Apr. 9, 2009
HSLDA free trial memberships!
Posted in links, resources and great finds
The Homeschool Legal Defense Association is currently offering a free trial membership. This is a wonderful organization and I feel well-worth our membership fees, but if you haven't heard of them or haven't tried them out because of cost, take a look at https://app.hslda.org/hslda/TrialApplication.aspx
By the way, if you are looking for more frequent updates from me, I'm now doing most of my blogging over at http://www.InfertilityMom.blogspot.com :)
Sep. 3, 2008
I'll be on blog radio next week!
Posted in links, resources and great finds
Press Release:
Christian Organization Unites the Millions Who Live with Invisible Illness
Contact: Lisa Copen, Rest Ministries, 858-486-4685, rest@restministries.org
MEDIA ADVISORY, Sept. 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- Nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA live with a chronic illness and about 96% of the illnesses are invisible.* Rest Ministries, Inc., the largest Christian organization that serves the chronically ill, an affiliate of Joni Eareckson Tada's International Disability Ministry, is encouraging those with illness, as well and family, caregivers, and churches through their annual outreach event, National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 8-14, 2008.
This year the week features 20 workshops with well-known guest speakers who will be presenting and answering questions via Blog Talk Radio, September 8-12.
Speakers include:
• Leslie Vernick, author of The Emotionally Destructive Relationship (Harvest House, 2007)
• Julie-Allyson Ieron, author of The Overwhelmed Woman's Guide to Caring for Aging Parents (Moody, 2008)
• Lisa Copen, author of Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend (Rest Publishers, 2008)
• Jennifer Saake, author of Hannah's Hope: Seeking God's Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage and Adoption Loss (NavPress, 2005) [Details on how to listen/join in this program are posted at Invisible Illness Week Conference Info. Jenni's session on "Medications, Illness, Fertility and the Desire for Motherhood" will air Tuesday, Sept 9, 12 p.m. Pacific.]
Lisa Copen, 39, founder of Rest Ministries says, "Since we began in 1997 we've found that despite the strong foundation Christians may have, illness can rock it. Feeling like no one understands how much your life has changed since a diagnosis can be more spiritually detrimental than the illness itself. It can make one feel isolated, misunderstood and even bitter."
Copen, who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia since the age of twenty-four explains why Invisible Illness week matters. "Those with illness do have to accept that other people aren't going to 'get it.' Only God understands. But it's nice to encourage peers and find strength in validating the mixed emotions. You don't have to explain why walking twenty feet may be impossible some days."
Rest Ministries extends their outreach about illness awareness to churches, providing materials to start up HopeKeepers groups, books, cards, tracts, etc. About 96% of those with illness may appear perfectly healthy on Sunday mornings, but may struggle to get out of bed the remainder of the week.
Ken Chambers, Director of Church Relations at Joni and Friends International Disability Center, says, "It is vital that Christians understand the emotional and spiritual trials of those with invisible disabilities, as well as those with visible disabilities. Rest Ministries is dedicated to educating churches to not only serve the chronically ill, but to involve them in the church body. I encourage church leaders to take advantage of the wealth of resources at Rest Ministries and to participate in the National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week."
Get involved by joining the hundreds of people who will blog about invisible illness on September 8th, attend a seminar, or tell someone who has an illness about the event. Typically, people with illness are unable to attend a traditional conference, so a "virtual conference" is widely anticipated. All seminars will also be recorded and archived.
See www.invisibleillness.com. Rest Ministries is at www.restministries.org.
*Source: Chronic Care in America, U.S. Census Bureau
-------------------------
Press Release written by:
Lisa Copen
Rest Ministries, Director
HopeKeepers Magazine, Editor
National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week
Founder & Coordinator
“HOPE CAN GROW FROM THE SOIL OF ILLNESS!”
This is the theme of 2008’s National Invisible
Chronic Illness Awareness Week in September.
Drop by and find out ways to encourage a
friend, be encouraged yourself, and spread the word.
http://www.InvisibleIllness.com and our blog
http://www.InvisibleIllness.Wordpress.com
Apr. 9, 2008
My kids won a national writing contest and $ prize!
Posted in links, resources and great finds
Well, I guess they aren't really "my" kids, but my students from our homeschooling co-op. You may remember my post in January asking for input for a "Writing for Publication" class I was preparing to teach for co-op. We have 6 weeks left and I'm still rather feeling my way week-by-week, but I think it is going very well.
I have a 10-year-old girl who doesn't much enjoy writing or reading, but I'm trying to encourage her along and let her know that I didn't like either until well into high school myself. I have an 11-year-old girl who is full of life and fun and loves to write. I have a 12/13-year-old boy who is a very impressive writer. And I have a 16-year-old girl who is a prolific author and from whom I would expect to see some full length manuscripts start making their way to publication within the next few years.
As a class we entered the SillyBooks short story contest in February with their group story, Pirates, Popcorn and a Party. We received notifcation this week that they were selected as the February winners, receiving a small cash prize and the professional sound-recording and annimation of their story as an online book. They now have a 1 in 8 chance of winning the grand prize (and a much larger cash prize) this summer! I am so excited for them. We will be celebrating at co-op tomorrow!
Apr. 9, 2008
Home Education Awareness Week
Posted in links, resources and great finds
In light of recent concerns over the "legality" of homeschooling, especially in the state of California, I am delighted to share this recent proclaimation made by the govenor of the state of Nevada:
WHEREAS, the State of Nevada is committed to the education of our children and to upholding the values and goals that strengthen the family; and
WHEREAS, home-based schooling may be the fastest-growing form of education in the United States (at 7% to 12% per year), home-based education is also growing around the world in many nations; and
WHEREAS, there are about 2 million home school students in the United States; there were an estimated 1.9 to 2.4 million children (in grades K to 12) home educated during 2005-2006 in the United States; and
WHEREAS, families engaged in home-based education are not dependent on public, tax-funded resources for their children's education; the finances associated with their home schooling likely represent over $16 billion that taxpayers do not have to spend since these children are not in public schools; and
WHEREAS, home school students score above average on achievement tests regardless of their parents' level of formal education of their family's household income;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do herby proclaim March 30-April 5, 2008, as HOME EDUCATION AWARENESS WEEK.
To print out the Proclamation go to
http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=5007
Jan. 11, 2008
Really Cute Parts of Speech poems
Posted in links, resources and great finds
Another My Father's World mom posted these really cute learning poems that I had to share:
Parts of Speech poems
Oct. 26, 2007
Special News from My Father's World - check this out!!!
Posted in links, resources and great finds
My Father's World has issued a couple of amazing offers today. First if you know anyone who has lost homeschool supplies in the California fires, please encourage them to contact MFW for replacements. MFW will replace existing MFW customer losses free of charge and is offering a 50% discount for new customers!
My Father's World
PO Box 2140
Rolla, MO 65402
573-426-4600
info@mfwbooks.com
www.mfwbooks.com
Also for anyone else who is interested in trying this program (not impacted by the fires), MFW is offering a new customer discount from now until December 21, 2007 on the 2007 editions of Kindergarten, First Grade, Adventures in My Father’s World, and Exploring Countries and Cultures. Basic packages are 10% off. Complete deluxe packages are 15% off. In addition, we will include a free CD of David’s message, “Becoming a Family of Eternal Purpose.”
It is not too late to begin using MFW for this school year. The flexibility of homeschooling allows us to change curriculum at any time and still have solid academic instruction (and enjoy it!).
MFW staff are available and willing to assist new customers with questions about MFW curriculum, placement of children into a program, and how to use our programs.
Here are the sale prices for the new customer products:
2007 Editions Regular Price Sale Price
Kindergarten Basic $105.00 $94.50 (10% off)
Kindergarten Deluxe $189.00 $160.65 (15% off)
First Grade Basic $150.00 $135.00 (10% off)
First Grade Deluxe $245.00 $208.25 (15% off)
Adventures Basic $205.00 $184.50 (10% off)
Adventures Deluxe $310.00 $263.50 (15% off)
Exploring Countries
& Cultures Basic $250.00 $225.00 (10% off)
Exploring Countries
& Cultures Deluxe $305.00 $259.25 (15% off)
If you can help share the word about MFW, make your request for catalogs on the MFW website at http://mfwbooks.com/catalog.htm. In the comment field tell us how many catalogs you would like shipped to you at no cost. Thank you for helping to distribute our remaining 2007 catalogs.
Jul. 14, 2007
Fun extras for exploring countries and cultures
Posted in links, resources and great finds
Not original with me at all, but anyone studying other countires or cultures may enjoy the resources I have found through MFW ECC families, mostly posted to our various yahoo groups.
To maintain a realistic looking "passport" for your "travels" this year, consider contacting LCMS World Mission to request resources such as Mission Friends Passport and Stamps (stickers), Mission Friends Map and more! These resources are readily sent free of charge to anyone who request them, though I would encourage a small gift to help offset the ministry production and shipping charges. Special kids newsletters about several different countries are available for download as well.
What the World Eats Photos of 15 families from around the world and their groceries for an average week. Very eye-opening!
Birthday Traditions Around the World (McAfee does advise not to click on any links to "shippony.com" from this site, but otherwise, it looks great!)
May. 7, 2007
My Father's World mail groups and resources
Posted in links, resources and great finds
While the MFW Message Boards are the only online community specifically provided for My Father's World families by My Father's World, several MFW families enjoy the additional support and information provided by family-maintained emaily groups. I've known of several, but never seen them all listed in one place before. Today I discovered the following (some I hadn't even known existed):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MFWFamilies/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MyFathersWorldKindergarten/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MFW1STGRADE/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MFWAdventures/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MFW-ECC/ (ECC is "Exploring Countries and Cultures")
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MFWECC_UP/ (for all 5 years of the 2-8th grade rotationals, starting with ECC)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MFWCTG/ (CTG = "Creation to the Greeks")
NEW -----> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MFWHIGHSCHOOL
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mfwcurriculumswap/ (buy, sell and trade anything MFW)
If you know of other My Father's World resources, please add them in the comments here!
Jun. 26, 2006
Getting Ready for Second Grade!
Posted in links, resources and great finds
Joshua (6 1/2) will be starting Adventures in My Father's World in July. Ruthi (3 1/2) will be doing some basic preschool workbooks and joining in with us on crafts and science this year. Jeremiah (5 months) will just be "hanging out," nursing and getting in on whatever fun he can. We are really looking forward to the new year!
Since we still have a couple weeks before we get going, I don't have too much to update yet, but will get this site started with some of my most frequently used links:
My Father's World Curriculum
MFW Message Boards
MFW Yahoo Group
Math U See
Homeschool Tracker
Homeschooling Moms With Chronic Illnesses
Norther Nevada Home Schools
Nevada Homeschool Network
Home Educators of Faith
Eagle Home School Co-op
Home School Legal Defense Association
My Personal Website
My Book: Hannah's Hope: Seeking God's Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage, and Adoption Loss (NavPress, 2005)
