A Day At The Doctor's

We headed out early yesterday to have a check-up appt. with my primary doctor, and run to the library, etc... Due to an insurance mix-up that had to be corrected, we waited and waited. Once my vitals were taken and the doctor looked me over and talked with me, it was clear something new has begun due to my Dysautonomia. I had my husband there and he also put in some input from his advantage point. Into action we go. Several new appts., labs and back in a bit for an ultrasound. Ultrasounds used to be fun - babies, but not any more! Plus every action has an adverse reaction in my body, so I was 'spent' by the time we finally were home for good. It was seven hours since we began. My mind has been whirling ever since as we wait for a week to figure out the next step.

I think of footprints in the sand...

I have tripped again, only one footprint and some lines...

Next to it are two sandal prints, these are larger then mine...

Then I see one set of footprints moving forward. The footprints are deeper into the sand as if the person who made these, was carrying a heavy and burdensome load.

It is my Lord. He is carrying me...
~Becky

Be aware:

Dysautonomia Foundation
NDRF
DINET
News on Rare Diseases and Disorders

REKINDLE 2012 - Valentine's, Love and the Super Bowl

With minds and hearts turning towards Valentine's Day, I thought we would take today's REKINDLE post to share my favorite idea stop for rekindling romance and love, not to forget all the wonderful ideas for Valentine's Day! Be sure and visit the "Dating Divas" and sign up for the newsletter. You will receive some freebies if you do! Just today I got a member exclusive download for Valentine's Day. Enjoy! Rekindle the intimacy and romance in your marriage, gather great ideas to spread love daily. Love is a great spark in the renewing of your soul, setting your spirit on fire!



By the way, before our men's hearts turn towards Valentine's, the Super Bowl is first. Dating Diva's had a guest blogger who shares great ideas for joining in on the fun and making the Super Bowl night, a date to remember.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

REKINDLE 2012 - Finish Well!

My dear friend, Meredith Curtis, has allowed me to pass on this information to you. This conference is a perfect way to kick-off the challenge we have here at There Is Hope - REKINDLE 2012! Pray and see if this might be the perfect event to help you rekindle your passion for God, your family and your Homeschool future! Finish the race well!

The beginning of the year is a great time to be encouraged and equipped in your relationship with Jesus, your family, and homeschooling. We have another Finish Well Conference coming up very soon: February 24-25 in Sanford, FL at Safeharbor Church. Please pray about joining us for this inspiring weekend.

You can download a registration form at the website.

This Homeschooling High School Conference is for teens and parents. We are kicking off with AIRSOFT!

We have a great line up of Speakers:

Coach Rick Andreassen
Felice Gerwitz
Marti Pieper
Pastor Mike Curtis
Meredith Curtis
Laura Nolette
Sarah Jeffords
Katie Beth Curtis
Julianna Curtis
Mike Jeffords
and More!

To read more about our speakers, visit our website: http://finishwellcon.com/?p=speakers

Here are some of the workshops & sessions at the conference:
Finish Strong!
Total Access Relationships
College Success
Going to College Debt-Free
Bass Workshop
Preparing for the Military
Total Access Home
Vocal Workshop
Ministering to the Heart of a Parent
Dealing with Rebellion
Dating, Courtship, Marriage
Homeschooling with Proverbs
I've Got Issues: Help for the Hurting Homeschooler
Families & Teens in Politics
Helping Your Children Follow Their Dreams
And more!

To read more about these and other sessions, visit the website.

Freebie Friday - Middle School and beyond

Having a Kinesthetic student (our boy) I have become creative in my lesson planning. Gone are the days of having a book list a mile long for the librarian to pull for our daughter. Below I share some of our favorite sites for bringing our lessons 'alive', as my son puts it. Maybe you will find a few great resources for your family too. All families can enjoy these, not just homeschoolers.

In no particular order:
Fun With History - a large amount videos to supplement a History program. Activities are also available. We use this one several times a week. There is a large amount of historical footage to access.

Animated Atlas and Animated Timeline - the videos and timeline are bright, colorful and engaging. These have greatly helped us with Geography and creating our own timeline.

tvSchoolhouse.com - Retro videos! The site says, "A new way to learn with our 'old school' educational films." Again, at the end of a lesson and the reading of a text, we find it very helpful to watch a related video from this site. It seems to bring the lesson to life and help to cement it into our child's foundation.

MIT Blossoms - A MIT teacher for your child? YES! Here you can find teacher led videos to explain topics for middle school/ high school level in Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry. These videos are from Blossom Partners from around the globe. The videos include teachers from MIT and other institutions from around the world. I watch with my son so I am aware of what is being taught and so we can discuss it. So far what we have watched, have the student pause the video to carry out the same problem or activity that is being done. I therefore urge you to view the video first so you know what materials are needed. Use the available Teacher Guide for each video! This is excellent and we plan to use it throughout the rest of our son's education.

Brightstorm - visit this textbook supplement site for some more helps when teaching and/or for your child's homework. Free unlimited answers to questions, and many teaching/educational videos for most subjects are available. We are scheduled to use this site for help on building on Math lessons this year. This is another one I will keep bookmarked throughout my son's education. Affordable Test Prep is also available from this site.

Lastly today, Khan Academy - as their site puts so well - "WATCH. PRACTICE. LEARN almost anything for free!" They boast a library of over 2,700 videos and 276 practice exercises. Relevant instruction for your middle/high school student. Again, one I am bookmarking for the long-term. We have this site scheduled for explaining many upcoming lessons this year.

I hope this list sparks you to continue to make your learning lifestyle engaging, interactive and fun throughout your child's full school career. Learning can be fun and engaging at any age! Recently, a local woman turning 107 asked to be taught to ice skate and go on the ice just once. She did, and said, "This was my first and last time!" Then she laughed with glee. She mentioned that you are never too old to learn and try new things, to live without dreams. A good lesson for living long, enjoying life and always learning!

Review: Celestial Almanack by Jay Ryan

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows thy handywork
~Psalm 19:1

As a family who has always adored looking into the heavens at night and rejoicing in His handiwork, we were thrilled to have the chance to review Jay Ryan's release of the "Celestial Almanack" Vol. 1, No. 1 (January Edition). We received this in e-book format. Mr. Ryan is eager to encourage others to learn about the starry sky. He has extensive background in Classical Astronomy and with publishing educational materials. Some of you may be familiar with Fourth Day Press and Signs and Seasons Homeschool Curriculum. This almanack will be a wonderful addition to that curriculum, but for a newcomer to the Press,like me, it was also very useful.

The "Celestial Almanack" will be a monthly periodical. It is quite timely as 2012 promises to be a very exciting time for sky events. I am not going to give those secrets away here though.

As with any almanack a calendar is included and gives data for each day of the month. It is suggested you compare the data with the rest of the information given throughout the almanack. Next you will learn about the daytime sky before moving onto the evening and nighttime sky. The illustrations and charts are easy to follow, even for a novice. They are bright and beautiful, really capturing the interest of all readers in our household.

The best part of this, was as a family looking up into the heavens and immediately recalling the things we had read and the charts/illustrations we had looked at. We would just be casually getting out the car and one of us would spot a constellation or planet! Questions arise from week to week as we peek out our window throughout the day. When they do, our new first place to go to is our "Celestial Almanack"!

It will soon be time for February's Edition, but there is still time to learn about and enjoy the sky of January. You can find this user-friendly Classical Astronomy Almanack at Curr-Click. Learn how to spot Venus and Jupiter in the evenings of January, 2012, and also find the evening constellations. Learn how to spot Saturn and Mars in the morning sky. 2012 will be a very exciting year for astronomy, so don't miss it! The Celestial Almanack, Vol. I, No. 1, eZine available from CurrClick.

REKINDLE 2012

I found this poem and felt it was relevant to our challenge:

VENI, CREATOR, SPIRITUS
CREATOR Spirit, by whose aid
The World's foundations first were laid,
Come, visit every pious mind;
Come, pour Thy joys on human kind;
From sin and sorrow set us free,
And make Thy temples worthy Thee.
********
Refine and purge our earthly parts;
But, oh, inflame and fire our hearts!
Our frailties help, our vice control,
Submit the senses to the soul;
And when rebellious they are grown,
Then lay Thy hand, and hold them down.

Chase from our minds th' infernal foe,
And peace, the fruit of love, bestow;
And, lest our feet should step astray,
Protect and guide us in the way.
Make us eternal truths receive,
And practise all that we believe;
Give us Thyself, that we may see
The Father, and the Son, by Thee.

Immortal honour, endless fame,
Attend th' Almighty Father's name!
The Saviour Son be glorified,
Who for lost man's redemption died!
And equal adoration be,
Eternal Paraclete, to Thee!

~ From the Latin, 4th century,
by John Dryden, 1631-1700





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REKINDLE 2012

REKINDLE

Most of you know by now that every year I post some kind of a challenge. Last year, the goal was to live more abundantly. This year I was challenged by reading several blog posts that urged readers to pick just ONE word for the New Year, A word that would describe their focus and be their 'resolution'. I thought this idea to be marvelous as I for one seem to always create some long list of all I hope to accomplish. Let me expand on that. Not just the resolution list, but a whole notebook of ideas, bucket lists and such. The idea of choosing one word to unite all my notes, dreams, and hopes of the New Year seemed just the right remedy for my chaotic notebook and organization. I began to pray about 'My 2012 Word'. Immediately, I heard "RENEW", "REFRESH" - in other words child, "REKINDLE" all that you are in Me.

A new fire was IGNITED!



I urge each of you to seek out your own word for this year. I do hope, however, that you will also visit us each week to see how I am doing with my own challenge. The idea is to REKINDLE my relationship with my Lord and Saviour. Not that I was away, but that is always a growth journey in a relationship. I want to stir up the love for Him! He also commanded me to use the word as my focus with each passion in my life. In other words, it is a time for action! It is a time to grow and stir up the talents and passions He has planted in me. It is time to grow and stir up the friendships and relationships in my life, taking them to a new level. I see it as a call that if something is going to take time away from God then it better be worth it, and I need to let go and let God stir within me to rekindle those callings out of a rut, out of survival mode, into a time of passion and action! I am going to REKINDLE my HOPE, my JOY, my FAITH, and every blessing and calling upon my life! Would you like to join me?

We will share our family journey with you weekly in hopes that you too REKINDLE all the good things in your life, and most of all, your walk with Jesus Christ. Join us here and on our FB Fan Page for prayers, real life stories, encouragement, discussions, and sometimes we may even have you share your own links.Weekly I will share a call to action for all of us who are ready to REKINDLE the love, faith and joy in our lives! It is time to renew and refresh my friend. We have a blessed hope waiting for us, may we get ready and prepared to meet our Bridegroom.