Obedience is smart!

Not too long ago I went to a meeting.  I don't want to go into great detail about the meeting because, well, it's not the thing to do on my blog.  I can tell you that the attitude given about the poor rubbed me the wrong way.  Want to know what rubbed me really wrong?  When, after being told that my children would continue to be homeschooled no matter how good the schools are here and that we were willing to make pretty big sacrifices to do so, the person I was talking to looked at me and said, "You just seem so smart."

I had a moment.  That person may have thought it wasn't a pretty moment.  I politely looked at her and said, "Oh, I am smart!  I have a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M and have worked in social services since I graduated."  I wanted to tell that person that I am more qualified to do her job than she is, but I refrained.  My momma taught me better than that.  Apparently her momma didn't teach her the same manners. 

What in the world would make someone imply that I am NOT smart because I make sacrifices to homeschool my children?  I'm doing what God has called me and told me to do.  Proverbs 22:6 tells us, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  I am convicted that I cannot train them up in the way they should go if they're at school more than they're at home during waking hours.  They're not just learning the 3 Rs at our house.  They're not just learning history facts and dates at our house.  My boys are learning how to serve GOD! 

I'm praying God gives me a better answer for the next time something like this happens.  I'm also praying that I can refrain from being so indignant and really say what God wants me to say.  I do feel like I'm smart.  I'm smart enough to obey my Heavenly Father and do what HE tells me is right for my family and not follow what the world says would be best for us.

Winner winner chicken dinner!

Jennifer V is the blessed winner of the certificate for her copy of Miracle for Jen!  Congrats, Jennifer!  You have 24 hours to respond. 

If Jennifer doesn't respond, we'll pick a new winner on Friday.

Just so ya know, since I obviously didn't use rafflecopter, we did this completely scientifically.  I numbered y'alls posts and made my oldest son pick a number.  ROFLOL.  He asked me, "What do I win, mom?  You made me pick a number.  I gotta win something."  Guess I better reward him for being my picker!

Book review and giveaway!

I am thrilled to be reviewing Miracle for Jen by Linda Barrick.  This is the story not just of Jen Barrick but also of her family and friends.  In the beginning of the book you meet an all-American family.  They have what I would call the American dream.  Great jobs,I a a beautiful home, two kids who are in private school, and wonderful friends.  The family's daughter, Jen, is a beautiful, bright, bubbly cheerleader, but better than that, she loves God with all her heart.  In her journals she cries out to God to love Him more, serve Him better, and tell others about Him.  One night changed all that.  On the way home from Jen's choir concert the family is hit by a drunk driver.  This one night changed their lives. 

What the devil meant to steal, kill, and destroy, GOD used for good!  The family learned to depend on God in everything.  They all survived but did not come out of the accident injury free.  In fact, Jen suffers a traumatic brain injury.  One that leaves her much like a baby.  The only thing she can say coherently is prayers and praises to God! 

I loved going on this journey with the Barrick family.  I laughed, I cried, and I just loved this book.  It really made me think about my own faith and my own relationship with God.  I'm amazed at the faith demonstrated not only by Jen but by her mom, Linda as well.  Linda had her moments of doubt but she followed God anyway.  This is a highly inspirational and motivating book!  I also encourage you to visit http://www.miracleforjen.com/ !

Now, on to the giveaway!  I was given a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers to give an honest review.  Well, guess what!  They also gave me a certificate for a blessed winner to take to their local christian bookstore to get your own copy.  So, what do you need to do to be that blessed winner?  I'm glad you asked!

Leave a comment on this blog post with your email address!  Yep.  That's it.  Just leave a comment.  We'll have a drawing to see who gets the certificate  on April 4, 2012 and I'll email the winner.  You'll have 24 hours to respond.  If you don't respond within that time, I'll draw another name.

Looking forward to reading your comments!

only144.com

I just wanted to share an AWESOME website for your ministry needs today.  If you're in ministry, you should check out http://www.only144.com/.  It rocks!  For around $98 you can get all sorts of deals.  We've gotten curriculum for Children's Church that rocks.  The last deal we got was over $1600 of Uncle Charlie Children's worship resources for $98.  AWESOME AWESOME deal!  First of all, Uncle Charlie rocks.  Seriously.  These resources have not only been enjoyed by our childrens' church group, but they have gotten my 8 y.o. son interested and wanting to worship!  That's worth the money, let me tell ya!  What made this even more awesome?  That only144.com made it possible for me to have top notch praise and worship for my children's church at a price that I could afford. 

Check them out! 

Oh, I just wanted to say how awesome they are.  I didn't get anything for saying all this.  :D

Book Review: The Captive Heart

The Captive Heart is book two in the Daughters of Caleb Bender series by Dale Cramer.  It’s an ongoing saga of a family, the Benders, who have fled their home in Ohio for religious freedom.  They move to Mexico to a land called Paradise Valley.  In this second book, the Bender family is joined by other families and more trouble from bandits.  The Benders deal with much heart ache and pain in The Captive Heart and ultimately, Miriam is has to make a decision that can rip her heart in two. 

I had a hard time getting into this book.  The first four or five chapters seemed to go slow for me.  However, once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down.  There were several parts that really caught my attention spiritually and even struck up discussion in my home.  It was a blessing to me!  I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.  I just can’t wait to find out how it all pans out.

***I received a copy of The Captive Heart from Bethany House Publishers for  review.  All views and opinions are my own.

Gidget Goes Reviewing: Product Review--Wisdom From the Wardrobe

Wisdom From the Wardrobe is a unit study for The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis.  It is a complete curriculum but users will want to supplement Grammar and Math.  It includes all instructions and suggested readings to complete the unit study and make a portfolio of the student’s work.  A notebook and dividers will be needed to complete the portfolio.  Also needed are the book The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, supplemental books (can be bought or borrowed from the library), paper, pencils, and lots of imagination.  The authors suggest a membership to www.enchantedlearing.com and Giant Science Resource by Evan Moor Publications would also be helpful.  The product also has websites for the use of the student and teacher.  This is a faith based program but should be reviewed by individual families to make sure it goes along with their own beliefs.

Made especially for homeschoolers, Wisdom from the Wardrobe is written for students in first through sixth grades.  It can be used with a variety of learning styles and parent teachers should tweak the curriculum to fit their students.  Keep in mind that younger students will not be able to do all the activities and may need to be read to.  Older students should be able to do many activities independently.

I really like that this is a complete curriculum.  The only things I have to add are grammar and math.  I can supplement history if I choose to.  This really worked well for our homeschool because of it being complete and being a unit study.   My children learn best from a unit study approach.  I also like that it includes Bible!  That is a huge selling point for me.

I would really like to see unit studies for the other Chronicles of Narnia books.  I think that would really complete this study.  I can see using all the books and unit studies to make an entire year’s curriculum.

Wisdom From the Wardrobe is highly suggested for homeschool families who enjoy digging into a good unit study.  

Note:  I was provided a free copy of Wisdom From the Wardrobe by Fortunately For You Books in exchange for my opinion of the product.  All thoughts and opinions are mine and completely unbiased.

Update on Goals

Well, things aren't going as well as I had hoped on my goals.  I was sick with a cold last week so I didn't go to the gym. I finally went back last night and I was exhausted after doing my strength training.  Hopefully I can get back to the gym today and Monday...maybe I won't be so tired by then and can get up in time to do water aerobics. 

Laundry.  Oh dear.  Well, I've almost done a load a day.  Three days I did 3-4 loads.  LOL...I figure it all comes out in the wash.  (pun intended)

Reading.  LOL...well, I think I've read the for fun book I picked up.  Not completely sure though.  Guess I'll keep reading it to make sure.  I did request a book for review from Bethany House Publishers.  Stay tuned for that review!  I'm super excited about it.  I reviewed the first novel in the series and am really looking forward to the next book.  The first one was exceptional so I'm thinking this one will be too.  ;)

For my bible study/personal enrichment book, I'm having a hard time getting into it.  I think I've heard so many good things about it, I was expecting it to be more.  Hopefully it will pick up.  I'll let y'all know.

I weighed in yesterday and have lost 9 pounds!  Yes, you read that right!  NINE pounds!!!  That seriously excites me. 

I'm off to prepare my children's church sermon for tomorrow.  Everyone have a blessed weekend!