Teen Missions Team 08027

Robert Krasawski III

Caixa Postal 01

Sao Miguel do Guama-PA

CEP 68660-970

BRAZIL

In the spirit of being a blessing here, I wanted to pass along these great sites I found today for anyone interested in homeschooling without breaking the bank--and especially those looking for lapbooking resources!  We are going to do lapbooks for the first time here this year, and I am getting really excited about it!  I think the kids will all really enjoy it, and the lapbooks will be a fun, tangible thing to "show" for what they're learning.  I found these two sites which I expect to be using a lot . . .

http://www.homeschoolingonashoestring.com/index.html

http://www.homeschoolhelper.com

I'm going to look into History Pockets, too, as I've heard they're great!  My df Misty found some beautiful paper dolls for Shakespeare (love it!) so I imagine there's got to be some nice American History ones available *somewhere.*  It also sounds like an excuse to spend some $$ on the gorgeous life-size costumes at Vision Forum, to me! 

I love homeschooling, don't you?  And I must add, that's a miracle.  I was so depleted last year that I can't even really express it, and I really did not have any idea how I'd make it another year.  Then one morning I woke up and I knew *why* I'd been depleted (believing a lie, of course!) and at the same time, my vision for homeschooling was renewed.  Truly, homeschooling our kids is an exhausting job (if we do it right!) and it takes the grace of God to finish each and every year--indeed, to BEGIN each and every year!  Without that grace . . . well, for me I just knew it wasn't going to happen.  So I'm thankful that He poured it in again, and I'm actually excited about this year!  If you're feeling exhausted and don't know how to go on, whether in homeschooling or really any situation, I'd like to encourage you.  First, ask God why you're drained.  The answer may surprise you--I know it did me!  Second, repent if necessary (again, the answer may surprise you!  )  Third, ask God what He wants you to do now.  If He doesn't give you a specific answer, it's probably because the directions haven't changed since last time He talked to you about that area!  So go back to the last time you heard Him say something and obey that directive before looking for a new one.  One of my pastors always used to say, "If you're trying to figure out God's will for your life, go back to the last time God told you to do something.  Did you say yes? Are you still doing that?  Then you're in God's will!"  Simple, but oh-so-true! Fourth, ask God to fill you with strength for the task, and then expect Him to do it.  He will!