Let us start looking!

I've been looking for a study to get me rooted in the scripture. Sometimes when I read the Bible the words lose their meaning, floating empty inside my head. I need direction. God says if we seek him we will find him. So let us start looking! I found what I've been looking for thanks to another mother who has been seeking the exact same thing. It's called Bible Study Fellowship. Bible Study Fellowship began in the 1950s on the west coast of the United States, today it reaches people from all walks of life on a global scale. BSF classes can be found in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Europe, Central and South America, and of course, North America. BSF is an in-depth, interdenominational Bible study that helps people get to know God and gives them the tools to serve the Church (people) throughout the world.  

Looking for a small group? Check out
www.bsfinternational.org

"Bible study draws us closer to God, giving us a better understanding of Himself, His love and His purposes. Through a stronger relationship with God, members have found how to build better and stronger relationships with others - at home, work, school and in our communities." - taken from their website, www.bsfinternational.org. To gain a better understanding of who they are check out their Vision, Core and Aims listed on their website, where they explain their vision, core beliefs, core values and aims (what they hope for and set out to accomplish).

The most appealing thing about this Bible study was the availability of child care, one that I could afford … free. We met at 9 a.m. this morning at First Baptist Church. (For safety purposes exact location of anything posted on this blog is undisclosed, as this blog is public. Locals please send me a pm for more information) I felt like I was the last one to arrive. Nervous I gathered my things together, holding my child's hand, walked towards the entrance. Immediately I was greeted by two wonderful warm women and guided to where I needed to go next. I signed myself in and headed back down the hallway to get Creed signed in as well. It's new. Creed was nervous as was I. He was less than thrilled to stay in his class, however I knew he'd be OK since one of his friends was already inside sitting quietly playing with play dough. He was a little upset and my heart started to ache, my eyes stinging as they held back tears. The workers must have noticed it and said he would be OK and calm as soon as I left, which I"m sure no doubt he did as he does with regular Sunday school. 

Next it was my turn … gulp. After I was lead into the sanctuary, where they had already started of course, to be with the others, I noticed how many women (just women, men have their own Bible study Thursday evenings) were there. I felt like a kid on my first day of kindergarten. After the song had finished a woman stood at a podium making announcements and called people by name to separate into small groups. Since I was new to the study, I would be with the newbies. Did everyone feel like I did? I sat close to the door because I had arrived late and was among the first to reach the seating area. I chose a prime spot in the middle and seconds later my friend descended next to me. (Huge sigh of relief on the inside.) I still felt anxious and I don't know why. Gripping my seat there were times when I had to hold back my tears once again as I listened to two congregants tell their stories. Moments later I finally settled and felt at ease. I took copious notes and listened as intently as possible. After registration we moved into the sanctuary for the lesson, which focuses on Matthew. After the conclusion I thought, "Huh, I think I can do this."

I'm going to incorporate it into our homeschool week. We've already studied a very small portion of the Bible and I'm learning right along with Creed. As a preacher's daughter I was introduced to Jesus from a very young age. I'd like to say I know the Bible from cover to cover but I'm no where near it, in fact, I will never be anywhere near that, but I'm trying and will never stop trying. It's written on our hearts you know? (Hebrews 10:16, "I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.") 

I was very pleased to find they are teaching the children the same lessons we are learning (age appropriate), purposely so we may continue not only with our learning but theirs as well. The most impressive part is the other important life skills they teach such as how to obey instructions, cooperate, sit and listen - all taught in an atmosphere of love. For the day program the level of childcare starts from infant and ends at five-years-of-age. Preschool curriculum is listed under resources and may be downloaded including hymns sung, home training lessons and home discussion pages. The typical preschool class includes opening free play, Bible story time, scripture verse, hymn time and quiet time. This structure will help us at home as well. Visit their website www.bsfinternational.org to locate a class in your area.

The making of "Monster Slime"
OOEY-GOOEY GOODNESS!

One a side note, boy am I glad I decided to use a pencil in my lesson planner because the week has been pretty eventful. I've found that I've got to leave a margin for error or just plain life including inpromptu doctors appointments!

"Little Blue Truck" by Alice Schertle 

Let me tell you about Little Blue Truck. Little Blue Truck is a children's
story on Creed's curriculum written by Alice Schertle and beautifully Illustrated by Jill McElmurry. The story takes place on a country road where Little Blue Truck takes his time with a "Beep Beep Beep" greeting all of his farm friends. "Honk!" a noisy very busy Dump comes charging by tooting his most important stance of being too busy "to pass the day with every duck along the way." Short story - short, he gets his big important wheels stuck and it's Little Blue Truck and his friends he met along the way that pull him out. It's a good story about helping each other and I think perhaps about slowing down!

Our first science experiment is "monster slime." This went really well! It was pretty cool for all of us! Creed measured all ingredients except the borax, for safety. We all stood there waiting for the "magic" to happen and it did! Within seconds the two concoctions married and a beautiful blob formed! Whenever using this recipe know that there will be a little water left, dump excess. It feels like rubber, but is squishy ... and bouncy!

For recipe look here: http://kimmccrary.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-fun-magical-monster-slime.html#.UjI0Bxbpi5Q.