Special needs homeschooling, Faithbook scrapbooking, notebooking, Christian living, motivation, and organizational systems. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Tue, 21 Feb 2006 07:38:00 -0600 Tue, 21 Feb 2006 07:38:00 -0600 We're pretty lucky here to have a library that stays open late on Tuesdays and Thursdays -- and actually 4 hours on Sunday afternoon!  So when DH and I had to share a car because his went into the shop for a l-o-n-g time, we started going on Tuesday nights.  Also on Tuesdays our Sonic drive-in restaurant has 5 for 5 after 5 -- 5 burgers for $5 after 5 pm.  So now we have dinner in town, go to the library, and pick up any needed groceries, etc., get stamps from the post office machine in the lobby, make any night deposits at the bank.  I like it so much that I think this will be our regular Library Night.   You wouldn't believe the bucks I've saved by not being able to go anywhere during the day because of no vehicle.  Do I miss it?  A resounding "No!"  It's a downright pleasure for me to not have to leave my house.    We do have to go to Granny's and Granddad's to help care for them -- about a football field away -- and, guess what, now I'm having to walk!    So this supposedly "bad" thing has turned out to be a God-send for me.  Besides saving money by not running to town when I feel like it, I'm getting caught up on all that stuff that we never get around to.  It really makes the days longer.  If I absolutely have to have something I need, I can call DH on his cell and have him bring it home when he comes.    Now, I don't have kids that need to go here and there, all around the world, on a daily basis, so I'm able to do this.  Some of my friends' lives would come to a stand-still if this was imposed on them.  There's co-op classes, ball  and soccer practice, dance and gymnastics lessons, doctor and dentist appointments, and on and on.    I'm also blessed because DH has a job where if it really was a necessity -- like a doctor appointment -- he could take us.  We have our TaeKwonDo class on Thursday evenings, so we can all go to that.  As far as grocery shopping, I do once-a-month menu planning and shopping, usually on a Saturday or Friday night when the boys can go with me to help.  A month's worth of food takes up more than one shopping cart!    So Library Night has evolved now into sort of a tradition I guess you could say.  What do we do at the library besides let Jeff check out books and videos (which takes approximately 2 hours!)?  Here's my method:   I use the Full-Year Notebook System (have a link on the left).  This system has sreally worked for me, and I've been doing it 2 years now.  We have to do a variety of different curricula and teaching styles because of our special needs.  We use a lot of library books!  And a couple of text books -- a reading comprehension book and math.  Our Bible consists of reading The Children's Bible and getting resource books on whatever the theme is that we're reading.  For instance, when we were studying David, we found lots of great books at the library on him.  Also found a video "David & Goliath."  When we studied Solomon, there were some very good books on the "temple" for kids.  We studied "building" during that time, a natural flow from that book of the Bible.    With the FYN system, I choose our topics that I want to study, listing them on a Library Topics form, then using the computer at the library look up call numbers and titles of books available.  This info goes on another form, a reference form.  Then you can plan when you will be needing the books and whether you will be reading a chapter a day, so many pages a day, or the whole book in a week, etc.    There are also other forms for videos watched, biographies assigned, book reports, planning forms for your textbooks.  Lots of people have asked, "Well, can't you get free forms off the internet?"  Yes, you can, and I've done so -- I've probably killed an entire forest with the pages I've printed out from the web.  I just hadn't seen this "idea" until I stumbled onto the FYN system.  It was the "idea" that gave me that shot in the arm I so much needed to pull my teaching together.  For those just following an off-the shelf curriculum, you aren't in this boat with me.    I have not actually filled Jeff's notebook with a full year of assignments.  At first I did 9 weeks, because that is our schedule--9 weeks of school, 2 weeks off.  Year-round.  Sometimes I change it when needed, but that's pretty much the way it is.    Now, however, I'm putting the assignments and pages he needs into his book by the week.  Right now we are doing a Narnia unit study and for right now just putting the pages we do into his notebook in the "Language Arts" section.  When it gets pretty full, we'll transfer all the Narnia pages to a "Narnia" notebook of its own.  We do lots of notebooks.  It's the perfect style for Jeff.    We're also doing a Seed and Gardening unit for Science, so this past Tuesday at the library I got some books on chickens and eggs, seed planting, and a really good book on compost.  We have a compost pile here on the farm, so Jeff is now learning exactly how that garbage that we throw out there turns into rich soil for our gardens.  Jeff picked out a Winnie the Pooh book about a giant Easter egg -- that's good.  We will be studying about Easter here soon and ...               ... the season Spring!                                  Oh, can it come soon?????                                            I want to be "warm" again and plant flowers.   Signing off for now -- it's time to read Library Books.  b. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/87768/ Tue, 21 Feb 2006 07:38:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/87768/               http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/83650/ Mon, 13 Feb 2006 16:55:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/83650/ Faithbooking... what is it?  If you scrapbook, you've probably heard about faithbooking.  It's scrapbooking but with a God twist.  It's about leaving a lasting legacy for your children and their children's children, just as we're told to do.                                 "... do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them  slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."                                                                     Deuteronomy 4:9     There are so many Bible verses commanding us to pass on the things God has shown us to those coming after us.  It's all throughthe Bible.  It's important that we "remember" who God is and what He's done in our lives, and to pass those lessons we've learned on to our descendents.  What a way for us to impact future generations, through scrapbooking!   This is the big thing that jumped out at me 6 years ago when I was first introduced to scrapbooking.  Wow, I thought, this is something I can do for my kids and my grandkids that will stay with them, something they can forever hold and cherish.  I know that if my mom or grandmother had left me a book documenting their lives, there's no way I could put a value on that.  It would be beyond any earthly value.  It would be the most important thing anybody had ever given me.  That's what I thought 6 years ago, and I feel even more strongly today.    Because I've seen how scrapbooking, and now "Faithbooking" changes lives.  Teaching scrapbooking classes has shown me first-hand what the written words with a few pictures can do in a loved one's life.  I've seen it with my own family's scrapbooks.  I will do this the rest of my life.   One of Creative Memories' founders, Rhonda Anderson, coined the term "Faithbook" many years ago, as these are the kind of albums she created for her children.  I've had the opportunity to see her albums and turn through the pages and marvel at the way she embroidered Bible verses and the word of God into her family memories.  That experience changed me.  I not only wanted to do this for my family, but I wanted to teach everyone how to do this.  And that's what I've been doing.   Now when I work on a layout in my album, I "remember" what importance God holds in my life, and I write these messages to my family on my pages.    I also teach children to "faithbook."  I've taught my son Jeff that "every good thing comes from God," so it's easy for him to give God the glory when he puts his pictures in his scrapbook.  Recently I've started a Kids & Teens Crop that I'm going to do each month, and we'll have a "theme" every month.  February is "Love" because of Valentine's Day, and we'll carry this over to Christian Love and the Love of God in their lives.    I'll be working on this more and more in the coming days and weeks because I'm so passionate about it.  So come back and visit occasionally and learn more about how to incorporate scrapbooking into your Bible study and faithbooking into your own spiritual journey!         http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/76160/ Tue, 31 Jan 2006 12:07:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/76160/ Oh, wow!  My special needs teenager, Jeff, has confiscated my digital camera... and he is shooting away at everything he sees.  I am impressed.  He's getting some good shots and learning how to improve his aim and focus.  This is a blessing from God for sure, as Jeff's verbal communicaton skills are so poor and his handwriting poor as well, although we keep working on both.    What I am teaching him is to not only take the pictures but to download them onto the computer and really look at them with a critical eye -- noting what he can improve and what he did really well.  Then we delete the ones that he doesn't want to keep and edit some of the others.    Being a Creative Memories consultant, we use "Memory Manager" software, which is pretty new, and since Jeff can keyboard a whole lot better than he can write, he is able to do a journaling box right on the screen in Memory Manager.  He can change the color of the font, the background, or the frame, and he can pick whatever font style he wants.  What an educational tool!    Next we print out our "page" (pictures and journaling boxes) onto cardstock, and he can either adhere the sheet right onto his scrapbook page in his album or we can hole punch and put it into a notebook.  I want him to complete a "Photography Portfolio" for this school year, but we aren't certain yet whether it will be an album or a notebook.    Either way, it will showcase a big part of his learning in all areas.  For example, he has a picture of "Granny" sitting at her kitchen table waiting for us to put her daily eyedrops in.  This is part of our "service."  Granny is 93 and has glaucoma and is pretty much not able to walk.  Grandad is 97 and blind.  Both of them are so important to Jeff, and he really helps care for them.    This morning he tooks pictures of the goats and the donkey on the farm, which he helps feed every day, so that is another "facet" of his homeschool education.    If you want more information on homeschoolin a special needs child, please do contact me, as I have so many ideas and techniques to share on this wonderful journey we're on.  I'm in the process of putting an e-book together of our curriculum and resources from the past 3 years of "formal" homeschooling and the past 17 years of teaching this awesome creature God bestowed on us.  Praise God; he knows exactly what He's doing!  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/76140/ Tue, 31 Jan 2006 11:40:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/76140/ Two new finds in my never-ending research into Special Needs Homeschooling.    Great library book we discovered last week...   Everything For Winter   Activities for December, January, and February   A Gryphon House Book   While this book is written for young children, it serves an awesome purpose for our special needs learners.  My favorite thing about this book is the "Curriculum Connections" section for each month.  For example, in December the curriculum connections for the "Toy Center" include music, math, social skills, science, self-concept, art, motor development, and literacy -- with activities and books for each.  January spotlights the Library Center and Doctor's Office & Hospital.   While googling to see if there are books for the other seasons, I landed in a magical kingdom called www.ghbooks.com   And indeed there are books for Spring and Fall.  Not sure what happened to Summer.  But be that as it may, and not surprisingly, there are books here on special needs schooling.  There are LOTS OF BOOKS HERE!  Take a break and check it out for yourself.    Also take a look at ... http://christian-parenting.learninginfo.org/index.htm   The Bible's Way to Victory over ADHD and Other Childhood Challenges   We are strong believers here on Schmidts Farm that discipline is the number 1 key in teaching, especially special needs.  God's way is the best way.  Trying to cut corners and go around it won't get you the results you're wanting.  We've proved it with our awesome 17-year-old Down syndrom boy.    It has to start with discipline.  We couldn't teach him anything at all when we took him out of public education until we "unchooled" him and got straight on where we needed to begin.  It wasn't a certain curriculum or teaching style that did it.  We focued on discipline -- obedience.  And we are reaping the rewards.   Now, we look back and are astounded by how much he has matured.  We are so proud of our boy!    I am at present working on getting all of our journey into a book to share and will keep you updated on its progress, so check back in.    This is my New Year 2006 Focus!      http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/65569/ Mon, 9 Jan 2006 08:07:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/65569/ ... from the Rush Hour Woman website-- the website of Brook Noel -- also the Change Your Life Challenge author.          Heirloom Memoir WritingI have always been fascinated by the lifestyles and traditions of the past, especially the eras of my mother and grandmother. Since my grandmother was born in 1892, and my mother in 1916, quite a span of history is covered by their lives. By recording the stories and events of our ancestors' lives, we not only preserve memories, but it gives us a deeper sense of who we are. These happenings are so easily forgotten if we don't write them down. Heirloom memoir writing is a simple way to capture your family's past, or even your own. It's never too early to start. Here are a few simple ideas to get you started. 1. Make a commitment to write a little every day. Set aside fifteen minutes for writing. Don't overwhelm yourself with too much. Enjoy it.2. Decide on topics. Narrow them down. Be specific. I've written about laundry care in the 1920's, Depression quilts, country dinners of my great-grandparents, and old fashioned homemaking routines. I've told the story of my grandparents' travels to the country in their Velie, an old time car. Once you start thinking, more and more ideas will come to you. Write about what interests you about the past.3. Talk to your parents, grandparents, and older relatives. Before you do, write out a list of questions you want to ask them, or points you wish to cover. Get their permission to tape record the conversation. This way you can go back and take notes at your own speed.Don't worry about too much organization at this point. Just write down everything you can. Take thorough notes. Make sure your information is accurate.4. Make an outline. Start organizing your information. Go down through your notes and place each fact under the appropriate topic. Remember, you're still jotting facts. Don't be concerned about complete sentences yet.5. Create a rough draft. Now start turning your outline into an article or story. Each Roman numeral can be a paragraph. Turn the facts into complete sentences. 6. Write your final copy. Polish up your work. Use a spell-checker, thesaurus, or dictionary. Check grammar and punctuation. Make your words and sentences descriptive and interesting. 7. Publish your writing. After you have compiled a collection of stories and articles, it is time to publish them. This could be as sophisticated as using a real publisher, or simply typing them out and placing them in a scrapbook along with old pictures. Whichever direction you decide to go, there are many resources to help you out. Remember, you are creating a priceless heirloom when you record family history stories. The time and effort you put into it now will not only give you information and enjoyment, but will be a rich heritage to leave to your children and grandchildren.About the AuthorInez Haythorn is a Christian wife, mother, elementary school teacher, pianist, and freelance writer. Her main writing interests are Christian writing, and writing about lifestyles and memoirs of the past. She is the publisher of Christian Family Treasures, Heirloom Memories, and Cherished Collections. Her goal is to glorify and honor God, and bless and help others. Copyright 2003. All rights reserved. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/45193/ Wed, 16 Nov 2005 12:50:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/45193/ Got my "Mentoring Moments" newsletter this morning and had to share it with everyone!  This issue will speak to your soul -- it is packed with goodies and inspiration.    If you haven't visited my new website, take a look -- www.scrapbooksimply.com.  Also you can subscribe to my ezine Scrapsimply Weekly by sending an email to betty@scrapbooksimply.com with "subscribe in the subject line.    Mentoring Moments for Christian Women   November 2005 Happy Thanksgiving!     Welcome to the Thanksgiving edition of Mentoring Moments For Christian Women. Our nation has come a long way since the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Rock. God was faithful then to a people who desired to serve Him, and He is still faithful today in our generation. How thankful we are to the Lord Almighty who has provided for us. Take time this month to bless, praise, and thank the Lord for what He has done this year in your heart and family.     This month you'll find lots of great recipes and ideas for making your Thanksgiving celebration one to remember. Check out the website this month too.     Many of you have emailed wondering what happened to the October issue. Due to technical difficulties we were unable to get it out in time, so we pressed ahead with the November edition. Because we want everyone to have plenty of time to take advantage of the upcoming Christmas ideas, the December issue will be arriving before Thanksgiving.     Have a blessed Thanksgiving!       "I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High." ~ Psalms 7:17   Your Sisters In Christ, Rhonda Ellis, Loi Palmer, Kellie Renfroe   November Countdown to Christmas by Loi Palmer Having trouble buying for the person on your list who has everything? Here are a few of my favorite ideas: * Forced bulbs in a clay pot bring life to your home after the Christmas decorations have been packed away. * Theater or symphony tickets. * Gift card to their favorite restaurant. * Pedicure and manicure - men enjoy this too. * Lessons pertaining to their interest. Cooking classes with Paula Deen (an expert cook) would be at the top of my list. * Sporting event tickets.   Thanksgiving Ideas by Kellie Renfroe * For kids, visit the Familyfun.com site to print out Thanksgiving bingo, directions for making pilgrim rings, and turkey place cards. * Decorate home inside and out with items from nature such as pumpkins, leaves, and pinecones. * Cut out leaves from various shades of fall-colored paper. Throughout November have each family member write down a blessing on each leaf. Display the leaves on the fridge or a door. * Send the Five Kernels Prayer as a card or an email to loved ones at Thanksgiving.  To mail, print out the following on orange card stock (it looks nice with a horn of plenty graphic). Five Kernels Prayer     The first winter the pilgrims spent in America was very cold. Some days all they had was enough for each person to have only five kernels of corn. When spring came the pilgrims planted their corn. The corn crop flourished and they had lots of food the next year. From that time on at Thanksgiving, the pilgrims each kept kernels of corn at their plates to remind them of God's blessings.   * Sign the Five Kernels of Prayer poem by letting the recipient know what a blessing they are to your family. Another idea is to put five kernels of corn at each Thanksgiving dinner place setting. Ask each person at the table to share one of God's blessings in their lives this year. * Turkey Poop. This silly Thanksgiving candy treat is sure to bring laughter from children and adults alike. It's a fun parting gift for guests. Visit OrganizedChristmas.Com to print out cute tags for your baggies and get the candy list. * If you have out of town guests visiting during Thanksgiving, don't forget to stock their room with: pillows, blankets, and bedding for the season. Provide a place to store their clothes and luggage and an alarm clock. In the bathroom they will be using, put shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, a couple of new toothbrushes, extra bathroom tissue, Kleenex, and plenty of towels and bath cloths for their stay.   Thanksgiving Traditions     * Start a small Thanksgiving album. Each year have everyone at the table write three things they are thankful for in the album and sign it. One of my friends has an album going back 10 years. She especially loves her 105 year-old Grandmother's thoughts, especially now that she has gone on to be with the Lord. ~ Sheri Berger     * My sister has a tradition of buying a large poinsettia gift for each of my other sisters and my Mom. She brings it as a Thanksgiving gift (because I host the dinner). It's the start of our holiday decorating, and it looks festive on the porch. ~ Nancy Smith     * After Thanksgiving lunch, we go to the movies to see the lastest children's film. One year the movie selections were inappropriate, so we saved our ticket money and stopped by Wal-Mart. We purchased a DVD, some popcorn, and Coke and had movie night at home. ~ Kellie Renfroe   Blessings Brunch by Kellie Renfroe     During the month of November, consider hosting a Blessings Brunch. Set aside a morning during November to host the women in your life who have been a blessing to you.     Over brunch go around the table and tell each lady specifically what she means to you. For example, "Jackie, I appreciate your positive attitude and laughter. You always have a kind and gracious word to say about everyone. Your desire to bless and speak life into women has encouraged me and many times lifted my spirits when I felt down. Your desire to serve the Lord is a powerful witness to me; you are a godly woman."     Another idea is to write down what you are going to say and read it. After the brunch, present each woman with what you said as a gift. This can be a powerful encouragement to them.     Visit the Mentoring Moments For Christian Women website for the following brunch menu recipes: Michelle's French Toast Casserole, Grits Casserole, Fresh Fruit with dip, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Loaf, Tea, Coffee, Juice   Jehovah-Shalom, the Lord is my Peace by Loi Palmer     Three years ago my siblings and I realized that my father's health was declining. Dad had struggled with diabetes for 30 years. His eye sight was fading and blood sugar swings were dangerous. We sold my parents' home and moved them in with my family. I never dreamed that a year and a half later, my mother would be my main concern. Last Thanksgiving we broke the news to family and friends of mother being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.      The pain of slowly losing my loving, energetic mother has been buffered by dear friends from my parents' church. They have come alongside our family to walk down this dark, bumpy road. They have put feet on their good intentions. A retired gentleman, Steve, proudly chauffeurs them in bad weather and on Sunday evenings to church. Other families bring meals and check on them when we go out of town.     I embrace the hectic present instead of longing for the past. The future is too overwhelming to contemplate. My children laugh and love on their grandparents. Through this experience they are learning to value and respect the elderly. This Thanksgiving as my eyes wander around the table, I will drink in the faces of loved ones and freeze this moment in my memory forever. God has blessed me with a rich heritage, a gracious inheritance.   *********************************************** "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds." ~ Psalms 71:14-17 (NIV) ***********************************************       Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord is my Provider by Kellie Renfroe     This year the Lord is teaching me of His provision in my life. For years, I have struggled with the necessity of tithing. I would tithe for a while and then stop for a time. My example affected my husband's view of tithing and led to our inconsistency. The Lord began dealing with us concerning this issue last November. We made a commitment to ourselves and God that we would tithe faithfully. This year has been a year filled with the blessings of God in ways we never expected. No, we are not millionaires, but we feel like it in our hearts.     I thank God for teaching me that when I give 10% to Him, He sanctifies the other 90% for the needs in our family. The times we have been short in meeting an obligation, we have watched the Lord bring provision. He has never failed us financially or in any other area of our lives. While in the past I trusted God with other things, trusting Him with finances has been harder. Now, I know that it is ONLY He that provides for our every need, including financially. This one area that I never could fully trust God with is being filled with increasing faith, trust, and love. I bless the Lord for seeing the desire in our hearts as a family to honor Him with the tithe and patiently teaching us. I thank Him for using hard times to show us that He is our Source, not man. I thank Him for changing my thinking of "I can't afford to tithe" to "I cannot afford NOT to tithe." I thank Him for allowing our children to watch as He has provided for our family; it has increased their faith. This Thanksgiving I praise and thank the Lord for being my Jehovah-Jireh for every area of my life, including finances.   *********************************************** "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you establish your faithfulness in heaven itself." ~ Psalms 89:1-2 (NIV) ***********************************************   Adoring Hearts Stasi Eldredge, excerpt from the book Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John & Stasi Eldredge     Okay, we've all heard the story. Martha and Mary. Don't be such a Martha. Got it. But we've often wondered what the "one thing" was that was needed. Some of you might have heard teaching that it was one simple casserole dish, that Martha was busy making a complicated meal when only one simple food was needed. No. That is not what Jesus is saying. Jesus has again spoken straight into the heart of the matter. The one thing that is needed is a captivated, adoring heart, a heart that responds to the extravagant love of God with worship.     Our hearts are made to worship. It is what we do; we can't help it. Now, worship is one of those words made sickly by religion. We hear "worship" and we think, She's talking about going to church. Singing hymns. Nope. Worship is far more passionate, far more abandoned. Worship is what we give our hearts away to in return for a promise of Life. Some worship fashion; others worship a boyfriend or husband. We really are limitless in what we will give our hearts away to. Movies, food, shopping, gossip, you name it, I've bowed before them all.     But Jesus is the only one worthy of our heart's devotion. Mary recognized who Jesus was - the source of all Life. Love Incarnate. She did what you and I hope we, too, would have done. She dropped everything and sat at his feet, fixing the gaze of her eyes and the gaze of her heart upon him.     ....Women hold a special place in the heart of God. A woman's worship brings Jesus immense pleasure and a deep ministry. You can minister to the heart of God. You impact Him. You matter. Jesus desires you to pour out your love on him in extravagant worship that ministers to his heart. This is not just for women who have the time, women who are really spiritual....Offer your heart to him.     (Kellie's Note: There is also a companion guidebook that is good for individual or group study.  Visit the Mentoring Moments For Christian Women website and click on the CBD.com link for discounted prices on both book and guidebook.)   *********************************************** The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. ~ Lamentations 3:25 ***********************************************   Don't Runaway Away from the Circus of Life by Loi Palmer     One of my most treasured childhood memories is going to the circus with my grandparents. I grew up in Key West, and this was undoubtedly the most spectacular event to come to our tiny island. Sitting under the big tent with my senses on overload, trying to take in all the sights, sounds, and smells at once was almost too much for my eight year old mind. Pop Pop had us sit on the middle grandstands. My eyes were darting back and forth from ring to ring so I wouldn't miss a single trick or flip. The wisdom of Pop Pop's choice of seats was so we could see what was happening in all three of the rings and not be deprived of the full effect.     Sometimes our lives seem like a three ring circus. Kids going in all different directions, your business life, your personal interest, your ministries. Then throw in your husband's responsibilities and this mix makes life crazy. The experts tell us to reevaluate and cut out activities, but that is easier said than done. Have you ever thought that God might not want you to change your pace or change your activities? God wants your heart centered on Him. Henri Nouwen talks about this in his book, Making All Things New. "What counts is where our hearts are. When we worry, we have our hearts in the wrong place. Jesus asks us to move our hearts to the center, where all other things fall into place...to make the life of the Spirit within and among us the center of all we think, do, or say."     Going back to my circus illustration, I would just ask the simple question, "Who is your ring master?" Are you trying to be the ring master? Shouting into the bull horn, cracking the whip at the lions, training the poodles, making the elephant's bow, and instructing the trapezes artists. Are you doing all of this while walking a tight rope and dressing like a clown? If so, you must be exhausted. Step out of the center ring and let God be the ring master. Spending time reading God's life instruction book, the Bible, will center your heart. By talking daily with God you are humbling yourself and acknowledging your need for His wisdom. Don't run away from the three-ring circus God has designed for you.   *********************************************** Visit the Mentoring Moments For Christian Women Website This Month For More Holiday Ideas and Recipes! Mentoring Moments For Christian Women provided by Bravenet.com   mentoringmoments.bravehost.com *********************************************** "My Cup Overflows" by Jackie Henry, founder of The Teacup Ministry, an outreach to widows in the local church "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup." Psalms 16:5 "My cup overflows." Psalms 23:5b     In his book, The God Who Would Be Man, H. M.S. Richards tells of the visit of a chaplain general of the armed forces, Bishop Taylor Smith, to a military hospital during World War I.  He noticed two wounded men sitting by a table on which a bowl turned upside down.  He asked the men, “Do you know the two things that are under that bowl?”  “No,” one of the men said.  “Darkness and uselessness,”  the chaplain replied.  Quickly, he turned the bowl right side up.  “Now,” he said to the two curious men, “it’s full of light and ready to hold soup or anything you might like to use it for.  It is a converted bowl.”     What a grand concept this is.  God has assigned us our cup.  We can choose to turn it upside down and be dark and gloomy and finally useless, or we can choose to turn it right side up and fill it to overflowing with His blessings and then share them with others.  We can choose to fill our lives with ingratitude, confusion, disobedience, worry, and strife. Or we can fill them with serenity, kindness, joy, and beauty.     Another choice we make when filling our cup is how full to fill it.  Some cups have just a smidgen in the bottom, while others are comfortably full.  Still others are full to the brim and overflowing.   If your cup is running over, let your service run over.  Let your generosity run over.  Let your prayers run over.  Let your praise run over.     Are you willing to step back, re-evaluate, and let Him fill you and your life up to the brim and running over?  Boy! I sure am!     God gives each of us a full cup.  Often, it contains heartaches, sorrows, joys and triumphs that we are to experience in a lifetime. If we thirst, it is only because we refuse to drink from that which we have been given.   Some days our cups tastes more bitter than sweet. It may seem unappealing to see that same old job, those same household chores.  But many times our richest blessings comes in disguise.   I think of Jesus and His cup.  He knew exactly what His cup held and yet He still drank it. Fortunately we don't know the exact contents of our cups.  That’s why when things look cloudy, we must stir and drink all the more deeply!  Perhaps all of the sugar is in the bottom of the cup.      My cup speaks to me about boundaries.  If the cup did not have boundaries of sides and bottom, it could not hold anything in it.  The cup has an opening; it is able to give and to receive.  Take some time today and think about your spiritual boundaries.  Are there areas that need some attention?     Reflection:  Hold an empty cup in your hands.  Let the emptiness remind you of your yearnings.  For whom and what do you most yearn or thirst?  Hold the cup close to your heart, be thirsty for God.  Be filled with God. Now set your cup in a place where it casts a shadow, either by a candle or under a lamp.  Gaze upon the cup and its shadow.  Let what you see speak to you about your life and the shadow you are casting.   The Art of Homemaking by Loi Palmer These articles and tips will challenge women to go beyond "housekeeping" to "homemaking".   Palmer Family Thanksgiving        Dinner: Turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, spoon bread, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole, succotash, raw vegetable tray with olives and pickles, Sister Shubert's Rolls (found in the frozen food section of the grocery store), Southern Sweet Tea.   Timing Everything Two weeks before Thanksgiving:     *Plan Menu * Call and invite dinner guests and set a definite time for eating * Check with family who regularly attend and get a head count (new boyfriends/girlfriends planning to attend). * Assign specific dishes to guests who like to help with the meal.   Six days before Thanksgiving:     *Inventory pantry and create a shopping list. * Clean off front porch and back deck. Wipe down outdoor furniture. * Check outdoor play equipment for safety. Have bike tires and balls pumped (weather permitting the kids can play outside).   Five days before Thanksgiving:     * Grocery shop * Vacuum and dust dining room. * Tidy up the coat closet and put ample hangers inside for guest's coats and sweaters.   Three to four days before Thanksgiving:     * Begin defrosting turkey in the refrigerator, depending on size of turkey. * Set dining room table, get out all the serving bowls, trays, and platters. * For informal entertaining, do not hesitate to use styrofoam plates and plastic utensils. My family uses Mason jars for drinking glasses. I put little name tags on each jar. You can also use a grease pencil. * Organize kid-friendly play areas with: toys, video and computer games, and DVD selection.   Two days before Thanksgiving:     * Dust and vacuum the bedrooms and basement * Clean bathrooms * Make cranberry relish * Make the Apple Caramel Coffee Cake, cover and refrigerate.   One day before Thanksgiving:     * Dust and vacuum living room and guest bathroom. * Make Mystery Pecan Pie * Make sweet potato casserole, cover and refrigerate. * Make stuffing, cover and refrigerate. * Prepare veggie tray, cover and refrigerate * Make the spoon bread, refrigerate before cooking.   Early Thanksgiving Day:     * Start cooking turkey. Check weight and cooking time so turkey is ready to eat when dinner is served. * Cook the caramel topping for the Apple Coffee Cake and serve it with fruit and coffee for breakfast.   While the turkey is roasting:     * Cook the mashed potatoes. * Cook the succotash.   One hour before you are ready to eat:     * Cook the spoon bread. * Cook the stuffing. * Bake the Sister Shubert's rolls. * Put remaining cold items on the table.   Apple Caramel Coffee Cake     2 sticks butter at room temperature, 1 cup white sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, 3 eggs, 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 3 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 3 large Granny Smith apples peeled and cut into chunks, 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans, 2 1/4 teaspoons of vanilla.     Caramel Topping: 4 tablespoons butter, 1/3 cup white sugar, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup heavy cream.     Heat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl use an electric mixer to blend the butter and white and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Beat after adding each egg. In a separate bowl add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg together. Blend the apples, pecan, and vanilla into the flour mixture. Next add the sugar mixture and stir with a wooden spoon. The mixture will be thick. Scrape mixture into a buttered 9 x 13 pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.     In a sauce pan, over medium heat, melt butter. Add white and brown sugar, stirring frequently until sugars are dissolved. Stir in cream and bring to a boil. Cook for two minutes. Remove from heat. Drizzle the caramel topping over the cake while it is still warm.   Sweet Potato Casserole 5 medium sweet potatoes wrapped in foil and baked at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until fork easily slides in. Topping: 1/3 cup butter, 1/3 cup flour, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup chopped pecans. 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup butter, 2 eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.     Unwrap baked sweet potatoes and peel off the skins. With an electric mixer blend potatoes, salt, butter, sugar, eggs and spices. Pour mixture into casserole dish.     Topping: combine all the ingredients and sprinkle on casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.      Mashed Potatoes 8-10 red medium red potatoes - skin on, 1/2 cup hot milk, 1 stick butter, 1/2 cup sour cream, salt and pepper to taste. Slice potatoes. Cook in boiling water for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. With an electric mixer whip unpeeled potatoes with hot milk, butter, and sour cream until desired consistency. Salt and pepper to taste. Don't worry about a few lumps.   Stuffing 1 large package of Pepperidge Farm Herb Stuffing, 5 stalks of thinly sliced celery, 1 onion, 1 stick of butter, 1 can of chicken broth, 1 lb sausage browned and drained (optional), 2 cups of water.     Saute' the celery and onion in one stick of butter until the vegetables are clear. Stir in the chicken broth and 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. In a large mixing bowl, blend the herb stuffing and sausage. Pour the broth and vegetables on top of the stuffing mixture. Mix well. Spoon into a 9 x 13 pan and cook for 45 minutes.   Fresh Cranberry Relish 1 16 oz bag fresh cranberries, 1 naval orange, 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of chopped pecans.    Coarsley chop cranberries and naval orange (include the peel - remove the seeds) in food processor.   Stir in sugar and pecan pieces.  To get the full flavor, make it two days ahead and refrigerate.     Succotash 1 frozen bag Corn, 1 frozen bag baby lima beans, 1 can of chicken broth, 5 tablespoons of butter, salt and pepper to taste.    In a sauce pan, over medium heat, heat chicken broth with the frozen corn and lima beans until  tender, about 20 minutes.   Stir in butter and salt.  Turn down the heat to low and let the beans continue simmering for another 15 minutes.   Add pepper just before serving.    Spoon Bread 1 box of Jiffy cornbread mix, 8 oz sour cream, 1 can drained kernel corn, 1 can creamed corn, 1 stick melted butter, 2 eggs, 1 cup grated cheese to sprinkle on top of casserole after it has baked.     Dump all the ingredients (except grated cheese) into a mixing bowl and blend together with a wooden spoon. Pour mixture into an 8 x 10 casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. The top will be lightly brown. Sprinkle with cheese and return to the oven until the cheese has melted.   Mystery Pecan Pie     1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 egg, 1 and 1/4 cup chopped pecans, 1 pie crust.     Topping ingredients: 3 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup light corn syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla.     Combine cream cheese, sugar, salt, vanilla, and egg. Blend well. Spread into pie crust. Sprinkle with pecans. Mix together topping ingredients. Gently pour topping over pecans. Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes, until center is firm. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.   Easy Southern Sweet Tea     Bring 3 cups of water to boil. Add 4 family size tea bags (my choice is Tetley tea). Boil water and tea bags for three minutes. Turn off the heat. Remove and discard the tea bags. Immediately add 1 1/2 cups sugar to the hot tea, stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour the tea into a gallon sized container and add enough cool water to fill up the container.     Hints: For a clear honey colored tea, remove the tea bags while the water is still hot. To avoid the sugar from settling on the bottom of the pitcher add the sugar while the water is hot. To avoid a bitter or acid taste, add a pinch of baking soda to the boiling water.     November Conference Calls     All calls are a free service of Mentoring Moments For Christian Women. We charge NO fee for calling in. Just use your cell phone or home phone and dial in. Only your regular long distance charges apply (it is a long distance number). We suggest that if you have a cell phone with unlimited night and weekend hours, call then to avoid long distance charges completely. Make a point to listen to all the calls before the first of the year. We will be changing all the calls in January.   Emilie Barnes & her journey through cancer.... 1-212-990-6320 .... Emilie Barnes is a nationally recognized home-and-office organization expert, a best-selling author of over 60 books, a dynamic speaker and a dedicated homemaker. She is frequently a guest on numerous radio and television programs nationwide, including The 700 Club, Focus On The Family, Family Life, and Moody Broadcasting. She is currently featured in one-minute national radio segments entitled, "Keep It Simple With Emilie." Emilie is in her fifth year of remission from cancer. In this interview she shares her personal testimony of God's faithfulness and the simple, practical things others did for her that ministered greatly. Call length: 30 minutes. Can press #9 to fast forward, #7 to rewind, #2 to pause, #2 to un-pause.   Moms In Touch... 1-918-222-7201 #436....Michelle Holder and Donna Henley of Moms In Touch are our special guests. Moms In Touch is an international prayer organization called to stand in the gap for our school children.    Homeschool Priorities ...1-212-461-2643 ...Rhonda Ellis, homeschool mom of six, shares with you reasons why she homeschools and how she maintains balance in her day. If you already homeschool, you'll find this very encouraging. If you are considering homeschooling, this call will give you insight to pray about. Call length: 45 minutes. Can press #9 to fast forward, #7 to rewind, #2 to pause, #2 to un-pause.   Depression...1-212-461-8612 ...More and more people seem to be medicated for depression. Yet, is this really helpful? Is medication the answer? What is depression anyway? Dr. Rick Marks discusses these issues, as well as the topic of bipolar disorder. Rhonda Ellis shares her personal experience with depression and the lessons learned. Depression is now all too common among women and it is a topic that must be discussed openly. You'll want to listen in, and have this number handy to pass on to your friends who are experiencing depression. Call length: 45 minutes. Can press #9 to fast forward, #7 to rewind, #2 to pause, #2 to un-pause.   Who We Are Publishers: Rhonda Ellis, Conference Calls Loi Palmer, The Art of Homemaking Kellie Renfroe, Newsletter and Website Copy Editor: Vicki Huffman   If you would like to contact Mentoring Moments For Christian Women we'd love to hear from you. Email your comments to mentoringmoments@aol.com. Every email is read.   Mission Statement Mentoring Moments For Christian Women is a non-denominational online magazine to provide encouragement, training, and practical tips for women in their everyday walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our belief that God has a plan and purpose for every woman. By dropping the masks, becoming real, tearing down the walls around our hearts, and allowing the Lord to refresh and renew us, we'll experience personal revival as we depend on Him and His Word. With tips to stay sane no matter what the season of life, Mentoring Moments For Christian Women purposes to be a breath of fresh air: bringing ideas on creating a peaceful home, transparent heartfelt testimonies, and Biblical insight for women.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Copyright  2005 Mentoring Moments For Christian Women Copyright 2005 The Art of Homemaking   All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reprinted in any media form without the consent of Mentoring Moments For Christian Women. Contact mentoringmoments@aol.com for reprint information. Forwarding Mentoring Moments For Christian Women is encouraged on the basis that the entire ezine remain in tact, no portions removed or edited.   This is a FREE ezine. If you have been forwarded Mentoring Moments For Christian Women and would like to SUBSCRIBE contact mentoringmoments@aol.com with your full name and email address.   If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE, email mentoringmoments@aol.com with your name and email address and REMOVE in the subject line.   To visit our website, click on the link: Mentoring Moments For Christian Women provided by Bravenet.com or copy/paste the address: mentoringmoments.bravehost.com     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/43281/ Fri, 11 Nov 2005 10:44:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/43281/  Have you seen my new website yet?  www.scrapbooksimply.com!    And now I've got an ezine too -- ScrapSimply Weekly.  It's free, and you can subscribe or just get a free sample by sending an email to betty@scrapbooksimply.com with either "subscribe" or "sample" in the subject line.  That "simple."    You will get a fresh article every week on creating your family albums in a simple and easy and inexpensive manner plus lots of other informational info ... including how to use Scrapbooking in Homeschooling!      We are on Week 2 of my series on ScrapSimply 101, which starts from the very beginning for those new to scrapbooking or those wanting to start getting those kids' pictures in albums -- before the next holiday season is upon us.  When you subscribe, I'll email you the first 2 articles now so you can get caught up!    I will also be adding several links to my Scrapbook Simply site soon -- working on this currently.  New links will include:  Faithbooking - Homeschool Croppin' -- and Page Layouts.  Keep checking.   Also planning a "Homemade Books" link soon, so stay tuned.    http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/35878/ Thu, 20 Oct 2005 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/35878/ I'm so excited!  I've been spending a lot of time working on my website -- "ScrapbookSimply."  Even though I'm not completely done yet, you can visit at www.scrapbooksimply.com and let me know what you think so far.  Also got an additional email just for the website where you can reach me with your comments -- betty@scrapbooksimply.    Scrappin' & Schoolin' will be an offshoot of this project -- an E-zine called ScrapSimply Weekly -- A whole section of the E-Zine will be devoted to using scrapbooking techniques in homeschooling.  You can subscribe to the e-zine by going to www.scrapbooksimply.com and filling in the auto responder form toward the bottom.  Or you can simply email me at betty@scrapbooksimply.com with subscribe in the subject line.  First issue is due out October 15th.    I'm off to Mississippi tomorrow morning.  Got to get organized and ready, so signing off for now.  b. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/31426/ Thu, 6 Oct 2005 08:40:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/31426/ If you do not subscribe to this daily devotional, you are missing out on writings of one of the most simple, uncluttered, true messages of today.  Every day these messages get me going!  b.   The Day of Salvationby John Fischer I tell you, now is the time of God�s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Don�t let anyone tell you these hurricanes are the judgment of God upon anyone. If this is the judgment of God, the rest of us got off easy.   When the tsunami hit last December, there were theories of it being a punishment on Muslims.Apparently some Muslims in the Middle East are now stating that Katrina and Rita are punishment for America's involvement in Iraq. Taking this view assumes that my viewpoint is all encompassing and equal to the viewpoint of God, since I know whatGod is thinking and can explain His actions. Unless I was convinced that I was Ezekiel incarnate (and if I ever am, lock me up, please), I wouldn�t utter a word about God�s judgment.   The Bible is very clear about the fact that God is currently withholding his wrath for a day of judgment which is to come, and you can be certain there will be no doubt about that one, when it comes. (2 Peter 3:3-7) Until that time, this is an age of God�s favor; this is the �day of salvation.� In other words, God is holding back His judgment on wickedness and evil to allow for all to hear his message of salvation in Christ, and respond to His free gift of salvation through Christ�s death on the cross.   This is also why bad people seem to get away with being bad. It�s only for a season. Because, at the same time, many people are responding to God�s grace and being made good in the process. �Bear in mind that our Lord�s patience (allowing wickedness to go unpunished) means salvation� (2 Peter 3:15). If we all got what we deserved, our ancestors would have drowned in the floodwaters of God�s wrath eons ago. We would never have existed. The mere fact that we are alive is an attribute of God�s grace.   It is also true that when calamities arise, people are more prone to call upon God. If, as a result of this earthly devastation, more people turn to God, is it not possible that even this �act of God� ends in salvation for many who might not have considered it otherwise? �And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?� Jesus said (Matthew 16:26). Could it not also be said that to lose your whole world, but gain your soul, might just be worth it? John Fischer is the Senior Writer for Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Marti and son, Chandler. They also have two adult children, Christopher and Anne. John is a published author and popular speaker.   Click HERE to sign up for The Better Life, an e-newsletter brought to you by PurposeDrivenLife.com, with articles by Rick Warren and other insightful writers.To see a sample of The Better Life, click HERE.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/29051/ Wed, 28 Sep 2005 09:24:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cmcbetty/29051/