Exodus 14:14

Do you ever have a verse, you've never seen before, suddenly appear everywhere?  Well, this is that verse for me!

Starting with the National Bible Bee competition 2 years ago, my daughter Lydia decided this was the one verse she could memorize for the summer.  I always tell them that God has at least one verse he want's them to memorize.  She picked it because it was the shortest...

However, this verse came alive for me last summer as I went through treatment for breast cancer.  Lydia has this one engraved on her heart and frequently reminded me of it when I was discouraged. 

And, of course - God keeps reminding me of it over and over.  My job is to be still, HIS job is to fight for me.

Now, this has become a precious promise... and I smile each time it appears in my news feed, my daily devotion, or even when I glance at the sign a precious friend gave me to remind me of HIS promises.

I'm so very grateful that the Bible is living and active, aren't you!

Be A Kiwi!

I've been inspired!

I teach history at our Co-op - students K-8th.  I never understood (or enjoyed) history as a child.  But, now that I homeschool - it's my favorite subject!  Our Co-op uses the Mystery of History - Volume 2 as our main curriculum (love it!) but, I have alot of freedom to add to it.

I like to keep my students engaged and having fun.  Hands-on teaching is my favorite style.

We recently explored the history of New Zealand in Volume 2.  I saw a cute recommendation for creating a Kiwi Bird.  What a great idea!  My younger students will love this...but, what to do with my older students... 8th graders don't want to make crafts.

Just then, God dropped an idea into my head (had to have come from Him - I couldn't have thought it up) Kiwi's aren't much to look at, are they?  Brown and furry...  not exactly appetizing, fruit with hair?!

BUT,  when you look at the inside of a kiwi - you get an entirely different perspective -  Juicy, tasty, vivid and memorable!  Oh, oh, oh - this is getting good! 

It's just like us!  I told them, "God is much more interested in your "inside" - than your "outside".  It's time for you to "BE A KIWI!" 

A new history class motto was born, "Be a  Kiwi!" 

Plus, everyone took a kiwi home - either as a bird, or just to remind them that the "inside" is better than the "outside!"  (You should have seen the look from the Kroger clerk when I bought 50 kiwis!)

This was waiting for me in my history room the next week,  I think they "got" it! 

Winter Inspiration

Winter - it's cold, gray and gloomy.  We are stuck in the house.  No one wants to do anything (even me).  Then,  I ran across a favorite of mine.  An inspiration.  We could forget about "school" and go on an adventure together!

The day got brighter with our comfy sofa, quilts, some hot chocolate, and a book to share.  It turned everything around for me....



Shameless "staging" for a picture to share

 

I thought I'd pass my inspiration along.  So, what are you reading together today?

The Reading Mother
by
Strickland Gillilan

 
I had a mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath.


I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.


I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness blent with his final breath.


I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings--
Stories that stir with an upward touch,
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!


You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be--
I had a Mother who read to me.