It is our desire that as a family we know the truth of God's Word and that we live it out in our home, church, community and world. Learning, Living and Loving the Truth - that is our goal. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:56:00 -0500 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:56:00 -0500 We have been reading as a family the book Practical Happiness: A Young Man's Guide to a Contented Life by Bob Schultz as part of our family devotion time. At the end of yesterday's reading I read just the title of today's reading , which was "Jerks". We all smiled and chuckled and wondered what that would be about. Well, we were in for a treat.  The author writes "After decades of watching families, I've discovered a trait that appears in every successful home. I'm convinced that no matter how great the family, without this particular element, they will have a serious fall. The common thread running through successful families is this: there's a jerk in every one of them. Not only is there a jerk in every family, in the top notch families every member is a jerk! (Emphasis mine.) After peels of laughter from all of us, we read on... "the wonder of Christianity, the good news of the gospel, is that a bunch of jerks can learn to love each other. They can stick up for one another, forgive each other, and cover for the other's mistakes. A pack of jerks, under the influence of God's Spirit, lives in harmony and accomplishes many useful and good works together." page 28. "Loving jerks is basic Christianity. It's God's heart. A family who loves sinners, especially those in their own home, experience joy in the middle of problems. They know the security that comes with acceptance in the midst of failure." page 29 How encouraging to know we have a faithful God who loves us and hears our prayers. May the Lord bless this family of jerks as we learn to love each other. Blessings, Audrey http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/567540/ Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:56:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/567540/ Here are some of the results - hopefully photos will follow if I can figure out how to do that. Andrew - 4 blue ribbons - wiring the Bravada as a stormspotting vehicle, a DVD of the kids acting out Goldilocks and the 3 Bears ( a real hoot!), a DVD of a civil war re-enactment using little army men, and a digital photography entry of storm clouds (of course) and a rainbow. Pretty cool, huh?   Mikey - 7 blue ribbons- vegetable garden, wooden shelf, ice fishing bucket seat, swine project, deck project, and we can't remember, we can't remember, 3 red ribbons - photography of our flowers, citizenship & child/family exhibit.   Emily - Blue ribbon on a kitchen safety poster and a babysitting kit she put together, red on a beaded necklace she made, flower photography, and a pencil drawing about pioneer school.   Timmy was in Cloverbud so he just got ribbons for everything - a tornado experiment, spritz cookies (they were very good!), kentay cloth, wooden egg - painted, ceramic mosaic, fishing project,   Danny did pre-cloverbud - Minnesota state symbols coloring book, David and the sheep finger puppets, magnifying glass, My 5 senses project, fish project, and a watercolor painting. It was a good day - the older 2 also helped as judges assistants when they were finished. Praise the Lord for all He has provided for us. Audrey http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/564489/ Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:37:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/564489/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/564483/ Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:05:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/564483/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/564051/ Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:48:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/564051/ I am excited to have found a very nice gas grill at a garage sale yesterday. Usually for Friday night supper we have pizza - but yesterday I decided to grill hotdogs and hamburgers on the new grill. It wasn't level because it was just in our backyard because the deck is being rebuilt - and the hotdogs kept rolling off! I thought I really should figure out how to do more fun things - like corn on the cob and chicken and potatoes, etc. I have seen recipes through the years - but have never tried it.  Recipes and ideas anyone?   Audrey http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/562980/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:58:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/562980/ We are working frantically to have all our projects completed in time for the county fair. Exciting time! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/562644/ Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:23:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/562644/ I read this book this week - what a challenge. I recommend this book heartily.  I was impressed by the spiritual walk of this young wife as she trusted her Lord in difficult situations. May I become more like her as I walk with my Lord.   Audrey http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/562393/ Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:58:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/562393/ This is the time of year for reflection on our homeschool. I praise my Heavenly Father for His guidance, protection, encouragement and grace - for without Him, I can do nothing. We are selling much of the curriculum that we used in years past - no sense hanging on to it all. I am praying that the Lord would bless and someone who needs the curriculum would be able to get a good deal. Go to Home School Legal Defense's website and check out the market. I am selling the curriculum on auction with no reserve. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/562302/ Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:51:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/562302/ On a recent trip to Pennsylvania to visit my husband's family, my father-in-law quoted this beautiful prayer before one of our evening meals. This was a special blessing to me and I asked for a copy so that we might teach this prayer to our children. May the Lord bless you. Audrey   O Lord our God, you alone are the MOST HOLY KING and Ruler of all nations. We pray to You, Lord, in the great expectation of receiving from You, O DIVINE KING, mercy, peace, justice, and all good things.   Protect O Lord our King, our families and the land of our birth. Guard us, we pray, Most Faithful One! Protect us from our enemies and from Your just judgement. Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us. We trust in Your Great Mercy.   O Most Awe-inspiring King, we bow before You and pray. May Your Reign, Your Kingdom, be recognized on earth! Amen http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/561724/ Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:41:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/561724/ A friend from Japan sent me this quote and graciously agreed to let me post it on my blog. Here is a quote from a Christian book I just started that I am really excited about: "As you live the Christian life,  you may have periods of darkness or of doubt.  You may encounter painful struggle and discouragement But there will also be moments of exultation and glory. And most important of all, you will become free." ( Taken from author John White in his book called THE FIGHT ) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/561275/ Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:59:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LovingTheTruth/561275/