Abeka & Sonlight Homeschool Material Needed for Missionary Family

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 ave & Diane Ford are special friends of ours.  I went to college with them and attended church with them for several years.  Our husbands worked together for quite a few years.   Diane was with me when our twins were born, and with me when our daughter was stillborn.  Then God moved them far away - to Thailand, as missionaries.  I cannot imagine their sacrifice, leaving behind several of their older children as they went to college, two of them now married, one of these expecting their second grandchild. 

Two of their children are with them in Thailand; Anna will be in 6th grade and Drew in 4th.   With their schedules it is hard to have them on a rigid school schedule and want them to be involved in their work and learn the language, so they have decided to homeschool them.  Their support is down with the USA economy slump. 

My reason in sharing, is I know many of my readers homeschool.  Would any of you have Abeka or Sonlight material for fourth and/or sixth grade, you’d be willing to donate?  If you do, please leave a comment below, and I will give you info where to send (they are coming home to Michigan in June to settle a daughter in college, get another child her driver’s license, and possibly be here when another grandchild is born, plus having to do this to renew their Visas).  What a blessing it would be to visit with them in June and have much of the material they need. 

You can also visit Dave & Diane’s missions website here

In Other Words: Following Jesus

 

So He went to her,
took her hand
and helped her up.

Mark 1:31a

 

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s Scripture is read, don’t you often desire to see more of the picture . . . know more of the story?  This is one of those instances.  Take the time to read the full text, but here’s a little more:

And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them.  Mark 1:29-31 

So Simon was married.  I wonder what Simon’s mother-in-law was like.   Was Simon’s wife so distraught about her mother?  Had she been pleading with her husband to bring Jesus to their house?  How long had the woman been sick?  Did the men try to hurry Jesus along to the house - is this why it is said “immediately“?  Did they not pause along the roadside to talk to others?  But what interests me most, is as soon as Jesus heals the woman, “she waited on them“.  She did not say she had to “recover” or needed more time to rest.  She did not give an excuse of being too tired or that she almost died, but “she waited on them“. 

What was her life like before she was sick?  Was she a Godly woman?  Did she love Jesus?  What I find interesting in not knowing this, there were “no strings attached.”  It is not recorded that Jesus made a deal with her.  We don’t know if she had been praying as she was ill, making promises to serve Jesus, yet, there is nothing indicating such was done.  Was she like the woman at the well, and Jesus healing healed her spiritually as well, as she believed in Him? 

Often as Christians, we stay in our Christian circles, only associating with those that are Believers.  We indeed need that Christian fellowship, encouragement, and accountability, but if we do not purposely reach out, take someones hand and have them follow us into our homes, into our churches, out for lunch or coffee, how will we lead them to Jesus?   It might mean going into a place of town we might not normally go, sitting in the “smoking section” of a restaurant to listen to a friend nervously share their story or buying that smelly person that is counting out his pop can change, a hamburger or exchanging your new leather gloves for his holey ones.   

Earlier in this chapter, Jesus says, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (verse 17)  If we are to follow Him, who do we need to go to, to give our hand to, and help up?

~

This week, Christelle is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” at her site, Beloved Mama.  Be sure to visit her site and the links to the other women who have shared on this quote.
Be blessed.

Slowing Down - But NOT Slowing Down!

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f you stopped by to read a new post for the “In Other Words”, I am taking this week off.  The last few days have been very filled, and I am working on numerous mother’s bracelets that need to be sent in time for my customers to get for Mother’s Day.  What an encouragement and blessing that my  Etsy store is increasing in inquiries as well has just having sold my 10th item!  We are trying to wind down with homeschooling and are preparing to doing more with gardening and the kids have lots of ideas too!   So, I am back to beading and sewing . . . here’s a little peek of the newest items:

A Princess Turns Five

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o our baby girl turned five today.  I really do not know how she slept last night because she was SO excited about being FIVE when she woke up.  Yes, she was up early - much earlier than I wanted for a Saturday morning.  Big brother gave her a bag of candy before he left for work, so the children had their sugar buz before we had our morning coffee.  She loved being pampered from her siblings and a special “happy meal” from Wendy’s birthday club.  She got lots of smiles from those around her, with her little princess crown on AND sunglasses!  LOL!  She was quite cute!  She wanted lots of strawberries for her cake, and since her papa who just had a heart attack was to come, we had an angel food cake which was heart healthy, and loaded with strawberries.  She is looking forward now to tomorrow with her special friends coming over to celebrate after church.  But she did say before bed, “Why can’t EVERYDAY be my birthday?!” 

We have two more birthdays this month - the next youngest daughter before her, and then Matthew would be 20.  I am thankful God has allowed these two girls’ birthdays this month to make it a time to celebrate. 

In Other Words: The Proverbs 31 Woman

“”If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!’”

“We smile as we read the wall plaque in the novelty store. But our smile quickly turns to a frown if truly “Mama ain’t happy.” This is because the wife and mother in a family often “sets the tone” in the home. The “tone” God wants her to set is one of joy, optimism, and a delight in the Lord and in her family. If your family were called upon to describe you, what would they say?”

~ by Martha Peace ~
“The Excellent Wife“

(excellent book - highly recommended!)

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hhgggg!  Should I really write on this one?   Our home can be quite chaotic busy with ten kids, including teens and a baby that needs his diapers changed, homeschooling, the phone ringing for me, my kids AND my husband’s small engine repair business that interrupts meals, early in the morning, late at night and even Sundays (though we are CLOSED).  I don’t know how many times we have sat down for dinner and someone comes up the driveway with their lawnmower.  The phone is easier to ignore.  It’s can be easy to mutter something about “not again” and discourage my husband’s growing business.  I am working on thanking God for ALL things. 

But keeping joy and peace on Sundays, can even be a harder accomplishment.  This past Sunday was one of those “one-thing-after-the-next” days.   I had been gone to Milwaukee for a cousin’s funeral and got back late Saturday night, so I  began a load of wash before church on Sunday, since we were low on diapers and dishtowels, a necessity.  We’ve had a nagging problem with our well pump - and I’ve been nagging my husband to get it fixed.  If too much is running, the water stops running - no water - zip, zero - it’s gone.  The washer was filling with water, one of the kids was taking a shower, and another one washing potatoes for dinner.  The water disappeared.  No water right before church is not a good thing.  I wanted to take a shower, but that was not possible.  My oldest son had an “excuse” to not shave, going to church all scruffy looking.  (arrggg!)  I needed to wash little one’s milky faces.  Thankfully diaper wipes took care of that (but NOT my hair).  So, we made it to church, late, and being late, means sitting fourth row from the front.  Then I noticed at church that another son had jeans on with the “in style holes” right in the back pocket - yes, see through to the white underwear.  Another, ARRRGGGG!  So those two sons did get a few words from me.

We got home after church, to find a customer here, even though the sign and advertisements say “closed Sunday” and no, we don’t just quickly take in jobs, so we had to politely tell him to come back again.  While I finished making dinner (without water) my husband worked on trying to prime the pump and get the well working again.  We ate dinner late, but still no water.  Leaving it to go to church worsened it, because it lost all it’s prime and left lots of air in the pipes.  He worked on it at least four hours, and though he got it working, the pressure now is even lower.  The inevitable of needing a new pump and/or well, is looming around the corner. 

I was rather bummed - our Sunday majorly interrupted, and trying to keep the peace and not be muttering under my breath “I told you to fix that” was there in my mind at times, but thankfully I did not utter it aloud.  If I had let my emotions control me, I may have said to my husband, “Since YOU did not fix that stinkin’ pump, YOU make the dinner without water!”  There’s been a time when such a thing did happen, and the whole meal was given to the chickens to eat. 

As a wife and mom and a woman with hormones, it’s easy to let situations take over and ruin a day or days.  It many times takes special effort to put it in God’s hands, to know He is in control, and that He can work through my husband and kids much better than I can.  Giving that soft answer and striving to be that Proverbs 31 wife is a daily goal.  Instead of my family saying ‘If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!’ I’d rather be known that mom helps bring peace and comfort into the home - that when things aren’t good, mom has a way of calming things down.  This is still an unaccomplished goal.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life . . . She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.   Proverbs 31:11-12, 26-28

 

~

This week, Christin is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” at her site, As Gold Refined. Be sure to visit her site and the links to the other women who have shared on this quote.
Be blessed.

In Other Words: Friendships

“To be intimate with others is to reveal our innermost selves to them, including our emotions, thoughts and desires. For such deep sharing of the soul and spirit to occur, people must respect and trust each other. … In a world controlled by sin, however, to choose to be intimate is to choose to be hurt. Yet Jesus calls us to this kind of intimacy with Him and with one another.”

~ Kenneth A. Schmidt ~

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couple of years ago, I pretty much gave up on friendships.  I’ve done a lot of reading on grieving and relationships after the death of someone close, and one thing that seems to stand out the most, is friendships and relationships change.  You’d think friends would reach out more, try to be closer, but instead, many will run - not just my friends - but it’s common in most relationships that go through a tragedy.  It’s not necessarily the “friend’s” fault - people change - and the grieving person also changes - and may run as well from the relationships or seclude themselves.  There were numerous times a friend would call, and I just was not up to sharing my emotions and grief and I would not take the call.  There were other times I needed a friend, and friends were not available. 

Yet, there are some friendships, that certainly do make it through the ups and downs and changes of life.  One of my college roommates and I have stayed close for over 20 years.  We don’t talk often, but when we do, it’s like we see each other every day.  We can talk just about anything.  We have laughed together, cried together, encouraged each other, and said difficult things to each other.  I’ve another friend I’ve actually know for over 20 years as well, but at one time I was closer to her mom than I was her.  Her mom died several years ago, and I had told her mom shortly before she died, that I would stay close to her daughter, especially since she had an eating disorder, and would specifically check up on her.  That daughter and I are close friends now - and she recently told me I am the only one besides her husband that will ask her about her eating.  She is one of the few that the both of us can talk about the missed loved ones in our lives. 

There’s been times I’ve wanted to give up on another Friend as well.  Even when I’ve said, “I’m done”, He’s still been there, not giving up on me and there when I’ve gone running back to Him.  Even when “I” have failed in the relationship, He’s not given up.  He’s shown me how to be a friend, and Who to pattern friendships and relationships after.  Despite my failures, Jesus has kept His promise to “never leave me or forsake me.”  He reveals in His Word, just what I need for encouragement for a specific time in my life.  And after I’ve said that I am done with relationships, He has “snuck” people into my life, and a friendship has unexpectedly flourished.  What a Friend We Have in Jesus!

~

This week, Bonnie is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” at her site, Ink It Blog.  Be sure to visit her site and the links to the other women who have shared on this quote.
Be blessed.

Baby Chick Days

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f you come over visit, you may hear the “tweep tweeps” of little chicks more than the children’s voices!  A dozen little chicks sure can make a lot of noise!  This is just the start of our new brood.  We plan on getting turkeys and other little chicks.  These are Bantums and Rhode Island Reds.

 

More Wheels

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ou know how it is when a little boy get’s a new toy truck or car, and you hear the “vrooom, vroom” noises. Well, our son Jayson, has the “real” thing, yet, I think he’s as excited as a little guy.  It has an automatic start on it, so he walks up the driveway, hits the button, and looks back to hear his truck going “vroom”.  So, it’s more of this “letting go” time and praying more as that “vroom” noise leaves the driveway.  Two sons on the road with their own vehicles - SCARY!

(AKA MOM!)

In Other Words: Tell Me the Story of Jesus

 

“One of the most wonderful things about knowing God is that there’s always so much more to know, so much more to discover. Just when we least expect it, He intrudes into our neat and tidy notions about who He is and how He works.

~by Joni Eareckson Tada ~

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on’t you love it when your teach a little one something about Jesus, and it clicks in their minds, and their eyes light up as though to say, “wow”!  Does this happen to you as you read God’s Word and learn more about Him?

I am in a Kay Arthur Bible study on the life of Abraham.   We have a Bible study manual in which we do research throughout the week, and then we get together, go over it, and then watch a video which Kay Arthur speaks.  Last time the study was on the Covenant God made with Abraham and how it was a picture of His covenant with us - His death on the cross.   In the Old Testament when they made covenants, an animal was split in half, and those making the covenant walked in a figure eight around it, around this bloody animal split in two, making their covenant - a promise to never be broken.  Then Kay went on to explain Jesus’ death on the cross and when He died, and it was finished, and the veil was cut in half, His covenant with us.  I cannot even come close to the way she explained it, but I was in awe, to hear this discription and have a whole renewed picture of how Jesus died for us, and the promise He made with us.  It gave me goose bumps.  I felt like I was a little kid hearing about Jesus’ salvation again for the first time.  Here I had been brought up in a Bible believing church, and never heard it this way before.  (Here is a detailed explanation on Kay Arthur’s site - it was easier to understand on her video though.)

Aren’t you thankful there there is something new to discover from God, daily?  He wants us to continue to search Him out, to learn of Him.  We may read the same Scripture verses we read a week ago, yet there is something totally new, for the time we are walking in, that is revealed to us. 

Tell Me the Story of Jesus (lyrics)
by Fanny Crosby

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth.
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Refrain

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.

Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that are past.
How for our sins He was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labor,
Tell of the sorrow He bore.
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.

Refrain

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain.
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see.
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
Love paid the ransom for me.

Refrain

~

This week, Susan is hosting “In ‘Other’ Words” at her site, Forever His .  Be sure to visit her site and the links to the other women who have shared on this quote.
Be blessed.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Contest

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine’s Spring Promo is in full bloom.
Subscribe now to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and receive
25 BONUS gifts valued at over $550!
The Winter Promo sold out, don’t miss out on the free gifts this time!
The HSB Front Porch is having a contest
and you can win a $50 gift certificate
just for blogging about the Spring Promo
before midnight April 13, 2008.
Click HERE for details.