A Valentine for My Homeschool Friends

Posted on February 13, 2012 by

I want to dedicate this post to all my homeschool friends—the ones I know personally and the ones I feel like I know because we have shared our hearts through social media, e-mails, texts, and the occasional phone call.

I have learned so much from each of you. I want you to know how much you mean to me and how much you have shaped who I am as a homeschool parent. When I think of you and what you have brought to my life, I think:

Valuable – You are of great value as a child of God and because of who you are. You have also brought to my attention so many great resources and opportunities!

Accessible – You have made yourself available to me. You allow me to approach you at meetings, call you, e-mail you, or chat with you through social media.

Loving – You love me through the good times and bad, and especially through the times that I don’t feel lovable.

Encouraging – You encouraged me in my homeschooling journey when I wasn’t sure what to do next—or even if I could keep going! And now that I’m feeling more sure of myself, you continue to encourage me as God opens up new opportunities for me.

Nice – Really! When I was driving you to distraction in my search for ________ (whatever I was obsessing about that week), you were always nice enough to offer suggestions or advice.

Talented – I’m always amazed by your ideas, advice, hobbies, and creativity. You’ve got skills!

Interesting – Yes, interesting! I love hearing about your passions and interests, reading about the causes that touch your heart, and getting glimpses of the things that make you who you are—those things that go beyond the superficial, surface stuff.

Nutty – Or maybe it’s me who’s nutty. No, I’m pretty sure you are too. We have fun together, don’t we?

Excellent – What more can I say?

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted in Friends, Fun, Gratitude, Homeschool Village, Homeschooling, Special Needs | 22 Comments

It’s Love Week!

Posted on February 13, 2012 by

Interestingly enough, we’re in the Valentine’s Day mood this week! Unofficially, this week is Love Week on my blog. If you saw my post “It’s All About Love” at The Homeschool Village today, you know I’m off to a good start!

I also determined to show my blog some love by getting my gratitude list up on the right day this week! There has been a lot going on here, and I have neglected to be faithful in posting regularly. Things aren’t any calmer, but I’m going to take a few minutes to get some posts up anyway.

Princess Roo has had her OT re-evaluation. I’m still waiting for the report to come in the mail and for our new health insurance to pre-authorize her therapy, but we’ve gotten the process started. Roo also had a bone age x-ray taken Friday. Her gastroenterologist ordered it, but it was done locally. I’m not sure who’s going to give me the results, but I’m going to give them a few more days before I start calling for them!

We have been celebrating Valentine’s Day for over a week, with a great homeschool group party last week and a Valentine’s Cookie Decorating party on Friday night.

We’re still waiting for God to show up in big ways in some areas of our lives, but we are rejoicing in the ways He’s already shown Himself more than able.

#1221. provision in unexpected ways, while resting in Him, waiting.

#1222. the opportunity to start a home business later this month. (More on that and how you can help later.)

#1223. the girls’ excitement about helping with the new business.

#1224. a morning spent baking and decorating heart-shaped cookies.

#1225. an afternoon full of Valentine’s Day crafts.

#1226. a surprise snowfall in the middle of this unusually warm winter.

#1227. attending two parties with good friends last weekend.

#1228. the opportunity to review a web site that has the potential to be a great supplement to our studies.

#1229. hope that comes from faith in the Faithful One.

#1230. the peace that comes from knowing Who, even when I don’t know how.

How are you celebrating love this week?

Photo credit: Jennifer A. Janes
Posted in Family, Gratitude, Life, Multitudes on Monday, One Thousand Gifts, Special Needs | 3 Comments

Giveaway Winner: Night of the Cossack by Tom Blubaugh

Posted on February 12, 2012 by

The 10:00 p.m. CST hour has come and gone, and I have done my job. I visited Random.org and had the random number generator choose a winner! Before I announce the winner, I want to say how touched I was by each comment left as a giveaway entry. I want you to know that I didn’t reply because I didn’t want to mess up the comment stream so that the winner would be easier to choose. It wasn’t because I didn’t care.

For those who were interested in the book and lesson plans, I recommend that you consider purchasing a copy. Your teens will love it, and you will too! It is definitely not just “young adult” fiction!

And now . . . the winner of a paperback copy of Night of the Cossack and a digital copy of the accompanying Homeschool Study Guide is comment 10: Dell!

Please check your inbox, Dell! I have already sent an e-mail notifying you and requesting your mailing address and confirmation of your e-mail address.

If I am not able to verify the winner within 48 hours, I will choose another winner and will add an update to this post.

Thank you for participating!

Photo credit: Jennifer A. Janes
Posted in Giveaways | 3 Comments

Join Me at 2:1! I’d Love to Meet You!

Posted on February 8, 2012 by

There are only 79 days left until The 2:1 Conference starts! There are a limited number of tickets available, but as of today, there are still openings for registration!

2:1 has an amazing speaker line-up and schedule planned. Speakers include:

There is so much more to 2:1 than homeschooling and blogging. It is a Christian conference geared toward encouraging and supporting families. Please check it out thoroughly on their website, and then REGISTER!

I can’t wait to see you there!

2:1 Conference Button

Posted in 2:1 Conference | 2 Comments

Finding Wonders and Miracles in the Midst of the Storm

Posted on February 7, 2012 by

Mustard Seeds

I’ve been “talking” (through texts, social media, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations) to some friends of mine, and we’re all overwhelmed by the storms and trials so many families are going through. We have cried together, prayed for one another, and helped one another in practical ways when possible. As I continued my Bible in 90 Days reading this week, I came across something that’s desperately needed: hope.

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, 
   miracles that cannot be counted.”

Job 5:9 (NIV1984)

Is it coincidence that I’m reading Job this week? I think not. I know a lot of families, mine included, that are believing for miracles. We all have different situations and needs, but we definitely need for God to calm these storms and intervene on our behalf. As we wait specifically for answers to our hearts’ cries, we can rest in the assurance of wonders and miracles beyond our wildest imagination!

Even as I pray and wait to see how God will answer the prayers of each family I’m lifting before Him, I realize I have an abundance of wonders and miracles in my life already:

#1206. a roof over our heads.

#1207. heat for cold nights.

#1208. food in the refrigerator, pantry, and freezer.

#1209. bills that are paid for today.

#1210. a nice Valentine’s Day party with our local homeschool group.

#1211. a wonderful husband and

#1212. two beautiful children that

#1213. fill my life with light and love.

#1214. God’s love.

#1215. provision in unexpected ways.

#1216. peace in the midst of the storm.

#1217. God’s promises, which reassure me that He will see us through this storm.

#1218. sisters in Christ who help bear the burden. (Galatians 6:2)

#1219. more rain to ease drought conditions further.

#1220. excitement and anticipation to see how God is going to move in the lives of families as they call out to and rely on Him!

Please share the verses God is using to change your life by leaving a comment or linking up here or at Mom’s Mustard Seeds. Rebecca and I love to see God at work through His Word! If Rebecca and I can pray for or with you as you wait for the answers your family needs, please leave a comment or e-mail us.



Posted in Bible in 90 Days, Faith, Growth, Life, Scripture Memory | 8 Comments

Review and Giveaway: Night of the Cossack and Homeschool Study Guide by Tom Blubaugh

Posted on February 5, 2012 by

When I received Night of the Cossack by Tom Blubaugh, I wanted to like it, but I wasn’t sure I was going to. I don’t usually read coming-of-age stories about teen boys—Cossack soldiers, no less! Then I read the introduction, and I was hooked.

Mr. Blubaugh’s grandfather was a Russian Cossack soldier in the Ukraine who immigrated to the United States in 1910. Unfortunately, his grandfather died before Mr. Blubaugh was born, and he never knew much about him. He took what little information he could discover about his grandfather and wrote this story of what his grandfather’s life might have been like.

Night of the Cossack begins with the night that changes Nathan Hertzfield’s life forever. He is forced to leave his home, his mother, and his little brother to become a Cossack soldier. While his “handler,” Nikolai, is not the most horrible Cossack in camp, Nathan has to change almost everything about himself to survive. And that transformation isn’t the first time Nathan has to reinvent who he is. He must grow up quickly and has one adventure after another, each one bringing him closer to his immigration to America.

I stayed up too late more than once trying to find out what happened to Nathan next. This story is full of suspense, drama, love, betrayal, and the pain and joy of friendship. I turned the last page wishing there was a sequel so I could begin reading it immediately.

Mr. Blubaugh has also written a homeschool study guide to go with the novel. It is a ten-day plan that covers language arts, math, science, and social studies. It also includes a section for discussing moral dilemmas. It is thorough and can be used without a lot of preparation time for the teacher (Mom!). It even includes links to sites that are used for different activities. It doesn’t get easier than that!

The themes in this book and study guide are too mature for my eight-year-old, but I am looking forward to doing this study with my girls when they’re older. The novel is amazing, and the teaching guide will help me to make the most of the educational opportunity!

I have the honor of giving one of you a copy of Night of the Cossack and a digital copy of the accompanying Homeschool Study Guide, courtesy of Tom Blubaugh. If you’d like to enter the giveaway, please leave a comment telling me why you’d like to win. (This contest is open to U.S. residents only.) I will use Random.org to choose a winner at 10:00 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, February 12, 2012. I will e-mail the winner and give you 48 hours to verify your information (e-mail and mailing address). If I have not received confirmation after 48 hours, I will choose another winner and repeat the process. You will receive the copy of the book and digital copy directly from Tom Blubaugh.

Tom Blubaugh is a freelance writer living in Southwest Missouri with Barbara, his wife. They have six children and fourteen grandchildren. Tom has written non-fiction most of his adult life, but has recently written a historical fiction titled Night of the Cossack, published by Bound by Faith Publishers. This is Tom’s first novel. He co-wrote a devotional journal in 2009 for Barbour Publishing titled The Great Adventure. His other writings include articles for a denominational magazine and an insurance publication. He also self-published a book, Behind the Scenes of the Bus Ministry in 1974.
Tom started writing poetry at the age of fourteen. His vision of turning them into lyrics for rock and roll songs for popular artists didn’t develop. He considers writing to be a God-given talent and feels led to develop it. His first novel was published at his age of 69. Tom says it’s never too late. He is now writing a sequel.
Tom spent twelve years as an insurance agent and eleven years as a financial planner. He is the past president of Jericho Commission, Inc., and still serves on the board of directors.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Night of the Cossack and the Homeschool Study Guide from Tom Blubaugh in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. I received no further compensation for this review.
Credits: Author bio and all images provided by Tom Blubaugh.
Posted in Book Reviews, Homeschooling, Review | 13 Comments

Doubt vs. Trust—Again

Posted on January 31, 2012 by

Confession: I’m struggling. When I wrote last week’s Mustard Seed Planting post, I had finally gotten it together. And then more “stuff” piled on. And some of it got resolved. And then more stuff piled on and got resolved. And then some of the stuff that got became unresolved again. Without going into the details of all the craziness that’s going on around here, you get the picture, right?

I am working to stay focused on the positives I can see in our situation—ways God is at work in the small things, which encourage me that He is at work in the big ones too, even when I don’t see it. I read a verse last week that leaves me with a very clear choice: I can choose to trust God or give in to fear and anxiety, which are clearly not from Him (2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 4:6-8).

“How long will you waver between two opinions?” 1 Kings 18:21 (NIV1984)

How long, indeed? It’s time to make a choice. He is at work in our circumstances, and, more importantly, in us. I need to make the choice, once and for all, to trust Him. It’s time to quit allowing fear to run rampant every time the battle gets heated. Instead, I want to be so faith-filled and confident in God and His abilities that I run into battle, eager to take on the fight, because my victory is sure.

Here are some of the ways I see Him at work:

#1196. the plumber was here about something else when our water line burst.

#1197. the line burst outside, meaning no mess in the house.

#1198. the plumber located the break quickly, so our water bill shouldn’t be sky-high.

#1199. the break was near the house instead of being the part of the line under the driveway.

Don't ask why part of the Alaska pipeline is coming up near our house. We have no idea.

#1200. the amazing way God provided for a much-needed date night for DH and me.

#1201. the $0.45 toy sale we ran across for a treat for the girls while going to Princess Roo’s latest specialist appointment. (All of this for less than $5—tax included!)

#1202. the grace to make it through the very long afternoon at the GI Clinic with my Princess.

#1203. laughter at the moments it’s most needed.

#1204. safe travel to and from another specialist appointment—especially when it’s dark and I’m exhausted.

#1205. spending time in God’s Word daily and seeing messages meant just for me—and just for this time!

Please share the verses God is using to change your life by leaving a comment or linking up here or at Mom’s Mustard Seeds. Rebecca and I love to see God at work through His Word!

Mustard Seeds



Photo credit: Jennifer A. Janes
Posted in Faith, Gratitude, Multitudes on Monday, One Thousand Gifts, Scripture Memory, Special Needs | 10 Comments