RECENTLYCheck out some of the great favs from the past year at HSB here -
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HSBCompanyBlog/134589/#c255967
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!! 
Much Love,
Kerri
Hi Friend!
You know that point when you're just about to blow & that little voice reminds you to "take a deep breath & count to 10"... Well, if you are anything like me, your flesh starts to scream - I don't want to count to ten! And follows with something like this: "I'm right, their wrong, and I'm going to tell them so"; or "Don't tell me to count to ten, these kids are driving me crazy"; or any other number of selfish things that I hope I'm not the only one who thinks them!
I got to thinking one day that if I could use that concept but take it a little further so that I got my mind on God instead of just numbers it might really help. I was inspired to use the Fruit of the Spirit as a guide to help me focus on what is really important instead of my present circumstances. Here's what I came up with:
One Precious Love
Two Joyful Hearts
Three Spirits of Peace
Four (for) All Who Know Him
Five Patient Looks
Six Kind Words
Seven Acts of Goodness
Eight Faithful Prayers
Nine Gentle Snuggles
Ten Ahh....Self Control
Unfortunately, I wrote this in a notebook that got tucked away in our move & I forgot all about it. Now I'm going to make it really big & hang it on my refrigerator! I hope maybe it'll help you & I get through some of those tough situations we face throughout the days.
Much Love,
Kerri
I just want to thank you for all of your kind words, encouragement and most especially your prayers. You, my sisters, mean so much to me. It's so funny how even when I'm not blogging I'm wondering about you all & can't wait to get back & see what you've been up to.
I'm slooowwwllllyyyy working my way through Oops! My Cup is Empty...and My Coffee Pot is Broke! and Lucia Claborn's first book on Faith. They are really good, so full of the Truth of the Word which is what I'm realizing is the only thing that is going to lift me out of this pit. Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" - I've always known it in my head but I'm realizing it for the first time I think as a way I have got to live.
Again, thank you ever so ever so much for caring so much about me. Your outpouring of love for me, a perfect stranger, makes it easier for me to believe and accept the love of God. I think that not being able to believe, I mean really believe that God loves me is one of my hugest obstacles to finding the freedom that I know God so desires for me. I bought Beth Moore's "Breaking Free" a while back but didn't get very far. I'm going to try again I think. It's just so hard, why is it so hard?
May God Bless You This Very Day!!!!
Much Love, My Sisters,
Kerri
I am in absolute amazement over the grace & love of our Lord Jesus Christ - His provision in just incomprehensible in every sense.
Okay, you remember the coffee story (if not please see my last post)... well, unfortunately, the coffee pot did not survive. Water must have gotten into its electronics; it just beeps & beeps & beeps but won't make a drop of coffee.
I've been really (really) down lately. Depression is something I've been battling for years now & I am just at a loss. If any of you have been clinincally depressed, or know anyone who has or is, you know that the longer it lasts the harder it gets to keep going. I guess all struggles are that way, aren't they. It's so hard not to feel defeated when circumstances and situations don't seem to get any better. It's been hard for me to even read my Bible let alone get anything out of what I'm reading. (And this is not like me at all.)
Well, the Wonderful Lord in His infinite wisdom has provided me with a book that is really helping me a lot. And this is The Rest of the Story...
About 2 weeks ago I won a free e-book from Cindy Rushton. She drew my name from the names of everyone who posted a comment at her blog. She has been my homeschool mentor since we started about 4 years ago & I consider her a cherished friend even though we don't really know one another. I'm at a definite advantage because of her ministry. She has really put her life out there to encourage women & from her podcast with Lucia Claborn I discovered that Cindy has been through depression and she has come through victorious! So, I emailed her & asked her if she has written anything about her struggle with depression and what she learned (she is a wonderful Bible teacher if you didn't know). I told her that if she has, I would like that book for my free e-book if possible. Guess what showed up in my email box the day after my coffee pot died?
Oops! My Cup is Empty...and My Coffee Pot is Broke!
Bible Study in E-book Format by Cindy Rushton
Do not ever try to tell me that Jesus doen't love to laugh!!!
It's a Bible Study on the life of Hannah. I've only just begun it but I'm amazed at the hope I feel just knowing that the Lord is right there looking out for me. He orchestrated this situation to get my attention because he knew how apathetic I have been feeling. He is concerned with my well-being & He will not allow me to stay in this place. Praise His Holy Name!!!
Thank you Cindy & Lucia. Thank you to all of you who have lifted me up and prayer.
Much Love,
Kerri
who is infinitely amazed at His love & His grace
Oh my gosh, I just have to share this funny with you... 
We just finished dinner not too long ago & my dh asked dd11 to make him a pot of coffee... no problem. I just happened to step into the kitchen as she was scooping & noticed there were 2 filters in the pot. Not wanting her to have to try to contend with a filter that already had coffee in it, I asked her to let me interrupt her a moment & fix the problem. I put the 1 filter back in and told her she could finish up. "That's okay mom, you can do it," was the reply; so I added the last scoop, closed the lid, turned on the machine and left the room.
10 minutes later... "I hope no one wanted coffee!!!"
I forgot to put the pot on the coffee maker!!!! 
What a Mess!!! There was even coffee in the stovetop!!!
Well, we got the messed cleaned up & dh kicked me out of the kitchen so that "he" could make himself a pot of coffee, though he did thank me for the effort. 
10 minutes later... "Oh, My!!!! What is going on here?!?!"
Another Mess!!! Though this one was not nearly the magnitude of the 1st.
Upon taking a closer look, I discovered that dh forgot to put the coffee filter basket in before he put the filter into the machine so the whole filter full of coffee fell into the pot!!!! 
We couldn't help it, we just lost it. 
Neither one us could stop laughing. I guess I should have just left those 2 filters in to begin with...
I'm still giggling as I write this. Hope you got a chuckle too!!!
Much Love,
Kerri
Hi there! If you read my last post, you know I'm struggling right now. Actually, that post is only the tip of the iceburg... I know the Lord has the answers... I know the Lord IS the answer, I just don't know how to make what I know in my head real in my life.
Anyway, I've been in the Word more this past week & that's been great and I subscribe to a daily email verse & they have been so on the mark - I've actually had to chuckle at how poignant these verses have been this last week. I've even been printing them out and puting them up in front of me all day long.
KindredSpiritMom left me a really nice & encouraging response to my last post. I haven't been HSB this week cuz I've just had so much going on so I decided to stop over & see what she's been up to. What a blessing was in store with me!!! I've read her posts (and I hope your feeling better KSM!!) but I never noticed her links before - right there on her blog is a link to Beth Moore! I was so excited, that's a name I know I can count on for some refreshment for my weary soul.
I flew 
on over to Beth's & what did I find? 
http://www.lifetoday.org/site/PageServer?pagename=tel_webcasts
I've watched Life Today a few times but rarely catch it when it's on in my area. Imagine how excited I was to find out their past broadcasts are online including the Beth Moore ones!!! Thanks KindredSpiritMom!!!! I'll be adding Beth's Pages to my links for sure!!
So, if you're in need of a little encouragement 
(and who isn't?) stop over a watch a while. I'm on my way now...
Much Love,
Kerri
Well, you may know that I recently moved over 1,000 miles from OH to FL. Our moving budget was Very Low so I had to be very careful in choosing what of our belongings we should hold onto and what we could just live without. I was absolutely amazed at the amount of "stuff" I was able to get rid of. The kids and I (Gary was already in FL working during most of this) went through everything we own - twice - before we packed anything at all. Sometimes I even went through again before it was taped and labeled. We gave away literally truckloads and vanfulls of "stuff". And the stuff I threw away was even more unbelievable... I vowed never again to allow "stuff" to become a burden to me.
I am an information junkie... I just love to collect informative articles. It's bad... Sometimes I don't even get around to reading them; I just collect them. I threw away so much paper before I left OH and now I find myself falling right back into those same bad habits. Ughhhh! Cleanse my heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit in me... I know that this is a spiritual issue for me. I have the most difficult time waiting upon the Lord to bring me just the right thing at just the right time.
Of course He's proven Himself time and time again in this area:
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He brings just the right ideas to mind at just the right time we need them to learn a lesson.
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He brings lessons through creation to us all the time.
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He's been faithful through all our storms and brought encouragement to us at just the right moments.
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He brings just the right opportunity to us when we need an activity.
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He brings just the right person when I need to learn something - and at His perfect time for me to learn it. When I try to force things, they just never work out. (This is a lesson I Reallllyyyy need to get through my head!!!)
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He's supplied our every need at times when I had no idea how they would be supplied.
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He's brought Gary a business opportunity that was at just the perfect ime.
The list goes on and on. So why is it so difficult to just rest in the Lord?
I don't have the answer, but I do know that I have decided to give it try and here's the plan...
1. I'm not surfing for or collecty ANY NEW information the rest of this week (or longer if necessary).
2. I am going to get the information I do have ORGANIZED!!!! I've already begun this process, I'll let you know how it's going.
3. I'm going to LISTEN to (actually re-listen) a wonderful recording of Cindy Rushton & Lucia Claborn discussing how they've walked through the valleys and claimed the victory we have in Christ. I've only made it through the first two recordings because I've listened to them each twice - It's that good!!! My desire to spend time with the Lord is being renewed - I encourage you to give a listen, here's the link: An Afternoon with Lucia Claborn!
4. I'm going to get together with God way more often and begin Speaking with Him daily. I've written my prayers for years, but I'm going to try going for a daily walk with Him. Here I am in Sunny FL and I rarely even go outside. I'm a homebody by nature but I'm thinking I need to venture out and enjoy this beautiful world God has put me in.
5. I do Bible Lessons with the kids each day, but I've let my own personal Bible Study go by the wayside. I've decided to read through the Book of John this week.
Well, there's my plan. It's in writing so I can keep myself accountable if nothing else. I hope you have a Wonderful Day!
Much Love,
Kerri
Gena is having a contest... but you have to post before her next entry so hurry on over & check it out!
Cicadas Invade St. Petersburg!!!
This morning the children awoke to discover a cicada had landed on a low branch of one of our trees and emerged from its nymphal shell. How cool!!! He was still hanging there right at eye-level!! We observed it for quite a while and then he flew away...
If you'd like to listen to cicada songs, check out this neat website :
cicada songs These are native to FL but cool to listen to wherever you live!
Have a great day!
Much Love,
Kerri
Man trading up from paper clip to house
What a long, strange trip it's been — so far
|
I hope your inspired to reach for your dreams!!!
Mush Love, Kerri |
We recently moved to St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Mexico. My children have been asking me a whole bunch of hurricane questions so I'm going to do what an self-respecting HS mother would do - I'm going to have a Unit Study!!!
Actually, I don't know that we'll do what most would consider a full blown unit study, but we will be doing lots of FUN hurricane stuff & hopefull, Lord willing, our experimental hurricanes will be the only ones we experience! 
We won't start until next Monday, though. My dd16 is away in Biloxi, MS on a mission trip and she would be really mad if I did any fun experiments without her! 
Hands on is the only part of science she has any interest in.
I have downloaded the Free Hurricane Unit from TOS and will use quite a bit of it. We'll also be extending our study throughout the season by following up on which names are given to this year's hurricanes.
Do any of you have any ideas for hurricane activities? I'd love to hear them. We notebook a lot and I love read alouds. My children - especially ds9 - aren't overly thrilled with read alouds, but I'm working on them!!!! We have a special time called Snack Attack Time and we all gather in the living room and eat & read. As long as there's food involved my son will be there!!! 
Anyway, I'll keep you posted on our hurricane study & if I can figure out how to get pictures up on this blog, I'll share some with you of our adventures here on the Gulf.
Much Love,
Kerri
Hi there! I cannot tell you how happy I am to be back!
Happy Apple posted that it is "Husband Appreciation Day!" Stop by & check out her list of why she appreciates her husband - but not before you read mine! 
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My husband is my very best friend on Earth - Jesus ranks #1 in the Universe!
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He loves the Lord & seeks to please Him in everything he does!
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He is patient & kind & loving!
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He loves me ever so dearly!
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He loves our children dearly as well!
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He makes me laugh!
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He is a wonderful provider & a very hard worker!
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He is a wonderful teacher and loves to teach our children!
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He supports & encourages me in whatever I set my mind to!
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He is adventurous - like me! We recently took the plunge & moved to Florida!!!! (I'll share more about this adventure later)
Well, I'm sure there's a whole lot more, but 10 is a nice even number! Besides, I want to read your lists! You can type your list here in my comments or better yet - put in on Your Blog - but be sure to leave a comment with your blog address here in my comments so I can your list!
Have a Blessed Day!
Much Love,
Kerri
Hello Friends! What a glorious celebration Easter is!! The Resurrection of the Perfect Lamb of God!
Easter was very different for our family this year. To begin with, we recently moved 1100 miles from our families and friends. We left a small town in NE Ohio and moved to St. Petersburg, FL. Our families were not especially close, but holidays and birthdays are big deals with big dinners, cookouts, lots of guests, etc., etc. Today it was just us - and I'm even missing my oldest dd16 who is on a mission trip with my mom.
We own a van that my husband uses to work out of but our family vehicle died about a week before we joined my husband in FL. We haven't been able to get a new car yet so we don't have a church family either. My 11yo dd decided that she was going to prepare an Easter service for us. It was wonderful!!! She took this project on all by herself and announced to the family about 2 weeks ago that she was going to this on her own. (She was nice & allowed her brother who's 9 to help a bit.) She read to us from Scripture and we had wonderful discussion. She prepared bread & mock wine for us & we talked about the Last Supper. It really was a beautiful service. She has such a teacher's heart, it's so neat to have her take the initiative and prepare lessons for her family. It's tough not having a vehicle that seat more than two people; but I wouldn't trade what we experienced today for any car!!!
I hope that you have had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday!!!
He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!
Much Love!
Kerri
eBay and Real Savvy Mom's Baby Dream Room Contest
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- Is your infant moving out of their crib into a big kid bed?
- Is your living room doubling as a toy store and you have company coming?
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See the Official Contest Rules for restrictions and complete details.
Dear Friends,
This is really urgent!
This week the Senate Judiciary Committee is beginning hearings to determine if Judge Samuel Alito will replace retiring Sandra Day O'Connor as the next Justice of the Supreme Court.
I believe that Judge Alito is a strict constructionist who will
interpret the Constitution as it was written rather than
legislate from the bench. Judge Alito should receive dignified
hearings and a fair up or down vote to be confirmed by the full Senate later this month.
That's why I signed the petition at http://www.ApproveAlito.com
I invite you to join me by visiting the Approve Alito website,
reading the content to understand what's at stake, and then by adding your name to mine on the petition.
Together we really can make a difference... But the hearings
have just begun, so it's crucial we pray for God's will to be
done, and take action RIGHT NOW.
Sign the petition today at http://www.ApproveAlito.com
Much Love,
Kerri
P.S. For more information, you can check out my daughter's blog at http://homeschoolblogger.com/shootingstarr
Hi! I got the new issue of the ICR (Institute for Creation Research) Acts & Facts & wanted to share these ideas with you...
As each new year approaches it is customary to look back and reflect on the year that has passed and reflect on the things we'd like to change or do differently this coming year. From ICR's Dr. Henry Morris III, here are a few of the "bigger resolutions" we should consider:
The First & Second Commandment (Matthew 27:37-39)
To love God wholly and then love others is the demanding summary of the Ten Commandments of God. None of us keep them continually, but all of us should renew ou willingness to obey them (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Judgment, Mercy, & Faith (Matthew 23:23)
All the "technical obedience" of the Pharisees was not enough to please the Lord Jesus. He considered all religious activity secondary to a lifestyle of holiness that reflected His own heart (Micah 6:8).
Kind, Tenderhearted, Forgiving (Ephesians 4:32)
Jesus told His disciples that the world would recognize our love toward one another (John 13:34-35). He also said that if we refused to forgive those who had wronged us, the Heavenly Father would not forgive us (Mark 11:26). This is supremely important!
Good Stewards of God's Grace (I Peter 4:10)
The Stewardship principle has its foundation in the Dominion Mandate of Genesis 1:28, to care for God's creation. The lifestyle requirement extends to our use of that which God has given us (Matthew 25:15-28; Luke 19:13-25) and to the service we give to God's family with the gifts He has given us (Romans 12:3-11).
Sow Bountifully (II Corinthians 9:6)
There is much bound up in this command and promise: faithfulness in our church (Hebrews 10:25); consistent tithing (Micah 3:10; I Corinthians 16:2); and generous offerings and alms (Luke 12:32-34). But it also covers all that we do in the Lord's service, from the "cup of cold water" to the "ministry" to and for the saints. This "resolution" is most blessed when it is followed "cheerfully" (II Corinthians 9:7).
Whether you agree with the theology or not, if you are like me, these are all areas where there is room for personal growth. I won't be making any "resolutions" this year... I know I could resolve until I was blue in the face to be all of these things but alone I am powerless to change. However, I do hope (look forward knowingly in faith) that as my personal relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ grows I will see a bountiful harvest of these beautiful traits in my character.
Much Love & Wishes for a Happy New Year to You!!!
Kerri
Hi Friend!
This was a message in one of my Yahoo groups & I want to share it with you...
I would like to alert you to something that you can do to protect your privacy as part of the e-loop. Yahoo uses Web Beacons which track where you are going on the internet. You can opt out of this, and I would strongly encourage you all to do so. It is very simple to do.
Just click here Web Beacons and scroll about 3/4 down the page until you see You may choose to opt-out of Yahoo! using this information for this research. Please click here to opt-out. By clicking here you will opt out of their new snooping mechanism.
Once you have clicked that link, you are opted out. Notice the "Success" message on the top of the next page. Be careful because on that page there is a "Cancel Opt-out" button that, if clicked, will *undo** the opt-out.
Doing this will ensure a little more privacy from the Yahoo network.
Feel free to forward this to your other e-group friends.
Much Love,
Kerri
In case you have any non-Christian friends who have seen or are planning to see TL, TW, & TW here's a couple of links you might like to check out. They are both links to Mission America & are articles that tie the story of TCoN to the most important Story ever told. Pretty cool!!!!
3 Page Article:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Not Just Another Movie – The Greatest Story Ever Told
1 Page Article:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe The Story within the Story – Making the Biblical Connection
I sure hope you all had a Most Wonderful Christmas!!!
Much Love Indeed!
Kerri
I know that sounds kind of silly, but trully, do any of you know a remedy for dizziness caused by fluid in the inner ear? I'm going bonkers trying to walk around. I feel like I'm walking on marshmallows - I never know which way the floor is going to go!!! 
My oldest dd16 is planning to take me & her on a date to get our hair cut (my Christmas present from her!!!) She's sooo sweet!!! 
We wanted to go today but all this dizziness is making me nauseous and I think giving me a headache too.
Anyway, if you know of anything I can try, pleeeaaassse let me know.
Merry Christmas & Much Love,
Kerri
I'm so glad to be feeling better... I ended up with an inner ear problem and was so dizzy I could hardly walk for a week! A friend just sent this to me and I wanted to share it with my friends here at HSB.
YOU CAN'T STEAL MY CHRISTMAS
Original Poem by Sharon Steege
Used with permission
I don't know who they are
Saying I can't greet the crowd
The way that I want to
Can't say CHRISTMAS out loud.
I walk into a business place
See things that I rather not see
But dare I not say CHRISTMAS
And ask for a "holiday" tree.
What happened to freedom of speech
And living in the land of the free
How can they take my CHRISTMAS money
But can't say MERRY CHRISTMAS to me.
Men and women have given their lives
So we could still go free
I wonder how they would feel
At saying "HOLIDAY" TREE.
Come on AMERICA let's wake up
Don't let our freedom escape
If they get by with doing this
What else will they take.
This is starting to get out of hand,
And I've begun to keep track
Well I've just about had enough
I'M TAKING CHRISTMAS BACK.
So MERRY CHRISTMAS AMERICA
I hope this gets all over the net
If we all stand united and take freedom back
'Twill be our best CHRISTMAS YET!
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY
AND GOD BLESS ALL OF US