Who would have thought in 1989 when I started homeschooling  that in 2008 we would have something called lapbooking.  My how things have changed-for the better. 

Well, we dove in and have begun to lap book.  The boys and I started a lap book on the Oregon Trail.  I bought the project packs from www.handsofachild.com  I have found these very easy to use.  They have been a great way for us to get started in something new.  I am NOT a very crafty person but I can do this.  If I can do this any one can.  My boys love it.   They are already choosing new topics for us to do.  I love the excitement it has put in them to learn.  That is what this is about deleloping a LOVE for learning.   It has taken some stress out of school.  They are looking forward to this time of the day.  So let me encourage you that if you have not tried this in your school try it you and your kids just might like it.

I got this in an e-mail and thought I would post it here. 

31 Days of Prayer for Our Husbands

1.     That he might become a holy man of prayer; mature in the Lord, growing in his knowledge of the Lord. 1 Thes 5:23, Col 4:12, Eph 1:18-19, 3:16-19, 6:18

2.    That he might grow in all 11 descriptions of a man who will not be shaken as listed in Psalm 15.

3.    That he might be a man of contentment as seen in Prov 15:16, Phil 4:11, 1 Tim 6:6-8, Heb 13:5.

4.   That he might learn to take every thought captive, to not be conformed to the world’s thinking and to think scripturally. Rom 12:2, 2 Cor 10:5

5.    That he might daily seek God with all his heart, walking in the Spirit moment by moment, growing in his dependence on Him. Ps 119:1-2, Prov 3:5-6

6.   That he would ever be captivated by my love. Prov 5:18-19

7.    That he would be a man of courage. Deut 31:6, 2 Chron 19:11

8.   That the Lord might give him wisdom to lead his family physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Eph 1:17-19

9.   May he always look at the plank in his own eye before seeing other’s sawdust. Matt 7:3

10.That he might become a called man, not driven, with well thought through and prayed through goals in life. 1 Cor 9:24-27

11.  That he might be a man of prayer, guarding his heart and mind, putting into practice what he has heard, seen, and learned. Phil 4:4-9

12. That he might stand firm against the schemes of the devil and resist Satan in all circumstances. Eph 6:10-18, Jas 4:7

13. That he might grow in spiritual maturity by putting away childish things, cultivating, understanding, striving after the Christ ideal, partaking of the deeper truths of the Gospel, and overcoming temptation. 1 Cor 13:11, Eph 4:13, Jn 2:14

14.That he might make me holy, cleansing me by the washing with water through the word. Eph 5:26

15. That he would learn to not depend on his circumstances for happiness but on God alone. Hab 3:17-19

16.That he would be a man who enters into spiritual warfare. Eph 6:11-12, 1 Thes 5:8

17. That he might have new strength in the midst of his busy schedule and that the Lord might infuse him with His strength. Isa 40:31

18.That he might have a burden to see lost people come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Matt 28:19-20

19.That he would be kept from strange women and evil men and that his friends would be men and women who walk with God. Prov 13:20

20.              That his self image might be a reflection of the Lord’s thoughts toward him. Eph 1:17-19, Rom 12:3, Ps 139

21. That he might be a man responsible for family spiritual growth. Prov 4:1-14

22. That he might not be deceived into unbelief, sin, or bitterness. Matt 13:8-10

23.That he might learn to love as God has commanded. 1 Cor 13:4-7, Rom 12:8-10, Eph 5:25

24.              That the fruit of the Spirit might be exhibited more and more in his life. Gal 5:22-23, Jn 15:8

25.That he might grow in humility and being a shepherd. 1 Pet 5:2-6

26.              That he might grow daily in character. 2 Pet 1:5-8

27.That he might keep a clear conscience. 1 Pet 3:16-18

28.              That the Lord might protect him, guarding his course. Prov 2:8

29.              That he might learn to manage his time well. Eph 5:15

30.              That the Lord would put a song in his heart. Ps 33:3, 40:3, Job 35:10

31. That he may have a holy fear of God. Ps 34:11, 111:10, Prov 9:10

One of the benefits of living in Florida and homeschooling is being able to see a live shuttle lauch.  My dh decided Monday night we would drive over and see the 2am launch.  He said this would be something the boys would never forget.  So, we woke them up at midnight and off we went.  One of my sons slept all the way over there.  My other 2 sons stayed awake.  The launch went up with out any problems.  The boys did think it was neat.   We got back home at 3:45 am.  It was a nice spur of the moment decision. 

Today, I decided to take my boys and go downtown to our big library. We had a great time together. They checked out lots of movies and some books too. After leaving the library we walked to a near by lake and park. They got to see some turtles. My boys love turtles! I then took them and showed them 2 of the places I lived in when I was a child. They thought this was neat. When I stopped in front of the houses where I used to lived my mind went right back there. All those memories good and back came flooding back. It makes me realize how important every moment I spend with my boys is. We are making memories together. We then enjoyed lunch together. After lunch we came back home and I made them write about what we did for the day. What a nice relaxing homeschool day.

I thought I would post my testiomony here on my blog.  I pray this will encourage others struggling like I did for so look. 

First of all let me say that there is a difference between praying a prayer and giving your life to Christ.  If you have just prayed a prayer, you may be doing all the right things, but there is no growth in your life, you stay dormant.  If you have given your life to Christ your seed will blossom over and over again.  You will want to give the seed to others because you want them to have what you have.  I know now I have a seed that I want to blossom and give to others not dormant as I had been for 15 years.

On August 18, 1989 My husband and I  went for  pre-marital counseling We had decided after 5 years of being together that we wanted to get married.  We wanted to get married in a church.  It was at that time Willard and I both prayed a prayer to be saved. At that time I thought I was saved and would go to heaven when I died.  I started doing all the right things. I got baptized, started attending church, reading my Bible, praying. All the things I was told I needed to be doing.  Willard on the other hand didn’t want to come to church and so he didn’t. I prayed for him to come and he would on Christmas and Easter or when the kids were singing.   There were times when I would hear messages and think, according to that it doesn’t sound like I am saved.  I would think why is that not in my life.   I just ignored them and I kept doing what I thought was right.

 On March 12, 2003 Willard gave his life to Jesus Christ.   I noticed things about him that I didn’t have in my life. Unlike August of 1989 this time Willard sought out God.  He wanted Jesus Christ as a part of his life.  It made me really begin to wonder about my own salvation.  Things were changing in our church too.  We had a new pastor come in I didn’t want to hear what he had to say. I would hear the messages but apply them to other people, not me.  I thought I was good.  I was doing all these things that I thought I should be doing. I realize now, that I was doing them for the wrong reason, not out of love for my Savior, but to be noticed by others.

 Then I began to try and listen to what the pastor had to say.  The more I listened the more convicted I became that I didn’t know Jesus.  On Sunday August 8, 2004 I gave my life to Jesus Christ and was saved.  On August 18, 1989 I only added him to my life.

 Our family went through a lot of emotions.   I SHOCKED my husband and my children.  They all thought I was already saved.  But I wasn’t.  Looking back over the last 15 years I see how many times God spared my life.   I am so thankful for what Jesus Christ has done for me.

 As you read this you may be thinking how could someone be so involved and yet not be saved.  Well, I am not the only case.  How many more are out there living the life I lived for so long? This is happening in churches all across America.   I want God to use this testimony to bring others to Jesus Christ.

 It was a hard thing to walk that isle.  Satan tried to tell me “You can’t do that”.  What about your family, friends what will they think?  I didn’t walk the isle, I RAN!  So if you are not 100% sure of your salvation, nail it down today!  I would love to show you how you can begin a relationship with Jesus Christ.  E-mail me at faithhopelove1189@yahoo.com

On Feb 4th my husband got laid off from his job of 14 years.  This was not expected.  The Lord is showing me that my trust is in Him and not a job or people.  He is our provider.  Proverbs 3:5-6 says to Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding He will direct your paths.  So as my husband prays and seeks God direction I am learning to wait on God, trust God and know that His ways are not our ways.  He has said He will never leave nor forsake me.  I know that He is with us as we go through this.   

Therefore we also since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witness, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God

These verses say to lay aside EVERY weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us.  This could be looking at the way others home school and wanting to be like them.  It could be worrying about teaching your child to read.  Maybe it’s high school? A special needs child?  Whatever it is we need to lay it down to Jesus and run with endurance to finish this race.  When we do then we will see the joy that will come from looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith and homeschooling.  So if you are feeling like giving up today remember Jesus endured the cross for us. The pain that he went through can not be compared to what we go through.  Keep on running!!     

It has been a week now since the flu came to our home.  I am ready for it to leave.  It started with one of my sons, he decided he would share with his brother.  This is one of the things they don't mind sharing.  I find it amazing that when they are sick they don't mind sharing.  Maybe one day they will learn to share other things too.  Last night dh came down with it and is now in bed.  When he doesn't get out of bed you know that he is sick.  The cough with this thing is horrible.  I have tried just about everything and nothing is working.  Praying this thing goes away and doesn't return.