One of the greatest things about homeschooling is the way we can emphasize life skills and worldview in addition to academics. We are not raising our children for the glory of the University...we are raising them for the glory of God, and to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the soon-coming King, before whom every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess His Lordship!
As we enter the season of Advent and then Christmas, I desire to be mindful of the worldview I espouse, and the messages I send via my actions, my traditions, and my decisions. All of life is a classroom for our young adults, and they are learning from everything we do, even when we don't think we're teaching.
I do not wish to lay a "guilt trip" on anyone regarding holiday traditions, or the cleanliness/guest-readiness of their home, the "beauty" of their home decor. Quite the opposite! Many homeschooling families, as a matter of fact, are choosing not to celebrate Christmas because of the overwhelming commercialism the holiday has come to represent to the world, among other things. A dear friend of mine has come to this conclusion, and her family simply doesn't "do" Christmas. Although I won't personally be following that practice, I do understand the reasoning behind their decision. And, as a result, I have thought long and hard about the Christmas "practices" in my own home. The following is a brief glimpse into what I've been contemplating, and you are invited...if you'd like...to join me in answering these questions:
1. What am I teaching my children as I go about my holiday planning? There should be an intentionality about my work, about our traditions, which is not focused on the world but rather on Christ's incarnation and the reason for His coming to Earth. If I am putting decorations up inside and outside of my home, why am I doing it? Sometimes traditions are just that--they're traditions, handed down through generations. My sons know that I do the things I do, decorate the tree the way I do (actually, they do it now!), bake the cookies that I bake, because it is how my parents did, decorated, and baked.
My personal thoughts: Traditions aren't bad. Christmas trees aren't bad. Cookies aren't bad...in moderation! But do they show or reflect the miracle of God Incarnate? Can they? So where should my priorities be, given a choice of decorating and baking vs. spending time on a missions or outreach activity?
2. What is the overall "focus" of Christmas in our home? When my sons speak to their children someday (Lord willing) about what Christmas was like when they were growing up, what will they say? What will stand out in their minds? Going to Wisconsin to cut down a tree (we live in Illinois), a 7 t 8 hour event, big yellow dog included, will be a highlight! But will they remember the outreach activities? Hospitality? Missions? Hymns? Or will they talk about presents, food, vacation from schoolwork?
My thoughts: I didn't grow up in a Christian home. We were faithful church-goers, but the church of my younger years was a spiritually-dead church. So Christmas was focused on Santa, the cookies, the tree, the presents. There was church, there were Christmas carols and candlelight, and I loved all of it, but I didn't comprehend the intensity of what God was doing when He came to us as a babe in that manger. All I knew was that "Jesus was born on Christmas," according to the Christmas carols. I praise God that He found me, and that He drew me to Himself, and that I have been able to share so much more with my sons about that babe in the manger! But again, where has the main focus appeared to be? I know my heart is thinking about Christ, but what are my actions showing my sons? More is "caught" than taught.
Within the practice of holiday decorating, a key for our family is to get that decorating done in one fell swoop, even though it's a three-day-long-fell-swoop! Our tree was cut and brought home from Wisconsin on Saturday. It was decorated on Sunday after church, and today (Monday as I write this) I will pull out and put up the last of the special things we use only once a year in December. From tomorrow on, then, our focus can truly be on remembering and reflecting upon Christ, and His first-coming...with our eyes and and our hearts FIRMLY fixed on His second-coming. Our "holiday busyness" can be because of missions and outreach activities, not "decorating." We can be praying, worshipping, and fellowshipping with the saints, rather than racing around at WalMart. We can enjoy relaxed fellowship with one another, as a family, in the baking of traditional German cookies to share with loved ones, rather than in haste and impatience. Should the latter become the atmosphere of our home at Christmas, then the activity should cease.
I pray that some of these thoughts might be a blessing to you as you go about your holiday activities with your high school-age children! May we all seek to honor Christ Jesus throughout this Advent Season! And may God bless you and your homeschool this week!Lori
PS: Since last thursday was Thanksgiving, you may have missed my message about a brand new meme over at Plans4You...join me on Thursdays for
Lori Havens has been married to Kevin for 24 years. They live in Illinois with their two sons, Bryan (17) and Nathan (16), and dog Sunny (9). Lori enjoys writing, gardening, reading, and the outdoors. She hosts the "Thursday Talkin' About Teenagers" meme at her HSB blog, "Plans4You," and is the author of "Should I Be A Nurse? A Journey of Self-Exploration for Those Considering a Career in Nursing" and "7 Essential Questions Every Future Nurse Must Ask." You can find her blogging at both Homeschool Blogger and Homestead Blogger .
I have nothing against numbers, and I have nothing in favor of letters--as grades, but the problem the Spokane schools are hoping to solve won't be cured because of their preference for numbers over letters. They could do the exact same report card using the letter system. Nor will telling parents how their children are doing after the term help. Parents need to know how their children are doing during the term. Unfortunately many teachers never communicate that at all and leave it to the report card to do their "dirty" work for them.
Just a few weeks ago I spoke with a mom whose son had been placed in a new school. She thought her son was doing well. She had signed up to be a substitute teacher's aide and one day she was called in to help in the remedial math class. She was shocked to find her son in it. At first she thought he'd lost his way or something, but he soon let her know that this was his math class. It was a rough day for her as she waited for the day to end to find out the answers as to why her son was in this special class and why hadn't she or her husband ever been told?
While the parent should always be the one to keep tabs on their children and not leave it up to the teachers to relay how a student is doing, parents have been conditioned to believe that they have put their children in safe hands and that until they are notified, by report card, everything is fine and dandy.
Communication among parents and teachers is bound to get worse, not better, no matter what grading system is used as long as parents continue to blindly follow the blind.
Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB
- Home Where They Belong
Once upon a time there lived a boy named Sean who lived with his father Mr. Wilbert. A week before Christmas, when he was five years old, his mother died of cancer.
Five years later, Sean and his dad were both still lonely. Mr. Wilbert saw him playing video games.
Mr. Wilbert asked sadly, “Son is there anything in the world you can do besides play video games all day?”
Sean replied pitifully, “Well, yes I can but I just don’t feel like doing anything right now. I feel like staring at the screen.”
Mr. Wilbert left. When Sean finished his level and turned the TV off, he heard someone or something say, “Sean.” Sean screamed when he saw the Christmas tree lights blink.
Mr. Wilbert ran into the living room and asked, “What in the world is going on son? What’s the matter?”
Sean stuttered and replied, “I-I hea-rd t-t-he tree talk. It j-ust said my name.”
Mr. Wilbert rolled his eyes and uttered, “Son, if you don’t stop playing your video games I’m going to have to unplug the TV.”
Sean yelled, “Dad I really saw it. I really heard that tree talk. I know, I did Trust me!”
Mr. Wilbert rolled his eyes and walked into the kitchen and drank his coffee.
Sean whispered, “Tree, what do you want?”
The Christmas tree replied, “I am afraid that after Christmas I will be thrown out and chopped into a tree cutting machine. I really don’t want to die.”
Sean whispered back, “I know. When my dad leaves I’ll hide you in the food cabinet until my dad stops looking for you.”
The tree whispered, “Okay thank you so much.”
Mr. Wilbert yelled from the kitchen , “I’m leaving! I’ll be back later!”
Sean acknowledged his dad, “Okay dad.”
After Mr. Wilbert left, Sean told the tree to follow him and then it asked “Wow you have a big food cabinet. Want me to help you carry food out into the basement?”
Sean replied, “Sure. Thanks.”
After they took food into the basement, Sean yelled, “Oh no, my dad will be home in five minutes. What are we going to do? Hurry jump into the cabinet.” The tree jumped right in.
Sean warned, “Don’t say a word. Keep still or you will be caught by my dad and I will be in trouble for putting you in here okay?”
The tree quickly uttered, “Okay.”
Sean closed the closet and got out a game and thought, “Maybe that will keep my dad’s mind off the missing tree or even mom.”
Mr. Wilbert opened the door and asked, “Hi son. What that you got in your hand?”
Sean replied, “Oh it’s a board game called, “Scrabble.” I thought we could play a game just to find happiness in this world.”
Mr. Wilbert uttered excitedly, “Okay son let’s go play it.”
As Sean was playing with his dad, something didn’t feel right. He was thinking of the tree in the closet and the death of his mother. It didn’t feel like Christmas at all. So then he replied, “Dad, um……I have something to tell you.”
Mr. Wilbert excitedly but curiously asked, “Yes! I got twenty four points! Um… yes son?”
Sean replied, “I placed the tree in the food cabinet because……” ? He paused and continued, “I know you don’t believe me. But the tree told me that it is afraid to die and wanted me to help him. So that’s why I hid him in the closet. Because I wanted him to stay safe.”
Mr. Wilbert uttered, “Son did you know that even though trees die, that God has a reason for them to do so? So even if this tree dies we know that it is God’s will. We can work on saving trees by using less paper okay? So let’s go get that tree and place it up right.”
Sean and Mr. Wilbert ran into the kitchen to get that tree out of the cabinet. They placed it in the living room. Sean explained, “Tree, did you know that if you die, you are dieing to make paper for us.”
The Tree replied, “Now I am not afraid to die because now I have a superb reason to do so. Thanks for trying to save me.”
The next day Mr. Wilbert uttered, “Sean, here you can give this gift to the Christmas tree.”
Sean handed the tree the gift. Then the Tree opened it and oh how its leaves glistened in the bright sun and how its lights blinked with joy. The Tree replied, “Thank you so much. It’s a very beautiful paper shaped ornament.”
After Christmas was over, Sean and his dad spent time together sharing the funny stories that Mrs. Wilbert used to tell Sean when he was little.
Mr. Wilbert spoke, “I just want to say something to you Sean. If it hadn’t been for your mother marrying me, then you to giving birth to you and I would have never known another. So I am just so overjoyed to have a wonderful son like you.” Sean didn’t say anything. He just gave his dad a big hug.
Moral: Remember that even though trees don’t go to heaven, they do get made into paper. So you can help save trees by trying not using so much paper. Remember that God has his reasons to make trees die!
One early Wednesday morning on a hot sunny day, I packed my bag and looked back at my home in Brooklyn. I was driving away to Texas with my cousins and Aunt whom I love. As I waved back to my mom and dad I felt a glimpse of happiness fill my heart but on the other side of my heart was a big lump of sadness because I felt home sick.
As we drove on the parkway to New Jersey, I felt that I was far away from where I live. I watched the signs that said Welcome to…. I counted them as we passed them. There were a lot of them.
Then we were in Virginia, I felt so sad because all I could think about was my family and my home town. When I fell into a deep sleep in the car, I thought about what it will be like if I were to live in Virginia. I didn’t like it because it was too rural. Then I woke up and we were still in the same state. I was sick of being in Virginia.
When we arrived in Knoxville, Tennessee, I felt a tiny bit of happiness but because I get easily home sick, I cried inside my heart. I didn’t want to show my sadness because I felt that if I cry out loud that I will make my hosts’ feel like I am not having a wonderful time.
When we got into our hotel room, I put on my nightgown and climbed into bed and feel into a deep sleep. The next day, we had a lot of miles to drive. It was a total of eight hundred (no joke). When we got back into the car I just couldn’t take it anymore I just wanted to get to Texas and drive no more!
After our long day of driving we made it to our last and final hotel which took place in Beaumont, Texas. When I walked into the hotel, I was amazed because it looked so beautiful. It looked just like the holiday inn commercials on TV. Our bedroom was big!
Finally the day that I had been waiting for had come. We drove our last two hours to Katy, Texas. When we arrived in Katy, Texas, I felt like I was at home. I ran to the toy room and began my vacation.
After a long trip to Texas, I arrived at my aunt’s house. I was going to be here for two weeks. I went into the house, the big house. I call the white house because it is so big. I started my wonderful outstanding vacation by playing Littlest Pets with my two cousins. It was hard for me to think of a story to act out, but I finally found one and boy was it a great game. The story the first day of school.
It soon became dinner time, so we had to stop our wonderful outstanding game and jump into the real world. I wasn’t very pleased with the dinner but I was the guest so I had to seat whatever I was served. I bargained with my aunt to let me only eat one piece of broccoli. She finally gave in without a fight. I cobbled up my dinner of meat, mashed potatoes and one tiny piece of broccoli.
It became that time were I felt that sad felling in my stomach. Yes, I was having an extraordinary time but I missed my family, home and all my friends. But I thought to myself and said, “You know what, I will make it thought the week.” So, by the end of the first week, I made it just like I hoped.
The next day, I went to Chucky Cheese. I earned a total of one hundred and sixty five tickets by playing lots of arcade games. I got a Pirates of the Caribbean note book because I dislike Hannah Montana. I have a superb time there.
Then we went shopping at Old Navy to buy School outfits for my cousins’ school. As we were shopping, I gave my option about clothes I liked and disliked.
Finally it became time to go home. Not my Aunt’s home but my home in Brooklyn, where I live right now. I felt sad to go back home. As soon as my plane took off, I felt a tear roll down my face because I wasn’t going to Texas until next summer. I was going to have to work next summer.
I jumped for joy when I saw my mom and dad and sort of jumped when I saw my brothers. I felt comfortable with being home with my family whom I missed very much.
I have nothing against numbers, and I have nothing in favor of letters--as grades, but the problem the Spokane schools are hoping to solve won't be cured because of their preference for numbers over letters. They could do the exact same report card using the letter system. Nor will telling parents how their children are doing after the term help. Parents need to know how their children are doing during the term. Unfortunately many teachers never communicate that at all and leave it to the report card to do their "dirty" work for them.
Just a few weeks ago I spoke with a mom whose son had been placed in a new school. She thought her son was doing well. She had signed up to be a substitute teacher's aide and one day she was called in to help in the remedial math class. She was shocked to find her son in it. At first she thought he'd lost his way or something, but he soon let her know that this was his math class. It was a rough day for her as she waited for the day to end to find out the answers as to why her son was in this special class and why hadn't she or her husband ever been told?
While the parent should always be the one to keep tabs on their children and not leave it up to the teachers to relay how a student is doing, parents have been conditioned to believe that they have put their children in safe hands and that until they are notified, by report card, everything is fine and dandy.
Communication among parents and teachers is bound to get worse, not better, no matter what grading system is used as long as parents continue to blindly follow the blind.
Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB
When planning meals and menus for the holidays, my best advice is strive for simplicity. Plan menus that are simple to prepare and don't require a bunch of ingredients that you do not regularly keep stocked in the pantry. As much as I enjoy trying new recipes and Kitchen Adventures, I avoid those with long lists of exotic ingredients because I know the cost of buying all those little extras will add up quickly, and chances are, I'll never use some of them again. Simple food prepared with love will be a blessing. The most elaborate of dishes, if it stresses you to the max to create, isn't worth the trouble. And, if your crowd is like mine, the familiar foods are usually the best received.
One family tradition that my sister-in-law and I started a few years ago, and one that we plan to continue is a soup & sandwich buffet on Christmas Eve. We ask everyone who wants to bring food to make either a soup, a plate of sandwiches, or a simple dessert like cookies or candy. We serve coffee, tea, and spiced apple cider to drink. Everything gets set out buffet style, with the soups kept warm by crock pots, and people can serve themselves as they wish. Coffee mugs make great easy to carry soup "bowls" for this type of gathering. We have had a large crowd in a very small space, and this worked out very well, as everyone isn't sitting down to eat at one time.
If you are planning to give gifts of food this year, again strive for simplicity. Make foods that are easy to create, and don't worry about the latest "thing" in the magazines. Get the children involved and make simple, fun treats like pretzel rods dipped in melted chocolate or almond bark and rolled in nuts or sprinkles. For great gift giving ideas, the book Homespun Gifts from the Heart by Karen Ehman, Kelly Hovermale, & Trish Smith, is an excellent resource (check your local library for a copy).
Finally, if you haven't already done so, be sure to download The Old Schoolhouse Digital Holiday Supplement. This great holiday freebie from TOS is filled with wonderful ideas and planning helps.
I hope your family has a simply blessed holiday season!
Catherine
Catherine Love lives in the heart of Texas with her husband Carl, and their 3 daughters, Sarah, Hannah, and Cana. They enjoy cooking, gardening, and learning new things as they seek to live a lifestyle of learning together as a family. You can read Catherine's Kitchen Adventures and more on her blog- Seeds of Love.
The premise of this book is intriguing. Racing Odysseus is the memoir of a 61 year old college president, Roger Martin. after a victorious struggle with cancer, he decides to go back to college as a freshman. This book journals his experiences.
Martin decides to enroll at the Annapolis campus of St. John's College. St. John's is a liberal arts college. Their teaching of every subject is based on the Great Books. The method of teaching is based on the Socratic Method. There is very little lecturing but much discussion. The facilitators ask a question to start off the class and then the discussion may go in any direction. There are few rules to these classes. The main one, though, is that everyone must participate in the class discussions. If you don't, then you face failing that class. The facilitators are there to make sure that everyone gets a chance to talk and that the discussions do not get side railed on to a non-related subject. Liberal Arts people do not like rabbit trails.
Martin's book talks a lot about the Great Books that he is assigned to read for class. As is common, Martin finds many analogies in the Great Books that coincide with his life. We are given a glimpse of Martin's early life via the Great Books.
We are also shown that liberal arts' colleges are still needed and important in this day and age. Liberal arts colleges provides an excellent foundation for anyone that wants to pursue any kind of education. St. John's has turned out to be the first educational stop for many students who want to go on to be doctors, businessmen, and lawyers. The Great Books education teaches them perseverance and how to learn through hard work. It also teaches them how to think and express themselves. Martin had doubts about this kind of education but his experience proved to him that a liberal arts education is a good foundation for any kind of line of work or vocation a person may decided to follow.
I found this book to be an exhilarating read. Another vote was cast for the side of a liberal arts education. It was nice to see this vote being pledged by someone like Roger Martin.
Julia lives on the Canadian Prairies with her husband, homeschooling their 3 children (10,8,6) and is attempting to give them a Classical Education. You can read more at her blog.
Hey Guys,
I know it's been awhile,but as Jessica told you-I've been grounded. In fact, I'm still grounded,but I have an hour on the computer. hehe. Anyways, I've been up to a lot around here and it would take FOREVER to catch you all up(and I only have an hour so whatever).
I have seen the movie The Blind Side twice in the past week. The. Best. Movie. Ever. Seriously, go see it! :) I loved it!
Thanksgiving went well. We had it at our place this year. Oh joy! hehe. Felicity informed me that it's 26 days until Christmas! Woot woot! :) I already got one of my presents...that really wasn't a present. I got a North Face jacket from Zappos. *smiles* I love it. It snowed today! It is soo beautiful outside!
Hmm.....lets see. What's new....OH! We decorated our house for Christmas(it took two full days) and it looks AMAZING! It's so pretty. My parents said they might pay me for working...cool right?
Well, I'm going to go leave some comments!
Your sister in Christ,
~Madison
I went to see that movie yesterday(Saturday) with my two brother's who are 13 and 14 1/2 with there friend Sam who is 16 years old! It was a great movie! I have to say that it had great acting in it! When I see a movie I always look for GOOD acting and Morals! Because every story or movie has a moral to it!
So I recommend you seeing it soon!
MovieGirl!
Christmas is here very soon! FOUR WEEKS TO GO!
Chapter 1: Jasmine and Taylor visit the Missionary School
After Taylor and Jasmine because good friends, Jasmine asked, “Mom, I want to become a missionary when I grow up, but how do I learn how to do missionary work?”
Mrs. McDoley replied, “Oh that’s wonderful darling. Well, there is a missionary school for young girls like you that we can go to visit before we go there permanently.”
Jasmine asked, “Oh yeah! May I call Taylor and ask her if she wants to go to the school too?”
Mrs. McDoley smiled and said, “Absolutely I think that would very cool if you and Taylor go and learn about missionary work.”
After their conversation, excititedly grabbed the phone and dialed her friend’s number in a jiffy. Taylor picked up the phone and asked, “Hello?”
Jasmine said, “Hey Taylor, I wanted to know if you would like to go to missionary school with me because my mom said its fine with her and that your mom can come too.”
Taylor replied, “Sure, I always wanted to be a missionary and this school will be so awesome because we get to learn about Jesus and how He speaks to the people. My mom needs to speak to yours about it so I’ll talk to you soon bye.”
Jasmine handed the phone to her mom and ran up into her room and took her Bible and opened it to her favorite Bible verse which is Palms 42. She read it every night over and over again until she got it memorized.
Mrs. McDoley shouted, “Jasmine it’s time to go! We are going to visit the missionary school with Taylor and her mom so come on down.”
She put her Bible down and jumped into the car. Jasmine recited the verse in her head until they got to the school which was amazingly beautiful looking and very big.
Jasmine, who was very astounded, looked up at the school and couldn’t think of a better word to say then, “Wow.”
Taylor hugged her friend and said, “You know, I think this is the most wonderful school I ever seen in my life. I have been reciting Palms 42 and I got it memorized as well.”
Jasmine embraced her friend tighter and replied, “Me to Taylor. Me too.”
When they entered the school, Taylor and Jasmine opened their eyes wider like a scared child in a stormy night.
A lady who was one of the missionary supervisor in the school said, “Hello, my name is Mrs. Dwelling and I will be your helper today. Now you to said that you were interested in enrolling your daughters into this school to learn about missionary work correct?”
Mrs. McDoley and Mrs. Garrets replied, “Yes.” Mrs. Garrets asked, “How much will it cost to go to this school for one full year?”
Mrs. Dwellings replied, “It will cost about four hundred dollars for just one year. We also have missionary camps for the summer time if you are interested in that, it is free and it lasts for about three weeks of just doing missionary work.”
Mrs. McDoley smiled and said, “I think that we’ll wait and see if the girls enjoy going to this school before we talk about camps.”
Mrs. Garrets nodded in agreement and said, “I think will take the price. What time does the school start and end?”
Mrs. Dwellings took a breath and replied, “It begins at eight in the morning and lasts till three in the afternoon. But there is an hour lunch break from twelve in the afternoon to one in the afternoon.”
Mrs. Garrets understood, “Yes, that seems good to me alright so let’s sign them up.”
After they did all there paper work, the girls slip up and yelled, “See you tomorrow for our first full day of missionary school.”
Chapter 2: The First Day
That morning Jasmine woke up to the wonderful sound of birds sings to the sun. Jasmine put on her favorite shirt that said, “Jesus Rocks.” She went into her draw and found her matching pants that had hearts on them.
After she got dressed she ran downstairs so excited and gobbled up her breakfast.
Mr. McDoley looked at Jasmine with stern eyes and whispered in a very stern voice, “Jasmine Ashley McDoley, put you fork down and stop eating, we didn’t even pray yet and look at you eating your food like a slob forgetting about the one who gave you this food!”
Jasmine froze and replied, “Sorry, I forgot.” She placed her fork down and got into her praying position and began, “Dear God, Thank you for this wonderful day, that you for this food that you have giving us. Bless us. Amen.”
Mrs. McDoley asked, “Jasmine, thank you for praying. Do you have you bag ready with your Bible in it? Cause we are going to pick up Taylor now and bring her to the school because her mom has to work today.”
Jasmine replied, “Your Welcome. Yes I do, it’s by the front door.”
After breakfast, Mrs. and Mr. McDoley got into the car as Jasmine buckled her seat belt. They dropped Mr. McDoley off at his job which was a High School. He was the Principle. Jasmine waved goodbye to him and they were off to Taylor’s house.
Taylor got into the car sadly and waved goodbye to her mom. Jasmine asked, “What’s wrong?”
Taylor replied, “My grandma just died last night.”
Jasmine consoled her poor friend and reassured, “Oh, I’m really sorry. I’m sure that when we get to school we can bring it up as a prayer request.”
Jasmine put her arm around Taylor and tried to comfort her in her loss. When they arrived at school, they waved goodbye to Mrs. McDoley.
When they entered the school, the children who were about nine to twelve years old, they were quiet as they walked to the different classes. Taylor and Jasmine didn’t know where to go so they waited for someone to escort them to their destination.
Michelle Connell who was one of the girls in their class came up to them and asked, “Hello, my name is Michelle Connell and this is my 2 year in this school. I think you will be in my class. What are your name girls?”
Taylor replied, “My name is Taylor Garrets I’m a nine year old girl and this is my first year in this school.”
Jasmine finished, “And my name is Jasmine McDoley and I’m nine years old and this is my first year as well in this school. Taylor is my best friend.”
Michelle Connell said, “Oh how wonderful. I’m ten years old. In our class we will be memorizing Palms 43. So come along and let’s get to class before the teacher wonders where we are.”
The three girls headed off to their class and sat down. Mrs. Numbers said, “Alright, well hello girls. My name is Mrs. Numbers and I will be your teacher for this year. Now everybody please take out your Bible and turn to Palms 43. After you have gone there we will begin to memorize it and then talk about Creation and what it means.”
Jasmine raised her hand and spoke, “I have the whole chapter memorized because I memorized it during the summer.”
Mrs. Numbers who was very impressed with such a skilled child replied, “Oh how wonderful so you can start memorizing Geneses 1.
Taylor looked at Jasmine and whispered, “You have a great talent in memorization.”
Jasmine smiled and began to memorize her next chapter only this time it was in Geneses not in Palms.
Chapter 3: Lesson about who is God and What did he create.
Mrs. Numbers said, “Look up here. Who can tell me who God is?”
Taylor, Jasmine, and Michelle’s hand shot up. Mrs. Numbers pointed to Taylor. Taylor answered, “God is our creator and our Father. He made us and he is the one that is always watching over us now until the end of the world is to come.”
Mrs. Numbers talked, “Very good Taylor and who can name some of the things God created?”
Everybody’s hand shot up. Mrs. Numbers pointed to Michelle. Michelle began, “God created insects, birds, basically everything and everyone. There is nothing in this world that God didn’t create.”
Mrs. Number elaborated, “Yes, which is very true Michelle. Excellent point God made everything and everyone. But he made everyone is his image and everything not in his image because Animals can’t be saved. So take out your note book and copy what I write on the board.”
The board read, “God created everything and everyone. There is nothing that God didn’t create. Every living thing you see on this Earth was made by God. God created Animals, Nature, Bugs, Insects, trees. He created everything and everyone!”
After everyone finished coping what was on the board, Mrs. Numbers replied, “Remember that God is always with you no matter what. For homework I want to you write a summary on what we talked about in class and also print out pictures of things that God created. Tomorrow you can bring it in to show the class. Alright, class dismissed.”
Michelle yelled, “Wait, don’t go yet, I wanted to ask you something.” Jasmine and Taylor walked over to Michelle. Michelle asked, “I was wondering do you think we can do a project together for class?”
Taylor replied, “Well, it would be fine with me but I don’t know if my mom wants someone that she doesn’t know coming over to our house.”
Jasmine took over, “Yeah, I would have to ask my mom before I give you an answer. But otherwise it is fine with me.”
Michelle said, “Oh okay. So I’ll come out with you and you can ask your mom.”
The girls walked outside where the parents were in their cars waiting. Jasmine pointed to the infinity sports car. Jasmine asked, “Hi mom, would it be okay if Michelle came over to our house to work on the class project for tomorrow?”
Mrs. McDoley replied, “It’s okay with me, what does your mom say?”
Michelle ran over to ask her mom who said yes. Michelle replied, “She said yes. Also she said she will pick me up at six o clock this evening.”
The girls hopped in the hott car and drove off to Jasmine’s house.
Chapter 4: The Project, Michelle and the two girls become great friends.
When they arrived at Jasmine’s house, Michelle asked, “What should we do for our project?”
Taylor replied, “After we find some animals and other wonderful creations God made then we can make a book about it.
Jasmine shouted excitedly, “That’s a great idea Taylor. What do you think Michelle?”
Michelle replied, “I like that idea of making a book about God’s creation. Let’s get started.”
The girls trudged up the stairs into Jasmine’s room and began their book. Jasmine instructed, “Taylor, you can look for animals, Michelle you can make the cover and cut the animals out and I’ll write the summary and then we can put it all together when we’re finished.”
The excited girls got to work. Michelle made the cover blue and red with some yellow in the middle. On the cover she wrote, “God’s Book of Wonders.” She drew a picture of a light representing God. Taylor found ten wonderful creations. They were, birds, people, weather, Food, and the rest were all animals. Jasmine was finishing her summary that said, “God who is an awesome God, created some many amazing creations but in this outstanding book we have ten creations. He created Animals, weather, and humans. Let’s hope that you enjoy our graphics and have fun looking at our book of God’s Wonders.”
When they were all done with their jobs, they put the book together. It stood out to be an amazing book of God’s creations. On the last page they put a Bible Verse: John 3:16: For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have internal life. AMEN”
Michelle and the two girls liked their short hangout even though they were doing Biblical home work for their Missionary school. Jasmine suggested, “How about we become friends? We can be the MBSF which stands for Missionary Bible School Friends. Who’s with me?” The girls raised their hand and hugged another. Forever they will stay friends!
The next day it was the time they would present their project to the entire class and not only that but it was the time they would be graded on their project that is if they had one to share. Mrs. Number called, “Okay first off we will have Jasmine, Taylor, and Michelle to come up and present their amazing project that they had worked on for hours the day before today!
The three girls walked up to the board. Jasmine read the summary as Taylor and Michelle showed the pictures. This is what the summary had said: “God who is an awesome God, created some many amazing creations but in this outstanding book we have ten creations. He created Animals, weather, and humans. Let’s hope that you enjoy our graphics and have fun looking at our book of God’s Wonders.” When they were finished with their presentation, Mrs. Numbers replied, “Very well done girls. I will give you wonderful girls an A+ because you tried so hard to make it stand out. The girls bowed and sat down and listened to the other girls present their projects. A lot of girls got B’s and A’s but only one person got an F for not trying at all.
When all the projects were completed, Mrs. Numbers concluded, “Thank you all for your wonderful presentations. I hope you all had a great enjoyment working on them with your partner or partners. Now starting tomorrow we will learn how to missionary to someone that is not a Christian. Have a great day. Bye.”
Chapter 5: The First official Day that the Girls get to Missionary to Non Believers