http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 9 Nov 2009 20:45:00 -0600 Mon, 9 Nov 2009 20:45:00 -0600 Hello Everyone! I have shamefully neglected this blog all summer and into the school year and for that I apologize. I have been dreadfully busy. I had wonderful summer at camp. The people were so wonderful up there. I think I will be telling stories from that first summer at camp for years to come! God is so good! School has been going well. It seems like every year school gets harder and harder which is especially true this year. This semester I am talking Biblical Greek. Although it is a challenge it is very rewarding. I love being able to begin to read the Bible in the original! :) Also I have become involved in Bible Quizzing this year. We have to memorize 1st and 2nd Corinthians. It is so wonderful to be memorizing God's Word! I am amazed at how much scripture my brain can soak up and keep it there!!! :)  My team has been doing very well so far this year and I am hoping we will continue this trend! Maybe I will post more pictures soon! :) (but don't count on it!) I hope everyone is doing well! God bless! ~Jess http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/743461/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 20:45:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/743461/ Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't answered your comments or posted sooner. The internet has been very unreliable lately so I haven't had a chance to post. Camp was awesome! It was a lot of work but a lot of fun at the same time. We had a smaller group of kids this week and they were a lot of fun.  I am going back again on Saturday for another six days so I might have more pictures after I come back. Also be sure to check out my sister's blog during the weekend to see what her experience as a camper at different camp was like. Here was the view of the lake. It was so pretty up there!                                    Here is a view of the swimming area. I spent most of my breaks there in the water. The rafts made swimming especially fun. The smaller raft was my favorite because when you got a bunch of people on it  you could tip it and tip people off.   This is my roommate with one of the campers on her shoulders.  This is another one of the girls........she was hula dancing........this girl was so much fun especially in the water. These three girls are sisters. The one on the right was so affectionate. Right from the start she was coming up and giving people hugs. This was one of the boys that I swam with..........but partly because the water was so cold he didn't come in very much.   She is getting her face painted.  This little girl had a birthday during camp. So we gave her cabin cupcakes for lunch as a dessert. She was so cute when she came up to the kitchen counter and told us it was her birthday. Thanks for reading! ~Jess http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/702379/ Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:51:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/702379/ Yesterday I wrote on our white board, "I love you guys, I am going to miss you". And look what they wrote back! I have such an awesome family! And here is a miniature foal that came to Drill Team a couple weeks ago. Isn't she cute!? Have a wonderful week guys! Thanks for reading! ~Jess http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/699446/ Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:19:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/699446/  Hello Everyone! Tomorrow is the day! The day that will officially start my summer. The day that I will head off to camp for the week. I will be at camp for 7 consecutive weeks this summer working as a kitchen assistant in a camp that ministers to inner city kids. I am really looking forward to it! I will try to take pictures to show you but I am so bad at that sort of thing so don't get your hopes up! Please pray that I will have a serving attitude while there and that my time with go well. Hopefully I will post something more interesting next time..... Thanks for reading ~Jess http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/699362/ Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:33:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/699362/   I walked into our dark barn and walked over to the feed bucket where I knew some eggs were hiding. I reached my hand in and felt something slimy. It felt like the egg I soaked in vinegar and the shell had come off. Quickly I pulled my hand back. Ick! As I hurried over to turn on the light I imagined that I had touched a reptile egg. I walked back to the feed box and looked in. In the bucket were not one but two eggs with out a shell and as I pick them up I saw that they were connected by a tube made out of a thin membrane. I hurried it to show Mom and the others. They were amazed! We all wondered how in the world a chicken laid this egg! Now we have seen everything! We have seen little eggs, we have seen eggs that are to big to fit in the carton, we have seen eggs with out a shell, we have cracked an egg open to find a underdeveloped chick inside.....and now we have found a connected egg! I wonder what we will find next? Thanks for reading ~Jess http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/693129/ Wed, 27 May 2009 13:14:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/693129/ Hello everyone! How is everyone doing? Excited to finish school? I am really bummed because I am really behind on biology and I am afraid that I won't even get it done during the summer!!!! Just pray that I can be diligent on that! Speaking of school, I have been going through the Civil War in history. This study has been very eye opening for me because I have been able to study both sides of the war, North and South. When I was little I thought that the North was the "good guys" and the South were the "bad guys" but now that I have studied it a little bit, I have a different view of the war.  I have realized that both sides had a good and bad side to the situation.  The South had slaves and the North had horrible factory conditions. Also the Civil War didn't start out as a war to free the slaves. It started out as a war to bring the South back into the Union because they had seceded. But then Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves only because it would help the war effort. There were also great leaders on both sides, Robert E. Lee and Abraham Lincoln, Stonewall Jackson and George McClellan. The Civil War is a wonderful time period  to research and to look into objectively, not really taking a side but learning from the leaders and the events they have left behind for us to learn about. Ashely still hasn't had her chicks. It will be three weeks tomorrow but there is still no sign of their cute little bodies. Camp is three weeks from today!!! I am so excited!!! I will try to take pictures but I am horrible at that.....so be prepared for anything! Could you pray that I would be a good testimony and an encouragement this summer as I am there? I got this really cool e-mail today that told a story about a boy who had an assignment to write about what heaven is like. Then after he wrote it and said it was the best he had written but then he died after a car wreck not a long time after. I thought the story he wrote was really moving even though I am sure many of you might have read it before I wanted to share it.  "The Room"                                                                                                                                                                                                        In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room.  There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with  small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list      titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which   stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction,  had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first    to catch my attention was one that read 'Girls I have liked.' I opened it   and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to         realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without   being told, I knew exactly where I was.                                                                                                                    This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my  life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in   a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity,         coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files    and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a  sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to  see if anyone was watching.                                                                                                                                A file named 'Friends' was next to one marked 'Friends I have betrayed.'   The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird 'Books I Have      Read,' 'Lies I Have Told,' 'Comfort I have Given,' 'Jokes I Have Laughed    at .'   Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: 'Things I've yelled  at my brothers.'   Others I couldn't laugh at: 'Things I Have Done in My    Anger', 'Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents..'   I never  ceased to be surprised by the contents.                                                                                                                    Often there were many more cards than I expected..   Sometimes fewer than   I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived.     Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these  thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth.    Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.                                                                                     When I pulled out the file marked 'TV Shows I have watched',   I realized  the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly,    and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I     shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast   time I knew that file represented.                                                                                                                         When I came to a file marked  'Lustful Thoughts,'   I felt a chill run     through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch,  not willing to test   its size and drew out a card.    I shuddered at its detailed content.                                                                                      I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.   An almost     animal rage broke on me.   One thought dominated my mind:  No one must      ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy     them!'   In insane frenzy I yanked the file out.   Its size didn't matter   now.   I had to empty it and burn the cards....   But as I took it at one   end and began pounding it on the floor,   I could not dislodge a single     card.   I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as        strong as steel when I tried to tear it.  Defeated and utterly helpless,    I returned the file to its slot.    Leaning my forehead against the wall,   I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.                                                                                                                       And then I saw it..  The title bore  'People I Have Shared the Gospel      With.'   The handle was brighter than those around it,  seemed newer,       almost unused.   I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than       three inches long fell into my hands.   I could count the cards it          contained on one hand.                                                                                                                                     And then the tears came..   I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt.  They started in my stomach and shook through me.   I fell on my knees and   cried.   I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all.       The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes.   No one must      ever, ever know of this room.   I must lock it up and hide the key.   But   then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.                                                                                                              No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly    as He began to open the files and read the cards.  I couldn't bear to       watch His response.   And in the moments I could bring myself to look at    His face,  I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.                                                                                                              He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes.   Why did He have to read  every one?   Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room.   He  looked at me with pity in His eyes.   But this was a pity that didn't       anger me.   I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands,  and  I       began to cry again.   He walked over and put His arm around me.    He       could have said so many things..   But He didn't say a word. He just cried  with me.                                                                                                                                                   Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end   of the room,  He took out a file and,  one by one,  began to sign His name  over mine on each card.      'No!' I shouted rushing to Him.     All I      could find to say was    'No, no,'  as I pulled the card from Him.   His    name shouldn't be on these cards.   But there it was, written in red so     rich, so dark, so alive.   The name of Jesus covered mine.   It was         written with His blood.   He gently took the card back..   He smiled a sad  smile and began to sign the cards.    I don't think I'll ever understand    how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard            Him close the last file and walk back to my side.                                                                                                        He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, 'It is finished.'     I stood   up, and He led me out of the room.   There was no lock on its door.         There were still cards to be written.                                                                                                                       'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.   '-Phil. 4:13      'For God so loved the world that He gaveHis only son,  that whoever        believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.'  John 3:16           If you feel the same way forward it so the love of Jesus will touch their  lives also...   My   'People I shared the gospel with'                      file just got bigger, how about yours?                                                                                                                  Thanks for reading!! Have a wonderful Tuesday!! ~Jess http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/692900/ Tue, 26 May 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/692900/ Hi everyone, I am sorry that I neglected you guys so shamefully. So many things have happened since I have written last. First, it has gotten very warm out. It is so nice to be outside! I just love spring. It is my favorite season, there are so many beginnings during this time of the year! Next our little bantam chicken, Ashley, is sitting on 9 eggs! We are hoping that we will be able to get some chicks out of this sitting! Then, my sisters have started Drill Team!!! (Drill Team is a team of horses and riders that do different drills like wheels and circles and other cool stuff) They have a lot of fun! It is a little hard to just stand by and watch though, for just a couple years ago I was riding in the team. I had so much fun riding in the parade, performing with the team before the rodeo and at the fair! I was in it for two years but this year I can't do it because I won't have time, for camp starts in little over four weeks! Here is Hannah on Jet. Jet isn't behaving very well for her. He keeps biting other people and horses. (I personally think he doesn't really like Drill Team) Here is Sarah on Addie. Addie is a pro at Drill Team, this is her third year on the team, she doesn't do anything naughty like biting. Well, have a wonderful weekend!!! ~Jess http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/689396/ Fri, 15 May 2009 15:03:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/689396/ Patchwork Angel tagged me! Calling ALL Homeschoolers! A Homeschooling Meme just for us! Here are the rules: Answer all 10 questions! Then, Tag 3 or more other homeschoolers! HERE WE GO: 1) How long have you been homeschooled? Since I was born....I am always learning..... 2) What grade are you in? 10th 3) What is your favorite subject(s) in your homeschool? Latin, History, Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey. 4) What is your least favorite subject(s) in your homeschool? I would probably have to say math right now because it takes a long time! 5) What is a current/previous homeschooling challenge you've faced? Getting my transcript ready so I can do PSCEO and take Greek! 6) What are you looking forward to over the coming year? Camp! Camp! Camp! 7) Name three things you like doing in the summer with your family. Go camping. Riding the horses. SOCCER!!!!!!!!!!!! (the real football!) 8) What other activities do you enjoy, such as sports, hobbies, etc.? quilting, reading, riding, SOCCER!!!!!!!!, skateboarding, ice skating, running 9) Are you taking a foreign language? Are you going to in the future? Which one? I have been taking Latin for 2 years and planning to take another year of it. Also if the Lord wills I will take Greek next term!!!!!! (I know, I know  I am weird....but you wouldn't believe how interesting dead languages are esp. ones that are the base languages for the Bible!) 10) Where do you homeschool? (Kitchen table, livingroom, etc.) Everywhere! In my room, at the computer, on the floor, in the kitchen, outside, in the car, in the basement, in the living room, on the couch. I tag......everyone who reads this and is homeschooled!!!!!! Thanks for reading!!! ~Jess http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/681105/ Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:04:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/681105/ The tale I am about to relate is unlike my other sewing machine tale in two ways. One it isn't sad and two it will be rather short and to the point. Last Friday I got the fabric for the last block to finish my quilt (you know the one that had a hole in it) and I also got a quilt back that I had made as a sample for the shop!   So while my parents were on a date and my sisters and brother were who knows where in the house and yard doing something (I am such a good babysitter aren't I.....not even knowing the whereabouts of my own siblings!) I dived into the process of finishing the quilt top. First I cut out the multiple borders that were going to be put on. Then I cut out my block. As I sat down to start sewing....I was hoping that my sewing machine would work. It did *sigh* for the most part at least. It was still clunking a little but after I changed the needle it went much smoothly. I finished the block that night and the next morning (Saturday). I started on the borders. I was enjoying myself immensely. I had something to listen to, my sewing machine was working properly and I was almost done with a quilt that I had been working on for a year. I stopped for lunch when I finished my first set of borders.   Then after lunch I finished adding the rest of them. Then I stood back to admire it. I always like finishing a quilt but yet I always feel sad too. I had so much fun working on the quilt and I love the finished project but I am sad to be done with the fun on working on it. I get kind of mixed feelings when I finish a quilt. Here is the quilt I finished. And here is the one I brought home from the shop! Well we have Bible Study at our house tonight and people have just arrived so I must fly! ~Jess http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/680537/ Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:06:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/680537/ When my brother J.J. was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in December of 2007 it started  our family on a journey. A journey to learn as much as we could about the disease so we could take care of my brother in the best way possible.   With all this knowledge about the disease it has made my mom passionate about educating others about what we go through every day. So when I signed up to do a demonstration at our local 4-H club she had a perfect topic for me. Type 1 Diabetes! I was a little reluctant at first. I had a topic already in mind, osmosis. But because I knew more about Type 1 than I did osmosis, I eventually decided to change my topic.   I studied and got my topics and props already. I practiced the demonstration several times but no matter how much I prepared I still was nervous!   When it was time to go we got into our suburban and drove to the meeting. We got through the meeting and then it was time for the demonstrations! I was hoping that I was going to be last but off course I was first (that always happens )  I walked up to the front and set out all of my props and started talking. You wouldn't believe how I was shaking! That is one thing I hate about public speaking! First I told the audience a little bit what the disease, and how there were two types of diabetes Type 1 and Type 2. Then I jumped into causes and how we don't really don't know what the cause is. Next I explained the increasing rate. (That was my favorite part because I could see a mom's face start to turn sad) After that I explained the symptoms and how you couldn't get diagnosed unless you had a blood test. I told them that J.J. was going to get his blood checked and if I could have a couple volunteers to get their blood checked. No one volunteered. Then I started talking about how my brother gets his fingers poked 8-10 times a day and he was only 6! Then there was some takers.....a brother and sister volunteered. I checked the brother and Mom checked the sister. The funny thing was they had the exact same reading from 2 different meters!   After the volunteers sat down Mom told me that J.J. was 69! So I explained told the audience what the number was and that he was low and when he was low he gets sugar. After that I explained why we need to give him insulin and how we administer it.....I showed them a pump and syringe. Here I am holding an infusion set.....part of J.J.'s pump setup. Then I started wrapping up with talking about the complications of the disease and what scientists are doing to find a cure.  I finished by asking if there were any questions.....I got one but no more.   Then I could put my things away and sit down! I was so glad that it was over!  But I was also glad that went through with the demonstration and did it. It was a great experience and hopefully a little bit more people know more about this dreadful disease! Thanks for reading! ~Jess     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/679540/ Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:59:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jesslbee/679540/