From AOP's Dail Focus: Peace on Earth

As I thought more about peace on Earth, I wondered what Christ meant in John 14:27 when He said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Then, the truth of this verse dawned on me. True peace is not the absence of arguments, violence, or wars. True peace is experiencing God's love instead of His wrath because we receive the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. That means fighting children, threats of war, and even interruptions to homeschooling days need not change to experience the presence of Christ's peace in my life.

Would you like to find peace this Christmas? Don't look for the absence of problems. Look instead to the peacemaker whose birth made the angels of heaven proclaim, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). Let the power of the Holy Spirit fill you this Christmas and give you the peace of Christ. Shalom! "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Jesus, I praise You for the love, forgiveness, and peace You give to all who trust in You. Please, walk with me this Christmas and give me the peace of Your presence in my life. In Your holy name, Amen.

Homeschool Home Economics: Christmas Cookies

Not that cookie baking wasn't a holiday tradition in our home before, but this year we have really dived in and took on A LOT of baking.  The above is about half we have made so far and there is much more to be done...
Maddy helped me make the min- Peanut Butter Blossoms.  All three girls helped to bake the Peppermint Dipped cookies.  We have also made Double Chocolate Mint and Chocolate Chip cookies.  We have yet to make Butterscotch and some of my famous Mint Chocolate Cheesecake.
Lots of yumminess going on in our home this season!

More Christmas Crafting

Gabby made this ornament for her Gymnastics coach.  It will attach to a gift she got for her.  It's very cute.

Maddy made this ornament for her Gymnastics coach as well.  They have the same coach, so she will have a well- decked out tree.  I think I like this one best because I am forever needing peace.  However, both are very sweet and the coach should surely love them.

Alpha Omega's: Author Unknown

When I was a college student, I was all about controversial books and movies and the like as long as they didn't step over too many boundaries.  Three years into college I transferred to a very strict Christian college.  We continued reading books from the "banned book list" because they were classics.  These books were typically great reads.  They were only banned because of their lack in political correctiveness.  I just stuck my nose up at those hippies and read on...
As I had children and finished my degree in education, the banned books looked less and less scary and the novels that kids were actually reading in junior high school and high school were terrifying.  What as happening to the educational system to think it's politically correct to include "gay literature" or literature that clearly shows a political agenda?
When we moved to Hawaii and saw that not only were the schools full of agendas, but that they were behind in many other things.  Homeschool looked a lot more promising, and it has been. 
We are reading classic novels... nothing on that banned list, but we will be soon enough.  What have we read that we find to be classic and fulfilling?  Well, here's just a small taste:
101 Dresses
My Father's Dragon
Bridge to Terabithia
The Boxcar Children
The Family Under the Bridge
Charlotte's Web
Any of the Magic Treehouse books

I cannot wait to sit down with my girls and read Tow Sawyer and To Kill a Mockingbird.  They will forever not be banned in our house.

The following is from Alpha Omega's Daily Devotionals.  Every word really back up my feelings on this issue.



Author Unknown November 18, 2011

As I stood in front of the formidable shelves of books in our local library, I wondered where to begin. Finding thought-provoking books with godly and moral values shouldn't have been so difficult, but it was. Frustrated, I prayed and asked God to help me in my search for wholesome literature for my children. "Consider the source" came to my mind. I realized God was prompting me to first study the authors, and then I would find the right books.

No matter how objective an author attempts to be, his beliefs and attitudes are reflected in the words and content he chooses to write. Studying the author's life before reading his book saves hours of reading nonsense and foolishness. I learned you couldn't always judge a book by its glitzy cover, and it was better to flip to the back panel and read the author's biography first.


Praise God, we don't have to worry about trusting the authors' words of the greatest book written — the Bible. Although God used the personalities of 35 different men to pen the words, they only wrote as God moved them: "But holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21b). God is the author of every inspired word contained within the 66 books of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16).


God is not only the author of the Bible, but He is also the author of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is the author of love, and we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). He is the author of forgiveness who died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). God even authored the saving work He began in us, and He will perform it until Christ returns (Philippians 1:6).


Is God the author who has influenced you the most in your life? If not, go again to the Bible and rediscover the wonder and holiness of the mighty One who wrote it. His promises are sure, and His words will guide you throughout your entire life. Not only is He the author of our beginning, but He will also be the author of the end. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Revelation 22:13).

Homeschool Military Special Gift

We are featured in this The Old Schoolhouse Magazine video. Watch for Ed and the girls a few times.
It is a honor to not only be recognized as a military family but as a homeschool family as well.

A Crafty Homeschool Christmas

Cheyenne and I made this "Partridge in a Pear Tree" for the purple homeschool Christmas tree we have been putting up every year since we started homeschooling. It was really easy and super cute. I might make another one for our family tree. I used chipboard, stamping ink and markers, and a lot of glue and glitter. I will be putting a ribbon through the top, probably. It was a good time working with my youngest. Too bad everyone is now singing The 12 Days of Christmas while taking a Math test!

Appreciate the Educators

Teacher's Appreciation Week starts today (May 2, 2011). Thank your child's hardworking teachers! They love your child and teaching is their passion. Without good educators and us showing them the respect they are due, the World would be deprived of a great resource! Teachers are the people that make the World go 'round!
If you are a FABULOUS homeschooler, thank yourself! You have sacrificed a lot to better educate your children. You sacrifice money (because you stay home and don't bring income into your home), you sacrifice your time (when you could be socializing with people your age but instead you are talking to your children about homophones and the 13 Colonies), you sacrifice sleep (precious hours are spent planning instead of catching needed ZZZZs), you sacrifice talk shows and coffee breaks and mom's morning out and time in the quiet... you sacrifice in order to not only please your family but you are pleasing God by following His calling for your life.
All of you educators out there: YOU ROCK!!!!!

Pity Parties from Alpha Omega's Daily Devotionals (Poor Me, Poor Me)

From AOP's Daily Devotionals

Pity Parties March 16, 2011

Self-pity is a common temptation faced by many homeschooling parents. After all, we have such a heavy burden to bear, right? If the daily duties of homeschooling are not enough, we also face ridicule and a lack of appreciation for the hard work of teaching our children. Our martyr syndrome assumes we're the only ones who really care about our children's education. Foolishly we say, "No one else sacrifices or suffers for what they believe like we do." Sadly, we actually believe these lies from Satan and sink into homeschooling despair because of them.


God doesn't want us to feel sorry for ourselves, and He teaches us that lesson with the stories of two pouting prophets in the Bible. Consider Elijah and the great demonstration of God's power at Mount Carmel. When Elijah prayed, the Lord proved Himself mighty to the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:20-39). Forgetting what God had just done, Elijah ran for his life to Mount Horeb to hide in a cave because the evil Queen Jezebel threatened him. When God asked why he was there, Elijah claimed, "And I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away" (1 Kings 19:14b). Then, there was Jonah who preached to the city of Nineveh and watched as the entire population repented of their sins. Jonah became so angry at God for sparing them that he said, "It is better for me to die than to live" (Jonah 4:3b). Both these prophets went from tremendous highs to the depths of despair as they felt sorry for themselves and forgot God's deliverance.

What about you? Are you having a one-person pity party to celebrate your homeschooling difficulties? Why be like a foolish prophet who forgets the mighty miracle of God's blessings? Rejoice instead in the precious opportunity God has given you to teach your children. Enjoy the wonderful gift of having fun together as a family. After experiencing the joys of homeschooling, why not throw a different party tonight and celebrate all that God has done for you?

Lord, I praise You for the love You show me each day. I am so thankful to be my children's teacher and rejoice in the blessings of homeschooling. I recommit my heart and thoughts to You today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

And it's all true... I do feel bad for myself mainly because I am so tired and my family (aka Ed and the girls) don't always notice how much I sacrifice for our family. But, I would sacrifice it all again to be able to home school and see my children grow and learn. Yes, I am exhausted and yes, I feel under appreciated... but I do see smiles, I see milestones, I see growth and learning, I see fun and hard work, I see so much more than I could possibly wrap my mind around sometimes so why do I feel so sorry for myself? Maybe I just need more sleep, lol! I love my choices in life in regards to my family. We are doing great and nothing will ever take me away from this awesome experience and opportunity!

Devotions and Encouragement from the Old School House Magazine

The following post is from the Old School House Magazine e-mail devotions and updates. I read it today, but I have been meaning to read it for over a week. Procrastination? Maybe, or it just may be what the article says... the dread of getting back to work! There's too many things to do and too many things to think about and WAY too many things to organize...

Preparing for a Fresh Start December 29, 2010

Are any of you battling after-Christmas letdown? Is everyone a little grouchy and out-of-sorts? Do you find yourself dealing with a house messy from the extra activities, decorations, or travel? Are you starting to have that elephant-sitting-on-your-chest feeling that it's almost time to get back to the books, but you are so worn out that you feel like you totally missed the Christmas break?

You're not?! Oops. Maybe it's just me and y'all can pray for me.

However, if you're overwhelmed with the idea of trying to get the house, kids, and schedules back on track, just keep reminding yourself of God's new mercies every day.

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed , because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning:great is thy faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Lamentations 3:22-24

It's not all up to you. God is your portion and you can trust in Him and His faithfulness. He gives us a fresh start every morning. Give yourself (and your family) a fresh start too. Quit beating yourself up for how behind or disorganized you are, and just press forward.

. . . but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3: 13-14

Have a blessed 2011. We're on your side and praying for you!

AOP's One Day at a Time

The following post is so true! I am always looking at the next day and the next, etc. I am always looking ahead to something else than the task at hand. I am actually looking ahead to when I post on this blog what I am writing than the spelling words I should be dictating to my 2nd grader. I can call it multi- tasking if I would like to and it may very well be, but what is more important: school work or blogging about school work? I am just fortunate that I have very smart little girls! She did very well as I dictated and wrote on here, lol!
I totally lack focus on most days, but I also know what is important. So, I would like to learn about focus some more. I blame it on the depression that will always be apart of me and also be grateful that it's not as bad as it use to be.
Well, now that I am done with my tangent, here is the post of AOP's Daily Devotional. I hope it brings encouragement to my readers.

One Day at a Time January 9, 2011

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" (Matthew 6:34).

The best advice I received when I first started homeschooling was, "Take one day at a time!" These words were easy to say, but they were very hard to do. Borrowing tomorrow's trouble is a learned family trait, and many times I had to come before the Lord in repentance. Many people like to think they are organized and prepared for the unknowns in life, but homeschooling four children has a way of changing that mindset. Each day I needed to erase the failures from yesterday and realize that God was providing His strength and creativity one day at a time.

Seeking God daily for strength is a lesson the people of Israel had difficulty learning as well. Each day for forty years, God rained manna from heaven to feed the Israelites (Exodus 16:4). The organizers in the group thought they could run ahead of the Lord and gather extra, possibly planning ahead for those unknowns. However, any amount the people gathered that was more than they needed for that day spoiled. God's provision of manna was not only for nourishment, but it also was a test. God wanted to see if the people would obey His commandments and trust that He would provide for their daily needs. God had commanded them to collect only enough manna to last for one day's needs. Only on the day before the Sabbath had God commanded the people to gather twice the amount.

One other motivating factor also played a part in the gathering of this "daily bread" — the people had to gather the manna before the heat of the day (vs. 20-21). In this way, God showed them that they needed strength before the day's problems began.

Do you miss the joy of homeschooling your children today because you've run ahead to tomorrow? If you continue to look only at the "forest" of your child's academic goals, you will miss the many wonderful moments of the "trees" today. Perhaps that is why Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).

Jesus, You are the bread of life, and without You I can do nothing. Teach me to wait on Your daily provision of strength and help me to find the blessings in homeschooling every day. In Your name, Amen.