Posted in Faith

I pray that you are enjoying this day that the good Lord has
given us. I am so thankful that we had bright sunshine today!
I've been reading through the book of Nehemiah lately. I was
impressed by 3 things. 1.Nehemiah prayed. Then he did something.
He asked the king for help, at the risk of his life.
2.God provided help and protection for Nehemiah. The King
listened and was touched by his request for supplies and
leave from his job as cupbearer. 3. Nehemiah led the way.
He went to the wall, examined it, and organized the workers
to fix it. When the wall was finished, he glorified God and
praised Him for strength and protection.

Our society is broken down like the old walls of Jerusalem
that Nehemiah wept over. Who will pray and weep like
Nehemiah did?  Who will lead the way to fix the world view
that our young people have? We homeschoolers have an opportunity to
begin to build back the Godly foundation of our country.
God will guide, strengthen and protect us as he did Nehemiah.

"Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands."
Nehemiah 6:9b

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to your children as you teach them school subjects, but more importantly, how to love God and enjoy Him forever. Don’t be anxious about this, but in everything, (especially our schooling!) by prayer, and supplication, with thanksgiving, let our requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

When you haven’t seen the sun in a while, read Philippians and let the Son warm your soul.

I wish I could say that during my fourteen years of homeschooling that I had done all things without complaining and disputing! (Philippians 2:14) You may want to keep this verse handy to assign for penmanship practice when quarrels break out. It might also serve as a reminder to you. (Especially if you get envious of friends who flutter to ladies’ Bible studies and shopping while you call out spelling words.) Remind yourself that you are pouring your life out before the Lord as a drink offering. This will make it easier to stay committed during a long winter. Just think, twelve of these winters make up one child’s season of homeschooling years. As they launch into the world and you see the fruit of your sacrifice, you will truly have cause to rejoice.

 

The beginning of a new school year is always exciting. We are excited about new books and curriculum, and the dreams of success that they bring. But it’s hard to stay excited once the new has worn off. In Philippians 3 Paul teaches us to press on. Forget that bad day yesterday and reach forward to those things which are ahead, the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

More Next time!  Hang on until summer moms!

Robin Khoury

www.help4homeschoolmoms

 

Posted in Faith

When skies are grey and cold winds whistle outside, even the cheeriest of homeschools can get a little gloomy. Cabin fever combined with too much togetherness causes crankiness. Children whine and fuss, and you wonder whether homeschooling was really such a great idea. Before winter casts a shadow on your school, consider spending some time in the book of Philippians.

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6  God has begun His work in our lives and our children’s lives. He will complete it. We don’t have to carry the burden of making our children “turn out” a certain way. It’s His job. So there is no need to accept pressure to make our schools conform to a worldly idea of education. Relax and teach your children joyfully. Give yourself permission to plan something just for fun to break up long winter days. More on this theme next time.

I was watching TV the other night and there was a show on how they used chess in a maximum security prison to help rehabilitate prisoners. (NOT that your homeschool is a prison!  :) ) It did make me remember how much my boys enjoyed the game, and how good it was for them. Chess is an ideal wintertime activity for long, cold evenings by the fireplace. It teaches thinking skills, sequencing, and consequences. There is also a lot of history about the game that you could incorporate into school.

Chess originated in Asia. The term chess comes from the Persian word shah, meaning king. At the end of the game when one player has trapped the opposing king, the player announces, "Checkmate," (shah mat is Persian for “dead king”!) Arabs learned the game when they conquered Persia in the 600's and took it back to Europe with them. Benjamin Franklin popularized the game in America.

My  dad taught me the piece moves of chess as a child (and abstract  thinking does not come easily for me). I taught my older son when he was six, and my younger son learned by watching us play. Our neighbor boy learned in just a few after school games. These guys come up with some fantastic defense lines all by themselves!

Why should you bother with this archaic game? Chess is  In chess, you must think out your move before you touch the piece. Experienced players think ahead several moves, and even memorize famous games.

Chess fosters discipline as children sit quietly and adhere to rules.  Listen to them referee their own game: "You touched that piece so you have to move it.” “No, you can't take back your move.” “Sorry, you can't move into check.” “Checkmate! You have to lay down your king!"

I bought my younger son a regulation set mailorder years ago, but I'm sure they still have them, because that's the kind the prisoners were using on the TV show. The board was vinyl and is stored rolled up in a sleeve that fits on a bag that stores the plastic pieces. These are perfect for homeschoolers, as they are so easy to carry around.

Next time I will share some resources for learning the game, but for starters, the Usborne Book of Chess is a good beginner's guide. It is a nice reference for beginning strategy also.

After you learn the moves, start playing! Before you know it, you'll be castling and moving en passant!

Hello HSB friends!
 
How I have missed you!  I am totally touched by your sweet comments while I was off.  I just want to send you all some flowers from my garden.

Today I drove for the first time since my surgery.  Ureka!  I got tired this evening and didn't feel like making dinner.  I knew I could beg off since I'm still on the mend and all, but I actually ordered out pizza last night.  My boys needed a good meal. I just didn't want to fix it.  I felt totally drained.

I happened to remember a conversation that I had with a young man recently who was a former smoker.  We were discussing the nicotine patch, etc.  He said, "You know, it just makes me think about how many things like that we use instead of praying for help."

So I prayed for help today. And you know what? The Lord helped me. I got my second wind, fried my fish, made a nice salad and steamed some squash and asked ds#2 to set the table.  We gave thanks and ate. Then, I even went to Bible Study with ds#1.

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  Psalm 120:1

Thanks for all of your prayers everyone.  I'm just about recovered mentally from all of the bigtime narco drugs that they gave me.  Yuck!  It took me a few days to figure out that they were making me SO sick.  And I had one huge reaction to a morphine drug they left inside me, and was stuck with a sadistic Alfred Hitchcock nurse who would not get me any medicine!  It was horrible.  Anyhow, I'm much better and my bottom is getting to where I can sit on it again. Thanks again for the prayers.  My prayers for you are going out as I know it is "back to school!"  What an exciting time!

God bless you all and may He bless your efforts as you homeschool your little ones.

 

Hi blogging friends,

I'm going to the hospital tomorrow to have a hysterectomy.  Yuck!  I'll be back in a few days and finish up the Honduras pictures. Pray for me if you think of it, will you?  

Downtown Tegucigalpa

On Tuesday of our trip, we went to the Valley of the Angels to do some souvenir shopping.  These two preceding photos are of downtown Tegucigalpa.  This next photo is of the Dunkin' Donuts downtown. I never saw this one open, but they had one in the airport where I had the best cup of coffee I have EVER had in my whole life, even in Israel!  The souvenir I bought my dh was a bag of Honduran coffee. My cousin H actually has a coffee bush at his house, and he is trying to learn how to "farm it." 

The scenery on the way to through the mountains to the valley of the angels was just gorgeous.

Downtown Valley of the Angels

My mother and I

A nearby tree.  Oh the flowers!

Me in front of a historical church

Me "chillen" by the fountain.

Bayley in front of the Restaurante Jalapeno

We had a great time and bought some stuff.  They had these hand carved trunks there, though, that were quite spectacular.  B kept telling us that they could wrap those up for the airplane and they counted as a piece of luggage, but the idea was a bit overwhelming at first.  So we went back home and thought about them. Then we ended up going back to the Valley of the Angels on Thursday and buying some!  Tomorrow I'll post pics of our souvenirs and the trunks. Tootleoo!

I think I told you about B and H's church.  That was one of the biggest blessings while I was in Honduras.  This is such an active group.  They are living in Biblical community which is so neat.  The doctors and diplomats and American citizens worship and study the Bible right next to poor people.  Some of them even live in the same neighborhood, which is kind of funny. 

My cousin B heard that I was a former choir member at my church here, and she asked if I would like to come to choir practice so I could sing with them on Sunday!  (She did not seem the slightest bit concerned that I don't speak a word of Spanish!)  So I learned "Work For the Night is Coming" right along with them in Spanish.

 

Can you find me?

The church worship service I believe is a model service for any church here in the U.S.  It was not labeled "traditional" or  "contemporary" but it was blended beautifully.  We sang 2 hymns and several praise choruses.  The children did leave for a children's lesson after the singing.  They also had an old fashioned testimony time which was nice.

After church I had a nice visit with Frederick the kitty.  (Missing Fuzz!)  Frederick makes Fuzz look like a real shrimp!  He weighs about 30 pounds!

Here is H's prize rooster!  One funny thing that happened during church: A little boy had been playing in the chicken house.  He came up and handed my cousin B an egg during church.  She had to go play the piano so she handed it to my mom!  Somehow it managed to keep from getting broken during church.

Boys in prayer during Sunday School

Women in prayer

After church Bayley got an egg, too!

Time for a beauty treatment on Aunt D

More tomorrow!

Posted in Summer Fun and Recipe

We went to Honduras to see my dear uncle and aunt, "JB" and "D".  Their daughter and son in law, "B" and "H" live there.  It seems that they can rent a lovely 4 bedroom 5 bathroom home and supply it with a full staff for much less than it costs for assisted living here in the states. So here are some photos of our accomodations.  By the way, I am ready to move!  (It's the staff part that I like!)

This is JB and D in the great room.

This is the dining room.  Now this is the size of table I need!

 

 

Rena and Carmen, the housekeeper and cook

Just one of our lovely breakfasts.

Can you believe it was actually cool enough for a roaring fire in the mornings?  Tegucigalpa is up in the mountains, and can get pretty cool. Most of the time it's between 60 and 85 degrees.  (Which is why the plant life is lush green as opposed to crispy brown sticks like we have this time of year in OK!)

Molly sweet puppy!

Here are some photos of our yard.  Yes, my friends, it was very difficult! 

Here is the front portico.  You can see that there is a large concrete wall with razor wire on top as well as an electric fence for security.  Also, the American types generally live in these types of neighborhoods where crime is not as big a problem as it would be down in the city proper.

Tomorrow I'll show you some photos of the house church and other scenery and of course Frederick the cat ant "H"'s rooster.

Hi Friends!

Well, I'm back from a vacation and blogging sabbatical.  I just had to let something go for a bit until I got my new website up and running.  This is such a huge deal because it marks the end of a three year struggle to learn what I needed to get done, and then actually do it!  I used Traci and Titus2 webdesign finally after making a million false starts with trying to do it myself, and hiring uncommitted others, etc.  So today I feel like mounain climbers must feel when they reach the top.  Yea!  It's done!

Check it out and tell me what you think.  www.salvationkids.com

  I went on a vacation to see my dear Uncle and cousins in Honduras. I am just going to tell you so much about this, I've just been about to explode to share all of these neat things with you!  First of all, My Uncle, "JB" is a retired pastor. His daughter "B" and her husband  "H" live in Honduras because he has worked there for several years. H has just retired and the two are devoting most of their time to the house church ministry that they host in their home. What a huge blessing to get to know these cousins for the first time.

The trip started off a little rough for me because I had not slept in 24 hours.  One of my friends had her baby the day before I left, so I was up at the hospital unti 10:00 p.m. the night before we left at 4:00 am.  So I was looking, feeling a bit rough! The little doll next to me is my darling neice who went on the trip with my mother and me.  My mom got the whole thing up and even bought our tickets!  What a blessing.!

I was hoping to get a little sleep, but some little dork insisted that we make funny faces at each other for a while!

 

It was a pretty rough landing. I hate flying, but Tegucigalpa is only about 3 hours from Houston.  When we got to the airport these Honduran men grabbed our bags from us while we were meekly protesting that we didn't need any help!  (They spotted those gringos right away!)  Anyway, my cousin rescued us from them and took care of their tip!  Next time I'll show you some of the flowers, our lovely place we stayed etc.  Until then God bless.

Just a word to remind everybody to go visit with our friends, the  Estes  family.  They are having a lot of trials right now, so we in the  hs blogging community are helping them.  You won't believe the huge bundle of stuff you get for donating $28.00 to their family.  All of the stuff in the bundle has been donated so that you can be blessed for blessing these dear ones in need.  Go to their blog at  www.HandsAndHearts.com    to read about the needs.  The link to the benefit package is http://www.chirotoons.com/benefit/.   God bless you all and hope you are having a great homeschooling summer!

Gosh you guys, I'm gettin' embarrassed!  Heidi gave me the Reflective Blogger Award, and I'm really grateful. So now I'm passing it on to 5 other bloggers who have blessed me.

JoJo Tabares is out there blogging and podcasting about communication skills.  When you think about it, our future rests on our ability to communicate our ideas on faith, family, and education.  What can be more important?  But JoJo keeps it fun, hence the name, Communication FUNdamentals. Congratulations, JoJo.

 If you want to read some good stories but also look at great photography, go visit crazybusy.  I just found her and love looking at her pictures.  You will too! Congratulations!

Bridget is so special. She is the walking Proverbs 31 woman.  She knits.  She makes clothes and diapers out of recycled clothing.  She is a great writer and photographer.  Get up early and read her blog when you have plenty of time to soak it in.  She's amazing! Congratulations, Bridget!

BethanyRae, my next Reflective Blogger, is really a deep thinker.  Her mind is going about a hundred miles an hour on a lot of different subjects.  And she also likes flowers and turtles which makes her pretty cool.

 For some good insight into the rhythm of life, good recipes, and sound advice, visit Mikko Gibson, my last Reflective blogger.  Mikko always has something healthy and good on her site. 

Congratulations Reflective Bloggers!

Hello, Friends!

My Fun and funny friend Cristina has given me a Rockin Girl Blogger Award for Miss Robin's Bible Class. I'm so excited!  I now need to pass it on to 5 other bloggers who are Rockin.  I would have done this sooner but I came down with a terrible tension headache on Friday that interrupted my Rockin' Bloggin' and everything else for a couple of days!  

Anyway!  On to my Rockin' Girls.  I can't give it to Cristina, cause she just had it.  But she definitely rocks.  Especially her cartoons and kitties.

My first Rockin' Girl is Heidi of Reviews by Heidi.  She won an award a while back that I had donated a copy of Answers For New Christians as her prize. We got to be friends, and she is responsible for my lovely new look here at Robin's Nest!  Her blog definitely Rocks with lots of reviews of all the cool hs stuff.

My second Rockin' Girl Blogger is a guy!  OK, I know it's weird, but you have to go see Jay from Cleveland and consider his astronomy book which is hot off the press.  He is really funny, so I know he will make a lot of jokes about getting this award.  Congratulations, Jay!  I will understand if you don't want to post the Rockin' Girl Blogger Sign.  One of you innovative icon makers needs to make us a blue one for Rockin' Guy Bloggers. Cmon!

If you want to laugh out loud like an idiot sitting at your computer, go over to my Rockin' Girl TC's blog.  She is such a hoot.  Pure fun, so funny!  So true! Congratulations, TC, you rock!

 Next Rockin' BloggerGirl is Tami From Discount Homeschool Supplies.  She has lots of cool stuff and neat pictures on her sidebar, too! 

Last but not least is a new blogger to HS blogger, Ronda.  She has started off with a bang with tons of great advice about how to start a co-op.  Way to go, Ronda. You already blessed me and you just started!

 

 Thanks again, Cristina for nominating me to be Rockin' Robin again.  Congrats to all of my HS Blogger Rockin' Blogger Girls/Guy. 

Hi friends,

I know that some of you may still be enjoying your Independence Day holiday,
but I just wanted to take a moment this morning to let you know
about a very special event that I would like to invite you to be a part of.

You may already know the Estes family, who operate www.handsandhearts.com   

We're taking part in an online benefit to bless this fellow homeschooling family,
who have seen far more than their share of trials and difficulties this past year.

In fact, dozens of  the Estes family's friends & associates have contributed a truly
HUGE package of wonderful homeschool and family resources as a
"thank you gift" to folks who can help us in this worthy effort.

Here's the site that explains all about this online benefit and how it works:
www.chirotoons.com/benefit

 

You truly won't believe all the resources that have been donated for this.
It is really an amazing outpouring of love and support.
Please take a look... YOU can be a real blessing to a family in need...
and in return, YOUR FAMILY will receive can also receive a blessing from
the wonderful selection of resources that you'll find there.

This benefit will only last for eight days, so take a look now...
and then please tell a homeschooling friend or two about it!
www.chirotoons.com/benefit

You really won't believe all of the goodies and stuff in this package!  Tons of useful and fun resources from many of our hsblogger friends.  Have a happy fourth!

 

Wow, Thanks, Cristina!  Now I get to pass this honor on to 5 of my friends.  Does this mean people will start calling me Rockin' Robin again, like they used to when the Michael Jackson song was a hit?  Oh well, it's OK.  I'm used to it, and being asked, "Where's Batman?"  Everybody who asks that always just dies laughing at their own joke!  Hope you all are having a very happy 4th of July.  It actually didn't rain in OKC yesterday!  I went swimming for the first time in ten years.  More on all of this later.

If you are not a summer-schooler, then the unstructured-ness of summertime can get to be a bit much.  Everybody knows that kids need to stay busy.  Why not get them a stack of index cards and a marker and turn them loose making this Bible game?  Everybody can make their own copy, then you can have races! The great thing is, this is a framework to hang all Bible information on!

Go to the June 29 edtiion of the podcast on the sidebar and hear me teach through this list for the kids, as well as give them a memory verse.  We also have a fun photo contest that you might want to find out about.  All of this kids stuff is going on at missrobin.wordpress.com, my Bible blog for kids.

Gather Supplies

Before you make your game you need some index cards and a sharpie. 

Make your game

Then write down the name of the event on one side of an index card, and the order number and Bible reference on the back of each card.

 

  

Bible Events Game

Major Old Testament Events

 

1. Creation  (Gen.1:1-2:3)
2. Fall of Man  (Gen. 3)
3. Flood  Gen. (6-9)
4. Babel  Gen.(11:1-9)
5. Call of Abraham  Gen. (11:10-12:3)
6. Descent Into Egypt  (Gen. 46-47)
7. Exodus  (Exodus 7-12)
8. Passover  (Exodus 12)
9. Giving of the Law (Ex. 19-24)
10. Wilderness Wanderings  (Num. 13-14)
11. Conquest of the Promised Land  (Josh. 11)
12. Dark Ages of Hebrews  (Judges)
13. Saul Anointed King  (1 Sam. 9:27-10:1)
14. Golden Age of Hebrews Under David (United Kingdom)  (II Sam. 5:4-5, I Kings 10:6-8)
15. Divided Kingdom  (I Kings 12:26-33)
16. Captivity  (II Kings 17-25)
17. Return  (Ezra)

 

Major New Testament Events

 

1. Early life of Christ
2. Ministry of Christ
3. Church in Jerusalem
4. Church Extending to the Gentiles
5. Church Reaching Out to the World

 

 

How to play the game

Try to lay down the event cards in a row in order. The first few times, check the order number on the back to see if you are getting it right.  Then see if you can do it by yourself without looking. If you have a brother, sister or friend to play with, make another copy of the cards. Have a race and see who can get the most in the right order without looking. Or, just take turns playing and use a stopwatch.  Have fun!