Little Miss Giggles - Homeschool Blogger

Preschool Activities in a Bag

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 01:05:00 -0500

Read all about my latest project - Preschool Activities in a Bag

I have decided�

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:22:00 -0500

To leave homeschoolblogger. I nearly can’t believe it myself! I love the safe enviroment, the friendship, the freedoms and the opportunities homeschoolblogger gives you. I absolutely recommend it to any homeschooling Mum or kid who wants a friendly, safe blog!

Why move?

I think I’d like a change, and go a little bigger in the world. So, this is goodbye…sorta. I will still be commenting and maybe even posting here from time to time. And if I don’t like Wordpress, I can always come back!

Thanks so much Homeschoolblogger, for helping me get started in the blogging realm. And thankyou to all my friends who have been my friends, HSB-ers or otherwise.

Please come by and visit my blog! I’d love to have you stop by!

www.JessicaLetchford.wordpress.com

Lots of love to you all,

Jess

Procastination and Living for Jesus

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 02:46:00 -0500

I’m tired of procrastinating. Just in the last hour, I was thinking, “One of these days, I’ll…” when I realized how sick I was of saying that. I don’t normally think of myself as a procrastinator, but suddenly several things that I’ve been putting off came to mind, and I decided I had had enough of it.

On of my favourite of favourite sayings of the Rebelution is ‘thriving, not surviving’. God doesn’t want anybody to ‘just be’ in life – he wants us to be spent, all used up, when we die. Teens especially can’t let the idea that they can hang around be an excuse for being used by God. We have to strive for excellence in everything we do.

Imagine yourself as a pencil. We, as a pencil, have two choices: we can just draw occasionally and lightly, and not really be a part of an awesome picture; or we can allow the Artist to use us, scribbling furiously until we are used up. When we are fully used up, we can stand back and gape at the amazing picture that we were actually a part of.

I want to be the second pencil being used by God. I have to be ready to take risks, step outside of my comfort zone, and be sincerely willing to give up my deepest desires and passions for Jesus.

“I repent of ever having recorded one single song and ever having performed one concert if my music, and more importantly -- my life -- has not provoked you into Godly jealousy, or to sell out more completely to Jesus!” - Keith Green

In summary, I need to get in there and do those things, both big and small, regular and new, faithfully and striving to be in excellence. I need to let God use me, like the pencil, giving him my ideas and hopes for his ideas and expectations on me.

So help me God! And God, you’re not the little God that I envisage, but the great big faithful God beyond imagination!

Vegemite and Parenting

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:09:00 -0500

Read this article by my Mum:

Conference session: On Fire for Truth - Who is your family listening to?

This reminds me of something I read by Ken Ham in a Creation magazine today. My narration:

How come Australians love Vegemite, where Americans can't stand the taste of it? (Stick with me!). Australians grow up with the taste of Vegemite, and acquire the taste of it, but Americans don’t acquire the taste for it, so when they taste it for the first time they go a-spluttering for a drink of water. Needless to say, they don’t like it at all!

In the same way, parents need to give their children the Word and teach the Lord's Way at a young age, giving them a 'taste' for it -so like David, they can pray, "My soul thirsts for you."

Allow me to backtrack for a moment: one of my favourite artists of all times is Colin Buchanan. For many years now, he has been writing songs and recording CDs for kids. This Aussie writes awesome, fun, Christian songs. One of the reasons I love Colin Buchanan's work is because it has given me a foundation for my faith. I've grown up listening to his songs sung straight from scripture. Thanks Colin for all you’ve invested into my life! You can visit his website at ColinBuchanan.com.au

I wasn't 'saved from the depths of the grave' or anything dramatic, but I do have a Christian Heritage. My Mum and Dad have fed me with the Christian faith ever since I was born, showing me how faithful and true our loving, awesome Creator, Lord and Saviour, is! So what's your story? How have your Mum and Dad helped you in your walk with Jesus?

8 Things Tag

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:09:00 -0500

My Mum was tagged the '8 Things' tag, and when I saw it on her blog I couldn't resist! So here is my 8 Things Tag!

8 Things I am Looking Forward To:

Mum coming home! She is away at the moment and I am already missing her like crazy!
Jesus coming back again
Decluttering the house – oh and painting it
Finishing reading too many books at once! (I’ve decided it’ much wiser to only read two books at once, one recreational and one educational, and then have a read aloud and maybe a long-term book, than five or six)
Getting over my cold – I’ve had it on/off for the past few weeks but it has been really bad this weekend.
The beautiful cool weather of the dry season – actually it is quite nice weather now
Rain – I live in hope that it might rain once more!
Discovering the abilities God has given me, and figuring out what God wants me to do
Dinner – who wouldn’t? Better yet, dessert! (I couldn’t resist nine!)

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

Ate rice pudding
Read some more of Be the Change - I really like how Zach Hunter is unjudgmental yet takes a stand for what he believes teens (anyone really) could be doing to help people in our world. I encourage you to check out his books, Be the Change and Generation Change.
Had a piano practice – I am mastering the art of the pedals, believe me it’s not easy to make it sound right!
Re-watched Sunday’s Coming
Ironed some clothes for Mum while listening to my Keith Green CD!
Helped Grandma pull out all the dead palm leaves that were either hanging on the trees or on the ground. It cost Grandma and I a splinter each – but the inside of the garden looks great now!
Watched the men (meaning Dad, Josh, Grandad and Daniel) work on a tree house
Went on an evening stroll down our road with Noms and some friends.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

Ride a horse
Break my habits
Overcome my spontaneous fear of heights
Fly (I’ve often wondered if I will be able to fly in heaven)
Go on a mission’s trip
Conquer writer’s block and write at the drop of a hat
Visit Turkey and Italy on a history tour
Remember academic facts!

8 Shows I Watch:

With the exception of Better Homes and Gardens, I don’t watch much actual TV. I don’t like what is on TV – and I’m not allowed to watch it anyway! But here are some movies I’ve enjoyed

Facing the Giants – I absolutely love this movie. I always walk away feeling inspired to live for God, in everything I do.
F-Troop – Did any parents out there reading this watch good ole F-troop? My Mum and Dad both watched this as kids and we love it! Strangly enough, the Letchford mob likes watching old TV shows rather than new ones. F-troop is great, clean fun.
Little Women
Anne of Green Gables (I really enjoy movies one and two; I don’t like number three because it is so different from my beloved books)
Flywheel
Amazing Grace
Horton Hears a Who!
Drive Thru History documentaries on the early Christian Church

8 People I Tag:
I always find it hard to tag or award people so I won’t bother. But if you are in need of a blog post, please -- help yourself, by all means! If you use it, let me know via comment and I will pop round!

Sunday's Comin'

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:54:00 -0500

FRIDAY:

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:6

SUNDAY:

Jesus is Lord of all, Jesus is Lord of all,

No sin is too big, no problem too small,

Jesus is Lord of all.

Jesus is King of Kings, My Lord is King of Kings,

Presidents, princes, paupers will sing,

Jesus is King of Kings.

We are who we are because Jesus gave us the hope and joy on Easter Sunday!

Growing in Grace's Latest Issue

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:46:00 -0500

Last week, Growing in Grace Magazine published their latest issue – a very SPRINGy version, I might add! This month Jocelyn drew and designed this month’s header, which I think is amazing!

Here are my articles for this month:

Read about how we are Growing Together

A team article on our favourite books

On the blog, learn all about cleaning off your desk!

Piano lessons and Do Hard Things

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 23:31:00 -0500

Earlier this year, I discovered that I have been playing the piano for seven years! Yup, seven years – that’s a long time! Although it’s exciting to realise I’ve been playing the piano for half my life now, it’s a little frustrating to have had six different teachers over that time span, and in the long run, seemingly not getting anywhere. At least, that’s what I thought three weeks ago, when I started off with my sixth teacher, Mrs B. Mrs B is a highly experienced teacher who has taught up to eighth grade piano, which is as high as you can go before going onto concert level. She’s tough and strict, but as we get to know her it’s obvious that she has a great sense of humour and is very patient with my slowly improving but still rather elwacko timing problem!

As I think about my new teacher and piano lessons more and more , I realize what a great opportunity to Do Hard Things this is. Mrs B puts expectations on us girls – high expectations that challenge and really push me to do better and through that, reminds me that piano isn’t just a hobby that I can just float through, but something I have to put a decent amount of effort into to achieve my ambitions. Piano isn’t something to slack off and become complacent in, as I’m starting to learn. Just as in other areas of my life, I can’t slack of striving for my very best in everything we do… because I want God’s work and plan in my life to happen!

Dad's trip to Zimbabwe

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:43:00 -0500

So, what ‘big things’ have been happening in the Letchford household? Well, my Dad has just come back from a trip to Zimbabwe.

When we told other people where he was, the eyebrows would go up and this question would pop up: Why?

Frankly, God wanted him to. The timing was perfect - we had come back from holidays and Dad’s work season was yet to start.. So off he went - down to Perth for a few days, then on a 11-hour trip to Johanasburg, then a trip to Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. There he spent two weeks visiting people, from politicians to pastors to kids at orphanages. Seeing the photos from the trip its amazing the persaverance, compassion and forgiveness these people are living out, day in day out. Farmers whose farms has been stripped off them, familes whose homes has been literatly bulldozered over, and children who are left orphanes after the violence of the past few years. They’ve chosen not to habour bitterness, but to forgive and move on, makng a difference in their country. Zimbabwians are passionate about their country. They are the ones who can make a difference for the better in Zimbabwe.

Another reason that helped Dad make the decision to go was a conference, Farming God’s Way, that was happening the same time he was over there. They basically taught four principles, which really can be applied by anyone into all areas of life.
1. Punctuality - you do things on time. For every day that you miss after the planting deadline, you loose a certain amount of food (their staple food is mane, or corn)
2. Resourcefulness - you do things right with what you have. You use fertilizer when planting; if you don’t have that, you use compost, if you don’t have that you use manure, if you don’t have manure you use powdered ant hill. Substitiute, don’t comprimise. The other word you could you use here is Faithfulness
3. Diligence - you work hard and do the job properly.
4. JOY - you do things with a glad heart, thankful for what you have.

Dad also had the opportunity to go to a hunting park, where he saw lots of different African animals, such as Elephants, giraffes, and monkeys. Actually there are a lot of boab trees (which are Australian) imported to Zimbabwe because it helped the tabacoo buisness, and ironically, it is the perfect monkey playground!

Dad had an amazing time with amazing opportunities, and I don't think God's finished with Zimbabwe yet.

Time Managment

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 21:35:00 -0500

When are you going to get your stuff done? Procrastination can sabotage more than a day’s work. Too many of us also procrastinate in much bigger areas of life — things like growing in responsibility, maturity and in our relationship with Christ. – Alex & Brett Harris, the Rebelution

I was really challenged when I read that. Although I don’t think myself as a major procrastinator, I catch myself from time to time just “fluffin’ around”, as my Mum would say. Perhaps I’m not doing harmless things, such as re-reading a book off the shelf or checking out an online group, but is it the best? While we are reading Do Hard Things, the phrase ‘good better best’ keeps popping up in our conversations. It really applies to all matters of life: including the way we spend our time.

I can get bored quite easily. After school and responsibilities are all done, I can be uninspired to write a letter, work on a craft, write or even read. All I feel up to doing is look at blogs. Not exactly the best thing to doing. Strictly speaking, it’s not bad, but there are better things I could be doing, if I put my mind to it. Besides the fact that I’ve already spent my fair share on the internet, I have things that need to be done.

What I’ve found has helped me stay on track is to have a couple of lists: an assignment sheet, a daily planner and a master list.

Assignment Sheet

For the past year now, Mum has been planning an assignment sheet to keep us on track of our school assignments, split into blocks of ten. We have a column for each week, and a row for every subject, including extra hobbies and topics (such as blogging). Although the idea is to continually ‘check on it’ throughout the week, over the weekend Josh and I are supposed to take the time to analysis our week; whether we are on track or not, and why. It gives me a visual and balanced idea of what I’m supposed to be doing.

These pieces of paper, along with my reading list and log, are filed in a folder kept on my tray on my desk. Also in that folder I have a sleeve for each unfinished school subject I’m working on.

Daily Planner

For several years now, Mum has given us a daily diary to write out a daily to-do list, and add in anything else that popped up (such as an unexpected play date). This year and 2008, Mum gave us a page-to-a-day diary, giving us heaps of room to fill everything in. On and off I’ve tried to keep my own separate one, but with me keeping my school one too, I’ve never been able to keep track of both of them, so this year I’ve decided to just keep the one. That means I jot down everyone’s birthdays in there along with my schoolwork, and it works very well. Simple is better!

Master List

From time to time I write down simply everything I have to do (except the normal school subjects), on an index card. Topics both big and small go on that list. Then, with two coloured highlighters, I highlight

a) The things I need to do on the computer

b) The things that can’t be done independently

When I have free time and I’m lost at what to do, I go to that list, pick one, and work on it. Believe me, things get done fast that way!

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Managing our time is important because once we’ve spent it, we can’t get it back. It’s like money – we have the choice to either spend it wisely or on junk. “Procrastination is the thief of time”, 18^th century poet Edward Young wrote, and it’s true. I’m reminded of Joseph in the Old Testament and how he was placed in charge of first Potiphars’ entire property, then became basically completely in charge of prison, and then all of Egypt – one of the most flourishing countries in the world! I don’t think Joseph would have procrastinated much – he saw a need, and he went out and did it. When we are faithful in spending our time wisely in the small things, such as the five minutes here and two minutes there, we’ll be trustworthy for even greater things which will build up the Kingdom of God.

“Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your heart, as working for the LORD not man.” – Colossians 3:23

Want more?

Stop Wasting Time. – The Rebelution

M for Multitasking – The Rebelution

Procrastination: the second mark of a wasted life – The Rebelution

Time Management – Beautiful Grace