Wow--I figured out how to add photos

This is a picture of Alex playing piano at the Christmas Party for the Homeschool Group. We had fun that night. We made a craft, decorated gingerbread cookies (YUM), and played games. It was just a nice time to fellowship with other homeschoolers.

Now that I know how to add pictures to the blog, I will do this more often. I knew there was a way to do it---just a little determination (and some frustration, lol) and I figured it out. Look how cool I was--I used lol, and I actually know what it means. Well I have to cut this short today--I have to get school started. Today, Wednesdays, are always busy days. We have school, piano, Church (Alex has AWANA). I have lots I want to blog about, but it will wait until tomorrow.

January 19, 2010

Well half of the first month of 2010 is over already. I have a feeling this year is going to fly by like the last one did. School is getting back into motion, flowing like it is suppose to. Looking at the board, Alex and I will be celebrating our 100th day of 6th grade on Thursday the 21st. Wow--6th grade is flying by. I have already started looking at the curriculum for next year. Seems like just yesterday we were starting Kindergarten. Time flies when you are having fun. We had our homeschool planning meeting for the rest of the year and we have a lot of exciting things coming up. I am hosting the Science Fair in a couple of weeks. I have to get Alex extra motivated. Besides his regular work he has to put together a science project. We also have some neat field trips coming up. We are going to the State Museum to take classes and then to USC-Aiken for some classes. Busy, busy, busy!!! We have International day coming to the state fairgrounds in April and we are really looking forward to that. I have heard a lot about it, but we have never been. Testing is also coming up in April---"Yuck," Alex would say.

Book Review for Rediscovering God in America

Thank you to Thomas Neilson Publishing for allowing me to review this book.

Title: Rediscovering God in America
Author: Newt Gingrich
Illustrated with photography taken by Callista Gingrich

The title of this book intrigued me and is the reason I chose this book. Newt Gingrich captured our nation's history and future perfectly. His discriptions about how each element of our Country's history was founded on Biblical principals and beliefs was amazing. So much History that I was unaware of. Callista Gingrich's photographs were beautiful and you could see the essence of God in the pictures. People say that religous expression has no place in our country or in our government, but in this book you realize that is false. This book reminded me the role God plays in every aspect of our history as well as the future of our country. More liberal people and those who want to try and take God out of our country need to read this and realize that without God first we wouldn't have a country and second we wouldn't have a future.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone who loves history and loves the truth. I is a wonderful book.

Reviewed by Jennifer Ballew on 1/3/2010

Fool's Gold by Melody Carlson

Thank you NavPress for allowing me the opportunity to review this book.

Fool's Gold
by: Melody Carlson
review by: Jennifer Ballew

Fool's Gold is a fiction novel about a missionary kid, Hannah, from Papua New Guinea who came to California to stay with some rich family members while her parents are home on furlough. As Hannah's parents travel the United States raising support to go back to Papau New Guinea, she tries to fit into a "normal" life with her cousin Vanessa and her friends. Hannah new right away she was different. She didn't dress the same, talk the same, or act the same as those she found in California. She left her Bible in "PNG" as she called it and turned away from God. She wanted to earn money for college, or uni as she called it, so she got a job as a receptionist at her Uncle's Janitorial Company. Instead of saving money, she kept spending. Opening new charge accounts at fancy stores, asking for a draw on her salary from her uncle, and opening bank accounts, she got caught in trying to live up to Vanessa and her popular friend's standards. She could never live up to them no matter how hard she tried, or how much debt she got herself into.

She met a young lady named Jessie, who was a Christian, the only one in her family. She tried to show Hannah how important it was to be herself. Hannah was trying to impress Wyatt, a good looking boy that she met at a party. She began by going surfing with him, with little innocent flirting here and there. She tried alcoholic beverages a couple of times, but she did not like them. She even charged a pair of expensive sunglasses for herself and for Wyatt, trying to impress. It worked. He began to like her, but was it really for her, or the money he thought she had.

After all her debt started piling up and realizing she was in way over her head, she hit rock bottom and broke down. She remembered God and how he is always there for you. She asked for his forgiveness, started working extra hours to pay back her debt, stopped hanging out with the wrong crowd, and started going to church with Jessie.

This story was a good story with a wonderful lesson in it. I think personally it is geared for the upper teen age girl group. This would be wonderful for someone who is facing peer pressure. Some of the lingo is a little hard to follow, but the more you read the more you catch on. Overall it was a good book.

Last Night's Service

Wow--Last night's church service was so awesome. The text was from James 1:16-18. It reads: Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

During this time of year we always wonder what to get each other and try to go out and find the "perfect" gift. The problem with that is there is only one perfect gift and that is the gift of Jesus Christ, eternal life. There are so many people out there who are without him, we could be spreading the word. Instead of acting crazy over sales at Wal-mart, or going in debt to buy the "perfect" gift, we could be living testimonies. Show others the Gift we have by our actions and words. Lets share with as many as possible the Great News about Jesus. That would truly be the best gift if we could see someone saved because of something we said or done. What a wonderful testimony our children would be if we taught them that God is the greatest gift of all, that He is who blesses us with the means to be able to buy something for them, not some guy in a big red suit. God is who blesses us with all we have.

Wow--the message last night touched me in such a powerful way. I am so greatful to God that he allowed the Holy Spirit to move in my heart last night. There was a lady who gave a wonderful testimony. Her Grandma was in the hospital 89 years old, and she sat by her grandma's bed and prayed for the Lord to let her wake so she could share her faith with her. The grandma awoke and listen to her granddaughter speak, and she allowed the Lord to move in her heart. She prayed the Sinners Prayer with her granddaughter and asked Jesus to save her. Now others around her has noticed a difference in her. How awesome is that. One more soul that is saved from a horrible death in the lake of fire. She will live forever with her Lord, Jesus Christ.

Thank you for letting me go on and on like this. I just had to share!!!!!

About us

Hi! My name is Jennifer and I am a homeschool mom of one. My son and I are in the 6th grade this year. We currently use the A Beka DVD program. We have used this method since the 2nd grade and we have had lots of success with it. I am so greatful to God for allowing me the opportunity to teach my son at home. It is a struggle at times, but one well worth it. God has always provided for us through our struggles and for that we give Him all the glory. I am so greatful that my son does not have to study about false teaching like astrology and evolution. We are able to teach him about how God created our beautiful earth and how he placed the stars in the sky. We are able to pray daily in our school and learn straight from the best text book of all---The Bible, God's Holy Word. I am also very thankful to have a husband who supports our homeschooling and works very hard so we can continue.

Well I am new to this blogging thing, so more will come later.

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