Valerie at Christian Printables is hosting a great contest.  She has some great things she is giving away, I recommend checking then out.
I have a few things that  are doubles in our homeschool classroom closet.  So I've decided to join in. 

Here are the rules, leave a comment telling which item you would like to win, you can put your name in for all four. The contest will end at midnight of September 14th.  On the morning of September 15th, I will put everyone's name in a basket for which book they would like to win.  My daughters will choose one winner for each book. Each winner will also receive a bottle of Bath and Body works antibacterial hand soap.  I will only ship within the United States and to Canada.

Here are the four books I'm giving away. 
Finding the Answers, a Rod & Staff Preschool Workbook



Corduroy by Don Freeman

This book is beloved by all of my daughters, it is in great condition.

Little House in the Big Woods

Scholastic~29 Spanish Alphabet Mini-Books

These would be great to make up for a Spanish lapbook! 



Thank you for joining in the fun! 

Yesterday was my blog's third anniversary, and in the busyness of our lives I didn't get it posted.  I've been thinking about this, some bloggers have give aways to celebrate their blogiversary.  I understand that entirely, in blogging I've been given way more than I've gave.  People have blessed me over and over with encouragement, prayers and kind words.  But I'm thinking about a give away at a different time.  I'll get to that at the end of my post. 

But as much as I enjoy blogging I'd walk away from it tomorrow if I thought it came between my relationship with God, my husband, or my children. 

Blogging is fun and connecting but it isn't my all and all.  I believe for me that it is important to constantly review how I am spending my time.  So over the past few months I've had times where I haven't blogged because it wasn't something I felt I should be doing.  I can also become prideful when I'm blogging.  I get this "look at me, I am doing so and so, how great am I" attitude. Another form of this sin for me has been my attitude of not having the newest or greatest thing to say, than why say anything at all.   It is during those times that I am convicted of this sin and back off from blogging.  

But, my main purpose for blogging is to have fun and to connect.  Sometimes it is connecting with our family, sharing what we are doing in our home(schooling and other stuff).  I want to have fun blogging.  I never want blogging to become work.  I want to enjoy sharing, connecting and the encouragement that goes with blogging. 

I am grateful for all of the great friendships and wealth of information I've been blessed with in blogging. 

So as I enter my fourth year of blogging, I've decided on a different kind of celebration.  This is one of more importance to me.  On October 13th I will celebrate my 21st year as a Christian. 

On October 1st I'll anounce a contest to celebrate the best day of my life.  The Lord has done great and mighty things in my life and I want to share with others some resources that He has blessed me with. 

~~Looking forward to His path for me on this journey, and huge {{{{Hugs}}} to anyone who reads my ramblings blog,

Assignment #100-"Oh, What a Feeling"


Our Assignment: Take time this week to write about YOU and your feelings of trials and triumphs with homeschooling.  Touch on when you first heard about the concept of home schooling and whether you tip-toed into the idea or just jumped in and never looked back.  Share your schooling as a child and how you compare it to what your goals are for your children.

_______________________________________________________________________________

It has been 10 years since we got our first computer and subsequent connection to the world wide web.  I had never thought much about home schooling until then.  The WWW unlocked a door to a lot of things about being a christian wife and mother that I had never even thought of.   As I joined Proverbs 31 groups on Yahoo, I was given a dream that I never would have imagined prior to 1998, the dream to school our children in our home.  God and I had a few hurdles to jump toward the finish line of actually being able to school in our home.  Even for a time the dream was dormant, and I did not pray about it. But the Lord in His faithfulness of love and graciousness continued to move and orchestrate the timing for us to begin home schooling. 

Jennifer's public school was ok,  not so great.  Kindegarten was fine, but then I placed her in a multi-age classroom for 1st and 2nd.  The learning style was more community like, and I thought that this would be somewhat like home schooling.  There was a girl that picked on Jennifer, and I was trying to be the "good" Christian by ignoring it.    Also they taught reading only using whole language, Jennifer has had to work hard to get her reading up to speed.  The third grade was a wash, but a lot of fun for her.   By fourth grade, I had placed her in a traditional classroom, and she did well academically.  I try not to be a public school "basher", they are what they are.  Jennifer wanted to be home schooled, and we began in her fifth grade year.  It was my dream come true. 

Since beginning to home school I have had ever emotion under the spectrum.  There have been points of elation, watching our daughters grow in knowledge and wisdom.  But there also has been some very low points.  But through it all the Lord has been faithful.  Faithful to soften hearts, to make home schooling possible in our home.  Faithful to change hearts, so they are moldable to learning from their parents, not "teachers".   Gracious to provide financially and to give abundant peace, joy and love through this journey. 

I am so "into" home schooling our daughters and the goals I have for them,  I seem to have some memory loss.  Until sitting down to writie this I had forgotten about public school, and its goals.  I  only know what our goals are within our home school.  Goals to see them grow in their relationship with the Lord, to know God as their friend and trust them every day of their lives.  We desire them to be equipped servants, to serve others and Him in whatever capacity He wills. 

Through all of these emotions and feelings the bottom line for me is that I can not trust in them.  I have learned that there will be good days and bad days.  But each moment I can trust Him.  He is faithful to strengthen me, to stabilize me, and to guide me as a wife and mom. 

There are so many verses that I could share.  Verses that have given me peace, joy and hope. This last week I wrote out thess verses to be our memory verses.

PSALM 32: 8-11

   8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. 9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, {Otherwise} they will not come near to you. 10 Many are the sorrows  of the wicked, But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him. 11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright  in heart.

I appreciate this assignment and the focus that it has provided.  I look forward to reading other classmates assignments over the weekend.

God Bless you all as you home-educate your precious blessings.

"For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that is in you as well".  2 Timothy 1:5


I shared last week that the Lord has been working within me to change me for our school year.  I have needed to take a look inside.  This has shown me some attitudes and behavior that I had to repent and be forgiven for.  To many times over the last few years, I have acted without faith but instead in fear.  Fears that are unfounded and not edifying to the Lord or my family. 

We only have five years left and Jennifer will be graduating from our homeschool.  I don't know what the future holds for her, but I know that it is our passion to see her leave our home with a sincere faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This faith is not only to be taught, but caught by the example and role model. 

I am blessed beyond measure to have a husband that is always modeling this faith to us in our home.  He is a great leader and wonderful father.  He wrote our homeschool vision statement. 
 

Our Home School Vision School

  Our vision for our home school is to provide a Christ-centered, Biblically based education for our children.  

This will be in a loving atmosphere. 

The environment in our home will be safe and fun. 

All done to the Glory of God and according to His Will. 

We will teach, equip and educate our children to reach their full potential in Christ.  Not bound by the ways of the world but free to live out God’s Will for their lives. 

I apologize first for my lack of blogging over the last month.  I just haven't felt like writing or sharing much.  The Lord has had me in a season of reflection and repentance for some areas in my heart that needed cleaned up.  I'm grateful to Him,  that doesn't even seem like enough words, for He is so faithful in His loving mercy and grace despite my unending list of short comings. 

I appreciate all of your sweet comments,  I've been reading blogs but hope to start leaving comments again.  I have a plate full as we start our new school year.  I'll try to post on our new year later today, or tomorrow.  But my weekend is packed.  I'm thrilled with what He is going to do throughout our school year in 2008-2009!  I know I say that and proclaim it each year, but this year is going to be life changing for us all.

On to the topic of this blog post.  I wanted to title it Todd Bentley, but didn't want Google to pick that up.  The above title is less prone to be picked up.   

Last week I walked into the family room while my husband was watching TV, after the children were in bed.  There was a man on the TV, yelling, no screaming.  Instantly I knew it was Todd Bentley, and I said to my husband, "Oh that must be Todd Bentley".  I sat and watched for a few minutes.  I said to my husband "Why does he have to scream?"   Then we began to discuss passionately proclaiming versus the sleeping church.  Finally I said, "Well even Benny Hinn doesn't scream like that.  Todd Bentley is just off."   My husband agreed and I went to bed.  

We are enjoying watching the Olympics.  In Iowa we have been watching and anticipating Iowa's Golden Girl to shine.  Shawn Johnson is from our area of Iowa.  My boss is a huge gymnastic fan, and has spent time with Shawn and her family.  She is as genuine in person as you see on TV. 

For a great look into Shawn and her career- click here.

Go Team USA!