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.....that we are back on the HOD path (not actually doing a guide). These are the books from Bigger (which we had partially done last year) that we are reading/working in until we can start Preparing. I now have R&S 2, Pioneer Sampler, Stories of Great Americans, Cheerful Cursive, some ER books, and I bought a nature kit for Angie for Christmas, and it includes the book One Small Square: Woods. We are still working in some phonics to help Angie with her reading. She is so happy now that we are reading more interesting books. It will be nice to actually be in a guide when we get to Preparing, but I am thrilled to just be where we are now.

I also wanted to share a blessing I had today. I began reading Charlotte Mason Companion this week. It has been a long time since I read from that. Yesterday I was reading the chapter The Way of the Will. Sometimes I feel like we are just living with rules of do's and don'ts. I know Angie wants to please the Lord, but I would have concerns about whether her will was strong enough to make right choices. Today, she came to me and confessed something that she thought she had done wrong, because it was making her feel sick in the stomach. It turned out to not be anything serious, but she was concerned about it. It just made my day, having her do that while I am thinking about what I have been reading.

This is happening at a special time of year. I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Not only am I thankful to be getting back on board with HOD, but I'm looking forward to my daughter and her husband, with my 8 month old grandson coming for a visit from out of state. Haven't seen them in person since June. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Great idea! I am very thankful for God's great blessings to me even though I deserve none of it. Family, home, delicious food, but lately I have been struck once again how often my heart strays from loving my Savior first and foremost. We have been reading Old Testament stories for LHTH and Sunday School and I think for the first time I realize how similar my heart is to the Israelites. I get distracted so easily, which is crazy because I have seen God at work in such powerful ways.

Praise God for his mercy! I am thankful He is a patient, loving Father who waits with open arms, and even lovingly woos us back to Himself when we stray. May my heart be fixed on Him through this holiday season!

Melissa, the spiritual blessings ARE the most important. We get so caught up in our physical blessings and fail to give God thanks for His grace and mercy toward us every day. We ARE so undeserving, yet He keeps on loving and (for)giving. Thanks for those thoughts.

I'm very thankful for the small moments that make you feel like everything is going to turn out ok. That your children aren't going to grow up and never speak to each other.... that they truly love each other... that they ARE actually learning something from you.... that they love God and want to obey Him.