A Child is Waiting

compassion.com

Have you ever thought about how little old you can make a difference in this great big world full of poverty? I  know, I have. And I want to share with you how I found a way to make a difference everyday!

We have a dear extended family member, Shaprine. We met her through an organization called Compassion that allowed us the opportunity to financially support her on a monthly basis and make a difference in her life. We will be forever grateful to be a part of her life and for each letter she sends us. It has been an incredible opportunity for our children to get to know her and love this young girl from Kenya. It's surprising how much they have in common considering how vastly different they live. It reminds us all to be grateful for all that God has given us and all the more willing to share those blessings and his hope with others.

You may be familiar with all the good work Compassion International is doing around the world. And they are looking for someone just like you to make a difference in the life of a child through sponsorship, letter writing and your prayers. All you have to do is visit their sponsorship page where an innocent child is just waiting for a sponsor to choose them...to give them hope, opportunity and encouragement. If you ever wanted the opportunity, look no farther. You've found it! Now go find them! Visit Compassion's Sponsorship page today and make a difference in a child's life! They are just waiting for you!

I would also like to tell you about a new group working to fight extreme poverty called NURU, which means, "light." They are teaching rural communities where people live on less than a dollar a day how to achieve self sufficiency through a variety of effective interventions. Learn more at Nuru International.

You can make a difference. We all can. We just need to do our part and let other know that they can too! May God bless us as we try to make a difference together.

Summer Reading Retention

I love to read. I especially love to read books that I feel will have a positive impact on my everyday life. I have some great books since becoming a parent and a homeschooling Mother that have given me so much encouragement along the way. My only regret is that I can't retain all of the jewels I've read along the way. So in an attempt to spark some recall I am going to attempt what so many bloggers do and share my reading list. It may take a while before I include a summary, but here is what's been on my shelf this summer. What book has had a positive impact on you recently?

I picked this up at the WV Homeschool Conference. It was an unexpected surprise as I intended it to just be a gift for a friend, but once I got started taking  a look at it, I just couldn't put it down. It made so much sense to me and I hope to incorporate some more of these principles in our home school.


The book below has been a God send. I have been tested this summer with an increase number of disciplines with my children. Testing boundaries, whining, and not obeying immediately to name just a few of the issues we've had to address. Enter "Don't Make Me Count to Three."


 What a blessing this book has been as Ginger Plowman applies the biblical parenting principles of Shepherding a Child's Heart to the daily scenarios of discipline in the home. Filled with applicable bible verses and examples, I am happy to add this gem to my collection of books that I will read and reference more than once.

I always try to read one book just for encouragement in my role as a wife and homeschooling Mom. This year's pick was, "A Mom Just Like You." Another rewarding read that got the job done well. Vicki Farris in an inspiration. She's a humble and encouraging role model. Each of these books are easily on my recommended reading list. Check them out for yourself!

One of my family's favorite places to go is Chick-fil-a. We love the atmosphere, quality of the food and the play area! Praying that their values will be respected as they represent and are respectful of those of others. If you're a homeschooling family, you may find this a fitting tribute! Who knew CFA could be a model for homeschooling? :) Good advice for new and old homeschoolers alike from "not consumed.com."

I love West Virginia. I enjoy bragging about this special place I call home. My husband and I are proud of the remarkable people who have come from our beloved state and often reflect on them as we tell others of the many reasons to love these mountains. Maybe that's why I was so excited to learn more about Cynthia Rylant today. I've always wanted to be a writer. If I wasn't busy raising my children and homeschooling, I would be tempted to run out, (or visit Amazon), buy and read everything she's ever written. That's how inspired I was from reading her biography that I found here: Cynthia Rylant (1954-) Biography - Personal, Addresses, Career, Honors Awards, Writings, Adaptations, Sidelights
Thank you Jessica for introducing me to her work today while recommending your favorite children's books at the used curriculum book sale. Very much appreciated! Just wanted to pass it along to the rest of you who may not have know another one of West Virginia's best (not-so) kept secrets.

Success with Sonlight

We are gearing up for another year of homeschooling. I have really been enjoying getting some organizational ideas from different homeschooling blogs and going back to school shopping for supplies. I love that time of year! But it's only July and I'm cherishing what is left of summer.

Even still, my children and I are excited to begin another year with Sonlight. The organizing & back to school shopping don't amount to much if you don't have a plan on how and what your child is going to learn. Maybe they will be attending a school of your choice or maybe you're homeschooling like us, either way Sonlight curriculum offers packages for the school year or supplemental materials for those with children in school.

Our priority at home is that our children learn God's truths while also beginning to explore his world and some of the best books we've ever read. But how does a busy Mom find the time to do all of this? She doesn't. She turns to Godly examples who have gone before her. Here enters Sonlight! What a blessing Sonlight has been to our home. It's taken the chaos (well most of it anyway!) out of homeschooling by providing all the guidance, organization and daily plans for each school day. It's flexible too and the program includes forums full of encouragement and interaction with other homeschoolers using the same materials. And most importantly, they put God first and its exciting to see how his truth is woven throughout the curriculum. It's a literature based program and has given my young children a love for books that I find hard to believe.

If you would like to check it out and learn more, please click here. You are welcome to a $5 discount off your order just by using my rewards code at the link above. I was thrilled when someone shared Sonlight with me and want to pay it forward. Best wishes on your back to school preparations. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I know curriculum shopping can be overwhelming. It's always helpful to hear what has been successful for others. What has worked for you? Even if you don't homeschool exclusively, perhaps you have success with a devotional or teaching tool at home. Everyone loves a good success story!

 http://www.sonlight.com/rewards/JC20291081

 

Apr 14, 2012

What Mother can't relate to this article about comparing ourselves to others? Oh, the guilt even the best Mom feels when she sees another Mom doing what she thinks is a much better job at parenting. Read this article and I pray it encourages your soul as much as it did mine. This is a MUST READ! Be blessed Mother. YOU are like no other...you are someone's Mom.