Ole! A Mexican Fiesta

For the last two weeks we have been studying Mexico and Central America.  We finished off our study with a Mexican Fiesta.  This included a homemade pinata, Mexico Flamenco flowers, yarn art and handmade tortillas.  El tiempo era excelente.  Quiero hacerlo otra vez.

Read of the Week:
Tortured For Christ by Richard Wurmbrand - "After years of imprisonment and solitary confinement, enduring inhumane torture, Richard Wurmbrand emerges with a powerful testimony of courageous faith. Even today, believers are suffering and dying for Christ, yet their faith will not falter under the most unthinkable persecutions. In this stirring account, Wurmbrand (founder of The Voice of the Martyrs) encourages us to remember those in chains and equips us to help our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ around the world."

 

Find of the Week:
http://www.havefunwithhistory.com/movies/index.html- Amazing Historical Videos on a huge array of subjects.  These are great for young and old. 

Scripture of the Week: 

"Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant."
- Galatians 1:10

"We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own."  ~Ben Sweetland

Recycled Colors Project

We did a recycling project today.  It can be done with kiddos of any age, and it only takes a short amount of time with no prep work.  Also, there is no cost, as everything you need is right at your fingertips.  These are perfect for all ages; and make really cool swirling colors as you sweep them across paper.  Get started recycling your crayons today!  Simple recipe follows below...

Broken Crayons (broken up into small pieces, with the wrapper off)

Baking Oil Spray

Muffin Tin

Spray the muffin tin with baking oil spray.  Place one layer of crayons in each muffin cup.  Bake at 275 F for 8 minutes.  Let them completely cool.  Pop them out (literally pop the bottoms) and enjoy them for coloring time. 

Read of the Week:
 2010 Class Trip Directory for Texas - "Day, overnight and travel trips for school, scout and youth groups.  Trips that support learning and merit badge achievements.  Explore America and it's neighbors.  Educational and fun travel trip itineraries."

Scripture of the Week: 

"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care."

Psalm 95:6-7 - NIV

"Orange is the happiest color."

 - Frank Sinatra

Exploring Culture Locally

Last week we made the hour long trek into Houston to explore.  Our first stop was the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.  We journeyed through the antiquities to the modern works.  Lauryl was really intrigued by the early American Indian gallery.  She also loved all of the African jewelry.  

When we left we decided to ride the MetroRail from end to end, stopping at the downtown Tunnels for lunch.  It's interesting how the people change from one end of town to the other.  We saw everything from doctors, nurses and business people, to drug addicts, homeless and the blue collar.  We talked with people that sat next to us, and they all were going somewhere.  I think there were more life-lessons to be learned on the hour and a half we rode that rail, then in a week of classroom teaching.  Get your kids out of the house - show them all the sorts of people around them.  Teach them that God is the Creator of everyone.  And, the same Jesus that came for them, came for the person in rags or a suit sitting next to them.  If we are to be mission-minded, then we are to reach and touch everyone. 

Read of the Week:
Revolution In World Missions by K. P. Yohannon - "He was barefoot until the age of 16. In this exciting and fast-moving narrative, Yohannan shares how God brought him from his remote jungle village to become the founder of Gospel for Asia, which now supports 7,000 native missionaries in ten Asian countries. He challenges Western Christians from his unique Third World perspective--to examine and change their life-styles in view of the millions who have never heard the gospel. This book could change your thinking and your life."

 

Find of the Week:
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/units/units_with_books.htm -Reading Units / Book Units.  Great resources for kiddos reading a milieu of novels.  Check it out!

Scripture of the Week: 

"So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us."
- II Corinthians 5:20

Right Under Your Nose

I'm always surprised about the things that are right around the corner that you don't know about.  Apparently, since the late 80's the Montgomery County Heritage Museum has been dishing out some fantastic local history.  We were pleasantly greeted by a hostess offering us headphones for a full on tour of the little establishment.  We could see and touch parts of our county's history starting with the Native American's all the way to our present day.  You'll find out why Tamina Road is called Tamina Road; and that Willis used to be a huge tobacco plantation called Little Cuba.  There is even a totally hands on room that even the littlest of curious hands can touch.  That room is filled with actual pieces from history, set up as a general store.  There's a gift shop and friendly staff that are willing to answer questions and show you around.  It's a free tour, and I suggest that when you are passing by Candy Cane Park, that you take an hour and pull in to the museum instead.  Great things are truly right under our noses.

Read of the Week:
The Power of A Man by Rick Johnson - "Using your influence as a man of character". Great insight into how your man thinks and ticks.  Must read for men and women

 

Finds of the Week:
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/us-state-maps.htm -Free printable maps of the USA, States, and much more. 

Scripture of the Week: 

"Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures."

Psalm 119:90 - NIV

"Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may."

 - Sam Houston

Around The World In Eighty Bites

This week entailed learning and reviewing the seven continents and five oceans. Our days included a compass rose, scales, keys and atlases.  Lauryl also learned to say "hello" in nine different languages, as we sailed around our desktop globe. I wrapped the week up spending a total of $2.29 on cake supplies, and a free world map from Google.  Lauryl loved creating this cake mostly from memory of her newly discovered continents.

 

 
Finds of the Week:
http://www.heritagemuseum.us/ - Montgomery County Heritage Museum in Conroe, Texas.  Interesting local facts that will surprise you.  Like - where the names Grogans Mill and Cochrans Crossing came from. 



Scripture of the Week: 
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - NIV

"The means to gain happiness is to throw out from oneself like a spider in all directions an adhesive web of love, and to catch in it all that comes."
-  Leo Nikolaevich

Apple Pie Days

Nothing says Summer in Texas like an Apple Pie.  Nothing says wonderfulness like something out of the oven that was homemade by small ten year old hands.  This week marked Lauryl's first week of fifth grade.  We started out our year-long Geography study with a look at maps, a compass, a globe and the world.  What better way to get into the spirit of world-travel than "How To Make An Apple Pie And See The World" by Marjorie Priceman.  It's definitely on our list of fun books with big, colorful pictures.  As we closed our first week of school, Lauryl commenced to make her first pie with only onlooking supervision from Grandma.  Lauryl mixed, rolled, sliced, peeled and baked this magnificent apple pie all by herself.  (Recipe found at the end of the book.)  If I may say so myself, it's fabulous!  Tomorrow, it's on to making organic Guacamole as a way to eat healthy brain foods.  (NOTE: We are studying the brain in Health this week.)  Thank you to our Lord for a smooth week.  It couldn't have produced such fruit without His everlasting graciousness and help. 

 

Read of the Week:
Story Craft by John R. Erickson- "Reflections on faith, culture, and writing from the author of Hank The Cowdog"
 
Finds of the Week:
http://bibledraw.com/ - Check out the Picture Smart Bible.  We've used it for two days and are already deeply in love with all of it.  Worth each and every Mom-saved penny.



Scripture of the Week: 
"This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'"
Jeremiah 33: 2-3 - NIV

"There is more to life than increasing it's speed."
 - Ghandi

Some Like It Free

I love when I come upon things that are free.  After all, the best things in life (ie. SALVATION) are free....  I stumbled on a new group called New Beginnings for homeschool parents that either are new to this profession or are feeling the burn out.  I added them (like button) to my Facebook and I found out that each week they have a FREE DAY!  They post all sorts of homeschool goodies that are completely free, except for the price of printing things out.  There are lap books, unit studies, supplements, planners, etc.  I downloaded things like The Book of Virtue Project Pack, Constitution Study Guide and a Inside My Body Unit Study.  You could completely teach your kids for a year with these things at no cost.  It's amazing that generous people are willing to share what they have.  There must be an understanding somewhere that we are all making this voyage together and sharing is part of what makes us great.  If you find other FREE places, let us all know.  Share the "wealth!"

Read of the Week:
The Lie: EVOLUTION, by Ken Ham- “Genesis - The Key to Defending Your Faith” five stars
 
Finds of the Week:
http://www.seedsoffaithwomen.com -To which my dear friend Maggie is a contributing author.  Find encouragement and love here!

http://www.new-bintexas.webs.com -What a great place to find help when you need it most.  Add them to your Facebook and get the great FREE posts!

Scripture of the Week: 
^"Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.  Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you."
Ephesians 4:29-32-The Message

"Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty."

- Thomas Jefferson

"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came. " 

- John F. Kennedy