The TOS Homeschool Crew is moving right along. I've already been assigned several things to review, and I couldn't be more excited - I've even received a few already! :D
I just wanted you all to be looking for my reviews. I'll be adding a new sidebar where you can see what is coming up. This is an exciting opportunity for me and the kids. Not only do we get to try out curriculum, games, devotionals and computer programs, we get to do it for free! And I get to share my opinions with all of you! Be looking for my first review the end of this month. Bye for now, have a great weekend!
Blessings!!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Relearning old Truths
Even amidst a depressed spirit and a feeling of letdown, I found great comfort in two things tonight. One: God's Word is relevant to me, in every state of being, in every situation I find myself in. His Word never fails me. Two: Tables can truly turn in relationships, and I am so thankful for the one that turned tonight.
One of my sweet little sisters in the faith has been brought back into my life. God is in the midst of it, and it's been a blessing. I've known my friend since she was 12 or 13, and I was about 21 or so. I was her youth counsellor, and she was a beautiful, bubbly teenager. She had a life story that drew her to me, and we bonded easily. The Lord allowed me to be a part of her life and I saw her grow and blossom and find her life and love in Him. She married a boy I love as much as I love her, and they moved on to be part of a new ministry, doe-eyed and passionate to learn more of His ways.
Here we are, five years later. We are finding ourselves about to start on a new endeavor to bring the lost to Jesus Christ. We are excited, but wary; nervous, but thrilled; ready for new beginnings, but painfully looking back at all we've been through and uncertain as to what the next steps are. But ready to take those steps together.
I am struggling. I am certain of the path we are on. I am certain it is God's will. I am excited and rearing to go, but unexplicably vulnerable and frustrated. After our small group tonight, I completely melted down. I found myself a puddle, and not really even sure why! My friend and pastor spoke words of encouragement, and I'm so thankful for what he had to say. But do you know what really blew my mind? My little sister spoke godly words of wisdom over me and soothed my soul...in ways I remember doing for her long ago.
I made the comment to her about a month ago that it was going to be an amazing journey working together - two grown women, instead of youth and counsellor. I told her then that I knew God had drawn us back together for a reason, and I was sure that I would be learning much from her. She laughed and kind of shrugged it off, but I reminded her of my prophetic words tonight. I look at her and still catch a glimpse of the girl that had so many questions about her future ten plus years ago. But tonight, I saw a woman who walks daily with her Lord and had a word from Him for me, a woman she once looked to for guidance. The tables had truly turned, and I couldn't be more thankful. He has grown her into a godly woman that I am honored to call friend.
He has put this group of people with a burning passion to serve Him together for a purpose. He is healing us all, He is stretching us all. I am taking all the words spoken over me tonight by friends and laying them all out to dig through. He who has begun a work in me will certainly see it through. My job is to be still and allow Him to work. It is hard, but He promises to be there right beside me through it all. And He's given me some wonderful friends to be at my side as well. Thank you, Lord, for that.
One of my sweet little sisters in the faith has been brought back into my life. God is in the midst of it, and it's been a blessing. I've known my friend since she was 12 or 13, and I was about 21 or so. I was her youth counsellor, and she was a beautiful, bubbly teenager. She had a life story that drew her to me, and we bonded easily. The Lord allowed me to be a part of her life and I saw her grow and blossom and find her life and love in Him. She married a boy I love as much as I love her, and they moved on to be part of a new ministry, doe-eyed and passionate to learn more of His ways.
Here we are, five years later. We are finding ourselves about to start on a new endeavor to bring the lost to Jesus Christ. We are excited, but wary; nervous, but thrilled; ready for new beginnings, but painfully looking back at all we've been through and uncertain as to what the next steps are. But ready to take those steps together.
I am struggling. I am certain of the path we are on. I am certain it is God's will. I am excited and rearing to go, but unexplicably vulnerable and frustrated. After our small group tonight, I completely melted down. I found myself a puddle, and not really even sure why! My friend and pastor spoke words of encouragement, and I'm so thankful for what he had to say. But do you know what really blew my mind? My little sister spoke godly words of wisdom over me and soothed my soul...in ways I remember doing for her long ago.
I made the comment to her about a month ago that it was going to be an amazing journey working together - two grown women, instead of youth and counsellor. I told her then that I knew God had drawn us back together for a reason, and I was sure that I would be learning much from her. She laughed and kind of shrugged it off, but I reminded her of my prophetic words tonight. I look at her and still catch a glimpse of the girl that had so many questions about her future ten plus years ago. But tonight, I saw a woman who walks daily with her Lord and had a word from Him for me, a woman she once looked to for guidance. The tables had truly turned, and I couldn't be more thankful. He has grown her into a godly woman that I am honored to call friend.
He has put this group of people with a burning passion to serve Him together for a purpose. He is healing us all, He is stretching us all. I am taking all the words spoken over me tonight by friends and laying them all out to dig through. He who has begun a work in me will certainly see it through. My job is to be still and allow Him to work. It is hard, but He promises to be there right beside me through it all. And He's given me some wonderful friends to be at my side as well. Thank you, Lord, for that.
Monday, August 1, 2011
PRODUCT REVIEW: R&R Games, Flea Circus
We have been dealing with fleas in our home - and it's been a blast! R&R Games' new card game, Flea Circus, has already provided our family with a load of laughs.
The game is a basic counting game with a few twists added in for fun. It is recommended for ages 6-7 and up, but my niece Molly (who is 5) kept up just fine. Here is how the game works:
The story - You are the leader of a "flea" ring circus! Your goal is to have the most dogs and cats watching your act. You may collect spectators from the middle pile, or steal them from other acts! The one with the most spectators at the end of the game wins!
Now I have to admit, when we got the game out for the first time, I was a little skeptical. The graphics on the cards are cute, and the dog and cat figurines are adorable; but when I pulled out the instructions and saw how many rules there were for a kids' card game, I got a little worried. They aren't worded in a difficult way, there were just a lot of them! If I hadn't been playing, I think the kids would have had a difficult time figuring it out on their own. Luckily, we play most games like this as a family. ;) The first round was a little confusing because we kept having to re-read the directions; but after the second round, we all had a pretty good grip on how to play...and it was on!
The kids are very competitive, and one in particular - cough, CONNOR, cough - HATES to lose. So when I realized that stealing from opponents was part of the game, I was concerned. However, he dealt with the blows very well...especially when he could exact revenge on practically the next hand!!
It's a constant back and forth, one stealing, another taking back. You sometimes get caught up in that and forget to use the pick pile. Which is bad if you ever want the game to end...but could be good for those with unlimited attention spans! :D Once the pick pile is empty, the one with the most dogs and cats wins the game.
R&R Games specializes in family oriented games with an educational bend. Their mission statement showed me quickly how passionate they are about family time: "Our Mission is to produce high quality family board games so that we can play around all the time. Fun games. Challenging games. Big games, little games, games that climb on rocks... (Oh wait, that's something else...) Anyway, that's our mission."
They are so excited to share their product, that they sent me a coupon code to share with my readers! Now that's a company I can get behind! If you buy a game from their website, R&R Games, use this code CREW20 for 20% off your entire purchase! And with Flea Circus costing only $15.95, this could be a great buy (think early Christmas shopping, people!)
We have played this game several times a week since we got it, and I've enjoyed it as much as the kids. We've even gotten Kelly, who is not a big fan of games, to play with us a few times. It is good, clean fun for the whole family...even if it does involve fleas! :)
**Disclaimer: I received a free trial from R&R Games via TOS Homeschool Crew in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review; all opinions stated are my own and my children’s.
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