could* be, stop beating ourselves up and enjoy where we are. We are going to finish MFW EXP-1850's before moving on to the 1850's-Modern Times this year with no guilt.

Once we'd finished our school work for the day I went to check my e-mail. I was simply amazed at the confirmation that God provided me and at the EXACT moment too. This is NO coincidence.

Watch this.....


Is God amazing or what? Everytime I tend to forget it He steps in and reminds me. I'm so thankful for that. I'm so thankful that we will be continuing on with My Father's World.

The New 09-10 Year!

We started school yesterday. I still have some tweaking to do and we aren't full fledge yet but we are close. I'm studying more on Charlotte Mason's methods. Haven't quiet made up my mind on a few things.

Today was definitely a better day and I'm sure next week will flow more smoothly. I'll be glad to finish up our schedules.

:)

End of the year testing went well. I got the girls test results and I was very pleased. Both girls placed where should be. Higher on some ends and lower on others but within the mark. I'm very pleased.