First Day of School 2013

We have another first day of school under our belts!  Since we are moving in the next few weeks, I am treating this as a sort of "soft opening" and we will have our "grand opening" once we settle into the new house.  We will just see what things we can get done here for now so Matthew can start getting back into the discipline and routine of school.  Second Grade for Matthew, and Preschool for Claire.

I didn't do much 'formal' schooling with Claire last year, but I think I am going to do a bit more with her this year.  I have a preschool workbook and she was so "ess-citing" (excited) to do a few pages this morning while Matthew did his work.  She has been telling people that she is starting Kindergarten though.  I'm not sure where she got that from??

I am already dealing with an unmotivated and sluggish 2nd grader who is complaining about the work he has to do.  I was hoping we could get a little past day one for that to settle in...sigh...we will have to be working on that.

I was thinking of this song when I woke up this morning.  It's by some of our favorite songwriters, Keith and Kristyn Getty, and seems appropriate as we start another school year together.  Teaching my kids is an excellent opportunity for me to be working on such character traits as patience and gentleness, and I can't do it on my own.  I need the Lord's strength and the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life to accomplish these things.  And I love the honest and humble attitude of this song.  May God continue to give all of us the grace to accomplish whatever tasks He has chosen for us - all for His glory!

Before You I Kneel (A Worker's Prayer)

Before You I kneel, my Master and Maker
To offer the work of my hands.
For this is the day You’ve given You’re servant;
I will rejoice and be glad
For the strength I have to live and breathe;
For each skill Your grace has given me;
For the needs and opportunities
That will glorify You great Name.

Before You I kneel and ask for Your goodness
To cover the work of my hands.
For patience and peace to shape all my labor,
Your grace for thorns in my path.
Flow within me like a living stream,
Wear away the stones of pride and greed
‘till Your ways are dwelling deep in me
And a harvest of life is grown.

Before You we kneel, Our Master and Maker;
Establish the work of our hands.
And order our steps to seek first Your kingdom
In every small and great task.
May we live the gospel of Your grace,
Serve Your purpose in our fleeting days,
Then our lives will bring eternal praise
And all glory to Your Name.