Dads Grieve Too

I’ve had a miscarriage. There are quite a few of us in that not-so-fun club. But I think, during situations such as miscarriages, the daddy often is overlooked. Miscarriage seems to be a subject no one wants to talk about. So if a mama has a hard time talking about it, how much harder the daddy?

Some wonderful friends of mine lost their baby this past week. The mama was 16 weeks along. April 2014 seemed far away, yet so within reach. The following words were written by the daddy. Both are grieving, as are their five children.

After you read, please say a prayer for this lovely family. Thanks, Friends.

Homeschool Review: IXL Math and Language Arts K-12

Sometimes a student needs something different than pencil and paper, or flash cards. Every child learns differently and using IXL is one way math and language objectives can be reinforced.

IXL Math and Language Arts is an on-line system that is filled with practice. Memberships cost $9.95 per month or $79.00 for the year. This allows for both the math (PreK – 12) and language (2nd – 4th grade) sections of activities. When I looked at the main page where each grade is listed, I was AMAZED at all of the objectives that IXL covers. The program also has state standards and the Common Core standards listed if you need those for your homeschool.

When God Wore a Costume: A Halloween – Christmas Story {Object Lesson}

**Be sure to pin and share this lesson. Thank you!!

Objectives:

• to list the events of Jesus’ birth
• to explain the difference between Truth and tradition
• to confess that Jesus is God and human

Materials: your baby picture; empty picture frame; nativity scene with shepherds, angels, animals, wise men, and family

Homeschool in a Box!!

So I had this idea…what if I could find another homeschool mom living in some other state who would be willing to swap homeschool boxes with me? Then I thought, why another state? Another state would be great, BUT what about my friend Heather, at Only Passionate Curiosity, who is over in Germany right now? She agreed to partner with me, and we proceeded to work on our Homeschool in a Box project!

In God I Boast ~ And God Laughed At My Fundraising

Elissa is such a sweet, bloggy friend of mine! I have enjoyed getting to know more about her over the past few months through our (in)courage group. I wrote a guest post for her a few weeks ago, and now it is her turn! As you read from my post yesterday, my family is smack in the middle of adoption proceedings. I think it’s rather appropriate for Elissa to share part of her own adoption story.

Let’s boast in the Lord together!!

To My New Daughter

Dear Baby Doll~

I meet you today. You don’t know me yet. And I don’t know you.

I’ve seen a few pictures of you and your pretty blond, curly hair. You had on a Minnie Mouse shirt. Do you like Minnie Mouse?

I hear you like to wear bows in your hair and sparkly necklaces around your neck. We have plenty of each at our house. We even have sparkly fingernail polish. Won’t that be fun?

Our family has prayed for over 2 years for our Baby #3. When we filled out the paperwork at DSS and went through the 8 hour training course we had no idea we would be waiting so long. But God’s timing is perfect.

In a few hours when I see your tiny face and your large eyes, I hope you can’t see the trembling of my hands and the flutters of my heart.

I’m so scared you might not like me.

But even if you don’t like me, God has chosen to put us together. I will start out being your Foster Mama. And I pray that a judge will choose to let my family become your Forever Family through adoption.

You don’t know me yet; and I don’t know you. But I know the God who knows us both.

And I plan on introducing Him to you.

Love,
Your New Mama

For Such a Time as This

There comes a time when God moves so that permanent change takes place. There are moments when His glory is so profound that one cannot help but brake because of the light that is shining and piercing the soul. There comes an instant when a person realizes that the gauntlet has been thrown down and God wants His child to respond.

So how does one respond at such a time?

How do I respond?

I responded tonight with a broken heart and total surrender.

How else can one even stand before a Holy God who loves unconditionally?

He takes my fears and my insecurities and transforms them into jewels in a crown of righteousness.

Reader, I know that all 300 or so of those following FFS do not read this blog every time I post. That’s just how the blogging world is. But YOU are reading now, and I want you to know that I am writing this blog for YOU. I am writing to the mom who just wants to get through the day without baby spit-up on her shirt. I am writing to the working dad who has wonderful grandchildren. I am writing to the Children’s Ministry worker who wants to do well for the Lord. I am writing to the homeschool mom who feels she just doesn’t have her act together today.

I have YOUR attention for a few minutes of the day, but it is my heart that the words you read here point you to Jesus EVERY time you choose to open up a post. Do you know that I pray for you? I do. I may not know your name, but God does.

Reader, I pray that God does something amazing with you today. OWN your brokenness. Surrender. Do His will. He has you exactly where He wants you…for such a time as this.

Go be extraordinary for Jesus today!

Brief Review of the Old Testament from the Ten Commandments to Jesus

**Be sure to pin and share this lesson. Thank you!!

Objectives:

• to recognize that other events in history fit into the Biblical timeline
• to explain that the Old Testament shows humanity its’ need for a Savior
• to use drawings to represent the main events of the Bible

Materials: drawing; timeline cards

Book Review: The War on Christmas

I have had the opportunity to review a book that should be read by anyone who thinks they know, or questions, the Truth of Christmas. Bodie Hodge, from Answers in Genesis, has edited a beautiful book called, The War on Christmas, ($17.99), and has compiled quite a few articles written to educate and help families make informed decisions on how to celebrate a Biblical Christmas.

Fun Fall Service Project

I’m always on the lookout for simple, meaningful service opportunities; especially those I can do with my kids. I went to a Girl’s Night Out at my church this past weekend and we made the NEATEST pumpkins with the idea of giving them away. With a focus on those who may not have loved ones near-by, these pumpkins are an easy way to take and leave a smile.