Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - Post from the Past: Thanking God for Our Thorns
Posted By Amy Verlennich
One of my all time favorite stories I love to read each Thanksgiving... it's worth the read... and please feel free to share what thorns you'll be thankful for this Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - Post from the Past: Things to do for Thanksgiving
Posted By Amy Verlennich
For those of you looking for some things to do for Thanksgiving (whether homeschooling or not)... check out some of the following ideas from a post from the past:
Please won't you stop by and say "Hi" whether it be online or a nice trip to his store in Murrieta. The staff's wonderful and they offer great customer service for all of your scrapbooking needs :)
~^~^My early AM quiet time, my morning bread that sustains me throughout the day.
~^~^A husband who isn't afraid to run the vacuum or help out with anything.
~^~^A daughter who has turned into a good writer, yeah!
~^~^Sisters who not only enjoy playing together, but know when to give each other a break.
~^~^The safety that the Lord provides each day.
~^~^The joy of entertaining friends and family this week.
I am blessed...
Starting on Friday, I will begin 30 days of Celebrating the gift of Christmas!
Sprinkled throughout my posts will be gifts that I give away to my readers.
Wishing you and your family a marvelous Thanksgiving.
Posted By Gena Suarez, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
It's really no surprise to anyone ever that the NEA was more interested in protecting its power than educating children. What is surprising is that they actually feel confident enough in their power to admit it. Here's the NEA's General Counseladmitting as much in his retirement speech this past summer.
"Despite what some among us would like to believe it is not because of our creative ideas. It is not because of the merit of our positions. It is not because we care about children and it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child. NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power....
This is not to say that the concern of NEA and its affiliates with closing achievement gaps, reducing dropout rates, improving teacher quality and the like are unimportant or inappropriate. To the contrary. These are the goals that guide the work we do. But they need not and must not be achieved at the expense of due process, employee rights and collective bargaining. That simply is too high a price to pay.
If you're a parent with children in the public schools you can voice your objections here. But the best way to object is by removing your children from their schools. Without your children they have no real power.
In a related story, future teachers in Minnesota are being "reducated" and become "culturally competent"
Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin in order to obtain a teacher certificate.
In my younger days, I worked a variety of jobs in the food service industry. I’ve waited tables, tended bar, and even flipped a hamburger or two as a short order cook. I’ve worked in a greasy spoon diner, a cookie-cutter chain, an elegant, and expensive, dining “establishment,” and even a real-life version of the neighborhood bar where everyone knows your name. I’ve served singles, couples, families, and friends. I’ve served salad to students and beers to bikers. Even a celebrity or two has graced my tables. Yet, in all that time, and after all those people, I have never served a group of people who were nicer or more grateful for that service than the people I served last night. Last night, I served dinner at alocal homeless shelter.
Let me take a moment here to back up and explain how I ended up serving pieces of cornbread to total strangers. The women’s ministry of my church, Warehouse 727, wanted to do something in the community. We knew we wanted it to matter. We just didn’t know what to do. We’re a pretty diverse group and trying to agree on something was near impossible. However, we noticed that whenever the call went up for food, the Women of Warehouse delivered! These ladies can cook! Abundantly! Pot lucks and picnics are a veritable feast with each lady trying to outdo the next. We’re discreet about our passion for feeding people, but it’s there. So, we took that passion and decided to bring dinner to Pinellas Hope, a local shelter that houses roughly 280 homeless people. What an unforgettable experience! Eighteen ladies stepped up to cook and serve chili, cornbread, and cookies to the residence, and boy, did we have fun!
Honestly, I didn’t think we’d pull it off. We’re a pretty small church. Where were we going to find enough volunteers to cook and serve almost 300 people? Money is tight for everyone these days. Most schedules are even tighter. Yet, in spite of my doubt, God smiled. Everyone ate their fill. In fact, most people returned for second, thirds and even fourths! Yet, there was still enough left over for lunch the next day. Talk about loaves and fishes! I never get enough of seeing Him in action!
Remember a paragraph or so ago when I mentioned I’m a food service veteran? Anyone who works in the food service industry knows that Tipping is not a city in China. It’s their livelihood. Even though I haven’t worked in a restaurant for a few years, I remember the importance of that little something extra at the end of the meal. However, I knew I was going into this to serve others as selflessly as I could, and I didn’t expect to receive anything. Well, I was wrong about not receiving anything. I was tipped, abundantly!! These men and women were some the nicest, friendliest people I have ever met. I don’t know any of their stories yet, and I suppose that doesn’t really matter for now. They thanked us, joked with us, laughed with us, and blessed us. They complimented the food outrageously, and even asked if we’d come back again. But more important, God was there. You could feel Him in that kitchen, watching over the least of these. It was an evening of fellowship not only with the Women of Warehouse and the residence of Pinellas Hope, but also with the Lord. To me, tips don’t come any bigger than that, and all I did was hand out some cornbread!
I’m not going to tell you about how this experience made me more grateful for my home and family. I won’t promise to never whine again over my ugly kitchen floor that starts to move if I use too much water when mopping or the “artistic” appearance of the outside of my home (three sides are blue but the front is white. Don’t ask.). And I won’t blather on about how much more thankful I am for the miracles God has performed so that I can stay home and teach my children. Just knowing there are 280 people out there who need a homeless shelter should be enough to stir all those feeling. No, I’m not going to go on about my own epiphanies. What I will tell you is that if God sends the opportunity your way to serve “the least of these,” take it. When we serve as He would have us do, He shows up as only He can do, and He makes sure you know it!
If you are in or near Pinellas County, Florida, please, look into serving dinner atPinellas Hope. Just click on their name anywhere in this blog to go to their website. If you are not in the area, find a shelter in your own area and, of course, check with your church. You might be surprised by the unpublished needs in your own church. I’ve also included another resource that can help you find a place to serve in your area. There’s a website called Volunteer Match that can match you with places that need volunteers in your area.
Thank you for stopping by! I hope the holiday season inspires you to serve the needy in your community. Better yet, I hope that you don’t stop!
Wow! Time is going so fast. I can't believe it is almost December!!! I don't know about you, but I usually start adding Christmas into our homeschool right after Thanksgiving is over. I am hoping to do an interactive notebook this year of Christmas Around the World, but I will have to see if my printer is fixed in time. Unfortunately, it started leaking. Ugh!!! Well, I wanted to share some resources that I have put together for Christmas.
A Proverbs 31 gal homeschooling four crazy cuties , taking care of one equally crazy (but cute) hubby and getting very intrigued with the homesteading craze!
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord." Col. 3:23
