Such a Thrilling Opportunity

I am still around for the 365 day Writing project.  Some of my writing has been done here, while other times I have utilized my other blogs or other writing opportunities.

But today I want to write about something thrilling that just happened.  Recently, I saw a friend announce applications were being accepted for the 2017 Homeschool Review Crew.  I have  received notifications about the Crew in the past but decided not to apply.  This year, I decided to take the plunge and apply after chatting about it with my friend.  I have followed several blogs who were written by members of the Crew.  I loved reading the posts talking about the variety of products the members were reviewing.

I am just thrilled with the opportunity to be part of this group.  Words can not begin to describe how I felt as I completed each blank of the application.  Doubt and fears stole their way into my mind, but ultimately I submitted my responses and the waiting began.  Stay tuned for part 2 of the saga.

#waitinggame

Journalling and Connecting

Today I spent time connecting with God’s word through bible Joirnaling.  I am currently participating in an online Bible study for The book of Ephesians.  Our first assignment was to do a page with the title Ephesians on it along with a page that showed an overview of the chapter.  Because I had a Bible with chapter titles, I used those titles for the overview.

Here are the two pages I created.

   

#blogboost #NaBloPoMo

 

Creating and Connecting

So in the past 12 months, I have been trying to strengthen on my faith and my involvement with my faith.  Some of the things that I have been doing include: participating in Online Bible Studies, being a Facebook Small Group leader for an Online Bible Study, spending more time in prayer and in the Word, plus I have started to become involved in Bible Journaling.  Here is a piece I did earlier this year.

I went on Amazon and found quite a few books on Art Journaling and Bible journaling to assist me in my journey.  I also have found quite a few blogs and Facebook groups to participate in as well.  Moreover,  I am making wonderful connections with people who are able to inspire me and give me ideas.

So I invite you to come on this journey with me.  I will be sharing my endeavors here.

So how do you express, show, demonstrate or enrich your faith?  I would love to hear from you.

Z is Zeal

So today is the final day of the Blogging A to Z challenge.  I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in this challenge.  When I see or hear the letter Z, only one word comes to mind.  The word that comes to mind is “Zeal”.

Several years ago, we were participating in a Christmas Eve candlelight service at the church we were attending in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.  The pastor provided various members of the congregation with different verses to read from the Bible.  At the time, our second son was given a verse that contained the word Zeal.  He was uncertain of what the word meant exactly.  So I explained to him that zeal meant showing excitement or enthusiasm for something.   Well he proceeded to read his verse with quite a lot of “Zeal”.  From that night on, zeal or zealous became frequent members of our conversation.  The following year, when the Christmas Eve service came around again, my son made sure he once again got the verse with “zeal” in it.  And once again, he read it quite zealously.

Because, it has been about 4 years since he last read the verse, I am trying to remember the exact verses he read.  I believe this should be the correct passage.

So what comes to mind for you when you see the letter “Z”?  I would love to hear from you.  And so this entry concludes my participation in the Blogging A to Z challenge for April 2015.  I pray you have been blessed.

Y is for Yesterday and Young People

So here is a post for the Blogging A to Z challenge.  I am a day late posting this.  But for me Y reminds me of yesterday and Young people.

Yesterday, I was supposed to have done this post.  But obviously that did not happen.  Yesterday is already come and gone but we can learn much from it.

Y also reminds me of Young people – something I am surrounded by.  I have four children who range in ages from 12 to 18 (well almost 19 if we are going to get technical about it).  So my days of supervising the homeschooling of 4 children is over.  Now I expect more out of them.  As young people, I expect them to have good manners.  I expect them to know to behave properly in church and how to do their schoolwork.  Now instead the focus is making sure they learn how to be responsible, Godly adults who love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul..

So that is what I think of when I see the letter “Y”.  What comes to your mind when you see the letter “Y”?

X is for Xerox or X-rays or X-ray Tech

Here is another Blogging A to Z Challenge post for today’s letter, X.  This is a hard post to come up with words for.  However, I was able to come up with one word, Xerox.  After all, as a homeschooling mom, I have to make lots and lots of copies.  We have to copy papers for the children’s schoolwork.  We have to make copies of the attendance records, the portfolios, the affidavits and numerous other items throughout the year.  Now even though I primarily use Brother, Epson or Canon printers, Xerox is still one of the main words that comes to mind when I think of making copies.

Several years ago our youngest son fell and fractured his wrist.  Needless to say, X-rays were involved.   The funny part was we had the x-rays done at a facility that partnered with both our doctor’s office at the time and the hospital that we eventually ended up at to have the arm put in a cast (or at least we thought he would get a cast).  These offices were all connected digitally.  Supposedly all the hospital had to do was pull up the x-ray to look at it.  But for some reason the x-ray mysteriously vanished for several hours.  Fortunately it was eventually found.  Plus, x-rays make for a great impromptu science lesson.

Also, X-ray tech comes to mind since my husband ‘s sister is an X-ray tech and has been for years.

So what comes to mind for you when you see the letter “X”.  I would love to read some comments from you.

“W” is for Wisdom, Work, and Wonder

Well the Blogging A to Z challenge is winding down and today’s letter is “W”.  When I see or hear the letter “W”, I think of wisdom, work and wonder.

Wisdom is the first thing that comes to mind when I see the letter “W”.  In the Webster’s 1828 American dictionary, the word “wisdom” was defined partially as, “In Scripture, human learning; erudition; knowledge of arts and sciences.”  It was also defined as, “Quickness of intellect; readiness of apprehension; dexterity in execution”.  Finally, it was defined as, “The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them”.  All of these definitions suit my needs for a definition for the word wisdom.  Wisdom to me is more than just basic knowledge.  It also involves have a willing heart.

Next, “W” brings to mind work.  Everyone in our home has work they must do.  Our work includes: school assignments, chores, and the work of our Heavenly Father.  We are disciples of Jesus Christ.  In Romans 8:28, we are told, “²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  We need to do the work that God has called us to do.

Finally, “W” brings to mind wonder.  I love to see our children wonder about something and then search out answers about that subject.  It does not matter to me if it is a traditional school subject or if it is just something that catches their interest.

So this is what comes to my mind when I see the letter “W”, what comes to mind for you when you see or hear the letter “W”?

“T” is for Teaching, Time Management, Trust and Technology

It is another day of the Blogging A to Z challenge.  Today’s letter is “T”.  “T”  brings to mind Teaching, Time Management, Trust, and Technology.

Because we are a homeschooling family, much of my time is spent teaching.  Sometimes it is teaching typical school subjects like math and language arts.  Other portions of my time is devoted to teaching life skills such as cooking, cleaning, yard work, grocery shopping and other such skills.

Next “T” brings to mind time management.  The better my children manage their time, the more free time they have.  Also the better we manage our time, the more extracurricular activities we can incorporate into our day.

Next, “T” brings to mind trust.  I need to trust my children to accomplish their schoolwork.  They need to be able to trust that I will do what is in their best interest.  Also I need to be able to trust that they will complete their work if I have to be away from the home from appointments or other reasons.

Finally, “T” brings to mind technology.  We utilize technology for so many things we do each day.  For example, we use the Internet to conduct searches and complete online courses through companies such as Alpha Omega’s Monarch curriculum and Videotext Interactive Online Algebra.  We use technology for doing daily Bible reading using Apps such as YouVersion.  We use Microsoft Office products to prepare papers, take notes and do presentations.

So that is what comes to mind when I hear the letter “T”.  What comes to your mind when you see the letter “T”?

“V” is for Violins, Values and Victories

     Today is another day of the Blogging A to Z challenge.  The letter of the day is “V”.  When I see or hear the letter “V”, I think of violins, values and victories.

“V” is for violins or violas.  Music plays an important role in our family.  Our children have been exposed to singing and musical instruments.  Several years ago,  our daughter believed that she wanted to learn to how to play the violin.  At the same time, I wanted to learn as well.  Our oldest son then decided he might like to learn the violin as well.  One cannot think of the violin without thinking of the viola as well.

Next “V” brings to mind values.  Family values are very important.  We need to refer to our Bibles to ensure that we attempt to have Biblical character.  We try to maintain trust, act loving, show generosity, and be loving.

Finally, we experience victories every time our children experience successes in their educational endeavors.  Also we are able to achieve victories in our spiritual lives as well.  When we serve others, show love and compassion to others or when we obey the Word of God, we achieve spiritual victories.

So that is what comes to mind when I see or hear the letter “V”.  What comes to your mind when you see or hear the letter “V”?

“U” is for Understanding

Today is another day of the Blogging A to Z challenge.  Today’s letter is “U”, which brings to mind one word – understanding.

As a homeschooling family, understanding takes many shapes or parts in our day to day life.  First is our need to be understanding to one another.  With being together day in and day out every day, there has to be a level of understanding among us.  Too many times it is easy to jump to conclusions or fly off in an over reaction.  So we need to take time and act in an understanding manner.

The children need to understand the material they are learning about in each subject.  I do not expect that they will always like or enjoy every subject, but I do expect them to put forth their best efforts.

Finally, there needs to be understanding between my husband and me.  We need to be on the same page and have the same goals and objectives regarding our family.  If we disagree, we must be sure we avoid doing so in the presence of our children.  I try to understand what thoughts he has and I pray that he does the same in regards to my thoughts and wishes.

So that is what comes to mind when I hear the letter “U”.  So what comes to your mind when you see the letter “U”.