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Preparing for a Home School Covention!

April 30, 2013 by 1 Comment

Home school conventions tips
Next week is the annual home school convention in my neck of the woods!

I look forward to it every year, but have spent entirely too much money in the past.  The rays of vibrant colors and the smell of new books can be intoxicating to a homeschool parent and can be quite overwhelming even to the seasoned homeschooler.

My suggestions are…

Pray, Pray, and Pray for discernment.

And Do Your Homework ahead of time!  It takes a lot time, but it can avoid impulsive spending and unhappy choices.

Been there, done that before!

These are a few things that I have done in the last couple of years in in preparing my mind mentally and spiritually at the grand homeschool convention.  I make a spreadsheet or use a spiral for writing down all my homework and bring it with me to the convention. Do whatever works for you, but be prepared.  And always, always bring budgeted CASH!  When you cash is gone, it’s time to go home!

  1. Decide on what particular subjects and topics you are planning on teaching this coming school year. I suggest if you have multiple students than stick to the same topics, but at different levels. Write them down! It’s important to to jot down your specific goals for each subject per child.
  2. Go and check out all your books and curriculum that you already have on each subject. This includes your computer files, too.  It’s amazing the things that I have found in my homeschool computer files that I didn’t know existed from a million moons ago. Make a note of them.
  3. Print a list of the vendors and check out their websites to see which ones spark an interest that coincide with your goals.  Highlight the vendors.  A lot of times they will have a map of the vendor’s booth location on the homeschool convention website.
  4. Price each interesting item new and then look to see how much it’s going for on-line used, for example, Amazon or VegSource.  I honestly rather spend the extra money on a homeschool vendor than on Amazon, but that’s just my opinion. Do not forget to include shipping prices.
  5. I never buy anything until after lunch.  I try to get to the convention as early as possible and browse the entire morning.  This gives you a chance to check out the different prices per vendor and to make sure there isn’t something else that accommodates your goals more efficiently.  Sometimes vendors have specials that are not advertised on the Homeschool Convention website, so keep that in consideration and jot that down as you browse. Talk with the vendors and ask lots of questions.  Touch and feel the curriculum in your hand.  Smell it if you must!  (:
  6. Eat lunch and look over your goals for each student.
  7. Pray, Pray, and Pray!
  8. Go make your discerning and prayerful purchases.
  9. GO HOME!  Don’t look around and second guess your decisions.

If you whole heartily prayed about each one of your purchase decisions then it’s all in His hands!  Your job is to deliver the information to your children, let God do the rest.

Have you downloaded the home school convention forms yet?

Did I forget anything?  Leave me a comment and share with us your tips!

Have you grabbed my FREE eBook, Instilling Biblical Character: 100 Tips and Resources to Train Our Children yet?

Filed Under: CENTSible Homeschooling, General, homeschool Tagged With: , ,

Discovering Our Amazing God With Your Child!

April 10, 2013 by 18 Comments

grapevine

Discovering our Amazing God is the first series in the inductive Bible curriculum produced by Deeper Roots Publication and is designed for the 7th grader or can easily be used for older children. My freshman has almost completed the entire study. This is a deep spiritual study for the student that focuses on some of the less familiar stories and events in the Bible. The student will gain an appreciation of the agape love God has for them as individuals.

My son and I engage in Discovering Our Amazing God for about ten time each day.  I utilize the Discovering Our Amazing God Teacher Guides to help me prepare for each lesson.  The teacher’s notes located in the margin are very easy to comprehend and gives you step by step instructions requiring very little prep time for me.

Each of the 9 lessons are designed to take 10 days, however, it is easily adaptable to fit your student’s schedule.  It takes my child 10-15 minutes to complete each lesson individually.  It has instilled a daily Bible reading habit within him.  He looks forward to spending time and learning about our Saviour.

After he completes his independent study, we go over the memory challenge each day before we begin the day’s lesson.  My child needs to come prepared to recite the memory verse/challenge each Friday.  The curriculum suggests you make the memory challenge cumulative throughout the semester.  Fridays are always good days for reviews in our home. The teacher guide gives numerous suggestions for the memory challenge reviews which I found helpful.

In addition, each lesson entails a review and test to reinforce the student’s understanding. We discuss the test and review questions orally. Also, there are several creative cartoons/drawings, and suggested activities that are recommended in the bible curriculum.  My son really finds these cartoons amusing.

My child appreciated the unreached people group profile in the beginning of each lesson.  We talked about the 10-40 Window and God’s Missionary purposes.  We prayed the suggested focus prayer at the beginning of each lesson, too.  He also likes how he can take the Bible lessons and apply it to his everyday life.

In addition to the Discovering Our Amazing God Teacher Guide there is the Student Workbook which includes reflections/journal pages to help students organize and record their new appreciation for our amazing God.  A nice journal for the older student, my older son records his thoughts in the student guide with the additional writing assignments.

One of the ways this bible curriculum is unique is that it moves the students from biblical knowledge to spiritual application.  Also, we enjoyed the in-depth discussion that the questions inspired between parent and child.

Right now Deeper Roots has a FREE gift for you, Devotional for the Homeschool Mom.  It truly is wonderful.

Buy It

Discovering Our Amazing God Teacher Guide is 19.95 and Student Workbook is 28.95.

Win It

Deeper Roots Publications wants to bless one of Blessed Beyond a Doubt’s readers with the following:

Discovering Our Amazing God Teacher and Student Workbook

Winners will be selected by Rafflecopter on  and will be notified by the email provided on their entry. If winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winners will be selected.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Deeper Roots Publications provided complimentary product for review and giveaway. However, opinions are 100% my own and a favorable review was not required. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to residents of the USA (unless a digital product) only. The act of following a page on Facebook is not necessary to enter. Facebook is not affiliated with this giveaway and is held harmless of any fault should a complication arise. 

 

Filed Under: Family, Giveaways, homeschool products, parenting, reviews, spiritual Tagged With: , , , ,

Make Your Own Unleavened Bread with your Children!

February 28, 2013 by 1 Comment

One of our favorite churches that we used to attend makes their own Unleavened Bread each Sunday.

We had an Unleavened Bread committee and each of us took turns making the Lord’s Supper.  It truly is a blessing to make.  I always have my children help me, too.

I have kept the recipe for our own family’s time of worship.  It makes a lot, so you can freeze the left overs or you can just eat it because it is quite tasty!

For  I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” I Corinthians 11-23-24

I pray this recipe is a blessing to you and your family.  Feel free to share!

We are going to partake in the Lord’s supper this Holy Week!

5.0 from 1 reviews

Print
Make Your Own Unleavened Bread with your Children!
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 

Serves: a lot
 

This makes a lot. Plenty for approx 150 members.
Ingredients
  • 3 c Wheat Flour
  • 1 t Salt
  • ½ c Honey
  • 1 c Crisco Shortening
  • ½ -3/4 t Water

Instructions
  1. Combine dry ingredients.
  2. Mix in shortening with fork.
  3. Add Honey and water and knead for five (5) minutes.
  4. Divide in half and roll out onto greased 5” pan (approximately ½” thick).
  5. Bake for 30 minutes at 350o F.

WordPress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe

I encourage your to make your own unleavened bread for your church family, too!  It will be a blessing to many!

Filed Under: Family, parenting, recipes, spiritual, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

What God Expects from Me!

August 23, 2012 by 8 Comments

The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. -

Titus 2:3-5

Characteristics of a Godly Woman

    • Sober-minded –  physically and mentally
    • To act in love towards their husbands and children
    • Discreet and lack of gossip
    • Chaste – in behavior and dress
    • Keepers at home -our main priority should be the home
    • Being good – doing what’s right even when it is uncomfortable, unpopular, and inconvenient
    • Obedient to their own husbands

Biblical femininity is unpopular and most would argue politically incorrect. The world tells us we can have it all from a tangible standpoint.  The nice house, husband, children, luxury car, vacation, and career.

And there is nothing wrong with those things if you don’t sacrifice what God expects from you spelled out in Titus 2: 3-5.

We all have choices to make and sometimes it’s SUPER hard!

As Christians, we know it’s our duty to follow not the world, but the Word of God.

This is by far one of my favorite books that teaches true to God’s Word!  It’s a must read and would make any excellent mother/daughter bible study.

marthapeace
I often struggle, but by His mercy alone, I can start fresh each day that I beg for forgiveness.

In what areas do you struggle the most as a homemaker whether you work in or out of the home?

 

 

photo by: emma.kate
Filed Under: Family, homemaking, spiritual Tagged With: ,

Instilling Habits that Builds Biblical Character!

August 20, 2012 by 43 Comments

“Write them upon the table of thine heart.”  Proverbs 7:3

Character is not something that is just taught, but requires a change in the heart.

Keepers of the Faith offers an in depth character curriculum, Write Upon My Heart.  The curriculum set includes books implementing one of the each 18 character traits.

Each individual character book includes:

  • Bible examples of the trait
  • How Jesus lived the trait in His earthly life
  • Practical lessons on the trait
  • Instructions in developing the trait
  • Stories centering on the trait
  • Poems involving the trait
  • Practical applications and more!
  • A thirty-day journal to schedule and record one’s progress
You can view sample pages.

The recommended ages for Write Upon My Heart Character Curriculum is 8 through 14, however, it can easily be adapted for younger children with parental guidance.

According to the Keeper of the Faith website:

The idea is not to “cover material,” but to change a life carefully and methodically, one obstacle at a time.

You may read the books front page to last page or start anywhere in between.  It is suggested that you complete all pages before going on to the next character book. Working on a page or two a day will have you completing a book per month.

How It Works for Us

Each afternoon after lunch time, the children and I sit on my bed ready to read and discuss one of the character books. I like how there is virtually no prep time for the teacher. This month we are working through the book, Modesty.

Each child is required to bring their bible and bible notebook during our discussion time.  Before we began the character, Modesty, we talked about what defines character.  Good habits become good character, and bad habits become bad character.

First, we read a small section from the book and discuss the questions together orally each day.  We look up the recommended scriptures that pertains to the character and how each verse applies to our lives.

The boys didn’t realize that modesty does not only refer to our dress, but also means to have a humble temper, free from vanity or conceit.  Ouch!

Instead of maintaining the recommended journal entries for 30 days on modesty, we discussed the journal questions orally and held each another accountable.  It takes 30 days to form a habit.

My Thoughts

I believe Write Upon My Heart Character Curriculum is an excellent investment and tool in training your children in biblical character for all families whether you are called to homeschool or send your children to public schools.

These character books are designed for individual use, but can easily be adapted to work orally for family or group use.

The curriculum stresses that we can not blame others for our behavior.  Jesus was the example of perfect character. We must go to God’s Word to find the best essence of good character.  I love the application and real life stories that are in each book.

The character curriculum would be perfect for a homeschool coop or group setting, too.

Buy It

Keepers of the Faith is offering a HUGE discount for Blessed Beyond a Doubt readers!

25 % off the entire Write Upon My Heart Character Curriculum Set or individual character books!  Hurry, the offer is good through August 31!

Use Coupon Code:  fbcharparty

Win It

Keepers of the Faith has generously offered one of my readers a Write Upon My Heart Character Curriculum Set valued at 92.42!

Please come back during the Mommy Time Facebook Party on Tuesday, August 21st at 8 PM Eastern to enter for your chance to win.

Also, do not forget that if you have questions regarding biblical character training, you can submit those questions on our RSVP form. By RSVPing, you are entering to win $50!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keepers of the Faith provided complimentary product for review and giveaway. However, opinions are 100% my own and a favorable review was not required. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to residents of the USA (unless a digital product) only. The act of following a page on Facebook is not necessary to enter. Facebook is not affiliated with this giveaway and is held harmless of any fault should a complication arise. Winners will be selected by Rafflecopter (Random.org) on August 27th and will be notified by the email provided on their entry. If winners do not respond within 48 hours, new winners will be selected.

Filed Under: Family, Giveaways, homeschool, homeschool products, parenting, reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Teaching the Bible with Simple Stick Figures!

August 17, 2012 by 39 Comments

Adding Stick figures to our daily homeschooling has sparked an interest in our home while engaging in the homeschool product review,  Old Testament Overview – Beginner Student and Teacher ebook.

Grapevine Studies offers a simple, but creative array of both New and Old Testament Bible studies for all ages ranging from Pre-K to adult. The easy, ‘Stick Figuring Through The Bible,’ approach  allows for a multi-sensory learning experience that gives students of all ages methods to grasp and retain God’s Word in their hearts.

The Beginner Book Series is designed for children 5 – 7 years of age, however, my 2 year old was quite the artist and listened to the Bible lesson attentively along with her brothers.

How it worked for our Family

The Old Testament Overview teacher guide is simple to understand and leaves the teacher little to no prep time.

We started each lesson with a prayer and read the scripture passages.  I encouraged my sons to try to find it in their own Bibles and I helped them when needed.  I also introduced the memory verse at that time.

I already had on hand the recommended teaching supplies:

  • Bible
  • Dry erase board
  • Dry Erase markers
  • Colored pencils/crayons – occasionally I will let them use water colors
  • Lessons pages for each student/teacher – Easily printable from pdf 
  • Bible Dictionary – we used a children’s version
After we read the passage, I drew the stick figures as shown in the teacher guide.  While my children were drawing, I discussed in detail the scripture application.

It is encouraged to ask and discuss with the children the review questions that ask who, what, when, where, and why after the lesson to ensure that they have obtained the objectives of the lesson. At this time, I also had my oldest look up key words in a children’s bible dictionary.

We orally discussed the section review before moving on to the next lesson.  Also, there is a final review designed to ensure your child has mastered the objective and goals for each lesson.

The Results After Using Grapevine Studies

My 2 year old told us that God made everything when looking at the stars a few evenings after we completed the Creation lesson.

My 5 year continues to draw stick figures of numerous different bible stories that he knows and teaches his little sister.

Buy It

Grapevine Studies is offering my readers a special discount for 20% off your purchases through August 31st.

 Use coupon code: MTFB

Beginner Part 1:: Creation to the Babel Student eBook – $7.95
Beginner Part 1: Creation to Babel Teacher eBook – $11.95

Win It

Grapevine Studies has generously offered (4) of my readers : Beginning –  Old Testament Overviews Ebooks!

Please come back during the Mommy Time Facebook Party on Tuesday, August 21st at 8 PM Eastern to enter for your chance to win.

Also, do not forget that if you have questions regarding biblical character training, you can submit those questions on our RSVP form. By RSVPing, you are entering to win $50!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grapevine Studies provided complimentary product for review and giveaway. However, opinions are 100% my own and a favorable review was not required. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to residents of the USA (unless a digital product) only. The act of following a page on Facebook is not necessary to enter. Facebook is not affiliated with this giveaway and is held harmless of any fault should a complication arise. Winners will be selected by Rafflecopter (Random.org) on August 27th and will be notified by the email provided on their entry. If winners do not respond within 48 hours, new winners will be selected.

Filed Under: Family, Giveaways, homeschool products, parenting, reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

I Don’t Have Enough FAITH to be an Atheist!

August 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

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I jumped at the chance to participate in the homeshcool product review, I Don’t Have Enought FAITH to Be an Atheist book and study guide(curriculum)

The title made me gasp!

Bible and character training takes priority in our home before academics.

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This is an indepth study designed for the high schooler, however, an adult can be challenged with this book, too!

There is deep spiritual insight in this book and makes an excellent family discussion.  My husband and I have made a date with our son every Sunday evening to discuss his lesson from the previous week.  This is imperative in my opinion to get the most out of this book and study guide and to understand where your teen is spiritually.  Be prepared to answer questions.

Since I am frugal, I will not let my son write in the study guide.  He writes the key terms, questions in your mind, and facts in the chapter in his bible notebook.  It would be nice if the study guide was available in PDF form, so my other children can engage in this study when they are age appropriate.

According to Apologia’s website:

I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, this study will prepared teens and young adults to defend their Christian faith with boldness and effectiveness. During this course, your studentwill tackle the question of absolute truth, demolish the follies of postmodernism, debunk moral relativism, and march logically and surely toward the inescapable truths of the Christian faith.

To take a peek into the table of contents and sample of I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek.

View a sample of the study guide.

This book and study guide will equip your teen to know why they believe in Christianity.  I want my children to be BOLD in Christ and be able to spread the Gospel with confidence.

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The book initially explains to the reader the Three Major Religious Worldviews.  My son and I had an interesting conversation after he read the introduction.

You can purchase I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist and study guide at Apologia website.

I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist – 16.00

Study Guide – 33.00

My teen is going to introduce our youth pastor to this study and believes it would be an excellent study for our church’s youth group.

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Read my thoughts on other homeschool product reviews.

I received a copy the book and study guide, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, in return for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was given.

Filed Under: Family, homeschool products, parenting, reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Importance of Encouraging Your Husband!

August 9, 2012 by 11 Comments

May you be encouraged by the Holy Spirit’s words through, Misty today!

Encouragement…..something as parents we tend to look for. Whether it is from our parents, our in laws, or others, we need/want to know we’re doing well at the “parenting” thing.

Let’s stop for a minute. Take our eyes off of ourselves.

Our husbands need encouragement. Yes, from us the most! Daily they’re called to balance work, family, spouse, home, church, etc. That is quite a workload, full of stress, exhaustion, and feelings of failure at times.

Think back for a moment. When was the last time you encouraged your husband?

I’d like to share Noah Webster’s definition of “encourage” with you.

 

ENCOUR’AGE, v.t. enkur’rage. To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; to animate; to incite; to inspirit.

We have the ability to “GIVE courage”, “increase confidence of success”, “to inspire”!

Some days this may not be easy. You may feel let down, distraught….but I know that God will give you the strength to say at least one thing that will inspire your husband ~ encouraging him to keep on keeping on!

Our words can bring life or death to those who hear them. How we say things often reveals whether we really mean what we’re saying or not. Our tone will share either kindness or bitterness with whom we speak.

I am reminded of Proverbs 16:24 ~ “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

As a child we had a cassette tape called the “Bee Attitudes” and this verse was one of the songs. Whenever this verse comes to memory I “hear” it sung from that tape in my head.

Encouraging our husbands will not only help him, but you as well. Your eyes will be opened, your heart being changed. Look for ways that you see your husband working hard; at his job, playing with the kids, yard maintenance, and time with you, etc. So many times we miss things, taking them for granted, when we could be thankful for them, and use that thankfulness to encourage our husbands!

Today and every day, I encourage you and I hope God inspires you ~ to reach out and encourage your husband! You will see a change in yourself first ladies! It truly is amazing how having thankful “eyes” and a thankful heart will change your outlook on everything!

Begin by letting him know you notice; and that what he does really matters! It brings joy to your life, and fills your heart with more love for him!

Allow your heart to be filled with thankfulness, joy, and then speak your heart! Your words can bring life!

Praying for sweet honeycomb for each of you!

Loving Life Simply Helping Him, Misty

 Have you RSVP’ed Yet?

Filed Under: Family, spiritual Tagged With: ,

Do You Want to Conquer the Viscious Cycle of Yelling at Your Kids?

July 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I am so guilty of losing my temper  and before I know it I am YELLING at my precious kids.

I do feel guilty and truly want to have a quiet and meek spirit, but I fail over and over again.

If you can not relate, Stop Reading Now!

______________________________________

So, I can only assume you often get sore throats, too!

Some yell at their children.

Some yell at their spouse.

Some yell at the Walmart checker.

My children suffer from my sinful habit: YELLING!

In the short read,Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure, Mrs. Lorrie Flem,  suggest 12 helpful steps and many scripture references to encourage you to overcome your bad habit, yelling.

She includes many quotes from sweet mothers like you and me who yell at their children and feel such guilt afterwards and she offers down to earth, genuine suggestions that have been tried and true for numerous women.

Lorrie Flem, author of the award winning magazine,Teach, goes in detail of her Yelling Plan in her book, Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, The Cure.

12-Step Stop Yelling Plan

  1. Cover yourself in prayer
  2. Train your children
  3. Identify the triggers
  4. Plan, prepare, and prevent with trigger guards
  5. Take care of yourself
  6. Take care of your children
  7. Be allergic to stress
  8. Have a slumber party for one
  9. Let go of anger
  10. Slow down, don’t hurry
  11. Choose not to
  12. Motivate or reward yourself for success

You will be encouraged as you first seek the Lord and then be inspired with this helpful short read.

You can get this book FREE Tuesday, July 24th on your Kindle.  Don’t have a Kindle, get the FREE Kindle app today.

Please join us for encouragement and fellowship in the promotion of this new ebook, at the Facebook Party on Tuesday, July 24th.

Part 1 2-4p (EST) and Part 2 8-10p (EST) *Come and go as you please!

RSVP today!

I want to change!  And I realize that the result of yelling never achieves my desired result.

May we seek the alternative with His help and the love of one another.

Anyone want to be my accountability partner?  I sure could use one.

Sharing with:  The Better Mom,Create With Joy, Monday Musings,Mama Moments Monday, Teach Me Tuesday, Titus 2 Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday,

Filed Under: Family, FREE Stuff, Kindle Books, parenting, parenting, reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Guarding My Heart while Homeschooling!

July 19, 2012 by 5 Comments

In Scripture, the word “heart” refers to the inner core of a person. Our actions and our words pours from the depths of our hearts throughout our homeschool day.

Our heart controls our mood.

Our moods controls our actions.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.  Proverbs 4:23

In the Greek language the heart is defined as the inner man, mind, or will.

I start to stumble when I don’t guard my heart with His Word first thing each morning.

My tone gets short and before I know it, the tears are flowing from my dear child who can’t seem to understand his math problem.

The root of the issue begins in my heart. Luke clearly states, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

The reality of it all is…I don’t have the patience to do this homeschool thing in my own flesh.

I need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ daily.

And He never expected me to pull these tedious homeschool days alone.

That is why I need a Savior!

I encourage you to start your homeschool day off with Him each day.  Guard your heart from the evil one, my sweet sisters!

Don’t want to miss any encouraging homeschool posts, subscribe today!

Sharing with:  WFMW, WLW, Encouraging One Another,RaisingHomemakers,Hearts4Home,,Saturday Show & Tell, Weekend Bloggy Reading,The Better Mom, Monday Musings, Mama Moments Monday,Domestically Divine Tuesday, Time – Warp Wife,Frugal Days,What Works,

photo by: h.koppdelaney
Filed Under: 5 Days of Intentinal quiet time, disciple notebook, homeschool, spiritual Tagged With: , , ,
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