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Classical Conversations: Cycle 1 Wrap-Up
Years ago, I wrote this post after my first year substitute teaching. I thought I’d answer the same questions about my first year teaching with Classical Conversations, with a slight alteration to question two! 1. What surprised you the most about teaching with Classical Conversations? The way Classical Conversations can be both rigid and flexible surprised me the most this year. We followed the same schedule every Community Day: half-hour increments of New Grammar, Presentations, Fine Arts, Science, and Grammar Review. We only strayed from that schedule once at Week 24, combining Science and Grammar Review into a Compass Walk. We could, however, teach the subject matter for each half-hour…
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Thankful in All Circumstances
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 A friend recently told me about how she journals to help with her anxiety. Her journal includes some writing about daily events, but mostly consists of lists of things she is thankful for. This is an excellent way to combat both anxiety and depression, and follow the command God gives us in the verses above: “Give thanks in all circumstances.” The Bible tells us to give thanks without listing qualifiers or caveats relating to our circumstances. [1] For this reason, the phrase “in all circumstances”…
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She Lives
She lives below,She lives below the storm.She watches the wind through dream-swept eyes,Desiring to sleep, but unable to. The multitude howl as they pass her by.She cowers, but even they,Though fierce,Cannot reach her below. Her walls go up,Sprouting like sharp flowers.She sees dimly through the haze.She cleans the glass. She hears a crack and snap.Fear grips her frenzied mind.Her fist flies forward;The shards explode in perfect unison. She lives inside,She lives inside the storm.She confronts the milieu,And breathes again. She tackles their fiercenessAnd moves ever upwards.Her wakeful eyes, fully aware and bright,Search for Him. She feels again the truths she knows so well.He stayed with her in the storm;He stays…
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How to Combat That Frumpy Feeling
Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought to yourself, “Oh my goodness, do I look frumpy. I’m not a young person anymore. I’ve gained a few extra pounds and my clothes don’t really fit right. I feel out-of-date and out-of-touch.” I can’t count the number of times I’ve thought this about myself. Getting older, and having two children besides that, really does change how you feel about your appearance! The following ideas helped me combat this frumpy feeling. Exercise. Exercise makes a huge difference in how I feel about myself. God designed our bodies to be used, not stuffed into a chair all day. Take a walk, lift…
