HOME WITH APPLEMAMA

Homeschool curriculums choices

2011-11-02T12:41:00.003-04:00

There are so many curriculums to choose from. I know personally I use Sonlight curriculum which has a link featured on the right of the page. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I love it. It's literature based. There's usually some sort of report/essay due each week. Schedule included. The science we love...it's has an experiment each week. Hands on it what most children like. I can't imagine bothering to change curriculum because they flow so well from year to year. I'm starting 1st grade with my 3rd child this year and the curriculum is what I used for my now 7th grader. There are discounts for buying whole packages and other great amenities.

Christianbook has pretty much every curriculum listed on their website under the homeschool tab. Almost everyone I know who homeschools uses a different curriculum than the next. Most curriculum is geared towards different learning styles and/or teaching styles.

I hope your homeschooling inquiries can be answered. If I don't know the answer I can help find the answer. Blessings

Back to the trenches!

2011-08-04T19:16:00.006-04:00

My children and I are very excited to start school this year. We have cleaned up the school room that doubles as a playroom. It got out of hand in there since we had a lot of fun this summer.

We went to our local Black Moshannon State Park a few times and also to Delgrosso's. We went back to visit our favorite place with some of our favorite people in Va Beach, VA. We moved from there just over 4 years ago now and hadn't been back to visit for all this time.
We had a blast. Went to the beachfront one night. Two of my little ones enjoyed the waves for the first time and my son just didn't remember it at all, so it was like a first time for him. My oldest remembered the beach, but not a lot of the people. At church on Sunday she saw a lot of her friends and then she remembered them, but she was very shy towards them. Just a flourish of her personality that's popped out in the last 4 years.
We took time each day to dedicate to visiting old friends. Catching up after 4 years is hard. Thank goodness for Facebook otherwise we wouldn't have been in touch at all.
We saw our old house, it's being rented out now and drove by my childhood home. That was neat. I almost drove right past it for how tall the trees have grown. My dad and I planted them when I was 9 years old at 2 feet tall, now they're nigh on past 100ft.
Needless to say we had a lot of fun, made some memories to last a lifetime and took in all the nostalgia. We'll be doing that again.

Back to school! We just ordered my daughter's curriculum from Sonlight and we are excited to get our box in the mail. It's almost like Christmas to us. The children are up in the attic now taking it upon themselves to pull our the 1st and 5th grade curriculums. We turned in our affidavits of intent to homeschool. We have to part-time register my 2 oldest so they can take the testing with the school, play sports and music. Since we have to pay taxes we are utilizing the perks that would cost us extra money otherwise.

Tell us how your school year is gonna start and what about your summer adventures.

The next page to turn

2011-06-03T20:14:00.002-04:00

Next week my oldest starts youth group. Needless to say, I'm very nervous about this. Have any of you ever seen the inside of a church youth group? It's full of some of the best friends you'll ever meet. You'll encounter God in ways you never did in elementary school and the teaching starts to really relate to your everyday life. I had a lot of great experiences in youth group.

But there's a flip side! There is back-stabbing by those friends. There is gossip galore. A lot of unsupervised time alone with your peers. And peers of the opposite sex. There falls the largest problem I see. Hormones are starting to fly come middle school and definitely in high school. The little crushes in elementary school were totally cutesy in comparison to the way things pan out in middle/high school. They all talk about boys and girls and relationships and some even talk about PDA (public display of affection) or do it and then there's the big no-no at this age. Sex. That should never be talked about without an adult present unless it's saying they'll wait and then nothing more. Oh, but I've heard it. I used to be there. I've been that girl who had the boyfriends and kissed on them in public like it was some trophy. I know gross, huh, but most of us have done that. Let the confessions fly.

Here's my problem. My daughter who is 11 and turning 12 in less than a week is moving up to this unsupervised fest. I know it's not all that, but as a parent our worst nightmares are all we can see when it's about letting our sweet, wonderful, innocent child take their step into a level of independence. So she will hear her peers talk about liking boys and other girls saying "ooo he's hot today" or things like that and boys "looking" at her. Whether she knows it or not. It's the way they were made. We can only pray that God has convicted them to remain pure. She will hear and see boyfriend/girlfriend relationships play out in front of her and break up a gazillion times over and be tempted to think that it's just the way it is. But it's not. And I've spent a lot of time on prayer hours and curriculums to teach her and her friends that it's not the way God designed it to be.

My daughter needs to be able to show us though that she can walk her faith in real life. She needs to show it to herself. I need to see if she can. Her faith has never been really challenged by anything. Her friends are Christians, she grows up in a christian family, she's homeschooled. All sounds great to me. But we require a testing of our faith to show what we're really made of. And that's what my girl will encounter in a small way of course 'cause it's still church. We'll see. Pray for her and I. Pray for all children to keep their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and seek only Him.

What is your day in a nutshell...so far?

2011-05-10T11:45:00.005-04:00

I have cleaned up, doing school with the children, can't find the clothespins, need bleach and more clothespins, found gift cards I lost at Christmas time, need Tylenol, had egg sandwich for breakfast, doing laundry (hence the clothespins need), wow...I'm sure there's some I left out! oh, I went to my first shift at work too, waiting on the second to come while doing all this other stuff. I'm perfectly okay with all of this too!

Oh, and holding a little one too, best part!

What part of being a homeschool mom or dad, stay-at-home mom or dad do you like best? I am completely overwhelmed at times, but I'll never say I'm not blessed to have all I have.

Greyson age 1

Lowes Sports Pinball workshop 4/9/11

2011-04-09T12:58:00.000-04:00

If you're not so crafty and your children want to make things. Lowe's Build and Grow Workshop is for you. At your local Lowe's stores on Saturdays at 10am your children can build fun things out of a kit that is free. Pre-register your children online and they will get an apron, nametag, badge that is for their specific project and get to wear safety goggles, and use a hammer. We loved this project this morning. They only allow 50 children per weekend project so make sure you get the list of what it is on the website and register early. Enjoy! Homeschoolers can still get all the things that public school children can, just in a nice, safe, loving, comfortable environment.

14 Days of Homeschool

2011-04-01T17:10:00.000-04:00

2011-03-25T19:00:00.003-04:00

Go to http://www.tyndale.com/blog/?p=1042 for a chance to win a complete Francine Rivers library! And don't forget to get your free Leota's Garden e-book, available until April 4.

Francine Rivers is an amazing author. She wrote Redeeming Love, which is the best book I've ever read. I would love to win the complete library. I've started reading the free e-book, Leota's Garden and it's captured my attention already. I have felt the urge to do some writing myself. I'm in the middle of writing a short to be published in an anthology. I'm excited!

700 Club Interactive – March 21, 2011

2011-03-21T16:31:00.000-04:00

700 Club Interactive – March 21, 2011

We know this family! And we love and promote this way of life. We believe children are a blessing.

Texting Thumb Bands: Order Thumb Bands

2011-01-30T23:15:00.000-05:00

Texting Thumb Bands: Order Thumb Bands: "TEXTING KILLS thumb bands are only $1.50 each! 'TEXTING KILLS' thumb bands come in 3 colors for all your fashion needs.

Technology is soaring and yet it's also killing people. I am a huge advocate of cell phones. In a sticky situation you have it to call for help. Children are keeping in better touch with their parents while they're out and about. Texting itself is fun, in it's place. But not while driving. There was a video put out a while back, that is too graphic to show, about texting while driving, but I urge you to look it up if you feel that this plea from Remember Alex Brown isn't enough. Although it should be.

Pray for your children and loved ones each time they drive away in a vehicle if you know they have a tendency for texting while driving. And don't text them while you believe they could be in their vehicle. If you have to or you don't know make sure you give them the loving reminder that you'll wait til their in safety off the road to text back.

Christmas is here...falalalala

2010-12-17T09:42:00.004-05:00

I love the Target commercial this year where the lady sings into the recordable cards. Definitely my favorite commercial of the year. I love this time of year. Extra cheer and generosity.

Christmas is the time we celebrate Christ's birth. It doesn't mean that His birthday was on this date or season; it just means that this is when we celebrate it. I've been to birthday parties that are not on the person's date of birth. I've been to some that are in a different season all together because of specific plans someone wanted for their birthday party. I will celebrate my friends always. Why shouldn't I celebrate Jesus' birth. It is amazing how he was conceived, amazing how he was born.

I love having my children with me all the time and that's part of the beauty of homeschooling. And at Christmas time when we have off our normal school schedule is even better. They are excited. Using extra amounts of math skills to count down the days, hours, minutes and seconds til they open presents on Christmas morning. Polishing their reading skills with reading extra stories to each other. Getting those gross motor skills running outside in the snow and rolling all over the ground in the snow. I know we don't roll around on the ground much other times of the year. And using their beautiful social skills at parties, plays and having more friends over than normal.

It breaks my heart to hear parents agonizing over Christmas vacation. That their children are home for break and they have to "put up" with them. Even the old fashioned Christmas song by Johnny Mathis, It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, talks about how the parents can't wait for school to start again. Sure they have a bit more energy. They even may not obey very well, but you have the opportunity while they are home with you to home in on some of those skills that you neglect (sometime by choice) through out the school year. Parents also have the whole summer with their children. Why is the extended break of summer anymore challenging than the possible 2 weeks of Christmas break. There are many ways to tame that. Plan out your vacation. Go visit family or friends, see a movie or a play. Bake cookies with your children. Plan crafts for each day. Something they can look forward to. Make sure you have their snow-wear all together and fitted properly ahead of time so they can spend some time outside. Make sure you do things as a family though. It speaks volumes to your children about how much you love and care about them when you plan out your time together. It doesn't have to be planned to every minute of the day, but you know your children well enough to know what is too much.

Bless your family this Christmas season with love and warm. Be excited that your children are with you. Some families have just lost their child. Some can't have children. Some have no family at all. Love and enjoy your family, your children this season and always. They are YOUR gift.

Well into the year!

2010-10-01T13:01:00.002-04:00

It's been about 4 weeks of school for us. I am so thankful the choice to homeschool is mine again!
This is my first year teaching 3 children.

My 5 yr old entered Kindergarten. I love it, she wants to do school. I have always missed when that goes away. It's funny how in Kindergarten what they are learning doesn't even compare to what they have to do in 1st. The basis of K is to teach them to read and recognize. But they they're thrown into having to know everything they need to know (basics-wise) for the rest of their student career. WOW! I am truly amazed how the human mind works. To be able to fly through material and the absorption that children have.

My 4th grader is having a difficult time concentrating this year. I'm not sure if it's a "ploy" to get my attention or if he's experiencing a little ADD. It runs in the family so I'm not sure. And well if you give him an incentive there's no problem at all. We'll see how things pan out.

My 6th grader is doing well. She's driven this year. It's only taken her these 4 weeks to get back on track with math. She doesn't retain her numbers well and needs the refresher. She does all her own work and I help her with new stuff and she's done by lunch everyday. I am proud of how if she doesn't finish she goes into the evenings or weekends, even, to finish her work.

My 2 year old, of course, isn't in school, but she's doing a great job in independent play time. We have a set schedule for all this so there are no arguments as to when and why we do things. I am very please with how it's all going this year. I hope you are having a great time schooling so far too.

PA homeschooling educational requirements-may be different in other states.

2010-08-02T18:15:00.002-04:00

In Elementary level they are required to learn: English, to include spelling, reading and writing
Arithmetic
Science
Geography
History of the US and your state
Civics
Safety Ed, including regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires
Health and physiology
PE
Music
Art

In the Secondary Level:
English, to include language, literature, speech and composition
Science
Geography
Social Studies, to include Civics, World History, History of US and your state
Health
Safety Ed (fire safety etc)
Mathematics, to include General Math, Algebra, and Geometry
Art
Music
PE

also can include:
Economics
Biology
Chemistry
Foreign Languages
Trigonometry

Between 9th and 12th grade they have to have 4 years of English, 3 years of mathematics, 3 years of Science, 3 years of Social Studies, and 2 years of Arts and Humanities.

Cutting costs on homeschooling

2010-08-02T10:34:00.004-04:00

This upcoming school year is still leaving us in the slumps of an economic downturn. I haven't seen at all how the economy is getting better. But in light of it all we have to be wary of how much the tab can be when buying our curriculum. There are a few ways to get around the mass price tag on some of them.

Who likes the library? We sure do. There is something to do for all ages. I like to sit and read while watching the kids play. My oldest likes to find a cozy spot in a corner with a window and read. My son likes to peruse the Magic Treehouse books and read a couple chapters of each. My 5 yr old likes the puppet stage and dolls. My littlest like the Thomas table and the Playmobile site. Something for everyone. But better for our pocketbooks is the fact that you can find almost any reader that you'd need for your child's grade level. Often times you can find every book you'd need. If not something close. I know in my daughter's curriculum we are learning World History and I could look over what years she will be covering in that and get books on it. Same for every other subject.

Most of us know someone else who is homeschooling or you're part of a homeschool group. I'm sure someone else has just finished a curriculum that you could use or use bits and pieces from different curriculum from different friends. Make sure you don't mark it up unless they won't want it back. Make copies of things if you have multiple children so you can reuse everything. I buy curriculum once and make copies so I can reuse it. I've even made copies of workbooks to reuse. The cost of copies is often less than a new book. But make sure you do your math on that. Sometimes it's not worth it.

The other way is to purchase your curriculum second-hand. From Ebay or another company like it. Some areas have homeschool bookstores. It took a lot more effort on my part, but I paid $100 less one year for my curriculum. Depending on your curriculum you can get it for up to $400 less on Ebay. But you have to win the auction. (That I'm not good at!)

There are many ways to cut costs on homeschooling. Also in some states, like PA, they will provide you with curriculum if you make the request on time. You can pick and choose.

Cutting costs on homeschooling is very important in these stressful economic times and even if you're not stressed by finances it never hurts to save money on your curriculum to use on a wonderful vacation to anywhere you want to go.

Go to the library, get involved with other homeschoolers or/and look into Ebay or homeschool bookstores.

Guest writer: Julie-on homeschooling children with special needs

2010-06-06T13:24:00.002-04:00

Once my son’s developmental specialist gave me the green light to follow my dream to home school, I was very excited. I jumped in with both feet, soon realizing how much of a challenge this would bring.

My son is the oldest of 4 children, at age 9. He is considered by teachers and therapists to be at the mild end of the autistic spectrum, and has had a speech and language delay since he was 2.

While homeschooling is not meant for every parent of a child with special needs, I felt led to pursue this after much prayer and with support from family and friends.

Daily routines since his first year at home, in second grade, involve fun, but quiet, transition activities to start school time and between subjects. As well, many manipulatives and creative techniques are used to capture and keep his attention on me and each task. The biggest challenge is allowing extra time waiting for an answer to every question or problem.

To prepare me to teach him and care for my home and family, I go to the source of my joy and strength and sit at the feet of Jesus for as long as I can when I wake up in the morning. As I talk to Him and read His Word, the Bible, I imagine Jesus picking me up to allow me to rest in His arms, and He fills me with enough love, patience, endurance, creativity, and everything else needed to get me through the day.

The opposite certainly happens when I don’t start the day with Jesus. I lack all of these qualities, and the day just doesn’t feel right until I take the time to stop and pray.

Homeschooling is a blessing and one of the most important and rewarding ministries of God. I am very thankful to be placed in a position of teaching God’s precious gifts to me, my children.

**** Julie

Almost summer break

2010-05-18T11:34:00.002-04:00

Just because summer break is coming up doesn't mean we have to "check out". I know just as well as others that the nice spring mornings where the sun is shining, the weather is warming, the flowers are blooming and birds chirping can make us all just wanna blow off school and go play outside. Well there are a few solutions.

Have school outside. Take out a blanket and sit on the ground with all your supplies or gather around the picnic tables and enjoy the beauty and warm sunshine while doing school. There are opportunities a plenty to learn even more when you're outdoors.

Do what's only necessary. Not that all we're doing isn't important, but think about it. We're homeschooling. We have the freedom. Choose a rainy, chillier day to catch up on those things you passed on before on the nicer day. It's spring...we're gonna get chillier again and it will rain. April showers bring May flowers and in May well it still rains plenty. Get outside, go on that walk, you have all day. It's the beauty of homeschooling, we have all day.

Or take that day off altogether and know that, Hey! you're homeschooling, there's a certain freedom in that. We can still catch up later. Go outside, take that walk and make it a day of play learning. As homeschooling parents, as parents, we never stop teaching our children. Teach them the names of the flowers, trees, birds. Let them know the wind is caused by the sun. Make a rain gauge for the next rainfall or wind chimes for the breezy days. You're a homeschooler you have some freedom.

As parents we never stop teaching our children. That's why homeschooling really does come naturally for us. When we throw in the curriculum and objectives and schedules, the ease of it becomes a bit more rigorous for some of us, but seeing your child finally get that concept or master that shortfall is so rewarding. Sending them to a "school" only makes it so we hear about it and don't ever experience it. We have a benefit like none of the other parents. To be the all to our children. They were given to us. We are just supposed to do our best.

Summer is almost here and we don't even have to stop teaching then. But we get to get away from the routine of curriculum. We still do math and reading over the summer. It helps my children keep momentum for the next school year. Plenty of field trips and lots more fun. Have a fun finish of the school year and enjoy your children this summer. They grow up so fast and before you know it they're graduating from HS and on to college or jobs, where we can see the fruits of all we've been teaching them. Enjoy your summer.

Homeschooling: Stress-free

2010-04-26T19:45:00.001-04:00

When we're homeschooling our children we want our days to be as stress-free as possible. We want the morning meal, chores, and getting to schooling as fluent as possible. Some of the ways of making happen is to start your day with a moment to yourself, whether in devotions or prayer. Using that moment to set your tone for the day. Often times, a stressful school day is started way before you even start school. It can be morning issues, distracting things around you or your children or unforeseen school preparation issues.

On a typical school morning we woke to a bout of low blood sugar. Something that happens on occasion, but hadn't happened for a while. It was a lot lower than normal and therefore the symptomatic problems started, very much out of our normal routine. So the stress ensued. Needless to say, we were able to get everything back to normal and we got back on track but not on schedule. The rest of the day wasn't as "peachy" as normal. But we managed.

Now not all stressful situations have to do with medical issues, but it's an example. Anything can set off a stressful attitude in us. We then need to regroup. Get away for a minute or two and take back that stress-free attitude, and re-enter into that prayer time. It can make a HUGE difference when you walk back into that room where you school.

The way our school room/area looks can help a lot with keeping a stress-free homeschool day. If you're constantly going in and out of your school area then you are not focusing and your children know it and will be more easily distracted themselves. Also, stepping over toys or other clutter will definitely not give you great presence of mind when you're trying to focus on schooling your children. I know if there are toys on the floor that I asked the kids to pick up the day before, I certainly can't concentrate on their work for the day. Checking at night, before you go to bed, which is normally after the kids go to bed, then you can know if you have to send the kids down to the school room/area to clean up before you actually start schooling. It takes you two seconds to to look and set your alarm for that allotted time earlier to give the kids enough time to go and clean up.

Another thing that can make a stressful situation in homeschooling is when you realize your child isn't getting a concept or one is harder to grasp for them. Today I had a stressful situation when my daughter became frustrated over her math work. She's been doing this same work, building upon facts, for the whole unit and today, the day before the test, she started to not "get" the work. We had a good talk out and she and I needed to separate from the situation. We came back together with the work, with fresh eyes and ideas and a much better attitude and worked the problems and she got back on track with understanding. But the way to combat that as much as possible is to look over your child's work for the next day, the night before. I made the mistake of not checking her previous days work to see the mistakes she'd made

Homeschooling our children can be stress-free. But it won't always be. Even the most organized day can have stress. We cannot predict everything. But knowing how to step away from the situation can sure help you come back with a better attitude. We are homeschooling our children, we obviously love our children and are doing our best. You children are more than likely doing their best too. They want to please us. It's built into them. We just have to know how to combat that stress and come back smiling at our beautiful children.

Posted via email from homeschoolingchildren's posterous

Homeschooling and sports

2010-04-20T16:04:00.001-04:00

When I was researching what the PS (public school) system has to offer homeschoolers I came across the "Tim Tebow laws". There are 25 states that have passed the legislation allowing homeschoolers to participate in PS sports.

I know a lot of people have the ideal that homeschooling is an escape from the school system and the authorities and students there in, but not for everyone. Not for those who cannot afford all those sporting and testing fees. The laws in each state don't always allow or suggest that exemption anyway.

You can look at the list of states that passed legislation. Some of the states still have minor stipulations to being able to have your child participate in their PSs sports programs. Like every other child in school, the homeschool child still has to take the appropriate measures to get on a team, getting a physical, trying out and attending all practices and events. They aren't selected for the team or make the team just like every other child based on the coach's criteria or discretion (they don't get special treatment).

My husband is a HS coach and he has a homeschool student on his team. He is thankful to have such a skilled player on the team. My daughter has played on the elementary schools volleyball and track and field teams. We have to take her back and forth on the practice days, but she gets to ride the bus to the games and gets the team shirt. The teachers/coaches are thrilled to see her each year when she comes back to play. Here in PA the legislation passed as it has in half of the states. Check to see if you state is on the list, if not see if you can pioneer the cause. For updated information come Home with Applemama.

Homeschooling Dads

2010-04-18T22:00:00.003-04:00

Homeschooling our children is lots of fun. We have our challenges, but we make it through them together, as a family. Often, Dad gets to step in and school them too. My husband's part in our homeschooling is "principal."(My husband will be contributing some of the posts here to put in a husband/dad's perspective to homeschooling.) I know dads have a lot more to do with homeschooling than most people think. Some choose to teach whole subjects, some share the responsibilities daily with their spouses, there are even homeschool dad's too, where they do it all and the mother works or other situations.

The point is, it's not about moms all the time. Dads, get in on the homeschooling too. There is something to be said about your child knowing more than one teaching style. We talk a lot about our child's learning style, but there are teaching styles too. Not too many wrong. When my children have a question about grammar I often send them to my husband, not because I don't know, but to give them a different perspective, a different approach to problem solving. They get to hear that I'm not steering them wrong or making up arbitrary answers, but what I'm teaching is real, real-life and used by all.

If nothing else dads can be involved in one of the most important ventures toward their successful futures. And in having our children and homeschooling them isn't that the point.
I hope, Moms and Dads, that you can come together as a family and make lifelong, lasting memories in schooling your children together.

Tim Tebow's parents teach you how to raise your own divine child

2010-04-17T13:40:00.001-04:00

http://trueslant.com/bobcook/2010/04/16/tim-tebows-parents-teach-you-how-to-raise-your-own-divine-child/

Posted via email from homeschoolingchildren's posterous

Am I doing enough?

2010-04-15T23:25:00.001-04:00

When we're homeschooling our children we often have questions. "Are we doing enough?" is the biggest question most homeschooling parents have! Now I don't know what you're doing in your house, behind closed doors, but I'm sure if you're out seeking, you're doing your best.

There are general principles in schooling. Mostly, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Science, and History. Your child's grade/age level is another facet in knowing what to teach them at what time. All curriculum out on the market, through Amazon or the source website themselves, have all those resources built in. You can use the whole of one, or mismatch according to what you like best and your child's learning style.

If you are reporting to your local PS (public school) they should provide you with a homeschool packet. They should provide you with all of their PS requirements and within the means of the law you have to comply or they can unfortunately tell you not to homeschool your child. HSLDA can provide you with inexpensive representation for any issues that might come your way in homeschooling. You can claim religious exemption (whether you're religious or not) and then you are free to teach your child however you want.

When reporting to the schools we have submit samples and affidavits and portfolios and all that stuff to prove they're learning what they're supposed to. In either way you choose to "report" your child's schooling you can take advantage of the PS's resources. You can take your child there to have testing, take certain classes, participate in music, sports and the like. Although if doing religious exemption they frown on that largely, it is a contradiction to utilize their resources and yet "ignore" their input otherwise. However, by law you have the right to use it because you're still paying the taxes even though your child doesn't go to their school. The logical reason why they don't like it is because they do not receive the money for your child and therefore have to absorb the expense themselves for your child's participation in their resources. Reporting to PS and showing the intent of having your child participate in certain resources provides them with state funding.

So are you doing enough? Is your child learning at their grade/age level? Are they struggling to keep up? Are they exceeding your expectations? Any of these could be a part of the dialogue that runs through your head. No one can tell you you're not doing enough without knowing you, your child or your situation. If you're doing your best and striving for them to be as on track, as any other child their age or situation, then you're doing enough.

When it comes to homeschooling our children, having their education and best interests at heart are the key.

Freebies!

2010-04-10T22:49:00.000-04:00

Go to this link to order a free DVD from the History Channel. Homeschoolers are eligible!!

http://classroom.history.com/america-dvd/event/form

Homeschooling your children

2010-04-09T22:23:00.001-04:00

Homeschooling your children is very involved. Hopefully no parent goes into it thinking they'll have nothing to do. The curriculum we use even gives us the amount of time we should set aside each day for parent to prepare and then student and parent to learn and teach. I have been through the 3rd grade material before so my preparation time is not doubled. But I still have to look over and prepare for my 5th grader. And each of your children will have different learning needs, more than likely, so tack on a little time for that kind of preparation.

I am not telling you this to scare you, but prepare you. I have found that after a time of doing it you become efficient and have some system to use. It creates some of the time you'll have alone too. There is nothing wrong with making sure you have that time either.

Children respond best when you create structure for them. For example: We get up and do our chores, have breakfast and start school by 9am. We have a straight school M/T Th/F from 9am to noon. The curriculum we have gives the option for a 4-day schedule and we take full advantage of that. On occasion we do not finish school by noon. Now that would be due to difficulties in understanding concepts. But this is the point. We have the ability, in homeschooling our children, to tend to these needs our child may have without them feeling rejected by their peers, without them having to be labeled a failure from bad grades and many more reasons. We can spend that extra time on a subject/concept so that we don't have to "fail" them due to a misunderstanding. What we end up grading our children on is their tests or attitudes toward school over all. And this here is how schooling is supposed to be/should be.

So don't be afraid or overwhelmed by homeschooling your children. You are investing in their futures. And that is so important.

Posted via web from homeschoolingchildren's posterous

Here is some homeschooling help

2010-03-29T11:36:00.007-04:00

When we were starting out, wanting to homeschool our daughter. We were clueless as to what curriculum options there were. I have a friend who told me about how much she loved her Sonlight curriculum. So that's what we looked into and started to use. But there are so many other curriculums.
I have featured 3 different ways to look up curriculum. There is Sonlight if you so choose located on an above banner. Christianbook.com is above as well. As most of their featured curriculum is christian-based that is not the only reason to choose whether to use it or not. Then, there is Amazon. I have pulled some product out for you and listed it in the Good For You stores on the left. Labeled GFY Homeschool supplies. Or you can search out your own in the Amazon link search box. My goal is to make this as easy for you as possible, because I believe that it will help you make your decision to homeschool better, convenient and provide value.

Homeschooling when the weather turns nice

2010-03-25T13:51:00.003-04:00

Homeschooling when the weather turns nice is not all that easy. I am certainly not as interested in doing our homeschool when it's so beautiful outside. I want to get out and tend the garden, clean up the animals from the long, cold winter. I want to clean up the yard and explore.

My children are certainly more interested in their sports and being outside. So we get up a little earlier and get our work done faster, so we can get outside sooner. As long as their getting their work done it doesn't matter how short of a time it takes. Most homeschooling days with one child takes about 2 hours. I have 2 main homeschoolers so it takes us about 4 hours. Although somedays do take longer.

We are Sonlight curriculum homeschoolers. And Sonlight has the option for a 4 or 5-day schedule. We opt for the 4day schedule. The literature is not all that easy for us to keep up with and yet we love it. So we take that 5th day for catch up or a day off depending on how much we get done otherwise. I love homeschooling. If we can't finish something due to sickness or unforeseen circumstances (like having a baby), then we have the entire summer to finish that subject or project or book. In public schools they are penalized for poor attendance. Not in homeschooling.

We have to answer to the school system here in PA, but as far as their requirements we exceed them. Just because we do not finish a book, project or something doesn't mean we didn't school our children right.

My children get a richer schooling experience than some public school children because they get to experience in the context of life rather than being told they'll use it... one day.

Socializing your homeschooled children

2010-03-23T19:10:00.004-04:00

We were at a volleyball tournament for the 5th graders. Every elementary school in the school district has more than one team and we have a week's tournament. I was talking with a public school elementary teacher today. She was asking about my daughter's school. I told her which team she was on and also mentioned that she was homeschooled. The look on her face was, well, typical. Astonished that I would homeschool my child and have the nerve to mention it at all. What is wrong with her? She didn't ask that, but she did ask me was she socialized enough.

My daughter socialized? No way! She's locked in a tower with only bread and water throughout the school year and I don't let her talk to anyone outside the family! Didn't you know that's how all homeschooled children are!?!

HAHAHA! No that wasn't my answer! I answered that my children are very much socialized, possibly more so than the public school children. She didn't comment further on that part of it so I didn't continue. But we did have a great and wonderful talk about why I homeschool and our structure and the like. The conversation was very nice and pleasant. She seemed confident that I wasn't some lunatic.

But if she were to ask I would tell her that I believe homeschooled children are more socialized because they have the opportunity to interact and communicate with children of all ages and adults that don't always treat them as "little" children. I know most of my peers do not treat my children as though they have to be coddled. By that I mean that in public school the teachers really have to mind themselves so they don't offend a child so much that it steps of the parents toes or the school systems. But out in the un-institutionalized world of homeschool people are people. My children are children, but not in the sense that everyone treats them as such. They are seen as responsible. I am complimented and thanked often when we're out in public for having such behaved and respectful children. Not that they always are, but more often than not they are.

So as for homeschoolers being socialized. Well yes. I don't live in the boonies where my closest neighbors are the bears and birds. I live in a very nice community. And hey, my daughter was there in the public school volleyball tournament wasn't she? Having friends and making more. Knowing a little less than half of the children there from church alone. That was fun to see them.

The average public school child does not socialize much with any other age group other than their own til high school and then it's not all that often. They interact with adults that are constantly correcting them and being only their authority figures instead of their mentors and leaders and confidants.
Homeschoolers are more ready for society when it comes along than the average child in public school.

Spring flings out of cabin fever

2010-03-21T20:51:00.004-04:00

It's getting warm outside. The sun is shining more, the birds are singing, the flowers are coming up out of the ground. Time to take your homeschooler out for walks. Time to nature walk. Get a bird book. Each state has one. Barnes and Nobles has them. Not real cheap though. Usually you can find one cheaper through the Amazon link on Applemama. Get a book to help you identify flowers too. Lots of homeschool science curriculums have that included in your studies. In Sonlight Curriculum 3rd grade Science has them learning all about plants and animals. Great stuff.

I've been so ready for this nicer weather. Here in PA we've had a pretty bad winter. Although not as bad as others I've heard. We acquired another rabbit and duck today. Owning animals is a great opportunity to build your child's character in so many ways. They learn to care about another life other than their own and also learn to manage responsibilities.

Feel blessed and free that you have the right to homeschool. Germany and Sweden are fighting for their rights. They are being imprisoned for do so. We may have to answer to the public school system, we may have the ability to just write a letter of our intention to homeschool under religious exemption, but either way, we have the freedom to do so. There are no laws that say we cannot homeschool our children. I know Virginia is reviewing their laws of religious exemption. Pennsylvania is deliberating their laws on the same, but nothing is iron-clad that we can't claim it.

Call it a blessing to be able to homeschool. Our children are our legacies and we must do our best by them. If the public school system is not meeting the needs of your child then you have that option to homeschool. I know quite a few people who have wonderfully intelligent children who just aren't learning to their full potential in the public school. The public schools can only do but so much with the multiple learning styles they have in children. And not every teacher can cater to every learning style. A teacher is as good as their imagination. And who knows your child better than you do?

Homeschooling children

2010-03-15T17:55:00.005-04:00

Hi folks!
Applemama here, and I've been thinking! Why would any of you care about what I have to say about homeschooling when I don't have a degree. I looked at other homeschooling websites and blogs and I'm definitely one of the only ones that have anyone read them that has no degree. Let me put your mind at ease.

I have been homeschooling my children for the last 8 years and never would choose to do anything else. I have many resources in friends and acquaintances for each stage of the homeschooling requirements. My children have a curriculum we follow with lots of added subjects that are above and beyond what most homeschooled children participate in.

I am an average mom with the calling on my life to school my children. It is most definitely a venture I do not take lightly. I have investigated all the requirements for our state and know some about a couple of the other states as well. But have the ability to find out more.

My mission has been to help other mothers and fathers in their desires to homeschool their children. It is not an easy task I must warn you. But it is one that you will come to love. The bond that is created with your child is one that will never be broken. It is not for the faint of heart. There will be trials and sometimes you'll wonder if another option is possible. But assuredly it is rewarding.

To know that you have helped your children reach the highest goal for their little lives. To be there for the first words read from a book to you. The brightness in their eyes when your child realizes they can read or they can do that math problem is amazing. To see the ways they find out they can use what they've learned in everyday life. Most homeschool curriculums have a Science that provides you with all the essentials to do a project every week. From being Thomas Edison for a day to learning what causes sickness and how the human body works. My children love Science for that very reason. The projects.

We use Sonlight Curriculum. The amount of literature that is lesson based is amazing. I never knew about half the books we have read. To be able to read about the adventures of people in the time frame were learning about in History. Or to read about the stories of people right in the culture we are learning has really opened up understanding to the material like you wouldn't imagine.

Read along with me. Ask away at your questions. That is how this works. Being able to know how to find the homeschool requirements for your state is important. Knowing what homeschool curriculum is appropriate for your children and your lifestyle is a must. There is a ton to choose from. Searching around on the web for a law or a curriculum isn't fun when you don't really know what you're looking for. There are many co-ops in your areas to choose from too. More people homeschool than you think.

Ask and you shall receive.
Blessings

homeschooling

2010-03-13T12:50:00.003-05:00

I think I'd like to share with you all about homeschooling. I have four beautiful children that I homeschool right now. Madeline, 10, is in 5th. Greyson, 8 is in 3rd. Megan, 4, is still in the process of learning to read and Katherine 22 mos is learning to share.

There are a lot of people out there who have mixed opinions on the subject. I read that some think homeschooling and abuse go hand in hand. Not in the least! There are countries the world over that are banning families from homeschooling their children.
Homeschooling for religious reasons, homeschooling because there's no other option with behavior problems or health problems. Wow there are many reasons to homeschool. But it's about your children not you! What is best for them? You do not need a degree and anyone who tells you otherwise is not in favor of homeschooling. There are challenges and many many delights.

The questions you may have could take up a whole page, if not more. Curriculum, laws and so much more.

Take a look here weekly. Add me into your Google Reader. Ask me questions galore. I am planning on doing my research here.
Blessings

Rain Rain go away!

2010-03-13T09:53:00.002-05:00

It's been raining for two days now and the weather people are afraid of flooding. My house is on a bit of an incline and so I shouldn't have any probs. I don't have a basement either. A little crawl space, but not a basement. Why the builders just didn't go 4 more feet under and make me a basement; I don't know. Doesn't really bother me much unless I talk about it. But I just don't. So I'll stop

I've been learning some new material on how to better our internet business. I like it a lot. And I haven't even started the actual course lessons yet, just the pre-stuff.
If you're interested I'll pass on the info. I would leave it on here, but I like you all leaving commentary and asking questions. You know, great way to create dialogue. I like hearing from people. I'm, very much, a people person. But as some of you know if you've been following I am more of a children person. I really enjoy them a lot. My children are my ministry and any others that pass by my way.

My husband and I are very active in our church's children's ministry. (wow how doesn't that work two possesive nouns? not sure on that one) We are the co-leaders with Kid's Corner Jr. KCJ is what I've been calling it. The 5 yo through 1st grade. I love it. We do puppets and skits and build boats. Lots more. Lots of fun!!!! I spent two days a couple weeks ago trying to find fridge boxes or something similarly as large to build a boat. Jesus calmed the storm right there in our classroom. WONDERFUL! We had the sound effects and the lightning and even a blue rug for the water. The kids loved it. A lesson they still haven't forgotten. We still have the boat in the room and they act it out themselves.

I will be learning more about being a good blogger in the next few months. I know I'm all over the place in my writing, but well I'm a busy person, my mind is on a thousand and one things and I have a lot to say. So I guess I just like the cram it all in one place. I just started following some "famous bloggers". So I'll learn more. Hang out with me while I learn and see how good growth can be.
Blessings

Time to move on!

2010-03-12T22:04:00.004-05:00

The Olympics are over. Sadly. And I guess today was the opening for the Paralympics. Never seen that. Should look into it.
I've been so thrilled with the warm weather we've been having. Early spring. I just hope Jack Frost doesn't decide to nibble again.
We have cured our cabin fever. The kids have 10 weeks of school left, but we'll make it possible to be done by the end of May. That is always our goal. We've managed it every year so far. But that's only schooling 2 so far. Next year Megan starts Kindergarten and well that won't be much harder, cause the other two are doing most of theirs by themselves. I love doing school with my children. I get to be a part of every part of their lives. I don't have to expect someone else to do it for me.

I don't by any means mean to say that if anyone else does they are wrong. Please no, I would never say that. Everyone has a calling in life and mine is children. I pray everyday that I am doing it right.

Alpine Skiing and other Olympic games

2010-02-20T21:43:00.005-05:00

Andrea Fischbacher won Gold
Tina Maze won Silver
Lindsay Vohn won bronze.

Almost makes ya wonder if being towards the beginning hurts ya! Cause, other than those that fell, everyone had a better time than the one before them. I don't know if that says something to the ability, the seeing those ski marks from before or having the snow sheen down from previous skiers. No matter what the reasons there's something about it. And a good run for them all!

Apolo Ohno is getting ready to go up for the Quarter-finals Men's 1000m. Shani Davis did a great job earlier getting the silver in the 1500m for speed skating. My personal favorite is J.R. Celski though. To have a comeback like this after such an injury. I like how it looks like such a breeze to us here in the comfort of our homes. But you can really tell how fast their going by how they have to put their hand down to balance themselves around the turns. I sure would like to know how fast they do go.

The athletic abilities these Olympians have is amazing. I know, that's why they're here. Chips to them all! Still have to find out what it takes to be on an Olympic team. My daughter wants to be int he 2020 Summer Olympics for volleyball!

Evan Lysacek wins the GOLD!

2010-02-19T09:13:00.005-05:00

I'm so excited! My pick of Evan Lysacek in the Men's Figure Skating. He won!!!!!!!!!!! He won GOLD!
He so deserved it. He skated his heart out. I loved the routine and the foot work. Only that one little mess up, but barely visible! Here's an exerpt from the article on NBCOlympics.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Evan Lysacek brought down the champion.

Lysacek became the first U.S. man to win the Olympic gold medal since Brian Boitano in 1988, shocking everyone -- maybe even himself -- by upsetting defending champion Yevgeny Plushenko on Thursday night. Plushenko came out of retirement with the sole purpose of making a little history of his own with a second straight gold medal.

The last to skate. Plushenko held up both index fingers when he finished, as if to say, "Was there ever any question?" As it turned out, yes.
And it wasn't really that close.
When Plushenko's scores were posted, someone in the arena screamed, "Evan Lysacek has won the gold!" Backstage, surrounded by longtime coach Frank Carroll and pairs gold medalists Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, Lysacek threw back his head in disbelief and utter elation.
"I could have stood up there for hours and thought about every moment of training that I was thinking, 'God, what if one day?"' Lysacek said. "And it kept me going and it pushed me."
The reigning world champion finished with a career-best 257.67, 1.31 ahead of the Russian. Daisuke Takahashi won the bronze, the first Japanese man to win a figure skating medal at the Olympic Games.
Johnny Weir was sixth and U.S. champ Jeremy Abbott rallied to finish ninth.
Lysacek, whose world title was the first by a U.S. man since 1996, looked almost dazed when he heard the first notes of the "Star-Spangled Banner." But as he watched the flag rise, he broke into a wide grin.
"I saw that American flag go up and I couldn't believe it was for me," Lysacek said.
Someone handed him a U.S. flag as he left the medals podium to take on his victory lap, and he waved it a few times before twirling it above his head like a lasso. As he skated around the arena, he held a bouquet aloft in his right hand and clutched his gold medal in the left. No way anyone was going to take this away from him.
Especially not Plushenko.
Much had been made about of Plushenko's transition scores, the mark given for the steps connecting the elements, as well as his other component scores -- think of the old artistic marks. But those didn't cost him the medal.
Lysacek edged Plushenko on the mark for their technical elements -- jumps, spins and footwork. That's the score where the three-time Olympic medalist and three-time world champion has pretty much made his trademark. And Lysacek won despite not doing a quadruple jump.
"If the Olympic champion doesn't know how to jump a quad, I don't know," Plushenko said. "Now it's not men's figure skating, now it's dancing."
But Lysacek makes no apologies for what he does -- and doesn't -- do. He's done the quad before, but it puts a lot of stress on the left foot that he broke last year. He originally planned to do the quad here, but after feeling pain in the foot again after last month's U.S. championships, he decided it wasn't worth the risk of getting hurt and having to miss the games.
"If it was a jumping competition, they'd give you 10 seconds to go do your best jump. But it's about 4 minutes and 40 seconds of skating and performing from start to finish," Lysacek said. "That was my challenge tonight, and I feel like I did quite well."
The first of the big guns to skate in the last group, Lysacek seemed more workmanlike than usual for the first three minutes of the program. Everything he did was technically perfect. His jumps were done with the control and dependability of a fine Swiss timepiece, and his spins were so well-centered you could see the tight little circle of his tracings clear across the ice.
He didn't have all his usual flair and charisma, looking more focused on the tasks at hand. But when he landed his last jump, a double axel, Lysacek let loose. His face was so expressive that budding actors should have taken note, and he fixed the judges with a majestic glare during his circular steps.
By the time he finished his final spin, fans were roaring their approval.
The last note of his music was still fading when Lysacek pumped his fists and screamed, "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" He clapped his hands and skated to center ice, throwing his arms out wide to the crowd and blowing kisses. As he waited for his marks, he put an arm around Carroll, who had yet to coach a gold medalist despite a list of past and present skaters that reads like a Who's Who on Ice.
"This is just frosting on the cake for me," said Carroll, who coached Linda Fratianne and Michelle Kwan to silver medals and Timothy Goebel to a bronze. "It's not something I coveted after a while. It was something I thought maybe would never happen."
And it might not have, had Plushenko been a little better.
He skated with his usual flair and dramatics, drawing laughs from the crowd with his saucy, seductive tango. No one loves the limelight quite like the Russian, and he was in his element. He preened, posed and skated as if certain another gold medal was his.
But Plushenko, who can do jumps in his sleep, was noticeably off. He was crooked in the air on many of his jumps, and had to be part cat to manage to come down on one foot and hold it long enough for it to count. But the funky finishes cost him the bonus points that are the difference between silver and gold. His spins weren't quite as good as Lysacek's, either, and he got fewer points for one of his footwork sections.
"I am happy with my performance today," said Plushenko, who took off his silver medal as soon as he left the ice. "After 3 1/2 years (off) you can win the silver, it's not bad. When you have two silver and one gold, I think it's not bad."
We likely haven't seen the last of him.
"I knew I would accept any outcome," he said through a translator. "After this defeat, I'm not going to put my hands down and stop."
Takahashi is wonderfully expressive, from the bottom of his blades to the tips of his spiky, mop-topped hair. His edge quality is as fine as a master carver's and his blades are like little lightning strikes, allowing him to change directions and turn without losing a millisecond of speed.
It makes for a fast, energetic and very entertaining program, and he infused it with a healthy dose of sass. He played to the judges and the crowd, taking them along for the ride.
His only flaw was a fall on his opening quadruple toe loop -- a jump he hadn't landed all week.

2010-02-18T19:54:00.004-05:00

I found this on Facebook but I didn't like the caption someone had put down. So I grabbed the video to share it otherwise. These guys are very talented. Flutebox and Beardyman are good. There was someone on America's Got Talent that did the beatbox thing last year. These guys should go out for Britain's Got Talent. I really enjoyed watching this.

Read your Bible!

2010-02-18T09:03:00.005-05:00

Bible Gateway has a Lenten Reading Plan. It's under Reading Plans and then within the middle paragraph it mentions "Read about the different reading plans" you click there and the Lenten one is listed there. Or if you're a fan of Bible Gateway on Facebook you can go to their profile and see the link there in their posts.
Reading through the Gospels starting Feb 17th. It's okay to be one day behind. Just double read for the day. We're up to Matthew 7.

Evan Lysacek 2010 Winter Olympics

2010-02-17T15:51:00.003-05:00

I really enjoyed Lysacek's short program performance last night. My daughter and I stayed up to watch it. Virtually flawless, although I'm not a judge.

Evan Lysacek is tall and seemingly intimidating til you hear him talk and then he's just an everyday guy who has an amazing ability to WOW you on the ice.

I liked his choice of music and costume. Very mysterious. Lysacek's presence on the ice really put you at awe over his abilities. I did see the first guy skate and it was good, but no where near as good to my eyes. But as I said I'm just a mom and I know nothing of the point value to things.

Still my opinion that he should have been given a higher score than the guy in first so far. There's still the long program. And he should still do well.

Opening Ceremony 2010 Winter Olympics

2010-02-13T11:16:00.003-05:00

The ceremonies in Vancouver were just as good as in Beijing. Sure wish I could visit Canada someday. We'll see. It's on our list of things to do.

The OC were mesmerizing. I didn't quite get the boy flying through the fields, but not my vision of Canada. And the fiddlers were remarkable, but it's just a tiny aspect of what I know of Canada and not really worthy of the spirit of it I've been told.

The effects with the ocean, whales and trees were phenomenal! I loved it. I sure hope someone posts it on YouTube so I can get a hold of it.

My parents didn't get to see it. They got rid of their cable and I've spent most the morning trying to find a recording or clips of it that doesn't have indecent ads on the site.

I have talked to quite a few people who didn't even bother watching it last night. It was a must see of the year. I stood right along with the crowd when Republic of Georgia did their walk through. I am glad they've not pulled out and decided to honor their friend through going on with their competition. I will be rooting for them as well. My condolences go out to his family and country. Such a promising future cut short. The family of Nodar Kumaritashvili is in our prayers.

National Right to Life

2010-02-12T09:16:00.007-05:00

Here's a young lady, Elizabeth Trisler, that won an award for her oratory skill. As a reward for her effort and skill, she was given the opportunity to speak in the Ohio state legislature - and then it was taken away.

This Speaker of the House, Mr. Budish, was against her speaking because of the content of her speech. You see, it was a pro-life speech. Of course when met with controversy, Mr. Budish wisely "changed his mind." I understand the concept of changing your mind, but come on, keep your mouth closed in the first place. Mr. Budish is a pro-choice democrat. Of course he's gonna oppose, but she won this award fair and square for her speaking abilities, not for the speech itself.

Elizabeth showed courage to even speak on a controversial issue in a contest like that. I am proud of her, as I'm sure most of he pro-life world is. I would actually like to see her speech. ( So if anyone can find it if I can't let me know.)

Also, lets log into YouTube and post a comment to encourage this young lady. I'm sure she'll have her critics, but I say "well done!" The Bless family is proud of you.

Built with corn

2010-02-10T19:23:00.002-05:00

Well I have just finished building the Cornbag tab on Applemama. Using GDI's web builder was a cinch. Although I set it up so you can pay with credit card or Paypal and that wasn't fun. It wasn't hard, but it was time consuming. I guess if you have that much potential product and that many sales, in the long run, it'll be worth the time and effort.

We had a "snow day" today. The public schools did anyways. Being homeschooled we don't do snow days. Although, Wednesdays we don't do school. We have field trips and get a lot of other things done. Usually out of the house. But 'cause of the snow everything was closed so we stayed home. Good thing too. I got a lot of work done here. The children did do some school work. Now they're a little ahead. Doesn't hurt to be too ahead.

In the whole time we were home today the one thing we did not accomplish was to clean the house. BLAH! All well, can't get it all done everyday. I have no real problems with that either.

Well dessert time is calling. Chocolate and more chocolate. LOL

Focus on the Family Pro-Life Tim Tebow Super Bowl Commercials

2010-02-08T09:54:00.001-05:00

Focus on the Family Pro-Life Tim Tebow Super Bowl Commercials

It's a good thing I didn't care so much who won or lost last night. Or I would have been disappointed. I chose to root for the Colts. I heard they were the team expected to win. But all well. I feel bad for them but no skin off my back.

I didn't get to see the Tim Tebow commercial last night. I didn't know til later which quarter it was supposed to air in and even despite my best efforts to watch all the commercials I missed it. I saw it finally this morning on the link I provided above.

I was a little surprised. Nothing like those left-wing liberals were so afraid of. Although I like that it riled them all up. Got the nation talking about the wrongs of abortion. Even though they featured each side of the controversy the media was severely favoring the pro-choice view. BLAH on them for not being more objective as the media is supposed to be. Right! Whatever! As if they've ever really been objective. Although I do find it a point of true maturity when they can be so.

The Focus on the Family commercial was only 32 seconds long and they paid that much money for it. Too much. It was short and sweet and didn't really give in to the hype. If I had seen it for myself during the Superbowl and not had heard a thing about who he was or anything I wouldn't have thought it any more than a cute mother-son commercial not fitting into the Superbowl commercial hype.

I was offended by the GoDaddy commercials. Bunch of deceived women trying to appeal to the men watching. Not cool. If anyone wants a good website domain name try Global Domains International it's a whole lot cheaper and you don't have to worry about being affiliated with that kind of thing.

I also didn't like the Career Builder commercials with the guys in their underwear and then Dockers tried to monetize on that. They were gross. I'm sorry, men walking around in their underwear all together...you can gather what I'm trying to say here, not cool. No manly power there.

But the game was good at times and the fellowship was great. Food was delicious and I'm very proud of the Tebow's initiative to spread the pro-life cause.

My favorite thing I've heard recently, my husband told me some radio show guy said, the Pro-choice movement will die! along with their abortions. They're killing the only people that they could raise to support their cause.

2010-02-03T10:55:00.004-05:00

Hello!

Applemama is back. But with a whole new look. Please check out www.applemama.ws and see all the new fun changes. You can even have it as your homepage because anything you need is right there. This website has turned back into my blog. Which was the point originally, but we found a way to monetize the blog even more and now we're expanding that using Global Domains International web builder. It's easy as can be. I love it. I thought it would be frustrating and complicated and it's not. It's even quick.

I just got a call. My sister-in-law's grandmother just died last night. I'm so sad for her. She had visions of grandeur with her coming over here from Kyrgyzstan. Them cooking together and having walks and talks like they used to, but Grandma only came here sick and fragile. She never wanted to leave the house and eventually never leave the room then the bed and then in the last 2 weeks she's refused to eat and then to drink. We all new she was failing, but it was sad she had to go in such a short time of coming here.

Technically she was here illegally. Her VISA expired sometime ago, but they could never have sent her back. She would have died along the way. So she's been here and my sister did get to enjoy her a bit. She's been in the process of getting her sister and niece over here. Sure would like it if she could do that. They're her last living relatives.

Well hopefully Grandma is in a better place now. I sure wish I could have met her at least once.
We're off on our weekly endeavors. Later all

CALLING ALL STUDENTS!

2010-01-17T18:58:00.002-05:00

Calling all students!

There are great banners for Simple Tuition and Fast Web on Applemama's Extention. There are so many scholarships available and other options for the upcoming semester. Don't get stuck with whatever your handed. Do your own research. A little research only makes us smarter and saves us money in the long run. So check out all the links that will help you get a better and perhaps less expensive education.

Remember Applemama also features textbookx.com. They buy and sell your books each semester.

Applemama .ws is now easier to navigate

2009-12-26T19:09:00.001-05:00

The Holiday season is wrapping up. We're winding down our visits to family and friends. Under the tree is stark bare from all the wonder we added to our homes and stomachs.

But many more occasions arrive to make purchases and Applemama.ws has what you need.

Now easier to navigate than ever; I have created extensions to make the site not so cluttered. All the wonderful retailers are still available. Now you are forwarded to Applemama's extension for more retailers.

I have also maximized the use of my husbands site. He has created Diverse Income, a website with the online businessperson in mind. He has many free opportunities to further your online business as well as inexpensive ways to start up your own.

I hope you find this easier and please feel free to let me know what you think. Have a happy new year.

2009-11-30T11:32:00.003-05:00

Holidays are here and we're getting close to having no time left for the shopping. Only 24 more shopping days left. And today is Cyber Monday! Please take advantage of the great exclusive deals Applemama has to offer. Also sign up to be a fan on Facebook and receive notices of specials.

The holidays are coming. Get your stuff here.

2009-10-06T14:36:00.004-04:00

What do your children want or get for Christmas? We have a really difficult time with these decisions. My children don't watch tv with commercials and don't go to public school where all the children parade around their new things and ideals and wants.
I love it, don't get me wrong. But it sure makes it hard when there are people who want to buy for my children. And I'm not complaining, but I sure dont' know what's new and hot out there.
Any ideas? We don't do the trendy things. No demon video games or icons, no spongebob (he's gross), we don't do Bratz and all that kinda stuff. My children listen to contemporary christian music. So there's 2 things, but I'm still at a loss of what else and there's 4 children so I'm lost 4x over.
We're trying to formulate a list and decide who gets to get them what. wow....this is fun. (literally)
Not complaining just deciding is hard.

Rabbit Care-How to take care of your rabbit

2009-08-10T19:06:00.006-04:00

How to take good care of your rabbit

First, I would like to say thank you for taking a look at how to care for a rabbit(s) today. They are wonderful pets and not very hard to take care of.
Make sure when you get your rabbit(s) home you already have their cage ready for them and spend at least 30 mins with them so they don’t stress out. A stressed rabbit can die. A lonely rabbit will stress out. I have seen rabbits come home to new owners and die overnight because the new owners just "didn't have the time" to make sure the rabbit was comfortable and familiar.
Find out the breed of your rabbit. Each breed has different needs and likes.

1. Feed each rabbit 2-4 oz of food once a day only. (4oz for younger or for larger ones.) Rabbit feed can be found in the pet section of your local grocer or feed store. (Wal-mart, Giant, Tractor Supply Company, for example) It is a perfect blend that every rabbit needs. We use Producer's Pride 50 lbs bag from Tractor Supply. Plenty to last about a month for 13 rabbits.
Find out how old your rabbit is. 6 months old is when they reach their sexual maturity and considered adults. Also, do not feed them fruit or vegetables before they are 6 mos. They can get sick.

2. Make sure they do not run out of water. In the summer, change out the water daily with cool water. In the winter, outdoors, water will freeze so have multiple water bottles ready if one is frozen or breaks (never fill to full or it will break). We attempted to put thick socks over the water bottles to keep them from freezing and it sorta worked. The rabbits chewed the socks.

3. Give them hay/alfalfa daily (especially when sick). Rabbits like to eat all day. So make sure they have hay/alfalfa to munch on. It will not put weight on your rabbit. Rabbits over 6mos can also eat fresh grass and flowers and the like.
NEVER FEED RHUBARB LEAVES TO ANYONE
(IT IS POISONOUS)

4. If a large/giant breed give them a 36x36 size cage.
If a medium breed give them a 30x30 size cage.
If a small breed give them a 24x24 size cage.
Cages can be bought in your local Tractor Supply. If you are having rabbits share a cage make sure you allot the proper amount of space. You can cage two females, but not two males, they will fight. And if you’re making them co-ed, be sure you know, you’ll constantly have babies. Two females should know each other, but I haven't heard any bad stories, but I keep mine separate.

5. Keep out of full sun to prevent them from getting sunburned. Put in a frozen water bottle when it gets too hot so your rabbit can keep cool.
In the winter, keep them out of drafts and snow. (we covered the cage with blankets each night or during a snowfall) But best of all keep them under a shelter of some kind.

6. Put something cardboard or wood in their cage so their hocks (feet/heels) won’t get sore. Clementine crates are great for that. It will also give them something to chew. Rabbits chew everything. So make sure nothing is around you don’t want ruined.

7. Change out their dropping pan weekly to prevent flies and other bugs. And it will prevent the flies from laying their eggs on your rabbit; which can lead to sickness or death. NEVER PUT CEDAR IN WITH ANIMALS. Woodchips or newspaper is recommended.
It sounds gross, but it’s okay if your rabbit eats some of its droppings. It keeps the balance correct in their intestines.

Here is our routine with our rabbits, for example.
Mornings, we go out and give them their food, hay and water. Pet all of them and giving full attention to each one individually.
Afternoons, we just check on them to look at their water…(gone in heat/or frozen in winter)
Evenings, check again on their water and give them hay for the night.
They are in a shelter so they are safe from the elements.
Twice a week in summer and once a week in winter we change out the dropping pans. They get fresh woodchips put in the pans to aide in absorption of waste.

I hope this was helpful and informative. If you know better, give me some advice.

http://www.rabbitweb.net
http://www.rabbit.org

Very excited!

2009-07-31T19:55:00.004-04:00

I am excited! I now have my own domain forwarded here to Blogger. If you've reached me by way of a blogspot address you can now reach me at an easier to remember domain name. http://www.applemama.ws/

I am also working on not only building this business but the business of GDI (Global Domains International). It is a great company that provides a service while providing a very profitable income earning possibility. Not only are you getting a website to call your very own and do with whatever you please; you are creating a career possibility that can work for itself.

Change your existing website to a .ws and not only have a domain name of your own for $10 a month but you can also earn that money back plus a whole lot more by advertising GDI along with your website you're already advertising.

You start by clicking on the link above; advertising "Unlimited Income Opportunity", that will bring you to an informational website where you may watch a short video explaining a little about GDI's opportunities or there is an option for more information also featured on the site. Click any one of those for the information you need to start earning an income from home and letting the service benefit you and your growing business. Two income earning opportunities in one and you're working no more than you were before.

So as I said, I'm very excited about this opportunity in which I'm engaging. I hope that you would join me in this venture or at least consider it. My husband and I are working as a team on this to make every training opportunity available to anyone who is interested.

I am still Applemama. Please feel free to leave a comment with your email so I can add you to a list (unless you specify otherwise) to let you know of sales and specials going on in any of my affiliate online retailers.

Summer is in full swing...

2009-07-07T10:08:00.002-04:00

And can you believe we're more than halfway through 2009. Wow. Time is flying. Central PA has lots to do. We're starting the Arts Fest tomorrow. We just had the coolest 4th Fest. Our church, State College A/G, is hosting the area Jubilee Jam. It is focused on missions this year. Children K-5th get to learn how to use gifts, such as music, video, drama, art and more, to glorify God.
Then the following week another local church, Halfmoon Christian Fellowship, is hosting a VBS, Vacation Bible School, with a camping theme. Sounds fun.

We are having a lot of fun. Our friend up the street has a pool and has been inviting us in it whenever the weather is cooperating. Which hasn't been much. We've been busy busy at church with different children's ministries activities. We would love to be able go to the "beaches" this summer, but I've heard the closed 'cause of lack of funds to pay the employees.

So what is everyone else doing this summer. Let me know. Leave me your comments.

Sorry not here often

2009-06-30T10:29:00.005-04:00

Wow, PA summers are spectacular. Sure we've had more rain than normal so far, but it doesn't get hot. I mean really warm occasionally, but not hot. Although the first summer I was here in 07 might have challenged that. I was warm all the way through October and didn't start getting cold until Nov. Wow that was something.

So sorry all I've not blogged in a bit. Four children and so many animals keep us busy. I love it.

2009-05-29T10:35:00.002-04:00

My children and I recieved and phone call from our friend who owns the barn where we muck stalls. She told us her Paint was foaling. For those of you who are non-horsey, well it's just a type of horse and she was having a baby. Onwards! So my son had tball practice and we were getting ready to go for it. Well the weather looked terrible and seeing a foal just born was more interesting so we made a call and headed out for the stalls. That foal was so cute. Taller than average she had a harder time standing up, but still faired rather well. I'd never seen the whole thing save for on tv, but that's not even close to real. It was a great thing. We didn't actually see the birth, but not too long after it we were there. So the foal is a filly. As of yesterday her name was Thunder. There was a thunderstorm going on as she was being born. Cool, huh?
All I could think of while we were seeing her was how beautiful God's creations are. How unique each experience, yet, from the same creator. His stamp is beauty. His calling card, Majesty! There isn't anything common about what God makes, and yet it's all His.
How can anyone look at all the beauty and complexity around them in life and believe in anything other that The One TRUE GOD? I have a strong hunch that those that deny do so out of ignorance or defiance. We are all created in God's image. Innocent, pure and ingrained with God's stamp.
Yes, God sees us as beautiful and majestic. When He creates us; knits us together in our mother's womb, He says we're beautiful. He doesn't create ugliness. Ugliness comes from the Enemy. So you say, God created the devil. NO! God created an angel and the angel rebelled. We still have our own personalities and wills in heaven too. That's why we are judged by our thoughts and attitudes here.
Well there's a ton more I can say on the subject but I can write it more later. Ask your questions, make your comments. I'll love it. God's blessings on you all. -Applemama

Simple solutions aren't always such.

2009-05-22T22:25:00.004-04:00

I need some guidance these days more than most. But on those not so "most" days..I still need it. hehe
Well. I have this friend and she is in a bad way in a lot of ways. She's what some would call a "charity case". She's kinda driving me crazy. She calls constantly and also she has me as her gopher. She's always wanting me to go to Walmart for her. I'm not really having a problem with it, on one hand, but the gas and wear and tear on car and she's not on the way at all. I like her, but she's kinda making me not want to see her much. She's funny and all. A little colorful with her words so I have to call her on it occasionally 'cause my children are always there. My children like her, she loves my children. If I don't visit her she says she'll be in a worse way, so my compassion for her soars, but is she using me or what? I hate to just abandon her, but I'm not so sure what to do. My boundaries with her can be set, but how tight should I set them? Should I go visit her once a week, every other week, once a month?
I am being cryptic I know, but I don't want to give her away to anyone who might know me. I don't want to gossip, or turn anyone's ideas of her. Just a bit of venting I guess.
God will guide me in the right way. He'll make it all work according to His will. I'm ready, waiting for the Words.

greetings!

2009-05-12T16:32:00.002-04:00

It's good to be back!!!! My dad fixed my computer. Major fixings. We just returned from a family visit to Pittsburgh. Nice little town! hehe
Now I come home to a very messy house. My husband didn't have anytime to clean up while I was gone. My aunt gave me about 8 bags of clothes for my son and wow, do I have laundry to do.
We're missing church a ton. We didn't get to go this past Sunday for all the family events happening. We did have church ourselves.
What do you all think about communion? If I was at church on Sunday we were gonna teach on communion. I personally think we should have taught on water baptism before communion. Only because we have a rule in our house that our children can't take communion until that are baptized in water. It's about them knowing what they're doing and not doing it because everyone else around them is. They have to make their public profession of faith through water baptism first.
My youngest is now 1 year old and she's not quite walking yet. She's trying though.
Lots going on! Leave comments to let me know what's going on in your lives.

2009-05-01T21:21:00.003-04:00

Hey all...long time no see! We've been having MAJOR computer problems. But I really do think it's the hand of God that has our computer on the fritz. It has made my husband realize there's more to his life than this internet business. I feel bad though, 'cause he's been falling behind in his goals. But my dad is here! DADDy to the REScue! My dad can get those Dell guys to answer questions right. I don't like being considered a dumb chick that doesn't know computers. Well!!! I don't know everything by any means. But I do know my fair share to get me out of a small jam. But my dad's here and GREAT!!! he's doing his best to fix it.
As you can see he's great also because he's letting me on his computer. So I could update this stuff.
Welcome to my new follower! Thanks for comin' around.
So let's hope and pray really hard that the computer can be fixed.
I'm excited about this whole ordeal. It's nice to have a computer saavy person in the family. But we as humans aren't all knowing. Only God is omniscient. Good thing we're not God 'cause we'd been messing everything up. Just look at how are world is turning out anyways. Terrible. It's all going down the dumps. That's why christians need to be out there in the world more letting everyone know how wonderful God is and how He loves us and wants more for our lives.
Keep praying and perservering.

Spring is here!

2009-03-31T11:54:00.004-04:00

It's great to have spring finally here in the North! After a long winter, the hopes of a warm day help a lot. Not all days are warm, but some, like today are. Upper 50s is welcome in my town. Sunny and beautiful. I'm excited to do our school and finish up so we can spend some time outdoors. I'm looking forward to putting a load on the clothesline to dry so the smell of the outdoors comes in on us. Also it's eco-friendly. God likes eco-friendly. He loves when we care about His creation as much as He does. Grant it, He love us more, because we are the ones He created with extra special touch of the Master's Hands. He breathed His glorious life into each and everyone of us. Whether it have been Adam back in the Garden of Eden which was the first breath of life, to the baby born minutes ago in Indonesia from a Muslim or animism background. God breathed into everyone. Whether we acknowledge Him or not. Whether we ever choose to believe in Him or not. His imprint of life and the possibility of salvation through His Son, Jesus, is on the hearts of every person that has ever lived.
I know it's hard to believe in some cases. The mass evil that displays in some people or nations is horrifying. But that is not the work of God. It's the work of the devil. Satan...and yes, he is real! God created the angel Lucifer and he wanted to be greater than God and God wouldn't have it. It's not possible anyways. But for the opposition that showed no remorse or repentance God threw Lucifer and his followers, demons, into hell. We now know him as Satan. And saying that Satan exists isn't an excuse for sin. No far from it. It's an acknowledging that there is a force that is compelled to hate us and see our demise. Sure I believe in a person being possessed by a demon and there's oppression, the whispering in a ear. But it can't happen to a saved, sanctified and redeemed Christian. There was the debate on Nightline last week that was a hot topic on everyone's lips for a while. So that is what strikes up this part of the post.

The world needs Jesus...and the world needs to acknowledge and consider and believe in Jesus. His creation, His love is all around us everyday. If you can't see it, look to the cross He died on. It's his greatest display...and then the 3 days later rising from the grave....is His greatest VICTORY!
Stuff that Deepak Chopra!
hehe

Answers to prayer

2009-03-21T20:22:00.002-04:00

We had a difficult month! We were down to one car. I know I know...families lived for years with one car. We're so spoiled. But when it's ripped out from underneath you unexpectedly you are in for a loop. My husband and I are relatively busy people. We both have our jobs, I have the children in a few activities that require commitment. We never expected our Isuzu would die on us! It actually caught on fire while my husband was driving home one night. We're not sure exactly what is wrong. It is fixable, but we don't have the moola. The inlaws heard about it and almost immediately said they'd been considering giving us their Malibu anyways. How awesome God is! He knew before the car died that we'd have a need! I'm sure He saw the car breaking and made plans to have the car available to us. AMEN! We waited a few weeks for the car to be delivered. The inlaws came and visited us and the car was here! Better on gas and all. Drives like a dream. So God answers prayers.

In our large church we know a lot of people. Not close friends but we know lots of people because of the children's ministry you get to know the parents. Well I know this one woman, but to such a blessing she lives so close to me. She and her daughter have come over a few times and we've had a lot of fun. God answers prayers. I had been wanting a friend! I have a lot of people I know, a lot of people I knew, but no real friends. I know I'm relatively boring, and most people are busy so it's a difficult thing to come by. A friend! I am sure excited.

Now we're waiting on the next answer to prayer. My husband's success in this GDI business!
We know God will answer our prayers in one way or another. Keep in prayer with us!
If you would like prayer for anything please email us or leave a prayer request on the comments. If you would like to remain anonymous mention so, 'cause I would like to post prayer requests and eventual answers too! So let 'em come.

too hard for some

2009-03-01T17:04:00.002-05:00

It's tough that in this day and age people are worked so hard and are way in over their head often times and are black-listed for asking for help. I know a certain someone who is so overloaded by the work that is expected of her. She loves her work. God has called her to it, but she's taken on a great deal more than one person should have to themselves. She's a roughly well organized person, but she's overloaded.
A few others and myself have asked to help her, but she feels she'll be in "trouble" if she gets the help 'cause it'll look like she needs it. She needs to call it delegating and not receiving help. All of us are called to the work as well and would gladly help, but she just doesn't put it through to us.
She's on such tender hooks in the first place with her "boss" 'cause this individual likes things a certain way. And more power to this person. I can't fault them for it. It's a situation that could be dealt with, but it's not. I'm gonna one of these days stick my nose in and hopefully make some help happen, but I'm not sure I should.
I have all the materials to finish a course to be a non-layman pastor and I need to get it done. I am not much of a student on formal terms so it's not been an easy task for me to finish. I love the teaching part and love the sitting in on teachings, but to do the schoolwork isn't as easy for me. At least if it's all on my own.
One day it'll be done and I'll love the position if I ever get one. If I don't it's God's will, but I would love to try. Not that I could do it any better, but I could help this person out with a lot more credibility.

All out of prayer

2009-02-23T18:58:00.002-05:00

God's Word is 100% true! No ands, ifs, or buts about it. No pulling in on the idea that there's no absolute 'cause there absolutely is.

God's Word is a road map that shows us how to live our lives through every circumstance. There's not an idea that isn't covered. I've been under the assumption in the past that it doesn't cover the "insignificant" times we deal with. But I've been wrong. God cares. If we can't find it in particular that's when we turn to Him directly. God will show you where to look. Lot's of people say there are parts of the Bible that don't pertain to modern times. Well not true! If the Bible deals with our everyday lives in somethings then it does in all things. It's what makes the point of Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

God's Word is a blue print too. We need to know what to do next we have to know what He wants for our lives. Otherwise we might build a house that looks more like a dungeon and we don't want that. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35.

There's a lot of people who don't believe in absolutes and a lot of people who believe "if I'm okay you're okay." But that's not the way it really is. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

So please rethink anything you've ever thought before. I will pray for you; any reader of my blogs.

All in a days work

2009-02-20T15:20:00.003-05:00

Well here are a few more retailers to shop with on my site. Please come here for all your online shopping needs. I'm working to make life easier for you with a ONE-STOP shopping experience for you.
I'm excited to feature these great companies. Many of them I use myself. I hope you enjoy the experience of having it all right here at your fingertips and helping my family out in the process. I'm sorry if you visited my site before and were not able to access the stores as I was having some technical difficulties. That I think I have fixed.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask them. I'm just a comment or email away. My family is always at hand. So please enjoy the shopping and the posts as I have inspiration to write them. Blessings on you all.

Spring hasn't sprung!

2009-02-12T19:54:00.003-05:00

Well we had a beautiful day in the mid-60s. That was unique for the depths of winter in PA! But we really enjoyed it. And my husband had the day off none the less.
Valentines is on Saturday! I hope you all have something in mind for your sweetheart. You know you're sweetheart isn't always your spouse. It can be your best friend or your children or your parents. Everyone likes the reminder that they're loved. It's the time when you think extra on the someone whom you find extra special.

We, particularly, aren't doing anything special. The kids will make a card for their dad and send some valentines to their grand parents and cousins. And I'll make an actual real live sit down meal for my hubby, but nothing extravagant. We don't have the moola! I don't think anyone really does. Hubby would be touched but wish I didn't spend the money. I do look forward to the day I can get him something though.
But our love grows each year together. Even though we don't necessarily get along all the time, we do a lot of things to show each other we love each other. Simple things that say I love you and it doesn't cost a dime. Well, I guess making special dinners costs a little, but everyone gets to partake and it's still cheaper than eating out.
I'm personally looking forward to Easter. Then is the real celebration of JESUS who loves us so much He died for us. God sent His Son to die for us. I was thinking about how Abraham had to take Issac up to sacrifice him. All Abraham knew was that God told him to and He loved God and trusted Him. Abraham was ready to kill his own heir for God and I speculate that God maybe stopped him because #1 He had other plans and #2 He felt that He didn't want anyone else to have to go through the pain He was going to feel about having to sacrifice His own Son for us. So He stopped him and provided a ram to sacrifice instead. How Great Is Our God!
So when we think of our loved one. Which is great to do, God wants us to love each other infinitely. But we should remember who loves us more than anyone on this earth ever could. GOD. The ONE TRUE God. Jesus Messiah. Name above all names. Blessed redeemer and FRIEND!

2009-02-07T22:05:00.002-05:00

Hey all you all in the world! How are you today? Today we just had another normal day!
Went on to the mall for the kids to play in the indoor playground. Tomorrow we have our first 4H meeting tomorrow. Looking forward to see everyone again.
This year my oldest will be doing scrap booking, photography, flowers, rabbits and tyedye. I think we're gonna choose some baby items to tyedye. Like booties, onesies, hat and not sure what else. We're not allowed to do blankets or anything big. But we'll find something unique. Any ideas are welcome.
Hey remember about looking out your window in the morning and remembering what God has made for us to enjoy! Blessings to you all on your Sunday morning.

2009-02-06T10:01:00.003-05:00

The economy is getting worse. They're laying off more people and cutting people's hours with hopes that they'll quit so the company doesn't have to pay unemployment and they're refusing raises right now. My husband's company sure is. And this is a well to do company too.

You know in these times of economic frustration God is there. Often times I ask Him where, but He gently reminds me of His Word and there He is. Some would say He's not "showy" but He is. Just look around you! There's beautiful snowfall here. There's birds chirping or a beautiful starlit sky maybe where you are. His majestic proof is all around us.

And I hate to break it to ya, if you didn't already know. God isn't the same in every religion. The god in Islam is not the same almighty, one true, loving God that is in the Christian religion. And not only that. A lot of Christians don't really know who God really is. I'm only still learning. There is the theology that gets in most everyone's way. You know, the study of who God really is. Most churches teach Calvinism. But most don't even have a real concrete theology to teach. They could classify it one way or another, but really most have problems with a lot of the "rules" that the theology ultimately stands for. Personally, I've been reading a book on open theism. Which is right on with what I've always believed. But I didn't know it had a name. It's called God of the Possible by Boyd.

There's really not a all around point to what I'm trying to convey today. I guess I'm trying to challenge the religious lot that everything isn't always how your being taught. There's more than what the pastor or preacher or sikh or whomever is portraying from the front of your place of worship. They either don't know, don't have the time to know or are so dead set on what they have been taught from those same pulpits themselves. I'm just glad I had a friend that was able to have have some answers to my questions. She spends all her time seeking and reading new material. I sure wish I had the time to do more expansive reading.

Well. Next time you look out the window or listen to your children running or laughing just remember it's God who made it all happen and He's protecting us and looking after us. Just sometimes His answers aren't what we want them to be. In this failing economy ask yourself what is the real reason I need these things. God will tell your in His own way, if you're listening, what you can give up and what you need.

Applemama

STEELERS!!!!

2009-02-02T10:30:00.003-05:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers won the Superbowl last night! Awesome! The game had wonderful victories on both teams. They both had great plays! And during parts of the game it was rather drab and I just talked with friends, but all in all the Steelers won and that's awesome!!!!

Internet business ventures-God's will?

2009-02-01T13:59:00.008-05:00

There's this work at home company called SFI and there's the Eye Earn under or a part of it. Well. It's a $20 investment that says it will come back full. It's tshirts and window clings and stickers and more. You sign up and get this stuff and send in a picture of yourself advertising the gear! There's a TripleClicks store that is a virtual garage sale. You buy stuff on there if you want, but don't have to they claim. We'll see. We will find out on the 10th. If you're interested we can give you the website information. But if you want to know whether it really works. Come back after the 10th and I'll let you know through a blog entry.

I have a friend that I want to help so badly. My husband and I are finding our way through this internet business stuff and we know this one family that is trying to build their own business and even a concrete business not just cyberspace and they're struggling. I would like to help them buy introducing them to this Eye Earn business if it works.

So I'm not trying to sell some business that isn't beneficial. I'll let you know. My husband is in GDI and he is finding after a 6 week initial struggle that this is becoming profitable. Initially though, it needs a lot of praying through.

I'm never saying to enter into anything half hearted...or with out a lot of prayer. Sometimes God doesn't provide opportunities because He wants you right where you are for a while. Depending on Him and trusting in Him. He never ignores a prayer, just sometimes it's not the answer you were expecting. So keep praying for His will to be done and either it'll happen eventually or He'll point you in another direction entirely. We don't always get what we want, but isn't what God wants for us, the children He loves and provides for, better!?!

I know I know...

2009-01-29T09:23:00.003-05:00

Well here's the idea...you get up in the morning, your children get up and everyone does their morning chores and eat breakfast and start school! Well! That is a lot harder than it sounds. They do everything BUT what they're supposed to do. They act as if you're the most wonderfully interesting person in the world, just so they don't have to do their chores. Yet the rest of the day you're just a fixture that is a part of normal life. I don't mind being so interesting, but I do mind them being disobedient.

We've tried the restrictions on fun things....DOESN'T work
We've tried the yelling and getting upset...DOESN'T work
We've tried walking them through it all and teaching the concepts over again...DOESN'T work

We're working a new technique presently. I'll let you know how it goes.

Routine shouldn't be complicated. You get up you do it and life goes on. You learn to deal with responsibilities you don't like and know you're being obedient to your authority and pleasing God in the process. Routine is routine after all what we do every day. The concept is not startling.
There are those who just go the opposite way once their out of their authorities reach and usually in the long run pay a high price for it.

I didn't like the idea of predictability when I was growing up. I wanted to be that mysterious girl that was so interesting to everyone she encountered. And therefore well liked. But unfortunately that wasn't the case. My eyes weren't opened up til I was married and all my ugliness protruded from my ego. WOW what and ego I had. I spent some time apologizing to friends I still had for my self-centeredness. I'm not sure what they really thought I only got a shocked as all response. I sure didn't act that way on purpose.

I remember in high school becoming "popular" for a very short time, 'cause then my family moved 500 or so miles away. But after I moved my popularity was nill. I had my family though. My brother, my cousin and my church. That's all that mattered at the time though.
I couldn't figure out though why I looked to everyone like I was a "snob". I thought I was likeable. I did have many friends afterall. I am a christian afterall. Christians are supposed to be nice.

But the awakening came when I realized it wasn't about me. Well I knew it! I did the "I know I know, life is about honoring God and living for Jesus" but I didn't get it. I still had this chip on my shoulder as if the world and everyone in it owed me something for being "interesting". But I was miserably wrong. I was alone a lot my first year of marriage. My husband was trying his hardest to provide for us with 60 hour job. He was always tired when he got home and we had no friends in a strange new state miles away from everyone we knew or I knew or anything. I had a lot of contemplation time and tons of time with God that year. I can't say it was the best year ever like some would say 'cause I went through an internal house cleaning that I didn't know I needed. God worked so hard with me and I didn't really know that's what He was doing either.

I am thankful in retrospect only. I have learned things about myself that I feel bad for others for. I have learned what I've learned for God's sake ultimately, but then for my husband and my children and then for others. I know God's not done with me yet. I'm sure I'm still horrible, but He loves me and saved me and constantly being molded by The Potter's Hands.

Now God is using me and my husband to help mold my children. And how ever much they don't like routine, it's what brings us to a familiarity with ourselves and our creator when we give it the chance.

What do you think?

2009-01-24T12:02:00.002-05:00

Here I am trying to promote my blog and find that not soo many people are looking at it for more than the 20 sec it takes on Traffic Swarm. Which I understand, we do that a bit too, but we've found some great things on TS and would recommend you looking about a bit more.

So I've got a question for you all! What would you like to see featured on this website. What kind of talks would be of interest to you. Fill out the poll down below to let me know!

Alien-at-cha!

2009-01-18T14:25:00.006-05:00

Well in Sunday school I've been teaching the little kids about being an Alien! Being a christian in a world that is not our final destination. They're enjoying the idea of "aliens" they laughed today when the puppet, Nick wanted to be have the Alien Superpower and claimed he could fly or see through others. Of course, he failed. But I was thinking. How we all claim we have something to do with all these wonderful things in life, when we really don't.
Like the accolades given to the heroes these days really don't have much merit. We all "think" they do, but don't. Think about it. It would be better if we said about them, look how God used them in this situation. That's much better.

What's our highest calling as christians? Well, to worship and honor God. Worship is our lifestyle, not just what we do with music or in church. It's a lifestyle that praises God with every breath. There's a song, done by who first, I don't know, but Newsboys does it. It has a line in it that Newsboys changed, which I like, because it's more truthful to our lives, even though it should be the other way. But it's "in all I do to honor you" instead of "in all I do I honor you". Even when the words say "I honor you" I usually change it to be more truthful than emotionally charged, to "to honor you". Because can we say that all we do honors the Lord? Sadly, no!

We all have our moments (if we can even understate it that much) that we do not honor Jesus. We lie, curse (whether it be by bad language or just by what we say) steal, cheat. It's a lot more subtle than we all think. All we have to do is look at another person lustfully and we've cheated on our spouse, their spouse, their very being has been violated. We can steal some one's right to their own opinions by casting our own on them. We can curse others by being that person who gossips or just "casually" says something not so nice about another person. Lying to ourselves daily about how good of a person we are. And lying to others by acting like we could walk on water if we wanted to.

We need our superpowers to be what the Holy Spirit wants for us and guides us to do and our Superhero is Jesus. The one who really does have supernatural powers and did sacrifice himself for us and save us from our sins. We are aliens here. We can have superpowers, just it will have nothing to do with ourselves or what we want. And it never should be.

Wondering about the televisions on the left side of the screen?

2009-01-15T20:31:00.005-05:00

Wow you're probably wondering why the tv advertisments to the side? Well my parents are really intrested in buy a HD, LCD flat screen tv. And we've heard great things about both of these televisions so we decided to compare them and I was able show them the tv's via my site. I believe they decided on the Sony. But they've not purchased it yet. They're waiting for their stand to buy the tv to put it on. That's on order as well.

So you see the tvs and wonder which one is better for you? Well check 'em out. They're from Amazon which is wonderfully reputable and shipping is free on both. Just check out the reviews. Some are funny!

The new year HAS begun!

2009-01-06T22:58:00.003-05:00

It's so sad that Penn State had to lose. Yet they were outmatched. It would have been nice for them to show them up and come out from under being the underdog. All well better next year.

We've begun school again. I am so glad to be back in the swing of things. I do miss sleeping in though. If you want to call it sleeping in. It's only by a half hour, but we would be able to leisurely get our morning going on and now we have to get up and get going pretty quickly.

The two older children have a short list of chores to do everyday. They take turns with certain chores. They don't like it so much, but they're learning a lot of good things that will take them far in their later years.

I know that I don't let them do anything major, but they think no one else does chores. I let them know often about their misconceptions.

We're beginning new curriculum in a lot of ministries at church and I'm really excited about it. But I already see where the theology is very incorrect and I have to figure out how to adjust that without making a theological lesson for k-2 graders. 'Cause getting into a lot of theology really young whether it be young as in age or young as in spiritually it can really throw you off.

I like how it was all presented to me years ago. Some people believe in open theism, but don't know it. Most people believe in Calvinism and don't even know it too. Now fortunately your theology doesn't determine your way into eternity, but it sure does help with your walk with God while your here on earth.

I'm excited about this new year. An opportunity to resolve some underlying issues you've had that you know about and hope to change it. Lots of people make resolutions and give up on them within weeks. But I think the best way of resolving on something is to keep it to yourself and do your best to change it and well if you can't you keep trying. I'm not a quitter, but I do get discouraged easily. God is working on that in me. We can all work on finding gold within ourselves. Jesus loves to show us where that gold is after we've tried everything else ourselves.

I know I've gone all over the place in this blog and I don't have a good title for it, but hopefully you'll find some interest in what I write.

school starts again

2009-01-05T12:01:00.005-05:00

Wow, what a holiday vacation. We took what I would call a short one this year. Alot of people I know who homeschool take the whole month of December off. Which is a nice convenience in homeschooling. We just start in August to make up for the time and also don't take off snow days and other ridiculous holidays.
I'm excited to start up school again. The children are doing their individual work now, we call it i-work. I keep having to walk in though and intervene 'cause they start talking. Mostly about what they're learning. So that makes it nicer. They're not playing at least.
With my 3 yr old we're gonna start to learn to read. I have this wonderful phonics book. Phonics Pathways. It's inexpensive and it is sufficient to teach all you need to know to begin reading. I didn't even get through half the book with my older two before they were fluent readers. I love it. I also have it featured on my GFY Homeschool supplies. It's even cheaper there than my mother bought it for 6 years ago. And eligible for free shipping. Look it up.
So what do you all think of homeschooling? Fill out the poll below please.

New Year

2008-12-31T23:07:00.001-05:00

2008-12-30T16:26:00.005-05:00

Well I figured out the MP3 thing. I downloaded a m4a to mp3 converter. It was free and it was easy! Fortunately. It does take a little extra time, but it's worth the cheaper hardware. So I'm not complaining now. So my children and husband have their mp3 players and all the christian music we can fit. I do like that there is such a service. I love that my children bombard their ears with music that glorifies God! I really have a lot more quality possibilities with my children now. I've introduced them to all my albums from my youth that helped form my walk with the Lord and we've had a lot of fun. We danced around for over an hour one night to some of the Carmen albums. Even my 3 year old sings the songs around the house now. She of course is still glued to her Jesus songs book. The kind that have the midi buttons on the side to go along with the lyrics in the book. Well I have to attend to the youngest. Please leave comments for me.

What you can get at Walmart.com

2008-12-25T22:45:00.003-05:00

Did you know Walmart.com has MP3 downloads? They do! It's easy!
Please check it out. I've run into the problem with ITunes being technically biased towards their own products. It's frustrating.
You see the ITunes gift cards all over the place and you know you have to own an IPod to be able to utilize the gift card. I haven't figured out how to just access my ITunes songs that I've bought with the gift cards I've been given onto my Delstar mp3 player. I don't wanna pay the outrageous price for an ipod when I bought this delstar for $15. Now what to do; what do I do? Well I found out that Walmart does do the mp3 downloads and they go on any media player you have on your pc otherwise. It's easy and their a bit cheaper. Please go to my link for Walmart and buy your mp3 downloads there. It's just as easy and you can get the gift cards and you help yourself out.

2008-12-23T20:31:00.003-05:00

A lot of affiliates want me to promote their sites or products to be accepted into their programs and display their logo on my site. I'm not sure I understand! DUH! Putting their banner on here automatically is my promoting their business and products. I have applied to many many programs of many reputable companies and all to denial. I'm not sure what their point is. Please please, buy this and that. Of course you should. You know the company and you know what they sell, if you don't, and you're interested then you click....duh, hence finding out what they have and if it interests you and you have money you buy. This all doesn't make a bit of sense to me. Sure I'll promote things I use in everyday life. I have mentioned a few things already in my blogs. But hey life is life. I'll mention if I can, but if it doesn't suit. Know that the link is there and I approve. Sorry I just needed to vent a bit. Feel approved by God and know He's all who matters, really!
Applemama out!

Bead jewelry-real woddy-poddy

2008-12-22T20:55:00.002-05:00

My daughter and sister have begun - what they call their business - From the Homemade. They are making bead jewelry; bracelets, necklaces and even earrings. I've been wearing some myself and I get quite a few compliments. So they're really pretty. You can choose your colors and type of beads. You can also request a charm. The jewelry cost a good penny. About 100-200 of them. *hehe* Each cost about $1-$2. Charms cost an additional $.50. I'm hoping to get a few photos to post so you can see these jewelry pieces they are making. Please contact me if you have an interest in buying any of their jewelry.

2008-12-20T21:04:00.003-05:00

I was just watching Momsense by Anita Renfroe with my dad. I realized there is also a Dadsense. Lots of fun. Her video for "Don't Breathe" is soo funny too. I'm sure the You Tube videos are available at the bottom of the blog. I have a few from Hillsongs United too.
Please take a look at them too. It's a lot of fun.
We just had Christmas with my parents in Western VA. It's been a lot of fun. I got to see both my brothers. I don't get to see them much. I saw my nephews too. Love 'em!!!
Lots of electronics floating around. Glad I'm not the one who buys them. The Lord has really blessed us with parents who are so generous and love their grandchildren immensely. Hey, they don't have to, but they do and we're grateful.
My littlest is crying so I must tend to her. Later, Applemama

Work from Home start

2008-12-09T18:53:00.006-05:00

I have a business I am growing. I received a call from a company called Global Cash Flow Network. They set you up with a website and you can create your own stores. I have named a few Good For You stores. I feature many different items. From kitchenware and toys, to gaming products and clothing. There is much more than that, but there's just too much to mention. I get to be affiliates with Amazon and Walmart. I'm also applying to be affiliates with many more companies. You get commissions when you put their banners on your website and people buy through them. I get to have a Google Adsense account and I'm in the process of multiplying my affiliate connections. I eventually will have a new domain name of Applemama.biz, but not as of now. Applemama is what I have named my business. It is all family-friendly items. You won't find anything you shouldn't have for your children or yourself. I even have put on a few homeschooling products. I am really excited about having a business I can manage from my home. Being that I homeschool I needed someway to supplement our income. I enjoy the endeavor my husband and I have taken on. Yes, of course, my husband helps me with a lot of the logistics because he wants me to succeed. His support has been priceless. There's also another feature to the GCFN business. It's a recruiting job. Where others can sign up for the GCFNetwork as well and you get a bonus for that.

What my kids have said...

2008-12-04T19:43:00.008-05:00

There have been a lot of cute memories over these 9 years as parents and lots of adorable things my children have said, but here are a few that take the cake!

Madeline, when she was 2 we were on our way to the Norfolk Zoo . We'd bought some M&Ms fro the trip there. When we got there Keith was collecting all the trash and threw it all away. Madeline starting saying, " You threw away my letters!". We were clueless as to what that meant and assured her it was all trash and went on to enjoy the zoo. While we were there I kept thinking about what she meant by "her letters" and I figured out that she was referring to her m&ms. She called them letters 'cause of the m's on the candies.

She used to say "bading soup" for bathing suit and "peopop" for lollipop. She said "ca-cat" for our cat, Levi.

Madeline and Keith used to sing this song back and forth. He would sing "silly ol' goose is Maddy" she would sing back, "silly ol' goose is me" We loved it.

Greyson had a few. He would try really hard to convince us of things, anything he wanted. He would say, "we have to because we have to because we do" Keith still repeats it to him often and he shys down. It's cute.

He also loves to sing. He would sing out to any song in the car. We have a CD album, The Way My Story Goes by Jamie Soles. Great for children and parents. Songs about bible stories. Many that aren't mentioned often in church. But one song was about Noah and how he found grace in the Lord. Greyson would say. "Noah found "grapes" in the Lord, he believed."
Too cute!
Another, we were at my in-law's church and there was a sign on an entrance and Greyson started walking to a different door. We instructed him to come back that that was the door we were going in and he said, "It says Children Stay Out" We looked at the sign and we all laughed out loud. It actually said, "Children's Day Out". It was a sign for an outreach they had for children to be dropped off and watched while parent's shopped for Christmas.

Megan has a few. She's into pretending that things are lost. Her and Keith were home while Madeline, Greyson and Katherine went to muck the stalls. He and her played games and did puzzles and there's this song book she likes a lot. They were singing gaily and Megan points to the picture of Jesus in the book and says "Jesus is coming back." Keith is grinning with pride and he said to her "Where is He now?" Megan said, "He's lost!" Funny to be sure!
She also said "Lado" for water. It is always such fun listening to children learn to talk and enunciate. We also heard "foffe" instead of coffee.

What my kids have said have been a big highlight.

Katherine has some to come up with I'm sure, but she's still only 7mos. So there's still time. Our children have had such wonderful senses of humor. I've always prided when I walk through a store or anywhere with my children and we often get comments on how behaved and beautiful the children are.

I love being a mom!

Wash some feet

2008-11-30T22:35:00.006-05:00

Can I tell you how much I love being able to serve in children's ministry. I've felt a call on my life from God for a long time now. I remember the day vividly that I felt it.

I'd been working for some time in the childcare aspect and feeling really burned out. And God said to me that the feeling I had would come and go, but the love I felt for those children to learn about Him was the factor that would lead my life.

I have had my down time from the ministry and I was not happy. I was selfish and anxious and those feelings are below the measure that God has intended for our lives. My life. I had had my first child and wasn't really plugged in tight with a church and all I could think about was when I would get to sleep next. But the Lord brought me through it all with His loving hand of forgiveness and mercy.

I slowly began to put my ore into helping out and then managing aspects and now I'm in. I may not ever be in a pastoral position of salary, but I get to show children who Jesus is everyday. I say, everyday, because I have my own children. I homeschool and our curriculum exposes God in all aspects of life. Then I have my church affiliation and I get to serve in ways that I only ever prayed about. I love working with children.

They're so forgiving. If you mess up your wording or goof off a bit they still love you and don't over analyze whether or not you meant something else. They are closer to God than we could ever see. Jesus was in children's ministry too. He had them sit on His lap and told them stories and loved on them and never had to give a further explanation.

It breaks my heart to see churches that don't give much value to their children's ministry. Who's gonna be there in their future? Who is the churches future? Who's the future of our country? It's them, the children, who some people consider the not so glamorous service. Changing pants and wiping beautiful faces and doing those puppet skits and all is what Jesus was all about. He didn't necessarily do those things, but it's about "washing feet".

Feet, in biblical days were gross, to say the least. Blistered and dirty and smelly (well they, I'm sure, stepped in some dung). But Jesus washed the disciples' feet and told Peter if He didn't wash his feet that he couldn't have any part of His ministry and Peter said wash my whole body. Well, Peter was as some would call a zealot. But he was passionate about what Jesus wanted him to do. He went to his death for Jesus.

All I'm saying is children's ministry is the top of the totem pole. I could never find a more rewarding service than to serve children who are so quick to give a hug and are soo excited when they see you out in the marketplace. I get, "There's my worship teacher" often. It melts my heart every time. My children are seeing a great service that I believe they will carry on as they grow up.

My shows

2008-11-30T22:23:00.004-05:00

Who out there loves the show Heroes? I sure do. My brother and I talk about it at length every week. What's going on? They can't kill off Claire! When will they get their powers back? I am looking forward to tomorrow night so I can see how the next part of the story pans out.

Madeline, my 9 year old, watches with me. We've received all the seasons on dvd up to now. We've been keeping up. Have you? There's no real value to the show. It sets off the imagination well though. What would it be like to have powers?

I know well though it isn't up to me. Jesus has all the "powers" I could ever need. He's the one who shows me all He's capable of on a daily basis. I look around and well there He is!

I like a lot of other shows too. All the CSIs and some others as well. It's fun to fade in and out of reality into the imagination of someone else, through a tv show of course. I'm not speaking of some weird spiritualism or anything. I'm grounded in God's foundation. It would be against my better judgement to allow any of the wiles of tv to infiltrate my senses to the point of action. It's better described in the enjoying entertainment of moderation.

Although as a Christian I'm called to excel. Be better than the moderate life that most lead. I sure hope you're following that lead too.

Internationals and Thanksgiving Dinner

2008-11-28T21:33:00.008-05:00

Yesterday was sooooo exciting. We had the privilege of having 4 international students from PSU over for a traditional American Thanksgiving Dinner (as we know it). They were from China. They hadn't ever been in an American home before. One girl said her only impression of an American home was what she'd seen on TV. Poor girl. That's a horrible way to know who Americans are. That's sad 'cause most of American families are nothing like the movies. Unfortunately we allow these movies and tv shows to represent our country. I can't stand it. I can't think of one movie that accurately describes home or life, as I know it, in the media.

I made my family's traditional meal by myself, for the second time ever. All a success. These students didn't eat much. I had bought stuff for lunch, thinking dinner would be later, and they wanted nothing to do with American food. Now they did eat some at dinner. The one guy loved the corn. And they all ate turkey. But they didn't even touch the gravy that I believe is one of the perks of the meal. And even though I noticed this I wasn't bothered by it. They thought stuffing was an odd concept.

They spent most of the day playing with my children. On T-day eve, I spoke to one student about transportation and he'd heard my baby, Katherine, crying in the background and said how much he loves babies. When they arrived here she was who they took to first. My older three played in the snow with them for hours while dinner was cooking. We prayed for dinner and they bowed their heads, then, didn't know that AMEN was the finishing of the prayer. I thought that was a common ending to anything. I don't know. That just shows how ignorant I am. I don't mean to be.

We did look up how to say hello in Chinese. Ni-haow. Not sure of the spelling. One girl showed my son how to write it in Chinese and told of the meanings of each symbol. It was really cool. I liked having them here.

We watched a movie that evening and they departed with lots of hugs and intentions of keeping in touch. We definitely will do that again. I highly recommend it if you have a notion to invite people over for a meal.

Children's ministry is in need

2008-11-22T21:56:00.001-05:00

There is a surprising lack of commitment in the children's ministries. Not from the ministers themselves; if anything they are screaming for our help. I have been in quite a few churches over the years in my moves along the east coast and they all have an alarming need for workers.
I have recently been added to the committed few that manage parts of the ministry. I simply call those who are scheduled to minister in pre-specified rooms and they are to show up because they had previously committed to. I have found this DIFFICULT! I love this! Don't get me wrong. I want this position. Children's ministries is where God has called me and I'm fully available and willing.
But just the same, I make my phone calls to remind those few that have signed up to help. They receive schedules every three months letting them know when they're expected. Three months! They have plenty of time to let us know if they cannot be there, or if they want off the schedule. Then there's another issue of finding someone to take their place; again.

I understand that sickness or the like afford a great reason (not excuse) and are plenty accepted and we do our best from there. 'Cause first we don't want them coming in and feeling ill or having them bring their ill children and second we don't want them getting the children they're ministering to ill either. So there's that.
The issue I have is those that just don't show up or don't call or drop off the face of the earth!
Some of those are teenagers. Now ,sure you say, "well they're teenagers". I say no, they are still under their parents tutelage and should be being taught that responsibility. Some parents ignore the situation and others let them quit. I have come across one parent that let her teenager quit her position but let me know after talking extensively with her daughter. I believe they dealt with it appropriately.
I think we are coming up with some solutions. We are not merely offering a sign up, which in the past has brought on ONE person. We are beginning to "recruit". There the needs arise and we walk the halls of Sunday morning fellowship hour asking anyone who comes along. I feel a bit guilty about this because I'm preying on people who just want to come to church and they get accosted to help in the nursery. But we need to have someone there for the visitors if not others too.
Visitors come in and who knows whether they're christians or what the situation might be and they need to have the services available uninterrupted to get a proper impression of the church. So in turn we have to have the rooms manned.
I have stepped in on occasion. I have other responsibilities in other parts of the children's ministry too. I lead preschool worship called Power in Praise Worship. I also get to take the K-2 and do an age-appropriate lesson for them in Kids Chapel. I love what I do. Please never misunderstand me in this.
But this also brings up the argument that, well other people have other responsibilities too. Well I agree and more power to them. Great stuff that they feel called to a ministry in the church. But the statistics are blinding that most people who go to church are takers.
Takers are people who come to receive, which I have no qualms with people receiving from God, but takers are people who come in and use all the resources a church has to offer and then go home and lead their lives as if they never went to church at all.
There are workers. People who come and only work at church, they do not attend a service and those people really deserve a pat on the back, but still there's no balance.
Then there's the "reciprocators". Servers we'll call them. They go to both services. One service they work and then other service attend to receive. There's a balance there.
I am also aware that not everyone can attend both services on every given Sunday. Well then decide on which to do; whether attending sermon or serving in a ministry, by what God tells you.
Most the time if we have to decide we work it by time. Whatever time we have to leave by is the determining factor to which service we go to. Most the time we do not make plans unless they include attending both services anyways. But we have that luxury.
I don't really have a good solution to all this. I am merely venting at the moment. God knows the thoughts and intentions of the heart and He is who we answer to, not me or anyone else.
The frustration of the need is still there, but I'm doing what God wants me to do in the serving. I am simply putting out there that there is a need and someone should answer the call.