It's Monday!

Hello Friends!

I love Monday's.  It's a day of rest for our family.  Most people would consider Saturday or Sunday their day of rest, or house cleaning day; but Monday's are our day to do those things.  Saturdays are basically our day to prep for Sunday.  Sunday is set apart for church.

On Monday's, I do the afore mentioned things. I also plan our homeschool work for the week.  I find this more helpful than planning every day for a year, semester, or month.

 Most importantly, I rest, do things I enjoy, and stay home as much as possible. Thoughts of errands that I need to run and other things that I "need" to do always pop up in my mind. I jot them down and do them on another day.  I think it is important to develop a love for home and model that love for your family.  What kind of message does it send to them when mama is always eager to go away from home, and always hesitant to return?  We (my husband and I) try to vocalize our love for being home every time we return.  Our homes are meant to be a place of refuge and peace. I am thankful for a day to restore order to our home and make it a pleasant place for us to do life together.

Today I thought I would share with you a few things that I enjoy. In closing, I will share with you a few snapshots of our September/October.  Thank you for spending time with us today!  Please come again.😁

I enjoy reading. 

I don't always have the time, opportunity, or stamina to read a "real" book; but I do love to at least make an attempt.

What's on my bookshelf?

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks  by Rebecca Skloot
     This is our library book club group's book of the month.  I am only able to attend about three times a year; but I thoroughly enjoy meeting with these ladies.  At this time I am the "darkest skinned" attendee and also the youngest.  I get to bring the "young", Black, Baptist perspective.  I love it!

What am I listening to on audible?

Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World by Tom Wagner
I listen to a book while I am doing house work, traveling,  or during nap time.  This is the book I chose for this month.

I enjoy knitting.

I am currently making a hat for my husband.  I have one step left; then I will choose another project to begin.

I enjoy music.

I play the piano.  I would consider myself an intermediate to moderately advanced level pianist.  I currently give lessons to three of my children as well as five other children.  I have committed myself to play a challenging piece every month as a church offertory.  This helps me not to become stagnant in my skill level.  I also am considering getting myself a guitar.  I don't play; but our Aaliyah has a ukulele and we are learning together. It is fun! I am currently learning to play "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder.   Our teacher , if your interested,  and the song.

What project am I currently tackling?

I am currently in the beginning stage of writing a Bible Study for ladies.  It is a study on the armor of God mentioned in Ephesians chapter six.  The passage is VERY familiar to most Christians and many great studies have been done; but sometimes I think that as mothers and women, we don't always see how critical it is for us to have our armor on daily. I hope to have it completed by Thanksgiving.

This will be my third attempt at a writing project.  I wrote a book about my hair journey about 9 years ago.  I was too chicken to submit it to publishers, and now there are several in print  that are so similar that I feel my book is now for my children's and my benefit only.  I wrote a children's book that was published about 6 years ago.  I lost the rights to it when the company went under due to its owners being prosecuted and sentenced to jail for making some terrible choices. I wish I had framed my first check instead of cashing it. 😉

ON the the snapshots of our lives...

The Beckles come for a visit! Uncle, Grandma, and Grandpa

The Beckles Men and boy

Us entering animals at our three county fair

Aaliyah showing her bunny

Aaliyah and Grace (the bunny)

Aaliyah and Grace won best of breed.

Raymond's hen won best of show.

Cassidy won first place for showmanship.

Wheel barrow race...we didn't win.

Picking Pumpkins

Fall display at our church

Until Next Time,

School Begins!

Hello Friends!

It's hard to believe that it has been a month since the last time I was here; but here we are!
This morning, I smiled to myself as I heard the public school bus pass by our house on the way to pick kids up for the first day of school.

One of the many reasons that I am thankful for the opportunity to homeschool is that I don't have to wake up any little people early in the morning and prep them for a day away from home.

We actually began school again several weeks ago.  I hadn't originally planned to begin that early; but both the kids and I were ready. They were actually asking to go ahead and start.

This year (2019-2020), I am planning to continue teaching 6 weeks on and 1 -3 weeks off (the longer time for Christmas and the new year as well as Easter week). I call them sessions and we will have about 6 sessions (36) weeks of school.  One of the many differences from last year is that every child will be doing some amount of school five days a week.  Last year, only the older ones "did school" daily.

We really enjoy our week off (this is week 7 - our week of rest) as it gives us all a break; but not so much so that I have to re-teach previously learned lessons.

During that week off the kids get to focus more on creativity, reading, more free play time outside, and extra time on their tablets/tv.  Ordinarily, they only play on their tablets/watch tv on the weekends.

On our week off I get to:
1.  Read for pleasure!
2.  Do house projects or focus on cleaning/organizing some area that has been neglected.
3.  Re -decorate for the season.
4.  Prepare for the next session.
5. Binge watch something on PBS, Netflix, or Prime.

Our fist session of school was mainly about review of what we already knew and getting into our new routine as "just the Beckles".    We are enjoying one another and I am seeing some siblings connect in ways that probably would not be happening if our beloved cousins were here.  As you think of them, please pray for them and their mom.  I haven't heard from them lately.  Life happens.

Thank you all for joining us today!

The white silkie on the top is "Pretty Ricky" our rooster.
The white one in the middle is our "surprise" rooster whom we now call "Albert Einstein".
He used to be "Sky"

Early morning shot of Rayanna doing tricks on the swing.

Rayanna dressed herself.  She is a little bit proud of her choice.

Snake ed at the library.  This is a real albino corn snake.

Sorting our recyclables

Aaliyah relaxing on a pontoon ride down the river.

Until next time,










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Summer Begins!

 Hello Friends!
For our family, the Summer usually begins with the big girls's birthdays.  Aaliyah's birthday is June 18th and Cassidy's birthday is June 17th.  We always aim to take a long break (3 or 4 weeks) from school and just focus on the family having a great time, beginning on the 17th.  This year, Summer sort of began on a down not for us, in that we took the cousins back to Oklahoma on the 10th of  June. 

We only were able to stay for a few hours and spend time with them at their home before we had to head back. We were able to see a little bit of my family before we had to head back.

Aaliyah and her new bunny, "Grace".

Cassidy

Rayanna

Aaliyah

Berry picking fun!

I truly enjoyed introducing my great Aunt Joyce to our Rayanna for the first time.  The last time she saw us, I was expecting Rayanna.  Aunt Joyce can be quite a character...but so can Rayanna!  My Aunt would say something, and Rayanna would look at me like - "is she for real!?!".

Once we landed back home, we rested for a couple of days and enjoyed the peace and quiet; then the festivities began!  Family only birthday parties, cooking classes, a district 4-H competition, Swimming and cookouts with friends, berry picking, etc.

Cooking Class

One thing I am especially proud to share is that the girls are beginning formal music lessons!!! I teach them piano because I have been playing for years; but I do not have a music degree; nor do I know how to play ukelele or clarinet.  I am excited about watching the girls's musical skills improve.

First Clarinet Lesson

How has your Summer been thus far?
What marks the beginning of Summer for your family?
Share with me in the comment section; or shoot me an email @tinylabeckles@yahoo.com.

Until Next Time,

Father's Day

Hello Friends!

I trust you all had a wonderful Father's Day!  We surely did.  In preparation for the day, I made a Dr.'s appointment early in the day on the Thursday before for my girls and I so that my husband wouldn't think it strange that we were gone for a long time.  The appointment was actually pretty quick; then Cassidy, Aaliyah and I left town to go shopping for my husband.  We found some things that we felt he would enjoy - Habanaro and Mango Kettle cooked potato chips, a piece of home decor, a eucalyptus candle that reminded me of his home in California (there are a lot of eucalyptus trees in his home town), and a fast charging device for his phone.  Aaliyah wrote him a beautiful poem, which we are going to frame. We also made homemade lasagna, using his mother's recipe.

We began our morning with a peek at the garden and a leisurely breakfast, then we dressed and prepared for the service.  After the service we ate cupcakes and took family pictures. Next we went home and dove into the lasagna, sprouted Italian bread, and a quality Olive Oil enhanced with seasonings for dipping.  I am going to take a minute and brag on myself here (ok...maybe I will share credit with my mother-in-love -) that was the best lasagna I have ever eaten!!! I skipped dessert and ate more...then I ate some for breakfast the next day!  I loved it so much that I am making more for this coming Sunday...then maybe I will take a break from Italian food (smile).

"Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law." - Proverbs 4:1,2

The kids memorized this verse in honor of this year's Father's Day.

I enjoy Father's Day, not because I had a great relationship with my father...he never even admitted I was his child.  I enjoy the day because I celebrate those men who influenced me in my formative years and because I enjoy watching my children interact with their father.  May their memories of life with Dad be wonderful!!!

Until Next Time,

Mother's Day 2019

     I trust that you all had a wonderful Mother's Day.  I surely did!  The kids "surprised" me with several great gifts - roses, a new robe, gum, and a personal pecan pie.  My husband "surprised" me with my favorite skin products from Trim Healthy Naturals.


  My daughter Aaliyah wrote a poem on the inside of the card the kid's gave me.  It really blessed my heart.

Mother's Day Prize

You bloom with colors of kindness

Your peddles full of love

It takes a flower like you

To win 

that Mother's Day

Gold Meddle.

-Aaliyah Beckles

Handome Men!!!😍😍

Poem by Aaliyah Beckles

Until Next Time,

Power of Influence

When You Thought 

I Wasn't Looking

When you thought I wasn't looking; I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another.  When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me.  I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.  When you thought I wasn't looking; I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick.  I learned what it means to serve one another in brotherly love.  When you thought I wasn't looking; I heard you pray over me and kiss me goodnight and I felt loved and safe.  When you thought I wasn't looking; I saw how you handle your responsibilities even when you didn't feel good.  I learned what it means to glorify God in all things.  When you thought I wasn't looking; I saw you give of your time and money to the people in need and I learned that God loves a cheerful giver.  When you thought I wasn't looking; I saw tears come to your eyes. I learned that sometimes things hurt; but it's alright to cry.  When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you praying and reading God's word and I learned to depend on and trust in Him.  When you thought I wasn't looking; I looked at you and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.

Author unknown

This is also a poem I came across in search of something special for Mother's Day.  It speaks to the power of influence and letting your actions speak for themselves.

The type of parenting philosophy that says do as I say: not as I do is not very effective.  As the song goes..."Your walk talks, and your talk talks; but your walk talks louder than your talk talks."
Say that 3 times fast!

Here are a few snapshots of our April.  Also, feel free to hop over to our new YouTube channel (Tinylasnews...life at Pecan Cottage) and join us on our latest adventure!

Until Next Time,

Legalistic Attitudes

 WARNING! This post may be abrasive or offensive for some.  Read on if you don’t mind being challenged about what you believe about God. I have felt challenged about this topic (Legalism,  the attitude of legalism more specifically) with my kids. I want them to be comfortable interacting with people - children- who aren’t exactly like them while maintaining who we have raised them to be.  I don’t want them going to extremes in different areas in their lives in order to cover for insecurities and seek favor/love.  I don’t want them to feel like they have to do everything as I have done in order to win the approval of God...or even me and my husband .  Make no mistake, I desire for them to carry on their relationship with the Lord as sincere and devoted Christians; but I want them to see the value in our principles for themselves and as a catalyst  to their happiness and well being.

As a young child, age 5ish until 9ish, I rode different Sunday School busses to a few different churches.  I distinctly remember praying to become a Christian when I was about 9 years old.  Time passed.  We moved a few more times.  I turned 12 years old, and the bus workers from church found us again. My Grandma, who lived on the other side of town, had given them our address.  I was faithful to wake up my 3 siblings every Sunday so that we could ride the bus to church.  At the end of every service, our pastor ALWAYS invited anyone in the congregation to come forward and pray to receive Christ as Savior. I went forward during the invitation  and the lady asked me if I had ever prayed to be saved before.  My answer was yes, so she showed me verses about being sure I was a Christian.  This wasn’t enough to make me feel better about myself.  I then began to seek out ways to earn more love from God and to feel like I was really a Christian.  I increased my church attendance to three times a week. I joined the group of bus workers on Saturday visitation.  I noticed that the girls from church always wore dresses.  I heard a message that gave me reason to believe that my doing so would make God happy; so I went straight home and threw all my pants away...on trash day.  I wanted to make sure that I couldn’t go back on this decision.  If my mother was angry about me throwing all my clothes away, she didn’t show it.  She also didn’t buy me any dresses; so I was left to wearing the 3 dresses/skirts that I owned.

God provided more clothes.  I won a contest at church and the prize was a new Sunday dress. Also, my public school teacher invited me over and gave me a few dresses that she “no longer was able to fit”.  I still felt that I needed to do more.  One day, at the age of 12, I attended a missions conference at our church.  We sang the first song, then a missionary woman gave her testimony.  She mentioned that she had just been saved.  How was that possible?  This woman had grown up in a good Christian home.  I knew her family and they were good people.  She had attended Bible college AND was now on her way to give her life to tell others about God.  If she had not been sure that she was going to heaven; how could I ever be?  A heavy fear came over me.  I just knew there was going to be an earthquake or something that night and everyone in the building was going to die and I would go straight to hell!  I rushed to our bus captain’s wife and pleaded with her to talk with me right then.  She politely told me that I would have to wait for a break in the service.  Forty-Five LONG minutes later, I went forward and prayed the sinner’s prayer. At this point, I knew all the verses by heart.  I had shared them with others.  I prayed with the alter worker and when I stood up, I felt as if a  huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

This time, I realized that there really was nothing I could do to save myself or to earn the love of God.  Jesus really had done everything necessary for me to be accepted.

I continued to go to church as often as possible.  I even was given the privilege of attending the Christian school.  I continued to wear skirts and dresses daily; but this time it was an exercise in delighting in the fact that I was a young woman who loved God and not because I needed to earn anyone’s love and favor...not even God’s.  He had already demonstrated the degree of his love for me - before I had even thought about Him.

What is the point of this post?  What do I wish for you to take away from my blog today?

 God loves you as you are!  GOD LOVES YOU!  And, The only thing you must do to earn His favor is to believe the gospel and receive Jesus as Savior. 
The Bible tells us in Romans 5:8 that God demonstrated his love for us while we were yet sinners! 1 John 1:8 says that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves...he is talking to believers here!  My favorite passage to show others who are interested in salvation is John 3.  Nicodemas, a leader of religious Jews, is told by Jesus that if he didn’t forsake his religion in favor of being born into the family of God through the Spirit of God; he could forget seeing God’s kingdom.

 Be careful of legalism and legalistic attitudes.  Legalism, to me, is following a strict set of rules in order to earn salvation and to prop yourself up above others.  Doing things in order to show that you are in God’s favor.  It’s forsaking the gospel, grace and a relationship with God for a set of rules or laws that have nothing to do with salvation.

Be careful of borrowing the convictions and beliefs of others who seem to “have it together”.  As a young person, I imitated the ladies (good people) who were around me because I respected them and saw the blessings of God on them.  Sometimes I knew the “why” (reason) behind the “what”(rule or code of conduct).  Sometimes I didn’t.  Let me say that imitating good people as a young person never hurt me. 

As my relationship with the Lord grew, some of the borrowed convictions became my own because I saw they were good for me. Some of them I shed, as I viewed them as unnecessary for my benefit.  I have purposed to be intentional about my standards of dress, actions, dietary practices, and social activities because I want to reflect the God in me as much as possible; not because I want to attract God to me. There’s a difference.

Is any of this making sense?  Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.  Can any of you identify with my story?  Let me know in the comment section.  Is there anything I should have mentioned, but didn’t?  Let me know in the comment section.

Until Next Time,