The Homeschool Buyer Co-op is a great organization that has helped me save a bundle on curriculum. Co-op discounts range from 20%-90%!
This month the Co-op is giving SmartPoints to members who help spread the word about these great deals. If you haven't joined yet, you'll get 100 SmartPoints just for joining! Once you have joined, you can spread the word too and start building your own SmartPoints balance. When you have enough SmartPoints, you can use them to purchase many of the products available through the Co-op.
Click my link below to get a complete list of all the available offers organized by subject area:
http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/curriculum/?source=52303
Here's a sampling of what's available:
ALL-IN-ONE:
Switched-On Schoolhouse - Save 12%, Free Shipping, AND Earn SmartPoints
PLATO Learning K-12 Curriculum - Save $50
eTAP K-12 Curriculum - Save 35%
ELECTIVES:
Meet The Masters Art Education - Save 50%
Type To Learn Typing Tutor Software - Save 56%
FOREIGN LANGUAGES:
Rosetta Stone Homeschool - Save up to $100, Free Shipping, and Earn SmartPoints
HISTORY:
Chester Comix - Save 57%
Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trips - Save up to 90%
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Explode The Code Online - Save 50%
My Access! Writing Curriculum - Save 50%
MATH:
Aha!Math for Grades 5-8 - Save up to 50%
Destination Math - Save up to 66% (the ultimate Saxon Math online companion)
Thinkwell Video Classroom - Save up to 48%
RESOURCES:
Discovery Education streaming Plus (educational videos!) - Save 45%
SmartDraw Homeschool Edition - Save 60%
SCIENCE:
Adaptive Curriculum - Only $49
Aha!Science for Grades 3-5 - Save up to 67%
PLATO Learning (formerly CyberEd) - Save 63%
TEST/ASSESSMENT:
Kaplan SAT Online Prep - Save 80%
Let's Go Learn - Save 25%
THINKING SKILLS:
BrainWare Safari - Save 68%
And the list goes on! Click my link below to see the complete list:
http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/curriculum/?source=52303
Thanks!

Note: This organization is not necessarily Christian in origin. Please screen each offer carefully before participating. Many offers appear to be very useful, however, so enjoy!

Recipe--Another *Most Requested*

Grape Salad

This recipe makes a very simple, yet elegant and delicious salad. It will serve 8 to 10 people.

1-8 oz. tub of sour cream
1-8 oz. pkg. of cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sugar
Mix these three ingredients well.

Clean 3 lbs. seedless red grapes and fold into cream cheese mixture. Mound grape mixture in bowl. Sprinkle 2 T. brown sugar over mixture. Cover with 1 to 2 cups of toasted pecans or toasted chopped or slivered almonds.

Note: To improve the nutritional value of this recipe, I use organic antibiotic-free sour cream, and replace the sugar with sucanat. If I have reasonable access to organic nuts, I use them as well. Either version of this recipe is sweet and delicious enough to call "dessert" if you prefer, yet it has very little sugar and is good for you!

Inexpensive Flea and Tick Preventative

God went to great lengths in creating animals in practically infinite variety, and certainly vast complexity. He created the jungle inhabitants and those more easily domesticated. Moving along the earth’s timeline to the point where God wiped out most of his creation in order to begin with a clean slate, He gave instructions to Noah to rescue a remnant from the animals. They are clearly components of His intentional care, and He has appointed humans, the crown of His creation as stewards of these creatures.

In caring for our pets we take them to veterinarians for check-ups, seek the most nutritious foods, and maintain their health at home. In our home we have had a habit of administering heartworm meds and flea and tick preventatives monthly, but in an effort to live a full-contact life—living with my eyes wide open, I have become disillusioned with the mainstream veterinary community, and am looking for alternatives. I am looking for ways to improve our pets’ well-being and health in a more natural and, mind you, less expensive way.
In my search I discovered a home-made flea and tick preventative spray using natural ingredients that cost a minute fraction of the outrageously-priced preparations the veterinarians are selling. It uses a combination of lemon juice, eucalyptus oil, and filtered water. The article doesn’t indicate how often the spray should be applied, but common sense says it will require a more frequent application than chemicals which invade the bloodstream and remain for weeks. I’m guessing pets should be sprayed weekly or when you notice pests reappearing.
A comment at the end of the article also mentions using Tea Tree oil, which I have on hand—sounds like a good place to start! Here’s hoping I’ve found a way to steward both our pets and God’s provision in our finances!

My Quiet Time Closet

This is it!

My perpetual vacation

My quiet time closet

My get-away

My garden

You'll find me here (if you could)

In the mornings when I meet God

I may slip away at other hours of the day

To listen

To the rain

To scribble

A lyric

To watch

Children laughing

When the cares of life grow heavy

I step out here and toss them away

In conversation with my Lord

My garden

My getaway

My quiet time closet

My perpetual vacation

This is it!

Raising Godly Teens--Imparting Vision

Between laundry and recruiting volunteers, I thought about Ruth's FB question about imparting vision. This note is the result.

I mis-named this note—many of you caught that at a glance. We are not raising up teenagers, we pray and labor and love and invest in order to raise godly adults. With that goal in mind, we view our teens as valuable individuals (in other words, we’re not waiting until they’re adults to see them as people—valuable individuals) to whom we must impart vision. In response to my last note about the need for imparting vision, Ruth said, “Any additional information on how to impart that vision would be appreciated.”

I wish I could definitively say I’ve got the answers, Ruth (because then Bill and I would be raising perfect children!) Since none of us has a fail-safe formula, we need each other—the Christian community—to come alongside for support in the journey. To that end I hope every parent who reads this will contribute by giving suggestions in the *comments* section.

I’m picking up on a few pointers by watching my *ever-growing-wiser* husband at work investing in our teens, as well as by reading some great books—for example, Age of Opportunity, by Paul David Tripp. Please note that Bill and I have learned much about what NOT to do, based on failures we’ve experienced! I am preaching to myself here!

Here are some possible tactics for imparting vision:
· Look at your teens through new eyes. See them as people of promise, packed full of potential. (Poetry anyone?) We too often get bogged down in the frustration of dealing with the ongoing eruption of the symptoms of sin in the lives of children. We become myopic and see them as aggravating sinners instead of God’s instruments.
· View every sin eruption as an opportunity (from Tripp’s book, mentioned above). Wow, this has revolutionized my interaction with my children. It’s a small revolution, but I’m advancing toward change—with my eyes open. I have a sin tendency toward being lazy about investing deeply in relationships, especially when the investment may require (loving) confrontation. Now I see conflict as an opportunity to talk with my children about their sin, my sin, and the overflowing grace of Christ for every circumstance. Capitalizing on these frequent opportunities nudges me out of my comfort zone—it’s not easy, but where is the benefit in *easy*?
· Encourage open discussion with your teens about their friends, their hair, their clothes, their music, and their direction. Ask them questions and really listen. Follow trends throughout history and discover how many fads symbolize a distinct philosophy. Ask your teens what statement they are trying to make. Encourage them to express their individuality within boundaries they can recognize as God-honoring. Look up lyrics to songs they listen to and have a family discussion time around song lyrics. (What do the lyrics say? What do they mean? Do they cause us to focus on Christ’s finished work on the cross? Are they uplifting or depressing? Is the music chaotic or does it minister. What kind of testimony do the lives of the artists performing have?
· Rejoice when your teens challenge your convictions and philosophies! This means they are thinking, not blindly following. Use the opportunity to discuss the absolute truth of the Bible. It (and it’s Author) is the only thing in life that is totally dependable. It will not fail and it will not change. When they experience confusion, they should know that they can go to the Bible to find stability. Coach them to make their challenges respectful, but be glad they are thinking.
· Confess your sin. Humble yourself before your children and teenagers. When they lash out at you and wag your sin in your face, admit it. Use the opportunity to tell them that this is exactly why you and they need the One who lived perfectly and died painfully to redeem us. (I often fail and miss this opportunity. Pray for me!)
· In all things, remind your teen, through diffused conversation, that they are part of a much bigger story.
· Live your theology. In any of the suggestions above, if your own life contradicts your stated theology, you will shut down vision right then and there. (Bill and I are having to face our own hypocrisy and trust God to renew our minds so that we will truly walk what we believe as a way of life.

Parents, please comment and add to these suggestions so that we can all benefit from the community of believers~

Our Teens Need Vision!

Imagine being nearly blind and hiking along a rocky path in the mountains with a group of equally limited friends. The warm sun forms a pulsating orb in the cloudless sky, highlighting the beauty of the distant peaks and glistening on the surface of a crystal lake tucked away among the creases of crags and foothills. The day couldn’t be better for hiking—only you and your friends are not enjoying your hike. You stumble along, tripping on tree roots, banging your shins on the hazardous edges of rocks littering the path. You see neither the dangers of your path, nor the breath-taking beauty surrounding you because your vision is limited. You can see only enough to grope along the path, hoping to escape this aggravation.

Life can be much like this for our teens if we do not take frequent opportunities to impart vision. As we walk through a relationship challenge with one of our teens, we realize that we have missed opportunities to teach and remind him of the very reason for which we were created, to worship God and to enjoy Him forever! Instead our teen’s vision has become clouded with cataracts called “self”, “pleasure”, and “comfort”.

In Matthew 6:33 we’re told to seek His kingdom before our own desires and comforts and He will provide all we need. We must take every opportunity to remind our teens of the ultimate goal of living for a Savior that lived and died for them.

I so appreciate how Paul David Tripp reminds us to live our theology when he writes,

It is God’s story… This grand universal story is what gives all of us a
reason to get up in the morning and do what we have been called to do.

To theologize with your teenagers does not mean you are to throw in an occasional Scripture verse that relates to the topic at hand. Rather it means that every day, in every way possible to embed the story of your teenager in the larger
story of God. Teens live overwhelmed by their own story. . .

It is the present power of their story that often gets teenagers into so much trouble. They lose focus. They live only for what they can get out of this moment. .
.They need a glory to hook into that is bigger than their own glory. (Paul David Tripp, Age of Opportunity)

I guarantee it will be time consuming and painful, but we spend our time wisely when we see every moment as an opportunity to impart vision. We will be opening our teens’ eyes to see the dangers of worldliness, selfishness, and sin along the path. More importantly, we will also be opening their eyes to the beauty of our God and a life captivated by His glory.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to my newly revived blog. I have added some fun thanks to Shabbyblog.com--what an amazing site!

I will be building a monument here--not to me, not to my family, but to the great God who lived perfectly and died painfully that we might live and dwell in the perfection of His life. Please stop by often and comment on what you find. Your remarks will add depth and variety to the monument under construction.

Christ's captive,
Carmen

In conversation with a group of Christian mothers, I learned of a book addressing the qualities a godly young woman desires in a mate. Admittedly, men with the desired qualities and convictions belong on the endangered species list.
As a mother of young men, however, I find the opposite to be true as well. Many Christian young ladies have bought the enticing package presented by the world that insists they be bold, educated, self-assertive, leaders. It’s a *self* focus that makes the teamwork required in a marriage difficult.
What’s a guy to do? It’s not like he is going to post a want ad in the local paper, but what if he did? The idea intrigues me, so I have written just such an ad (from the perspective of a young man looking for a wife.) Bear in mind that my sons have not written this, but knowing them, I think it covers some of the qualities they value in a future mate.
Wanted: Mostly Alive
Wanted: Someone to Share My Dreams and Grow Old With
Qualifications: Candidate should be a woman, moderately attractive (but doesn’t know it), abundantly kind, and humble. Her whole heart must belong to God with an understanding of her sinful state and God’s grace. She should be flexible and willing to follow an imperfect leader, yet clear-minded and decisive enough to advise. Candidate should be intelligent, but she should not lord her intelligence over others. She should be selfless and energetic in her ability to serve, but willing to be served in times of need. Candidate should have strong Biblical convictions, but not strong personal agendas. She should be warm and open, yet discreet. A lively sense of humor is a plus. It would be great if she were fashionable, as long as she is modest, but frumpy is out! Candidate should not approach men or be flirty.
Experience: No direct experience desired, however, positive experience with parent-child and sibling relationships helpful.
Education: No formal education desired. *External-career-minded* individuals need not apply.
Resume: Her life and family are her resume, including her Facebook. (“Where your heart is, there your treasure will be.” Your priorities are evident in the things you talk about in daily conversation and post on FB.) Candidates who attempt to look *sexy* on FB need not apply.
About me: I am a sinner, yet I’m forgiven. Being a male, I desire to be a godly leader, selfless, humble, and honest in my heart and conduct. I love to laugh, and share deep conversation. I’m willing to be corrected and want God to continue to shape me according to His will. I like to be *cool*, but not to the point that it compromises my witness or my faith. I enjoy serving others with my time and skills, and can produce references if desired.

Defining the Word *Awesome*

“Awesome!” shouted the teen in his skinny-leg jeans as watched his buddy recover from a daring skateboard stunt.
“That’s awesome!” crooned the wide-eyed girl, admiring her sister’s elaborate wedding gown.
“That movie was awesome!” declared the *hip* dad.
I sat down to write this quick blog entry with a hint of disdain toward those who use the word *awesome* to describe anything other than God himself. I have heard many godly individuals that I respect declare that this word should be used only in reference to God, himself.
Thinking they were correct, I set out to see what scripture has to say about it, so I that I might substantiate their claim and urge the world at large to be more careful in their use of this term. My research, however, failed to give credit to this line of thinking. Here’s what I found:
In the NAS, the word *awesome* is used thirty-two times, and each time in reference to God or the things of God, such as His name and the things He has done. Numbers in the ESV are similar—thirty-three times. I consulted the King (James, that is), and found that the word is not used at all. Instead, it uses a variety of terms.
Check out this passage from Isaiah (vs. 3) “When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.”
And compare verse 7 of Psalm 89 in the King James:
“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.”
to the same verse in the NAS:
“A God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all those who are around Him?”
I'm not implying that the KJV is the final authority by these comparisons--only that various translations use different language, according to the words in use at the time the translation was being recorded.
The dictionary.com definitions help us understand why the word was often used by various Bible translations to refer to God. It defines awesome as *inspiring awe*. Since I don’t care to define a word with the same word, I dug deeper. Here’s what I found for the word *awe*:
1.
an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like: in awe of God; in awe of great political figures.

2.
Archaic. power to inspire fear or reverence.

3.
Obsolete. fear or dread.
The slang definition for awesome from dictionary.com, *very impressive*, indicates a degeneration from the original meaning. Whether word-lovers like me like it or not, words change over time. In my searching I found an interesting library page defining the ways in which words change over the years. If you’re the more scholarly type, you might enjoy perusing this page: http://library.thinkquest.org/C0117962/howwordschangemeanings.htm
The following example shows how much a commonly used term differs today from several hundred years ago:
If you were to lob on my front doorstep tomorrow and tell me you're starving, my first impulse would be to dash to the kitchen and whip up something to help you see out another day, but had you arrived a few hundred years ago, my response would have been very different. I'd have headed to the blanket box in search of a woolly vest and some mittens. Starve comes from the Old English steofarn (to die) and it used to mean suffering or dying from the cold (as in low temperatures, not a runny nose and a cough). (From http://www.write101.com/W.Tips261.htm)
What’s my point? I’ve changed my mind. There is none like God, but I urge you to describe Him with the reverent language you see fit. Who is man, and who am I do declare which words are reserved for the great and mighty God of creation? The word *awesome* describes Him well, so use it if you like, but because He has not claimed the sole use of the word, use it as your conscience directs.
Isn’t is awesome to see brothers and sisters dwelling together in unity?

Making History Fun

“You shook his hand?” asked Jesse, wide-eyed.
“Yes,” Ethan replied with a shrug.
“Chuck Yeager? You shook Chuck Yeager’s hand?”
“Yes, Dad and I met him when we went to Edwards Air Force Base last year.”
“Wow!” responded Jesse, who had been studying Bernoulli’s principle (movement of fluid through a pressure difference) and building airplanes with his younger siblings. Ethan’s stature had just grown visibly in his brother’s eyes. “We just watched a documentary on him! He was the first man to break the sound barrier.”
Yes! I thought. They’re getting it! History is beginning to stick. My children grasped more about Chuck Yeager, Charles Lindbergh, and Amelia Earhart at ages six, ten, and thirteen than I understood at age forty-four. For that, I can thank the vehicle by which their history is being delivered.
To read this article in its entirity, please visit Crosswalk.

Who Decides What America Reads?

"Librarians seldom admit that they practice censorship . . . They call it ‘a proper choice of books with a limited book fund.’ Anything not in keeping with the ideas of the library board . . . is ruled out.” - attributed to George Bowerman
A young anonymous librarian, referred to as “Jay Otis,” used the following words in a charge against librarians in the mid 1930s: “The librarian as censor must try to represent the best and most enlightened public opinion.”1
Christian homeschooling parents will discover in sharp contrast that the “best and most enlightened opinion” today rarely reaches as far as works on scientific topics from a creationist perspective or non-revisionist history. The public library in Palmdale, California, for example, apparently carries no books on scientific topics (i.e., biology, geology, dinosaurs, the Great Ice Age, and so forth) from a creationist perspective. It does, however, address the topic of creation in nine books. The opposing view, seemingly accepted as the “best and most enlightened opinion,” is expressed within 32 volumes on the topic of evolution and 33 on Darwinism/Darwin.
Another area of concern includes biographies written from a Christian perspective. Although you will find a handful of biographies on such greats as Billy Graham, Jonathan Edwards, and Corrie Ten Boom, you are less likely to find books on personalities such as Isaac Newton and Freidrich Handel that relate the deep faith of these individuals. Theologian, conference speaker, and homeschooling father Mike Davis discussed his frustrations with the library system’s lack of equitable treatment for materials expressing positive views of anything Christian: “To give you an example, I searched for a book on the first woman ever to speak before a joint session of Congress. She knew five presidents personally, published over 5,000 poems, and she was blind. Her biography is not in the Austin [Texas] Public Library. Why? She’s a Christian. Her name is Fanny Crosby.”
To read this entire article, visit: Christianity.com. Article originally published in Home School Enrichment.
I value your feedback--positive or negative, if it's done respectfully!

Maxims of George Washington

Maxims on Friendship

Friendly Advice

"The opinion and advice of friends I receive, at all times, as a proof of their friendship, and am thankful when they are offered"

Proverbs 27:9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend's counsel that comes from the heart.