Two Weeks in Africa

We just spent two weeks in Africa!  That is, Africa through living books right in our home school room.  I have say that everything we learned and did spurred on the intense want to travel the continent, from Savannah to Sahara. What a sorrowful history this beautiful continent has.  Most of all, we were intrigued by the many different cultures that land mass contained.  I in truth, cannot wait until we step foot on their rich soil and experience all of African humanity.  


Banging on her homemade African drum

Homemade play dough Safari animals

 

Cooking African-style, Chaptis, Fruit Salad and Meat-on-a-Stick

Read of the Week:
The Purpose of Passion by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware - Dante's Epic Vision of Romantic Love

 

Scripture of the Week: 
<sup>"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good."
- Romans 12:9</sup>

"Undoubtedly, we become what we envisage."

- Claude M. Bristol

The Purpose of Passion Book Review

Book Review of The Purpose of Passion by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware
Dante's Epic Vision of Romantic Love

In this book you will, "discover what one of the world's greatest love stories says about the meaning of romance...and you will discover the secrets it contains about passion, romance and spirituality - and how they are all connected." (Taken from back cover.)

Without reading or knowing anything about this book, I agreed to review it because it sounded interesting. Much to my dismay, it was not. Since Kurt Bruner was a former vice president of Focus on the Family, I assumed that the read would bring modern and relevant information, mixed with traditional biblical logic. The book was the most difficult tome to become engaged in that I have ever read. If you aren't familiar with Dante's The Divine Comedy you will be lost within the pages. I have a hard time putting into the words what this book is about. I'm still unsure. As you are reading along with Dante's famous words, the authors are trying to pull together an analogy of spousal love from a Christian viewpoint. The result of the effort is mediocre at best. The authors tend to get too wordy; and lose sight of giving the reader hearty meat, instead of loosely compiled literature. I was hoping for relevant information that I could apply to my personal life. What I ended up with was blurred text with a vague point. I do not think I will be recommending this book to married or single friends. I found little to no use for the diaphanous counsel contained in this book. (I am book reviewer for Tyndale House Publishers. In exchange for my reviews, I get to keep their books for free!)

Voices of The Faithful Book Review

Book Review of Voices of the Faithful, by Beth Moore

"Inspiring stories of courage from Christians serving around the world."

I'm still in wonder over the pages of this treasured and timeless devotional. Beth Moore has teamed up with Kim Davis to compile a devotional completely written by missionaries from around the globe. Three hundred and sixty-six days are covered, each with a Bible verse, a commentary or story and a short prayer. Immediately upon opening the book I skipped ahead to my birthday. Of course, right there was a perfect story that I needed to hear right then and there. Each page is filled with love and commitment to evangelism. God and missions are the entire focus of this book. Each section is opened with a word from Beth Moore that is always filled with intrigue and power. The end of the book is complete with a salvation plan all the way to what to do if you'd like to become a missionary. I'm extremely pleased with this mission-minded book, and can't wait to begin it in it's entirety on January 1. This is a true work of art, from the people that serve with their whole lives right to our own humble existence.

Celebrating The Season Book Review

Book Review of Celebrating The Season, by Maggie Bokros
An Advent Study

I love those moments when you find exactly what you are looking for.  This is it!  If you are looking for an Advent Study to do with your family (all ages) over December, look no further.  Ms. Bokros has written an E-book that will take your family on an in depth study of the Christmas season, from Creation to Resurrection.  She has included family Bible reading, activities spanning multiple ages and family, prayer, additional reading books, recipes, and much much more.  Each study takes on average 15 minutes a day.  You can stay as simple or as engaging as you choose - that's the beauty of the book.  To top it all off, she's offering it at a astounding price! This is a MUST HAVE resource for your library.  Don't miss out.  It’s absolutely phenomenal! A great work of God’s creativity and love! Click here to see the book, read more about it, and purchase it today.

Photos of our family's Jesse Tree to come.

A Trip To Norway

This month we are studying different countries and cultures of Europe.  Last week we took a quick stop off at Norway.  One of the great perks of the homeschool life is the ability to completely submerse your child into a whole other place without being there.  Make sense?  Without uncomfortable chairs, school schedules and limitations, we can totally jump in to any subject and explore deeper any of the parts that are of interest to the learner.  What a shame that most children will never have the opportunity to travel to Norway and any other map point in their minds and bodies like we can.  I don't take that for granted for even a moment.  The best part of our cultural study is a little book called Window on the World.  It's an outstanding, mission-minded book on countries and places you may have never even heard of.  Most of the countries within the pages are plagued with either dictators, disease, poverty or a mix of it all.  Not only does the book show in full color pictures the people and places, but also shares a story of what a child may be going through that very day.  Persecution is EVERYWHERE!  Most of the places discussed we can't get to because there are a million roadblocks by the dictators of the countries.  They don't want us to reach out to these people, especially with Bibles and the Gospel.  But we can!  Right from our own homeschool rooms.  The best part of the book is that each and every country showcased has a list of immediate prayer requests.  We all know that prayer blasts through any wall, over any ocean, against any strong hold, and straight to God's throne that never sleeps.  I challenge you to add this book to your daily classes; and see your child's face and hear their heart as they lift up children that are held captive in so many places.  We can begin to change lives right now.  It's not about us at all, is it?


Working on authentic Norweigan Rosemaling on a wooden purse

 

Cooking homemade Lefse and Gjetost (which I  have to say was one of the best meals we've ever eaten)

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." I tend to pick this book up and put it down again within a few days.  The book is beautiful, but I find it that my soul can only withstand so much of the persecution suffered by so many today that I can't go very far with it at one time.  I suggest it as the most factual and aware book of our time.  NOTE: It will affect you in every single way; and you will be changed forever by the marks it leaves. 

 

Find of the Week:
http://www.visionforum.com/beautifulgirlhood/

Scripture of the Week: 

"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of our God stands forever."
- Isaiah 40:8

"Christ alone can save the world, but Christ cannot save the world alone." - David Livingston

Same Kind Of Different As Me Review

Book Review of Same Kind Of Different As Me, by Denver Moore and Ron Hall 
A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together

I'm still in awe after closing the last pages of this book last night. I'm truly inspired by Denver, Ron and Debbie. Forgiveness, Love, Kindness, Patience and Virtue seep out of each and every page. I will be passing this book in over and over to friends and family. It draws you in from the very first page and keeps you turning until the last words. I cried many tears over Ron's unconditional love for Debbie. And my heart thrilled as Denver was taken from a cast-off to a man of God with will and empowerment. The pictures in the back of the book brought us directly into their lives. I will read again and again.

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