Encouraging Websites for Homeschoolers

This is a list of encouraging websites that I like to look at occasionally as I am on this homeschooling journey:

Scripture for Homeschooling

Homeschool FAQ's

Mom's Corner

Lately things have been so overwhelming for me that I have become very stressed.  Last week was my birthday and Roger was so sweet to take me on a short little vacation to our favorite spot in North Carolina.  We enjoyed looking at the Fine Arts Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway and many antique stores.  It was also a nice time to just relax and enjoy each others company.   We really had a great time and I was so relaxed by the time we got home.  But, by Wednesday when I went back to work I started getting stressed again.  Of course, I did because none of my problems had disappeared while I was gone.  I still had a job that to me is very stressful at times and my daddy is still not doing well.  Sometimes I feel like a rat in an exercise wheel.  I keep running around in circles but I'm not getting anywhere.  Yesterday it hit me that I need to learn to turn all of my problems over to God.  Of course, I should have already known that, but it is so hard for me to do this.  I need to make sure I am putting Him first and then the rest of my day will fall into place.  Sure, I will still have stressful days at work and sure my loved ones will be hurting but I can rest in Jesus knowing that He is in control.Here is a verse that really spoke to me today:
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is."

Psalm 63:1

WMU Luncheon

Yesterday we had our ladies luncheon at church.   Edna Ellison was our guest speaker and we all had a great time.  Please enjoy our pictures from the day:

WMU Luncheon

I am going to start trying new cake recipes and will eventually start working on decorating cakes.  (For some reason I think I can teach myself how to do this!  LOL)  Anyway, today was my first day and I plan on taking these to my kids at church tonight to give them a try.  I know they will give me their honest opinions.  

Here's the recipe I tried and a picture to follow:

Basic Yellow Cake

1/2 cup shortening
1  1/2 cup sugar
Mix together
2 cups self rising flour
1 cup milk
1 tsp. orange flavoring
2 eggs

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

 

I used a star tip to make a simple decoration on top of the cupcake.

Our Chickens!

Jesus' Birthday Party

Every year at church I have a birthday party for Jesus with the kids.  Here is my outline for the party this year:

Jesus' Birthday Party

Tonight we are going to celebrate by having a birthday party for Jesus.  So many times it seems like people forget that the whole reason we celebrate Christmas is because it is Jesus' birthday.


Show video of   Where's the Line to See Jesus


Now we are going to talk about our cake.

The first thing you may notice is the cake is round which reminds us of God's never ending love for us   (We are all going to make mistakes, we're not perfect.  But we know that all we have to do is ask God to forgive us and if we are really sincere He will forgive us.)

The border of hearts around the cake sides represents each one of us standing as witnesses for Jesus. (How can we witness for Jesus)

The gold star in the middle of the cake reminds us of the star of Bethlehem which led the wise men to Jesus.

The yellow hearts around the star is the grace of God.

The red candle we have over to the side represents Jesus.  (Light red candle)

Read Christmas story.

Give everyone a candle and let them stick it in the cake and then light each of their candles.  When we have Jesus in our heart we are a light to the world for Jesus.  So many people won't read the Bible for themselves to learn more about Jesus so we need to be able to let them see Jesus in our life and our lifestyle.

Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and blow out candles.

When we cut the cake you will notice three layers.

• The first layer is brown for our sins.  
• The second layer is red for Jesus' blood that He shed for our sins when He died on the cross.
• The third layer is green which stands for new life -- which is something we have in our heart after we accept Jesus and ask for forgiveness of our sins.
• The frosting is white and it stands for Jesus' purity and righteousness.

Trunk or Treat 2010

We had so much fun this year at the Trunk or Treat at our church.  Here are a few pictures: