Julie Hughes Missionary in Asia and Homeschooling Mom. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Fri, 27 Jan 2006 02:25:00 -0600 Fri, 27 Jan 2006 02:25:00 -0600 I have moved: Please go to http://homeschoolblogger.com/vibrantfaith   I was having so much trouble with my site, couldn't ever get my friends page to do right and then the names disapeared all together. I figured there was some problem, so I copied my articles and started over with another site.  All of you my dear friends will recieve a notice that I have added you as my friend. Happy Blogging!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/74004/ Fri, 27 Jan 2006 02:25:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/74004/ Hello from my herb garden!   This is a basil plant that is growing out of hand! It is even got flowers on the top now.  Does anyone know what to do next?  Should I pinch off the flowers, wait till they turn to seed and then pinch them off?  Should I harvest the entire plant....or can I go on using it continually?  I have had Thai basil in the ground before and just let them grow on and till they became more like bushes than plants, but I have never had sweet basil in a pot before.  The sage that I had in the pot last year, was doing fine and dandy till one day it died.  I did not get the chance to harbest all the leaves before it died.  Boo hoo!  If anyone has any advice, sure would like to hear!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/71758/ Sun, 22 Jan 2006 18:24:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/71758/ My youngest daughter is 11 and since she is my last child, the only "kid" in the family, and has a personality similar to mine, we have the best of fun.  We seem to always be "into something"  whether it's painting, sewing, taking photos, reading, blogging, we're always together.  I am having the best time with my last child and know God sent her to me to be an extra special blessing, especially true as my others have left the nest!  This past month was full of adventures.  We did a mother daughter retreat with her best friend and her mom.  We went to a nice hotel for two days and one night.  During the day we listened to the tapes by Dennis and Barbara Rainey entitled Passport to Purity  published by Family Life Publishing, You can order it from www.familylife.com   The seminar is aimed at junior high age children.  The address some truly significant topics on life's most intimate issues  It is designed to be used one on one with your child.  (If the child is a male, it would be much better if Dad could take him instead of the mom.)  During the getaway, my daughter and I spent time alone, listening to the tapes and then for our meals, we got together with our friends.  During both days, there is time allowed for an activity of your choosing. Rachel wanted to go to the fabric store and then to the tailor to make some of her personal designs that have been long on paper into a reality.  See photos below.  We had a wonderful time and our relationship was strengthened tremendously.  I highly reccomend this course for your preteen!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/71166/ Fri, 20 Jan 2006 22:36:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/71166/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/71152/ Fri, 20 Jan 2006 22:35:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/71152/ My two cents on curriculum: (what I think so far… may change at any time!)   I have used many types of curriculum.  I have four children two of which are already graduated from High School.  I have come to the conclusion that each child is different and what works perfectly for one student may be disastrous for the next.  My advice is to observe and prayerfully consider your options.  Learn your student and how they learn.  It is also good to know that as they grow, the child will know what works for them and what doesn’t.  It is funny to me that one child could absolutely love a text book while the next could hate it.    I feel I made many mistakes, and I am sure I will make more, but I after 20 years of this, I feel I am more understanding of the science of learning.    My first child: When we first began homeschooling in the early 80’s, not much was available as far as curriculum.  There was ACE,  Abeka, Bob Jones, Alpha Omega, Rod and Staff, Liberty Press, and other curriculums for Christian schools and then there was Konos, Sing Spell Read and Write, Writing Road to Reading and Weaver.   These were my choices. There may have been some other things available but I was not aware of them.  In my circle, I was a pioneer, not knowing anyone who homeschooled.    I decided to go with Alpha Omegas life pacs for Math (which my son and I both did not like at all) and I used Sing Spell Read and write for my phonics and then I added Konos.   The next year I used Weaver (which I loved and used for several years till we went to the mission field)  I learned a lot from the Weaver curriculum because it taught me how to teach, prepare and answered a lot of my questions.  It requires books from the library and I also used Abeka text books for Science and History to supplement.   We continued to use Sing, Spell, Read and Write. (In fact, I used that curriculum with all four of my children.)  It is simply the best!  They have upgraded and I still recommend it highly.  It is very easy to use and fun.  The kids learn without knowing it.    Writing Road to Reading I used this for a handwriting and phonics review.  It is great for spelling.  I even used it years later as a refresher course for one of my children who were having trouble with spelling.    Bob Jones Math  We used Bob Jones Math for several years.  It was a  good basic curriculum.   My second child came along and wanted to do things “on her own.”  I had her in Weaver and Sing, Spell, Read and Write and Bob Jones Math as well.  She did fine until about third grade where I added Bob Jones language course.   That year we moved to Thailand and our lives changed drastically.  I finally knew that if I was going to continue to be a missionary, I would have to change my methods and curriculum.  My husband and I prayed about it and we switched lock, stock and barrel to ACE School of Tomorrow Curriculum.  I did the entire program with the two older children.  My eldest in fifth grade and my second in third.  They both finished with this program.  I never changed again.  We were enrolled in their school and they both received an accredited diploma.  I thought I had figured homeschooling out.  I had it all together.  Case closed.  Until…..   My third child: My third child was in the ACE program but having troubles, even though both my husband and I could tell he was very smart and bright.  He was lonely, he hated being in his room studying on his own.  He could not get things done quickly and would get stuck especially in Math.  This is when we switched to Abeka Math for him and my mother came that year and helped him a lot with math and spelling.  He still hated ACE.  We switched to SOS which is totally on computer and he liked it, but still was lonely as he was doing it in his room…alone. We began to see that he learned by audio and interaction – something that he had been lacking.  With my other two children graduated, I had more time to spend on the two younger kids.  I made a commitment.  I would take him and teach him one on one with Abeka… totally.  I did seventh grade with him and it was truly a turning point year!  He picked up on all subjects and afterwards was ready for high school.  Then I made a mistake, I put him back in ACE.  That year was ok, we thought, but what we did not realize was that he was struggling.  As we were half way into tenth grade, we had to come to grips with the fact that ACE was too old, out of date in their information and the geometry and physical science was poorly written.  Even with my husband teaching it to him daily (the curriculum is supposed to be self taught)  he could not “get it.”  So we made a big adjustment once again.  I felt I had failed.  I felt I had made a terrific mistake.  Why hadn’t I stayed with Abeka, when things were going so well?  The answer was, I could not spend that much time with him when I had my third coming up.  So we are now doing a variety of things.  My husband took up teaching him math and science and he is doing the others on his own but with my supervision and help.  He is in the same room with me and my daughter everyday, so he is not alone.  This what we are doing: Science:  Apologia – The best I have seen.  Before this year, my son hated science but now he loves it.  He is making great grades on his tests too.  The narrative style is the key I think, because it seems to him that someone is actually talking to him.  Math:  Discovering Geometry and investigative approach by Key Curriculum Press.  This is not an easy book, needs a teacher, and is very advanced.  The positives are that he really likes it as it explains very well and is very practical in its approach.  Every kid has probably asked, “Why do I need to take this stuff?”  This curriculum answers that question with every day examples of application.  Language Arts: (includes vocabulary, literature, grammar, writing etc…SOS - We went back to Switched on Schoolhouse for this and he is doing great.  History:  World History from Abeka.   We are reading it and he is writing reports on each chapter and giving me a list of learned vocabulary. This has been an excellent way to use a text book.  We have gotten ideas from Charlotte Mason on reading living books and reporting what we have learned as the best way to retain information.  Gone is the busy work, in comes the real learning.  I think next year we will do SOS though, because he has government and civics and feels that Abeka is biased according to their world view which in my son’s opinion is very small.  (spoken from a missionary kid’s perspective.) He can never get enough History.   Music: ACE  Still the best self taught curriculum for music theory that I have seen.   Art:  ACE   Computer: ACE   Typing: ACE   Still ACE is good for electives and I don’t throw it out all together.  It could be ok for language arts as well, but I feel he likes SOS because it is straightforward and doesn’t bother with too much busy work and it is advanced.  These are his opinions.       My fourth child: I have done ACE (which she hated) and Abeka (which she loves cause I do it all with her.)  She is social!  Is that a category?  A social learner?  Next year we will try SOS with her. Abeka seems to get repetitious and boring after several years.  It is very good for 1-5 grades though.   Still the story is being written….   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/70192/ Wed, 18 Jan 2006 22:54:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/70192/ 1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.   The soul is your mind, will and emotions.  When we give into the flesh, we harm our soul.  Our minds are confused, our emotions in turmoil and our wills become worn down and weaken.  This brings death to us.  As we are connected to much to our soul, if our soul is unhealthy, our body begins to lack energy.  We get lazy and fat and then we hate ourselves. This all comes because we do not abstain from fleshly lusts.  Wow!  Doing what the flesh wants really does bring death to us. But on the other hand, when we sow to our spirit, we will reap life.  I recently too a few days off and spent large blocks of time with God.  I read, listened to tapes and prayed.  What a difference I noticed when I returned to my normal life.  I had more energy, and vitality.  My spirit was full and ready.  My mind was sharper, my will strong, and my emotions were under control  My soul was at peace.  My body was energized and I lost weight.  What benefits come when I take time to build up my spirit.  I have decided to take regular prayer retreats and also during my daily life, spend more time in prayer and in God’s Word.  One big key to doing that is to make it more important to me than eating, sleeping, shopping, and entertaining myself.  A couple years ago, I made an investment and got an on line Bible College course.  I had to make studying a priority or I would not have finished.  I gave up T.V. and videos and when ever I had time, I did my courses.  I finished!  This is what we do with things that are important to us: we make time for them.  But we must see the incredible benefits and we must want to do them.  I must remind myself that my very life depends on the time I spend with God and His Word- it is that important.   Prayer:  Thank you Lord for showing me the radical change that comes from spending time with you.  This is what I have been missing.  I need you more than ever, as life gets more complicated and I am expected to produce more than ever.  I want to serve you and will not resist the opportunities you place in my path.  Thank you for  the energy I need to do your will.   1 Peter 5:10 The God of all grace…after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.           http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/68697/ Mon, 16 Jan 2006 06:43:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/68697/ God wants you to know your value.    Your life is worth more…. Matt. 6:25-34 "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. "And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing,yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.     Life is worth more than food, the body is worth more than clothes. You wouldn’t know that from the glossy magazines or TV would you?  They are always sending us a message, you are nothing unless you have this or wear this.  We look up to those models because of their job in the public eye or because of what they are wearing and we feel we have to measure up, so we buy things we cannot afford and still feel we do not have what we need.   Matt 10:29,31 Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.      Aren’t you worth more than the birds?  God takes care of them.  Carefree living is for the Christian! So don’t start worrying about the details.  Eating...drinking… clothes… that is what the pagans seek.  People without God have a world view without God as their foundation they are materialistic. Society goes after all they can have so they can prove their value. Do you remember on the movie Little Women when Meg went to the party and her friends dressed her up and then she was embarrassed when her friend Laurie showed up at the party?    She wondered why was it wrong to play the part of the fancy lady and have all those men around her paying attention to her.  The mother said,  “I don’t my girls thinking that their value is merely in their decoration.” Man’s thinking says, position and possessions make me valuable. This thinking brings anxiety, worry jealousy, and a feeling of no purpose for your life. The truth is that I am of high value.  You are of High Value, because God says you are. Every person is a VIP.  The Christian should look to God to affirm their value. If we do not know our value we will look to man for affirmation.  “Am I OK?”  We can be so worried and concerned with food and clothes, position. We need to remind ourselves of this truth, “ I am of high value because God says I am.”   Look at the birds of the air, look at the flowers, you are much more valuable than they.    I went through a period in my life when I was very depressed.   I remember lying in my bed, and a song bird came and sat outside my window.  He sang the same sweet tune over and over and it really did seem he was singing, “Don’t worry,  Don’t worry, He cares for you.”  Now whenever I hear the song bird outside my window I am reminded of that time when a bird encouraged me.   I like to think the birds must be singing because they are happy and free and they must know their Heavenly Father is taking care of them.     More later....     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/68412/ Sun, 15 Jan 2006 10:16:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/68412/ I  think the question we should ask ourselves is, "Who do I want to be?   Because fact is I will do a lot of things in my life.  But who am I becoming?  We need to take a good look in the mirror.  What do you see?  A person whom God loves.  Don’t compare yourself with others.  Who do you want to be in life? A business woman, a homemaker, a public person, a woman of God….  See yourself at the end. Who do you want to have become?  Write it down and think about how you can get there.  You have choices in life, but if you don’t know where you are going, how can you make the right choices?   Knowing your value will help you in reaching your potential in God and give you some confidence to pursue the dreams God has given you.   God has some wonderful things planned for you..  You are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that he has mapped out ahead of time for you to accomplish. He has some wonderful things designed for you and all you have to do is walk in his ways and discover them.    I want to give you hope that you have a beautiful future whoever you are.  Today is the first day of the rest of your life. When we give our lives to Christ, he takes the old and gives us something new.  It is a great exchange.  Old things are passed away.  That old self is not you any more.  So you need to start thinking of yourself in a different way now.  That is the process of spritual renewal. Have you ever gone in for a makeover at one of those department store cosmetic counters?  Ok you go in and you sit down and you say, make me beautiful!  They will first say, "Ok, here is some makeup remover.  Take all that old stuff that you have on your face off first and then we will make you over."  It would be quite ignorant of me if I would get angry with the lady, and say, "Look lady, I spent an hour putting this makeup on and I am not taking it off!"  She would laugh and say,  "Well, I’m sorry then, you won’t receive the benefits of the makeover.  I can’t put on anything on top of that old stuff you have on.    Eph 4 : 21-24 is one of my favorite verses.  It says.   Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception.  Instead there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.  You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness- righteous, holy and true.   I have to constantly tell myself new thoughts and train my attitudes to reflect who I really am- a new person created in God’s likeness.  Righteous holy and true. It is so important to focus on God and His word and make his word our true foundation for our lives. The world, the devil, and your own unredeemed fleshly thinking is going to try to distract you, but like horses, put on the blinders and focus. Don’t look to the left or to the right.  Keep the Word of God ever before your eyes.  What does God say?  Live by that.   more to come....   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/68408/ Sun, 15 Jan 2006 09:42:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/68408/                               "Vases and Candles"                       Watercolor by Julie Hughes http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/65498/ Sun, 8 Jan 2006 23:42:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/65498/ Happy New Year!   “It’s one more year closer to the day Jesus returns!”  This was announced Sunday morning at our church as one of our staff leaders got up to lead in prayer.  All at once my eyes welled with tears.  Heaven… Jesus… One year closer… I felt my heart long for Heaven, our heavenly home. I don’t know how much longer I have here on earth, no body does, but I want to remind myself daily that I am not living for this life but the one that is to come.  As much as I love this house and love to “keep house” , I must not forget, This is not my permanent dwelling- heaven is.  This draws my focus away from the temporal and on to the eternal.  It makes me take stock, not in how many bars of soap that are left on the linen shelf or how many jars of tomato sauce I have remaining in the pantry, but how many souls am I taking with me to heaven?  Souls are the only thing I can take with me.  They are the only eternal things.  How am I sending up treasure now for the building of my eternal home? I had a dream one night about a white house, the interior spacious and wide.  Everything was beautiful.  In my dream, I was taking a tour of this lovely house.  I woke up and thought, I wonder if that is my heavenly home?  I have never seen this house before and it seemed very “other worldly”…  I will see… someday…  Lord, keep my sight on heaven. Col. 3:1-25 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. 2Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. 3For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/64234/ Thu, 5 Jan 2006 18:16:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/goodnews/64234/